Validity Study for Clinical Use of Hand-Held Spirometer in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

A spirometer is a medical device frequently used clinically for the diagnosis and prediction of lung disease. This study aimed to investigate the clinical usefulness of a hand-held spirometer (The Spirokit), compared with conventional spirometry in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study was conducted from February 2022 to October 2022.

Effect of functional electrical stimulation-based mirror therapy using gesture recognition biofeedback on upper extremity function in patients with chronic stroke: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Mirror therapy (MT) is an intervention used for upper extremity rehabilitation in stroke patients and has been studied in various fields. Recently, effective MT methods have been introduced in combination with neuromuscular electrical stimulation or with electromyography (EMG)-triggered biofeedback. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of functional electrical stimulation (FES)-based MT incorporating a motion recognition biofeedback device on upper extremity motor recovery to chronic stroke patients.

Effects of a Senior Musical Program on the Physical Function and Cognitive Abilities of Older Women in the Community.

Background: We aimed to investigate the effects of a community-based senior musical program on the cognitive and physical functions in older women.

Method: Older women aged ≥65 years participating in a program at a community welfare center were randomized to experimental (n = 17) or control (n = 17) groups. The control group participated in singing and yoga classes offered at the welfare center, while the experimental group participated in a senior musical program consisting of vocal training, dancing, and breathing training.

Effect of stabilization exercise combined with respiratory resistance and whole body vibration on patients with lumbar instability: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Lumbar stability exercise promotes deep muscle functions, and it is an effective intervention method for increasing proprioceptive sensation. This study aims to explore and compare the effects of lumbar stability exercise with respiratory resistance and whole body vibration on patients with lumbar instability.

Methods: This study is a 3-group randomized control trial.

Comparison of Incremental Shuttle Walking Test, 6-Minute Walking Test, and Cardiopulmonary Exercise Stress Test in Patients with Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to analyze the correlations among peak oxygen uptake (VO2) in cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX), incremental shuttle walking test (ISWT), and 6-minute walking test (6MWT) distances in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Additionally, we aimed to determine the relationship between the maximum heart rate (HRmax) and the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) among the tests and compare the changes in heart rate to verify the clinical benefit of the submaximal stress test. MATERIAL AND METHODS We analyzed the correlation by using the ISWT and 6MWT at 30-min intervals after 24 h of CPX in patients with MI.

Effects of progressive neuromuscular stabilization exercise on the support surface on patients with high obesity with lumbar instability: A double-blinded randomized controlled trial.

Background: Intensive neuromuscular stabilization exercise on highly obese patients with low back pain results in positive effects of body fat decline and prevention of complications. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of progressive neuromuscular stabilization exercise on unstable surface on pain, motor function, psychosocial factors, balance, and abdominal contraction with highly obese patients with lumbar instability.

Methods: This study is a double-blinded randomized controlled trial.

Effects of Lower Trapezius Strengthening Exercises on Pain, Dysfunction, Posture Alignment, Muscle Thickness and Contraction Rate in Patients with Neck Pain; Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND Neck pain is reported by many laborers who are at risk of experiencing musculoskeletal disorders due to muscle stiffness and hypokinetics. This study examined the effects of a lower trapezius exercise program on neck pain patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS The design of this study was a randomized controlled trial.

Comparison of Effects of Abdominal Draw-In Lumbar Stabilization Exercises with and without Respiratory Resistance on Women with Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND This study examined the effects of abdominal draw-in lumbar stabilization exercises (ADIM) with respiratory resistance on women ages 40-49 years with low back pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty-four women ages 40-49 years were screened for participation and were randomly assigned to either a respiratory with resistance exercise group (n=22) or a control group (n=22). Abdominal draw-in lumbar stabilization exercises were administered to both groups, but only the respiratory with resistance exercise group received the respiratory resistance training.

Effects of a Progressive Stabilization Exercise Program Using Respiratory Resistance for Patients with Lumbar Instability: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND This study investigated the effects of progressive stabilization exercise program carried out with respiratory resistance in patients with lumbar instability. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty-three patients with lumbar instability were randomly assigned to experimental (n=20) and control groups (n=23). The experimental group performed progressive lumbar stabilization exercises along with respiratory resistance, and the control group only performed progressive lumbar stabilization exercises, for 40 min per session, 3 sessions a week, for 4 weeks.

Effect of a Respiratory Training Program Using Wind Instruments on Cardiopulmonary Function, Endurance, and Quality of Life of Elderly Women.

BACKGROUND Physical changes due to aging lead to weakening of respiratory muscles and decreased lung functions that result in increasing risk of chronic respiratory disease. A complex respiratory rehabilitation program is needed to prevent respiratory diseases and improve lung functions and quality of life. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of respiratory training programs on pulmonary functions, cardiovascular endurance, and quality of life in elderly women.

Visible-light photoredox-catalyzed desulfurization of thiol- and disulfide-containing amino acids and small peptides.

A scalable protocol for the desulfurization of cysteine by using visible light, the photocatalyst Ir(dF(CF )ppy) (dtb-bpy)PF and triethylphosphite under biphasic reaction conditions has been developed. The loading of the catalyst can be as low as 0.01 mol%, which can be efficiently removed during the workup (≤0.

Canoe game-based virtual reality training to improve trunk postural stability, balance, and upper limb motor function in subacute stroke patients: a randomized controlled pilot study.

