• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.279-284
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• 2007

Purpose: The vein graft was considered as a useful conduit for nerve defect. But the problem is that it might be collapsed in long vein graft state. A new experimental model using vein graft filled with hyaluronic acid was considered. Methods: Thirty rats were used for the experimental animal. In group I, one side of the femoral nerve was exposed and a segment was removed about 15mm. The neural gap was connected with nerve graft. In group II, the nerve gap was connected with vein graft only. In group III, the nerve gap was connected with vein graft filled with hyaluronic acid. A walking track analysis was made periodically for 2 months and NCV(nerve conduction velocity) was executed at the end of the experiment. And morphologic studies were also done for all groups Results: In a walking track analysis, the toe-spread was widen and the foot-length was lengthened. The recovery of the toe-spread and foot length was checked 2 weeks interval, periodically for two months. The SFI (sciatic function index) was $-52.5{\pm}8.2$ in group I, $-68.1{\pm}4$ in group II, $-55.3{\pm}7.9$ in group III. In electrophysiological study, NCV(nerve conduction velocity) was $26.71{\pm}3.11m/s$ in group I, $17.94{\pm}4.35m/s$ in group II, $25.69{\pm}2.81m/s$ in group III. The functional recovery in group I and III was superior to that the group II statistically(p < 0.05) Under electromicroscopic study, the number of the myelinated axons were $1419.1{\pm}240$ in group I, $921.7{\pm}176.8$ in group II, $1322.2{\pm}318$ in group III. The number of the myelinated axons were much more in group I and III than group II statistically (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study suggested that the vein graft filled with hyaluronic acid is more effective than vein graft only for the conduit of the nerve gap. It was thought that the technique could be used in clinical cases with nerve defects as an alternative method to classical nerve grafts.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.9 no.1_2
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• pp.1-8
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• 1994

Nerve conduction impairment in lead neuropathy has been empirically linked to altered nerve myo-inositol metabolism. In most cases of neuropathy, abnormal myo-inositol metabolism is associated with abnormal $Na^+/K^+$ATPase provides a potential mechanism to relate defects of the myo-inositol metabolism in the peripheral nerve treated with lead. Therefore, the effect of lead on the rat sciatic nerve $Na^+/K^+$ATPase and other ATPase of sciatic nerve was studied. ATPase activity was measured enzymatically in sciatic nerve homogenates from 2-wk lead treated neuropathy rats and age-mached controls administered myo-inositol. $Na^+/K^+$ATPase components were assessed by ouabain inhibition or the omission of sodium and potassium ions. Lead reduced 50% reduction in the $Na^+/K^+$ATPase activity in homogenates of sciatic nerve. The 50% reduction in the $Na^+/K^+$ ATPase activity was selectively prevented by myo-inositol treatment. This study suggests that the toxic mechanism of the lead on peripheral nerve may be through reduction in $Na^+/K^+$ATPase activity which has been linked to axonal transport slowing in the rat model of lead neuropathy, via direct changes by the perturbation of the intracelluar sodium or potasium level.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.287-294
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• 2018

Purpose: The neurodynamic test used to implicate symptoms arising from the nerve is proposed to selectively increase the strain of the nerve without increasing the strain of adjacent tissue, although this has not yet been established in the time of nerve tension application. This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of nerve stretching time on nerve excitability using compound nerve action potential (CNAP) analysis. Methods: Thirty healthy young adults (mean age=23.10 years) with no medical history of neurological or musculoskeletal disorder voluntarily participated in this study. Nerve excitability was assessed using the median nerve conduction velocity test. The amplitude of the CNAP was measured under three conditions: resting phase (supra-maximal stimulus, without nerve stretching), baseline phase (two-thirds of the supra-maximal stimulus, without nerve stretching), and stretch phase (two-thirds of the supra-maximal stimulus, with 1-5 minutes nerve stretching). One-way repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to compare the latency and amplitude of CNAP. A post-hoc test was analyzed using the contrast test. Results: The latency was significantly delayed after 1 min. of nerve stretching in comparison with the baseline test. However, no significant difference was found during the nerve stretching (1-5 min.). The amplitude was significantly increased by nerve stretching. Conclusion: Nerve stretching can induce nerve excitability without any nerve injury. Based on the results, more than 1 min. of nerve stretching as a neurodynamic test can be a useful method in the clinical setting.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.13-30
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• 2014

