PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of stretching and strengthening exercises on the pain, pelvic tilt (PT), functional disability, and balance of patients with chronic lower back pain (CLBP). METHODS: A total of 42 patients with CLBP were randomly divided randomly into either experimental group I (EG I, n=21), who received stretching exercise, or experimental group II (EG II, n=21), who received strengthening exercise. Both interventions were applied three times a week for eight weeks. Assessments were made with a visual analogue scale (VAS), PT, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Berg's balance scale (BBS) before and after the eight weeks intervention period. A paired t-test was conducted to compare the within-group changes before and after the intervention. An independent t-test was used compare the between-group difference. The statistical significance level was set to α=0.05 for all variables. RESULTS: The EG I and II showed significant within-group changes in the VAS, PT, ODI, and BBS (p<0.05). The changes in VAS, PT, ODI, and BBS were similar regardless of the exercise form. CONCLUSION: In this study, the application of stretching and strengthening exercise for subjects who complain of CLBP was effective in changing the level of pain, PT, functional disability, and balance.
Exercise ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; Pelvic Pain

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effects of respiratory muscle training on respiratory function, balance, and activities of daily living (ADL) in patients with stroke. METHODS: The study included 21 patients with stroke, divided into the experimental group and control group. Both groups underwent traditional physical therapy once a day for 30 minutes, five times weekly for 6 weeks. The experimental group underwent additional respiratory muscle training once a day, five times a week during the study period. Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), Berg balance scale (BBS), and Korean-modified Barthel index (K-MBI) were measured before and after the study period. For statistical analysis, paired t-test was used to compare the difference between the pre and post values. Independent t-test was used compare the differences between groups. RESULTS: Both groups had significantly improved MIP, MEP, BBS, and K-MBI scores after the study period. The experimental group had significantly improved MIP, MEP, BBS, and K-MBI scores. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that respiratory muscle training improves respiratory function, balance, and ADL in patients with stroke.
Activities of Daily Living* ; Breathing Exercises* ; Humans ; Respiratory Muscles* ; Stroke*

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the effects of a task-oriented exercise program on balance in patients with acute stroke. METHODS: Twenty participants with hemiparesis resulting from acute stroke volunteered to participate in this study. They were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group, with 10 patients per group. Both groups underwent a task-oriented exercise program averaging 30 minutes daily for 4 weeks. Balance was assessed before and after the 4-week training period. Before and after the intervention, we conducted a paired t-test to compare the within-group changes and an independent t-test to compare the betweengroup differences. The statistical significance level was set at p=0.05 for all the variables. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant within-group and between-group changes in balance (p < 0.05) after the intervention. CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable information for future studies in this field. Further research using a larger sample and longer experiment spans can corroborate the results of our study.
Humans ; Paresis ; Stroke*

This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of taping intervention in patients with stroke through a review analysis of taping interventions used to enhance physical function and activity in patients with stroke. We searched randomized controlled trials using electronic databases. We also manually reviewed sources to identify additional relevant studies. Taping intervention is an approach to treat individuals with impaired physical function and activity. Taping interventions affect body functions by providing increased muscle strength, proprioceptive sensation, and range of motion, as well as decreased rigidity and pain. Taping interventions also improve walking, balance and arm functions, such as physical activity. Taping intervention for patients with stroke has been shown to be highly effective and is therefore strongly recommended; however, it is suggested that it be further developed to improve its efficacy as an intervention method and to create additional taping methods.
Arm ; Humans ; Methods ; Motor Activity ; Muscle Strength ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Sensation ; Stroke* ; Walking

