• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.34-46
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• 2023

Three species of the genus Centropages(C. calaninus, C. orsinii, and C. sinensis) were newly collected from Korean waters. The Korean specimens were consistent with previous descriptions, but differ in the following characteristics: in C. orsinii male right antennule with spine on dorsoposterior surface of each segment XIII and XIV; distal end of segment XIX with humplike process on dorsal surface; in C. calaninus female long spinelike process on second exopodal segment of leg 5 of reaching 1/2 length of terminal spine on third exopodal segment; in male, first endopodal segment of leg 5 without inner seta; left second exopodal segment serrated on distal margin; and in C. sinensis male distal spine of left second exopodal segment of leg 5 not fused with segment. In this study, key characters for species identification also were provided.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.81-84
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• 2009

Objective : Many biomechanical and clinical studies on adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) have addressed cranial segment. No study has been conducted on caudal segment degeneration after upper segment multiple lumbar fusions. This is a retrospective investigation of the L5-S1 segment after spinal fusion at and above L4-5, which was undertaken to analyze the rate of caudal ASD at L5-S1 after spinal fusion on and above L4-5 and to determine that factors that might have influenced it. Methods : The authors included 67 patients with L4-5, L3-5, or L2-5 posterior fusions. Among these patients, 28 underwent L4-5 fusion, 23 L3-5, and 16 L2-5 fusions. Pre- and postoperative radiographs were analyzed to assess degenerative changes at L5-S1. Also, clinical results after fusion surgery were analyzed. Results : Among the 67 patients, 3 had pseudoarthrosis, and 35 had no evidence of ASD, cranially and caudally. Thirteen patients (19.4%) showed caudal ASD, 23 (34.3%) cranial ASD, and 4 (6.0%) both cranial and caudal ASD. Correlation analysis for caudal ASD at L5-S1 showed that pre-existing L5-S1 degeneration was most strongly correlated. In addition, numbers of fusion segments and age were also found to be correlated. Clinical outcome was not correlated with caudal ASD at L5-S1. Conclusion : If caudal and cranial ASD are considered, the overall occurrence rate of ASD increases to 50%. The incidence rate of caudal ASD at L5-S1 was significantly lower than that of cranial ASD. Furthermore, the occurrence of caudal ASD was found to be significantly correlated with pre-existing disc degeneration.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.12-20
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was designed to find out the effectiveness of vertebral segment instability, muscle fatigue response on lumbar spine after apply lumbosacral stabilization exercise program to 4 patients with chronic low back pain and for 12 weeks. In this study, the lumbar spine motion with blind by MedX test machine and the difference of instability to lumbar vertebra segments in flexion, extension test of standing position and spinal load test(Matthiass Test) by Spinal Mouse. The stabilization exercise program was applied 2 times a week for 12 weeks in hospital and 2 times a day for 20 minutes at home. The results of the present study were as follows: 1. Instability test of lumbar vertebra segment is 2 type differential angle test between vertebrae segment and loading test of spine(matthiass) by Spinal Mouse. It appeared to improve stability of segments in sagittal plane after applying program. So lumbar spine curve increased lordosis toward anterior and was improved of the lumbar spine flexibility in flexion and extension. Specially, in matthiass test, (-) value was increased between lumbar vertebra segment when was the load on spine. And so applying stability improved after program. 2. Fatigue response test(FRT) results, in male, was raised muscle fatigue rate during increase weight, on the other hand female appeared lower than male. As a results, lumbosacral stabilization exercise was aided to improvement of lumbar spine vertebra segments stabilization. Spine instability patients will have a risk when in lifting a load or working with slight flexion posture during the daily of living life and it is probably to increase recurrence rate. Thus, not only lumbar extension muscle strength but also stability of vertebra segments in lumbar spine may be very important.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.7-16
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was designed to find out the effectiveness of vertebral segment instability, muscle fatigue response on lumbar spine after apply lumbosacral stabilization exercise program to 4 patients with chronic low back pain and for 12 weeks. In this study, the lumbar spine motion with blind by MedX test machine and the difference of instability to lumbar vertebra segments in flexion, extension test of standing position and spinal load test(Matthiass Test) by Spinal Mouse. The stabilization exercise program was applied 2 times a week for 12 weeks in hospital and 2 times a day for 20 minutes at home. The results of the present study were as follows: 1. Instability test of lumbar vertebra segment is 2 type differential angle test between vertebrae segment and loading test of spine(matthiass) by Spinal Mouse. It appeared to improve stability of segments in sagittal plane after program. So lumbar spine curve increased lordosis toward anterior and was improved of the lumbar spine flexibility in flexion and extension. Specially, in matthiass test, ( - ) value was increased between lumbar vertebra segment when was the load on spine. And so stability improved after program. 2. Fatigue response test(FRT) results, in male, was raised muscle fatigue rate during increase weight, on the other hand female appeared lower than male. As a results, lumbosacral stabilization exercise was aided to improvement of lumbar spine vertebra segments stabilization. Spine instability patients will have a risk when in lifting a load or working with slight flexion posture during the daily of living life and it is probably to increase recurrence rate. Thus, not only lumbar extension muscle strength but also stability of vertebra segments in lumbar spine may be very important.

