Improved Muscle Mass and Function With Protein Supplementation in Older Adults With Sarcopenia: A Meta-Analysis.

Objective: : To systematically review the effects of protein supplementation in older adults with sarcopenia.

Methods: : A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases until May 2023. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) randomized controlled trials with a quantitative study design; (2) studies with a study group of older adults with sarcopenia; (3) studies comparing muscle mass, muscle strength, and performance of older adults with sarcopenia after protein supplementation; and (4) studies published up to May 2023.

Medical service utilization by children with physical or brain disabilities in South Korea.

Background: Children with physical or brain disabilities experience several functional impairments and declining health complications that must be considered for adequate medical support. This study investigated the current medical service utilization of children expressing physical or brain disabilities in South Korea by analyzing medical visits, expenses, and comorbidities.

Methods: We used a database linked to the National Rehabilitation Center of South Korea to extract information on medical services utilized by children with physical or brain disabilities, the number of children with a disability, medical visits for each child, medical expenses per visit, total medical treatment cost, copayments by age group, condition severity, and disability type.

Early Neurodevelopmental Assessments of Neonates Discharged From the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Physiatrist's Perspective.

The survival rate of children admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) after birth is on the increase; hence, proper evaluation and care of their neurodevelopment has become an important issue. Neurodevelopmental assessments of individual domains regarding motor, language, cognition, and sensory perception are crucial in planning prompt interventions for neonates requiring immediate support and rehabilitation treatment. These assessments are essential for identifying areas of weakness and designing targeted interventions to improve future functional outcomes and the quality of lives for both the infants and their families.

Effect of Intrathecal Baclofen Pump on Scoliosis in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To systematically review the effect of intrathecal baclofen pump insertion in children with cerebral palsy (CP) with respect to scoliosis.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases up to June 2022. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) studies with a quantitative study design; (2) studies with a study group of children with CP; (3) studies comparing scoliosis in children with and without an intrathecal baclofen pump; and (4) studies with Cobb's angle as a parameter.

The Short-term Effects of Hippotherapy and Therapeutic Horseback Riding on Spasticity in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Meta-analysis.

Purpose: We systematically reviewed the short-term effects of hippotherapy and therapeutic horseback riding (THR) on lower-limb muscle spasticity in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were searched for relevant quantitative studies. Treatment effects were coded using the Ashworth scale (AS) or modified Ashworth scale (MAS) in pre- and posttreatment evaluations.

Expression Profiles of Immune Cells after Propofol or Sevoflurane Anesthesia for Colorectal Cancer Surgery: A Prospective Double-blind Randomized Trial.

Background: The antitumor effects of natural killer cells, helper T cells, and cytotoxic T cells after cancer surgery were reported previously. This study hypothesized that propofol-based anesthesia would have fewer harmful effects on immune cells than volatile anesthetics-based anesthesia during colorectal cancer surgery.

Methods: In total, 153 patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery were randomized and included in the analysis.

The Preventive Effect of the Phenotype of Tumour-Associated Macrophages, Regulated by CD39, on Colon Cancer in Mice.

Background: This study was designed to investigate the effect of cluster differentiation (CD)39 and CD73 inhibitors on the expresion of tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs), M1- versus M2-tumour phenotypes in mice with colon cancer.

Methods: An in vivo study of co-culture with colon cancer cells and immune cells from the bone marrow (BM) of mice was performed. After the confirmation of the effect of polyoxotungstate (POM-1) as an inhibitor of CD39 on TAMs, the mice were randomly divided into a control group without POM-1 and a study group with POM-1, respectively, after subcutaneous injection of CT26 cells.

Does Adequate Lumbar Segmental Motion Reflect Recovery Process in Acute Lumbar Disc Herniation?

Objective: To investigate if the extent of lumbar segmental motion is correlated with the recovery process in the form of pain intensity in patients with acute single level lumbar disc herniation (LDH).

Methods: A retrospective review of medical records was performed on patients presented with acute low back pain from January 2011 to December 2017. With prerequisites of undergoing both lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging and functional radiography, patients with etiologies other than single level LDH were excluded.

