Pruritus is one of the most important symptoms of allergic inflammatory skin disease. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been reported to have preventive effects against allergic inflammation. The objective of this study was to determine whether or not oral administration of CLA suppresses pruritus induced by compound 48/80 (composed of N-methyl-p-methoxy phenethylamine with formaldehyde) in mice, and if so, whether or not this effect is associated with serum histamine and prostaglandin (PG) E2 levels. Liquid CLA mixture (36.25% 9c-11t CLA, 36.95% 10t-12c CLA, 1.12% 9c-11c, and 1.94% t9-t11 CLA) was emulsified in 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) sodium salt and orally administered to mice at doses of 200 mg/kg once per day for 3 days. Similarly, disodium chromoglycate (DSCG), an antipruritic substance, was administered orally at the same concentrations as the negative control. Compound 48/80, a pruritus-inducing reagent, was subcutaneously injected 30 minutes after final administration of CLA. Scratching behavior of mice was counted just after compound 48/80 injection. Serum histamine and PGE2 concentrations were evaluated individually. Mice administered with CLA showed reduced frequency of scratching behavior compared to those without CLA. Antipruritic activities in CLA-treated and DSCG-treated groups were 48.5% and 26.8%, respectively. CLA and DSCG also diminished serum concentrations of histamine and PGE2 compared to compound 48/80 alone, respectively. This result suggests that dietary CLA has an antipruritic effect by down-regulating serum histamine and PGE2 levels for relief of compound 48/80-induced scratching behavior in mice, which will be useful in allergic pruritus as a preventive medicine.

The objective of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial effects of carvacrol (CV) against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7) strains in milk. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of CV against S. aureus and E. coli O157:H7 were determined. In addition, bactericidal kinetics and antimicrobial activity of CV against the aforementioned pathogens in milk over a period of 2 weeks were investigated. CV exhibited antibacterial activity against both foodborne pathogens tested. The MIC and MBC of CV against S. aureus were 15.0 and 20 mg/mL, respectively, whereas those against E. coli O157:H7 were 16.0 and 32 mg/mL, respectively. In time-kill assays, CV at MBC reduced the number of S. aureus and E. coli O157:H7 in milk to undetectable levels within 24 hr. The antibacterial effects of CV persisted for 14 days without any loss of activity. Results of this study suggest that CV has a potential antibacterial activity against foodborne pathogens such as S. aureus and E. coli O157:H7 in milk.

현행 우리나라 중재법은 국제연합 국제상거래법위원회(UNCITRAL)의 1985년 ‘국제상사에 관한 모델법’(UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration)을 전면적으로 수용하면서 형식적으로는 국제적 규범으로서의 중재법을 가지게 되었다고 할 수 있다. 그러나 우리 중재법이 상거래에 국한된 중재법이 아니고 위 모델법이 채택 된 시기에는 정보통신기술이 현재에 이르는 것을 상상조차 힘들었던 시기였고, 변호사법 등에 의한 국내중재의 억제 등 우리나라의 상황을 참작하였다고 보기 어렵다. 이 논문에서 중재의 중대한 장점인 신속성과 경제성 나아가 갈등감소의 이익을 박탈하여 버리는 중재판정의 집행절차에 대하여 검토하여 보고자한다. 중재제도가 우리보다 활성화된 다른 국가의 경우를 비교법적으로 살펴 현재 국내중재의 집행절차의 문제점을 살피고 그 해결책으로서의 입법론 또는 해석론을 살펴보았다. 우리 중재법은 중재지를 기준으로 중재지가 우리나라인 국내중재와 중재지가 외국인 외국중재를 구별하고 있을 뿐이다. 중재의 활성화 특히 국내중재의 활성화를 위해서는 이를 세밀하게 구분하고 승인 집행의 절차도 국내중재판정의 승인집행은 외국중재판정보다 간이한 절차에 의하여 이루어져야 한다. 일응 선진국은 국내중재판정의 집행에 대하여 대부분 변론없이 결정, 명령, 허가와 같은 간이한 절차에 의하거나 사실상 집행권원으로 인정하는 국가도 있다. 우리 중재법은 제35조에서 이미 중재판정이 확정판결과 효력이 같다고 천명하고 있다. 또한 제38조에 의하여 제36조 제2항의 사유가 없으면 집행되어져야 한다는 것도 명시하고 있다. 그런데 위 취소사유에 의하여 중재판정의 취소를 구하는 자는 중재판정의 정본을 받은 날부터 3개월 이내에 제기하여야하고 이는 제척기간임은 의심의 여지가 없다. 따라서 판정서 정본이 송달 된 이후 3개월이 경과하였다면 국내중재판정에 대하여는 더 이상 심리할 이유나 명분이 없다. 생각건대 당사자의 신청에 의하여 법원이 중재법 제32조 제4항에 의하여 보관된 중재판정원본과 그 송부사실을 증명하는 서류 등에 의한 심사를 거쳐 집행문을 부여한다. 위 제척기간이 도과하지 않은 경우에는 집행절차도중 중재판정 취소의 소송이 제기되면 집행정지, 집행문부여에 대한 이의 신청이나 이의의 소를 제기하여 혹여 발생할 부당한 집행에 대한 구제가 가능하기 때문이다. 이는 법률의 제정이나 개정 없이 현행법으로 가능하므로 이는 법적용 또는 해석의 문제일 뿐이다.

