• Title/Summary/Keyword: Mixed Methods Research

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Network pharmacoligical analysis for selection between Saposhnikoviae Radix and Glehniae Radix focusing on ischemic stroke (방풍(防風)과 해방풍(海防風) 중 뇌경색 연구에 더욱 적합한 약재 선정을 위한 네트워크 약리학적 분석)

  • Jin Yejin;Lim Sehyun;Cho Suin
    • Herbal Formula Science
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    • v.31 no.3
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    • pp.171-182
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    • 2023
  • Objectives : Saposhnikoviae Radix (SR) and Glehniae Radix (GR) have been frequently used in traditional medicine to treat diseases related to 'wind' syndrome, but there have been cases where it has been mixed in a state where the plant of origin is not clear. In this study, to select materials for conducting preclinical cerebral infarction research, the network pharmacology analysis method was used to select suitable medicinal materials for the study. Methods : In this study, a Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) based network pharmacology analysis method was used, and oral bioavailability (OB), drug likeness (DL), Caco-2 and BBB permeability were utilized to select compounds with potential activity. For the values of each variable used in this study, OB ≥ 20%, DL ≥ 0.18, Caco-2 ≥ 0, and BBB ≥ -0.3 were applied, then networks of bioactive compounds, target proteins, and target diseases was constructed. STRING database was used to construct a protein-protein interaction network. Results : It was confirmed that SR rather than GR has various target proteins and target diseases based on network pharmacological analysis using TCMSP database. And it was analyzed that the bioactive compounds only in SR act more on neurovascular diseases, and both drugs are expected to be effectively used for cardiovascular diseases. Conclusions : In our future study, SR will be used in an ischemic stroke mouse model, and the mechanism of action will be explored focusing on apoptosis and cell proliferation.

Effects of Passive Scapular Stabilization on Upper Extremity Muscle Strength in Patients With Rotator Cuff Repair

  • Won-jeong Jeong;Duk-hyun An;Jae-seop Oh
    • Physical Therapy Korea
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    • v.30 no.1
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    • pp.41-49
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    • 2023
  • Background: Scapular dyskinesis may cause not only rotator cuff (RC) tear but also weakness of the upper extremity, studies on scapular dyskinesis that may occur after RC repair is still lacking. Objects: To determine whether scapular dsykinesis was present in patients after arthroscopic RC repair and to investigate the influence of passive scapular stabilization on upper extremity strength. Methods: A total of 30 patients after RC repair participated in this study. To compare the scapula of the arthroscopic RC repair shoulder and the contralateral shoulder, the winged scapula (WS) was measured using a scapulometer and scapular dyskinesis was also classified by type. Fixed instruments for muscle strength measurements were used to measure upper extremity muscle strength differences depending on passive scapular stabilization position or natural scapular position. A chi-square test, an independent t-test and a 2-way mixed measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used as statistical analysis. In analyses, p < 0.05 was deemed to be statistically significant. Results: Postoperative shoulder had a significant association with scapular dyskinesis and the WS compared to the contralateral shoulder (F = 0.052, p < 0.01). Postoperative shoulder, muscle strength in the shoulder abduction (p < 0.01), elbow flexion (p < 0.01) and forearm supination (p < 0.05) were significantly greater in the scapular stabilization position than in the scapular natural position. Conclusion: Patients underwent arthroscopic RC repair had a significant association with scapular dyskinesis and muscle strength was improved by a passive scapular stabilization position, therefore scapular stabilization is important in rehabilitation program.

Expression of heat shock protein genes in Simmental cattle exposed to heat stress

