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Purpose The aim of this study is to determine the predictable factors that affect the clinical course, especially the hospital stay, the operation performed, and to determine factors that will be helpful in deciding whether in-hospital or outpatient treatment is appropriate. Methods We retrospectively collected medical data for patients who had been diagnosed with acute diverticulitis at Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital between January and December 2016. In total, 117 patients were enrolled in this study. We examined clinical factors, including age, sex, body mass index, pain, body temperature, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, nil per os (NPO) time, hospital duration, computed tomography (CT) findings, location of diverticulitis, operation performed, and presence of comorbidity (e.g., hypertension and diabetes mellitus). Results In the multivariate analysis, the statistically significant factor related with hospital duration was the presence of perforation on the CT scan (P < 0.001). Longer NPO time was related with pain score (>7) (P = 0.011). Operations were mainly performed in patients with left-sided colonic diverticulitis (P = 0.012). Conclusion We suggest a perforation finding on the CT scan, a severe pain score at least above 7 on a numeric rating pain scale, and a left-sided lesion are absolute indications for in-hospital management.

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the perioperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) ratio could be used as a determinant for adjuvant therapy after curative surgery in stage II colorectal cancer. Methods Data for 119 patients with stage II colorectal cancer who underwent radical surgery between 2010 and 2013 were collected. The perioperative CEA ratio was defined as the postoperative/preoperative serum CEA level, and the patients were grouped according to their perioperative CEA ratios: high ratio (≥0.5) and low ratio (

Appendectomy, which comprises most benign intra-abdominal surgeries, is currently assisted by laparoscopy in most cases. However, many patients complain of postoperative shoulder or subcostal pain after laparoscopic surgery. In some cases, the pain lasts even several weeks after surgery. This study aimed to analyze unmodifiable clinicopathological factors of patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy and to minimize preoperative and postoperative discomfort.Patients admitted for laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis with an American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) grades I and II, and ages 12~70 years were enrolled in the study. Postoperative shoulder or subcostal pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and analyzed with the clinicopathological factors of the patients, including age, sex, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and abdominal circumference (AC) difference.Of the 124 patients, 40 complained of postoperative shoulder or subcostal pain with a VAS score of ≥4. The risk of the postoperative shoulder or subcostal pain increased in women (The risk of postoperative shoulder or subcostal pain after laparoscopic appendectomy was significantly increased with lower weight.

Purpose: Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common disease that requires hospitalization. The most common cause of SBO is postoperative adhesion. Delayed timing of operations in patients who need surgical intervention results in mortality or morbidity. A number of studies on SBO have established criteria for emergency surgery. However, few objective clinical parameters are available for screening patients who need a delayed operation. Therefore, we analyzed factors that affect the clinical course of SBO to select appropriate therapeutic plans for reducing the risk of complications in these patients.Methods: We investigated the clinical characteristics of patients admitted to the surgery department of our hospital between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2016, who were diagnosed with SBO. Patients were divided into an operative treatment group (n = 12) and a conservative treatment group (n = 96). We compared clinical characteristics between the 2 groups.Results: The operative treatment group underwent more operations before SBO than the conservative treatment group (P = 0.007). Initial leukocyte counts (P = 0.004) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (P = 0.028) were elevated in the operative group. Body mass index (BMI) was lower in the operative group (P = 0.013).Conclusion: The number of operations before SBO, leukocyte counts, CRP levels, and BMI were useful parameters for selecting patients who needed an urgent operation for SBO.

PURPOSE: An attempt was made to characterize the orbital shear stress by comparing the effects of orbital shear stress on vascular endothelial cells (ECs) with the results of animal experiments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the laboratory study, cultured ECs of well were distinguished by center and periphery then exposed to orbital shear stress using an orbital shaker. In the animal study, arteriovenous (AV) fistulas were made at the right femoral arteries of Sprague-Dawley rats to increase the effect of the laminar flow. The condition of the stenosis was given on the left femoral arteries. The protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and Akt phosphorylation were observed and compared. RESULTS: Under orbital shear stress, ECs showed an increase in iNOS protein expression and phosphorylation of Akt but most of the protein expressions derived from the periphery. When compared to the animal study, the increased expression of iNOS protein and phosphorylation of Akt were observed in the sample of AV fistula conditions and the iNOS protein expression was decreased in the stenosis conditions. CONCLUSION: Orbital shear stress did not show the characteristics of a pure turbulent shear force. By comparing the observation with the morphological changes of vascular ECs and site-specific protein expression on the results of animal experiments, uniform directional lamina shear stress forces were expressed at the periphery.

