Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of motor dual task training on gait ability of post-stroke patients.[Subjects] Participants were randomly allocated to 2 groups: a motor dual task training group (n=17) and a control group (n=16).[Methods] Both groups received physical therapy for 30 minutes, 5 days per week for 6 weeks. The motor dual task training group received additional motor dual task training for 30 minutes, 3 days per week for 6 weeks. Gait ability was evaluated using the GAITRite system. [Results] Temporal parameters and spatial parameters were significantly improved by motor dual task training. Changes in gait speed, cadence, paretic step length, non-paretic step length, paretic stride length, non-paretic stride length, and paretic single limb support period were significantly different between the motor dual task training group and the control group.[Conclusion] Motor dual task training improved gait ability. These results suggest that motor dual task training is feasible and suitable for individuals with stroke.

The results of this study suggest that Shaker exercise is a effective exercise for recovery of swallowing function in stroke survivors with dysphagia.

[Purpose] This study compared the upper extremity recovery of stroke patients with the amount of their upper extremity use in real life as measured by accelerometers. [Subjects] Forty inpatients who had had a stroke were recruited. [Methods] The subjects were divided into two groups by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Motor Function (FMA) score, a moderately recovered group and a well recovered group. The amount of upper extremity physical activity and its ratio in daily time periods were analyzed for the affected and unaffected sides. [Results] The well recovered group showed significantly higher affected arm use and use ratio than the moderately recovered group in all time periods. [Conclusion] The upper extremity recovery level of the affected side is similar to the physical activity level according to the amount of upper extremity physical activity in actual life measured with an accelerometer. Overuse of the normal side regardless of the recovery level of upper extremity proves the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) concept of differentiating between capacity and performance, and rehabilitation treatments should focus on improving performance.

The Rasch equating method successfully created three crosswalks between the FIM motor items and K-MBI, with the equated test items demonstrating good psychometrics. The crosswalks would address the incomparable scoring systems between the FIM motor items and K-MBI. Implications for Rehabilitation The three crosswalk tables (scoring tables) would allow clinicians to compare or translate a patient's motor scores between the FIM and K-MBI. The crosswalk tables would allow health-care administrators to track patients' functional status across various rehabilitation facilities that exclusively use the FIM or K-MBI.

[Purpose] This study investigated the recovery of arm function and the functional use of the affected limb in real life of stroke patients after bilateral arm training. [Subjects] Twenty patients with stroke were randomly allocated to the BT (bilateral training group, n=10) and UT (unilateral training group, n=10) groups. [Methods] The BT group performed functional tasks with both hand symmetrically, the UT group performed tasks with only the affected hand for 30 minutes a session 5 times a week over 6 weeks. Before and after the intervention, accelerometers (Actisleep), functional independence measure (FIM) and manual function test (MFT) were used to assess subjects’ abilities. [Results] The BT group showed a significant improvement in FIM total score, motor subtotal score and MFT score of affected side compared to the UT group. The BT group showed a more quantitative increase in the amount of activity of the affected side than the UT group. Regarding activity intensity, the BT group showed a decrease in the sedentary level and an increase of the moderate level on the affected side compared to the UT group. [Conclusion] We found that programs tailored to the characteristics of stroke patients and continuous monitoring of physical activity using an accelerometer minimized possible future disability and improved the patients’ quality of life.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are key for the fermentation of sourdoughs to improve the quality and nutritive value of bread. The aim of this study was to isolate the LAB starter for sourdough fermentation from -, a Korean traditional rice cake. Among the twenty two LAB screened, five isolates were selected based on exo-polysaccharide production. Among them, three isolates showed cell growth greater than 8.5 Log CFU/g, maximum increase in the volume of dough, and dextran concentration up to 0.16%. During the sourdough fermentation, pH and total titratable acidity (TTA) were changed, as the three isolates synthesized lactic acid and acetic acid with fermentation quotients less than 2.0. They were identified as EFEL005, EFEL004, and EFEL006. They displayed good fermentation properties (growth, dextran production, pH, and TTA) in dough and they are regarded as potential starters to be used in sourdough fermentation.

No abstract

There is an increasing interest in using inactivated probiotics to modulate the host immune system and protect against pathogens. As the immunomodulatory function of heat-killed Lactobacillus brevis KCTC 12777BP (LBB) and its mechanism is unclear, we investigated the effect of LBB on immune response based on the hypothesis that LBB might exert stimulatory effects on immunity. In the current study, we demonstrate that administration of LBB can exert immune-stimulatory effects and promote clearance of foreign matters through enhancing phagocytosis. Treatment with LBB induced the production of TNF-α, IL-6, and nitric oxide in macrophages. Importantly, LBB directly increased the phagocytic activity of macrophages against bacterial particles. LBB was able to promote the production of TNF-α in bone marrow-derived macrophages and splenocytes and also increase the proliferation rate of splenocytes, suggesting that the immune-stimulating activity of LBB can be observed in primary immune cells. Investigation into the molecular mechanism responsible revealed that LBB upregulates TAK1 activity and its downstream ERK, p38, and JNK signaling pathways. To further confirm the immunomodulatory capability of LBB in vivo, we orally administered LBB to mice and assessed the effect on primary splenocytes. Splenocytes isolated from LBB-treated mice exhibited higher TNF-α expression and proliferative capacity. These results show that heat-killed L. brevis, a wildly consumed probiotic, may provide protection against pathogens through enhancing host immunity.