According to the author's request, in this paper, the eighth author's (Bong-Seong Kim) affiliation should be corrected.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular stent graft placement is a useful treatment option in lesions of the thoracic aorta. The aim of this study was to assess the possibility of sedation with dexmedetomidine compared with general anesthesia in patients undergoing thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in a multi-center clinical trial. METHODS: Data from 38 patients with thoracic aorta lesions treated by TEVAR between April 2010 and November 2013 were retrospectively collected at two hospitals. General anesthesia or sedation with dexmedetomidine was determined according to the hospital. Demographics, anesthetic recordings, and complications were reviewed. RESULTS: Stent graft placement was technically successful in all patients. There were no events during the anesthetic period. A total of 38 patients underwent TEVAR; 29 patients received general anesthesia, and 9 received sedation. Dexmedetomidine sedation (loading dose: 0.5-1.0 microg/kg for 10 min, maintenance: 0.2-0.8 microg/kg/h) was successfully performed without anesthesia-related complications or mortality. During the procedure, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and saturation of peripheral oxygen were not statistically different between general anesthesia and dexmedetomidine sedation. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, TEVAR under sedation with dexmedetomidine was shown to be a feasible procedure that was well tolerated without specific complications.
Anesthesia, General* ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Arterial Pressure ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Demography ; Dexmedetomidine* ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Mortality ; Oxygen ; Retrospective Studies*

PURPOSE: There are a number of reports suggesting that widespread propagation of weeds and high concentration of weed pollen have been contributed to climate change. We investigated the interrelationship between allergenic pollen concentration, allergic symptom and meteorological factor. METHODS: We collected data of pollen concentration and meteorological factors in 7 stations nationwide during between 1998 and 2012. We recruited total 297 allergic patients sensitized to weed pollens from each station, conducted a survey about allergic symptom, and calculated symptom index. We surveyed the vegetation area of ragweed and Japanese hop. Based on these data, we performed the long-term trend analysis (X11-ARIMA, autoregressive integrated moving average) on regional pollen concentration, and correlation analysis to investigate the interrelation between weed pollen concentration, allery symptom index and meteorological factor. We have also done regression analysis on vegetation area and maximal pollen concentration. RESULTS: Long-term trend analysis showed the increasing trend of pllen concentration in Seoul. Weed pollen concentration, allergy symptom index and each meteorological factor were not correlated significantly. Regression analysis revealed that increase of weed vegetation area results in increase of weed pollen concentration. Through this regression equation, we estimated the vegetation area that can product pollen concentration triggering allergenic risk. CONCLUSION: Meteorological factors, pollen concentration and allergic symptoms should be consistently assessed and the relationship between each factor should be analyzed, considering climate change. It is necessary to verify the equation for pollen estimation by vegetation area and set up a policy for vegetation control focused on the reduction of allergenic pollen.
Ambrosia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Climate Change ; Humans ; Humulus ; Hypersensitivity ; Meteorological Concepts ; Plant Weeds ; Pollen ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal* ; Seoul

The old calendar of pollens did not reflect current pollen distribution and concentrations that can be influenced by changes of weather and environment of each region in South Korea. A new pollen calendar of allergenic pollens was made based on the data on pollen concentrations obtained in eight regions nationwide between 1997 and 2009. The distribution of pollen was assessed every day at 8 areas (Seoul, Guri, Busan, Daegu, Jeonju, Kwangju, Kangneung, and Jeju) for 12 years between July 1, 1997 and June 30, 2009. Pollens were collected by using Burkard 7-day sampler (Burkard Manufacturing Co Ltd, UK). Pollens which were stained with Calberla's fuchsin staining solution were identified and counted. Pine became the highest pollen in May, and the pollen concentrations of oak and birch also became high. Ragweed appeared in the middle of August and showed the highest pollen concentration in the middles of September. Japanese hop showed a high concentration between the middle of August and the end of September, and mugwort appeared in the middles of August and its concentration increased up until early September. In Kangneung, birch appeared earlier, pine showed a higher pollen concentration than in the other areas. In Daegu, Oriental thuja and alder produced a large concentration of pollens. Pine produced a large concentration of pollens between the middle of April and the end of May. Weeds showed higher concentrations in September and mugwort appeared earlier than ragweed. In Busan the time of flowering is relatively early, and alder and Oriental thuja appeared earliest among all areas. In Kwangju, Oriental thuja and hazelnut appeared in early February. Japanese cedar showed the highest pollen concentration in March in Jeju. In conclusion, update information on pollen calendar in South Korea should be provided for allergic patients through the website to manage and prevent the pollinosis.
Allergens ; Alnus ; Ambrosia ; Artemisia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Betula ; Corylus ; Cryptomeria ; Flowers ; Humans ; Humulus ; Pollen ; Republic of Korea ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; Rosaniline Dyes ; Thuja ; Weather

