• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.719-729
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• 2022

Objective : The ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) is one of the major causes of thoracic myelopathy. Surgical decompression with or without instrumented fusion is the mainstay of treatment. However, few studies have reported on the added effect of instrumented fusion. The objective of this study was to compare clinical and radiological outcomes between surgical decompression without instrumented fusion (D-group) and that with instrumented fusion (F-group). Methods : A retrospective review was performed on 28 patients (D-group, n=17; F-group, n=11) with thoracic myelopathy due to OLF. The clinical parameters compared included scores of the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA), the Visual analogue scale of the back and leg (VAS-B and VAS-L), and the Korean version of the Oswestry disability index (K-ODI). Radiological parameters included the sagittal vertical axis (SVA), the pelvic tilt (PT), the sacral slope (SS), the thoracic kyphosis angle (TKA), the segmental kyphosis angle (SKA) at the operated level, and the lumbar lordosis angle (LLA; a negative value implying lordosis). These parameters were measured preoperatively, 1 year postoperatively, and 2 years postoperatively, and were compared with a linear mixed model. Results : After surgery, all clinical parameters were significantly improved in both groups, while VAS-L was more improved in the F-group than in the D-group (-3.4±2.5 vs. -1.3±2.2, p=0.008). Radiological outcomes were significantly different in terms of changes in TKA, SKA, and LLA. Changes in TKA, SKA, and LLA were 2.3°±4.7°, -0.1°±1.4°, and -1.3°±5.6° in the F-group, which were significantly lower than 6.8°±6.1°, 3.0°±2.8°, and 2.2°±5.3° in the D-group, respectively (p=0.013, p<0.0001, and p=0.037). Symptomatic recurrence of OLF occurred in one patient of the D-group at postoperative 24 months. Conclusion : Clinical improvement was achieved after decompression surgery for OLF regardless of whether instrumented fusion was added. However, adding instrumented fusion resulted in better outcomes in terms of lessening the progression of local and regional kyphosis and improving leg pain. Decompression with instrumented fusion may be a better surgical option for thoracic OLF.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.103-116
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• 2016

Objectives : This study was performed to assess the effectiveness of conservative Korean traditional medical treatment on lumbar intervertebral disc herniation in 12 adolescents. Methods : Data were collected from adolescent patients diagnosed with lumbar intervertebral herniation by MRI, hospitalized at Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2015. A total of 12 patients were included in the study. Patients were treated by acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, electroacupuncture, herbal medicine, chuna manual therapy, physical therapy during hospitalization period. To measure treatment outcomes, a verbal numerical rating scale (VNRS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), range of motion (ROM), Straight leg raising test (SLR), and EQ-5D were used. Results : The average age of the participants was $16.05{\pm}1.62$. The average of duration of symptom was $19.25{\pm}26.83(weeks)$ and the average length of hospitalization was $23.8{\pm}16.4(days)$. 2 patients (17 %) suffered from only lumbar pain, while 10 patients (83 %) suffered from lumbar and leg pain. No participant suffered from only leg pain. 8 patients (67 %) were diagnosed with disc herniation in one segment, and 4 patients (33 %) were diagnosed with disc herniation in multiple segments. A total of 17 disc segments (28 %) were herniated. The most herniated lumbar level was L4-5. 3 segments were diagnosed with bulging (17 %), 6 with protrusion (35 %), and 8 with extrusion (47 %). Extrusion was the most frequent herniated type. After treatment, the average VNRS of lumbar pain significantly decreased from $5.58{\pm}1.62$ to $2.91{\pm}1.56$ (p<0.001) and the average VNRS of leg pain significantly decreased from $5.16{\pm}2.51$ to $3.08{\pm}1.8$ (p<0.001). ODI significantly decreased from $48.87{\pm}18.72$ to $28.57{\pm}15.05$ (p<0.05), and EQ-5D significantly increased $0.58{\pm}0.31$ to $0.80{\pm}0.12$ (p<0.05). Range of flexion significantly improved from $61.25{\pm}32.62$ to $68.33{\pm}26.22$ (p<0.05). Conclusion : Conservative Korean Traditional Medical Treatment may be effective in the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation in adolescence. However, more case reports and clinical research are needed.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.53 no.11
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• pp.855-869
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the oral health promotion of the disabled persons by voluntary dental services in Ulsan Metropolitan City. Two dentists taken a calibration training for national oral health survey examined the oral health status of 473 disabled persons from two special schools for the disabled children and adolescents, a residential facility and a gymnasium for the disabled persons in 2009-2010. The surveyed disabled persons in the age range was from 7 to 74 years old. Voluntary dentists, oral hygienists and other civilian volunteers had supplied with the oral health care services to the disabled persons at dental clinics of special schools for the disabled children and adolescents, and a dental clinic supported from Nam-Gu Public Health Center in Ulsan Metropolitan City since 1997. The obtained data from these surveys were analyzed with the SPSS statistical package. Among subjects aged 12-14 years, subjects with decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) in permanent dentition was 46.9%; subjects with untreated decayed teeth, 17.2%. The number of decayed, missing and filled teeth in permanent dentition was 1.36. The proportion of decayed components of DMFT score was 28.00%; proportion of missing components of DMFT score, 1.43%; proportion of filled components of DMFT score, 70.57%. The proportion of filled components of DMFT score among disabled persons of all age group in Ulsan were evaluated to be a similar level to non-disabled citizens in Ulsan from 2010 Korean National Survey. The oral health care programs for disabled persons by voluntary services of dental professionals and other civilians are evaluated to be effective for the oral health promotion of disabled persons in Ulsan.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2016

As a degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis (OA) constitutes a major cause of disability that seriously affects the quality of life of a large population of people worldwide. However, effective treatment that can successfully reverse OA progression is lacking until now. The present study aimed to determine whether two small non-coding RNAs miR-29a and miR-140, which are significantly down-regulated in OA, can be applied together as potential therapeutic targets for OA treatment. MiRNA synergy score was used to screen the miRNA pairs that potentially synergistically regulate OA. An in vitro model of OA was established by treating murine chondrocytes with IL-$1{\beta}$. Transfection of miR-29a and miR-140 via plasmids was investigated on chondrocyte proliferation and expression of nine genes such as ADAMTS4, ADAMTS5, ACAN, COL2A1, COL10A1, MMP1, MMP3, MMP13 and TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 (TIMP1). Western blotting was used to determine the protein expression level of MMP13 and TIMP1, and ELISA was used to detect the content of type II collagen. Combined use of miR-29a and miR-140 successfully reversed the destructive effect of IL-$1{\beta}$ on chondrocyte proliferation, and notably affected the MMP13 and TIMP1 gene expression that regulates extracellular matrix. Although co-transfection of miR-29a and miR-140 did not show a synergistic effect on MMP13 protein expression and type II collagen release, but both of them can significantly suppress the protein abundance of MMP13 and restore the type II collagen release in IL-$1{\beta}$ treated chondrocytes. Compared with single miRNA transfection, cotransfection of both miRNAs exceedingly abrogated the suppressed the protein production of TIMP1 caused by IL-$1{\beta}$, thereby suggesting potent synergistic action. These results provided1novel insights into the important function of miRNAs' collaboration in OA pathological development. The reduced MMP13, and enhanced TIMP1 protein production and type II collagen release also implies that miR-29a and miR-140 combination treatment may be a possible treatment for OA.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.14-20
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• 2024

