• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.199-208
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• 1986

The effects of $Mg^{++}$ upon the spontaneous contraction activated by 1 IU/l oxytocin were studied in the isolated rat uterine muscle. Longitudinal muscle strips u·ere prepared from the rat uteri at the estrous stage. All experiments were performed in tris-buffered Tyrode solution which was aerated with 100% $O_2$ and kept at $35^{\circ}C$. The results obtained were as follows: 1) In the uterine strips contracting spontaneously, as $Mg^{++}$ concentration increased in the Tyrode solution the amplitude of peak tension decreased in all the experimental solutions containing the various concentrations of $Ca^{++}\;(0.5{\sim}4 mM)$. And the amplitude of peak tension increased in inverse proportion to the $[Mg^{++}]/[Ca^{++}]\; ratio$. It is suggested that the tension-lowering effect of $Mg^{++}$ would be developed through decreasing intracellular ionized free calcium ion concentration by uncertain mechanism. 2) The frequency of the uterine contraction activated by oxytocin increased as the $[Mg^{++}]/[Ca^{++}]\;ratio$ ratio increased up to 1/2, but the frequency decreased above this ratio. It is speculated that $Mg^{++}$ would influence the excitability control action of $Ca^{++}$.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.64-74
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• 2021

Background and Objectives This study was to investigate the voice quality and articulation effects of laryngeal massage on muscle tension dysphonia (MTD). Materials and Method A systematic review of articles published between January 2000 and December 2020 in Cochrane, PubMed, ScienceDirect, SpingerLink, ERIC, and Naver Academic was conducted. From the total of 2094 articles identified, 10 peer-reviewed articles were included in a meta-analysis. Mean effect sizes of the variables related to voice quality (jitter, shimmer, harmonic to noise ratio or noise to harmonic ratio, high-F0, low-I, cepstral peak prominence) and articulation (F1, F2, F1 slope, F2 slope) were calculated by Hedges'g. Results Meta-analysis of the selected articles showed that laryngeal massage had medium to large effects on all variables of voice quality and articulation except F0-high and F1 slope in the MTD patients. Conclusion This study provided comprehensive clinical evidence that it is highly desirable to apply laryngeal massage to MTD patients.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.69-78
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• 2021

Background: Approximately 30% of people suffer from chronic neck and shoulder pain. Chronic neck and shoulder pain arise due to the exposure to continuous low loading and monotonous work. This is a common musculoskeletal disorder in a society. As physical therapists, we should give appropriate treatment to these people. Methods: A total of 26 patients with chronic neck and shoulder myalgia were randomly allocated into two experimental groups. First, 13 patients received shoulder strength training, while the other 13 patients received cervical mobilization. Outcome measures included bilateral pressure pain threshold by using an algometer at upper trapezius, visual analogue scale (VAS) to express their pain scale, and muscle tension by using myoton pro device pre-intervention and after the final treatment. Results: The VAS and muscle tension in upper trapezius significantly decreased (p<.05) in both groups; however, no differences between two groups were observed (p>.05). The pressure pain threshold in upper trapezius significantly increased (p<.05) in both groups; yet, again, the differences between the groups did not reach statistical significance (p>.05). Conclusion: As methods of treatment, shoulder-specific strength training and cervical mobilization can be appropriate approaches to the treatment of neck and shoulder musculoskeletal disorder.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2024

