Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) impacts the social, physical, and psychological well-being and quality of life of the patient. Several techniques exist for its management, including transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES). Objects: We aimed to demonstrate the effects of TES on ultrasonographic variables and quality of life in women with SUI. Methods: This prospective study recruited 21 women who had been diagnosed with grade 1 or 2 SUI between July 2018 and March 2019. The exclusion criteria were pregnancy and a history of urogenital surgery. All participants were assessed at baseline and 8 weeks after intervention initiation. The bladder neck position (BNP), length of the urethra (LU), funneling index (FI), and rhabdosphincter thickness (RT) were measured. The Incontinence-Quality of Life (I-QOL) was used to assess incontinence-specific quality of life. Statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: Twenty-one patients with SUI used TES for 8 weeks. BNP and FI significantly decreased after intervention (p < 0.05). LU, anterior and posterior RT (indicators of external sphincter hypertrophy) significantly increased post-intervention (p < 0.05). The total I-QOL score increased from 64.81 to 71.86 after the intervention (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This intervention improved BNP, LU, FI, RT, and subjective indicators such as quality of life in women with SUI. Therefore, TES can be an effective non-surgical treatment method for improving SUI symptoms and quality of life in these patients.

This study aimed to predict the shelf life of black soybean Sunsik to develop a functional labeling system for the product. The Arrhenius equation was used to calculate the shelf life by examining alterations in the dietary fiber and calcium levels of black soybean Sunsik stored at 25, 35, and 50°C for 0, 6, and 12 months. Dietary fiber and calcium analyses were performed according to the experimental methods specified in the Food Code of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Both black soybean Sunsik (BS) and black soybean Sunsik containing nondigestible maltodextrin and calcium lactate (BSN) exhibited an upward trend in dietary fiber content after 12 months of storage, compared to their initial levels. During storage, the phytate in Sunsik degraded, releasing cations that facilitated the formation of new cross-links between pectic acid and middle lamella, which ultimately increased dietary fiber content. Conversely, the calcium contents of both BS and BSN decreased with prolonged storage. Based on these findings, the expected shelf life of BS and BSN was calculated as 15.65 and 28.34 months, respectively.

This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of enzymatically modified stevia (EMS) on C2C12 cell-based model of dexamethasone (DEX)-induced muscle atrophy to provide baseline data for utilizing EMS in functional health products. C2C12 cells with DEX-induced muscle atrophy were treated with EMS (10, 50, and 100 μg/mL) for 24 h. C2C12 cells were treated with EMS and DEX to test their effects on cell viability and myotube formation (myotube diameter and fusion index), and analyze the expression of muscle strengthening or degrading protein markers. Schisandra chinensis Extract, a common functional ingredient, was used as a positive control. EMS did not show any cytotoxic effect at all treatment concentrations. Moreover, it exerted protective effects on C2C12 cell-based model of DEX-induced muscle atrophy at all concentrations. In addition, the positive effect of EMS on myotube formation was confirmed based on the measurement and comparison of the fusion index and myotube diameter when compared with myotubes treated with DEX alone. EMS treatment reduced the expression of muscle cell degradation-related proteins Fbx32 and MuRF1, and increased the expression of muscle strengthening and synthesis related proteins SIRT1 and p- Akt/Akt. Thus, EMS is a potential ingredient for developing functional health foods and should be further evaluated in preclinical models.

Background: The gastrocnemius (GCM) is one of the lower extremity muscles that tend to tighten easily. GCM tightness results in limited ankle dorsi-flexion (DF), especially when the knee joint is fully extended. Joint flexibility is determined by the morphological and physiological characteristics of joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Impaired joint flexibility can be attributed to increased susceptibility to muscle injury. High-frequency diathermy is clinically used to reduce pain and muscle tightness and to improve limited range of motion. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of high-frequency therapy in subjects with GCM tightness. Methods: The study was designed as a one-group before–after trial. The subjects included 28 volunteers with GCM tightness (an active ankle DF angle of less than 12°) without any known neurological and musculoskeletal pathologies in the ankle and calf areas. WINBACK Transfer Electrode Capacitive and Resistive Therapy equipment was used to apply high-frequency therapy to the subjects’ GCMs for 10–15 minutes. The pennation angle and the fascicle length of the GCM were measured using ultrasonography. The flexibility of the ankle joint, peak torque to the passive ankle DF (Biodex), and soft tissue stiffness (MyotonPRO) were also measured. Results: The pennation angle was significantly decreased following the treatment; however, no significant difference in the fascicle length was found (p < 0.05). The flexibility was significantly increased and both the passive peak torque to passive ankle DF and the soft tissue stiffness significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Conclusion: High-frequency therapy is immediately effective for improving the muscle’s architectural properties and functional factors in subjects with GCM tightness. Further longitudinal clinical studies are required to investigate the long-term effects of high-frequency therapy on subjects with GCM tightness from various causes.

Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is an involuntary leakage of urine from the urethra when intra-abdominal pressure increases, such as from sneezing, coughing, or physical exertion. It is caused by insufficient strength of the pelvic floor and sphincter muscles, resulting from vaginal delivery, obesity, hard physical work, or aging. The pelvic floor electrical stimulator is a conservative treatment generally used to relieve the symptoms of urinary incontinence. it recommended to applied before surgery is performed. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine if the transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TCES) would be effective for the physiological symptoms and psychological satisfaction of women with SUI for an 8-weeks intervention. Methods: Easy-K is a specially designed user-friendly TCES. Five female who were diagnosed with SUI by a gynecologist but who did not require surgical intervention were included in this study. Intervention was implemented over an 8-week period. Outcome measures included vaginal ultrasonography, Levator ani muscle (LAM) contraction strength, incontinence quality of life (I-QOL), and female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaires. Results: The bladder neck position significantly decreased across assessment time. Funneling index and urethral width significantly decreased after 8 weeks of intervention (p<.05). The bladder necksymphyseal distance and posterior rhabdosphincter thickness statistically increased and the anterior rhabdosphincter thickness showed a tendency to increase. All participants demonstrated a significant increase in the LAM contraction score across three assessment times (p<.05). Although the total score of the I-QOL did not show significant improvement, it steadily increased and among I-QOL subscales, only the “avoidance” subscale showed statistical improvements (p<.05). The total score of the FSFI statistically improved and the “desire” score significantly changed (p<.05). Conclusion: The TCES is recommended for women who want to apply conservative treatments before surgery and who have suffered from SUI in aspects of sexual function and quality of life.

본 연구에서는 김치 제조시 철저한 재료 세척의 필요성을 확인하고, 더불어 비가열 식품인 김치의 위생 안전성 실태를 파악하여 효율적 미생물 저감화 방안을 마련하고자 국내에서 유통되는 김치 원·부재료 200건의 세척 전과 후의 비교분석과 시판 김치 100건에 대하여 미생물 분석을 실시하였다. 김치 원·부재료 및 완제품에 대하여 일반 세균수, 대장균 및 대장균군을 모니터링 하였으며, 병원성 미생물 9종(Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens 정성·정 량, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Campylobacter jejuni/coli, Yersinia enterocolitica, Salmonella spp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Listeria monocytogenes 정성)을 분석 하였다. 모니터링 결과, 김치 원· 부재료 및 완제품에서 일반세균은 1.4~9.0 log CFU/g 수준 으로 확인되었으며, 원·부재료 중 생강에서 8.8 log CFU/g, 완제품 중 총각김치에서 9.0 log CFU/g으로 일반세균이 가장 높게 나타났다. 대장균군은 0.5~7.3 log CFU/g으로 확 인되었으며, 생강에서 7.3 log CFU/g으로 가장 높게 나타 났고, 병원성 미생물 9종의 분석결과, Bacillus cereus를 제 외한 나머지 8종의 식중독균은 모든 시료에서 검출되지 않았다. 김치 제조 시 사용되는 김치 원·부재료들의 세척 공정 후 미생물 수는 일반세균수 0.2~3.2 log CFU/g, 대장 균군 0.3~2.7 log CFU/g, Bacillus cereus 1.0~3.9 log CFU/g 감소하였다. 따라서, 김치 원·부재료의 세척 공정으로 미생물 오염도를 감소 시켰으며, 이 결과를 통하여 김치 완 제품의 위생 및 저장성 증진에 기여 할 수 있을 것으로 확인되었다.

This study investigated the effects of two types of corrective feedback (CF), recasts and metalinguistic feedback (implicit vs. explicit CF), on the development of implicit and explicit knowledge of English articles. It also examined the relationship between learners’ language aptitude, in particular language analytic ability, and their knowledge development through different types of CF. Six intact intermediate communication English classes (a total of 104 students and two English-speaking teachers) at a university participated in the present study. In CF groups, learners received recasts or metalinguistic feedback (MF) to the errors of the English articles during communicative activities, while no CF was given to the control group. The study employed a pretest-posttest-delayed posttest design, and four different tests were used to measure learner implicit and explicit knowledge. The study found both recasts and MF effective in the development of implicit knowledge and selective effects of recasts on the improvement of explicit knowledge. This suggests that both implicit and explicit CF bring about the development of implicit and explicit knowledge. In addition, language analytic ability was found to be closely related to learners’ gains through both CF and development of explicit and implicit knowledge of English articles.

