• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.12-15
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• 2002

Background : Changes in firing pattern and in the recruitment order of single motor unit(MU) have been claimed to be characteristic of central motor lesions, and a reduced firing rate was found in upper motor neuron lesions. But these findings have been rarely studied before in Korea, so we studied initial MU recruitment pattern in stroke patients with hemiparesis. Methods : We studied six patients(3 men and 3 women) whose mean age was $60.6{\pm}7.4$ years. A mean $20.6{\pm}16.2$ months had elapsed since the stroke. To compare the initial MU activation patterns in proximal and distal segments of paretic limb with their contalateral unaffected counterparts, we studied the onset and recruitment intervals in biceps brachii(BB) and first dorsal interossei(FDI) muscles in paretic and healthy arms. In a single muscle we examined from 5 to 10 individual MUs. And in a single motor unit, both the onset interval and the recruitment interval was examined. Results : The mean onset interval in paretic limb was significantly(p<0.05) longer than unaffected limb at proximal and distal location: BB $118.5{\pm}17.8$ msec vs $96.1{\pm}8.3$ msec(n=58); FDI $125.8{\pm}16.7$ msec vs $101.5{\pm}17.2$ msec(n=38). The mean recruitment interval in paretic limb was also significantly(p<0.05) longer than unaffected limb: BB $87.7{\pm}14.9$ msec vs $73.4{\pm}11.5$ msec(n=53); FDI $96.3{\pm}16.4$ msec vs $87.7{\pm}14.1$ msec(n=38). Conclusion : The first recruited MU had a lower baseline firing rate and the second recruited motor unit potential appeared earlier in paretic than in healthy muscles. And these findings may explain one of the reasons for paresis in patients with stroke.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.9-23
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• 1995

The objectives of the study were twofole: (1) to investigate effects of rhythmic contraction and sustained contraction methods on recovery rate of isometric endurance capacity and (2) to compare aptterns of muscle recruitment of both arms observed during each contraction period. In the experiment, each of two subjects performed five successive rhythmic or sustained isometric contractions at 50% MVC with both arms to the point of fatigue, which was the failure to maintain the required tension. In making the contractions, the subjects stood erect with upper arms held at an angle of approximately 90 .deg. to the forearm. The interval between the successive contractions was kept constant at 3, 7, 20, or 40 minutes. Regardless of the contraction methods, the recovery rate was least at the shortest interval and was highest at the longest interval. However, a statistical analysis showed that the recovery rates for the rhythmic contractions were significantly lower than those for the sustained contractions throughout 4 different intervals. Furthermore, as the frequency of the rhythmic contractions per min, increased 4 to 6 times, the recovery rate of isometric endurance capacity decreased. From an EMG anglysis, recruitment pattern of the muscules of both arms was found to be common between two different contraction methods. The biceps muxcles of the upper arms played a major role in exerting 50% MVC, while the brachioradialis muscles of the forearms acted as synergists. As the contraction proceeded, the role of the biceps muscles as a prime mover lessened due to the fatigue. Then, the brachioradialis muscles exerted more strength to sustain 50% MVC. The implications of these finding were discussed.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.29-33
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• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate the recruitment pattern of sessile organisms on the artificial substrates of PVC in Jangmok Bay, Geoje Island, southern coast of Korea. Five PVC plates were submerged from March to October, 2007 at one month interval, and two plates were retrieved after one month. The dominant recruiters were a green algae, Entermorpha prolifera in March, Mytilus galloprovincialis in April, M. galloprovincialis and Styela plicata in May, S. plicata and Bugula sp. in June. During August, Balanus amphtrite and anthozoans were dominant recruiters, and a serpulid worm, Hydroides ezoensis in October. There was a clear specific recruiting period of sessile faunas depending on their reproduction cycles in a sheltered embayment like Jangmok Bay.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5829-5834
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• 2012

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Although different metabolic factors have been implicated in breast cancer development, the relationship between hypertension and breast cancer has not been elucidated. Aim: To evaluate hypertension as a risk factor for breast cancer in Chilean women of low and middle socio-economic status. Methods: We conducted an age-matched (1:1) case-control study in 3 hospitals in Santiago, Chile. Breast cancer cases (n=170) were histopathologically confirmed. Controls had been classified as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System I (negative) or II (benign findings) within 6 months of recruitment. Blood pressure was measured using a mercury sphygmomanometer and standardized procedures. We used 2 hypertension cut-off points: blood pressures of ${\geq}140/90$ mmHg and ${\geq}130/85$ mmHg. Fasting insulin and glucose levels were assessed, and anthropometric, sociodemographic, and behavioral information were collected. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated for the entire sample and restricted to postmenopausal women using multivariable conditional logistic regression models. Results: Hypertension (${\geq}140/90$ mmHg) was significantly higher in cases (37.1%) than controls (17.1%) for the entire sample and in postmenopausal pairs (44.0% compared to 23.8%). In crude and adjusted models, hypertensive women had a 4-fold increased risk of breast cancer (adjusted odds ratio: 4.2; 95% confidence interval: 1.8; 9.6) compared to non-hypertensive women in the entire sample. We found a similar association in the postmenopausal group (adjusted odds ratio: 2.8; 95% confidence interval: 1.1; 7.4). A significant effect was also observed when hypertension was defined as blood pressure of ${\geq}130/85$ mmHg. Conclusion: A significant association was found between hypertension and breast cancer over the entire sample and when restricted to postmenopausal women. Hypertension is highly prevalent in Latin America and may be a modifiable risk factor for breast cancer; therefore, a small association between hypertension and breast cancer may have broad implications.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.1035-1046
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• 2004