• Asian Spine Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.1092-1099
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• 2018

Study Design: In-vitro biomechanical investigation. Purpose: To evaluate the biomechanical effects of the degeneration of the biodegradable cervical plates developed for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) on fusion and adjacent levels. Overview of Literature: Biodegradable implants have been recently introduced for cervical spine surgery. However, their effectiveness and safety remains unclear. Methods: A linear three-dimensional finite element (FE) model of the lower cervical spine, comprising the C4-C6 vertebrae was developed using computed tomography images of a 46-year-old woman. The model was validated by comparison with previous reports. Four models of ACDF were analyzed and compared: (1) a titanium plate and bone block (Tita), (2) strong biodegradable plate and bone block (PLA-4G) that represents the early state of the biodegradable plate with full strength, (3) weak biodegradable plate and bone block (PLA-1G) that represents the late state of the biodegradable plate with decreased strength, and (4) stand-alone bone block (Bloc). FE analysis was performed to investigate the relative motion and intervertebral disc stress at the surgical (C5-C6 segment) and adjacent (C4-C5 segment) levels. Results: The Tita and PLA-4G models were superior to the other models in terms of higher segment stiffness, smaller relative motion, and lower bone stress at the surgical level. However, the maximal von Mises stress at the intervertebral disc at the adjacent level was significantly higher in the Tita and PLA-4G models than in the other models. The relative motion at the adjacent level was significantly lower in the PLA-1G and Bloc models than in the other models. Conclusions: The use of biodegradable plates will enhance spinal fusion in the initial stronger period and prevent adjacent segment degeneration in the later, weaker period.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.437-442
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• 2009

Objective : To characterize perioperative biomechanical changes after thoracic spine surgery. Methods : Fifty-eight patients underwent spinal instrumented fusions and simple laminectomies on the thoracolumbar spine from April 2003 to October 2008. Patients were allocated to three groups; namely, the laminectomy without fusion group (group I, n = 17), the thoracolumbar fusion group (group II, n = 27), and the thoracic spine fusion group (group III, n = 14). Sagittal (ADS) and coronal (ADC) angles for adjacent segments were measured from two disc spaces above lesions at the upper margins, to two disc spaces below lesions at the lower margins. Sagittal (TLS) and coronal (TLC) angles of the thoracolumbar junction were measured from the lower margin of the 11th thoracic vertebra body to the upper margin of the 2nd lumbar vertebra body on plane radiographs. Adjacent segment disc heights and disc signal changes were determined using simple spinal examinations and by magnetic resonance imaging. Clinical outcome indices were determined using a visual analog scale. Results : The three groups demonstrated statistically significant differences in terms of angle changes by ANOVA (p<0.05). All angles in group I showed significantly smaller angles changes than in groups II and III by Turkey's multiple comparison analysis. Coronal Cobb's angles of the thoracolumbar spine (TLC) were not significantly different in the three groups. Conclusion : Postoperative sagittal balance is expected to change in the adjacent and thoracolumbar areas after thoracic spine fusion. However, its prevalence seems to be higher when the thoracolumbar spine is included in instrumented fusion.

