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The fibular free flap (FFF) is an option used for tibial defect reconstruction in post-traumatic chronic osteomyelitis (PCOM). However, as the tibia is a weight-bearing bone, there exists a risk of compression fracture risk after FFF. This complicates reconstructing distal tibial defects adjacent to the articular cartilage. We report a successful case of reconstruction using FFF for a bone defect adjacent to the distal tibial articular surface in refractory PCOM. The patient was a 73-year-old woman with refractory PCOM in the right distal tibia secondary to a tibial fracture from a traffic accident that occurred 28 years ago. After bone debridement, the tibial bone defect was 8 cm in length, and its distal margin was located 0.5 cm above the articular surface of the tibiotalar joint. Tibial bone and soft tissue defects were reconstructed using a contralateral FFF consisting of an 8-cm fibula bone and a 14×5-cm-sized skin paddle. After 2 months, an Ilizarov apparatus was applied and maintained for 3 months. After 6 months, she started weight-bearing. The follow-up period was 15 months. Imaging studies revealed bone block union. The patient displayed no difficulty in ambulation and had no additional infections or flap necrosis.

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) plays a crucial role in the development of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and fibrosis, particularly in an ocular disorder such as proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). However, the key molecular mechanism underlying its pathogenesis remains unknown. In the present study, using cultured ARPE-19 cells, we determined that TGF-β initiates a signaling pathway through extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) that stimulates trans-differentiation and fibrosis of retinal pigment epithelium. Blocking this pathway by a TGF-βRI, ERK or mTORC1 inhibitor protected cells from EMT and fibrotic protein expression. TGF-β1 treatment increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) via NOX4 upregulation, which acts downstream of ERK and mTORC1, as the ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine and a pan-NADPH oxidase (NOX) inhibitor DPI dissipated excess ROS generation. TGF-β1-induced oxidative stress resulted in EMT and fibrotic changes, as NAC and DPI prevented α-SMA, Col4α3 expression and cell migration. All these inhibitors blocked the downstream pathway activation in addition to clearly preventing the activation of its upstream molecules, indicating the presence of a feedback loop system that may boost the upstream events. Furthermore, the FDA-approved drug trametinib (10 nM) blunted TGF-β1-induced mTORC1 activation and downstream pathogenic alterations through ERK1/2 inhibition, which opens a therapeutic avenue for the treatment of PVR in the future.

Background Mastectomy flap necrosis is a common and challenging complication of direct-to-implant (DTI) breast reconstruction. The PICO single-use negative-pressure wound therapy device may reduce the complications associated with skin flap necrosis. We evaluated the relationship between PICO use and the incidence of mild, moderate, and severe skin flap necrosis in patients at high risk of necrosis. Methods Using medical records from January 2015 to March 2019, we retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent DTI breast reconstruction after oncological breast surgery at a single institution and identified those at high risk for skin flap necrosis. During this period, PICO was used selectively for patients deemed to be at particularly high risk. Patient demographics, operative characteristics, and the degree of skin flap necrosis were compared according to whether PICO was used. Results Of 117 patients (122 breasts), 45 were deemed to be at high risk of skin flap necrosis. PICO was applied to 38 of these breasts, and seven breasts received a conventional dressing. Skin flap necrosis occurred in 30 breasts (24 in the PICO group [63.2%] vs. 6 in the no-PICO group [85.7%]). Significantly fewer cases of severe skin flap necrosis were observed in the PICO group (2/38 [5.3%]) than in the no-PICO group (3/7 [42.9%]) (P=0.004). There were no significant between-group differences in outcomes measured using BREAST-Q scores. Conclusions Use of a single-use negative-pressure wound therapy device can reduce the risk of severe skin flap necrosis in patients at high risk of skin flap complications associated with DTI breast reconstruction.

External fixation is widely used in orthopedic and reconstructive surgery. However, it may leave retracted and depressed scars because it involves the percutaneous placement of transosseous pins or wires that are secured to an external scaffolding. These scars do not resolve or improve spontaneously, causing patients to experience dissatisfaction and possibly requiring a surgical intervention. Moreover, the management of scars that arise from external fixator pin sites is challenging because of their fibrotic and depressive features. However, by using subcisions and inserting acellular dermal matrix under the scars, the contour of the scars can be improved easily. Therefore, we present a case of pin-site scar revision using a technique that we developed.

