• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.223-231
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of closed and open kinetic exercises on knee extensor strength and balance in patients with early stroke. METHODS: Thirty patients with early stroke participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups: an open kinetic chain (OKC) exercise group (n=10), a closed kinetic chain (CKC) exercise group (n=10), and a control group (n=10). All participants received conventional physical therapy for 30 minutes. In addition, the two experimental groups (OKC and CKC) participated in a 30-minute knee strengthening training program. Training for the experimental groups was carried out three times a week for four weeks. Outcomes such as knee extensor strength and balance ability (Tetrax, Functional Reaching Test, Timed Up and Go Test) were measured before and after training. RESULTS: There were significant differences in knee extensor strength and balance ability between the pre- and post-treatment of all groups (p<.05). The improvement of knee extensor strength was significantly higher in the OKC group than in the other groups (p<.05), and the improvement of dynamic balance was significantly higher in the CKC group than in the other groups (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These results showed that both open and closed kinetic chain exercises are effective in the improvement of knee extensor strength and balance ability. This study suggests that open and closed kinetic exercise training is an effective training for strength and balance in patients with early stroke.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.189-196
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) upper and lower limb coordinated exercises on balance in elderly women. Methods: The study was conducted with 27 elderly women who were at least 65-year-old. The subjects were randomly assigned to a PNF upper and lower limb coordinated exercise group consisting of 14 subjects and an aero step balance exercise group consisting of 13 subjects, and the exercises were performed for 30 minutes, three times per week, for eight weeks. One Leg Stance Tests (OLST), Functional Reaching Tests (FRT), Four Square Step Tests (FSST), and Timed Up and Go (TUB) tests were conducted before and after the exercises to evaluate the subjects' static balance ability and dynamic balance ability. Among the collected data, the subjects' general characteristics were evaluated using descriptive statistics, the intra-group differences of the test results before and after the intervention were compared using paired sample t-tests, and the inter-group differences in the results before and after the intervention were evaluated using independent sample t-tests. The statistical significance level was set to 0.05. Results: Among the OLST, FRT, FSST, and TUG tests, the experimental group showed positive FSST results that were statistically significantly greater than the control group; the results of the other tests were also more positive for this group, but the differences between the groups were not statistically significant. The magnitude of the effects for both groups was clinically significant. Conclusion: Since inter-limb coordinated exercises for PNF applied to elderly women were found to produce good results for both static balance ability and dynamic balance ability, these exercises can be used in exercise programs to improve balance in elderly women.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.231-237
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• 2021

Purpose: This study sought to investigate the effects of robot-assisted gait training on balance in total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients after bilateral avascular necrosis (AVN). Methods: This case study in two patients utilized an 'A-B-A' single-subject experimental design that included five days of pre-intervention, followed by five days of intervention, and five days of post-intervention. The intervention involved the use of a standing inclined robot (R-bot) for 15 minutes. The outcome measures were evaluated using the Functional Reaching Test (FRT), Time Up to Go (TUG), and the Modified One Leg Standing Test (OLST). Results: Patient 1 showed improvement based on data gathered from baseline A to intervention period B, with results as follows: FRT improved from 27.7 cm to 41.28 cm, OLST LT from 14.03 seconds to 67.37 seconds, OLST RT from 2.94 seconds to 35.97 seconds, and TUG from 12.96 seconds to 7.82 seconds. Patient 2 also showed improvement from baseline A to intervention period B, with results as follows: FRT improved from 17.18 cm to 24.3 cm, OLST LT from 11.53 seconds to 52.01 seconds, OLST RT from 12.99 seconds to 62.19 seconds, and TUG from 27.31 seconds to 12.99 seconds. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, robotic rehabilitation during the early stages after surgery is effective for promoting balance in patients who have undergone THA due to bilateral AVN.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.13-21
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of action observational training with acoustic stimulation (AOTA) on the balance and gait ability in stroke patients. METHODS: Forty-five chronic stroke patients were divided into three groups. The AOTA group (n = 15) received training via a video that showed a normal gait with the sound of footsteps. The action observation training (AOT) group (n = 15) received AOT without acoustic stimulation. The control group (n = 15) received physical training. Each intervention was applied once per day, three times per week for six weeks. The participants in the AOTA and AOT groups had five minutes of AOT. The participants in the all group had 20 minutes of physical training. All participants were measured using the Berg Balance Scale, the Timed Up and Go Test, the Functional Reaching Test, 10 Meter Walk Test, six Minute Walk Test, and Dynamic Gait Index. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 for Windows. The between- and within-group comparisons were analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and a paired t-test, respectively. For all statistical analyses, the significance level was set to .05. RESULTS: The one-way ANOVA test identified significant differences among the measurement results of the three groups (p < .05). Post hoc analyses indicated the AOTA group to undergo more significant balance and gait changes than the control group (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The gait and balance abilities could be improved effectively for patients with stroke when action observation training and acoustic stimulation were applied simultaneously.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.218-223
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• 2022

