• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.65-71
• /
• 2021

Background: The hamstring is a muscle that crosses two joints, that is the hip and knee, and its flexibility is an important indicator of physical health in its role in many activities of daily living such as sitting, walking, and running. Limited range of motion (ROM) due to hamstring tightness is strongly related to back pain and malfunction of the hip joint. High-frequency diathermy (HFD) therapy is known to be effective in relaxing the muscle and increasing ROM. Objects: To investigate the effects of HFD on active knee extension ROM and hamstring tone and stiffness in participants with hamstring tightness. Methods: Twenty-four participants with hamstring tightness were recruited, and the operational definition of hamstring tightness in this study was active knee extension ROM of below 160° at 90° hip flexion in the supine position. HFD was applied to the hamstring for 15 minutes using the WINBACK device. All participants were examined before and after the intervention, and the results were analyzed using a paired t-test. The outcome measures included knee extension ROM, the viscoelastic property of the hamstring, and peak torque for passive knee extension. Results: The active knee extension ROM significantly increased from 138.8° ± 9.9° (mean ± standard deviation) to 143.9° ± 10.4° after the intervention (p < 0.05), while viscoelastic property of the hamstring significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Also, the peak torque for knee extension significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Application of HFD for 15 minutes to tight hamstrings immediately improves the active ROM and reduces the tone, stiffness, and elasticity of the muscle. However, further experiments are required to examine the long-term effects of HFD on hamstring tightness including pain reduction, postural improvement around the pelvis and lower extremities, and enhanced functional movement.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.45 no.6
• /
• pp.676-682
• /
• 2021

Background: Red ginseng has been found to improve ocular perfusion and dry eye syndrome in glaucomatous eyes; however, its effects on visual function and vision-related quality of life have not been investigated. This study sought to evaluate the effects of red ginseng on visual function and vision-related quality of life in glaucoma patients using contrast sensitivity and a questionnaire. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to two groups in this prospective, randomized, double-blind study: in one group, red ginseng was taken first, followed by a placebo, and in the other, placebo was taken first, followed by red ginseng. We measured and compared changes in contrast sensitivity and vision-related quality of life between the two groups. Contrast sensitivity was measured using OPTEC® 6500P, and vision-related quality of life was evaluated using the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire. One-way and two-way repeated measure analyses of variance were used for the comparison. Relationships between respective changes in dry eye syndrome and contrast sensitivity were also analyzed. Results: Daytime contrast sensitivity and ocular pain improved after the administration of red ginseng. Nighttime contrast sensitivity was improved in early or moderate glaucoma. Improved contrast sensitivity was not associated with improvement in dry eye syndrome. Conclusion: Red ginseng could improve contrast sensitivity and ocular pain in patients with glaucoma. The mechanism underlying improvement in contrast sensitivity appears to be associated with enhanced retinal perfusion or retinal ganglion cell function, but not dry eye syndrome.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.235-245
• /
• 2021

Lindera glauca Blume has been used in Korean traditional medicine to treat the symptoms of paralysis, abdominal pain, speech disorders, extravasations, contusions, and pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. We investigated the effect of L. glauca Blume extracts on the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells in vitro using HCT116 human colorectal cancer cell lines. We also investigated its mechanism of action. For this purpose, we used the MTT assay, western blotting, DNA fragmentation analysis, and flow cytometry. HCT116 cells were cultured in several concentrations of ethanol extracts of L. glauca Blume root (0, 50, 100 ㎍/mL). In this study, colon cancer cell growth was inhibited by L. glauca Blume root extract in a dose-dependent manner. It was associated with induction of apoptosis as assessed by nuclear fragmentation and cell cycle analysis. Apoptosis was assessed using western blotting for TNF-α, IL-6, NF-κB, Caspase-3, PARP, Bax, Bcl-2, and SIRT1. The extract also dose-dependently upregulated the expression Bax, the pro-apoptotic gene and downregulated the expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2. Furthermore, the extract enhanced Caspase-3 activity in a dose-dependent manner. Our findings provide evidence that L. glauca Blume extract may mediate its anti-proliferative effect via the modulation of apoptosis.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Emotion and Sensibility Conference
• /
• 2009.11a
• /
• pp.183-185
• /
• 2009

