BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is administered for a few days after lung transplantation (LTx) in recipients who are expected to have early graft dysfunction. Despite its life-saving potential, immediate postoperative ECMO has life-threatening complications such as postoperative bleeding. We investigated the risk factors related to the use of immediate postoperative ECMO. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 60 LTx patients who were at our institution from October 2012 to May 2015. Perioperative variables associated with postoperative ECMO were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were 26 patients who received postoperative ECMO (ECMO group) and 34 patients who did not (control group). Multivariate regression analysis revealed preoperative ECMO (odds ratio [OR] 12.55, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.34 - 117.24, p = 0.027) and lower peripheral pulse oxymetry saturation (SpO2) at the end of surgery (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.54 - 0.95, p = 0.019) were independent risk factors for postoperative ECMO in LTx patients. The incidences of complications, such as re-operation, tracheostomy, renal failure and postoperative atrial fibrillation, were higher in the ECMO group. There was no difference in the duration of postoperative intensive care unit stay or postoperative 30-day mortality between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative ECMO and lower SpO2 at the end of surgery were associated with postoperative ECMO. Further, postoperative adverse events were higher in the ECMO group compared with the control group. This study suggests that determination of postoperative ECMO requires careful consideration because of the risks of postoperative ECMO in LTx patients.
Atrial Fibrillation ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intensive Care Units ; Lung Transplantation ; Lung* ; Mortality ; Renal Insufficiency ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Tracheostomy ; Transplants ; Weaning

No abstract available.
Carcinoid Tumor* ; Rectum*

Statement of problem. Proliferation of Candida albicans is primarily within the plaque on the fitting surface of the denture rather than on the inflamed mucosa. Consequently, the treatment of the denture is equally important as treatment of the tissue. Cleansing and disinfection should be efficiently carried-out as the organisms can penetrate into the voids of the acrylic resin and grow in them, from which they can continue to infect and reinfect bearing tissues. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the applicability of photocatalytic reaction to eliminate Candida albicans from acrylic resin denture base, and to investigate the antifungal effect with various UVA illumination time. Materials and Methods. The specimens were cured by the conventional method following the manufacturer's instruction using thermal polymerized denture base resin (Vertex RS; Dentimex, Netherlands). TiO2 photocatalyst sol(LT), which is able to be coated at normal temperature, was made from the Ti-alkoxide progenitor. The XRD patterns, TEM images and nitrogen absorption ability of the TiO2 photocatalyst sol(LT) were compared with the commercial TiO2 photocatalyst P-25. The experimental specimens were coated with the mixture of the TiO2 photocatalyst sol(LT) and binder material (silane) using dip-coater, and uncoated resin plates were used as the control group. Crystallinity of TiO2 of the specimen was tested by the XRD. Size, shape and chemical compositions were also analyzed using the FE-SEM/EDS. The angle and methylene blue degradation efficiency were measured for evaluating the photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 film. Finally, the antifungal activity of the specimen was tested. Candida albicans KCTC 7629(1 ml, initial concentration 105cells/ml) were applied to the experiment and control group specimens and subsequently two UVA light source with 10W, 353 nm peak emission were illuminated to the specimens from 15cm above. The extracted 2 microliter of sample was plated on nutrient agar plate (BactoTM Brain Heart Infusion; BD, USA) with 10 minute intervals for 120 minute, respectively. It was incubated for 24 hours at 37 degree C and the colony forming units (CFUs) were then counted. Results. Compared the characteristics of LT photocatalyst with commercial P-25 photocatalyst, LT were shown higher activity than P-25. The LT coated experimental specimen surface had anatase crystal form, less than 20 nm of particle size and wide specific surface area. To evaluate the photocatalytic activity of specimens, methylene blue degradation reaction were used and about 5% of degradation rate were measured after 2 hours. The average contact angle was less than 20.indicating that the LT photocatalyst had hydrophilicity. In the antifungal activity test for Candida albicans, 0% survival rate were measured within 30 minute after irradiation of UVA light. Conclusion. From the results reported above, it is concluded that the UVA-LT photocatalytic reaction have an antifungal effect on the denture surface Candida albicans, and so that could be applicable to the clinical use as a cleaning method.
Absorption ; Agar ; Brain ; Candida albicans* ; Candida* ; Crystallins ; Denture Bases* ; Dentures* ; Disinfection ; Heart ; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions ; Lighting ; Methylene Blue ; Mucous Membrane ; Nitrogen ; Particle Size ; Polymers ; Stem Cells ; Survival Rate

