• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.87-94
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• 1992

From December 1991 to March 1992, 34 anejacuratory patients with spinal cord injury underwent 90 of electric stimulations with Seager NRH model 12. The average patient age was 43.5 years with a range of 23 to 48 years. The level of cord injury was cervical in 7, thoracic in 6, lumbar in 11, lumbosacral in 7 and conus medullaris in 3. The average number of electric stimulation per a patient was 2.65 with a range of 1 to 4. The average voltage and amplitude per a stimulation were 17.72 volts and 309. 89 mAmp with ranges of 5 to 25 volts and 50 to 500 mAmp. The total and motile sperm number were evaluated microscopically and analyzed statistically by paired t-test according to the frequency of electroejaculation, level of cord injury and voiding pattern. The results were obtained as follows. 1. An overall success rate of electroejaculation was 85.3% among 34 patients and 82.2% among 90 electric stimulations. 2. The total and motile sperm number per a stimulation were not correlated the frequency of electric stimulation, level of cord injury and voiding pattern. 3. Complications occured in 10 cases; severe low abdominal pain in 5, hypertension in 2, sweating in 1, headache in 1 and neck stiffness in 1. All the copmlications subsided spontaneously within 5 to 10 minutes after transient interruption of the electric stimulation. In summary, rectal probe electroejaculation is an accepted safe means of procuring sperm from spinal cord injury patients with ejaculatory incompetence. However very poor sperm motility was found and it was not related with the frequency of electroejaculation, level of cord injury and voiding pattern. Further investigation would be needed to conclude and to identify the reasons for impaired sperm motility.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.132-139
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• 1994

To investigate the effect of Korean mistletoe on stimulation of macrophage, the activity to induce interleukine-1(IL-1) and tumor necrosis factors-${\alpha}(TNF-{\alpha})$ from murine peritoneal macrophage by its extracts originated from oak was examined. From in vitro analysis of the cytokines using the culture supernatants of macrophages stimulated with its extracts for 1hr, it was found that Korean mistletoe induces IL-1 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ from murine macrophage. Furthermore, both extracts of Korean mistletoes that were extracted with distilled water and 2% acetic acid exhibited a significant activity to induce two cytokines. In the stimulation for 30 min, Korean mistletoe at concentration of $1{\sim}100\;\mu/ml$ showed a significant induction of IL-1 from macrophage until 24 hrs after stimulation, showing maximal activity on $5{\sim}10\;hrs\;at\;10{\sim}100\;\mu/ml$. On the other hand, $TNF-{\alpha}$ was induced on the early period, 2 hrs, after stimulation at a wide range of concentration, $1{\sim}500\;\mu/ml$. In addition, the fraction of Korean mistletoe from 80% saturated ammonium sulphate precipitation showed a significant activity to induce both cytokines from macrophage. The present study demonstrates that Korean mistletoe contains immunoregulatory factors responsible for stimulating murine macrophage to secrete IL-1 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ which play an important role in immune responses, and suggests that the activity of Korean mistletoe to induce two cytokines is functioned by a possible independent stimulation manner.

• Korean Parent-Child Health Journal
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.35-55
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• 2001

Recently attention has been focused on the effects of early intervention, or its lack, on both normal and preterm infants. Particularly numerous studies suggest that premature infants are not necessarily understimulated but instead are subjected to inappropriate stimulation. Developmental support and sensory stimulation have become clinical opportunities in which nursing practice can impact on the neurobehavioral outcome of premature infants. Developmental care has been widely accepted and implemented in neonatal intensive care units across the country. Increasingly, attention and concern in caring for low-birth-weight infants and premature infants has led clinicians in the field to explore the effects of a complex of interventions designed to create and maintain a developmentally supportive environment; to provide age-appropriate sensory input; and to protect the infant from inappropriate, excessive and stressful stimulation. The components of developmental care include modifications of the macro-environment to reduce NICU light and sound levels, care clustering, nonnutritive sucking, and containment strategies, such as flexed positioning or swaddling. Sensory stimulation of the premature infants is presented to standardize the modification of a developmental intervention based on physiologic and behavioral cues. The most appropriate type of stimuli are those that are sensitive to infant cues. Evaluation of infant physiological and behavioral responds to specific intervention stimuli may help to identify more appropriate interventions based on infants' cues. A critical question confronting the clinician is that of determining when the evidence supporting a change in practice is sufficient to justify making that change. There are acknowledged limitations in the current studies. Many of the studies examined had small sample sizes; used nonprobability sampling; and used a phase lag design, which introduces the possibility of threats to internal validity and limits the generalizability of the results. Although many issues regarding the effects of developmental interventions remain unresolved, the available research base documents significant benefits of developmental care for LBW infants in consistent outcomes, without significant adverse effects. Particularly, although the individual studies vary somewhat in the definition of specific outcomes measured, instrumentation used, time and method of data collection, and preparaion of the care providers, in all studies, infants receiving the full protocol of individualized developmentally supportive care had improvements in some aspect of four areas of infant functioning: level of respiratory or oxygen support, the establishment of oral feeding; length of hospital stay, and infant behavioral regulation. In summary, based on the available literature, individualized developmental intervention should be incorporated into standard practice in neonatal intensive care. And this implementation needs to be coupled with ongoing research to evaluate the impact of an individualized developmental care programs on the short- and long-tenn health outcomes of LBW infants.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.74-85
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• 2007

Objective : In this study we wanted to confirm if proper stimulation and de-Qi of traditional Korean medical acupuncture could increase hot flash relief efficacy. Design : A randomized controlled, single blind study. We used two modalities of acupuncture, one with optimal stimulation [Study group; Korean medical acupuncture (TKMA)] and one with minimal stimulation [Control group; Minimal acupuncture (MA)]. Same acupoints [PC6(內關), HT8(少府), HT7(神門), LI4(合谷), ST36(足三里), SP6(三陰交), Ren4(關元)] were used in both groups. Fifty-two patients were treated twice a week for 8 weeks, and follow up was done after 4 weeks from the last treatment. Patients were checked hot flash VAS (visual analog scale), frequency and duration every time they visited. Results : Hot flash relief efficacy by 100mm hot flash VAS was obvious in both groups. Hot flash VAS scores of study group were smaller than the scores of control group at the early stage (3rd, $4^{th}$ and $8^{th}$ visit), but there wasn't a remarkable difference between study and control group at the end of the trial. Besides, diminution of hot flash VAS was faster and more even in the study group than control group by visualization using 'Box plot'. We compared frequency and duration of hot flash, 100mm sweating, palpitation, sleep disturbance VAS, and Kupperman Index, MENQOL, Patient's global assessment score. Both groups showed definite decrease from the baseline, but the difference was not statistically significant. There wasn't any adverse event. Hot flash relief efficacy was kept in most patients after 4 weeks' follow-up. Conclusion : Acupoint combination by Traditional Korean medical theory is effective on hot flashes and hot flash relief efficacy was faster and more even in optimal stimulation than minimal stimulation.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 1995

This study was undertaken to clarify the effects of electrical stimulation on physicochemical and rheological properties of the plaice (Paralichthys olivaceus) muscle at early period after death. The plaices were electrically stimulated in seawater bath (110V/60Hz) for 15sec., 35sec., and 60sec. and killed instantly with spiking at the head. Killed samples were stored at $5^{\circ}C$, and the changes in rigor index, ATP breakdown, lactate accumulation, and breaking strength of muscle through storage were investigated. Electrical stimulation effectively accelerated rigor-mortis, lactate accumulation , and ATP breakdown. As the time of electrical stimulation was lengthened, the onset of rigor-mortis of all samples were accelerated Just after killing, and the amount of lactate was rapidly increased, But, significant differences were not observed in variance of rigor-mortis and lactate concentration. Electrically stimulated plaices showed decreasing in ATP to $4.58{\mu}mole/g$ for 15sec., $4.13{\mu}mole/g$ for 35sec., and $2.39{\mu}mole/g$ for 60sec. samples as compared with $5.5{\mu}mole/g$ of unstimulated samples. As the time of electrical stimulation was lengthened, ATP in samples were decomposed more rapidly. The rate constant of ATP breakdown were $0.244hr^{-1}$ for 15sec., $0.358hr^{-1}$ for 35sec., and $0.479hr^{-1}$ for 60sec.. The level of breaking strength in muscle of the plaice was $1050.30\pm50.23g$ immediately after killing. Values of breaking strength in samples electrically stimulated for 35sec. increased rapidly just after killing among all samples. However, the breaking strength was not increased through the whole storage time in samples stimulated for 60sec.. The value and time roaching to the maximum breaking strength for each samples stimulated electrically for 15, 35 and 60 second were $1264.43\pm35.76g$ and 2hr, $1357.68\pm22.50g$ and Ohr, and $1012.18\pm57.36g$ and Ohr. Breaking strength in all samples electrically stimulated decreased significantly (P<0.05) after reaching the maximum values.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.156-159
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• 1998

Germination rate and early growth in crop such as rice,soybean,and perilla were observed after irradiation of $^{\gamma}$-ray (Co-60) in order to determine the effects of low does radiation. The low dose radiation was able to improve the early growth in crops and their agricultural charaters. Germination rate of 2Gy-irradiatied rice seeds was high and also were seeding height and fresh weight of the 0.5 Gy-irradiated. Germination rate and early growth of soybean were high in 4Gy-irradiated group. Perilla gew ot so promisingly after after low dose irradiation,however there slightly increasing effects on germination rate, seeding height and fresh weightat 2Gt-, 1Gy-, and 1Gy irradiated group, respectively.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.213-222
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of early body-weight-supported treadmill training on quadriceps strength, knee pain, and arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI) after knee surgery. Methods: Sixteen adults were selected. Seven patients in the experimental group performed body-weight-supported treadmill training, and nine patients in the control group performed general therapeutic exercise programs. Both groups received 20 minutes of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and 20 minutes of exercise therapy for two weeks. We measured quadriceps strength, visual analogue scale, and modified AMI classification grade before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Within the experimental group, significant differences were observed in quadriceps strength, visual analogue scale, and modified AMI classification grade. Significant differences were observed between the before- and after-intervention groups in quadriceps strength and visual analogue scale. However, no significant differences were found in the modified AMI classification. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that early body-weight-supported treadmill training may be an effective intervention for improving strength, reducing pain, and addressing arthrogenic muscle inhibition following knee surgery.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.123-131
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• 2007

Introduction: Distraction osteogenesis is widely used as for bone lengthening in patients with maxillofacial deformity and alveolar bone atrophy. One of the major problems in distraction osteogenesis is long consolidation period for 2-3 months, in which the devices have to be fixed on the bone to prevent relapse. It results in scar formation on the face, disturbance of mastication and speech. This study was performed to evaluate the stimulating effect of pulsed electromagnetic field on the early bone consolidation in distraction osteogenesis. Materials and methods: Total 10 rabbit were used (5 for control group, 5 for experimental group). A vertical osteotomy in the mandibular body was performed and the distraction device was fixed. After 5 days distraction was done 1mm per a day for 7 days. A pulsed electromagnetic field (38 Gauss, 60 Hz) was applied for 8 hours per day and it continued for 5 days immediately after distraction in the experimental group. Both groups were sacrificed after 2 weeks. Histological specimens with H&E and Masson Trichrome staining were made and histomorphometrically analysed with image analyser. Results: The device for distraction osteogenesis was displaced in one animal for each group, therefore, only four animals in both groups were evaluated. In both groups, a new bone formation was observed in the distracted area after 2 weeks. The bone formation was enhanced in the experimental groups ($31.76{\pm}8.68%$) compared with control group ($9.94{\pm}3.23%$), its difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: This study suggests that electrical stimulation with electromagnectic field may be effective in the early bone formation after distraction osteogenesis. Further studies with large number of animals are needed before clinical application.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.9
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• pp.478-483
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• 2020

Kudoa septempunctata is a myxozoan parasite that causes food poisoning in individuals consuming olive flounder. The present study aimed to investigate the currently insufficiently elucidated early molecular mechanisms of inflammatory responses in the intestine owing to parasite ingestion. After Kudoa spores were isolated from olive flounder, HT29 cells were exposed to spores identified to be alive using SYTO-9 and propidium iodide staining or to antigens of Kudoa spores (KsAg). IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α and NFKB1 expression and NF-κB activation were assessed using real-time PCR, cytokine array and western blotting. The immunofluorescence of FITC-conjugated lectins, results of ligand binding assays using Mincle-Fc and IgG-Fc, CLEC4E expressions in response to KsAg stimulation, and Mincle-dependent NF-κB activation were assessed to clarify the early immune-triggering mechanism. Inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, GM-CSF and TNF-α), chemokines (IL-8, CCL2, CCL5 and CXCL1) and NF-κB activation (pNF-κB/NF-κB) in HT29 cells increased following stimulation by KsAg. The immunofluorescence results of spores and lectins (concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutinin) suggested the importance of Mincle in molecular recognition between Kudoa spores and intestinal cells. Practically, data for Mincle-Fc and KsAg binding affinity, CLEC4E mRNA expression, Mincle immunofluorescence staining and hMincle-dependent NF-κB activation demonstrated the involvement of Mincle in the early immune-triggering mechanism. The present study newly elucidated that the molecular recognition and immune-triggering mechanism of K. septempunctata are associated with Mincle on human intestinal epithelial cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.297-305
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• 1998

This study used in vivo intracellular recording in rat hippocampus to evaluate the effect of lidocaine and MK-801 on the membrane properties and the synaptic responses of individual neurons to electrical stimulation of the commissural pathway. Cells in control group typically fired in a tonic discharge mode with an average firing frequency of $2.4{\pm}0.9$ Hz. Neuron in MK-801 treated group (0.2 mg/kg, i.p.) had an average input resistance of $3.28{\pm}5.7\;M{\Omega}$ and a membrane time constant of $7.4{\pm}1.8$ ms. These neurons exhibited $2.4{\pm}0.2$ ms spike durations, which were similar to the average spike duration recorded in the neurons of the control group. Slightly less than half of these neurons were firing spontaneously with an average discharge rate of $2.4{\pm}1.1$ Hz. The average peak amplitude of the AHP following the spikes in these groups was $7.4{\pm}0.6$ mV with respect to the resting membrane potential. Cells in MK-801 and lidocaine treated group (5 mg/kg, i.c.v.) had an average input resistance of $3.45{\pm}6.0\;M{\Omega}$ and an average time constant of $8.0{\pm}1.4$ ms. The cells were firing spontaneously at an average discharge rate of $0.6{\pm}0.4$ Hz. Upon depolarization of the membrane by 0.8 nA for 400 ms, all of the tested cells exhibited accommodation of spike discharge. The most common synaptic response contained an EPSP followed by early-IPSP and late-IPSP. Analysis of the voltage dependence revealed that the early-IPSP and late-IPSP were putative $Cl^--and\;K^+-dependent$, respectively. Systemic injection of the NMDA receptor blocker, MK-801, did not block synaptic responses to the stimulation of the commissural pathway. No significant modifications of EPSP, early-IPSP, or late-IPSP components were detected in the MK-801 and/or lidocaine treated group. These results suggest that MK-801 and lidocaine manifest their CNS effects through firing pattern of hippocampal pyramidal cells and neural network pattern by changing the synaptic efficacy and cellular membrane properties.