Is There a Difference in the Distribution of Mechanoreceptors among the Three Sections of the Anterior Talofibular Ligament?

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether the distribution of mechanoreceptors in three sections of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) differed. METHODS: The ATFL was obtained from 29 ankles of 21 fresh-frozen cadavers and divided into fibular attachment, mid-ligament, and talar attachment parts. Histologically, mechanoreceptors were classified as Ruffini (type I), Vater-Pacini (type II), Golgi-Mazzoni (type III), and free nerve ending corpuscles (type IV); the presence of these mechanoreceptors was compared among the three ATFL sections. RESULTS: Type I mechanoreceptors were significantly more numerous than the other receptor types. Comparing the three sections of the ATFL, the number of type I mechanoreceptors differed significantly between the mid-ligament and fibular attachment (p = 0.006), while the number of type III mechanoreceptors differed significantly between the talar and fibular attachments (p = 0.005) and between the mid-ligament and talar attachment (p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: The four types of mechanoreceptors were distributed differently among the three sections of the ATFL. Type I mechanoreceptors were more numerous in all sections compared to the other receptors.

The Effects of Life Changes in Family on Engagement in Economic Activities Among Female Older Adults: A Comparative Study Between China and South Korea.

In this study, the relationship between life changes in family members and engagement in economic activities among female older adults was explored in two East Asian countries: China and South Korea. Using panel data from wave 2 (2008) to wave 6 (2016) of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging and wave 1 (2011) to wave 3 (2015) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, a correlated random effects probit model was estimated. The sample included 4,412 observations from South Korea and 1,972 observations from China. The results demonstrate that life changes in family affect engagement in economic activity among female older adults in both countries. However, the influence of family members on economic activity differed between the countries. These results suggest that participation in economic activities among female older adults needs to be understood in different macro-social contexts.

The Relationship between Nutrient Intake and Cataracts in the Older Adult Population of Korea.

Cataracts are a prevalent ophthalmic disease worldwide, and research on the risk factors for cataracts occurrence is actively being conducted. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between nutrient intake and cataracts in the older adult population in Korea. We analyzed data from Korean adults over the age of 60 years (cataract: 2137, non-cataract: 3497) using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We performed univariate simple and multiple logistic regressions, adjusting for socio-demographic, medical history, and lifestyle, to identify the associations between nutrient intake and cataracts. A higher intake of vitamin B1 in the male group was associated with a lower incidence of cataracts. A lower intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin A, and a higher intake of vitamin B2 in the female group were associated with a higher incidence of cataracts. Our study demonstrated that polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamin A, and vitamin B2 could affect the incidence of cataracts according to sex. The findings could be used to control nutrient intake for cataract prevention.

Future Scenarios of the Data-Driven Healthcare Economy in South Korea.

Although data-based healthcare innovation has been spotlighted in South Korea in recent years, previous studies have made little effort to systematically predict various possible future outcomes in the data-driven healthcare economy. This study investigated possible future such scenarios in South Korea by conducting a general morphological analysis (GMA). Seven key factors were identified that will drive the data-driven healthcare economy: the acceptability of data utilization, the level of data literacy, the status of healthcare data regulation, the healthcare data system, medical costs, the convergence of ICT and biotechnology, and the utilization of data in medical services. The main findings are as follows: Four possible scenarios for the data-driven healthcare economy in South Korea were identified. The first scenario suggested mostly optimistic prospects and close associations between factorial values on the various spectra. The second scenario was similar to the first one, except for medical costs. However, the third scenario contrasted with the first, as it entailed relatively pessimistic factorial values. Finally, most of the elements of the current healthcare status quo were maintained in the fourth scenario. This study makes not only an academic contribution, but also has policy implications based on the four scenarios.

Morton's Neuroma (Interdigital Neuralgia) Treated with Metatarsal Sliding Osteotomy.

