• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.35-42
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• 2008

Background : To assess the effect of a pelvic compression belt on the strength of hip flexor in healthy young individuals. Study design: Pre- and post-treatment measurement design on one factor was used. Methods : 30 healthy volunteers (male: 15, female: 15) participated in this study. Dynamometer was used to measure the strength of hip flexor, and measurements were performed before and after the application of the pelvic compression belt at neutral position of hip joint and at 30 cm raised position from floor with straight leg in supine. Results : After the application of the pelvic compression belt, the strengths of hip flexor measured at both positions were significantly increased when compared with before the application (p<.05). However, at neutral position of hip joint and at 30cm raised position from floor, there were significantly different in the changing patterns in the strengths of hip flexor between men and women (p>.05). Conclusion : The findings suggest that the pelvic compression belt is helpful in strengthening hip muscles. With easy application, it is sufficiently feasible for clinical use.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.47-56
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the effect of acupuncture at Yintang point(EX-$HN_3$) on heart rate variability in healthy adults with mental stress. Methods : 38 healthy volunteers(sham point group : 19, Yintang point group 19) participated in this study. The study was established by randomized trial. After 10 minutes rest period, mental stress was provided for 10 minutes. HRV was recorded before and after stress. And then simple acupuncture was applied at sham or Yintang point for 15 minutes. We measured HRV 3 times: before and after stress, and after acupuncture. Results : In sham point group, LF norm and HF norm changed significantly after mental stress. In Yintang point group, LF, HF, LF norm, HF norm and LF/HF showed a significant change after mental stress. In sham point group, all indicators were not affected after acupuncture. In Yintang point group, HF norm decreased significantly. LF, LF norm and LF/HF increased significantly. There were significant differences between two groups(p<0.05). Conclusions : The results suggest that acupuncture at Yintang point(EX-$HN_3$) can regulate and prevent the alteration of autonomic nerve system by mental stress.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.4659-4662
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• 2014

The tumor marker CA 15-3 is one of the most import reliable for metastatic breast cancer monitoring. While it is generally assessed in serum of patients, blood sampling is an invasive method compared to saliva sampling which is simple and could be an alternative to blood according to many studies. The aim of this investigation was to assess the relationship between serum and salivary concentrations of the protein CA 15-3 in patients with breast cancer and healthy asymptomatic volunteers. A case-control study was conducted with 60 women: 29 breast cancer patients from the Maternity Hospital Souissi Rabat (Morocco) and 31 healthy asymptomatic women. The CA 15-3 concentrations in saliva and serum samples were assessed using an enzyme immune assay (EIA kits) and comparison between cases and controls was made by the Mann-Whitney test. The correlation between serum and saliva CA 15-3 concentration was tested using Pearson correlation. The comparison result of CA15-3 concentration in saliva and serum level in cases and controls was not statistically significant (p>0.05). However, the correlation between salivary and serum CA 15-3 concentration was positive and statistically significant (r=0.27, p=0.03). In conclusion, the positive correlation between salivary and serum expression found in our study suggests that saliva could be an alternative to blood sampling to help breast cancer monitoring.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1315-1323
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• 1998

Effect of oral taurine supplementation on plasma total and phospholidpid -fatty acid profiles and their metabolism were evaluated in healthy female adults. Among twenty five female volunteers(23.6$\pm$0.3 years old ) participated in the taruine supplementation program(6g taurine /day), twenty four subjects succesfully completed the 2 week program , and only nine subjects continued to take taurine for another 2 weeks. Levels of plasma fatty acids and taruine were measured by gas-liquid chromatobraphy and an automated amino acid analyzer based on ion exchange chromatography, respectively. Plasma taurine concentration s of the subjects were 108. 7$\pm$3.4 , 184.2$\pm$8.2 and 235.9$\pm$77.0$\mu$emol/L at 0 , 2 and 4 weeks of taurine supplementation. Fatty acid compositions and elongation and desaturation indices of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in plasma total lipids were not influenced by oral taurine supplementation. However, fatty acid compositions and their metabolism in plasma phospholipids were significantly affected by taurine supplementation in female adults. Compared to the values for 0 week, the percentage of saturated fatty acids (SFA) in plasma phospholipid was significantly lowered at 2 weeks, but elevated at 4 weeks of taurine supplementation. In contrast , the percentage of phospholipid PUFA significantly increased at 2 weeks and decreased at 4 weeks of taurine supplementation from to the values for 0 weeks. Foru weeks of oral taurine supplementation signifinatly elevated the eongation index(20 : 4$\omega$6 ⇒22 : 4 $\omega$6, p<0.01), and decreased the desaturation index (20 : 3 $\omega$6 ⇒20 : 4 $\omega$6 , p<0.01) of $\omega$6 fatty acids in plasma phospholipids. Plasma taurine concentration was positively correlated with the percentage of 14 : 0 fatty acids and the enlongation index o f$\omega$3 fatty acids(20 : 5 $\omega$3 ⇒22 : 5 $\omega$3), and thenegatively correlated with the percentage of 20 : 0 in plasma phospholipids. These results indicate that oral taurine supplementation for 4 weeks signidicantly elelvated the percentage of SFA, and lowered the percentage of PUFA in plasma phospholipids with no influence on plasm total fatty aicd composition in healthy female adults.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.60-66
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• 2011

