• PNF and Movement
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the activity of the shoulder flexor and extensor when hold-relax and contraction-relax techniques were applied with shoulder joint flexion. Methods: The subjects of this study were 15 healthy women. With the shoulder joint flexion at $0^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$, hold-relax and contraction-relax techniques were applied for the same submaximal resistance to measure the activities of the deltoid muscle anterior fiber, deltoid muscle posterior fiber, pectoralis major fiber, and latissimus dorsi muscle with surface electromyography. An independent t-test was conducted in order to compare activities of each muscle according to the two techniques. Results: When the hold-relax and contraction-relax techniques were applied with the shoulder joint flexion at $0^{\circ}$, the activities of the shoulder flexor and extensor were not significantly different, but the activity of the flexor was higher when the contraction-relax technique was applied than when the hold-relax technique was applied. When the hold-relax and contraction-relax techniques were applied with the shoulder joint flexed at $90^{\circ}$, the activities of the shoulder flexor and extensor were not significantly different, but the activity of the extensor was relatively higher than when the flexor was at $0^{\circ}$ Conclusion: When the hold-relax and contraction-relax techniques were applied with the shoulder joint flexion at $0^{\circ}$, the activities of the shoulder flexor and extensor were not significantly different, but the activity of the flexor was higher when the contraction-relax technique was applied than when the hold-relax technique was applied. When the hold-relax and contraction-relax techniques were applied with the shoulder joint flexed at $90^{\circ}$, the activities of the shoulder flexor and extensor were not significantly different, but the activity of the extensor was relatively higher than when the flexor was at $0^{\circ}$.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.339-347
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• 2023

Transforming growth factor-β is a key factor in regulating adhesion formation during tendon healing. We investigated the effectiveness of SMAD family members, SMAD7 and SMAD3, in the TGF-β/Smad signaling during flexor tendon repair. Mouse flexor toe deep tendon rupture anastomosis models were made. On days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28, the expressions of smad7 and smad3 in flexor tendon tissues were detected by RT-qPCR and western blot. Furthermore, postoperative intraperitoneal injections of SMAD7 agonists or SMAD3 antagonists were given. The degree of tendon healing was evaluated by adhesion testing and biomechanical experiments. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expressions of collagen III, SMAD3, and SMAD7. The mRNA levels of matrix metalloproteinases, Mmp2 and Mmp9, and scleraxis (SCX) in flexor tendon tissue were detected by RT-qPCR. Smad3 expression increased and Smad7 expression decreased in flexor tendon tissue after injury. In addition, the SMAD7 agonist blocked SMAD3 phosphorylation. SMAD7 agonist and SMAD3 antagonist both improved adhesion formation during flexor tendon healing, and decreased the expressions of collagen III, Mmp9, and SCX, while increasing Mmp2 expression. This study provides a possible theoretical basis for the SMAD7-SMAD3 signal cascade during flexor tendon adhesion healing.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.23-30
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• 1997

Leaf movements in nyctinastic plants are produced by changes in the turgor of extensor and flexor cells, collectively called motor cells, in opposing regions of the leaf movement organ, the pulvinus. In Samanea saman, a tropical tree of the legume family, extensor cells shrink and flexor cells swell to bend the pulvinus and fold the leaf at night, whereas extensor cells swell and flexor cells shrink to straighten the pulvinus and extend the leaf in the daytime. These changes are caused by ion fluxes primarily of potassium and chloride, across the plasma membrane of the motor cells. These ion fluxes are regulated by exogenous light signals and an endogenous biolgical clock. Inward-directed K$^+$ channels are closed in extensor and open in flexor cells in the dark period, while these channels are open in extensor and closed in flexor cells in the light period. Blue light opens the closed K$^+$ channels in extensor and closes the open them in flexor cells during darkness. Illumination of red light followed by darkness induces to open the closed K$^+$ channels in flexor and to close the open K$^+$ channels in extensor cells in the light. The dynamics of K$^+$ channels in motor cells that are controlled by light signals are consistent with the behavior of the pulvini in intact plants. Therefore, these cell types are an attractive model system to elucidate regulations of ion transports and their signal transduction pathways in plants. This review is focused on light-controlled ion movements and regulatory mechanisms involved in phosphoinositide signaling in leaf movements in nyctinastic plants.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.46-49
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• 2020

