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[Purpose] We evaluated the effects of functional electrical stimulation (FES) and an ankle/foot orthosis (AFO) in hemiplegic patients exhibiting excessive plantar flexion during the stance phase, associated with genu recurvatum. [Participants and Methods] In total, 12 stroke patients were recruited. We measured changes in knee and ankle joint angles, gait speed, and step and stride length during the gait cycle during barefoot walking, walking while wearing an AFO, and walking after FES application; we used a three dimensional gait analysis system. [Results] In terms of kinematic variables, FES walking was associated with significant increases in peak ankle dorsiflexion during swing, dorsiflexion angle at initial contact, peak ankle dorsiflexion during stance, knee angle at initial contact, and peak knee flexion in the loading response compared to AFO and barefoot walking. AFO walking was associated with a significant difference in peak ankle dorsiflexion during swing compared to barefoot walking. [Conclusion] FES afforded kinematic advantages to the ankle and knee joints compared to AFO in hemiplegic patients with a genu recurvatum gait.

Background/aims Rectal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are among the most common of gastrointestinal NETs. Due to recent advances in endoscopy, various methods of complete endoscopic resection have been introduced for small (≤10 mm) rectal NETs. However, there is a debate about the optimal treatment for rectal NETs. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of endoscopic resection using pneumoband and elastic band (ER-BL) for rectal NETs smaller than 10 mm in diameter. Methods A total of 55 patients who were diagnosed with rectal NET from January 2004 to December 2011 at Gil Medical Center were analyzed retrospectively. Sixteen patients underwent ER-BL. For comparison, 39 patients underwent conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). Results There was a markedly lower deep margin positive rate for ER-BL than for conventional EMR (6% [1/16] vs. 46% [18/39], P=0.029). Four patients who underwent conventional EMR experienced perforation or bleeding. However, they recovered within a few days. On the other hand, patients whounderwent endoscopic resection using a pneumoband did not experience any complications. In multivariate analysis, ER-BL (P=0.021) was independently associated with complete resection. Conclusions ER-BL is an effective endoscopic treatment with regards to deep margin resection for rectal NET smaller than 10 mm.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the physical therapy treatment room environment using microwave diathermy on the autonomic nervous system of human body. METHODS: Participants were 24 healthy adults. Standard deviation of all normal R-R intervals(SDNN), root mean square of successive differences(RMSSD), low frequency(LF), high frequency(HF), LF/HF ratio were compared in microwave irradiation and non-irradiation group. Data were analyzed in Wilcoxon`s signed-ranks test and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Standard deviation of all normal R-R intervals (SDNN), root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), low frequency(LF), high frequency(HF), LF/HF ratio were not significantly different in microwave irradiation group. Standard deviation of all normal R-R intervals(SDNN), root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), low frequency(LF), high frequency(HF), LF/HF ratio were not significantly different in microwave non-irradiation group. Standard deviation of all normal R-R intervals(SDNN), root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), low frequency(LF), high frequency(HF), LF/HF ratio were not significantly different between two groups. CONCLUSION: There was no significant change in the sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system regardless of the presence of microwave irradiation. There was no significant change in the autonomic nervous system adaptability regardless of the presence of microwave irradiation.According to this study, microwave diathermy does not have significant effect on the autonomic nervous system.Future study is necessary to investigate the long term effect of the physical therapy treatment room environment using microwave diathermy on the autonomic nervous system of the human body.

Increased acid output, accompanied with a defective defense system, is considered a fundamental pathogenesis of duodenal ulcer (DU). However, relapse of DU occurs despite proton pump inhibitors and H2 receptor antagonists, hence imposing the enforcement of the defense system. Dried powder of the yam tuber (Dioscorea spp) has been used in traditional folk medicine as a nutritional fortification. We hypothesized that dried-yam powder would prevent DU through improvement of anti-inflammatory actions and carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity. Therefore, we investigated the preventive effects of dried-yam powder against the cysteamine-induced DU and elucidated the underlying mechanisms. Duodenal ulcers were induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by intragastric administration of 500 mg/kg cysteamine-HCl. The dried-yam powder was used as a pretreatment before the cysteamine-HCl. The number and size of DU were measured. The expressions of inflammation mediators were checked in duodenal tissues, and the expressions of CAs and malondialdehyde levels were also examined. Cysteamine provoked perforated DU, whereas dried-yam powder significantly prevented DU as much as pantoprazole and significantly reduced the incidence of perforation. The messenger RNA expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase were remarkably decreased in the yam group compared with the cysteamine group, and the serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor were significantly attenuated in the yam group. Cysteamine significantly decreased the expression of CAs, whereas yam treatment significantly preserved the expressions of CA IX, XII, and XIV. In conclusion, dried-yam powder exerts a significant protective effect against cysteamine-induced DU by lowering the activity of inflammatory cytokines and free radicals and restoring the activity of CAs, except in CA IV.

