• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2018

Anthocyanins are naturally occurring water-soluble polyphenolic pigments in plants that have been shown to protect against cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers, as well as other chronic human disorders. However, the anti-obesity effects of anthocyanins are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of anthocyanins isolated from the fruit of Vitis coignetiae Pulliat on the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Our data indicated that anthocyanins attenuated the terminal differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, as confirmed by a decrease in the number of lipid droplets, lipid content, and triglyceride production. During this process, anthocyanins effectively enhanced the activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK); however, this phenomenon was inhibited by the co-treatment of compound C, an inhibitor of AMPK. Anthocyanins also inhibited the expression of adipogenic transcription factors, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-${\gamma}$, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein a and b, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c. In addition, anthocyanins were found to potently inhibit the expression of adipocyte-specific genes, including adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein, leptin, and fatty acid synthase. These results indicate that anthocyanins have potent anti-obesity effects due to the inhibition of adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis, and thus may have applications as a potential source for an anti-obesity functional food agent.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.125-130
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• 1999

Congenital myotonia is a hereditary disorder of the skeletal muscle. The most characteristic features of the disease are myotonia and variable muscular hypertrophy. Molecular biologic investigations have revealed that mutations in the gene of the human skeletal muscle chloride ion channel protein are a cause of the disease. The Becker's type congenial myotonia is clinically similar to the autosomal dominantly inherited congenital myotonia (Thomsen's disease). Both disorders are characterized electrophysiologically by increased excitability of muscle fibers. reflected in clinical myotonia. In general, Becker's type congenital myotonia is more severe than Thomsen's disease in muscular hypertrophy and weakness. The authors recently experienced a 25-year-old female patient who has no family-related disease history and who has conspicuous muscular hypertrophy and the stiffness with muscles which occurred from the age of 3 or 4. Clinically she showed the authors a percussion myotonia. On electrophysiological study, exercise and repetitive stimulation of the abductor digiti quinti muscle disclosed a decline in the compound muscle action potential. Biopsy of biceps muscle revealed enlargement of muscle fibers with marked nuclear internalization. After the oral taking the Mexiletine, the patient showed a favorable turn a little with her stiffness of muscles. So we authors are reporting one case of Becker's type congenital myotonia with review of literatures.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.317-323
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• 2014

This research has a purpose of providing base data to prevent musculoskeletal disorders, by analyzing the changes in muscle body due to sling exercises, of the industrial laborers with work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The subjects of this research are 20 volunteers who applied for musculoskeletal treatment exercises in hospitals, from region D industry H. 10 of the 20 subjects were involved in sling exercise program for 12 weeks, and the other 10 subjects were ordered to retain their common practices. We have used the statistics software SPSS ver.18.0 to analyze the data, and have offered a descriptive analysis of the measured variables. To discover the sling exercise effects, we have executed a t-test (paired sample t-test) comparing the before-after relationship of 12-week sling exercise program, and the level of significance were set to a=.05. With these set of research methods and procedures, we have concluded the following. As a result, we have concluded that 12-week sling exercise program does exert influence in changing muscle body of work-related musculoskeletal patients.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.66-71
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• 2013

Muscular dystrophy is a genetically heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by progressive muscle weakness of variable distribution and severity. Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD) is an unusual form of muscular dystrophy with autosomal recessive inheritance and is clinically characterized by an early age of onset, severe central nervous system involvement, facial muscle weakness, and multiple joint contractures. Muscular dystrophy is susceptible to perioperative respiratory, cardiac and other complications. Patients with FCMD have upper airway muscle weakness, therefore general anesthesia is preferred to sedation regarding maintaining the airway when treating these patients. The development of malignant hyperthermia in general anesthesia for patients with muscular dystrophy is a concern. Total intravenous anesthesia should be used instead of inhaled anesthetics because of the risk of malignant hyperthermia. A 3-year-9-month old, 13kg girl with Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy was scheduled for dental treatment under general anesthesia. She had multiple caries and 14 primary teeth needed caries treatment. Prior to general anesthesia, oral premedication with 9 mg midazolam was given. General anesthesia was induced and maintained with target controlled infusion of propofol $3{\sim}3.5{\mu}g/mL$. The patient with progressive muscular dystrophy was successfully treated under total intravenous anesthesia with a target controlled infusion of propofol. There were no complications related to anesthesia and dental treatment during or after the operation. This case suggests that target controlled infusion of propofol is a safe and appropriate anesthetic technique in FCMD patients for dental treatment.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.35-39
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• 2015

