PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of the lower limb alignment on the pelvis, hip, and knee kinematics in people with genu varum during stair walking. METHODS: Forty subjects were enrolled in this study. People who had intercondylar distance ≥4cm were classified in the genu varum group, and people who had intercondylar distance < 4cm and intermalleolar distance < 4cm were placed in the control group. 3D motion analysis was used to collect the pelvis, hip, and knee kinematic data while subjects were walking stairs with three steps. RESULTS: During stair ascent, the genu varum group had decreased pelvic lateral tilt and hip adduction at the early stance phase and decreased pelvic lateral tilt at the swing phase compared to the control group. At the same time, they had decreased minimal hip adduction ROM at the early stance and decreased maximum pelvic lateral tilt ROM and minimum hip rotation ROM at the swing phase. During stair descent, the genu varum group had decreased pelvic lateral tilt at the early stance and decreased pelvic lateral tilt and pelvic rotation at the swing phase. In addition, they had decreased pelvic frontal ROM during single limb support and increased knee sagittal ROM during the whole gait cycle. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that a genu varum deformity could affect the pelvis, hip and knee kinematics. In addition, the biomechanical risk factors that could result in the articular impairments by the excessive loads from lower limb malalignment were identified.
Biomechanical Phenomena ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Extremities ; Gait ; Genu Varum ; Hip ; Knee ; Lower Extremity ; Pelvis ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Risk Factors ; Walking

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and cold therapy on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in lumbar spinal cord and on secondary hyperalgesia produced by muscle pain. Muscle pain was experimentally induced by injection of 2% carrageenan into gastrocnemius muscle of Sprague-Dawley rats. For assessment of secondary hyperalgesia, the rats were tested for paw withdrawal latency (PWL) and tail flick latency (TFL) to heat stimulus. COX-2 expression in lumbar cord was examined using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Secondary hyperalgesia to heat stimulus was significantly reduced in the both TENS- and cold-treatment groups, compared to the control group. The COX-2 mRNA levels were down-regulated in the lumbar spinal cord in the both TENS- and cold-treatment groups. In addition, COX-2 immunoreactivity was decreased in the dorsal horn of the lumbar spinal cord in the both TENS- and cold-treatment groups. These results suggested that decreased COX-2 expression in the lumbar spinal cord of the subjects receiving TENS treatment and cold therapy might be an important factor for reducing secondary hyperalgesia produced by muscle pain.
Animals ; Carrageenan ; Cryotherapy* ; Cyclooxygenase 2* ; Horns ; Hot Temperature ; Hyperalgesia ; Immunohistochemistry ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Myalgia* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; RNA, Messenger ; Spinal Cord ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation*

Nodular cystic fat necrosis, first described by Przyjemski and Schuster, is a peculiar form of encapsulated necrosis of subcutaneous fat characterized by totally or near-totally encapsulated necrosis of fatty tissue in which clusters of nonviable adipocytes are surrounded by condensed fibrous tissue. We report two cases of nodular cystic fat necrosis associated with history of trauma about the site of the lesion. Each lesion was a subcutaneous movable nodule on buttock (case 1) and shin (case 2) which has evolved over months. Both cases showed possible relation to multiple intramuscular injection or direct trauma injury. Pathologically, encapsulated nodule showed a characteristic feature of nodular cystic fat necrosis which composed of the ghosts of anucleated adipocytes showing fairly well-preserved outline.
Adipocytes ; Adipose Tissue ; Buttocks ; Fat Necrosis* ; Injections, Intramuscular ; Necrosis ; Subcutaneous Fat

