Background: Although there are interventions available for the improvement of arm functions of patients with stroke, measuring changes in global synkinesis (GS) according to changes in the muscle activity of paretic and nonparetic side muscles is an important factor and studies to investigate such potential factors are evaluated necessary. Objective: To examine the correlation between the affected arm muscle activity and GS changes in patients with stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial Methods: In order to measure muscle activities of 30 stroke patients, anterior deltoid, posterior deltoid, biceps brachii and triceps brachii of the affected arms were measured using surface electromyography (EMG) and for analyzing GS, biceps brachii and triceps brachi of the affected arms were measured using the same instrument. Results: When the correlations between the muscle activity and GS of the affected arm were analyzed, the results showed significant correlations between the posterior deltoid and the triceps brachii(p < .01) and between the triceps brachii and GS(p < .05). Conclusion: : The results of this study suggest that the efficient movements of the affected arms of stroke patients, it is possible to increase extensor activity by improving smooth antagonism of the arm.

The aim of this study was to investigate effect of heat stress on expression levels of plasminogen activators (PAs) related mRNAs and proteins, and changes of PAs activity in porcine endometrial explants. The endometrial explants (200 ± 50 mg) were isolated from middle part of uterine horn at follicular phase (Day 19-21) and were pre-incubated in serum-free culture medium at 38.5oC in 5% CO2 for 18 h. Then, the tissues were transferred into fresh medium and were cultured at different temperature (38.5, 39.5, 40.5 or 41.5oC) for 24 h. The expression level of urokinase-type PA (uPA), type-1 PA inhibitor (PAI-1), type-2 PAI (PAI-2), and heat shock protein-90 (HSP-90) mRNA were analysis by reverse-transcription PCR and proteins were measured by western blotting. The supernatant were used for measurement of PAs activity. In results, mRNA and protein levels of HSP-90 was higher in 41.5oC treatment groups than other treatment groups (p < 0.05). The expression of uPA, PAI-1, and PAI-2 mRNA were slightly increased by heat stress, however, there were no significant difference. Heat stress condition suppressed expression of active uPA and PAI-2 proteins (p < 0.05), whereas PAI-1 protein was increased (p < 0.01). Although PAI-1 protein was increased and active uPA was decreased, PAs activity was greatly enhanced by exposure of heat stress (p < 0.05). These results suggest that heat stress condition could change intrauterine microenvironment through regulation of PAs activity and other factors regarding with activation of PAs might be regulate by heat stress. Therefore, more studies regarding with regulatory mechanism of PAs activation are needed.

Background: It is difficult to assess whether community-dwelling frail older adults may remain pre-frail status or improve into a robust state without being directly checked by health care professionals. The health information perceived by older adults is considered to be one of best sources of potential concerns in older adult population. An online measurement system combined with item response theory (IRT) and computer adaptive testing (CAT) methods is likely to become a realistic approach to remotely monitor physical activity status of frail older adults. Objects: This article suggests an approach to provide a precise and efficient means of measuring physical activity levels of community-dwelling frail older adults. Methods: Article reviews were reviewed and summarized. Results: In comparison to the classical test theory (CTT), the IRT method is empirically aimed to focus on the psychometric properties of individual test items in lieu of the test as a whole. These properties allow creating a large item pool that can capture the broad range of physical activity levels. The CAT method administers test items by an algorithm that select items matched to the physical activity levels of the older adults. Conclusion: An online measurement system combined with these two methods would allow adequate physical activity measurement that may be useful to remotely monitor the activity level of community-dwelling frail older adults.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of the ethanol extract of Garcinia mangostana L. (mangosteen) against Cutibacterium acnes (6 strains) and Staphylococcus aureus (6 strains). The antimicrobial activity of the mangosteen extract was evaluated based on its minimal bactericidal concentration. Cytotoxicity of the mangosteen extract against human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK 293) cells was determined using the cell counting method. The data showed that the mangosteen extract was not toxic to HEK 293 cells at a concentration of up to 16 μg/mL and killed 87.0% and 99.9% of C. acnes and S. aureus after 10 minutes and 1 hour of treatment, respectively. These results suggest that ethanol extract of mangosteen can be used as an anti-acne agent.

