• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.48-52
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study was undertaken to determine whether the position of cane use affects the distribution of weight-bearing on both feet of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy in a standing posture. Methods: Twenty participants with cerebral palsy were recruited as volunteers for this study. Using the Zebris FDM-System, weight-bearing distribution according to the method of using a cane was measured under three conditions in randomized order: (1) standing unaided (no cane); (2) standing with the affected side using the cane; and (3) standing with the non-affected side using the cane. The cane was matched by measuring length-from-floor to the greater trochanter of the subject, and was placed 15 cm outward from the little toe on the supporting side. Results: Evaluating the method of using a cane under the three conditions, we determined that pressure of the foot on the affected side was higher in the order: standing with affected side using cane > standing unaided (no cane) > standing with non-affected side using cane (p<0.05). In the post-hoc analysis, a significant difference was observed between (i) standing unaided (no cane) and standing with the affected side using cane, and (ii) standing with affected side using cane and standing with non-affected side using cane (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that induced weight-bearing methods using a cane on the affected side could increase the weight-bearing capacity on the affected side in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy, which will have a positive effect on reducing asymmetry weight support.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
• /
• 2003.10a
• /
• pp.85-85
• /
• 2003

Human lactoferrin (hLF) is an 80 kDa iron-binding glycoprotein that is expressed in high concentration in milk and in lesser amount in the secondary or specific granules of neutrophils and in plasma, LF is classically considered to be related to the binding, transport, and storage of iron. The transgenic mice carrying the human hLF gene in conjunction with the bovine $\beta$-casein promoter produced the human hLF in their milk during lactation. To screen transgenic mice, PCR was carried out using chromosomal DNA extracted from tail or toe tissues. In this study, stability of germ line transmission and expression of hLF were monitored up to generation Fl7 of a transgenic line. When female mouse of generation F9 was crossbred with normal male, generation F9 to Fl7 mice showed similar transmission rates ($66.0 \pm 12.57%, 42.0 \pm 14.98%, 72.2 \pm 25.45%, 50.0 \pm 16.70%, 65.7 \pm 6.45%, 48.6 \pm 14.65%, 54 1 \pm 18 11%, 57.8 \pm 16.16% and 48.6 \pm 20.66$, respectively), implying that the hLF gene can be transmitted stably up to long term generation in the transgenic mice For ELISA analysis, hLF expression levels were determined with an hLF ELISA kit in accordance with the supplier's protocol. Expression levels of human hLF from milk of generation F9 to Fl3 mice were $ 3.2 \pm 0.69 mg/ml, 3.1 \pm 0.81 mg/ml, 4.6 \pm 1.38 mg/ml, 3.1 \pm 0.42 mg/ml, and 4.5 \pm 1,48 mg/ml$, respectively. These expression levels were lower than that of founder (6.6 mg/$m\ell$) mouse. We concluded that transgenic mice faithfully passed the transgene on their progeny and successively secreted target proteins into their milk through several generations.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.339-347
• /
• 2023

Transforming growth factor-β is a key factor in regulating adhesion formation during tendon healing. We investigated the effectiveness of SMAD family members, SMAD7 and SMAD3, in the TGF-β/Smad signaling during flexor tendon repair. Mouse flexor toe deep tendon rupture anastomosis models were made. On days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28, the expressions of smad7 and smad3 in flexor tendon tissues were detected by RT-qPCR and western blot. Furthermore, postoperative intraperitoneal injections of SMAD7 agonists or SMAD3 antagonists were given. The degree of tendon healing was evaluated by adhesion testing and biomechanical experiments. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expressions of collagen III, SMAD3, and SMAD7. The mRNA levels of matrix metalloproteinases, Mmp2 and Mmp9, and scleraxis (SCX) in flexor tendon tissue were detected by RT-qPCR. Smad3 expression increased and Smad7 expression decreased in flexor tendon tissue after injury. In addition, the SMAD7 agonist blocked SMAD3 phosphorylation. SMAD7 agonist and SMAD3 antagonist both improved adhesion formation during flexor tendon healing, and decreased the expressions of collagen III, Mmp9, and SCX, while increasing Mmp2 expression. This study provides a possible theoretical basis for the SMAD7-SMAD3 signal cascade during flexor tendon adhesion healing.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.25 no.8
• /
• pp.77-93
• /
• 2009