OBJECTIVES: Several studies have found a significant association between the presence of earlobe crease (ELC) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Brachial-ankle Pulse Wave Velocity (baPWV) is a non-invasive and useful measure of arterial stiffness predicting cardiovascular events and mortality. However, few studies have reported the relationship between ELC and baPWV as a new measure of arterial stiffness. The purpose of this study was to determine whether ELC is related to baPWV in non-diabetic, non-hypertensive, and apparently healthy Korean adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 573 non-hypertensive, non-diabetic Korean adults aged 20-80 yr. Subjects were stratified into three groups according to gender and menopausal status. baPWV was measured by an automatic waveform analyser. The association between ELC and baPWV was assessed by multiple linear regression analysis after adjusting for conventional cardiovascular disease risk factors including age, gender, blood pressure, lipid profile, and smoking status etc. RESULTS: The overall frequency of ELC was 19.02% and the subjects with ELC showed significantly higher mean baPWV (p<0.0001). Multiple linear regression of subjects revealed that the presence of ELC was independently associated with baPWV (male, p<0.0001; premenopausal female p=0.0162; postmenopausal female p=0.0208). CONCLUSION: ELC had a significant correlation with baPWV, independently controlling for other classical cardiovascular risk factors in adults aged 20 yr or older. ELC is an important surrogate marker of increased arterial stiffness as measured by baPWV in Korean adults.
Adult ; Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Linear Models ; Pulse Wave Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Vascular Stiffness ; Biomarkers

PURPOSE: This study aimed to demonstrate reduction in stroke symptoms by analyzing the changes in respiratory function and activities of daily living (ADL) after respiratory muscle strengthening exercise in patients who had a stroke and thereby, propose an efficient exercise method. METHODS: Twenty patients with hemiplegic stroke were divided into two groups, with 10 patients in each. The control group (CG) received the traditional exercise therapy, and the experimental group (EG) received the traditional exercise therapy combined with expiratory muscle strengthening training. The training continued for 6 weeks, 5 days a week. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1) were measured with a spirometer, SpO₂ was measured with a pulse oximeter, and ADL were assessed by using the modified Barthel index (MBI). A paired t test was applied to compare the differences before and after the intervention, and an independent t test was used to compare the differences between the groups. The level of statistical significance was set as α=0.05. RESULTS: The changes in the FVC and FEV1 values within the group showed significant differences only in the EG (p<0.01). The between-group difference was statistically significant only for FVC and FEV1 in the EG (p<0.01). The changes in SpO₂ and MBI within the group showed significant differences only in the EG and CG (p<0.01). Between-group differences were statistically significant only for SpO₂ and MBI in the EG (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The interventions with active patient involvement and combined breathing exercises had a positive impact on all the functions investigated in this study.
Activities of Daily Living* ; Breathing Exercises ; Exercise Therapy ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Methods ; Patient Participation ; Respiratory Muscles* ; Stroke* ; Vital Capacity

Dual biocontrol of both insects and plant pathogens has been reported for certain fungal entomopathogens, including Beauveria bassiana and Lecanicillum spp. In this study, we demonstrate, for the first time, the dual biocontrol potential of two fungal isolates identified by morphological and phylogenetic analyses as Isaria javanica. Both these isolates caused mortality in the greater wax moth, and hence can be considered entomopathogens. Spores of the isolates were also pathogenic to nymphs of the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae), with an LC₅₀ value of 10⁷ spores/mL 4 days after inoculation and an LT₅₀ of 4.2 days with a dose of 10⁸ spores/mL. In vitro antifungal assays also demonstrated a strong inhibitory effect on the growth of two fungi that are pathogenic to peppers, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Phytophthora capsici. These results indicate that I. javanica isolates could be used as novel biocontrol agents for the simultaneous control of aphids and fungal diseases, such as anthracnose and Phytophthora blight, in an integrated pest management framework for red pepper.
Aphids* ; Beauveria ; Capsicum ; Colletotrichum ; Fungi* ; Hemiptera ; In Vitro Techniques ; Insects ; Mortality ; Moths ; Nymph ; Pest Control ; Phytophthora ; Plants* ; Prunus persica ; Spores