For the first time, a novel doping technique using an initiated CVD (iCVD) process was developed, facilitating the conformal, wafer-scale and controlled nanoscale doping of semiconductors at a high concentration. iCVD poly(boron allyloxide) (pBAO) and poly(triallyl phosphate) (pTAP) were used as a p-type and n-type dopant diffusion source, respectively. In detail, an optimized integration process was developed involving copolymer p(BAO-co-V3D3) passivation for pBAO and double-step deposition for pTAP. It was found that a dopant-containing polymer layer with a sub-10-nm thickness provided a high doping concentration at a shallow junction depth (10 nm) for both the p-type (1020 cm−3) and the n-type (1021 cm−3), Furthermore, the conformality and dopant distribution of the iCVD polymer layer were investigated using a high-aspect-ratio Si fin (5:1). The SOI nFET with iCVD doping at the source/drain regions exhibited better subthreshold swing and on-current values than a SOI nFET with conventional ion-implantation doping. Compared to other diffusion doping methods, the iCVD process could achieve lower sheet resistance.

There have been carrying many studies to investigate the underlying causes of weathering damage to wood at Buddhist temple buildings, including all their wooden buildings. But the methods of their studies were not carried on the view point of the micro climatic changes such as temperature and humidity, which were the underlying causes of weathering damage. So this study aims to identify the characteristics of air flow inside Hwaamsa Temple site, which is built on a mountain, and whose buildings are different physical levels with their pillars of varying heights. To carry out this study the field measurement of factors (temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction) were measured and their data were analyzed with the computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Based on the results of measuring changes data in temperature and humidity as two inside locations and five locations outside of the temple. As the result the inside temperature and humidity in the Geungnakjeon was evenly distributed, whereas that of the outside was unevenly distributed depending on the location. To a great extent, the speed of wind affects humidity. In the case that the Myeongbujeon in the temple were demolished, there has been a 20-30% increase in the wind speed near the Geungnakjeon Such an increase in the wind speed is thought to affect factors such as the wooden material by stabilizing changes in humidity near the temple.

The exposure to particulate air pollution during the pregnancy has reported to result in adverse pregnancy outcome such as low birth weight, preterm birth, still birth, and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). We aim to assess whether prenatal exposure of particulate matter less than 10 (m in diameter (PM10) is associated with preterm birth in Seoul, South Korea.We included 382, 100 women who delivered a singleton at 25-42 weeks of gestation between 1998 and 2000. We calculated the average PM10 exposures for each trimester period and month of pregnancy, from the first to the ninth months, based on the birth date and gestational age. We used three different models to evaluate the effect of air pollution on preterm birth; the logistic regression model, the generalized additive logistic regression model, and the proportional hazard model.The monthly analysis using logistic regression model suggested that the risks of preterm birth increase with PM10 exposure between the sixth and ninth months of pregnancy and the highest risk was observed in the seventh month (adjusted odds ratio=1.07, 95% CI=1.01- 1.14). We also found the similar results using generalized additive model. In the proportional hazard model, the adjusted odds ratio for preterm births due to PM10 exposure of third trimester was 1.04 (95% CI=0.96-1.13) and PM10 exposure between the seventh month and ninth months of pregnancy was associated with the preterm births.We found that there were consistent results when we applied the three different models. These findings suggest that air pollution exposure during the third trimester pregnancy has an adverse effect on preterm birth in South Korea.

Purpose: To investigate the healing pattern of the mucous membrane after tooth extraction necessitated by periodontal disease in the maxillary sinus. Methods: One hundred and three patients with 119 maxillary sinuses were investigated. Before implant placement, cone-beam computed tomography (CT) scanning was performed. The causes of extraction, the time elapsed since extraction, smoking, periodontal disease in adjacent teeth, and gender were recorded. In addition, the thickness of the mucous membrane of the maxillary sinus and the height of residual alveolar bone at the extracted area were calculated from CT images. Results: The thickness of the mucous membrane in the periodontal disease group (3.05 ± 2.71 mm) was greater than that of the pulp disease group (1.92 ± 1.78 mm) and the tooth fracture group (1.35 ± 0.55 mm; P < 0.05). The causes of extraction, the time elapsed since extraction, and gender had relationships with a thickening of the mucous membrane of the maxillary sinus (P < 0.05). In contrast, the height of the residual alveolar bone at the extracted area, periodontal disease in adjacent teeth, and smoking did not show any relation to the thickening of the mucous membrane of the maxillary sinus. Conclusions: The present study revealed distinct differences in healing patterns according to the causes of extraction in the maxillary sinus, especially periodontal disease, which resulted in more severe thickening of the mucous membrane.

