• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.38-46
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• 2006

The purposes of this study were to investigate the median frequency (MDF) between initiation and termination of muscle contraction through surface electromyographic (sEMG) analysis and to propose the basis of clinical treatment for movement problems in early hemiparetic upper limbs. Thirteen patients who had stroke with onset less than 3 months prior to the study and seven control subjects participated in the study. The median frequency in initiation and termination of muscle contraction was recorded from wrist flexor and extensor muscles using the sEMG, with 3 second beeper signals, during maximal isometric wrist flexion and extension. Flexion and extension must be done as quickly and forcefully as possible. The results of the study were as follows: 1. The MDF of the onset and offset sections were significantly lower on the paretic than the nonparetic and control sides. 2. The MDF of the offset section significantly decreased on the paretic and nonparetic sides. Consequently, this study showed that the lowering of the MDF was due to the hemiparetic wrist motor impairment and muscle weakness. These results are also related to Fugl-Meyer motor assessment (FMA) scores in hemiparetic upper limbs. This study also suggests that since muscle weakness of early stroke patients affects the functional decrease of upper limbs, further studies must focus on the treatment to improve muscle agility and muscle fiber recruitment efficiency that can induce the functional recovery correlated to motor control.

• 한국노년학
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of vision and hearing limitation on the onset of disability among Korean elderly with the consideration of social participation and depression. Study population consisted of 2,670 people aged 65 and above who participated in both the 1st(2006) and 2nd(2008) wave of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging(KLoSA), and also reported no ADL or IADL disability in 2006. As the results, first, it found that vision and hearing limitation, social participation, and depression were significant risk factors for the onset of IADL disability in unadjusted analysis. After multivariable adjustment, however, only vision limitation showed significant association with the onset of IADL disability. Second, in the logistic analysis with four categorized variables(vision/hearing limitation + social participation, vision/hearing limitation + depression), the elderly who had vision or hearing limitation had a significantly 1.7 times higher odds ratio for disability onset if they also had low social participation compared with those who had no vision or hearing limitation, and high social participation. Whereas, depression was not significantly associated with the relationship between vision or hearing limitation, and disability onset. The study suggests that the intervention program developed to prevent social isolation of older people with vision or hearing limitation, may be helpful to reduce and postpone the risk of disability onset as well as early detection and treatment of vision or hearing problems.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.229-235
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• 2016

Purpose: To study whether breastfeeding and breastfeeding status during gluten introduction influences the age at diagnosis of celiac disease (CD). In addition to study, whether the timing of gluten introduction influences the age at diagnosis of CD. Methods: It was a hospital based observational study. Total 198 patients diagnosed with CD as per modified European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (2012) criteria, aged between 6 months to 6 years were included. Detail history taken with special emphasis on breastfeeding and age of gluten introduction. Standard statistical methods used to analyze the data. Results: $Mean{\pm}standard$ deviation age of onset and diagnosis of CD in breastfed cases was $2.81{\pm}1.42$ years and $3.68{\pm}1.55$ years respectively as compared to $1.84{\pm}1.36$ years and $2.70{\pm}1.65$ years respectively in not breastfed cases (p<0.05). Those who had continued breastfeeding during gluten introduction and of longer duration had significantly delayed onset of disease. The age at onset of CD was under one year in 40.42% of the cases, who had started gluten before 6 months of age compared to only 12.58% of those who had started gluten later (p<0.001). The proposed statistical model showed that two variables, i.e., breast feeding status during gluten introduction and age at gluten introduction positively influencing the age at diagnosis of CD. Conclusion: Delayed gluten introduction to infant's diet along with continuing breastfeeding, delays symptomatic CD. However, it is not clear from our study that these infant feeding practices provide permanent protection against the disease or merely delays the symptoms.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2013