Foot posture is important in the development of the musculoskeletal structure in the lower limbs because it can change the mechanical alignment. Although foot orthotics are widely used for the correction of malalignments in the lower extremities, the biomechanical effects of wedges have not yet been cleared. The aim of this study was to investigate whether medial wedges affect the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the knee and hip joints in healthy adults that are performing one leg standing. Seventeen healthy volunteers performed the one leg standing under two foot conditions: A level surface, and a $15^{\circ}$ medial wedge. The subjects' EMG data for the gluteus maximus (Gmax), gluteus medius (Gmed), tensor fasciae latae (TFL), biceps femoris (BF), vastus lateralis (VL), and vastus medialis oblique (VMO) were recorded, along with the surface EMG, and all were analyzed. The EMG activity of the Gmed and TFL had significantly decreased under the medial wedge condition during one leg standing. Further study is needed in order to investigate whether medial wedges influence the EMG activity and kinematic data of the knee and hip joints as well as the ankle joints in adults with flexible flatfoot, while they are performing one leg standing.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.55-58
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• 2003

Astromicin is an aminoglycoside antiviotic that is structually different from conventional aminoglycosides. Astromicin has been shown to be active against aerobic Gram-negative bacilli. The pharmacokinetics of astromicin were determined in 12 healthy volunteers ($65.5\pm5.23\;kg$ of body weight) following a 30-min continuous intravenous infusion at a dose of 200 mg. The plasma and urine samples were collected up to 24 h and drug concentrations were measured by a bioassay using Bacillus subtilis. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by fitting individual concentration-time curve to a one-exponential decay model. The plasma levels were $16.9\pm1.68\;and\;1.05\pm0.346\l{\mu}g/ml$ at 0 h and 8 h after the infusion, respectively. The elimination half-life of astromicin was $1.86\pm0.360\;h$ The volume of distribution was $0.182\pm0.0164\;L/kg$, and the total body clearance was $5.25\pm1.74\;L/h$. These pharmacokinetic parameters were similar to these of gentamicin, tobramycin, and amikacin. Therefore, it is recommended that therapeutic drug monitoring of astromicin could be conducted in a similar fashion as the other aminoglycosides.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.13 no.2 s.20
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• pp.71-74
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• 2007

Background : Sasang Constitutional Medicine (SCM) is the field of traditional Korean medicine that emphasize four constitutional types for diagnosis and treatment. Appearance, personalities and pathological characteristics are main factors of Sasang constitutional classification. Previous studies carried out by the pulse analyzer showed that the pulse wave can discriminate these types. In addition, It was reported that the pulse wave are affected by age and sexuality. In this study, we investigated the pulse wave characteristics related Sasang constitution types in control group regarding their age and sexuality. Subjects and Method : Two hudred and eighteen volunteers participated in this study: healthy men in $20{\sim}49$ years old. Participants were interviewed and examined to evaluate their health condition and Sasang constitution type. Then they were tested with pulse analyzer when they ere stabilized. The pulse at the radial artery just beside styloid process was measured, because this area is landmark for pulse diagnosis in oriental medicine. 3-D Mac pulse analyzer (Daeyo Medi Co. Ansan. Korea) was used in this study. We analyzed main features of pulse waves with the Sasang condtitution types by the SPSS for Windows (ver 12.0). Results : There was significant difference between Taeum and other types in contact pressure as weil as in coefficient of floating and sinking pulse. Conclusion : By analyzing pulse waves of healthy adult men. we found significant differences exist between Taeum and other types. These pulse differences may characterize Taeum type, and it will be helpful for the evaluation of Taeum type.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.51-60
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• 1995

