• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.255-261
• /
• 2022

Background: For the elderly, masticatory function is one of the most important oral functions and the masticatory ability is related to the wearing of dentures. Many older people wear dentures for their masticatory function, but a significant number of older people who use dentures have found that they feel uncomfortable when performing their daily activities, such as performing masticating functions or talking. Objects: The purpose of this study is to investigate how the forward head posture (FHP), respiratory function and thickness of masseter (MS), and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) are affected by the presence or absence of dentures in the elderly, and what kind of correlation there is between these variables. Methods: The study was conducted on 11 patients in the normal group and 13 in the denture group. The participant's cognitive ability was evaluated using Mini-Mental State Examination Korean (MMSE-K), and the FHP was evaluated by measuring the craniovertebral angle (CVA). The thickness of the MS and SCM muscles were measured using ultrasound, and respiration was measured with a spirometry. As for the statistical method, the correlation of each variable was investigated using Spearman's correlation coefficient. Results: In the normal group, there was a significant correlation between forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (p < 0.001), and in the denture group, FVC and FEV1 (p < 0.001), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) (p < 0.001), CVA and Lt. MS (p = 0.012). Conclusion: CVA and Lt. MS of the denture group have a high negative correlation, it is related that the thickness of MS may be thick when the elderly wearing dentures are FHP.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.168-175
• /
• 2023

Tramadol is an opioid analog used to treat chronic and acute pain. Intradermal injections of tramadol at hundreds of millimoles have been shown to produce a local anesthetic effect. We used the whole-cell patch-clamp technique in this study to investigate whether tramadol blocks the sodium current in HEK293 cells, which stably express the pain threshold sodium channel Na_v1.7 or the cardiac sodium channel Na_v1.5. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration of tramadol was 0.73 mM for Na_v1.7 and 0.43 mM for Na_v1.5 at a holding potential of -100 mV. The blocking effects of tramadol were completely reversible. Tramadol shifted the steady-state inactivation curves of Na_v1.7 and Na_v1.5 toward hyperpolarization. Tramadol also slowed the recovery rate from the inactivation of Na_v1.7 and Na_v1.5 and induced stronger use-dependent inhibition. Because the mean plasma concentration of tramadol upon oral administration is lower than its mean blocking concentration of sodium channels in this study, it is unlikely that tramadol in plasma will have an analgesic effect by blocking Na_v1.7 or show cardiotoxicity by blocking Na_v1.5. However, tramadol could act as a local anesthetic when used at a concentration of several hundred millimoles by intradermal injection and as an antiarrhythmic when injected intravenously at a similar dose, as does lidocaine.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.50 no.3
• /
• pp.206-212
• /
• 2023

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the associations between hematologic parameters related to systemic inflammation and insulin resistance-associated metabolic parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: Eighty-two women between the ages of 18 and 35 years who were diagnosed with PCOS were included in this study. A 2-hour 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was administered to all study participants; fasting and postprandial glucose and insulin levels were measured simultaneously during the 2-hour OGTT. Hematologic parameters were derived from a standard complete blood count and a differential count of fasting-state blood samples. The correlations between hematologic parameters and insulin resistance-associated clinical and metabolic parameters were evaluated using the Spearman rank correlation and partial correlation coefficients. Hematologic parameters related to systemic inflammation were compared between the two groups, categorized by the presence or absence of insulin resistance. Results: Significant differences in the absolute neutrophil count, absolute monocyte count, platelet count, and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio were found between the insulin-resistant group and insulin-nonresistant group. Correlation analysis found that all hematological parameters, except for the platelet-lymphocyte ratio, were associated with at least one insulin resistance-associated metabolic parameter. However, these significant correlations between hematological and metabolic parameters were attenuated after controlling for the effects of other covariates using partial correlation analysis. Conclusion: The association between hematologic parameters indicative of systemic inflammation and insulin resistance-associated metabolic parameters seems to be strongly influenced by other anthropometric covariates in women with PCOS.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.171-182
• /
• 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.

