BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the practice effect of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) after providing the subjects with knowledge of the results (KR). METHODS: Sixteen subjects with post-stroke hemiparesis volunteered to participate in this study. The 6MWT was performed by having the subjects take repeated walks along a 20-m walkway for 6 minutes; and the maximum distance walked was recorded. Two trials of the 6MWT were conducted under three conditions: no-KR, immediate-KR (providing knowledge of the time taken to complete each 20-m distance), and summary-KR (providing knowledge of the time taken to complete 60 m). RESULTS: The practice effects of all 3 conditions were determined by using the paired t-test, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with <0.75, and the Bland-Altman plot. The findings of the paired t-test showed a significant difference under the immediate-KR condition only; however, no significant differences were noted under the no-KR and summary-KR conditions. In a data agreement analysis across the two trials using the ICC, none of the obtained values under the three conditions were in an acceptable range indicative of a practice effect. In the Bland-Altman plot, a greater data variation was observed under the immediate-KR condition than under the other two conditions. When comparing the conditions, the immediate-KR condition differed significantly from the no-KR condition. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings do not support the presence of a practice effect across the 6MWT. However, a practice effect seems to be clinically possible when the immediate-KR condition is incorporated into this test.
Gait ; Paresis ; Stroke

The purpose of this study was to evaluate racial differences in head posture and the influence of head posture to the craniofacial morphology. The sample group of this study was made up of 51 Korean males and 120 Scandinavian Caucasian males. From the comparison of the cranio-cervical angels and the variables of craniofacial morphology between them, the following results were obtained. 1. the cranio-cervical angle (NSL/OPT) was on average 9.28 degrees larger in Koreans. 2. The length of the anterior cranial base (N-S) was on average 4.66mm shorter in Koreans. 3. The length of the maxillary base (sp-pm and ss-pm) were on average 2.75mm and 4.65mm shorter in Koreans respectively, the anterior maxillary height (n-sp) was on average 2.60mm longer, the posterior dimension (s-pm) was found to be 2.06mm longer in Koreans, and the maxillary inclination (NSL/NL) was identical in both samples. 4. The mandibular body length (pg-tgo) and ramus height (ar-tgo) were identical in the two groups, but the gonial angle (ML/RL) was 3.22 degrees smaller and the mandibular plane inclination (NSL/ML) was 2.44 degrees larger in Koreans. 5. The maxillary prognathism (s-n-sp and s-n-ss) and the mandibular prognathism (s-n-ss) were identical in both samples. 6. The sagittal jaw relationship (ss-n-pg) was 1.44 degrees larger in the Koreans sample, but the vertical jaw relationship (NL/ML) was not significantly different. 7. The anterior facial height (n-gn) was 5.57mm longer in the Koreans sample. 8. The mandibular alveolar prognathism (CL/ML) was 5.71 defrees greater and the interincisal angle (ILs/ILi) was 3.08 degrees more acute in Koreans. Taken together these results, craniofacial morphology can be influenced by the head posture defined by cranio-cervical angulation.
Head* ; Humans ; Jaw ; Male ; Posture* ; Prognathism ; Skull Base

BACKGROUND: It is difficult to manage intractable pain from advanced carcinoma of the upper abdomen. One method used to control pain associated with these malignancies is to block the splanchnic nerve. We investigated that VAS (visual analogue scale) difference before and after splanchnic nerve block (SNB) and pain relief day. Also we studied relationship between VAS before SNB and pain relief day. METHODS: A rewiew of 70 patients who took splanchnic nerve block (SNB) from September 1994 to February 1998 was carried out to assess age, sex, primary diseases, pain sites, VAS before and after SNB, date of diagnosis, date of SNB, date of death and pain relief day, etc. RESULTS: Of 70 patients, 44 were males and the remaining 26 were females. The causes of pain were stomach cancer 28 (40%), pancreatic cancer 18 (25%), gall bladder cancer 7 (10%), hepatoma 6 (8.6%) respcectively. Average day from diagnosis to SNB was 272 and average day from diagnosis to death was 341. So, patients died on the average 69 days after they took the splanchnic nerve block in pain clinic. VAS average before SNB was 8.01 and VAS average after SNB was 3.64. Patients felt pain relief during 35 days after SNB. Pain relief day of patients who had lower VAS before SNB was longer than that of patients who had higher VAS before SNB. CONCLUSION: Early application of splanchnic nerve block will make the patients endure the cancer pain more easily.
Abdomen ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Gallbladder Neoplasms ; Humans ; Male ; Pain Clinics ; Pain, Intractable ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Splanchnic Nerves* ; Stomach Neoplasms

Purpose: The purpose of our study aimed to identify the effect of static and dynamic bridge exercise with gym ball using gym ball on muscle activation of trunk and lower-limb in healthy individuals. Methods: A total of 20 healthy adults participated in this study. The individuals performed general bridge exercise, static and dynamic bridge exercise using gym ball. During the three methods of bridge exercises, electromyography (EMG) data (% maximum voluntary isometric contraction) of the rectus abdominis, erector spinae, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius were recorded using a wireless surface EMG system. Results: Rectus abdominis activation showed significantly greater during dynamic bridge exercise compared with general bridge exercise and dynamic bridge exercise. Erector spinae, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius were greater during static and dynamic bridge exercise compared with general bridge exercise. Conclusion Based on our results, bridge exercise using gym ball, particularly integrating lower-limb movement, could be a useful method to enhance muscle activation of trunk and lower-limb (rectus abdominis, erector spinae, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius).

