• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.121-127
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• 2007

Muscle force produced by muscle fibers is transmitted to bones via tendinous structures(aponeuroses and tendon), resulting in joint(s) movement. As force-transmitting elements, mechanical behavior of aponeuroses and tendon are closely related with the function of muscle-tendon complex. The purpose of this study was to determine strain characteristics of aponeuroses for in-vivo human soleus muscle during submaximal voluntary contractions using an advanced medical imaging technique, velocity-encoded phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (VE-PC MRI). VE-PC MRI of the soleus muscle-tendon complex was acquired during submaximal isometric plantarflexion contraction-relaxation cycle (n = 7), using 3.0T Trio MRI scanner(Siemens AG, Malvern, MA). From the VE-PC MRI containing the tissue velocity in superior-inferior direction, twenty regions of interest(20 ROI; 10 on the anterior aponeurosis and 10 on the posterior aponeurosis) were tracked. During the isometric plantarflexion contraction-relaxation cycle, velocity and displacement profiles were different between the anterior and posterior aponeuroses, indicating heterogeneous strain behavior along the length of the leg. The anterior aponeurosis elongated while the posterior aponeurosis shortened during the initial phase of the contraction. Moreover, strain behavior of the posterior aponeurosis was different from that of the Achilles tendon. Possible explanation for the observed variations in strain behavior of aponeuroses was investigated with morphological assessment of the soleus muscle and it was found that the intramuscular tendinous structures significantly vary among subjects. In conclusion, the heterogeneous mechanical behavior of the soleus aponeuroses and the Achilles tendon suggests that the complexity of skeletal muscle-tendon complex should be taken into consideration when modeling the complex for better understanding of its functions.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2000

The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of Radix Stemonae on histamine induced tracheal smooth muscle contraction in guinea pigs. Guinea pig(500g, male) were killed by $CO_2$ exposure and a segment (8-10mm) of the thoracic trachea from guinea pig was cut into equal segments and mounted 'in pairs' in a tissue bath. Contractile force was measured with force displacement transducers under 0.5g loading tension. The dose of histamine (His) which evoked 50% of maximal response ($ED_{50}$) was obtained from cumulative dose response curves for histamine ($10^{-7}∼10^{-4}M$). Contractions evoked by His ($ED_{50}$) were inhibited significantly by Radix Stemonae. In guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle, the mean percent inhibition of histamine induced contraction was 87.4% (p<0.01) after $100{\mu}l/ml$ Radix Stemonae. Following treatment with propranolol, the mean percent inhibition caused by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Radix Stemonae fell to 16.2% in guinea pig induced by histamine contraction. Indomethacin and methylene blue($10^{-7}M$) did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of Radix Stemonae. These results indicate that Radix Stemonae can relax histamine induced contraction of guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle, and that this inhibition involves sympathetic effects.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.493-498
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• 2003

Paeoniae Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix and Jakyakgamchotang have been used in Oriental Medicine for many centuries as a treatment for various disease. The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of Paeoniae Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix and Jakyakgamchotang on narepinephrine(NE) induced contraction of isolated rabbit femoral artery. Rabbits (2.0kg, female) were killed by CO₂ exposure and a segment (8-10mm) of the aortic ring from each rabbit was cut into equal segments and mounted 'in pairs' in a tissue bath. Contractile force was measured with force displacement transducers under 1.5g loading tension. The dose of NE which evoked 50% of maximal response (ED/sub 50/) was obtained from cumulative dose response curves for NE (10/sup -7/～10/sup -4/M). Contractions evoked by NE (ED/sub 50/) were inhibited significantly by Paeoniae Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix and Jakyakgamcho-tang. The mean percent inhibition of NE induced contraction was 83.9% (p<0.01) after 150㎕/㎖ Paeoniae Radix, 101.1 %(p<0.01) after 150 ㎕/㎖, Glycyrrhizae Radix and 107.3%(p<0.01) after 150㎕/㎖ Jakyakgamcho-tang, Indomethacin slightly but significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of Paeoniae Radix. Following treatment with indomethacin, the mean percent inhibition caused by 150㎕/㎖ Paeoniae Radix fell to 16.4% in femoral artery induced by NE contraction. Propranolol, ODQ, and L-NNA did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of Paeoniae Radix. ODQ slightly but significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of Glycyrrhizae Radix. Following treatment with ODQ, the mean percent inhibition caused by 150㎕/㎖ Glycyrrhizae Radix fell to 13.0% in femoral artery induced by NE contraction. Propranolol, indomethacin and L-NNA did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of Glycyrrhizae Radix. L-NNA slightly but significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of Jakyakgamchotang. Following treatment with L-NNA, the mean percent inhibition caused by 150㎕/㎖ Jakyakgamchotang fell to 13.8% in femoral artery induced by NE contraction. Propranolol, ODQ and indomethacin did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of Jakyakgamcho-tang. These results indicate that Paeoniae Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix and Jakyakgamcho-tang can relax NE induced contraction of the isolated rabbit femoral artery, and that this inhibition related to nitric oxide.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.157-164
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• 2001