  • Luis Felipe Guzman;Guillermo Martinez-Velazquez;Fernando Villasenor-Gonzalez;Vicente Eliezer Vega-Murillo;Jose Antonio Palacios-Franquez;Angel Rios-Utrera;Moises Montano-Bermudez
    • Animal Bioscience
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    • v.36 no.5
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    • pp.704-709
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    • 2023
  • Objective: In tropical, subtropical and arid zones, heat stress is the main cause of productivity reduction in cattle. When climate stressors occur, animals become thermal adapted through differential expression of some genes, including heat shock proteins (HSP) family. The aim of this study was to determine levels of expression of HSP60, HSP70, and HSP90 genes in Simmental cattle raised in tropical environments of Mexico. Methods: In this study, expression of HSP60, HSP70, and HSP90 genes was analyzed in 116 Simmental cattle from three farms with tropical climate located in western Mexico. Animals were sampled twice a day, in the morning and noon. Gene expression was evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction using probes marked with fluorescence. The MIXED procedure of SAS with repeated measures was used for all statistical analysis. Results: HSP60 gene expression differences were found for sex (p = 0.0349). HSP70 gene differences were detected for sampling hour (p = 0.0042), farm (p<0.0001), sex (p = 0.0476), and the interaction sampling hour×farm (p = 0.0002). Gene expression differences for HSP90 were observed for farm (p<0.0001) and year (p = 0.0521). HSP70 gene showed to be a better marker of heat stress than HSP60 and HSP90 genes. Conclusion: Expression of HSP70 gene in Simmental herds of the tropical region of western México was different during early morning and noon, but the expression of the HSP60 and HSP90 genes was similar. Identification of resilient animals to heat stress will be useful in the genetic improvement of the Simmental breed.

Genome wide association study for growth in Pakistani dromedary camels using genotyping-by-sequencing

  • Sajida Sabahat;Asif Nadeem;Rudiger Brauning;Peter C. Thomson;Mehar S. Khatkar
    • Animal Bioscience
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    • v.36 no.7
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    • pp.1010-1021
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    • 2023
  • Objective: Growth performance and growth-related traits have a crucial role in livestock due to their influence on productivity. This genome-wide association study (GWAS) in Pakistani dromedary camels was conducted to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with growth at specific camel ages, and for selected SNPs, to investigate in detail how their effects change with increasing camel age. This is the first GWAS conducted on dromedary camels in this region. Methods: Two Pakistani breeds, Marecha and Lassi, were selected for this study. A genotyping-by-sequencing method was used, and a total of 65,644 SNPs were identified. For GWAS, weight records data with several body weight traits, namely, birthweight, weaning weight, and weights of camels at 1, 2, 4, and 6 years of age were analysed by using model-based growth curve analysis. Age-specific weight data were analysed with a linear mixed model that included fixed effects of SNP genotype as well as sex. Results: Based on the q-value method for false discovery control, for Marecha camels, five SNPs at q<0.01 and 96 at q<0.05 were significantly associated with the weight traits considered, while three (q<0.01) and seven (q<0.05) SNP associations were identified for Lassi camels. Several candidate genes harbouring these SNP were discovered. Conclusion: These results will help to better understand the genetic architecture of growth including how these genes are expressed at different phases of their life. This will serve to lay the foundations for applied breeding programs of camels by allowing the genetic selection of superior animals.

Estimation of genetic parameters for pork belly traits

  • Seung-Hoon Lee;Sang-Hoon Lee;Hee-Bok Park;Jun-Mo Kim
    • Animal Bioscience
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    • v.36 no.8
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    • pp.1156-1166
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    • 2023
  • Objective: Pork belly is a cut of meat with high worldwide demand. However, although the belly is comprised of multiple muscles and fat, unlike the loin muscle, research on their genetic parameters has yet to focus on a representative cut. To use swine breeding, it is necessary to estimate heritability against pork belly traits. Moreover, estimating genetic correlations is needed to identify genetic relationship among the traditional carcass and meat quality traits. This study sought to estimate the heritability of the carcass, belly, and their component traits, as well as the genetic correlations among them, to confirm whether these traits can be improved. Methods: A total of 543 Yorkshire pigs (406 castrated males and 137 females) from 49 sires and 244 dam were used in this study. To estimate genetic parameters, a total of 12 traits such as lean meat production ability, meat quality and pork belly traits were chosen. The heritabilities were estimated by using genome-wide efficient mixed model association software. The statistical model was selected so that farm, carcass weight, sex, and slaughter season were fixed effects. In addition, its genetic parameters were calculated via MTG2 software. Results: The heritability estimates for the 7th belly slice along the whole plate and its components were low to moderate (0.07±0.07 to 0.33±0.07). Moreover, the genetic correlations among the carcass and belly traits were moderate to high (0.28±0.20 to 0.99±0.31). Particularly, the rectus abdominis muscle exhibited a high absolute genetic correlation with the belly and meat quality (0.73±52 to 0.93±0.43). Conclusion: A moderate to high correlation coefficient was obtained based on the genetic parameters. The belly could be genetically improved to contain a larger proportion of muscle regardless of lean meat production ability.

