The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of whole-body vibration training (WBVT) on knee function and physical performance in middle-aged and older Japanese women who suffered from knee osteoarthritis (OA) and knee pain. Thirty-eight middle-aged and older Japanese women (aged 50-73 years) with knee OA and knee pain were divided into two groups: (1) a WBVT group (n = 29) engaging in WBVT 3 times a week for 8 weeks, and (2) a control group (C group, n = 9) performing exercises at home. The WBVT program consisted of a warm-up, strength training mainly of the quadriceps and their surrounding muscles and cool-down exercises. In the WBVT group, there were no dropouts, and there were significant improvements in the physical function (Cohen’s d = 0.28) and total score (Cohen’s d = 0.25) of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). There were also statistically significant improvements in all lower-extremity function tests (5-times sit-to-stand, timed up and go, standing time from a long sitting position, sit and reach, 4-way choice reaction time; Cohen’s d = 0.34-1.24). The item that changed significantly in the C group, however, was only the sit and reach (Cohen’s d = 0.52). In addition, all items in the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Score (JOA score) improved significantly (Cohen’s d = 0.63-0.67) in the WBVT group. In conclusion, the 8-week WBVT program can safely improve knee function and physical performance in middle-aged and older Japanese women who suffer from knee OA and knee pain.

The vertical ground reaction force (GRF) parameters in a sit-to-stand movement are useful for measuring lower-limb muscle strength and power in older adults. The purpose of this study was to examine which GRF parameters would be more strongly associated with a person's physical functioning, history of falls, fear of falling and mobility limitations, all of which are known to be related to lower-limb muscle strength and power. We performed cross-sectional analyses on 363 community-dwelling older adults, which included 160 men and 203 women, aged 65-85 years (73.4 ± 5.3 years). Five parameters were measured: peak reaction force, two rate of force development and two time-related parameters. Their rate of force development was relatively higher correlated with results from timed “up and go” tests, standing times from a long sitting position and 4-way choice reaction times (partial r = -0.37 ∼ -0.52); these tests were accompanied with a dynamic movement of lower-limb; than their peak reaction force and time-related parameters. The rate of force development were poorer in subjects reporting falls, a fear of falling or a mobility limitation compared with those reporting no falls, fear of falling or mobility limitation. These results suggest that measuring the rate of force development in a sit-to-stand movement provide a better assessment of lower-limb muscle strength and power.

BACKGROUND: A medulloblastoma is a primitive neuroepithelial tumor of the cerebellum that occurs in children and metastasizes through the cerebrospinal fluid. It is highly malignant and invasive, and the 5-year survival rate is only 60%. Surgical resection techniques, radiation, and chemotherapy have improved the overall survival but the patients suffer life-long cognitive dysfunctions or endocrine abnormalities as the side effects of treatment. Therefore it is essential to identify prognostic markers to determine the appropriate treatment strategy in order to minimize the side effects. METHODS: This study evaluated the immunohistochemical differentiation and survival rate with synaptophysin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, epithelial membrane antigen, vimentin and primitive neuroepithelial marker nestin of 55 paraffin-embedded medulloblastomas, using a tissue microarray. The expression of survivin, the apoptotic inhibitor, and the survival rate with regard to the proliferation index of Ki-67 were also investigated. RESULTS: The group testing positive to vimentin, a mesenchymal differentiation marker, had a worse prognosis and there was a strong correlation between vimentin expression and nestin expression. Patients with a survivin expression rate >35% had a significantly poorer clinical course and there was a correlation between the survivin expression rate and Ki-67 expression rate. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, vimentin and survivin are negative prognostic markers in medulloblastomas.
Cerebellum ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Child ; Drug Therapy ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; Humans ; Medulloblastoma* ; Mucin-1 ; Nestin ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate ; Synaptophysin ; Vimentin*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to categorize adult's subjectivity of their attitudes towards life sustaining treatment, and thereby understand the differences among these life sustaining treatment types using Q methodology. METHODS: Q-methodology, which provides a method of analyzing the subjectivity of each item, was used. Thirty selected Q-statements received from 52 adults were classified into a shape of normal distribution using a 7 point scale. The collected data was analyzed using a QUANL pc program. RESULT: Four types of attitudes toward life sustaining treatment were identified. Type I is called one's autonomy type. Type II is called potentiality of resuscitation type. Type III is called DNR (Do not resuscitation) type. Type IV is calledone's effort type. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that different approaches of life support care programs are recommended based on the four types of life sustaining treatment attitudes among Korean adults.
Adult ; *Attitude to Death ; Humans ; *Life Support Care/psychology ; Middle Aged ; Q-Sort ; Terminal Care/psychology ; Withholding Treatment

