• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.133-146
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• 2012

Background: Most antitumor agents have the side effect of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Cancer patients who take antitumor agents suffer from CIPN, but there is no known treatment for it. Unlike the central nerve system, the peripheral nerve can self-repair, and the Schwann cell takes this mechanism. Objectives: In this study, we researched the effect of YideungJetong-Tang (YJT) extract on taxol-induced sciatic nerve damage, through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Also, we studied the effect of YJT extract on neurite recovery and anti-inflammatory effect after compression injury of sciatic nerve in vivo. Methods: Vehicle, taxol and taxol+YJT were respectively applied on sciatic nerve cells of rat in vitro, then the cells were cultured. The sciatic nerve cells and Schwann cells were then observed using Neurofilament 200, Hoechst, ${\beta}$ -tubulin, S-$100{\beta}$, caspase-3 and phospho-Erk1/2. CIPN was induced by taxol into the sciatic nerve of rat in vivo, then YJT extract was taken orally. The axons, Schwann cells and neurites of the DRG sensory nerve were then observed using Neurofilament 200, ${\beta}$-tubulin, Hoechst, S-$100{\beta}$, phospho-Erk1/2 and caspase-3. YJT was taken orally after sciatic nerve compression injury, and the changes in axon of the sciatic nerve, Schwann cells and TNF-${\alpha}$ concentration were observed. Results: The taxol and YJT treated group showed significant effects on Schwann cell recovery, neurite growth and recovery. In vivo, YJT compared with control group showed Schwann cell structural improvement and axons recovering effect after taxol-induced Schwann cell damage. After sciatic nerve compression injury, recovery of distal axon, changes of Schwann cell distribution, and anti-inflammatory response were observed in the YJT. Conclusions: Through this study, we found that after taxol-induced neurite damage of sciatic nerve in vivo and in vitro, YJT had significant effects on sciatic nerve growth and Schwann cell structural improvement. In vivo, YJT improved recovery of distal axons and Schwann cells and had an anti-inflammatory effect.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2011

Objective : The aim of this study was to provide the method to measure physiologic response using equipments and auditory stimulation, and the physiologic response features of adult psychiatric disorders through a systemic review. Methods : The systemic review was executed using PubMed. The key words for search were "auditory stimulation, auditory startle, electromyograph, skin conductance, heart rate, psychiatric disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, depression". 8 studies were used for data analysis, and all of levels of evidence were level II. The substances of the review were subject(population), auditory stimulation, measure equipments and physiologic response features of psychiatric disorder. Results : 1. The subjects for the studies were anxiety disorder(4) and schizophrenia(4). 2. Auditory stimulation was used in 8 studies and visual stimulation with auditory stimulation was used in 2 studies to induce physiologic response. 3. Every study used electromyograph, and skin conductance was used in 2 studies and heart rate was used in 2 studies with electromyograph to measure physiologic response. 4. The subjects for the studies, schizophrenia and anxiety disorder(PTSD, OCD) have different physiologic response features with the normal control group. Conclusion : All studies used simple tones as an auditory stimulation and electromyograph to measure physiologic response. Psychiatric disorders indicated larger response, shorter and delayed habituation. The objective and systematic study using physiologic measure to investigate the sensory feature of psychologic disorders.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2010

Background: Although quantitative sensory test (QST) is being used with increasing frequency for measuring sensory thresholds in clinical practice and epidemiologic studies, there has been no age-matched normative data in Korean adults. The objective of this study is to evaluate the value of QST in diabetic polyneuropathy with normal range in Korean adults. Methods: The Computer Aided Sensory Examination IV 4,2 (WR Medical Electronics Co., Stillwater, Minnesota, U.S.A.), with 4,2,1 stepping algorithm was used to determine vibration and cold perception threshold in 70 normal controls and 19 patients with diabetic polyneuropathy aged from 21 to 79 years. The data were used to define age-matched upper and lower normal limits and normal range of side to side difference. We also evaluated the duration of diabetes, serum HbA1C level, and findings of nerve conduction study (NCS) and QST in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. Results: In normal adults, sensory thresholds slightly increased with age, and a slight side-to-side difference was observed. The diagnostic sensitivity of QST was not higher than NCS in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy (36.8% vs. 42.1%, p=0.716), especially among elderly patients. Conclusions: QST might be used as a complementary test for NCS in the diagnosis of diabetic polyneuropathy. Although the QST is a simple method for the evaluation of peripheral nerve function, there are some limitations. Most of all, because the QST measuring is dependent on the subjective response of patients, the degree of concentration and cooperation of the patients can significantly affect the result. And thus, attention should be paid during the interpretation of QST results in patients with peripheral neuropathy.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.315-324
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• 2005

