• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2018

Objective: This study aimed to predict balance and gait abilities with the Trunk Impairment scales (TIS) in persons with stroke. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Sixty-eight participants with stoke were assessed with the TIS, Berg Balance scale (BBS), and Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) by a therapist. To describe of general characteristics, we used descriptive and frequency analyses, and the TIS was used as a predictive variable to determine the BBS. In the simple regression analysis, the TIS was used as a predictive variable for the BBS and FGA, and the TIS and BBS were used as predictive variables to determine the FGA in multiple regression analysis. Results: In the group with a BBS score of >45 for regression equation for predicting BBS score using TIS score, the coefficient of determination ($R^2$) was 0.234, and the $R^2$ was 0.500 in the group with a BBS score of ${\leq}45$. In the group with an FGA score >15 for regression equation for predicting FGA score using TIS score, the $R^2$ was 0.193, and regression equation for predicting FGA score using TIS score, the $R^2$ was 0.181 in the group of FGA score ${\leq}15$. In the group of FGA score >15 for regression equation for predicting FGA score using TIS and BBS score, the $R^2$ was 0.327. In the group of FGA score ${\leq}15$ for regression equation for predicting FGA score using TIS and BBS score, the $R^2$ was 0.316. Conclusions: The TIS scores are insufficient in predicting the FGA and BBS scores in those with higher balance ability, and the BBS and TIS could be used for predicting variables for FGA. However, TIS is a strong predictive variable for persons with stroke who have poor balance ability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2022

PURPOSE: A gait assessment is an important component of the rehabilitation process, and observational gait assessment (OGA) is used routinely in clinical settings. This study examined the association of OGA tools with the independent walking ability in stroke patients to determine a cutoff value of the OGA tool according to independence levels of stroke patient gait. METHODS: Two hundred ten hemiparetic stroke patients participated in the study. The independence of gait was identified using the Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) classifications. The walking ability was assessed using OGA tools (Rivermead Visual Gait Assessment [RVGA], Wisconsin Gait Scale [WGS], Tinetti Gait Scale [TGS], and Functional Gait Analysis [FGA]). RESULTS: Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that among the OGA tools, the FGA correlated with the FAC. The FGA explained approximately 77% of the variance in FAC. In distinguishing the independence levels, the cutoff values were as follows: between FAC 1 and FAC 0 was .5 points; between FAC 2 and lower levels, 5.5; between FAC 3 and lower levels, 11.5; between FAC 4 and lower levels, 14.5; and between FAC 5 and lower levels, 18.5. Items 1, 2, 3, and 10 were identified as explaining most of the variance in the FGA in the stepwise multiple regression. CONCLUSION: The present study found that the FGA is an assessment tool related to the level of gait independence after stroke. Furthermore, the FGA total score can serve as an index of the increase in independence level after stroke.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.57-64
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• 2009

Fibrinogen alpha chain (FGA), a subunit of fibrinogen, might be a potential player for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), since the plasma levels of fibrinogen is known to be related to the incidence of T2DM. To elucidate the potential role of FGA in T2DM, we investigated whether FGA genetic variations are relevant in T2DM in the Korean population. Seven FGA single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in Ansung and Ansan cohorts (474 T2DM subjects and 470 normal controls) in Korea. The association between SNPs and T2DM was determined by logistic regression analysis. Genetic relevance of SNPs to T2DM-related phenotypes was investigated by multiple linear regression analysis. Statistical analysis revealed that among seven FGA SNPs, significant associations with T2DM were observed in FGA rs2070011 (p=0.013-0.034, OR=0.72${\sim}$0.79), rs6050 (p=0.026${\sim}$0.048, OR=1.24${\sim}$1.37), and rs2070022 (p=0.016${\sim}$0.039, OR=0.70${\sim}$0.72). Two SNPs, rs2070011 and rs6050, also showed significant association with T2DM-related phenotypes such as triglyceride (p=0.005${\sim}$0.011 for rs2070011 and p=0.003${\sim}$0.008 for rs6050), total cholesterol (p=0.01 for rs2070011 and p=0.024 for rs6050) and fasting glucose (p=0.035${\sim}$0.036 for rs2070011 and p=0.048 for rs6050) in 470 normal controls. Our association study implies that FGA might be an important genetic factor in T2DM pathogenesis in the Korean population by affecting plasma lipid and glucose levels.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.64-73
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• 2011

