• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.192-196
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• 2014

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of high and low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on motor cortical excitability and the balance function in subacute stroke patients. Twenty-four subjects were randomly assigned to either the high frequency (HF) rTMS group, or the low frequency (LF) rTMS group, with 12 subjects each. All subjects received routine physical therapy. In addition, both groups performed a total of 20 sessions of rTMS for 20 minutes, once a day, 5 times per week, for a 4-week period. In the HF rTMS group, 10 Hz rTMS was applied daily to the hotspot of the lesional hemisphere; and in the LF rTMS group, 1 Hz rTMS was applied daily to the hotspot of the nonlesional hemisphere. Motor cortex excitability was determined by motor evoked potentials, and the balance function was evaluated by use of the Balance Index (BI) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), before and after the intervention. The change rate in the value of each variable differed significantly between the two groups (p<0.05). Furthermore, significant differences were observed between all post-test variables of the two groups (p<0.05). In the HF rTMS, significant differences were found in all the pre- and post-test variables (p<0.05). On the other hand, in the LF rTMS, significant difference was observed only between the pre- and post-test results of BI and BBS (p<0.05). The findings demonstrate that HF rTMS can be more helpful in improving the motor cortical excitability and balance function of patients with subacute stroke treatment than LF rTMS, and that it may be used as a practical adjunct to routine rehabilitation.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2020

Background: Postoperative pain occurring after hip arthroplasty has become common since the expanded use of cementless femoral stems. The characteristic pain develop in the anterolateral thigh area. This study aimed to predict anterior thigh pain based on the measurements of postoperative anteroposterior (AP) and lateral (Lat) radiographs of the hip joint. Methods: The present study included 26 patients (29 hips) who underwent total hip replacement or bipolar hemiarthroplasty between March 2010 and May 2016, whose complete clinical information was available. AP and Lat radiographs of the affected hip were taken on the day of surgery and 1 and 6 months postoperatively. Patients with improper radiographs were excluded. The distance from the femoral stem to the nearest cortical bone in the distal region of the stem was measured. The patient group with a visual analog scale (VAS) score of ≥6 points was designated as patients with anterior thigh pain. Results: Sex, age, weight, height, body mass index, and bone mineral density in the lumbar spine and femur did not have a significant effect on postoperative VAS scores (p>0.05). Presence of contact between the femoral stem and cortical bone was associated with postoperative anterior thigh pain. Conclusion: Hip AP and Lat radiographs are usually taken to confirm fixation and alignment of the femoral stem after hip arthroplasty. The measurement method introduced in this study can be utilized for predicting anterior thigh pain after hip arthroplasty.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.286-294
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• 2008

This work investigates the characteristics of brain interactions of experienced Zen-Buddhist practitioners by obtaining multichannel EEG (electroencephalogram) data. Brain interactions were compared among three phases-40-minute meditation (M), 5-minute Chakra-focusing practice (Z) and rest with closed eyes (R). The similarity index S, developed in nonlinear dynamical system theory, was employed to measure the degree of possibly asymmetric coupling. Meditators exhibited, overall, stronger interactions among multiple cortical areas in meditation stages M and Z than in the R state. This enhancement was greater in the M stage when the meditator was accompanied by a thought-free and fully consciousness state. In the high-frequency band (>13Hz), the interdependence was also higher in both meditation stages than at baseline rest. However, the interaction strength, especially in the posterior regions, was greatest in the Z stage, which involved internal attention. Few electrode pairs were observed with significant pair-wise asymmetry in the Z state. The similarity is a possible characteristic of dense reciprocal and strong mutual interactions between multiple cortical areas during meditation - especially in the Z state in the high-frequency band. These results demonstrate that profound Zen meditation induces various dynamic states in different phases of meditation, possibly reflected by nonlinear interdependence measure.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.223-230
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• 2001

Melatonin, a pineal gland hormone, is believed to act as an antioxidant via the stimulation of radical detoxifying enzymes and scavenging of free radicals. In this study, effects of in vitro and in vivo treatments of melatonin on the cisplatin-induced lipid peroxidation, LDH release and plasma creatinine were determined in rabbit renal cortical cells. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was assayed as an index of lipid peroxidation and the level of LDH release as an indicator of cellular damage. In in vitro studies, cisplatin increased the levels of MDA and LDH release in a concentration-and time-dependent manner. Melatonin inhibited the cisplatin-induced lipid peroxidation and LDH release in a concentration-dependent manner. The minimal effective concentration of melatonin that significantly reduced the $300\;{\mu}M$ cisplatin-induced lipid peroxidation and LDH release was 1 mM. In in vivo studies, the levels of lipid peroxidation and LDH release in renal cortical cells increased significantly 24 or 48 hours after a single injection of cisplatin (6 mg/kg). When the cisplatin-injected rabbits were pretreated with 10 mg/kg of melatonin, a significant reduction in both lipid peroxidation and LDH release was observed. The plasma creatinine level increased from $0.87{\pm}0.07$ mg/dl in control to $6.33{\pm}0.54$ mg/dl in cisplatin-injected rabbits (P＜0.05). Melatonin partially prevented the increase in serum creatinine level $(1.98{\pm}0.11\;mg/dl)$ by cisplatin (P＜0.05). In the proximal tubules from cisplatin-treated group, tubular cells had microvilli of variable heights. Necrotic debris was seen in tubular lumens. In most of cells, the mitochondria and lysosomes were increased in frequency. The endocytic vacuoles were not prominent and distribution of the brush border was irregular and shortened. These cisplatin-induced morphological changes were moderate in the melatonin-pretreated group. These results suggest that the toxicity of cisplatin is associated with the generation of reactive oxygen free radicals and that melatonin is a powerful antioxidant, which prevents some of the adverse effects of cisplatin.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.397-402
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• 1998