BACKGROUND: Morton's neuroma is a common cause of metatarsalgia and many treatments had been described in literature. However, there have been only a few reports that treat the neuroma with an osteotomy on the proximal, not distal portion of the metatarsal bone using a plate. This study describes the clinical outcome of sliding osteotomy on the proximal metatarsal bone for the treatment of Morton's neuroma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty five consecutive patients (85 feet) who underwent surgery for Morton's neuroma between November 2010 and February 2013 were identified from hospital records to include in this retrospective study. Average followup period was 37.3 months (range 24-51 months). Mean patient age at surgery was 50.2 years (range 23-75 years). Metatarsal sliding osteotomies were only performed on the third metatarsal bone. Clinical evaluations with the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Lesser Metatarsophalangeal Interphalangeal Scale (AOFAS LMIS) and Foot Function Index (FFI) were performed. The length of the lesser toe was measured for radiologic evaluation. RESULTS: Postoperatively, AOFAS LMIS and FFI were improved from 52.1 (range 45-60) and 62.4 (range 54-73) to 74.2 (range 68-86) and 31.3 (range 26-37). At the last followup, preoperative pain was dissolved in 79 feet (93% of overall 85 feet). A shortened 3.2 mm (±1.1) metatarsal bone following osteotomy was radiographically measured. There were six cases of complications (soft tissue infection, early numbness, delayed union, limitation of dorsiflexion and metal failure, etc.). CONCLUSIONS: This proximal metatarsal sliding osteotomy can be a relatively effective operative method in relieving pain from Morton's neuroma.

Anti-inflammatory and Antibacterial Effects of Covalently Attached Biomembrane-Mimic Polymer Grafts on Gore-Tex Implants.

Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), also known as Gore-Tex, is widely used as an implantable biomaterial in biomedical applications because of its favorable mechanical properties and biochemical inertness. However, infection and inflammation are two major complications with ePTFE implantations, because pathogenic bacteria can inhabit the microsized pores, without clearance by host immune cells, and the limited biocompatibility can induce foreign body reactions. To minimize these complications, we covalently grafted a biomembrane-mimic polymer, poly(2-methacryloyloxylethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC), by partial defluorination followed by UV-induced polymerization with cross-linkers on the ePTFE surface. PMPC grafting greatly reduced serum protein adsorption as well as fibroblast adhesion on the ePTFE surface. Moreover, the PMPC-grafted ePTFE surface exhibited a dramatic inhibition of the adhesion and growth of Staphylococcus aureus, a typical pathogenic bacterium in ePTFE implants, in the porous network. On the basis of an analysis of immune cells and inflammation-related factors, i.e., transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) and myeloperoxidase (MPO), we confirmed that inflammation was efficiently alleviated in tissues around PMPC-grafted ePTFE plates implanted in the backs of rats. Covalent PMPC may be an effective strategy for promoting anti-inflammatory and antibacterial functions in ePTFE implants and to reduce side effects in biomedical applications of ePTFE.

Intra-articular fracture of proximal phalanx of great toe accompanied by valgus deformity associated with sports activities.

BACKGROUND: We analyzed clinical and radiologic examination of intra-articular fracture of the proximal phalanx of great toe accompanied by valgus deformity associated with sports activities. Therefore, we assessed valgus deformity of great toe at fracture side and contralateral side by simple radiograph in order to confirm the causal relation of fracture and deformity. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 23 cases, between January 2000 and August 2014, which showed an intra-articular fracture of proximal phalanx which was diagnosed after visiting our hospital for valgus deformity of great toe as a chief complaint. All patients were involved in sports activities for over 2 years. The site of fracture was the lateral side of the proximal phalanx head in 16 cases and the medial side of the proximal phalanx base in 7 cases. In order to assess the valgus deformity of great toe, hallux valgus angle (HVA) and hallux valgus interphalangeal angle (HVIPA) were measured on the weight-bearing foot radiograph. RESULTS: The average HVA of the fracture group on the lateral side of the proximal phalanx head was 10.5° and HVIPA was 17.8°, while the average HVA of the fracture group on the medial side of the proximal phalanx base was 18.1° and HVIPA was 10.7°. Among the 16 cases with a fracture on the lateral side of the head, 13 cases showed hallux valgus interphalangeus (81.3%), while all 7 cases of fracture on the medial side of the base showed hallux valgus (100%). CONCLUSION: Hallux valgus was mostly found on the fracture of the medial side of the proximal phalanx base, while hallux valgus interphalangeus was mostly found on the fracture of the lateral side of the proximal phalanx head.

