OBJECTIVE: To examine the relative efficacy of three active exercise programs for work-related, chronic low back pain, and to observe to what extent the programs affected the mechanical stability of the lumbar region. METHODS: The subjects were 64 employees who were randomly divided into three groups to match the three active exercise programs which were performed 3 times a week for 6 months. All subjects were assessed with the same measurements at a pre-study examination, and then were reassessed at 2 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after the study. RESULTS: The pain intensity didn't show any significant difference among the three groups. However, the Oswestry Disability Index showed significant differences among the three groups at 6 months and the lumbar and thoracic exercise groups showed significant decreases compared to the general physiotherapy group (p<0.05). Maximal stretching with both hands in the overhead direction showed a significant difference among the three groups at 3 months and 6 months, and the thoracic exercise group at 6 months showed a significant increase in overhead stretching compared to the lumbar exercise and general physiotherapy groups (p<0.05). The lumbar region angle of inclination showed significant differences among the three groups at 2 weeks, 3 months and 6 months, with the thoracic exercise group being decreased significantly more than the lumbar exercise and general physiotherapy groups at 6 months (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise aimed at increasing thoracic mobility has an effect on lumbar stability. Furthermore, it is far more effective for lumbar stabilization than general physiotherapy and deep muscle strengthening lumbar exercise.
Hand ; Low Back Pain* ; Lumbosacral Region

PURPOSE: Ileostomy may affect various aspects of life style of the patient. Moreover the complication after ileostomy formation or closure may lower the life quality of the patient. The purpose of this study is to investigate ileostomy related complications and elucidate associated factors. METHODS: We recruited 103 patients who underwent ileostomy in Asan Medical Center between July 1989 and June 2000. All ileostomies are constructed through the rectus muscle at the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. To mnimize peristomal skin irritation, at least two to three centimeters of the ileum lies above the skin level. We analyzed complications after ileostomy formation in relation to underlying diseases, types and purpose of ileostomy. Also, we analyzed complication after ileostomy closure in relation to underlying diseases, time interval and method of take-down. Results are compared using chi-square test. Statistical significance was assigned to a P value of<0.05. RESULTS: Complications of ileostomy formation were developed in 17 (16.5%) cases; 8 peristomal dermatitis, 3 wound infection, 2 prolapse, 1 stenosis, 1 perforation, 1 bleeding, 1 high output ileostomy. There was no significant difference of complication rate in relation to underlying diseases, types and purpose of ileostomy. Ileostomy take-down was performed in 55 (53.4%) cases of 103 patients. Complications related with ileostomy take-down were developed in 18 (32.7%) cases; 7 wound infection, 5 intestinal obstruction, 2 incisional hernia, 2 enterocutaneous fistula, 1 anastomosis leakage, 1 bleeding. There was no significant difference of complication rate in relation to time interval or method of take-down. However, complication rate of ileostomy take-down was significantly increased in patient with inflammatory bowel disease. CONCLUSIONS: Ileostomy formation is simple and safe surgical procedure. We couldn't find any factor affecting the morbidity of ileostomy formation or closure. However, complication rate after ileostomy closure, especially in patient with inflammatory bowel disease, is relatively high.
Abdomen ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Dermatitis ; Hemorrhage ; Hernia ; Humans ; Ileostomy* ; Ileum ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; Intestinal Fistula ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Life Style ; Prolapse ; Quality of Life ; Skin ; Wound Infection

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study are to evaluate the effect of a school-based social skills training program on the emotional regulation of children and adolescents and to assess the plan for effective school-based mental health services. METHODS: The Child and Adolescent Mental health promotion team of Bugok National Hospital conducted school-based social skills training (N=90, 7 sessions) for elementary and middle school students. Evaluations were conducted before and after the application of the program using a prosocial behavior questionnaire, a cohesiveness questionnaire, the Korean version of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale, a self-esteem scale, and the Novaco anger scale, in order to identify any changes. RESULTS: The social skills training program increased the prosocial behavior and cohesiveness of the children and adolescents and decreased their alexithymic tendency and degree of anger, but did not significantly change their self-esteem. CONCLUSION: The social skills training program positively influences the emotional and behavioral levels of children and adolescents. The emotional regulation program based on a social skills training program is expected to have positive results in school-based mental health services. Future investigations are needed to validate the long term effects of this program.
Adolescent ; Affective Symptoms ; Anger ; Child ; Education* ; Humans ; Mental Health ; Mental Health Services ; Social Skills*

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a school-based social skills training program on peer relationships in children and adolescents and to assess the plan for effective school-based mental health services. METHODS: The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Promotion Team of Bugok National Hospital conducted 7-sessioned school-based social skills training for elementary and middle school students (n=90). Changes in peer relationships were evaluated before and after application of the program using a name generator question. RESULTS: The social skills training program increased peer relations, indicating significant changes in social network indices. CONCLUSION: The social skills training program positively influenced peer relationships. The school-based social skills training program can be expected to have positive effects on school-based mental health services. Future investigation is needed to validate the long term effects of this program.
Adolescent ; Child ; Education ; Humans ; Mental Health ; Mental Health Services ; Social Skills

Ginseng damping-off, caused by the fungal pathogens Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium sp., is a critical disease in ginseng seedling. In a continuing effort to find microorganisms with the potential of acting as a biocontrol agent against Rhizoctonia damping-off, we found that a Streptomyces sp. A501 showed significant antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani. In field experiment to test the efficacy of Streptomyces sp. A501 in controlling ginseng damping-off, the incidence of damping-off disease was meaningfully reduced when ginseng seeds were soaked in the culture broth of Streptomyces sp. A501 before sowing. To perform characterization of the antifungal compound, we isolated it from the culture broth of strain A501 through Diaion HP-20 and silica gel column chromatographies and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. The structure of the antifungal compound was assigned as fungichromin by spectroscopic methods, mainly nuclear magnetic resonance and electrospray ionization-mass analysis.
Chromatography ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Incidence ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Panax* ; Pythium ; Rhizoctonia ; Seedlings ; Silica Gel ; Streptomyces*