PURPOSE: Determination of adenosine deaminase (ADA) in pleural fluid has been suggested as another tool to establish early diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion. However, there are few studies concerning its usefulness in children. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of the determination of ADA level in pleural fluid for the differential diagnosis between tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) and Mycoplasma pneumonia with pleural effusion (MP) in children. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 13 TPE patients and 21 MP patients with pleural effusion. Also, we analyzed ADA levels, and clinical, biochemical, microbiologic and cytologic findings in the pleural fluid. RESULTS: The pleural fluid of all the subjects revealed exudative rather than transudate characteristics. The mean ADA level in the TPE group was significantly higher than that in the MP group (106.27+/-43.71 IU/L vs. 65.28+/-26.27 IU/L, P=0.003). The area under the curve in receiver operating characteristic analysis was 0.810. With a cut-off level for ADA of 60 U/L, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 92.3%, 61.9%, 60.0%, and 92.9%, respectively. As many as 38.9% of patients with MP were false-positive with this ADA cut-off setting. CONCLUSION: Although the measurement of ADA activity in pleural fluid can help TPE diagnosis, we should consider that some cases of MP with pleural effusion showed high ADA activities. Accordingly, the utility of the ADA level in pleural fluid for the differentiation of TPE from MP declines and additional relevant studies are required.
Adenosine ; Adenosine Deaminase ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Early Diagnosis ; Exudates and Transudates ; Humans ; Mycoplasma ; Pleural Effusion ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity

In this study, we evaluated if the implantation of allogenic adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) improved neurological function in a canine spinal cord injury model. Eleven adult dogs were assigned to three groups according to treatment after spinal cord injury by epidural balloon compression: C group (no ASCs treatment as control), V group (vehicle treatment with PBS), and ASC group (ASCs treatment). ASCs or vehicle were injected directly into the injured site 1 week after spinal cord injury. Pelvic limb function after transplantation was evaluated by Olby score. Magnetic resonance imaging, somatosensory evoked potential (SEP), histopathologic and immunohistichemical examinations were also performed. Olby scores in the ASC group increased from 2 weeks after transplantation and were significantly higher than C and V groups until 8 weeks (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences between the C and V groups. Nerve conduction velocity based on SEP was significantly improved in the ASC group compared to C and V groups (p < 0.05). Positive areas for Luxol fast blue staining were located at the injured site in the ASC group. Also, GFAP, Tuj-1 and NF160 were observed immunohistochemically in cells derived from implanted ASCs. These results suggested that improvement in neurological function by the transplantation of ASCs in dogs with spinal cord injury may be partially due to the neural differentiation of implanted stem cells.
Adipose Tissue/*cytology ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Dog Diseases/pathology/*therapy ; Dogs ; Neurons/*cytology ; Spinal Cord Injuries/therapy/*veterinary ; Stem Cell Transplantation/*veterinary ; Stem Cells/*cytology/physiology

This study was performed to evaluate the osteogenic effect of allogenic canine umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSCs) mixed with beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) in orthotopic implantation. Seven hundred milligrams of beta-TCP mixed with 1 x 10(6) UCB-MSCs diluted with 0.5 ml of saline (group CM) and mixed with the same volume of saline as control (group C) were implanted into a 1.5 cm diaphyseal defect and wrapped with PLGC membrane in the radius of Beagle dogs. Radiographs of the antebrachium were made after surgery. The implants were harvested 12 weeks after implantation and specimens were stained with H&E, toluidine blue and Villanueva-Goldner stains for histological examination and histomorphometric analysis of new bone formation. Additionally, UCB-MSCs were applied to a dog with non-union fracture. Radiographically, continuity between implant and host bone was evident at only one of six interfaces in group C by 12 weeks, but in three of six interfaces in group CM. Radiolucency was found only near the bone end in group C at 12 weeks after implantation, but in the entire graft in group CM. Histologically, bone formation was observed around beta-TCP in longitudinal sections of implant in both groups. Histomorphometric analysis revealed significantly increased new bone formation in group CM at 12 weeks after implantation (p < 0.05). When applied to the non-union fracture, fracture healing was identified by 6 weeks after injection of UCB-MSCs. The present study indicates that a mixture of UCB-MSCs and beta-TCP is a promising osteogenic material for repairing bone defects.
Animals ; Biocompatible Materials/metabolism/therapeutic use ; Bone Substitutes/*therapeutic use ; Calcium Phosphates/*therapeutic use ; Dogs ; Fetal Blood/*cytology ; Fracture Fixation/methods/veterinary ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/*physiology ; Osteogenesis/*physiology ; Tissue Engineering/methods ; Wound Healing/physiology