• Genomics & Informatics
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.2.1-2.14
• /
• 2023

Microglia, similar to peripheral macrophages, are the primary immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS). Microglia exist in the resting state in the healthy CNS, but can be activated and polarized into either M1 or M2 subtypes for immune defense and the maintenance of CNS homeostasis by multiple stimuli. Several long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) mediate human inflammatory diseases and neuropathologies by regulating their target genes. However, the function of common lncRNAs that contribute to microglial activation remains unclear. Thus, we used bioinformatic approaches to identify common lncRNAs involved in microglial activation in vitro. Our study identified several lncRNAs as common regulators of microglial activation. We identified 283 common mRNAs and 53 common lncRNAs during mouse M1 microglial activation processes, whereas 26 common mRNAs and five common lncRNAs were identified during mouse M2 microglial activation processes. A total of 648 common mRNAs and 274 common lncRNAs were identified during the activation of human M1 microglia. In addition, we identified 1,920 common co-expressed pairs in mouse M1 activation processes and 25 common co-expressed pairs in mouse M2 activation processes. Our study provides a comprehensive understanding of common lncRNA expression profiles in microglial activation processes in vitro. The list of common lncRNAs identified in this study provides novel evidence and clues regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying microglial activation.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.39.1-39.12
• /
• 2021

Objectives: This study analyzed the physical-chemical behavior of 2 bulk fill resin composites (BFCs; Filtek Bulk Fill [FBF], and Tetric-N-Ceram Bulk Fill [TBF]) used in 2- and 4-mm increments and compared them with a conventional resin composite (Filtek Z250). Materials and Methods: Flexural strength and elastic modulus were evaluated by using a 3-point bending test. Knoop hardness was measured at depth areas 0-1, 1-2, 2-3, and 3-4 mm. The translucency parameter was measured using an optical spectrophotometer. Real-time polymerization kinetics was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Results: Flexural strength was similar among the materials, while TBF showed lower elastic modulus (Z250: 6.6 ± 1.3, FBF: 6.4 ± 0.9, TBF: 4.3 ± 1.3). The hardness of Z250 was similar only between 0-1 mm and 1-2 mm. Both BFCs had similar hardness until 2-3 mm, and showed significant decreases at 3-4 mm (FBF: 33.45 ± 1.95 at 0-1 mm to 23.19 ± 4.32 at 3-4 mm, TBF: 23.17 ± 2.51 at 0-1 mm to 15.11 ± 1.94 at 3-4 mm). The BFCs showed higher translucency than Z250. The polymerization kinetics of all the materials were similar at 2-mm increments. At 4-mm, only TBF had a similar degree of conversion compared with 2 mm. Conclusions: The BFCs tested had similar performance compared to the conventional composite when used in up to 2-mm increments. When the increment was thicker, the BFCs were properly polymerized only up to 3 mm.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.48.1-48.10
• /
• 2021

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects on bone repair of different concentrations of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) added to AH Plus. Materials and Methods: Bone tissue reactions were evaluated in 30 rats (Rattus norvegicus) after 7 and 30 days. In the AH + MTA10, AH + MTA20, and AH + MTA30 groups, defects in the tibiae were filled with AH Plus with MTA in proportions of 10%, 20% and 30%, respectively; in the MTA-FILL group, MTA Fillapex was used; and in the control group, no sealer was used. The samples were histologically analyzed to assess bone union and maturation. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were performed for multiple pairwise comparisons (p ≤ 0.05). Results: At the 7-day time point, AH + MTA10 was superior to MTA-FILL with respect to bone union, and AH + MTA20 was superior to MTA-FILL with respect to bone maturity (p < 0.05). At the 30-day time point, both the AH + MTA10 and AH + MTA20 experimental sealers were superior not only to MTA-FILL, but also to AH + MTA30 with respect to both parameters (p < 0.05). The results of the AH + MTA10 and AH + MTA20 groups were superior to those of the control group for both parameters and experimental time points (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results suggest the potential benefit of using a combination of these materials in situations requiring bone repair.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.68-72
• /
• 2008

This study demonstrated the effects of extracts from the mushroom Keumsa sangwhang(Phellinus linteus) (KPLE) on fasting glucose and cholesterol levels in human blood. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled human intervention study, healthy volunteers were randomized to receive 3.3 g of KPLE (n=31) or placebo (n=31) per day by oral administration for 8 weeks. The cholesterol and fasting serum glucose levels were evaluated before and after treatment. The fasting serum glucose level was significantly decreased by KPLE administration (p<0.01), but the total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDLcholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations did not change. This study suggests a possibility that KPLE may be useful as a functional food for the prevention of diabetes mellitus.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
• /
• v.54 no.1
• /
• pp.59-68
• /
• 2024

