Single-Port Robotic Cholecystectomy: Early Experience from 8 Cases

( Hyung Jun Kwon ),( Horyon Kong ),( Sang Geol Kim ),( Yun Jin Hwang ) 대한간학회 2017 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2017 No.1

Aims: Single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SPLC) is a technical concept to reduced pain and improve cosmetic results when compared to multi-port cholecystectomy. However, SPLC is associated with technical limitation due to the enhanced complexity of the approach and limited number of specialized instruments or platforms. On the other hand, using a robotic platform may overcome these problems and enable more precise surgical actions by increasing freedom of movement and by restoring intuitive instrument control. In this presentation, we report the early clinical experience of our first 8 sing-port robotic cholecystectomy (SPRC) cases. Methods: Between November 2016 and February 2017, eight patients underwent SPRC with the da Vinci Xi robot and single-site instrumentation. We retrospectively reviewed clinical data on those patients. Results: All of 8 patients had completion of SPRC. Seven patients were female and one was male. Average patient age was 43.3±11.8 years and BMI was 22.4±1.4 kg/m2. Three patients (37.5%) were diagnosed with chronic calculous cholecystitis. Three patients (37.5%) underwent operation for polypoid lesions of the gallbladder. One patient (12.5%) was diagnosed with acute calculous cholecystitis. The mean operation time (skin-to-skin) was 83.9±30.7 min, docking time was 13.25±8.1 min, and console time was 42.1±26.4 min. The intraoperative blood loss was negligible. The mean Visual Analog Pain Scale score 6hr after the surgery was 2.9±0.4. The mean length of hospital stay average postoperative hospital stay was 2.3±1.0 day. There were no intraoperative complication and one patient developed seroma on port site. Conclusions: Robotic single-port cholecystectomy appears feasible and safe in our early experience.

Pretreatment with Lycopene Attenuates Oxidative Stress-Induced Apoptosis in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

( Ji Yong Kim ),( Jai Sung Lee ),( Yong Seok Han ),( Jun Hee Lee ),( Inhyu Bae ),( Yeo Min Yoon ),( Sang Mo Kwon ),( Sang Hun Lee ) 한국응용약물학회 2015 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.23 No.6

Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been used in cell-based therapy to promote revascularization after peripheral or myocardial ischemia. High levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the senescence and apoptosis of MSCs, causing defective neovascularization. Here, we examined the effect of the natural antioxidant lycopene on oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in MSCs. Although H2O2 (200 mM) increased intracellular ROS levels in human MSCs, lycopene (10 μmM) pretreatment suppressed H2O2-induced ROS generation and increased survival. H2O2-induced ROS increased the levels of phosphorylated p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), and p53, which were inhibited by lycopene pretreatment. Furthermore, lycopene pretreatment decreased the expression of cleaved poly (ADP ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and caspase-3 and increased the expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), which were induced by H2O2 treatment. Moreover, lycopene significantly increased manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) expression and decreased cellular ROS levels via the PI3K-Akt pathway. Our findings show that lycopene pretreatment prevents ischemic injury by suppressing apoptosis-associated signal pathway and enhancing anti-oxidant protein, suggesting that lycopene could be developed as a beneficial broad-spectrum agent for the successful MSC transplantation in ischemic diseases.

Pretreatment with Lycopene Attenuates Oxidative Stress-Induced Apoptosis in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Kim, Ji Yong,Lee, Jai-Sung,Han, Yong-Seok,Lee, Jun Hee,Bae, Inhyu,Yoon, Yeo Min,Kwon, Sang Mo,Lee, Sang Hun The Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology 2015 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.23 No.6

Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been used in cell-based therapy to promote revascularization after peripheral or myocardial ischemia. High levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the senescence and apoptosis of MSCs, causing defective neovascularization. Here, we examined the effect of the natural antioxidant lycopene on oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in MSCs. Although $H_2O_2$ ($200{\mu}M$) increased intracellular ROS levels in human MSCs, lycopene ($10{\mu}M$) pretreatment suppressed $H_2O_2$-induced ROS generation and increased survival. $H_2O_2$-induced ROS increased the levels of phosphorylated p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), and p53, which were inhibited by lycopene pretreatment. Furthermore, lycopene pretreatment decreased the expression of cleaved poly (ADP ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and caspase-3 and increased the expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), which were induced by $H_2O_2$ treatment. Moreover, lycopene significantly increased manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) expression and decreased cellular ROS levels via the PI3K-Akt pathway. Our findings show that lycopene pretreatment prevents ischemic injury by suppressing apoptosis-associated signal pathway and enhancing anti-oxidant protein, suggesting that lycopene could be developed as a beneficial broad-spectrum agent for the successful MSC transplantation in ischemic diseases.