As imaging technology develops, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques have contributed to the understanding of brain function by providing anatomical structure of the brain and functional imaging related to information processing. Manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) techniques can provide useful information about functions of the nervous system. However, systematic studies regarding information processing of pain have not been conducted. The purpose of this study was to detect brain activation during painful electrical stimulation using MEMRI with high spatial resolution. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300 g) were divided into 3 groups: normal control, sham stimulation, and electric stimulation. Rats were anesthetized with 2.5% isoflurane for surgery. Polyethylene catheter (PE-10) was placed in the external carotid artery to administrate mannitol and MnCl2. The blood brain barrier (BBB) was broken by 20% D-mannitol under anesthesia mixed with urethane and a-chloralose. The hind limb was electrically stimulated with a 2Hz (10V) frequency while MnCl2 was infused. Brain activation induced by electrical stimulation was detected using a 4.7 T MRI. Remarkable signal enhancement was observed in the primary sensory that corresponds to sensory tactile stimulation at the hind limb region. These results suggest that signal enhancement is related to functional activation following electrical stimulation of the peripheral receptive field.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.17-26
• /
• 2011

Objectives : Corydalis tuber has been used for promoting blood circulation and for relieving pain in Oriental medicine. In the present study, we focused on the antimicrobial activity of Corydalis tuber and compared its antimicrobial activity with the processed Corydalis tuber. Methods : Processing of Corydalis tuber was accomplished by immersing in 5% of acetic acid for 12 h and then by roasting at $250^{\circ}C$ for indicated time periods(0-30 min). Minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) and the zone of growth inhibition were determined against Propionibacterium acnes(P. acnes). Results : The methanolic extracts of Corydalis tuber showed potent antimicrobial effect(MIC 62.5 ${\mu}g/ml$). Its alkaloidal component, dehydrocorydaline, also exhibited antibacterial activity(MIC 25.0 ${\mu}g/ml$). After processing of Corydalis tuber, its inhibitory effect on the growth of P. acnes was significantly enhanced compared with that of unprocessed Corydalis tuber. Furthermore, elevated content of dehydrocorydaline was found in the processed than the unprocessed Corydalis tuber. However, the different roasting minutes effected on antimicrobial activity. The best roasting time of Corydalis tuber was 10 min, while roasting for the time above 15 min resulted in diminishing antimicrobial activity. Thus, it was concluded that the standardized processing condition of Corydalis tuber should be established to obtain enhanced antimicrobial(P. acnes) activity. Conclusion : For antimicrobial effect against P. acnes, the best processing condition of Corydalis tuber is immersing in 5% of acetic acid for 12 h and by roasting at $250^{\circ}C$ for 10 min.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.579-589
• /
• 2017

Anesthetics are used extensively in surgeries and related procedures to prevent pain. However, there is some concern regarding neuronal degeneration and cognitive deficits arising from regular anesthetic exposure. Recent studies have indicated that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) are involved in learning and memory processes. Genistein, a plant-derived isoflavone, has been shown to exhibit neuroprotective effects. The present study was performed to examine the protective effect of genistein against isoflurane-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Neonatal rats were exposed to isoflurane (0.75%, 6 hours) on postnatal day 7 (P7). Separate groups of rat pups were orally administered genistein at doses of 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg body weight from P3 to P15 and then exposed to isoflurane anesthesia on P7. Neuronal apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay and FluoroJade B staining following isoflurane exposure. Genistein significantly reduced apoptosis in the hippocampus, reduced the expression of proapoptotic factors (Bad, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3), and increased the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. RT-PCR analysis revealed enhanced BDNF and TrkB mRNA levels. Genistein effectively upregulated cAMP levels and phosphorylation of CREB and TrkB, leading to activation of cAMP/CREB-BDNF-TrkB signaling. PI3K/Akt signaling was also significantly activated. Genistein administration improved general behavior and enhanced learning and memory in the rats. These observations suggest that genistein exerts neuroprotective effects by suppressing isoflurane-induced neuronal apoptosis and by activating cAMP/CREB-BDNF-TrkB-PI3/Akt signaling.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.24 no.5
• /
• pp.433-440
• /
• 2020

