• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.111-118
• /
• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on episodes of foot drop and the ability to cross obstacles in stoke patients. Methods: The patient was a 57-year-old man with left hemiplegia. This patient displayed episodes of foot drop while walking and issues with crossing obstacles. The patient underwent therapeutic exercises and occupational therapy twice daily at a hospital five times a week. The patient was treated with PNF outside of these therapeutic sessions. Each session, which was 60 minutes in length, was conducted 3 times a week over 8 weeks. Over the course of treatment, a pre-test and post-test were completed. The patient walked for a test time of 6M. During the testing process, the patient crossed obstacles. In addition, the number of foot drop episodes was recorded. Each test was measured three times to determine the mean value. Results: After the PNF treatments, the number of foot drop episodes decreased from five to one. The 6M walking test time during which the patient crossed obstacles also decreased from 18 seconds to 10 seconds. Conclusion: The use of PNF treatments is beneficial to reduce the number of foot drop episodes while walking and to improve the ability to cross obstacles in stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.287-301
• /
• 2021

Purpose: Gait training for stroke patients focuses on adjusting to new environments to facilitate outdoor walking. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the effects of various ground obstacle walking combined with treadmill walking on the gait parameters and functional gait ability of chronic stroke patients. Methods: Twenty-four chronic stroke patients were divided into two groups: an experimental group (n = 12) and a control group (n = 12). The experimental group received a combined gait training using various ground obstacle walking and treadmill walking (VGOW) five times/week for four weeks. The control group received traditional treadmill training (TW) five times/week for four weeks. Patients were evaluated using the figure-8 walk test (F8WT) and the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) before and after each intervention. Results: The ANCOVA results showed that both treatments significantly influenced F8WT steps, F8WT time, and FGA score. The paired t-test results showed a significant improvement in F8WT steps, F8WT time, and FGA score in the experimental group compared to those in the control group. Conclusion: Combined gait training using various ground obstacle walking and treadmill walking can improve gait ability in chronic stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.300-309
• /
• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of gastrocnemius neuromuscular electrical stimulation training on ankle mobility and gait in patients with stroke. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: 31 patients with stroke were selected and classified into an experimental group (n=16) and a control group (n=15). Both groups were assessed for ankle mobility using the Knee to Wall Test and gait parameters using G-walk before and after the intervention. The intervention was applied five times a week for four weeks. The experimental group performed gastrocnemius neuromuscular electrical stimulation followed by ankle control exercises, while the control group only applied NMES to the tibialis anterior muscle of the paretic side for 30 min per session five times a week for 4 weeks. Results: Experimental group showed significant improvements in Knee to wall test. and lumbar flexibility after the intervention. both group showed significant improvements in gait parameters after the intervention. However, when comparing between the two groups, the experimental group showed a more significant effect than the control group. Conclusions: Gastrocnemius neuromuscular electrical stimulation training can be considered an effective approach to improve ankle mobility and gait ability in patients with stroke.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.153-170
• /
• 2004

Objectives： This study was performed to develop a smoking prevention program for Korean high school students, and to evaluate the effects of the program. Methods： A smoking prevention program, composed of five-session curriculum, was developed by modifying several smoking prevention and cessation programs based on the Social Influence Model. The program was applied to the freshmen of a technical high school. We surveyed with a questionnaire one week before education, one week after education, and two months after education. The number of participants for data analysis were 282(181 males, 101 females). Among those, 162(97 males, 65 females) students were allocated to the education group, and the other 120(84 males, 36 females) students were allocated to the control group. The effect of education was analyzed by multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted by potential confounders. Results： Among smokers, those who had education were more likely to quit smoking (OR＝2.99, 95% confidence interval(CI) 0.84-10.64), and to decrease smoking frequency(OR＝2.29, 95% CI 0.95-5.53) in borderline significance one week after education. However, the effect of education disappeared two months after education. The effect of education was significant(OR＝9.11, 95% CI 3.22-25.76) for the increase of smoking cessation intention one week after education, and it persisted until two months after education(OR＝2.94, 95% CI 1.18-7.35). Education was also a significant predictor(OR＝1.97, 95% CI 0.89-4.37) for the increase of smoking cessation stage one week after education and it persisted(OR＝6.39, 95% CI 2.42-16.86) after two months. Among non-smokers, those who had education were more likely to decrease smoking intention one week after education(OR＝4.71, 95% CI 1.63-13.58). However, the statistical significance of education disappeared two months after education. Conclusions： The results showed that the smoking prevention program developed in this study changed smoking behaviors immdeiately after education even though the effect did not persist. However, this program was successful in increasing smoking cessation intention and stage of smoking cessation among smokers.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.57-61
• /
• 2013

