Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the effect of the intervention of Williams exercise and McKenzie exercise on pain level or disability index in patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: A total of 119 patients (male, 52; female, 67) with spinal disorders over the age of 45 years who were treated for back pain in orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, and pain clinic. It was divided into Williams exercise group (WE group, n=61) and McKenzie exercise group (ME group, n=58), and the trained exercise program was performed for 8 weeks. Twice a day, exercise for at least 30 minutes. Measurement tools include the visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Results: Both the WE and ME groups showed a statistically significant decrease in VAS and ODI scores. In the case of ODI, the ME group showed more effect. In detail, the WE group had a greater exercise effect on the ‘standing’ and ‘walking’ items, and the ME group had a greater exercise effect on the ‘sitting’ and ‘sleeping’ items. Conclusion Williams exercise and McKenzie exercise for 8 weeks in patients with chronic low back pain have an effect on the patients’ subjective pain and ODI. In particular, Williams exercise can be recommended for patients who have difficulty standing or walking. In addition, McKenzie exercise can be recommended for patients who have a hard time sitting daily.

BACKGROUND: Recently authentic human growth hormone(hGH) has produced in the E coli K-12, W3110 by recombinant DNA tecbnology in Korea In this paper, the clinical efficacy and immunogenicity of this GH was shdied in 38 children with growth hormone deficiency during therapy of 1 year. METHODS: The subjects of this study were aged 4.9-13.9 years, diagnosed by failure of plasma GH to respond to insulin-induced hypoglycemia, arginine and/or L-dopa loading and height below -2 standard deviation of mean for their chronological age. Each patient received GH 0.5-0.7IU/kg/week subcutaneously in 6-7 divided doses. During treatment, vital signs, height, body weight and bone age were checked every 3 months. Complete blood count, urinalysis, blood chemistry and thyroid hormone were checked before and every 6 months. The measurement of serum IGF-1 level and antibody against hGH were performed before and every 6 months during therapy of I year. RESULT: The height velocities significantly increased from 3.3 +/- 1.5cm/year to 10.1 +/- 2.5 and 9.0 +/- 1.8cm/year at 6 and 12 months of therapy, respectively. The height standard deviation score for chronological age were significantly improved from -2.141.50 to -1.74 +/- 1.43 and -1.54 +/- 1.38 at 6 and 12 months of therapy with increasing ratio of bone age to chronological age from 0.72 +/- 0.15 at pretreatment to 0.76 +/- 0.15 at 6 month, 0.79 +/- 0.16 at 12 month of therapy. The plasma IGF-1 level significantly increased during treatment. One of 36 patients(2.8%) showed positive antibody against hGH after 1 year of treatment. During therapy of 1 year, unwanted and remarkable clinical side effect were not observed in all subjects. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that this E. coli derived authentic recombinant growth hormone is very effective in stimulating linear growth in children with growth hormone deficiency.
Arginine ; Blood Cell Count ; Body Height ; Chemistry ; Child* ; DNA, Recombinant ; Escherichia coli ; Growth Hormone* ; Human Growth Hormone ; Humans* ; Hypoglycemia ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Korea ; Levodopa ; Plasma ; Thyroid Gland ; Urinalysis ; Vital Signs

Ovarian myoma is a rare mesenchymal tumor, accounting for only 1% of benign ovarian neoplasm. These tumors only originate from smooth muscle on the walls of blood vessels in the cortical stroma, in the corpus luteum and in the ovarian ligaments at the point of attachment to the ovary. Most patients are asymptomatic and the tumors are usually found incidently during operations or at autopsies. Two cases of ovarian myoma experienced in our hospital recently are reported with a brief review of the literatures."
Autopsy ; Blood Vessels ; Corpus Luteum ; Female ; Humans ; Leiomyoma* ; Ligaments ; Muscle, Smooth ; Myoma ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Ovary

Earlier work suggested that Ginseng saponin had an effect on healing of fracture and osteoporosis, hut there has heen no report on saponin effects on cultured osteoblast. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of saponin on cultured osteovlast of the mouse. Osteohlastic cells were isolated from periosteum-stripped parietal bones of neonatal rat calvaria, seeded at 4 x 10 4 cells/cm2 density, and cultured in standard medium and deficient medium, with addition of saponin (0(control), 10, 20, 50 microgram/ml concentration). Plating efficiency(adhesiveness), proliferation and the alkaline phosphatase activity of the osteohlasts were evaluated on 2 hours, days 2 and 7 of culture. Saponin was found to enhance the adhesiveness of seeded osteoblasts which were cultured with a deficient medium in comparison to the controls. It promoted cell proliferation of the osteoblasts cultured with a deficient medium in comparison to the controls. There was also a significantly enhanced increase of alkaline phosphatase levels in the presence of saponin during culture with deficient medium in comparison to the controls. In summary, the results showed that the saponin increased adhesiveness, proliferation and the alkaline phosphatase activity of the osteoblast cultured only in deficient medium.
Adhesiveness ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Mice ; Osteoblasts* ; Osteoporosis ; Panax* ; Parietal Bone ; Rats ; Saponins* ; Skull