The 150 microl and 50 micol was reversed in the labeled line of the insert box in above article, on page 92, Fig. 4. The correct figure is printed below. We apologize for any confusion resulting from this error.

A model that provides reproducible, submaximal yet sufficient spinal cord injury is needed to allow experiments leading to development of therapeutic techniques and prediction of clinical outcome to be conducted. This study describes an experimental model for spinal cord injury that uses three different volumes of balloon inflation and durations of compression to create a controlled gradation outcome in adult dogs. Twenty-seven mongrel dogs were used for this study. A 3-french embolectomy catheter was inserted into the epidural space through a left hemilaminectomy hole at the L4 vertebral arch. Balloons were then inflated with 50, 100, or 150 microliter of a contrast agent at the L1 level for 6, 12, or 24 h and spinal canal occlusion (SCO) measured using computed tomography. Olby score was used to evaluate the extent of spinal cord injury and a histopathologic examination was conducted 1 week after surgery. The SCO of the 50, 100, and 150 microliter inflations was 22-46%, 51-70%, and 75-89%, respectively (p < 0.05). Olby scores were diminished significantly by a combination of the level of SCO and duration of inflation in all groups. Olby scores in the groups of 150 microliter-12 h, 150 microliter-24 h, and 100 microliter-24 h were 0.5, 0, and 1.7, respectively. Based on these results, a SCO > 50% for 24 h, and > 75% for 12 h induces paraplegia up to a week after spinal cord injury.
Animals ; Balloon Dilatation/*methods ; *Disease Models, Animal ; *Dogs ; Epidural Space/injuries ; Spinal Cord Compression/*etiology/pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

This study was to determine the effects of allogenicumbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived mesenchymal stemcells (MSCs) and recombinant methionyl humangranulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rmhGCSF) on acanine spinal cord injury model after balloon compressionat the first lumbar vertebra. Twenty-five adult mongreldogs were assigned to five groups according to treatmentafter a spinal cord injury: no treatment (CN); salinetreatment (CP); rmhGCSF treatment (G); UCB-MSCstreatment (UCB-MSC); co-treatment (UCBG). The UCB-MSCs isolated from cord blood of canine fetuses wereprepared as 10(6) cells/150microl saline. The UCB-MSCs weredirectly injected into the injured site of the spinal cord andrmhGCSF was administered subcutaneously 1 week afterthe induction of spinal cord injury. The Olby score,magnetic resonance imaging, somatosensory evokedpotentials and histopathological examinations were used toevaluate the functional recovery after transplantation. TheOlby scores of all groups were zero at the 0-week evaluation.At 2 week after the transplantation, the Olby scores in thegroups with the UCB-MSC and UCBG were significantlyhigher than in the CN and CP groups. However, there wereno significant differences between the UCB-MSC andUCBG groups, and between the CN and CP groups. Thesecomparisons remained stable at 4 and 8 week aftertransplantation. There was significant improvement in thenerve conduction velocity based on the somatosensory evokedpotentials. In addition, a distinct structural consistency ofthe nerve cell bodies was noted in the lesion of the spinalcord of the UCB-MSC and UCBG groups. These resultssuggest that transplantation of the UCB-MSCs resulted inrecovery of nerve function in dogs with a spinal cord injuryand may be considered as a therapeutic modality for spinalcord injury.
Animals ; Behavior, Animal/physiology ; Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation/methods/*veterinary ; Dog Diseases/pathology/*therapy ; Dogs ; Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory/physiology ; Histocytochemistry/veterinary ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/veterinary ; Random Allocation ; Spinal Cord Injuries/pathology/therapy/*veterinary ; Videotape Recording