Cytokeratin (CK) comprises the intermediate filament cytoskeleton of epithelial cells. Patterns of CK expression can be regarded as a specific marker for epithelial differentiation status. The aim of this study was to identify CK expression on tongues of Korean native goats ranging from 60-day-old fetuses to newborns during prenatal development using immunohistochemistry. The tongues of fetuses were removed from 2- to 4-year-old female Korean native goats by caesarean section performed under general anesthesia. Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess CK expression patterns on developing goat tongues using serial paraffin-embedded sections. Light zones signifying CK immunoreactivity in dorsal lingual epithelia were weakly positive in 60-day-old fetuses. In 90-day-old fetuses, deep areas in dorsal lingual epithelia were strongly positive for CK expression and superficial areas were moderately positive. In 120-day-old fetuses, light zones of lingual epithelia in the vallate papilla were strongly positive for CK expression, whereas ducts of von Ebner’s glands were moderately positive. In neonates, taste buds were positive for CK expression, whereas non-taste epithelial cells and von Ebner’s glands were negative. These findings indicate that goat tongues have different patterns of CK expression during development and provide a morphological basis for studies on the biological mechanism of epithelial differentiation.

Ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke in humans. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a canine model of stroke. Ischemic stroke was induced by using prepared autologous thrombus. The dogs were placed in lateral recumbency on the operation table and the cervical area of each dog was sterilized by using alcohol. After making a cervical incision, the common carotid artery and internal carotid artery (a branch of the common carotid artery that supplies an anterior part of the brain) were exposed. A 200 μL injection of the autologous thrombus prepared 24 hr prior to surgery was delivered with a 20 gauge venous catheter through an internal carotid artery. After successful delivery of the autologous thrombus, the venous catheter was removed, and the cervical incision was sutured. Neurologic signs including generalized seizures, tetraparesis, and altered mental status, were observed in all 3 dogs after induction of ischemic stroke and the signs manifested immediately after awakening from anesthesia. T1- and T2-weighted images and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images of the brain were acquired 1 day before and 1 day after surgery. On the day following ischemic stroke induction, MRI revealed multifocal lesions in the cerebral cortex and subcortex such as T1 hypointensity, T2 hyperintensity, FLAIR hyperintensity, and diffusion-weighted hyperintensity in all 3 dogs. Upon postmortem examination, ischemic lesions were found to be consistent with the MRI findings and they were unstained with 2% triphenyltetrazolium chloride. Histologic features of the earliest neuronal changes such as cytoplasmic eosinophilia with pyknotic nuclei were identified. Neuropil spongiosis and perivascular cuffing were also prominently observed at the infarcted area. The present study demonstrated the features of MRI and histopathologic findings in canine ischemic stroke models.

