• Anxiety and mood
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2022

Objective : Impaired working memory has been known to play an important role in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) with growing evidence. Delayed matching-to-sample task (DMST) is a working memory task which have an advantage in analyzing several different working memory processes in one task. However, most of the studies have failed to reveal the working memory impairment with the DMST. The aim of this study was to identify whether working memory deficit in OCD can be evaluated with the DMST. Methods : The participants included 20 OCD patients and 20 healthy volunteers. Working memory was evaluated with the DMST with two different working memory loads. Accuracy of response and mean response time were measured. Results : OCD patients showed a significantly longer reaction time and lower accuracy in DMST compared to healthy controls in the task with high working memory loads. Moreover, the difference in accuracy showed interaction with the working memory load. Conclusion : The present results indicate that working memory deficit in patients with OCD can be evaluated with the DMST. The findings also suggest that previous negative behavioral results using the DMST were from low working memory load of the task.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.98-103
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare effects of tone-burst (TB) and narrow-band (NB) Claus Elberling (CE)-chirp stimuli on amplitude, latency and interaural asymmetry ratio (IAR) of cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMP) in healthy individuals. Subjects and Methods: The study included 50 healthy volunteers. cVEMP procedure was carried out using 500 Hz TB and NB-CE-chirp stimulus (360-720 Hz, up-chirp) in random order. cVEMP were recorded at 100 dB nHL. For each ear and each stimulus, P1 latency, N1 latency and P1N1 amplitude were measured. IAR was also calculated. Results: Mean age was 26.66±9.48 years. cVEMP's in response to both TB and NB CE-chirp stimuli were obtained in all subjects. No statistically significant difference in P1 latency, N1 latency, and P1N1 amplitude was found between the right and left ears for both TB and NB CE-chirp stimuli (p>0.05). In both sides, P1 and N1 latencies were significantly shorter in NB CE-chirp stimulation compared to TB stimulation (p=0.000). In both sides, no statistically significant difference was found in P1N1 amplitude between two types of stimuli (p>0.05). Conclusions: The chirp stimulus produces robust but earlier cVEMP than TB does. This largest series study on NB chirp cVEMP shows that NB chirp is a good and new reliable alternative.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.450-461
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• 2022

A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical study was used to determine the cognitive functions related to working memory (WM) and antioxidant properties of fermented Laminaria japonica (FLJ) on healthy volunteers. Eighty participants were divided into a placebo group (n = 40) and FLJ group (n = 40) that received FLJ (1.5 g/day) for 6 weeks. Memory-related blood indices (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF; angiotensin-converting enzyme; human growth hormone, HGH; insulin-like growth factor-1, IGF-1) and antioxidant function-related indices (catalase, CAT; malondialdehyde, MDA; 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine, 8-oxo-dG; thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS) were determined before and after the trial. In addition, standardized cognitive tests were conducted using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Batteries. Furthermore, the Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (K-WAIS)-IV, and the Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-K) were used to assess the pre and post intake changes on WM-related properties. According to the results, FLJ significantly increased the level of CAT, BDNF, HGH, and IGF-1. FLJ reduced the level of TBARS, MDA, and 8-oxo-dG in serum. Furthermore, FLJ improved physical activities related to cognitive functions such as K-WAIS-IV, MoCA-K, Paired Associates Learning, and Spatial Working Memory compared to the placebo group. Our results suggest that FLJ is a potential candidate to develop functional materials reflecting its capability to induce antioxidant mechanisms together with WM-related indices.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.98-103
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare effects of tone-burst (TB) and narrow-band (NB) Claus Elberling (CE)-chirp stimuli on amplitude, latency and interaural asymmetry ratio (IAR) of cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMP) in healthy individuals. Subjects and Methods: The study included 50 healthy volunteers. cVEMP procedure was carried out using 500 Hz TB and NB-CE-chirp stimulus (360-720 Hz, up-chirp) in random order. cVEMP were recorded at 100 dB nHL. For each ear and each stimulus, P1 latency, N1 latency and P1N1 amplitude were measured. IAR was also calculated. Results: Mean age was 26.66±9.48 years. cVEMP's in response to both TB and NB CE-chirp stimuli were obtained in all subjects. No statistically significant difference in P1 latency, N1 latency, and P1N1 amplitude was found between the right and left ears for both TB and NB CE-chirp stimuli (p>0.05). In both sides, P1 and N1 latencies were significantly shorter in NB CE-chirp stimulation compared to TB stimulation (p=0.000). In both sides, no statistically significant difference was found in P1N1 amplitude between two types of stimuli (p>0.05). Conclusions: The chirp stimulus produces robust but earlier cVEMP than TB does. This largest series study on NB chirp cVEMP shows that NB chirp is a good and new reliable alternative.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.281-289
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• 2023