PURPOSE: The study aimed to analyze the effect of pillow height on upper trapezius and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle activity and overall human body comfort to determine the optimal pillow height. METHODS: The study included 32 healthy college students, of both genders, who provided prior consent. It examined three pillow heights (flat, 6cm, 12cm) and measured the upper trapezius and SCM muscles using ultrasonography, myotone, and electromyography(EMG). Muscle activation, thickness, and fatigue were assessed. RESULTS: The study found significant differences in muscle thickness and muscle tone based on the pillow heights (flat, 6cm, and 12cm) with a p < .05. The SCM and upper trapezius muscles were thinnest at a pillow height of 6cm. Muscle tone in the SCM was lower at both 6cm and 12cm pillow heights. Post-hoc measurements showed significant differences in both the SCM and upper trapezius muscles thickness at the 6cm pillow height (p < .05). Also, significant differences in muscle tone were observed only in the SCM, particularly between the 6cm and 12cm pillow heights. CONCLUSION: The ultrasonography and myotone measurements showed a significant difference in muscle thickness and muscle tension, both of which were above 6cm, while there was no difference in muscle activation. Based on the strong correlation between muscle tension and muscle thickness with pillow height, this study concluded that the human body feels comfortable with a 6cm pillow height. Therefore, it is recommended to use a pillow height of 6cm when lying in a supine position.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.321-328
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of neck stabilization exercise combined with vibroacoustic sound on patients with chronic neck pain and tension-type headache. Design: Two group pre test - post test design. Methods: 36 patients participated. Headache impact test-6(HIT-6), numerical rating scale(NRS) and muscle characteristics were measured at pre-post test. Participants divided into vibroacoustic sound group(VSG, n=18), control group(CG, n=18). VSG performed neck stabilization exercise and vibroacoustic sound stimulation. CG performed neck stabilization exercise. Both groups participated 3 times a week for a total of 4 weeks. Results: NRS showed a significant difference before and after intervention in both groups (p<0.05). HIT-6 showed a significant difference before and after intervention in the VSG group (p<0.05). Muscle tone showed a significant difference before and after intervention in the experimental group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in muscle stiffness and muscle elasticity before and after the intervention in both groups (p>0.05). Conclusions: Based on the results of the study, it is thought that sonic vibroacoustic sound can be established as an effective treatment tool through a study applied to various diseases and symptoms.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.45-55
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• 1976

The effect of positive inotropic agents on the contractile properties of myocardial muscle were studied in the cat papillary muscle preparation. For the purpose, the effects of ouabain $(1{\times}10^{-6}g/ml)$, norepinephrine (0.05r/m1) and Aconiti tuber butanol fraction (AF(5), $1{\times}10^{-4}$, $5{\times}10^{-4}$, $1{\times}10^{-3}$, $2{\times}10^{-3}g/ml$) on the contractile dynamics of the papillary muscle preparation isolated from right ventricle of cat were observed in terms of the characteristics of isometric twitch and the lengh-tension relation, the force-velocity relation and the load-extension relation of the series elastic component of contractile model of A.V. Hill. All the studied inotropic drugs similary increased the rate and the intensity of the developed isometric tension, while shortened the time from onset of contraction to peak tension and the total duration of contraction. In the afterloaded simultaneous isotonic and isometric contraction, they also similary increased the maximal velocity of shortening accompanied with the increasing the maximum developed force. In the load-extension relation all the drugs, however, had no appreciable influence on the properties of the series elastic component. Increasing the concentration, Aconiti tuber butanol fraction produced more pronounced effect on all the studied parameters of isometric and isotonic contraction of cat papillary muscle preparation. From the aspect of contractile dynamics, it seemed that the positive inotropic effect of ouabain, norepinephrine and Aconiti tuber butanol fraction are similary achieved through an influence on the behavior of the contractile component only.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.313-317
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• 2004

The present study were designed to characterize the action mechanisms of acetylcholine (ACh)-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation in arteries precontracted with high $K^+$(70 mM). For this, we simultaneously measured both muscle tension and cytosolic free $Ca^{2+}$ concentration $([Ca^{2+}]_i)$, using fura-2, in endothelium-intact, rabbit carotid arterial strips. In the artery with endothelium, high $K^+$ increased both $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and muscle tension whereas ACh $(10{\mu}M)$ significantly relaxed the muscle and increased $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. In the presence of $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine (L-NAME, 0.1 mM), ACh increased $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ without relaxing the muscle. In the artery without endothelium, high $K^+$ increased both $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and muscle tension although ACh was ineffective. 4-DAMP (10 nM) or atropine $(0.1{\mu}M)$ abolished ACh-induced increase in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and relaxation. The increase of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and vasorelaxation by ACh was siginificantly reduced by either $3{\mu}M$ gadolinium, $10{\mu}M$ lanthanum, or by $10{\mu}M$ SKF 96365. These results suggest that in rabbit carotid artery, ACh-evoked relaxation of 70 mM $K^+$-induced contractions appears to be mediated by the release of NO. ACh-evoked vasorelaxation is mediated via the $M_3$ subtype, and activation of the $M_3$ subtype is suggested to stimulate nonselective cation channels, leading to increase of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ in endothelial cells.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.23-30
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• 2023

