• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.229-236
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• 2007

Purpose: Breast reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric perforator(DIEP) free flap is known to be the most advanced method of utilizing autologous tissue. The DIEP free flap method saves most of the rectus abdominis muscle as well as anterior rectus sheath. Therefore, the morbidity of the donor site is minimized and the risk of hernia is markedly decreased. Methods: We chose the internal mammary artery and its venae comitantes as recipient vessels, and deep inferior epigastric vessels as donor vessels. The number and location of the perforators derived from medial or lateral branch of deep inferior epigastric artery(DIEA) in 23 DIEP flaps were identified. Ten patients underwent evaluation of their abdominal wall function preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively by using Lacote's muscle grading system. Results: Of the 23 patients, a patient with one perforator from lateral branch of DIEA experienced partial necrosis of flap. Total flap loss occurred in one patient. Mild abdominal bulging was reported in one patient 4 months postoperatively probably because of early vigorous rehabilitational therapy for her frozen shoulder. Postoperative abdominal wall function tests in 10 patients showed almost complete recovery of muscle function upto their preoperative level of upper and lower rectus abdominis and external oblique muscle function at 6 months postoperatively. All patients have been able to resume their daily activities. Conclusion: The breast reconstruction with DIEP free flap is reliable and valuable method which provide ample soft tissue from abdomen without compromising the integrity of abdominal wall. Selection of reliable perforators is important and including more than two perforators may decrease fat necrosis and partial necrosis of flap.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.91-108
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• 2009

Objectives: Single colorectal instillation of trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS) causes a dose-dependent increase of visceral motor response (VMR) and severity of inflammation. In this study we compared the effects of electroacupuncture in the different acupoints in the acute colitis induced by TNBS intracolonic injection in rats. Methods: In Male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing $250{\sim}400g$, a single colorectal administration of TNBS 5mg/kg and 50% ethanol under isoflurane anaesthesia after an overnight fast. Electrodes for electromyography (EMG) recording were stitched into the external oblique musculature under general anesthesia. Acupoints of LI4, ST25, or ST36 were stimulated by electroacupuncture, respectively. The balloon was inserted intra-anally and visceral motor response (VMR) to colorectal distensioin (CRD) was quantified with an EMG recording system. Results: At an observation of the visceral hyperalgesia in the day-time series, the visceromotor response increased significantly 3 days after TNBS intra-rectalcolonic injection in rats. Electroacupuncture on either ST25 or ST36 suppressed the visceromotor response to colorectal distension, but not LI4, at 3 days after TNBS injection. Pretreatment of naltrexone (10 mg/kg, i.p.), opioids antagonist, inhibited the VMR suppress of 10Hz EA to ST36 but not phentolamine (5 mg/kg, i.p.). Pretreatment of either naltrexone or phentolamine inhibited effects of 10Hz EA to ST25. Conclusions: Data show that EA at either ST25 or ST36 potently inhibits hypersensitivity of colorectum after TNBS induced colitis and is differently mediated through the endogenous opioid system and adrenergic system.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.99-105
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aims to examine the stress distribution effect of tightening torques of different abutment screws in a custom-abutment implant system on the abutment-fixture connection interface stability using finite element analysis. Methods: The custom-abutment implant system structures used in this study were designed using CATIA program. It was presumed that the abutment screws with a tightening torque of 10, 20, and 30 N·cm fixed the abutment and fixture. Furthermore, two external loadings, vertical loading and oblique loading, were applied. Results: When the screw tightening torque was 10 N·cm, the maximum stress value of the abutment screw was 287.2 MPa that is equivalent to 33% of Ti-6Al-4V yield strength. When the tightening torque was 20 N·cm, the maximum stress value of the abutment screw was 573.9 MPa that is equivalent to 65% of Ti-6Al-4V yield strength. When the tightening torque was 30 N·cm, the maximum stress value of the abutment screw was 859.6 MPa that is similar to the Ti-6Al-4V yield strength. Conclusion: As the screw preload rose when applying each tightening torque to the custom-abutment implant system, the equivalent stress increased. It was found that the tightening torque of the abutment influenced the abutment-fixture connection interface stability. The analysis results indicate that a custom-abutment implant system should closely consider the optimal tightening torque according to clinical functional loads.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.125-135
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of low frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) training on abdominal obesity in middle-aged women through electromyography and ultrasound. METHODS: Twenty-two middle aged women with abdominal obesity participated in the study. A low-frequency NMES device was used on the abdomen and waist of each subject for 20 minutes each (a total of 40 minutes) three times a week for eight weeks. The waist-hip ratio (WHR), weight and BMI (Body Mass Index) were measured. Electromyography (EMG) and ultrasound measurements were performed three times in total (pre-intervention, four weeks into the intervention, and eight weeks post-intervention) to examine the effects of low-frequency NMES on the abdominal muscle activity, muscle thickness, and subcutaneous fat. RESULTS: The results indicated a difference in the WHR and waist circumference before and after intervention (p<.05). The external oblique muscle (EO) showed a significant increase in muscle activity during all measurements taken post-intervention (p<.05). The abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness also showed a significant decrease between each measurement (p<.05). The test results showed that the abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness values taken eight weeks post-intervention were significantly lower than those taken pre-intervention and four weeks into the intervention (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These findings show that low-frequency NMES device training can be applied to middle-aged women with abdominal obesity to improve their body shape and exercise performance.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.596-603
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• 2022