[Purpose] This study compared abdominal and hip extensor muscle activity during a bridge exercise with various knee joint angles. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-two healthy male subjects performed a bridge exercise in which the knee joint angle was altered. While subjects performed the bridge exercise, external oblique, internal oblique, gluteus maximus, and semitendinosus muscle activity was measured using electromyography. [Results] The bilateral external and internal oblique muscle activity was significantly higher at 0° knee flexion compared to 120°, 90°, and 60°. The bilateral gluteus maximus muscle activity was significantly different at 0° of knee flexion compared to 120°, 90°, and 60°. The ipsilateral semitendinosus muscle activity was significantly increased at 90° and 60° of knee flexion compared to 120°, and significantly decreased at 0° knee flexion compared with 120°, 90°, and 60°. The contralateral semitendinosus muscle activity was significantly higher at 60° of knee flexion than at 120°, and significantly higher at 0° of knee flexion than at 120°, 90°, and 60°. [Conclusion] Bridge exercises performed with knee flexion less than 90° may be used to train the ipsilateral semitendinosus. Furthermore, bridge exercise performed with one leg may be used to train abdominal and hip extensor muscles.

The transient properties of the organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with a 0.05-nm-thick 4-(dicyanomethylene)-2-i-propyl-6-(1,1,7,7-tetramethyljulolidyl-9-enyl)-4H-pyran (DCJTI) partial doping layer in different regions of tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq3) were examined. For the device with a 0.05-nm-thick DCJTI partial doping layer at the interface between the diamine and Alq3, excitons are confined within the narrow region of the interface. The maximum luminance of more than 30,000 cd/m2 was obtained from all devices. Different transient behaviors between host and guest molecules were found. The transient electroluminescence waveform at 620 nm has an initial overshooting peak compared with that at 520 nm. An OLED with a DCJTI partial doping layer at the interface between the diamine and Alq3 layers shows a higher initial overshooting peak and faster decay time due to the accumulated charges and the narrow emission regions than the OLEDs with a DCJTI partial doping layer in the Alq3 layer.

We investigated the transient electroluminescence (EL) and modulation characteristics of red organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) consisting of 4-(dicyanomethylene)-2-i-propyl-6-(1,1,7,7-tetramethyljulolidyl-9-enyl)-4H-pyran (DCJTI) and 5,6,11,12-tetraphenylnaphthacene (rubrene) doped into tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum (Alq3). The transient EL waveforms showed two components, an initial overshooting peak followed by a constant component, indicating that the excess amount of accumulated charges simultaneously recombine at the moment of onset. This overshoot effect reduced the rise time of transient EL and enhanced the optical output of the OLEDs, and hence the cutoff frequency was increased when the pulse voltage was applied to the device. We demonstrated that the red OLEDs are suitable for use in high-speed switching applications driven at more than 100 MHz, and in electro-optical conversion devices for transmitting video signals.

Magnesium and Magnesium alloys have been studied as one of the good lightweight hydrogen storage materials, but the materials have strong difficulties in the fabrication process of mass production until now. The Rotation-Cylinder Method (RCM) has been developed to fabricate magnesium-based composites with moderate rotation under normal atmosphere. In this study, the Mg-TiNi hydrogen storage composites materials were manufactured by RCM and evaluated their hydrogenation properties by a Sieverts-type automatic pressure-composition-isotherm (PCI) apparatus at 523, 573 and 623K. The hydrogenation properties of Mg-TiNi composites depended on the behavior of TiNi reinforcements. The formation of Mg hydride, MgH2, on 4h milling samples of Mg-10mass% TiNi intermetallics hinted to the catalytic behavior of TiNi reinforcements. In addition, the dehydriding profile at 573K revealed the two steps of plateau pressure, which were affected by the existence of multi hydride phases.