We propose a wavelet based local subdivision of 3-D surfaces, which can be effectively applied to a mesh with complex and high curvature faces. The proposed approach is an extension of M. Lounsbery's works (1994), which has been developed only for regular triangular mesh subdivision. For such a purpose, a bi-orthogonal wavelet basis is constructed by defining a local inner product and using the lifting scheme. As only one filter bank is used for the global and local analysis of the surface and also one filter bank for synthesis, this method is very effective. Through the computer simulation tested on some example mesh, we show that the proposed local subdivision is very effective.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to histologically and histomorphometrically evaluate the effect of PLGA on bone regeneration compared with bone graft material. Methods: The experimental study was conducted in 10 rabbits with 2 different healing periods of 2 and 4 weeks. Following surgical exposure of the calvarium, 4 circular bone defects with a diameter of 4.6mm were formed. Rabbits were divided into control group, test groups I, and II. 10 defects assigned to the test group Ⅰ were grafted with Nu-oss and other 10 defects assigned to the test group II were grafted with PLGA. The rest of the defects were in the negative control group. At 2nd and 4th week after surgery, 10 rabbits were sacrificed through intracardiac perfusion and then specimens were obtained. Histological analysis was performed following staining with trichorme and transversal sectioning of the calvarial bone. Results: A group which used PLGA showed tissue reactions characterized by severe inflammation, rather than distinctive new bone formation. Conclusions: The present experimental investigations have failed to prove any beneficial effects of PLGA. PLGA used in this study exhibited foreign body reactions and a less favorable pattern of new bone formation in comparison to control group. Conclusion: PLGA did not function as scaffold. Further investigations of many types of micro PLGA that could improve its potential in GBR procedures are needed. (J Korean Acad Periodontol 2009;39:167-176)

Purpose: This study was designed to compare the bond regeneratiom effects of treatment using silk fibroin membrane ( Nanogide-S Ⓡ ) resorbable barrier with control group treated by polyactic acid / polylacticglycolic acid membrane(Biomesh Ⓡ ) Methods: 44 severe bone loss on extraction socket from 44 patients were used in this study. In experimental group 22 sites of them were treated by silk fibrin membrane as and the other 22 sites were treated by polyactic acid/ polylacticglycolic acid membrane as a control group. Clinical parameters including recovered bone width, length and radiographic parameter of vertical length were evlauated at base line and 3 months after surgery. Results: 1) Severe bone width, length was significantlly decreased in two group. 2) Bone width, length was significantlly decreased in two group. 3) Decreased bone width, length and radiographic examination differences between group. Conclusions: On the basis of these results, silk fibrin resorbable membrane has similar bone regeneration ability to polyactic acid / polylacticglycolic acid membrane in guided bone regeneration for severe bone loss defect on extraction socket. (J Korean Acad Periodontol 2009;39:129-138)

Purpose: The probiotic effects of lactic acid bacteria have widely been researched in diverse human pathogens, but only a few effects are reported against oral pathogens. The antimicrobial effects of the Enterococcus faecium 7413 isolated from Korean infants on the 9 pathogen including 6 oral streptococci were investigated the clinical use of the antimicrobial peptide for oral microflora control. Materials and Methods: E. faecium 7413 was identified by morphological, biochemical tests and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Inhibitory effects of culture supernatants were determined for their ability to grow on agar plate containing pathogenic bacteria. Result: The culture supernatant of Enterococcus faecium 7413 showed inhibitory effects on oral pathogens, namely Streptococcus pyogenes KCTC 3556, S. pneumoniae KCTC 5080, S. mutans ATCC 25175, S. anginosus ATCC 33397, S. constellatus KCTC 3268, S. intermedius ATCC 27823 and Shigella flexneri KCTC 2008. Whereas it did not affect the multiplication of E. coli strains, KCTC 1041 and ATCC 43894. Conclusion: The data obtained in this study could be useful for future development of effective probiotics allowing prevention for oral pathogens. (J Korean Acad Periodontol 2008;38:31-40)

