De novo biosynthesis of 2'-fucosyllactose by bioengineered Corynebacterium glutamicum.

2'-Fucosyllactose (2'-FL) which is well-known human milk oligosaccharide was biotechnologically synthesized using engineered Corynebacterium glutamicum, a GRAS microbial workhorse. By construction of the complete de novo pathway for GDP-L-fucose supply and heterologous expression of Escherichia coli lactose permease and Helicobacter pylori α-1,2-fucosyltransferase, bioengineered C. glutamicum BCGW_TL successfully biosynthesized 0.25 g L-1 2'-FL from glucose. The additional genetic perturbations including the expression of a putative 2'-FL exporter and disruption of the chromosomal pfkA gene allowed C. glutamicum BCGW_cTTLEΔP to produce 2.5 g L-1 2'-FL batchwise. Finally, optimized fed-batch cultivation of the BCGW_cTTLEΔP using glucose, fructose, and lactose resulted in 21.5 g L-1 2'-FL production with a productivity of 0.12 g L-1 •h, which were more than 3.3 times higher value relative to the batch culture of the BCGW_TL. Conclusively, it would be a groundwork to adopt C. glutamicum for biotechnological production of other food additives including human milk oligosaccharides.

Mental Health and Smoking-Related Determinants of Alcohol Drinking Experience in Korean Adolescents.

This study aimed to identify the determinants of mental health and smoking-related behaviors among Korean adolescents with drinking experience. Secondary data from the Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (2021) were analyzed. The final study sample consisted of data from 5905 adolescents with a history of smoking. Chi-square and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine the factors related to drinking experience. The factors that influenced alcohol drinking were sex, school level, academic performance, self-reported depression, and smoking. The results of this study showed that there are numerous factors affecting adolescents' drinking experience. Early education and interventions are needed to reduce alcohol consumption among adolescents. Integrated attention and support from society, school, and family are necessary so that they can cope with and adapt to stress in a healthy way.

High energy dissipation-based process to improve the rheological properties of bentonite drilling muds by reducing the particle size.

Drilling mud is a multi-phase fluid that is used in the petroleum drilling process. Bentonite is the most important constituent of drilling mud; it endows the drilling mud with its rheological behaviors, such as viscosity, yield stress, and shear thinning. The process of manufacturing microscale bentonite at the nanoscale level is very promising for commercializing nano-based drilling mud. In contrast to the conventional method using the impeller, bentonite was manufactured in its nanoparticle state in the present work through ultrasonic and homogenizer processes in the solution state. In case of the ultrasonic process, the viscosity increase in the low shear rate region before and after processing of the 5 wt% bentonite-based mud and the rheological properties in the presence of polymer additive were compared. In case of the homogenizer process, the rheological properties of 3 wt% bentonite-based mud employed through the homogenizer process and 5 wt% mud prepared generally were compared. Both processes reported improvement of rheological properties, in which shear thinning behavior strongly occurred when particle size decreased through FE-SEM, TEM image analysis, and particle size analyzer. A regularized Herschel-Bulkley model suitable for rheological quantitative explanation of drilling mud including yield stress was selected. The homogenizer process has the potential to be applied in the petroleum drilling industry for large-scale production, and the mechanism was confirmed by numerical analyses. In conclusion, we presented a simple and easy-to-apply process to rapidly produce nano-based drilling mud.

Antimicrobial and indicator properties of edible film containing clove bud oil-loaded chitosan capsules and red cabbage for fish preservation.

For safe preservation and consumption of fish, freshness monitoring and antimicrobial control is crucial. Edible films comprising natural antimicrobial and spoilage indicator agents represent a convenient method for such preservation. Edible chitosan-based films were prepared using red cabbage (RC) and clove bud oil (CBO)-loaded chitosan/carrageenan capsules as spoilage indicator and antimicrobial agents, respectively. CBO-loaded capsules were prepared by the ionic gelation of chitosan and carrageenan. Films containing CBO capsules exhibited significantly higher antimicrobial activity than films containing non-encapsulated free CBO, as confirmed by minimum inhibitory concentration and time-kill assays. The highest antimicrobial activity was observed in the largest capsules (1.7 µm). After incubation for 48 h, the pH of fish peptone agar containing Pseudomonas fluorescens increased from approximately 6.0 to 9.0, and a color change from purple to deep blue was clearly observed during the growth of fish-spoiling bacteria. Thus, our results suggested that edible films containing CBO-loaded capsules and RC showed the potential to inhibit microbial growth in fish and to visibly indicate fish freshness.