Canine herpesvirus (CHV) is a member of the alphaherpesvirus subfamily, which can cause severe hemorrhagic diseases in neonatal pups as well as mild or subclinical respiratory infections in adult dogs. We examined the effects of cold stress on disease progression of CHV, an alphaherpesvirus, in neonatal puppies. Eight puppies were challenged intranasally with CHV suspension and divided into a cold stress treatment group and a hyperthermal group. Four pups were left uninoculated as controls and divided into cold and hyperthermal groups. In the challenged cold treatment group, all pups showed CHV-related disease within 5 days; pathological changes were observed in organs of puppies showing clinical symptoms. Grossly, numerous petechial red foci were scattered throughout lungs, kidneys, livers, and intestines of all CHV-infected puppies exposed to cold stress. Most puppies showed typical clinical signs and macroscopic lesions, and CHV infection was confirmed by isolation of the virus. However, in the challenged hyperthermal group, only one of the pups showed mild symptoms of CHV-induced disease. None of the puppies in the uninoculated group showed abnormal signs, although they were exposed to cold stress. These findings indicate that cold stress can cause rapid disease progression of CHV, an alphaherpesvirus.

경쟁법의 목적에 관한 논쟁은 주로 미국과 EU을 중심으로 이루어져 왔는데, 특히 미국에서 전통적인 하버드 학파(Harvard School)의 이론체계를 반박하면서 1970년대에 등장한 시카고 학파(Chicago School)는 효율성이 경쟁법을 비롯한 모든 경제 관련 법의 유일한(exclusive) 목적이 되어야 한다고 주장하였다. 그러한 영향 하에, 오늘날 우리나라를 비롯한 여러 주요 경쟁법제에서 ‘효율성’은 법의 목적을 응축해 놓은 개념이자 주요 금지규제의 위법 여부를 판단하는 기준으로 자리잡아 가고 있다. 경쟁법의 목적으로서 유력하게 논의되고 있는 효율성이 과연 법 목적으로서 적절한 개념인지를 판단하기 위해서는, 효율성 개념의 정의와 전제, 그리고 그것이 갖는 함의에 대해서 면밀하게 살펴볼 필요가 있다. 효율성 개념이 법 목적으로 수용된다고 할 때 제기되는 문제점에는 다음과 같은 것들이 있다. 효율성 개념은 ‘경제적 인간’과 ‘완전경쟁’이라는 추상적이고 불완전한 전제에 기반한 것으로서, 일정한 행위 혹은 의사결정으로 인하여 영향을 받게 되는 자가 구체적으로 어떠한 조건에 놓여 있는지, 구체적으로 자신의 의사를 관철할 수 있는 정신적 혹은 경제적 능력이 있는지 등과 같은 사실관계는 전적으로 사상(捨象)되고 있기 때문에, 이러한 논증은 현실에서 제기되는 문제를 ‘구체적으로 타당하게’ 해결한다는 법적 논증의 목적이 맞지 않을 뿐 아니라 복잡한 현실에 단독으로 또한 직접적으로 적용되기에는 부적합하다. 또한 Pareto 효율성, Kaldor-Hicks 효율성, 부의 극대화 모두 자원이나 권리의 배분 문제에 대해서 중립적이지 않다. 최초의 자원배분이 여하하든지 간에 효율성을 달성할 수 있다고 하지만, 문제는 최초의 자원배분 상태에 따라서 효율성 도달 이후의 자원배분 상태가 결정될 뿐 아니라, 경우에 따라서 자원배분의 불평등 정도가 더욱 심화될 수 있다는 것이다. 따라서 효율성 혹은 부의 극대화를 목적으로 하는 경쟁법의 집행은, 경쟁에 참여하는 사업자들간에 존재하는 경쟁조건에 있어서의 차이가 경쟁과정을 통하여 더욱 심화되도록 할 가능성이 크다. 이러한 결과는 법정책적으로도 납득하기 어려울 뿐 아니라 윤리적·도덕적으로도 납득하기 어려운 것이다. 오히려 경쟁법의 역사를 돌이켜보면 실제로 부의 극대화와 같은 효율성 이외에 공정성이나 분배적 정의와 같은 목적들이 중요한 지침이 되어 왔음을 알 수 있다.