Flexor enthesopathy is an important cause of elbow lameness in dogs. Flexor enthesopathy is divided into primary and concomitant forms deciding the treatment. The imaging characteristics in affected dogs are irregular medial humeral epicondyles, spur, calcified bodies adjacent to medial humeral epicondyle, thickened and contrast enhancement of the affected muscles. In this report, the radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed for right forelimb lameness of a 3-year-old dog. The irregular sclerotic changes and spur of the medial humeral epicondyles were shown with calcified bodies on radiography. Thickened flexor muscles in right forelimb and fragmented coronoid processes of both elbows were observed on CT. On MRI, high signal intensity of the bilaterally thickened flexor muscles with contrast enhancement was detected. Based on these results, concomitant flexor enthesopathy with fragmented medial coronoid process of bilateral elbows was diagnosed in this dog.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제49권6호
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• pp.750-754
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• 2022

Trigger wrist, characterized by a clicking or snapping sensation around the wrist joint during finger or wrist motion, and bifid or trifid median nerve, which occurs in carpal tunnel syndrome along with anatomical variation of median nerve, are rare conditions. We report the case of a patient with a thickened tendon caused by severe tenosynovitis and flexor tendon subluxation to the hamate hook due to bowing of the flexor retinaculum, thereby resulting in trigger wrist as well as an anatomical median nerve variation (bifid median nerve in the right wrist and trifid median nerve in the left wrist). A 59-year-old housewife visited our hospital with bilateral fingertip numbness, tingling sensation, and aggravated severe night cramping that began 2 months ago. She also complained about trigger wrist during small finger flexion. Based on magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography, and nerve conduction study, trifid median nerve and bilateral severe median nerve neuropathy of the wrist were diagnosed; therefore, transverse carpal tunnel release and exploration under wide-awake anesthesia were planned. Intraoperative findings showed trifid and bifid median nerves in left and right wrists, respectively. Additionally, bowing of flexor retinaculum and severe flexor tendon tenosynovitis were observed. Tenosynovitis with thickened flexor sheath resulted in subluxation of the small finger flexor tendon above the hamate hook. After transverse carpal ligament release with antebrachial fascia release and tenosynovectomy, subluxation of the flexor tendon was resolved. At 6 months postoperatively, the tingling and dullness in fingertips also resolved, and no trigger wrist or any other complications were noted.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제11권11호
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• pp.4331-4337
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• 2010

