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Objective: Parietal lobe epilepsy (PLE) is neither common nor easily diagnosed because of its variable clinical features. To elucidate its characteristics and surgical outcome, the authors reviewed their surgical experiences. Methods: Between September 1994 and August 2001, 38 patients with PLE received surgical treatment at the Seoul National University Hospital. All patients underwent resection, mainly involving the parietal lobe. Results: Preoperatively, over 60% of the cases were not considered to be PLE, even though PLE was the most common diagnosis (15/38, 39.8%). An invasive study was performed in 37 of the 38 patients. Awake operations under regional anesthesia were performed in 20 patients (52.6%). Seizure disappeared in 15 (Engel’s classification I, 39.5%), and rare seizure remained in 5 (Engel II, 13.2%). Thirteen patients showed a worthwhile improvement (Engel III, 34.2%), whereas 5 exhibited no worthwhile improvement (Engel IV, 13.2%). Pathologies were diverse, the most common being cortical dysplasia (94.3%). Conclusion: Since PLE is difficult to diagnose preoperatively, an invasive study covering the parietal lobe is mandatory, if PLE is suspected. Cortical dysplasia was the most common etiology, thus awake operation under regional anesthesia and intraoperative brain mapping is helpful during extensive resection in order to spare the eloquent cortex.

Objective: The efficacy and side-effects of nefopam were prospectively compared with those of fentanyl for patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) following cardiac surgery. Methods: Patients scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery were randomly assigned between three PCA groups (nefopam, fentanyl or nefopam þ fentanyl). Pain was assessed at rest and during movement at 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 h after surgery using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Total infused PCA volume, number of rescue drug injections, duration of intubation and length of stay in the intensive care unit were recorded. The incidence of adverse effects was noted at 48 h postoperatively. Results: There were no significant between-group differences in VAS score, total PCA infusion volume or number of rescue injections (n ¼ 92 per group). Nausea was significantly more common in the fentanyl group compared with both other groups. Conclusions: PCA with nefopam alone provides suitable postoperative analgesia after cardiac surgery.

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Sb2Te3/GeTe superlattice (SL) film on planar and vertical sidewall areas containing TiN metal and SiO2 insulator is demonstrated. The peculiar chemical affinity of the ALD precursor to the substrate surface and the 2D nature of the Sb2Te3 enable the growth of an in situ crystallized SL film with a preferred orientation. The SL film shows a reduced reset current of ≈1/7 of the randomly oriented Ge2Sb2Te5 alloy. The reset switching is induced by the transition from the SL to the (111)‐oriented face‐centered‐cubic (FCC) Ge2Sb2Te5 alloy and subsequent melt‐quenching‐free amorphization. The in‐plane compressive stress, induced by the SL‐to‐FCC structural transition, enhances the electromigration of Ge along the [111] direction of FCC structure, which enables such a significant improvement. Set operation switches the amorphous to the (111)‐oriented FCC structure.

These findings indicate that, while halothane, isoflurane and pentobarbital could protect mice against NIHL and hair cell damage, inhaled anesthetics were more effective.

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