After stroke, many people have problems with balance during movement. Balance is essential for the optimal functioning of the locomotor system and the performance of many activities of daily living. The Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) is a clinical tool for evaluating balance ability during walking. The test consists of ten tasks, seven tasks of the Dynamic Gait Index and three additional tasks. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and internal consistency of data obtained with the Korean version of the FGA when used with people after suffering a stroke. One-hundred participants, at least three months poststroke and able to walk at least six meters with or without a walking aid, participated in the study (age range=30~83 years; $mean{\pm}SD=58.8{\pm}10.9$). Two physical therapists and two physical therapy students rated the FGA. Intrarater and interrater reliability of the FGA were assessed using kappa statistic and intraclass correlation coefficients (2,1). The internal consistency of the FGA was assessed using the Cronbach alpha. The Cronbach alpha was good (${\alpha}$=.86~.93). The intrarater (intraclass correlation coefficient=.92~.95) and interrater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient=.91, .95) of the total scores administered by the therapists and students were good, whereas the reliability for single item scores when administered by the physical therapists was moderate to good (kapa value=.42~.97). This study found that intrarater and interrater reliability for total FGA scores and internal consistency were good. Therefore, the Korean version of the FGA can be used as a reliable tool to assess the functional gait performance of patients after stroke.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.31-40
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• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to measure the center of mass in body with stroke patients using a tri-axial accelerometer during walking. Methods : Twenty-eight patients were recruited and divided into two groups for this study. To measure their walking ability, Timed Up & Go (TUG) test and Fucntioanl Gait Assessment (FGA) were conducted and acceleration at rotation of center of mass (COM) in body were measure for each group. Results : In the comparisons between the two groups, the TUG and FGA were not significant differences and acceleration at rotation of COM was not significant differences also. Conclusion : Our research results suggesting that the accelerometer may be used as a testing tool and ongoing assessment tool for stroke patients during effects of intervention in walking.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.580-585
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• 2004

Silicon dioxide (SiO$_2$) is widely used as a gate dielectric material for thin film transistors (TFT) and semiconductor devices. In this paper, SiO$_2$ films were grown by APCVD(Atmospheric Pressure chemical vapor deposition) at the high temperature. Experimental investigations were carried out as a function of $O_2$ gas flow ratios from 0 to 200 1pm. This article presents the SiO$_2$ gate dielectric studies in terms of deposition rate, refrative index, FT-IR, C-V for the gate dielectric layer of thin film transistor applications. We also study defect passivation technique for improvement interface or surface properties in thin films. Our passivation technique is Forming Gas Annealing treatment. FGA acts passivation of interface and surface impurity or defects in SiO$_2$ film. We used RTP system for FGA and gained results that reduced surface fixed charge and trap density of midgap value.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.1117-1123
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• 2012

The effect of duckweed (DW) supplementation was evaluated on dry matter intake (DMI), presence and duration of estrus, percentage of ewes repeating estrus and pregnancy rate, as well as the concentration of progesterone ($P_4$) in multiparous crossbred ewes from Pelibuey, Dorper, and Katahdin breeds, fed with Taiwan grass hay (TWH). Eighteen ewes with $39.7{\pm}4kg$ mean body weight, kept in individual pens, were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: $T_1$: TWH, $T_2$: TWH plus 200 g DW, $T_3$: TWH plus 300 g DW. The ewes were synchronized with 40 mg fluorogestone acetate (FGA) and 400 UI equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design using the GLM procedure. DW supplementation had no effect on dry matter intake (p>0.05); however, a slight decrease of TWH intake was observed as DW supplementation increased. No differences (p>0.05) were found in the beginning of estrus, percentage of ewes presenting it, its duration, or pregnancy rate. There were no differences (p>0.05) on $P_4$ concentration among treatments, or $treatment{\times}period$ interaction (p>0.05). However the period was significant (p<0.01), since the $P_4$ levels increased as time increased after the removal of the FGA device and eCG application.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2016