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the changes in dorsiflexion and balance following proximal and distal tibiofibular joint manipulation in individuals with a history of lateral ankle sprain (LAS). METHODS: Fifteen participants with a history of unilateral LAS, exhibiting a restriction in ankle dorsiflexion were included in this study. LAS ankle received a manipulation to the proximal and distal tibiofibular joint, while the opposite control ankle received no manipulation intervention. The outcome measures included ankle dorsiflexion and balance. Ankle dorsiflexion was measured using weight-bearing lunge test. Static and dynamic balances were measured using the overall, anterioposterior, and mediolateral balance index via the biodex balance system. Measurements were obtained prior to and following manipulation. RESULTS: This study showed that ankle dorsiflexion and dynamic balance were improved following the manipulation compared to those prior to the manipulation (p<0.05). There was no significant change in static balance (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The joint manipulation technique applied to the ankle of those with a history of LAS appears to improve ankle dorsiflexion and dynamic balance. This suggest that a manipulation to the proximal and distal tibiofibular joint could be provided as preliminary data regarding the prophylactic effects of recurrent LAS.
Ankle Injuries* ; Ankle* ; Joints* ; Lung ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Weight-Bearing

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the spatiotemporal and kinematic gait parameters and muscle activity of the lower extremities between forward walking on sand (FWS) and backward walking on sand (BWS) in normal adults. Methods: This study was conducted on 13 healthy adults. Subjects performed FWS and BWS and the spatiotemporal and kinematic gait parameters of stride time, stride length, velocity, cadence, step length, stance, swing, double support, and hip range of motion (ROM), knee ROM were measured by a wearable inertial measurement unit system. In addition, the muscle activity of the rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), tibialis anterior (TA), and gastrocnemius (GA) was measured. Results: The stride length, stride velocity, cadence, and step length in the BWS were significantly lower than FWS (p < 0.05), and stride time was significantly greater (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the ratio of stance, swing, and double support between the two (p > 0.05). The kinematic gait parameters, including hip and knee joint range of motion in BWS, were significantly lower than FWS (p < 0.05). The muscle activity of the RF in BWS was significantly higher than FWS (p < 0.05), but the muscle activity of the BF, TA, GA did not show any significant differences between the two movements (p > 0.05). Conclusion A strategy to increase stability by changing the gait parameters is used in BWS, and this study confirmed that BWS was a safe and effective movement to increase RF muscle activity without straining the joints. Therefore, BWS can be recommended for effective activation of the RF.

It is well known that the murine T helper cell clones are divided by their lymphokine secretory activities. One is the Th-1 cell, producing IL-2 and IFN after stimulation and the other is the Th-2 cell, producing the IL-4 and IL-5. This study was undertaken to evaluate the immunomodulatory properties of the bacterial lipopolysaccharide(LPS) on the lymphokine production in vivo and in vitro. The results were as follows: There were no effects on the lymphokine secretion by the in vitro treatment of the LPS. The in vivo treatment of the LPS decreases the capability of the production of IL-2 and IFN , whereas it increases the capability of IL-4 production. The altered capacity of the lymphokine production was recovered about 2 weeks after the treatment of the LPS. There were no differences on the lymphokine production between E-coli LPS and salmonella LPS. The capacity of the lymphokine production was the same in the treatment of a non-heated LPS or heated-LPS. The lymphokine production of the mice which were desensitized by the long term treatment of the LPS was not different from the control mice. The in vitro treatment of RU486 can block the alterations of the lymphokine production after the treatment of the LPS. In summary, one can tell that the LPS increases the secretion of the IL-4 through the endogenous secretion of the glucocorticoids.
Animals ; Clone Cells ; Glucocorticoids ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-5 ; Mice ; Mifepristone ; Salmonella ; T-Lymphocytes* ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer

PURPOSE: To establish the CT findings and clinical characteristics of colorectal mucinous adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CT features of 26 surgically proven cases of colorectal mucinous adenocarcinoma were reviewed. The subjects were selected from among 262 patients with colorectal cancer, of whom 40 with non-mucinous adenocarcinoma were included as a control group. Contrast-enhaneed CT images were analyzed for tumor location, the presence or absence of tumoral calcification, tumor shape (circumferential or eccentric, polypoid or infiltrative), tumor thickness-to-length ratio, and attenuation and homogeneity. In each group, the TNM stage of pathologic specimens was compared. During follow-up, the incidence of recurrence, and outcome, were also compared. RESULTS: CT images of mucinous adenocarcinoma revealed intratumoral calcification in three patients (12%, p < 0.01). Tumors were eccentric and polypoid-shaped, with a high tumoral thickness/length ratio (p < 0.01). On contrast-enhanced images, most were seen as a heterogenous hypoattenvuted mass. No differences in T-NM stage were found in surgical specimens. In patients with mucinous adenocarcinoma, recurrence during the early follow-up period is more common than in patients with non-mucinous cancer. CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced CT reveals mucinous adenocarcinoma as an eccentric polypoid mass with heterogeneous hypoattenuation. In patients with mucinous colorectal cancer, careful follow-up is required because tumors tend to recur early in the follow-up period.
Adenocarcinoma ; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous* ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mucins* ; Recurrence ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: To establish the CT findings and clinical characteristics of colorectal mucinous adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CT features of 26 surgically proven cases of colorectal mucinous adenocarcinoma were reviewed. The subjects were selected from among 262 patients with colorectal cancer, of whom 40 with non-mucinous adenocarcinoma were included as a control group. Contrast-enhaneed CT images were analyzed for tumor location, the presence or absence of tumoral calcification, tumor shape (circumferential or eccentric, polypoid or infiltrative), tumor thickness-to-length ratio, and attenuation and homogeneity. In each group, the TNM stage of pathologic specimens was compared. During follow-up, the incidence of recurrence, and outcome, were also compared. RESULTS: CT images of mucinous adenocarcinoma revealed intratumoral calcification in three patients (12%, p < 0.01). Tumors were eccentric and polypoid-shaped, with a high tumoral thickness/length ratio (p < 0.01). On contrast-enhanced images, most were seen as a heterogenous hypoattenvuted mass. No differences in T-NM stage were found in surgical specimens. In patients with mucinous adenocarcinoma, recurrence during the early follow-up period is more common than in patients with non-mucinous cancer. CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced CT reveals mucinous adenocarcinoma as an eccentric polypoid mass with heterogeneous hypoattenuation. In patients with mucinous colorectal cancer, careful follow-up is required because tumors tend to recur early in the follow-up period.
Adenocarcinoma ; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous* ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mucins* ; Recurrence ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Mycophenolate mofetil(MMF) is a new immunosuppressant which non-competitively and reversibly blocks the de novo synthesis of guanine nucleotides required for DNA and RNA synthesis during lymphocyte proliferation. So MMF selectively inhibits lymphocyte proliferation and it has less side-effects than other immunosuppressants. We described 2 cases of generalized pustular psoriasis improved with MMF. We administered MMF combined with cyclosporin in case 1 and acitretin in case 2. Both patients markedly improved with MMF administration 3 days after and had no severe side-effects. Thus the authors thought that MMF appears to be an effective therapeutic alternative in the treatment of generalized pustular psoriasis.
Acitretin ; Cyclosporine ; DNA ; Guanine Nucleotides ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Lymphocytes ; Psoriasis* ; RNA

Newer atypical antipsychotics have many benefits compared with conventional antipsychotics. However it has been known that atypical antipsychotics are associated with drug-induced weight gain and dibetes mellitus. Obesity and diabetes mellitus may be problematic side effects to patients with schizophrenia because they can cause many medical problems and also drug compliance which is important to prognosis can be reduced by those adverse effects. We present here a male patient, aged 26 years old, who was treated with risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine subsequently and gained weight by 32 kilograms (almost 50% increase) during four years long treatment and diagnosed as having diabetes mellitus. We switched the antipsychotics to amisulpride at the day of admission and increased the dosage to 800 mg. At discharge after 34 days after admission, his psychotic symptoms were considerably improved and blood glucose level at fasting time was stabilized within acceptable range. And he also lost weight by 5 kilograms after admission. Amisulpride would be a relatively appropriate choice of drug in patient with atypical antipsychotics induced weight gain and/or diabetes mellitus.
Adult ; Antipsychotic Agents* ; Blood Glucose ; Body Weight ; Compliance ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Fasting ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity* ; Prognosis ; Risperidone ; Schizophrenia ; Weight Gain