Objective: To investigate the long-term effects of maxillary skeletal expander (MSE) treatment on functional breathing. Methods: Objective measures of breathing, the peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF), and peak oral inspiratory flow (POIF), and subjective measures of breathing, the visual analog scale (VAS) and nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) survey, were used to investigate the long-term effects of MSE in functional breathing. Seventeen patients, mean age 19.4 ± 3.9 years treated at the UCLA Orthodontics Clinic were assessed on their functional breathing at 3 timepoints: pre-expansion (T0), post-expansion (T1), and post-orthodontic treatment (T2). Results: Immediately after expansion (T1), all the objective functional breathing values were significantly increased in comparison to T0 (P < 0.05). The VAS total, VAS right and VAS left were significantly lower at T1 in comparison to T0 (P < 0.05). At 26.8 ± 3.9 months after MSE expansion (T2), PNIF total, PNIF right, PNIF left, and POIF were significantly higher when compared to T0 (P < 0.05). Also, VAS total, VAS right and VAS left were significantly lower at T2 when compared to T0 (P < 0.05). Additionally, there was a positive correlation between PNIF and the magnitude of expansion at anterior nasal spine and zygomaticomaxillary point (ZMA). There was a positive correlation between total VAS and the magnitude of expansion at the ZMA. There were no significant changes for the NOSE subjective breathing measurement at all time comparisons. Conclusions: Overall, MSE treatment produces an increased objective and subjective airway improvement that continues to remain stable in the long-term post expansion.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.9-33
• /
• 2007

In the field of dentistry, there existed relatively few emergency patients or patients who need intensive care and thus had low medical dispute rates. However, these days, there is a general tendency of increased medical disputes. Although many medical disputes are caused by medical accidents of the dentists, because dental assistants are also lawfully involved in practicing dentistry, there is a possibility of medical disputes or medical accidents caused by dental assistants. Therefore, the role of the dental assistants cannot be ignored. This study consists of a survey given to dental hygienists currently working in general hospitals, dental hospitals and private dental clinics. Following is the results of the analysis of 275 respondents' backgrounds, medical disputes rates including patients' complaints, their understanding of medical regulations and their general understanding of overall dental practice and medical disputes. 1. 251 of 274(91.6%) respondents doubted the risk of medical accident and dispute. 2. 81(29.5%) dental hygienist experienced complaint from patients. They have been working in the private dental clinic, the rate of this experience was high. 3. 349 case of 1805(19.3%) the complaints by patients, highest percentage among its category, were those regarding dental fees and poor service. 4. 129 case of 1805(7.1%) patients' complaints, highest percentage among it's subcategory, were those regarding the absence of explanations of precautions or request of agreements before dental treatment. 5. 252 of 267 (94.4%) dental hygienists chart after a scaling treatment. However, only 55(20.7%) dental hygienists chart the fact of explaining the precautions. 6. 6(2.2%) dental hygienists do not inspect patients' medical history, if patients don't mention it. 7. 104 of 274(38.0%) dental hygienists responded to be capable of administering first aid treatment. 8. 115(41.8%) dental hygienists have a first aid kit and equipment. 9. In case of medical dispute, 268(97.8%) dental hygienists respond that, charting plays a big role in resolving the dispute. 10. In case of medical dispute, 272(93.3%) dental hygienists respond that, explanation and agreement before treatment have an important role in settlement of dispute 11. Only 160(58.4%) dental hygienists responded correct answer that the duration of keeping medical records is 10 years. 12. 124(45.3%) respondents thought that it is legal for a dental hygienist to take a panoramic dental X-ray, 71(25.9%) respondents thought that it is legal practice cervical resin treatment by dental hygienist, and 37(13.5%) respondents thought that it is legal extract primary teeth by dental hygienist. 13. 24(18.76%) respondents thought that it doesn't matter to tell patient's state to others 14. 272(99.27%) responded that receiving education for the prevention of medical disputes was needed and of them, 61.0% thought it was urgent. 15. 186(64.2%) has never had classes regarding the prevention of medical disputes while in school and 212(77.4%) has not had the same type of classes after graduating from school. 16. 256(93.4%) responded that there will be even more of an increased number of medical disputes. Among them, 83.3% of respondents though that due to the increased opportunity of acquiring information through the internet and mass media. The study shows that 29.5 percentage of dental hygienists have experienced the medical disputes and complaints and they are lack of recognition of medical regulations and dental hygienist's official duty. So, there is a big potential of the percentage to increase. Therefore, the correct understanding of explaining precautions and requesting agreement before dental treatments and performing them are mandatory. Moreover, classes regarding the prevention and counterplans of medical disputes need to be widely offered.