CAG repeat polymorphism within the KCNN3 gene is a significant contributor to susceptibility to anorexia nervosa: a case-control study of female patients and several ethnic groups in the Israeli Jewish population.

The human small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium channel gene KCNN3 has been involved in mechanisms underlying neuronal function and plasticity. A multiallelic CAG repeat polymorphism within the KCNN3 has been associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. We have previously reported in a family-based study that longer CAG repeats are preferentially transmitted to patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). The present study extends the analysis of KCNN3 allele distribution to a larger series of AN female patients and control groups, incorporating information on ethnicity and co-morbidities associated with AN. The data analysis is presented while considering separately the two alleles of each individual, namely a minor (shorter) and a major (longer) allele. This study has found that the KCNN3 allele distribution in the general Israeli population does not differ significantly in at least four Jewish ethnic groups of Ashkenazi, North African, Iraqi, and Yemenite origin. These have been used as control groups in a matched case-control analysis that has demonstrated a significant over-representation of KCNN3 alleles with longer CAG repeats among AN patients (P < 0.001 for the major allele and P = 0.035 for allele sum). Under dichotomization, a significantly higher prevalence of the L allele (>19 repeats) has been observed among AN patients (P < 0.001). While considering AN and co-morbid phenotypes, a tendency towards longer (L) alleles has been observed in the subset of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) co-morbidity. These findings further implicate KCNN3 as a significant contributor to predisposition to AN.     

The effects of trunk stability exercise and a combined exercise program on pain,flexibility, and static balance in chronic low back pain patients

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to examine the effect of trunk stability exercise and combined exercise program on pain, flexibility, and static balance in chronic low back pain patients. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty persons diagnosed with chronic low back pain were divided into a trunk stability exercise group and a combined exercise group and then conducted exercise for six weeks. [Results] VAS and sway lengths decreased significantly in both groups. A comparison of sway lengths after the intervention between the two groups revealed that the trunk stability exercise group had a bigger decrease than the combined exercise group. [Conclusion] The results of this study indicated that trunk stability exercise would have bigger effect than combined exercise on the daily activities of chronic low back pain patients as it strengthens deep abdominal muscles and improves flexibility and balancing ability.Key words: Low back pain, Balance, Trunk stability exercise     

The effect of weight-bearing exercise and non-weight-bearing exercise on gait in rats with sciatic nerve crush injury

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to access the effect of weight bearing exercise (treadmill exercise) and non-weight-bearing exercise (swimming exercise) on gait in the recovery process after a sciatic nerve crush injury. [Subjects and Methods] Rats were randomly divided into a swimming group (n=3) with non-weight-bearing exercise after a sciatic nerve crush and a treadmill group (n=3) with weight bearing exercise after a sciatic nerve crush. Dartfish is a program that can analyze and interpret motion through video images. The knee lateral epicondyle, lateral malleolus, and metatarsophalangeal joint of the fifth toe were marked by black dots before recording. [Results] There were significant differences in TOK (knee angle toe off) and ICK (knee angle at initial contact) in the swimming group and in TOK, ICA (ankle angle at initial contact), and ICK in the treadmill group. In comparison between groups, there were significant differences in TOA (ankle angle in toe off) and ICA at the 7th day. [Conclusion] There was no difference between weight bearing and non-weight-bearing exercise in sciatic nerve damage, and both exercises accelerated the recovery process in this study.Key words: Sciatic nerve crush injury, Weight-bearing exercise, Gait     

The effects of action observation gait training on the static balance and walking ability of stroke patients

[Purpose] The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of action observation training on the static balance and walking ability of patients who had suffered a stroke. [Subjects] Forty patients with hemiplegia resulting from a stroke were divided into an action observation gait training group (AOGT group, n=20) and a general gait training group (GGT group, n=20). [Methods] The AOGT group watched a training video on flatland gait, slope gait, and stair gait. The GGT group watched a video on nature. Both groups watched their respective video for 10 minutes and then had gait training for 20 minutes per day, five times per week, for eight weeks. [Results] The static balance and gait ability of both groups significantly improved. Although there were significant differences between the groups, the AOTG group showed greater improvements in sway speed, limit of stability, and gait ability. [Conclusion] We recommend action observation training over general gait training for patients with hemiplegia. Action observational training had a positive effect on static balance and gait ability in stroke patients’ static balance and gait ability. Further research is needed to generalize the results of this study.Key words: Hemiplegia, Action observation training, Gait     

A novel missense mutation in the NDP gene in a child with Norrie disease and severe neurological involvement including infantile spasms

Norrie disease (ND) is a rare X-linked recessive disorder characterized by congenital blindness and in some cases, mental retardation and deafness. Other neurological complications, particularly epilepsy, are rare. We report on a novel mutation identified in a patient with ND and profound mental retardation. The patient was diagnosed at the age of 6 months due to congenital blindness. At the age of 8 months he developed infantile spasms, which were diagnosed at 11 months as his EEG demonstrated hypsarrhythmia. Mutation analysis of the ND gene (NDP) of the affected child and his mother revealed a novel missense mutation at position c.134T > A resulting in amino acid change at codon V45E. To the best of our knowledge, such severe neurological involvement has not been previously reported in ND patients. The severity of the phenotype may suggest the functional importance of this site of the NDP gene.     