Factors Affecting Happiness Among Rural Residents: A Cross Sectional Survey.

This cross-sectional and descriptive study aimed to investigate factors that affected the happiness of rural residents. The study used a convenience sample consisting of 1029 Korean rural residents from the Gyeong-gi Province collected between November and December 2014. The results found that people aged 60 and over were happier than those between 15 and 19 years old. Happiness was correlated with age, income, violence, social support, subjective health, depression, and suicidal ideation. Factors affecting the happiness of rural residents were depression, social support, suicidal ideation, and age, and these factors explained 48.0% of the variance in happiness. The results demonstrate that the happiness of rural residents was affected by various psychological factors and supportive intervention should be developed to enhance the happiness of people living in rural areas.

[Factors influencing suicidal ideation among female late adolescents from a Korean rural province]. / 한국 농촌 후기 ì²­ì†Œë „ 여성의 자살 생각에 영향을 미치는 요인.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine factors affecting suicidal ideation among female late adolescents from a Korean rural province. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design involving self-reported questionnaires was used. The data were collected from female adolescents aged 18 to 22 years, from high schools, universities, churches, and local community centers. The sample consisted of 197 female late adolescents from three rural areas in Korea. The Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale and the Suicidal Ideation Scale were used to measure depression and suicidal ideation, respectively. Results: Suicidal ideation was correlated with having a specific suicide plan (r=.65, p<.001), depression (r=.39, p<.001), subjective well-being (r=-.46, p<.001), ever experienced violence (r=.15, p=.029), and age (r=-.21, p=.003). Factors affecting suicidal ideation among rural female adolescents were having a specific suicide plan (ß=.56, p<.001), subjective well-being (ß=-.23, p=.001), and suicide of a close person (ß=.12, p=.035). These factors explained 48.0% of the variance in suicidal ideation (F=37.62, p<.001). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that affective factors and personal experiences regarding suicide were critical indicators for suicidal ideation among female late adolescents. These factors should be managed and tailored nursing should be offered to prevent suicide and enhance the psychiatric health of female late adolescents.

An Imported Case of Disseminated Echinococcosis in Korea.

A complicated case of echinococcosis with multiple organ involvement is reported in a 53-year-old businessman who frequently traveled overseas, including China, Russia, and Kazakhstan from 2001 to 2007. The patient was first diagnosed with a large liver cyst during a screening abdomen ultrasonography in 2011, but he did not follow up on the lesion afterwards. Six years later, dizziness, dysarthria, and cough developed, and cystic lesions were found in the brain, liver and lungs. The clinical course was complicated when the patient went through multiple surgeries and inadequate treatment with a short duration of albendazole without a definite diagnosis. The patient visited our hospital for the first time in August 2018 due to worsening symptoms; he was finally diagnosed with echinococcosis using imaging and serologic criteria. He is now on prolonged albendazole treatment (400 mg twice a day) with gradual clinical and radiological improvement. A high index of suspicion is warranted to early diagnose echinococcosis in a patient with a travel history to endemic areas of echinococcosis.

Influence of MoS2 Nanosheet Size on Performance of Drilling Mud.

Water-based drilling mud (WBM) is a non-Newtonian fluid that has a variety of applications such as in transporting cuttings during drilling, protecting the borehole, and cooling the drill bit. With the development of nano-technology, various nanoparticles have been synthesized and have been added to WBM to improve its performance. Shear thinning is the most important factor in drilling mud and this attribute can be improved when two-dimensional particles are added. MoS2 nanoparticles, which represent a typical two-dimensional material, are easy to synthesize in large quantities and have a high thermal conductivity and low coefficient of friction. Since the two-dimensional structure, thermal conductivity, and low coefficient of friction of MoS2 would improve the performance of WBM, we experimented with MoS2 nanosheets as an additive, under optimal conditions, using various samples each with uniform sizes and thicknesses of nanosheets. A large amount of MoS2 nanosheets was synthesized, sorted by thickness and diameter, and added to drilling mud. The diameter of MoS2 was divided into a small diameter group (about 100⁻400 nm) and a big diameter group (about 300⁻650 nm), and the thickness was divided into 1⁻2 nm and 5⁻10 nm groups. Experimental results showed that when MoS2 is added to WBM, shear thinning occurs more strongly. In addition, the addition of MoS2 with a thickness of 1⁻2 nm and a diameter of 300⁻650 nm resulted in the highest increase in viscosity and thermal conductivity of WBM. As a result, we experimentally confirmed that MoS2 can be used as an additive to increase the thermal conductivity and viscosity of WBM and to make shear thinning phenomenon more.

