• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.2071-2076
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• 2020

Background: Based on the understanding of the muscle activation relationship between the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid muscles to according to the angle of motion during external rotation on glenohumeral joint, effective shoulder joint strengthening exercise for the prevention and rehabilitation of shoulder injury due to muscle strength imbalance can be performed by achieving the ideal muscle activity ratio during exercise. Objectives: To compare and analyze the muscle activation changes and activity ratio of the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid muscles according to the glenohumeral external rotation angle. Design: Quasi-randomized trial. Methods: The study included 48 healthy male and female adults who provided informed consent for participation in the study. All the subjects performed isometric glenohumeral external rotation by setting the angle of motion to 30°, 45°, and 60° using a 5 kg resistance weight pulley. On surface electromyography, the differences in muscle activation and activity ratio between the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid muscles were investigated. Results: A significant difference in muscle activation was found in the comparison between the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid muscles according to the glenohumeral external rotation angle (P<.05). The muscle activation levels of the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid muscles were highest at the external rotation angles of 30° and 60°, respectively. The muscle activity ratio between the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid muscles also showed a significant difference (P<.05) and was highest at the shoulder external rotation angle of 30°. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that muscle activity is the highest at the shoulder external rotation angle of 30° in healthy individuals.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.176-180
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• 2015

Objectives: The increased prevalence of antibiotic resistance is an outcome of evolution. Most patients presenting with odontogenic space infections also have associated systemic co-morbidities such as diabetes mellitus resulting in impaired host defense. The present study aims to compare the odontogenic spaces involved, antibiotic susceptibility of microorganisms, length of hospital stay, and the influence of systemic comorbidities on treatment outcome in diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: A 2-year prospective study from January 2012 to January 2014 was conducted on patients with odontogenic maxillofacial space infections. The patients were divided into two groups based on their glycemic levels. The data were compiled and statistically analyzed. Results: A total of 188 patients were included in the study that underwent surgical incision and drainage, removal of infection source, specimen collection for culture-sensitivity, and evaluation of diabetic status. Sixty-one out of 188 patients were found to be diabetic. The submandibular space was the most commonly involved space, and the most prevalent microorganism was Klebsiella pneumoniae in diabetics and group D Streptococcus in the nondiabetic group. Conclusion: The submandibular space was found to be the most commonly involved space, irrespective of glycemic control. Empiric antibiotic therapy with amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid combined with metronidazole with optimal glycemic control and surgical drainage of infection led to resolution of infection in diabetic as well as nondiabetic patients. The average length of hospital stay was found to be relatively longer in diabetic individuals.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.18-24
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the activities of the abdominal muscles according to trunk stabilization exercises using Swiss ball in normal individuals. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Ten healthy university students participated in this study. The subjects were required to complete the following three exercise positions: Exercise position 1, sitting on a Swiss ball and lifting the legs; Exercise position 2, pushing to a plank position from an ending position; and Exercise position 3, push-up posture with the legs on a Swiss ball. Changes in the trunk muscle activities were estimated using Biometric electromyography (EMG). Activities of the dominant side internal oblique muscle (IOM) and external oblique muscle (EOM) were estimated in all participants. The maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC %) was measured to standardize the EMG signals for the IOM and EOM during maximum resistance when sitting up with each shoulder pointing towards the contralateral pelvis with knees bent and both arms crossed on the chest for 5 seconds. Results: There was a significant difference in the activity of the internal and external oblique muscles between Exercises 1 and 2 and Exercises 1 and 3 (p<0.05). Furthermore, the IOM/EOM activity ratio was the greatest during Exercise 3 and the smallest during Exercise 1. IOM and EOM activities were the greatest during Exercise 2 with greater EOM activity. Conclusions: In future studies, it will be necessary to investigate muscle activities by supplementing the above-mentioned limitations during the stabilization exercise. The results of this study may be used as a basis for controlling the intensity and frequency of exercise while prescribing trunk stabilization exercises.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• v.2
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• pp.42-55
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• 1984

