Purpose: The purpose of our study aimed to identify the effect of static and dynamic bridge exercise with gym ball using gym ball on muscle activation of trunk and lower-limb in healthy individuals. Methods: A total of 20 healthy adults participated in this study. The individuals performed general bridge exercise, static and dynamic bridge exercise using gym ball. During the three methods of bridge exercises, electromyography (EMG) data (% maximum voluntary isometric contraction) of the rectus abdominis, erector spinae, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius were recorded using a wireless surface EMG system. Results: Rectus abdominis activation showed significantly greater during dynamic bridge exercise compared with general bridge exercise and dynamic bridge exercise. Erector spinae, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius were greater during static and dynamic bridge exercise compared with general bridge exercise. Conclusion Based on our results, bridge exercise using gym ball, particularly integrating lower-limb movement, could be a useful method to enhance muscle activation of trunk and lower-limb (rectus abdominis, erector spinae, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius).

The present study was aim to evaluate the association between very long chain saturated fatty acids (VLSFAs) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Korean population. The study population were recruited from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VI (2013). Using the cross-sectional study design, socio-demographic factors, medical history, and clinical measurements were investigated according to quartiles of VLSFAs intake. The associations between each and sum of VLSFAs intake and MetS were assessed by logistic regression. The result indicated that higher intake of VLSFAs was significantly associated with favorable metabolic status, including lower levels of circulating triglyceride (TG) (p < 0.05). Additionally, subjects with higher intake of arachidic acid and total VLSFAs were negatively associated with MetS risk compared to subjects with lower intake of those fatty acids (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary VLSFAs intake was associated with metabolic risk factors and lower risk of MetS in Korean population.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Fatty Acids* ; Korea* ; Logistic Models ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Risk Factors ; Triglycerides

PURPOSE: We studied the value of clinical signs, laboratory findings and (99m)technetium dimercaptosuccinic acid(DMSA) scan in predicting the presence of vesicoureteral reflux(VUR) in children with first febrile urinary tract infection(UTI). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 84 hospitalized children with first febrile UTI was performed. They underwent DMSA scan and voiding cystourethrography(VCUG) during the acute phase, and were divided into three groups according to the results of the VCUG: absence of VUR, mild(grade I-II) and severe VUR(grade III-V). We studied the relation of VUR to age, gender, fever duration, causative organism, white blood cell count, serum C-reactive protein and result of DMSA scan. RESULTS: Among 84 patients, 6 had mild and 17 had severe VUR. Thirty-eight had abnormal DMSA scan. results Patients with VUR were older than those without VUR(P<0.01). There was a lower probability of infection with Escherichia coli in patients with severe VUR than in those with mild and absent VUR(P<0.01). An abnormal DMSA scan correlated with the presence and severity of VUR(P<0.05). Severe VUR was present in 10.9% of patients with normal DMSA scan. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the DMSA scan in predicting the presence of VUR were 69.6%, 63.9%, 42.1%, and 84.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: An abnormal DMSA scan correlated to the presence and severity of VUR, but the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of the DMSA scan were low. Therefore, patient with an abnormal DMSA scan requires a VCUG. In order to prevent missing the 10.9% of patients with severe VUR but normal DMSA scans, a VCUG should be performed in patient with normal DMSA scan.
C-Reactive Protein ; Child* ; Child, Hospitalized ; Escherichia coli ; Fever ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Succimer ; Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract* ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux

Background: Visual aura (VA) occurs mostly in migraine with aura (MA), but some case studies have reported aura in non-migraine headaches. Thus, information of VA in nonmigraine headaches is scarce. Aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and impact of VA in non-migraine headache and compare it with that of migraine headache. Methods: This study was a nationwide population-based study. We used an internet-based headache diagnosis questionnaire to diagnose headache, and various modules to evaluate clinical features and comorbidities of participants with headache. We defined migraine headache as migraine and probable migraine (PM), whereas non-migraine headache was defined as a headache but not migraine or PM. VA was defined as a self-reporting VA rating scale score ≥ 3. Results: Of the 3,030 participants, 1,431 (47.2%) and 507 (16.7%) had non-migraine headache and migraine headache, respectively. VA prevalence was much lower in the non-migraine headache group than in the migraine headache group (14.5% [207/1,431] vs. 26.0% [132/507], P < 0.001). In subjects with non-migraine headache, those with VA had a markedly higher number of headache days per 30 days (median [25th –75th percentiles]: 2.0 [1.0–5.0] vs. 2.0 [1.0–3.0], P < 0.001), and headache-related disability (6.0 [3.0–16.0] vs. 2.0 [0.0–7.0], P < 0.001) than those without VA. VA prevalence did not differ significantly according to age and sex. Conclusion Non-migraine headache with VA patients had more severe symptoms than those without VA. These findings may improve the understanding of VA and the management of individuals with non-migraine headache.