I hypothesized that the manipulation of dietary nutrient contents including phosphorous could affect compensatory growth of juvenile olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Thirty fish averaging 34.8 g per tank were randomly chosen and distributed into 15 flow-through 180-L tanks. Three experimental diets were prepared: the control (C) diet, high protein and lipid (HPL) diet, and HPL diet with supplementation of calcium phosphate-monobasic (HPLP). Five treatments were prepared in triplicate: fish were hand-fed daily with the C diet twice a day for 8 weeks (C-8W); fish were starved for 1 week, and then fed with the HPL or HPLP diets twice a day for 7 weeks, and referred to as HPL-7W and HPLP-7W, respectively; and fish were starved for 2 weeks, and then fed with the HPL or HPLP diets twice a day for 6 weeks, and referred to as HPL-6W and HPLP-6W, respectively. The body weight of fish with C-8W, HPL-7W and HPLP-7W treatments was higher than fish with HPL-6W and HPLP-6W treatments on week 2, 4 and 6 after an initiation of the trial. At the end of the 8-week trial, fish with HPLP-7W and HPL-7W treatments overcompensated, as compared to fish with C-8W treatment. Full compensation was not achieved in fish subjected to the 2-week feed deprivation (HPL-6W and HPLP-6W treatments). Overall feed intake by fish was proportional to weeks of feeding. Feed conversion ratio of fish with HPLP-7W, HPL-6W and HPLP-6W treatments was higher than fish with C-8W treatment. The study showed that dietary supplementation of protein and lipid resulted in overcompensation of juvenile olive flounder subjected to a 1-week feed deprivation, but not a 2-week feed deprivation. Additionally, dietary supplementation of phosphorous did not further improve compensatory growth of fish.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.293-302
• /
• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of plank exercises involving the contraction of the adductor muscle of the hip joint on core muscle thickness and to propose an effective plank exercise method. Methods: A total of 30 healthy young adults (17 males, 13 females) voluntarily participated in the study. The subjects were randomized to the prone plank exercise with hip adductor contraction (n=10), the prone plank exercise (n=10), and the supine plank exercise (n=10) groups. Muscle thickness measurements were taken prior to starting the exercise program and after completing the program at the end of a 4-week period. The muscle thickness of the rectus abdominis (RA), multifidus (MF), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and transverse abdominis (TrA) muscles were measured using ultrasonography. Each group performed the stipulated plank exercise five times a week as follows: 5 sets of 20 seconds during the first week, 5 sets of 30 seconds in the second week, 5 sets of 40 seconds in the third week, and 5 sets of 40 seconds in the last week. Results: The three different types of plank exercises all showed significantly increased thickness of the RA, MF, EO, IO, and TrA (P<0.05). Furthermore, changes in the thickness of both the MF and TrA were statistically more significant in the groups that did the prone plank exercise with the hip adductor contraction and the supine plank exercise than in the prone plank exercise group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The study results suggest that the prone plank exercise with hip adductor contraction is a more effective method for overall activation of the RA, MF, EO, IO, and TrA than the prone plank exercise and the supine plank exercise.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.299-305
• /
• 2015

The production performance and egg quality traits among five strains of Korean native chickens (KNC) were evaluated in conventional cages. A total of 240 KNC were housed in a controlled environment. Each strain had 12 replicates with 4 chickens per cage. Feed intake, body weights, egg production and egg quality were measured at 24, 28 and 32 of weeks. Egg quality parameters were analyzed using 150 eggs. Results indicated significant (P<0.05) difference in average body weights, egg production and egg weight among five strains of KNC. In contrast, KNC strains effect was non-significant (P>0.05) for feed efficiency. The difference among those KNC strains on egg shell color, egg shell strength and egg shell density were not different (P>0.05) at the age of week 24 while it was significant (P<0.05) at the age of week 28 and 32. There was no effect (P>0.05) on egg length and egg shape index from five strains of KNC. The significant difference (P<0.05) was observed in egg width with KNC strains during early ages (week 24 and 28) and it was not significant (P>0.05) at the age of 32 weeks. Regarding internal quality parameters, albumen height and Haugh unit were significantly (P<0.05) affected with KNC strains while the effect on yolk color was not significant (P>0.05). Based on the egg weight and the production performance, GS-10 KNC strain was superior when compared with the other strains.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.373-389
• /
• 1997