Unusual Thermal Conductivity of Carbon Nanosheets with Self-Emerged Graphitic Carbon Dots.

The thermal conductivity (κ) of two-dimensional conducting and transparent carbon nanosheets (CNSs) prepared by a catalyst- and transfer-free process is calculated for the first time by the optothermal Raman technique. A systematic structural analysis of CNSs reveals that the thickness of polymer films affects the interaction between molecules and a Si wafer significantly, thus helping to determine the ratio of sp2 and sp3 bonding configurations of carbon (C) atoms in the CNS. Notably, the holding time of carbonization can realize a hierarchical structure with graphitic carbon dots emerging from the CNS through the rearrangement of carbon atoms, leading to the excellent κ value of 540 W/(m·K) at 310 K. It is demonstrated that an appropriate increase in carbonization time can be an effective approach for improving the ratio of sp2- to sp3-bonded C atoms in the CNS. The thermal conductivity of the CNS with the highest ratio of sp2- to sp3-bonded C atoms exhibits superior behavior and is comparable to that of reduced graphene oxide and supported graphene, respectively. Finally, when the CNS with the highest κ value of 540 W/(m·K) was applied to a heater as the heat-dissipating material, the heater showed the temperature decrease by 14 °C compared to the case without the CNS. The catalyst- and transfer-free approach for the synthesis of CNSs is highly desirable for use as heat sink materials or substrates with heat dissipation functions for extensively integrated electronic devices.

Chrysanthemum Morifolium Extract And Ascorbic Acid-2-Glucoside (AA2G) Blend Inhibits UVA-Induced Delayed Cyclobutane Pyrimidine Dimer (CPD) Production In Melanocytes.

BACKGROUND: Solar ultraviolet radiation (UV) induces DNA damages in skin via direct absorption of UVB or indirectly by photosensitization mediated through UVA. Recent findings have revealed that UVA induces cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) generation via chemiexcitation in melanocytes hours after the exposure. This UVA-induced delayed CPD (dark CPD) constitutes the majority of CPD in melanocytes. These findings indicate that sun light can damage the skin hours after the exposure, suggesting the need for skin care products post sun exposure. The main objective of this study was to investigate whether a blend of Chrysanthemum Morifolium flower extract (Chrys) and vitamin C derivative, Ascorbic Acid-2-Glucoside (AA2G), can provide protective effects against reactive oxygen species, melanin formation and UVA-induced dark CPD. METHODS: Intracellular ROS levels were measured in epidermal keratinocytes using DHR123 dye. Melanogenesis inhibition efficacy was determined using B16 cells. As for the dark CPD measurement, Melan-a cells were treated with or without actives for 6 days, then irradiated with UVA at various doses. Cells were exposed with anti-CPD mAb followed by secondary Ab. CPD levels were determined by measuring fluorescent intensity using a high content imaging analysis. RESULTS: Chrys, AA2G and their blend at various concentrations demonstrated ROS scavenging activity. Though Chrys alone did not show significant melanogenesis inhibition in B16 assay, the blend of Chrys with AA2G demonstrated additive effects in comparison with AA2G alone. The blend of AA2G and Chrys at various concentrations exhibited enhanced efficacy for inhibiting dark CPD compared to AA2G alone. CONCLUSION: The results from this study indicate that the use of natural antioxidant, Chrys in combination with AA2G, provides protection against UVA-induced delayed CPD formation by enhancing ROS scavenging activity and melanogenesis inhibition. These findings could potentially be applied for formulating post-sun exposure skin care products, possibly extending to evening-after care products.

