Objective: To evaluate the effects of Catalpa bignonioides fruit extract on the promotion of muscle growth and muscular capacity in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Cell viability was measured using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Cell proliferation was assessed using a 5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine (BrdU) assay kit. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the protein expressions of related factors. The effects of Catalpa bignonioides extract were investigated in mice using the treadmill exhaustion test and whole-limb grip strength assay. Chemical composition analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: Catalpa bignonioides extract increased the proliferation of C2C12 mouse myoblasts by activating the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. It also induced metabolic changes, increasing the number of mitochondria and glucose metabolism by phosphorylating adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase. In an in vivo study, the extract-treated mice showed improved motor abilities, such as muscular endurance and grip strength. Additionally, HPLC analysis showed that vanillic acid may be the main component of the Catalpa bignonioides extract that enhanced muscle strength. Conclusions: Catalpa bignonioides improves exercise performance through regulation of growth and metabolism in skeletal muscles, suggesting its potential as an effective natural agent for improving muscular strength.

Background: Different from adults, adolescents with genu varum or valgum can be treated with hemi-epiphysiodesis. We conducted a study to report our recent experience of treating idiopathic genu varum and valgum with clinical relevance to planning of hemi-epiphysiodesis. The aim of this study was to compare the varus and valgus groups focusing on the contribution of the distal femur and proximal tibia to the deformities. Methods: Among patients who visited the outpatient clinic during the recent 4 years, adolescents with genu varum (the varus group) or valgum (the valgus group) greater than 5° were included. The mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA) and medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) were measured. The contribution to deformity (%) in each of the distal femur and the proximal tibia was calculated. Results: One hundred twenty patients and their 120 legs (randomly selected in bilateral cases) were included. In the varus group (n = 51), the mean hip-knee-ankle alignment was varus 7.1° (range, 5.1°–12.1°). The contribution to deformity was 74.1% ± 27.6% at the proximal tibia (MPTA, 81.9° ± 2.0°) and 14.9% ± 25.1% at the distal femur (mLDFA, 88.1° ± 1.7°). In the valgus group (n = 69), the mean alignment was valgus 6.6° (range, 5.1°–11.9°). The contribution was 69.8% ± 30.8% at the distal femur (mLDFA, 82.4° ± 2.1°) and 33.1% ± 27.8% at the proximal tibia (MPTA = 89.2° ± 1.9°). In subgroup analyses, the MPTA was significantly lower in the varus ≥ 8.4° group than the varus < 8.4° group. The mLDFA was significantly lower and the frequency of MPTA > 91.5° was significantly higher in the valgus ≥ 7.7° group than the valgus < 7.7° group. Conclusions Genu varum was mainly associated with deformity of the proximal tibia, whereas genu valgum was related to deformities of the distal femur and proximal tibia. Considering the predominant deformity of the proximal tibia, performing hemiepiphysiodesis only at the proximal tibia is ideal in most adolescents with genu varum.

Background: Different from adults, adolescents with genu varum or valgum can be treated with hemi-epiphysiodesis. We conducted a study to report our recent experience of treating idiopathic genu varum and valgum with clinical relevance to planning of hemi-epiphysiodesis. The aim of this study was to compare the varus and valgus groups focusing on the contribution of the distal femur and proximal tibia to the deformities. Methods: Among patients who visited the outpatient clinic during the recent 4 years, adolescents with genu varum (the varus group) or valgum (the valgus group) greater than 5° were included. The mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA) and medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) were measured. The contribution to deformity (%) in each of the distal femur and the proximal tibia was calculated. Results: One hundred twenty patients and their 120 legs (randomly selected in bilateral cases) were included. In the varus group (n = 51), the mean hip-knee-ankle alignment was varus 7.1° (range, 5.1°–12.1°). The contribution to deformity was 74.1% ± 27.6% at the proximal tibia (MPTA, 81.9° ± 2.0°) and 14.9% ± 25.1% at the distal femur (mLDFA, 88.1° ± 1.7°). In the valgus group (n = 69), the mean alignment was valgus 6.6° (range, 5.1°–11.9°). The contribution was 69.8% ± 30.8% at the distal femur (mLDFA, 82.4° ± 2.1°) and 33.1% ± 27.8% at the proximal tibia (MPTA = 89.2° ± 1.9°). In subgroup analyses, the MPTA was significantly lower in the varus ≥ 8.4° group than the varus < 8.4° group. The mLDFA was significantly lower and the frequency of MPTA > 91.5° was significantly higher in the valgus ≥ 7.7° group than the valgus < 7.7° group. Conclusions Genu varum was mainly associated with deformity of the proximal tibia, whereas genu valgum was related to deformities of the distal femur and proximal tibia. Considering the predominant deformity of the proximal tibia, performing hemiepiphysiodesis only at the proximal tibia is ideal in most adolescents with genu varum.