Purpose: Smoking is a way of coping with anxiety and stress. This study aimed to identify the effects of forest-thermal combined therapy on anxiety and depression in smokers who desire to quit smoking. Methods: Thirty participants were included in the study, 15 in the experimental group and 15 in the control group. Those in the experimental group participated in a three-day forest-thermal combined therapy program. The program includes forest walks, meditation and thermal therapy in the charcoal kiln. Results: Before and after the program, physiological indicators such as cortisol, heart rate variability, and serotonin anxiety level using the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI), and stress level using the psychosocial well-being index (PWI) were measured in both groups. The differences in STAI (p = .012) and PWI (p = .006) scores between the experimental and control groups were statistically significant. However, cortisol, heart rate variability, and serotonin were not significantly different between the two groups after the program. Conclusion These results show that forest-thermal combination therapy effectively reduces anxiety and stress in smokers. It suggests that forest-thermal therapy can potentially increase smoking cessation rates.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a health promotion program utilizing action planning strategy for young adults. METHODS: A non-equivalent control group pre-post-test design was used. One hundred three university students participated in the study. Participants in the experimental group (n=51) were provided the health promotion program utilizing action planning strategy for five weeks. The program consisted of weekly sessions that included action planning and group feedback. The control group (n=52) was provided with health information every week for 5 weeks. Program outcomes, including self-efficacy, physical activity health behaviors, total exercise time per week, daily cigarette consumption, frequency of alcohol drinking per month, nutritional health behaviors, and subjective health status, were assessed at baseline and at follow-up after 5 weeks. RESULTS: The participants in the experimental group demonstrated significant increases in self-efficacy, physical activity health behaviors, weekly exercise time, and nutritional health behaviors and significant decreases in daily cigarette consumption than those in the control group. CONCLUSION: The health promotion program utilizing action planning strategy is a brief and effective intervention to promote health behaviors among young adults. Further investigation is warranted to assess the program's effectiveness among other age groups and populations at high risk for chronic illness.
Alcohol Drinking ; Chronic Disease ; Diagnostic Self Evaluation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Health Behavior ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Motor Activity ; Self Efficacy ; Tobacco Products ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a health promotion program utilizing action planning strategy for young adults. METHODS: A non-equivalent control group pre-post-test design was used. One hundred three university students participated in the study. Participants in the experimental group (n=51) were provided the health promotion program utilizing action planning strategy for five weeks. The program consisted of weekly sessions that included action planning and group feedback. The control group (n=52) was provided with health information every week for 5 weeks. Program outcomes, including self-efficacy, physical activity health behaviors, total exercise time per week, daily cigarette consumption, frequency of alcohol drinking per month, nutritional health behaviors, and subjective health status, were assessed at baseline and at follow-up after 5 weeks. RESULTS: The participants in the experimental group demonstrated significant increases in self-efficacy, physical activity health behaviors, weekly exercise time, and nutritional health behaviors and significant decreases in daily cigarette consumption than those in the control group. CONCLUSION The health promotion program utilizing action planning strategy is a brief and effective intervention to promote health behaviors among young adults. Further investigation is warranted to assess the program's effectiveness among other age groups and populations at high risk for chronic illness.

Methods: Radiograms of 1,496 patients (555 males and 941 females) from the first to 9th decade were examined for this study. Sagittal and coronal alignment, disc space narrowing, spur formation including diffuse idiopathic spinal hyperostosis (DISH), spondylolisthesis, and ballooned discs associated with biconcave bodies due to osteoporosis were among the parameters of lumbar spine morphologies examined on high-quality radiographs by both human observers and computers. Results: The alignment of the lumbar spine altered after birth and set at growth maturity, and then the curve was maintained till the end of the 5th decade afterward and the curve gradually hypolordotic. There were three types of coronal alignment abnormalities can be seen: idiopathic, osteopathic, and discogenic (degenerative lumbar scoliosis [DLS]). DLS developed after 6th decade. There was no scoliosis associated with spondylolysis or the post-laminofacetectomy period. Disc space narrowing and corporal spur formation were not seen till the end of 3rd decade comparatively speaking, the corporal spurs generated in the non-scoliotic spine were smaller than those in the scoliotic spine. DISH began to appear in the 5th-decade patients and its incidences increased gradually afterward. Porosis-related vertebral body collapse started to happen after 6th decade. There are three different types of spondylolisthesis: anterior, posterior, and lateral. The lateral slip occurred only in the scoliotic spine. All types were related to degenerative discs. Conclusions It has been shown that the morphology of the lumbar spine changes throughout time.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The role of calcium sulfate in stimulating the growth of gingival soft tissue has been reported in few studies. Such a unique property of calcium sulfate could serve as a trouble-solving broker in compensating for the lack of soft tissues in various oral surgeries. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the proliferating activities of human gingival fibroblasts seeded on various bone graft barrier materials of calcium sulfate, collagen, and polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two calcium sulfates (CAPSET(R) and CalForma(R), Lifecore Biomedical Inc., St. Paul, Minnesota, USA), a resorbable natural collagen (Bio-Gide(R), Geistlich Pharma Ag., Wolhusen, Switzerland), and a non-resorbable PTFE (TefGen-FD(R), Lifecore Biomedical Inc., St. Paul, Minnesota, USA) served as the human gingival fibroblasts'substrates and comprised the four experimental groups, whereas the untreated floors of culture plastics were used in the control group, in this study. Cells were trypsinized, seeded, and incubated for 48 h. The proliferating activities of fibroblasts were determined by XTT and SRB assay and absorbance (optical density, OD) was measured. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze the differences in the mean OD values between the groups of CAPSET, CalForma, Bio-Gide, TefGen, and the control (p<0.05). RESULTS: From the XTT assay, the mean OD value of the control group, the highest, was significantly greater than that of any of the four experimental groups followed by CalForma, CAPSET, TefGen, and Bio-Gide. Further, the mean OD value of CalForma, was significantly greater compared to that of Bio-Gide. From the SRB assay, Calforma showed the highest mean OD value, which was significantly greater than that of any other groups, followed by the control, CAPSET, Bio-Gide, and TefGen. The mean OD values of both the control and CAPSET were significantly greater compared to that of TefGen (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Assessment of the viability and proliferation of cultured fibroblasts seeded and incubated for 48 h on various barrier-material substrates using XTT and SRB assay showed that calcium sulfate CalForma(R) promotes the proliferating activity of human gingival fibroblasts.
Calcium Sulfate* ; Calcium* ; Collagen ; Fibroblasts* ; Humans* ; Minnesota ; Plastics ; Polytetrafluoroethylene ; Sulfates ; Transplants ; Trypsin

