• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.27-36
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• 2017

Background: Research efforts to improve the pulmonary function of people with limited chest function have focused on the diaphragmatic ability to control breathing pattern. Real-time ultrasonography is appropriate to demonstrate diaphragmatic mechanism during breathing. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of diaphragmatic breathing training using real-time ultrasonographic imaging (RUSI) on the chest function of young females with limited chest mobility. Methods: Twenty-six subjects with limited chest mobility were randomly allocated to the experimental group (EG) and control group (CG) depending on the use of RUSI during diaphragmatic breathing training, with 13 subjects in each group. For both groups, diaphragmatic breathing training was performed for 30-min, including three 10-min sets with a 1-min rest interval. An extra option for the EG was the use of the RUSI during the training. Outcome measures comprised the diaphragmatic excursion range during quiet and deep breathing, pulmonary function (forced vital capacity; FVC, forced expiratory volume in 1-sec; FEV1, tidal volume; TV, and maximal voluntary ventilation; MVV), and chest circumferences at upper, middle, and lower levels. Results: The between-group comparison revealed that the diaphragmatic excursion range during deep breathing, FVC, and middle and lower chest circumferences were greater at post-test and that the changes between the pretest and post-test values were greater in the EG than in the CG (p<.05). In addition, the subjects in the EG showed increased post-test values for all the variables compared with the pretest values, except for TV and MVV (p<.05). In contrast, the subjects in the CG showed significant improvements for the diaphragmatic excursion range during quiet and deep breathings, FVC, FEV1, and middle and lower chest circumferences after the intervention (p<.05). Conclusion: These results indicate that using RUSI during diaphragmatic breathing training might be more beneficial for people with limited chest mobility than when diaphragmatic breathing training is used alone.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.37-47
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• 2017

Background: Active trigger points (TrPs) of the suboccipital muscles greatly contribute to the occurrence of chronic tension-type headache, with increased sensitivity of TrPs and facilitated referred pain. Objects: This study aimed to investigate whether the integration of high-frequency diathermy into suboccipital release is more beneficial than the use of suboccipital release alone. Methods: Thirty subjects were assigned to either experimental group-1 (EG-1) to undergo suboccipital release combined with high-frequency diathermy (frequency: 0.3 MHz, and electrode type: resistive electronic transfer), or EG-2 to undergo suboccipital release alone, or the control group (CG) with no intervention, with 10 subjects in each group. The assessment tools included the headache impact test 6 (HIT-6), perceived level of tenderness, neck disability index, and neck mobility. Intervention was performed for 10 minutes, twice per week, for 4 weeks, and measurements were performed before and after the interventions. Results: The between-group comparison of the post-test values and changes between pretest and post-test showed significant differences for all parameters at p<.05, except for the left-to-right lateral bending range. In the post hoc test, EG-1 showed significant differences for the parameters in comparison with the CG, while no significant differences in the perceived tenderness level, on both temporal regions, were found between EG-2 and CG. Furthermore, the HIT-6 score and perceived tenderness level, in the right temporal region, showed significant differences between EG-1 and EG-2. In the within-group comparison, EG-1 and EG-2 appeared to be significantly different between pretest and post-test (p<.05), except for the perceived tenderness level in the right temporal region, with significance for the EG-1 group only (p<.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the suboccipital release technique may be advantageous to improve headache, tenderness, and neck function and mobility, with more favorable effects with the incorporation of high-frequency diathermy.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.88-95
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the proapoptotic effects of matrix metal-loproteinase inhibitor (MMPI) and doxorubicin on wild-type p53 osteosarcoma cell line, socalled U2OS cell line. Materials and Methods: U2OS cells were treated with MMP inhibitor III (MMPI III) and doxorubicin, either respectively or simultaneously. In cells treated with doxorubicin, Fas-neutralizing antibody so called ZB4 was additionally treated to examine whether the doxorubicin played a role through the Fas/FasL pathway. Cells were analysed regarding to apoptosis and cell death by flow cytometry. Results: U2OS cells incubated with doxorubicin showed significant amount of cell death in dose-dependent manner. However, those incubated with MMPI III mostly remained viable state. In addition, there is no relationship between two drugs. Cells treated with doxorubicin and ZB4 at the same time did not show down regulation of apoptosis through inhibition of Fas/FasL pathway. Conclusion: It is important to re-examine MMP inhibitor's effect on other osteosarcoma cell line with wild-type p14 as well as wild-type p53 to evaluate its proapoptotic effect.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.543-549
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• 2004