Purpose: Guideline of stage II colon cancer chemotherapy is controversial issue. This study aims to assist in making proper guideline of stage II colorectal cancer chemotherapy. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 137 patients who had colorectal cancer surgery and chemotherapy at Sanggye Paik Hospital, Surgical Department from 2008 to February 2013. We analyzed disease-free survival rate (DFS), characteristics and relationship of stage II (II), stage II with lymphatic invasion (IIL), stage III with N1 (lymph mode involvement number under 3). Results: We found new metastasis in 23 patients (liver 11, lung 5, peritoneum 6, bone 1). There is no difference in DFS between II and IIL (P=0.064). But recurrence more frequently appeared with lymatic invasion group. There is no difference in DFS between IIL and III (P=0.083). But cancer stage had not effect to recurrence (P=0.153). In IIL patients, statistically difference did not be shown between oral and intravenous chemotherapy group (P=0.500). But chemotherapy completion group had higher DFS (P=0.001). Conclusion: Between II and IIL, DFS did not have difference but low P-value. In consideration of correlation analysis result and DFS between IIL and III, we think their prognosis is not same and completion of chemotherapy influence on good outcome in stage II with lymphatic invasion colon cancer.

In this paper, alkaline or acidic solution, in particular the principle of electrolysis to oxidize the metal surface to form a device isolation film is developed. In the past, mainly in the form of pulse voltage is applied to the anode only a unipolar method, but in this paper by using the H-bridge to the amount of the positive (+) voltage and the negative supply voltage, alternating voltage polarity devices were fabricated according to the characteristics of metal specimens with different electrical conditions to form an oxide film on the device was developed. Supply current variable was used for the PWM modulation, (+) and (-) polarity change of the H-bridge bipolar pulse voltage to supply the was that. As a result, a more uniform pores with unipolar film was formed.

In this paper, the research is to develop a system that can detect the breakage of the rubber belt conveyor system in the transport of the raw materials required for the operation of logistics. We are to develop a system that can detect the breakage of the belt due to the electronic system of belt breakage occurs by placing the material on the inside of the belt, electric induction to minimize the damage of the belt. The belt repair costs, or reorder the steps of the logistics transit time can be reduced. Induced in the coil, and belt embedded in the transmitted signal as a way to detect the breakage of the belt was to detect the damage of the belt by detecting the electrical phenomena induced in the coil at the receiving end.

Purpose: There is still debate regarding the suitability of extension of laparoscopic gastrectomy to advanced gastric cancer. Due to the development of new instruments and techniques, several studies are being conducted to extend the range of laparoscopic gastrectomy. This study was conducted to investigate the appropriateness of laparoscopic D2 lymph node dissection for the treatment of gastric cancer from an oncology perspective. Methods: A total of 109 patients, 50 of whom had undergone laparoscopy assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) and 59 patients who underwent open distal gastrectomy (ODG), that were operated on by a single surgeon in the surgery department of Sanggye Paik Hospital from April 2009 to May 2011 were analyzed. All patients underwent D2 lymph node dissection. The clinical characteristics of patients, surgical outcomes and clinicopathologic findings were then compared and analyzed. Results: There was no significant difference in the operation time between the two groups (252.70±40.81 vs. 252.20±45.22, p=0.698). The day 1 post operation hemoglobin was higher in the LADG group than the ODG group (12.52±1.53 vs. 10.54±1.57, p=0.011). There were nosignificant differences in resection margin (6.89±2.25 vs. 7.20±3.42, p=0.254, 4.05±2.57 vs. 3.68±2.74, p=0.254) or total number of harvested lymph nodes (30.36±10.67 vs. 35.44±12.56, p=0.508) between groups. Conclusion: In stomach cancer surgery, both ODG and LADG can be used to conduct lymph node dissection. Therefore, if the stability and feasibility of LADG is confirmed by prospective studies at multiple centers, laparoscopic gastrectomy may be extended to advanced gastric cancer as well.

