• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.10
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• pp.959-964
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• 2007

Purpose : The purpose was to investigate the clinical considerations of patients affected by meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) and the effect of suctioning through endotracheal intubation immediately after delivery on the prognosis of MAS. Methods : A total of 44 inpatients diagnosed as MAS in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Cheil Hospital were selected from January 2004 to June 2006. They were divided into two groups. In the early aspiration group (12 patients), suctioning through endotracheal intubation was performed according to the neonatal resuscitation program of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association because infants born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) were not vigorous after birth. In the early non-aspiration group (32 patients), endotracheal intubation was not performed because the infants born through MSAF were vigorous after birth. These two groups were analyzed retrospectively by medical records in the fields of clinical features, obstetric risk factors, complications, treatment, and duration of hospitalization. Results : There was no significant difference in mean gestational age, mean birth weight, sex, and delivery mode between the early aspiration group and the early non-aspiration group. Mean Apgar score of the early aspiration group both in 1 and 5 minute score was significantly lower than in the early non-aspiration group. Lengths of hospitalization and duration of mechanical ventilator care were longer in the early non-aspiration group, but there was no significant difference. Total duration of oxygen therapy was significantly longer in the early non-aspiration group than in the early aspiration group. Conclusion : In this study, the early non-aspiration group used surfactant more and had a longer duration of mechanical ventilator and hospitalization, but there was no significant difference. Total duration of oxygen therapy was significantly longer in the early non-aspiration group. Therefore, more detailed guidelines for vigorous infants born through MSAF are needed and we should study and follow up the long term prognosis of neurological complications of MAS.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.2021-2026
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• 2011

AgNPs (silver nanoparticles) has been widely used for the commercial products, which have antimicrobial agent, medical devices, food industry and cosmetics. Despite, AgNPs have been reported as toxic to the mammalian cell, lung, liver, brain and other organs and many researchers have investigated the toxicity of AgNPs. In this study, we investigated toxicity of the AgNPs to the liver cell using metabolomics based on HRMAS NMR (High Resolution Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) technics, which could apply to the intact tissues or cells, to avoid the sample destruction. Target profiling and multivariative statistical analysis were performed to analyze the 1D $^1H$ spectrum. The results show that the concentrations of many metabolites were affected by the AgNPs in the liver cell. The concentrations of glutathione (GSH), lactate, taurine, and glycine were decreased and most of amino acids, choline analogues, and pyruvate were increased by the AgNPs. Moreover, the levels of the metabolites were recovered upto similar level of metabolites in the normal cell by the pre-treatment of NAC, external antioxidant. The results suggest that the depletion of the GSH by the AgNPs might induce the conversion of lactate and taurine to the pyruvate.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.487-498
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• 2010

Purpose : To investigate the immediate effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS) on the spasticity and the balance in the stroke patients. Methods : 26 subjects with spasticity over lower limbs were allocated randomly into two groups : (1) TENS group, (2) placebo-TENS group. TENS was applied on the both gastrocnemius for 60 minutes(100 Hz, 0.25 ms, 2 times sensory threshold). The modified Ashworth Scale(MAS) and Manual Muscle Tester were used to assess the spasticity of the ankle plantar flexors. Static balance under three conditions was measured by force-plate; in (1) the condition of standing with eyes opened, (2) with eyes closed and (3) the condition of standing on unstable surface with eyes opened. Results : When compared with the pre and post TENS application, TENS showed significant reduction of ankle spasticity in MAS and MMT measurement. Also, Application of high-frequency TENS improved the balance under three conditions. Conclusion : A single session of TENS to stroke patients could reduce spasticity and improve the balance.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2014