We fabricated red organic light emitting diodes(OLEDs) utilizing tis(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum doped with of (4-(dicyanomethylene)-2-i-propyl-6-(1,1,7,7-tetramethyljulolidyl-9-enyl)-4H-pyran) (DCJTI) and investigated the driving and modulation characteristics for applying to the electro-optical conversion device. To improve the driving characteristics of red OLEDs, 3 V of offset voltage, which is equal to the turn on voltage, Is applied to the device. Offset voltage enhanced the optical EL output and reduced the rise time of EL waveforms of red OLEDs, and hence the cutoff frequency is increased with increasing applied voltage. The optical pulse of 100 MHz has been obtained from red OLEDs. Therefore, we confirmed that the red OLEDs can be applied to the fields of optical communication as an electro-optical conversion device.

We report the efficient red light-emitting diodes based on the fluorescent dye 4-(dicyanomethylene)-2-i-propyl-6-(1,1,7,7-tetramethyljulolidyl-9-enyl)-4H-pyran (DCJTI) and 5,6,11,12-tetraphenyl naphthacene (rubrene) codoped in the tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum . Luminance efficiency of 2.2 cd/A with a Commission International De L`Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinate of x, y

Red organic electroluminescent (EL) devices based on tris(8-hydroxyquinorine aluminum) (Alq) doped with red emissive materials, 4-(dicyanomethylene)-2-t-butyl -6-(l,1,7,7-tetramethyljulolidyl-9-enyl)4H-pyran (DCJTB). poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). rubrene and 4-dicyanomethylene-2-methyl-6[2-(2,3.6.7-tetrahydro-lH,5H-benzo-[i,j]quinolizin-8yl)vinyl]-4H-pyran (DCM2) were fabricated for applying to the red light source, The photoluminescence (pL) intensities of red emissive materials doped in Alq are limited by the concentration quenching with increasing the doping ratio and the doping concentration of DCJTB, DCM2, P3HT and rubrene measured at the maximum intensity showed 5, 1, 0.5 and 2 wt%, respectively. Time-resolved PL dynamic results showed that the PL lifetime of red emissive materials doped in Alq were increased more than the value of material itself. It means that the efficient energy transfer occurred in the mixed state and Alq is a suitable host materials for red emissive materials, The device which was used DCJTB as a dopant achieved the best result of the maximum luminance of 594 cd/ at 15 V and showed the chromaticity coordinates of x

Conductive polyaniline (PANI)-camphosulfonic acid (CSA) film applied as a hole injection layer in ITO/PANI/P3HT/LiF/Al device. In the AFM images, electrochemically polymerized PANI-CSA films have the small particles and smooth sufficient for application as hole injection layer. By insertion of PANI-CSA buffer layer, the turn on voltage of ITO/PANI/P3HT/LiF/Al device lowed by 3 V, whereas that of ITO/P3HT/LiF/Al device shows 5 V.

We report a white light organic electroluminescent (EL) device achieved through exciplex formation between organic materials as a green color light source. Exciplex formation at 500 nm originated from poly( N -vinylcarbazole) (PVK) and 2,5-bis(5- tert -bytyl-2-benzoxazolyl)thiophene (BBOT), exciplex formation at 550 nm between from N , N ′-diphenyl- N , N ′-bis(3-metylphenyl)-1,1′-biphenyl-4,4′-diamine (TPD) and BBOT was assumed to correspond to the complex formation covering the green color region. In the mixed emitting materials, the PL decay lifetimes of BBOT and poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) were increased as much as 35–68 and 1.5–19 ns, respectively. This indicates that the energy transfer occurred from PVK to BBOT and P3HT, enhancing the quantum efficiency of these materials. We achieved white light emission with brightness as great as 12.3 μW/cm 2 at 20 V, corresponding to CIE coordinates of x =0.29 and y =0.353. The EL spectrum of the device was changed with a function of the applied voltage.

Although patients with Plasmodium vivax malaria usually recover from the disease without any sequelae, several complications do occasionally occur and these may need urgent invasive procedures, including surgery, and/or lead to fatal blood loss (Jacobs et al., 2005; Gockel et al., 2006; Maguire and Baird, 2010). Worryingly, the incidence of complications in P. vivax malaria, such as acute respiratory-distress syndrome or splenic rupture, appears to be increasing (Kasliwal et al., 2009). A case of P. vivax malaria complicated by spontaneous haemothorax (perhaps the first ever reported) is described below.