Chitosan has been widely researched as bone substitution materials and membranes in orthopedic/periodontal applications. Chitosan nanofiber membrane was fabricated by chitosan nanofiber using electrospinning technique. The structure of the membrane is nonwoven, three-dimensional, porous, and nanoscale fiber-based matrix. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of chitosan nanofiber membrane and to evaluate its capacity of bone regeneration in rabbit calvarial defect. Ten mm diameter round cranial defects were made and covered by 2 kinds of membranes (Gore-Tex membrane, chitosan nanofiber membrane) in rabbits. Animals were sacrificed at 4 weeks after surgery. Decalcified specimens were prepared and observed by microscope. Chitosan nanofiber membrane maintained its shape and space at 4 weeks. No inflammatory cells were seen on the surface of the membrane. In calvarial defects, new bone bridges were formed at all defect areas and fused to original old bone. No distortion and resorption was observed in the grafted chitosan nanofiber membrane. However bone bridge formation and new bone formation at the center of the defect could not be seen in Gore-Tex membranes. It is concluded that the novel membrane made of chitosan nanofiber by electrospinning technique may be used as a possible tool for guided bone regeneration.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.138-142
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• 2007

Background: Depression is a frequent comorbid disease of chronic pain patients. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of depression and to correlate associated factors and depression in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods: The data of this survey was collected from 97 patients that visited our pain clinic for the management of lumbar spinal stenosis. Depression was examined by a self-reported survey using the Korean version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the life satisfaction scale score were also obtained. Demographic and clinical characteristics (including spouse status, employment status, smoking status, the number of patients with multiple painful areas, the number of patients with combined disease, pain duration, visual analogue scale, Roland 5-point scale and walking distance) were obtained from an interview with the patient. The patients were divided into group N ($BDI{\leq}14$, n = 43) and group 0 (BDI > 14, n = 54) according to the BDI scale. Of the 97 patients, 55,7% had a high BDI score. Results: The patients in group N had a higher rate of employment (48.0%, P < 0.05) and had higher life satisfaction scale scores ($9.4{\pm}2.5$, P < 0.01) as compared to group D patients. The BDI score showed a close correlation with employment status and the life satisfaction scale. Conclusions: Many lumbar spinal stenosis patients had high BDI scores. Employment status and the life satisfaction scale were closely correlated with the BDI score.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.50-53
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• 2007

Background: Continuous epidural catheterization is a popular and effective procedure for postoperative analgesia. However, continuous epidural catheterization has associated complications such as venous puncture, dural puncture, subarachnoid cannulation, suboptimal catheter placement, and paresthesia because the tip of the epidural catheter touches thenerves of the dura in the epidural space. In this study, we compared the incidence of paresthesia in two different lengths of epidural catheter insertion. Methods: One hundred women undergoing gynecologic or orthopedic surgery were enrolled in this prospective, double-blinded, randomized study. All patients were randomly divided into two groups based on the insertion length of the epidural catheter 2 cm (group A) or 4 cm (group B). A Tuohy needle was inserted in the lumbarspinal region with a bevel directed cephalad by use of the median approach, and then the epidural space was confirmed by the loss of resistance technique with air. While the practitioner inserted an epidural catheter into the epidural space, a blind observer checked for paresthesia or withdrawal movement. Results: In 97 included patients, 30.6% of the patients in group A (n = 49) had paresthesia, versus 31.3% in group B (n = 48). Withdrawal movements were represented in 2% and 6% of the patients in group A and group B, respectively. There was no difference in the incidence of paresthesia and withdrawal movement between the two groups. Conclusions: There is no clear relationship for the incidence of catheter-related paresthesia according to the catheter length inserted into the epidural space for epidural analgesia.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 2009

