• Journal of The Korean Ophthalmological Society
• /
• v.58 no.11
• /
• pp.1313-1316
• /
• 2017

Purpose: To report fundus photography using a smartphone in an infant with abusive head trauma. Case summary: An 8-month-old male infant presented to the emergency room with decreased consciousness and epileptic seizures that the parents attributed to a fall from a chair. He had no external wounds or fractures to the skull or elsewhere. However, computerized tomography of the brain revealed an acute subdural hematoma in the right cranial convexity and diffuse cerebral edema, leading to a midline shift to the left and effacement of the right lateral ventricle and basal cistern. The attending neurosurgeon promptly administered a decompressive craniectomy. Immediately after the emergency surgery, a fundus examination revealed numerous multi-layered retinal hemorrhages in the posterior pole extending to the periphery in each eye. He also had white retinal ridges with cherry hemorrhages in both eyes. We acquired retinal photographs using the native camera of a smartphone in video mode. The photographer held the smartphone with one hand, facing the patient's eye at 15-20 cm, and held a 20 diopter condensing lens at 5 cm from the eye in the other hand. Our documentation using a smartphone led to a diagnosis of abusive head trauma and to obtain the criminal's confession, because the findings were specific for repetitive acceleration-deceleration forces to an infant's eye with a strong vitreoretinal attachment. Conclusions: This ophthalmic finding had a key role in the diagnosis of abusive head trauma. This case presented the diagnostic use of a smartphone for fundus photography in this important medicolegal case.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.33 no.11
• /
• pp.851-858
• /
• 2023

Unique cartilage matrix-associated protein (UCMA) is an extrahepatic vitamin K-dependent protein rich in γ-carboxylated (Gla) residues. UCMA has been recognized for its ability to promote osteoblast differentiation and enhance bone formation; however, its impact on osteoblasts under hyperglycemic stress remains unknown. In this paper, we investigated the effect of UCMA on MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells under hyperglycemic conditions. After exposure to high glucose, the MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with recombinant UCMA proteins. CellROX and MitoSOX staining showed that the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which initially increased under high-glucose conditions in MC3T3-E1 cells, decreased after UCMA treatment. Additionally, quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed increased expression of antioxidant genes, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and superoxide dismutase 1, in the MC3T3-E1 cells exposed to both high glucose and UCMA. UCMA treatment downregulated the expression of heme oxygenase-1, which reduced its translocation from the cytosol to the nucleus. Moreover, the expression of dynamin-related protein 1, a mitochondrial fission marker, was upregulated, and AKT signaling was inhibited after UCMA treatment. Overall, UCMA appears to mitigate ROS production, increase antioxidant gene expression, impact mitochondrial dynamics, and modulate AKT signaling in osteoblasts exposed to high-glucose conditions. This study advances our understanding of the cellular mechanism of UCMA and suggests its potential use as a novel therapeutic agent for bone complications related to metabolic disorders.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.559-564
• /
• 2023

It is known that change in the bone strength of cortical bone constituting the outer shell of long bones such as the tibia or radius due to aging and osteoporosis is a risk factor for fracture. In this study, the group velocity of time-reversed Lamb waves generated in tibial cortical bone in vivo was measured using a time reversal method, and the correlations of the group velocity with the cortical bone thickness (cTh) and cortical bone mineral density (cBMD) closely related to the bone strength were investigated. It was found that the group velocity of time-reversed Lamb waves measured in the right tibia of 7 subjects showed a very high correlation, r = 0.90 (p < 0.0001), with the cTh and a relatively low correlation, r = 0.69 (p < 0.0001), with the cBMD. A limitation of this in vivo study is that the group velocity of time-reversed Lamb waves was measured for a normal group consisting of only 7 healthy adults. In the future, if the clinical usefulness of the time-reversed Lamb wave is demonstrated by follow-up studies on normal and osteoporotic groups consisting of a large number of healthy adults and osteoporotic patients, respectively, it is expected to improve the reliability of quantitative ultrasound technology for osteoporosis diagnosis. In addition, it is necessary to expand the skeletal site for measuring the group velocity of time-reversed Lamb waves not only to the tibia but also to the femur or radius.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.49-56
• /
• 2024