The antihypertensive effect of Doxazocin were evaluated in 20 patients with essential hypertension. Two to eight mg of Doxazocin per day were administered continuously for two or eight weeks. The results were as follows : 1) Doxazocin were effective in 18 out of 20 patients(90%) at the end of 8 weeks treatment. 2) The systolic blood pressure was signigicantly decreased(173+/-20mmHg VS 144+/-33mmHg, P+/-0.001), and the diastolic blood pressure was also decreased(110+/-10mmHg VS 93+/-19mmHg, P<0.01) after treatment. 3) Triglyceride showed a decreasing tendency but statistically significance was not observed. Total cholesteral, HDL-cholesterol, BUN, creatinine, and uric acid did not change significantly before and after treatment with Doxazocin. 4) The side effects were headache in one case and dizziness in to cases. These results suggest that Doxazocin is an effective antihypertensive agent and concerning lipid profile, further long term observation is needed.
Blood Pressure ; Creatinine ; Dizziness ; Headache ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Triglycerides ; Uric Acid

BACKGROUND: Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is primarily secreted from the cardiac ventricles. Circulating concentrations of BNP are known to be increased in established chronic heart failure and acute myocardial infarction and to correlate well with left ventricular dysfunction and prognosis. It may also act as an index of ischemic severity. This study was performed to evaluate the value of plasma BNP measurement during exercise test in patients with ischemic heart disease for an assessment of myocardial ischemia. METHOD: This study included a total of 63 cases who had suspected ischemic heart disease or suffered from myocardial infarction. The subjects underwent treadmill exercise with modified Bruce protocol. Tc-99m MIBI (methoxyisobutyl Isonitrile) SPECT image was obtained by one-day or two-day protocol with rest-stress sequence. They were divided into 3 groups by findings in exercise TC-99m MIBI SPECT; 16 cases with reversible perfusion defect into angina pectoris group, 12 cases with myocardial infarction and fixed perfusion defect into myocardial infarction group and 35 cases without perfusion defect into control group. Venous blood was obtained at rest and just after peak exercise. Plasma levels of BNP level were measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULT: BNP levels increased with exercise from 20.1 +/- 28.2 to 33.2 +/- 44.0 pg/ml in the control group, 33.9 +/- 48.8 to 44.6 +/- 49.2 pg/ml in the angina pectoris group and 86.6 +/- 85.0 to 140.9 +/- 116.2 pg/ml in the myocardial infarction group (p<0.01, respectively). BNP levels in the myocardial infarction group were significantly higher than those in the control and angina pectoris group both at rest and after peak exercise (p<0.01, respectively). The changes in BNP levels with exercise were also significantly higher in the myocardial infarction group compared with those in the control and angina pectoris group (p<0.01). The BNP levels at rest were correlated significantly with the extent of perfusion defect and METs (r=0.465, p<0.001; r=-0.283, p<0.05, respectively). The BNP level after peak exercise correlated closely with the extent of perfusion defect and left ventricular ejection fraction (r=0.481, p<0.001; r=-0.301, p<0.05, respectively). The changes in BNP level with exercise were correlated well with the extent of perfusion defect and the ischemic severity (r=0.352, p<0.01; r=0.272, p<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the changes in BNP level during an exercise test could be used for an index of ischemic severity in patients with ischemic heart disease.
Angina Pectoris ; Brain* ; Exercise Test ; Heart Failure ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Ischemia* ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain* ; Perfusion ; Plasma* ; Prognosis ; Radioimmunoassay ; Stroke Volume ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left