In the working population, muscle fatigue and musculoskeletal discomfort are common, which, in the case of insufficient recovery may lead to musculoskeletal pain. Workers suffering from musculoskeletal pains need to be rehabilitated for recovery. Isokinetic testing has been used in physical strengthening, rehabilitation and post-operative orthopedic surgery. Frequency analysis of electromyography (EMG) signals using the mean frequency (MNF) has been widely used to characterize muscle fatigue. During isokinetic contractions, EMG signals present strong nonstationarities. Hilbert-Haung transform (HHT) and autoregressive (AR) model have been known more suitable than Fourier or wavelet transform for nonstationary signals. Moreover, several analyses have been performed within each active phase during isokinetic contractions. Thus, the aims of this study were i) to determine which one was better suitable for the analysis of MNF between HHT and AR model during repetitive maximum isokinetic extensions and ii) to investigate whether the analysis could be repeated for sequential fixed epoch lengths. Seven healthy volunteers (five males and two females) performed isokinetic knee extensions at $60^{\circ}/s$ and $240^{\circ}/s$ until 50% of the maximum peak torque was reached. Surface EMG signals were recorded from the rectus femoris of the right thigh. An algorithm detecting the onset and offset of EMG signals was applied to extract each active phase of the muscle. Following the results, slopes from the least-square error linear regression of MNF values showed that muscle fatigue of all subjects occurred. The AR model is better suited than HHT for estimating MNF from nonstationary EMG signals during isokinetic knee extensions. Moreover, the linear regression can be extracted from MNF values calculated by sequential fixed epoch lengths (p> 0.0I).

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.382-390
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• 2004

One of the significant natural bioactive materials is demineralized bone particle (DBP) whose has a powerful induce. of new bone growth. In this study, we developed the DBP loaded poly-lactide (PLA) and poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) scaffolds for the possibility of the application of the tissue engineered bone. PLA/DBP and PLGA/DBP scaffolds were prepared by solvent casting/salt leaching method and were characterized by porosimeter, scanning electron microscopy. BMSCs were stimulated by osteogenic medium and characterized by histological stained Wright-Giemsa, Alizarin red, von Kossa, and alkaline phosphate activity (ALP). DBP impregnated scaffolds with BMSCs were implanted into the back of athymic nude mouse to observe the effect of DBP on the osteoinduction compared with control scaffolds. It can be observed that the porosity was above $90.2\%$ and the pore size was above 69.1$\mu$m. BMSCs could be differentiated into osteoprogenitor cells as result of wright-giemsa, alizarin red, von Kossa and ALP staining. In in vivo study, we could observed calcification region in PLA/DBP and PLGA/DBP groups, but calcification did not occur almost in control scaffolds. From these results, it seems that DBP as well as BMSCs play an important role for bone induction in PLA/DBP and PLGA/DBP scaffolds.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.523-526
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• 2014

Three dogs were admitted for repair of bone fracture. Case 1 (Maltese, 1.8 kg, intact female, 5-month-old) and case 2 (poodle, 3.0 kg, intact female, 6-month-old) had non-weight bearing lameness in the left pelvic limb, and case 3 (mixed, 3.3 kg, intact female, age unknown) had non-weight-bearing lameness in the left thoracic limb. On orthopedic examination, there was pain, crepitus, palpable instability and substantial soft tissue swelling on the affected side. No neurological deficits were identified. Radiographs revealed left proximal metaphyseal tibial and fibular fractures in cases 1 and 2, and left proximal metaphyseal radial and ulnar fractures in case 3. All cases had closed long-bone fractures with short juxta-articular fracture segments. Under fluoroscopic guidance, proper placement of the ring fixation elements was confirmed during surgery. Two or three rings were used to stabilize fractures with traditional circular external skeletal fixators (CESF). Postoperative radiographs showed acceptable alignment and apposition of the previously identified fracture. Time to radiographic union ranged from 5 to 14 weeks and there were no signs of implant failure or pin tract infection. Functional outcomes were excellent in all cases. CESF can be successfully used to reduce short juxta-articular fractures in which bone plates or external skeletal fixation cannot be applied.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.427-434
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• 2008

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a multifactorial disease and certain individuals are more at risk or may be predisposed to it. An altered lipid metabolism is one of the major risk factors for osteonecrosis, especially corticosteroid therapy and alcoholism. 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A. (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, stalin used as lipid-clearing agent, have been known to decrease the risk of osteonecrosis in patients receiving steroids and affect coagulation and fibrinolysis. Therefore we evaluated the association of HMG-CoA reductase gene polymorphisms and haplotypes between osteonecrosis patients and normal controls. We directly sequenced the HMG-CoA reductase gene in 24 Korean individuals, and identified five sequence variants. Four SNPs (-6933C>T, -6045T>G, +12673G>A, and +18128C>T) were selected and genotyped in 349 male ONFH patients and 300 male control subjects. The genotypes, allele frequencies, and haplotypes of the polymorphisms in the total patients as well as in the subgroup by etiology were not significantly different from those in the control group. In addition, no significant differences between each genotype of the polymorphisms and plasma lipid level could be found in the control group. These results suggest that the polymorphisms and haplotypes of HMG-CoA reductase gene are unlikely to be associated with a susceptibility to ONFH.