Comparing the Efficacy of Combined Treatment with Medial Branch Block and Facet Joint Injection in Axial Low Back Pain.

Introduction: Medial branch nerve block (MBB) and facet joint injections (FJIs) can be used to manage axial low back pain. Although there have been studies comparing the MBB and FJI effects, a few studies have compared the therapeutic effects of both interventions combined with each separate intervention. This study aimed to compare the pain relief effect of MBB, FJI, and combined treatment with MBB and FJI in patients with axial low back pain.

Common Salivary Protein 1 in Saliva of Diabetes Patients (II).

Background: Human common salivary protein 1 (CSP1) is one of a variety of molecules in saliva but its function remains to be determined. The gold standard method for diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM) is to check levels of glucose or HbA1C in plasma or serum. The purpose of this study was to examine whether Salivary CSP1 concentration would be useful alternative for DM diagnosis.

Changes in the Trend in Bladder Emptying Methods in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury: A 20-Year Single-Center Retrospective Study.

Objective: To review trends in bladder emptying methods over a 20-year period in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) by severity according to the American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale (AIS).

Methods: Medical records of patients with SCI from 1994 to 1998 (group 1) and from 2012 to 2016 (group 2) were retrospectively reviewed. We classified bladder emptying methods according to the International Spinal Cord dataset.

Production and Characterization of Monoclonal Antibodies Against Primo Vascular System of Rat.

Background: The primo vascular system (PVS) has been difficult to detect due to its small diameter and translucent features of the threadlike network. Thus, contrast-enhancing dyes including Alcian blue, Trypan blue and Janus green B had to be used for finding and taking out PVS from rat and mouse.

Objective: Generation of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against PVS of rat was intended to use as a detector for PVS and a biological tool for functional study of PVS.

Energy Efficiency and Patient Satisfaction of Gait With Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis and Robot (ReWalk)-Assisted Gait in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury.

Objective: To compare the energy efficiency of gait with knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO) and robot-assisted gait and to develop a usability questionnaire to evaluate the satisfaction of walking devices in paraplegic patients with spinal cord injuries.

Methods: Thirteen patients with complete paraplegia participated and 10 completed the evaluation. They were trained to walk with KAFO (KAFO-gait) or a ReWalk robot (ReWalk-gait) for 4 weeks (20 sessions).

Korean Version of the Stroke Rehabilitation Motivation Scale: Reliability and Validity Evaluation.

Objective: To translate the Stroke Rehabilitation Motivation Scale (SRMS), developed to evaluate the motivation level of stroke patients during rehabilitation, into the Korean language and to verify the reliability and validity of the Korean version of SRMS (K-SRMS).

Methods: The K-SRMS was developed following a structured process that included translation, verification, compromise assessment, reverse translation, feedback, and final correction. K-SRMS reliability was evaluated by performing internal consistency and test-retest analyses.

Effects of virtual reality-based planar motion exercises on upper extremity function, range of motion, and health-related quality of life: a multicenter, single-blinded, randomized, controlled pilot study.

Background: Virtual reality (VR)-based rehabilitation is considered a beneficial therapeutic option for stroke rehabilitation. This pilot study assessed the clinical feasibility of a newly developed VR-based planar motion exercise apparatus (Rapael Smart Board™ [SB]; Neofect Inc., Yong-in, Korea) for the upper extremities as an intervention and assessment tool.

Validity of the Budapest Criteria For Poststroke Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

Objectives: Complex regional pain syndrome-1 is a chronic neuropathic disorder, and poststroke complex regional pain syndrome (PS-CRPS) is not a rare complication. There is a lack of study implementing the Budapest criteria for PS-CRPS diagnosis. Thus, the present study investigated the validity of the Budapest criteria for PS-CRPS diagnosis and assessed the PS-CRPS-related factors in stroke patients with an affected upper extremity.

Levels of common salivary protein 1 in healthy subjects and periodontal patients.

Purpose: Human saliva, as a vital part of the immune defense system, contains a number of distinct proteins and peptides. Recently human common salivary protein 1 (CSP1) has been identified as an abundant salivary protein and may play a role in promoting the binding of cariogenic bacteria to salivary pellicles. However, nothing else is known regarding the role of CSP1 in periodontology.

Common Salivary Protein 1 in Serum of Diabetes Patients.

Background: Recently, the human common salivary protein 1 (CSP1) was identified as an ortholog of the Demilune cell and parotid protein of mouse. However, its function remains to be determined. Here, we show that the serum CSP1 concentration of diabetes mellitus (DM) patients is much higher than that of healthy controls.

Loss of function of endothelin-2 leads to reduced ovulation and CL formation.

