Background: Individuals with pes planus tend to overuse the extrinsic foot muscles, such as the tibialis anterior (TA) and peroneus longus (PL), to compensate for the weakened intrinsic foot muscles, such as the abductor hallucis (AbdH). Furthermore, differences in weight-bearing can affect the activity of muscles in both the intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscles. To date, no study has compared the effects of the short foot exercise (SFE) and toe spread-out exercise (TSO) on intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscle activity and the corresponding ratios in different weight-bearing positions. Objects: To compare the effects of the SFE and TSO on AbdH, TA, and PL activity and the AbdH/TA and AbdH/PL activity ratios in the sitting and standing positions in individuals with pes planus. Methods: Twenty participants with pes planus were recruited. Surface electromyography was used to assess the amplitudes of AbdH, TA, and PL activity. Participants performed both exercises while adopting both the sitting and standing positions. Results: No significant interaction between exercise and position was found regarding the activity of any muscle or ratio of the activity, except for PL activity. We observed a significant increase in AbdH activity during the TSO compared to the SFE, and no significant difference in TA and PL activity between the two exercises. AbdH, TA, and PL activity were significantly higher in the standing position than in the sitting position. Furthermore, the AbdH/PL activity ratio significantly increased in the sitting position, although there was a significant increase in AbdH activity in the standing position. Conclusion: In individuals with pes planus, we recommend performing the TSO in the sitting position, which may increase the activity of the AbdH while concurrently decreasing the activity of the TA and PL, thus strengthening the AbdH.

Background: Single-leg squat (SLS)s are commonly used as assessment tool and closed kinetic exercises are useful for assessing performance of the lower extremities. Pronated feet are associated with foot pressure distribution (FPD) during daily activities. Objects: To compare the FPD during SLSs between groups with pronated and normal feet. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 30 participants (15 each in the pronated foot and control groups) are recruited in this study. The foot posture index was used to distinguish between the pronated foot and control groups. The Zebris FDM (Zebris Medical GmbH) stance analysis system was used to measure the FPD on the dominant side during a SLS, which was divided into three phases. A two-way mixed-model ANOVA was used to identify significant differences in FPD between and within the two groups. Results: In the hallux, the results of the two-way mixed-model ANOVAs revealed a significant difference between the group and across different phases (p < 0.05). The hallux, and central forefoot were significantly different between the group (p < 0.05). Moreover, significant differences across different phases were observed in the hallux, medial forefoot, central forefoot, lateral forefoot, and rearfoot (p < 0.05). The post hoc t-tests were conducted for the hallux and forefoot central regions. In participants with pronated foot, the mean pressure was significantly greater in hallux and significantly lower, in the central forefoot during the descent and holding phases. Conclusion: SLSs are widely used as screening tests and exercises. These findings suggest that individuals with pronated feet should be cautious to avoid excessive pressure on the hallux during the descent-to-hold phase of a SLS.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a highly contagious disease with no specific treatment. Since it is common in immunocompromised children under the age of 5, there is a need to develop a safe vaccine. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are similar structures to viruses with the lack of genetic material which makes them impossible to replicate and infect, and therefore have a high level of biological safety and are considered to have high value as vaccines. In this study, the insect virus expression system that is widely used for vaccine and drug production due to its high post-translational modification efficiency, was used to produce VLPs for Coxsackievirus type A6 and A10, which are recently reported to be the main causes of HFMD. For this purpose, the selection of promoters that can control the timing and intensity of expression of 3CD protein, which is essential for VLPs assembly but has been reported to be cytotoxic, was conducted to construct an optimal expression form for HFMD-VLP.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), which affects cloven-hoofed animals, is economically important because of its highly contagious nature. FMD virus (FMDV), the causative agent of FMD, involves seven serotypes (O, A, Asia1, C, and SAT 1-3). Serotype Asia1 is unique to the Asian territory and is subdivided into nine genetic groups (G-I-IX) based on nucleotide variations in the VP1 sequence. Asia1 Shamir, the most representative Asia1 vaccine, is not highly protective against the Asia1/MOG/05 (G-V) lineage found in North Korea in 2007. Therefore, we investigated whether a chimeric virus strain (Asia1/MOG/Shamir), in which the VP4, VP2, and VP3 sequences of Asia1/MOG/05 were combined with the VP1 sequence of Asia1 Shamir, can simultaneously protect against both viruses. We determined the optimal viral growth conditions for the commercial utilization of this chimeric virus strain. Of the three types of cell culture media, the Cellvento medium resulted in the highest amount of antigen in the samples. The chimeric strain was proliferated in a small bioreactor to produce a test vaccine, and its immunogenicity was evaluated in pigs. The virus neutralization (VN) titer against the Asia1 Shamir virus was > 1/100 after the second immunization with the chimeric vaccine in pigs. In addition, a single dose of the test vaccine resulted in a VN titer of > 1/100 against the Asia1/MOG/05 strain. Taken together, our chimeric vaccine strain provided sufficient protection against the Asia1/MOG/05 and Asia1 Shamir viruses, suggesting its potential as a novel vaccine for both these strains.