Background We suggested an easy and effective harvesting technique to avoid injury to tissues adjacent to the latissimus dorsi (LD). Methods Between 2007 and 2017, breast reconstruction was performed with an LD flap using the "bottom-up" technique. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Data on postoperative complications, results, and follow-up were obtained. Nine cadaveric dissections were performed to assess positional relationships between LD and adjacent muscles based on the ribs where relevant muscles and LD attach. Overall, 78 LD flaps were harvested without complications. Results Average age was 45.4 years. The mean operation time was 260minutes. There were no abnormalities or injuries in the adjacent fascia and muscles during the flap harvest. Drains were removed at an average of 21.9 days postoperatively. In all cadavers, there was conjoined fascia between the thoracolumbar and LD fasciae. The average level of the merging point between the LD and external oblique muscle (EOM) was 8.9 to 11.1 ribs. The average level of the overlapping point between the LD and serratus posterior inferior (SPI) was 9.5 to 11.1 ribs. Conclusions There are three dangerous zones during LD flap harvesting. The first zone is where the conjoined fascia encompasses the LD and thoracolumbar fasciae. The second zone is where the LD merges with the EOM and the serratus anterior. The third zone is the lower part where the LD merges with the SPI and EOM. The "bottom-up" technique enables a more meticulous and atraumatic operation by beginner flap surgeons.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.67-75
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the stress distribution of bones surrounding the implant system to which both titanium and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) abutments are applied using a three-dimensional finite element analysis. Methods: The three-dimensional implant system was designed by the computer-aided design program (CATIA; Dassault Systemes). The discretization process for setting nodes and elements was conducted using the HyperMesh program (Altair), after finishing the design of each structure for the customized abutment implant system. The results of the stress analysis were drawn from the Abaqus program (Dassault Systèmes). This study applied 200 N of vertical load and 100 N of oblique load to the occlusal surface of a mandibular first molar. Results: Under external load application, the PEEK-modeled dental implant showed the highest von Mises stress (VMS). The lowest VMS was observed in the Ti-modeled abutment screws. In all groups, the VMS was observed in the crestal regions or necks of implants. Conclusion: The bones surrounding the implant system to which the PEEK abutment was applied, such as the cortical and trabecular bones, showed stress distribution similar to that of the titanium implant system. This finding suggests that the difference in the abutment materials had no effect on the stress distribution of the bones surrounding implants. However, the PEEK abutments require mechanical and physical properties improved for clinical application, and the clinical application is thought to be limited.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.53-63
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study examined the changes in the thickness of the abdominal muscles, including the transversus abdominis, according to the set pressure applied by a pressure biofeedback unit during contractions of the hip adductor muscles. METHODS: After randomizing 40 healthy adult males in their 20 s and 30 s, the participants were instructed to match the pressure gauge indication of the pressure biofeedback device to continue contracting the hip adductor while maintaining it at 10 mmHg (low), 40 mmHg (medium), or 70 mmHg (high). The measurement was taken over five seconds using an ultrasound device. RESULTS: According to the contractile pressure applied to the hip adductor muscle, there was a significant difference in the muscle thickness change of the transverse abdominis muscle between 10 mmHg and 70 mmHg and between 40 mmHg and 70 mmHg. The muscle thickness ratio of the external oblique/abdominal muscle was significantly different between 10 mmHg and 70 mmHg and between 40 mmHg and 70 mmHg. CONCLUSION: Increased contraction pressure on the hip adductor muscle increases the muscle thickness of the abdominal transverse muscle. Interbody stability exercise with contractions of the hip adductor muscle is expected to help increase in the muscle thickness of the hip adductor muscle.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.99-111
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• 2023

