BACKGROUNDS: Korean Activities of Daily Living(K-ADL) scale was developed to measure the elderly function. The aim of the present study was to establish the validity and reliability of Korean Activities of Daily Living(K-ADL) scale. METHODS: Clinical validity and convergent validity was tested. Reliability was tested by internal consistency(Cronbach's alpha), two weeks test-retest method, and interrator correlation. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha was 0.937. 2 weeks test-retest correlations in all 7 items were higher than 7.0. Interrator agreements were high in all 7 items(h=0.86~1.0). Nonnal control group had lower scores than patients group in all 7 items(p=0.000). Correlation coefficients between K-ADL score and braindisability grade was between -0.465(eating) and -0.696(bathing)(p=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Korean Activities of Daily Living(K-ADL) scale is a valid and reliable instrument. In the future, the studies showing an association between K-ADL and mortality, prognosis are needed.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Humans ; Korea ; Mortality ; Prognosis ; Reproducibility of Results*

A motivational interviewing (MI)-based brief intervention was performed with high-risk drinking outpatients screened at internal medicine settings in Korea after the doctor advised them to reduce alcohol consumption. Participants were assigned to a MI group or a control group where they received a brochure with information on the harm of high-risk drinking and tips on managing drinking habits. Four-week follow-up results showed that Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Concise (AUDIT-C) scores decreased in the MI group and the control group compared to baseline scores. The difference between groups was not significant; however, group by time interaction was significant between the two groups: the slope of decreasing AUDIT-C scores over time was greater in the intervention group than in the control group (P = 0.042). The findings suggest that short comments received from doctors might be a key component in performing brief interventions for high-risk drinking management in Korean clinical settings.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the biomechanical effects of three different constrained types of an artificial disc on the implanted and adjacent segments in the lumbar spine using a finite element model (FEM). METHODS: The created intact model was validated by comparing the flexion-extension response without pre-load with the corresponding results obtained from the published experimental studies. The validated intact lumbar model was tested after implantation of three artificial discs at L4-5. Each implanted model was subjected to a combination of 400 N follower load and 5 Nm of flexion/extension moments. ABAQUStrade mark version 6.5 (ABAQUS Inc., Providence, RI, USA) and FEMAP version 8.20 (Electronic Data Systems Corp., Plano, TX, USA) were used for meshing and analysis of geometry of the intact and implanted models. RESULTS: Under the flexion load, the intersegmental rotation angles of all the implanted models were similar to that of the intact model, but under the extension load, the values were greater than that of the intact model. The facet contact loads of three implanted models were greater than the loads observed with the intact model. CONCLUSION: Under the flexion load, three types of the implanted model at the L4-5 level showed the intersegmental rotation angle similar to the one measured with the intact model. Under the extension load, all of the artificial disc implanted models demonstrated an increased extension rotational angle at the operated level (L4-5), resulting in an increase under the facet contact load when compared with the adjacent segments. The increased facet load may lead to facet degeneration.
Information Systems ; Spine ; Total Disc Replacement

Background: Tea tree oil has antiviral, antimicrobial and antifungal effects and Mastic oil has antifungal and anticancer effects. For synergistic effects of oils, blending oil containing a mixture of two to three oils is recommended. This study aimed to determine the antibacterial effects of Tea tree oil, Mastic oil, and Blending oil containing the two oils in a mixture, to verify and suggest the potential use of these oils as a substance to prevent dental caries. Methods: Tea tree oil, Mastic oil, and Blending oil with a 1:1 blend of the two oils were diluted in liquid medium to 0% (negative control), 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0%. Streptococcus mutans was applied to each experimental group of the three diluted oils and after 8 h culture, the optical density (OD) was measured and the growth inhibition rate for S. mutans was estimated. Results: Tea tree oil had significantly low OD values across all concentrations (p<0.05) without significant variation among different concentrations (p>0.05). Mastic oil did not significantly vary in OD compared to the negative control across all concentrations (p>0.05) without significant variation among different concentrations (p>0.05). Blending oil, compared to the negative control, did not significantly vary in OD at 0.5% (p>0.05) but significant variation was found as the concentration increased (p<0.05). Additionally, for Tea tree oil and Mastic oil, the growth inhibition rate showed no significant variation according to concentration (p>0.05), whereas for Blending oil, the growth inhibition rate for S. mutans showed a significant difference at 1.0% (p<0.05) and at higher concentrations. Conclusion Blending oil containing a Tea tree oil and Mastic oil demonstrated a significant growth inhibition effect on S. mutans from the concentration of 1.0%, which suggested its potential use as an effective antibacterial agent for dental caries.

BACKGROUNDS: Katz index of ADL and Barthel index of ADL have been used to evaluate the function of disabled elderly in Korea. But no ADL scale reflecting Korean's own language expression and culture has been developed and verified yet. METHODS: Descriptions of basic activities which needed others' help were collected from 190 Korean disabled elderly. The collected results were categorized into basic activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, and then in each domain such as bathing, shopping, etc. Preliminary instrument items were selected by the judgement of the expert committee, considering the frequency of the responses and the importance of each item. A preliminary questionnaire was developed based on the selected items. The preliminary questionnaire was pretested twice, and corrected by the results. Finally a scholar on Korean literature verified the questionnaire on the grammar and context. RESULTS: A total of 408 basic activities of daily living and 242 instrumental activities of daily living were collected. The activities were categorized into 7 domains of ADL(dressing, washing face and hand, bathing, eating, transfer, toileting, continence) and 10 domains of IADL(decorating, housework, preparing meals, laundry, outgoing for a short distance, using transportation, shopping, handling money, using telephone, taking medicine) CONCLUSIONS: We developed a Korean Activities of Daily Living(K-ADL) scale and Korean Instrumental Activities of Daily Living(K-IADL) scale reflecting Korean elderly's own language expression and culture.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Baths ; Eating ; Hand ; Housekeeping ; Humans ; Korea ; Meals ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Telephone ; Transportation