This study presents the primary outcomes of the neurological and emotional responses to inhalation and foot baths using the clary sage aroma. Clary sage inhalation produced varying effects on EEG (electroencephalography) depending on the concentration used, inactivating  and  waves while activating  waves, γ waves, RSMR, SEF50 and SEF90. Inhalation is more effective at enhancing individual performance and focus than promoting relaxation. The clary sage foot bath activated  waves and RSMR, while inactivating  waves, γ waves, SEF50, and SEF90. The foot bath approach has a calming impact on the mind and body, as well as reducing arousal and stress. While the advantages of clary sage inhalation and foot bath therapy are distinct, both involve the activation of RSMR, which enhances focus at work and aids in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. Although the emotional features of clary sage oil vary according to the dose used for inhalation, it was typically assessed as a feminine and refreshing aroma, and the clary sage foot bath was evaluated as a pleasant, invigorating, refreshing, feminine, soft, and calming fragrance. When clary sage was used in the foot bath therapy, it evoked a stronger emotional response than when it was inhaled. These findings suggest that a clary sage foot bath can be used to enhance work-related focus while also relaxing the body by activating  waves and inactivating SEF50 and SEF90.

이 논문에서는 보행교의 진동 사용성 평가에 있어서 보행자의 이동 질량 관성 효과의 고려 여부, 보행 패턴 등을 고려한 보행 시나 리오 등에 따른 해석 결과를 제시하고, 그에 따라 보행교 설계 단계에서 동적 유한요소 해석을 통한 진동 사용성 평가에 있어 적절한 해석 방법과 유의점을 제안한다. 지간 40m의 강합성 박스 단면을 갖는 단경간 단순교 형식의 보행교에 대하여 보행자 밀도, 보행 속 도, 임의 보행, 동기화 보행 등을 고려한 보행 시나리오에 대한 가속도 응답을 분석한다. 해석 결과 고정 질량 해석 방법은 임의 보행 시 나리오 해석에서 이동 질량 해석과 큰 차이를 보이지 않으며 진동 사용성 평가시에는 더 넓은 진동수 대역을 가진할 수 있는 임의 보행 시나리오를 고려하는 것이 바람직할 수 있음을 보였다.

Background: Despite its high prevalence, interventions in plantar fasciitis remain inconclusive. To improve the daily life of plantar fasciitis patients, it is necessary to identify appropriate interventions to improve pain and foot pressure and balance. Improving the interventions for plantar fasciitis is one of the main goals for rehabilitation. Objectives: To investigate the changes in pain and static-dynamic foot pressure and balance through the evaluation of 42 plantar fasciitis patient before and after the foot stretching and joint mobilization interventions. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: The 42 subjects of the study were divided into a stretching group and a joint mobilization group with 21 subjects being assigned to each group. The results before and after the experiment were analyzed by applying stretching and joint movement interventions for a total of 6 weeks. Results: Before and after the intervention, there were significant improvements in the pain index and static-dynamic foot pressure and static balance in both stretching and joint mobilization groups. However, the between-group comparison indicated no significant differences. Conclusion: The stretching and the joint mobilization can improve the pain and static-dynamic foot pressure and static balance in plantar fasciitis patients.