Objectives: Frozen shoulder (FS) is one of the most challenging shoulder disorders for patients and clinicians. Its symptoms mainly include any combination of stiffness, nocturnal pain, and limitation of active and passive glenohumeral joint movement. Conventional treatment options for FS are physical therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, injection therapy, and arthroscopic capsular release, but adverse and limited effects continue to present problems. As a result, pharmacoacupuncture (PA) is getting attention as an alternative therapy for patients with FS. PA is a new form of acupuncture treatment in traditional Korean medicine (TKM) that is mainly used for musculoskeletal diseases. It has similarity and specificity compared to corticosteroid injection and hydrodilatation, making it a potential alternative injection therapy for FS. However, no systematic reviews investigating the utilization of PA for FS have been published. Therefore, this review aims to standardize the clinical use of PA for FS and validate its therapeutic effect. Methods: The protocol was registered in Prospero (CRD42023445708) on 18 July 2023. Until Aug. 31, 2023, seven electronic databases will be searched for randomized controlled trials of PA for FS. Authors will be contacted, and manual searches will also be performed. Two reviewers will independently screen and collect data from retrieved articles according to predefined criteria. The primary outcome will be pain intensity, and secondary outcomes will be effective rate, Constant-Murley Score, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, range of motion, quality of life, and adverse events. Bias and quality of the included trials will be assessed using the Cochrane handbook's risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. Meta analyses will be conducted using Review Manager V.5.3 software. GRADE will be used to evaluate the level of evidence for each outcome. Results: This systematic review and meta-analysis will be conducted following PRISMA statement. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Conclusion: This review will provide scientific evidence to support health insurance policy as well as the standardization of PA in clinical practice.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.73-88
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the factors such as self-esteem, social supports, socio-economic status of parents, degree of disability in child, stress coping, religion, and sports.exercise on the qualities of lives in mothers with disabled children. Data were collect from 45 institutions(schools from kindergarten to senior-high, special education institutes, and social welfare institutions) by self-report questionnaire, and the subjects of the study were 386 mothers in Seoul whose children were attending the schools or institutions. Findings according to socio-demographic variables are as follows: 1. Mothers with disabled children in this study thought their quality of life as average degree. 2. The younger the mothers and children, the higher the quality of life was. 3. The higher the educational level and monthly income, the higher the quality of life was. 4. There was no statistically significant difference between the existence and nonexistence of spouse, and between the existence and nonexistence of religion as well. Findings analyzed by multiple regression are as follows: 1. Among 7 independent variables 'self-esteem'(${\beta}$=.49, p<.001), 'social supports'(${\beta}$=.15, p<.01), and 'socio-economic status'(${\beta}$=.11, p<.05) were found to be statistically significant in quality of life in mothers, while the rests were found not significant. 2. 'Self-esteem' was found to be the most influencing variable, meaning that the psychological factor such as self-esteem is more important than environmental factors in qualities of lives in mothers. 3. The total amount of explanation of the model was Adjusted R square=.301, so that it can be said about 30% can be explained among total variance of the qualities of lives in mothers with disabled children. Conclusions and recommendations based on the results above are: First, it is strongly recommended to conduct programs promoting self-esteem in mothers with disabled children, and to include 'self-esteem' hereafter in the studies related to qualities of lives in mothers with disabled children. Second, comprehensive and practical countermeasures should to be formulated to back up expenses for education and medical care, purchasing relative tools and equipments, plus helping to find jobs.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.815-827
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• 2001

Accidents involving students are an important cause of death and disability. They also have enormous financial implications. In order to prevent childhood accidents. research and education for safety should be strengthened. The purpose of this study was to determine how often lower grade elementary students have accidents and what factors affect the accident rate. The study population consisted of 676 students who were in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades of twelve elementary schools located in Kun Wi Gun. The questionnaires were distributed to all of the 2nd to 4th grade student in the Kun Wi Gun to be completed by their parents about all the accidents which happened last one year and collected during the period of March 19, to March 30, 2001. The data were analyzed by using SPSS WIN 10.0 statistical package. The results of the study are as follow: 1. Among 676 students. 270 students had 540 accidental injuries during the study period. 2. The month, the day and the time with the highest accident rate were April. Monday. and between 1 and 4 p. m. each. 3. In the analysis of the location where the injury took place, the most frequent place was on school, around their homes and. then inside the home. 4. Most of accidents were caused by carelessness on the part of the students and the most frequent type of injury was an abrasion. 5. Students most injured part of the body was their legs. 6. They were treated at home most often and usually emergency treatment was performed by family members with disinfectant as first aid measure. Cost of the treatment of the accident ranged from 10.000 to 30,000 won in most cases. 7. Students' personality. type of family composition. mother's age and parents' education level were statistically significant. As a conclusion. 1st to 3rd grade rural elementary students need their assessment for accident involving condition. This study gave a very useful and important data to prepare accident prevention teaching program and to prepare accident prevention strategies.

• Asian Spine Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.1010-1016
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• 2018

