Objective: To compare the convenience and effectiveness of the existing lumbosacral orthoses (LSO) (classic LSO and Cybertech) and a newly developed LSO (V-LSO) by analyzing postoperative data. Methods: This prospective cohort study was performed from May 2019 to November 2019 and enrolled and analyzed 88 patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease scheduled for elective lumbar surgery. Three types of LSO that were provided according to the time of patient registration were applied for 6 weeks. Patients were randomized into the classic LSO group (n=31), Cybertech group (n=26), and V-LSO group (n=31). All patients were assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) preoperatively and underwent plain lumbar radiography (anteroposterior and lateral views) 10 days postoperatively. Lumbar lordosis (LS angle) and frontal imbalance were measured with and without LSO. At the sixth postoperative week, a follow-up assessment with the ODI and orthosis questionnaire was conducted. Results: No significant differences were found among the three groups in terms of the LS angle, frontal imbalance, ODI, and orthosis questionnaire results. When the change in the LS angle and frontal imbalance toward the reference value was defined as a positive change with and without LSO, the rate of positive change was significantly different in the V-LSO group (LS angle: 41.94% vs. 61.54% vs. 83.87%; p=0.003). Conclusion The newly developed LSO showed no difference regarding its effectiveness and compliance when compared with the existing LSO, but it was more effective in correcting lumbar lordosis.

Objective: We evaluated the efficacy of a newly-developed spinal orthoses (V-LSO) by comparing the stabilizing effect, abdominal pressure, and comfort of 3 different semirigid LSOs (classic LSO, V-LSO, and CybertechⓇ ) during various body movements. Methods: Thirty healthy volunteers (23∼47 years, 24 males, 6 females) were selected. A dual inclinometer measured the range of motion (ROM) while the participants performed flexion/extension and lateral flexion of the lumbar spine with 3 LSOs.The LSO’s pressure on the abdominal surface was measured using 9 pressure sensors while lying, sitting, standing, flexion/extension, lateral flexion, axial rotation, and lifting a box. Comfort and subjective immobilization were analyzed by a questionnaire. Results: V-LSO had a statistically significant effect on flexion over CybertechⓇ . No significant differences were noted during extension and lateral flexion between the 3 LSOs. The abdominal pressure showed no significant differences while supine. While sitting, standing, and lifting a box, the mean abdominal pressure for V-LSO were significantly higher than those for Cybertech Ⓡ . During lumbar flexion, the mean abdominal pressures for classic LSO and V-LSO were significantly higher than that of CybertechⓇ . For extension, lateral flexion and axial rotation, the abdominal pressure for V-LSO was significantly higher than those of classic LSO and CybertechⓇ . In the subjective analysis, V-LSO and CybertechⓇ scored best for comfort. Conclusion The V-LSO and CybertechⓇ were more comfortable than the classic LSO, and hence, may have improved compliance with decreased discomfort. V-LSO may be superior to the other LSOs in restricting lumbar movement and increasing intraabdominal pressure.

Objective: We evaluated the efficacy of a newly-developed spinal orthoses (V-LSO) by comparing the stabilizing effect, abdominal pressure, and comfort of 3 different semirigid LSOs (classic LSO, V-LSO, and CybertechⓇ ) during various body movements. Methods: Thirty healthy volunteers (23∼47 years, 24 males, 6 females) were selected. A dual inclinometer measured the range of motion (ROM) while the participants performed flexion/extension and lateral flexion of the lumbar spine with 3 LSOs.The LSO’s pressure on the abdominal surface was measured using 9 pressure sensors while lying, sitting, standing, flexion/extension, lateral flexion, axial rotation, and lifting a box. Comfort and subjective immobilization were analyzed by a questionnaire. Results: V-LSO had a statistically significant effect on flexion over CybertechⓇ . No significant differences were noted during extension and lateral flexion between the 3 LSOs. The abdominal pressure showed no significant differences while supine. While sitting, standing, and lifting a box, the mean abdominal pressure for V-LSO were significantly higher than those for Cybertech Ⓡ . During lumbar flexion, the mean abdominal pressures for classic LSO and V-LSO were significantly higher than that of CybertechⓇ . For extension, lateral flexion and axial rotation, the abdominal pressure for V-LSO was significantly higher than those of classic LSO and CybertechⓇ . In the subjective analysis, V-LSO and CybertechⓇ scored best for comfort. Conclusion The V-LSO and CybertechⓇ were more comfortable than the classic LSO, and hence, may have improved compliance with decreased discomfort. V-LSO may be superior to the other LSOs in restricting lumbar movement and increasing intraabdominal pressure.

