Purpose: This study examined the effects of curl-up using XCO® on trunk muscle activation in healthy adults. Methods: This study design was a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Twelve participants were enrolled in this study. The subjects were instructed to perform curl-up exercise in STCU (straight curl-up), LTCU (left twist curl-up), RTCU (right twist curl-up), TWCU (twist curl-up), and PPCU (power push curl-up). Electromyography was used to assess the percent maximal voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC) of the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and erector spinae (ES) muscles. The data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA with a repeated measure. The statistical significance level was set to α=0.05 Results: The IO showed significant differences in the main effect of the group and the interactions between the group and exercise (p<0.05). In particular, the IO represented the interactions between group and exercise in the RTCU and PPCU (p<0.05). The RA, EO, and ES did not show significant interactions between the group and exercise (p>0.05). The RA, IO, and EO showed significant differences in the main effect of the group (p<0.05). The EO showed a significant difference in the main effect of exercise (p<0.05). Conclusion These findings suggest that XCO® can be used to increase the muscle activation of the internal oblique, which is the lumbar stabilizing muscle, when XCO® is combined in the curl-up exercise with rotation. In the future, research on the intensity, frequency, and duration of XCO® exercise will be needed according to the individual characteristics and preferences.

Purpose: This study examined the effects of curl-up using XCO® on trunk muscle activation in healthy adults. Methods: This study design was a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Twelve participants were enrolled in this study. The subjects were instructed to perform curl-up exercise in STCU (straight curl-up), LTCU (left twist curl-up), RTCU (right twist curl-up), TWCU (twist curl-up), and PPCU (power push curl-up). Electromyography was used to assess the percent maximal voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC) of the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and erector spinae (ES) muscles. The data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA with a repeated measure. The statistical significance level was set to α=0.05 Results: The IO showed significant differences in the main effect of the group and the interactions between the group and exercise (p<0.05). In particular, the IO represented the interactions between group and exercise in the RTCU and PPCU (p<0.05). The RA, EO, and ES did not show significant interactions between the group and exercise (p>0.05). The RA, IO, and EO showed significant differences in the main effect of the group (p<0.05). The EO showed a significant difference in the main effect of exercise (p<0.05). Conclusion These findings suggest that XCO® can be used to increase the muscle activation of the internal oblique, which is the lumbar stabilizing muscle, when XCO® is combined in the curl-up exercise with rotation. In the future, research on the intensity, frequency, and duration of XCO® exercise will be needed according to the individual characteristics and preferences.

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of fast walking training on a treadmill on the spinal alignment and muscle thickness of normal adults. METHODS: A total of 36 college students in their twenties participated in the study for eight weeks, and they were divided into the normal walking, fast walking, and speed change groups. All the groups were measured in a pre-test before training. The subjects performed exercise three times per week for six weeks. A post-test was conducted six weeks after training began, and a follow-up test was done two weeks after the training ended.Trunk and pelvic tilts were measured in Formetric 4D for the spinal alignment of the subjects. The muscle thickness was examined in the trunk with an ultrasound test. Repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted to test the main effects and interactions among the measurement variables according to time and group. RESULTS: ignificant differences were observed in the pelvic tilt according to time. There were significant differences in the external oblique, internal oblique, transverse abdominal muscle according to time. The post-test results showed significant differences in the left external oblique, internal oblique muscles between before training, six weeks into training, and two weeks after the completion of training. There were significant interactions in the left oblique muscles according to the time and group. CONCLUSION: These findings have some value for patient rehabilitation and clinical applications and interventions through walking training.
Abdominal Muscles ; Adult ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Muscles* ; Rehabilitation ; Ultrasonography ; Walking

