• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.18
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• pp.7781-7784
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• 2014

Background: The aims of this study were to investigate the utility of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) as a simple and readily available marker in prostate cancer, as well as to evaluate RDW as a predictor of progression in prostate cancer patients. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 62 newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients who underwent transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy and 62 healthy controls of mean age 64 (range, 45-75) years at the Urology Clinic of Bozok University Hospital. Data collection was performed using our laboratory information system database to retrieve findings regarding RDW, hemoglobin, prostatespecific antigen (PSA), and age. The RDW values were compared between the healthy control group and prostate cancer patients. A high risk of progression as defined as a Gleason score (GS) >6, total number of cores positive for cancer >33%, each core containing >50% cancer cells, and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level >10 ng/mL. Patients were classified according to risk of progression, as well as divided into subgroups according to the RDW quartile. Results: The mean RDW value of prostate cancer patients was 14.6, compared with 13.7 in the healthy control group (p=0.001). A higher RDW was associated with an increased risk of progression, whereas a lower RDW value was correlated with a low risk of progression. Conclusions: RDW is an easily derived measure that might, in combination with other markers, help predict prostate cancer risk and progression. We suggest that RDW may be used in combination with other parameters in the assessment of prostate cancer.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.373-380
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate of the effects of the mode of delivery on pelvic floor muscle function by examining bladder base movement and urinary incontinence. Methods: This study was conducted on 100 females who had delivered in the previous 3-8 months. There were 2 groups: 56 vaginal deliveries and 44 cesarean section deliveries. Prior to the study, a survey was conducted on the subjects' general status, delivery mode, urinary incontinence, and physical activity. The groups could not be blinded due to scar tissue from the operations. The function of the pelvic floor muscle was observed with the bladder base movement using transabdominal ultrasound during pelvic floor contraction. To objectify and measure the subjective symptoms of subjects suffering from urinary incontinence, an incontinence quality of life (I-QoL) test was administered. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SPSS version 20.0. An independent t-test was used to assess the statistical significance of pelvic floor muscle function between the 2 groups after delivery. Results: The movement of the bladder base in the pelvic floor muscle function was decreased in the vaginal delivery group, but the difference was not significant. Urinary incontinence was significantly increased in the vaginal delivery group. Conclusion: The function of the pelvic floor muscles was better in the cesarean section group and the incidence of urinary incontinence was relatively low in this group. Therefore, vaginal delivery requires more efforts to restore the function of the pelvic floor muscles than cesarean delivery.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.463-468
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• 2010

An obstacle avoidance method for a mobile robot is proposed in this paper. Our research was focused on the obstacles that can be found indoors since a robot is usually used within a building. It is necessary that the robot maintain the desired direction after successfully avoiding the obstacles to achieve a good autonomous navigation performance for the specified project mission. Sensors such as laser, ultrasound, and PSD (Position Sensitive Detector) can be used to detect and analyze the obstacles. A PSD sensor was used to detect and measure the height and width of the obstacles on the floor. The PSD sensor was carefully calibrated before measuring the obstacles to achieve better accuracy. Data obtained from the repeated experiments were used to plot an error graph which was fitted to a polynomial curve. The polynomial equation was used to navigate the robot. We also obtained a direction-error model of the robot after avoiding the obstacles. The prototypes for the obstacle and direction-error were modeled using a neural network whose inputs are the obstacle height, robot speed, direction of the wheels, and the error in direction. A mobile robot operated by a notebook computer was setup and the proposed algorithm was used to navigate the robot and avoid the obstacles. The results showed that our algorithm performed very well during the experiments.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.61-68
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• 2007