The action of melatonin within the body of animals is known to be mediated by melatonin receptors. Three different types of melatonin receptors have been identified so far in fish. However, which of these are specifically involved in puberty onset is not known in fish. We cloned and analyzed the sequence of melatonin receptor 1a (mel 1a) gene in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. In addition, we examined the tissue distribution of gene expressions for three types of receptors, mel 1a, 1b and lc and investigated which of them is involved in the onset of puberty by comparing their expression with that of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor I (GnRHr I) gene using quantitative real-time PCR from 1 week post hatch (wph) to 24 wph. The mel 1a gene of Nile tilapia consisted of two exons and one bulky intron between them. Mel 1a gene was found to be highly conserved gene showing high homology with the corresponding genes from different teleost. All three types of melatonin receptor genes were expressed in the brain, eyes and ovary in common. Expression of mel 1a gene was the most abundant and ubiquitous among 3 receptors in the brain, liver, gill, ovary, muscle, eye, heart, intestine, spleen and kidney. Mel 1b and mel 1c genes were, however, expressed in fewer tissues at low level. During the development post hatch, expressions of both mel 1a and GnRHr I genes significantly increased at 13 wph which was close to the putative timing of puberty onset in this species. These results suggest that among three types of receptors mel 1a is most likely associated with the action of melatonin in the onset of puberty in Nile tilapia.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2011

Purpose: To investigate the clinical characteristics of late-onset epilepsy combined with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and the relationship between certain types of electroencephalography (EEG) abnormalities in ASD and associated neuropsychological problems. Methods: Thirty patients diagnosed with ASD in early childhood and later developed clinical seizures were reviewed retrospectively. First, the clinical characteristics, language and behavioral regression, and EEG findings of these late-onset epilepsy patients with ASD were investigated. The patients were then classified into 2 groups according to the severity of the EEG abnormalities in the background rhythm and paroxysmal discharges. In the severe group, EEG showed persistent asymmetry, slow and disorganized background rhythms, and continuous sharp and slow waves during slow sleep (CSWS). Results: Between the two groups, there was no statistically significant difference in mean age (P=0.259), age of epilepsy diagnosis (P=0.237), associated family history (P=0.074), and positive abnormal magnetic resonance image (MRI) findings (P=0.084). The severe EEG group tended to have more neuropsychological problems (P=0.074). The severe group statistically showed more electrographic seizures in EEG (P=0.000). Rett syndrome was correlated with more severe EEG abnormalities (P=0.002). Although formal cognitive function tests were not performed, the parents reported an improvement in neuropsychological function on the follow up checkup according to a parent's questionnaire. Conclusion: Although some ASD patients with late-onset epilepsy showed severe EEG abnormalities, including CSWS, they generally showed an improvement in EEG and clinical symptoms in the longterm follow up. In addition, severe EEG abnormalities tended to be related to the neuropsychological function.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.131-142
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• 2022

This study aims to explore the relationship between onset drinking age and the current Body Mass Index (BMI) level stratified by sex. This study used the data of Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS) 2019, of which 206,987 participants included in study populations for multivariable binomial logistic regression model. The study results show the evidence that the early age of onset alcohol consumption had significantly associated with abnormal BMI status in adult male. These results could be explained by high alcohol consumption and sex difference in social atmosphere which encourages men to drink more. Our findings suggest the need to prevent problem drinking for reducing the long-term side effects of health.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.520-525
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• 2009

Early onset of Batten disease (EBD), one of the most lethal neurodegenerative storage disorders of childhood, is caused by inactivating mutations in the Ceroid Lipofuscinosis, Neuronal (CLN1) gene. Neurogranin, a calmodulin-binding protein, is expressed in the brain and participates in the protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathway. While oxidative stress is the suggested cause of neurodegeneration in EBD, its molecular mechanism(s) remains obscure. In this research, we examined the levels of neurogranin in the brain mRNA of wild-type (WT) mice and EBD knockout (KO) mice, as well as the proteins. We also performed neuronal cultures to measure the expression levels of neurgranin and phosphorylated-neurogranin with or without oxidative stress inducers and anti-oxidants. Results showed that neurogranin in both EBD KO mice brain mRNA and protein extracts decreased in an age dependent manner. However, high amounts of phosphorylated-neurogranin were detected in the 6-month brain. This pattern was also confirmed by cultured neurospheres samples. Moreover, neurospheres treated with $H_2O_2$, an oxidative stress inducer, showed increased phosphorylated-neurogranin patterns. Interestingly, this pattern returned to normal status when treated with N-acetyl-L-cystein, an anti-oxidant, after $H_2O_2$ treatment was performed. Our results suggest that the phosphorylation of neurogranin is affected by oxidative stress status in EBD, and appropriate anti-oxidant treatment will relieve hyper-phosphorylation of neurogranin.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.50-55
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• 2003

