Chung-Ang University Research Articles

Enhanced oral bioavailability of valsartan using a polymer-based supersaturable self-microemulsifying drug delivery system

A novel, supersaturable self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (S-SMEDDS) was successfully formulated to enhance the dissolution and oral absorption of valsartan (VST), a poorly water-soluble drug, while reducing the total quantity for administration. Poloxamer 407 is a selectable, supersaturating agent for VST-containing SMEDDS composed of 10% Capmul® MCM, 45% Tween® 20, and 45% Transcutol® P. The amounts of SMEDDS and Poloxamer 407 were chosen as formulation variables for a 3-level factorial design. Further optimization was established by weighting different levels of importance on response variables for dissolution and total quantity, resulting in an optimal S-SMEDDS in large quantity (S-SMEDDS_LQ; 352 mg in total) and S-SMEDDS in reduced quantity (S-SMEDDS_RQ; 144.6 mg in total). Good agreement was observed between predicted and experimental values for response variables. Consequently, compared with VST powder or suspension and SMEDDS, both S-SMEDDS_LQ and S-SMEDDS_RQ showed excellent in vitro dissolution and in vivo oral bioavailability in rats. The magnitude of dissolution and absorption-enhancing capacities using quantity-based comparisons was in the order S-SMEDDS_RQ > S-SMEDDS_LQ > SMEDDS > VST powder or suspension. Thus, we concluded that, in terms of developing an effective SMEDDS preparation with minimal total quantity, S-SMEDDS_RQ is a promising candidate.

A Study on the Audition Pieces of Music Colleges for the Cello Majors from 2007 to 2017

본 연구에서는 국내 주요 음악대학의 첼로 전공 입시곡의 종류를 조사해봄으로써 첼로 레퍼토리 학습목록을 제공함과 동시에 입시 유형에 따른 음악학습의 보완점을 살펴보는 것을 연구의 목적으로 한다. 이를 위하여 우선 음악대학중 입시에서 지정곡을 제시하는 경희대, 서울대, 숙명여대, 연세대, 이화여대, 중앙대, 한국예술종합학교, 한양대 총 8개(가나다 순) 대학교에서 지난 2007년부터 2017년 수시와 정시 입시곡으로 출제된 레퍼토리를 빈도 조사하고 입시곡 출제 유형을 분석하였다. 그 결과 출제된 첼로 입시 지정곡들이 거듭하며 반복적으로 출제되고 있으며 실기 능력이 우수한 학생을 선점하려는 의도로 점차 수시 선발 비율을 늘리는 경향이 조사되었다.The purpose of this study is to analyze the audition requirements for the admission of the 8 music colleges for cello majors for last 10 years. In order to achieve this goal, 55 cello pieces were collected from 8 music colleges such as Kyunghee University, Seoul National University, Sookmyung Women’s University, Yonsei University, Ewha Womans University, Chungang University, Korea National University of Arts, and Hanyang University. Investigating the frequency of the repertoire presents that 8 music colleges are applying a uniform standard in their audition requirements. This results may illustrate that the cello audition repertoire is quite limited and many music colleges prefer to select the student in the early decision rather than the regular one.

Relationship between the incidence and risk factors of postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia

This study aims to evaluate retrospectively the electronic medical records of surgical patients who received intravenous patient-controlled analgesia, to identify potential relationships between the incidence and risk factors of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Records of 6773 adult patients who received fentanyl-based intravenous patient-controlled analgesia after surgery at Chung-Ang University Hospital between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2015 were reviewed. Multiple logistic regressions were used to identify risk factors for PONV. Of 6773 patients, 1216 (18.0%) were recorded to have PONV. In multiple logistic regression analysis, female gender, nonsmoking status, history of motion sickness or PONV, use of desflurane and nitrous oxide, and preintubation use of opioid analgesia were independent risk factors for PONV. Despite the use of antiemetic prophylaxis, 18.0% of patients with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia had PONV. Use of desflurane and nitrous oxide, in addition to risk factors included in the Apfel score (female gender, nonsmoking status, history of PONV or motion sickness, and use of postoperative opioids) were identified as independent risk factors. As the incidence of PONV was 2.8%, 6.0%, 11.7%, 15.2%, 21.1%, 50.0%, and 100% for patients who had 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and all these risk factors, respectively, risk-adapted, multimodal, or combination therapy should be applied for patients receiving general anesthesia.