E2F1 Mediates the Retinoic Acid-Induced Transcription of Tshz1 during Neuronal Differentiation in a Cell Division-Dependent Manner.

The involvement of cell division in cellular differentiation has long been accepted. Cell division may be required not only for the expansion of a differentiated cell population but also for the execution of differentiation processes. Nonetheless, knowledge regarding how specific differentiation processes are controlled in a cell division-dependent manner is far from complete. Here, we determined the involvement of cell division in neuronal differentiation. We initially confirmed that cell division is an essential event for the neuronal differentiation of P19 embryonic carcinoma cells. We investigated the induction mechanisms of Tshz1, whose expression is induced by retinoic acid (RA) in a cell division-dependent manner. Promoter analysis of Tshz1 revealed a specific region required for RA-dependent transcription. A series of experiments was used to identify E2F1 as the induction factor for the RA-dependent transcription of Tshz1 We propose that E2F1 mediates neuronal differentiation in a cell division-dependent manner.

Alveolar Bone Protective Effect of Hiziki Extracts on the Progression of Periodontitis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of hiziki extract on alveolar bone loss, inflammation, and osteo-biomarker expression in hPDL cells (10, 50, 100 µg/ml final concentrations in culture medium) and on a ligature-induced periodontitis rat model (50, 100, 200 mg/kg with oral administration). Hiziki extract increased alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralized nodule formation in hPDL cell. In western blot analysis, hiziki extract resulted in increased expression of osteoblast markers, including transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß), SMAD anchor for receptor activation (SARA) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) in hDPL cells. Additionally, expression of osteoclast markers and inflammatory cytokines was inhibited, which were receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK), RANK receptor (RANKL) and nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1). Hiziki extract also prevented alveolar bone loss in a ligature-induced periodontitis rat model through reducing the distance between cementoenamel junction and alveolar bone crest (CBJ-ABC) and furcation involvement. These findings suggested that hiziki extract has prophylactic potential for the prevention of periodontitis through anti-inflammation and, anti-bone resorption effects and the inhibition of alveolar bone destruction.

Factors Affecting Suicidal Ideation Among Middle-Aged Korean Women in an Urban-Rural Province.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the factors that affect suicidal ideation among middle-aged Korean women in an urban-rural province. METHODS: This study used a convenience sample consisting of 196 middle-aged Korean women who live in Gyeonggi Province. Data were collected between November 2013 and January 2014. RESULTS: There were significant correlations among social relationships (r=-.18, p=.013), previous experiences of violence (r=.15, p=.032), subjective happiness (r=-.36, p<.001), depression (r=.44, p<.001), and suicidal ideation. Economic status, subjective happiness, and depression were found to have an effect on suicidal ideation (R(2)=.26). CONCLUSIONS: The study's results demonstrate that there needs to be greater focus on middle-aged women when considering mental health interventions in rural areas of Korea. The results may also contribute to the development of improved interventions for psychological health care.

Two-Year Outcome of Percutaneous Bipolar Radiofrequency Neurotomy of Sacral Nerves S2 and S3 in Spinal Cord Injured Patients with Neurogenic Detrusor Overactivity: A Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study.

BACKGROUND: Little research has been expended on the use of bipolar radiofrequency (RF) lesioning of sacral nerves in spinal cord injured (SCI) patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO), and no study has been undertaken to demonstrate its long-term effect. OBJECTIVE: To investigated the effect of bipolar RF ablation of the second and third sacral nerves over 2 years in SCI patients with NDO. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, randomized controlled feasibility study. SETTING: The outpatient clinic of a single academic medical center in Korea. METHODS: Ten SCI patients with NDO were recruited. These patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups; the intervention group (n = 5) and the control group (n = 5). Control group members received optimized conventional treatment. International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ), 3-day voiding diary, and the urinary incontinence quality of life scale (I-QOL) data were obtained at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24 months after intervention. Urodynamic study (UDS) was performed at baseline and 24 months after intervention. In the intervention group, percutaneous bipolar RF neurotomy was performed on both S2 and S3 nerves in each patient. RESULTS: Frequency of urinary incontinence and ICIQ and IQOL scores showed significant effects for time and for the group x time interaction (P < 0.05). Daily mean volume of urinary incontinence showed only a significant group effect. In UDS parameters, comparisons of values at baseline and at 24 months revealed all variables showed significant intergroup differences (P < 0.05). LIMITATION: A small number of patients was recruited. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous bipolar RF ablation of sacral nerves S2 and S3 effectively reduces urinary incontinence and improves quality of life (QoL) in SCI patients with NDO and the effects lasted over 2 years.