When an active muscle is stretched, its steady-state isometric force following stretch is greater than that of a purely isometric contraction as the corresponding muscle length, referred to as force enhancement (FE). The purpose of this study was to investigate possible effects of muscle architecture on the FE. While subject performed maximal isometric dorsiflexion (REF) and isometric-stretch-isometric dorsiflexion (ECC) contractions, ankle joint angle and dorsiflexion torque using a dynamometer and electromyography of the tibialis anterior and the medical gastrocnemius muscles were measure. Simultaneously, real-time ultrasound images of the tibialis anterior were acquired. Regardless of the speed of stretch of the ECC contractions. the torques produced during the isometric phase following stretch ($37.3{\pm}1.5\;Nm$ ($10{\pm}3%$ FE) and $38.3{\pm}1.5$ ($12{\pm}3%$ FE) for the ECC contractions with $15^{\circ}$/s and $45^{\circ}$/s stretch speeds, respectively) were greater than those of the REF contractions ($34.5{\pm}2.5\;Nm$). Moreover, the amount of FE was found to be stretch speed dependent. Angles of pennation ($\alpha$) during the isometric phase following stretch were the same for the REF ($15{\pm}1^{\circ}$) and the ECC ($14{\pm}1^{\circ}$(LS), $15{\pm}1^{\circ}$(LF)). During the same phase, muscle thicknesses were the same ($14.9{\pm}0.6$, and $14.9{\pm}0.5\;mm$ for the REF and the ECC contractions, respectively). For a large limb muscle, the tibialis anterior muscle, a similar amount of force enhancement was observed as did for other human skeletal muscles. Architectural variables, pennation angle and thickness, were not systematically different between the REF and ECC contractions when FE occurred. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that muscle architecture may have little influence on the production of FE.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.281-286
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• 2021

This study aims to compare chest mobility, diaphragm contraction, and lung capacity when wearing a bra and per breast size. The subjects of this study included 10 adult women who were attending Chungnam B University: 5 women who wear underwear size 75A (group A) and 5 who wear underwear size 85B (group B). The chest mobility using a tape measure, the diaphragm contraction using ultrasound, and the lung capacity was measured using a Pony FX before and after bra wear. The chest mobility and diaphragm contraction were significantly reduced when bras were worn in group A and B. Lung capacity was significantly decreased only in group A. There was no significant difference between the groups. This study suggests that women's bras can have a negative effect on diaphragm movement, chest mobility, and lung capacity.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.318-325
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• 2021

Purpose: Although insulin is usually injected into the abdominal subcutaneous fat, in pregnancy women tend to avoid abdominal injections due to concern about fetal damage. Prior studies have been limited to only measuring skin-subcutaneous fat thickness (S-ScFT) at one site at specific pregnancy points. This study aimed to measure S-ScFT across several abdominal sites and over the gestational period in Korean pregnant women. This can identify which site would be relatively safe for subcutaneous injection during pregnancy. Methods: Healthy women over 24 weeks of pregnancy in Korea were invited to voluntarily participate in this descriptive study. For the 142 women, S-ScFT of 12 sites in the abdomen were measured by ultrasound, several times over the pregnancy. Each incidence was treated as a case and a total of 262 cases were analyzed. Results: The mean S-ScFT during pregnancy was 1.14±0.47 cm (1.25±0.54 cm at 24⁺⁰-27⁺⁶ weeks; 1.17±0.48 cm at 28⁺⁰-31⁺⁶ weeks; 1.09+0.40 cm at 32⁺⁰-35⁺⁶ weeks; and 1.06±0.47 cm at 36⁺⁰-40 weeks of pregnancy). Most S-ScFT were thicker than 10 mm. But S-ScFTs in the lateral abdomen and some sites were suboptimal (<6 mm), especially in the pre-pregnancy underweight body mass index group, who had a high rate of suboptimal thickness (27.1% overall and 33.9% in the lateral side). Conclusion: The whole abdomen seems to be appropriate for subcutaneous injection in most Korean women during pregnancy, with a 4 to 5-mm short needle. However, for the lateral abdomen, making the skin fold might be needed for fetal safety.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.131-139
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• 2022

Background: Shoulder impingement syndrome, a major cause of shoulder pain, involves weakness of the scapular retractor muscles. The major scapular retractor muscles are the middle trapezius and rhomboid major muscles; however, the latter is excluded in most studies. Objects: We aimed to measure the thickness of the middle trapezius and rhomboid major muscles using an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system while performing four different shoulder retraction exercises and comparing the thicknesses and ratio of the thicknesses of these muscles. Methods: The thickness of the middle trapezius and rhomboid major muscles was measured in 24 healthy adults using ultrasound. Muscle thickness was measured three times in the Reference posture and four times while performing four different exercises that involved scapular retraction. The averages and standard deviations of the measured muscle thicknesses were obtained and compared. The ratio of muscle thickness and rate of changes in muscle thickness between the reference posture and the four exercises were compared. Results: For both, male (n = 10) and female (n = 14), there was a significant difference in the thickness of the middle trapezius muscle between the reference posture and the four exercises (p < 0.05) and in the thickness of the middle trapezius and rhomboid major muscles between male and female (p < 0.05); however, there was no significant difference in the ratio of the thicknesses of these muscles. Although a significant difference in the rate of change in muscle thickness during the four exercises was noted, there was no significant difference in the ratio of change in muscle thickness. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the ratio of the thicknesses of the middle trapezius and rhomboid major muscles and the rate of change in their thickness during exercises involving scapular retraction in healthy people in their 20s-30s.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.309-317
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• 2023