Epidemiological trend of pulmonary thromboembolism at a tertiary hospital in Korea.

Background/AimsDespite increasing interest in pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE), data on recent trends in PTE incidence are limited. This study evaluated the recent incidence rate of PTE.MethodsWe performed a retrospective chart review of patients with PTE admitted to Chung-Ang University Hospital during the 10-year period from 2006 to 2015. Age-standardized incidence and mortality rates were calculated by the direct method per 100,000 populations. To analyze the trend of risk factor, we also calculated the proportions of cancer, major operation, and recent major fracture over that time.ResultsTotal crude incidence rate of PTE per 100,000 was 229.36 and the age-sex adjusted standardized incidence rate was 151.28 (95% confidence interval [CI], 127.88 to 177.10). The incidence rate have been significantly increased 1.083 times annually from 2006 (105.96 per 100,000) to 2015 (320.02 per 100,000) (95% CI, 1.049 to 1.118; p < 0.001). These incidences also increased annually in age group of 35 to 54, 55 to 74, and ≥ 75 years, and in both males (odds ratio [OR], 1.071; 95% CI, 1.019 to 1.127; p = 0.007) and females (OR, 1.091; 95% CI, 1.047 to 1.136; p < 0.001). Cancer accounted for most of the increase from 20.0% at 2006 to 2007 to 42.8% at 2014 to 2015 (OR, 1.154; 95% CI, 1.074 to 1.240; p < 0.001), while the proportions of recent fracture and major operation remained constant.ConclusionsThe incidence of pulmonary embolism has gradually increased over the 10 years. The increase of PTE incidence was mainly due to increased proportion of cancer patients.

Abdominal Visceral to Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Ratio Is Associated with Increased Risk of Erosive Esophagitis

BackgroundTo investigate the association between abdominal fat distribution represented by the visceral fat area (VFA) to subcutaneous fat area (SFA) ratio, and erosive esophagitis (EE).MethodsSeven hundred and twenty-eight participants aged >40 years underwent physical examination, blood tests, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and abdominal computer tomography at Chung-Ang University Hospital from 2007 to 2012.ResultsOf 728 subjects, 65 (8.9%) had EE. The EE patients had higher body mass index, metabolic syndrome prevalence, triglyceride levels, and blood pressure (P < 0.05). The mean VFA/SFA ratio was higher in the EE group than in the non-EE group (1.30 vs. 0.92, P < 0.001). The predominance of EE in the group with higher VFA/SFA ratio was higher than in the group with lower VFA/SFA ratio (P < 0.001). A VFA/SFA ratio ≥1.165 had good accuracy to predict EE (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve, 0.643). The VFA/SFA ratio and visceral fat volume were positively correlated with the severity of EE (P = 0.002), and a VFA/SFA ratio ≥1.165 was strongly correlated with the severity of EE (P < 0.001).ConclusionThe high VFA/SFA ratio can be a useful clinical predictor of EE.