Pain is an unpleasant sensation experienced when tissues are damaged. Thus, pain sensation in some way protects body from imminent threat or injury. Peripheral sensory nerves innervated to peripheral tissues initially respond to multiple forms of noxious or strong stimuli, such as heat, mechanical and chemical stimuli. In response to these stimuli, electrical signals for conducting the nociceptive neural signals through axons are generated. These action potentials are then conveyed to specific areas in the spinal cord and in the brain. Sensory afferent fibers are heterogeneous in many aspects. For example, sensory nerves are classified as $A{\alpha}$, $-{\beta}$, $-{\delta}$ and C-fibers according to their diameter and degree of myelination. It is widely accepted that small sensory fibers tend to respond to vigorous or noxious stimuli and related to nociception. Thus these fibers are specifically called nociceptors. Most of nociceptors respond to noxious mechanical stimuli and heat. In addition, these sensory fibers also respond to chemical stimuli [Davis et al. (1993)] such as capsaicin. Thus, nociceptors are considered polymodal. Recent advance in research on ion channels in sensory neurons reveals molecular mechanisms underlying how various types of stimuli can be transduced to neural signals transmitted to the brain for pain perception. In particular, electrophysiological studies on ion channels characterize biophysical properties of ion channels in sensory neurons. Furthermore, molecular biology leads to identification of genetic structures as well as molecular properties of ion channels in sensory neurons. These ion channels are expressed in axon terminals as well as in cell soma. When these channels are activated, inward currents or outward currents are generated, which will lead to depolarization or hyperpolarization of the membrane causing increased or decreased excitability of sensory neurons. In order to depolarize the membrane of nerve terminals, either inward currents should be generated or outward currents should be inhibited. So far, many cationic channels that are responsible for the excitation of sensory neurons are introduced recently. Activation of these channels in sensory neurons is evidently critical to the generation of nociceptive signals. The main channels responsible for inward membrane currents in nociceptors are voltage-activated sodium and calcium channels, while outward current is carried mainly by potassium ions. In addition, activation of non-selective cation channels is also responsible for the excitation of sensory neurons. Thus, excitability of neurons can be controlled by regulating expression or by modulating activity of these channels.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2009

This paper describes requirements and test methods for the safety of electromyographs and evoked response equipments to be used for medical examination of the central nerve system and motor-sensory functions in cortex. We first establish internationally harmonized requirements for the safety, and then propose a test procedure and test methods corresponding to the requirements based on the international standards. However requirements for the performance of each equipments are not specified in order to admit maker's specifications. Using a electromyography equipment we verified validity of the test methods proposed. Results of this study can be used as a standard for approval of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA).

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.91-98
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• 2005

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is known as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the neurons of the central nervous system. However, its detailed action mechanisms in the rostral gustatory zone of the nucleus tractus solitarius (rNTS) have not been established. The present study was aimed to investigate the distribution, role and action mechanisms of GABA in rNTS. Membrane potentials were recorded by whole cell recordings in isolated brain slices of the rat medulla. Superfusion of GABA resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction in input resistance in the neurons in rNTS. The change in input resistance ws accompanied by response to a depolarizing pulse were diminished by GABA. Superfusion of the slices with either $GABA_A$ agonist, muscimol, $GABA_B$ agonist, baclofen or $GABA_C$ agonist, TACA, decreased input resistance and reduced the nerve activity in association with membrane hyperpolarization. It is suggested that inhibitory signals playa role in sensory processing by the rNTS, in that GABA actions occur through activation of $GABA_A,\;GABA_B\;and\;GABA_C$ receptor. These results suggest that GABA has an inhibitory effect on the rNTS through an activation of $GABA_A,\;GABA_B\;and\;GABA_C$ receptors and that the GABAergic inhibition probably plays an important role in sensory processing by the rNTS.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2013