본 연구는 만성 목통증 환자를 대상으로 심부목굽힘근 운동을 적용하여 통증, 목장애지수, 그리고 심부목굽힘근의 지구력에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 본 연구에서는 만성 목통증 환자 37명을 무작위로 도구를 이용한 중재와 심부목굽힘근 운동을 시행하는 실험군과 도구를 이용한 중재만을 실시하는 대조군으로 나누었다. 모든 중재는 12주 동안 주 3회 실시하였다. 실험 전, 6주 후, 그리고 12주 후에 통증을 평가하기 위한 VAS, 기능을 평가하는 목 장애지수, 그리고 심부목굽힘근의 지구력을 측정하여 효과를 비교하였다. 통계처리 방법으로 실험 전 후 차이를 검증하기 위하여 반복측정 분산분석을 실시하였고, 두 군 간의 차이를 검증을 위하여 독립표본 t검증을 실시하였다. 모든 통계적 유의수준은 0.05로 하였다. 본 연구의 결과 심부목굽힘근 운동이 적용된 실험군에서 통증과 목장애지수가 유의하게 향상되었고(p<.05), 심부목굽힘근의 지구력이 유의하게 증가하였다(p<.05). 본 연구의 결과를 통해 심부목굽힘근 운동이 만성 목통증 환자에게 효과적임을 알 수 있다. 심부목굽힘근 운동은 통증과 기능을 향상시키고 더 나아가 만성 목통증 환자의 삶의 질도 향상시킬 수 있을 것으로 기대된다. 따라서 재활에 있어 효과적인 방법을 제시할 수 있을 것으로 사료되어진다.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.50-54
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate differences of cervical flexor muscle thickness (i.e., sternocleidomastoid muscle and deep cervical flexor muscles) depending on levels of pressure bio-feedback unit and eye directions during cranial-cervical flexor exercise in healthy subjects. Methods: A total of 30 subjects (12 males and 18 females) who had no medical history related to musculoskeletal and neurological disorders were enrolled in this study. They were instructed to perform cranial-cervical flexion exercise with adjustment of five different pressures (i.e., 22 mmHg, 24 mmHg, 26 mmHg, 28 mmHg, and 30 mmHg) using a pressure biofeedback unit, according to three different eye directions (i.e., $0^{\circ}$, $20^{\circ}C$, and $40^{\circ}C$). Muscle thickness of sternocleidomastoid muscle and deep cervical flexor muscles was measured according to pressure levels and eye directions using ultrasonography. Results: In results of muscle thickness in sternocleidomastoid muscle and deep cervical flexor muscles, the thickness of those muscles was gradually increased compared to the baseline pressure level (22 mmHg), as levels in the pressure biofeedback unit during cranial-cervical flexion exercise were increasing. In addition, at the same pressure levels, muscle thickness was increased depending on ascending eye direction. Conclusion: Our findings showed that muscle thickness of sternocleidomastoid muscle and deep cervical flexor muscles was generally increased during cranial-cervical flexion exercise, according to increase of eye directions and pressure levels. Therefore, we suggested that lower eye direction could induce more effective muscle activity than the upper eye direction in the same environment during cranial-cervical flexion exercise.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.471-480
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the correlations between a forward head posture and the endurance and maximal voluntary contraction of the deep neck flexor, neck pain, and the changed position of the mandible. Methods: The subjects of this study were 50 male and female adults who work at a desk for at least four hours a day. The head-spine angle was photographed with a camera, and the endurance and maximal voluntary contraction of the deep neck flexor and the changed position of the mandible were measured using pressure biofeedback. The Neck Disability Index was used to measure neck pain. To examine the correlations between a forward head posture and the endurance and maximal voluntary contraction of the deep neck flexor as well as the changed position of the mandible, a Spearman's correlation analysis was conducted. The statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results: A forward head posture and the endurance of the deep neck flexor showed a statistically significant positive correlation, and a forward head posture and neck pain showed a statistically significant negative correlation. In addition, the endurance of the deep neck flexor and neck pain showed a statistically significant negative correlation. Conclusion: The results of this study show that a forward head posture and the endurance of the deep neck flexor were correlated; in addition, a forward head posture and neck pain were correlated. Therefore, enhancing the endurance of the deep neck flexor can assist in correcting an imbalanced forward head posture, which can reduce neck pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제33권5호
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• pp.252-257
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the influence of external scapular stabilization on the isometric strength of shoulder flexor muscle in subjects with and without scapular winging and conditions with and without external scapular stabilization. Methods: A total of 30 subjects with and without scapular winging were enrolled. Two groups were classified using clinical and diagnostic tests to divide the groups with and without scapular winging (15 with scapular winging 15 without scapular winging). The isometric strength of the shoulder flexor was measured using a tensiometer. The isometric strength was evaluated in the sitting position with and without an external scapular stabilization. The external scapular stabilization was provided with the examiner's hand to fix scapular winging during shoulder flexion. The changing value was calculated to determine the isometric strength difference between shoulder flexion with and without the external scapular stabilization in each group. The changing value between isometric strength of shoulder flexor with and without scapular winging was compared using the independent t-test. Statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results: In the group with scapular winging, the shoulder flexor isometric strength in the sitting position was greater with an external scapular stabilization than without an external scapular stabilization (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the shoulder flexor isometric strength in the subjects without scapular winging between conditions with or without an external scapular stabilization (p>0.05). Conclusion: The external scapular stabilization in the individuals with scapular winging may increase shoulder flexor isometric strength in the sitting position.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.117-123
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• 2023

Purpose: In this study, subjects with femoral anterior glide type were examined to investigate the effects of femoral head anterior glide fixation during active straight leg raise on the strength of the hip flexor in a supine position. Methods: Fifteen subjects participated in this study. All subjects were classified through an evaluation form for femoral anterior glide type (FAGT). The strength of the hip flexor was measured during active straight leg raise test (ASLR test), and compared with and without femoral anterior glide fixation in a supine position. The fixation of the femoral head was achieved as per the therapist's manual guidelines. Paired t-test was applied to compare changes in the strength of the hip flexor according to fixation conditions. The level of statistical significance was set at α=0.05. Results: The strength of the hip flexor was lesser during the ASLR test with fixation compared to without fixation (p=0.007). Conclusion: The strength of the hip flexor decreases with fixation. Results of this study revealed a difference between hip flexor strength, with and without femoral anterior glide fixation during ASLR, in subjects with femoral anterior glide type.