Purpose: This study sought to identify the effects of an insole applied for the flexible flat-foot condition on dynamic balance and ankle muscle activities during the Y-balance test (YBT). Methods: Thirteen flexible flat-footed adults and an equal number of normal-footed adults were enrolled. The dynamic balance of the subjects was measured using the YBT, which is a reach test. While they were reaching forward with their foot, the percentage maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the tibialis anterior, peroneus longus and medial and lateral gastrocnemius were measured and analyzed. The flat-footed group then applied the ready-made insoles and underwent the YBT again. A comparison of the distance and muscle activity was conducted using YBT, not only between the flat-footed and control group, but also between the flat-footed group before and after the application of the insole. Results: Between the groups, the anterior reach distance in the flat-footed group was significantly lower, but there were no significant differences observed in the posteromedial and posterolateral directions. With the insole, the reach distance of the flat-footed group was significantly increased in the anterior and posterolateral direction compared to the control group. With the insole, the lateral gastrocnemius activity significantly decreased compared to trials without the insole in the flat-footed group, but there were no significant differences in the other muscles. Conclusion: The insole for flat-footed subjects can maintain the medial arch of the foot, and it may help enhance functional and mechanical dynamic balance in people with flat feet.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.49-57
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• 2022

During electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) analysis of proteins, the addition of supercharging agents allows for adjusting the maximal charge state, affecting the charge state distribution, and increases the number of ions reaching the detector thus, improving signal detection. We postulate that in di-substituted arene isomers, molecules with higher polarizability values should generate greater interactions and hence elicit higher signal intensities. Polarizability is an electronic parameter which has been demonstrated to predict many chemical interactions. Many properties can be predicted based on charge polarization. Molecular polarizability is a vital descriptor for explaining intermolecular interactions. We employed DFT (density functional/Hartree-Fock hybrid model, B3LYP)-derived descriptors and computed molecular polarizability for ten disubstituted arene reagents, each set made up of three (ortho, meta, para) isomers, with reported use as supercharging reagents during ESI experiments. The atomic electronic inputs were ionization potential (IP), electron affinity (EA), electronegativity (𝛘), hardness (η), chemical potential (µ), and dipole moment (D). We determined that the para isomers showed the highest polarizability values in nine of the ten sets. There was no difference between the ortho and meta isomers. Polarizability also increased with increasing complexity of the substituents on the benzene ring. Polarizability correlated positively with IP, EA, 𝛘, η, and D but correlated negatively with chemical potential. This DFT study predicts that the para isomers of di-substituted arene isomers should elicit the strongest ESI responses. An experimental comparison of the three isomers, especially of larger supercharging molecules, could be carried out to establish this premise.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.24-32
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• 2024

This study evaluates the microbial safety of ginseng sprouts packaged in moss and a modified atmosphere (MA) film within Styrofoam boxes. Ginseng sprout samples were stored at 4℃ for seven days, and the total fungi and aerobic bacteria counts, relative humidity, and moisture content were measured at 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 days. During the storage period, both packaging treatments caused an increase in the total fungi and aerobic bacteria counts. However, by the seventh day, the ginseng sprouts packaged in the MA film demonstrated significantly lower counts of total fungi (3.03 log CFU/g) and aerobic bacteria (7.32 log CFU/g) than those in moss (3.66 and 7.63 log CFU/g, respectively). Moss packaging alone resulted in the total fungi count reaching up to 3.36 log CFU/g, with the aerobic bacteria count consistently exceeding 7 log CFU/g, highlighting the importance of hygienic management. Moreover, no significant differences were observed in the moisture content and relative humidity between the MA-film- and moss-packaged groups throughout storage. These findings indicate that the functional MA film is a more hygienic packaging solution for ginseng sprouts than moss.