Purpose: This one group experimentation was designed to develop a program for relieving 'Hwa-Byung'(HB) symptoms and examine its effects on HB symptoms, pain threshold emotions like anger, anxiety and depression. Method: The program consisted of three components the change of the cognitive thoughts, the formation of a supportive network, and induction of mind-body relaxation. Sixteen middle-aged women with HB were divided into three groups for group dynamics according to the time of the recruitment. Data was collected for nine months at three time points, before, immediately after, and one month later of its application. Result: There were statistically significant differences in the severity level of state anger, state anxiety, depression, and HB symptoms according to the time interval. The means of state anger and state anxiety were reduced after the intervention, but it was slightly increased one month later. The means of depression and HB symptoms were continuously reduced after the intervention and one month later. Conclusion: This was the first management program for HB women in Korea. A future study must be done with the research design formethodological strength revision of the program.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6391-6395
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• 2012

Background: Ovarian cancer is ranked as the fifth most common cause of cancer death in women. In Malaysia, it is the fourth most common cancer in females. CA125 has been the tumor marker of choice in ovarian cancer but its diagnostic specificity in early stages is only 50%. Hence, there is a critical need to identify an alternative tumor marker that is capable of detecting detect ovarian cancer at an early stage. HE4 is a new tumor marker proposed for the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer and disease recurrence. Currently, none of the normal ranges of HE4 quoted in the literature are based on data for a multiethnic Asian population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine reference intervals for HE4 in an Asian population presenting in University Malaya Medical Centre, a tertiary reference hospital. Materials and Methods: 300 healthy women were recruited comprising 150 premenopausal and 150 postmenopausal women, aged from 20-76 years. All women were subjected to a pelvic ultrasonograph and were confirmed to be free from ovarian pathology on recruitment. Serum HE4 levels were determined by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA, Abbott Architect). The reference intervals were determined following CLSI guidelines (C28-A2) using a non-parametric method. Results: The upper limits of the $95^{th}$ percentile reference interval (90%CI) for all the women collectively were 64.6 pmol/L, and 58.4 pmol/L for premenopausal) and 69.0 pmol/L for postmenopausal. The concentration of HE4 was noted to increase with age especially in women who were more than 50 years old. We also noted that our proposed reference limit was lower compared to the level given by manufacturer Abbott Architect HE4 kit insert (58.4 vs 70 pmol/L for premenopausal group and 69.0 vs 140 pmol/L in the postmenopausal group). The study also showed a significant difference in HE4 concentrations between ethnic groups (Malays and Indians). The levels of HE4 in Indians appeared higher than in Malays (p<0.05), while no significant differences were noted between the Malays and Chinese ethnic groups. Conclusions: More data are needed to establish a reference interval that will better represent the multiethnic Malaysian population. Probably a larger sampling size of equal representation of the Malay, Chinese, Indians as well as the other native ethnic communities will give us a greater confidence on whether genetics plays a role in reference interval determination.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.253-259
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• 1981

A study was made to find out a new method of calculating the survival rate of a fish population from length composition and growth equation. 1. In the steady state of the fish population, let the total mortality rate be z, the age of complete recruitment a, the oldest age in the catch b and the average between the age of complete recruitment and the oldest age in the catch Ut, then we have $$U_{t}\;=\;\frac{a-b\;{e xp}\{-z(b-a)\}}{1-\;{e xp}\{-z(b-a)\}}+\frac{1}{z}{\cdots}{\cdots}{\cdots}{\cdots}{\cdots}$$(1) And let b be infinite, then we obtain $$Z=\frac{1}{U_t-a}{\cdots}{\cdots}{\cdots}{\cdots}{\cdots}{\cdots}$$ (2) 2. Calculating numerical value of $U_t$ from age composition table and growth equation, and substitute in (1) for it, we may obtain the value of z and $e^{-z}$. 3. This method is applied to a case of mackerel and horse mackerel in the coastal waters of Korea, with the following results : Total mortality rate-Mackerel : 0.87909, Horse mackerel : 2.22327, Survival rate-Mackerel : 0.41516, Horse Mackerel : 0.10825, 95 percent confidence Interval of survival rate-Mackerel : $0.35966{\sim}0.47264$, Horse mackerel : $0.06897{\sim}0.14974$

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.137-143
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• 1977

A study has been made to find out a new method of calculating the survival rate of a fish population from length composition and growth equation. 1. In the steady state of the fish population, let the total mortality rate be z, the age of complete recruitment $\alpha$, and the number of $\chi$ year class $N_\chi$. Then ire obtain $$N\chi=N\alpha\;\exp\;{-z(\chi-\alpha)}$$ Let the oldest age in the catch be h, the average age between the age of complete recruitment and the oldest age in the catch $U\chi$. Then we have $$U\chi=\frac{a-b\;\exp\;(-z(b-a))}{1-\exp\;(-z(b-a))}+\frac{1}{z}....(1)$$ and then let be infinite. Then we obtain $$Z=\frac{1}{U\chi-\alpha....(2)$$ 2. Calculating numerical value of $U\chi$ from age composition table and growth equation and substitute in (1) or (2) for it, we may obtain the value of s and $\varrho^{-z}$. 3. This method is applied t a case of yellow croaker in the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea. The results are as follows: Total mortality rate 0.82595 Survival rate 0.43782 95 percent confidence interval 0.43767-0.43797.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.697-703
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• 2020

Background: GS-3K8 and GINST, both of which are modified ginseng extracts, have never been examined in terms of their effectiveness for the prevention of acute respiratory illness (ARI) in humans. We conducted a pilot study to assess the feasibility of performing a large-scale, randomized, controlled trial. Methods: This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot study at a single center from October 2014 to March 2015. The 45 healthy applicants were randomly divided into the GS-3K8 (n = 15), GINST (n = 15), and placebo groups (n = 15). The study drug was administered as a capsule (500 mg/cap and 3000 mg/day). GS-3K8 contained 6.31 mg/g of Rg1, 15.05 mg/g of Re, 30.84 mg/g of Rb1, 15.02 mg/g of Rc, 12.44 mg/g of Rb2, 6.97 mg/g of Rd, 1.59 mg/g of Rg3, 3.25 mg/g of Rk1, and 4.84 mg/g of Rg5. GINST contained 7.54 mg/g of Rg1, 1.87 mg/g of Re, 5.42 mg/g of Rb1, 0.29 mg/g of Rc, 0.36 mg/g of Rb2, 0.70 mg/g of Rd, and 6.3 mg/g of compound K. The feasibility criteria were the rates of recruitment, drug compliance, and successful follow-up. The primary clinical outcome measure was the incidence of ARI. The secondary clinical outcome measures were the duration of symptoms. Results: The rate of recruitment was 11.3 participants per week. The overall rate of completed follow-up was 97.8%. The mean compliance rate was 91.64 ± 9.80%, 95.28 ± 5.75%, and 89.70 ± 8.99% in the GS-3K8, GINST, and placebo groups, respectively. The incidence of ARI was 64.3% (9/14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 31.4-91.1%), 26.7% (4/15; 95% CI, 4.3-49.0%), and 80.0% (12/15; 95% CI, 54.8-93.0%) in the GS-3K8, GINST, and placebo groups, respectively. The average days of symptoms were 3.89 ± 4.65, 9.25 ± 7.63, and 12.25 ± 12.69 in the GS-3K8, GINST, and placebo groups, respectively. Conclusion: The results support the feasibility of a full-scale trial. GS-3K8 and GINST appear to have a positive tendency toward preventing the development of ARI and reducing the symptom duration. A randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm these findings.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.251-258
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• 2020

Purpose: Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are frequently used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in children, but recent evidence suggests a potential association between PPI treatment and some types of infections. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) for the prevention of gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections in children with GERD treated with PPI (omeprazol). Methods: Children younger than 5 years with GERD were assigned by a computer-generated list to receive LGG (10⁹ colony-forming units) or placebo, twice daily, concomitantly with PPI treatment for 4-6 weeks; they were followed up for 12 weeks after therapy. The primary outcome measures were the percentage of children with a minimum of one episode of respiratory tract infection and the percentage of children with a minimum of one episode of gastrointestinal infection during the study. Results: Of 61 randomized children, 59 patients (LGG n=30; placebo n=29, mean age 11.3 months) were analyzed. There was no significant difference found between the LGG and placebo groups, either for the proportion of children with at least one respiratory tract infection (22/30 vs. 25/29, respectively; relative risk [RR] 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66-1.10) or for the proportion of children with at least one gastrointestinal infection (9/30 vs. 9/29, respectively; RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.45-2.09). Conclusion: LGG was not effective in the prevention of infectious complications in children with GERD receiving PPI. Caution is needed in interpreting these results, as the study was terminated early due to slow subject recruitment.