The load distribution and deformation of rock socketed drilled shafts subjected to axial loads were evaluated by a load transfer approach. The emphasis was laid on quantifying the end bearing load transfer characteristics of rock socketed drilled shafts based on 3D Finite Difference (FD) analysis performed under varying rock strength and rock mass conditions. From the results of FD analysis, it was found that the ultimate unit toe resistance ($q_{max}$) was influenced by both rock strength and rock mass conditions, while the initial tangent of end bearing load transfer curve ($G_{ini}$) was only dependent on rock strength. End bearing load transfer function of drilled shafts socketed in rock was proposed based on the FD analysis and the field loading tests which were performed on weathered rock in South Korea. Through the comparison with the results of the field loading tests, it is found that the load transfer curve by the present study is in good agreement with the general trend observed by field loading tests, and thus represents a significant improvement in the prediction of load transfer behavior of drilled shaft.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.22 no.11
• /
• pp.113-122
• /
• 2006

Although a number of static pile load tests have been performed in this country, re-consideration on the interpretation and loading method is needed, because of their less usefulness in practice. For this study, a static loading testing was performed for a long instrumented PHC pile, which was installed in sand layer overlying thick soft clay. The shaft resistance of the pile had been monitored for a long time after installation, and then the static load testing was performed by the quick load test, unlike the recent Korean practice. Using the measured data, the elastic modulus of pile, residual stress and true resistance on the pile were determined. In the event, it was found that the residual stress on the pile, which remained prior to the static loading, significantly affects the shaft and toe resistances. Also, it was realized that the setup effect for the long pile is significant.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.24 no.12
• /
• pp.33-40
• /
• 2008

The load distribution and deformation of rock-socketed drilled shafts subjected to axial loads are evaluated by a load-transfer method. The emphasis is on quantifying the effect of coupled soil resistance in rock-socketed drilled shafts using the 2D elasto-plastic finite element analysis. Slippage and shear load transfer behavior at the pile-soil interface are investigated by using a user-subroutine interface model (FRlC). It is shown that the coupled soil resistance provides the influence of pile toe settlement as the shaft resistance is increased to an ultimate limit state. The results show that the coupling effect is closely related to the value of pile diameter over rock mass modulus (D/$E_{mass}$) and the ratio of total shaft resistance against total applied load ($R_s$/Q). Through comparisons with field case studies, the 2D numerical analysis reseanably presented load transfer of pile and coupling effect due to the transfer of shaft shear loading, and thus represents a significant improvement in the prediction of load deflections of drilled shafts.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.603-615
• /
• 2023

Population growth and urbanization prompted engineers to propose more sophisticated and efficient transportation methods, such as underground transit systems. However, due to limited urban space, it is necessary to construct these tunnels in close proximity to existing infrastructure like high-rise buildings and bridges. Battered piles have been widely used for their higher stiffness and bearing capacity compared to vertical piles, making them effective in resisting lateral loads from winds, soil pressures, and impacts. Considerable prior research has been concerned with understanding the vertical pile response to tunnel excavation. However, the three-dimensional effects of tunnelling on adjacent battered piled foundations are still not investigated. This study investigates the response of a single battered pile to tunnelling at three critical depths along the pile: near the pile shaft (S), next to the pile (T), and below the pile toe (B). An advanced hypoplastic model capable of capturing small strain stiffness is used to simulate clay behaviour. The computed results reveal that settlement and load transfer mechanisms along the battered pile, resulting from tunnelling, depend significantly on the tunnel's location relative the length of the pile. The largest settlement of the battered pile occurs in the case of T. Conversely, the greatest pile head deflection is caused by tunnelling near the pile shaft. The battered pile experiences "dragload" due to negative skin friction mobilization resulting from tunnel excavation in the case of S. The battered pile is susceptible to induced bending moments when tunnelling occurs near the pile shaft S whereas the magnitude of induced bending moment is minimal in the case of B.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.89 no.3
• /
• pp.253-263
• /
• 2024