Sleep problems occur frequently among patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). The most common problem is excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) that are closely related to of sleep-related breathing disorder (SRBD) such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and congenital hypoventilation syndrome. Obesity, craniofacial dysmorphism and muscular hypotonia of patients with PWS may increase the risk of SRBD. Sleep apneas can interrupt the continuity of sleep, and these disruptions result in a decrease in both the quality and quantity of sleep. In addition to SRBD, other sleep disorders have been reported, such as hypersomnia, a primary abnormality of the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and narcolepsy traits at sleep onset REM sleep. Patients with PWS have intrinsic abnormalities of sleep-wake cycles due to hypothalamic dysfunction. The treatment of EDS and other sleep disorders in PWS are similar to standard treatments. Correction of sleep hygiene such as sufficient amount of sleep, maintenance of regular sleep-wake rhythm, and planned naps are important. After comprehensive evaluation of sleep disturbances, CPAP or surgery should be recommended for treatment of SRBD. Remaining EDS or narcolepsy-like syndrome are controlled by stimulant medication. Bright light therapy might be beneficial for disturbed circadian sleep-wake rhythm caused by hypothalamic dysfunction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2021

Spasmodic dysphonia, essential tremor, and vocal tremor related with Parkinson's disease are different disorders showing fairly similar symptoms such as difficulty in the speech onset, and tremble in the voice. However, the cause and the resulting treatment of these diseases are different. Spasmodic dysphonia is a vocal disorder characterized by spasms of the laryngeal muscles during a speech, invoking broken, tense, forced, and strangled voice patterns. Such difficult-to-treat dysphonia disease is classified as central-origin-focal dystonia, of a yet unknown etiology. Its symptoms arise because of intermittent and involuntary muscle contractions during speech. Essential tremor, on the other hand, is characterized by a rhythmic laryngeal movement, resulting in alterations of rhythmic pitch and loudness during speech or even at rest. Severe cases of tremor may cause speech breaks like those of adductor spasmodic dysphonia. In the case of hyper-functional tension of vocal folds and accompanying tremors, it is necessary to distinguish these disorders from muscular dysfunction. A diversified assessment through the performance of specific speech tasks and a thorough understanding for the identification of the disorder is necessary for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of patients with vocal tremors.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.565-575
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• 2014

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of weight of load and time on the physical workload of repetitive upper-limb tasks with handling light weight loads using EMG and perceived discomfort, and to investigate the relationship between EMG and perceived discomfort for those repetitive tasks of moving light weight loads. Background: Repetitive upper-limb motion is known as one of the main risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders, and a lot of repetitive tasks are carried out while handling light weight loads in the industry. In evaluating the workload of repetitive tasks handling light weight loads, EMG and perceived discomfort can be used, though their relationship in those work conditions are not much investigated. Method: A laboratory experiment with 18 healthy males were conducted to record EMG signals from 5 muscle sites of the right arm and shoulder and rate perceived discomforts for the body parts and the whole body while carrying out repetitive materials-handling tasks for 52min. The subjects were divided into 3 groups which handled the loads of 1kg, 2kg and 3kg, respectively. ANOVAs were conducted to analyze the effects of the weight and time on RMS of EMG amplitude (normalized RMS: NRMS), median frequency of power spectrum of EMG (normalized MDF: NMDF) and perceived discomfort. The correlations between NRMS and NMDF and perceived discomfort were also analyzed. Results: Statistically significant muscular fatigue effects were not found from NRMS and NMDF in most muscles, while there were significant increases of discomfort as the task time elapsed. It was shown that there were an increasing trend of the muscular activity as the weight of load increased and a decreasing trend of median frequency of EMG of upper and lower arms as time elapsed. It was found that there were significant negative correlations between NMDFs from the lower arm and discomfort ratings, though the relationships were weak. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the working conditions adopted in this study were not enough to induce muscular fatigue, while there was significant increase in perceived discomfort. A further study is necessary to integrate the objective and subjective measures for more reliable and sensitive evaluation of workload of repetitive tasks of handling light weight loads. Application: This study can be used as a basic study for the evaluation of workload of repetitive tasks handling light weight loads.