Obesity is defined as excessive storage of energy in the form of fat resulting in adverse effect on healthy and longevity. Some data have shown increased incidence of hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia in overweight individuals and other disorders such as joint disease, cancer have been also associated with obesity. Recently, various commercial diet programs have been introduced for weight reduction without scientific evaluation for clinical effect and safety. The diet program must be based on a sound and scientific rationale and also be safe and nutritionally adequate. Pulmuone $diet^{(R)}$ is a calorie-restricted commercial diet-food, which contains adequate nutritients. The efficacy and safety of Pulmuone diet were evaluated in 28 normal healthy obese females in a prospective study. Each volunteer was placed in 3-week diet program. To observe weight reduction effect, body weight, TSF and AMC were measured every week. To account for safety of this program, blood chemistry test, blood pressure and side effects were monitored every week. Mean body weight was reduced by 3.24kg following diet program, which is statistically significant(P < 0.05) and this weight reduction was related to reduction in fat weight and not muscle weight as shown by the results of TSF and AMC Blood chemistry was not influenced by this program, but blood pressure was significantly reduced following this program. Thought diet program was generally well tolerated in most volunteers, the most frequent side effects are constipation, dizzness and headache. In conclusion, Pulmuone $diet^{(R)}$ program seems to be safe and effective for weight reduction in normal healthy obese females.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.34-43
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• 2007

Background: Previous research has suggested that single doses of a standardised Panax ginseng extract can decrease fasted blood-glucose levels and modulate cognitive performance in healthy young volunteers. The latter has generally been seen in terms of improved secondary memory performance. However, both the cognitive effects of chronic administration of ginseng and the potential modulation of working memory have received comparatively little research attention. Aims: The current double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced cross-over study investigated the effects of 8-weeks administration of Korean ginseng extract (200 mg) on cognitive performance, gluco-regulatory parameters and ratings of subjective mood and 'quality of life'. Methods: 'Eighteen healthy young participants were assessed pre-dose and 3 hours post-dose on the mornings of Day 1, Day 29 and Day 57 of 8 week treatment regimens of both placebo and ginseng. A four-week placebo wash-out separated the treatment phases. Each assessment included the Cognitive Drug Research battery, computerised working memory tasks, and Bond-Lader mood scales. The WHO Quality of Life scale (WHOQOL-BREF) was completed once per visit. Gluco-regulatory parameters were assessed with assays of blood glucose, insulin and HbA1c. Results: Data from the 16 participants that completed the study showed that there were no significant, acute treatment related differences on Day 1 of treatment, or in gluco-regulatory parameters throughout the study. However, time related performance improvements were evident following chronic administration of ginseng on the '3-Back' and 'Corsi-block' computerised working memory tasks. Ginseng was also associated with an improved score on the 'social relations' subscale of the WHOQOL-100, and a significant shift on the 'calm' factor of the Bond-Lader mood scales (from calm/relaxed towards excited/tense). Conclusion: The results of the current study suggest that Korean ginseng extract can modulate working memory performance and subjective ratings of 'quality of life' and mood. Replication with a larger sample size may further elucidate the actions of this product.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1247-1250
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• 2015

Background: Psoriasis, a common cutaneous disorder characterized by inflammation and abnormal epidermal proliferation with a prevalence of 2-3% in the general population, may be linked to certain types of cancer. Several studies have reported an association between interleukin 10 (IL-10) variant polymorphisms and inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis vulgaris although the results vary according to the population studied. No studies have been performed in the Saudi population. The present study concerned novel variants and other genetic polymorphisms of the promoter and exonic regions of the IL10 gene in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis and potential differences in genotype compared to a group of healthy volunteers. Materials and Methods: Patients with moderate to severe psoriasis and healthy controls with no personal or family history of psoriasis were selected from the central region of Saudi Arabia. Polymorphisms of the IL 10 gene of both groups were genotyped. Results: We observed two novel variants in 5'UTR region of the promoter precursor with higher prevalence of the genotype with both wild-type alleles in patients compared to the healthy control group. The differences at positions -377 and -150 were significantly associated with disease, both the variants conferred strong protection against psoriasis in Saudi patients. Conclusions: This observation provides further support for the importance of the part that IL10 plays in the pathophysiology of this disease. Confirmation of our findings in larger populations of different ethnicities would provide evidence for the role of IL-10 in psoriasis.