Background: The bridge exercise targets the gluteus maximus (Gmax) and gluteus medius (Gmed). However, there is also a risk of dominant hamstring (HAM) and erector spinae (ES) muscles. Objects: To analyze the muscle activity the of Gmax, Gmed, HAM and ES during the bridge exercise with and without hip external rotation in different degrees of knee flexion. Methods: Twenty-three subjects were participated. The electormyography (EMG) activity of the Gmax, Gmed, HAM and ES muscles was recorded during the exercise. The subjects performed the bridge exercise under four different conditions: (a) with 90˚ knee flexion, without hip external rotation (b) with 90˚ knee flexion, with hip external rotation (c) with 135˚ knee flexion, without hip external rotation (d) with 135˚ knee flexion, with hip external rotation. Results: There was no significant interaction effect between the degree of knee flexion and hip external rotation. There was a significant main effect for degree of knee flexion in Gmax, HAM muscles activity. Gmax muscle activity was significantly greater in the 135˚ knee flexion position than in the 90˚ knee flexion position (p<.001). While HAM muscle activity was significantly less in 135˚ knee flexion position than in the 90˚ knee flexion position (p<.001). ES muscle activity was significantly less in the 135˚ knee flexion position than in the 90˚ knee flexion position (p=.002). The activity of both the Gmax and Gmed muscles was significantly greater with hip external rotation (p<.001 and p=.005, respectively). Conclusion: For patients performing the bridge exercise, positioning the knee in 135° of flexion with hip external rotation is effective for improving Gmax and Gmed muscle activity while decreasing HAM, and ES muscle activity.

본 연구에서는 초임계 공정에 의해 복령피를 추출하였고, 에탄올 복령피 추출물과 비교하여 항염, 미백, 항산화효과를 측정하였다. 또한 선정된 추출물의 제형과 약물전달 펩티드를 활용하여 효율적인 경피투과 방법을 제시하였다. 복령피의 항암, 항염성분으로 알려진 Pachymic acid를 지표성분으로 HPLC 분석 결과 에탄올 복령피 추출물 보다 초임계 복령피 추출물이 2배 이상 높게 추출되는 것으로 나타났다. 복령피의 항산화효과를 확인하기 위하여 DPPH 소거능과 ABTS 소거능은 복령피 에탄올 추출 물이 초임계 복령피 추출물보다 더 낮은 농도에서 IC50을 나타내었다. 하지만 RAW 264.7 세포 내 NO(Nitric oxide) 생성량을 측정한 결과에서는, 에탄올 복령피 추출물보다 초임계 복령피 추출물이 동일 농도에서 더 낮은 NO 생성량을 나타냈다. 또한 B16 melanoma 세포에 복령피 추출물을 20 ㎍/mL 농도를 72시간 처리 후 세포 내외 멜라닌 합성을 확인한 결과에서는, 에탄올 복령피 추출물과 초임계 복령피 추출물 모두 효과가 있었으며 초임계 추출물이 더 낮은 멜라닌 함량을 보였다. NO 생성량 실험에서 활용된 RAW 264.7 세포에서는 800 μg/mL농도에서도 독성이 나타나지 않았다. 하지만 B16 melanoma 세포에서는 50 μg/mL에서도 에탄올 추출물과 초임계 추출물 모두 60 % 미만의 생존율을 나타냈다. 초임계 복령피 추출물을 대상으로 리포좀 제형과 약물전달 펩티드를 활용하여 Franz diffusion cell 실험 결과에서는, 리포좀 제형과 약물 전달 펩티드가 초임계 복령피 추출물을 경피 투과를 증진시켜 주는 것으로 나타났다. 초임계 복령피 추출물이 다양한 효능의 화장품 소재로서 개발될 가능성이 있다고 판단된다.

목적 : 본 연구는 학령전기 아동의 일상생활활동에 기반한 감각조절기능을 측정할 수 있는 평가항목을 개발하고자 한다. 연구방법 : 문헌고찰을 기반으로 학령전기 아동의 일상생활영역을 선정하고 항목 개발을 위한 자료를 수집 하였다. 이후 아동작업치료 5년 이상 경력의 전문가 패널 21명을 대상으로 총 3회의 델파이 조사를 실시하였다. 전문가 패널에게 각 평가항목의 적절성 여부를 평정하게 한 후 학령전기 아동의 보호자를 대상으로 평가항목의 내용과 평가지 구성에 대한 이해도 조사를 실시하였다. 결과 : 자료 수집과 델파이 조사를 통해 학령전기 아동의 일상생활영역은 7개로 구성하였고(잠자기 및 일어나기, 옷 입기, 식사하기, 화장실 사용, 씻기, 단장하기, 이동하기) 총 105개 항목이 도출되었다. 최종 적으로 델파이 조사의 평균 내용타당도 비율은 0.89, 안정도 0.13, 합의도 0.81로 높게 분석되었다. 결론 : 학령 전 아동의 일상생활영역에서의 감각조절문제를 측정할 수 있는 평가항목을 개발하고 내용타당도를 검증하였다. 향후에는 각 평가항목에 대한 타당도 검증을 실시하여 평가도구로의 유용성을 확인하고 임상에서 활용되기를 기대한다.

Background: Visual and somatosensory integration processing is needed to reduce pusher behavior (PB) and improve postural control in hemiplegic patients with acute stroke. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effects of game-based postural vertical training (GPVT) on PB, postural control, and activity daily living (ADL) in acute stroke patients. Methods: Fourteen participants with acute stroke (<2 months post-stroke) who had PB according to the Burke lateropulsion scale (BLS) (score>2) were randomly divided into the GPVT group (n1=7) and conventional postural vertical training (CPVT) group (n2=7). The GPVT group performed game-based postural vertical training using a whole-body tilt apparatus. while the CPVT group performed conventional postural vertical training to reduce PB (30 minutes/session, 2 times/day, 5 days/week for 3 consecutive weeks). The BLS was evaluated to assess the severity of PB. And each subject’s postural control ability and ADL level were assessed using the postural assessment scale for stroke (PASS), balance posture ratio (BPR), and Korean-modified Barthel index (K-MBI). Outcomes were measured preand post-intervention. Results: Comparison of the pre- and post-intervention assessment results showed that both interventions led to the following significant changes: decreased severity of PB scores and increased PASS, BPR, and K-MBI scores (p<.05). In particular, statistical analysis between the two groups, the BLS score was significantly decreased in the GPVT group (p<.05). And PASS, BPR, and K-MBI scores were significantly improved in the GPVT group than in the CPVT group (p<.01, respectively). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that GPVT lessened PB severity and improved postural control ability and ADL levels in acute stroke patients.

Winged scapular (WS) causes muscle imbalance with abnormal patterns when moving the arm. In particular, the over-activation of the upper trapezius (UT) and decrease in activity of the lower trapezius (LT) and serratus anterior (SA) produce abnormal scapulohumeral rhythm. Therefore, the SA requires special attention in all shoulder rehabilitation programs. In fact, many previous studies have been devoted to the SA muscle strength training needed for WS correction. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of shoulder girdle muscle and ratio according to the angle of shoulder abduction and external weight in supine position. Methods: Twenty three WS patients participated in this experiment. They performed scapular protraction exercise in supine position with the weights of 0 ㎏, 1 ㎏, 1.5 ㎏, and 2 ㎏ at shoulder abduction angles of 0˚, 30˚, 60˚, and 90˚. The angle and weight applications were randomized. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to collect the EMG data of the SA, pectoralis major (PM), and UT during the exercise. The ratio of PM/SA and UT/SA was confirmed. Two-way repeated analyses of variance were used to determine the statistical significance of SA, PM, and UT and the ratios of PM/SA and UT/SA. Results: There was a significant difference in SA according to angle (p<.05). Significant differences were also identified depending on the angle and weight (p<.05). The angle of abduction at 0˚, 30˚ and weight of 2 ㎏ showed the highest SA activity. However, there was no significant difference between PM and UT (p>.05). There was a significant difference between PM/SA and UT/SA in ratio of muscle activity according to angle (p<.05). Significant differences were found at PM/SA angles of 30˚, 60˚ and 90˚ (p<.05). For UT/SA, significant difference was only observed at 90˚ (p<.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, in order to strengthen the SA, it was found to be most effective to use 1 and 1.5 ㎏ weights with abduction angles of 0˚ and 30˚ at shoulder protraction in supine position.