Traditional Korean Ceramics: A Look by a Scientist by Carolyn Kyongshin Koh Choo

Reviewed by: Traditional Korean Ceramics: A Look by a Scientist by Carolyn Kyongshin Koh Choo Lim Jongtae Traditional Korean Ceramics: A Look by a Scientist by Carolyn Kyongshin Koh Choo (Ko Kyŏngsin 高慶信). Seoul: Designnanoom, 2016. 292pp. As can be surmised from its title, this book is a comprehensive survey of traditional Korean ceramics written by a scientist. Its author, Carolyn Kyongshin Koh Choo, is a scientist who has taken an unusual career path. Trained as a physical chemist at MIT, she turned her research focus to traditional Korean ceramics in the early 1990s, establishing the Department of Science of Cultural Properties at Chung-Ang University as the institutional base for her extraordinary project to “understand the beauty of [Korean] ceramic wares from a scientific point of view” (9). The guiding motive of this book is not especially different from that of the prominent 20th-century connoisseurs of Korean ceramic arts. Like Yanagi Muneyoshi, Ko Yusŏp, and other modern art historians, Koh Choo also searches for the uniqueness of the Korean ceramic tradition by identifying its subtle differences from the grossly similar but technically more sophisticated Chinese tradition. To this common search for Korean uniqueness, she adds her own “scientific point of view.” She presents the microscopic and chemical analysis of ceramic shards excavated from major kiln sites as a new way to investigate the unique technical and aesthetic characteristics of Korean ceramics. Reflecting the author’s self-positioning as a scientific connoisseur of Korean ceramic art, this book takes a different approach from that of ordinary art history works. Rather than following the conventional historical succession of the main ceramic types, from Koryŏ celadon to Chosŏn white porcelain, she [End Page 257] arranges its four parts (each consisting of three chapters) according to major decorative methods employed by Korean potters (15). After giving an overall introduction to Korean ceramics in Part 1, the remaining three parts are devoted to discussions of major techniques that characterize Korean ceramic art: underglazing and inlaying (sanggam 象嵌) (Part 2), various decorative methods applied to Chosŏn punch’ŏng wares (Part 3), and finally, uses of pigments (iron-rich clay, copper red, and cobalt blue) in brush painting on ceramic surfaces (Part 4). This arrangement of topics according to decorative techniques enables the author to freely commute between the two realms of art and science in her discussion of specific methods. She thus connects the prominent aesthetic features, imparted to the ceramic wares by certain techniques, with the scientific analysis of the ceramic bodies, glazes, and pigments that were employed in the technical processes. In order for readers to follow this oscillation between artistic and scientific discussions, it is essential to rely on the introductory Part 1, which offers a well-arranged and highly enlightening overview of the book’s contents. Chapter 1 presents the aesthetic characteristics of Korean ceramic arts, compared with those of China. Unlike the Chinese ceramic tradition, which developed a technically sophisticated overglazing method as a response to ever increasing international demands, the Korean tradition remained in isolation from global market trends, continuously relying on the underglazing method. This was the technical base upon which Korean potters imparted to their wares the “subdued and restrained beauty” (25) which, according to many modern connoisseurs, came to represent the “quintessence of the Oriental spirit” (18). Chapter 2 portrays the historical process of how Chinese ceramic techniques were imported and assimilated, while identifying the major sociopolitical and philosophical environments that shaped the fundamental characteristics of Korean ceramics. The high concentration of ceramic production into a few government-controlled centers (Kangjin and Puan in Koryŏ, and Kwangju in Chosŏn) explains the lack of diversity in the Korean ceramic tradition. Philosophical trends of the ruling class, especially Chosŏn Confucianism with its emphasis on frugality and simplicity, discouraged technical sophistication and colorful decoration, thus giving birth to what might be called the minimalist aesthetics of Chosŏn punch’ŏng ware and white porcelain. In Chapter 3, the author introduces an entirely new, scientific way to view the methods of traditional ceramic arts. For the careful reader, discovering how certain aesthetic features of ceramics can be explained by the chemical composition of the raw...

P1.01-032 Emergency Department Visits by Lung Cancer Patients in Korea

Although lung cancer patients frequently require emergency medical care due to acute unbearable symptoms and life-threatening conditions, there are limited data on them at the emergency departments (ED). National Emergency Department Information System Database (NEDIS) collects information about ED visits in Korean population. We aimed to determine the frequency and main causes of emergency consultations and the predicting factors for hospital admissions and deaths. In this retrospective observational study, we reviewed all the cases of ED visit for six months, from July 2014 to December 2014, in three university hospitals: Hanyang University Hospital and Chung-Ang University Hospital in Seoul, and Chungbuk National University Hospital in Cheongju. By reviewing all the medical records including NEDIS database, we identified cases with lung cancer and performed descriptive statistics and logistic regressions analysis. Of all 62,369 ED visits, there were 292 ED visit (0.5%) by 216 patients with lung cancer. Among them, 76.4% had only one ED visit in study period. The main reasons for consultation were respiratory symptoms (36.8%) and fatigue/alteration of the general state (12.7%), and pain (12.4%). ED visit leads to hospital admission in 74.9% and hospital death in 25.1% of lung cancer patients. In multivariate analysis, the main independent predictor factors of hospitalization are diagnostic phase of lung cancer (odd ratio 9.3) and the transfer from another hospital (odd ratio 4.9). The palliative phase with best supportive care alone (odd ratio 5.2) and abnormal heart rate at the time of ED visit (odd ratio 2.4) are statistically associated with death during hospitalization. Our study shows that ED visit is a frequent but clinically important event for patients with lung cancer. We might consider certain risk factors indicating hospitalization and death in lung cancer patients visiting ED to improve delivery of quality cancer care.