We reviewed 67 cases of non-visualizing from September, 1979 to August, 1981. Among these, renal tuberculosis was the most common cause of non-visualizing kidney and renal or ureteral stone was thenext in number.
Kidney* ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Renal ; Ureter

Cytomegalovirus(CMV) rarely causes cutaneous rnanifestations. But since the recent development of organ transplants and the increased prevalence of AIDS, various skin manifestations of CMV infection such as varicelliform eruptions, perineal hulcerations, papular, purpurc and vesiculobllous lesions are increasing in immunocompromised subjects, Perineal ulceration is a typical cytomegalovirus-induced skin manifestation which exhibits similar morphology to herpes simplex viral infection. We describe a case of CMV-induced ulcer on labia majora in an AIDS patient, proven by histologic findings and immunohistochemistry. The patient was treated with ganciclovir and the lesion improved two months later.
Cytomegalovirus* ; Ganciclovir ; Herpes Simplex ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Prevalence ; Skin Manifestations ; Transplants ; Ulcer*

Intractable pain from nonresectable or recurrent cancer of upper abdominal organs has been treated in many ways. We chose the method of 50% alcohol celiac plexus block for the pain relief. The results were as follows: 1) It is relatively simple, highly effective, and a less hazardous means of palliative therapy. 2) Satisfactory pain relief was seen in 11 cases (91.7%), excluding 1 case (8.3%) with no improvement in hospitalization state. We concluded this block is remarkably safe as well as effective and should be employed more frequently.
Celiac Plexus* ; Hospitalization ; Methods ; Pain, Intractable ; Palliative Care

Recently, the emergency of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in Korea raised public concern regarding emerging infectious disease (EID) and affected the strategy for blood safety. Although some cases of EID such as West Nile virus in the United States and hepatitis E virus in Japan emerged in a restricted area, the emergence can rapidly affect the situation in other countries in a globalized society with advancements in transportation and international exchange. Because the risk of transfusion-mediated infection may occur by the agent of EID which can be transmitted through blood, the strategy for safety must be considered for agents that were not tested in the stage of blood donor screening. We reviewed the characteristics of transfusion-transmissible EIDs raising concerns worldwide and the strategies which had been adopted.
Blood Donors ; Blood Safety ; Communicable Diseases, Emerging* ; Emergencies ; Hepatitis E virus ; Humans ; Japan ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Middle East ; Transportation ; United States ; West Nile virus

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between urinary incontinence (UI) and low back pain (LBP) discomfort and disability, static balance, and demographic factors. METHODS: A total of 348 women aged 20-80 years were included in this cross-sectional study. The general characteristics of the subjects and the main outcome (UI condition, LBP discomfort, LBP disability, and static balance ability) were assessed by using clinical questionnaires and assessment tools. RESULTS: Of all the subjects, 22.8% had experienced UI. Women with UI showed a significantly higher relationship of LBP and disability, and static balance ability (P<0.01). We found a significant correlation between UI, age, LBP and disability, and static balance ability (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that UI correlates negatively with LBP discomfort, LBP disability, and static balance ability. Further studies should focus on the identification of the precise mechanisms underlying UI and its related physical symptoms and on the development of therapeutic strategies to manage this condition.
Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; Urinary Incontinence

PURPOSE: Imploding antrum (silent sinus) syndrome has clinical features of enophthalmos and hypoglobus after a downward collapse of inferior orbital wall with an ipsilateral volume decrease of maxillary sinus. We present a case of imploding antrum syndrome after an orbital decompression surgery. CASE SUMMARY: A 26-year-old female underwent inferomedial wall orbital decompression surgery through a caruncular approach to reduce exophthalmos. At 14 months after surgery, her right eye showed 2 mm of enophthalmos and orbital CT scan revealed both maxillary sinusitis. At 28 months after surgery, 3 mm of enophthalmos and hypoglobus of the right were observed, and an orbital CT scan was taken. Orbital CT scan showed a downward collapse of inferior orbital wall, a volume decrease and inward bowing of the maxillary sinus, and a maxillary opacification on the right side, which are typical findings of imploding antrum (silent sinus) syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Imploding antrum (silent sinus) syndrome after orbital decompression surgery is a rare complication. Considering that any prolapsed orbital fat after orbital decompression surgery could result in imploding antrum syndrome with hypoventilation of a maxillary sinus, care should be taken to keep the maxillo-ethmoidal interface (bony strut) intact, which helps maintain maxillary aeration.
Adult ; Decompression ; Enophthalmos ; Exophthalmos ; Eye ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoventilation ; Maxillary Sinus ; Maxillary Sinusitis ; Orbit