PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine effects of decreased locomotor activity on mass, Type I and II fiber cross-sectional areas of ipsilateral and contralateral hindlimb muscles 21 days after establishing the Parkinson's disease rat model. METHODS: The rat model was established by direct injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA, 50 microgram) into the left substantia nigra after stereotaxic surgery. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to one of two groups; the Parkinson's disease group (PD; n=17) and a sham group (S; n=8). Locomotor activity was assessed before and 21 days after the experiment. At 22 days after establishing the rat model, all rats were anesthetized and soleus and plantaris muscles were dissected from both ipsilateral and contralateral sides. The brain was dissected to identify dopaminergic neuronal death of substantia nigra in the PD group. RESULTS: The PD group at 21 days after establishing the Parkinson's disease rat model showed significant decrease in locomotor activity compared with the S group. Weights and Type I and II fiber cross-sectional areas of the contralateral soleus muscle of the PD group were significantly lower than those of the S group. CONCLUSION: Contralateral soleus muscle atrophy occurs 21 days after establishing the Parkinson's disease rat model.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hindlimb ; Male ; *Motor Activity ; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal/physiology ; Muscle, Skeletal/*physiopathology ; Nutritional Status ; Parkinson Disease/*physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

PURPOSE: Changes in serum biomarkers of cardiac and muscle damage have been studied in ultra-marathon runners for distances up to 308 km. We investigated these biomarker changes following a 622-km super-ultramarathon race. METHODS: A group of men with a mean age of 52.7±4.8 years participated. Blood samples were obtained pre-race, during the race, and post-race, to analyze the aforementioned biomarkers. RESULTS: Creatine kinase and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) levels increased during the race, and both steadily declined post-race with CK-MB declining at a slower rate. Lactic acid dehydrogenase levels overall were increased over pre-race levels. White blood cell counts increased during the race. Red blood cell decreased from pre-race to 300 km and 622 km. Platelet increased only in the recovery period. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were increased throughout the race and at day 3 compared to pre-race levels. Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels increased during the race. N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels increased during the race. CONCLUSION: The rise in cTnI was not clinically significant, and highly elevated NT-proBNP levels during the race indicates that myocardial burden rose linearly as running distance increased. However, no clinical risk was found as most of the markers returned to normal range during the recovery.
Biomarkers ; Blood Platelets ; C-Reactive Protein ; Continental Population Groups* ; Creatine ; Creatine Kinase ; Erythrocytes ; Humans ; Lactic Acid ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Oxidoreductases ; Reference Values ; Rhabdomyolysis ; Running ; Troponin I

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the sonographic appearance of plantar fibromatosis in Korean adults, thus enabling sonographic diagnosis of the benign, focally invasive fibrous neoplasm. METHOD: The medical records, pathologic reports, and sonographic reports and image of 42 patient with plantar fibromatosis were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: US demonstrated plantar fibromatosis as a fusiform nodular thickening of the plantar fascia oriented according to its major axis. A total of 60 fibromatosis nodules in 42 patient were examined. Thirty-eight (63.33%) of the 60 were elongated. The remaing 22 were rounded or oval. Thirty-five (58.33%) were hypoechoic; fivty-one (85%) were 20 mm long or less. Eight of 9 lesions that had mixed echogenicity were longer than 20 mm. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the lesions of the plantar fibromatosis were characteristically located on the surface of the plantar fascia, longitudinally elongated, most often less than 20 mm long, fusiform and hypoechoic. Lesions longer than 10 mm often exhibited mixed echogenicity. Our sonographic finding was helpful in diagnosing planatar fibromatosis in the Korean.
Adult ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Fascia ; Fibroma ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To compare to type and size of rotator cuff tear (RCT) in the transverse view before and after arthro-3D sonography. METHOD: Total 24 cases with rotator cuff tear were diagnosed according to ultrasonographic finding. All of patients were performed by a posterior-lateral approach for sono-guided intra-articular injection and underwent by both before and after arthro 3D sonogrpahy. We measured size (transverse, longitudinal, area) of RCT on the transverse scan in search of the largest lesion and the difference to type and size of RCT after arthrography. RESULTS: 3D ultrasonography detected full-thickness tear in 18 cases, partial-thickness tear in 6 cases before arthro-3D sonograhy. Change in the diagnosis of rotator cuff tear after arthro-3D sonogrphy; 3 partial-thickness tear were diagnosed as full-thickness tear. The size (transverse, longitudinal, area) of RCT was increased significantly after arthro-3D sonography compared with that before arthro 3D sonography. CONCLUSION: Arthro-3D sonography is useful for evaluation the configuration of RCT. Using this method, we can provide the objective and steric image of RCT.
Arthrography ; Humans ; Injections, Intra-Articular ; Rotator Cuff ; Tears

