• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.55-64
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• 2013

The first purpose was to identify the plantar pressure distributions (peak pressure, pressure integral time, and contact area) during level walking, and stair ascent and descent in asymptomatic flexible flatfoot (AFF). The second purpose was to investigate whether peak pressure data during level walking could be used to predict peak pressure during stair walking by identifying correlations between the peak pressures of level walking and stair walking. Twenty young adult subjects (8 males and 12 females, age $21.0{\pm}1.7$ years) with AFF were recruited. A distance greater than 10 mm in a navicular drop test was defined as flexible flatfoot. Each subject performed at least 10 steps during level walking, and stair ascent and descent. The plantar pressure distribution was measured in nine foot regions using a pressure measurement system. A two-way repeated analysis of variance was conducted to examine the differences in the three dependent variables with two within-subject factors (activity type and foot region). Linear regression analysis was conducted to predict peak pressure during stair walking using the peak pressure in the metatarsal regions during level walking. Significant interaction effects were observed between activity type and foot region for peak pressure (F=9.508, p<.001), pressure time integral (F=5.912, p=.003), and contact area (F=15.510, p<.001). The regression equations predicting peak pressure during stair walking accounted for variance in the range of 25.7% and 65.8%. The findings indicate that plantar pressures in AFF were influenced by both activity type and foot region. Furthermore the findings suggest that peak pressure data during level walking could be used to predict the peak pressure data during stair walking. These data collected for AFF can be useful for evaluating gait patterns and for predicting pressure data of flexible flatfoot subjects who have difficulty performing activities such as stair walking. Further studies should investigate plantar pressure distribution during various functional activities in symptomatic flexible flatfoot, and consider other predictors for regression analysis.

• Journal of the Korean Burn Society
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.20-24
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• 2020

Diabetic patients have an increased risk of burn injuries on foot. Because of their diabetic neuropathy, they could contact with hot water or warming device without being aware of it. Split-thickness skin graft (STSG) is successful in treatment of various wound types; however, donor site wounds are sometimes problematic, and complications such as pain and impaired healing often occur. Although, donor site wounds in healthy young individuals can rapidly heal without complications, the wound-healing capacity of elderly patients or those with a comorbidity has been reported to be low. The dermatome is the most commonly used tool because it can harvest a large skin graft in one attempt. However, it is difficult to harvest tissues if the area is not flat. Furthermore, because the harvested skin is usually rectangular, additional skin usually remains after skin grafting. Therefore, use of razor blade and fragmented STSG on a large defect area is advantageous for harvesting a graft with a desired size, shape, and thickness. From January 2018 to July 2018, fragmented STSG was used in 9 patients who suffered from burn induced open wound on foot with diabetic neuropathy. With this approach, healing process was relatively rapid. The mean age of patients was 70 (57~86 years) and all of 9 patients had diabetes mellitus type 2. In all patients, the skin graft on the defect site healed well and did not result in complications such as hematoma or seroma.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2006.10c
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• pp.530-532
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• 2006

In this paper, we propose stable walking algorithm using ZMP for the biped robot in the slope-way. At first, we define discrete state variables that classified stable area and unstable area by center of mass from ZMP during slope-way walking. For the stable walking gait, the discrete state controller for determining the high-level and low-level decision making are designed. The high-level decision making is composed of the discrete state variables; left foot support phase, right foot support phase, flat-way, and slope-way. Then the continuous state controller is implemented for the low-level decision making using ZMP.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.459-466
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to analyze of obstacle gait using spatio-temporal and foot pressure variables in children with autism. Fifteen children with autism and fifteen age-matched controls participated in the study. Spatio-temporal and foot pressure variables was investigated using GAITRite pressure sensor system. Each footprint was divided into 12 equal trapezoids and after that the hindfoot, midfoot and forefoot analysis was developed. Independent t-test was applied to compare the gait variables between the groups. The results showed that the autism group were significantly decreased in velocity, cadence, cycle and swing time compared to the control group. The autism group were significantly increased in step width and toe out angle compared to the control group. The autism group were significantly increased at midfoot and forefoot of lateral part of footprint and forefoot of medial part of footprint in the peak time compared to the control group. The autism group were significantly increased at midfoot and hindfoot in $P^*t$, at midfoot in active area, and at hindfoot in peak pressure compared to the control group. In conclusion, the children with autism showed abnormal obstacle gait characteristics due to muscle hypotonia, muscle rigidity, akinesia, bradykinesia and postural control impairments.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.52-56
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• 2013

Purpose: We had proceeded seven iIpsilateral dorsalis pedis vascularized pedicle flaps in the distal leg and foot to cover the restricted size defects and followed-up average for 5 years and 9 months to evaluate the survival rate, neurosensory function and cosmesis in final results. Materials and Methods: From January 1999 through October 2012, we have performed iIpsilateral dorsalis pedis vascularized pedicle flaps in the distal leg and foot to cover the restricted size defect (average around $3.6{\times}2.4cm$) in 7 cases and average age was 41.6 years (21.5 to 59.0 years). Lesion site was posterior heel in 4 cases, distal anterior leg in 3 cases. Donor structure was the dorsalis pedis artery and the first dorsal metatarsal vessel and deep peroneal nerve in 3 cases and the dorsalis pedis artery and the first dorsal metatarsal vessel in 4 cases. Results: Seven cases (100%) were survived and defect area was healed with continuous dressing without skin graft. The sensory function in the neurovascular flap was restored to normal in 3 cases. Cosmesis was good and fair in 7 cases (85.7%). Conclusion: Ipsilateral dorsalis pedis vascularized pedicle flap in the distal leg and foot is one of the choice to cover the exposed bone and soft tissues without microsurgical procedure.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.77-84
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• 2006

