• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.431-437
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• 2000

The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of CPP32 (caspase-3), one of the death-related enzymes, in the course of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). EAE was induced in Lewis rats immunized with an emulsion of rat spinal cord homogenate with complete Freunds adjuvant supplemented with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Ra, 5mg/ml). The expression of CPP32 in the spinal cords of rats with EAE was studied. In normal rat spinal cords, CPP32 is constitutively, but weakly, expressed in neurons and some neuroglial cells. In the EAE spinal cords, many inflammatory cells were positive for CPP 32, and the majority of CPP32(+) cells were identified as ED1(+) macrophages. During this stage of EAE, the number of CPP32(+) cells in brain cells, including neurons and astrocytes, increased, and these cells also had increased CPP32 immunoreactivity. CPP32 immunor eactivity was not always matched with apoptosis of inflammatory cells in EAE lesions. We speculate that CPP32, which is constitutlvely expressed in brain cells, increases in response to neuroimmunological stimulation in both brain neuronal cells and inflammatory cells. The functional role of CPP32 in neuroimmunological disorders is discussed.

• Biomaterials and Biomechanics in Bioengineering
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.237-248
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• 2015

"Dynamic stabilization" systems have been developed in recent years to treat degenerative disorders of the spinal column. In contrast to arthrodesis (fusion), the aim here is to conserve intervertebral mobility to maximize comfort. When developing innovative concepts, many mechanical tests need to be carried out in order to validate the different technological solutions. The present study focuses on the B Dyn$^{(R)}$ "dynamic stabilization" device (S14$^{(R)}$ Implants, Pessac, France), the aim being to optimize the choice of polymer material used for one of the implant's components. The device allows mobility but also limit the range of movement. The stiffness of the ring remains a key design factor, which has to be optimized. Phase one consisted of static tests on the implant, as a result of which a polyurethane (PU) was selected, material no.2 of the five elastomers tested. In phase two, dynamic tests were carried out. The fatigue resistance of the B Dyn$^{(R)}$ system was tested over five million cycles with the properties of the polymer elements being measured using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) after every million cycles. This analysis demonstrated changes in stiffness and in the damping factor which guided the choice of elastomer for the B Dyn$^{(R)}$ implant.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 2008

Purpose: We measured the knowledge, satisfaction, and education needs in sexual rehabilitation of male patients diagnosed with a spinal cord injury. Methods: We recruited 104 patients from a general rehabilitation hospital. Data were collected between April 4 and May 9, 2008. Knowledge of sexual rehabilitation, satisfaction, and educational needs were measured using self-report questionnaires. Results: Points for knowledge of sexual rehabilitation were 6.75 out of 20, sexual satisfaction was 3.02 out of 5, and demand for sexual rehabilitation education were 3.54 out of 5. Most (93.27%) of the patients wanted to have a sex life, and many (75%)were willing to participate in sexual rehabilitation education. There were no differences in knowledge or satisfaction based on general characteristics. However, sexual satisfaction of the university graduates was higher than the lower education group. Conclusion: Male patients with spinal cord disorders are interested in a sex life and demand sexual rehabilitation education. These findings should support the development of sexual rehabilitation programs.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.130-132
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• 2019

Acupuncture is generally regarded as a safe procedure and as a popular treatment for patients with musculoskeletal disorders. We report a case of a 47-year-old male patient with late-onset tetraplegia, developed after acupuncture. He had no trauma, medical, and social history relevant to tetraplegia. Right after the acupuncture, he felt discomfort in his right arm. After 6 days, all 4 extremity weakness developed. Whole-spine magnetic resonance imaging revealed the presence of spinal subdural hematoma extending from the C5 vertebra to the coccyx level. Hand coordination dysfunction, neurogenic bladder, and neuropathic pain were other symptoms. After the management, he recovered muscle strength, but incomplete bladder control and neuralgia were sustained. It is important to be aware of the possibilities of severe complications after acupuncture.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.473-485
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• 2021

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), which is associated with an extensive range of clinical and radiological presentations, is the one of the most challenging spinal disorders. The goals of surgery are to correct the deformity in 3 dimensions and to preserve motion segments while avoiding complications. Despite the ongoing evolution of classification systems and algorithms for the surgical treatment of AIS, there has been considerable debate regarding the selection of an appropriate fusion level in AIS. In addition, there is no consensus regarding the exact description, relationship, and risk factors of coronal decompensation following selective fusion. In this review, we summarize the current concepts of selection of the fusion level for AIS and review the available information about postoperative coronal decompensation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.681-687
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• 2010

