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Yoonji Choi

Seoul National University · Engineering

About the Lab

Professor Yoonji Choi's research lab focuses on the intersection of anesthesiology, neuroscience, and environmental health, with a strong emphasis on understanding the biological mechanisms underlying neuropathic pain, anesthetic effects on surgical outcomes, and the impact of environmental exposures on neurodevelopmental disorders. The lab investigates molecular pathways involving neurotransmitters like NMDA and nitric oxide in chronic pain, explores genetic polymorphisms influencing anesthetic response, and examines the role of air pollution and heavy metals in autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy. Using large-scale national health insurance claims data, the lab conducts population-based epidemiological studies to identify modifiable risk factors and improve patient outcomes in surgical and critical care settings.

neuropathic painanesthetic effectsenvironmental neurotoxicityepidemiology of neurodevelopmental disorderspopulation-based health research

Research Overview

Papers
390
Total Citations
1,219
Papers (5y)
32
Primary Field
Engineering

Research Output Trend

Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.

Publications per year (5y)
32total
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Citations per year (5y)
123total
20222023202420252026

Selected Papers

15
1
Article|89 citations·1996
Neuropathic pain in rats is associated with altered nitric oxide synthase activity in neural tissue
Yoon Ji Choi, Srinivasa N. Raja, Lisa C. Moore, Joseph R. Tobin
SJR Q1FWCI 3.3Journal of the Neurological SciencesOA

Peripheral nerve injury may lead to a chronic neuropathic pain state that results from an increase in excitability of central neurons. This central sensitization is mediated via an N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor and may involve the production of nitric oxide (NO). As NO is suggested to play a role in nociceptive transmission following nerve injury, we examined for altered NO synthase activity at multiple levels of peripheral and spinal neural tissue in a rat model of neuropathic pain.

PhysiologyMedicine
2
Article|60 citations·2015
Postoperative Anemia Is Associated with Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing Total Hip Replacement Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Study
Yoon Ji Choi, Seon‐Ok Kim, Ji‐Hoon Sim, Kyung‐Don Hahm
SJR Q1FWCI 1.7Anesthesia & Analgesia

Postoperative anemia was associated with postoperative AKI after THRA. Although our study was limited by its retrospective design, our observation suggests that postoperative anemia may play a role in postoperative AKI.

BiochemistryMedicine
3
Article|41 citations·2001
The role of peripheral N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors in Freund's complete adjuvant induced mechanical hyperalgesia in rats
Joong Woo Leem, Jae Hyun Hwang, Jin‐Yong Hwang, Hyoungsup Park, Min Kyung Kim, Yoon Ji Choi
SJR Q2FWCI 1.8Neuroscience LettersOA
PhysiologyMedicine
4
Article|32 citations·2015
Polymorphism rs4263535 in<i>GABRA1</i>intron 4 was related to deeper sedation by intravenous midazolam
Yoon Ji Choi, Shin Yuong Lee, Kyung‐Sook Yang, Ji Young Park, Seung Zhoo Yoon, Suk Min Yoon, Suk Min Yoon, Suk Min Yoon
SJR Q3FWCI 0.3Journal of International Medical ResearchOA

Polymorphism rs4263535 in GABRA1 intron 4 was associated with deeper sedation by intravenous midazolam. Patients with the A/A rs4263535 genotype required a smaller dose of midazolam.

Anesthesiology and Pain MedicineMedicine
5
Article|21 citations·2023
The Effect of Maternal Exposure to Air Pollutants and Heavy Metals during Pregnancy on the Risk of Neurological Disorders Using the National Health Insurance Claims Data of South Korea
Kuen Su Lee, Won Kee Min, Yoon Ji Choi, Sejong Jin, Kyu Hee Park, Suhyun Kim
SJR Q2FWCI 3.3MedicinaOA

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of high levels of maternal exposure to ambient air pollution and heavy metals on risks of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and epilepsy using the National Health Insurance claims data of South Korea. The data of mothers and their newborns from 2016 to 2018 provided by the National Health Insurance Service were used (<i>n</i> = 843,134). Data on exposure to ambient air pollutants (PM2.5, CO, SO<sub>2</sub>, NO<sub>2</sub>, and O<sub>3</sub>) a

Health, Toxicology and MutagenesisEnvironmental Science
6
Article|21 citations·2022
A Comparison of the Anesthetic Methods for Recurrence Rates of Bladder Cancer after Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumors Using National Health Insurance Claims Data of South Korea
Sang Won Lee, Bum Sik Tae, Yoon Ji Choi, Sang Min Yoon, Yoon Sook Lee, Jae Hwan Kim, Hye Won Shin, Jae Young Park, Jae Hyun Bae
SJR Q1FWCI 3.1Journal of Clinical MedicineOA

Bladder cancers have high recurrence rates and are usually removed via transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). Recently, some reports showed that the anesthetic method may affect the recurrence rates of bladder cancers. The purpose of this population-based study was to compare the effect of anesthetic methods with the recurrence rates of bladder cancers in South Korea. A total of 4439 patients were reviewed retrospectively using the data of the Korean National Health Insurance (NHI) cl

Psychiatry and Mental healthMedicine
7
Article|17 citations·2014
Propofol Infusion Associated Metabolic Acidosis in Patients Undergoing Neurosurgical Anesthesia: A Retrospective Study
Yoon Ji Choi, Min Chul Kim, Young Jin Lim, Seung Zhoo Yoon, Suk Min Yoon, Hei Ryeo Yoon
SJR Q2FWCI 0.4Journal of Korean Neurosurgical SocietyOA

The incidence of metabolic acidosis was similar during neurosurgical anesthesia with propofol or sevoflurane. In addition, severe acidosis associated with propofol infusion appears to be reversible when propofol is discontinued.

