• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.79-85
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• 2010

Purpose: Many trials for new therapeutic approaches such as stem cell-based transplantation have been conducted to improve the repair and regeneration of injured cord tissue and to restore functions following spinal cord injury (SCI) in animals and humans. Adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ATSCs) have multi-lineage potential to differentiate into cells with neuron-like morphology. Most studies of stem cell transplantation therapy after SCI are focused on cellular regeneration and restoration of motor function, but not on unwanted effects after transplantation such as neuropathic pain. This study was focused on whether transplantation of ATSCs could facilitate or attenuate hindpaw pain responses to heat, cold and mechanical stimulation, as well as on improvement of locomotor function in a rat with SCI. Methods: A spinal cord injury rat model was produced using an NYU impactor by dropping a 10 g rod from a height of 25 mm on to the T9 segment. Human ATSCs (hATSCs; approximately $5{\times}10^5$ cells) or DMEM were injected into the perilesional area 9 days after the SCI. After transplantation, hindpaw withdrawal responses to heat, cold and mechanical allodynia were measured over 7 weeks. Motor recovery on the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale and on the inclined plane test were also evaluated. Results: The present study demonstrated that increased hindpaw withdrawal responses to cold allodynia was observed in both groups after transplantation, but the development of cold-induced allodynia in the hATSC transplantation group was significantly larger than in the control group. The difference between the two groups in locomotor functional improvement after SCI was also significant. Conclusion: Careful consideration not only of optimal functional benefits but also of unintended side effects such as neuropathic pain is necessary before stem cell transplantation therapy after SCI.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.486-491
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• 2005

Growth-associated protein (GAP-43)은 손상된 신경 재생 시 axonal growth를 확인할 수 있는 가장 널리 알려진 단백질이다. 본 연구의 목적은 좌골신경 손상을 준 쥐에 저강도 운동 수행 후 좌골신경에서 발현되는 GAP-43 단백질의 양을 정량적으로 분석하고, 손상된 부분으로부터 신경섬유의 재생 정도를 조직학적으로 분석함으로써 운동이 말초신경 손상을 가한 쥐에 미치는 영향을 분석하는 것이다. CAP-43의 정량적인 분석은 western blotting을 통해 확인하였고, 좌골신경의 조직학적인 분석은 immunofluorescence staining과 anterograde로 DiI 주입, 척수 내의 motor neuron은 retrograde로 DiI를 주입 한 후 형광현미경에서 관찰하였다. 본 연구에서는 좌골신경이 손상된 쥐에게 운동을 수행시킴으로써 CAP피3단백질이 비운동 그룹보다 더 많은 양이 발현되고, 손상된 부위에서 재생하는 신경섬유의 길이와 양이 더 많은 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 또한 운동을 수행한 그룹에서 DiI에 염색된 motor neuron의 수가 더 많이 증가하는 것을 관찰하였다. 따라서 이러한 결과들은 운동이 좌골신경이 손상된 쥐의 재생을 촉진시킬 것으로 생각된다.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.429-440
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of knee joint position sense following local and general load protocols in 25 healthy male subjects. Proprioception of the knee joint was evaluated by measuring absolute angular errors at matching angles before, after and between 2 different types of load protocols. Proprioception tests(on the dominant knee) were performed in which proprioception of the passivepassive reproduced and active-active reproduced knee position was measured. Local load was provided with maximum isokinetic knee extension-flexion on the isokinetic dynamometer(Cybex), and general load was 10 minutes running on a treadmill. Peak torque(knee extension and flexion) and heart rate(beats per minute) was evaluated as an indicator of local and general fatigue during load protocols. The results were as follows: 1. For pasive-pasive reproduced knee position test, significant difference in absolute angular errors after general load protocol was detected compared with that before general load protocol(P<.05), significant difference in absolute angular errors after local load protocol was detected compared with that before local load protocol(P<.05). However, no significant difference in absolute angular errors of general load protocol was detected compared with that of local load protocol (P>.05), no significant difference in absolute angular errors of local load protocol was detected compared with that of general load protocol(P>.05). 2. For active-active reproduced knee position test, significant difference in absolute angular errors after general load protocol was detected compared with that before general load protocol(P<.05), significant difference in absolute angular errors after local load protocol was detected compared with that before local load protocol (P<.05). Also, significant difference in absolute angular errors of general load protocol was detected compared with that of local load protocol(P<.05), significant difference in absolute angular errors of local load protocol was detected compared with that of general load protocol(P<.05). 3. A significant decrease of peak torque of knee extensors and flexors was seen after local load, although heart rate was significantly increased(P<.05). No significant change of peak torque of knee extensors and flexors was seen after general load(P>.05), although heart rate was also significantly increased(P<.05). The previous study revealed that knee proprioception is significantly altered when the muscle mechanoreceptors are dysfunctional due to muscle fatigue, although the joint mechanoreceptors have no significantly effect on knee proprioception when the presence of knee muscle fatigue. However, the results of this study are different from those of the previous study in that muscle weakness of the knee could not be seen after general load. This study shows that general load may diminish motor control by the central nervous system. Proprioceptional decline without muscle weakness of knee after general load suggests a change in the proprioceptional pathway without influence from muscle mechanoreceptors.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.69-80
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• 2006

