Purpose
To evaluate the clinical and radiological risk factors for exiting root injuries during transforaminal endoscopic discectomy.
Methods
We retrospectively examined cohort data from 233 patients ...who underwent percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy for lumbar disc herniation between January 1st, 2010 and December 31st, 2011. We divided the patients into the two groups: those who presented a postoperative exiting root injury, such as postoperative dysesthesia or motor weakness (Group A,
n
= 20), and those who did not suffer from a root injury (Group B,
n
= 213). We examined the clinical and radiological factors relating exiting root injuries. We measured the active working zone with the exiting root to the upper facet distance (Distance A), the exiting root to disc surface distance at the lower facet line (Distance B) and the exiting root to the lower facet distance (Distance C) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Results
Group A exhibited a shorter Distance C (6.4 ± 1.5 versus 4.4 ± 0.8 mm,
p
< 0.001) and a longer operation time (67.9 ± 21.8 versus 80.3 ± 23.7 min,
p
= 0.017) relative to Group B. The complication rate decreased by 23 % per each 1-mm increase in Distance C (
p
= 0.000). In addition, the complication rate increased 1.027-fold per each 1-min increase in the operation time (
p
= 0.027).
Conclusion
We recommend measuring the distance from the exiting root to the facet at the lower disc level according to a preoperative MRI scan. If the distance is narrow, an alternative surgical method, such as microdiscectomy or conventional open discectomy, should be considered.
Purpose This study investigated factors that affect the health of police officers by analyzing job stress, psychosocial stress, and fatigue faced by police officers in order to provide basic data for ...the efficient management of police officers and future comparative research. Subjects and Methods Police officers admitted to the National Police Hospital from March to May 2013 were surveyed to investigate their degree of stress. The questionnaire consisted of 4 areas related to patient characteristics: general and demographic characteristics factors, job stress, psychosocial stress, and fatigue. Results The analysis of the relationships among job stress, psychosocial health, and fatigue showed the 0%, 44.7%, and 82% of those with healthy, potential, and high risks of stress had high job stress, respectively. Meanwhile, 40.8% and 77.9% of subjects with normal and high risks of fatigue had high job stress. Conclusion The studies can be used as basic and comparative data for the prevention and early control of job-related diseases for police officers.
Purpose This study investigated the serologic factors associated with metabolic syndrome and gallstones. Subjects and Methods The study evaluated subjects who visited a health promotion center in ...Seoul from March 2, 2013 to February 28, 2014, and had undergone abdominal ultrasonography. Height, weight, and blood pressure were measured. Blood sampling was performed for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, fasting blood glucose, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, uric acid, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, thyroid stimulating hormone, and red and white blood cell counts. We conducted logistic regression analysis to assess the risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome. Results The risk factors for metabolic syndrome in men, in order of decreasing weight, were red blood cell count, body mass index, maximum size of gallstones, white blood cell count, waist circumference, and uric acid level. The factors in women, in order of decreasing weight, were red blood cell count, presence/absence of gallstones, uric acid level, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, and waist circumference. Conclusion Most serum biochemical factors and gallstone occurrence could be used to indicate the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome, independent of gender.
Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the blood levels related to the bone mineral density by using the dual energy X-ray absorption for females before menopause and males younger than ...50 years old. Subjects and Methods Between August 1, and September 15, 2013, the Z-score was measured in females before menopause and males younger than 50 years old using a bone mineral density measuring instrument. After the measurement, the subjects were classified into two groups, that is, the below expectations and within expectations groups. Next, we analyzed and compared the differences in age, body mass index, and blood levels between the 2 groups. Results The results showed a correlation of 0.212 for total protein, −0.317 for alanine aminotransferase, −0.199 for gamma-glutamyl transferase, −0.358 for alkaline phosphatase, 0.266 for uric acid, −0.313 for lactate dehydrogenase, 0.244 for creatinine, −0.234 for the red blood cell count, and −0.230 for the red cell distribution width in patients with less than expected level for their age. Conclusion In conclusion, osteoporosis may occur in females before menopause and males younger than 50 years old, and aggressive attention is required for prevention and treatment.
The first aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms. The second aim was to study the association between musculoskeletal symptoms and factors in radiation workers ...from the active lists of clinics and hospitals and then to provide basic data for a systematic and effective resource management of radiation workers' musculoskeletal problems in the future. A questionnaire survey was conducted on radiation workers in clinics, general hospitals, and Dong-A university hospitals around the Korean city Buscan from July 10 to 31, 2011. The results showed that the rate of musculoskeletal symptoms was higher in the shoulder, waist, neck, leg/foot, hand/wrist/finger than arm/elbow. The probability of neck pain was 2 times higher in patients with a disease.
The purpose of this study was to measure the air temperature and the air pressure, develop an atmospheric correction factor calculation device (ACFCD), and utilize it. Because the radiation dose ...varies with the temperature, pressure, and humidity, is essential calibrating doses after calculating the atmospheric correction factor. In this study, we constructed an ACFCD by using a micro controller, an air thermometer, and an air pressure sensor. We measured the temperature and the air pressure in nine different spaces and confirmed the changes in the factors. We obtained the measured data as comma-separated-values files, and we created a Microsoft Excel macro for the analysis to calculate the average temperature, pressure, and atmospheric correction factor; we determined trends by using graphs. As a result of the performance evaluation, we confirmed that the space temperature and the air pressure measurement were the same (
p
> 0.05). In addition, we confirmed that the micro controller unit measured the heating, which we observed to be 3.9 ◦ C. The ACFCD that we developed in this study confirmed the possibility of replacing existing air thermometers and barometers and can contribute to improving work efficiency. In addition, in light of the basic concept of the ACFCD, we consider that the device will be useful for ensuring safe, accurate use of radiation once it is made more practical through additional studies.
