• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.573-582
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to establish the reliability and validity of the Wheelchair User's Shoulder Pain Index (WUSPI), which was translated into Korean for long-term wheelchair users. This index measured 15 functional activities, including transfer, self-care, wheelchair mobility and general activities. METHODS: To assess test-retest reliability, 23 long-term wheelchair users completed this self-administered index twice within the same day. Reliability was determined by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Cronbach's alpha was used to measure internal consistency. To examine concurrent validity, 21 long-term wheelchair users completed the questionnaire, and we examined the correlation between the index score and the shoulder range of motion measurements. RESULT: The results showed that the intraclass correlation for test-retest reliability of the total index score ranging from .88 to .99 was good to excellent. Additionally, Cronbach's alpha was .96. The internal consistency indicated excellent. Concurrent validity showed negative correlations of total index score to range of motion measurements of shoulder flexion (rho=-.58), extension (rho=-.09), abduction (rho=-.59), external rotation (rho=-.07) and internal rotation (rho=-.3), suggesting a relationship of total index score to loss of shoulder range of motion. CONCLUSION: The Korean WUSPI shows not only high reliability and internal consistency, but also concurrent validity with loss of shoulder flexion and abduction.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 1999

Following peripheral nerve injury, rats will show a tactile allodynia and hyperalgesia. But the mechanism of allodynia is still obscure. The present studies, using rats rendered allodynia by loosely constrictive ligation of the common sciatic nerve (Bennett Model) and tight ligation of L5 & L6 spinal nerve (Chung Model), aimed to investigate the changes of metabotrophic glutamate receptor type 5 on the development of tactile allodynia. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (130~200 g) were anesthetized with halothane, the rats were randomly divided into one of these three groups, Group 1 (Sham operation), Group 2 (Bennett model) and Group 3 (Chung model). Seven days after surgical procedure, the animal was reanesthetized and decapitated. The spinal cord was quickly removed and stored at deep freezer for polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In Group 2&3, rats showed that tactile allodynia checked by up-down method with calibrated 8 von Frey hair. The level of gene expression of mGluR5 mRNA was significantly increased in group 2 and 3. These increases was significantly different from sham operation, group 1. It was also showed that the increasing patterns of group 2 and 3 in the gene expression were similar correlation with the results of the threshold for tactile allodynia on von Frey hair test. Even though there were some differences between Bennett model and Chung model, these results suggested that mGluR5 had partly attributed to making a tactile allodynia from these models.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.145-149
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• 2021

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease presenting progressive spinal stiffness and sacroiliitis. Cervical spine fracture combined with AS should be treated with operation, but it is closely related with increased rates of surgical site infection, which are associated with an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and elevated C-reactive protein. We report a case of delayed postoperative infection appeared in cervical paravertebral space, which was masked by laboratory findings and clinical characteristics represented in this rheumatic disease. A 53-year-old man who had medical history of AS got operation after cervical spine fracture. During hospitalization, he experienced aching pain originating from left posterior neck to shoulder, which was revealed out to be delayed postoperative infection, diagnostically obscured by elevated values of inflammatory markers. This case emphasizes detailed evaluation considering symptoms and comorbidity of the patient should be performed to apply proper management.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.151-159
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• 2008

In this research, kinematic comparative analysis was performed on strokes of abscission and spinal cord injured athletes who participated in 2008 Beijing Paralympics wheelchair table tennis games. Strokes of all situations were collected under real match-like conditions. Among those, three major forehand stroke motions and backhand stroke motions were drawn Data collected by 9 infrared cameras were expressed in angular motions using graphic program LabVIEW7.0. As a result, forehand stroke of spin handicap athlete from analyzed images, the rotations of the trunk happened with the rotations of shoulder and the flexion extensions of elbow nearly at the same time. According to these results, insufficient turning force or speed of rackets is recompensed using flexion. backhand stroke of spin handicap athlete from analyzed images, the rotations of the trunk, the flexion extensions of the elbow and the flexion extensions of the shoulder were lined up on the prolongations of ping-pong balls. Forehand stroke of abscission athletes was done by outward rotation of the arm using backswing and inner rotation. As for backhand stroke, backswing was made by inner rotation in the spin of shoulder and waist. And after the backswing, impact was formed in wide outer rotation towards the ball.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.24-28
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• 2003

There is evidence to suggest that cranberry juice supplements improve the health of the urinary tract by inhibiting the binding of fimbriated uropathogenic E. coli to the bladder mucosa. In patients with neurogenic bladders, urinary tract infections (UTI) are particularly common and often poorly managed by antibiotic treatment. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was undertaken on 29 geriatric and spinal cord injured patients with dysfunctional bladders. They received three times daily at mealtimes a 4 oz bottle of cranberry juice (Ocean Spray Cranberries, USA) or a specially prepared synthetic placebo drink. Two episodes of UTI arose in week one of cranberry intake and none thereafter, compared to four episodes of UTI in 4 placebo patients in weeks four, six and 10. Mean bacterial adhesion counts on bladder cells of the patients rose during the first month of treatment in 71 % of the placebo patients compared to only 31 % of cranberry patients (p < 0.001). The difference persisted to some extent for the second and third months. Bacterial adhesion levels correlated with culture findings (higher adhesion and higher viable counts in urine) (p < 0.001), positive leukocyte nitrite tests (136$\pm$131 bacteria per cell versus 52$\pm$86 in negative tests) (p < 0.001), and higher white blood cell counts (> 10) per high power field (126$\pm$125 versus 48$\pm$85 bacteria per cell) (p<0.001). E. coli was the most frequently isolated organism (40% samples) followed by K. pneumoniae (17%) and a number of other uropathogens. Group B Streptococci, and coagulase negative Staphylococcus were recovered from urine in 4 samples but were not associated with any red blood cell presence. The daily intake of cranberry juice, in amounts which are not detrimental to long term compliance, appeared to have a role in reducing the risk of bladder colonization and infection in a highly susceptible patient population.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.137-148
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• 2007

