Early Neurodevelopmental Assessments of Neonates Discharged From the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Physiatrist's Perspective.

The survival rate of children admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) after birth is on the increase; hence, proper evaluation and care of their neurodevelopment has become an important issue. Neurodevelopmental assessments of individual domains regarding motor, language, cognition, and sensory perception are crucial in planning prompt interventions for neonates requiring immediate support and rehabilitation treatment. These assessments are essential for identifying areas of weakness and designing targeted interventions to improve future functional outcomes and the quality of lives for both the infants and their families.

Short-term effects of microimplant-assisted rapid palatal expansion on the circummaxillary sutures in skeletally mature patients: A cone-beam computed tomography study.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the short-term effects on the circummaxillary sutures induced by microimplant-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) in skeletally mature patients.

Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of preexpansion (T0) and postexpansion (T1) of 23 patients (mean age, 20.9 ± 3.

Performance evaluation of EuDx™ ufPCR Flu & RSV detection kit for detection of influenza A/B and respiratory syncytial virus.

EuDx™ ufPCR Flu & RSV Detection Kit (EUDIPIA, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea) is a recently developed molecular assay for simultaneously detecting influenza A/B and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). We evaluated this assay in a clinical setting and demonstrated its excellent performance for diagnosing influenza A/B and RSV infections.

Usefulness of comprehensive targeted multigene panel sequencing for neuromuscular disorders in Korean patients.

Background: Multigene panel sequencing (MGPS) is the first-line option in diagnostic testing for genetically heterogeneous but clinically similar conditions, such as neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). In this study, we aimed to assess the utility of comprehensive NMD MGPS and the need for updated panels.

Methods: All patients were analyzed by either of two versions of the NMD MGPS and by chromosomal microarray and karyotype testing.

Effects of Copy Number Variations on Developmental Aspects of Children With Delayed Development.

Objective: To determine effects of copy number variations (CNV) on developmental aspects of children suspected of having delayed development.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was done for 65 children who underwent array-comparative genomic hybridization after visiting physical medicine & rehabilitation department of outpatient clinic with delayed development as chief complaints. Children were evaluated with Denver Developmental Screening Test II (DDST-II), Sequenced Language Scale for Infants (SELSI), or Preschool Receptive-Expressive Language Scale (PRES).

Exploring effects of childhood parentification on adult-depressive symptoms in Korean college students.

Objective: This study explored parentification dimensions, the age of onset, duration, and family circumstances to better understand the characteristics of parentification and its impact on depressive symptoms among Korean college students.

Method: A sample of South Korean college students (N = 316, aged 18-29 years, 66.1% female) rated their childhood parentification experiences and current depressive symptoms.

The Korean Version of the Cognitive Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (K-CASP): A Reliability and Validity Study.

Objective: To develop the Korean version of the Cognitive Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (K-CASP) and to evaluate the test reliability and validity of the K-CASP in stroke patients.

Methods: The original CASP was translated into Korean, back-translated into English, then reviewed and compared with the original version. Thirty-three stroke patients were assessed independently by two examiners using the K-CASP twice, with a one-day interval, for a total of four test results.

Korean Version of the Mini-Mental State Examination Using Smartphone: A Validation Study.

Background: Stroke often leads to disability, and poststroke survivors often have limited accessibility to medical facilities.

Introduction: For such patients, mobile videoconferencing technology offers an opportunity to perform follow-up assessment and appropriate management of cognitive impairment. We aimed to determine the validity of the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-K) when administered using a smartphone.

Enhancing oral bioavailability using preparations of apigenin-loaded W/O/W emulsions: In vitro and in vivo evaluations.

We analyzed the physical properties and digestibility of apigenin-loaded emulsions as they passed through a simulated digestion model. As the emulsion passed through the simulated stages of digestion, the particle size and zeta potential of all the samples changed, except for the soybean oil-Tween 80 emulsion, in which zeta potential remained constant, through all stages, indicating that soybean oil-Tween 80 emulsions may have an effect on stability during all stages of digestion. Fluorescence microscopy was used to observe the morphology of the emulsions at each step.

Effects of Indoor Rowing Exercise on the Body Composition and the Scoliosis of Visually Impaired People: A Preliminary Study.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of rowing exercise on body composition, laboratory data, fitness and scoliosis in visually impaired people. The majority of visually impaired people do not participate in active sports due to efficiency and safety issues. Rowing is a safe whole-body exercise with aerobic and anaerobic components.

Selectively impaired fasciculus gracilis in cervical spinal cord injury.