Comparison of interfacial adhesion of hybrid materials of aluminum/carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites with different surface roughness

Kwon, Dong-Jun,Kim, Jong-Hyun,Kim, Yu-Jeong,Kim, Jin-Jae,Park, Sung-Min,Kwon, Il-Jun,Shin, Pyeong-Su,DeVries, Lawrence K.,Park, Joung-Man Elsevier Science Ltd 2019 Composites Part B, Engineering Vol.170 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>This study investigated the effect of surface roughness for improving interfacial adhesion in hybrid materials with aluminum (Al)/carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites (CFREC). The surface roughness of the Al was controlled using different types of sanding paper and varied sanding times. Al surface roughness were evaluated using static contact angle (CA) and 3D surface scanning measurements after the different sanding processes. Lap shear strength (LSS) tests were performed to evaluate the interfacial adhesion between CFREC and Al with the different Al surface treatments. The theoretical maximum cohesive strength (TMCS) and work of adhesion, <I>W</I> <SUB>a</SUB> between the Al and CFREC were correlated with surface energy of epoxy adhesive and LSS. The surface energy of epoxy adhesive and TMCS between CFREC and Al exhibited a proportional relationship. The TMCS was also directly related to the LSS between Al and CFREC. It was found that an optimum sanding process yielding a R<SUB>a</SUB>, 1.4 μm Al surface roughness exhibited the highest work of adhesion, as well as the largest LSS and TMCS for hybrids of Al-CFREC. Proper Al surface control in these materials shows real promise for enhancing the mechanical properties for aerospace, automotive and other practical applications.</P>

Incidence and occurrence profiles of the small brown planthopper (<i>Laodelphax striatellus</i> Fallén) in Korea in 2011–2015

Kwon, Deok Ho,Jeong, In-Hong,Hong, Sung Jun,Jung, Myung-Pyo,Kim, Ki-Su,Lee, Si Woo,Lee, Si Hyeock 한국응용곤충학회 2018 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol. No.

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The small brown planthopper (SBPH, <I>Laodelphax striatellus</I> Fallén) is an important pest that causes severe yield losses in rice by transmitting viral plant diseases. For the proper management of this pest, therefore, it is necessary to understand its temporal and spatial dynamics by establishing a periodical monitoring system. A dataset, including the number of SBPHs by location, collection method [aerial collection net (AeCN) or light trap (LT)] and period (May–Aug.) for five years (2011–2015) was provided by the Rural Developmental Administration, and missing values were imputed using multiple imputation methods. Of the 15,848 individuals collected, approximately 47% and 52.9% were collected using the AeCN and LT methods, respectively. Large numbers of SBPHs were generally collected from western coastal regions using AeCNs but not LTs. A high incidence of migratory SBPHs was observed during Julian days 144–166 using the AeCN method, with slightly different migration periods in each year. Generally, the migratory SBPHs made up 39.4% of the total populations of SBPHs during those periods. According to clustering analysis, the migratory region was located along the western coastal regions. Putative migration paths were estimated by trajectory cluster analyses using meteorological data. Interestingly, an L-shaped trajectory path emerged as a potentially important route for migratory SBPHs, passing through major wheat cultivation areas in Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces in China, where high densities of SBPHs occur from late May to early June. These results would provide valuable information to predict the incidence period of migratory SBPHs and establish a proactive management system against SBPH, including the basis for the detection of hazardous factors and decisions regarding appropriate pesticide treatment periods.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> The occurrence and incidence of SBPHs were analyzed using NCPMS data. </LI> <LI> Migratory SBPHs from China composed 39.4% of the total populations during 2011–2015. </LI> <LI> Migratory SBPHs might be migrated into Korea by the L-shaped trajectory path. </LI> <LI> NCPMS data would be helpful for the proactive management of SBPH. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

YinYang1 deficiency ameliorates joint inflammation in a murine model of rheumatoid arthritis by modulating Th17 cell activation

Kwon, Jeong-eun,Lee, Seon-Yeong,Seo, Hyeon-Beom,Moon, Young-Mee,Ryu, Jun-Geol,Jung, Kyung-Ah,Jhun, Joo-Yeon,Park, Jin-Sil,Hwang, Soo-Seok,Kim, Joo-Myeong,Lee, Gap Ryol,Park, Sung-Hwan,Cho, Mi-La Elsevier 2018 Immunology letters Vol.197 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Yin Yang 1 (YY1) is a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor that functions in cooperation with various cofactors to regulate gene expression. In the immune system, YY1 enhances cytokine production and T helper (Th) 2 effector cell differentiation, resulting in the activation of inflammation. However, no studies have reported the role of YY1 in Th17 cell regulation, which is implicated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated the expression of YY1 in Th17 cells <I>in vitro</I> and revealed increased levels of YY1 mRNA and protein. To elucidate the function of YY1 pathogenesis in RA, we used a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model with YY1 deficiency. Deficiency of YY1 reduced the severity of arthritis and joint destruction. Moreover, Th17 cells were dramatically reduced in YY1-deficient mice. The cytokine interleukin (IL)-17 was decreased in YY1-deficient CD4+ T cells <I>ex vivo</I> and <I>in vivo</I>. Interestingly, the level of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-17, IL-6, and IL-1β were markedly decreased in YY1-deficient mice with CIA. The cytokine-inducing function of YY1 was more specific to IL-17 than to interferon-γ. YY1 plays a role in Th17 cell differentiation and RA pathogenesis. Our findings suggest that future RA therapies should target the regulatory mechanism involved in Th17 cell differentiation, in which YY1 may cooperate with the STAT3 signaling pathway.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> YY1 as new target for RA therapies involved in Th17 cell differentiation. </LI> </UL> </P>