Objectives : To investigate the effects of Sa-am acupuncture on muscle architecture and elastic properties of the spastic elbow flexor and to evaluate the correlation between clinical findings and parameters of real-time sonoelastography (RTS) in patients with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis. Materials and Methods : Seven patients (five males, two females) with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis were included. Sa-am acupuncture of Ganseunggyeok (肝勝格: LU8 LR4 補, HT8 LR2 瀉) was applied to the unaffected side 3 times a week for 4 weeks. During each acupuncture treatment period, patients were requested to exercise their affected arm, and spasticity and functional recovery outcomes of the affected arm were evaluated before and after Sa-am acupuncture treatment. Clinical outcomes were assessed using motricity index (MI), modified Ashworth scale (MAS), Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA) and modified Barthel index (MBI) for elbow flexor spasticity. RTS images indicate the relative hardness of the examined muscles ranged from red (hard) to purple (soft) for color-scale, and from black (hard) to white (soft) for hue scale. Color and hue histograms of the biceps brachii and brachialis were analyzed using Image J software, and median red, blue, and hue pixel intensity were obtained. Results : MI and FMA score significantly increased and MAS score significantly decreased (p<0.05). F-wave maximal amplitude of affected abductor pollicis brevis significantly decreased (p<0.05). Muscle thickness of affected brachialis significantly increased (p<0.05). Red and green pixel intensity of affected brachialis significantly decreased (p<0.05). Conclusions : Our study revealed that Sa-am acupuncture is effective as a useful and safe treatment for spasticity in chronic post-stroke hemiparesis.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.61-66
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• 2005

$^{11}B MAS NMR$ spectra of binary glass system $xV_2O5-B_2O_3$ and ternary glass system $xV_2O5-B_2O_3-yNa_2O$ (x = $V_2O_5 mol%/$B_2O_3$ mol%, y = $Na_2O$ mol$/$B_2O_3$ mol%) were acquired. $BO_3$ units are dominant components in the spectra of $xV_2O_5-B_2O_3$glass systems while both $BO_3$ and $BO_4$ unit appear in comparable amounts in the spectra of $xV_2O_5-B_2O_3-yNa_2O$ glass systems. More $BO_3$ units were monitored for higher $V_2O_5$ contents while more $BO_4$ unit for higher $Na_2O$ contents. Quadrupole parameters such as $e^2qQ$ and $\eta$ obtained form spectral simulation indicate that $e^2qQ$ has a maximum value at x = y 1 and $\eta$ decreases and increases as x or y grows, respectively. Our results suggest that $V_2O_5$ and $Na_2O$ play opposite roles in the ternary glasses.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.372-379
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• 2012

In this study, we treated silica nanoparticles with bis[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]amine (BTMA) silane coupling agent to modify their surfaces. We investigated the effects of BTMA hydrolysis time, BTMA concentration and BTMA treatment time on the degree of silanization reaction of silica nanoparticles. We used Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), elemental analysis (EA) and solid state cross-polarization magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) to obtain quantitative data. We found the decrease of isolated Si-OH peak intensity at 3747 $cm^{-1}$ and the increase of $-CH_2 $stretching and bending peaks with increasing hydrolysis time, concentration and treatment time of BTMA. EA analysis results also supported this trend. We found a strong effect of BTMA concentration on the degree of silanization of the silica particles, but weak effects of the hydrolysis time and the treatment time.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.507-514
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• 1994

Acetyl xylan esterase was produced by E. coli HB101 harboring a recombinant plasmid pKMG6 which contained the estI gene of Bacillus stearothermophilus. The maximum production was observed when the E. coli strain was grown at 37$\circC for 12 hours in the medium containing 0.5% acetyl xylan, 1.0% tryptons, 1.0% sodium chloride, and 0.5% yeast extract. The esterase produced was purified to homogeneity using a combination of ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE Sepharose CL-6B ion exchange chromatography and Sephacryl S-200 gel filtration. The native enzyme had an apparent molecular mass of 60 kd and was composed of two identical subunits of 29 kd. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the polypeptide was Ala-X-Leu-Gln- Ile-Gln-Phe-X-X-Gln. The acetyl esterase displayed a pH optimum of 6.5 and a temperature opti- mum of 45$\circC. The heavy metal ions such as Ag$^{++}$, Hg$^{++}$ and Cu$^{++}$ inhibited nearly completely the activity of the esterase, and no specific metal ion was found to be required for the enzyme activity. The enzyme readily cleaved MAS, $\beta$-D-glucose pentaacetate, $\alpha$-naphthyl acetate, $\rho$-nitrophenyl acetate as well as acetyl xylan, but had no activity on $\rho$-nitrophenyl propionate, $\beta$-nitrophenyl butyrate or $\beta$-nitrophenyl valerate. The Km and Vmax values for MAS were 2.87 mM and 11.55 $\mu$mole/min, respectively. Synergistic behavior was demonstrated with a combination of xylanase and esterase from B. stearothermophilus in hydrolyzing acetyl xylan.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.231-240
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• 2019