A 78-yr-old woman presented with gross hematuria for 2 weeks. On cystoscopy, a frond-like mass was observed at the bladder trigone. Transurethral resection of bladder tumor was performed for the mass. Histopathological findings showed that 90% of lesions were lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELCA) and a few lesions were non-invasive transitional cell carcinoma. On microscopy, syncytial growth pattern and indistinct cytoplasmic borders were observed with the severe infiltration of lymphoid cells. The case was followed-up for 8 months without recurrence. This is the first report of a LELCA case in Korea.
Aged ; Antigens, CD20/metabolism ; Antigens, CD3/metabolism ; B-Lymphocytes/immunology/metabolism ; Carcinoma/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery ; Female ; Hematuria/etiology ; Humans ; Keratin-20/metabolism ; Keratin-7/metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes/immunology/metabolism ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery

We demonstrated previously that Coptidis rhizoma extract (CRE) prevented S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine-induced apoptotic cell death via the inhibition of mitochondrial membrane potential disruption and cytochrome c release in RINm5F (RIN) rat insulinoma cells. In this study, the preventive effects of CRE against cytokine-induced beta-cell death was assessed. Cytokines generated by immune cells infiltrating pancreatic islets are crucial mediators of beta-cell destruction in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The treatment of RIN cells with IL-1beta and IFN-gamma resulted in a reduction of cell viability. CRE completely protected IL-1beta and IFN-gamma-mediated cell death in a concentration-dependent manner. Incubation with CRE induced a significant suppression of IL-1beta and IFN-gamma-induced nitric oxide (NO) production, a finding which correlated well with reduced levels of the iNOS mRNA and protein. The molecular mechanism by which CRE inhibited iNOS gene expression appeared to involve the inhibition of NF-kappa B activation. The IL-1beta and IFN-gamma-stimulated RIN cells showed increases in NF-kappa B binding activity and p65 subunit levels in nucleus, and IkappaBalpha degradation in cytosol compared to unstimulated cells. Furthermore, the protective effects of CRE were verified via the observation of reduced NO generation and iNOS expression, and normal insulin-secretion responses to glucose in IL-1beta and IFN-gamma-treated islets.
Animals ; Cell Death/drug effects ; Cell Line ; Cell Nucleus/metabolism ; Cell Survival/drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/*pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic/drug effects ; Glucose/pharmacology ; I-kappa B Proteins/metabolism ; Insulin/secretion ; Insulin-Secreting Cells/*cytology/*drug effects/enzymology ; Interferon-gamma/*pharmacology ; Interleukin-1beta/*pharmacology ; Male ; NF-kappa B/*metabolism ; Nitric Oxide/biosynthesis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/genetics/metabolism ; Protein Transport/drug effects ; RNA, Messenger/genetics/metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Thyroid dysfunction is one of the more prevalent clinical situations encountered by primary care physicians. Thyroid storm is defined as a life-threatening exacerbation of the hyperthyroid state in which there is evidence of decompensation of one or more organ systems. Common precipitants include infection, surgery, diabetic ketoacidosis, vascular accidents, non-compliance with antithyroid medication, and emotional stress, but rarely develop in invasive molar pregnancy. An 18-year-old woman presented to the emergency department complaining of lower abdominal pain and vaginal spotting. She had no previous history of hyperthyroidism. Under the diagnosis of invasive molar pregnancy, dilatation and curettage was performed. However, right after the procedure the patient developed a semi-coma metal status, high grade fever, and tachycardia. Prompt diagnosis of thyroid storm was made and treatment followed immediately. We present a case of thyroid storm and a review of thyroid storm precipitated by invasive molar pregnancy.
Abdominal Pain ; Adolescent ; Diabetic Ketoacidosis ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation and Curettage* ; Dilatation* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Hydatidiform Mole* ; Hyperthyroidism ; Metrorrhagia ; Molar* ; Physicians, Primary Care ; Pregnancy ; Stress, Psychological ; Tachycardia ; Thyroid Crisis* ; Thyroid Gland*