Radix Asteris has been used in Korea for many centuries as a treatment for respiratory disease. The effect of Radix Asteris on tracheal smooth muscle is not known. The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of Radix Asteris on histamine induced tracheal smooth muscle contraction in rats and guinea pigs. Guinea pig(500g, male) and Sprague Dawley rats (250g, male) were killed by $CO_2$ exposure and a segment (8-10mm) of the thoracic trachea from each rat and guinea pig was cut into equal segments and mounted 'in pairs' in a tissue bath. Contractile force was measured with force displacement transducers under 0.5g loading tension. The dose of histamine (His) which evoked 50% of maximal response ($ED_{50}$) was obtained from cumulative dose response curves for histamine $(10^{-7}{\sim}10^{-4}M)$. Contractions evoked by His ($ED_{50}$) were inhibited significantly by Radix Asteris. In guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle, the mean percent inhibition of histamine induced contraction was 120.5% (p<0.01) after $100{\mu}l/ml$ Radix Asteris. In rat tracheal smooth muscle, the mean percent inhibition of histamine induced contraction was 135.4% (p<0.01) after $100{\mu}l/ml$ Radix Asteris. Propranolol $(10^{-7}M)$ slightly but significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of Radix Asteris. Following treatment with propranolol, the mean percent inhibition caused by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Radix Asteris fell to 44.6% in guinea pig induced by histamine contraction and by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Radix Asteris fell to 18.7% (p<0.05) in rat induced by histamine contraction. Indomethacin and methylene blue$(10^{-7}M)$ did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of Radix Asteris. These results indicate that Radix Asteris can relax histamine induced contraction of guinea pig and rat tracheal smooth muscle, and that this inhibition involves sympathetic effects.

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.1362-1369
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• 2007

Seoul Metro continuously converted the standard rail into continuous welded rail since the later part of 1990's, and currently, most of the sectors of the Seoul Metro are continuous welded rails. As the continuous welded rail is inhibited by the contraction and expansion force of the rail as well as rail-bed, this force is stored as the internal stress of the rail with the exception of portion of the both ends of the continuous welded rail. If the contraction and expansion of the rail is restricted, the internal stress, that is, the force in the direction of the axis, is proportional to the cross-sectional area of the rail. Therefore, with regards to the temperature changes, the internal stress changes in accordance with the type of rail, bolting apparatus, railroad tie and rail-bed. As such, the rail temperature becomes important data in securing the gap at the adjoining section of the rail in the standard rail section, and to determine the setting temperature for the continuous welded rail. In addition, it becomes basic data for maintenance of the track. Accordingly, this thesis introduces cases of installation of rail temperature detector in order to prevent and manage track defectiveness due to increase in rail temperature, and to utilize as basic data at the time of various construction and maintenance. Furthermore, this thesis aims to assist maintenance of track through systematic temperature management in the future by looking into means of its utilization.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.119-128
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• 2017

G-induced Loss of Consciousness(G-LOC) can be predicted by measuring Electromyogram(EMG) signals. Existing studies have mainly focused on specific body parts and lacked of consideration with quantitative EMG indices. The purpose of this study is to analyze the indices of EMG signals by human body parts for monitoring G-LOC condition. The data of seven EMG features such as Root Mean Square(RMS), Integrated Absolute Value(IAV), and Mean Absolute Value(MAV) for reflecting muscle contraction and Slope Sign Changes(SSC), Waveform Length (WL), Zero Crossing(ZC), and Median Frequency(MF) for representing muscle contraction and fatigue was retrieved from high G-training on a human centrifuge simulator. A total of 19 trainees out of 47 trainees of the Korean Air Force fell into G-LOC condition during the training in attaching EMG sensor to three body parts(neck, abdomen, calf). IAV, MAV, WL, and ZC under condition after G-LOC were decreased by 17 %, 17 %, 18 %, and 4 % comparing to those under condition before G-LOC respectively. Also, RMS, IAV, MAV, and WL in neck part under condition after G-LOC were higher than those under condition before G-LOC; while, those in abdomen and calf part lower. This study suggest that measurement of IAV and WL by attaching EMG sensor to calf part may be optimal for predicting G-LOC.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 1997.04a
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• pp.235-244
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• 1997

The empirical factor and reaction force based on published data were involved to investigate compressible flows through sudden enlargement and sudden contraction passages. Analytical solutions of engineering interest were obtained from one-dimensional steady compressible gas dynamic equations. The effects of compressibility, cross-sectional area ratio, and inlet Mach number on the air flows were discussed with regards to the total pressure loss and flow choking. The present results provide available information necessary ta design the compressible pipe flow systems.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2010

We have shown that myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) was required for the off-contraction in response to the electrical field stimulation (EFS) of feline esophageal smooth muscle. In this study, we investigated whether protein kinase C (PKC) may require the on-contraction in response to EFS using feline esophageal smooth muscle. The contractions were recorded using an isometric force transducer. On-contraction occurred in the presence of $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), suggesting that nitric oxide acts as an inhibitory mediator in smooth muscle. The excitatory composition of both contractions was cholinergic dependent which was blocked by tetrodotoxin or atropine. The on-contraction was abolished in $Ca^{2+}$-free buffer but reappeared in normal $Ca^{2+}$-containing buffer indicating that the contraction was $Ca^{2+}$ dependent. 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), voltage-dependent $K^+$ channel blocker, significantly enhanced on-contraction. Aluminum fluoride (a G-protein activator) increased on-contraction. Pertussis toxin (a $G_i$ inactivator) and C3 exoenzyme (a rhoA inactivator) significantly decreased on-contraction suggesting that Gi or rhoA protein may be related with $Ca^{2+}$ and $K^+$ channel. ML-9, a MLCK inhibitor, significantly inhibited on-contraction, and chelerythrine (PKC inhibitor) affected on the contraction. These results suggest that endogenous cholinergic contractions activated directly by low-frequency EFS may be mediated by $Ca^{2+}$, and G proteins, such as Gi and rhoA, which resulted in the activation of MLCK, and PKC to produce the contraction in feline distal esophageal smooth muscle.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.569-578
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• 2017