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Purpose: To report on spinal fusion assessment using computed tomography (CT) after adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery using ultra-low dose recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (RhBMP-2). Overview of Literature: The reported dose of RhBMP-2 needed for successful spinal posterolateral fusion in ASD ranges from 10 to 20 mg per spinal level. This study reports the use of ultra-low dose of RhBMP-2 (0.07 mg per facet) to achieve spinal fusion in multilevel ASD surgery. Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent ASD surgery using ultra-low dose RhBMP-2 were recruited. Routine postoperative CT analysis for spinal fusion was performed by two spine surgeons. Inter-observer agreement was calculated for facet fusion (FF) and interbody fusion (IBF) at 6 and 12 months after the procedure. Results: Six consecutive ASD patients with a mean age of 62 years (28-72 years) were examined. Each patient received a total dose of 12 mg with an average dose of $0.69{\pm}0.2mg$ (0.42-1 mg) per single FF and $1.38{\pm}0.44mg$ (0.85-2 mg) for IBF. Total 131 FF and 15 IBF were examined in the study, with 88 FFs and nine IBFs being analyzed specifically at 6 months after the surgery. FF and IBF reported by surgeons A and B at 6 months were 97.7% vs. 91.9% FF, respectively (${\kappa}=0.95$) and 100% vs. 100% IBF, respectively (${\kappa}=1$). Two patients underwent longitudinal follow-up CT at 12 months, and the FF rates reported by surgeons A and B were 100% vs. 95.8%, respectively (${\kappa}=0.96$). Five out of nine facet (56%) non-unions were identified at the cross-links. The remaining four facet pseudarthrosis were noted at 1-2 spinal levels caudal to the cross-links. At the final clinical follow-up, there was no rod breakage, deformity progression, neurological deficit, or symptom recurrence. The Oswestry Disability Index improved by an average of $32.8{\pm}6.3$, while the mental component summary of the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey improved by an average of $4.7{\pm}2.1$, and physical component summary improved by an average of $10.5{\pm}2.1$. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to report a CT that defined 92%-98% FF and 100% IBF using the lowest reported dose of RhBMP-2 in multilevel ASD surgery. The use of ultra-low dose RhBMP-2 reduces the RhBMP-2 related complications and healthcare costs.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.5
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• pp.561-566
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• 2019

Objective : Functional outcomes have traditionally been evaluated and compared using subjective surveys, such as visual analog scores (VAS), the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Short Form-36 (SF-36), to assess symptoms and quality of life. However, these surveys are limited by their subjective natures and inherent bias caused by differences in patient perceptions of symptoms. The Fitbit $Charge^{(R)}$ (Fitbit Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA) provides accurate and objective measures of physical activity. The use of this device in patients after laminectomy would provide objective physical measures that define ambulatory function, activity level, and degree of recovery. Therefore, the present study was conducted to identify relationships between the number of steps taken by patients per day and VAS pain scores, prognoses, and postoperative functional outcomes. Methods : We prospectively investigated 22 consecutive patients that underwent laminectomy for spinal stenosis or a herniated lumbar disc between June 2015 and April 2016 by the same surgeon. When patients were admitted for surgery and first visited after surgery, preoperative and postoperative functional scores were recorded using VAS scores, ODI scores, and SF-36. The VAS scores and physical activities were recorded daily from postoperative day (POD) 1 to POD 7. The relationship between daily VAS scores and daily physical activities were investigated by simple correlation analysis and the relationship between mean number of steps taken and ODI scores after surgery was subjected to simple regression analysis. In addition, Wilcoxon's signed-rank test was used to investigate the significance of pre-to-postoperative differences in VAS, ODI, and SF-36 scores. Results : Pre-to-postoperative VAS (p<0.001), ODI (p<0.001), SF-36 mental composite scores (p=0.009), and SF-36 physical composite scores (p<0.001) scores were found to be significantly different. Numbers of steps taken from POD 1 to POD 7 were negatively correlated with daily VAS scores (r=-0.981, p<0.001). In addition, the mean number of steps from POD 3 to POD 7 and the decrease in ODI conducted one month after surgery were statistically significant (p=0.029). Conclusion : Wearable devices are not only being used increasingly by consumers as lifestyle devices, but are also progressively being used in the medical area. This is the first study to demonstrate the usefulness of a wearable device for checking patient physical activity and predicting pain and prognosis after laminectomy. Based on our experience, the wearable device used to provide measures of physical activity in the present study has the potential to provide objective information on pain severity and prognosis.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3521-3531
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• 2012

This study was performed to determine the relationships among self-esteem, state anxiety, interpersonal behavior trait and locus of control, and to reveal its related factors. The interviews were performed, during the period from April 1st, to June 30th, 2011, to 396 elderlies in Daejeon city. As a results, the self-esteem was negatively correlated with state anxiety and interpersonal behavior trait, while it was positively correlated with locus of control. While state anxiety was positively correlated with interpersonal behavior trait, it was negatively correlated with locus of control, and interpersonal behavior trait was positively correlated with locus of control. Multiple stepwise analysis revealed that the factors of influence on self-esteem included IADL, spouse, mastication of food and amnesia. The factors of influence on State anxiety included mastication of food, IADL, spouse, subjective health status, disability of body, subjective sleep evaluation and educational level. The factors of influence on Interpersonal dependent behavior trait included spouse, IADL, monthly income and subjective health status. The factors of influence on locus of control included spouse and visual acuity. Above results suggested that the self-esteem, state anxiety, interpersonal behavior trait and locus of control of subjects were significantly related with the sociodemographic characteristics, health related factors and health status.