부동산에 관하여 상사유치권이 성립되는 것을 일응 전제로 하여, 상법 제58조상의 명시적인 상사유치권의 성립요건과는 별개로 상사유치권 성립 당시에 이미 채무자 소유의 부동산에 대하여 제3자의 선행 저당권이 설정되어 있었던 경우에, 상사유치권자가 선행저당권자 또는 선행저당권에 기한 임의경매절차에서 부동산을 취득한 매수인에게 상사유치권으로 대항할 수 있는지 여부가 문제된다.이와 관련하여 대상판결은, 상사유치권이 채무자 소유의 물건에 대해서만 성립한다는 것은, 상사유치권은 성립 당시 채무자가 목적물에 대하여 보유하고 있는 담보가치만을 대상으로 하는 제한물권이라는 의미를 포함하고 있다 할 것이고, 따라서 유치권 성립 당시에 이미 목적물에 대하여 제3자가 권리자인 제한물권이 설정되어 있다면, 상사유치권은 그와 같이 제한된 채무자의 소유권에 기초하여 성립할 뿐이고, 기존의 제한물권이 확보하고 있는 담보가치를 사후적으로 침탈하지는 못한다고 보아야 한다고 하면서 선행 저당권은 유치권에 우선하여 보호되어야 한다고 판시하였다.검토컨대 피담보채권과 유치목적물 간의 개별적 견련성이 인정되는 경우에도 다른 성립요건들이 구비되는 한 상사유치권의 성립이 가능하다고 할 것인 바, 상사유치권의 전체적인 취지, 즉 상인간의 거래에서 신속하고 편리한 방법으로 담보를 취득하게 하는 활성 취지와 피담보채권의 모든 상사채권으로의 무한정 확장 가능성에 따른 제한 취지라는 양자 사이의 적절한 균형성을 고려하고, 상법에서 규정하고 있는 객관적인 문언 이상으로 상사유치권을 민사유치권 보다 차별하여 불리하게 해석할 합리적 근거는 없으므로, 대상판결에서의 판시 법리는 피담보채권과 유치목적물 간의 일반적 견련성만 인정되는 형태로 상사유치권이 성립한 경우에 한정하여서만 타당하다고 할 것이다.

이 논문은 그 제목을 ‘북한지역에서 외국인 및 외국법인의 토지이용과 관련한 법적 문제’이라고 정하였다. 현재의 남북한이 장래에 통일을 할 경우에 제도적 통합과정에서 통일한국의 토지제도를 어떻게 재편하여야 하는지, 그리고 그러한 재편과정에서 무엇을 고려하여야 하는지를 논리적으로 검증하는 것은 중요한 의미가 있기 때문이다. 물론 장래에 어떠한 문제가 발생할 것인지를 현재의 시점에서 정확하게 예측할 수는 없다. 그러나 그것이 사회질서를 규율하는 제도라고 한다면 불합리한 결과가 발생되지 않도록 그 위험성을 최소화할 수 있는 방법이 모색되어야 한다. 특히 토지제도는 새롭게 창출되는 제도가 아니고, 인류의 역사와 함께 발전되어 온 제도라는 점에서 종래에 발생한 문제점들을 면밀하게 파악한다면, 장래에 정립될 법제도는 보다 합리적이고 실질적 정의에 합치될 수 있다. 통일한국이 합리적으로 토지제도를 재편하기 위해서는 과거의 토지제도의 역사적 전개과정이 고려되어야 한다. 한 가지 유념하여야 할 것은 남북한의 통일은 분단의 아픔을 더 이상 후세에게 물려주지 말아야 한다는 민족통합의 차원에서, 그리고 통일이후의 북한경제의 활성화를 통하여 국가전체의 경쟁력을 상승시키고자 하는데 그 주된 목적이 있는 것이다. 따라서 남한 헌법상의 재산권 보장규정을 통일이라는 사회변혁상황에 그대로 대입하여 원소유자의 권리회복문제를 논의할 필요는 없다고 생각된다. 