Systemic Review on Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Breast Cancer (유방암의 보완대체의학적 치료에 관한 연구)

  • Park, Young-Ae;Kim, Dong-Chul
    • The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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    • v.22 no.3
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    • pp.205-222
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    • 2009
  • Purpose: The aim of this study was to review systemically journals on the studies for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the treatment of breast cancer. Methods: Through medical websites, foreign clinical literatures about complementary and alternative medicines of breast cancer were searched. The cite used was http://www.Pubmed.gov. And then they were divided into three groups. Medication, Non-medication therapies and questionnaire reports. Results: 1. We researched 23 papers about herb medicines. Most of papers were about single herb and there were rarely about mixed composition. And there were papers about Ocimum gratissimum, elliptilimba, seeds of Livistona chinensis, golden feverfew which were not commonly used in Korea. 2. We researched 16 papers about acupuncture. Acupuncture had a possitive effect on such symptoms like flushing, nausea and vomitting and pain on upper limb caused by anticancer therapy or tamoxifen or surgery. 3. We researched 36 papers about questionnaire study. Most were about research for women who diagnosed as breast cancer or women after breast cancer surgery. Subjects were about proportion of using CAM, purpose of using it, most popular CAM therapy, satisfaction degree, and relation with age, aducation and social position. And most conclusion were that patient-doctor communication was needed. Conclusion: Afterwards we have to focus on realisitic clinical studies about breast cancer patients, especially postsurgery and people who takes anticancer therapy. And we have to be interest in acupuncture therapy on breast cancer patients.

Exploring the Latent Trait and the Measurement Properties of Korean World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF Measure Applied to Cancer Survivors

  • Bongsam Choi
    • Physical Therapy Korea
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    • v.30 no.2
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    • pp.120-127
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    • 2023
  • Background: In general, measurement qualities of cross-culturally adapted quality of life (QOL) measures are altered in many aspects, although versions of them are well-validated measures. The latent trait and measurement qualities of the QOL measures for cancer-related samples should be considered when developing cross-culturally adapted measures. Objects: To investigate the latent trait of the translated into Korean World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) administered to different cancer survivors who had palliative rehabilitation care service (PRCS). Methods: A cross-sectional study with 139 cancer survivors who had an experience of cancer survivorship with PRCS were conducted with a two-step analytic procedure including exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to confirm the latent trait and Rasch rating scale modeling to investigate the measurement qualities of the cross-culturally adapted WHOQOL-BREF measure. Results: While the original WHOQOL-BREF measure constitutes a 4-latent trait, the EFA reveals that 24 items constitute six substantial factors. The item loadings are predominantly spread over factors 1 through 4 in a mixed manner of the latent traits, while the loadings of 'physical health' and 'environmental health' latent traits show similarity to what the original measure intended to assess. The latent trait of the cross-culturally adapted WHOQOL-BREF measure administered to different cancer survivors is likely to reveal more dimensions than the original WHOQOL-BREF measure. Person reliability (i.e., analogous to Cronbach's alpha) and separation are measured with 0.92 and 3.48, respectively. All items except the one item (medical treatment item) fit the Rasch rating model. Conclusion: Findings suggest that the latent trait and the measurement qualities of the cross-culturally adapted WHOQOL-BREF measure should be taken into consideration when applying versions of it to various populations.

An Analysis of Metacognition of Elementary Math Gifted Students in Mathematical Modeling Using the Task 'Floor Decorating' ('바닥 꾸미기' 과제를 이용한 수학적 모델링 과정에서 초등수학영재의 메타인지 분석)

  • Yun, Soomi;Chang, Hyewon
    • Communications of Mathematical Education
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    • v.37 no.2
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    • pp.257-276
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    • 2023
  • Mathematical modeling can be described as a series of processes in which real-world problem situations are understood, interpreted using mathematical methods, and solved based on mathematical models. The effectiveness of mathematics instruction using mathematical modeling has been demonstrated through prior research. This study aims to explore insights for mathematical modeling instruction by analyzing the metacognitive characteristics shown in the mathematical modeling cycle, according to the mathematical thinking styles of elementary math gifted students. To achieve this, a mathematical thinking style assessment was conducted with 39 elementary math gifted students from University-affiliated Science Gifted Education Center, and based on the assessment results, they were classified into visual, analytical, and mixed groups. The metacognition manifested during the process of mathematical modeling for each group was analyzed. The analysis results revealed that metacognitive elements varied depending on the phases of modeling cycle and their mathematical thinking styles. Based on these findings, didactical implications for mathematical modeling instruction were derived.