Morphological difference of the renal glomerulus at different age groups have been studies in one week-old, five weeks-old, eight weeks-old, six months-old, twelve months-old, eighteen months-old, twenty-four months-old, and thirty months-old ICR mice. Pieces of the tissue taken from the renal corticies were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde-1.5% paraformaldehyde solution (0.1 Millonig's phosphate buffer pH 7.3), and 1% osmium tetroxide solution (0.1 M Millonig's phosphate buffer, pH 7.3), and were embedded in araldite mixture. The ultrathin sections were stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate solution, and were observed under a JEM 100CX-II electron microscope. The results were as follows: 1 In the one week-old mouse, thicknesses of the three layers of the glomeluar basal lamina (lamina densa, lamina rara interna and lamina rara externa) are similar, but in the five weeks-old mouse, thick lamina densa becomes a greater portion of the thickness of whole glomerular basal lamina. 2. No difference was noticed between thickness of the renal glomerular basal lamina of the five weeks-old mouse compare with that of the one week-old one, but basal lamina of the eight weeks-old one is thickened considerably and thicknesses were maintained through twelve months-old one. After eighteen months, the thickness of the glomerular basal lamina is increased remarkably. 3. After eighteen months, electron dense deposits within the basal lamina of the renal glomeruli are observed frequently. 4. Amount of the microfilaments in the mesangial cells and the mesangial matrices are increasing during aging. 5. The thicknesses of the basal laminae of the Bowman's capsule are increasing during aging. 6. After twenty four months, the proximal tubular cell-like parietal cells with well developed microvilli are observed frequently. From the above results, it was suggested that the renal glomerulus matures structurally in five weeks, and the function of the glomerulus is suppressed after eighteen months.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.212-217
• /
• 2007

The chicken oviduct is a dynamic organ that produces secretory proteins such as ovalbumin during the laying period. In this study, we identified oviduct-specific proteins in hens during the egg-laying period by proteomic analysis. Proteins extracted from the magnum of hens of different ages (5, 35, and 65 weeks) were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to compare the intensity of proteins among samples. Approximately 300 spots were detected on each gel. Based on the comparison of image gels, we found that the intensity of eight spots in 35-week magnums was increased at least by 2-fold compared with the others. Five of the eight spots were identified as calumenin, acidic ribosomal phosphoproteins (ARP), prohibitin, heart fatty acid-binding protein, and anterior gradient-2 (AGR-2). In particular, ARP and AGR-2 were highly expressed in 35- week magnums compared with 5- and 65-week magnums. In addition, the level of these proteins was consistent with their RNA levels. Expression of AGR-2 mRNA was detected in the mature magnum, whereas no signal was observed in premature tissue. Among various tissues, expression of AGR-2 mRNA was highest in the magnum, high in the isthmus, and five fold lower in muscle. It was undetectable in the liver and in other tissues (heart and kidney). However, the mRNA levels of other proteins were ubiquitous among tissues. In transcriptional activity of AGR-2, a 3.0 kb fragment of promoter region containing potential estrogen receptor binding sites had enhanced its activity strongly. In conclusion, these results suggest that AGR-2 has functional regulatory roles in the chicken oviduct during the egglaying period.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.159-168
• /
• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine effect of Tai-Chi exercise program on joint flexibility for osteoarthritis patients. To evaluate the effects, quasi-experimental study was used for pre and post test with a nonequivalent control group. Method: Fifty-tow subjects participated in the experiment(twenty-seven for experimental group and twenty-five for control group) and they were from two different senior citizen centers in J city. The experiment period was from April 2002 through August 2002. The experiment group took part in Tai-Chi exercise program for eighteen weeks(three times a week for four weeks and five times a week for fourteen week). The exercise was performed for 50 minutes at every time (15 minutes for warm-up, 30 minutes for Tai-Chi exercise, and 5 minutes for ending). In order to pursue study purpose, the SPSS/WIN 8.0 program was chosen for the statistical analysis; ANCOVA was employed in examining test hypothesis; t-test and $x^2$-test were used to examine homogeneity between experimental and control group. Result: The study results were as follows :Score of vertebral joint flexibility increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of wrist joint extension increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of wrist joint flexion increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of elbow joint extension increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of elbow joint flexion increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. There was a slight increase of knee joint extension in the Tai-Chi exercise group compared to control group, but without statistical significance. Score of knee joint flexion increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of ankle plantar flexion increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of ankle dorsiflexion increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Conclusion: As shown in the results, Tai-Chi exercise program can be effective nursing intervention for osteoarthritis patient to improve joint flexibility.