Waternode station is a floating composite water quality monitoring device. The waternode station houses the multiple water quality measurement devices, control panel for wireless communication and solar cells for applying electric power. The floating devices are classified into general model with vertical dropping system and river model without vertical dropping system. The water quality measurement device measures pH, water temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and nitrate. And it measures all parameters simultaneously. The control panel is used for IP-USN system. USN (Ubiquitous Sensor Network) is a network system by water quality measurement devices. IP-USN is a USN system that identifies particular sensor connected to the internet. The data information is transferred by wireless modem based on TFB (Triple Frequency Band). Field application results showed that the waternode station is a reliable and cost-effective water quality monitoring solutions.

The water quality measurement device that we developed measures pH, water temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and nitrate. And it measures all parameters simultaneously. The water resistant and screw packing technology also applied for improved mechanical reliability during water quality monitoring. A comparison between the performances of major company products (YSI, Hydrolab etc.) and this device don't provide a stark contrast. This device was verified through the KOREA’s Environmental Examination Methods. This device is offered reliable and cost-effective water quality monitoring solutions. Upgrades will be available and will include the technologies that are self-cleaning optical sensors with integrated wipers remove biofouling and maintain high data accuracy and optimal power management and built-in battery compartment extends in situ monitoring periods.

Background This phase III clinical study was designed to investigate whether 6 cycles of epirubicin plus docetaxel (ED) is more effective than 4 cycles of ED as neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC) in patients with stage II or III breast cancer. Patients and methods Women with breast cancer that had tumors larger than 3 cm were prospectively randomized to receive 4 or 6 cycles of epirubicin 75 mg/m 2 and docetaxel 75 mg/m 2 every 3 weeks. The primary end point was the clinical response to NC. Results A total of 176 patients were randomly assigned, and 150 patients were assessable for efficacy and toxicity. Groups were well balanced for clinicopathologic parameters. The median age was 42 years (range 30–58). Overall clinical response was observed in 72% with ED4 and 82% with ED6. pCR was observed in 11% with ED4 and in 24% with ED6 (p = 0.047). 47% of the ED4 group underwent breast conserving surgery (BCS) whereas 58% of ED6 group underwent BCS. Grade 3/4 neutropenia was observed in 27% in ED4 and 31% in ED6. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 17% with ED4 and 19% with ED6. Grade 3 mucositis was observed in 8% with ED4 and in 6% with ED6. Conclusion Six cycles of ED enhanced the rates of pCR and BCS compared with 4 cycles without increasing treatment-related toxicities.

We followed up 37 periprosthetic fractures to assess the factors related to the outcomes and the loosening of prostheses. The average union time is 3.1 months (range, 2-6.2 months). The most common types were fractures around the stem tip and displaced (89.1%). In our study, the loosening rate (32.4%) was low compared with other reports. These might be due to the cementless stem, but the difference was not significant (P>.05). After management of the fracture with a plate, we noted 5 complications: 2 nonunion and 3 refractures. The causes of these complications were related to screw in the level of the stem tip. Therefore, in the management of fractures with plates, we do not recommend using a screw in the area of the stem tip but rather using a cerclage proximally and bone graft. If stem was unstable or stability was uncertain, and the arthroplasty did not function well previously, revision with a distal fluted stem showed an early bony union.

Purpose Many studies have shown that the completion of adjuvant chemotherapy improves the survival rate. Recently, laparoscopic surgery has been used to treat patients with colon cancer. We analyzed the relationship between the completion of adjuvant chemotherapy and the operation method. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 147 patients diagnosed with colon cancer from January 1, 2009, to May 31, 2012. The numbers of patients who underwent laparoscopic and open surgery were 91 and 56, respectively. We analyzed the relationship between the operation method and various factors such as the completion rate of chemotherapy, the patient's age, gender, and physical activity, the postoperative hospital stay, the start time of chemotherapy, and the patient's body mass index (BMI), TNM stage, and type of health insurance. Results In the laparoscopic surgery group, the postoperative hospital stay (13.5 ± 14.82 days vs. 19.6 ± 11.38 days, P = 0.001) and start time of chemotherapy (17.7 ± 17.48 days vs. 23.0 ± 15.00 days, P = 0.044) were shorter, but the percent complete of chemotherapy (71/91 [78.0%] vs. 38/56 [67.8%], P = 0.121), and survival rate (88/91 [96.7%], 47/56 [83.9%], P = 0.007) were higher than they were in the open surgery group. Patients who were elderly, had a low BMI, and a high American Society of Anesthesiologists score were less likely to complete adjuvant chemotherapy than other patients were. Conclusion Laparoscopic surgery shows a shorter postoperative hospital stay, a shorter start time of chemotherapy, and a higher survival rate. Laparoscopic surgery may be expected to increase compliance of chemotherapy and to improve survival rate.

