• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.87-92
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• 2023

A 7-year-old dog weighing 3.9 kg visited the hospital with symptoms of inability to stand and quadriparesis. There were seizure symptoms 2 months before admission to the hospital, and the symptoms of stiffness and rigidity appeared. Radiographs showed normal vertebrae in cervical vertebral column. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) were performed immediately to diagnose vertebral lameness. As a result of the CT, it was possible to observe the fracture of the odontoid process of the axis, and the exact location of the damage was identified. The odontoid process was fractured and separated from the body of the 2^nd cervical vertebra (axis), and fragment of the process was observed inside the vertebral arch of the first cervical vertebra (atlas), and the body of the axis was lifted to the dorsal side. The MRI examination reflected the CT findings and confirmed severe spinal cord compression due to the fracture of the odontoid process. The patient was applied by neck brace and medical management including Mycophenolate mofetil administration was performed. The patient was able to move legs and tail after 2 weeks, and was able to voluntarily defecate, urinate and stand up after 4 weeks of administration.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.184-194
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• 2023

Background: Degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS) is frequently associated with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and conservative treatments such as epidural steroid injection do not have long-term benefits in LSS patients with DLS. This study evaluated the effectiveness of percutaneous epidural neuroplasty using a balloon catheter in patients with LSS and DLS. Methods: Patients' sex, age, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, stenosis grading, pain duration, location, pain intensity, and medications were retrieved from electronic medical records. At 1, 3, and 6 months following the procedure, data on pain severity, medication usage, and physical functional status were analyzed. A generalized estimating equations model was used at the six-month follow-up. Patients were divided into those with DLS (the spondylolisthesis group) and those without DLS (the no spondylolisthesis group) to evaluate whether the effects of percutaneous epidural neuroplasty using a balloon catheter were different. Results: A total of 826 patients were included (spondylolisthesis: 433 patients, 52.4%; no spondylolisthesis: 393 patients, 47.6%). Age, body mass index, hypertension, pain location, and stenosis grading were statistically different between the two groups. The generalized estimating equations analyses with unadjusted and adjusted estimation revealed a significant improvement in the estimated mean numerical rating scale of pain intensities compared to that at baseline in both groups (P < 0.001). Any adverse events that occurred were minor and temporary. Conclusions: Percutaneous epidural neuroplasty using a balloon catheter may be an alternative treatment option for patients with chronic LSS, regardless of accompanying DLS, who have had failed conservative management.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.112-122
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to present and evaluate a new deep learning model for determining cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) degree and growth spurts by analyzing lateral cephalometric radiographs. Methods: The study sample included 890 cephalograms. The images were classified into six cervical stages independently by two orthodontists. The images were also categorized into three degrees on the basis of the growth spurt: pre-pubertal, growth spurt, and post-pubertal. Subsequently, the samples were fed to a transfer learning model implemented using the Python programming language and PyTorch library. In the last step, the test set of cephalograms was randomly coded and provided to two new orthodontists in order to compare their diagnosis to the artificial intelligence (AI) model's performance using weighted kappa and Cohen's kappa statistical analyses. Results: The model's validation and test accuracy for the six-class CVM diagnosis were 62.63% and 61.62%, respectively. Moreover, the model's validation and test accuracy for the three-class classification were 75.76% and 82.83%, respectively. Furthermore, substantial agreements were observed between the two orthodontists as well as one of them and the AI model. Conclusions: The newly developed AI model had reasonable accuracy in detecting the CVM stage and high reliability in detecting the pubertal stage. However, its accuracy was still less than that of human observers. With further improvements in data quality, this model should be able to provide practical assistance to practicing dentists in the future.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.184-193
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• 2023

