• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제60권5호
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• pp.540-549
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• 2017

Objective : To evaluate the diagnostic value of computed tomography-myelography (CTM) compared to that of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with lumbar radiculopathy. Methods : The study included 91 patients presenting with radicular leg pain caused by herniated nucleus pulposus or lateral recess stenosis in the lumbar spine. The degree of nerve root compression on MRI and CTM was classified into four grades. The results of each imaging modality as assessed by two different observers were compared. Visual analog scale score for pain and electromyography result were the clinical parameters used to evaluate the relationships between clinical features and nerve root compression grades on both MRI and CTM. These relationships were quantified by calculating the receiver-operating characteristic curves, and the degree of relationship was compared between MRI and CTM. Results : McNemar's test revealed that the two diagnostic modalities did not show diagnostic concurrence (p<0.0001). Electromyography results did not correlate with grades on either MRI or CTM. The visual analog pain scale score results were correlated better with changes of the grades on CTM than those on MRI (p=0.0007). Conclusion : The present study demonstrates that CTM could better define the pathology of degenerative lumbar spine diseases with radiculopathy than MRI. CTM can be considered as a useful confirmative diagnostic tool when the exact cause of radicular pain in a patient with lumbar radiculopathy cannot be identified by using MRI. However, the invasiveness and potential complications of CTM are still considered to be pending questions to settle.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제33권5호
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• pp.791-796
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• 2004

본 연구에서는 아위버섯의 생리활성 기능규명을 목적으로 하였다 사람의 뇌세포에서의 아세틸콜린분해효소 억제효과는25∼35%의 경향을 보여 치매 예방 및 개선제로서의 가능성을 보였다. 유해산소 제거 기능은 35∼36%로 높아 항암, 노화, 심장병 등에 좋은 효과를 나타낼 수 있을 것으로 생각되어진다. 간섬유화(collagen type-I) 억 제는 3∼12%의 저해효과를 보였다. 그러나 아위버섯은 3∼8%의 포도당 흡수억제를 나타내어 당뇨와 비만억 제에 큰 효과를 보이지 않았으며, 위암과 대장암에 대한 항암효과도 거의 나타나지 않았다. 따라서 향후 아위버섯 추출물 특히, K8종에서 나타난 다양한 생리활성효과를 이용하여 고부가가치의 다양한 기능성제품이 가능할 것으로 판단된다

• 임상간호연구
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.275-284
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the current state of home health nursing (HHN) for elders and to provide basic data on policy alternatives for establishing home medical care in the advanced general hospital. Methods: This study was conducted as a secondary data analysis, using electronic medical record (EMR) data of older patients who received HHN more than once from the S advanced general hospital between January 2016 and December 2018. Results: A total of 1,790 patients received HHN visits, with 22,477 visits being made. The mean age was 76.8±7.3 years old, 96.0% of elders had health insurance and 24.6% had orthopedics problems. Of the 1,168 people who visited emergency rooms, the most frequent symptom was pain (23.4%) and all patients visited the hospital at least once and at most 163 times outpatient care during HHN. Causative diseases were degenerative knee joint osteoarthritis (0.6%), surgery for right knee replacement (4.0%), and for dressings (9.7%) in the HHN service content analysis. Conclusion: The progress towards an aging society and the introduction of community care are expected to further enhance the need for HHN which should be able to provide comprehensive and continuous visiting health care services to the older patients. The results of this study are expected to help doctors solve problems not solved by HHN, reduce unnecessary emergency room or outpatient visits, and readmission, while at the same time contributing to the improvement of patient quality of life through efficient patient health care.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제42권11호
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• pp.783-793
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• 2019

When endoplasmic reticulum (ER) functions are perturbed, the ER induces several signaling pathways called unfolded protein response to reestablish ER homeostasis through three ER transmembrane proteins: inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1), PKR-like ER kinase (PERK), and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6). Although it is important to measure the activity of ATF6 that can indicate the status of the ER, no specific cell-based reporter assay is currently available. Here, we report a new cell-based method for monitoring ER stress based on the cleavage of $ATF6{\alpha}$ by sequential actions of proteases at the Golgi apparatus during ER stress. A new expressing vector was constructed by using fusion gene of GAL4 DNA binding domain (GAL4DBD) and activation domain derived from herpes simplex virus VP16 protein (VP16AD) followed by a human $ATF6{\alpha}$ N-terminal deletion variant. During ER stress, the GAL4DBD-VP16AD(GV)-$hATF6{\alpha}$ deletion variant was cleaved to liberate active transcription activator encompassing GV-$hATF6{\alpha}$ fragment which could translocate into the nucleus. The translocated GV-$hATF6{\alpha}$ fragment strongly induced the expression of firefly luciferase in HeLa Luciferase Reporter cell line containing a stably integrated 5X GAL4 site-luciferase gene. The established double stable reporter cell line HLR-GV-$hATF6{\alpha}$(333) represents an innovative tool to investigate regulated intramembrane proteolysis of $ATF6{\alpha}$. It can substitute active pATF6(N) binding motif-based reporter cell lines.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제64권6호
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• pp.901-912
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• 2021