Purpose Our study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of adjuvant cyclophosphamide/vinorelbine/5-fluorourail (CVF) chemotherapy as an alternative to cyclophosphamide/methotrexate/5-fluorouracil (CMF) chemotherapy for treating early breast cancer. Methods One hundred and forty-nine patients were randomly assigned to CMF or CVF adjuvant chemotherapy for treating their early stage breast cancer between September 2000 and December 2007. The disease-free survival (DFS), the overall survival (OS), and the toxicity profiles of both groups were compared. Results Sixty-seven patients underwent CMF chemotherapy whereas 82 patients underwent CVF chemotherapy. The DFS and OS were 88 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 76-101 months) and 94 months (95% CI, 83-104 months), respectively for the CMF group, and 97 months (95% CI, 93-101 months), and 101 months (95% CI, 98-104 months), respectively for the CVF group. However, those survival gains of the CVF group were not statistically significant (p-value=0.069 for the DFS and 0.99 for the OS). The CVF group showed a favorable toxicity profile in terms of the grade 3/4 hematologic toxicities as compared to that of the CMF group. Conclusion Clinical outcome of CVF chemotherapy was comparable to CMF with a favorable toxicity profiles. However, it is difficult to conclude the feasibility of CVF regimen because of small number of studied patients.

Lymphocytic ascites with low serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) are observed mainly in tuberculous peritonitis, peritoneal carcinomatosis, and pancreatic disease. However, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) induced generalized peritonitis causing diffuse ascites has been rarely described. We report a 26-year old female patient, who was diagnosed as generalized peritonitis with diffuse ascites due to Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Gynecologic examination did not show the clue of PID and in the analysis of ascites, low SAAG, predominant lymphocyte count and high level of adenosine deaminase were noted. Although the best impression was tuberculous peritonitis on the base of these findings, the laparoscopic finding was consistent with PID and the PCR for C. trachomatis infection in cervical swab was positive. This case suggests that C. trachomatis peritonitis should be considered as a rare cause of low SAAG and lymphocytic ascites in sexually active women and should be intensively evaluated including laparoscopic examination.

Purpose: Perforations are rare but serious complications in colorectal cancer. Controversy exists over whether to perform a radical operation because colorectal cancer perforation is considered as an advanced stage disease, and septic complications of peritonitis have been identified as being responsible for a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between the survival rate and the clinicopathological parameters that might be used as predictive factors of the prognosis for perforated colorectal cancer. Methods: The analysis was based on 24 cases of perforated colorectal cancer (the case group), 48 cases of matching uncomplicated colorectal cancer (the control group), and 72 cases of the case and the control groups combined together (the combined group), all of which were identified during a 10-yr period in a single institution. Results: The five-year survival rates of the perforated colorectal cancer patients and their matching controls were similar (P=0.484). No significant differences in the locations of the cancer, the pre-operative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels, the tumor sizes, the resection margins, or the numbers of the lymph nodes harvested were found between the two groups. A univariate analysis of the prognostic factors that influenced the case group revealed that adjuvant chemotherapy (P=0.004) was significantly correlated to a better five-year survival rate. A univariate analysis of the prognostic factors that influenced the five-year survival rate of the combined group revealed that the stage (P

Purpose: Axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM) can occur even in breast cancer smaller than 2 cm in size. This study was performed to investigate the clinicopathologic factors that affect node metastasis in T1 breast cancer. Methods: We reviewed the medical record of 206 T1 breast cancer patients and we divided them into two groups according to the presence or absence of lymph node metastasis. We analyzed the association between ALNM and various clinicopathological predictive factors such as age, tumor size (T1a, T1b, T1c), multiplicity, the histologic grade, the nuclear grade, the presence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI), the estrogen and progesterone receptor status, an HER2/neu expression, the Ki-67 labeling index and the bcl-2 expression. Results: One hundred and thirty-nine were the node negative group (T1N0) and the remaining 67 cases were allotted to the node positive group (T1N1-3). On the univariate analysis, age (p= 0.011), LVI (p