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Kinesio taping (KT) for balance and gait in patients with stroke through meta-analysis of studies conducted in Korea. Methods: RISS, Science on, and DBPia were the three databases used to collect articles on KT. Keywords such as “Stroke,” “Kinesio taping,” “Elasticity taping,” and “Taping” were used to search for published articles. We systematically searched from the inception of each database to November 2020. Interventions and comparisons were KT and without KT. Outcome measures were the timed up and go (TUG) and 10-meter walking tests (10MWT). Consequently, six studies were selected for the second screening using meta-analyses. Results: Based on the results of the meta-analysis, comparison between patients with and without KT showed that KT was effective for TUG (ES: 2.51, 95% CI: 2.12 to 2.90); however, it was not effective for 10MWT (ES: 0.79, 95% CI: -0.04 to 1.62). Conclusion The current evidence suggests that KT is more effective than without KT interventions for balance function in post-strokepatients. However, more well-conducted randomized controlled trials are required in the future.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify the effects of Pilates mat exercise may improve trunk muscle thickness and balance in healthy adults. METHODS: Eighteen healthy adults participated in this study. They were randomly assigned to one of two groups: Pilates mat exercise group (n=9) and the control group (n=9). Subjects in Pilates mat exercise group performed the exercises three days per week for 6 weeks, which consisted of warm up, main workout, and cool down. Trunk muscle thickness of the rectus abdominis (RA), internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), transverse abdominis (TrA), multifidus (MF), and erector spine (ES) were measured using an ultrasonography. Balance ability was evaluated using Romberg test and limits of stability (LOS). Measurements were performed before training, 3 weeks after training, and 6 weeks after training. RESULTS: There was a significant difference of RA, EO, IO, MF, and ES according to the main effect of time (p<0.05). There was a significant difference of EO, MF, ES, Romberg, and LOS according to interaction effect between the time and group (p<0.05). There was a significant difference only for LOS according to the main effect of the group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Pilates mat exercise did increase trunk muscle thickness and balance. However, the effect with respect to trunk thickness was limited. Pilates mat exercise appears to be more effective in improving muscles related to trunk extension and balance.
Adult ; Exercise ; Humans ; Jupiter ; Muscles ; Paraspinal Muscles ; Rectus Abdominis ; Spine ; Ultrasonography

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Kinesio taping (KT) for balance and gait in patients with stroke through meta-analysis of studies conducted in Korea. Methods: RISS, Science on, and DBPia were the three databases used to collect articles on KT. Keywords such as “Stroke,” “Kinesio taping,” “Elasticity taping,” and “Taping” were used to search for published articles. We systematically searched from the inception of each database to November 2020. Interventions and comparisons were KT and without KT. Outcome measures were the timed up and go (TUG) and 10-meter walking tests (10MWT). Consequently, six studies were selected for the second screening using meta-analyses. Results: Based on the results of the meta-analysis, comparison between patients with and without KT showed that KT was effective for TUG (ES: 2.51, 95% CI: 2.12 to 2.90); however, it was not effective for 10MWT (ES: 0.79, 95% CI: -0.04 to 1.62). Conclusion The current evidence suggests that KT is more effective than without KT interventions for balance function in post-strokepatients. However, more well-conducted randomized controlled trials are required in the future.

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study is to identify the problems and stability of a study to investigate “Effects of Squat Exercise according to Weight Support on Balance and Gait in Patients after Total Hip Replacement.” before proceeding with the study. Methods: Twenty-two rehabilitation patients after THR surgery who met the selection criteria participated. The study subjects were randomly assigned to a squat group using a slider or a squat group using a reformer. The interventions were applied for two weeks. The patients were assessed using Berg balance scale (BBS), Timed up and go test (TUG), and 10-meter walking test (10MW). Results: Although twenty-two study subjects participated in this study, eight study subjects participated dropouts occurred during the study period. There was a significant difference within the group in BBS and TUG in two groups (p < 0.05). The difference between the two groups was not significant in all outcome measures (p > 0.05). The largest effect size was 1.21 and the smallest effect size was 0.39, all from the BBS. Conclusion This pilot study suggest that it is feasible with minor adjustment to conduct a larger scale, powered RCT to examine the efficacy of squat exercise according to weight support with patients after THR.

