The intra- and inter-rater reliability of measuring trunk coronal asymmetry by adjusting positioning variability: A prospective study.

Background: Chronic low back pain (LBP) can lead to muscle spasms, limited range of motion, and abnormal posture, resulting in trunk muscle asymmetry.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the intra- and inter-rater reliability of a quantitative measurement of trunk coronal asymmetry in patients with chronic LBP, minimizing unnecessary gravity and friction force using a manual table in the prone position.

Methods: This prospective study was conducted at a single center, targeting patients with chronic LBP to measure trunk coronal asymmetry on a manual table in the prone position.

Case reports of primary lymphedema tarda in South Korea: Two case reports of unilateral primary lymphedema tarda in lower extremities.

Rationale: Primary lymphedema is a form of lymphedema marked by a dysfunction of the lymphatic system without preceding medical conditions. One rare subtype of primary lymphedema, lymphedema tarda, occurs in those older than 35 years and is difficult to diagnose. This paper reports 2 cases of unilateral lymphedema tarda in the lower extremities in South Korea.

The Clinical Usefulness of Ultrasonographic Measurement Technique in Patients with Lower Extremity Lymphedema.

A previous study reported a new ultrasonography (US) measurement technique to evaluate the cross-sectional area (ΔCSA) of lymphedema in the upper extremity. This ΔCSA correlated well with parameters, such as the circumference, volumetry, and bioimpedance analysis (BIA) in healthy people and upper extremity lymphedema patients. This study examined whether a US measurement technique is clinically useful in patients with lymphedema in the lower extremity.

Etiologic Factors of Rotator Cuff Disease in Elderly: Modifiable Factors in Addition to Known Demographic Factors.

With the aging society, musculoskeletal degenerative diseases are becoming a burden on society, and rotator cuff disease is one of these degenerative diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of shoulder osteoarthritis and the etiologic factors of rotator cuff disease in the Korean elderly population. A total of 102 patients performing ultrasonography were recruited, and their demographic factors were analyzed.

Effects of trunk stabilization training robot on postural control and gait in patients with chronic stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

Our study aimed to confirm the therapeutic effects of using a trunk stabilization training robot (3DBT-33) in patients with chronic stroke. A total of 38 patients with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group. The robot group (n = 19) received 30 min of trunk stability robot training in addition to conventional physical therapy, while the control group (n = 19) received a similar conventional physical therapy as the robot group.

Factors influencing return to work after stroke: the Korean Stroke Cohort for Functioning and Rehabilitation (KOSCO) Study.

Objective: To investigate the rate of return to work and identify key factors associated with return to work between 3 months and 2 years after stroke.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: The Korean Stroke Cohort for Functioning and Rehabilitation (KOSCO) in Korea.

Phytosphingosine-1-phosphate represses the hydrogen peroxide-induced activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase in human dermal fibroblasts through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway.

Dermal fibroblasts are differentiated mesenchymal cells that regulate the extracellular matrix through the production of dermis components. Dermal fibroblasts can be damaged by reactive oxygen species induced by ultraviolet rays and chemicals. In addition to its effects on the dermis, oxidative stress poses a major threat to organisms and is believed to play an essential role in many disease processes.

A validated finite element analysis of nerve root stress in degenerative lumbar scoliosis.

Few studies have shown the relationship between the curve pattern and nerve root symptoms in degenerative lumbar scoliosis, and its mechanism remains unclear. We developed a finite element model of two patterns of scoliotic curves (isolated lateral bending curve, lateral bending combined with rotation curve). The stress on the nerve root was calculated on both sides (right and left) of the apex vertebra.

Design of two-dimensional coils for wireless power transmission to in vivo robotic capsule.

This paper presents a design of two dimensional receiving coils to provide hundreds of milli-watt power via inductive link to in vivo robotic capsules, whose orientation are practically undetermined. The wireless power transmission system consists of a transmitter powered by class E power amplifier, and receiver with 2-dimensional antenna, rectifier, and voltage regulator. Two types of 2-dimensional antennas are designed and evaluated by theoretic and experimental analysis.