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli ST131 in urinary tract infections in children.

PurposeEscherichia coli sequence type (ST) 131, a multidrug-resistant clone causing extraintestinal infections, has rapidly become prevalent worldwide. However, the epidemiological and clinical features of pediatric infections are poorly understood. We aimed to explore the characteristics of ST131 Escherichia coli isolated from Korean children with urinary tract infections.MethodsWe examined 114 uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) isolates from children hospitalized at Chung-Ang University Hospital between 2011 and 2014. Bacterial strains were classified into STs by partial sequencing of seven housekeeping genes (adk, fumC, gyrB, icd, mdh, purA, and recA). Clinical characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibility were compared between ST131 and non-ST131 UPEC isolates.ResultsSixteen UPEC isolates (14.0%) were extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producers; 50.0% of ESBL-producers were ST131 isolates. Of all the isolates tested, 13.2% (15 of 114) were classified as ST131. There were no statistically significant associations between ST131 and age, sex, or clinical characteristics, including fever, white blood cell counts in urine and serum, C-reactive protein, radiologic abnormalities, and clinical outcome. However, ST131 isolates showed significantly lower rates of susceptibility to cefazolin (26.7%), cefotaxime (40.0%), cefepime (40.0%), and ciprofloxacin (53.3%) than non-ST131 isolates (65.7%, 91.9%, 92.9%, and 87.9%, respectively; P<0.001 for all). ESBL was more frequently produced in ST131 (53.3%) than in non-ST131 (8.1%) isolates (P<0.01).ConclusionST131 E. coli isolates were prevalent uropathogens in children at a single medical center in Korea between 2011 and 2014. Although ST131 isolates showed higher rates of antimicrobial resistance, clinical presentation and outcomes of patients were similar to those of patients infected with non-ST131 isolates.

Is Stopping Heparin Safe in Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Treatment?

Anticoagulation treatment during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment is unavoidable. However, discontinuation of heparin infusion is necessary when challenges associated with the use of heparin, such as bleeding and thrombocytopenia, are encountered. The medical records of 94 adult (age ≥ 18 years) patients treated with ECMO from January 2011 to March 2015, at Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea, were reviewed. Among the 94 patients, 55 patients underwent ECMO treatment for three or more days. In 52.7% of these patients (n = 29, group A), heparin was stopped for three or more days because of thrombocytopenic events (< 50,000 cells/mm), higher than target range (> 230 seconds) activated clotting time (ACT), bleeding complications, or the need for other surgical procedures. In 43.6% of patients (n = 24, group B), heparin was continuously infused during the entire ECMO process. The mean length of ECMO support after the initiation of heparin discontinuation in patients in group A was 10.2 ± 14.7 days. There were no intracardiac, intravascular, or intracircuit thrombotic complications in group A. There was no difference in the ECMO weaning success rate between the two groups (41.4% in group A vs. 54.2% in group B, p = 0.353). Heparin discontinuation can be considered in a select group of patients with coagulation abnormalities or bleeding.

Financial Literacy of University Students in Korea : Focusing on the Case of Chung-Ang University

Previous studies suggests that many Korean university students have poor financial literacy due to lack of educational infrastructure and education centered on college admission exam. Many researchers suggest that education to improve the university students’ financial literacy is needed. Chung-Ang University is currently making efforts to improve the financial literacy of non-business major students by setting ‘accounting’ as the essential liberal arts course. The purpose of this study is to investigate the implications of the accounting education case of Chung-Ang University in improving the financial literacy of Korean university students.

The effect of laparoscopic versus robotic low anterior resection of rectum on postoperative pain: A propensity score matching analysis

Purpose The aim of this study was to compare postoperative outcomes regarding pain and pain management in patients who underwent robot-assisted low anterior resection (RA-LAR) with laparoscopy-assisted low anterior resection (LA-LAR). Methods Medical records of adult patients who underwent LA-LAR (group L) or RA-LAR (group R) using robotic system (da Vinci Surgical System, Intuitive Surgical Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA) were collected prospectively at Chung-Ang University Hospital between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2015. Patients were matched at a 1 to 1 ratio from Group L and R using propensity score-matching method. Intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) was applied to the patients postoperatively, and the severity of postoperative pain visual analogue scale (VAS) and nausea as the numerical rating scale (NRS) was evaluated. The incidence of vomiting, dizziness, headache, and PCA clamping was also recorded. Additional fentanyl was administered as a rescue analgesic if the VAS score was over 3, and until VAS was less than 3. Results In the overall series, there was no significant difference between group L and group R regarding pain VAS, nausea NRS, number of vomiting episodes at day 0 and day 1. However, after propensity score analysis, pain VAS and the use of rescue analgesic at day 0 was lower in group L compared to group R (P=0.038, P=0.040). Conclusion In regards to postoperative pain, RA-LAR did not show clear benefit over LA-LAR. Keywords: Laparoscopy, Robotics, Postoperative pain, Propensity score, Rectal cancer