We report electrical impedance measurements of organic electroluminescent (EL) devices consisting of ITO/blended emitting layer/LiF/Al. The measured impedance data have single semicircles, therefore, the equivalent circuit represented by a parallel combination of bulk resistance, Rb and capacitance, Cb, in series with a resistance, Ra. There is no interfacial capacitance, suggesting that LiF layer did not affect the charge injection of the organic EL device.

We fabricated a single-layer white light electroluminescent (EL) device consisted of emitting layer contains molecularly doped poly(N-vinylcabazole) (PVK) with 30 wt% of 2,5-bis(5-tert-bytyl-2-benzoxazolyl)thiophen (BBOT), 2.17 mol% of N,N′-diphenyl-N,N′-bis(3-metylphenyl)-1, 1′-biphenyl-4,4′-diamine (TPD) and 0.039 mol% of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). In the photoluminescence (PL) spectra, we observed the exciplex formed between PVK and BBOT, TPD and BBOT, respectively. Sequential energy transfer occurred in a mixed emitting layer. Consequently, we achieved white light emission corresponds to Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) coordinate of x = 0.295, y = 0.32.

Carotid plaque is a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis that predicts the presence of coronary artery disease and cardiovascular events. The patient complained of chest discomfort accompanied by ECG abnormalities. Treadmill test demonstrated horizontal ST segment depression, however, coronary angiography did not show any significant stenosis. Carotid plaque was detected by carotid ultrasonogram, despite of the absence of any traditional and non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors, especially normal lipid profiles. This case suggests that unknown determinants of carotid atherosclerosis that we cannot elucidate from the history, physical examination, and common laboratory tests may play a role in the development of carotid plaque.

BACKGROUND/AIMS A combination of peginterferon and ribavirin is the standard therapy for chronic hepatitis C (CHC). However, the respective study has not been carried out in a large scale in Korea. The purpose of this study was to collect the studies that have been reported in Korea in order to analyze the therapeutic effect of combination therapy and compare to find racial difference. METHODS Twenty-eight papers related to the therapeutic effect of combination therapy in CHC patients were analyzed based on pooled analysis. RESULTS Based on the analysis for genotype 1 in Korea, early virologic response (EVR), end of treatment response (ETR), and sustained virologic response (SVR) were 79.6% (125/157), 80.1% (166/207), and 62.7% (341/543). The EVR, ETR, and SVR for genotype 2 and 3 were 89.4% (119/133), 92.2% (203/220), and 84.1% (434/516). Data from other Asians showed that EVR and SVR for genotype 1 were 88.9% (290/326) and 64.4% (491/762) respectively and 88.8% (135/152), and 79.4% (151/190) for genotype 2 and 3 respectively. In Western, EVR and SVR for genotype 1 were 51.3% (1,981/3,860) and 42.4% (1,798/4,231) respectively, and for genotype 2 and 3 were 87.7% (350/399) and 77.8% (533/685) respectively. Based on the comparative analysis, no statistical difference in SVR between Koreans and other Asians (p=0.955) was observed; However, the SVR of Koreans was higher with significance than that of Westerns (p

An 80-year-old woman with hilar cholangiocarcinoma was hospitalized due to sudden-onset abdominal pain. Computed tomography revealed hepatic necrosis accompanied with emphysematous change in the superior segment of the right liver (S7/S8), implying spontaneous rupture, based on the presence of perihepatic free air. Although urgent percutaneous drainage was performed, neither pus nor fluids were drained. These findings suggest emphysematous hepatitis with a hepatic mass. Despite the application of intensive care, the patient's condition deteriorated rapidly, and she died 3 days after admission to hospital. Liver gas has been reported in some clinical diseases (e.g., liver abscess) to be caused by gas-forming organisms; however, emphysematous hepatitis simulating emphysematous pyelonephritis is very rare. The case reported here was of fatal emphysematous hepatitis in a patient with hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

High-energy ion generation from the interaction of an ultrashort intense laser pulse with an overdense plasma slab is studied with fully electromagnetic and relativistic particle-in-cell simulation. With a properly designed underdense preplasma, we observed that the forward ion acceleration from the front surface can be enhanced. The momentum distribution functions of the accelerated ions are investigated with respect to the laser pulse intensity and the preplasma profile.