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of joint mobilization and muscle strengthening exercises on neck function, range of motion, and muscle tone in patients with forward head posture. Methods: A total 32 subjects were divided into muscle strengthening exercise (n=16) and joint mobilization (n=16) who met the diagnostic criteria for the forward head posture, and the study method used the neck disability index (NDI) and BPM Pro to compare the range of motion. Results: As a result of the study, there was no significant difference between each group, and when looking at the differences before and after each group, there was a significant difference in neck pain in both groups. There was a significant difference in muscle tension in the joint mobilization group, but there was no significant difference in the muscle strengthening exercise group. In the range of joint mobilization, there was a significant difference in the range of left joint mobilization of the joint mobilization group, there was no significant difference in the range of right joint mobilization, and there was no significant difference in the range of joint mobilization of the muscle strengthening exercise group. Conclusion: The above results revealed that joint mobilization and muscle strengthening exercises were effective on neck function, range of motion, and muscle tone in forward head posture patients.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.58-66
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to understand the structure and biomechanics of the skeletal muscle. The skeletal muscle takes 40 to 45% of the whole body. Stable posture requires a balance of muscle. However, when the muscle strength is unbalanced, movement initiates. The power generated by the muscle is a primary means to adjust the equilibrium of posture and movement. The structural unit of the skeletal muscle is a long cylindrical type muscle fiber which contains hundreds of nucleus. The thickness of muscle fiber is about $10-100{\mu}m$, and its length is about 1-50cm. Muscle fiber is composed of myofibril that is covered with plasma membrane which is called sarcolemma. In understanding the movement of human body, it is important to comprehend the movement of bone and joint and the tension of muscle. Understanding the structure and biomechanics of muscle also provides basic information on clinical treatment of patients.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.77-90
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• 1990

There have been conflicting reports concerning the effect of Panax ginseng on the contractility of vascular smooth muscle, i.e., Panax ginseng extract has been reported to cause relaxation, contraction or to have no effect on the tension of vascular smooth muscle. A further investigation of $Ca^{++}$ stores which supply $Ca^{++}$ for contraction of vascular smooth muscle is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms of this conflicting effect of ginseng alcohol extract (GAE). The present study was intended to examine the sources of calcium mobilized for contraction of vascular smooth muscle by GAE. Aortic ring preparations were made from the rabbit thoracic aorta and endothelial cells were removed from the ring. The contractility of the aortic ring was measured under various experimental conditions and $Ca^{++}$ flux across the membrane of aortic ring and the sarcoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria were measured with a calcium selective electrode. The result were summarized as follows; 1) At low concentration of extracellular $Ca^{++}$, GAE increased the contractility of vascular smooth muscle in dose-dependent fashion except high concentration $Ca^{++}$ (1 mM). 2) In the presence of ryanodine, GAE still increased contractility of vascular smooth muscle as much as control group, but in the presence of caffeine, GAE increased it significantly. i.e. Their effects seemed to be additive. 3) In the presence of verapamil+lanthanum, and verapamil+lanthanum+ryanodine, the contractility of the vascular smooth muscle was decreased, but a dose dependent increase in vascular tension was still demonstrated by GAE although total tension was low. 4) GAE increased $Ca^{++}$ efflux from vascular smooth muscle cells, but have no effect on $Ca^{++}$ influx. 5) GAE increased $Ca^{++}$ efflux from sarcoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria vesicles. From the above results, it may be concluded that GAE increased the release of $Ca^{++}$ from sarcoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria or other intracellular $Ca^{++}$ stores of vascular smooth muscle, but it does not increase $Ca^{++}$ influx across the plasma membrane.