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the phenomenon of diaschisis in the cerebellum and cerebral cortex in patients with pure basal ganglia hemorrhage using cerebral blood flow SPECT. Materials and Methods: Twelve patients with pure basal ganglia hemorrhage were studied with Tc-99m ECD brain SPECT. Asymmetric index (AI) was calculated in the cerebellum and cerebral cortical regions as |$C_R-C_L$/$(C_R-C_L){\times}200$, where $C_R$and $C_L$ are the mean reconstructed counts for the right and left ROIs, respectively. Hypoperfusion was considered to be present when AI was greater than mean +2 SD of 20 control subjects. Results: Mean AI of the cerebellum and cerebral cortical regions in patients with pure basal ganglia hemorrhage was significantly higher than normal controls (p<0.05): Cerebellum ($18.68{\pm}8.94$ vs $4.35{\pm}0.94$, $mean{\pm}SD$), thalamus ($31.91{\pm}10.61$ vs $2.57{\pm}1.45$), basal ganglia ($35.94{\pm}16.15$ vs $4.34{\pm}2.08$), parietal ($18.94{\pm}10.69$ vs $3.24{\pm}0.87$), frontal ($13.60{\pm}10.5$ vs $4.02{\pm}2.04$) and temporal cortex ($15.92{\pm}11.95$ vs $5.13{\pm}1.69$). Ten of the 12 patients had significant hypoperfusion in the contralateral cerebellum. Hypoperfusion was also shown in the ipsilateral thalamus (n=12), ipsilateral parietal (n=12), frontal (n=6) and temporal cortex (n=10). Conclusion: Crossed cerebellar diaschisis (CCD) and cortical diaschisis may frequently occur in patients with pure basal ganglia hemorrhage, suggesting that CCD can develop without the interruption of corticopontocerebellar pathway.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.137-142
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• 2003

The morphology of the leaves and the flowers of angiosperms exhibit remarkable diversity. One of the factors showing the greatest variability of leaf organs is the leaf index, namely, the ratio of leaf length to leaf width. In some cases, different varieties of a single species or closely related species can be distinguished by differences in leaf index. To some extent, the leaf index reflects the morphological adaptation of leaves to a particular environment. In addition, the growth of leaf organs is dependent on the extent of the expansion of leaf cells and on cell proliferation in the cellular level. The rates of the division and enlargement of leaf cells at each stage contribute to the final shape of the leaf, and play important roles throughout leaf development. Thus, the control of leaf shape is related to the control of the shape of cells and the size of cells within the leaf. The shape of flower also reflects the shape of leaf, since floral organs are thought to be a derivative of leaf organs. No good tools have been available for studies of the mechanisms that underlie such biodiversity. However, we have recently obtained some information about molecular mechanisms of leaf morphogenesis as a result of studies of leaves of the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. For example, the ANGUSTIFOLIA (AN) gene, a homolog of animal CtBP genes, controls leaf width. AN appears to regulate the polar elongation of leaf cells via control of the arrangement of cortical microtubules. By contrast, the ROTUNDIFOLIA3 (ROT3) gene controls leaf length via the biosynthesis of steroid(s). We provide here an overview of the biodiversity exhibited by the leaf index of angiosperms. Taken together, we can discuss on the possibility of the control of the shapes and size of plant organs by transgenic approaches with the results from basic researches. For example, transgenic plants that overexpressed a wildtype ROT3 gene had longer leaves than parent plants, without any changes in leaf width. Thus, The genes for leaf growth and development, such as ROT3 gene, should be useful tools for the biodesign of plant organs.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Biotechnology Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.49-55
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• 2003

The morphology of the leaves and the flowers of angiosperms exhibit remarkable diversity. One of the factors showing the greatest variability of leaf organs is the leaf index, namely, the ratio of leaf length to leaf width. In some cases, different varieties of a single species or closely related species can be distinguished by differences in leaf index. To some extent, the leaf index reflects the morphological adaptation of leaves to a particular environment. In addition, the growth of leaf organs is dependent on the extent of the expansion of leaf cells and on cell proliferation in the cellular level. The rates of the division and enlargement of leaf cells at each stage contribute to the final shape of the leaf, and play important roles throughout leaf development. Thus, the control of leaf shape is related to the control of the shape of cells and the size of cells within the leaf. The shape of flower also reflects the shape of leaf, since floral organs are thought to be a derivative of leaf organs. No good tools have been available for studies of the mechanisms that underlie such biodiversity. However, we have recently obtained some information about molecular mechanisms of leaf morphogenesis as a result of studies of leaves of the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. For example, the ANGUSTIFOLIA (AN) gene, a homolog of animal CtBP genes, controls leaf width. AN appears to regulate the polar elongation of leaf cells via control of the arrangement of cortical microtubules. By contrast, the ROTUNDIFOLIA3 (ROT3) gene controls leaf length via the biosynthesis of steroid(s). We provide here an overview of the biodiversity exhibited by the leaf index of angiosperms. Taken together, we can discuss on the possibility of the control of the shapes and size of plant organs by transgenic approaches with the results from basic researches. For example, transgenic plants that overexpressed a wild-type ROT3 gene had longer leaves than parent plants, without any changes in leaf width. Thus, The genes for leaf growth and development, such as ROT3 gene, should be useful tools for the biodesign of plant organs.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.20-25
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• 2006

Objective : The authors analyze prospectively the result of transcranial doppler[TCD] in normal pressure hydrocephalus and compared its cerebral blood flow parameters to radionuclide cerebrospinal fluid[CSF] flow study, postoperative brain computed tomography[CT] findings and clinical outcome, and studied the relationship between cerebral hemodynamics and clinical performance. Methods : Twenty five patients with hydrocephalus undertook pre- and post-operative TCD but only preoperative CSF flow study was performed. Mean flow velocity[Vm], pulsatility index[PI] and resistance index[RI] were assessed through TCD and changes in ventricle size and cortical gyral atrophy were checked through brain CT. Results : Postoperative hydrocephalus showed an increase in Vm[ACA P=0.037, MCA P=0.034], decrease in PI[ACA P=0.019, MCA P=0.017] and decrease in RI [ACA P=0.017, MCA P=0.021] compared to preoperative TCD parameters in the postoperative improvement group. In the postoperative improvement group, postoperative TCD parameters correlated with CSF flow study grade [Vm : $R^2=-0.75$, PI : $R^2=0.86$, RI : $R^2=0.78$] and ventriculocranial ratio change correlated with PI change [$R^2=0.73$]. The convexity gyral atrophy and initial TCD parameters showed close relationship to outcome. Conclusion : PI and RI can be used as an indicator of post operative prognosis, and with the addition of CSF flow study values, can also be used as a tool to predict pre-op and post-op patient status and successful shunt surgery.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.861-869
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• 2022

In patients with Tourette's syndrome, a tic occurs when Mu wave synchronization is broken. Conversely, when Mu wave synchronization is achieved, a tick does not occur. When the tic is suppressed, the cognitive control response process is changed, and if the neurofeedback training that adjusts the EEG frequency power is performed with the changed, the patient will be treated autonomously without artificially suppressing the tic. The results of the research test suggest that if the tic patient does not artificially synchronize mu waves in the premotor cortex (Frontal Cortical 3 site), and if EEG control is performed autonomously like neurofeedback training, as a result, tics do not occur. Cognitive control response processes are altered when a subject is inhibited from tics. By training the altered cognitive control with neurofeedback that modulates EEG frequency power, the patient can be treated autonomously without artificially suppressing the tic.Mu-wave synchronizationcan now be added to existing neurofeedback treatment protocols such as SMR reinforcement, theta-beta-wave imbalance correction, and alpha-wave reinforcement. This study will be used in follow-up studies and clinical trials to more scientifically verify the neurofeedback treatment protocol, a treatment for patients with Tourette's syndrome.

• Hip & pelvis
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.120-128
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes with use of short-curved stems versus standard-length single wedged stems over a minimum follow-up period of five years. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of primary total hip arthroplasties performed using the Fitmore^® stem (127 hips, 122 patients) and the M/L taper^® stem (195 hips, 187 patients) between October 2012 and June 2014 was conducted. The clinical and radiographic outcomes were obtained for evaluation over a minimum follow-up period of five years. Results: In both the Fitmore^® and M/L taper^® groups, the mean Harris hip score improved from 52.4 and 48.9 preoperatively to 93.3 and 94.5 at the final follow-up, respectively (P=0.980). The mean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores also improved from 73.3 and 76.8 preoperatively to 22.9 and 25.6 at the final follow-up, respectively (P=0.465). Fifteen hips (Fitmore^®: 14 hips; M/L taper^®: one hip, P<0.001) developed intraoperative cracks and were treated simultaneously with cerclage wiring. Radiography showed a radiolucent line in 24 hips in the Fitmore^® group and 12 hips in the M/L taper^® group (P=0.125). Cortical hypertrophy was detected in 29 hips (Fitmore^® group: 28 hips; M/L taper^® group: one hip, P<0.001). Conclusion: Similarly favorable clinical and radiographic outcomes were achieved with use of both short-curved stems and standard-length single wedged stems. However, higher cortical hypertrophy and a higher rate of femoral crack were observed with use of Fitmore^® stems.