Poly(p-phenylene) (PPP), electrically conductive polymer, was prepared from benzene by chemical reaction. And then disordered carbon materials were obtained by heat-treating PPP in a nitrogen atmosphere at 400, 600, 700, 800 and 1000/spl deg/C for 1 hour. X-ray diffraction and FTIR were measured to determined fundamental structure of PPP-based carbon and also measured a electrical conductivity and temperature dependence of conductivity of PPP-based carbon to study the electrical properties. The carbon prepared by heat treatment showed a broad X-ray diffraction peak around 2/spl theta/-22.4/spl deg/ indicating disordered structure. The electrochemical properties of Li/carbon cells using an 1M LiPF/sub 6/ solution of ethylene carbonate (EC) and diethyl carbonate (EC) as electrolyte were studied by means of constant current cycle and cyclic voltammetry. Electrodes were charged and discharged at a current density of 0.1 mA/cm/sup 2/ between 0 to 1.5 V. First discharge capacity of 836.9 mAh/g exceeding 372 mAh/g of theoretical capacity of graphite was observed from PPP-based carbon electrode prepared at 700/spl deg/C.

Electrochemical properties of carbon fiber was investigated in order to find the relation between structure of carbons and performances as a negative electrode of lithium rechargeable batteries. In this study, we have studied microstructure of lithium intercalated carbn fiber using scanning electron microscope and x-ray diffractommetry. From SEM results of carbon fiber, film formed on the surface of carbon fiber appeared after discharging and disappeared after charging. X-ray diffractommetry of carbon fiber showed same results.

Two variants of the inosine triphosphatase (ITPA: rs1127354, rs7270101) gene cause ITPA deficiency and protect against the hemolytic toxicity of ribavirin. We investigated the clinical significance of ITPA variants in Korean patients treated with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin. Of the 133 patients, 108 were CC and 25 were non-CC at rs1127354 (groups A and B, respectively). On the other hand, at rs7270101 all 133 were AA. The mean values of Hemoglobin (Hgb) after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment in groups A and B were 12.2 and 14.0, 11.8 and 13.2, and 11.5 and 12.9, respectively (P=0.001, 0.036, 0.036). Sustained virologic response (SVR) was achieved in 67.8% (40/59) of genotype 1 patients and in 75% (27/36) of non-genotype 1 patients. Regarding ITPA variants, SVR was achieved by 66% and 80% of genotype 1 (P=0.282), and by 78% and 71% (P=0.726) of non-genotype 1. SVR was not significantly different in groups A and B. In conclusion, non-CC at rs1127354 without involvement of rs7270101 is strongly associated with protection from ribavirin-induced anemia, however, ITPA genotype is not associated with SVR.

Corynebacterium striatum is an aerobic, Gram-positive bacillus that is part of the resident flora of skin and mucosal membranes. C. striatum is usually considered a non-pathogenic contaminant, although infective endocarditis and respiratory infection, and less frequently arthritis and meningitis, due to C. striatum have been reported. C. striatum has been particularly associated with catheter-related infections and infections following conditions that resulted in disruption of the skin barrier in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent hosts. We describe a case of post-operative intra-abdominal infection caused by the rare pathogen, C. striatum. (Korean J Med 2012;82:516-519)

Background/Aims: Periampullary diverticulum (PAD) causes difficulty in the extraction of common bile duct (CBD) stones with conventional endoscopic therapy. Our study was designed to evaluate the effect of PAD on endoscopic large balloon dilation (EPLBD) with/without limited endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) for CBD stone treatment. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed cases of 141 patients treated CBD stones by EPLBD with/without limited EST at Gachon Gil Medical Center from September 2008 to February 2010. PAD were classified into three groups according to the location of the papilla and diverticulum. Clinical parameters, endoscopic parameters, and procedure outcomes were analyzed. Results: PAD were identified in 46.1% (65/141), with 23 male (35.4%) and 42 female (64.6%) and a mean age of 72.9±11.1 years. Mean diameter of the stones was 14.8±6.0 mm and mean diameter of CBD was 21.6±7.7 mm. PAD group was significantly older than control group (72.9 vs. 68.6, p=0.043) and the incidence of large stone (≥15 mm) was higher in PAD group (60.0% vs. 42.1%, p=0.034). Success rate of complete removal of stones in the first session was 32/65 patients (49.2%) and overall successful complete stone removal rates was 63/65 (96.9%). There was no significant difference between the PAD and control groups in success rate. Major complications were similar between two groups. Conclusions: PAD is associated with an increased incidence of large bile duct stones and older age. PAD seems to not increase technical failure rate or complication risk on EPLBD with/without limited EST. (Korean J Gastroenterol 2011;58:201-207)