Objective : In the cervical spine, many surgical procedures have been developed to achieve optimal results for various disorders, including degenerative diseases, traumatic injury, and tumor. In this study, we report our experience and follow-up results with a new surgical technique for cervical spine entitled posterior floating laminotomy (PFL) in comparison with conventional laminectomy and fusion (LF). Methods : Data for 85 patients who underwent conventional LF (n=66) or PFL (n=19) for cervical spine disorders between 2012 and 2019 were analyzed. Radiological parameters, including cervical lordosis (CL), T1 slope (T1S), segmental lordosis (SL), and C2-7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), were measured with lateral spine X-rays. Functional outcomes, comprising the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA), neck disability index (NDI), and visual analog scale (VAS) scores, were also measured. For the patients who underwent PFL, postoperative magnetic resonance image (MRI) was performed in a month after the surgery, and the degree of decompression was evaluated at the T2-weighted axial image, and postoperative computed tomography (CT) was conducted immediately and 1 year after the operation to evaluate the gutter fusion. Results : There was no difference in CL, T1S, SL, and C2-7 SVA between the groups but there was a difference in the preoperative and postoperative SL angles. The mean difference in the preoperative SL angle compared with that at the last follow-up was -0.3° after conventional LF and 4.7° after PFL (p=0.04), respectively. mJOA, NDI, and VAS scores showed significant improvements (p<0.05) during follow-up in both groups. In the PFL group, postoperative MRI showed sufficient decompression and postoperative CT revealed gutter fusion at 1 year after the operation. Conclusion : PFL is a safe surgical method which can preserve postoperative CL and achieve good clinical outcomes.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.471-478
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• 2021

Background: The effect of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and peripheral vascular disease (PVD), which occurs with similar degenerative conditions, when seen together, has not been studied. The aim of this study is to examine and compare the relationship between pain, balance, disability, fear of falling, and kinesiophobia in LSS patients with intermittent vascular claudication (IVC). Methods: Seventy-two patients diagnosed with LSS using magnetic resonance imaging participated in this study. Thirty-five patients with IVC symptoms and showing vascular lesions by lower extremity venous and arterial Doppler ultrasonography imaging were included in the IVC-LSS group. The pain, static balance, dynamic balance, disability, fear of falling, and kinesiophobia were evaluated using the numeric rating scale, single leg stance test, Time Up and Go (TUG), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Fall Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), respectively. Results: Age and female sex were found to be higher in the IVC-LSS group (P = 0.024; P = 0.012). The IVC-LSS group had a shorter single leg stance time and TUG test duration, pain intensity, ODI, FES-I, and TSK scores were higher than patients with LSS (P = 0.001). Pain, fear of falling, and kinesiophobia were moderately correlated with disability in the IVC-LSS group. No relationship was found between pain and dynamic balance. Also, the pain was not related to kinesiophobia. Conclusions: The findings indicated that IVC causes loss of balance and an increase in pain, disability, fear of falling, and kinesophobia in patients with LSS.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제64권3호
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• pp.447-459
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• 2021

Objective : Oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) is becoming the preferred treatment for degenerative lumbar diseases. As beginners, we performed 143 surgeries over 19 months. In these consecutive cases, we analyzed the learning curve and reviewed the complications in our experience. Methods : This was a retrospective study; however, complications that were well known in the previous literature were strictly recorded prospectively. We followed up the changes in estimated blood loss (EBL), operation time, and transient psoas paresis according to case accumulation to analyze the learning curve. Results : Complication-free patients accounted for 43.6% (12.9%, early stage 70 patients and 74.3%, late stage 70 patients). The most common complication was transient psoas paresis (n=52). Most of these complications occurred in the early stages of learning. C-reactive protein normalization was delayed in seven patients (4.89%). The operation time showed a decreasing trend with the cases; however, EBL did not show any significant change. Notable operation-induced complications were cage malposition, vertebral body fracture, injury to the ureter, and injury to the lumbar vein. Conclusion : According to the learning curve, the operation time and psoas paresis decreased. It is important to select an appropriately sized cage along with clear dissection of the anterior border of the psoas muscle to prevent OLIF-specific complications.

