• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.31 no.1 s.57
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• pp.1-9
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• 1995

The slow development of histopathological changes and long period required for stabilization of lesions have suggested that secondary injury processes exacerbate the effect of initial mechanical insult after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). The importance of glutamate receptors in the normal functions of spinal cord, in concert with the large body of evidence that points to their involvement in neurotoxicity due to both ischemic and traumatic insults to the CNS, suggested a probable role of glutamate receptors in secondary injury process after traumatic SCI. In order to investigate the involvement of excitatory amino acid in the secondary injury process after SCI, this study examined the effect of dextrorphan, a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, on the recovery of hindlimb function and the residual tissue at injury site following SCI. Locomotor function was assessed using open field test (21 point scale). At 8 weeks spinal cord tissue was examined using quantitative histopathologic technique. Prior to surgery female Long-Evans rats were adapted to the test environment. Rats received laminectomies (T9/T10), and spinal cord contusions (NYU impactor) were produced by a 10 gm weight dropped 25 mm. DXT (15 or 30 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline was injected 15 min before contusion. Behavioral testing resumed 2 days post-injury and continued twice a week for 8 weeks. No differences between DXT and saline groups were found for hindlimb function and sparing tissue at the lesion site. These results suggest that NMDA receptor might not be involved in secondary injury processes after traumatic SCI.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.23-39
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• 2018

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of respiratory rehabilitation using a wind instrument for patients suffering from spinal cord injuries. From January 15, 2018 to April 15, 2018, we conducted ten 1-hour sessions of a harmonica program with eight patients with spinal cord injuries with average age of 37 years who could not perform abdominal breathing by themselves. We measured and compared patients' breathing capacity before and after the 10 sessions. Designed particularly for patients with spinal cord injuries resulting in a limited range of neck movement, the study used a 10-hole diatonic harmonica whose length was relatively short. For those patients who had difficulty using their hands, a harmonica holder was provided. Participants were trained to play simple tunes. They were guided to use abdominal breathing to make sounds, with emphasis on those parts requiring long and strong breathing. The results showed that for all eight patients both their breathing volume and their inspiratory volume increased following participation in the harmonica program. Also, the program had psychological benefits (e.g., more life satisfaction and less sadness) and additional physical benefits (e.g., less dizziness due to low blood pressure and better phlegm spitting). This study offers a unique way to help patients with spinal cord injuries to improve their breathing capacity, which may also be associated with a greater quality of life.

• Journal of the Korean Physical Therapy Association
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.33-48
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• 1992

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.498-508
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• 2019

Recent advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury (SCI) and new therapeutic approaches have provided promising results for this incurable and debilitating central nervous system injury. Various neuro-protective and neuro-regenerative trials have been attempted to overcome SCIs. This review summarizes the reported experimental and clinical data regarding neuro-regenerative trials with the proven pathophysiology of SCI. In addition, the prerequisites for safe and effective clinical trials are discussed.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.546-552
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• 2010

Previous studies could not offer available guideline to decide size of balloon and grade of injury before induction of spinal cord injury (SCI) because grade of SCI was assessed after inserting a catheter and each experimental animal were different in body size and weight as well as in species. This study was performed to provide guideline for standardized SCI model. Eight healthy adult beagle dogs that had 8 mm of spinal canal height were assigned to four groups according to the diameter of balloon and compression time: 4 mm/3hrs, 4 mm/6hrs, 4 mm/12hrs and 6 mm/3hrs group. Radiography was performed to standardize between experimental animal and balloon before selecting balloon diameter to induce SCI. Behaviors outcomes, somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathological examination were evaluated. Behaviors outcomes and SEPs were not available to assess grade of SCI and those only indicate SCI. The damaged area was revealed clear hyperintensity on STIR image and T2WI after induction of SCI. The hyperintense area on MRI was cranially and caudally expanded with increasing of the diameter of balloon or the compression time. Well corresponded to expanding of hyperintense area on MRI, the damaged region and the numbers of caspase-3 and PARP immunoreactive cells were increased on histopathological findings. Therefore, these results will be considered fundamental data to induce standardized SCI model in experimental animal that has various weight and size.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.6 s.263
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• pp.440-448
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• 2006

Background: Surgery of descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aorta has the potential risk of causing neurological injury including spinal cord damage. This study was designed to find out the risk factors leading to spinal cord and brain damage after surgery of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aorta. Material and Method: Between October 1995 and July 2005, thirty three patients with descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic disease underwent resection and graft replacement of the involved aortic segments. We reviewed these patients retrospectively. There were 23 descending thoracic aortic diseases and 10 thoracoabdominal aortic diseases. As an etiology, there were 23 aortic dissections and 10 aortic aneurysms. Preoperative and perioperative variables were analyzed univariately and multivariately to identify risk factors of neurological injury. Result: Paraplegia occurred in 2 (6.1%) patients and permanent in one. There were 7 brain damages (21%), among them, 4 were permanent damages. As risk factors of spinal cord damage, Crawford type II III(p=0.011) and intercostal artery anastomosis (p=0.040) were statistically significant. Cardiopulmonary bypass time more than 200 minutes (p=0.023), left atrial vent catheter insertion (p=0.005) were statistically significant as risk factors of brain damage. Left heart partial bypass (LHPB) was statistically significant as a protecting factor of brain (p=0.032). Conclusion: The incidence of brain damage was higher than that of spinal cord damage after surgery of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aorta. There was no brain damage in LHPB group. LHPB was advantageous in protecting brain from postoperative brain injury. Adjunctive procedures to protect spinal cord is needed and vigilant attention should be paid in patients with Crawford type II III and patients who have patent intercostal arteries.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.302-308
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• 2005

This study was performed to examine the absolute skin temperature and temperature difference $({\Delta}T)$ between the left and the right, the upper and the lower parts on the back of dog and to investigate the clinical usefulness of infrared thermography as diagnostic or prognostic aid on experimental spinal cord compression by using Digital Infrared Imaging System. In normal dogs, symmetrical and contouring patterns were observed in thermogram. The skin temperature difference was not significant between the left and the right, the upper and the lower parts on the back. In spinal cord compressed dog, there was symmetrical temperature reduction pattern around lesion. Patterns of ${\Delta}T$ between thoracic and lumbar portions were remarkable and showed the tendency to return to normal after 4 weeks of operation. It is considered that infrared thermography is a useful diagnostic and prognostic aid for spinal cord injury in dogs.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2002

The central pain in patient with spinal cord injury is a common and disabling sequela. The microsurgical DREZ(Dorsal Root Entry Zone)otomy is a surgical procedure effective in the treatment of intractable pain and spasticity in spinal cord injured patients. It consists of a microsurgical lesions performed in the ventrolateral region of the dorsal root entry zone at the selected levels. This report presents one case with incomplete paraplegia patient, who had chronic central neuropathic pain ineffective to many conservative treatments in bilateral T10 and right T11 segments and both lower extremities, is relieved from the pain after microsurgical DREZotomy. In conclusion, microsurgical DREZotomy is one method of effective treatments for spinal cord injured patients with intractable central neuropathic pain.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2011.06a
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• pp.965-966
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• 2011

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.808-811
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• 2010

Simultaneous occurrence of the trachea, esophagus, and spinal cord injuries due to stabbing is rare. The incidence is decreasing, but early diagnosis and surgical treatment is important because it can be life-threatening. We present one case of simultaneous trachea, esophagus, and spinal cord injury caused by self-stabbing complicated with paraplegia.