Robinsoniella peoriensis has recently been identified as a Gram-positive, spore-forming, anaerobic rod originally recovered from swine manure storage pits. To date, 6 cases of R. peoriensis infection have been reported, including 2 cases of bacteremia, 1 of abdominal fluid collection, and 3 of wound infection. In the present study, we report a 76-yr-old man with R. peoriensis bacteremia who developed aspiration pneumonia. Gram staining of a purified colony revealed Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria. Biochemical identification using API 20 A (bioMerieux, France) indicated presence of Clostridium spp. We performed both 500-bp and full-gene sequencing of 16S rRNA of the isolate. The sequence was analyzed with MicroSeq ID 16S rRNA Library v2.0 (Applied Biosystems, USA), GenBank Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genbank), and EzTaxon database v2.1 (http://www.eztaxon.org). The 500-bp 16S rRNA sequence of the blood culture isolate showed 99.16-99.79% similarity with R. peoriensis and the full-gene 16S rRNA sequence showed 98.87-99.50% similarity with R. peoriensis. The organism was confirmed as R. peoriensis by using all of the mentioned databases except for MicroSeq, which did not include the RNA sequence of this bacterium. This case suggests that identification of R. peoriensis might be challenging in clinical laboratories with no access to molecular methods, as certain commercial identification systems may not identify, or may misidentify, this organism. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the isolation of R. peoriensis in Korea.
Aged ; Bacteremia/*microbiology ; Clostridium/classification/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Databases, Genetic ; Humans ; Male ; Phylogeny ; Pneumonia, Aspiration/*diagnosis/microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/chemistry/genetics ; Republic of Korea ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of sono-guided intraarticular steroid injection followed by sodium hyaluronate injection weekly for 2 weeks on adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. METHOD: In this prospective randomized controlled trial, 16 patients (group A) were treated with intraarticular injection with a mixture of 0.5% lidocaine 9 ml and triamcinolone 40 mg once a week for 3 weeks, and 13 patients (group B) were treated with intraarticular injection with a mixture of 0.5% lidocaine 9 ml and triamcinolone 40 mg for the first week, and subsequently a mixture of 0.5% lidocaine 8 ml and sodium hyaluronate 2 ml once a week for the next 3 weeks. A self exercise program was instructed for all subjects. The effects were assessed using visual numeric scale (VNS), shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI), and range of shoulder motion (flexion, abduction, internal rotation. external rotation, and extension) at study entry, every week until 2 weeks have passed after the last injection. RESULTS: The VNS, SPADI, and range of shoulder motion improved 1 week after 1st injection and continued to improve until 2 weeks after last injection in both two groups. There were no difference in changes of VNS and SPADI between these two groups, but range of shoulder motion especially in passive and active internal rotation of patients in group A improved more than those in group B. CONCLUSION: Steroid injection combined with hyaluronic acid injection has comparable effects with triamcinolone for treatment of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. Sono-guided intraarticular injection of steroid combined with hyaluronic acid can substitute for intraarticular injection of triamcinolone and be useful especially for patients susceptible to adverse effects of steroid injection.
Adhesives ; Bursitis ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Injections, Intra-Articular ; Lidocaine ; Prospective Studies ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Pain ; Triamcinolone

Objective: CT-P13, a biosimilar of infliximab, is widely used for treating ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, the formation of anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) can reduce its efficacy. This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with high ADA levels in AS patients treated with CT-P13. Methods: A prospective observational study enrolled patients with intravenous CT-P13. Clinical data and disease activity was assessed at baseline, 24 weeks, and 54 weeks after CT-P13 treatment. Blood concentrations of CT-P13 and ADAs were measured at 24 and 54 weeks, and their correlation was investigated. Patients were grouped by ADA levels at 54 weeks. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with high ADA concentrations. Results: A total of 34 patients was enrolled. Significant decreases in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index scores were observed relative to baseline after 24 weeks of CT-P13 therapy. Serum concentrations of CT-P13 and ADA levels increased following treatment. The median serum CT-P13 concentration was 17.6 [12.8, 22.7] µg/mL at 24 weeks and 23.5 [11.7, 34.2] µg/mL at 54 weeks. ADA levels were 6.7 [6.5, 9.1] AU/mL at 24 weeks and 11.4 [9.0, 28.4] AU/mL at 54 weeks. The serum concentrations of CT-P13 and ADA exhibited a negative correlation. In multivariable analysis, current smoking was associated with high ADA production at 54 weeks. Conclusion Smoking is identified as a significant risk factor for elevated ADAs in AS patients treated with CT-P13. The findings underscore the importance of smoking-cessation strategies in the management of AS patients.