The Republic of Korea has implemented an obligatory vaccination on major livestock breeds to prevent and eradicate nationwide foot and mouth disease (FMD) since the end of 2010. The government has executed massive serological survey to check the immune level of various herds after vaccination, and seropositive rates against FMD virus (FMDV) structural proteins can be measured to assess FMD immunity level. The purpose of this study is to investigate the FMDV serological level of every cattle breeding farm in the country and to determine whether there is a significant difference between groups classified by time, age, and management authority. A total of 5,781 serum samples was collected in 18 cattle breeding farms from 2020 to 2021, and the seropositive rates were measured using PrioCHECK FMDV Type O ELISA kit. Firstly, the cattle breeding farms were classified by which they are managed: the central government, the local government, and the private agency. Every management authority had a seropositive rate of 99.5% or higher. Secondly, the samples were divided into 6 to 12 months old, 12 to 24 months old, and 24 months or more. The 6 to 12 months old group in 2020 showed a significantly low seropositive rate of 98.1%, but it was improved by implementing the enhanced vaccination policy from 2021 to 100%. In summary, there are considerably high seropositive rates including all groups with time, age, and by which they are managed, which means the FMD vaccination in cattle breeding farms is well-managed.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a very deadly and highly contagious disease that occurs in various cloven-hoofed animals. Korea imports vaccines including non-vaccinated serotype for the vaccine bank. The two company vaccines imported from 2019 to 2021 were evaluated through multiple tests based on national standard assay. SN titers for the vaccine of company A were more than 1.5 log10, those of company B vaccine in the geometric mean were at least 1.72. All imported vaccines exceeded the evaluation criteria, and the potency of each vaccine was above its own company standard. Stockpiled vaccines for emergency may help to control non-vaccinated serotypes of FMD outbreak nationally.

Background: Changes in foot sole shape can result in plantar muscle weakness, lack of proprioception, increased ankle instability, and an inability to balance. Objectives: To investigated whether different floor surfaces influenced the effect that short-foot exercises have on the foot core system of healthy individuals. Design: Pretest-posttest control group experimental design. Methods: This exercise shortens the length of the foot by raising the medial longitudinal arch, strengthening the intrinsic muscle of the sole, and maintaining the shape of the medial longitudinal arch. Results: There was a significant difference in the angle of the medial longitudinal arch in the mat exercise group (MEG) and vibration exercise group (VEG) before and after the intervention (P<.05). As the arch angle decreased, the arch height increased. Post hoc analysis showed that there was no difference between the floor exercise group (FEG) and MEG or between the MEG and VEG (P>.05). In terms of the weight distribution index (WDI, there was a significant difference in the MEG and VEG (P<.05) but not in the FEG before and after the intervention (P>.05). The post hoc analysis results showed that there was no difference between the FEG and MEG (P>.05). Conclusion: Various methods to improve the strength of intrinsic muscles of the sole are more effective than no stimulation, and that short-foot exercise combined with sensory stimulation can be recommended for maintaining and increasing the medial longitudinal arch.

This study evaluated the effect of a combination of acetaminophen (AAP), vitamin C (VC) and thioctic acid (TA) on reducing serum cortisol concentrations in mice with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination. For 5 days from 3 days before FMD vaccination to 2 days after vaccination, mice were orally administered with AAP 600 mg/kg feed (n=25, AAPT), combination of AAP 600 mg and VC 200 mg per kg feed (n=25, AVCT) and combination of AAP 600 mg, VC 200 mg and TA 20 mg per kg feed (n=25, AVTT), respectively. From day 1 to day 7 after FMD vaccination, the cortisol concentration of all groups treated with the drug was significantly decreased compared to that of the positive control group with FMD vaccination (p<0.05). In conclusion, the combined treatment of AAP, VC and TA was the most effective in relieving stress from FMD vaccination compared to the single treatment.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious vesicular disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, causing substantial economic losses to the livestock industry. The causative FMD virus (FMDV) comprises four structural proteins (VP1, VP2, VP3, and VP4) and several non-structural proteins. Among the capsid proteins, VP4 is the most conserved, making it an attractive target as a diagnostic and vaccine antigen, regardless of FMDV serotype. In this study, we attempted to express the VP4 protein N-terminally fused to a glutathione S-transferase (GST) tag in Escherichia coli. Whereas VP0 and VP2 proteins were expressed in the soluble fraction, we failed to detect VP4, even in the insoluble fraction. To investigate the effect of VP4 C-terminal amino acid residues on protein expression, we constructed three VP4 mutants fused to GST, among which the mutant in which the C-terminal 15 amino acid residues had been deleted showed the highest level of protein expression. Furthermore, protein expression was observed even in the mutant in which three amino acid residues (DKK) had been fused to the C terminus. However, unlike the other two mutants, the wild-type VP4 mutant was poorly expressed, thereby indicating that the C-terminal amino acid residues could play a pivotal role in determining expression of the VP4 protein in E. coli.