Background: Studies investigating the immediate effects of a single intervention to correct forward head posture are rare. Objects: This study aimed to compare the changes in treatment effects in patients with forward head posture and neck pain after manual and self-exercise therapy over a 1-hour period. Methods: Twenty-eight participants were randomly divided into manual and self-exercise therapy groups. Following the initial evaluation, manual or self-exercise therapy was applied to each group for 30 minutes each in the prone, supine, and sitting positions. The variables measured were the craniovertebral angle (CVA), stress level, pain level, and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) stiffness. After the intervention, re-evaluation was conducted immediately, 30 minutes later, and 1 hour later. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the maintenance of treatment effects between the two groups. Results: Based on the two-way mixed ANOVA variance, there was no interaction between the groups and time for all variables, and no main effects were found between the groups. However, a significant effect of time was observed (p < 0.05). Post hoc tests using Bonferroni's correction revealed that in both groups, the CVA, pain, and stress showed significant improvements immediately after the intervention compared with before the intervention, and these treatment effects were maintained for up to 1 hour after the treatment (p < 0.0083) in the manual therapy group. However, the stress level was maintained until 30 minutes later (p < 0.0083) in the self-exercise group. There was no significant decrease in right SCM stiffness before and after the intervention; however, left SCM stiffness significantly decreased after the self-exercise intervention (p < 0.0083). Conclusion: Both manual and self-exercise therapy for 30 minutes were effective in reducing forward head posture related to the CVA, pain, and stress levels. These effects persisted for at least 30 minutes.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2019

Objective: To determine the relationship between cervical sagittal parameters and the degree of the cervical disc degeneration at each cervical level by using cervical plain radiographs and disc degeneration grading. Method: This study analyzed 110 patients with posterior neck pain. Cervical radiographic measurements included the occipito-cervical (O~C2) angle; sagittal Cobb angles of C1~C2, C2~C7; and sagittal vertical axis (SVA) of C1~C7 and C2~C7. The degenerations of cervical discs at each level were evaluated through Pfirrmann grading system by magnetic resonance images of the cervical spine. The correlations between the cervical sagittal measurements and the disc degeneration at each level were analyzed by Spearman's correlation. Results: A significant correlation was found for the C2~C7 angle with disc degenerations at C2~C6 levels. O~C2 angle was correlated significantly with disc degenerations at C2~C4 and C5~C7 levels. There was significant correlation between C1~C2 angle and disc degeneration at C6~C7 level. No significant relationship was found between the cervical SVA and the cervical disc degeneration at all cervical levels. Conclusion: Cervical sagittal parameters representing cervical angles (C2~C7, O~C2, and C1~C2 angles) were significantly correlated with the degree of the cervical disc degeneration. These findings suggest that the loss of the natural cervical lordosis rather than loss of natural SVA could be correlated with progression of the cervical disc degeneration.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.71-76
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• 2019

There have been no reports on the laboratory screening of congenital torticollis in equine medicine. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the blood chemistry of a newborn female foal with congenital torticollis. The filly was born after a normal parturition period, and the clinical pathology results were as follows: biochemistry of the plasma showed significantly higher levels of CK, LDH, and Na than those in a normal foal. However, Cl level was remarkably lower than that of the control. In conclusion, the cells in the neck muscles influenced the clinical pathological value in the neonate. A disorder of the muscles as well as the bone problem, such as the cervical vertebrae, may have caused congenital torticollis. To our knowledge, this is the first report detailing the clinical pathology results in a newborn foal with torticollis. These laboratory results can be used as a reference for interpretation of pathology results in foals.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.195-201
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• 2023

Objectives This study analyzed the correlation between lumbar spine and pelvic body parameters measured using body shape analysis system and X-ray view. Methods Body shape analysis system and X-ray view were performed for 100 patients to diagnose subluxation using body parameters such as pelvic obliquity angle, anterior superior iliac spine to posterior superior iliac spine angle (ASIS-PSIS angle), lumbar lateral flexion angle. The correlation analysis using body parameters obtained through the body shape analysis system and X-ray view was performed by measuring the Pearson correlation coefficient, a parameter test. Results Significant correlations were observed between the values for pelvic obliquity angle, ASIS-PSIS angle, lumbar lateral flexion angle measured by X-ray view and body shape analysis system. The most significant correlation was observed in the value of pelvic obliquity angle. Conclusions Body parameters and posture analysis measured by the body shape analysis system can be used in place of X-ray view. Additional research and samples are still necessary.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1671-1679
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• 2021