• Hip & pelvis
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.196-203
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• 2024

Purpose: The direct anterior approach (DAA) for conducting total hip arthroplasty (THA) is gaining popularity worldwide. However, careful selection of patients and surgeon experience are important. Although promising outcomes have been reported in international studies, research on DAA in Southern and Southeast Asia has been limited. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 157 patients who underwent THA using the DAA between January 2019 and June 2022. The patients were divided into three groups for the comparison. Data on preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables were acquired. Improvement of the surgeon's performance to use of a DAA approach was examined using the CUSUM (cumulative summation method). Results: The mean age of the patients was 43.9 years. Differences in intraoperative variables and complications were observed among the three groups, and improved outcomes were reported in later cases. Functional outcomes showed significant improvement, and no differences were observed between groups. The results of learning curve analysis indicated a shift towards consistent success after the 82nd case, reaching an acceptable rate of failure by the 118th case. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that DAA can offer benefits but there is a learning curve. Complications were initially high but began decreasing after approximately 80 cases. Careful selection of patients is critical, particularly in the effort to minimize being presented with a challenging case. This study provides insights that may be helpful to surgeons when considering DAA; however, further study is warranted.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.688-695
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• 2011

This study was carried out for some survey about soil compaction in the multi-cropping system of paddy field. Investigated sites were 90 farmer's fields in south-eastern part of Korea. The tillage practices season was different according to cropping system of paddy; in spring for mono rice cultivation and in autumn for the multi-cropping field. The average tillage depth in investigated sites was about 25 cm, however, it is different between the farmer's tillage practices and soil characteristics. It is high correlation to tillage deep and minimum resistance of penetration. The reaching soil deep to maximum resistance of penetration was about 27 cm, and average penetration resistance of the deep is 1.8~2.0 MPa for moderately fine-textured soils and more than 3.0 MPa for moderately coarse-textured soils. The difference of penetration resistance between cultivating and compacted layer was in order to sandy loam > clayey loam > clayey, and the difference was lesser in poorly drained soils than somewhat poorly ones. In the rice mono cropping field, the maximum resistance in no-tillage for 15 years was 1.18~1.25 Mpa at 20~25 cm in soil deep, however, the resistance of field with every year tillage practices was 2.03~2.21 Mpa. In the extremely compacted sandy loam textured soils, the penetration resistance at 30 cm in soil depth was drastically reduced by the subsoil from 5.2 Mpa to 3.2 Mpa, and the watermelon root in plastic film house was deep elongated.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.81-90
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• 2021

PURPOSE: Aging causes a decrease in muscle mass and a change in posture, which reduces motor function and makes it difficult to perform daily activities independently. As these factors are closely related to the deterioration of the quality of life, it is very important to prevent and manage negative changes in the musculoskeletal system. Forest healing is a nature therapy course that maintains and promotes health using various environmental factors in a forest. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of the forest healing anti-aging programs on the physical health of the elderly. METHODS: Ten elderly people participated in this study, as part of a forest healing anti-aging program for two days. Functional fitness, muscle strength, gait function, and balance were evaluated before and after the program. RESULTS: The number of arm curls, chair stands, and steps in a 2-min walk significantly increased (p < .05). 8-feet up & go time was significantly decreased (p < .05). Biceps brachii, quadriceps femoris, and calf muscle strength were significantly increased (p < .05). Gait velocity and cadence were significantly increased (p < .05). Step length, stride length, step time, swing time, stance time, and cycle time were significantly decreased (p < .05). Reaching distance in the lateral directions was significantly increased (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The forest healing anti-aging program improves the physical health of the elderly.