PURPOSE: Recombinant human growth hormone is an effective therapy for short-statured children born small for their gestational age (SGA). This single-arm, multicenter, phase III clinical study of such children was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of treating them with recombinant human-growth-hormone (Eutropin(TM) Inj.) for 6 months. METHODS: Between 2005 and 2007, 30 treatment naive, prepubertal, short-statured SGA-born children were recruited as participants. Eutropin(TM) Inj. was administered for 6 months with a subcutaneous dose of 0.48 mg/kg/wk. The primary endpoint was the change in height velocity from the baseline to month 6. Various parameters were checked to obtain secondary outcome measures and to meet safety criteria. RESULTS: Height velocity significantly increased from 5.36 +/- 1.59 cm/yr at baseline to 10.66 +/- 2.03 cm/yr at month 6 (P < 0.0001). Secondary outcome measures (height velocity at month 3, height SDS for chronological age (CA), weight SDS for CA, bone maturation, and IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels) were also significantly increased. Eutropin(TM) Inj. was well tolerated and safe over 6 months of treatment. CONCLUSION: The clinical efficacy and safety of Eutropin(TM) Inj. was demonstrated for the 6 month treatment of prepubertal children with short stature due to SGA. Further long-term study is needed.
Child ; Gestational Age ; Human Growth Hormone ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care)

The purpose of this study was to find out the relationship between waist circumference, muscular strength, flexibility, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Furthermore, the cut-off values of the physical fitness factors according to the baPWV were also calculated. The study was derived with total of 1,562 males (1,116 middle-aged and 446 old-aged). They were tested participant's baPWV, waist circumference, cardiopulmonary fitness, grip strength and flexibility. The results of this study is that the baPWV of the middle-aged men did not show significant changes in relationship with the waist circumference and physical fitness factors. The old-aged group with normal abdominal fat and high physical fitness level (group 4) showed significant baPWV values in comparison to those with waist circumference and low physical fitness levels (group 1); cardiorespiratory fitness p=0.026, grip strength p=0.000, flexibility p=0.000. The cut-off values of the physical fitness such as cardiorespiratory fitness, grip strength, flexibility according to the baPWV were 31.2 mL/kg/min (area under curve [AUC], 0.692; p=0.027), 37.0 kg (AUC, 0.588; p=0.014), and 1.0 cm (AUC, 0.589; p=0.014), respectively. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that waist circumference, cardiorespiratory fitness as well as muscular strength and flexibility effect inversely on arterial stiffness.
Abdominal Fat ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Physical Fitness ; Pliability ; Pulse Wave Analysis ; Vascular Stiffness ; Waist Circumference

Schistosomiasis is one of the important neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Tanzania, particularly in Lake Victoria zone. This baseline survey was a part of the main study of integrated control of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) aimed at describing morbidity patterns due to intestinal schistosomiasis among adults living on Kome Island, Sengerema District, Tanzania. Total 388 adults from Kome Islands (about 50 people from each village) aged between 12 and 85 years, were examined by abdominal ultrasound according to the Niamey protocol. Liver image patterns (LIPs) A and B were considered normal, and C-F as distinct periportal fibrosis (PPF). The overall prevalence of PPF was 42.2%; much higher in males than in females (47.0% in male vs 34.4% in females, P=0.007). Abnormal increase of segmental branch wall thickness (SBWT) and dilated portal vein diameter (PVD) were also more common in males than in females. Hepatosplenomegaly was frequently encountered; 68.1% had left liver lobe hepatomegaly and 55.2% had splenomegaly. Schistosoma mansoni-related morbidity is quite high among adults in this community justifying the implementation of integrated control strategies through mass drug administration, improved water supply (pumped wells), and health education that had already started in the study area.
Abdomen/ultrasonography ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Animals ; Child ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Islands ; Lakes ; Liver Diseases, Parasitic/diagnosis/*epidemiology/*pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Schistosomiasis mansoni/diagnosis/*epidemiology/*pathology ; Sex Factors ; Splenic Diseases/diagnosis/*epidemiology/parasitology/*pathology ; Tanzania/epidemiology ; Young Adult