This study evaluated whether fevernill, which is primarily composed of acetaminophen, vitamin C, and anhydrous citric acid, is effective in relieving stress caused by foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) vaccination in calves. Three-month-old calves from a farm in Korea were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n = 10 per group: control [untreated], group A [FMDV vaccination], and group B [FMDV vaccination + addition of fevernill 0.2% to feed for five days after vaccination]). Body weights, antibody formation, clinical symptoms, serum parameters were measured in the 14 days following vaccination. Total weight gain and average daily gain during the experiment period were group A (12.00±1.15 kg, 0.86±0.08 kg/day) compared to group B (13.57±0.98 kg, 0.97±0.07 kg/day) was significantly improved (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the formation of antibodies against the FMDV vaccine between group A and group B, though the antibody value of group B tended to be higher than that of group A. The pre-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α value was 74.47±19.26 pg/ml in group A and 59.05±11.88 pg/ml in group B on the 5th day of the experiment, which was significantly lower in group B than in group A (p<0.05). Also, cortisol concentrations were significantly lower in group B than in group A (p<0.05). In conclusion, the feeding of fevernil is judged to be helpful in mitigating the side effects caused by FMD vaccination, and thus it is thought to be able to prevent the decrease in productivity caused by vaccination.

Background: Foot drop is a common symptom in stroke patients. Tape applications are widely used to manage foot drop symptoms. Previous studies have evaluated the effects of static and dynamic balance and gait on foot drop using kinesiology tape; however, only few studies have used dynamic tape application in stroke patients with foot drop. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of dynamic taping, which facilitates the dorsiflexor muscle, on static and dynamic balance and gait speed in stroke patients with foot drop. Methods: The study included 34 voluntary patients (17 men, 17 women) with stroke. The patients were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 17), wherein dynamic taping was used to facilitate the dorsiflexor muscle, or the control group (n = 17), wherein kinesiology taping was used. Before the taping application, velocity average, path-length average, Berg balance scale, and timed up and go test (TUG) were recorded to measure static and dynamic balance, whereas the 10-meter walk test (10MWT) was used to measure gait speed. After the taping application, these parameters were re-evaluated in both groups. Repeated measure analysis of variance was used. Statistical significance levels were set to α = 0.05. Results: Except for the 10MWT scores in the control group, significant differences were noted in all the parameters measured for static and dynamic balance and gait speed between the pre and post-test (p < 0.05). However, the parameters showed significant interaction effects between group and time in the TUG and 10MWT (p < 0.01). Conclusion: These results indicate that compared with kinesiology taping, dynamic taping used in chronic stroke patients with foot drop had a more significant effect on dynamic balance and gait speed.

Background: Short foot exercise, which is an intrinsic foot muscle exercise proposed by the foot core system, is used to improve the strength of intrinsic foot muscles and sensory input and function of the foot. However, there is a lack of studies that assessed the improvement in foot function after short foot exercise in patients undergoing rehabilitation after a modified Broström operation of the ankle joint. Objectives: To investigate the effects of short foot exercise on intrinsic foot muscle cross-sectional area and balance ability in patients who had undergone a modified Broström operation of the ankle joint. Design: A single blind, randomized controlled trial. Methods: Sixteen patients who were undergoing ankle rehabilitation exercises following the modified Broström operation were randomized into two groups. General physical therapy, short foot exercises, and ankle rehabilitation programs were performed in the experimental group (n=8), whereas general physical therapy and ankle rehabilitation programs were performed in the control group (n=8). For outcome measures, the intrinsic muscles of the foot were imaged using the Sonimage HS1 musculoskeletal ultrasound system. The Y-balance test and RS-foot scan system were used to confirm dynamic balance ability and static balance ability. Results: The cross-sectional area of the abductor hallucis and dynamic balance ability significantly improved in the experimental group that underwent short foot exercise compared to the control group (P<.05). In contrast, static balance ability was not significantly different between the two groups (P>.05). Conclusion: Short foot exercise successfully increased the cross-sectional area of the abductor muscle and improved dynamic balance after a modified Broström operation