Sibjeondaebo-tang (SJDBT) is an oriental medicinal prescription for the treatments of diverse symptoms including neurological disorders. In order to investigate its potential role for neural regulation following nerve injury, neurite outgrowth of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in culture was investigated. In DRG neurons which were preconditioned by sciatic nerve injury, neurite outgrowth was enhanced by SJDBT treatment. When preconditioned DRG neurons were co-cultured with astrocytes prepared from injured spinal cord tissue, neurite outgrowth was similarly facilitated by SJDBT. Astrocytes in co-culture showed more intense signals of vimentin protein by SJDBT compared to saline control. Sukjihwang (SJH), a conventional herbal component of SJDBT prescription, did not induce any significant changes in neurite extension of DRG neurons compared to control cells. These data suggest that SJDBT may be the therapeutic agent for nervous system disorders related to nerve damage.

• Kosin Medical Journal
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.257-262
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• 2018

Guillain-$Barr{\acute{e}}$ syndrome (GBS) and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) are demyelinating neurologic disorders with different target organs. Although they share similar pathogenetic mechanism, reports of simultaneous occurrence of the 2 disorders are rare. A 2 year 6 month old girl visited our hospital for fever, cough, and general weakness. Although the muscle power of extremities showed mild weakness and voiding difficulty, initial deep tendon reflex of both knees and ankles was normal. A nerve conduction study to evaluate the weakness revealed the absence of F waves. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis demonstrated pleocytosis with lymphocyte predominance and elevated protein levels. Magnetic resonance imaging showed abnormal T2 hyperintensity in pons, medulla and spinal cord. Serum anti-GD1b antibody was positive. Based on clinical findings, laboratory findings, nerve conduction study, and neuroimaging, the diagnosis of GBS and ADEM was made. This is the first case of GBS accompanied by ADEM in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 2010

Cervical disc herniations can press on the spinal cord and cause a problem called cervical myelopathy. The most common symptom of cervical disc herniation is neck pain that spreads down to the upper limb in various locations. There can also be associated with weakness and movement disorders of upper limb. In Oriental medicine, cervical disc herniation is treated with herb-med, physical therapy, acupuncture, Chuna, etc, but the Bee Venom therapy is the most common and effective. In this case, we used the Bee Venom therapy at cervical hyeopcheokhyeol for about 2 months to a patient who was diagnosed with disc herniation at Cervical 5-6, 6-7 and appealed weakness, limited elevation and abduction of the left upper limb. As a result, left upper limb disability was improved. Using the Bee Venom therapy at cervical hyeopcheokhyeol that are effective on movement disorders and neurological diseases of upper limb is an effective treatment to upper limb disability diagnosed with cervical disc herniation, and suggests the direction of the treatment to upper limb weakness and movement disorders diagnosed with cervical disc herniation.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.107-110
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• 2006

Tremor is a rhythmic, involuntary and oscillatory movement of body parts, and it is the most common movement disorder. Spasticity is also one of the movement disorders that is commonly accompanied with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome; however, the basic nature of spasticity has not yet been proved. A 25-year-old male patient had two operations and he was being treated because of a back injury that occurred 4 years ago. He suffered from pain, tremor and spasticity on both his lower legs, and his symptoms were diagnosed as failed back surgery syndrome. The tremor and spasticity were aggravated despite of continuous treatments. We then treated him with spinal cord stimulation. His pain, tremor and spasticity disappeared after spinal cord stimulation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2012

Glutamate excitotoxicity is emerging as a contributor to degeneration of spinal cord motoneurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Recently, we have reported that ghrelin protects motoneurons against chronic glutamate excitotoxicity through the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt/glycogen synthase kinase-$3{\beta}$ pathways. Previous studies suggest that activated microglia actively participate in the pathogenesis of ALS motoneuron degeneration. However, it is still unknown whether ghrelin exerts its protective effect on motoneurons via inhibition of microglial activation. In this study, we investigate organotypic spinal cord cultures (OSCCs) exposed to threohydroxyaspartate (THA), as a model of excitotoxic motoneuron degeneration, to determine if ghrelin prevents microglial activation. Exposure of OSCCs to THA for 3 weeks produced typical motoneuron death, and treatment of ghrelin significantly attenuated THA-induced motoneuron loss, as previously reported. Ghrelin prevented THA-induced microglial activation in the spinal cord and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ and interleukin-$1{\beta}$. Our data indicate that ghrelin may act as a survival factor for motoneurons by functioning as a microglia-deactivating factor and suggest that ghrelin may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of ALS and other neurodegenerative disorders where inflammatory responses play a critical role.