OBJECTIVE: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination is mandatory whenever central nervous system (CNS) infection is suspected. However, pleocytosis is not detected in a substantial number of suspected patients who undergo CSF examination. This study aimed to identify parameters that can aid in predicting negative CSF examination results (defined as a white blood cell count of <5 cells/high-power field). METHODS: The study included 101 neurologically intact patients who underwent lumbar puncture because of suspicion of CNS infection. Patients were divided into negative and positive CSF examination groups, and their initial blood tests were comparatively analyzed. RESULTS: The negative group had a significantly higher proportion of neutrophils in white blood cells (81.5% vs. 75.8%, P=0.012), lower proportion of lymphocytes in white blood cells (9.3% vs. 16.7%, P=0.001), a higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (9.1 vs. 4.4, P=0.001), a lower lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (1.6 vs. 2.4, P=0.008), and a higher C-reactive protein level (21.0 vs. 5.0 mg/L, P<0.001) than the positive group. In the receiver-operating characteristic analysis, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and C-reactive protein had an area under the curve of >0.7, and the best cutoff values were 6.0 (accuracy 70.3%) and 12.7 mg/L (accuracy 76.2%), respectively. CONCLUSION: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ≥6 and C-reactive protein level ≥12.7 mg/L was significantly associated with negative CSF examination result.
C-Reactive Protein ; Central Nervous System Infections* ; Central Nervous System* ; Cerebrospinal Fluid* ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukocytes ; Leukocytosis ; Lymphocytes ; Neutrophils ; Spinal Puncture*

PURPOSE: During sedated esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), patients may not be able to perform inspiration, which is necessary to examine the esophagogastric junction. Therefore sedation may affect diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux-related findings. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of sedation on diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux-related findings during EGD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated 28914 patients older than 20 years who underwent EGD at our institution between January 2011 and December 2011. Ultimately, 1546 patients indicated for EGD for health check-up and symptom evaluation were included. RESULTS: There were 18546 patients who had diagnostic EGD: 10471 patients (56%) by non-sedated EGD and 8075 patients (43%) by sedated EGD. After statistical adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index, minimal change esophagitis, and hiatal hernia were significantly less frequently observed in the sedated EGD group [odds ratio (OR), 0.651; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.586 to 0.722 and OR, 0.699; 95% CI, 0.564 to 0.866]. Nevertheless, there was no significant difference in other findings at the gastroesophageal junction, such as reflux esophagitis with Los Angeles classification A, B, C, and D or Barrett's esophagus, between the two groups. Similarly, there were no differences in early gastric cancer, advanced gastric cancer, and gastric ulcer occurrence. CONCLUSION: Sedation can impede the detection of minimal change esophagitis and hiatal hernia, but does not influence detection of reflux esophagitis of definite severity and Barrett's esophagus.
Adult ; Aged ; Barrett Esophagus ; Body Mass Index ; Endoscopy, Digestive System/instrumentation/*methods ; Esophagitis, Peptic/*diagnosis ; Esophagogastric Junction/*pathology ; Female ; Gastroesophageal Reflux/*diagnosis ; Hernia, Hiatal/*diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of Serine/Threonine Kinase 39 (STK39) and hypertension has been reported, the prior studies have been inconsistent. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between rs3754777 and rs6749447, the two SNPs of STK39, and hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in Koreans, residing in the Republic of Korea. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We included 238 hypertensive patients and 260 controls. The associations between genotype and haplotype combination and hypertension were examined. In addition, possible SNP-related differences in the adjusted blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS: There was no significant association between the two SNPs and hypertension. However, the carriers of AA genotype of rs3754777 showed lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels, particularly in females. Genotype of rs6749447 was associated with the waist circumference, triglyceride, and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels, only in gender-stratified analysis. The effects of haplotype combinations on risk factors were compatible with genotype effects of each SNP. CONCLUSION: Associations between the two SNPs of STK39, rs3754777 and rs6749447, and hypertension were not significant. However, the two SNPs showed genotype-related differences in blood glucose, lipids, and waist circumference, especially in women. Further studies are needed to clarify the effect of STK39 variants in these cardiovascular risk factors.
Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Cholesterol ; Female ; Genotype ; Glucose ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; Risk Factors ; Waist Circumference

PURPOSE: Although some CDH13 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been shown to be determinants of blood adiponectin levels, the clinical implications of CDH13 variants are not yet completely understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of SNPs of CDH13 on metabolic and vascular phenotypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 238 hypertensive subjects and 260 age- and sex-matched controls. Seven tagging-SNPs were identified in the CDH13 gene by whole gene sequencing. The association between these SNP variants and the risk of hypertension, metabolic traits, and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was examined. RESULTS: Minor allele carriers of rs12444338 had a lower risk of hypertension, but the association turned out just marginal after adjusting confoudners. Blood glucose levels were higher in the minor allele carriers of c.1407C>T (p=0.01), whereas low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were greater in those of rs6565105 (p=0.02). The minor allele of rs1048612 was associated with a higher body mass index (p=0.01). In addition, the mean carotid IMT was significantly associated with rs12444338 (p=0.02) and rs1048612 (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: These results provide evidence that CDH13 variants are associated with metabolic traits and carotid atherosclerosis in Koreans. This study shows the multifaceted effects of CDH13 variants on cardiometabolic risk.
Adiponectin/genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Atherosclerosis/epidemiology/genetics ; Blood Glucose/metabolism ; Cadherins/*genetics ; Cholesterol/blood ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension/epidemiology/genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics

BACKGROUND/AIMS: SCN5A encodes the cardiac-specific NaV1.5 sodium channel, and Brugada syndrome is a cardiac conduction disorder associated with sodium channel alpha-subunit (SCN5A) mutation. The SCN5A-encoded NaV1.5 channel is also found on gastrointestinal smooth muscle and interstitial cells of Cajal. We investigated the relationship between functional dyspepsia (FD) and SCN5A mutation to evaluate sodium channelopathy in FD. METHODS: Patients with Brugada syndrome or FD were examined using upper endoscopy, electrogastrography (EGG), FD symptom questionnaire based on Rome III criteria and genetic testing for SCN5A mutation. Symptom scores of FD and EGG findings were analyzed according to SCN5A mutation. RESULTS: A total of 17 patients (4 Brugada syndrome and 13 FD) participated in the study. An SCN5A mutation was noted in 75.0% of the patients with Brugada syndrome and in 1 (7.7%) of the patients with FD. Of 4 patients with SCN5A mutation, 2 (50%) had FD. Postprandial tachygastria and bradygastria were noted in 2 (50%) and 1 (25%) of the patients with SCN5A mutation, respectively. The EGG findings were not significantly different between positive and negative mutation in 17 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although we did not find statistically significant results, we suggest that it is meaningful to attempt to identify differences in symptoms and gastric myoelectric activity according to the presence of an SCN5A mutation by EGG analysis. The relationship between FD and sodium channelopathy should be elucidated in the future by a large-scale study.
Brugada Syndrome ; Channelopathies ; Dyspepsia ; Endoscopy ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Genetic Testing ; Humans ; Interstitial Cells of Cajal ; Muscle, Smooth ; Ovum ; Pilot Projects ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rome ; Sodium ; Sodium Channels

PURPOSE: The cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) metabolizes arachidonic acid to produce epoxyicosanoid acids, which are involved in vascular tone and regulation of blood pressure. Recent findings suggest that CYP2C19 gene might be considered as a novel candidate gene for treatment of cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between two variants, CYP2C19*2 (681G>A) and CYP2C19*3 (636G>A) and the development of essential hypertension (EH) in Koreans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out an association study in a total of 1190 individuals (527 hypertensive subjects and 663 unrelated healthy controls). The CYP2C19 polymorphisms were genotyped using the SNaPShot(TM) assay. RESULTS: The distribution of alleles and genotypes of CYP2C19*3 showed significant difference between hypertensive patients and normal controls (p=0.011 and p=0.013, respectively). Logistic regression analysis indicated that the CYP2C19*3 (636A) allele carriers were significantly associated with EH [odds ratio, 0.691; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.512-0.932, p=0.016], in comparison to wild type homozygotes (CYP2C19*1/*1). Neither genotype nor allele distribution of CYP2C19*2 polymorphism showed significant differences between hypertensive and control groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Our present findings strengthen the evidence of an association between CYP2C19 gene polymorphism and EH prevalence. In particular, the CYP2C19*3 defective allele may contribute to reduced risk for the development of EH.
Adult ; Alleles ; Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases/*genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Hypertension/epidemiology/*genetics ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic/*genetics ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine whether retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), adiponectin and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin are associated with insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic parameters in non-diabetic hypertensive patients. Also, we sought to compare the predictive values of these adipocytokines for IR in non-diabetic hypertensive patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analyses of RBP4, adiponectin, and HMW adiponectin were performed on 308 non-diabetic hypertensives (148 males, age 58 +/- 10 years, 189 non-metabolic syndrome and 119 metabolic syndrome). The homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index for IR, lipid profiles, and anthropometric measure-ments were assessed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in RBP4 levels according to the presence of metabolic syndrome, although adiponectin and HMW adiponectin were significantly lower in metabolic syndrome. Correlation analysis of log RBP4 with IR and metabolic indices revealed that there was no significant correlation of RBP4 with waist circumference (r = 0.056, p = 0.324), HDL cholesterol (r = 0.005, p = 0.934), ApoB/ApoAI ratio (r = 0.066, p = 0.270), and the HOMA index (r = 0.017, p = 0.756). However, adiponectin and HMW adiponectin showed significant correlations with the HOMA index (r = - 0.247, p < 0.001; r = - 0.296, p < 0.001) and metabolic parameters. With IR defined as HOMA index > or = 2.5, HMW adiponectin did not demonstrate a superior predictive value for IR compared to adiponectin (AUC = 0.680 vs. 0.648, p = 0.083). The predictive value of RBP4 for IR was minimal (AUC = 0.534). CONCLUSION: RBP4 was not associated with IR or metabolic indices and the predictive value for IR was minimal in hypertensives. HMW adiponectin didn't have a superior predictive value for IR compared to adiponectin. Therefore, we can suggest that RBP4 and HMW adiponectin don't have more additive information than adiponectin in non-diabetic hypertensives.
Adiponectin/*blood ; Aged ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension/*blood/*physiopathology ; Insulin Resistance/*physiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radioimmunoassay ; Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma/*metabolism ; Risk Factors ; Waist Circumference/physiology