Hydrogen sulfide, a gaseous signaling molecule, elongates primary cilia on kidney tubular epithelial cells by activating extracellular signal-regulated kinase

Sang Jun Han,Jee In Kim,Joshua H. Lipschutz,Kwon Moo Park 대한생리학회-대한약리학회 2021 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.25 No.6

Primary cilia on kidney tubular cells play crucial roles in maintaining structure and physiological function. Emerging evidence indicates that the absence of primary cilia, and their length, are associated with kidney diseases. The length of primary cilia in kidney tubular epithelial cells depends, at least in part, on oxidative stress and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK) activation. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is involved in antioxidant systems and the ERK signaling pathway. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the role of H2S in primary cilia elongation and the downstream pathway. In cultured Madin-Darby Canine Kidney cells, the length of primary cilia gradually increased up to 4 days after the cells were grown to confluent monolayers. In addition, the expression of H2S-producing enzyme increased concomitantly with primary cilia length. Treatment with NaHS, an exogenous H2S donor, accelerated the elongation of primary cilia whereas DL-propargylglycine (a cystathionine γ-lyase inhibitor) and hydroxylamine (a cystathionine-β-synthase inhibitor) delayed their elongation. NaHS treatment increased ERK activation and Sec10 and Arl13b protein expression, both of which are involved in cilia formation and elongation. Treatment with U0126, an ERK inhibitor, delayed elongation of primary cilia and blocked the effect of NaHS-mediated primary cilia elongation and Sec10 and Arl13b upregulation. Finally, we also found that H2S accelerated primary cilia elongation after ischemic kidney injury. These results indicate that H2S lengthens primary cilia through ERK activation and a consequent increase in Sec10 and Arl13b expression, suggesting that H2S and its downstream targets could be novel molecular targets for regulating primary cilia

GASIFICATION RATE OF INDONESIAN COAL CHAR USING A PRESSURIZED DROP TUBE REACTOR

Sung Min Yoon,Ho Won Ra,Seong Kwon Park,Myung Won Seo,Sang Jun Yoon,Tae Young Mun,Yong Ku Kim,Jae ho Kim,Jae Goo Lee 한국신재생에너지학회 2015 AFORE Vol.2015 No.11

Synthesis of flake-like graphene from nickel-coated polyacrylonitrile polymer

Kwon, Ho-je,Ha, Jun Mok,Yoo, Sung Ho,Ali, Ghafar,Cho, Sung Oh Springer 2014 NANOSCALE RESEARCH LETTERS Vol.9 No.1

<P>Graphene can be synthesized from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymer through pyrolysis. A metal catalyst such as nickel (Ni) is required for the conversion of the polymer to graphene. The metal catalysts can be placed either atop or underneath the polymer precursor. We observed that spatially non-uniform and disconnected graphene was fabricated when PAN film coated with a Ni layer was pyrolyzed, resulting in flake-like graphene. Formation of the flake-like graphene is attributed to the dewetting of the Ni layer coated on the PAN film. Dewetting phenomenon can be reduced by decreasing the pyrolysis temperature, and hence, more uniform graphene could be prepared. The effects of Ni coating thickness and the pyrolysis temperature on the fabricated graphene have been experimentally analyzed.</P>

Evaluation of Allowable Bending Stress of Dimension Lumber; Confidence Levels and Size-adjustment

Sung Jun Pang,Jun Jae Lee,Jung Kwon Oh 한국목재공학회 2013 목재공학 Vol.41 No.5

The aim of this study was to investigate the processes for evaluating the allowable bending stress. The confidence levels and the size-adjustment in standards were reviewed with experimental data. The results show that, (1) KS F 2152 was more strict than others overseas standards due to the higher confidence level. The 5% NTL of bending strengths by a method in KS F 2152 were lower than the overseas standards and more specimens were required for evaluating the structural properties according to KS F 2152. (2) Due to the absence of size-adjustment method in domestic standards, the specified size and the exponential parameters on the size-adjustment equation were reviewed by size factors. The specified size (width: 286 mm, length: 6096 mm), and the exponential parameters (w: 0.29, l: 0.14) will be suitable for developing the allowable bending stress in domestic standard. (3) The size adjusted allowable bending stresses of No. 2 grade Korean pine were lower than the allowable stresses tabulated in KBC even though less strict method (75% confidence level) to calculate 5% value was used. The allowable stresses tabulated in KBC are needed to be reviewed by continuous experimental data.