Effects of the "Happy Together" integrated cognitive behavior program on elderly people with dementia being cared for at home in rural areas.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this research was to apply the "Happy Together" integrated cognitive behavior program for elderly people with dementia who are living at home. METHODS: This research applied the non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Research participants included 46 pairs of elderly individuals and their caregivers. RESULTS: The program brought about positive changes in the instrumental activities of daily living of elderly people with dementia and alleviated the burden felt by family caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: Both elderly people with dementia and their family caregivers will be able to benefit from the "Happy Together" program.

Pseudoxanthomonas humi sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from rhizospheric soil of Fraxinus chinensis in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.

A novel bacterial strain THG-MM13(T) was isolated from rhizospheric soil sample and was characterized by using a polyphasic approach. Cells were Gram-reaction-negative, non-motile and rod-shaped. The strain was aerobic, catalase and oxidase positive, and optimum growth temperature and pH were 28 °C and 7.0, respectively. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain THG-MM13(T) (KM598260) belongs to the genus Pseudoxanthomonas and is most closely related to Pseudoxanthomonas wuyuanensis KCTC 23877(T) (97.4 %) (JN247803), followed by Pseudoxanthomonas koreensis KCTC 12208(T) (96.7 %) (AY550263) and Pseudoxanthomonas yeongjuensis KACC 11580(T) (96.7 %) (DQ438977). The DNA G + C content was 63.7 mol%, and the predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The major fatty acids were iso-C15:0 (31.3 %) and iso-C16:0 (19.3 %). The DNA-DNA relatedness value between strain THG-MM13(T) and P. wuyuanensis KCTC 23877(T) was below 50 %. The DNA-DNA hybridization result and results of the genotypic analysis in combination with chemotaxonomic and physiological data demonstrated that strain THG-MM13(T) represented a novel species within the genus Pseudoxanthomonas, for which the name Pseudoxanthomonas humi is proposed. The type strain is THG-MM13(T) (=KACC 18280(T) = CCTCC AB 2015122(T)).

Efficacy and Safety of Enzyme-Modified Panax ginseng for Anti-Wrinkle Therapy in Healthy Skin: A Single-Center, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Human skin undergoes changes during aging that result from the synergistic effects of intrinsic and extrinsic factors that may culminate in wrinkle formation, a characteristic of aged skin. Panax ginseng and ginsenosides have promising properties in preventing skin aging. Our previous study demonstrated that enzyme-modified ginseng extract (EG) has inhibitory effects against ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation-induced skin aging. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the preventive effects of EG on eye-wrinkle formation by applying EG cream in 23 randomized human subjects. Compared to the placebo, EG significantly reduced the global photo-damage score. In addition, total roughness (R1), smoothness depth (R4), and arithmetic roughness average (R5) were significantly decreased with use of EG. In a post-study questionnaire, subjects responded that EG was absorbed efficiently into the skin and was more potent in moisturizing and softening skin than the placebo. No participants reported adverse reactions to treatment. In conclusion, EG sufficiently suppressed eye wrinkle formation by decreasing various roughness measures on the basis of assessment with non-invasive devices. Therefore, our results indicate that EG is a promising anti-aging candidate that could be used as an ingredient in natural functional food and cosmetic products.

Homer2 protein regulates plasma membrane Ca²âº-ATPase-mediated Ca²âº signaling in mouse parotid gland acinar cells.

