• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.19-39
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• 2008

Objectives : It has been reported that CG was effective in decreasing injury to neural tissues. To investigate neural responses in the injured spinal cord, an extract of CG was examined to determine its effect on neural responses in the injured spinal cords of rats. Methods : After CG treatment was applied to the spinal cord of rats given a contusion injury, the re-growth responses of injured neural tissues and corticospinal tract axons was observed by measuring the number of GAP-43, Cdc2, and phospho-Erk1/2 proteins, CST axons, GFAP-stained astrocytes, and Glial scarring in the injured spinal cord. Results : Levels of GAP-43, Cdc2, and phospho-Erk1/2 proteins were found to have increased in the injured spinal cord region. The number of GFAP-stained astrocytes also increased within and around the injury cavity. Glial scarring, which was identified by CSPG immunofluorescence staining, was reduced by CG treatment. Anterograde tracing by Dil dye showed that the elongation of the CST axons in the dorso-medial white matter area was almost completely prevented at the injury site. Collateral sprouting was observed in the spinal cord rostrally close to the injury site, and CG treatment further increased axonal arborization in the corresponding region. In vivo migration of CST axons and astrocytes using an implanted polymer tube system showed more of an increase in enhanced migration of axons and astrocytes in CG-treated group compared to the injury control group. Conclusions : These results suggest that CG activated neural responses - including astrocyte migration - and promotes axonal regenerative activity in the injured spinal cord area.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.615-622
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• 2005

Folate and Vitamin $B_{12}$ are essential nutrients important during pregnancy. This study was conducted to evaluate the folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ nutritional status of Korean pregnant women and to investigate the relationship between maternal­umbilical cord serum folate and vitamin B12 levels and pregnancy outcomes. Dietary intakes of the pregnant women were estimated by 24 hour-recall (3 times). Serum folate and vitamin B12 levels in maternal blood and umbilical cord of 27 pregnant women at 1'st-, 2'nd-, 3'rd-trimester and delivery were measured by RIA (radioimmuno assay), respectively. Means of folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ intake were $283.53\pm58.01{\mu}g/day\;and\; 2.99\pm1.32mg/day$, respectively. Maternal mean serum folate levels of the trimester and delivery were $9.75\pm3.60ng/ml,\;10.46\pm4.63ng/ml,\;10.71\pm4.14ng/ml\;and\;15.05\pm7.04ng/ml$. Those maternal levels were significantly lower than that of umbilical cord blood $(23.99\pm9.42ng/ml)$. Serum vitamin $B_{12}$ levels of maternal trimester and delivery were $479.07\pm137.56 pg/ml,\;310.96\pm137.56pg/ml,\;308.22\pm74.65pg/ml,\;and\;295.67\pm93.36pg/ml$, which were significantly lower than those of umbilical cord blood $(500.13\pm185.60ng/ml)$. This finding indicates that the uptake of folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ in the fetus may be due to an active placental transport mechanism. Maternal serum level correlated positively with those of umbilical cord blood, showing that folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ concentration of umbilical cord blood might be affected by maternal status. There was no significant correlation between the serum folate levels in maternal-umbilical cord blood and the pregnancy outcomes. However, maternal vitamin $B_{12}$ level at l'st trimester was significant positive correlation between the gestational age except for birth weight and weight gain.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2010

This study aimed to compare 2 protocols recommended to patients with chronic cervical cord injury: each protocol included breathing exercises (inhalation-oriented or exhalation-oriented) and facilitation maneuver for the accessory respiratory muscles. Seventeen patients with chronic cervical cord injury volunteered to participate in this study, and we randomized these patients into 2 groups: the inhalation-oriented breathing exercise group (IOBEG) and exhalation-oriented breathing exercise group (EOBEG), consisting of 8 and 9 patients, respectively. Patients in the IOBEG performed inspiratory exercises using intermittent positive pressure breathing devices, while those in the EOBEG performed expiratory exercises using incentive spirometry. All exercises were performed by the subjects twice a day for 4 weeks, with each session lasting an average of 20 min. The outcomes were assessed on the basis of the pre- and post-treatment values of vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC. In the IOBEG, no significant differences were observed between the pre- and post-treatment values of any of the measured variables (p>.05); however, in the EOBEG, significant improvement was noted in the VC, FVC, FEV1 measured (p<.05) after the treatment. In addition, the rates of change in the values of VC, FVC, and FEV1 differed significantly between the 2 groups (p<.05). These findings suggest that the EOBEs can enhance respiratory function and are clinically feasible in patients with chronic cervical cord injury. Further studies will be undertaken to evaluate the clinical application of these findings.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.8
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• pp.248-253
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• 2017

Purpose: Vitamin D plays a key role in immune function. Vitamin D deficiency may play a role in the pathogenesis of infections, and low levels of circulating vitamin D are strongly associated with infectious diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of low vitamin D levels in cord blood on neonatal sepsis in preterm infants. Methods: One hundred seventeen premature infants with gestational age of <37 weeks were enrolled. In the present study, severe vitamin D deficiency (group 1) was defined as a 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration <5 ng/mL; vitamin D insufficiency (group 2), 25(OH)D concentration ${\geq}5ng/mL$ and <15 ng/mL; and vitamin D sufficiency (group 3), 25(OH)D concentration ${\geq}15ng/mL$. Results: Sixty-three percent of the infants had deficient levels of cord blood vitamin D (group 1), 24% had insufficient levels (group 2), and 13% were found to have sufficient levels (group 3). The rate of neonatal sepsis was higher in group 2 than in groups 1 and 3. Conclusion: There was no significant relationship between the cord blood vitamin D levels and the risk of neonatal sepsis in premature infants.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.113-122
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• 1994