PURPOSE: To determine risk factors contributing to the development of an epiretinal membrane after retinal detachment surgery. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of 294 eyes which underwent retinal detachment surgery between 2001 and 2004. Parameters including numbers and locations of retinal breaks, operation methods and associated abnormalities were compared between the eyes from which a postoperative epiretinal membrane was removed and the eyes from which the membrane was not removed. RESULTS: Fourteen eyes (4.8%) underwent epiretinal membrane removal during the follow-up period. The mean interval between the retinal reattachment surgery and the vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane was 184 days (range: 50~546 days). Retinal breaks were located superiorly in 12 eyes and inferiorly in 2 eyes. Regarding the number of breaks, 1 break was observed in 9 eyes, 2 breaks in 2 eyes, 3 breaks in 2 eyes and no breaks in 1 eye. Vitreous hemorrhages presented in 7 eyes (50%). Twelve eyes were phakic eyes and 2 were pseudophakic. The macula was detached in 9 eyes (64.3%). Procedures for retinal detachment were vitrectomy with gas tamponade in 8 eyes (57.1%) and scleral buckling with cryoretinopexy in 6 eyes (42.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative vitreous hemorrhage, superior location of retinal breaks, old age and scleral buckling with cryotherapy were determined to be significant factors for the postoperative development of an epiretinal membrane. Postoperative visual acuity increased in all cases. This study demonstrates that vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane results in an overall favorable functional outcome.
Cryotherapy ; Epiretinal Membrane ; Eye ; Follow-Up Studies ; Membranes ; Retinal Detachment ; Retinal Perforations ; Retinaldehyde ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Scleral Buckling ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy ; Vitreous Hemorrhage

PURPOSE: To evaluate the treatment outcome and prognostic factor of postoperative radiotherapy for extremity soft tissue sarcoma (STS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty three patients with extremity STS were treated with conservative surgery and postoperative radiotherapy from January 1981 to December 2010 at Korea University Medical Center. Median total 60 Gy (range, 50 to 74.4 Gy) of radiation was delivered and 7 patients were treated with chemotherapy. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 70 months (range, 5 to 302 months). Twelve patients (27.9%) sustained relapse of their disease. Local recurrence occurred in 3 patients (7.0%) and distant metastases developed in 10 patients (23.3%). The 5-year overall survival (OS) was 69.2% and disease free survival was 67.9%. The 5-year local relapse-free survival was 90.7% and distant relapse-free survival was 73.3%. On univariate analysis, no significant prognostic factors were associated with development of local recurrence. Histologic grade (p = 0.005) and stage (p = 0.02) influenced the development of distant metastases. Histologic grade was unique significant prognostic factor for the OS on univariate and multivariate analysis. Severe acute treatment-related complications, Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grade 3 or 4, developed in 6 patients (14.0%) and severe late complications in 2 patients (4.7%). CONCLUSION: Conservative surgery with postoperative radiotherapy achieved a satisfactory rate of local control with acceptable complication rate in extremity STS. Most failures were distant metastases that correlate with tumor grade and stage. The majority of local recurrences developed within the field. Selective dose escalation of radiotherapy or development of effective systemic treatment might be considered.
Academic Medical Centers ; Disease-Free Survival ; Extremities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence ; Sarcoma ; Treatment Outcome

Unmet healthcare needs do not end with the phenomenon itself, but lead to possibilities of increased severity of illness. Missed opportunities for treatment at the right timing increase possibilities of complications, and affect prognosis of disease. To examine current status and trends of unmet needs in Korea, we used data from four sources: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHNES, '2007–2016); the Community Health Survey (CHS '2008–2016); the Korea Health Panel Survey (KHP '2011–2014); and the Korean Welfare Panel Study (KOWEPS '2006–2016). The proportion of individual reporting unmet healthcare needs as of 2016 was 8.8% (KNHNES), 11.5% (CHS), and 12.8% (KHP, as of 2014). Annual percentage change which characterizes trend for the follow-up period was −9.9%, −3.1%, and −1.3%, respectively. The proportion of individuals reporting unmet healthcare needs due to cost was 1.8% (KNHNES), 1.5% (CHS), and 3.0% (KHP). The proportion of households reporting unmet healthcare needs due to cost was 1.0% (KOWEPS). Annual percentage change was −10.0%, −15.2%, −5.4%, and −17.5%, respectively. Low income populations had more unmet healthcare needs than high income populations. Therefore, in order to improve unmet healthcare needs, it is necessary to focus on low income populations.
Delivery of Health Care ; Family Characteristics ; Follow-Up Studies ; Health Surveys ; Korea ; Nutrition Surveys ; Population Growth ; Poverty ; Prognosis