Background: Scapular downward rotation syndrome (SDRS) is a common scapular alignment impairment that causes insufficient upward rotation and muscle imbalance, shortened levator scapulae (LS) and rhomboid, and lengthened serratus anterior (SA) and trapezius. A modified shrug exercise (MSE), performing a shrug exercise with the shoulders at 150° abduction, is known as an effective exercise to increase scapular stabilizer muscle activation. Previous studies revealed that scapular exercise are more effective when combined with trunk stabilization exercises in decreasing scapular winging and increasing scapular stabilizer muscle activation. Objects: The purpose of our study was to clarify the effect of MSE with or without trunk stabilization exercises in subjects with SDRS. Methods: Eighteen volunteer subjects (male=10, female=8) with SDRS were recruited for this experiment. All subjects performed MSE under 3 different conditions: (1) MSE, (2) MSE with an abdominal draw-in maneuver (ADIM), and (3) MSE with an abdominal expansion maneuver (AEM). The muscle thickness of the lower trapezius (LT) and the SA were measured using an ultrasonography in each condition. Electromyography (EMG) data were collected from the LT, LS, SA, and upper trapezius (UT) muscle activities. Data were statistically analysed using one-way repeated analysis of variance at a significance level of .05. Results: The muscle thickness of the LT and the SA were the significant different in the MSE, MSE with ADIM (MSE+ADIM) and MSE with AEM (MSE+AEM) conditions (p<.05) In both LT and SA, the order of thick muscle thickness was MSE+AEM, MSE+ADIM, and MSE alone. No significant differences were found in the EMG activities of the SA, UT, LS, and LT in all condition. Conclusion: In conclusion, MSE is more beneficial to people with SDRS when combined with trunk stabilization exercises by increased thickness of scapular stabilizer muscles.

CD26, also known as Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4), is a cell surface glycoprotein that belongs to the serine protease family and has wide spread organ distribution throughout the body. CD26 was previously characterized in immune cells but also has important metabolic functions which are not yet fully understood. Thus, we investigated the effect of CD26 in porcine parthenogenetic embryos. We attempted CD26 downregulation of porcine embryos by siRNA, and evaluated CD26 suppression of developmental competencies. Although the porcine embryos injected with CD26 siRNA were able to develop to the early stage, these embryos were decreased to form blastocysts. Our results indicated that CD26 is one of factors for the regulation of development of porcine embryos.

According to the statistics of the last five years, fishing vessel accidents accounted for about 80% of collisions of all ships and has led to many casualties. To prevent collision accidents, it is important to assess the collision risk potential related to the sailing characteristics of fishing vessels. The authors represented the traffic patterns of vessels that sail around Wando waters based on Automatic Identification System (AIS) and Radio Detecting and Ranging (RADAR) data. The authors analyzed the statistical near miss data between fishing vessels and non-fishing vessels in the Wando Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) area and assessed the risk of ship collisions. From this research, the authors identified waters with a high risk of ship collisions. The analyzed results can be used as basic data to develop collision prevention strategies which aides the decision making and efficient operation of VTS officers (VTSO.)

The trochanteric prominence angle test (TPAT) has been used to measure the femoral anteversion angle between the tibial crest and the vertical line. However, the exact anatomical reference of the tibial crest has not yet been identified in the literature. Thus, the purposes of this research were twofold: first, to compare the femoral anteversion angle measured at three different anatomical references of the tibial crest (the proximal tibial crest, the proximal third of tibial crest, and the proximal half of tibial crest) and, second, to determine inter-and intra-rater reliabilities of the femoral anteversion angle measured at these three different anatomical references of the tibial crest during the TPAT. We recruited 14 healthy subjects, and a total of 28 legs were examined. The TPAT was measured using a digital inclinometer. A 1-way repeated-measure analysis of variance was used to compare the femoral anteversion angle measured at three different anatomical references of the tibial crest, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated to determine reliability. The femoral anteversion angle measured at the proximal tibial crest was significantly higher than that at the proximal third of the tibial crest and the proximal half of the tibial crest. The inter-and intra-rater reliabilities of femoral anteversion angle were measured at three anatomic references of the tibial crest were all found to be high during the TPAT (ICC=.9 0~.98). In conclusion, clinicians should recognize that the different degrees of the femoral anteversion angle could be measured when different anatomical references of the tibial crest were used, and that reliabilities were high when an exact anatomical reference of the tibial crest was used during the TPAT.