PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine if Pilates gymball exercise can change the electroencephalogram and cognitive function of mentally disabled people. METHODS: Twenty-one mentally disabled people were enrolled in this study. They were assigned randomly to one of two groups: Pilates gymball exercise group (PGEG, n=11), and control group (CG, n=10). The subjects in the PGEG group performed the exercises for 50 minutes a day, three days per week for 6 weeks. The PGEG program consisted of warm up (10 minutes), main workout (30 minutes), and cool down (10 minutes). The main workout consisted of 10 exercise programs. The electroencephalogram (EEG) of Fp1, Fp2, F3, F4, C3, C4, O1, and O2 were measured using an PolyG-I system. The cognitive function was evaluated using a mini-mental state examination (MMSE). The measurements were performed before exercise, and 6 weeks after exercise. Covariance analysis (ANCOVA) was performed to determine the difference between the two groups. RESULTS: A significant difference in Fp1, Fp2, and F3 on the relative alpha power was observed between the PGEG and CG groups (p < 0.05). A significant difference in Fp1 on the relative beta power was observed between the PGEG and CG groups (p < 0.05). No significant difference in the MMSE score was observed between the PGEG and CG groups. CONCLUSION: Pilates gymball exercise did positively change the EEG in the frontal lobe. On the other hand, the effect related to cognitive was limited. Pilates gymball exercise appears to be more effective in facilitating brain stimulation related to cognition.
Brain ; Cognition* ; Electroencephalography* ; Exercise* ; Frontal Lobe ; Hand ; Humans ; Mentally Disabled Persons*

PURPOSE: This study was to examine the effects of a footbath program on heart rate variability, blood pressure, body temperature and fatigue of stroke patients with stroke-induced hemiparesis. METHODS: A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were 40 stroke patients, twenty for the footbath program and twenty for the control group, who were hospitalized in a long-term rehabilitation hospital in G city of Korea, from February to April 2014. The twenty participants in the experimental group received the intervention of footbaths and an educational program focused on the prevention of stroke complications; Collected data were analyzed by the IBM SPSS WIN 20.0 program using a t-test, chi2 test, Mann-Whitney U test and repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in heart rate variability, systolic blood pressure, hand and foot temperatures and fatigue between the two groups. But no significant differences were found in diastolic blood pressure, core temperatures, forehead temperatures, and hand temperatures between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The footbath program was an effective intervention for skin temperature change and fatigue reduction for stroke patients. Therefore, it is recommended that the footbath program can be utilized as an effective nursing intervention for stroke patients in long-term rehabilitation care hospitals.
Blood Pressure* ; Body Temperature* ; Fatigue* ; Foot ; Forehead ; Hand ; Heart Rate* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Korea ; Nursing ; Paresis ; Rehabilitation ; Skin Temperature ; Stroke*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare the antibacterial activity of currently purchasable denture cleansers against Candida albicans. Materials and methods: This study used tablet-type denture cleansers, PolidentⓇ , CoolingdentⓇ and FittydentⓇ , along with liquid denture cleansers, HexamedineⓇ , ListerineⓇ and Apple vinegarⓇ . The antibacterial activities of denture cleansers were evaluated based on the number of C. albicans and concentrations of the denture cleansers. Results: In the 0.5 × 106 cfu/㎖ culture medium, the C. albicans’ death rate of PolidentⓇ was significantly lower than those of FittydentⓇ , HexamedineⓇ , ListerineⓇ , and Apple vinegarⓇ (P <.05). In the 0.5 × 107 cfu/, the C. albicans’ death rates of PolidentⓇ and CoolingdentⓇ were significantly lower than those of FittydentⓇ , HexamedineⓇ , ListerineⓇ and Apple vinegarⓇ (P <.05). The C. albicans’ death rates of PolidentⓇ and CoolingdentⓇ were significantly decreased at 0.02 g and 0.01 g. The C. albicans’ death rate of FittydentⓇ was significantly decreased at 0.005 g (P <.05). The C. albicans’ death rate of HexamedineⓇ was significantly decreased at 1/16 dilution. The C. albicans’ death rate of ListerineⓇ was decreased at 1/8 dilution, and the antibacterial activity of Apple vinegarⓇ was decreased at 1/4 dilution (P<.05). Conclusion As the number of C. albicans increased, the antibacterial activities of the denture cleansers decrease. In the tablet-type denture cleanser, all denture cleansers showed 100% C. albicans’ death rate when used at a dose of 1 tablet. One denture cleanser showed the same antibacterial effect with only 1/3 of a tablet. In the liquid type denture cleanser, the level of dilution required was different for each denture cleanser.