• Korean Journal of Computational Design and Engineering
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.58-66
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• 2008

The artificial discs have recently used to preserve the motion of the treated segment in lumbar spine surgery. However, there have been lack of biomechanical information of the artificial discs to explain current clinical controversies such as long-term results of implant wear and excessive facet contact forces. In this study, we investigated the biomechanical effects of three artificial implants on the lumbar spinal segments by finite element analysis. The finite element model of intact lumbar spine(L1-S) was developed and the three implants were inserted in L4-L5 segment of the spine model. 5 Nm of flexion and extension moments were applied on the superior plate of L1 with 400 N of compressive load. Excessive motions and high facet contact forces at the surgical level were generated in the all three implanted models. In the flexion, the peak von-Mises stresses in the semi-constrained type implant was higher than those in the un-constrained type implant which would cause wear on the polyethylene core. The results of the study would provide a biomechanical guideline for selecting optimal surgical approach or evaluating the current design of the implants, or developing a new implant.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.226-232
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• 2003

Difficulties in the finite element modeling of human spine are evaded by using a stiffness matrix element whose properties can be characterized from experimentally measured stiffness of functional spinal units. Relative easiness is in that inter-vertebral discs, ligaments, and soft tissues connecting vertebrae do not need to be modeled as they are. The remarkable coupling effect between distinct degrees of freedom induced by the geometric complexity can be accommodated without much effort. An idealized block model with simple geometry for vertebra is employed to assess the feasibility of this method. Analyses are performed in both levels of motion segment and spinal column, and the result is compared with that from detail model. As far as the global behavior of spine is concerned, the simplification is found not to aggravate inaccuracy only if sufficient experimental data is provided and interpreted properly.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2007

A new cyclopoid species belonging to the genus Acanthocyclops is described from several mountain springs in South Korea. This species is allied to A. kieferi species group in sharing 11-segmented antennules, but is, clearly distinguished from them by its single apical spine on the third endopodal segment of leg 4 and an extra spine on the distal segment of leg 5 in both sexes.

• Asian Spine Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.1017-1027
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• 2018

Study Design: This retrospective study was conducted including 18 patients who underwent posterior-only stabilization and fusion procedure for pseudoarthrosis in the ankylosed spine from October 2007 to May 2015. Purpose: This study aimed to describe the treatment outcomes in 18 patients with Andersson lesion (AL) who were managed using the posterior-only approach. Literature Review: AL is an unstable, localized, vertebral, or discovertebral lesion of the spine. It is observed in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. The exact etiology of this disorder remains unclear, and the treatment guidelines are not clearly described. Methods: We analyzed 18 patients with AL who were treated with posterior long segment spinal fusion without any anterior interbody grafting or posterior osteotomy. Pre- and postoperative radiography, computed tomography, and recent follow-up images were examined. The pre- and postoperative Visual Analog Scale score and the Oswestry Disability Index score were evaluated for all patients. Whiteclouds' outcome analysis criteria were applied at the follow-up. Moreover, at study completion, patient feedback was collected; all the patients were asked to provide their opinion regarding the surgery and were asked whether they would recommend this procedure to other patients and them self undergo the same procedure again if required. Results: The most common site was the thoracolumbar junction. The symptom duration ranged from 1 month to 10 years preoperatively. Most patients experienced fusion by the end of 1 year, and the fusion mass could be observed as early as 4 months. Pseudoarthrosis void of up to 2.5 cm was noted to be healed in subsequent imaging. In addition, clinically, the patients reported good symptomatic relief. No patient required revision surgery. Whiteclouds' outcome analysis score at the latest follow-up revealed goodto-excellent outcomes in all patients. Conclusions: ALs can be treated using the posterior-only approach with long segment fixation and posterior spinal fusion. This is a safe, simple, and quick procedure that prevents the morbidity of anterior surgery.