Acute Pseudobulbar Palsy After Bilateral Paramedian Thalamic Infarction: A Case Report.

Bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction is a rare subtype of stroke caused by occlusion of the artery of Percheron, an uncommon variant originating from one of the posterior cerebral arteries. This type of stroke has several major clinical presentations: altered mental status, behavioral amnestic impairment, aphasia or dysarthria, ocular movement disorders, motor deficits, cerebellar signs, and others. Few cases of bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction-related pseudobulbar palsy characterized by dysarthria, dysphagia, and facial and tongue weakness have been reported.

Can MRI Findings Help to Predict Neurological Recovery in Paraplegics With Thoracolumbar Fracture?

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of various magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in the prognosis of neurological recovery in paraplegics with thoracolumbar fracture using association analysis with clinical outcomes and electrodiagnostic features.

Methods: This retrospective study involved 30 patients treated for paraplegia following thoracolumbar fracture. On axial and sagittal T2-weighted MRI scans, nerve root sedimentation sign, root aggregation sign, and signal intensity changes in the conus medullaris were independently assessed by two raters.

Effects of bisphosphonates to treat osteoporosis in children with cerebral palsy: a meta-analysis.

Background: In childhood and adolescence, some patients with cerebral palsy (CP) have long-term limited mobility, which can lead to secondary osteoporosis, Prevention and treatment strategies have been evaluated for the management of low bone mineral density (BMD) and fragility fractures. Currently, however, there are no established guidelines for the stratification and individualization of therapeutic interventions. Recently, an increasing number of studies have reported on the use of bisphosphonates to increase BMD in various pediatric conditions, and bisphosphonates have been suggested as a method to treat osteoporosis and prevent fractures.

Reliability and reproducibility of interapical distance assessment of the lateral deviation of vertebrae in scoliosis.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the interobserver reliability and intraobserver reproducibility of interapical distance (IAD) and to analyze its correlation with the Cobb angle (CA). [Subjects and Methods] IAD, a handy tool for assessment of the lateral deviation of vertebrae with a metric scale, was defined as the horizontal distance between one apical vertebra and its counterpart, the opposite apical vertebra in the case of a double curve and the farthest vertebra in the case of a single curve. Fifty full-length, standing anteroposterior radiographs of "idiopathic scoliosis" were reviewed.

Hepatic encephalopathy with corticospinal tract involvement demonstrated by diffusion tensor tractography.

A 50-year-old man with liver cirrhosis and esophageal varix for 3 years was diagnosed with hematemesis and treated for a bleeding varix. However, bleeding recurred 11 days later, and he developed drowsiness with left hemiparesis. His left upper and lower extremity muscle strengths based on the manual muscle test at the onset were grade 2/5 and 1/5, respectively.

Outcomes of asymmetry in infants with congenital muscular torticollis.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to assess the outcomes of asymmetry in infants with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT). [Subjects] A total of 102 patients with CMT under the age of 6 months were studied. [Methods] Asymmety was evaluated by determining the difference in the thicknesses of the two sternocleidomastoid muscles (DTSM) using ultrasonography, head tilt (HT) based on a physical examination, and the torticollis overall assessment (TOA).

Effects of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy on Spasticity in Patients after Brain Injury: A Meta-analysis.

[Purpose] The purpose of this meta-analysis was to assess the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on reducing spasticity immediately and 4 weeks after application of ESWT. [Subjects and Methods] We searched PubMed, TCL, Embase, and Scopus from their inception dates through June 2013. The key words "muscle hypertonia OR spasticity" were used for spasticity, and the key words "shock wave OR ESWT" were used for ESWT.

Thoracic infectious spondylitis after surgical treatments of herniated lumbar intervertebral disc.

The postoperative infectious spondylitis has been reported to occur among every 1% to 12%. It is difficult to early diagnose in some cases. If the diagnosis is delayed, it can be a life-threatening condition.