Background: Different from adults, adolescents with genu varum or valgum can be treated with hemi-epiphysiodesis. We conducted a study to report our recent experience of treating idiopathic genu varum and valgum with clinical relevance to planning of hemi-epiphysiodesis. The aim of this study was to compare the varus and valgus groups focusing on the contribution of the distal femur and proximal tibia to the deformities. Methods: Among patients who visited the outpatient clinic during the recent 4 years, adolescents with genu varum (the varus group) or valgum (the valgus group) greater than 5° were included. The mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA) and medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) were measured. The contribution to deformity (%) in each of the distal femur and the proximal tibia was calculated. Results: One hundred twenty patients and their 120 legs (randomly selected in bilateral cases) were included. In the varus group (n = 51), the mean hip-knee-ankle alignment was varus 7.1° (range, 5.1°–12.1°). The contribution to deformity was 74.1% ± 27.6% at the proximal tibia (MPTA, 81.9° ± 2.0°) and 14.9% ± 25.1% at the distal femur (mLDFA, 88.1° ± 1.7°). In the valgus group (n = 69), the mean alignment was valgus 6.6° (range, 5.1°–11.9°). The contribution was 69.8% ± 30.8% at the distal femur (mLDFA, 82.4° ± 2.1°) and 33.1% ± 27.8% at the proximal tibia (MPTA = 89.2° ± 1.9°). In subgroup analyses, the MPTA was significantly lower in the varus ≥ 8.4° group than the varus < 8.4° group. The mLDFA was significantly lower and the frequency of MPTA > 91.5° was significantly higher in the valgus ≥ 7.7° group than the valgus < 7.7° group. Conclusions Genu varum was mainly associated with deformity of the proximal tibia, whereas genu valgum was related to deformities of the distal femur and proximal tibia. Considering the predominant deformity of the proximal tibia, performing hemiepiphysiodesis only at the proximal tibia is ideal in most adolescents with genu varum.

Background: Different from adults, adolescents with genu varum or valgum can be treated with hemi-epiphysiodesis. We conducted a study to report our recent experience of treating idiopathic genu varum and valgum with clinical relevance to planning of hemi-epiphysiodesis. The aim of this study was to compare the varus and valgus groups focusing on the contribution of the distal femur and proximal tibia to the deformities. Methods: Among patients who visited the outpatient clinic during the recent 4 years, adolescents with genu varum (the varus group) or valgum (the valgus group) greater than 5° were included. The mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA) and medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) were measured. The contribution to deformity (%) in each of the distal femur and the proximal tibia was calculated. Results: One hundred twenty patients and their 120 legs (randomly selected in bilateral cases) were included. In the varus group (n = 51), the mean hip-knee-ankle alignment was varus 7.1° (range, 5.1°–12.1°). The contribution to deformity was 74.1% ± 27.6% at the proximal tibia (MPTA, 81.9° ± 2.0°) and 14.9% ± 25.1% at the distal femur (mLDFA, 88.1° ± 1.7°). In the valgus group (n = 69), the mean alignment was valgus 6.6° (range, 5.1°–11.9°). The contribution was 69.8% ± 30.8% at the distal femur (mLDFA, 82.4° ± 2.1°) and 33.1% ± 27.8% at the proximal tibia (MPTA = 89.2° ± 1.9°). In subgroup analyses, the MPTA was significantly lower in the varus ≥ 8.4° group than the varus < 8.4° group. The mLDFA was significantly lower and the frequency of MPTA > 91.5° was significantly higher in the valgus ≥ 7.7° group than the valgus < 7.7° group. Conclusions Genu varum was mainly associated with deformity of the proximal tibia, whereas genu valgum was related to deformities of the distal femur and proximal tibia. Considering the predominant deformity of the proximal tibia, performing hemiepiphysiodesis only at the proximal tibia is ideal in most adolescents with genu varum.

Purpose: To derive the optimized intraocular lens (IOL) constants from automated and manifest refraction after cataract surgery in Korean patients, and to evaluate whether there is a difference in optimized IOL constants according to the refraction method. Methods: This retrospective multicenter cohort study enrolled 4,103 eyes of 4,103 patients who underwent phacoemulsification and in-the-bag IOL implantation at 18 institutes. Optimized IOL constants for the SRK/T, Holladay, Hoffer Q, and Haigis formulas were calculated via autorefraction or manifest refraction of samples using the same biometry and IOL. The IOL constants derived from autorefraction and manifest refraction were compared. Results: Of the 4,103 eyes, the majority (62.9%) were measured with an IOLMaster 500 followed by an IOLMaster 700 (15.2%). A total of 33 types of IOLs were used, and the Tecnis ZCB00 was the most frequently used (53.0%). There was no statistically significant difference in IOL constants derived from autorefraction and manifest refraction when IOL constants were optimized with a large number of study subjects. On the other hand, optimized IOL constants derived from autorefraction were significantly smaller than those from manifest refraction when the number of subjects was small. Conclusions It became possible to use the IOL constants optimized from Koreans to calculate the IOL power. However, if the IOL constant is optimized using autorefraction in a small sample group, the IOL constant tends to be small, which may lead to refractive error after surgery.