Purpose: This study set out to investigate the effects of prone hip extension with knee flexion (PHEKF) exercises according to external load on the thickness of the gluteus maximus (Gmax) and biceps femoris (BF). Methods: Twenty-three healthy men participated in this study. All subjects randomly practiced PHEKF under the burden of external loads created by sandbags (0 kg, 1 kg, and 2 kg). Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) was used to measure the thickness of the Gmax and BF during the PHEKF with different external loads. Results: The thickness of the Gmax was highest during the 2 kg resistance exercise and lowest at 0 kg. The thickness of the Gmax was significantly increased at 1 kg and 2 kg compared to 0 kg and significantly increased at from 1 kg to 2 kg (p < 0.05). The thickness of the biceps femoris was highest at 0 kg and lowest at 2 kg. The thickness of the biceps femoris muscle was significantly reduced at 1 kg and 2 kg compared to 0 kg (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between 1 kg and 2 kg (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The thickness of the Gmax was increased by applying PHEKF with a higher external load, whereas the muscle thickness of the biceps femoris decreased. These results suggest that the application of external loads during PHEKF exercises may be an effective method for selective strengthening of the Gmax.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.177-186
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• 2024

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to use oral instruction and taping to induce abdominal draw-in in the previous study, but there is a lack of research on the comparison of effects. Therefore, in this study, we would like to study how the effect of oral instruction, taping, and no feedback can affect muscle activity when performing abdominal draw-in pier exercises. Methods : Before the experiment, group A trained piers and applied only draw-in piers, group B applied taping feedback, and group C were divided into three groups per week for six weeks, and three sets of contractions for five seconds per group were performed five times, and a minute break was provided between each exercise. As a measurement tool, a wireless surface electromyography (EMG) was used to measure surface electromyography (Telemyo-DTS, NORAXON, USA) that derives a synthetic unit of muscle using a surface electrode. For statistical processing of data, the analysis is performed using the SPSS/PC Version 25.0 statistical program for Windows, and the statistical significance level is a=.05 Results : First, the duration was somewhat shorter in order to more accurately compare the muscle activity of the core muscles. Therefore, future research needs to be research that can be exercises with precise biofeedback and taping applied over a longer period of time. Secondly, it is believed that there is no significant difference, since the subjects were studied in healthy young adult men and women, not patients. Thirdly, they could not control the daily life of the subjects. Through future research, it is necessary to analyze the correlation between muscle activity and abdominal muscle thickness by adding ultrasound in addition to muscle activity in various age groups. Conclusion : During draw-in bridge exercise according to feedback, the muscle activity of the back muscle increased, and there was no significant difference in the muscle activity of the back muscle according to each feedback. Therefore, both the feedback applied during the draw-in pier exercise and the control group are effective in changing the thickness of the abdominal muscles.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2010

Purpose: The goal of this study is to find out how useful ultrasonography is in measuring amount of effusion within the knee joint in comparison with physical examination and simple radiography. Materials and Methods: We evaluated total 60 cases which were suspicious for joint effusion. Average age was 61.3 years. The group was consisted of 22 males and 38 females, and 24 obese people and 36 non-obese people. Stroke test and patella floating test were done as physical examination. Amount of joint effusion was classified into 3 groups in simple lateral radiographic view and ultrasonography was used for recheck-up. Results: 39 cases were found positive in stroke test, and patella floating was shown in 20 cases. In simple lateral radiographic view, 47 cases of grade I, 7 cases of grade II and 3 cases of grade III were checked. Average $7.67{\pm}2.90mm$ amount of effusion was checked by ultrasonography. Amount of fluid in stroke test, patella floating test and simple lateral radiographic view showed close correlation with ultrasonography. Gender did not seem to affect physical examination, but strong correlation was found in female in simple radiography. Obese group showed closer relationship with all 3 exams compared with non-obese group. Physical examination was relatively effective with nonobese group, but not with obese group. And it was not easy to measure the amount of fluid with simple radiographic view, but we could obtain objective data from ultrasonography by measuring the amount of effusion dynamically. Conclusion: We concluded that more objective data was obtained with ultrasonography in comparison with physical examinations and simple radiography in the aspect of measuring amount of joint fluid.