• The Journal of Korea Assosiation for Disability and Oral Health
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.50-54
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• 2019

Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a heterogeneous group of inherited neuromuscular disorders, characterized by progressive muscle weakness. Severity of the disease ranges from mild to severe, and the disease is mostly caused by mutations in a number of genes. These genetic mutations cause lack of proteins which are essential for muscle cell stability. Muscle fibers are gradually replaced by fat and fibrous tissue. The muscles of the head and neck are affected in several types of MD that manifest as altered craniofacial morphology and dental malocclusion. A 3-year-10-month old, 15.0 kg boy with MD presented to Seoul National University Dental Hospital, Seoul, South Korea because of extensive carious teeth. A number of dental caries in primary dentition were identified during clinical oral examination. Due to dental anxiety and underlying systemic disease, general anesthesia was considered. General anesthesia was induced and maintained with intravenous anesthetics, propofol and remifentanil. Caries treatments - resin restoration, pulpectomy, zirconia crown restoration, stainless steel crown restoration - were performed. Under general anesthesia, successful dental procedure was done. Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) was performed instead of inhalation anesthesia in order to avoid risk of complications such as malignant hyperthermia and life-threatening rhabdomyolysis. With decreasing muscle function, plaque control becomes more difficult and leads to gingivitis. Especially, the open-mouth posture worsens gingivitis and can leads to malocclusions and problems in swallowing. Regular and periodic dental care is essential for maintaining oral health for patients with MD.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.440-447
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• 2022

Background: Agricultural handle equipment is present on all production areas' farms. They are handy and portable; however, excessive use can lead to acute traumas or accidental injuries. Repetitive movements, awkward postures, and hand-arm vibrations predispose them to pain and work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of this study was to observe the interaction of handle equipment in terms of electromyographic activity and analyze the postural work-related alterations. Materials and methods: Twenty male agricultural operators, mean age 24±1.54 years, underwent the electromyographic analysis testing their muscular activities with a brushcutter, electric saw, and hedge trimmer in four different test conditions. Results: The brushcutter proved to be the agricultural handle equipment with the higher mean frequency (3.37±0.38 Hz) and root mean square (5.25±1.24 ms^-2). Furthermore, the digital postural analysis showed a general asymmetry of the main arm and the respective side of the trunk. The head resulted right inclined in the anterior frontal plane by 5.7°±1.2°; the right scapula lower than the left in the posterior frontal plane (8.5°±1.8°), and a working trunk inclination of 34.15°±5.7°. Conclusions: Vibrations of handle equipment and awkward working postures represent a risk for agricultural operators. Preventive measures are required to avoid young operators from experiencing musculoskeletal disorders all lifelong.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.164-177
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• 2024

Background: Neck and jaw pain is common and is associated with jaw functional limitations, postural stability, muscular endurance, and proprioception. This study aimed to investigate the effect of jaw and neck pain on cranio-cervico-mandibular functions and postural stability in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJDs). Methods: Fifty-two patients with TMJDs were included and assessed using Fonseca's Questionnaire and the Helkimo Clinical Dysfunction Index. An isometric strength test was performed for the TMJ depressor and cervical muscles. The TMJ position sense (TMJPS) test and cervical joint position error test (CJPET) were employed for proprioception. Total sway degree was obtained for the assessment of postural stability. Deep neck flexor endurance (DNFE) was assessed using the craniocervical flexion test. The mandibular function impairment questionnaire (MFIQ) was employed to assess mandibular function, and the craniovertebral angle (CVA) was measured for forward head posture. Results: Jaw and neck pain negatively affected CVA (R² = 0.130), TMJPS (R² = 0.286), DNFE (R² = 0.355), TMJ depressor (R² = 0.145), cervical flexor (R² = 0.144), and extensor (R² = 0.148) muscle strength. Jaw and neck pain also positively affected CJPET for flexion (R² = 0.116) and extension (R² = 0.146), as well as total sway degree (R² = 0.128) and MFIQ (R² = 0.230). Conclusions: Patients with painful TMJDs, could have impaired muscle strength and proprioception of the TMJ and cervical region. The jaw and neck pain could also affect postural stability, and the endurance of deep neck flexors as well as mandibular functions in TMJDs.