Effects of Spinal Stabilization Exercises Using Visual Feedback on Gross Motor Function and Balance in Children with Cerebral Palsy

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of spinal stabilization exercises using visual feedback on the gross motor function and balance of the sitting posture in children with cerebral palsy.METHODS: The subjects were 18 children with cerebral palsy aged 8–15 years in the I–III stages of the Gross Motor Function Classification System. The subjects were divided into an experimental group (n=9) and control group (n=9). The experimental group was treated with 30 minutes of neurodevelopmental treatment and 20 minutes of spinal stabilization exercises using visual feedback. The control group was treated with 30 minutes of neurodevelopmental treatment and 20 minutes of spinal stabilization exercises without visual feedback. Both groups participated in the experiment twice a week for eight weeks. The Gross Motor Function Measurement was performed to evaluate the changes between pre- and the post-intervention in gross motor function. The Seated Limit of Stability Surface Area was measured to evaluate the changes in trunk balance.RESULTS: Both experimental and control groups showed a significant increase in the gross motor function and trunk balance (p<0.05). The experimental group showed a significant increase in gross motor function compared to the control group (p<0.05). The experimental group showed a significant increase in the dynamic trunk balance in all directions when measuring the Seated Limit of Stability Surface Area (p<0.05).CONCLUSION: Spinal stabilization exercises using visual feedback for the neurodevelopmental treatment of children with cerebral palsy can improve their gross motor function and trunk balance when in a sitting posture more effectively.

Genetic diversity of Korean Bacillus anthracis isolates from soil evaluated with a single nucleotide repeat analysis

Bacillus (B.) anthracis, the etiological agent of anthrax, is one of the most genetically monomorphic bacteria species in the world. Due to the very limited genetic diversity of this species, classification of isolates of this bacterium requires methods with high discriminatory power. Single nucleotide repeat (SNR) analysis is a type of variable-number tandem repeat assay that evaluates regions with very high mutation rates. To subtype a collection of 21 isolates that were obtained during a B. anthracis outbreak in Korea, we analyzed four SNR marker loci using nucleotide sequencing analysis. These isolates were obtained from soil samples and the Korean Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The SNR analysis was able to detect 13 subgenotypes, which allowed a detailed evaluation of the Korean isolates. Our study demonstrated that the SNR analysis was able to discriminate between strains with the same multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis genotypes. In summary, we obtained SNR results for four SNR marker loci of newly acquired strains from Korea. Our findings will be helpful for creating marker systems and help identify markers that could be used for future forensic studies.

Ureteric Injury Caused By Blunt Trauma

Ureteral injuries after external violence are rare, occurring in less than 4% of penetrating traumas and 1% of blunt traumas. Most of the ureteral injuries are traumatic in origin and tend to occur as a result of shootings, or stabbings, or during various intraabdominal or retroperitoneal operations. Most are localized in the upper one third of the ureter. Ureteral injury after blunt trauma is rare and can be missed because patients often do not present hematuria. Therefore, in case of blunt trauma exhibiting flank pain, fever, abdominal distention, and leukocytosis, an abdominal CT scan and other diagnostic tools must be used. We describe a case of blunt abdominal trauma that resulted in a ureteral injury with urinoma.

Anterior Superior Pancreaticoduodenal Artery Aneurysm Rupture Associated with Abdominal Pain

Aneurysms of visceral arteries are an uncommon, but potentially lethal, forms of vascular disease. Aneurysms of the pancreaticoduodenal artery and its branches are extremely rare. Recognized causes include acute and chronic pancreatitis, a peptic ulcer, surgery, trauma and connective tissue disease. The major complication of a pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm is rupture, usually causing gastrointestinal bleeding and intraabdominal hemorrhage, with an associated high mortality. Angiography is necessary for the diagnosis and is the treatment of choice. We report an unusual case of an anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm, associated with abdominal pain, that ruptured.