Background: An aberrant function of the mismatch repair system has been reported to underlie carcinogenesis in several tumors, including colorectal and gastric carcinomas, and to induce the typical genotype of microsatellite instability (MSI). Purpose: We aimed to determine the frequency of MSI in early-onset sporadic gastric carcinoma and elucidate the role of promoter methylation in hMLH1 as the mechanism of MSI. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six early-onset sporadic gastric carcinomas were analyzed to determine the status of MSI and the frequency of methylation of the promoter region in hMLH1. MSI was determined using five markers recommended by NCI: MSI-H (high), MSI-L (low), and MSS (Microsatellite stable). Methylation specific PCR (MSP) and direct automated genomic sequencing analysis with DNA modified by sodium bisulfite have been performed to confirm promoter region methylation. All the data were analyzed regarding characteristics of molecular changes, and clinicopathologic variables. Results: The microsatellite status was determined as MSI-H in five cases ($13.8\%$), MSI-L in 13 cases ($36.1\%$), and MSS in 18 cases ($50.0\%$). hMLH1 was methylated in seven cases ($19.4\%$). In all cases of MSI-H, promoter of hMLH1 was methylated, and in two of the 13 cases of MSI-L, hMLH1 promoter methylation was identified. Methylation was not found in any cases of MSS. Promoter methylation in hMLH1 was significantly correlated with MSI status (P<0.001). We could not find any relationship between MSI and clinicopathologic parameters. Conclusion: These results suggest that an abnormal function of the mismatch repair system may be associated with gastric carcinogenesis in more than $10\%$ of early-onset gastric carcinomas and MSI appeared to be closely related to the promoter methylation in hMLH1.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.82-89
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• 2010

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine distribution patterns of TOAST subtypes of ischemic stroke patients admitted to oriental hospitals and to get a better understanding of present conditions in oriental medicine by comparing with the Korea stroke registry (KSR), the largest and representative data. Methods: Clinical data were collected from acute ischemic stoke patients. MRI studies including vascular images were performed in all cases. TOAST criteria were used to determine subtypes of ischemic stroke patients. According to the duration from disease onset to hospital admission time, patients were assigned to 3 groups (Group I0 to 3 d, Group II4 to 7 d, Group III8 to 28 d) and the distribution of TOAST subtypes were compared among these three groups. Results: We collected 514 sets of clinical data from 10 oriental hospitals between May 2007 and September 2009. Small vessel occlusion (SVO) subtype was the most common (57.62%), followed by large artery atherosclerosis (LAA, 29.98%). Compared with TOAST distribution of KSR, the proportion of ischemic stroke patients with SVO subtype was higher than that of KSR. On the other hand the proportion of patients with stroke of undetermined etiology (SUE) was lower. Distributions of SVO, LAA and cardioembolism (CE) in group were I 66.4%, 23.8% and 8.9%, respectively; those in group IIIwere 51.03%, 34.71% and 11.57%, respectively. Conclusions: In oriental hospitals, the proportion of ischemic stroke patients diagnosed as SVO type was higher than that of KSR. At early stage (from onset to 2 d) proportion of SVO was very high, however after 7 days from onset it decreased with concomitant increases in proportions of LAA and CE. These phenomena may be due to the facts that 1) at early stage emergency treatments are limited in oriental hospitals, 2) after early stage many patients prefer oriental treatments, including rehabilitation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.115-123
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was performed to confirm the usefulness of EMG and early-performed ENoG as predicting factor for facial palsy by clinical outcome. Methods : We gathered patients who visited the Facial Palsy Center in Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong between January 2010 and September 2012. We used inclusion/exclusion criteria and reviewed 231 patients' medical records including gender, age, HB grade and EMG & ENoG axonal loss. We compared the relation between EMG axonal loss and improvement degree at 4 & 6 weeks after treatment, and between ENoG axonal loss at 3-5 & 6-8 days after onset and EMG axnoal loss using regression analysis. Results : Each analysis had statistical significance, but EMG & improvement degree at 6 weeks after treatment showed statistically higher correlation than that at 4 weeks after treatment, and ENoG at 6~8 days after onset & EMG showed statistically higher correlation than that at 3~5 day after onset. Conclusions : We could get the evidence of the validity of EMG and early-performed ENoG as predicting factor for facial palsy based on collaborative treatment between Korean and western medicine.