• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.272-274
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• 2009

Xiphodynia is a term used to describe a painful xiphoid process, and this is a rare musculoskeletal disorder that can radiate to the anterior chest, epigastrium, neck, shoulders and back. Clinical awareness of xiphodynia is important for making its correct diagnosis. We report here on two cases of xiphodynia. The diagnosis was suggested by the reproduction of the anterior chest pain or/and the epigastrium pain with light pressure on the xiphoid process. The patient of case 1 had suffered from xiphodynia throughout the years, and this patient underwent surgical excision of the xiphoid process. The patient of case 2 received an injection of local anesthetic agent to the xiphoid process.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.165-174
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• 1993

$Ca^{2+}$ is an important regulator of neurite elongation and growth cone movements but the mechanism(s) mediating these $Ca^{2+}-dependent$ effects is unclear. Since cytoskeletal proteins are rapidly degraded by $Ca^{2+}-dependent $ proteinases (calpains) in vitro and in vivo, we investigated whether $Ca^{2+}-induced$ pruning or regression of neuronal processes is mediated by calpains. Isolated hippocampal pyramidal-like neurons were cultured and the ability of the membrane-permeable calpain inhibitors EST (etyl (+)-(2S,3S)-3-[(S)-methyl-1-(3-methlbutylcarbamoyl)-butylcarbamoyl]2-oxiranecarboxylate) and MDL28170 (carbobenzoxyl-Val-Phe-H) to block the $Ca^{2+}$ ionophore A23187-induced suppression in neurite outgrowth was investigated. Addition of 100 nM A23187 to the culture medium resulted in a retraction of dendrites without altering axonal elongation. The addition of 300 nM A23187 to the culture medium resulted in a signiciant decrease in the rate of axonal elongation as well as a retraction of dendritic processes. Administration of EST $(5\;or\;20{\mu}M)$ to the culture medium completely blocked the pruning effect of 100 nM A23187 on dendrites and of 300 nM A23187 on axons, while EST alone did not significantly affect neurite outgrowth rate. MDL 28170 $(20\;{\mu}M)$ showed the same effect as EST in preventing ionophore-induced pruning of dendrites and axons at 100 nM and 300 nM concentrations, respectively, of A23187. EST $(20\;{\mu}M)$ did not block the A23187-induced rise of $[Ca^{2+}]_{i}$ as measured with fura-2. These results show that $Ca^{2+}-induced$ pruning of neurites in isolated hippocampal pyramidal neurons is mediated by calpains.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.206-214
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• 2020

This study examined the correlation between the respiratory pattern change (RPC) and abdominal mobility (AM) according to the positive result of the subjective lumbar instability factor (SLIF) in people with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Thirty-six adults with CLBP participated in this study. Twenty-eight items of the SLIFs were examined, and the subjects were divided into three groups according to the positive response numbers (PRN). After the change lists were scored, three RPC scores [costo-diaphragmatic RPC (CDRPC), breath hold change (BHC), and total RPC (TRPC)] were obtained. The abdominal mobility (AM) was measured between the maximal inspiration and exhalation at the xiphoid (AM1) and the 10^th rib (AM2) level of the trunk. The results showed that the RPC score and AM were compared according to the positive response number of SLIF, and the relationship between them was analyzed. A positive correlation was observed between the SLIF positive response number and CDRPC score, BHC score, and total RPC score, and a negative correlation was observed between the SLIFs positive response number and AM1 and AM2. Based on the results of this study, the combination of SLIF positive responses can be a predictor of non-physiological respiratory pattern changes in people with CLBP. Clinically, this prediction is expected to help save time for screening and improve the efficiency of therapy.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.81-86
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• 2009

Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous chondroplasia, characterized by delayed development of the ossification centers and, deformities of the extremities that involve only the epiphysis and result in mild short stature. Mutations in the cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) gene are most commonly found, and most of the mutations are located in the calmodulin-like repeats and the C-terminal domain. We report a Korean kindred of 12 family members with MED in four generations who were found to have a novel mutation in the COMP gene. A pedigree showed early onset osteoarthritis requiring arthroplasty that was an autosomal dominant inherited trait. Radiological examinations demonstrated the presence of osteochondral defects in the medial femoral condyles, and the knee and hip joints showed variable degrees of precocious degenerative changes. Mutation analysis of the COMP gene in the proband and five other affected family members identified a novel missense mutation, c.1280G>C (p.Gly427Ala) in exon 12, which was not found in three unaffected family members. Direct sequencing of the COMP gene may yield pathogenic mutations in dominantly inherited MED cases, and may provide opportunities of carrier detection among high-risk family members, leading to genetic counseling for early diagnosis and intervention before the onset of complications.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.165-170
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• 2001