Objective: We quantitatively measured the fat fraction (FF) in the vertebrae of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and investigated the role of FF as an indicator of both active inflammation and chronicity. Materials and Methods: A total of 52 patients with AS who underwent spinal MRI were retrospectively evaluated. The FF values of the anterosuperior and anteroinferior corners of the bone marrow in the L1-S1 spine were assessed using the modified Dixon technique. AS activity was measured using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), AS Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), and serum inflammatory marker levels. AS disease chronicity was assessed by AS disease duration and the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score (mSASSS). Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were conducted to investigate the correlation between FF and other clinical characteristics. Results: The mean FF ± standard deviation of the total lumbar spine was 43.0% ± 11.3%. At univariable analysis, spinal FF showed significant negative correlation with BASDAI (β = -0.474, p = 0.002) and ASDAS with C-reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP; β = -0.478, p = 0.002) and a significant positive correlation with AS disease duration (β = 0.440, p = 0.001). After adjusting for patient age, sex, and total mSASSS score, spinal FF remained significantly negatively correlated with BASDAI (β = -0.543, p < 0.001), ASDAS-CRP (β = -0.568, p < 0.001), and ASDAS with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (β = -0.533, p = 0.001). Spinal FF was significantly lower in patients with very high disease activity (ASDAS-CRP > 3.5) than in those with only high disease activity (2.1 ≤ ASDAS-CRP ≤ 3.5) (p = 0.010). Conclusion: Spinal FF may help assess both AS disease activity and chronicity.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.43-54
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• 2024

Purpose: Falls among persons older than 65 years are a significant concern due to their frequency and severity. This study aimed to develop a vest-type embedded artificial intelligence (AI) system capable of detecting and predicting falls in various scenarios. Methods: In this study, we established and developed a vest-type embedded AI system to judge and predict falls in various directions and situations. To train the AI, we collected data using acceleration and gyroscope values from a six-axis sensor attached to the seventh cervical and the second sacral vertebrae of the user, considering accurate motion analysis of the human body. The model was constructed using a neural network-based AI prediction algorithm to anticipate the direction of falls using the collected pedestrian data. Results: We focused on developing a lightweight and efficient fall prediction model for integration into an embedded AI algorithm system, ensuring real-time network optimization. Our results showed that the accuracy of fall occurrence and direction prediction using the trained fall prediction model was 89.0% and 78.8%, respectively. Furthermore, the fall occurrence and direction prediction accuracy of the model quantized for embedded porting was 87.0 % and 75.5 %, respectively. Conclusion: The developed fall detection and prediction system, designed as a vest-type with an embedded AI algorithm, offers the potential to provide real-time feedback to pedestrians in clinical settings and proactively prepare for accidents.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.86-94
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• 2024

Objective: To evaluate the changes in bladder capacity and storage through non-invasive neuromodulation by application of repetitive Trans magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and genital nerve stimulation (GNS) in traumatic spinal cord survivors. Design: A Single Case Study. Method: The Patient was registered in trail with the clinical trial registry of India (CTRI/2022/05/042431). The Patient was interposed with rTMS on lumbar area, from T11-L4 vertebrae with 1 Hz and the intensity was 20% below that elicited local paraspinal muscular contraction for 13 minutes. GNS was placed over dorsum of the penis with the cathode at the base and anode 2 cm distally at 20 Hz, 200 microseconds, Continuous and biphasic current was delivered and amplitude of stimulation necessary to elicit the genito-anal reflex. For assessment, Neurological examination was done for peri-anal sensation (PAS), voluntary anal contraction (VAC) and bulbocavernous reflex (BCR), deep anal pressure (DAP), and American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (ASIA scale). Outcome assessment was done using Urodynamics, Spinal Cord Independence Measure Scale Version-III (SCIM-III), American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Score (ASIA Score), Beck's Depression Inventory Scale (BDI). The baseline evaluation was taken on Day 0 and on Day 30. Results: The pre-and post-data were collected through ASIA score, SCIM-III, BDI and Urodynamics test which showed significant improvement in bladder capacity and storage outcomes in the urodynamics study across the span of 4 weeks. Conclusion: rTMS along with GNS showed improvement in bladder capacity & storage, on sensory-motor score, in functional independence of individual after SCI.