Is the Agricultural Work a Risk Factor for Koreans Elderly Spinal Sagittal Imbalance?

Objective@#: A primary degenerative sagittal imbalance has been considered because of unique lifestyles such as the prolonged crouched posture during agricultural work and performing activities of daily living on the floor. Previous papers have reported that sagittal imbalance disease is often seen distinctly in the farming districts of “oriental” countries such as Korea and Japan. However, this finding was only evaluated with the use of X-ray, and other factors such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), muscle volume, compression fracture, and laboratory results were not considered. Thus, using these, we evaluate the agricultural work-associated factors for Korean elderly spinal sagittal imbalance. @*Methods@#: We recruited 103 Korean participants who had a sagittal vertical axis (SVA) of >5 cm in this Korean Elderly Sagittal Imbalance Cohort Study. The following were evaluated : radiological parameters, MRI, compression fracture, vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, C-telopeptide, osteocalcin, bone mineral density and muscle fatty change, muscle volume, and health-related quality of life from patients’ survey. Moreover, in this survey, the farmers’ annual working hours were investigated. Subsequently, we analyzed the associated factors for spinal sagittal imbalance depending on occupation. @*Results@#: A total of 46 participants were farmers, and the others were housewives, sellers, and office workers. The farmer group had more SVA (141 vs. 99 mm, p=0.001) and pelvic tilt (31° vs. 24°, p=0.004) and lesser lumbar lordosis (20° vs. 30°, p=0.009) and thoracic kyphosis (24° vs. 33°, p=0.03) than non-farmer group. A significantly positive correlation was noted between the working hour and SVA in the farmer group (p=0.014). The visual analogue scale score for back pain (8.26 vs. 6.96, p=0.008) and Oswestry Disability Index (23.5 vs. 19.1, p=0.003) in the farmer group were higher than that in the non-farmer group, but the Short Form-36 score was not significantly different between the two groups. The Mini-Mental State Exam score was significantly lower in the farmer group than in the non-farmer group (24.85 vs. 26.98, p=0.002). @*Conclusion@#: The farmer group had more sagittal imbalance and back pain in proportion to the working hours even though the muscle and bone factors and general laboratory condition were not significantly different between the two groups. These results supported that the long hours spent in the crouched posture while performing agricultural work were a risk factor for severe sagittal imbalance.

Giant Sacral Schwannoma: A Case Report / 전남의대학술지

No abstract available.

Spinal Extradural Meningeal Cyst: A Case Report / 전남의대학술지

No abstract available.

Outcomes of Anterior Cervical Fusion Using Polyetheretherketone Cage with Demineralized Bone Matrix and Plate for Management of Subaxial Cervical Spine Injuries / 대한신경손상학회지

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the usefulness of a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage filled with demineralized bone matrix (DBM) and plate fixation in anterior interbody fusions for subaxial cervical spine injuries. METHODS: A retrospective review of 98 patients (58 women, 40 men; mean age, 49.7 years; range, 17–78 years) who underwent single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) using a PEEK cage filled with DBM and plate fixation for subaxial cervical spine injuries from March 2005 to June 2018 was conducted. Bone fusion, interbody height (IBH), segmental lordosis, and adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) development were assessed with plain radiographs and computed tomography. Clinical outcomes were assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and the Frankel grade for neurologic function. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 27.6 months (range, 6–142 months). Twenty-one patients (21.4%) had an improvement of at least one Frankel grade. The mean preoperative and final follow-up neck pain VAS scores were 8.3±0.9 and 2.6±1.5 (p < 0.05). All patients showed solid fusion at the final follow-up. The mean preoperative and final Cobb's angles were −3.7±7.9° and 1.9±5.1° (p < 0.05). The mean preoperative and final IBHs were 36.9±1.7 mm and 38.2±1.8 mm (p < 0.05). Five patients (5%) showed ASD. CONCLUSION: ACDF using a PEEK cage filled with DBM and plate fixation yielded high fusion rates and satisfactory clinical outcomes without donor-site morbidity. This procedure is safe and effective for single-level subaxial cervical spine injuries.

Induction of antibody and interferon-gamma production in mice immunized with virus-like particles of swine hepatitis E virus

Virus-like particles (VLPs) composed of the truncated capsid protein of swine hepatitis E virus (HEV) were developed and immune responses of mice immunized with the VLPs were evaluated. IgG titers specific for the capsid protein of swine HEV were significantly higher for all groups of mice immunized with the VLPs than those of the negative control mice. Splenocytes from mice immunized with the VLPs also produced significantly greater quantities of interferon (IFN)-gamma than interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10. These newly developed swine HEV VLPs have the capacity to induce antigen-specific antibody and IFN-gamma production in immunized mice.

Cystic Abducens Schwannoma without Abducens Paresis : Possible Role of Cisternal Structures in Clinical Manifestation

The abducens nerve paresis generally can aid in the presumptive diagnosis of abducens schwannoma along with the typical radiological features of schwannomas. The authors present a case of a 76-year-old male patient with a abducens schwannoma without abducens nerve paresis. Peroperatively, abducens nerve located in the cerebellopontine cistern had normal in contour and diameter, despite the mass originated from this nerve. We hypothesize that anatomic location of abducens nerve may affect the vector of tumor growth to prevent destruction of its origin, the abducens nerve.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in zoo animal species in Korea / 대한수의학회지

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) can infect not only human but also several animals. This study has been conducted to evaluate the comprehensive anti-HEV seroprevalence in zoo animals in Korea. Anti-HEV antibodies were identified in 14 of 64 zoo animal species. HEV antibodies were detected for the first time in Eurasian Lynx, Setland Pony, Fallow Deer, Ezo Sika, Formosa Deer, East Wapitis, Barasingha, Corriedale, American Bison, Guanacos, Reticulated Giraffe, and Saanen. These results indicate that the several zoo animal species were exposed to HEV.

Destructive Radiologic Development of Intravascular Papillary Endothelial Hyperplasia on Skull Bone

Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (IPEH) is a rare vascular benign lesion that rarely involves the central nervous system with or without skull invasion. We report a rare case of IPEH on the skull bone, which displayed destructive radiologic development associated with hemorrhage. A 14-year-old male presented with an incidentally detected a small enhancing, left frontal osteolytic lesion. Previously, he underwent operation and received adjuvant chemoradiation therapy for cerebellar medulloblastoma. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging revealed a left frontal bone lesion, which expanded to an approximately 2 cm-sized well-circumscribed osteolytic lesion associated with hemorrhage for 20 months. Frontal craniectomy and cranioplasty were performed. Destructive change was detected on the inner table and diploic space of the skull. The mass had a cystic feature with hemorrhagic content without dural attachment. Pathologic examination showed the capsule consisted of parallel collagen lamellae representing a vascular wall, vascular lumen, which was pathognomonic for IPEH. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the capsule was positive for CD34 and factor VIII, which favor the final diagnosis of IPEH. This was the first case of intracalvarial IPEH.

A Case of Recurrent Hydramnios in Association with Congenital Myotonic Dystrophy / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Hydramnios is a serious complication of pregnancy associated with a marked increase in perinatal mortality. A variety causes of this condition have been described, the majority of which relate to abnormalities of the fetus. Myotonic dystrophy is a progressive degenerative disease of the neuromuscular system, usually inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. The disease is variable onset and clinical manifestations and usually severe in the male. Especially congenital myotonic dystrophy is a disease characterized by profound hypotonia. Affected infants present with varying degrees of respiratory failure, often necessitating immediate and prolonged ventilatory assistance. These neonates also have feeding difficulties due to impaired sucking and swallowing. The diagnosis of myotonic dystrophy in pregnancy is made retrospectively, following the birth of a severely affected neonates. A documented case of congenital myotonic dystrophy associated with hydramnios in two successive pregnancies is presented. The evidence suggests that myotonic dystrophy should be considered as a rare cause of recurrent hydramnios. We report a case of recurrent hyramnios in association with congenital myotonic dystrophy with a brief review of literatures.