[Purpose] This study was aimed at investigating the preliminary therapeutic efficacy and usefulness of canoe game-based virtual reality training for stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Ten stroke patients were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG; n=5) or a control group (CG; n=5). Patients in both groups participated in a conventional rehabilitation program, but those in the EG additionally participated in a 30-min canoe game-based virtual reality training program 3 days a week for 4 weeks.

Balance training improves postural balance, gait, and functional strength in adolescents with intellectual disabilities: Single-blinded, randomized clinical trial.

Background: Adolescents with intellectual disabilities often present with problems of balance and mobility. Balance training is an important component of physical activity interventions, with growing evidence that it can be beneficial for people with intellectual disabilities.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of balance training on postural balance, gait, and functional strength in adolescents with intellectual disabilities.

Construction of chiral α-amino quaternary stereogenic centers via phase-transfer catalyzed enantioselective α-alkylation of α-amidomalonates.

An efficient enantioselective synthetic method for α-amido-α-alkylmalonates via phase-transfer catalytic α-alkylation was successfully developed. The α-alkylation of α-amidomalonates under phase-transfer catalytic conditions (50% KOH, toluene, -40 °C) in the presence of (S,S)-3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-NAS bromide afforded the corresponding α-amido-α-alkylmalonates in high chemical yields (up to 99%) and optical yields (up to 97% ee), which could be readily converted to versatile chiral intermediates bearing α-amino quaternary stereogenic centers. The synthetic potential of this methodology was demonstrated via the synthesis of chiral azlactone, oxazoline, and unnatural α-amino acid.

Agreement between the spatio-temporal gait parameters from treadmill-based photoelectric cell and the instrumented treadmill system in healthy young adults and stroke patients.

Background: Treadmill gait analysis was more advantageous than over-ground walking because it allowed continuous measurements of the gait parameters. The purpose of this study was to investigate the concurrent validity and the test-retest reliability of the OPTOGait photoelectric cell system against the treadmill-based gait analysis system by assessing spatio-temporal gait parameters.

Material And Methods: Twenty-six stroke patients and 18 healthy adults were asked to walk on the treadmill at their preferred speed.

Asymmetric training using virtual reality reflection equipment and the enhancement of upper limb function in stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Asymmetric movements with both hands contributed to the improvement of spatially coupled motion. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an asymmetric training program using virtual reality reflection equipment on upper limb function in stroke patients.

Methods: Twenty-four stroke patients were randomly allocated to an experimental group (n=12) or a control group (n=12).

Enantioselective synthesis of α-halo-α-alkylmalonates via phase-transfer catalytic α-alkylation.

A new enantioselective synthetic method for α-halo-α-alkylmalonates is reported. α-Alkylation of diphenylmethyl tert-butyl α-halomalonates under phase-transfer catalytic conditions (solid KOH, toluene, -40 °C) in the presence of (S,S)-3,4,5-trifluorophenyl-NAS bromide (5 mol%) afforded diphenylmethyl tert-butyl α-halo-α-alkylmalonates in very high chemical yields (up to 99%) and optical yields (up to 93% ee).

Asymmetric synthesis and evaluation of α-quaternary chiral lactam derivatives as novel anticancer agents.

Asymmetric synthesis of α-quaternary chiral lactam derivatives as novel anticancer agents and evaluation of their cytotoxic potentials and spectrums are reported. Among the developed lactam derivatives, the most active new compounds (S)-4m and (S)-4n synthesized via asymmetric phase-transfer catalytic alkylation in very high optical yields (98 % ee) show promising in vitro anticancer activities with low micromolar IC50 values against colon, uterus, lung, and breast human cancer cells.

Efficient enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-horsfiline.

A new efficient and concise enantioselective synthetic method for (-)-horsfiline is reported. (-)-Horsfiline could be obtained from diphenylmethyl tert-butyl malonate in 9 steps (32%,>99% ee) by using the enantioselective phase-transfer catalytic allylation (91% ee) as the key step. This approach can be applied as a practical route for the large-scale synthesis of spirooxindole natural products, which enables a systematic investigation of their biological activity to be performed.

Highly enantioselective synthesis of 5-phenyl-2-alkylprolines using phase-transfer catalytic alkylation.

An efficient enantioselective synthetic method for the synthesis of (2R)-5-phenyl-2-alkylproline tert-butyl esters was reported. The phase-transfer catalytic alkylation of tert-butyl-5-phenyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole-2-carboxylate in the presence of chiral quaternary ammonium catalysts gave the corresponding alkylated products (up to 97% ee). The following diastereoselective reductions afforded chiral 5-phenyl-2-alkylprolines which can be applied to asymmetric synthesis as organocatalysts or synthesis of biologically active proline based compounds, such as chiral α-alkylated analogues of (+)-RP66803, as potential CCK antagonists.

N-methylthioureas as new agonists of retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor.

Thirty two thiourea derivatives were prepared and their agonistic activities on the retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor α (RORα) were evaluated. The replacement of the 3-allyl-2-imino-thiazolidin-4-one moiety of the lead compound CGP52608 (1) with various functional group substituted aromatic rings, improved the agonistic activity of RORα. Among the prepared derivatives, 1-methyl-3-(4-phenoxy-benzyl)-thiourea (32) showed 2.

Highly enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-isonitramine.

A new efficient enantioselective synthetic method of (+)-isonitramine is reported. (+)-Isonitramine was obtained in 12 steps (98% ee and 43% overall yield) from δ-valerolactam via enantioselective phase-transfer catalytic alkylation, Dieckman condensation, and diastereoselective reduction as key steps.