A rapid increasing in cultivation area due to favorable price temporarily and decreasing in consumer's demands caused by economic depressions recently, lead the price of Cynanchum wilfordii Hemsley to decline sharply. Thus, it may give rises to weakening of cultivation bases in Cynanchum wilfordii Hemsley. To investigate optimal mechanical peeling conditions of Cynanchum wilfordii Hemsley, protruded rubber, plastic pad, diamond shape's steel and palstic brush were introduced as blades and artificial stone, sand and small pebble were done as abrasives. The main results obtained were summarized as follows; 1. It took 2 minutes per 1kg in mechanical peeling of Cynanchum wilfordii Hemsley's raw root whereas 36 minutes in manual peeling and values of lightness showed more higher in manual peeling than in mechanical peeling. 2. Yield in combination of diamond shape's steel blade and sand abrasive showed the lowest at 89.9% among treatments and peeling rates in combination of diamond shape's steel blade and small pebble showed the highest at 71.3% in mechanical peeling. 3. Lightness, one of the most important factors in determining quality of Cynanchum wilfordii Hemsley, showed the highest in combination of diamond shape's steel blade and small pebble brasive at 61.90 in mechanical peeling. 4. As the speed of rotation gets faster, yields tend to lower in mechanical peeling. Peeling rates and lightness showed the highest at 66.8%, 57.96 respectively among treatments at 30 r.p.m. in mechanical peeling.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.54-73
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• 2012

In this article, we examined the patterns of activities of the Sarmathians though in a humble measure, with a focus on the regions where the Sarmathian sheaths spreaded. One of the main weapons the mounted nomads like the Scythias, the Sarmathians, and the Alans used at war was a spear. Though complementary, a sword was the most convenient and appropriate weapon when fighting at a near distance, fallen from the horse to the ground. The Sarmathian swords continued the tradition of the Akinakes which the Scythias or the Persians used, but those of the Sarmathians showed some advances in terms of the easiness with which a sword was drawn out from a sheath, and the way the sheaths were worn to parts of a human body. It turns out that the Sarmathian sheaths, which were designed for the people to draw swords easily, having the sheaths attached to thighs through 4 bumps, spread extensively from Pazyryk, Altai, to South Siberia, Bactria, Parthia and Rome. The most noteworthy out of all the Sarmathian sheaths were the ones that were excavated from the 4th tomb in Tillatepe, Afghanistan which belonged to the region of Bactria. The owner of the fourth tomb of Tilla-tepe whose region was under the control of Kushan Dynasty at that time, was buried wearing Sarmathian swords, and regarded as a big shot in the region of Bactria which was also under the governance of Kushan Dynasty. The fact that the owner of the tomb wore two swords suggests that there had been active exchange between Bactria and Sarmathia. It seemed that the reason why the Sarmathians could play an important role in the exchange between the East and the West might have something to do with their role of supplying Chinese goods to Silk Road. That's why we are interested in how the copper mirrors of Han Dynasty, decoration beads like melon-type beads, crystal beads and goldring articulated beads, and the artifacts of South China which produced silks were excavated in the northern steppe route where the Sarmathians actively worked. Our study have established that the eye beads discovered in Sarmathian tomb estimated to have been built around the 1st century B.C. were reprocessed in China, and then imported to Sarmathia again. We should note the Huns as a medium between the Sarmathians and the South China which were far apart from each other. Thus gold-ring articulated beads which were spread out mainly across the South China has been discovered in the Huns' remains. On the other hand, between 2nd century B.C. and 2nd century A.D. which were main periods of the Sarmathians, it was considered that the traffic route connecting the steppe route and the South China might be West-South silk road which started from Yunnan, passed through Myanmar, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, and then went into the east of India. The West-south Silk road is presumed to have been used by nomadic tribes who wanted to get the goods from South China before the Oasis route was activated by the Han Dynasty's policy of managing the countries bordering on Western China.