A Case of Fetal Intracranial Hemorrhage Diagnosed by Antenatal Ultrasonogram / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Fetal intracranial hemorrhage is quite rare. It refers to the bleeding that occurs antenatally from a blood vessel into ventricles, subdural space, or parenchyme of the brain. Factors that may place the fetus at risk for intracranial hemorrhage include maternal drug exposure history, various maternal and fetal conditions. The majority of reported antenatally detected cases of intracranial hemorrhage have occurred during the third trimester. Residual changes may include development of a porencephalic cyst or ventricular enlargement. Intracranial hemorrhage has a broad spectrum of manifestations with diverse prognosis. We report a case of fetal intracranial hemorrhage that was diagnosed antenatally in the third trimester with a brief review of literatures.

An Immunohistochemical study on the Expression of EGFR, TGF-alpha and Ki-67 in the Uterine Cervical Neoplasia / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: Cervical carcinoma of the uterus, the most common maliganacy among women in Korea, which its etiology and pathogenesis are not yet determined. Recently, since it has been found about the function of the growth factor and its receptor, involved in the regulation of cellular growth and differentiation, many studies have been undertaken about the role of growth factors and its receptors in the growth and differentiation of the tumor cell. METHODS: In this study, we examined the expression of EGFR, TGF-alpha and Ki-67 in 50 CINs and 20 invasive cervical cancers using immunohistochemical stain. RESULTS: Positive rate of EGFR was 92% in CIN, 80% in invasive cancer, negative rate of TGF-alpha was 74% in CIN, 80% in invasive cancer and Ki-67 labelling index(LI) in normal basal cell, CIN I-II, CIN III were 5+/-0.7, 13+/-2.5, 65+/-5.4 repectively and in invasive cancer, LI was over 90. from this result as cervical carcinoma progresses, the expression of EGFR and Ki-67 increase while that of TGF-alpha decreases. CONCLUSION: As cervical carcinoma progress, the expression of EGFR and Ki-67 increase while that of TGF-alpha decreases. Further studies on the expression of EGFR and TGF-alpha and its growth-stimulation mechanism in cervical carcinoma are warranted to establish the pathogenesis of the cervical carcinoma.

A Clinical Study on Sacrospinous Ligament Suspension for Management of Pelvic Organ Prolapse / 대한산부인과학회잡지

No abstract available.

Clinical Significance of Amniotie Fluid Cell Culture Failure / 대한주산의학회잡지

The reports of all amniocentesis samples received in our cytogenetic laboratory from 1986 to 1998 were reviewed to identify cases in which culture failure of amniocytes occurred. Medical records were then reviewed for the prenatal ultrasonographic findings, karyotype when available, and clinical outcome. We investigated the clinical aspects associated with second trimester amniotic fluid cell culture failure. During the study period, 5,325 second trimester amniotic fluid samples were processed, of which 42(0.8%) failed to yield a result. Ninety-seven percent of the samples were obtained before 24 weeks' gestation, mainly because of advanced maternal age. Three percent of the samples were obtained after 24 weeks' gestation. Culture failure was more common in samples obtained after or at 24 weeks' gestation(11.8%) than in those obtained before 24 weeks(0.44%)(p<0.05, chi-square test). This difference was also observed when the results were analysed according to the cases with known normal or abnormal karyotypes, The frequency of culture failure did not differ significantly between the groups with normal and abnormal karyotypes. We conduded that amniotic fluid cell culture failure is more common in advanced pregnancy and is not associated with a higher incidence of chromosomal abnormalities.