Objectives : The occurrence of shoulder pain after attack of stroke varies from 15% to about 80% in patients. Hemiplegic shoulder pain has been shown to affect stroke outcome in a negative way that it interferes with recovery after a stroke. These following processes have been all postulated as causes of a shoulder pain: glenohumeral subluxation, spasticity, impingement, soft tissue trauma, glenohumeral capsulitis, shoulder hand syndrome. And stroke patients may suffer from pain caused by stroke itself(central post-stroke pain). The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of Bee venom therapy for shoulder pain in stroke patients. Methods : To evaluate the effectiveness of Bee Venom Acupuncture Therapy, 40 patients were allocated into control and treatment group. They were monitored for 3 weeks and followed up with VAS score(with the interval of Initial(YAS1)), 1 week later(VAS2), 2 weeks later(VAS3), 3 weeks later(VAS4), Motor Grade and Passive ROM. Results : VAS score decrease in treatment group compared to control group. Bee Venom Acupuncture Therapy seems to decrease hemiplegic shoulder pain and this effect was statistically significant after 3 weeks. Therefore this therapy could be recommended for the treatment of patients with shoulder pain after stroke and further extensive clinical studies are expected. Conclusion : We suggest that GDS oral administration and electro-acupuncture at $BL_{52}$ & $GB_{39}$ are available for prevention and curing about the postmenopausal osteoporosis.

• 한국의류산업학회지
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.343-352
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• 2018

The objective of this study is to investigate the market of fitness compression wear as well as to design an optimal fitness compression wear by analyzing the muscle and movement characteristics of the elderly women in Korea. In this regard, research for functional garments is needed to increase muscle activity of elderly people during physical exercise. Firstly, we investigated the brand, design, size, material, and pattern of fitness wear based on the market survey. Secondly, we identified preference, evaluation items, evaluation method, and pattern design method based on the literature review. Finally, in addition, the motion type, range, angle to improve the muscle strength of the elderly were investigated and the maximum muscle strengths of each motion were analyzed by using 2007 Size Korea data (n = 386). It is also designed for muscle fatigue through exercise and rapid fatigue recovery after exercise. The evaluation methods for fitness compression wear were classified as motor functionality, physiological comfort, pattern and material suitability evaluations. The muscle strength at leg (pushing force) and waist (lifting force) of the ages of 60 to 69 years old showed 239.3 N and 274.5 N, respectively, which were the lowest forces compared to younger age groups. By applying these results to the design process of fitness wear, it is anticipated that the fitness wear will have a proper fit to the body shape of elderly people in South Korea as well as it can increase muscle efficiency to promote physical capability and healthy life for senior people.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.59-70
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to propose a task-related circuits program for stroke patients and to test the difference in functional improvements between patients undergoing conventional physical therapy and those participating in a task-related circuits exercise program. The subjects were 10 stroke in-patients of the Korea National Rehabilitation Center in Seoul. We measured the following variables: Motor Assessment Scale (MAS), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Tone Assessment Scale (TAS), speed of gait, rate of step, physiological costs index, age, weight, height, site of lesion, onset day and whether the subject participated in an exercise program. Collected data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 10.0/PC using descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and Spearman's correlation. The results of the experiment were as follows: (1) In the pre-test and post-test for function, there was not a statistical significance between the group partaking in a task-related circuits program and the group of conventional physical therapy (p>.05). (2) In the MAS, BBS and speed of gait test, the group undergoing conventional physical therapy showed a statistical significance (p<.05). (3) In the MAS, BBS, speed of gait, PCI, TAS (passive, associated reaction, TAS total score), the group of task-related circuits program showed a statistical significance (p<.05). As a result, the group participating in a task-related circuits program had a more functional improvement than the group participating in conventional physical therapy. Therefore, an intervention recommended for a stroke patient would be a task-related circuits program consisting of a longer session of each task for a more improved functional recovery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.205-211
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• 2011