The cervical range of motion as a factor affecting outcome in patients with congenital muscular torticollis.

Objective: To investigate the factors affecting rehabilitation outcomes in children with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 347 patients who were clinically suspected as having CMT and performed neck ultrasonography to measure sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle thickness. Fifty-four patients met the inclusion criteria.

Comparison of human first and third trimester placental mesenchymal stem cell.

Placenta mesenchymal stem cells (PMSCs) have the characteristic features of stem cells including renewability in vitro, surface expression, differentiation potency and ability to adhere to the culture surface. PMSCs expressed genes are normally found in the embryonic tissues before the onset of gastrulation, indicating multipotency. However, the stemness can depend on the stages of the placenta from which the cells were isolated.

Use of videofluoroscopic swallowing study in patients with aspiration pneumonia.

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of dysphagic elderly Korean patients diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia as well as to examine the necessity of performing a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) in order to confirm the presence of dysphagia in such patients.

Method: The medical records of dysphagic elderly Korean subjects diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia were retrospectively reviewed for demographic and clinical characteristics as well as for VFSS findings.

Results: In total, medical records of 105 elderly patients (81 men and 24 women) were reviewed in this study.

The Relation between Postvoid Residual and Occurrence of Urinary Tract Infection after Stroke in Rehabilitation Unit.

Objective: To determine the relation between postvoid residual (PVR) and the occurrence of urinary tract infection (UTI) in stroke patients.

Method: One hundred and eighty-eight stroke patients who were admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit and who did not have UTI on admission (105 males, 83 females, mean age 67.1 years) were included in this study.

Dopaminergic differentiation of neural progenitors derived from placental mesenchymal stem cells in the brains of Parkinson's disease model rats and alleviation of asymmetric rotational behavior.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is caused by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the mesencephalic substantia nigra and is accompanied by behavioral abnormalities. Pharmacological administration of L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-dopa) improves the abnormalities in the early phase of the illness, but numerous adverse effects hinder long-term administration. Transplantation of fetal mesencephalic tissues has been suggested as an alternative to l-dopa treatment; however, the use of human fetal tissues is controversial.

Magnetic resonance findings of acute severe lower back pain.

Objective: To determine abnormal MRI findings in adults hospitalized with acute severe axial LBP.

Method: Sixty patients with back pain were divided into 3 groups consisting of 1) 23 adults with acute axial severe LBP who could not sit up or stand up for several days, but had not experienced previous back-related diseases or trauma (group A), 2) 19 adults who had been involved in a minor traffic accident, and had mild symptoms but not limited mobility (group B), and 3) 18 adults with LBP with radicular pain (group C)., Various MRI findings were assessed among the above 3 groups and compared as follows: disc herniation (protrusion, extrusion), lumbar disc degeneration (LDD), annular tear, high intensity zone (HIZ), and endplate changes.

Usefulness of the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) in Ataxic Stroke Patients.

Objective: To examine the usefulness of the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) in ataxic stroke patients.

Method: This was a retrospective study of 54 patients following their first ataxic stroke. The data used in the analysis comprised ambulation status on admission and scores on the SARA, the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS).

Glutathione peroxidase activity modulates recovery in the injured immature brain.

Objective: Mice subjected to traumatic brain injury at postnatal day 21 show emerging cognitive deficits that coincide with hippocampal neuronal loss. Here we consider glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity as a determinant of recovery in the injured immature brain.

Methods: Wild-type and transgenic (GPxTg) mice overexpressing GPx were subjected to traumatic brain injury or sham surgery at postnatal day 21.

Traumatic injury to the immature brain results in progressive neuronal loss, hyperactivity and delayed cognitive impairments.

The immature brain may be particularly vulnerable to injury during critical periods of development. To address the biologic basis for this vulnerability, mice were subjected to traumatic brain injury at postnatal day 21, a time point that approximates that of the toddler-aged child. After motor and cognitive testing at either 2 weeks (juveniles) or 3 months (adults) after injury, animals were euthanized and the brains prepared for quantitative histologic assessment.