Purpose: Dukes’ A & B colorectal cancer patients are often excluded from adjuvant chemotherapy following potentially curative surgery because they are expected to have good long-term survival. However, actually 20～30% of these patients suffer from recurrent disease, so it would be helpful for these patients of recurrent disease to be able to select a high risk group. Methods: In 78 Dukes’ A & B colorectal cancers, we investigated by immunohistochemistry the role of molecular markers, such as p27kip1, p53, Ki-67, and Skp2, in identifying high-risk patients. Results: Patients with low p27kip1 expression showed poor overall survival compared to those with high p27kip1 expressions (55.3 versus 66.7 months, P=0.018). The only significant factor associated with p27kip1 expression was p53 expression. The low p27kip1 expression and positive p53 expression group had poor overall survival (54.3 months, P=0.036). Conclusions: In a node-negative colorectal carcinoma, the molecular marker p27kip1 does not play an independent prognostic role, but it may have prognostic significance in correlation with other markers such as p53, Ki-67, and Skp2. The assessment of molecular alterations may be useful to node-negative colorectal patients in identifying the high risk group that may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.

Purpose : This study was designed to compare the outcome of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with autogenous bone graft, ACDF with plating, and ACDF with carbon cage and plating for the surgical treatment of single-level degenerative cervical spine disorder. Materials and Methods : We analyzed 60 cases who received single level ACDF for the treatment of degenerative cervical disorder with at least one year follow-up. Group A consisted of 21 patients treated by ACDF and autogenous bone graft. Group B consisted of 20 patients treated by ACDF and plate fixation, and group C consisted of 19 patients treated by Carbon cage and plate fixation. We compared 3 groups in terms of fusion status, change in Cobb angle and disc height, and clinical results using Odom method. Results : The change of Cobb angle was in group A, in group B and in group C (p=0.042). The decreased disc height was 2.8 mm in group A, 1.4 mm in group B and 0.4 mm in group C respectively (p=0.001). In group A, the clinical results were excellent in 3 cases, good in 16 cases and fair in 2 cases. In group B, 4 cases were excellent, 13 good and 3 fair. And in group C, 5 cases were excellent and 14 good. Conclusion : ACDF with carbon cage and plate fixation proved an excellent surgical alternative that provided initial stability, maintained disc height and lordotic angle, and was accompanied by low donor site morbidity and reduced operation time for the treatment of single level degenerative cervical spinal disorder.

Purpose : We designed this study to evaluate the interobserver reliability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), post-myelographic computed tomography (CT-myelogram) and myelography for the diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis. Materials and Methods : Thirty two patients with lumbar spinal stenosis were evaluated preoperatively by MRI, CT-myelography, and myelography by four observers. For each set of scans, the examiners assessed the presence or absence of; 1) intervertebral disk protrusion, 2) facet arthrosis, 3) ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, and 4) nerve root impingement. The severities of 1) central, 2) lateral, 3) foraminal and 4) entire spinal stenosis were graded using a four-point scale range from 1 (no stenosis) to 4 (severe stenosis). Results : Kappa statistical analysis revealed moderate interobserver agreement in terms of disk protrusion (0.49), nerve root impingement (0.42) and lateral stenosis grade based on MRI. Low levels of agreement were found for facet arthrosis and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. Relatively higher levels of agreement were found for nerve root impingement, lateral stenosis and entire stenosis, graded by MRI and for central stenosis graded by myelography. Conclusion : The results of this study reflect that MRI showed relatively higher levels of interobserver reliability than the other diagnostic modalities in the evaluation of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

We designed this study to evaluate the functional outcome and to suggest the guidelines in the treatment of bimalleolar ankle fractures with clinical and radiological analysis after operative treatment. We analyzed 36 patients with bimalleolar fractures among 90 ankle fractures and followed up for more than 1 year. All 36 fractures were classified according to Lauge-Hansen system and the Meyer criteria was used for the clinical and radiological assessment. Seventeen cases(47%) were supination-external rotation(47%); 9 cases(25%) were supinationadduction; 6 cases(17%) were pronation-abduction and 4 cases(11 %) were pronation-external rotation type. Satisfactory results was obtained in 32 cases(89%) according to the criteria of Meyer in the viewpoint of clinical and radiological analysis. Satisfactory results could be obtained with early anatomical reduction and rigid internal fixation for the treatment of bimalleolar ankle fractures. Distal tibiofibular syndesmosis disruption could be spontaneously reduced without trans-syndesmotic screw fixation by early