PURPOSE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common, chronic inflammatory arthritis that develops most often in women. Gonadal hormones may account for the sexual dimorphism in the immune response and for the greater incidence of autoimmune disease in females. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), one of the gonadal hormones, plays an important role in immune system modulation. This study examined the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in GnRH on gender differences in the pathophysiology of RA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The presence of SNPs rs2659590, rs2321248, rs6186, rs6185, and rs2321049 in the human GnRH1 gene was confirmed in Korean RA patients by Taqman(R) SNP genotyping assays. A total of 153 unrelated female, Korean RA patients and 96 female Korean controls participated. RESULTS: There were no significant associations between GnRH1 polymorphisms and RA. However, we found that the rs2659590, rs6185 and rs2321248 polymorphism might be associated with a susceptibility to aberrantly high erythrocyte sedimentation rates in female RA patients. CONCLUSION: Additional studies, with a larger number of patients and in different populations will be required to assess whether GnRH1 polymorphisms and these haplotypes could be used as susceptibility or resistance markers in RA. To our knowledge, this study is the first to analyze associations between SNPs of GnRH1 and RA.
Arthritis ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Blood Sedimentation ; Female ; Gonadal Hormones ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Immune System ; Incidence ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

PURPOSE: We studied the feasibility and results of a tissue-engineered ileal conduit using a poly (epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) nano-sheet seeded with muscle-derived stem cells to replace a conventional ileal conduit in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Muscle-derived stem cells were isolated from the gastrocnemius muscle of female Sprague-Dawley rats (200-250 g, n=6) by use of a preplate technique and were cultured on a PCL nano-sheet. The PCL nano-sheet was implanted into the omentum of rats and was then made into a conical shaped conduit. Rats were sacrificed 4 and 8 weeks after implantation, and morphologic changes were assessed by H&E and immunofluorescence staining, including DAPI staining and staining for myogenin and myosin heavy chain (MyHC). RESULTS: All rats survived until the end of the experiment. A minimal inflammatory reaction was observed around the PCL nano-sheet in the 4 week specimens but was found to be reduced in the 8 week specimen. Muscle bundles were identified at week 4 as well as week 8 after implantation on H&E staining. Around the PCL sheet, immunostaining for both myogenin and MyHC were positive, indicating skeletal muscle differentiation and ingrowth into the PCL sheet. CONCLUSIONS: A PCL nano-sheet seeded with muscle-derived stem cells showed successful skeletal muscle differentiation at 4 and 8 weeks after implantation. This preliminary result supports the feasibility of a tissue-engineered ileal conduit using a PCL nano-sheet (seeded with muscle-derived stem cells) in place of conventional ileal conduits.
Animals ; Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Indoles ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Muscles ; Myogenin ; Myosin Heavy Chains ; Omentum ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seeds ; Stem Cells ; Tissue Engineering ; Urinary Diversion

The dystrophic type of neurofibromatosis is a well-known bizarre deformity of the spine. There has been little literature about spontaneous vertebral column dislocation in the thoracic spine with progressive neurological symptoms. The authors present a case of thoracic spine dislocation vertically and transversely with intact posterior elements. A 35-year-old woman had stooping and back pain for five years. She developed motor weakness of both lower extremities three months ago. Plain X-ray and three-dimensional CT scans showed dislocation between T5 and T6 vertebrae, that were which was translated transversely and vertically with severe resorption of vertebral pedicles of T5 and T6. After skeletal traction, motor weakness was improved. And we performed two-staged anterior and posterior fusion to stabilize severe kyphoscoliosis. The patient was improved neurologically with free ambulation state at 24-month follow-up. Combined anterior and posterior fusion was an effective method for the treatment spontaneous vertebral column dislocation in the thoracic spine with progressive neurological symptoms.
Adult ; Back Pain ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Dislocations* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Neurofibromatoses* ; Neurofibromatosis 1 ; Spine* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Traction ; Walking

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Coagulopathy is a common complication of snakebite, but there is little information on the clinical importance of coagulopathy. We analyzed the characteristics of coagulopathy after envenomation. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients who experienced snakebite were enrolled in this study. We divided all the patients into three groups by the ISTH DIC scoring system: the normal, simple coagulopathy and DIC groups. The coagulopathy group included both the simple coagulopathy and DIC groups. We then conducted a case-control study. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in the Hct, protein, albumin, ALP and cholesterol levels in the coagulopathy group, and only the cholesterol level was deceased in the DIC group (p<0.05). Leukocytosis and rhabdomyolysis were significantly associated with coagulopathy, and hemolysis and rhabdomyolysis were associated with DIC (p<0.05). The presence of rhabdomyolysis was considered a risk factor for coagulopathy (p<0.05). These conditions continued for up to six to seven days after the snakebite. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of coagulopathy with using these characteristics is helpful to properly manage the patients who experience snakebite.
Animals ; Blood Coagulation Disorders/*etiology ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Hemolysis/drug effects ; Humans ; Incidence ; Leukocytosis/etiology ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhabdomyolysis/etiology ; Risk Factors ; Snake Bites/*complications

Finger gangrene due to arterial occulussive disease is a rare condition in the upper extremity. Moreover, finger gangrene occurring in patients undergoing hemodialysis due to end-stage renal disease has been reported very rarely. We present a case of bilateral ring finger necrosis undergoing hemodialysis due to an end-stage renal disease.
Fingers ; Gangrene ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Necrosis ; Renal Dialysis ; Upper Extremity