Objectives This study was designed to investigate the effects of Bambusae caulis in liquamen and Bambusae concretio silicae on blood sugar reduction and improvement of peripheral nerve function in diabetic rat models. Methods Diabetic rat models induced by streptozotocin were divided into five groups. We fed experimental group I of rats basal diet and administered normal saline (3 ml, 1 time/1 day) for 6 weeks. We fed experimental group II of rats basal diet and administered Bambusae caulis in liquamen (100 mg/kg, 1 time/1 day) for 6 weeks. We fed experimental group III, IV, V of rats basal diet and administered Bambusae concretio silicae (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg once a day) for 6 weeks. We investigated weight and glucose level of rats, and carried out touch test, hot plate test, sensory & motor nerve conduction velocity test and immunohistochemical study after 48 hours, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 6 weeks. Results 1. The weight of all experimental group was gradually decreased. And glucose level was significantly decreased in the experimental group II, III, IV, V as compared with experimental group I. Especially experimental group II, IV, V were significantly decreased as compared with experimental group III. 2. In the quantitative analysis by touch test and hot plate test, mechanical pain threshold and heat pain threshold were significantly decreased in the other experimental groups as compared with experimental group I. Especially experimental group II, IV, V were significantly decreased as compared with experimental group III. 3. In the sensory and motor nerve conduction velocity test, sensory and motor nerve conduction velocity were significantly increased in the other experimental groups as compared with experimental group I. Especially experimental group II, IV, V were significantly increased as compared with experimental group III. 4. In the substance P immunohistochemical study, experimental group II, IV, V showed strong immune response in spinal cord. Conclusions Bambusae caulis in liquamen and Bambusae concretio silicae were probably useful to treat patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.613-618
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• 2005

When a large peripheral nerve defect occurs, an autologous nerve graft is the most ideal method of recinstruction. But an autologous nerve graft has many limitations due to donor site morbidities. Many previous focused on finding the ideal nerve conduit. Among them, $Gore-Tex^{(R)}$ has several advantages over other conduits. It can be manipulated to a suitable size, does not collapse easily, and it is a semi- permeable material that contain pores. A round shaped nerve can be newly formed because of its smooth inner surface. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the availability of $Gore-Tex^{(R)}$ tube as a nerve conduit at the peripheral nerve defect in the rat sciatic nerve. The 10 mm nerve gap was made in each group. A $Gore-Tex^{(R)}$ tube filled with skeletal muscle was inserted and autologous nerve graft was harvested, respectively. In the experimental group, we placed a 0.5 mm thickness, $30{\mu}m$ pored, 1.8 mm in diameter and 14 mm length tube with skeletal muscle inserted inside. In the control group, the nerve gap was inserted with a rat sciatic nerve. We estimated the results electrophysiologically and histologically to 16 weeks postoperatively. Results in the nerve conduction velocity, total myelinated axon count, myelin sheath thickness and mean nerve fiber diameter, the experimental group was substantially lower than that of the control group, but the statistic difference was not significant (p<0.05). The morphology was very similar in both groups, microscopically. From the above results, We conclude that $Gore-Tex^{(R)}$ qualifies as an ideal nerve conduit. It is suggested that $Gore-Tex^{(R)}$ tube filled with skeletal muscle may, substitute for an autologous nerve graft.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.75-89
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of Sweet Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture and Scolopendrid Pharmacopuncture on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Methods : From February to September 2010, the number of patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome who volunteered for this clinical study was 16 and 7 out of 16 patients complained both hands. Total 23 cases of hands were randomly divided by 2 groups. We injected Sweet Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture on PC7(Daereung) twice a week for 4weeks for experimental group(n=11), and Scolopendrid Pharmacopuncture with the same methods for control group(n=12). One case was dropped out due to itchiness of allergic response in the experimental group. Improvement of the symptoms was evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale, Pain Rating Scale, Tinel's sign, Phalen's sign and Nerve Conduction Velocity. Nerve Conduction Velocity was checked at baseline and the end of the trial and others were checked at baseline, after 2 and 4 weeks. Results : Both groups showed significant improvement in Visual Analogue Scale, Pain Rating Scale, but no significant difference between two groups. Only the control group showed significant reduction of the 'poitive response' in the Tinel's sign and Phalen's sign. However, no groups improved in Nerve Conduction Velocity. Conclusions : These results showed that Sweet Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture and Scolopendrid Pharmacopuncture could decrease the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Further studies will be required to examine more cases for the long period and use more various concentration and amount pharmacopuncture for the effect on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2013.05a
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• pp.1485-1486
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• 2013