Objective: CT-P13, a biosimilar of infliximab, is widely used for treating ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, the formation of anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) can reduce its efficacy. This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with high ADA levels in AS patients treated with CT-P13. Methods: A prospective observational study enrolled patients with intravenous CT-P13. Clinical data and disease activity was assessed at baseline, 24 weeks, and 54 weeks after CT-P13 treatment. Blood concentrations of CT-P13 and ADAs were measured at 24 and 54 weeks, and their correlation was investigated. Patients were grouped by ADA levels at 54 weeks. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with high ADA concentrations. Results: A total of 34 patients was enrolled. Significant decreases in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index scores were observed relative to baseline after 24 weeks of CT-P13 therapy. Serum concentrations of CT-P13 and ADA levels increased following treatment. The median serum CT-P13 concentration was 17.6 [12.8, 22.7] µg/mL at 24 weeks and 23.5 [11.7, 34.2] µg/mL at 54 weeks. ADA levels were 6.7 [6.5, 9.1] AU/mL at 24 weeks and 11.4 [9.0, 28.4] AU/mL at 54 weeks. The serum concentrations of CT-P13 and ADA exhibited a negative correlation. In multivariable analysis, current smoking was associated with high ADA production at 54 weeks. Conclusion Smoking is identified as a significant risk factor for elevated ADAs in AS patients treated with CT-P13. The findings underscore the importance of smoking-cessation strategies in the management of AS patients.

Objective: CT-P13, a biosimilar of infliximab, is widely used for treating ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, the formation of anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) can reduce its efficacy. This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with high ADA levels in AS patients treated with CT-P13. Methods: A prospective observational study enrolled patients with intravenous CT-P13. Clinical data and disease activity was assessed at baseline, 24 weeks, and 54 weeks after CT-P13 treatment. Blood concentrations of CT-P13 and ADAs were measured at 24 and 54 weeks, and their correlation was investigated. Patients were grouped by ADA levels at 54 weeks. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with high ADA concentrations. Results: A total of 34 patients was enrolled. Significant decreases in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index scores were observed relative to baseline after 24 weeks of CT-P13 therapy. Serum concentrations of CT-P13 and ADA levels increased following treatment. The median serum CT-P13 concentration was 17.6 [12.8, 22.7] µg/mL at 24 weeks and 23.5 [11.7, 34.2] µg/mL at 54 weeks. ADA levels were 6.7 [6.5, 9.1] AU/mL at 24 weeks and 11.4 [9.0, 28.4] AU/mL at 54 weeks. The serum concentrations of CT-P13 and ADA exhibited a negative correlation. In multivariable analysis, current smoking was associated with high ADA production at 54 weeks. Conclusion Smoking is identified as a significant risk factor for elevated ADAs in AS patients treated with CT-P13. The findings underscore the importance of smoking-cessation strategies in the management of AS patients.

PURPOSE: To compare the therapeutic effects on upper extremity paresthesia of intra-muscular steroid injections into the scalene muscle with those of stretching exercise only. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with upper extremity paresthesia who met the criteria were recruited to participate in this single-blind, crossover study. Fourteen of 20 patients were female. The average age was 45.0+/-10.5 years and duration of symptom was 12.2+/-8.7 months. Each participant completed one injection and daily exercise program for 2 weeks. After randomization, half of all patients received ultrasound-guided injection of scalene muscles before exercise, while the other was invested for the other patients. RESULTS: After two weeks, there was a significant decrease of the visual analog scale score of treatment effect compared with baseline in both groups (6.90 to 2.85 after injection and 5.65 to 4.05 after stretching exercise, p<0.01). However, injection resulted in greater improvements than stretching exercise (p<0.01). The number of patients with successful treatment, defined as >50% reduction in post-treatment visual analog scale, was 18 of 20 (90.0%) after injection, compared to 5 of 20 (25.0%) after stretching exercise. There were no cases of unintended brachial plexus block after injection. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided steroid injection or stretching exercise of scalene muscles led to reduced upper extremity paresthesia in patients who present with localized tenderness in the scalene muscle without electrodiagnostic test abnormalities, although injection treatment resulted in more improvements. The results suggest that symptoms relief might result from injection into the muscle alone not related to blockade of the brachial plexus.
Adult ; Brachial Plexus/*drug effects ; Cross-Over Studies ; *Exercise Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; *Injections, Intramuscular ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck Muscles/drug effects ; Pain/drug therapy ; Pain Measurement ; Paresthesia/*drug therapy/rehabilitation ; Single-Blind Method ; Thoracic Outlet Syndrome/diagnosis/*drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome