Hyeong-Dong Kim

Effects of ß-glucan fromAureobasidium pullulans on acute inflammation in mice

The effects of ß-glucan isolated fromAureobasidium pullulans were observed on acute xylene-induced inflammation, ß-glucan at a dose of 62.5, 125 or 250 mg/kg were administered once orally to xylene-treated mice (0.03 mL of xylene was applied on the anterior surface of the right ear to induce inflammation), and the body weight change, ear weight, histological profiles and histomorphometrical analyses of ear were conducted upon sacrifice. The xylene was topically applied 30min after dosing with ß-glucan. The results were compared to those of diclofenac, indomethacin and dexamethasone (15 mg/kg injected once intraperitoneally). All animals were sacrificed 2 h after xylene application. Xylene application resulted in marked increases in induced ear weights compared to that of intact control ear; hence, the differences between intact and induced ear were also significantly increased. The histological characteristics of acute inflammation, such as severe vasodilation, edematous changes of skin and infiltration of inflammatory cells, were detected in xylene-treated control ears with marked increase in the thickness of the ear tissues. However, these xylene-induced acute inflammatory changes were significantly and dose-dependently decreased by ß-glucan treatment. We conclude that ß-glu-can fromA. pullulans has a somewhat favorable effect in the reduction of the acute inflammatory responses induced by xylene application in mice.

Effects of Whole-Body Cryotherapy in the Management of Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder

OBJECTIVE To compare 2 different treatment approaches, physical therapy modalities, and joint mobilization versus whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) combined with physical therapy modalities and joint mobilization, for symptoms of adhesive capsulitis (AC) of the shoulder. DESIGN A randomized trial. SETTING Hospital. PARTICIPANTS Patients with AC of the shoulder (N=30). INTERVENTION Patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups. The WBC group received physical therapy modalities, passive joint mobilization of the shoulder, and WBC, whereas the non-WBC group received only physical therapy modalities and passive joint mobilization of the shoulder. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Visual analog scale (VAS), active range of motion (ROM) of flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation of the shoulder, and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form (ASES) were measured before and after the intervention. RESULTS A statistically significant difference between groups was found for the VAS, active ROM of flexion, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation, and the ASES with greater improvements in the WBC group (Ps<.01). Overall, both groups showed a significant improvement in all outcome measures and ROM measures from pre to post at a level of P<.01. CONCLUSIONS There is significant improvement with the addition of WBC to treatment interventions in this sample of patients.

Modulations of soleus H-reflex excitability during gait initiation: Central versus peripheral influences

Soleus and tibialis anterior electromyogram (EMG) and soleus H‐reflexes were recorded from the stance limb of an individual who suffered a traumatic peroneal nerve injury and of four nonimpaired individuals during gait initiation. The control subjects also initiated walking after swaying forward (sway‐gait initiation), which eliminated the initial tibialis anterior activation. During the initial period of gait initiation, H‐reflexes were depressed to 43% of standing values during normal‐gait initiation and 86% during sway‐gait initiation in the nonimpaired subjects. H‐reflexes of the nerve‐injured subject were depressed to 37%, even though no tibialis anterior EMG was observed. The findings support the view that reciprocal inhibition of the soleus during a task, which normally involves tibialis anterior activation, is due to a centrally mediated process.

Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields modulate nitric oxide signaling in rat brain.

Our previous study has shown that an extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) induces nitric oxide (NO) synthesis by Ca(2+) -dependent NO synthase (NOS) in rat brain. The present study was designed to confirm that ELF-MF affects neuronal NOS (nNOS) in several brain regions and to investigate the correlation between NO and nNOS activation. The exposure of rats to a 2 mT, 60 Hz ELF-MF for 5 days resulted in increases of NO levels in parallel with cGMP elevations in the cerebral cortex, striatum, and hippocampus. Cresyl violet staining and electron microscopic evaluation revealed that there were no significant differences in the morphology and number of neurons in the cerebral cortex, striatum, and hippocampus. Differently, the numbers of nNOS-immunoreactive (IR) neurons were significantly increased in those cerebral areas in ELF-MF-exposed rats. These data suggest that the increase in NO could be due to the increased expression and activation of nNOS in cells. Based on NO signaling in physiological and pathological states, ELF-MF created by electric power systems may induce various physiological changes in modern life.

The effect of progressive task-oriented training on a supplementary tilt table on lower extremity muscle strength and gait recovery in patients with hemiplegic stroke

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of progressive task-oriented training on a supplementary tilt table on the lower extremity (LE) muscle strength and spatiotemporal parameters of gait in subjects with hemiplegic stroke. Thirty subjects between three and nine months post stroke were included in this study. Thirty subjects were randomly allocated to a control group (CG, n1=10), experimental group I (EG1, n2=10), and experimental group II (EG2, n3=10). All of the subjects received routine therapy for half an hour, five times a week for three weeks and additionally received training on the following three different tilt table applications for 20min a day: (1) both knee belts of the tilt table were fastened (CG), (2) only the affected side knee belt of the tilt table was fastened and one-leg standing training was performed using the less-affected LE (EG1), and (3) only the affected side knee belt of the tilt table was fastened and progressive task-oriented training was performed using the less-affected LE (EG2). The effect of tilt table applications was assessed using a hand-held dynamometer for LE muscle strength and GAITRite for spatiotemporal gait data. Our results showed that there was a significantly greater increase in the strength of all LE muscle groups, gait velocity, cadence, and stride length, a decrease in the double limb support period, and an improvement in gait asymmetry in subjects who underwent progressive task-oriented training on a supplementary tilt table compared to those in the other groups. These findings suggest that progressive task-oriented training on a supplementary tilt table can improve the LE muscle strength and spatiotemporal parameters of gait at an early stage of rehabilitation of subjects with hemiplegic stroke.

Backward walking treadmill therapy can improve walking ability in children with spastic cerebral palsy: a pilot study.

Robot therapy has emerged in the last few decades as a tool to help patients with neurological injuries relearn motor tasks and improve their quality of life. The main goal of this study was to develop a simple model of the human arm for children affected with cerebral palsy (CP). The Simulink based model presented here shows a comparison for children with and without disabilities (ages 6-15) with normal and reduced range of motion in the upper limb. The model incorporates kinematic and dynamic considerations required for activities of daily living. The simulation was conducted using Matlab/Simulink and will eventually be integrated with a robotic counterpart to develop a physical robot that will provide assistance in activities of daily life (ADLs) to children with CP while also aiming to improve motor recovery.

No correlation between joint position sense and force sense for measuring ankle proprioception in subjects with healthy and functional ankle instability

BACKGROUND In general, ankle proprioception is most often evaluated by assessing joint position sense and force sense. However, in contrast to observational studies of joint position sense and force sense, no studies have examined the correlations between joint position sense and force sense. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the correlations between joint position sense and force sense in subjects with healthy and functional ankle instability. METHODS Of the sixty nine subjects enrolled in the cross-sectional laboratory study, 35 had functional ankle instability and 34 were healthy subjects. Angle reproduction and force matching methods were used to quantify joint position sense and force sense of the ankle proprioception. These methods were also measured by using a flexible twin axis electrogoniometer and linear force, respectively. Three trials were performed at each angle and force. And then, absolute errors were calculated. FINDINGS Significant differences between the functional ankle instability and healthy group were found for absolute errors of plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, and eversion (P<0.05). No significant correlations between the joint position sense and force sense were found in subjects with both healthy, except for absolute errors of the eversion (r=0.652, P<0.05, r(2)=0.425), and functional ankle instability group (P>0.05). INTERPRETATION These findings suggest that it could be explained for deficits of ankle proprioception when angle reproduction and force matching tests to quantify joint position sense and force sense were applied and presented at the same time, not individually.

Comparison of 2 different exercise approaches: tai chi versus Otago, in community-dwelling older women

Background and Purpose:Regular exercise can delay age-related risk factors and can maintain or improve physical health and activity in older adults leading to a decrease in fall risk. The purpose of this study was to compare 2 different interventions for fall prevention, tai chi (TC) and Otago, by examining lower extremity strength, balance, and spatiotemporal gait parameters in community-dwelling older women. Methods:We performed a randomized trial in which subjects were assigned to 1 of 2 groups: the TC group (n = 21; age, 72.8 ± 4.7 years, range: 65-83 years), which participated in a modified Sun-style TC exercise program; and the Otago group (n = 24; age, 71.5 ± 3.6 years, range: 65-79 years), which participated in the Otago exercise program. The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, functional reach (FR) test, one-leg standing (OLS) test, 5 times sit-to-stand test (5×STS), 30-second sit-to-stand (30s STS) test, and gait parameters (gait velocity, step length, step width, stride time, and cadence) were measured before and after the intervention. Results:Both groups showed statistically significant improvements in balance (TUG and OLS tests), lower extremity strength (5×STS and 30s STS tests), and spatiotemporal gait parameters, except for step width and step length (P < .05). The Otago group showed a significantly improved FR, whereas the TC group showed a significantly improved step length after the intervention (P < .05). Furthermore, the Otago group exhibited greater improvements in the TUG (P < .001), FR (P < .001), 5×CST (P < .01), and 30-second CST (P < .01) tests: a faster cadence (P < .001) and shorter stride time (P < .001) when compared with the TC group. The TC group showed greater improvements in the OLS test, step length, and step width (P < .01) and faster gait velocity (P < .05) than the Otago group. Discussion and Conclusions:The findings from this study support the efficacy of the TC and Otago exercise programs in improving mobility in this sample of subjects. Furthermore, the Otago group showed greater improvement in lower extremity strength, whereas the TC group showed greater improvement in balance (OLS test). Also, the TC group showed a greater improvement in gait velocity after TC training program compared with the Otago exercise program. However, this study does not elucidate which exercise program is a more effective intervention method with older women for fall prevention.

The effect of a sensory perturbation on step direction or length while crossing an obstacle from quiet stance

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a sensory perturbation on step length and direction while crossing an obstacle from quiet stance. METHODS Nine healthy adults were asked to step over an obstacle to land on a primary target (normal stepping condition). Following a light signal subjects had to respond as quickly as possible by stepping to secondary targets either forward or diagonal to the primary target. RESULTS Distinct changes in the slope of the anterior-posterior (Fx) and medial-lateral (Fy) ground reaction forces occurred 176 ms following the light signal. For diagonal stepping stance limb tibialis anterior (TA) and bilateral gluteus medius (GM) were responsible for directing the swing limb to the target. An increase in step length towards the long target was achieved primarily by activation of bilateral GM. CONCLUSIONS Both EMG and force plate changes suggest that diagonal stepping is a more complex and challenging task than long stepping.

Lower extremity muscle activation and function in progressive task-oriented training on the supplementary tilt table during stepping-like movements in patients with acute stroke hemiparesis

An effective and standardized method for applying a tilt table as a supplementary treatment in the early rehabilitation of stroke patients is still missing. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of progressive task-oriented training on the tilt table on the improvement in lower extremity (LE) muscle activation and clinical function in subjects with hemiplegia due to stroke. Thirty-nine subjects with acute stroke were randomly allocated to three groups; control group, tilt table group, and task-oriented training group on the tilt table, with 13 patients, respectively. All of the subjects received the routine therapy for half an hour, and subjects in the experimental groups additionally received training on two different tilt table applications for 20min a day, five times a week for three weeks. The effect of tilt table applications was assessed using the surface electromyography (EMG) analysis during stepping-like movements on the tilt table for LE muscle activation and clinical scores for function. Our results showed that there was a significantly greater increase in the EMG patterns of the extensors and flexors of the affected leg muscles during flexion and extension movements of both legs and clinical scores in patients undergoing the progressive task-oriented training on the tilt table compared to the other groups. These findings suggest that progressive task-oriented training on the tilt table can improve LE muscle activation and clinical scores of functional performance for early rehabilitation of subjects with acute stroke.