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of pamidronate therapy in children and adolescents with secondary osteoporosis. METHODS: Nine patients (7 males, 2 females, 13.2 +/- 2.5 years, 10.1-17.4 years) with secondary osteoporosis who had a history of severe bone pain and/or fracture were enrolled. Intravenous pamidronate 1.5 mg/kg (0.5 mg/kg for 3 consecutive days) was given every 6 to 8 weeks for 0.86 +/- 0.15 years (6 or 8 cycles). Bone mineral density (BMD) in lumbar spine and femoral neck and their Z-scores were measured before treatment, after the fourth and last cycle (sixth or eighth cycle). RESULTS: Underlying diseases were as follows; neurofibromatosis type 1 (n = 2), epilepsy with/without cerebral palsy (N=2), autoimmune disease treated with steroid (n = 2), hematologic malignancy (n = 3). Bone pain was relieved in most of the patients after the first cycle of treatment, and no more fracture occurred thereafter. There was a significant increase in BMD Z-score of the lumbar spine and femoral neck after the last cycle of therapy, compared to baseline values (from -3.91 +/- 1.79 to 1.86 +/- 1.18, in L1-4 and -3.71 +/- 1.83 to -2.53 +/- 1.77 for femoral neck; P = 0.008 and 0.011, respectively). However, there was no significant change in BMD Z-scores between the fourth cycle and the last cycle. Fever developed in 7 out of 9 patients (77.8%), which was relieved by antipyretics. Total serum levels of calcium and phosphorus were significantly decreased (calcium, P = 0.008; phosphorus, P = 0.015) after pamidronate therapy, and three of them experienced symptomatic hypocalcemia during the first cycle. The growth velocity was normal during follow-up periods (mean, 4.47 +/- 1.69 years; range, 1.05 to 6.77 years). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, pamidronate can be administered to the patients with secondary osteoporosis, relieving the symptoms and signs effectively and safely. However, its side effects should be monitored during treatment.
Adolescent ; Antipyretics ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Bone Density ; Calcium ; Cerebral Palsy ; Child ; Diphosphonates ; Epilepsy ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; Humans ; Hypocalcemia ; Male ; Neurofibromatosis 1 ; Osteoporosis ; Phosphorus ; Spine

PURPOSE: Short sleep duration is associated with obesity. Urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (6-OHMS), the principal metabolite of melatonin, is closely related with sleep. We evaluated the difference in urinary 6-OHMS levels between obese girls and normal weight girls, and the relationship of urinary 6-OHMS with other hormones regulating body weight and metabolism. METHODS: A total of 79 girls (6.3 to 12.4 years) were included in this study, of whom 34 were obese; 15, overweight; and 30, normal-weight. We examined their pubertal status and bone age. Fasting serum levels of total ghrelin, leptin, insulin, and first morning urinary 6-OHMS were measured. Homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated from the fasting insulin and glucose levels. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the creatinine adjusted 6-OHMS levels between the obese girls and the control group. Urinary 6-OHMS did not show any correlations with body mass index (BMI), BMI percentile, total ghrelin, leptin, and HOMA-IR. Negative correlations were found between urinary 6-OHMS levels and chronological and bone ages. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that melatonin production is not reduced consistently in obese girls.
Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Child ; Creatinine ; Fasting ; Ghrelin ; Glucose ; Humans ; Insulin ; Leptin ; Melatonin ; Obesity

Oxidative stress is induced by an imbalanced redox states, involving either excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or dysfunction of the antioxidant system. The brain is one of organs especially vulnerable to the effects of ROS because of its high oxygen demand and its abundance of peroxidation-susceptible lipid cells. Previous studies have demonstrated that oxidative stress plays a central role in a common pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Antioxidant therapy has been suggested for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, although the results with regard to their efficacy of treating neurodegenerative disease have been inconsistent. In this review, we will discuss the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases and in vivo measurement of an index of damage by oxidative stress. Moreover, the present knowledge on antioxidant in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and future directions will be outlined.
Alzheimer Disease ; Brain ; Neurodegenerative Diseases* ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Oxidative Stress* ; Oxygen ; Parkinson Disease ; Reactive Oxygen Species