Slope stability is generally paid more attention to in slope protection works, especially for slope containing weak layers. Two indexes of safety factor and failure model are selected to perform slope stability. Moreover, the finite element limit analysis method comprehensively combines the advantage of the limit analysis method and the finite element method obtaining the upper and lower bounds of the safety factor and the failure mode under the slope stability limit state. In this study, taking a waste dump containing a weak layer as an engineering background, the finite element limit analysis method is adopted to explore the potential failure mode. Meanwhile, the sensitivity analysis of slope stability is performed on geometrical and geotechnical parameters of the waste dump. The results show that the failure mode of the waste dump slope is two wedges if the weak layer is located on the ground surface (Model A), while the slope can be observed as three wedges failure if the weak layer is below the ground surface (Model B). In addition, both failure modes are highly sensitive to the friction angle of the weak layer and the shear strength of waste disposal, and moderately sensitive to the heap height, the dip angle and cohesion of the weak layer, while the toe cutting has limited effect on the slope stability. Moreover, the sensitivity to the excavation of the ground depends on the location of the weak layer and failure mode.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.287-295
• /
• 2023

Background: Posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI) is a common mechanism of recurrent elbow instability. While the essential lesion is a deficiency in the lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL), there are often associated concomitant bony lesions, such as an Osborne-Cotterill lesions (posterior capitellar fractures) and marginal radial head fractures, that compromise stability. Currently, there is no standard treatment for posterior capitellar deficiency associated with recurrent PLRI. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of five patients with recurrent PLRI of the elbow associated with a posterior capitellar impaction fracture engaging with the radial head during normal range of motion. The patients were treated surgically with LUCL reconstruction or repair and off-label reconstruction of the capitellar joint surface using a small metal prosthesis designed for metatarsal head resurfacing (HemiCAP toe classic). Results: Five patients (three adolescent males, two adult females) were treated between 2007 and 2018. At a median follow-up of 5 years, all patients had complete relief of their symptomatic instability. No patients had pain at rest, but two patients had mild pain (visual analog scale 1-3) during physical activity. Three patients rated their elbow as normal, one as almost normal, and one as greatly improved. On short-term radiographic follow-up there were no signs of implant loosening. None of the patients needed reoperation. Conclusions: Recurrent PLRI of the elbow associated with an engaging posterior capitellar lesion can be treated successfully by LUCL reconstruction and repair and filling of the capitellar defect with a metal prosthesis. This treatment option has excellent clinical results in the short-medium term. Level of evidence: IV.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
• /
• v.29 no.6
• /
• pp.167-173
• /
• 2024

In this paper, we propse a quantitative research by investigating the subcutaneous tissue elasticity by using ultrasonography in lymphedema patients after breast cancer surgery. Lymphedema patients who took breast cancer operation were included. Thickness of subcutaneous tissue was assessed at two spots; 10cm below elbow (forearm) and 10cm above elbow (upper arm), not only in affected side but also in sound side. By using probe attached to real-time pressure sensor, stress-strain curves were obtained. We defined tissue elasticity as slope of that curve at range of 7.5~15% of strain to avoid toe region. By comparing the elasticity of normal side and that of affected side, lymphedema tissues were classified into 'softer' and 'harder' tissues. Overall 30 cases of lymphedema tissues and 30 cases of sound tissues were checked. The difference of the elasticity between normal and affected side ranged from -3.98 N/m² to 1.40 N/m². The lymphedema tissues were classified into 17 softer tissues and 13 harder tissues. No demographic and clinical values, including clinical stage of lymphedema, showed statistically meaningful differences between two groups. Evaluation of subcutaneous tissue elasticity with ultrasonography and real-time pressure sensor could be one of the useful tools for investigation of lymphedema tissue characteristics.