Objective : We investigated the neuroprotective effect of anthocyanin, oxygen radical scavenger extracted from raspberries, after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Methods : The animals were divided into two groups : the vehicle-treated group (control group, n=20) received an oral administration of normal saline via stomach intubation immediately after SCI, and the anthocyanin-treated group (AT group, n=20) received 400 mg/kg of cyanidin 3-O-${\beta}$-glucoside (C3G) in the same way. We compared the neurological functions, superoxide expressions and lesion volumes in two groups. Results : At 14 days after SCI, the AT group showed significant improvement of the BBB score by $16.7{\pm}3.4%$, platform hang by $40.0{\pm}9.1%$ and hind foot bar grab by $30.8{\pm}8.4%$ (p<0.05 in all outcomes). The degree of superoxide expression, represented by the ratio of red fluorescence intensity, was significantly lower in the AT group ($0.98{\pm}0.38$) than the control group ($1.34{\pm}0.24$) (p<0.05). The lesion volume in lesion periphery was $32.1{\pm}2.4\;{\mu}L$ in the control and $24.5{\pm}2.3\;{\mu}L$ in the AT group, respectively (p<0.05), and the motor neuron cell number of the anterior horn in lesion periphery was $8.3{\pm}5.1$ cells/HPF in the control and $13.4{\pm}6.3$ cells/HPF in the AT group, respectively (p<0.05). Conclusion : Anthocyanin seemed to reduce lesion volume and neuronal loss by its antioxidant effect and these resulted in improved functional recovery.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제56권7호
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• pp.275-281
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• 2013

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common type of medically intractable epilepsy in adults and children, and mesial temporal sclerosis is the most common underlying cause of TLE. Unlike in the case of adults, TLE in infants and young children often has etiologies other than mesial temporal sclerosis, such as tumors, cortical dysplasia, trauma, and vascular malformations. Differences in seizure semiology have also been reported. Motor manifestations are prominent in infants and young children, but they become less obvious with increasing age. Further, automatisms tend to become increasingly complex with age. However, in childhood and especially in adolescence, the clinical manifestations are similar to those of the adult population. Selective amygdalohippocampectomy can lead to excellent postoperative seizure outcome in adults, but favorable results have been seen in children as well. Anterior temporal lobectomy may prove to be a more successful surgery than amygdalohippocampectomy in children with intractable TLE. The presence of a focal brain lesion on magnetic resonance imaging is one of the most reliable independent predictors of a good postoperative seizure outcome. Seizure-free status is the most important predictor of improved psychosocial outcome with advanced quality of life and a lower proportion of disability among adults and children. Since the brain is more plastic during infancy and early childhood, recovery is promoted. In contrast, long epilepsy duration is an important risk factor for surgically refractory seizures. Therefore, patients with medically intractable TLE should undergo surgery as early as possible.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.50-55
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• 2010

Gait initiation is a transitional process from the balanced upright standing to the beginning of steady-state walking. Dysbalanced gait initiation often causes stroke patients to fall. The net center of pressure, measured by two triaxial force plates from twenty healthy subjects and two stroke patients, was investigated to assess asymmetry of gait initiation in hemiparetic subjects. The time interval and distance of the net center of pressure(CoP) moved from the initiation point to the toe off(S1) and from the toe off to the initial contact(S2) were calculated during gait initiation of normal and stroke patients. When the patient with right hemiplegia(A) initiated his gait with right foot, the time interval and the distance of the net CoP in S1 and S2 were smaller than that of normal subjects' values. However, he initiated the gait with left foot(unaffected side) the time interval and the distance of net CoP in S1 were larger than normative values. Differently, the patient with left hemiplegia(B) has shown that larger time interval and distance in S1 and smaller time interval and distance in S2 in both sides. His asymmetry(with which side the gait initiated) was not significant. It is too early to conclude that these results could be general characteristics of the stroke patients because the variations were large and moreover, the level of motor recovery of the patients was different. However, it is expected that these trials could help to set up the strategy of the therapy for the rehabilitation or prevention of fall in stroke patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.42-49
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• 2015

Objective : The cervicothoracic junction (CTJ) is a biomechanically and anatomically complex region that has traditionally posed problems for surgical access. In this retrospective study, we describe our clinical experiences of the treatment of metastatic spinal tumors at the CTJ and the results. Methods : From June 2006 to December 2011, 23 patients who underwent surgery for spinal tumors involving the CTJ were enrolled in our study. All of the patients were operated on through the posterior approach, and extent of resection was classified as radical, debulking, and simple neural decompression. Adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) was also considered. Visual analog scale score for pain assessment and Medical Research Council (MRC) grade for motor weakness were used, while pre- and post-operative performance status was evaluated using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG). Results : Almost all of the patients were operated using palliative surgical methods (91.3%, 21/23). Ten complications following surgery occurred and revision was performed in four patients. Of the 23 patients of this study, 22 showed significant pain relief according to their visual analogue scale scores. Concerning the aspect of neurological and functional recovery, mean MRC grade and ECOG score was significantly improved after surgery (p<0.05). In terms of survival, radiation therapy had a significant role. Median overall survival was 124 days after surgery, and the adjuvant-RT group (median 214 days) had longer survival times than prior-RT (63 days) group. Conclusion : Although surgical procedure in CTJ may be difficult, we expect good clinical results by adopting a palliative posterior surgical method with appropriate preoperative preparation and postoperative treatment.