Su-Ill Lee

Satellite-based assessment of the impact of sea-surface winds on regional atmospheric circulations over the Korean Peninsula

In order to clarify the impact of sea‐wind satellite‐data assimilation under fair and calm weather conditions over the Korean Peninsula, several numerical experiments were carried out. The numerical model used in this study was the Fifth Mesoscale Model (MM5), verified by many previous studies; satellite data of sea winds were gathered by the QuikSCAT sensor launched on ADEOS II. During the daytime, the change in mesoscale circulations according to the assimilation of sea‐wind data increased in the coastal area and decreased deep inland. Although variations in mesoscale circulations due to satellite‐based sea‐wind data assimilation occurred near the coastal area, the mixing height far inland over the Korean Peninsula often changed according to the intensity of inflow from the surrounding seas and that of the topographic effect. In this study, a lower mixing height inland was generated by a numerical simulation using QuikSCAT sea‐wind data assimilation. The lower mixing height was caused by strong westerly and weak easterly winds from the Yellow Sea and the East Sea, respectively. The validation of the sea‐wind influence was verified quantitatively by RMSD and IOA analyses. The accuracy of weather forecasting increased at the East Sea and Korea Strait and decreased at the Yellow Sea. These different accuracy levels were caused by the inhomogeneity of sea‐wind data quality. The maintenance of the uniform quality of satellite‐based data on sea wind is an important factor in the reasonable forecasting of mesoscale circulations.

Modified anterograde pedicle advancement flap in fingertip injury.

Soft tissue reconstruction is needed to maintain the maximum length of the fingers in fingertip injury. The purpose of this study was to present an anterograde pedicle advancement flap technique, for the treatment of fingertip injuries, which involved a modification to the anterograde advancement flap by the dissection of the digital nerve and artery with a pedicle to advance the flap. This technique was used in 12 fingers in patients who had undergone soft tissue reconstruction of fingertip injuries between January 2012 and October 2013. The sizes of the flaps ranged from 8 × 7 mm to 14 × 10 mm. The mean length of advancement was 9.7 mm (range 7–13). The mean value of the static two-point discrimination test of the healed flaps was 5.1 mm (range 4–6) and the flaps survived in all the 12 cases. The modified anterograde pedicle advancement flap provides a reliable coverage of sensate soft tissue without bone shortening in fingertip injuries. Level II

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic findings of cerebral fat embolism induced by triolein emulsion in cats.

Background: In experimental studies, embolization of the cerebral hemisphere with triolein emulsion has revealed reversible magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in the subacute stage. Purpose: To investigate the changes in the major metabolites, by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), in a cerebral fat embolism induced by a triolein emulsion. Material and Methods: The internal carotid arteries of 19 cats were injected with a triolein emulsion, and multivoxel MRS was performed 30 min, 1 day, and 7 days later. In the control group, six cats were injected with normal saline. The MR spectra were evaluated for N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr), and choline (Cho), along with the presence of lipid and lactate. Semiquantitative analyses of NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, NAA/Cho, and lipid/Cr ratios compared the median values of the ipsilateral metabolite ratios with those of the contralateral side and in the control group for each point in time. Results: The NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, and NAA/Cho ratios in the ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere of the embolized group after 30 min, 1 day, and 7days were not significantly different from the contralateral hemisphere of the embolized and control groups (P>0.05). The lipid/Cr ratio in the ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere of the embolized group was significantly higher when compared with the control group (P=0.012 at 30 min, P=0.001 on day 1, and P=0.018 on day 7). Conclusion: Cerebral fat embolism induced by a triolein emulsion resulted in no significant change in the major metabolites of the brain in the acute stage, except for an elevated lipid/Cr ratio, which suggests the absence of any significant hypoxic-ischemic changes in the lesions embolized using a fat emulsion.

Clinical application of a free radial artery superficial palmar branch flap for soft-tissue reconstruction of digital injuries.

Unsuccessful reconstruction of injured fingers can lead to poor outcomes. The aim of this article was to investigate the clinical application of the radial artery superficial palmar branch flap for soft-tissue reconstruction of the finger. We treated 125 patients with various finger injuries who underwent free radial artery superficial palmar branch flap reconstruction between October 2010 and March 2015. There were 46 distal finger injuries, 25 distal finger amputation following failed replantation and 54 palmar digital injuries with tendon, bone or joint exposure requiring soft-tissue reconstruction. Of the 125 cases, 114 flap reconstructions were considered successful. We believe that a free radial artery superficial palmar branch flap transfer is credible and useful for reconstructing various finger injuries. Level of Evidence: III