The objective of this study was to carry out a community survey on schistosomiais and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in order to suggest feasible and effective intervention strategies in Lake Victoria basin, Tanzania. A total of 37 communities selected from 23 districts of the 4 regions in the Lake Victoria basin of Tanzania were involved in the study. From each of the selected locality, 50 adult community members, 25 males and 25 females, were recruited for the study. Each study participant was requested to submit stool and urine specimens. From each stool specimen, duplicate Kato-Katz thick smears were prepared and microscopically examined for Schistosoma mansoni and STH eggs. Urine specimens were processed by the filtration technique and microscopically examined for Schistosoma haematobium eggs. Ultrasound examination for morbidity due to schistosomiasis was performed. Mass treatment was done using praziquantel and albendazole for schistosome and STHs infections, respectively. Out of 1,606 adults who provided stool specimens, 199 (12.4%) were positive for S. mansoni, 349 (21.7%) for hookworms, 133 (8.3%) for Ascaris lumbricoides, and 33 (2.0%) for Trichuris trichiura. Out of 1,400 participants who provided urine specimens, 25 (1.8%) were positive for S. haematobium eggs. Because of the co-endemicity of these afflictions and their impact on vulnerable population groups, the helminthiasis could be simultaneously treated with 2 drugs, praziquantel for schistosomiasis and albendazole for STHs.
Adult ; Albendazole/therapeutic use ; Animals ; Anthelmintics/therapeutic use ; Feces/parasitology ; Female ; Helminthiasis/drug therapy/*epidemiology/parasitology/*pathology ; Helminths/*classification/*isolation & purification ; Humans ; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/drug therapy/*epidemiology/parasitology/*pathology ; Lakes ; Male ; Microscopy ; Praziquantel/therapeutic use ; Prevalence ; Schistosomiasis/drug therapy/*epidemiology/parasitology/*pathology ; Tanzania/epidemiology ; Urine/parasitology

The objectives of this study was to conduct a survey on schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in order to come up with feasible control strategies in Lake Victoria basin, Tanzania. Depending on the size of the school, 150-200 schoolchildren were recruited for the study. Duplicate Kato-Katz stool smears were prepared from each child and microscopically examined for Schistosoma mansoni and STHs. Urine specimens were examined for Schistosoma haematobium eggs using the filtration technique. After the survey, mass drug administration was done using praziquantel and albendazole for schistosomiasis and STHs infections, respectively. A total of 5,952 schoolchildren from 36 schools were recruited for the study and had their stool and urine specimens examined. Out of 5,952 schoolchildren, 898 (15.1%) were positive for S. mansoni, 754 (12.6%) for hookworms, 188 (3.2%) for Ascaris lumblicoides, and 5 (0.008%) for Trichuris trichiura. Out of 5,826 schoolchildren who provided urine samples, 519 (8.9%) were positive for S. haematobium eggs. The results revealed that intestinal schistosomiasis, urogenital schistosomiasis, and STH infections are highly prevalent throughought the lake basin. The high prevalence of intestinal and urogenital schistosomisiasis in the study area was a function of the distance from Lake Victoria, the former being more prevalent at localities close to the lake, whilst the latter is more so away from it. Control of schistosomiasis and STHs in the study area requires an integrated strategy that involves provision of health education to communities, regular treatments, and provision of adequate safe water supply and sanitation facilities.
Adolescent ; Albendazole/therapeutic use ; Animals ; Anthelmintics/therapeutic use ; Child ; Feces/parasitology ; Female ; Helminthiasis/drug therapy/*epidemiology/parasitology ; Helminths/*classification/*isolation & purification ; Humans ; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/drug therapy/*epidemiology/parasitology ; Male ; Praziquantel/therapeutic use ; Prevalence ; Schistosomiasis/drug therapy/*epidemiology/parasitology ; Schools ; Students ; Tanzania/epidemiology ; Urine/parasitology

OBJECTIVE: Disc herniations at the L1-L2 and L2-L3 levels are different from those at lower levels of the lumbar spine with regard to clinical characteristics and surgical outcome. Spinal canals are narrower than those of lower levels, which may compromise multiple spinal nerve roots or conus medullaris. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features and surgical outcomes of upper lumbar disc herniations. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical features of 41 patients who had undergone surgery for single disc herniations at the L1-L2 and L2-3 levels from 1998 to 2007. The affected levels were L1-L2 in 14 patients and L2-L3 in 27 patients. Presenting symptoms and signs, patient characteristics, radiologic findings, operative methods, and surgical outcomes were investigated. RESULTS: The mean age of patients with upper lumbar disc was 55.5 years (ranged 31 to 78). The mean follow-up period was 16.6 months. Most patients complained of back and buttock pain (38 patients, 92%), and radiating pain in areas such as the anterior or anterolateral aspect of the thigh (32 patients, 78%). Weakness of lower extremities was observed in 16 patients (39%) and sensory disturbance was presented in 19 patients (46%). Only 6 patients (14%) had undergone previous lumbar disc surgery. Discectomy was performed using three methods : unilateral laminectomy in 27 cases, bilateral laminectomy in 3 cases, and the transdural approach in 11 cases, which were performed through total laminectomy in 10 cases and unilateral laminectomy in 1 case. With regard to surgical outcomes, preoperative symptoms improved significantly in 33 patients (80.5%), partially in 7 patients (17%), and were aggravated in 1 patient (2.5%). CONCLUSION: Clinical features of disc herniations at the L1-L2 and L2-L3 levels were variable, and localized sensory change or pain was rarely demonstrated. In most cases, the discectomy was performed successfully by conventional posterior laminectomy. On the other hand, in large central broad based disc herniation, when the neural elements are severely compromised, the posterior transdural approach could be an alternative.
Buttocks ; Conus Snail ; Diskectomy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Lower Extremity ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Canal ; Spinal Nerve Roots ; Spine ; Thigh