This study compared the immune responses, stress relief and weight gains of needle or needle-free intramuscular and needle-free intradermal vaccination in pigs. When the same amount of a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine was administered to pigs, antibody titers at 4 weeks after the 1st and 2nd FMD vaccination were not significantly different between the needle (IM-S) and needle-free (NM-P250) intramuscularly vaccinated groups, but the weight gain of NM-P250 was significantly increased compared to that of IM-S at 8 weeks after the 2nd FMD vaccination (p<0.05). In addition, serum cortisol concentrations of NM-P250 were considerably decreased compared to those of IM-S on the 5th and 7th day after the 1st and 2nd FMD vaccination (p<0.05). However, the antibody titers of IM-S vaccinated with 2 mL of FMD vaccine were significantly increased compared to those of the needle-free intradermal vaccinated group with 0.5 mL of FMD vaccine at 4 weeks after the 1st and 2nd FMD vaccination (p<0.05). In conclusion, the needle-free intramuscular injection for the FMD vaccination can be chosen for weight gain and stress relief in pigs.

We conducted diagnostic investigations to analyze the causes of abortions (46 cases, 65.7%), deaths (22 cases, 31.4%) and muscular lesions (2 cases, 2.9%) occurred after foot and mouth disease (FMD) vaccination in livestock farms in Korea. Bacterial culture, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed to detect the causative agents of abortion in bovine and caprine. The diagnostic results showed that 36 (51.4%) cases, referring as “Identified”, were occurred by influence of underlying disease including bovine viral diarrhea (12 cases, 17.1%), neosporosis (7 cases, 10.0%), septicemic colibacillosis (5 cases, 7.1%), Q fever (4 cases, 5.7%) and other abnormal conditions (8 cases, 11.4%) not by vaccination. Other 2 (3.0%) cases were suspected to be vaccine-associated adverse reaction on the basis of pathological findings (shock lung, oil-component-induced granuloma) and clinical symptoms (dyspnea with pulmonary edema). The other 32 (45.7%) cases were determined “Unknown” because any pathogens and pathological changes were not identified. However, many of the “Unknown” cases were presumptive to be the vaccine-related adverse reaction based on epidemiological investigation, especially, the cases which showed the clinical signs within 2 days after the vaccination. It is important to conduct pathological, microbilogical and epidemiological investigation to diagnose whether the cases are from vaccine-associated adverse reaction or not.

Background: Considering the kinetic chain of the lower extremity, a pronated foot position (PFP) can affect malalignment of the lower extremity, such as a dynamic knee valgus (DKV). Although the DKV during several single-leg movement tests has been investigated, no studies have compared the differences in DKV during a single-leg step down (SLSD) between subjects with and without PFP. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the DKV during SLSD between subjects with and without PFP. Methods: Twelve subjects with PFP (9 men, 3 women) and 15 subjects without PFP (12 men, 3 women) participated in this study. To calculate the DKV, frontal plane projection angle (FPPA), knee-in distance (KID), and hip-out distance (HOD) during SLSD were analyzed by twodimensional video analysis software (Kinovea). Results: The FPPA was significantly lower in PFP group, compared with control group (166.4° ± 7.5° and 174.5° ± 5.5°, p < 0.05). Also, the KID was significantly greater in PFP group, compared with control group (12.7 ± 3.9 cm and 7.3 ± 2.4 cm, p < 0.05). However, the HOD not significantly differed between two groups (12.7 ± 1.7 cm and 11.4 ± 2.5 cm, p > 0.05). Conclusion: The PFP is associated with lower FPPA and greater KID. When assess the DKV during SLSD, the PFP should be considered as a crucial factor for occurrence of DKV.