더욱이 남북한이 분단이후부터 현재에 이르기까지 각각의 지역에서 정부를 수립하여 규범력있는 통치권을 행사하고 있다는 점과 국제사회에서 양자가 국제법 주체로서 평가받고 있다는 점, 특히 과거의 토지몰수행위의 목적이 불합리한 토지집중현상을 해소하기 위해서 이루어졌다는 점을 고려한다면, 대등한 당사자의 관계에서 합의통일을 하는 것이 논리적으로도 타당하다고 생각된다. 따라서 분단 이후에 남한을 물론이고 북한에서 이루어진 토지제도의 정립행위도 모두 유효하다는 전제 위에서 통일한국의 토지제도를 재편하는 것이 타당하다.

프랑스의 월권소송은 우리나라의 취소소송에 상응하는 것이고 프랑스의 완전심리소송은 우리나라의 당사자소송에 상응하는 것인데, 일방적 행정행위는 월권소송의 대상이 되고 행정계약은 완전심리소송의 대상이 된다. 행정계약의 체결과 집행을 위한 행정청의 제반조치는 월권소송의 대상이 된다. 계약 체결 전에 존재하는 모든 행위와 계약의 이행, 변경 또는 해지와 관계되는 계약체결 후의 모든 행위를 분리행위로 여긴다. 행정계약에서 분리행위의 개념이 도입된 것은 Martin 사건이다. 꽁세이데따는 Martin 사건에서 일방적 행위의 개념을 인식했고 행정계약에서 분리행위의 개념을 도입했다. 꽁세이데따는 이 사건에서 월권소송의 대상이 될 수 있는 분리행위로 받아들였다. 행위의 고유한 하자가 있어 분리행위가 되어 취소된다고 해도, 계약이 자동적으로 무효가 되지는 않을 것이다. 월권소송에 있어 분리행위로 될 수 있는 것은 행위의 불법, 형식의 하자의 존재, 또는 절차의 하자에 제한된다. 소송참가인은 분리행위의 취소에 따라 계약이 유지될 수 없다고 여기면 계약 무효를 담당하고 있는 판사에게 청구하기 위해 완전심리소송을 이용한다. Société Tropic Travaux Signalisation 사건에서 탈락한 경쟁자가 계약을 체결할 때로부터 계약 체결전의 행위에 대해 월권소송을 제기하는 것이 허용되지 않았다. 이 소송은 완전심리소송과 관련된 소송으로 계약의 제3자가 계약의 유효성을 직접 다툴 수 있는 새로운 유형의 소송이다. 완전심리소송을 선택한 것은 계약의 계속성을 위한 것이다. 계약에 대한 소송의 길을 여는 것은 일단 계약이 체결되면 적어도 계약체결 전의 행위에 대해 분리행위의 단계를 없애는 효과를 갖는다. 제3자가 계약 체결의 행위로부터 잠재적으로 권리가 침해된 때로부터 제3자는 계약의 취소를 청구할 가능성이 없다. 이러한 변혁은 분리행위의 확인과 소송의 구별과 관련되는 판례 사이에 존재하는 관계의 결과이다. 계약에 대한 객관적 소송을 인정하는 것은 계약영역에서 분리행위 이론의 적용을 완전히 침해하는 것이 아니라 계약의 이행조치 영역에서 그것을 묶어두게 될 것이다. 계약에서 분리된 행위로 보아 취소판결을 해도 취소의 효과가 나타나는 것은 행정기관의 의사와 관계가 있으므로 취소의 효과가 나타나지 않을 수도 있다. 취소의 효과를 나타내기 위해 판사는 행정기관에 대해 간접강제 결정에 따른 배상금 지불판결과 이행명령 권한을 행사한다면 계약취소의 효과를 나타내는데 큰 기여를 할 것이다. 그러나 우리나라는 프랑스식의 이행명령 제도를 인정하고 있지 않은데 우리나라도 계약에서 분리된 행위에 대한 취소판결을 할 때 취소의 결과를 끌어내기 위해서는 판사에게 이행명령 제도를 인정해야 할 것이다.