BACKGROUND: Results of limb lengthening in patients with achondroplasia were previously reported in many studies. However, the reports of comparison among the three long bones (femur, tibia, and humerus) are rare, especially for the results of crossed lengthening (lengthening of one femur and contralateral tibia followed by that of the opposite side) for the lower limbs. The purpose of this study was to report the surgical results of a series of limb lengthening in achondroplastic or hypochondroplasia patients at our institution. METHODS: Fifteen patients (14 with achondroplasia and 1 with hypochondroplasia) underwent lower limb lengthening of the femur (n = 32) and tibia (n = 28), and 12 of them underwent crossed lengthening. Humeral lengthening was performed in 14 patients (n = 28). The mean age at the first operation was 11.7 years, and the mean follow-up duration was 66.7 months. The healing index, consolidation period index (duration of consolidation period/gained length), and other radiographic indices were analyzed. Limb length discrepancy and hip-knee-ankle alignment in lower limbs, and the occurrence of difficulties were assessed. RESULTS: The average gain in length for the femur, tibia, and humerus was 8.3 cm, 8.5 cm, and 7.4 cm, respectively. The mean healing index was 29.6 days/cm for the femur, 29.0 days/cm for the tibia, and 27.2 days/cm for the humerus. The mean consolidation period index was 14.7 days/cm for the humerus, which was significantly lower than that in the lower limb (17.3 days/cm for the femur and 17.8 days/cm for the tibia). Of the 12 who underwent crossed lengthening, five showed limb length discrepancy ≥ 1.0 cm. Among their 24 lower limbs, three showed valgus alignment ≥ 5° and one showed varus alignment ≥ 5°. Thirty-two pin site infections and three fractures were conservatively managed. Three femoral fractures, eight equinus deformities, and four cases with premature consolidation of the fibula were surgically treated. Obstacle and true complication related to humeral lengthening were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Humeral lengthening was relatively effective and safe. Careful attention will be needed to avoid the occurrence of limb length discrepancy or malalignment in crossed lengthening.
Achondroplasia ; Equinus Deformity ; Extremities ; Femoral Fractures ; Femur ; Fibula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Humerus ; Lower Extremity ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; Tibia

Hallux valgus is a deformity characterized by lateral deviation of the great toe and medial deviation of the first metatarsal. When planning an operative treatment, it is important to realize that the deformity is tridimensional and diverse. Operative techniques include medial eminence resection, distal soft tissue procedure, first metatarsal osteotomy (distal, diaphyseal, proximal, or multiple), proximal phalanx osteotomy, arthrodesis (first metatarsophalangeal or metatarsocuneiform joint), and so on. Among these techniques, osteotomy is the main procedure for correcting the hallux valgus. The objective of this article is to describe the characteristics and recent advancements made for corrective osteotomies in the hallux valgus. The pathophysiology of the hallux valgus is also described.
Arthrodesis ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Hallux Valgus* ; Hallux* ; Median Eminence ; Metatarsal Bones ; Osteotomy* ; Toes

BACKGROUND: Brother of the regulator of imprinted sites (BORIS) is a putative new oncogene that is classified as a cancer germline gene; however, its role in the development of cancer is unclear. This study investigated the expression of BORIS in lung cancer and its clinical implications. METHODS: The expression of BORIS messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in the sputum of 100 patients with lung cancer (50 with squamous cell carcinoma, 36 with adenocarcinoma, and 14 with small-cell carcinoma) was evaluated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The overall expression rate of BORIS in patients with lung cancer was 36.0%: 19 of 50 squamous cell carcinomas (38.0%), 13 of 36 adenocarcinomas (36.1%), and 4 of 14 (28.6%) small-cell carcinomas. There was no significant difference in the BORIS expression according to age, gender, or histologic type. However, the mRNA expression of BORIS was significantly related to the pathologic cancer stage (p=0.004) and lymph node metastasis (p=0.001). The expression of the melanoma antigen gene family A1-6 was not associated with the expression of BORIS. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the expression of BORIS might be a negative prognostic factor in lung cancers and implicate BORIS as a molecular target for immunotherapy.
Adenocarcinoma ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lymph Nodes ; Melanoma ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Oncogenes ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger ; Siblings* ; Sputum*

Tuberculosis is one of the most common opportunistic diseases in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in Korea, and extra-pulmonary infections are frequent in these patients. Cutaneous miliary tuberculosis is a rare form of tuberculosis that presents as a papulopustular eruption and hematogenous dissemination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to multiple organs. This has been reported in patients with progressive HIV infection. We report the first case of cutaneous miliary tuberculosis that developed as a manifestation of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) after initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART).
HIV ; HIV Infections ; Humans ; Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome* ; Korea ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Skin ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Miliary*