Purpose : This study aimed to determine whether resistance exercise using elastic bands for 6 weeks could improve the muscle strength, muscle tone, balance and gait among stroke patients. Methods : A total of 11 stroke patients who had agreed to participate in the study were randomly divided into 3 groups receiving elastic band resistance training on their less affected side (experimental group 1, n=4), affected side (experimental group 2, n=3), and both the sides (experimental group 3, n=4). Muscle strength, muscle tone, balance and gait were assessed using a hand-held dynamometer, the modified ashworth scale (MAS), the berg balance scale (BBS), and G-walk respectively, before and after training. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze intergroup changes after the intervention, whereas the Kruskal Wallis H test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze intergroup changes in all variables. Results : Strength in all the muscle, except for the flexor and extensor muscles in the affected knees, was increased in all the groups, however, no significant difference was observed. No change in the muscle tone (MAS) was found in any group. All the groups showed increased BBS scores walking speed, and walking symmetry following training, although, the differences were not significant. Changes in the affected step length of experimental group 1 were significantly greater than those of experimental group 3, whereas changes in the affected step length in experimental group 3 were significantly greater than those of experimental group 2. Conclusion : Our results suggest that resistance exercise using elastic bands are a potential intervention for improving lower extremity muscle strength, balance, and gait among stoke patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.64-73
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to find any correlations among Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (PASS), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), Tone Assessment Scale (TAS), Motor Assessment Scale-Gait (MAS-G), Fugl Meyer-Balance (FM-B), and to predict MBI from subscales of the PASS. The subjects were 41 stroke patients of the Korea National Rehabilitation Center in Seoul. The main outcome measures were postural control (PASS), gait (MAS-G), Balance (FM-B), Tone (TAS), ADL (MBI). The data was analyzed using the Pearson product correlation. PASS scale was used between other clinical and instrumental indexes, multiple stepwise regression analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors for ADL incline, and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to identify internal consistency on PASS scale. The results of this study areas follows: 1. The highest level was sitting without support, the lowest level was standing on paretic leg on PASS scale. The highest level was chair/bed transfer, the lowest level was bathing on MBI. 2. All items of the PASS, except postural tone were significantly correlated with Gait, Balance, MBI (p<.01), 3. The Internal Consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient=.85) was very high, indicating that the PASS is homogeneous and is likely to produce consistent response. Furthermore, the sums of maintaining position items and of changing-position items were strongly correlated (r=.64, p<.05) and there were significant correlations between sums of PASS, sums of maintaining position items (r=.87, p<.01), and changing-position items (r=.93, p<.01). 4. The standing without support of the PASS items was the strongest variance ($R^2$=.85) of the predicting ADL function. These findings provide strong evidence of the predictive value of the postural control on gait, Balance, ADL function in stroke patients and to can provide a reference for the successful therapeutic program and more improved functional recovery.

• Journal of odor and indoor environment
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2017

Mold is one of the important bio-aerosols affecting human health in the indoor environment. To manage mold contamination, it is necessary to use an appropriate method for its detection and enumeration. Recently, the impaction method of ISO 16000-18 has been established as one of methods to detect and enumerate molds in air. To investigate the general use of the impaction method for mold detection in domestic indoor environments, the suitability of the method was assessed using different antibiotics, media and air samplers. All of the three antibiotics tested - ampicillin, chloramphenicol and streptomycin - showed inhibitory effects on bacterial colony formation on MEA and DG-18 media, without inhibiting mold growth. Of these three antibiotics, ampicillin was the most effective. There was no statistical difference between MEA and DG-18 media in the measurement of mold concentration. The formation of discriminative colony morphology was more apparent in DG-18 media. No significant difference in the measurement of mold concentration was found between Andersen samplers and MAS-100NT samplers, which are two major samplers introduced in Korea.