To understand further the physiologic characteristics of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentrations in healthy younger men.
A total of 2032 men, 20 to 39 years old, who visited our hospital ...for a routine health checkup were entered into the study. Pearson correlation coefficients were determined to evaluate the association between serum PSA and clinical parameters. Because of the log-normal distribution, the serum PSA levels were log-transformed for analysis.
Although the relationships were weak, significant negative correlations were noted between serum PSA and body weight (
r = −0.107,
P <0.001), body mass index (BMI;
r = −0.131,
P <0.001), aspartate aminotransferase (AST;
r = −0.076,
P = 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (ALT;
r = −0.079,
P = 0.001), gamma-glutamyltransferase (
r = −0.046,
P = 0.046), and creatinine clearance (
r = −0.113,
P <0.001). A positive correlation was found between serum PSA and creatinine (
r = 0.053,
P = 0.024). Age did not correlate with serum PSA level. The influence of clinical parameters on serum PSA was explored using multiple linear regression analysis. Using the stepwise method, all other explanatory variables, except BMI, AST, and creatinine were eliminated (log
10PSA = −0.124BMI + 0.063creatinine − 0.053AST + 0.097;
r = 0.152,
P <0.001).
BMI, creatinine, and AST may influence the serum PSA level in this population. However, because it was not clear that this group should be considered at high risk of prostate cancer in the future, additional longitudinal research is needed.
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•Importance of spin and orbital properties in interfacial PMA for SOT materials.•Inextricable link in the spin-orbital interactions of two distinct SOT-PMA systems.•Phenomenon of ...interfacial atomic structure as a key of processing-in-memory systems.
Computer engineers have been attempting to incorporate spin-based devices in future computer architectures, such as processing-in-memory (PIM) in artificial intelligence systems. A successful PIM requires ongoing efforts for developing fast and low-power spintronic material devices. The spin-orbit torque (SOT) device, which is associated with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) materials, is a promising candidate. Herein, macroscopic and nanoscopic studies on the spin-orbit interaction of two distinct SOT-PMA systems are conducted to enhance our understanding of the interfacial PMA and pave the way of material design for reliable and high-performance spin memory and logic devices. The experimental results indicate that further theoretical studies are needed to establish a sophisticated explanation instead of the conventional hybridization for the interfacial PMA. In addition, an interesting phenomenon, which can be a useful ingredient while applying thermal energy barrier, concerning the integration of reliable spin devices in future commercial computer systems is reported.
While many researchers have focused on the interfacial Rashba effect, bulk Rashba materials have received considerable interest due to their potential to enhance spin–orbit torque (SOT). By utilizing ...GeTe as a bulk Rashba material in the role of a spin–orbit channel, GeTe/Ni81Fe19 and GeTe/Co40Fe40B20 bilayers are fabricated, and SOTs are investigated using the spin torque ferromagnetic (FM) resonance technique. In this method, damping‐like and field‐like SOTs are extracted individually, excluding thermal effects. Upon analyzing the data, a remarkable field‐like SOT efficiency of 0.40 is obtained from the GeTe/Ni81Fe19 system. This high efficiency is attributed to the enhancement of interfacial spin–orbit coupling through the bulk Rashba effect of the GeTe channel. Moreover, noticeable distinctions in SOTs are observed between the Co40Fe40B20 and Ni81Fe19 interfaces, underscoring the importance of selecting the appropriate FM layer for optimizing SOT efficiency. This study highlights the promising potential of bulk Rashba materials like GeTe in advancing SOT‐based devices.
To effectively separate the damping‐like and field‐like spin–orbit torques (SOTs) in a bulk Rashba channel, a ferromagnetic (FM) resonance method is employed. In this experiment, a significant field‐like torque is detected. Moreover, noticeable distinctions are observed in SOTs between the Co40Fe40B20 and Ni81Fe19 interfaces, emphasizing the importance of selecting the appropriate FM layer to enhance SOT efficiency.
On the basis of second-harmonic measurements, we separated the thermal effect from the spin–orbit torque in GeTe/NiFe bilayers. The damping-like torque and thermal effect terms are phenomenologically ...inseparable in the second-harmonic resistance. Several thermomagnetic effects, such as the Nernst effect and spin Seebeck effect, are also mixed in the second-harmonic signals. By exploiting the different external magnetic field dependence of these terms, we extracted the noticeable thermal-related terms. In particular, the ordinary Nernst effect is dominant over other thermal effects such as the anomalous Nernst effect and the spin Seebeck effect in a GeTe/NiFe structure. Furthermore, we have investigated the dependence of the ordinary Nernst effect on the temperature and the electric field applied to GeTe channel. These findings reveal that, in a bulk Rashba device, the thermal effect must be considered when attempting to control the spin–orbit-torque-induced switching.
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•Thermal effect is separated from spin–orbit torque using harmonic signals.•Ordinary Nernst effect is dominant over damping-like torque in a GeTe/NiFe device.•Dependence of ordinary Nernst effect on temperature is investigated.•Gate electric field controls electric polarization and ordinary Nernst effect.
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