Selective lesions of the fasciculus gracilis have been reported only in cases of nontraumatic spinal cord disease. We present the case of a 54-year-old man who developed persistent hypesthesia and abnormal vibratory sensation below the T6 segmental level after injuring his cervical spine after a fall. Cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, spinal stenosis, and a C3-4 spinal cord injury.

Preparation of chitosan-TPP microspheres as resveratrol carriers.

Resveratrol (3,4',5-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene)-loaded chitosan-sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) microspheres using high (310 to 375 kDa) and medium (190 to 310 kDa) molecular weight chitosan and TPP in varying concentrations were produced to improve resveratrol bioavailability. A 450 μm nozzle encapsulator was used to produce the microspheres. The mean microsphere particle size was between 160 and 206 μm, and exhibited a narrower size distribution as the TPP solution concentration increased.

Traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation presenting with Dysphagia as the chief complaint: a case report.

We report a patient with traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation who presented with dysphagia as the chief complaint. A 59-year-old man complained of swallowing difficulty for 2 months after trauma to the neck. On physical examination, there was atrophy of the right sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius muscles, and the tongue was deviated to the right.

Effect of microparticulated wheat bran on the physical properties of bread.

Wheat bran and flour mixtures were used in a bread formulation to improve its quality characteristics. Wheat bran was microparticulated using a jet mill, and this microparticulated wheat bran (MWB) was substituted for a portion of wheat flour. As the MWB content increased, water-holding capacity, hardness and springiness increased while the swelling property decreased slightly.

Identification of SLC26A3 mutations in a Korean patient with congenital chloride diarrhea.

Congenital chloride diarrhea (CLD) is an autosomal recessive disorder with the hallmark of persistent watery Cl(-)-rich diarrhea from birth. Mutations in the solute carrier family 26, member 3 (SLC26A3) gene, which encodes a coupled Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger in the ileum and colon, are known to cause CLD. Although there are a few reports of CLD patients in Korea, none of these had been confirmed by genetic analysis.

Globus pallidus interna deep brain stimulation improves chorea and functional status in a patient with chorea-acanthocytosis.

We report a 39-year-old woman with chorea-acanthocytosis (ChAc) who was referred with refractory hyperkinetic movement and truncal bending spasm. She was diagnosed with ChAc with clinical features and laboratory findings of acanthocytosis in peripheral blood smear, and genetic studies revealed novel mutations in the VPS13 gene. Because her symptoms did not respond well to medical treatment, she was in a totally dependent state.

Reduction in fat uptake of doughnut by microparticulated wheat bran.

Wheat flour-microparticulated wheat bran (MWB) mixture and composites were prepared, and their potential as an oil repellent was evaluated in doughnuts. As MWB content increased, the oil-holding capacity decreased, and there were significant changes in water-holding capacity (p < 0.05).

A Korean Parkinson's disease family with the LRRK2 p.Tyr1699Cys mutation showing clinical heterogeneity.

Background: Although leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is the gene most commonly linked to autosomal dominant inherited Parkinson's disease (PD), there have been few reports in Asia, probably because of population-specific differences in allele frequencies.

Methods: We identified a large Korean PD family with the p.Tyr1699Cys mutation in LRRK2 and analyzed genealogical, clinical, and genetic data from the family.

Identification of a p-cresol degradation pathway by a GFP-based transposon in Pseudomonas and its dominant expression in colonies.

In this study, the chromosome-encoded pcuRCAXB genes that are required for p-cresol degradation have been identified by using a newly constructed green fluorescent protein (GFP)-based promoter probe transposon in the long-chain alkylphenol degrader Pseudomonas alkylphenolia. The deduced amino acid sequences of the genes showed the highest identities at the levels of 65-93% compared with those in the databases. The transposon was identified to be inserted in the pcuA gene, with the promoterless gfp gene being under the control of the pcu catabolic gene promoter.

Genotype variability and clinical features of human metapneumovirus isolated from Korean children, 2007 to 2010.

This study was undertaken to determine the genotype variability of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and its circulation pattern over a 3.5-year period, and to evaluate its clinical characteristics in Korean children. We investigated 4599 pediatric patients who were referred for a routine respiratory virus test by RT-PCR.

Ssg, a putative glycosyltransferase, functions in lipo- and exopolysaccharide biosynthesis and cell surface-related properties in Pseudomonas alkylphenolia.

In the presence of vaporized p-cresol, Pseudomonas alkylphenolia KL28 forms specialized aerial structures (SAS). A transposon mutant of strain KL28 (C23) incapable of forming mature SAS was isolated. Genetic analysis of the C23 mutant revealed the transposon insertion in a gene (ssg) encoding a putative glycosyltransferase, which is homologous to the Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 PA5001 gene.