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of pelvic compression methods on the muscle activities of the trunk muscles during plank exercises in individuals with and without low back pain. METHODS: Individuals who experienced back pain for three or more days within the last six months (low back pain group, LBPG; n = 15) and those who did not (non-experienced low back pain group, NLBPG; n = 15) were instructed to perform plank exercise without pelvic compression or while wearing a ReaLine or Com-pressor belt. The electromyography (EMG) data was measured during each session of exercise. Surface EMG signals were collected for the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), erector spinae (ES), and gluteus maximus (GM) muscles. The data were collected during three 5-s exercises with a 1-min rest period between the three sets. RESULTS: During the plank exercise, the muscle activity of the RA in the LBPG was significantly higher than that in the NLBPG (p < .05), and greater muscle activity was observed in the LBPG even when two pelvic compression methods were applied (p < .05). The muscle activity of RA was decreased significantly during pelvic compression according to the pelvic compression methods in both groups (p < .05). No significant interaction was observed between the groups or the pelvic compression methods for the RA, EO, ES, or GM muscle activities during plank exercises. CONCLUSION: Both pelvic compression methods reduced the RA muscle activity during plank exercises in individuals who had not experienced back pain within the last six months.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.342-347
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine the comparison of upper arm, trunk and core muscle activities according to different performance in high Plank exercise using weightless exercise equipment. Six males(age, 23.00±0.73 years; height, 172.95±2.05 cm; body mass, 66.83±2.75 kg; and BMI, 22.33±0.72 kg/m²) completed this study as the subjects. Four type's high Plank exercises using weightless exercise equipment were performed(high plank, HP; high plank with air walker, HPAW; high plank with surf board, HPSB; high plank with waist trainer, HPWT). For the EMG analysis, we measured the body muscle activities of right side on the deltoid(DT), triceps brachii(TB), latissimus dorsi(LD), and external oblique(EO). This research's results were as follows. DT, TB, LD, & EO muscle activities were greatest during HPSB(p=.000). Therefore, these results are expected to serve as basic data for high Plank exercise using weightless exercise equipment performance applications in effective exercise programs.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.335-339
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• 2022

The purpose of this research was to investigate the comparison of core muscle activities according to different performance in static Plank exercise. Ten "J" University's males(age, 23.20±0.65 years; height, 174.54±1.51 cm; body mass, 70.00±2.24 kg; and BMI, 22.94±0.51 kg/m²) completed this study as the subjects. Four type's static Plank motions were performed(full Plank, FP; elbow Plank, EP; side Plank, SP; reverse Plank, RP). For the EMG analysis, we measured the core muscle activities of right side on the rectus abdominis(RA), external oblique(EO), latissimus dorsi(LD), and erector spinae(ES). This research's results were as follows. LD and ES muscle activities were greatest during RP(p<.001). RA and EO muscle activities were greatest during EP(p<.001). Therefore, this results are anticipated to serve as basic data for static Plank performance applications in effective exercise programs.