STUDY DESIGN: Lumbar disc degeneration and segmental instability of the lumbar spine are causes of low back pain. Disc degeneration causes specific changes of the intervertebral disc, and could affect anatomic variations of end plate and vetebral body. However, the exact relationship between degenerative changes of the intervertebral disc and segmental motion characteristics is not known. It is known that radial tears of the annulus fibrosus initiate or accompany degenerative process of nucleus pulposus and the motion segment. It is hypothesis of this study that the existence of radial tear in the annulus fibrosis affects 3 dimension motion characteristics of motion segment. For the purpose, the degree of intervertebral disc degeneration is newly classified by existence of radial tear. Then, the resulting biomechanical motions are investigated. OBJECTIVES: To investigate effects of disc degeneration by the classification on kinematic motions of the motion segment from human lumbar spine and to suggest a quantified method to determine spinal instability in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 spinal motion segments from human lumbar spine was used for this study. To measure 3 dimensioal motion of the motion segments, Vicon system(Oxford, England) with 3 cameras reflective markers and VAX station was used. 6 kinds of pure moments(flexion, extension, right and left axial rotation, and right and left lateral bending) were applied to the motion segments using dead weight for each loading step. At the end of test(maximum loading), motion segments were frozen for anatomical study. For making clear the degree of the degeneration of the disc, a new classification based on MRI results was used: Grade 1 is a normal young disc without tear; Grade 2 is a normal aging disc without radial tear; Grade 3 is a degenerative disc with radial tear; and Grade 4 is a severely degenerative disc with radial tear and other degeneration such as showing decreased disc height. RESULTS: The upper lumbar specimens with radial tears has increased flexion motions as compared to the normal group. Also, the right and left axial rotation in radial tear group increased as compared to the normal group. However, there were no statistical differences in other motions. For the lower lumbar specimens, there were no significant differences in measured motions in all directions between the normal and radial tear groups CONCLUSIONS: These results suggests that the segmental motions are affected by radial tear in the intervertebral disc. Thus, the radial tear in the annulus fibrosus of lumbar intervertebral disc could cause the instability of lumbar spine. Further research is required to determine the relationship between other structural changes and biomechanical characteristics, and future studies should include in vivo investigations to correlate these findings to patients'symptoms.
Aging ; Classification ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; Low Back Pain ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Spine

PURPOSE: Chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (CITP) is an autoimmune disease caused by autoantibodies reacting to certain antigens, and platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa and GP Ib/IX complexes are thought to be some of those antigens. However, the clinical significance of anti-GP autoantibodies in CITP patients is unknown. In this study, we investigated the clinical correlation between the presence of circulating autoantibodies against GP IIb/IIIa and GP Ib/IX, and disease activity. MEHTODS: From December 1997 to June 1998, 20 CITP patients were enrolled in this study. Autoantibodies against GP IIb/IIIa and GP Ib/IX in patient's sera during treatment were detected by immunoblotting, and their platelet counts at the initial evaluation and 6 month follow-up were compared according to the presence or the absence of antibodies. RESULTS: Autoantibodies to GP antigens were found in 40% (8/20) of the patients. Seven patients were positive for GP IIb/IIIa; 4 for GP Ib/IX and 3 for both. GP autoantibody-positive patients had lower mean platelet counts than GP autoantibody-negative patients at initial evaluation (133,000/microliter vs 172,000/microliter, P>0.05) and at 6 month follow-up (154,000/microliter vs 192,000/microliter, P>0.05). Detection of GP autoantibodies related more with active disease than with remission at initial evaluation (45.5%(5/11) vs 33.3%(3/9), P>0.05) and at 6 month follow-up (50.0%(5/10) vs 30.0% (3/10), P>0.05). There was no detection of GP-specific antibodies in 3 splenectomized patients. CONCLUSION: It is hard to conclude on our data alone that the presence of GP autoantibodies correlates with disease status in CITP, although it seems to associate with lower platelet counts.
Antibodies ; Autoantibodies* ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Blood Platelets* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glycoproteins ; Humans ; Immunoblotting ; Platelet Count ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic*