Purpose: When performing nuclear medicine examinations, body wraps or plastic supports are used to support and immobilize the patient's upper extremities to prevent patient safety accidents. However, the existing plastic supports compromised patient and staff safety, including finger entrapment and falls. Moreover, the body wrap provided by manufacturers compromised image quality such as upper extremities cutoff during whole body bone scan. Therefore, a new design of body wrap was developed to improve the issue, and this study aims to evaluate the usability of this medical body wrap. Materials and Methods: To evaluate the usability of the newly designed medical body wrap, a quality assessment of whole body bone scan images and a user satisfaction survey were conducted. Adult patients (male:female=129:152, age: 60.3±12.4 years, BMI: 24.0±4.2) aged 16 years or older who underwent a whole body bone scan during two periods: June to July 2022 (before improvement, n=139) and June to July 2023 (after improvement, n=142) were randomly selected for image quality evaluation. Five radiotechnologists visually evaluated the posterior view of the whole body bone image, including the left and right elbow (2 points), arm (2 points), whether the hand is extended (2 points), whether the hand is included (2 points), and the number of visible fingers (10 points), with a total of 18 points, which were converted to 100 points and analyzed for difference before and after improvement using an independent sample t-test. The user satisfaction questionnaire was evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale among 16 radiotechnologists from three general hospitals who experienced the new body wrap. Results: The image quality assessment was 82.0±13.8 before the improvement and 89.3±10.1 after the improvement, an average of 7.3 points higher, with a statistically significant difference (t=5.02, p<0.01). The user satisfaction survey showed an overall satisfaction rating of 4.1±0.8 for ease of use, 3.8±0.7 for scan preparation time, 3.9±0.7 for patient safety, 3.8±1.2 for scan accuracy, and 4.2±0.7 for recommendation (87.5% questionnaire response rate). Conclusion: The developed body wrap showed higher image quality and user satisfaction compared to the old method. Considering these results, it is deemed that the new body wrap may be more useful than existing methods.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.309-315
• /
• 2024

The Study In order to obtain a Clear Image of fractures in Atlas and Axis of Cervical Spin, this Study obtained Images examined using a Cervical Spin Pantom and a Radiation device, and then Commissioned five Radiologists and three Orthopedic Regent Doctors for Subjective Psychological ROC (Receiver, Operation, Characteristic) Evaluation. As aRresult, the X-ray Tube was Tilted 15° toward the leg to Receive a high score of 29 Points during the Eamination, and the Objective Evaluation Signal-to-noise Ratio (SNR) was 6.032 points, which was high. In Addition, by Tilting the X-ray tube 10° toward the head, it received a high score of 33 points during the Examination, and a high score of 7.840 Points in the objective evaluation. And as a result of Subjectively and Objectively Statistically Evaluating the Examined Images, the Cronbach Alpha value was Calculated as 0.791. Since the Cronbach Alpha value was 0.7 or higher, the Reliability could be Evaluated as 'very good', and the significance probability (p) was Statistically Significant at 0.042 points.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.81-94
• /
• 2024

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of a progressive balance training program with whole-body vibration stimulation on knee joint pain, dysfunction, psychosocial status, and balance ability in individuals aged ≥ 65 years with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: A total of 40 individuals aged ≥ 65 years with osteoarthritis of the knees participated in the study. Using a randomization program, participants were assigned to an experimental group (n = 20) or a control group (n = 20). Both groups were assigned a knee strength training program, and a progressive balance training program with whole-body vibration stimulation was assigned to the experimental group. All interventions were conducted three times a week for four weeks. Participants were evaluated for the following: pain (numeric rating scale, NRS), knee dysfunction (Korean version of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index, K-WOMAC), fall efficacy (Korean Version Falls Efficacy Scale, K-FES), quality of life (Euro Quality of life 5 Dimension, EQ-5D), and advanced balance scale score (Fullerton advanced balance scale, FAB) before and after the intervention, and the effects of the intervention were compared accordingly between groups. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant differences in the results of the NRS, K-WOMAC, K-FES, and EQ-5D assessments before and after the intervention, and there was a significant difference in the amount of change between the two groups (p < .05). There was a significant improvement in FAB in all but items FAB 8 and FAB 9 after the intervention in the experimental group. In the control group, there was a significant improvement in FAB 1, FAB 2, FAB 7, and FAB total after the intervention (p < .05). In addition, there was a significant difference in the amount of change between the two groups in all items except FAB 8 and FAB 9 (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The progressive balance training program with whole body vibration stimulation is an effective intervention method with clinical significance in improving knee joint pain, knee disability index, psychosocial level, and balance ability in adults aged ≥ 65 with osteoarthritis of the knees.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.48-63
• /
• 2024

This study investigated the 𝛽-glucosidase activity of lactic acid bacteria and specifically eleutheroside E and B from Acanthopanax senticosus after bioconverting them into syringaresinol (SYR). Out of 125 lactic acid bacteria strains isolated from kimchi and other sources, 46 exhibiting both extracellular and internal 𝛽-glucosidase activity were identified. Notably, strains LFFR 20-011 (Lactobacillus curvatus) and LFFR 20-043/LFR20-050 (Levilactobacillus brevis) enhanced SYR production by more than two-fold during Acanthopanax senticosus fermentation. Further investigation revealed that SYR significantly promoted osteoblast differentiation, as evidenced by the increased mRNA expression levels of early and mature osteoblast markers, including Runx2, type I collagen, and osteocalcin. These findings suggested that the enhanced presence of SYR through bioconversion by Acanthopanax senticosus may improve bone health. These results provide foundational data supporting the development of lactic-acid-bacteria-fermented Acanthopanax senticosus as a functional food aimed at promoting skeletal health in older adults.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.17-25
• /
• 2024

Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder. It is caused by mutations in the α-galactosidase A gene, which results in deficient or absent activity of α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A). This leads to a progressive accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) in various tissues. Manifestations of Fabry disease include serious and progressive impairment of renal and cardiac function. In addition, patients experience pain, gastrointestinal disturbance, transient ischaemic attacks, and strokes. Additional effects on the skin, eyes, ears, lungs, and bones are often seen. Reduced life expectancy and deadly consequences are being caused by cardiac involvement. Chaperone therapy or enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) are two disease-specific treatments for FD. Thus, early detection of FD is critical for decreasing morbidity and mortality. Globotriaosysphingosine (lyso-Gb3) for identifying atypical FD variants and highly sensitive troponin T (hsTNT) for detecting cardiac involvement are both significant diagnostic indicators. This review aimed to offer a basic resource for the early diagnosis and update on the diagnosis of having FD. We will also provide a general diagnostic algorithm and information on ERT and its accompanying treatments.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.506-515
• /
• 2015

In this study, the effect of Goheung pomegranate extract on postmenopausal syndrome was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo in ovariectomized Sprague-Dawly (SD) rats. Sixty female SD rats were divided into six groups: sham, sham operation and distilled water; OVX, ovariectomized and distilled water; PE1, ovariectomized and pomegranate concentrate (0.75 mL/twice/d); PE2, ovariectomized and pomegranate concentrate (1.5 mL/twice/d); PE3, ovariectomized and pomegranate concentrate (2.2 mL/twice/d); and CE, ovariectomized and commercial pomegranate concentrate (2.2 mL/twice/d). Percent bone volume (bone volume/tissue volume) and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) improved in a dose-independent manner in PE1, 2, and 3. Especially, bone mineral density was significantly improved in PE3 (P<0.05) compared to OVX. Pomegranate extract reduced body weight and visceral fat mass. High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level slightly increased in a dose-independent manner in the experimental group. In addition, HDL-C/total cholesterol level of PE3 significantly increased (P<0.05) compared with OVX. These results show that pomegranate concentrate improved blood lipid levels and bone metabolism in ovariectomized rats. Therefore, Goheung pomegranate concentrates are expected to improve cardiovascular and bone-related diseases in menopausal women.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.36 no.6
• /
• pp.397-403
• /
• 2003

Background: The research sought to identify the clinical features of pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung generally known as a rare subtype in accordance with the lung cancer classification done in 1999 by WHO. Material and Method: 250 cases of surgically resected lung cancers were collected in this hospital from January 1992 to December 2001. This study included 42 cases of pleomorphic carcinoma diagnosed through light microscope and immunohistochemistry. Result: Out of 42 cases, males represented 31, and females 11, the age ranged from 26 to 77. Main clinical symptoms included coughing, hemoptysis, sputum. Diagnoses disclosed the stage as stage la in 3 cases (7%), Ib in 16 (38%), IIa in 1 (2%), IIb in 8 (19%), IIIa in 15 (35%), and IIIb in 1 (2%). Out of these, no lymph node metastasis was represented in 23 cases (54%), while N1 and N2 involving lymph node metastasis was shown 19 cases (46%). A total of 19 patients developed metastasis, comprising the brain in 5 cases (26%), bone in 4 (21%), muscle in 4 (21%), Lymph node in 2 (10%), and 1 liver, ovary, contralateral lung, and adrenal gland, respectively. The size of the tumor ranged from 1 cm to 11 cm, averaging 5.85 cm. Out of the 42 patients, the total two-year and five-year survival rates in accordance with the Kaplan-Meier method represented 26% and 13%, respectively, These figures compared to the corresponding 44% and 34% in cases other than pleomorphic carcinoma from the survey target of 256 cases, proved to be significantly low (p<0.002). No significant difference was found in the survival rates compared between age and tumor size, between stage I and above stage II, and between N0 and above N1. Patients who developed postoperative metastasis all died, and showed significantly low survival rates (p<0.002) compared to those patients without metastasis. Conclusion: With the new diagnosis method of f999 WHO's lung cancer classification applied, pleomorphic carcinoma showed a higher prevalence rate than under previous classifications, their postoperative survival rate was significantly low compared to histologic type of non small cell lung carcinomas.