The cDNA of endo-1,4-beta-xylanaseA, isolated from Phaenerocheate chrysosporium was expressed in Pichia pastoris. Using either the intrinsic leader peptide of XynA or the alpha-factor signal peptide of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, xylanaseA is efficiently secreted into the medium at maximum concentrations of 1,946 U/L and 2,496 U/L, respectively.
Chrysosporium ; DNA, Complementary ; Phanerochaete ; Pichia ; Polysaccharides ; Protein Sorting Signals ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare the antibacterial activity of currently purchasable denture cleansers against Candida albicans. Materials and methods: This study used tablet-type denture cleansers, PolidentⓇ , CoolingdentⓇ and FittydentⓇ , along with liquid denture cleansers, HexamedineⓇ , ListerineⓇ and Apple vinegarⓇ . The antibacterial activities of denture cleansers were evaluated based on the number of C. albicans and concentrations of the denture cleansers. Results: In the 0.5 × 106 cfu/㎖ culture medium, the C. albicans’ death rate of PolidentⓇ was significantly lower than those of FittydentⓇ , HexamedineⓇ , ListerineⓇ , and Apple vinegarⓇ (P <.05). In the 0.5 × 107 cfu/, the C. albicans’ death rates of PolidentⓇ and CoolingdentⓇ were significantly lower than those of FittydentⓇ , HexamedineⓇ , ListerineⓇ and Apple vinegarⓇ (P <.05). The C. albicans’ death rates of PolidentⓇ and CoolingdentⓇ were significantly decreased at 0.02 g and 0.01 g. The C. albicans’ death rate of FittydentⓇ was significantly decreased at 0.005 g (P <.05). The C. albicans’ death rate of HexamedineⓇ was significantly decreased at 1/16 dilution. The C. albicans’ death rate of ListerineⓇ was decreased at 1/8 dilution, and the antibacterial activity of Apple vinegarⓇ was decreased at 1/4 dilution (P<.05). Conclusion As the number of C. albicans increased, the antibacterial activities of the denture cleansers decrease. In the tablet-type denture cleanser, all denture cleansers showed 100% C. albicans’ death rate when used at a dose of 1 tablet. One denture cleanser showed the same antibacterial effect with only 1/3 of a tablet. In the liquid type denture cleanser, the level of dilution required was different for each denture cleanser.

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of falls, mental health issues, and health behaviors among older adults, as well as to analyze the association between multiple falls and mental health status in this population. Methods: We utilized data from the 2017, 2019, and 2021 Korean Community Health Survey, a nationwide survey organized by region and conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Participants were categorized into no-fall, single-fall, and multiple fall groups based on responses to an index question regarding fall experiences and the number of such incidents reported in the survey. The chi-square test was applied to understand the characteristics of the elderly population in the community. Subsequently, multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to clarify the association between falls and mental health. Results: Integrated data analysis revealed that 11.3% of participants experienced a single fall, while 5.7% reported multiple falls. Participants from low-education and low-income backgrounds exhibited relatively high rates of falls. Additionally, non-drinkers and non-smokers reported falls more frequently than their counterparts who consumed alcohol and smoked. Multinomial logistic regression revealed significant associations between multiple falls and mental health factors. In particular, the severity of depression was directly proportional to the likelihood of experiencing multiple falls, with an odds ratio of 2.95 (95% confidence interval, 2.49 to 3.50). Conclusions We identified associations between various mental health-related factors—including sleep duration, subjective stress, the presence of depression, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score—and the occurrence of multiple falls.

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of falls, mental health issues, and health behaviors among older adults, as well as to analyze the association between multiple falls and mental health status in this population. Methods: We utilized data from the 2017, 2019, and 2021 Korean Community Health Survey, a nationwide survey organized by region and conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Participants were categorized into no-fall, single-fall, and multiple fall groups based on responses to an index question regarding fall experiences and the number of such incidents reported in the survey. The chi-square test was applied to understand the characteristics of the elderly population in the community. Subsequently, multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to clarify the association between falls and mental health. Results: Integrated data analysis revealed that 11.3% of participants experienced a single fall, while 5.7% reported multiple falls. Participants from low-education and low-income backgrounds exhibited relatively high rates of falls. Additionally, non-drinkers and non-smokers reported falls more frequently than their counterparts who consumed alcohol and smoked. Multinomial logistic regression revealed significant associations between multiple falls and mental health factors. In particular, the severity of depression was directly proportional to the likelihood of experiencing multiple falls, with an odds ratio of 2.95 (95% confidence interval, 2.49 to 3.50). Conclusions We identified associations between various mental health-related factors—including sleep duration, subjective stress, the presence of depression, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score—and the occurrence of multiple falls.