Previous studies have reported that decreased cognitive ability has been consistently associated with significant declines in performance of one or both tasks under a dual-task walking condition. This study examined the relationship between specific cognitive abilities and the dual-task costs (DTCs) of spatio-temporal gait parameters in stroke patients. The spatio-temporal gait parameters were measured among 30 stroke patients while walking with and without a cognitive task (Stroop Word-Color Task) at the study participant's preferred walking speed. Cognitive abilities were measured using Computerized Neuropsychological Testing. Pearson's correlation coefficients (r) were calculated to quantify the associations between the neuropsychological measures and the DTCs in the spatio-temporal gait parameters. Moderate to strong correlations were found between the Auditory Continuous Performance test (ACPT) and the DTCs of the Single Support Time of Non-paretic (r=.37), the Trail Making A (TMA) test and the DTCs of Velocity (r=.71), TMA test and the DTCs of the Step Length of Paretic (r=.37), TMA test and the DTCs of the Step Length Non-paretic (r=.36), the Trail Making B (TMB) test and the DTCs of Velocity (r=.70), the Stroop Word-Color test and the DTCs of Velocity (r=-.40), Visual-span Backward (V-span B) test and the DTCs of Velocity (r=-.41), V-span B test and the DTCs of the Double Support Time of Non-paretic (r=.38), Digit-span Forward test and the DTCs of the Step Time of Non-paretic (r=-.39), and Digit-span Backward test and the DTCs of the Single Support Time of Paretic (r=.36). Especially TMA test and TMB test were found to be more strongly correlated to the DTCs of gait velocity than the other correlations. Understanding these cognitive features will provide guidance for identifying dual- task walking ability.

The purposes of the current study were to (1) estimate the inter-rater agreement for visual assessment of scapular downward rotation (SDR), (2) develop the scapular downward rotation index (SDRI) as a method to measure SDR objectively and quantitatively, and (3) analyze the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the SDRI. Twenty subjects with scapular downward rotation syndrome (SDRS) were recruited for this study. The visual assessment and the measurement for the SDRI were conducted by two examiners in two sessions each. The SDRI [(a-b)÷a×100] is calculated with the measurement of two linear distances: One is a perpendicular distance from the root of the scapular spine to the thoracic mid-line (a), and the other is a perpendicular distance from the inferior angle of the scapula to the thoracic mid-line (b). Cohen’s kappa coefficient was calculated to estimate the inter-rater agreement for visual assessment. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) with a 95% confidence interval (CI), the standard error of measurement, and minimal detectable differences were calculated to assess intra- and inter-rater reliability of SDR measurement using the SDRI. The results indicated that the kappa coefficient of inter-rater agreement for visual assessment was fair (κ=.21). The intra-rater reliability of SDR measurement using the SDRI was excellent for examiner 1 (ICC=.92, 95% CI=.78∼.97) and good for examiner 2 (ICC=.82, 95% CI=.55∼.93). The inter-rater reliability was moderate (ICC=.73, 95% CI=.32∼.89). These findings showed that SDR measurement using the SDRI for subjects with SDRS may be considered reliable and better than the visual assessment.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) on the swallowing function of stroke patients. Twelve-week PNF (facial, tongue, and breathing exercise) was applied in the experimental group consisting of 12 subjects, and a general swallowing exercise program was applied to the control group consisting of 12 subjects. In addition, the signs of improvement in the stroke patients (N=24) swallowing function were examined by conducting a video fluoroscopic swallowing study. The data were analyzed using the SPSS ver. 21.0 program, which was also utilized to gain statistical information (percentage, mean, and standard deviation), and paired t-test was conducted. As a result of the analyses, the following conclusions were arrived at. The 12-week PNF significantly improved the functional dysphagia scale, penetration-aspiration scale, pharyngeal transit time, swallowing response time, residue in valleculae, and residue in pyriform sinuses enhanced swallowing functions of the stroke patients (p<.05). In conclusion, the PNF intervention in the swallowing function of the stroke patients was found to be an effective exercise program.