A 66-year-old male was admitted for increasing azotemia. He was diagnosed with chronic antibody- mediated rejection and had received a livingdonor renal transplant from his 32-year-old son prior to his admission. The peritubular capillaries of his kidney were diffusely positive on C4d immunostaining. It is known that there is an agreement between C4d staining and serological and histopathological data during rejection that is thought to have a humoral component. The role of alloantibodies in chronic renal allograft deterioration and the corresponding morphologic changes have been increasingly recognized during the recent years. However the treatment guidelines for chronic antibody-mediated rejection have not yet been established. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been shown to decrease the titers of anti-HLA antibodies in highly sensitized patients awaiting transplant. There are also numerous proposed mechanisms regarding how IVIG exerts its immunomodulatory action. As we have experienced chronic antibody-mediated rejection and how IVIG treatment improves renal function, we recognize that IVIG has the potential to be used for treating certain subgroups of chronic allograft nephropathy patients with positive C4d staining and anti-HLA antibodies.
Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies ; Azotemia ; Capillaries ; Complement C4b ; HLA Antigens ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; Isoantibodies ; Kidney ; Male ; Peptide Fragments ; Rejection (Psychology) ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Transplants

BACKGROUND: Markedly reduced urine have been commonly observed during mastoidectomy under general anesthesia. The aim of study was to evaluate the surgery-related mechanism of reduced urine during mastoidectomy. METHODS: 11 patients undergoing mastoidectomy were studied. Blood samples were drawn from CVP line inserted through right internal jugular vein just before drilling (Pre-D); at 15 min after drilling (D-15); at the time closest to the inner ear (CHP-1); at 15 min (CHP-2) and 30 min (CHP-3) after CHP-1 and just before emergence (End). MAP, HR, temperature, CVP, and urine output (UO) were recorded at each period. 0.9% normal saline with room temperature was used to irrigate surgical field. Serum ADH, and the osmolalities (serum and urine) were measured. In 6 patients, serum TSH and FSH were measured, simultaneously. RESULTS: There were no significant hemodynamic changes during procedure. UO was decreased in 50% during and after the drilling. No differences showed in UO between before and after the drilling of CHP. Plasma ADH level after the CHP was increased 2-3 fold than before. Serum osmolality was unchanged throughout the periods, while the urine osmolality was significantly increased after the period of CHP. FSH was not changed during the periods and TSH was decreased slightly than in Pre-D. CONCLUSIONS: The reduced urine output during mastoidectomy may be influenced by the drilling-related vibration, which may affect the supraoptico-hypophyseal tract, resulting in ADH release. The irrigated isotonic saline with higher osmolality (308 mOsm/kgH2O) than plasma osmolality may partly contributed to the increased ADH.
Anesthesia, General* ; Ear, Inner ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Jugular Veins ; Osmolar Concentration ; Plasma ; Vibration

Polymethylmethacrylate(PMMA) is currently commonly used material for the reconstruction of bone defects and fixation of joint prosthetics following congenital and acquired causes. Although PMMA has widespread use, it does not possess the ideal mechanical characteristics with osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity required. In order to overcome these problem, addition of bovine bone drived defatting demineralized bone (BDB) powders to a PMMA bone cement was done for improvement of physical property and bone forming characteristics of composite. In order to investigate the influence of BDB reinforcement on the PMMA, we measured physical property of compressive, tensile, flexural strength, and scanning electron microscopic examinations. The results were obtained as follows : 1. The PMMA forms a solid cellular matrix with open cells about above 100micrometer in variable size and incorporating BDB. BDB aggregates inside the cells form a porous network that is accessible from the outer surface. 2. The physical properties were compressive strength of mean 22.74+/-1.69MPa, tensile strength of mean 22.74+/-1.69MPa, flexural strength of mean 77.53+/-6.93MPa. Scanning electron microscopic examinations were revealed that there was DBD particles form a highly porous agglomerates. BDB can be added PMMA in the form of dried powders, the composites are applicable as bone substitutes. BDB and PMMA mixture is shown to produce a class of composites that due to their microstructure and improved mechanical properties may be suitable for application as bone substitutes. The mechanical and material properties of the BDB-PMMA bone substitute composites are competitive with those properties of a porous ceramic matrix of other hydroxyapatite and with those of natural bones.
Bone Substitutes ; Ceramics ; Compressive Strength ; Durapatite ; Joints ; Polymethyl Methacrylate* ; Powders ; Tensile Strength