Endothelin-2 (EDN2), a potent vasoconstrictive peptide, is transiently produced by periovulatory follicles at the time of ovulation when corpus luteum (CL) formation begins. EDN2 induces contraction of ovarian smooth muscles ex vivo via an endothelin receptor A-mediated pathway. In this study, we aimed to determine if EDN2 is required for normal ovulation and subsequent CL formation in?vivo.

Point-of-care fluorescence immunoassay for cardiac panel biomarkers.

Background: Myoglobin, creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme (CK-MB), and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) are cardiac biomarkers that are widely used to assist in the early and late diagnoses of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Here, we present a clinically applicable fluorescence (FL) immunoassay for cardiac biomarkers.

Methods: Whole blood was mixed with FL-labeled detector Ab (antibody) and then loaded onto a capture Ab-immobilized strip in a test cartridge.

Fluorescence immunoassay of human D-dimer in whole blood.

Background: D-dimer is a widely used biomarker for the initial clinical assessment of suspected deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Here, we presented a new fluorescence (FL) D-dimer assay system, which was developed with a platform of point-of-care test (POCT) for clinical applications.

Methods: Whole blood was mixed with FL-labeled anti-D-dimer detector antibody, and then loaded onto a disposable cartridge.

Point-of-care fluorescence immunoassay for prostate specific antigen.

Background: Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is widely used as a clinical marker for diagnosis, screening, and prognosis of prostate cancer. A fluorescence (FL) dye-incorporated immunochromatographic assay (ICA) was developed for detection of PSA concentration in whole blood or serum.

Methods: Whole blood or serum mixed with FL-conjugated detector was loaded onto a cartridge and incubated for 12 min.

Abundance of immunologically active alanine aminotransferase in sera of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

Background: Although alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is a widely used indicator of liver function, ALT enzymatic activity may not always reflect the degree of liver damage. Improved methods or approaches would be useful.

Methods: Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to ALT were generated to develop a sandwich enzyme immunoassay system.

Identification and characterization of a lysosomal membrane protein of Dictyostelium discoideum with monoclonal antibodies.

Lysosomes are responsible for the degradation of macromolecules derived from the cell exterior by endocytosis, or from within the cell by autophagy. While our knowledge of the biosynthesis and targeting of lysosomal hydrolases is considerable, much less is known about the lysosomal membrane itself. To identify the lysosomal membrane proteins that mediate these functions, we have isolated lysosomes from amebae and injected them into mice to produce monoclonal antibodies (MAbs).

Calixarene derivative as a tool for highly sensitive detection and oriented immobilization of proteins in a microarray format through noncovalent molecular interaction.

One important factor in fabricating protein microarray is to immobilize proteins without losing their activity on a solid phase. To keep them functional, it is necessary to immobilize proteins in a way that preserve their folded structural integrity. In a previous study, we developed novel Calixarene derivatives for the immobilization of proteins on the surface of a glass slide (1).

Evaluation of fluorescence hs-CRP immunoassay for point-of-care testing.

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is one of acute phase respondents that has been used to monitor infection and inflammation episodes. Recent studies have shown that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a potential risk predictor for future atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases (CVD).

Methods: We previously developed a fluorescence-based immunochromatographic method for measuring hs-CRP concentrations (i-CHROMAtrade mark hs-CRP assay) in blood.

A rapid, simple measurement of human albumin in whole blood using a fluorescence immunoassay (I).

Background: Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most abundant plasma protein and plays key a role in metabolism. The variation in albumin concentration provides valuable information related to metabolic diseases and diagnostic application.

Methods: We constructed two assay systems to quantify the albumin concentration.

Development of an electrochemical immunosensor for alanine aminotransferase.

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) has been regarded as one of the most sensitive indicators of hepatocellular damage. While ALT is widely used in the practice of medicine, few attempts have been made to develop biosensors applicable to the on-site diagnosis of liver diseases. In the hope of developing an immunosensor for measurement of ALT activity, we have generated monoclonal antibodies to human recombinant ALT and fabricated them for use in a sensor.

Development of an ultrarapid one-step fluorescence immunochromatographic assay system for the quantification of microcystins.

Microcystins are a family of potent toxic oligopeptides produced by freshwater cyanobacteria genera and have been a great threat to the welfare of humans and animals. There has been a great demand for developing a fast and convenient analytical method to detect microcystins. Recently, direct competition ELISA using monoclonal or polyclonal antibody has become the prevailing method for detecting microcystins.

Development of a point-of-care assay system for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in whole blood.

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is emerging as a potential risk predictor for future cardiovascular diseases (CVD). High sensitivity assays have been developed and applied for clinical purposes.

Methods: The fluorescence immunochromatographic assay was employed to detect and quantify CRP in whole blood.