Anesthesiology and Pain MedicineMedicine
8
Article|17 citations·2013
Transplantation Is a Risk Factor for Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing Total Hip Replacement Arthroplasty for Avascular Necrosis: An Observational Study
Yoon Ji Choi, Eun‐Ho Lee, Kyung‐Don Hahm, Ki Hyun Kwon, Young‐Jin Ro
SJR Q3FWCI 1.0Transplantation Proceedings
Orthopedics and Sports MedicineMedicine
9
Article|13 citations·2017
Chlorhexidine and silver sulfadiazine coating on central venous catheters is not sufficient for protection against catheter-related infection: Simulation-based laboratory research with clinical validation
Yoon Ji Choi, Jae Kwan Lim, Jeongjun Park, Hyub Huh, Dong‐Joo Kim, Chang‐Hoon Gong, Seung Zhoo Yoon
SJR Q3FWCI 2.8Journal of International Medical ResearchOA

Objective The efficacy of chlorhexidine- and silver sulfadiazine-coated central venous catheters (CSS-CVC) against catheter-related infection remains controversial. We hypothesized that the loss of silver nanoparticles may reduce the antibacterial efficacy of CSS-CVCs and that this loss could be due to the frictional force between the surface of the CVC and the bloodstream. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the antimicrobial effect of CSS-CVCs decreases with increasing expos

Emergency Medical ServicesHealth Professions
10
Article|13 citations·2020
Liver Transplant Patients with High Preoperative Serum Bilirubin Levels Are at Increased Risk of Postoperative Delirium: A Retrospective Study
Kyu Hee Park, Hyo Jung Son, Yoon Ji Choi, Gene Hyun Park, Yoon Sook Lee, Ju Yeon Park, Hyun-Su Ri, Jae Ryong Shim
SJR Q1FWCI 0.9Journal of Clinical MedicineOA

Postoperative delirium is a common complication after liver transplantation (LT). A high model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score is an independent risk factor for postoperative delirium, but it is unclear which of the components of this score are risk indicators. The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence of postoperative delirium according to the preoperative serum bilirubin level, a component of the MELD score, in patients who underwent LT. The medical records of 325 patients wh

Critical Care and Intensive Care MedicineMedicine
11
Article|13 citations·2015
Efficacy of early intravenous bolus oxycodone or fentanyl in emergence from general anaesthesia and postoperative analgesia following laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A randomized trial
Yoon Ji Choi, Sang-Wook Park, Hyun‐Jung Kwon, Jae Moon Choi, Yu‐Mi Lee
SJR Q3FWCI 1.8Journal of International Medical ResearchOA

Oxycodone relieves immediate postoperative pain significantly better than fentanyl, and is not associated with an increase in side-effects in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

SurgeryMedicine
12
Article|11 citations·2012
Single pretreatment of remifentanil may reduce pain after propofol and rocuronium injection in rapid sequence induction
Yoon Ji Choi, Han Seok Park, Han Lee, Seung Zhoo Yoon
SJR Q1FWCI 1.0Korean journal of anesthesiologyOA

Pretreatment with a bolus of remifentanil was effective in simultaneously reducing injection pain of propofol and rocuronium. In addition, remifentanil pretreatment was more effective in suppression of withdrawal response by rocuronium than lidocaine.

Anesthesiology and Pain MedicineMedicine
13
Article|9 citations·2018
Inhaled nitric oxide therapy was not associated with postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing lung transplantation
Hyun-Su Ri, Hyo Jung Son, Han Byeol Oh, Su‐Young Kim, Ju Yeon Park, Ju Yeon Kim, Yoon Ji Choi
SJR Q3FWCI 1.1MedicineOA

Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) therapy is commonly used in lung transplantation (LT) recipients during the perioperative periods. However, previous studies report that the use of iNO may increase the risk of renal dysfunction. Post-LT acute kidney injury (AKI) can lead to critical situations, including prolonged intensive care unit or hospital stays and increased morbidity and mortality. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between iNO therapy and incidence of post-

NephrologyMedicine
14
Article|9 citations·2017
Postoperative excessive blood loss after cardiac surgery can be predicted with International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis scoring system
Yoon Ji Choi, Seung Zhoo Yoon, Beom Joon Joo, Jung‐Man Lee, Yunseok Jeon, Young Jin Lim, Jong‐Hwan Lee, Hyuk Ahn
SJR Q2FWCI 0.2Brazilian Journal of Anesthesiology (English Edition)OA

In spite of limitation of retrospective design, management using International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis score in patients after cardiac surgery seems to be helpful for prediction of the post- cardio-pulmonary bypass excessive blood loss and prolonged tracheal intubation duration.

Cardiology and Cardiovascular MedicineMedicine
15
Article|8 citations·2018
Effect of varying external pneumatic pressure on hemolysis and red blood cell elongation index in fresh and aged blood
Yoon Ji Choi, Hyub Huh, Go Eun Bae, Eunji Ko, Sung-Uk Choi, Sang Hyun Park, Choon Hak Lim, Hye Won Shin, Hye‐Won Lee, Seung Zhoo Yoon
SJR Q3FWCI 0.4MedicineOA

Irreversible changes in RBCs did not occur as a result of external pressure. The hemolysis and elongation indices of fresh RBCs were not influenced by external pneumatic pressure up to 300 mmHg. Only the storage period affected the irreversible changes in RBCs and hemolysis. Therefore, the application of external pressure to RBCs in variously aged blood is likely to be a safe procedure.

Pulmonary and Respiratory MedicineMedicine

Research Areas

Aerospace EngineeringManagement, Monitoring, Policy and LawSurgeryAnesthesiology and Pain MedicinePhysiologyPulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

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