Comparison of Lower Extremity Muscle Function and Proprioception According to Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Taekwondo Demonstration Players / 대한스포츠의학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide basic data for injury prevention and rehabilitation program development of Taekwondo demonstration team by comparing lower extremity muscles function and proprioceptive senses of Taekwondo demonstration team with or without anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The subjects were ACL injured Taekwondo demonstration player group (ATD, n=13) who underwent ACL reconstruction and Kukkiwon Taekwondo demonstration player group (KTD, n=13) without injury history.METHODS: To evaluate the lower extremity muscles function, we measured the flexor-extensor muscle strength ratio and isokinetic muscle strength of the knee joint using a isokinetic muscle strength measuring device. In order to investigate the proprioceptive sensory function, position sense, and threshold to detection of passive motion was using a isokinetic muscle strength measuring device. The experiment was conducted on average 26 months after surgery.RESULTS: The results of this study are as follows. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the knee joint flexor-extensor ratio. But there was a significant difference in Knee joint flexion and extension strength between two groups at an angular velocity of 60°/sec, 180°/sec, and 300°/sec. and KTD group was higher than ATD groups (p=0.014, p=0.001, p=0.029, p=0.005, p=0.043, p=0.041, respectively). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the proprioceptive sensory test.CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that the normal flexor to extensor ratio (50%–70%), But it was close to the injury risk level. Therefore, the training program for the improvement of the muscle strength and the imbalance of the strength of the lower extremity muscle function should be performed in both groups.

Expression of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug-Activated Gene(NAG-1) as a Prognostic Marker in Oral Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Our previous study showed that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene (NAG-1) induced apoptosis in tongue cancer cells. However, the NAG-1 expression in tongue cancer and normal tissues was not studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of NAG-1 in oral tongue cancer and normal tissues and to identify the relationship between NAG-1 expression and the prognosis of tongue cancer patients to determine whether NAG-1 can be used as a valuable prognostic marker in tongue cancer. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: The medical records and pathologic reports of 42 tongue cancer patients who received surgery as primary treatment were surveyed. Tongue cancer and normal tissues, which were obtained during the operation, were stained with anti-NAG-1 antibody using the immunohistochemical method and the H-score was calculated. RESULTS: As a result, the higher expression of NAG-1 was observed in the cancer tissues than in the normal tissues. NAG-1 expression was noted to be higher in cases of tongue cancers with more invasion, positive lymph node metastasis, and poor prognosis. A 5-year survival rate was significantly decreased in cases showing higher NAG-1 expression in the cancer tissues than in the normal tissues. CONCLUSION: The higher NAG-1 expression in the cancer tissue suggests malignant changes in cancer tissue and poor prognosis. Therefore, NAG-1 may be a useful prognostic marker in tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

Anti-adhesive Effect of GUARDIX-SL(R) after Endoscopic Sinus Surgery / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Adhesion after sinus surgery represents a potential source of surgical failure. GUARDIX-SL(R) which is composed of sodium hyaluronate and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, is an effective agent that can be used as a surgical adjuvant to decrease adhesion in the abdominal surgery. Therefore, we evaluated the clinical efficacy and safety of the GUARDIX-SL(R) for the prevention of adhesion after endoscopic sinus surgery. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: This study was randomized and double-blinded. At the completion of endoscopic sinus surgery, 6 mL GUARDIX-SL(R) was applied on Merocel(R) and repeatedly applied on the middle meatus after removal of Merocel(R) (n=22). As a control group, normal saline was applied instead of GUARDIX-SL(R)(n=22). Endoscopic examination was performed at 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks, postoperatively. Adhesion formation was graded as G0-G4, and CT scoring was also performed. RESULTS: The rate of adhesion formation was the highest at 2 weeks after operation and was significantly lower in the GUARDIX-SL(R) treated group than in the control throughout the period of observation. The cases were divided into 3 groups according to the CT scores at 2 weeks after operation: The groups with the GUARDIX-SL(R) treatment also showed lower adhesion formation than the control. The safety profile of the patients was normal at 4 weeks postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that GUARDIX-SL(R) may be an efficacious and safe material in decreasing the incidence of adhesion after sinus surgery.