Purpose: This study sought to identify the effects of an insole applied for the flexible flat-foot condition on dynamic balance and ankle muscle activities during the Y-balance test (YBT). Methods: Thirteen flexible flat-footed adults and an equal number of normal-footed adults were enrolled. The dynamic balance of the subjects was measured using the YBT, which is a reach test. While they were reaching forward with their foot, the percentage maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the tibialis anterior, peroneus longus and medial and lateral gastrocnemius were measured and analyzed. The flat-footed group then applied the ready-made insoles and underwent the YBT again. A comparison of the distance and muscle activity was conducted using YBT, not only between the flat-footed and control group, but also between the flat-footed group before and after the application of the insole. Results: Between the groups, the anterior reach distance in the flat-footed group was significantly lower, but there were no significant differences observed in the posteromedial and posterolateral directions. With the insole, the reach distance of the flat-footed group was significantly increased in the anterior and posterolateral direction compared to the control group. With the insole, the lateral gastrocnemius activity significantly decreased compared to trials without the insole in the flat-footed group, but there were no significant differences in the other muscles. Conclusion The insole for flat-footed subjects can maintain the medial arch of the foot, and it may help enhance functional and mechanical dynamic balance in people with flat feet.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical outcomes of combined vitrectomy and intrascleral fixation of a new posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) as a treatment for IOL dislocation. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective interventional study at our medical facility from January 2015 to January 2017. Posteriorly dislocated IOLs were removed with pars plana vitrectomy. Two intrascleral tunnels, 2.0 mm in length, were created 1.5 mm to the limbus at 6 and 12 o'clock positions. Both haptics of new foldable acrylic 3-piece IOLs were inserted into the tunnel until the IOL was secured in a central position. We analyzed the preexisting ocular condition, visual acuity (VA), and refractive error preoperatively and postoperatively, and recorded postoperative complications. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients (50 eyes) were enrolled in the study. The mean follow-up period was 12.8 ± 6.6 months. A best-corrected VA of 6/12 or better was achieved in 43 eyes (86%). The mean VA significantly improved from 0.32 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) at baseline to 0.18 logMAR at last follow-up (p = 0.03). The refractive status after intrascleral fixation of the PC IOL revealed a mean hyperopic shift of +1.09 ± 1.28 diopters from the predicted spherical equivalent. Postoperative vitreous hemorrhages occurred in six cases and were cleared without visual compromise. Cystoid macular edema was well-controlled by topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) medications in two cases. In two cases, IOL dislocation recurred and required re-operation. There were no serious adverse events of suture-related complications, retinal detachment, corneal compromise, or endophthalmitis in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our data revealed that use of combined vitrectomy and intrascleral fixation of PC IOLs is a safe and efficient technique to correct IOL dislocation. We observed good visual outcomes with only minor complications.
Dislocations ; Endophthalmitis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Macular Edema ; Postoperative Complications ; Refractive Errors ; Retinal Detachment ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy ; Vitreous Hemorrhage

PURPOSE: To determine influences of intraoperative foveal traction during membrane peeling in idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgery. METHODS: This retrospective observational study included 46 eyes of 46 patients with idiopathic ERM who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with ERM and internal limiting membrane peeling from February 2015 to September 2015. The presence of intraoperative foveal traction during membrane peeling was reviewed using video records. The main outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central foveal thickness (CFT), foveal contour, and photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment junction disruption using optical coherence tomography at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Group 1 (ERM with intraoperative foveal traction) included 22 eyes, and group 2 (ERM without intraoperative foveal traction) included 24 eyes. Preoperatively, convex pattern ERM was observed more often in group 1. Group 1 had a significantly thicker CFT and a lower BCVA compared to group 2 at baseline and during the first 6 months, but the final postoperative BCVA and CFT were not significantly different between the groups at 12 months. Among 22 eyes, 12 eyes (54.5%) were restored to flat or concave ERM patterns at an average of 5.4 months after surgery in group 1, and 18 out of 24 eyes (75%) recovered at 2.4 months (p < 0.01) in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative thick CFT and convex pattern ERM indicated a high possibility of intraoperative foveal traction in idiopathic ERM surgery. There were no differences in long-term BCVA and restoration of foveal configuration according to foveal traction during membrane peeling.
Epiretinal Membrane ; Humans ; Membranes ; Observational Study ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Traction ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy

Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita (CMTC) is a rare congenital vascular disorder. The skin lesions associated with CMTC include persistent, reticulated vascular patches and telangiectasia, and they are sometimes associated with underlying atrophy and ulceration. The condition is present at birth and tends to improve with age, although some skin lesions remain unchanged throughout life. We encountered two patients with CMTC: a 12-day-old infant and a 21-year-old woman with a history of CMTC since birth. Both patients had localized reticulated purpuric patches with atrophy. During follow-up, although the purpuric patches improved in both patients, there were no changes in the skin atrophy in either patient. Herein, we present these cases showing the changes in the cutaneous features of CMTC over time and demonstrate that CMTC at birth may persist throughout life.
Atrophy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Parturition ; Skin ; Telangiectasis ; Ulcer ; Young Adult

Oral administration of antigen has long been used in the induction of immune tolerance in various animal models of autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Alleveation of arthritogenic symptoms has been reported from RA patients who received oral administration of type II collagen (CII) without side effects, however its rather inconsistent therapeutic efficacy and variation among patients calls for more detailed investigation on the mechanism of oral tolerance to be settled as regular treatment for RA. In an attempt to understand the immunogenic processes underpinning tolerance induction by orally administered CII, we analyzed changes in the expression of costimulatory molecules and STAT/SOCS signaling messengers in the mouse model of collagen induced arthritis (CIA). We found thatin the spleen of CIA mice, that has been undergone repeated oral feeding of CII prior to the induction of arthritis, showed increased promortion of CTLA4 expressing lymphocytes than in the spleen of PBS fed control. On the other hand, cells expressing CD28 or ICOS were decreased in the spleen of tolerized mice. Tolerance induction by oral CII administration also enhanced the expression of STAT6 in both RNA and protein level, while not affecting the expression of STAT3. The expression of SOCS3, which hasbeen known to transmit STAT-mediated signals from Th2 type cytokines, remained unchanged in the spleen of tolerized mice. Interestingly transcript of SOCS1, which has been associated with Th1 related pathways, was only visible in the spleen of tolerized but not of control mice, suggesting that as in the case of IL-6 signaling, it may exert a feed back inhibition toward the Th1 type stimulation.
Administration, Oral* ; Animals ; Arthritis* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Collagen ; Collagen Type II* ; Cytokines ; Hand ; Humans ; Immune Tolerance ; Interleukin-6 ; Lymphocytes ; Mice* ; Models, Animal ; RNA ; Spleen

PURPOSE: Most epidemiological and clinical studies on BRCA1/ 2 mutations and the risk of breast cancer have been based on Western cohorts. There have been few such studies for Korean populations. The primary aim of this paper is to report the protocol of a Korean Hereditary Breast Cancer (KOHBRA) study. METHODS: The multi-centers registered in the Korean Breast Cancer Society are participating in the KOHBRA study. The objectives of the KOHBRA study till 2010 is to examine the prevalence of BRCA1/2 mutation and the prevalence of ovarian cancer among the high risk group of hereditary breast cancer patients and their families. This study is a prospective cohort study that recruited 2,250 subjects: 1) who were breast cancer patients with a family history of breast or ovarian cancers, 2) who were patients with a high risk of BRCA1/2 mutations (i.e. early onset, bilateral, male, multiple primary cancers), and 3) who had family members that were BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. The recruiting period will cover the 25th of May 2007 to the 24th of May 2010. Written informed consent is obtained at the time of enrollment. The family history and epidemiological data are obtained by a baseline questionnaire, the anthropometric data is measured and the clinical information is collected by chart-reviews by doctors. BRCA1/2 mutation testing and ovarian cancer screening are done. Blood samples are stored. Follow-up data are collected at 1, 3 and 5 yr after enrollment. RESULTS: Until now, 36 centers have joined the KOHBRA study and they are in the process of Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. We expect to find the Korean founder mutation and to establish the Korean BRCA risk prediction model. Furthermore, the BRCA carrier cohort established from the KOHBRA study will be the groundwork to participate in an international study. CONCLUSION: The KOHBRA study will provide unique, important data to prove the etiology and natural history of Korean hereditary breast cancer. This study will be continued as genomic and proteomic epidemiological studies and future intervention studies for the prevention of hereditary breast cancer among Koreans.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Cohort Studies ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Ethics Committees, Research ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Informed Consent ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Natural History ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires