The Effects of Aging and Mild Cognitive Impairment on the Tip-of-the-Tongue Phenomenon in People Naming Task

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) phenomenon refers to knowing the meaning of the desired information but being unable to produce the phonological information. This study induced the TOT phenomenon through a task involving naming famous people, compared and analyzed results by age, and examined the differences with effects from pathological aging [mild cognitive impairment (MCI)]. METHODS: Young (n=10), middle-aged (n=10), older (n=10), oldest (n=10), and MCI (n=10) subjects participated in this study. To examine TOT rate, rate of TOT response, voluntary TOT solution rate, and TOT solution rate after presenting syllabic cue, each group participated in the experiment through a task of naming famous people. RESULTS: First, as subject age increased, TOT rate (the number of TOTs divided by total trials) increased. There was no significant difference with pathological aging. Second, normal aging and pathological aging had no significant effect on the rate of TOT response (the number of each response type divided by total response types). Third, the voluntary TOT solution rate (the number of voluntary TOT solutions divided by total TOTs) on occurrence of the TOT phenomenon was very low. Fourth, the TOT solution rate (the number of TOT solutions after presenting syllabic cue divided by total TOTs) had a negative correlation to normal aging. In examining pathological aging, the TOT solution rate of the MCI group was significantly lower than normal oldest people. CONCLUSION: Normal aging and pathological aging showed differences regarding TOT rate and TOT solution rate when naming famous individuals. The results of this study could be helpful as a differential tool between normal and pathological aging.

Effects of a Pueraria lobata-root based combination supplement containing Rehmannia glutinosa and aerobic exercise on improvement of metabolic dysfunctions in ovariectomized rats / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: There is a fair amount of evidence indicating that increased risk of obesity and insulin resistance is associated with postmenopausal state, but can be modulated by diet and exercise. In this study, we explored whether a Pueraria lobata root-based supplement containing Rehmannia glutinosa (PR) and/or aerobic treadmill exercise can modify the metabolic changes associated with estrogen deficiency. METHODS: Seventy rats were randomly assigned to the following groups for 8 weeks (n=10 per group): SHAM, sham-operated; PR0, ovariectomized (OVX) control; PR200, OVX with PR200 mg/kg B.W; PR400, OVX with PR400 mg/kg B.W; EPR0, OVX with exercise; EPR200, OVX with exercise and PR200 mg/kg B.W; EPR400, OVX with exercise and PR400 mg/kg B.W. RESULTS: OVX induced significant increases in body weight, food intake, fat mass, LDL-cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose, confirming induction of menopausal symptoms. PR supplementation or exercise significantly suppressed the above mentioned changes through different regulatory elements in adipose tissue: PR supplement upregulated adiponectin gene expression and aerobic exercise upregulated adiponectin and insulin receptor gene expression and a combination of PR supplement and aerobic exercise showed an additive effect on adiponectin gene expression. CONCLUSION: Taken together, the results of this study suggest that PR supplement has a potential to provide health benefits in OVX rats through leptin and adiponectin secretion. In addition, the data suggest that combination of exercise and PR would have additive effects on metabolic dysfunction associated with estrogen deficiency.

Delayed Electrode Extrusion after Cochlear Implant Repositioning / 대한이비인후과학회지

It is well known that cochlear implant device repositioned in the posterosuperior direction will cause intracochlear electrode extrusion. We have recently repositioned a cochlear implant device due to infection and device exposure. The device repositioning was performed under C-arm assisted fluoroscopic monitoring. The exposed device was covered with a local scalp flap. During and immediately after the repositioning operation, electrodes seemed to be well positioned in place. Mapping and neural response imaging were performed 4 days after the operation, and the results were quite similar to the preoperative results. But when the same tests were performed one month after repositioning operation, we found that the number 15 and 16 electrodes were not responsive. The transorbital view also revealed a slight extrusion of the intracochlear electrode. In the present article, we discuss the possible cause of delayed electrode extrusion and its clinical implication.

Subservient Bone Reduction with Histoacryl(R) (N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate) in Hand Fractures: Two Cases of Report

PURPOSE: The standard treatments of hand fractures today are fixations by K -wires, metal plates, wires and lag screws. But it is very difficult to reconstruct fractures by placing implants into small bony fragments especially in the comminuted fractures and intra-articular fractures. This paper describes a simple method of reconstruction with Histoacryl(R) for comminuted and intra-articular fractures in hands. METHODS: 2 cases with comminuted and intra-articular fractures by crushing injury were reconstructed with Histoacryl(R). We performed applying Histoacryl(R) with swab on the bone cortex carefully to avoid Histoacryl(R) infiltrating into the medulla. We could rearrange and fixate bony fragments using only Histoacryl(R), in addition, metal plates, K-wires, wires, and lag screws could be used for secondary fixation if needed. RESULTS: Post-operative X-ray finding of 2 patients assured that the bony fragments of the hand fractures maintained their original positions. Significant displacement and deviation, infection, nonunion, and malunion during the follow-up period were not observed. CONCLUSION: This study showed the possibility of using Histoacryl(R) in addition as a simple method of fixation in the comminuted and intra-articular hand fractures.

Transnasal Reduction of Blow Out Fracture with Transconjunctival Approach

PURPOSE: Many surgical approaches for reconstruction of blow out fracture have been introduced, which include subciliary incision, transconjunctival incision and transcaruncular incision. Recently endoscopic approach has been attempted. This study was intended to show the effectiveness of the approach through transconjunctival incision combined with transnasal reduction in reconstructing blow out fracture to its original position. METHODS: Medical recoreds of 43 patients from March 2008 to March 2009 who underwent surgery for orbital fracture were reviewed, retrospectively. All fractures were operated through transconjuctival incision approach combined with transnasal reduction. The average follow-up period was 10.1 months. To evaluate the surgical outcomes of orbital fracture, we performed CT of the facial bone before and after the surgery. In addition, preoperative and postoperative data of enophthalmos, diplopia and the limitation of extraocular motion was assessed with physical examination. RESULTS: Post-operative CT scan of 43 patients assured that the bone fragments of the orbital fractures were restored to their original positions. Although a few patients developed postoperative transient diplopia or impairment of ocular movement, most of the patients recovered during the follow-up period without complication. CONCLUSION: From this study, we were able to demonstrate the effectiveness of the transnsasal reduction technique combined with the approach through transconjunctival incision. This technique can be considered as very useful means of repairing orbital fracture. It is not only easy to perform but also it can minimize the damage to the orbital bone. Furthermore, it can restore the fracture to its original position as much as possible.

A Case of Eccrine Spiradenoma in a Patient with Neurofibromatosis

Neurofibromatosis is a systemic hereditary disorder with varied manifestations in bone, soft tissue, the nervous system and skin. Cutaneous manifestations of neurofibromatosis are characterized by cafe-au-lait macules, multiple neurofibromas, Lisch nodules and intertriginous freckling. Some benign or malignant tumors such as juvenile xanthogranuloma, pheochromocytoma, and malignant melanoma can accompany neurofibromatosis. But, in the English literature, no case of eccrine spiradenoma associated with neurofibromatosis has been reported. Eccrine spiradenoma is a benign uncommon neoplasm of skin adnexa. It presents as a painful, slow-growing and solitary nodule on the head or upper trunk. Here, we report a rare case of eccrine spiradenoma in a patient with neurofibromatosis.