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.46-49
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• 2013

Facial deformity after nerve injury changes ones' social life. We experienced a few patients with healthy early recovery of muscle contraction after the operation with soft tissue wraparound splint. Under general anesthesia, exploration to find as many injured nerve stumps with ${\times}2.5$ loopes was undertaken at first. Interfascicular repair was done with minimal tension by 10-0 nylon under a microscope, and the suture site was sealed by approximating the surrounding fat flaps. This conjoined adipose tissue flap was a splint as a wraparound environment to reduce the tension in the coaptation site, and to increase the relative concentration of releasing neurotrophic factors by surrounding it. A 45-year-old man fell down in a drunken state and had deep laceration by broken flowerpot fragments with facial muscle weakness on the right cheek. His injured mandibular branches of the facial nerve were found. A 31-year-old female suffered from motionlessnesss of frontalis muscle after a traffic accident. She had four frontal branches injured. The man had his cheek with motion after seven days, and the woman two months after the operation. The nerve conduction test of the woman showed normalized values. Facial nerve repair surrounded by adipose tissue wraparound splint can make the recovery time relatively short.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.197-203
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate useful manual therapy techniques for peripheral facial nerve palsy and to propose guidelines to be applied for current manual therapy techniques. Several databases were searched to find manual therapies for facial palsy. These therapies included cervical, and temporomandibular joint chuna manual therapy, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, neuromuscular re-education, facial exercise, and mime therapy. Both cervical, and temporomandibular joint chuna manual therapy release nerve compression, helping blood circulation and nerve conduction. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation uses irradiation, bilateral activation, and eccentric facilitation to improve muscle power and symmetry. Neuromuscular re-education, as a retraining tool for facial movement patterns, enhances neuromuscular feedback. Facial exercise helps the patient continuously move and massage facial muscle themselves. Mime therapy aims to develop a conscious connection between the use of certain muscles and facial expressions. The use of facial chuna manual therapy for peripheral facial nerve palsy can stimulate the proprioceptive neuromuscular receptors in the face. Peripheral facial nerve palsy has 4 phases; progress phase, plateau phase, recovery phase, and sequelae phase. Each phase needs different treatments which include relaxation, assistance, resistance, origin-insertion extension, and nerve pathway expansion.

• Journal of Electrodiagnosis and Neuromuscular Diseases
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.153-158
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• 2018

Posterior interosseus (PI) nerve compression is a rare form of compressive neuropathy. It can cause pain along the radial nerve course and weakness of radial nerve innervating muscles without sensory symptoms. A 65-year-old man visited our institution complaining weakness of finger extension and thumb abduction after 2 times of injections at the right elbow in local clinic. The patient's clinical history and physical examination implied an iatrogenic radial nerve injury caused by the injection. The electrophysiologic study revealed of posterior interosseus neuropathy (PIN) with incomplete conduction block. However, the ultrasound study showed that the PI nerve was compressed by an anechoic cyst. The magnetic resonance imaging also confirmed of a ganglion cyst, not a hematoma. After repeated aspirations and a steroid injection, the electrophysiologic study showed recovery of motor weakness. Despite of the clue which implying an iatrogenic injury, clinician should consider other possibilities such as ganglion cysts and ultrasound guided aspiration and steroid injection could be an effective option for conservative management.