528P Incidence, risk factors, treatment outcomes and prognosis of acute kidney injury caused by chemotherapy in patients with lung cancer

Background Palliative chemotherapy is effective first-line therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (stage IIIB-stage IV) and small cell lung cancer extensive-stage disease. Acute kidney injury (AKI) may be developed by palliative chemotherapy especially including cisplatin, however its incidence, risk factors, prognosis and overall survival rate remain unclear. Methods Between Jan. 2005 and Nov. 2014, this retrospective study enrolled 207 lung cancer patients treated with first line palliative chemotherapy. The AKI was defined by serum creatinine change as described in the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) clinical practice guideline. All patients were grouped base on development of AKI and were staged for level of injury at baseline, 6- and 12-months. Results In total of the 207 patients, 79(38.1%) developed AKI in total period. The incidence of AKI during chemotherapy was 32(15.4%), and the incidence of AKI after chemotherapy was 57(27.5%). Cisplatin is most common cause in AKI during chemotherapy (n = 22). In 70 years older group, the AKI occurred in 16 patients, when compared to the younger than 70 years group, there was no difference in incidence rate. Elderly patients developed AKI earlier cycles (1st to 2nd cycles) than younger patients (81.3% vs 35%, p = 0.006). Prognosis of patients with AKI duration chemotherapy was that 16 (50%) progressed to chronic kidney disease (CKD). There were no patients of progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). AKI during chemotherapy group significantly prolonged median time to failure compared with normal renal function group (6.7 vs 4.5 month, P = 0.001). However median overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) were not different in the AKI during chemotherapy group compared with normal renal function group (OS, 13.7 vs 11.7 months; P = 0.086 and PFS, 5.5 vs 5.3 month; P = 0.423, respectively). Conclusions AKI is still frequent in lung cancer patients with cisplatin containing chemotherapy. AKI during chemotherapy may predispose to CKD, however does not appear to progress to ESRD. AKI during chemotherapy occurred in patients treated with many cycles of chemotherapy for long term. Legal entity responsible for the study N/A Funding Chung-Ang University (I have no funding) Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Erratum for: Fabrication of microstrip patch antenna using novel hybrid printing technology

In the above-mentioned article, which appeared in Microwave and Optical Technology Letters, Volume 58#11, DOI 30110, the corresponding author information was missing. The correction is shown below: 1School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea; Corresponding author: [email protected] 2School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA; Corresponding author: [email protected] In addition, incorrect acknowledgments were included. The correction is shown below: This research was supported by the MSIP (Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning), Korea, under the ITRC (Information Technology Research Center) support program (IITP-2016-H8501-16-1007) supervised by the IITP (Institute for Information & communications Technology Promotion) and the Chung-Ang University Research Grants in 2015. The authors regret any confusion caused by these errors.

Single-Incision Laparoscopic Appendectomy by Surgical Trainees.

Background:Single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA) is one of the most commonly performed single port surgeries in the world. However, there are few publications documenting a young resident’s experience. The purpose of this study is to investigate clinical outcomes of SILA performed by a surgical trainee and to evaluate its feasibility and safety compared with conventional three-port laparoscopic appendectomy (TPLA) when performed by a surgical trainee and SILA by surgical staff.Methods:Between September 2014 and August 2015, clinical data were retrospectively collected for SILA and TPLA cases performed at Chung-Ang University Hospital. Three surgical residents who have assisted at least 50 cases of TPLA and 30 cases of SILA performed by gastrointestinal surgery specialists performed the surgeries. The indication of SILA by surgical trainees was noncomplicated appendicitis with no comorbidity.Results:In total, 47 patients underwent SILA by surgical residents, 98 patients underwent TPLA by surgical residents and 137 patients underwent SILA by surgical staff. In comparing SILA and TPLA performed by surgical residents, the mean age was younger (26 vs. 41 y, P<0.005) in the SILA group, the operative time (47.2 vs. 61.5 min, P<0.010) and hospital stay (2.3 vs. 2.7 d, P=0.003) were shorter in SILA group. In the SILA group, 2 cases of postoperative fluid collection (5.7%) occurred, necessitating antibiotic treatment. In TPLA group, 1 postoperative abscess occurred, requiring drainage. When comparing SILA performed by surgical residents and SILA performed by surgical staff, there were no significant differences in operation time, and postoperative complications.Conclusion:Surgical residents safely performed SILA with good postoperative outcomes after short learning curve.

