Correlation of electromyogram and muscle biopsy in myopathy of young age.

Objective: To investigate the accuracy of electromyogram (EMG) compared to muscle biopsy in young myopathic patients.

Design: Observational study.

Setting: A university rehabilitation hospital.

Quality of life for primary caregivers of muscular dystrophy patients in South Korea.

Background: Although some studies measured the burden of caregivers and the factors that influenced their feelings of burden, few studies have measured the quality of life (QOL) for primary caregivers of patients with muscular dystrophy (MD). We assessed the QOL for primary caregivers of patients with MD in South Korea and identified factors associated with caregivers' QOL.

Methods: Ninety dyads of patients with MD and their primary caregivers were enrolled in this study.

Respiratory muscle strength and cough capacity in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The function of inspiratory muscles is crucial for effective cough as well as expiratory muscles in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). However, there is no report on the correlation between cough and inspiratory muscle strength. To investigate the relationships of voluntary cough capacity, assisted cough techniques, and inspiratory muscle strength as well as expiratory muscle strength in patients with DMD (n= 32).

A comparative study of magnetic-activated cell sorting, cytotoxicity and preplating for the purification of human myoblasts.

Although cultured myoblast transplantation has been extensively studied as a gene complementation approach to muscular dystrophy treatment, clinical success has still been limited. The inability to adequately isolate and purify myoblasts presents a major limitation to the production of sufficient myoblasts for engrafting purposes. This study attempted to purify myoblasts from primary culture by magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS), complement-mediated cytotoxicity, and a preplating technique.

Assisted cough and pulmonary compliance in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The aim of this study was to investigate the factors affecting cough ability, and to compare the assisted cough methods in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). A total seventy-one male patients with DMD were included in the study. The vital capacity (VC) and maximum insufflation capacity (MIC) were measured.