Effects of a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) on characteristics of polyaniline nanoparticles synthesized by a solution plasma process with an Ar gas bubble channel

The quality of polyaniline nanoparticles (PANI NPs) synthesized in plasma polymerization depends on the discharge characteristics of a solution plasma process (SPP). In this paper, the low temperature dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is introduced to minimize the destruction of aniline molecules induced by the direct current (DC) spark discharge. By adopting the new electrode structure coupled with a gas channel, a low temperature DBD is successfully implemented in a SPP, for the first time, thus inducing an effective interaction between the Ar plasma and aniline monomer. We examine the effects of a low temperature DBD on characteristics of polyaniline nanoparticles synthesized by a SPP with an Ar gas bubble channel. As a result, both carbonization of aniline monomer and erosion of the electrode are significantly reduced, which is confirmed by analyses of the synthesized PANI NPs. © 2020 by the authors.1

Cost-effectiveness of chuna manual therapy and usual care, compared with usual care only for people with neck pain following traffic accidents: a multicenter randomized controlled trial

This is the first cost-effectiveness analysis of Chuna manual therapy (CMT) plus usual Korean traditional medicine for traffic accident victims using a randomized controlled trial. A total of 132 participants were equally allocated to the intervention group receiving 6–11 sessions of CMT plus usual Korean traditional medicine care for three weeks or usual care including acupuncture, cupping, herbal medicine, moxibustion, and traditional physiotherapy at three hospitals. At 12 weeks, from a healthcare perspective, the intervention group had significantly higher costs (mean (SD), $778 (435) vs.$618 (318); difference, $160; 95$15 to $289; p = 0.005). From a societal perspective, total costs were insignificantly lower in the intervention group (mean (SD),$1077 (1081) vs. $1146 (1485); difference,$−69; 95% CI, $−568 to$377; p = 0.761). The intervention group dominated, with significantly higher QALYs gained at lower overall cost with a 72% chance of being cost-effective. From a societal perspective, the intervention was cost-saving for individuals who had neck pain after car accidents, although it was not cost-effective from the healthcare perspective ($40,038 per QALY gained). Findings support use of CMT as an integrated care treatment for whiplash from a societal perspective. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to determine cost-effectiveness in other cultural contexts

Efficacy and Safety of Guardcel Nasal Packing After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Prospective, Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Study

Objectives Nasal packing after endoscopic sinus surgery is frequently used to control postoperative bleeding, enhance the wound healing process, and prevent lateralization of the middle turbinate, which causes insufficient ventilation. Many biodegradable materials have been developed to reduce pain and mucosal damage during packing removal. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of Guardcel (Genewel Co.) middle meatal packing with a traditional nonabsorbable middle meatal packing, Merocel (Medtronic Xomed), on wound healing and patient satisfaction. Methods In this prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled study, we enrolled 32 consecutive patients (64 nostrils) undergoing bilateral endoscopic sinus surgery at Korea University Guro Hospital from February 2015 to August 2015. Guardcel and Merocel were inserted postoperatively into a randomly assigned side. Objective findings about bleeding, hemostasis, adhesion, and infection were evaluated with nasal endoscopy. Patients’ symptoms including pain and nasal obstruction were evaluated with a visual analog scale. Each evaluation was done at 2–3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after surgery. Results At 2–3 days after endoscopic sinus surgery, the Guardcel side had a significantly less hemostasis time than the Merocel side (P=0.001). During this period, the pain during packing removal was significantly lower on the Guardcel-inserted side than the Merocel-inserted side (P=0.002). At two weeks after surgery, the adhesion score on the Guardcel side was significantly lower than that of the Merocel side (P=0.011). Other parameters during the study follow-up periods were not statistically significant. There were no severe adverse reactions. Conclusion Guardcel, a newly developed packing material, appeared to shorten the hemostasis time and reduce pain sensation at 2–3 days after surgery; it also prevented adhesion formation 2 weeks after surgery when compared with the control. Guardcel can be an effective and safe candidate to replace conventional packing materials after endoscopic sinus surgery

Relationship between the Korean Version of the Sniffin' Stick Test and the T&T Olfactometer in the Korean Population

ObjectivesThe Korean version of the Sniffin' stick (KVSS) test is widely used in Korea to evaluate olfactory function. However, its validity and reliability have not been studied well. In this study, the authors administered the KVSS and the T%T olfactometer test to evaluate olfactory function and to establish relationships between these two test measures.MethodsTwo hundred and eleven patients participated in this prospective randomized study. One hundred and nine patients with no olfactory symptoms and 102 patients with decreased olfaction participated. All participants were underwent KVSS II and T&T olfactometer testing.ResultsThe mean recognition threshold of the T&T olfactometer was -1.8±0.9 for patients with normal olfaction and 4.0±2.6 for patients with decreased olfaction. The mean Threshold-Discrimination-Identification score of the KVSS II was 30.0±3.8 for patients with normal olfaction and 15.9±7.1 for patients with decreased olfaction. Correlation coefficient between the two tests was significantly high (rs=-0.725, P<0.01).ConclusionThe KVSS and T&T olfactometry test are both reliable tests of olfactory function and their results are well correlated with each other

Comparative effectiveness and safety of concomitant treatment with Chuna Manual Therapy and usual care for whiplash injuries: a multicenter randomized controlled trial

Objectives: We aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of Chuna manual therapy combined with usual care to those of usual care alone for treating whiplash injuries. Design: A two-arm, parallel, assessor-blinded, multicenter pragmatic randomized clinical trial. Setting: Three hospitals in Korea. Participants: Overall, 132 participants between 19 and 70 years of age, involved in traffic accidents and treated at three hospitals in Korea, >2 but <13 weeks prior to enrollment, with neck pain consistent with whiplash-associated disorder grades I and II and a numeric rating scale score ≥5 were included. Interventions: Participants were equally and randomly allocated to the Chuna manual therapy and usual care (n = 66) or usual care (n = 66) groups and underwent corresponding treatment for three weeks. Primary and secondary outcome measures: The primary outcome was the number of days to achieve a 50% pain reduction. Secondary outcomes included areas under the 50% numeric rating scale reduction curve: pain, disability, quality of life, and safety. Results: The Chuna manual therapy + usual care group (23.31 ± 21.36 days; p = 0.01) required significantly fewer days to achieve 50% pain reduction compared to the usual care group (50.41 ± 48.32 days; p = 0.01). Regarding pain severity, functional index, and quality of life index, Chuna manual therapy and usual care were more effective than usual care alone. Safety was acceptable in both groups. Conclusions: In patients with subacute whiplash injury, Chuna manual therapy showed a rapid rate of recovery, high effectiveness, and safety