The present study was carried out to characterize the functional properties of spinomesencephalic tract (SMT) neurons in the lumbar spinal cord of urethane anesthetized rats. Extracellular single unit recordings were made from neurons antidromically activated by stimulation of the midbrain area, including the deep layers of superior colliculus, periaqueductal gray and midbrain reticular formation. Recording sites were located in laminae I-VII of spinal cord segments of L2-L5. Receptive field properties and responses to calibrated mechanical stimulation were studied in 78 SMT cells. Mean conduction velocity of SMT neurons was $19.1{\pm}1.04\;m/sec$. SMT units were classified according to their response profiles into four groups: wide dynamic range (58%), deep/tap (23%), high threshold (9%) and low threshold (3%). A simple excitatory receptive field was found for most SMT neurons recorded in superficial dorsal horn (SDH). Large complex inhibitory and/or excitatory receptive fields were found for cells in lateral reticulated area which usually showed long after-discharge. Most of SMT cells received inputs from $A{\delta}$ and C afferent fiber types. These results suggest that sensory neurons in the rat SMT may have different functional roles according to their location in the spinal cord in integrating and processing sensory inputs including noxious mechanical stimuli.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.190-193
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• 2013

A malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is a type of sarcoma that arises from peripheral nerves or cells of the associated nerve sheath. This tumor most commonly metastasizes to the lung and metastases to the spinal cord and brain are very rare. We describe a case of young patient with spinal cord and brain metastases resulting from MPNST. An 18-year-old man presented with a 6-month history of low back pain and radiating pain to his anterior thigh. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a paraspinal mass that extended from the central space of L2 to right psoas muscle through the right L2-3 foraminal space. The patient underwent surgery and the result of the histopathologic study was diagnostic for MPNST. Six months after surgery, follow-up images revealed multiple spinal cord and brain metastases. The patient was managed with chemotherapy, but died several months later. Despite complete surgical excision, the MPNST progressed rapidly and aggressively. Thus, patients with MPNST should be followed carefully to identify local recurrence or metastasis as early as possible.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.215-218
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• 2015

Occasionally, unexpected neurological deficits occur after lumbar spinal surgery. We report a case of monoparesis after lumbar decompressive surgery. A 63-year-old man, who had undergone decompression of L4-5 for spinal stenosis 4 days previously in the other hospital, visted the emergency department with progressive weakness in the left leg and hypoesthesia below sensory level T7 on the right side. He had been cured of lung cancer with chemotherapy and radiation therapy 10 years previously, but detailed information of radiotherapy was not available. Whole spine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed fatty marrow change from T1 to T8, most likely due to previous irradiation. The T2-weighted MR image showed a high-signal T4-5 spinal cord lesion surrounded by a low signal rim, and the T1-weighted MR image showed focal high signal intensity with focal enhancement. The radiological diagnosis was vascular disorders with suspicious bleeding. Surgical removal was refused by the patient. With rehabilitation, the patient could walk independently without assistance 2 months later. Considering radiation induced change at thoracic vertebrae, vascular disorders may be induced by irradiation. If the spinal cord was previously irradiated, radiation induced vascular disorders needs to be considered.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.165-167
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• 2009

Pain caused by chronic pancreatitis is medically intractable and resistant to conventional interventional or surgical treatment. We report a case of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for intractable pain due to chronic pancreatitis. The patient had a history of nonalcoholic chronic pancreatitis and multiple emergency room visits as well as repeated hospitalization including multiple nerve block and morphine injection for 3 years. We implanted surgical lead at T6-8 level on this patient after successful trial of percutaneous electrode. The patient experienced a decreased visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain intensity and amount of opioid intake. The patient was followed for more than 14 months with good outcome and no further hospitalization. From our clinical case, spinal cord stimulation on intractable pain due to chronic pancreatitis revealed moderate pain control outcome. We suggest that SCS is an effective, noninvasive treatment option for abdominal visceral pain. Further studies and long term follow-up are needed to fully understand the effect of SCS on abdominal visceral pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.199-202
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• 2007

Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is a condition characterized by extreme pain after spinal surgery. Treatment of FBSS is aimed at improving function, using interdisciplinary approaches that encompass rehabilitation, psychological therapy, and pain management. If no response to conventional treatment is noted, a more interventional technique such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS) should be used. SCS is a well-established method of managing a variety of chronic neuropathic pain conditions. A 32 year-old male patient afflicted by FBSS that was irresponsive to both medication and several repeated nerve blocks showed improvement of symptoms after cervical and thoracic SCS with a single electrode. Centered on the midline of the spinal cord, single-electrode SCS can be an effective method for relieving pain and improving function.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.180-183
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• 2019

A 7-year-old, male Maltese dog with a body weight of 2.8 kg was presented with a history of hind limbs ataxia that progressed to tetraparesis over a one-month period. Based on physical and neurological examinations, tetraparesis with concomitant UMN signs, kyphosis and severe neck pain were identified. On MRI scan, we tentatively diagnosed this patient as a primary intramedullary spinal cord tumor. Therapy with lomustine plus hydroxyurea and prednisolone was initiated and the clinical signs rapidly improved. The patient was regularly checked by MRI scan and the range of the mass was gradually reduced to complete remission for 11 months. About 19 months after treatment, the patient showed anemia and hematochezia which suspected as adverse effects of chemotherapy. The condition was getting worse over 2 months and the patient suddenly expired 657 days after initial presentation. On histopathological examination, the spinal cord sample was identified as a neuronal atrophy without evidence of tumor cell.