Background: Gait problems appear in most stroke patients. Commonly, stroke patients show the typical abnormal gait patterns, such as circumduction, genu recurvatum, and spastic paretic stiff-legged gait. An inclined treadmill gait exercise is good for gait problems of stroke patients. In addition, the backward walking training has been recommended in order to improve the component of the movement for the forward walking. Objects: The purpose of this study to investigated the effects of backward walking with inclined treadmill training on the gait in chronic stroke patients. Methods: A total of 30 volunteers were randomly allocated to two groups that walked on an inclined treadmill: the experimental group ($n_1=15$), which walked backward, and the control group ($n_2=15$), which walked forward. To measure the improvement of the patients' gait, a Figure of Eight Walking Test (F8W), Four Square Step Test (FSST), and Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) were performed. We also measured spatio-temporal gait variables, including gait speed, cadence, stride length, and single limb support using a three-axial wireless accelerometer. The measurements were taken before and after the experiment. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare both groups before and after the interventions. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for the comparisons after the interventions. The statistical significance was set at ${\alpha}=.05$. Results: Before and after experiment, all dependent variables were significantly different between the two groups (p<.05). As compared to the control group, the experimental group showed more significant improvements in F8W, FSST, speed, cadence, stride length, and single limb support (p<.05); however, FGA in this group was not significantly different from the control (p>.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that backward walking on an inclined treadmill is more effective for improving the gait of stroke patients than forward walking.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2021

Short Tandem Repeats (STR) analysis which characterized by genetic polymorphism has been widely used in the forensic genetic fields. Unfortunately, mutation occurred in various STR loci could make it difficult to interpret STR data. Thus, the mutation rate of STR loci plays an important role for the data interpretation in human identification and paternity test. To verify the mutation of the STR loci in the Korean population, 545 trio sets (father, mother, and child) were analyzed with two commercial STR kits that include the 23 autosomal STR loci (D1S1656, TPOX, D2S441, D2S1338, D3S1358, FGA, D5S818, CSF1PO, D7S820, D8S1179, D10S1248, TH01, D12S391, VWA D13S317, D16S539, D18S51, D19S433, D21S11, D22S1045, SE33, Penta E and Penta D). As a result, 36 mutations were observed in 14 STR loci. The types of mutation were also classified by the increase or decrease of the alleles. The overall mutation rate was 1.4×10^-3, and the paternal mutation rate was four times higher than that of the maternal. This study will provide more detailed criterion for human identification by the mutation rate of STR loci in the Korean population.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.193-201
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• 2006

Cephalexin, one of most widely prescribed cephalosporin, has been reported to cause acute renal failure as a side effect in human and experimental animals. Although numerous animal studies have been reported for the cephalosporin nephrotoxicity, the molecular and cellular nephrotoxic mechanisms of cephalexin are still unknown. This investigation evaluated the time-dependent gene expression profile of kidney in mouse during cephalexin induced nephrotoxicity. C57BL/6 female mice were administered either saline or 1,000 mg/kg cephalexin intraperitoneally. Mice were sacrificed at 3, 6, and 24 hr after administration. Blood biochemical and histopathological results indicated cephalexin induced nephrotoxicity. Microarray experiment carried out using Affymetrix $GeneChip^{(R)}$. There were 198 informative genes that were significantly expressed >5-fold versus control at 3, 6, and 24 hr (p<0.01), of which 156 and 42 were up-and down-regulated, respectively. Major classes of up-regulated genes at 3, 6 hr included those involved in MAPK/Jak-STAT signaling pathway and immune response such as cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and complement and coagulation cascades. At 24 hr, up-regulated genes were mainly involved in regeneration/repair and immune response; down-regulated genes were generally associated with transporters and intermediary metabolism. Among the up-regulated genes at 24 hr, several potential biomarkers on nephrotoxicity such as Kim-1, Fga, Timp1, and Slc34a2 were clustered in a same category. In addition, Tnfrsf12a and Lcn2 which were consistently up-regulated (>5 fold) were also included as potential biomarkers. These results may provide clues for elucidating the mechanism of cephalexin induced nephrotoxicity and evaluating potential biomarkers to assess nephrotoxicity.