• 농업과학연구
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.761-767
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• 2018

Degenerative diseases are commonly associated with excess free radicals. Acer okamotoanum, a plant endemic to Korea, is reported to have anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-viral activities. We previously isolated flavonoids from the ethyl acetate fraction of A. okamotoanum such as quercitrin (QU), isoquercitrin (IQ), and afzelin (AF). In the present study, the in vitro antioxidant activity of flavonoids such as QU, IQ, and AF isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of A. okamotoanum were investigated by measuring the free radical scavenging activity including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl radical ($^{\cdot}OH$), and superoxide anion ($O_2{^-}$). The flavonoids (QU, IQ, and AF) concentration-dependently showed a DPPH radical scavenging activity. In particular, QU and IQ showed a higher DPPH radical scavenging activity than that of AF. In addition, the flavonoids (QU, IQ, and AF) at $10{\mu}g/mL$ showed over an 80% scavenging effect against $^{\cdot}OH$ radical production. Furthermore, the $O_2{^-}$ radical scavenging activity of the flavonoids, QU, IQ, and AF increased in a dose-dependent manner. Particularly, IQ exerted the strongest scavenging activities against $^{\cdot}OH$ and $O_2{^-}$ radicals among the other flavonoids. These results indicate that the flavonoids from A. okamotoanum, in particular IQ, would have a protective activity against oxidative stress induced by free radicals, and potentially be considered as a natural antioxidant agent.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권2호
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• pp.287-294
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• 2021

Background: Ginsenoside Rb1 (G-Rb1), one of the major active compounds in Panax ginseng, has already been shown to reduce inflammation in various diseases. Osteoarthritis (OA) has traditionally been considered a degenerative disease with degradation of joint articular cartilage. However, recent studies have shown the association of inflammation with OA. In the present study, we investigated whether Rb1 had an antiinflammatory effect on monoiodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA in ovariectomized rats as a model of postmenopausal arthritis. Methods: G-Rb1 at a dosage of 3 and 10 ㎍/kg body weight was administered every 3 days intraarticularly for a period of 4 weeks to observe antiarthritic effects. Diclofenac (10 mg/kg) served as a positive control. Results: The administration of Rb1 significantly ameliorated OA inflammatory symptoms and reduced serum levels of inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, G-Rb1 administration considerably enhanced the expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 and collagen 2A and reduced the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-13 genes, indicating a chondroprotective effect of G-Rb1. G-Rb1 also significantly reduced the expression of several inflammatory cytokines/chemokines (interferon gamma (IFN-γ), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)/CCL-2, interleukin [IL]-1β, and IL-6). Histological analysis demonstrated that G-Rb1 significantly attenuated the pathological changes in MIA-induced OA in ovariectomized rats. Safranin O and toluidine blue staining further demonstrated that G-Rb1 effectively prevented the degradation of cartilage and glycosaminoglycans, respectively. Conclusion: Overall, our results suggest that G-Rb1 exerts cartilage protective effect on MIA-induced ovariectomized OA rats, by inhibiting inflammatory mediators such as IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1/CCL-2, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE2). These results shed a light on possible therapeutic application of G-Rb1 in OA.

• 대한정형외과학회지
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• 제55권3호
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• pp.210-221
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• 2020

척추 신경 차단술은 다양한 발전을 거듭하면서 상당부분 수술적 치료의 필요성을 줄일 수 있는 대체 보존적 치료의 한 방법으로 자리매김하고 있다. 이러한 척추 신경 차단술은 통증 완화라는 치료적 측면뿐 아니라, 많은 환자에서 척추 이외의 다른 증상들과 감별을 위한 진단적 목적으로도 유용하게 사용되고 있어 사지 및 척추를 다루는 정형외과의사로서 가장 기본이 되는 술기라 할 수 있다. 하지만 사용하는 기구나 약물이 단순함에도 불구하고 이에 대한 전반적인 이해 및 발생 가능한 부작용 및 합병증에 대한 지식이 없다면 시행 초기에 오히려 환자에게 심각한 해를 끼칠 수 있게 된다. 따라서 척추 신경 차단술에 사용하는 약제들의 종류, 약동학적 특성과 각각 약제의 부작용에 대한 이해가 선행되어야 하며, 요추 전반에 걸친 각 시술의 적응증과 장단점을 파악하고 발생 가능한 합병증을 피하기 위해 노력을 기울여야 한다. 본 종설은 요추 신경 차단술에 필요한 기본적인 지식 및 술기를 접하여 독자 스스로 시행할 수 있게 함을 목적으로 한다.