PURPOSE: Chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (CITP) is an autoimmune disease caused by autoantibodies reacting to certain antigens, and platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa and GP Ib/IX complexes are thought to be some of those antigens. However, the clinical significance of anti-GP autoantibodies in CITP patients is unknown. In this study, we investigated the clinical correlation between the presence of circulating autoantibodies against GP IIb/IIIa and GP Ib/IX, and disease activity. MEHTODS: From December 1997 to June 1998, 20 CITP patients were enrolled in this study. Autoantibodies against GP IIb/IIIa and GP Ib/IX in patient's sera during treatment were detected by immunoblotting, and their platelet counts at the initial evaluation and 6 month follow-up were compared according to the presence or the absence of antibodies. RESULTS: Autoantibodies to GP antigens were found in 40% (8/20) of the patients. Seven patients were positive for GP IIb/IIIa; 4 for GP Ib/IX and 3 for both. GP autoantibody-positive patients had lower mean platelet counts than GP autoantibody-negative patients at initial evaluation (133,000/microliter vs 172,000/microliter, P>0.05) and at 6 month follow-up (154,000/microliter vs 192,000/microliter, P>0.05). Detection of GP autoantibodies related more with active disease than with remission at initial evaluation (45.5%(5/11) vs 33.3%(3/9), P>0.05) and at 6 month follow-up (50.0%(5/10) vs 30.0% (3/10), P>0.05). There was no detection of GP-specific antibodies in 3 splenectomized patients. CONCLUSION: It is hard to conclude on our data alone that the presence of GP autoantibodies correlates with disease status in CITP, although it seems to associate with lower platelet counts.
Antibodies ; Autoantibodies* ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Blood Platelets* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glycoproteins ; Humans ; Immunoblotting ; Platelet Count ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to provide the hearing threshold levels in the elderly Korean population, and to compare Korean data with that in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 7029 (2000). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data were collected from a total of 526 ears from 112 males and 151 females aged 60-84 years. All participants were screened otologically by the procedure given in ISO 8253-1 (2010). RESULTS: Results showed that the pure-tone average was gradually elevated with increasing age. The amount of hearing loss was greater in males than in females, and the high frequency hearing thresholds were worse than the low frequency hearing thresholds in males and females. The hearing threshold levels were higher at low frequencies in males and at all frequencies in females than the norms of ISO 7029 (2000). CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study will be partly used for standardization of hearing thresholds as a function of age in Korea and for updating the ISO 7029.
Aged ; Aging ; Audiometry, Pure-Tone ; Ear ; Female* ; Hearing Loss ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; Hearing* ; Humans ; Korea ; Male* ; Presbycusis

No abstract available.
Ear Cartilage ; Ectropion ; Eyelids ; Transplants

Background and Objectives: Auditory training involves active listening to auditory stimuli, and it has garnered attention in recent years because it enhances speech-in-noise recognition and the satisfaction of hearing aids. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of a closed-set auditory training protocol for adult hearing aid users. We also evaluated the retention effect of training at a 1-month follow-up test after the completion of training. Subjects and Methods: Twenty-two hearing-impaired listeners who have used bilateral hearing aids for more than two months participated in this study. Out of 22 participants, 12 participants (training group, TG) received an 8-week auditory training while 10 participants did not receive any training (non-training group, NTG). For training, three types of closed-set training materials (environmental sounds, words, and sentences) were used. The training was conducted eight times over eight weeks (one session per week, about one hour per session). The difficulty level was adjusted by controlling the number of closed-set choices and the signal-to-noise ratios. To determine the efficacy of training, open-set speech recognition abilities and subjective hearing aid satisfaction were evaluated. Results: All the open-set speech recognition performances of the TG were enhanced after the closed-set auditory training, while the performance of the NTG was not significantly changed. The auditory training had a positive impact on the TG individuals’ subjective satisfaction of hearing aids. The improvement from training was maintained over one month after the completion of the auditory training. Conclusion The closed-set auditory training protocol might lead to enhanced speech understanding as well as more satisfaction with hearing aids for adult hearing aid users.

The purpose of this study was to investigate food sanitation status in elderly welfare facilities and assess the performance of food sanitation practices. Twenty elderly welfare facilities out of 85 located in Seoul with a capacity of fewer than 50 persons participated. The food sanitation status of worktable, kitchen utensils (knives, cutting boards, ladles, spoons), and tableware and bowls were examined by ATP bioluminescence. The results found that the ATP value of knife was the highest. Those of ladles appeared relatively higher than others. Meanwhile, the tableware and bowls, although washed everyday after meals, had the lowest ATP value. This study also conducted a survey on the food sanitation practices of 32 cooking employees in the 20 facilities. Fifty-six percent were in their 40s, and 53% had graduated from high school. More than half (66%) of them had no certification of cooking. Half of the respondents had worked for at least 5 years in food service facilities, and had received food sanitation training. Among them, 31% said they applied food sanitation training while working, and 47% responded the training was very helpful. The foodservice employees demonstrated good food sanitation practices. The results show that food sanitation performance of the workers significantly differed according to their age, education level, total work experience in food service facilities, chef certification, and prior food sanitation experience.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Aged ; Certification ; Cooking ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Food Services ; Humans ; Meals ; Sanitation

