No abstract available.
Neural Conduction*

No abstract available.
H-Reflex*

No abstract available.
Surveys and Questionnaires*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of steroid administration on the apoptosis and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression after exercise in the animal model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. METHOD: We measured Bcl-2, BAX and HSP70 expression by western blotting. 20 control and 20 mdx mice were divided into free-living (n=10) and exercise (n=10) groups. Free-living and exercise groups were further divided into steroid-treated and sham-treated groups to evaluate the effect of steroid administration. RESULTS: Apoptosis was most prominent in the sham-treated exercise group, while apoptosis was significantly reduced in the steroid-treated exercise group. HSP70 expression was maximized in sham-treated exercise group, whereas steroid administration inhibited HSP70 expression after exercise in muscular dystrophy animal model. Exercise loading was found to cause severe apoptosis but steroid administration alleviated apoptotic damage in mdx mice. CONCLUSION: HSP70 expression was suppressed in the steroid-treated exercise group, which suggests steroid might have major preventive effect in exercise-induced apoptosis of muscular dystrophy animal model.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; Hot Temperature ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred mdx ; Models, Animal ; Muscular Dystrophies

The population enjoying ski had increased since 1970's in Korea. Recently, that of snowboarders has increased rapidly among young population. Patterns of injuries are somewhat different between two sport activities. The most commonly injured region is knee among skiers and wrist among snowboarders. Head injury, spinal injury, and abdominal injury are not so common but a few serious injuries had been reported in Korea. To prevent or minimize injuries, proper pre-seasonal training including muscle strengthening, proper selection of equipments, and instruction for both sport technique and protection for safety are important. Also primary care for the injured as well as delivery system for seriously injured population should be established.
Abdominal Injuries ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Knee ; Korea ; Primary Health Care ; Skiing* ; Spinal Injuries ; Sports ; Wrist

Rehabilitation is one of the five vital components of the healthcare system, along with prevention, promotion, treatment, and palliation. In Korea, inpatient rehabilitation service is inadequately supplied based on the low fee system for rehabilitation services and an absence of a standard for inpatient rehabilitation facility. Consequently, the length of hospital stays increases and the rate of successful post-rehabilitation return to the community is low. To provide intensive rehabilitation, US established ‘inpatient rehabilitation facility’ system and Japan established ‘restorative rehabilitation hospital system’. In 2020, a new accreditation system has been launched in South Korea with the aim to improve the country’s intensive inpatient rehabilitation services. This new system defines the standards of workforce management, facility, diagnostic category, comprehensive functional measure, onset and duration of inpatient rehabilitation, and fees for team conferences and social services for a successful return to the community. The system aims to achieve an effective and efficient inpatient rehabilitation system in Korea.

We report a case of a 53-year-old male with traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). He could not maintain a standing position because of painful spasticity in his lower limbs. A magnetic resonance imaging and electromyography indicated chronic lumbosacral radiculopathy, explaining his chronic low back pain before the injury. For diagnostic as well as therapeutic purposes, transforaminal epidural steroid injection (ESI) to the right L5 root was performed. After the intervention, the spasticity decreased and his ambulatory function improved. This case illustrates that lumbar radiculopathy concomitant with a cervical SCI can produce severe spasticity and it can be dramatically improved by ESI.
Electromyography ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; Lower Extremity ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Spasticity* ; Radiculopathy ; Spinal Cord Injuries* ; Spinal Cord*

Endoscopic sphincterotomy (E.S.T.) has relatively low complications and is the theraphy of choice in patients with common bile duct stones. It is also an useful technique for decompression of biliary tract obstruction. Thirty two cases of patients were selected according to opedrative risks: old age, severe jaundice and recurrent or retained bile duct stones after cholecystecomy from 1986 to 1988. The results were as follows, 1) In thirty two cases nf E.S.T., male to female ratio was 1:1.46. Most frequent age was older than 40 years. (male, 84.6%, female, 84.2%). 2) Out of thirty two cases, 20 cases (62.5% were under post clholecystectomy state, 12 eases (37.5%) were obstructive jaundice. 3) Spontaneous stone passage after E.S.T. was 81.3% (26 cases), and total stone remoral rate was 87.5% (28 cases), 4) Complications of E.S.T. were noted in three cases. In the two cases of bleeding, it was spontaneously improved and a case of acute pancreatitis was treated by medical care.
Bile Ducts ; Biliary Tract ; Common Bile Duct* ; Decompression ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Jaundice ; Jaundice, Obstructive ; Male ; Pancreatitis ; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic*

We report on operational and rehabilitation management, as well as the outcome, of a patient who with sustained spinal cord injury from a high velocity gunshot wound to the lumbar spine. More specifically, a patient with a gunshot wound to the spine is more likely to sustain a complete injury and have a poor prognosis. As such, there should be concerns regarding associated and extended injuries related to bullet fragmentation as well as the possibility of long-term sequelae.
Forensic Ballistics ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Spine ; Wounds, Gunshot

OBJECTIVE: To describe the classification and prognosis of the patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). METHOD: The medical records of thirty one patients, who were diagnosed as SMA by electromyography or muscle biopsy from January 1987 to December 1999, were reviewed retrospectively. Classification of SMA was mainly based on age at onset and achieved milestones. RESULTS: Patients with SMA type I, II and III were 17 (54.8%), 7 (22.6%) and 3 (9.7%) respectively. Four patients were unclassifiable due to functional improvements. Two patients who were classified as SMA type I, had achieved ability to sit unaided at last follow up (at 20 months and 24 months old). Two patients who were classified as SMA type II, could walk independently at last follow up (at 34 month and 26 years old). In three of SMA type I patients, functional improvements of rolling over and head control were achieved. CONCLUSION: Classification of SMA based on age at onset and achieved milestones was helpful in prediction of prog nosis. But 12.9% of SMA patients were not classifiable due to unexpeceted functional improvement.
Biopsy ; Classification* ; Electromyography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Muscular Atrophy, Spinal* ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies