• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.806-814
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• 2016

Objective: To describe the effect of Korean medicine on gait disturbance in a patient with multiple system atrophy and cerebellar ataxia. Methods: We observed a 75-year-old female patient who had multiple system atrophy and cerebellar ataxia. The patient was treated with Korean medicine, including acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine (Yukmijihwang-tang-gamibang and Boyanghwano-tang-gamibang) for 38 days. We evaluated the patient with the Korean version of the Berg Balance Scale (K-BBS), the Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS), and the Numeric Rating Scale-11 (NRS-11). Results: After treatment, the patient’s symptoms were improved. The K-BBS score increased from 9 to 19, while the UMSARS score decreased from 16 to 12 in Part I, from 15 to 7 in part Ⅱ, and from 4 to 3 in part Ⅳ. The NRS-11 score of gait disturbance decreased from 10 to 5. Conclusions: Korean medicine may be an effective treatment for gait disturbance in multiple system atrophy with cerebellar ataxia.

• Communications for Statistical Applications and Methods
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.531-541
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• 2016

Cerebral atrophy affects the brain and is a common feature of patients with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's diseases. It is evaluated by the radiologist or reader based on patient's history, age and the space between the brain and the skull as indicated by magnetic resonance (MR) images. A total of 70 patients were scanned in the supine and prone positions before three radiologist assessed their atrophy level. This study examined the radiologist's assessment of the cerebral atrophy level using a graded response model of item response theory (IRT). A graded response model (GRM) is fitted to our data and then item-fit and person-fit statistics are evaluated to assess the fitted model. Our analysis found that the cerebral atrophy level is better discriminated by readers in the prone position because all item slopes were greater than 2 at this position, versus the supine position where all the slope parameters were less than 1. However, the thresholds are very similar for the first reader and are quite different for the second and third readers because the scanning position affects readers differently as the category threshold estimates vary considerably between the readers..

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.371-377
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• 2017

Muscle atrophy is characterized by a decrease in the mass of the muscle. With an increase in life expectancy and chronic illnesses, the incidence of muscle atrophy is increasing and the quality of life of patients is decreasing. Thus, reducing muscle atrophy is of high clinical and socio-economic importance. Mistletoe is a semi-parasitic plant that has been used as a traditional medicine in many countries to treat various human illnesses. It has been reported that Korean mistletoe extract (KME) has diverse biological functions including anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity properties, and extension of lifespan. Especially, we have recently reported that KME improves exercise endurance in mice, indicating its beneficial roles in enhancing the capacity of skeletal muscle. In this study, we investigated whether KME could activate the signaling pathway related to protein synthesis in a mouse model of muscle atrophy. Interestingly, KME efficiently activated the Akt/mTOR pathway, and Akt and mTOR are important signaling hub molecules for the acceleration of protein synthesis in muscle cells. In addition, KME also increased the activity of S6 kinase which is involved in the regulation of muscle cell size. Moreover, the ERK activity, required for transcription of ribosomal RNA for protein synthesis, was also enhanced in KME-treated mouse muscle. These data support the idea that KME increases muscle mass via increased protein synthesis. Our findings also suggest that Korean mistletoe might be a promising candidate for the development of functional foods that are beneficial for preventing muscle atrophy.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.102-110
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• 2012

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a sporadic progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized clinically by various combinations of parkinsonian, autonomic, cerebellar, or pyramidal signs and pathologically by cell loss, gliosis, and ${\alpha}$-synuclein-positive glial cytoplasmic inclusions in several brain and spinal cord structures. This is a clinical report about a 69-year-old female who had MSA treated by oriental medical treatment and evaluated by Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS). The patient was treated with herb medicine Chungsimyeonj-aeumgami(淸心蓮子飮加味), acupuncture, moxibustion and cupping. After treatment, the patient's symptoms improved meaningfully and the score decreased in UMSARS Part I, II. This suggests that oriental medical treatment could be effective to improve MSA patients' symptoms. It is necessary to have more observations and many cases of patients with MSA.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.224-230
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the grade of fatty degeneration and atrophy of rotator cuffs on immediate postoperative MRI to those on preoperative MRI in patients with rotator cuff tears. Materials and Methods: Seventy patients were included in this study, who received arthroscopic rotator-cuff repair and underwent both preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and immediate postoperative MRI in our institution. Fatty degeneration of rotator cuffs and the atrophy of supraspinatus muscles were evaluated with T1 oblique sagittal images in the Y-shaped view. Fatty degeneration was evaluated using a Goutallier classification system, and the atrophy of supraspinatus muscles was evaluated using a modified tangent sign and a visual occupation ratio. Results: From 70 patients, a total of 100 tendons were repaired: 18, 69, and 13 tendons were treated for subscapularis, supraspinatus, and infraspinatus, respectively. The Goutallier grades (P = 0.012), modified tangent signs (P = 0.000), and visual occupation ratios (P = 0.000) of supraspinatus muscles were significantly decreased in immediate postoperative MRIs when compared to preoperative MRIs. In immediate postoperative MRIs, the Goutallier grades of supraspinatus muscles were decreased by one grade in 18.8% (n = 13) of the patients, and the atrophy of supraspinatus muscles was improved by one grade in 26.1% (n = 18) for modified tangent signs and 21.7% (n = 15) for visual occupation ratios. However, fatty infiltration by the Goutallier grades of subscapularis (P = 1.000) and infraspinatus (P = 0.157) muscles were not significantly changed after arthroscopic surgery. Conclusion: Immediate postoperative MRIs showed a significant improvement of fatty degeneration and muscle atrophy in supraspinatus muscles when compared to preoperative MRIs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.137-143
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• 2021

Muscle atrophy refers to a decrease in muscle cells due to damage to muscle fibers. It is reported that muscle atrophy is caused by heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic diseases related to aging. The purpose of this study is to reveal the inhibitory effects of seaweed extracts, which are widely consumed in Korea, and alginic acid on muscle cell damage in muscle atrophy and regeneration models. We found that seaweed extracts (U) and alginic acid (A) attenuated TNF-α-induced muscle atrophy in differentiated C2C12 myoblast cells and inhibited muscle atrophy markers such as MuRF1 and MAFbx. In addition, U and A also regulated ubiquitination marker FoxO1 protein. To confirm the muscle regeneration effect in animal tissue, cardiotoxin (CTX) was used for the regeneration model. Six hours after CTX injection, gastrocnemius muscle volume was increased compared to control. Otherwise, the muscle volume of the U and A treatment groups was not changed. U and A also upregulated regeneration markers MyHC and PGC-1α in a CTX mouse model. These results indicate that seaweed extracts and alginic acid, a seaweed component, are applicable to senile sarcopenia by inhibiting muscle loss and promoting muscle regeneration.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.31-37
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• 2023

Objective : This study was conducted to investigate the muscle-improving and therapeutic effects of Boehmeria platanifolia (BP) in a mouse model of dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy. Methods : Muscle atrophy was induced in C57BL/6 mice by intraperitoneal administration of dexamethasone for 12 days. BP extract was administered orally at doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg for 19 days, starting 7 days before the intraperitoneal administration of dexamethasone. Mice were weighed during the experimental period, and muscle strength and muscle weight were measured at the end of the experiment. The gastrocnemius (GASTROC) muscles of mice were isolated and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the muscle fibers was measured after H&E staining. Results : Dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy mice had a decrease in body weight compared to normal mice, and BP-administrated mice did not show significant change in body weight compared with a control group. Muscle strength in mice with induced muscle atrophy was reduced compared to normal and significantly increased with BP administration and positive control. In addition, the weight of the quadriceps (QUAD) muscle and fiber size of the GASTROC muscle, which was reduced in sarcopenia-induced mice, was increased by BP. Conclusion : BP extract increased muscle strength, muscle weight, and muscle fiber size in dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy mice. This suggests that the efficacy of BP extracts in improving muscle strength and preventing and treating sarcopenia may be beneficial for the development of potential therapeutic or functional products.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.144-151
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• 2023

A Pap smear is the most important screening test for the diagnosis of cervical cancer. However, subjective judgment by the operator cannot be excluded, and replicability may greatly be reduced if uncertain specimens are examined. Examiners often experience difficulties in differentiating atrophy with inflammatory changes and ASCUS when diagnosing squamous epithelial lesions from a pap smear. Reports often vary between cytologists and pathologists, and misdiagnosis may result in delayed follow-ups and advanced diseases. Hence, auxiliary examinations are necessary when confusing results between atrophy and ASCUS are obtained. The importance of p16^INK4a activation due to HPV infection, which is an important factor in the outbreak of cervical cancer, has been highlighted. Recent studies have reported that p16^INK4a immunocytochemical staining and HPV high-risk type tests using liquid-based cervical specimens are effective to detect the presence of lesions of grade HSIL or higher in patients with ASC-H. However, no research exists on the utility of HPV and p16^INK4a tests on the differential diagnosis of atrophy and ASCUS. This study focused on whether p16^INK4a immunocytochemical staining and HPV tests can help diagnose borderline lesions between atrophy and ASCUS. The results reported that p16^INK4a activation can significantly (P<0.001) differentiate atrophy from ASCUS in atrophic lesions infected with High risk-HPV. Therefore, it may be concluded that p16^INK4a immunocytochemical staining is an effective auxiliary test in lesions infected with HR-HPV when atrophic lesions are difficult to differentiate by morphology. Such results are expected to help decide on adequate follow-up and treatment.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.18-25
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• 2018

Purpose: To investigate the various imaging factors associated with aggravation of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and develop a scoring system for prediction of LDH aggravation. Materials and Methods: From 2015 to 2017, we retrospectively reviewed the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of 60 patients (30 patients with aggravated LDH and 30 patients without any altered LDH). Imaging factors for MRI evaluation included the level of LDH, disc degeneration, back muscle atrophy, facet joint degeneration, ligamentum flavum thickness and interspinous ligament degeneration. Flexion-extension difference was measured with simple radiography. The scoring system was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: The aggravated group manifested a higher grade of disc degeneration, back muscle atrophy and facet degeneration than the control group. The ligamentum flavum thickness in the aggravated group was thicker than in the group with unaltered LDH. The summation score was defined as the sum of the grade of disc degeneration, back muscle atrophy and facet joint degeneration. The area under the ROC curve showing the threshold value of the summation score for prediction of aggravation of LDH was 0.832 and the threshold value corresponded to 6.5. Conclusion: Disc degeneration, facet degeneration, back muscle atrophy and ligamentum flavum thickness are important factors in predicting aggravation of LDH and may facilitate the determination of treatment strategy in patients with LDH. The summation score is available as supplemental data.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.371-380
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Cu/Zn SOD on reduction of hindlimb muscular atrophy induced by cisplatin in rats. Methods: Forty-two rats were assigned to three groups; control group, Cisplatin (CDDP) group and cisplatin with Cu/Zn SOD (CDDP-SOD) group. At day 35 hindlimb muscles were dissected. Food intake, activity, withdrawal threshold, muscle weight, and Type I, II fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) of dissected muscles were measured. Relative SOD activity and expression of MHC and phosphorylated Akt, ERK were measured after dissection. Results: Muscle weight and Type I, II fiber CSA of hindlimb muscles in the CDDP group were significantly less than the control group. Muscle weight and Type I, II fiber CSA of hindlimb muscles, food intake, activity, and withdrawal thresholds of the CDDP-SOD group were significantly greater than the CDDP group. There were no significant differences in relative SOD activities of hindlimb muscles between the CDDP-SOD and CDDP groups. MHC expression and phosphorylated Akt, ERK of hindlimb muscles in the CDDP-SOD group were significantly greater than the CDDP group. Conclusion: Cu/Zn SOD attenuates hindlimb muscular atrophy induced by cisplatin through increased food intake and activity. Increment of phosphorylated Akt, ERK may relate to attenuation of hindlimb muscular atrophy.