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of falls, mental health issues, and health behaviors among older adults, as well as to analyze the association between multiple falls and mental health status in this population. Methods: We utilized data from the 2017, 2019, and 2021 Korean Community Health Survey, a nationwide survey organized by region and conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Participants were categorized into no-fall, single-fall, and multiple fall groups based on responses to an index question regarding fall experiences and the number of such incidents reported in the survey. The chi-square test was applied to understand the characteristics of the elderly population in the community. Subsequently, multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to clarify the association between falls and mental health. Results: Integrated data analysis revealed that 11.3% of participants experienced a single fall, while 5.7% reported multiple falls. Participants from low-education and low-income backgrounds exhibited relatively high rates of falls. Additionally, non-drinkers and non-smokers reported falls more frequently than their counterparts who consumed alcohol and smoked. Multinomial logistic regression revealed significant associations between multiple falls and mental health factors. In particular, the severity of depression was directly proportional to the likelihood of experiencing multiple falls, with an odds ratio of 2.95 (95% confidence interval, 2.49 to 3.50). Conclusions We identified associations between various mental health-related factors—including sleep duration, subjective stress, the presence of depression, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score—and the occurrence of multiple falls.

Pheochromocytoma is derived from the chromaffin tissue. The typical finding of pheochromocytoma is paroxysmal hypertension accompanied with various signs and symptoms that are due to the excess of catecholamines or other bioactive substances. Yet the diagnosis is sometimes difficult to make because its clinical presentation is quite variable. Especially, hemoptysis is a very rare symptom, so the diagnosis is often missed or delayed. Without making the correct diagnosis and then subsequently administering treatment, the condition may be fatal. We herein report on a 68 year-old woman who was admitted because of abdominal pain and hemoptysis. The initial radiologic findings suggested pulmonary edema with alveolar hemorrhage. The urine catecholamine levels were elevated and she developed catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy. We performed bronchial arterial embolization and we administered alpha blocker medication for controlling the hemoptysis and hypertension. After the temporary symptomatic improvement, her clinical course was aggravated by pneumonia and pulmonary edema. In spite of performing definitive surgery for pheochromocytoma, she died of postoperative hemodynamic instability.
Abdominal Pain ; Cardiomyopathies ; Catecholamines ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Hemoptysis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Pheochromocytoma ; Pneumonia ; Pulmonary Edema

OBJECTIVES: Diffuse tensor imaging (DTI) was applied to explore the difference in regional distribution and extent of white matter (WM) abnormalities in boys with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) versus boys with comorbid ADHD and tic disorders. METHODS: Fifteen boys with ADHD (mean age 9.3+/-1.8), 24 ADHD boys with chronic tic disorder or Tourette's disorder (9.9+/-1.2) and 9 age-, gender-matched controls (9.2+/-1.8) received DTI assessments. Fractional Anisotropy (FA) maps of WM were compared between groups with a voxel-wise analysis after intersubject registration to MNI space. RESULTS: Both groups, ADHD group and ADHD with tic disorder group, commonly showed decreased FA than healthy control group in left cerebellar middle peduncle and right frontal lobe, increased FA in right middle occipital WM. In the common areas of left cerebellar middle peduncle and right middle occipital WM, comorbid group showed broader areas of significant FA. The comorbid group also showed increased FA in right cerebellar peduncle, additionally. CONCLUSION: The findings in ADHD group support previous ADHD hypothesis of the functional abnormalities in corticocerebellar circuit, and suggest that ADHD might have more complicated pathology of neuronal circuit including occipital visual system. The comorbid group showed common areas of overlapping but more extensive abnormalities and also had additional WM abnormalities. ADHD with chronic tic disorders may represent a severe form of ADHD with additional regions of abnormal connectivity.
Anisotropy ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity ; Diffusion ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging ; Frontal Lobe ; Humans ; Neurons ; Tic Disorders ; Tics ; Tourette Syndrome