The direction of scientific researches on tree improvement and forest management in several universities and research institutes in Japan can be summarized as follows: They put a great emphasis on sugi, Cryptomeria japonica and cypress, Chamaecyparus oblusa which are two major conifer species largerly planted in the Japanese forestry. In the research of sugi, a great concern has been made in evaluating inheritance of forest tree, quantitative characters and genetic parameter of growth, and in breeding for resistance to diseases and insects and to all the natural calamities. Interaction between environmental conditions and genetic nature of tree can be concerned factors in relation with forest damage, together with silvicultural conditions and pest infestation. Selfing hybrids of $F_1$ made from crossing twisted-leaf sugi, defomity leaf type and midori sugi, normal leaf type segregated the normal needle, twisted needle, green leaf and albino leaf type. It seemed that separation of many defomity individuals can be governed by two dominant complementary genes and from the near loci of which it was detected lethal genes. 52% of Japanese forestry is occupied by the small forest landowners like Korean forestry. This made difficulty for forest improvement such as progressive afforestation and for capital accumulation form forestry. The Forest Corporation was established at first in 1959 to aming at productive forestry structure and forest management, and afforestation. For these purpose, 35 Forest Corporations are at moment operating throughout Japan. However, investment in forestry business becomes less attractive since the wage in forest production duction increased in higher trend. than timber price. Therefore, an artifical afforestation becomes yearly decreased. At present. the self-sufficient rate of timber production in Japan is about 35%, and so a great effort is being made to increase self-sufficient rate of timber production.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.61-66
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• 2018

Objective: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a condition that is characterized by patellar discomfort or pain that is aggravated during certain activities such as ascending/descending stairs. The Patellofemoral Disability Index (PDI) was developed to assess the effect of pain on functional activities in individuals with PFPS. The objectives of the current study were to determine the internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and validity of this index. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Forty-one subjects who had PFPS with a mean age of $28.8{\pm}5.0years$ and a mean body mass index of $25.6{\pm}4.7kg/m^2$ participated in the study. All subjects were concurrently enrolled in a clinical trial for which they were instructed to complete hamstring-resistance exercises for 4 weeks. Over the course of the intervention, they completed both the PDI and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at baseline after two weeks, and after four weeks. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to assess the criterion validity. Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ was used to examine the internal consistency. Intraclass correlation coefficients with 95% confidence interval were computed to examine test-retest reliability. Results: Subjects' responses within both the PDI and the ODI yielded Pearson correlation coefficient values that were positive and highly significant (range, 0.73-0.97; p<0.001). There was a high level of internal consistency (Cronbach's ${\alpha}{\geq}0.8$), with the exception of stair climbing (Cronbach's ${\alpha}=0.65$). Intraclass correlation ranged from 0.87 to 0.92, indicating high levels of test-retest reliability. Conclusions: The PDI is a valid, reliable, and feasible method of assessing pain and functional ability in patients with PFPS.

• Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology : HEB
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.875-888
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• 2018

Tulip (Tulipa L.) is one of the most important ornamental geophytes in the world. Analysis of molecular variability of tulips is of great importance in conservation and parental lines selection in breeding programs. Of the 70 genic microsatellites, 15 highly polymorphic and reproducible markers were used to assess the genetic diversity, structure, and relationships among 280 individuals of 36 wild and cultivated tulip accessions from two countries: Iran and the Netherlands. The mean values of gene diversity and polymorphism information content were 0.69 and 0.66, respectively, which indicated the high discriminatory power of markers. The calculated genetic diversity parameters were found to be the highest in wild T. systola Stapf (Derak region). Bayesian model-based STRU CTU RE analysis detected five gene pools for 36 germplasms which corresponded with morphological observations and traditional classifications. Based on analysis of molecular variance, to conserve wild genetic resources in some geographical locations, sampling should be performed from distant locations to achieve high diversity. The unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean dendrogram and principal component analysis plot indicated that among wild tulips, T. systola and T. micheliana Hoog exhibited the closest relationships with cultivated tulips. Thus, it can be assumed that wild tulips from Iran and perhaps other Middle East countries played a role in the origin of T. gesneriana, which is likely a tulip species hybrid of unclear origin. In conclusion, due to the high genetic variability of wild tulips, they can be used in tulip breeding programs as a source of useful alleles related to resistance against stresses.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.35-40
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• 2022

Objectives: Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are a core symptom in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The complexity of behavioral patterns has called for the creation of phenotypically homogeneous subgroups among individuals with ASD. The purpose of this study was 1) to investigate the different types of RRBs and 2) to explore whether subgroups created by RRBs would show unique levels of functioning in toddlers and young children with ASD. Methods: A total of 313 children with ASD, aged 12-42 months were included in the analysis. The Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised was used to obtain information on the different types of RRBs by grouping 15 items into six categories. The Vineland Adaptive Behaviors Scale, a parent-reported questionnaire, was used to measure adaptive functioning. A portion of the children were analyzed separately for verbal-related RRBs based on their expressive language level. Two-step cluster analysis using RRB groups as features was used to create subgroups. Analysis of covariance while covarying for age and language was performed to explore the clinical characteristics of each cluster group. Results: Sensory-related RRBs were the most prevalent, followed by circumscribed interests, interest in objects, resistance to change, and repetitive body movements. A subset of the children was analyzed separately to explore verbal-related RRBs. Four cluster groups were created based on reported RRBs, with multiple RRBs demonstrating significant delays in adaptive functioning. Conclusion: Heterogeneity of RRBs emerges at a young age. The different patterns of RRBs can be used as valuable information to determine developmental trajectories with better implications for treatment approaches.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.324-329
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• 2020