Objective: The purposes of this experiment are an analysis of accuracy between target force level and subjective rating for the Target Force Level and an analysis of the patterns of subjective rating depending on target force level when there is no feedback from males for analysis. Background: The study of perceived exertion about the static contraction is processed with using among the matching procedure method between contralateral limbs, Exertion vs. Borg CR-10 scale and Exertion vs. %MVC (Maximum Voluntary Contraction). However, when there is no feedback, there is lack of the study on whether the subject can distinguish the subjective rating of the force depending on the target force levels. Method: Total 30 males, healthy subjects are measured the maximum grip strength, MVC, and then, each subject is measured the subjective rating and the accuracy with the random target force level (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90% MVC). Results: In the MVC study, males exerted 256.87N (${\pm}51.33$). In the subjective rating of grip strength increased for each Target Force Level (9 levels), higher subjective rating evaluated (p<0.05). In accuracy examination between target force level and subjective rating of grip strength by each %MVC, 10, 30, 40, 50, 70, 90% target force levels showed accurate strength (p>0.05). However, at 20% target force level, the subjects evaluated less subjective rating of grip strength than the target force (Underestimation), and at 60% and 80% target force level, the subjects evaluated more subjective rating of grip strength than the target force (Overestimation) (p<0.05). Conclusion: In the experiment, the MVC showed 256.87N (${\pm}51.33$) for the male adults and as the subjective rating value increased for each Target Force Level (9 levels), higher subjective rating evaluated (p<0.05). Moreover, the results of the accuracy test between target forces and subjective rating of the subjects showed that most participants rated a fairly accurate assessment of subjective rating of grip strength for Target Force Level (9 levels), except for 20%, 60%, and 80%MVC. Application: This experimental result would be used for basic data for the subjective rating of grip strength pattern by the target force level when the voluntary muscle is contracted.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.1-26
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• 1997

Chunggeumtang has been used in Korea for many centuries as a treatment for respiratory disease. The effect of Chunggeumtang on tracheal smooth muscle is not konwn. The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of Chunggeumtang on histamine and acetylcholine induced tracheal smooth muscle contraction in rats and guinea pigs. Guinea pig(500g, male) and Sprague Dawley rats (250g, male) were killed by $CO_2$ exposure and a segment (8-10mm) of the thoracic trachea from each rat and guinea pig was cut into equal swegments and mounted 'in pairs' in a tissue bath. Contractile force was measured with force diplacement transducers under 0.5g loading tension. The dose of histamine (His) and acetylcholine (Ach) which evoked 50% of maximal response ($ED_{50}$) was obtained from cumulative dose response curves for histamine and acetylcholine($10^{-7}{\sim}10^{-4}M$). Contractions evoked by His ($ED_{50}$) and Ach ($ED_{50}$) were inhibited significantly by Chunggeumtang. In guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle, the mean percent inhibition of acetylcholine induced contraction was $6.1%after\;30{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang, and 49.4% (p<0.01) after $100{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang. In rat tracheal smooth muscle, the mean percent inhibition of acetylcholine induced contraction was $6.7%\;after\;30{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang, and $54.2%\;(p<0.01)\;after\;100{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang. Also, in guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle, the mean percent inhibition of histamine induced contraction was $30.6%\;(p<0.05)\;after\;30{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang, and $53.0%\;(p<0.01)\;after\;100{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang. In rat tracheal smooth muscle, the mean percent inhibition of histamine induced contraction was $24.1%\;(p<0.05)\;after\;30{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang, and $55.3%\;(p<0.01)\;after\;100{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang. Propranolol and indomethacin($10^{-7}M$) slightly but significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of Chunggeumtang. Following treatment with propranolol, the mean percent inhibition caused by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang fell to 27.6% in guinea pig induced by acetylcholine contraction and by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang fell to 28.7% (p<0.05) in rat induced by acetylcholine contraction and the mean percent inhibition caused by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang fell to 16.2% in guinea pig induced by histamine contraction and by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang fell to 28.7% (p<0.05) in rat induced by histamine contraction. Indomethacin, the mean percent inhibition caused by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang fell to 20.0% in guinea pig induced by acetylcholine contraction and by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang fell to 16.9% (p<0.05) in rat induced by acetylcholine contraction and the mean percent inhibition caused by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang fell to 16.4% in guinea pig induced by histamine contraction and by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Chunggeumtang fell to 23.1% (p<0.05) in rat induced by histamine contraction. Methylene blue($10^{-7}M$) did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of Chunggeumtang. Also, I could find the effects of Chunggeumtang and Chunggeumtanggamorphine on the tracheal smooth muscle in guinea pig and rat did not change significantly. These results indicate that Chunggeumtang can relax histamine and acetylcholine-induced contraction of guinea pig and rat tracheal smooth muscle, and that this inhibition involves sympathetic effects and the release of cyclooxygenase products.