This study investigated the relationship between function classification systems and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) functional skills in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Two hundred and eleven children with CP participated in this study. The Korean-Gross Motor Function Classification System (K-GMFCS), Korean-Manual Ability Classification System (K-MACS), Korean-Communication Function Classification System (K-CFCS), and self-care, mobility, and social function domains of the Korean-Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (K-PEDI) functional skills were measured by physical therapists or occupational therapists. All of the function classification systems were significantly correlated with PEDI functional skills (rs=-.549 to -.826) (p<.05). Especially, K-GMFCS, K-MACS, and K-CFCS were correlated significantly with mobility, self-care, and social function, respectively. Using stepwise multiple regression analysis, we established that K-GMFCS, K-MACS, and K-CFCS were predictors of self-care skills (74.3%) and mobility skills (79.5%) of the K-PEDI (p<.05). In addition, K-CFCS and K-MACS were predictors of social function (65.9%) of the K-PEDI (p<.05). The information gathered in this study using the levels measured in the function classification systems may be useful to clinicians for estimating the PEDI functional skills in children with CP.

Fall is one of the most intimidating health conditions in elders. Comprehensive assessment is necessary to understand the individual and environmental aspects of the falls such as balancing abilities, depression, and quality of life. The purpose of this study was to compare the balancing ability, depression, and quality of life between elderly fallers and elderly non-fallers. Thirty-two community-dwelling elders (fifteen males and seventeen females between 65 and 83 years old), who have experienced fall on walking during last twelve months, were involved in the elderly fallers group. And twenty-four males and twenty-two females between 65 and 83 years old of community-dwelling elders, who have no experienced fall on walking during last twelve months, were involved in the elderly non-fallers group. Berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go test (TUG), and functional reach test (FRT), were used to evaluate the ability of the physical balance. ‘Beck depression scale in Korean’ questionnaire was used to assess the depression. ‘Korean version of World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument-Bref’ questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life. The results were as follows: 1) Balancing abilities measured by the BBS, TUG in the elderly fallers group were meaningfully lower than that of the elderly non-fallers group (p<.05), whereas no significant difference in the FRT was found (p>.05). 2) Depression level in the elderly fallers group was significantly higher than that of the elderly non-fallers group (p<.05). 3) Quality of life in the elderly fallers group was significantly lower than that of the elderly non-fallers group, excluding environment domain (p<.05). Therefore, in order for clinical evaluation of the community-dwelling elders those with reduced balancing ability, it is necessary to evaluate and understand the fall experience, depression, and quality of life.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different postural correction in the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the trunk and hip muscles during bridging exercises. Twenty-four healthy subjects volunteered for this study. The muscle activity was recorded with surface electrodes over the erector spinae, multifidus, gluteus maximus (GM), and hamstring (Ham) muscles; it was measured by using surface EMG equipment under the following 3 experimental conditions: manual postural correction, verbal correction, and no correction. The maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) was determined for each muscle group in order to represent each exercise as a percentage of MVIC and allow for standardized comparison between subjects. A one-way analysis of variance was used to determine significant differences in the EMG activities of each muscle between the 3 experimental groups. During bridging exercises, the manual postural correction on normalized EMG activity of the GM muscle during manual guiding was significantly higher than during verbal guiding and without guiding (p<.05). Furthermore, the GM/Ham ratio was significantly higher during manual guiding than during verbal guiding and without guiding (p<.05). These findings suggest that the activities of the hip and trunk muscles may be favorably modified with manual guiding during bridging exercises.