Reed (Phragmites spp.) is a rhizomatous plant of the Poaceae family and is known as high tolerant plant to heavy metal contaminants. This plant is widely recognized as a Cd root-accumulator, but improved heavy metal tolerance and uptake capacity are still required for phytoremediation efficiency. To enhance capacity of hyperaccumulator plants, ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) as chemical mutagen has been introduced and applied to remediation approaches. This study aimed to select EMS-mutagenized reeds representing high Cd resistance and large biomass and to investigate their ability of Cd accumulation. After 6 months cultivation of M₂ mutant reeds under Cd stress conditions (up to 1,500 µM), we discovered seven mutant individuals that showed good performances like survivorship, vitality, and high accumulation of Cd, particularly in their roots. Compared to wild type (WT) reeds as control, on average, dry weight of mutant type (MT) reeds was larger by 2 and 1.5 times in roots and shoots, respectively. In addition, these mutant plants accumulated 6 times more Cd, mostly in the roots. In particular, MT8 reeds showed the greatest ability to accumulate Cd. These results suggest that EMS mutagenesis could generate hyperaccumulator plants with enhanced Cd tolerance and biomass, thereby contributing to improvement of phytoremediation efficiency in Cd-contaminated soil or wastewater. Further studies should focus on identifying Cd tolerance mechanisms of such EMS-mutagenized plants, developing techniques for its biomass production, and investigating the practical potential of the EMS mutants for phytoremediation.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.7
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• pp.420-429
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• 2023

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness in elderly individuals. However, the currently used intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor are invasive, and repetitive injections are also accompanied by a risk of intraocular infection. The pathogenic mechanism of AMD is still not completely understood, but a multifactorial mechanism that combines genetic predisposition and environmental factors, including cellular senescence, has been suggested. Cellular senescence refers to the accumulation of cells that stop dividing due to the presence of free radicals and DNA damage. Characteristics of senescent cells include nuclear hypertrophy, increased levels of cell cycle inhibitors such as p16 and p21, and resistance to apoptosis. Senolytic drugs remove senescent cells by targeting the main characteristics of these cells. One of the senolytic drugs, ABT-263, which inhibits the antiapoptotic functions of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, may be a new treatment for AMD patients because it targets senescent retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. We proved that it selectively kills doxorubicin (Dox)-induced senescent ARPE-19 cells by activating apoptosis. By removing senescent cells, the expression of inflammatory cytokines was reduced, and the proliferation of the remaining cells was increased. When ABT-263 was orally administered to the mouse model of senescent RPE cells induced by Dox, we confirmed that senescent RPE cells were selectively removed and retinal degeneration was alleviated. Therefore, we suggest that ABT-263, which removes senescent RPE cells through its senolytic effect, has the potential to be the first orally administered senolytic drug for the treatment of AMD.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.149-169
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• 2022

Hwapocheon stream is located in Gimhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, and a part was declared a protected wetland area in 2017. In 2020 and 2021, we investigated the community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates of the Hwapocheon stream to provide ecological information for the management of the wetland. As a result, 4 phyla, 6 classes, 20 orders, 51 families, 83 species, and 2,621 individuals of benthic macroinvertebrates were identified. The average indices of diversity, richness, and evenness were the highest in the midstream area, whereas the highest average index of dominance was observed upstream. Seven biological water quality evaluations based on the distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates showed that the Biological Monitoring Working Party was an extremely suitable method for environmental evaluation of the Hwapocheon stream. Regarding functional feeding groups, the number of species of predators and gathering-collectors was the highest, and considering habitual dwelling groups, the number of species of clingers and sprawlers was the highest. The species number of Odonata, Hemiptera, and Coleoptera increased toward the downstream area, whereas the community loss index was the highest upstream. We also investigated relative resistance and resilience based on the distribution of aquatic insects and found that community stability was the highest downstream, whereas the lowest upstream.