Evaluation of falls by inpatients in an acute care hospital in Korea using the Morse Fall Scale

The purpose of this study was to determine the cut‐off values of the Korean version of the Morse Fall Scale (MFS‐K) that would be most useful in identifying hospitalized patients at risk of falls in an acute‐care setting in Korea. This study was conducted using the medical records of 66 patients who fell and 100 patients who did not fall (no‐fall patients) sampled from inpatients hospitalized at a tertiary acute‐care hospital in Seoul during the period from 1 January to 30 November 2009. The optimal cut‐off point for the MFS‐K was found to be 45 points, which produced an acceptable sensitivity and a fairly good specificity, negative predictive value and accuracy. The highest peak on the receiver operating characteristic curve was a cut‐off score of 45 points in the MFS‐K. Further research needs to be performed to determine the optimal cut‐off score according to subjects' conditions through daily measurement with the MFS in medical or surgical patients who are relatively homogeneous in terms of individual and disease‐related factors.     

The Effects of Virtual Reality-based Balance Training on Balance of the Elderly

[Purpose] The objective of this study was to determine the effects of virtual reality-based balance training on balance of the elderly. [Methods] The subjects were 32 healthy elderly people aged between 65 and 80, who were divided into a VR (virtual reality) training group (n=17) and a control group (n=15). The VR training group engaged in a 30-minute exercise session using Wii Fit three times a week for eight weeks, while the control group received no intervention. The balance of the two groups was measured before and after the intervention. [Results] According to the Romberg Test conducted to examine the effects of the training on balance, both the area covered by the body’s center of pressure movement, and movement distances per unit area of the body’s center of pressure envelope significantly decreased in the VR training group. Moreover, the two groups showed significant differences in balance. [Conclusion] Virtual reality training is effective at improving the balance of the healthy elderly. Thus, virtual reality training can be proposed as a form of fall prevention exercise for the elderly.Key words: Virtual reality training, Balance, Elderly     

Effects of Self Stretching on Pain and Musculoskeletal Symptom of Bus Drivers

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to evaluate the musculoskeletal symptoms, pain and risk of postures as well as the effects of stretching exercise on the work-related symptoms and pain of bus drivers. [Subjects and Methods] Eighty-one drivers were randomly recruited from a bus corporation for this study. Information about pain levels, painful regions, and general characteristics of subjects was obtained using the symptom research form (KOSHA Code H-30-2003). The level of pain was assessed on a scale of numeric rating scale (NRS) which is divided by 10. Ergonomic posture assessment was conducted using the rapid upper limb assessment (RULA). Self-stretching exercise was performed for 4 weeks by the bus drivers who suffered from neck and shoulder pain. [Results] Musculoskeletal symptoms were present in the order of shoulder, neck, lower back and lower extremities. Compared with other jobs, the final score, and the action level of bus drivers were very high, showing 57.6% of action levels 3 and 4. A statistically significant decrease of pain was shown after the self-stretching intervention. There was also a significant decrease of musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck and shoulders after the self-stretching exercise. [Conclusion] Performing stretching for musculoskeletal symptoms had a positive influence on the symptoms and reduced pain.Key words: Stretching, MSDs, Bus driver     

The Effects of Closed Kinetic Chain Exercises and Open Kinetic Chain Exercises Using Elastic Bands on Electromyographic Activity in Degenerative Gonarthritis

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of closed kinetic chain exercises (CKCEs) and open kinetic chain exercises (OKCEs) with elastic bands on the electromyographic activity of patients with degenerative gonarthritis. [Subjects] The study subjects were 30 degenerative gonarthritis patients who were divided into a CKCE group (CKCEG, n=10), an OKCE group (OKCEG, n=10), and a control group (CG, n=10). [Methods] The CKCEG and the OKCEG performed exercises with elastic bands, and the CG took part in a quadriceps strengthening exercise. All three groups performed the exercises three times per week for four weeks. The electromyographic activities of the subjects’ vastus medialis (VM), rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), semitendinosus (ST), and biceps femoris (BF) muscles were measured and compared. [Results] Within-group comparisons revealed that the electromyographic activities of the VM, RF, VL, ST, and BF muscles increased significantly in the CKCEG. The OKCEG displayed significant increases in the electromyographic activity of the VM, RF, ST, and BF muscles, and the CG showed significant increases in the electromyographic activities of the RF, VL, ST, and BF muscles. In between-group comparisons after the intervention, the electromyographic activities of the VM, RF, and VL muscles of the CKCEG were significantly higher than those of the CG. The electromyographic activities of the VM, RF, and ST muscles of the OKCEG were significantly higher than those of the CG. [Conclusion] We consider CKCEs with elastic bands are an effective intervention for increasing the electromyographic activities of the VM, RF, VL, ST, and BF muscles of degenerative gonarthritis patients, and OKCEs with elastic bands are an effective intervention for increasing the electromyographic activities of the VM, RF, ST, and BF muscles of degenerative gonarthritis patients.