It was sometimes difficult to differentiate between acute-onset chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (A-CIDP) and subacute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (SIDP). The CNS involvement of these polyneuropathies has rarely reported in the literature. We present the case of a 42-year-old man who developed rapidly developing inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy followed by right optic neuritis. This case showed progressive motor weakness and sensory dysfunction with time to nadir at 8 weeks, demyelination in nerve conduction study, no other etiology of neuropathy, no relapse during follow-up of 18 months, good response to steroid and complete recovery which favor SIDP more than A-CIDP. We experienced the case of SIDP associated with optic neuritis.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.242-246
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• 2000

Radiofrequency medial branch neurotomy is an effective way of controlling pain in the posterior compartment of the spine such as the facet joint, and the interspinous ligament. However, it is difficult to determine the exact location of the medial branch. Up until now we have relied on sensory response provoked by 50 Hz stimulation. The responses elicited using this method are quite subjective and can originate from sources other than the medial branch such as the periosteum, the intermediate or lateral branch. We need a confirmed indicator to locate the medial branch reliably. We applied 2 Hz stimulation under 0.4 volts to locate the medial branch and elicited a motor response. Twitching of multifidus and muscles around the SI joint was observed. The observation of these muscles provides a much more reliable method for confirmation of the medial branch. We have treated 45 chronic nonspecific low back pain patients using radiofrequency medial branch neurotomy with this method of confirming the medial branch.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.446-452
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• 2011

Objective : We retrospectively investigated the long-term results of percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) using fluoroscopic image-guidance for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Methods : A total of 38 patients diagnosed and treated with RFT as an idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia were investigated. To minimize the risks related to conventional technique based on cutaneous landmarks, and to eliminate the need to frequent reposition of cannula, we adopted a technique of image-guided fluoroscopic cannulation of the foramen ovale. To minimize sensory complication following thermal lesion, our target response was a generation of a lesion with mild to moderate hypalgesia rather than dense hypalgesia. Results : The immediate pain-relief was achieved in all patients underwent RFT. With mean duration of follow-up of 38.2 months (range,12-72), 11 (28.9%) experienced recurrence of pain. The mean timing of recurrence was 26.1 months (range,12-46). A 42.7% recurrence rate was estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis for the 38 patients at 46 months; 20.2% within 2 years, 29.1% within 3 years. In the long-term, 27 patients (71%) and 6 patients (15.8%) showed Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) score I and BNI score II responses. Three (7.9%) patients was assessed as BNI score III, 2 patients (5.3%) showed BNI score IV response. As a complication, troublesome dysesthesia occurred in 3 of 38 patients (7.9%), however, there was no permanent cranial nerve palsy or morbidity. Conclusion : These results indicates that RFT under fluoroscopic image-guided cannulation of foramen ovale is a safe, effective, and reliable means of treating trigeminal neuralgia.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.107-110
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• 2013

A 6-year-old, castrated male Shih-tzu dog was presented due to left side facial paralysis with head tilt. Neurological examination revealed absence of facial sensation, menance response, and palpebral reflex on the left side. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), intracranial intra-arachnoid cyst (IIAC) was noted. The dog was poor response to steroid and dieuretic therapy. Based on characteristic historical and clinical findings, and excluding of other causes of acute facial nerve dysfunction, the dog was tentatively diagnosed as idiopathic facial paralysis. The clinical signs were improved gradually after acupuncture therapy with bee venom. Eight weeks after initial acupuncture with bee venom, the patient recovered sensory and neurological facial signs. This case report demonstrates that bee venom acupuncture for an idiopathic facial paralysis could be useful in a dog.