Development of anti-biofouling interface on hydroxyapatite surface by coating zwitterionic MPC polymer containing calcium-binding moieties to prevent oral bacterial adhesion.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of the present study is to synthesize a 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer capable of being immobilized on the tooth surface to prevent oral bacterial adhesion. The strategy is to develop an MPC-based polymer with Ca(2+)-binding moieties, i.e., phosphomonoester groups, for stronger binding with hydroxyapatite (HA) of the tooth surface. To this end, a 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphate (MOEP) monomer was synthesized and copolymerized with MPC by free radical polymerization. The coating efficiency of the synthesized polymer, MPC-ran-MOEP (abbreviated as PMP) with varied composition, onto a HA surface was estimated by means of contact angle measurement and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The anti-biofouling nature of PMP-coated HA surfaces was estimated by analyzing protein adsorption, cell adhesion, and Streptococcus mutans adhesion. As a result, HA surface coated with a copolymer containing around 50% MPC (PMP50) showed the best performance in preventing protein adsorption and the downstream cell and bacterial adhesion. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Preparation of anti-biofouling surface on the tooth enamel is the key technique to prevent dental and periodontal diseases, which are closely related with the biofilm formation that induced by the adsorption of salivary proteins and the adhesion of oral bacteria on the tooth surface. In this research, a PMP copolymer with an optimized ratio of zwitterionic and Ca(2+)-binding moieties could form a highly effective and robust anti-biofouling surface on HA surfaces by a simple coating method. The PMP-coated surface with high stability can provide a new strategy for an anti-adsorptive and anti-bacterial platform in dentistry and related fields.

High prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in Korea.

This study assessed the association of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a highly HBV-endemic area. The prevalence of either HBV or HCV infection in 235 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was compared with that of an age- and sex-matched hospital control group of 235 patients. The prevalence of HBV infection was higher in B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (15.5%) than control (8.1%), but the prevalence of HCV infection in the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients (2.1%) and control group (3%) was similar. HBV prevalence increased significantly with age in the B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients. The presence of HBV proteins and DNA in lymphoma tissues and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from HBV-infected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients was also investigated using immunohistochemistry and PCR. HBV DNA was frequently detected in PBMCs from HBV-infected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients, but HBV antigens were not. Therefore, HBV infection, but not HCV infection, was associated with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in Korea, suggesting a possible role for HBV in the development of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Elevated plasma osteopontin levels in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted glycoprotein, frequently associated with various tumors. We investigated the usefulness of plasma OPN level as a biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: We determined plasma levels of OPN, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and prothrombin induced by vitamin K absence II (PIVKA II) in a group of 62 HCC patients, in 60 patients with chronic liver diseases, and in 60 healthy control individuals using a standardized ELISA kit. To determine the source of elevated plasma level of OPN, immunohistochemical analysis of 285 HCC samples on tissue microarray was performed. RESULTS: Plasma OPN levels in the HCC patients (median 954 ng/mL, range 168-5,742) were significantly higher (p-value < 0.001) than those patients with chronic liver diseases (381 ng/mL, 29-1,688) or of a healthy control group (155 ng/mL, 10-766). Within the HCC patient group, plasma OPN level increased significantly with advancing degree of Child-Pugh class and of tumor stage. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of OPN for HCC was 87% and 82%, respectively (cut-off value: 617.6 ng/mL). OPN had a greater area under curve value (0.898) than AFP (0.745) or PIVKA II (0.578), suggesting superior diagnostic accuracy of OPN. Immunohistochemistry of 285 samples of HCC showed that OPN was expressed in 92 of 285 tumors (32.3%). OPN expression was found in the malignant hepatocytes and cancer-infiltrating macrophages, not in the noncancerous hepatocytes or Kupffer cells. CONCLUSIONS: These data propose elevated plasma OPN levels as a potential biomarker for HCC.