Preoperative Body Mass Index May Determine the Prognosis of Advanced Gastric Cancer

ABSTRACTRadical gastrectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer causes serious nutritional impairment. Our study evaluated the clinical impact of body mass index (BMI) on the long-term outcomes of advanced gastric cancer (stage II and III). We analyzed 211 cases of stage II and III gastric cancer between January 2005 and December 2010 at Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea. Patients were divided into four groups according to BMI: underweight, normal, overweight, and obese. In addition, we divided patients into two groups: BMI-High (BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2) vs. BMI-Low (BMI < 23 kg/m2). We assessed age, sex, tumor location, lymph node (LN) involvement, operation method, initial cancer stage, recurrence, and survival between the two groups. There was significant difference in overall survival (OS) between the underweight group and the other groups (P = 0.005). The survival of the BMI-High group was better than that of the BMI-Low group. The rate of cancer-related death in the BMI-High group was significantly lower than that in the BMI-Low group (cancer-related death: BMI-Low 27% vs. BMI-High 12.6%, P = 0.022). Our findings suggest that preoperative BMI may have an influence on the long-term outcomes of advanced gastric cancer after radical surgery and chemotherapy.

Effects of sugammadex vs. pyridostigmine-glycopyrrolate on post-operative nausea and vomiting: propensity score matching.

Sugammadex is a new agent that reverses neuromuscular blockade by aminosteroid neuromuscular blocker. This retrospective study compared the effects of sugammadex on post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) with those of a pyridostigmine-glycopyrrolate mixture. We reviewed the electronic medical records of 7179 patients who had received fentanyl-based, intravenous, patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) at Chung-Ang University Hospital between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2015. We categorized the patients into two groups on the basis of the type of reversal agent to neuromuscular blockade that was used: a traditional reversal agent (pyridostigmine-glycopyrrolate mixture; Group R; n = 7059) and sugammadex (Group S; n = 120). The propensity score matching method was then used to select 408 subjects in Group R and 115 subjects in Group S; on the basis of their covariates, these subjects were then matched with a counterpart in the other group. After propensity score matching, the two groups were well balanced with respect to all baseline covariates. In Group S, the numeric rating scale of nausea on day 0, as well as the number of patients who vomited on day 0, was lower than that in group R. Furthermore, Group S used fewer rescue antiemetics on day 0 and had a higher complete response on day 0. Sugammadex might be more beneficial for PONV compared to pyridostigmine-glycopyrrolate mixture for patients who have received opioid-based IV-PCA.

Effects of remifentanil versus nitrous oxide on postoperative nausea, vomiting, and pain in patients receiving thyroidectomy: Propensity score matching analysis.

Remifentanil and nitrous oxide (N2O) are 2 commonly used anesthetic agents. Both these agents are known risk factors for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). However, remifentanil and N2O have not been directly compared in a published study. Remifentanil can induce acute tolerance or hyperalgesia, thus affecting postoperative pain. The objective of this retrospective study is to compare the effects of remifentanil and N2O on PONV and pain in patients receiving intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) after thyroidectomy.We analyzed the electronic medical records of 992 patients receiving fentanyl-based IV-PCA after thyroidectomy at Chung-Ang University Hospital from January 1, 2010 to April 30, 2016. We categorized the patients according to anesthetic agents used: group N2O (n = 745) and group remifentanil (n = 247). The propensity score matching method was used to match patients in the 2 groups based on their covariates. Finally, 128 matched subjects were selected from each group.There were no differences between groups for all covariates after propensity score matching. The numeric rating scale for nausea (0.55 ± 0.88 vs 0.27 ± 0.76, P = 0.01) was higher and complete response (88 [68.8%] vs 106 [82.8%], P = 0.001) was lower in group N2O compared with group remifentanil on postoperative day 0. However, the visual analog scale score for pain (3.47 ± 2.02 vs 3.97 ± 1.48, P = 0.025) was higher in group remifentanil than group N2O on postoperative day 0.In patients receiving IV-PCA after thyroidectomy, postoperative nausea was lower but postoperative pain was higher in group remifentanil.