Purpose: The aim of augmentation of the alveolar ridge is to restore absorbed alveolar ridges for future implant site or esthetic prosthodontic restoration. The present clinical report describes the anterior maxillary augmentation cases using a soft tissue ro- tated palatal flap, and considers various problems of before and after surgery. Method: First & second patients were treated by vascularized interpositional periosteal-connective tissue(VIP-CT) flap for hori- zontal soft tissue augmentation. Especially second patient was progressed with bone grafting at the same time. Third patient was treated by the same flap with bone graft and implant placement in single tooth missing premaxillary area. Result: The obtained horizontal augmentation width measured 0.5~2.7 mm. Conclusion: This technique constitutes a viable approach for augmentation the anterior sector of alveolar ridge with the place- ment of dental implants. But it needs correct diagnosis preparation and careful surgery skill. (J Korean Acad Periodontol 2008;38:207-214)

Purpose: The treatment of gingival recessions is needed to reduce root sensitivity and improve esthetical satisfaction. Several surgical techniques have been proposed to achieve these goals. The use of connective tissue grafts has made esthetic root coverage a predictable procedure. Numerous clinical studies have represented that using connective tissue grafts to cover exposed root surface showed high success rates. This is a case report which demonstrates the technique to obtain root coverage of a buccal recession defect. Materials and Methods: A 35-year-old patient with a high level of oral hygiene was selected for the study. This patient had one Class Miller recession defect in the mandible. A coronally advanced flap in combination with the connective tissue Ⅰ graft was chosen for the treatment. After surgery, the patient was told to visit the hospital once a week for his oral management and professional prophylaxis. The depth of initial recession was 4.0 mm. Result: After three months, it reduced to 0.0 ㅤ mm, and the average recession reduction was 4.0 mm. The average root coverage was 100%. Conclusion: The connective tissue graft is both effective and predictable way to produce root coverage in increasing the width of CAL and KT of various adjacent gingival recessions. (J Korean Acad Periodontol 2008;38:231-236)

Purpose: These case reports show the orthodontic treatment of lower anterior incisors with gingival recession. Materials and Methods: Three cases were treated by an orthodontist and a periodontist. Each case had lingually tilted lower anterior incisors, anterior crossbite and skeletal Cl III pattern. Results: A variety of etiological factors were thought to cause gingival recession: aging, oral hygiene, tooth malpositioning, occlusal trauma. Conclusion: Due to the interaction among many possible contributing factors, it is difficult to predict whether further gingival recession may occur at a given site. The position and the movement of the lower anterior incisors with gingival recession are important factors in diagnosis and orthodontic treatment planning. (J Korean Acad Periodontol 2008;38:215-224)

We evaluated DNA protection effect of heat shock protein (HSP) against cytotoxic effects of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen intermediate (ROI). Cultured human corneal fibroblasts were divided into 4 groups. Control (Group I) was not exposed to a sub-lethal heat treatment. Other 3 groups were exposed to 43 degrees C for 1 hr, then incubated at 37 degrees C during different duration (1, 6, 24 hr, Group II, III, IV, respectively). Expression pattern of HSP 70 was analyzed by Western blot. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay and the relationship between HSP 70 expression and DNA damage was examined by terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick and labeling (TUNEL) stain and single cell gel electrophoresis. Expression pattern of HSP 70 was dependent on recovery times. Cell viability following heat treatment was significantly increased and the TUNEL positive cell number was decreased at 6 hr. In single cell gel electrophoresis, tail moments were increased in a dose-dependent manner by SNAP and X/XO. Following heat treatment, tail moments showed decreased significantly at 6 hr. These results suggest that induction of HSP 70 by sub-lethal heat treatment is closely related with cytoprotective effects against oxidative stresses in human corneal fibroblasts.

Various ways of the post metal etch treatment to prevent the possible secondary corrosion was investigated. It is found that the one of the reasons of the degradation in device wafer which processed by the post treatment after Al alloy(TiN/Al–Si–Cu/TiN/Ti) plasma etch should be the potent corrosion occurred at the next device manufacturing sequences. Usually it is hardly detected during normal inspections in dry process step. BCl3 plasma treatment right after plasma etching could remove the precursor of the potent corrosion by reducing Ti on the etched Al sidewall.

Photoresist patterned ruthenium oxide etching for ferroelectric capacitor structured device has been studied using high density helicon wave plasma. The trends in the effect on the etch rate and selectivity to photoresist for BCl3 ratio to Cl2 have been determined. It was found that the strong scavenging effect of BCl3 lead primarily after ion bombardment on the film surface. The possible mechanism on the reduction of the issued by-product, RuO4, during plasma process was proposed using plasma and optical emission data.