Homer proteins are scaffold molecules with a domain structure consisting of an N-terminal Ena/VASP homology 1 protein-binding domain and a C-terminal leucine zipper/coiled-coil domain. The Ena/VASP homology 1 domain recognizes proline-rich motifs and binds multiple Ca(2+)-signaling proteins, including G protein-coupled receptors, inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptors, ryanodine receptors, and transient receptor potential channels. However, their role in Ca(2+) signaling in nonexcitable cells is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the role of Homer2 on Ca(2+) signaling in parotid gland acinar cells using Homer2-deficient (Homer2(-/-)) mice. Homer2 is localized at the apical pole in acinar cells. Deletion of Homer2 did not affect inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor localization or channel activity and did not affect the expression and activity of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase pumps. In contrast, Homer2 deletion markedly increased expression of plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase (PMCA) pumps, in particular PMCA4, at the apical pole. Accordingly, Homer2 deficiency increased Ca(2+) extrusion by acinar cells. These findings were supported by co-immunoprecipitation of Homer2 and PMCA in wild-type parotid cells and transfected human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells. We identified a Homer-binding PPXXF-like motif in the N terminus of PMCA that is required for interaction with Homer2. Mutation of the PPXXF-like motif did not affect the interaction of PMCA with Homer1 but inhibited its interaction with Homer2 and increased Ca(2+) clearance by PMCA. These findings reveal an important regulation of PMCA by Homer2 that has a central role on PMCA-mediated Ca(2+) signaling in parotid acinar cells.

Postoperative irrigation therapy after sinonasal tumor surgery.

BACKGROUND: Sinonasal care after endoscopic tumor resection aims to manage crusting, edema, mucus, and a healing cavity. High-volume irrigations have proved beneficial in this setting. The addition of corticosteroid to the irrigation is used for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in modifying the postsurgical inflammatory response; however, its effect in endoscopic sinonasal tumor resection is unknown. Saline alone versus combination saline and corticosteroid irrigations in postoperative nasal care of sinonasal tumor patients was assessed. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of patients postendoscopic endonasal tumor resection was assessed. Patients used 240 mL of saline or 240 mL of saline with 1 mg of betamethasone daily. Nasal symptom scores (NSSs) and the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome test (SNOT-22) was recorded 3 months postoperatively. An endoscopic score was made of the area undergoing secondary healing at 3 months by two blinded assessors. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients were assessed (aged 50.1 ± 18.26 years; 36% female subjects). The groups were similar in number (saline n = 31), treatment, and surgical characteristics. The endoscopic scores did not differ between the groups at 3 months. NSS was lower in the saline group (1.0 [interquartile range {IQR}, 3] versus 7.0 [IQR, 9]; p = 0.03) and, similarly, for SNOT-22 (0.24 [IQR, 1] versus 1.09 [IQR, 1]; p = 0.01) compared with the saline with steroid group. CONCLUSION: Although corticosteroid irrigations have become routine for managing inflammatory sinus disease at our center, their use after tumor surgery does not appear to be warranted. The inflammatory healing process after tumor surgery differs from CRS inflammation and may explain the observed findings.

The effect of a hand-stretching device during the management of spasticity in chronic hemiparetic stroke patients.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a hand-stretching device that was developed for the management of hand spasticity in chronic hemiparetic stroke patients, and the effects of this device on hand spasticity. METHODS: Fifteen chronic hemiparetic stroke patients with finger flexor spasticity were recruited and randomly assigned to an intervention group (8 patients) or a control group (7 patients). The stretching device consists of a resting hand splint, a finger and thumb stretcher, and a frame. In use, the stretched state was maintained for 10 minutes per exercise session, and the exercise was performed twice daily for 4 weeks. Spasticity of finger flexor muscles in the two groups was assessed 3 times, 4 weeks apart, using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Patients in the intervention group were assessed twice (pre-1 and pre-2) before and once (post-1) after starting the stretching program. RESULTS: Mean MAS (mMAS) scores at initial evaluations were not significantly different at pre-1 in the intervention group and at 1st assessment in the control group (p>0.05). In addition, no significant differences were observed between mMAS scores at pre-1 and pre-2 in the intervention group (p>0.05). However, mMAS scores at post-1 were significantly lower than that at pre-2 in the intervention group (p<0.05). Within the control group, no significant changes in mMAS scores were observed between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd assessments (p>0.05). In addition, mMAS scores at post-1 in the intervention group were significantly decreased compared with those at the 3rd assessment in the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The devised stretching device was found to relieve hand spasticity effectively in chronic hemiparetic stroke patients.