The substantia gelatinosa (SG) of the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) is the first relay site for the orofacial nociceptive inputs via the thin myelinated Aδ and unmyelinated C primary afferent fibers. Borneol, one of the valuable time-honored herbal ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine, is a popular treatment for anxiety, anesthesia, and antinociception. However, to date, little is known as to how borneol acts on the SG neurons of the Vc. To close this gap, the whole-cell patch-clamp technique was applied to elucidate the antinociceptive mechanism responding for the actions of borneol on the SG neurons of the Vc in mice. In the voltage-clamp mode, holding at -60 mV, the borneol-induced non-desensitizing inward currents were not affected by tetrodotoxin, a voltage-gated Na⁺ channel blocker, 6-cyano-7-nitro-quinoxaline-2,3-dione, a non-N-methyl-ᴅ-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor antagonist and DL-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, an NMDA receptor antagonist. However, borneol-induced inward currents were partially decreased in the presence of picrotoxin, a γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)_A receptor antagonist, or strychnine, a glycine receptor antagonist, and was almost suppressed in the presence of picrotoxin and strychnine. Though borneol did not show any effect on the glycine-induced inward currents, borneol enhanced GABA-mediated responses. Beside, borneol enhanced the GABA-induced hyperpolarization under the current-clamp mode. Altogether, we suggest that borneol contributes in part toward mediating the inhibitory GABA and glycine transmission on the SG neurons of the Vc and may serve as an herbal therapeutic for orofacial pain ailments.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.5-17
• /
• 2002

The purpose of this one group pre and post test study was to evaluate the effect of self-help programs(SHP) which has been conducted from 1997 to 2000. The SHP was held by Korean Rheumatology Health Professionals Society(KRHP) once a week for 6 weeks for chronic arthritis patients in Korea. Eight hundred fifty five subjects completed the program at 43 sites. The effect of SHP were evaluated by flexibility, pain, activities of daily living(ADL), fatigue, depression and self-efficacy. After SHP, followings were found: 1. Participants' characteristics of SHP were most common in living in Seoul, women, sixties, high school graduates, house wifes, osteoarthritis, completed in 1999. 2. The flexibility of arm, knee, ankle joint were significantly increased, but the flexibility of the shoulder was not changed. 3. Level of pain was decreased significantly from 5.21 to 3.99, and the number of painful joints were decreased from 4.96 to 4.18 significantly. 4. The score of ADL was increased from 53.74 to 54.97 significantly. 5. The score of depression and self-efficacy was not changed. In conclusion, SHP was clearly proved to be an effective nursing intervention to Increase the flexibility of arm, knee, ankle joint and enhanced ADL. Also SHP decreased pain and fatigue. More research is needed to determine the role of self-efficacy and depression in the SHP, use of a randomized design and longer follow up period to understand more about the effects of the program.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.27 no.10
• /
• pp.1531-1536
• /
• 2006

Microsomal prostaglandin $E_2$ synthase (mPGES-1) is an enzyme that is associated with inflammation, pain, fever and cancer. Hologram quantitative structure activity relationship (HQSAR) was conducted on the series of MK-886 compounds acting as mPGES-1 inhibitors. A training set with 24 compounds was used to establish the HQSAR model. The best model was chosen based on the cross-validated correlation coefficient ($q^2$=0.884) and the correlation coefficient($r^2$=0.976). The model was utilized to predict the activity of the eight-test set of compounds giving the predictive $r^2$ value of 0.845. The descriptors of the model are based on fragment distinction (atoms, bond and connectivity) and fragment size (2-5 atoms). The atomic contribution maps generated from HQSAR were useful in identifying the important structural features responsible for the inhibitory activity of MK-886 inhibitors. Based on the generated model, the presence of hydrophobic biphenyl group seems to enhance inhibition of mPGES-1 that is in agreement with the previous experiments. In addition, it seems important for a halogen to be substituted to the biphenyl ring and for an acyl group to be attached to the indole moiety for enhanced activity.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.28-35
• /
• 2006

Purpose: This study was performed to verify the effect of rhythmic activity program on the elderly particularly their level of instrumental activities of daily living(IADL), depression and sleep. Method: The design of this study is one-group pretest-post test design. Three self-reported questionnaires were used as follows: first, the IADL Scale developed by Lawton and Brody(1969) and revised by Suh(1996) for measuring IADL, second, the Geriatric Depression Scale developed by Sheikh and Yesavage(1986) and revised by Song(1991) for measuring depression, third, Korean Sleep Scale developed by Oh, Song, & Kim(1998) for measuring sleep aspects; fourth, the applied version of Facial Pain Scale developed by Wong & Baker(1988) and revised by Song(2004) for measuring sleep quality. Twenty-seven elderlies carried out 50 minutes of rhythmic activity program for 4 weeks. Before and after the experiment, they were tested for IADL, depression and sleep. Collected data were processed using the SPSS/WIN 12.0 program analyzed by the frequency, percentage, mean and paired t-test. Results: The improvement in IADL of the elderly was not enhanced significantly but depression and sleep disorders significantly decreased. Conclusion: Rhythmic activity program is an effective nursing intervention for the elderly.