PURPOSE: This study examines the effects of a rehabilitation program on quality of life (QoL), cardiopulmonary function, and fatigue in breast cancer patients. The program included aerobic exercises as well as stretching and strengthening exercises. METHODS: Breast cancer patients (n=62) who had completed chemotherapy were randomly assigned to an early exercise group (EEG; n=32) or a delayed exercise group (DEG; n=30). The EEG underwent 4 weeks of a multimodal rehabilitation program for 80 min/day, 5 times/wk for 4 weeks. The DEG completed the same program during the next 4 weeks. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), EORTC Breast Cancer-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-BR23), predicted maximal volume of oxygen consumption (VO2max), and fatigue severity scale (FSS) were used for assessment at baseline, and at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. RESULTS: After 8 weeks, statistically significant differences were apparent in global health, physical, role, and emotional functions, and cancer-related symptoms such as fatigue and pain, nausea, and dyspnea on the EORTC QLQ-C30; cancer-related symptoms involving the arm and breast on the EORTC QLQ-BR23; the predicted VO2max; muscular strength; and FSS (p<0.050), according to time, between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggest that a supervised multimodal rehabilitation program may improve the physical symptoms, QoL, and fatigue in patients with breast cancer.
Arm ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Drug Therapy ; Dyspnea ; Electroencephalography ; Exercise ; Fatigue* ; Humans ; Nausea ; Oxygen Consumption ; Quality of Life* ; Rehabilitation* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Acceptable noise level (ANL) is a measure of the maximum background noise level (BNL) that a person is willing to tolerate while following a target story. Although researchers have used various sources of target sound in ANL measures, a limited type of background noise has been used. Extending the previous study of Gordon-Hickey & Moore (2007), the current study determined the effect of music genre and tempo on ANLs as possible factors affecting ANLs. We also investigated the relationships between individual ANLs and the familiarity of music samples and between music ANLs and subjective preference. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-one participants were seperated into two groups according to their ANLs, 29 low-ANL listeners and 12 high-ANL listeners. Using Korean ANL material, the individual ANLs were measured based on the listeners' most comfortable listening level and BNL. The ANLs were measured in six conditions, with different music tempo (fast, slow) and genre (K-pop, pop, classical) in a counterbalanced order. RESULTS: Overall, ANLs did not differ by the tempo of background music, but music genre significantly affected individual ANLs. We observed relatively higher ANLs with K-pop music and relatively lower ANLs with classical music. This tendency was similar in both low-ANL and high-ANL groups. However, the subjective ratings of music familiarity and preference affected ANLs differently for low-ANL and high-ANL groups. In contrast to the low-ANL listeners, the ANLs of the high-ANL listeners were significantly affected by music familiarity and preference. CONCLUSIONS: The genre of background music affected ANLs obtained using background music. The degree of music familiarity and preference appears to be associated with individual susceptibility to background music only for listeners who are greatly annoyed by background noise (high-ANL listeners).
Humans ; Music* ; Noise* ; Recognition (Psychology)

OBJECTIVES: To determine how normal-hearing adults (NHA), normal-hearing children (NHC) and children wearing cochlear implants (CI) differ in the perceptual weight given cues for fricative consonants (having a comparatively long static cue and short transition cue) versus stop consonants (having a comparatively short static cue and long transition cue). METHODS: Ten NHA, eleven 5- to 8-year-old NHC and eight 5- to 8-year-old children wearing CI were participated. Fricative /su/-/integralu/ and stop /pu/-/tu/continua were constructed by varying the fricative/burst cue and the F2 onset transition cue. A quantitative method of analysis (analysis of variance model) was used to determine cue weighting and measure cue interaction within groups. RESULTS: For the fricative consonant, all groups gave more weight to the frication spectral cue than to the formant transition. For the voiceless stop consonant, all groups gave more weight to the transition cue than to the burst cue. The CI group showed similar cue weighting strategies to age-matched NHC, but integration of cues by the CI group was not significant. CONCLUSION: All groups favored the longer-duration cue in both continua to make phonemic judgments. Additionally, developmental patterns across groups were evident. Results of the current study may be used to guide development of CI devices and in efforts to improve speech and language of children wearing CIs.
Adult ; Child* ; Cochlear Implantation ; Cochlear Implants* ; Cues* ; Humans ; Judgment