Effects of dynamic neural mobilization on cerebral cortical activity in patients with stroke.

[Purpose] The current study aimed to identify the effects of dynamic neural mobilization on cerebral cortical activity in patients with stroke, and to present efficient intervention methods for stroke management. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 20 hemiplegic patients diagnosed with stroke over the past 6 months were sampled, and randomly divided into groups I (n=10) and II (n=10). Groups I and II underwent neural mobilization and dynamic neural mobilization, respectively, on the paralyzed arm. Both interventions were administered for 30 min, once a day, for 4 days a week, over a course of 4 weeks. ß-waves and µ-rhythms in the C3 and C4 areas of the cerebral cortex were measured using electroencephalography, both before and after the intervention. [Results] After the intervention, both groups showed significant changes in the ß-waves and µ-rhythms in the C3 area alone. Further, significant inter-group differences in the ß-waves and µ-rhythms were only present in the C3 area. [Conclusion] Dynamic neural mobilization is an efficient intervention because it increases ß-waves and µ-rhythms in the cerebral cortex. Therefore, the effects of continuous intervention programs involving dynamic neural mobilization in patients with stroke should be investigated in the future.

Effect of scapular stabilization exercise on neck alignment and muscle activity in patients with forward head posture.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of scapula movement on neck alignment and the muscles in patients with forward head posture, who has the structural changes around the neck caused from the forward head posture, when scapular stabilization exercise is applied. [Subjects and Methods] A sample of 30 patients with forward head posture were recruited and participated in an intervention for 30 minutes a day, three times per week for 4 weeks. Fifteen patients were assigned to the scapular stabilization exercise group and the remaining 15 were assigned to the neck stabilization exercise group. Before the intervention, the craniovertebral angle (CVA), cranial rotation angle (CRA), and muscle activity of the muscles around the neck were measured. Four weeks later, these 3 factors were re-measured and analyzed. [Results] Within-group changes in CVA and CRA were observed in both groups and were statistically significant. Only the CVA group had a statistically significant between-group differences. Within-group changes in muscular activity were significant differences in all groups. Between groups, the lower back trapezius and serratus anterior showed statistically significant differences. [Conclusion] Scapular stabilization brought about improvement in posture through activation of the neck muscles, the lower trapezius, and the serratus anterior. Therefore, the intervention has a positive effect on neck alignment by reducing the compensatory movements of the muscles involved in forward head posture. Structural changes are observed.

Effects on muscle activities according to the type of bodyblade exercise in quadruped position.

[Purpose] Most studies on bodyblade exercise have examined changes in muscle activities in the trunk and shoulders according to the hand position or direction while in a standing position. The present study compared and examined the changes in muscle activities around the shoulders and trunk according to different bodyblade lifting methods during stabilization exercise in a quadruped position. [Subjects and Methods] The present study was conducted on 20 healthy males. The following exercise four types were performed with the bodyblade held by flexing the dominant arm at 180° in a quadruped position. The muscle activity and the ratio of muscle activity were measured. [Results] The SA and IO, EO muscles showed significant differences. Moreover, the SA/UT activity ratio showed significant differences according to the type of exercise. The Tukey's post hoc test results were as follows: for the SA muscle, exercise types 4, 2 were more effective than types 1, 3: and for the IO muscle, types 1, 2 were more effective than types 3, 4. [Conclusion] The present study showed that type 2 scapular stabilization exercise (crossed leg lifting with the hand raised above the head on a vertical plane) showed selective and positive effects on trunk muscle strengthening and stabilization. In future, additional studies are required to design effective exercise programs for pain management and improvement of muscle activities in patients with complaints of shoulder pain due to scapular winging.

A study on muscle activity and ratio of the knee extensor depending on the types of squat exercise.

[Purpose] For preventing the patellofemoral pain syndrome, this study aims to suggest a proper squat method, which presents selective muscle activity of Vastus Medialis Oblique and muscle activity ratios of Vastus Medialis Oblique/Vastus Lateralis by applying squat that is a representative weight bearing exercise method in various ways depending on the surface conditions and knee bending angles. [Subjects and Methods] An isometric squat that was accompanied by hip adduction, depending on the surface condition and the knee joint flexion angle, was performed by 24 healthy students. The muscle activity and the ratio of muscle activity were measured. [Results] In a comparison of muscle activity depending on the knee joint flexion angle on a weight-bearing surface, the vastus medialis oblique showed a significant difference at 15° and 60°. Meanwhile, in a comparison of the muscle activity ratio between the vastus medialis oblique and the vastus lateralis depending on the knee joint flexion angle on a weight-bearing surface, significant differences were observed at 15° and 60°. [Conclusion] An efficient squat exercise posture for preventing the patellofemoral pain syndrome is to increase the knee joint bending angle on a stable surface. But it would be efficient for patients with difficulties in bending the knee joint to keep a knee joint bending angle of 15 degrees or less on an unstable surface. It is considered that in future, diverse studies on selective Vastus Medialis Oblique strengthening exercise methods would be needed after applying them to patients with the patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Diferencias en la presencia de alcaloides y fenoles de cinco muestras de muña de expendio informal procedentes de mercados populares en Lima - Perú / Differences in the presence of alkaloids and phenols in five informally traded muña samples from traditional markets in Lima - Peru

Objetivo: Demostrar la presencia de alcaloides y fenoles en la rama florida de Minthostachys mollis (muña) y comparar los resultados con los de cinco muestras de muña de expendio informal obtenidas en Lima ­ Perú. Materiales y métodos: Minthostachys mollis fue colectada en Junín (ubicado a 321 km de Lima y a 4113 m s.n.m) Perú, siguiendo la metodología de Cerrate E. y Ramagosa, siendo identificada por una especialista en botánica. Otras cinco muestras se obtuvieron bajo venta sin registro sanitario. La marcha fitoquímica fue realizada mediante el método de Olga Lock. Fueron referentes cualitativos empleados: "+++" (abundante), "++" (moderado), "+" (leve) y "-" (ausencia). Resultados: Minthostachys mollis presentó alcaloides "++", en contraste, M1, no presentó, M3 "+" y M2, M4 y M5 "++". Para fenoles, M. mollis presentó "+++", en comparación, M4 "++", y M1, M2, M3 y M5 "+++". Conclusiones: Frente a M. mollis, se demostraron diferencias cualitativas en la presencia de los metabolitos estudiados en las muestras de expendio informal.

Immunogenicity and safety of diphtheria-tetanus vaccine in pre-adolescent and adolescent South Koreans.

This study was conducted to compare the immunogenicity and safety of diphtheria-tetanus (Td) vaccine between pre-adolescents aged 11-12 years and adolescents aged 13-18 years. A total of 277 subjects (132 pre-adolescents and 145 adolescents) participated. After vaccination, all subjects (100%) in both groups exhibited seroprotective antibody levels (> or =0.1I U/mL) against diphtheria or tetanus toxoids. Although local adverse events following vaccination were more frequently observed in the pre-adolescent group than in the adolescent group (p=0.006), these events resolved within 7 days. Our study shows Td vaccination at age 11-12 years to be immunogenic and tolerable.