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of smartphone use on muscle fatigue and tenderness in the cervical erector spinae (CES) and the upper trapezius (UT) and on the cervical range of motion among subjects with and without neck muscle pain. The subjects were 30 smartphone users in their 20 s who -were assigned to either an experimental group with neck muscle pain or a control group without neck muscle pain. Muscle fatigue and tenderness in the CES and the UT as well as the subjects’ cervical range of motion were measured before and after 20-min smartphone sessions in a sitting position. In a between-group comparison of muscle fatigue, the experimental group showed a significantly greater decrease in median frequency in the CES and the right UT after smartphone use (p<.05). Regarding the assessment of muscle tenderness after smartphone use, the experimental group showed a statistically significant decrease in the pressure-pain threshold (PPT) in all muscles (p<.05), whereas the control group showed a significantly decreased PPT in the right CES and the UT (p<.05). The assessment of the cervical range of motion revealed a statistically significant reduction in the cervical flexion-extension and left lateral flexion in the experimental group (p<.05) after smartphone use. However, there was no significant change in the cervical range of motion in the control group (p>.05) after smartphone use. When compared with the control group, the experimental group demonstrated greater changes in cervical extension, lateral flexion, and rotation, except for cervical flexion (p<.05). In conclusion, when smartphone users have pre-existing neck muscle pain, the use of a smartphone further increased muscle fatigue and tenderness in the neck and reduced PPT and the cervical range of motion.

The purpose of this study was to compare the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of three methods for measuring iliotibial tract length in 40 knees of 20 subjects. The measurements were performed by two examiners and one assistant. The length of the iliotibial tract was measured using three methods: the first used a modified Ober test with an inclinometer, the second used a modified Ober test with a marker, and the third used active adduction test with a marker in the supine position. Each examiner used the three methods in two sessions. For the first method, the inclinometer value was recorded manually. For the second and third methods, Image J analysis software was used to analyze the photographs taken. The intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the measured value was assessed by means of intra-class correlation coefficients [ICC (3,1)] and the standard error of measurement. The intra-rater reliabilities of the three methods were excellent (ICC=.97, .95, and .94, respectively), and the inter-rater reliabilities of the first and second methods were fair to good (ICC=.64 and .65, respectively). The inter-rater reliability of the third method was excellent (ICC=.88). Our results suggest that the active adduction test is an objective and qualitative measurement method for measuring iliotibial tract length. We recommend that the active adduction test be used for measuring iliotibial tract length in the clinical setting.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the activity of the transverse abdominal muscle resulting from changed posture by measuring the thickness of the transverse abdominal muscle in a supine posture, a slouched sitting posture, and an erect sitting posture. The subjects of the study were 28 patients with cerebral palsy. All their transverse abdominal muscles at the end of inhalation were measured at supine, slouched sitting (S sitting) and erect sitting (E sitting) postures by using ultrasonography, and then their dynamic sitting balance was measured at S sitting and E sitting postures by using BioRescue. For the statistical analysis, the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to compare the differences among each the postures. The results were as follows. The thickness of the transverse abdominal muscle when comparing the supine posture and the S sitting posture showed no statistically significant difference. But the E sitting posture showed a statistically significant difference as compared with the others. In addition, the dynamic sitting balance in comparing the S sitting and E sitting postures showed a significant difference. In conclusion, the E sitting posture has a more positive effect on postural control and balance than generally taking the S sitting posture, for the sitting posture of a patient with cerebral palsy. It is suggested that patients with cerebral palsy mainly experiencing a sedentary life or being in a wheelchair should be seated in the E sitting posture during their daily life, and it may be necessary to continue to monitor and manage the proper E sitting posture.