Subchondral Cyst Involving the Ulnar Aspect of the Lunate

Introduction: The etiology of subchondral cyst formation is not well known; however, there are several articles which address that it can be occurred by recurrent minor trauma which results in cartilage injury and consequently makes joint fluid to enter the bone marrow spaces of the subchondral bone to form a cyst. The purpose of this study was to find out the relationship between lunate cyst with ulnocarpal impaction which could give repeated mechanical stress to lunate. Methods: From March 2012 to January 2014, total of 387 patients’ 3D upper extremity computed tomography (CT) images at Chung-Ang University Hospital that includes wrist images were reviewed. Among these patients, 10 patients had been diagnosed of ulnocarpal impaction syndrome (group 1). Nine patients had been treated with ulnar shortening and 1 patient had injection to ulnar fovea. In the rest of 377 patients, none of the patients had specific ulnar side pain of their wrist (group 2). Among these images, 35 patients (9.26%) had lunate cysts positioned near distal ulna which can be suggested as ulnolunate impaction. They were assessed for difference, correlation, and logistic regression to evaluate if there is true relationship between lunate cyst and the degree of ulnar positive variance or age. Results: In total, 241 patients had ulnar positive variance on their wrist and 41 patients (17%) had lunate cyst. The prevalence of lunate cyst was significantly higher in group 1 (6 patients [60%] vs. 35 patients [9.26%], P &lt; .001, respectively). However, there was no difference of the size of lunate cyst in groups 1 and 2 ( P = .242). The size of lunate cyst had no correlation to ulnar positive variance or patient’s age as well ( P = .857, P = .349, respectively). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the presence of lunate cyst was associated with the patient’s age (odds ratio = 1.045, P &lt; .001) and also the association between the presence of lunate cyst and the degree of ulnar positive variance was found (odds ratio = 1.186, P = .022). Patients with lunate cyst had more positive ulnar variance ( P = .020). However, only 15% of patients with lunate cyst had symptomatic ulnocarpal impaction syndrome. In addition, in the patients with lunate cyst, there was no difference of cyst size whether the patients had the symptomatic ulnocarpal impaction syndrome or not ( P = .262). Conclusion: In our study, the lunate cyst was associated with patient’s age and ulnar positive variance. However, we could not find significant effect of symptomatic ulnocarpal impaction on the formation of subchondral cyst in lunate.

A Preliminary Study on the ESP Education of 4-Year Colleges in Korea in Search of the ESP Education of Chung-Ang University

The aim of this paper is to address current conditions of ESP (English for Special Purposes) in 4-year colleges of Korea and to make use of the data to establish ESP courses at Chung-Ang University in 2016. This paper does not deal with the present states of general English education that are carried out in the College of General Education at Chung-Ang University, which will be a separate topic for future study. The term ESP encompasses EAP and EOP. Based on the choice between EAP and EOP, the goals of ESP course will have different composites. To cope with demands from students in the high level, the goal of general English education enables students to be equipped with high-level English skills combined with professional expertise as global citizens. ESP in general English education functions as a bridge to cross over to a in-depth major-related and professional area. To be successful, ESP education requires: first, the main body to manage ESP courses; second, the lecturer to educated students; third, the textbook to teach with; fourth, evaluation tools.

Errata

Errata to: “Dietary acidifiers in weanling pig diets: a review” Rev. Colomb. Cien. Pec. 2011. 24:231-247. Dong Yong Kil, Woong Bi Kwon, and Beob Gyun Kim. And “Dietary soybean oil and choice white grease improve apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids in swine diets containing corn, soybean meal, and distillers dried grains with solubles” Rev. Colomb. Cien. Pec. 2011. 24:248-253. Dong Yong Kil and Hans H Stein. Several typos occurred in an author´s affiliation for both papers. The journal sincerely regrets the errors. Corrected affiliation for Dong Yong Kil is shown below: Department of Animal Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong, GyeongGi-Do 456-756, Republic of Korea.