Purpose: We present clinical usefulness of saphenous neurocutaneous island flap for reconstruction of soft tissue defect of the lower leg, especially anteromedial aspect, including foot and ankle. Materials and Methods: Thirteen cases of soft tissue defects in the lower leg including foot and ankle which were 6 cases of pretibial area, 2 cases of anteromedial aspect of distal two third, 2 cases of ankle, and 3 cases of foot were treated saphenous neurocutaneous island flap. They were proximally based flap 3 cases and distally based flap 10 cases. Clinically the flaps ranged in size from $4{\times}5\;cm$ to $6{\times}12\;cm$. Results: All of the flaps except 1 case survived completely. Three cases, however, had marginal necrosis. One case of flap failure was proximal tibia fracture accompanied with injury of the flap pedicle which was difficult in flap elevation, subsequently. Conclusion: The saphenous neurocutaneous island flap is a simple, reliable procedure with a versatility for soft tissue coverage of the lower leg, especially anteomedial aspect, including foot and ankle. In case of another injuries accompanied near the saphenous nerve, careful attention should be made.

• Journal of Korean Institute of Industrial Engineers
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.261-278
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• 1998

The paper represented the lower extremity muscle model as four rigid-body segments: trunk, shank, and foot. We transformed their tibial data into our shank data by rotating their tibial X and Y axes by 5.483 degrees, so the revised coordinate data used to translating the origin of their tibial reference frame to our shank reference frame. According to weight of subject, physiological cross-setional area(PCSA) of each lower extremity muscle was calculated by scaling those data by Brand. The objectives of this paper are to investigate the variations of the recruitment patterns of the lower extremity muscles, and to analyze the changes of the role assigned to each muscle during the seated foot operation. For exertion levels, the transition point of type F motor unit of each muscle is inferred by analyzing the electromyogram at the seated postures. Also, for predetermined seated foot operations exertion levels, the recruitment pattern and the changes of the role assigned are identified in the continuous exertion, by analyzing the electromyogram changes due to the accumulated muscle fatigue. This study can be used to design and to assess the pedals and foot-related equipments design.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.345-353
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to compare and biomechanical evaluate the effects of three varying functional insoles on the kinematics of the lower extremities and foot pressure distribution during gait. For this 12 subjects participated in this study and each worn the 3 functional insoles during gait which kinematics, kinetics, electromyography and foot pressures were recorded. The function on the first insole was to absorb shock and increase the dynamic stability, the second was a gel type to absorb shock, and the third was to massage the center regions of the foot sole. the results were as follows; the first insole reduced the joints range of motion and reduced muscular fatigue, the second insole reduce the maximum, total and average foot pressures. Finally, the third insole produced larger values for the contact times and contact area.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.913-920
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• 2012

An efficient 3D finite element walking model that considers the detailed shapes of muscles, ligaments, bones, skin, and soles was developed based on a real computed tomography (CT) scan image of a foot, and nonlinear contact analyses were performed to investigate pressure changes. The highest pressure occurs at the rear bottom of the foot when standing and walking. The pressure on the outsole with a curved foot bottom surface is lessened and distributed over a wider area than in the case of a flat outsole. The result shows that a shoe sole shape optimized for diabetes patients can relieve the foot pressure concentration and prevent further worsening of symptoms.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.96-103
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• 2022

Purpose: The survival of organisms critically depends on avoidance responses to life-threatening stimuli. Information about dangerous situations needs to be remembered to produce defensive behavior. To investigate underlying brain regions to process information of danger, manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) was used in olfactory fear-conditioned rats. Materials and Methods: Fear conditioning was conducted in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals received nasal injections of manganese chloride solution to monitor brain activation for olfactory information processing. Twenty-four hours after manganese injection, rats were exposed to electric foot shocks with odor cue for one hour. Control rats were exposed to the same odor cue without foot shocks. Forty-eight hours after the conditioning, rats were anesthetized and their brains were scanned with 9.4T MRI. Acquired images were processed and statistical analyses were performed using AFNI. Results: Manganese injection enhanced brain areas involved in olfactory information pathways in T1 weighted images. Rats that received foot shocks showed higher brain activation in the central nucleus of the amygdala, septum, primary motor cortex, and preoptic area. In contrast, control rats displayed greater signals in the orbital cortex and nucleus accumbens. Conclusion: Nasal delivery of manganese solution enhanced olfactory signal pathways in rats. Odor cue paired with foot shocks activated amygdala, the central brain region in fear, and related brain circuits. Use of MEMRI in fear conditioning provides a reliable monitoring technique of brain activation for fear learning.