Objectives : Following central nervous system (CNS) injury, inhibitory influences at the site of axonal damage occur. Glial cells become reactive and form a glial scar, know as gliosis. As well,myelin debris such as MAG inhibits axonal regeneration. Astrocyte-rich gliosis relates to up-regulation of GFAP and CD81, and eventually becomes a physical and mechanical barrier to axonal regeneration. It is postulated that when the astrocytic reaction is absent, regeneration of axons can occur. It was reported that treatment with anti CD81 antibodies enhanced functional recovery in rats with spinal cord injury. Methods : MAG is one of several endogenous axon regeneration inhibitors that limit recovery from central nervous system injury and disease. It was reported that molecules which block such inhibitors enhanced axon regeneration and functional recovery. Results : In this current study, the author investigated the effect of the water extract of Ginseng Radix on the regulation of CD81, GFAP and MAG which increases when gliosis occurs. MTT analysis was performed to examine cell viability, and cell based ELISA, Western Blot and PCR were used to detect the expression of CD81, GFAP and MAG. Immunohistochemistry was also performed to confirm in vivo. Conclusions : We observed that Ginseng Radix significantly down-regulates the expression of CD81, GFAP and MAG by means of cell based ELISA, Western Blot and PCR. In immunohistochemistry, expression of CD81, GFAP and MAG also decreased. Taken together, these results suggest that Ginseng Radix can be a candidate for regenerating CNS injury.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.22-32
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• 2006

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the roles of the spinal and peripheral ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA)- ergic systems for the mechanical hypersensitivity produced by chronic compression of the dorsal root ganglion (CCD). Methods: CCD was performed at the left 5th lumbar dorsal root ganglion. The paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) to von Frey stimuli was measured. The mechanical responsiveness of the lumbar dorsal horn neurons was examined. GABAergic drugs were delivered with intrathecal (i.t.) or intraplantar (i.pl.) injection or by topical application onto the spinal cord. Results: CCD produced mechanical hypersensitivity, which was evidenced by the decrease of the PWT, and it lasting for 10 weeks. For the rats showing mechanical hypersensitivity, the mechanical responsiveness of the lumbar dorsal horn neurons was enhanced. A similar increase was observed with the normal lumbar dorsal horn neurons when the GABA-A receptor antagonist bicuculline was topically applied. An i.t. injection of GABA-A or GABA-B receptor agonist, muscimol or baclofen, alleviated the CCD-induced hypersensitivity. Topical application of same drugs attenuated the CCD-induced enhanced mechanical responsiveness of the lumbar dorsal horn neurons. CCD-induced hypersensitivity was also improved by low-dose muscimol applied (i.pl.) into the affected hind paw, whereas no effects could be observed with high-dose muscimol or baclofen. Conclusions: The results suggest that the neuropathic pain associated with compression of the dorsal root ganglion is caused by hyperexcitability of the dorsal horn neurons due to a loss of spinal GABAergic inhibition. Peripheral application of low-dose GABA-A receptor agonist can be useful to treat this pain.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.436-446
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• 2018

Background: The potential therapeutic values of Korean Red Ginseng extract (KRGE) in autoimmune disorders of nervous system have not been fully investigated. Methods: We used an acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis animal model of multiple sclerosis and determined the effects and mechanism of KRGE on spinal myelination. Results: Pretreatment with KRGE (100 mg/kg, orally) for 10 days before immunization with myelin basic protein $(MBP)_{68-82}$ peptide exerted a protective effect against demyelination in the spinal cord, with inhibited recruitment and activation of immune cells including microglia, decreased mRNA expression of detrimental inflammatory mediators (interleukin-6, interferon-${\gamma}$, and cyclooxygenase-2), but increased mRNA expression of protective inflammatory mediators (insulin-like growth factor ${\beta}1$, transforming growth factor ${\beta}$, and vascular endothelial growth factor-1). These results were associated with significant downregulation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathways in microglia/macrophages, T cells, and astrocytes. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that KRGE alleviates spinal demyelination in acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis through inhibiting the activation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase/nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway. Therefore, KRGE might be used as a new therapeutic for autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis, although further investigation is needed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.12
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• pp.1022-1024
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• 2004

Pulmonary aspergillosis is the most common disease of fungal infection and has lower infectivity. Pulmonary asergillosis is classified by aspergilloma, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, necrotic and invasive aspergillosis. Invasive aspergillosis is found in immune compromised host, immunosuppressive treatment after organ transplantation, anticancerous chemotherapy, blood abnormality, AIDS patients etc. We reported a case of invasive aspergillosis in an immunocompetent host, with review of literatures.

• 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.2665-2669
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• 2003

A wearable device to assist fingering function for disabled is developed in this study. This is the second paper to report the progress in development of this assisting device. The device is developed for a patient who suffers from cervical spinal cord injury. In the first paper, it was reported that the patient could successfully pick up several types of objects with his paralyzed fingers by using this device. As a next step, the maneuverability of the device under grasping operation is discussed in this paper. Maneuverability of the system is experimentally evaluated. The dexterity in controlling finger force is compared between the cases that non-disabled examinees operate their finger with inherent abilities and that a disabled examinee operates his finger by using the assisting device.