Comparing the Effects of Manual and Self-exercise Therapy for Improving Forward Head Posture

  • Gyeongseop Sim;Donghoon Kim;Hyeseon Jeon
    • Physical Therapy Korea
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    • v.30 no.3
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    • pp.184-193
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    • 2023
  • Background: Studies investigating the immediate effects of a single intervention to correct forward head posture are rare. Objects: This study aimed to compare the changes in treatment effects in patients with forward head posture and neck pain after manual and self-exercise therapy over a 1-hour period. Methods: Twenty-eight participants were randomly divided into manual and self-exercise therapy groups. Following the initial evaluation, manual or self-exercise therapy was applied to each group for 30 minutes each in the prone, supine, and sitting positions. The variables measured were the craniovertebral angle (CVA), stress level, pain level, and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) stiffness. After the intervention, re-evaluation was conducted immediately, 30 minutes later, and 1 hour later. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the maintenance of treatment effects between the two groups. Results: Based on the two-way mixed ANOVA variance, there was no interaction between the groups and time for all variables, and no main effects were found between the groups. However, a significant effect of time was observed (p < 0.05). Post hoc tests using Bonferroni's correction revealed that in both groups, the CVA, pain, and stress showed significant improvements immediately after the intervention compared with before the intervention, and these treatment effects were maintained for up to 1 hour after the treatment (p < 0.0083) in the manual therapy group. However, the stress level was maintained until 30 minutes later (p < 0.0083) in the self-exercise group. There was no significant decrease in right SCM stiffness before and after the intervention; however, left SCM stiffness significantly decreased after the self-exercise intervention (p < 0.0083). Conclusion: Both manual and self-exercise therapy for 30 minutes were effective in reducing forward head posture related to the CVA, pain, and stress levels. These effects persisted for at least 30 minutes.

Biocompatibility and bioactive potential of the NeoMTA Plus endodontic bioceramic-based sealer

  • Roberto Alameda Hoshino;Mateus Machado Delfino;Guilherme Ferreira da Silva;Juliane Maria Guerreiro-Tanomaru;Mario Tanomaru-Filho;Estela Sasso-Cerri;Paulo Sergio Cerri
    • Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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    • v.46 no.1
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    • pp.4.1-4.16
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    • 2021
  • Objectives: This study evaluated the biocompatibility and bioactive potential of NeoMTA Plus mixed as a root canal sealer in comparison with MTA Fillapex. Materials and Methods: Polyethylene tubes filled with NeoMTA Plus (n = 20), MTA Fillapex (n = 20), or nothing (control group, CG; n = 20) were inserted into the connective tissue in the dorsal subcutaneous layer of rats. After 7, 15, 30 and 60 days, the specimens were processed for paraffin embedding. The capsule thickness, collagen content, and number of inflammatory cells (ICs) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) immunolabeled cells were measured. von Kossa-positive structures were evaluated and unstained sections were analyzed under polarized light. Two-way analysis of variance was performed, followed by the post hoc Tukey test (p ≤ 0.05). Results: At 7 days, the capsules around NeoMTA Plus and MTA Fillapex had more ICs and IL-6-immunostained cells than the CG. However, at 60 days, there was no significant difference in the IC number between NeoMTA Plus and the CG (p = 0.1137) or the MTA Fillapex group (p = 0.4062), although a greater number of IL-6-immunostained cells was observed in the MTA Fillapex group (p = 0.0353). From 7 to 60 days, the capsule thickness of the NeoMTA Plus and MTA Fillapex specimens significantly decreased, concomitantly with an increase in the collagen content. The capsules around root canal sealers showed positivity to the von Kossa stain and birefringent structures. Conclusions: The NeoMTA Plus root canal sealer is biocompatible and exhibits bioactive potential.