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of the non-elastic taping method for controlling internal hip joint rotation on internal and external hip rotator muscle activity in healthy people. Methods: In this study, 18 healthy volunteers were instructed to perform the small knee bending (SKB) test. All participants completed the test following two methods (using non-elastic taping and not using taping). Muscle activation during the two methods was measured using a surface electromyography (EMG) device. Surface EMG data were collected from the gluteus medius, gluteus maximus, and tensor fasciae femoris muscles while performing the SKB test with and without non-elastic taping. Results: Muscle activity in the gluteus maximus was significantly higher during the SKB test with non-elastic taping than during the conventional SKB test with taping (p < 0.05). Tensor fasciae latae muscle activity was lower during the SKB test with non-elastic taping than during the conventional SKB test (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that the non-elastic taping method for controlling internal hip joint rotation effectively activates the hip's external rotator muscles and minimizes unwanted internal rotator muscle use during the SKB test. Therefore, the non-elastic taping method for controlling internal hip joint rotation could be an effective intervention for those who cannot control the internal rotation of their hips.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2002

Objectives: This study is aimed at measuring psychophysiological responses using a biofeedback system in healthy people to obtain basic normative data for biofeedback research and treatment. Methods: Ninety-six healthy volunteers (55 males and 41 females : average age $30.4{\pm}8.0$) without any history of major medical or psychiatric illnesses participated in this study. Psychophysiological responses were assessed using the ProComp+ and BioGraph program (ver. 2.1) with regard to forearm and frontal electromyography (EMG), electrodermal response (EDR), and skin temperature. They were measured in 3 phases (baseline, stress, and recovery phases), respectively. Beck depression inventory and Spielberger state and trait anxiety inventory were used to measure mood states. We compared psychophysiological responses according to age and gender differences, respectively and examined the relationship between mood states and psychophysiological measures. Results: People in their twenties showed higher EDR levels in the 3 phases than those of other age groups. Female subjects showed higher frontal EMG levels in the 3 phases compared with male subjects. There was no significant correlation between biofeedback measures and mood states in these subjects. Conclusion: We present normative data of psychophysiological responses measured by a biofeedback system in healthy people. These results suggest that gender and age should be considered as important variables in assessing psychophysiological responses using a biofeedback system.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7337-7341
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• 2014

Background: The physiological role of vitamin D extends beyond bone health and calcium-phosphate homeostasis to effects on cancer risk, mainly for colorectal cancer. Vitamin D may have an anticancer effect in colorectal cancer mediated by binding of the active form $1,25(OH)_2D$ to the vitamin D receptor (VDR). The Taq1 VDR gene polymorphism, a C-to-T base substitution (rs731236) in exon 9 may influence its expression and function. The aim of this study wass to determine the 25(OH)D vitamin D level and to investigate the association between circulating vitamin D level and Taq1VDR gene polymorphism among Jordanian colorectal cancer patients. Materials and Methods: This case control study enrolled ninety-three patients and one hundred and two healthy Jordanian volunteers from AL-Basheer Hospital/Amman (2012-2013). Ethical approval and signed consent forms were obtained from all participants before sample collection. 25(OH)D levels were determined by competitive immunoassay Elecsys (Roche Diagnostic, France). DNA was extracted (Promega, USA) and amplified by PCR followed by VDR Taq1 restriction enzyme digestion. The genotype distribution was evaluated by paired t-test and chi-square. Comparison between vitamin D levels among CRC and control were assessed by odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. Results: The vitamin D serum level was significantly lower among colorectal cancer patients (8.34 ng/ml) compared to the healthy control group (21.02ng/ml). Patients deficient in vitamin D (less than 10.0 ng/ml) had increased colorectal cancer risk 19.2 fold compared to control. Only 2.2% of CRC patients had optimal vitamin D compared to 23.5% among healthy control. TT, Tt and tt Taq1 genotype frequencies among CRC cases was 35.5%, 50.5% and 14% compared to 43.1%, 41.2% and 15.7% among healthy control; respectively. CRC patients had lower mean vitamin D level among TT ($8.91{\pm}4.31$) and Tt ($9.15{\pm}5.25$) genotypes compared to control ($21.3{\pm}8.31$) and ($19.3{\pm}7.68$); respectively. Conclusions: There is significant association between low 25(OH)D serum level and colorectal cancer risk. The VDRTaq1 polymorphism was associated with increased colorectal cancer risk among patient with VDRTaq1 TT and Tt genotypes. Understanding the functional mechanism of VDRTaq1 TT and Tt may provide a strategy for colorectal cancer prevention and treatment.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.111-117
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• 1998

Objectives : 'First-night effect' has been a well-known concept since 1960's. It is important because it is one of the major factors to be considered in assessing the reliability of polysomnographic data. However, 'reverse first-night effect' has also been described, resulting in the inconsistency of conceptualization. We attempted to investigate on the first-night effect in adults by having each of them take two nights of polysomnography in a controlled environment. Young healthy adult volunteers were chosen as subjects in order to rule out age- or health-related confounders. Methods : Polysomnography was performed on eight male medical students (mean $age=23.5\;{\pm}\;0.9$) for two nights with Grass model 78 polysomnograph. We scored manually under the standard protocol each epoch of the sleep records. Sleep variables were obtained and compared between the two nights. Results : Sleep period time(SPT) and total sleep time(TST) of the third fraction of night were significantly longer on the first night than on the second night (p<0.05). However, other sleep variables such as percentage of each sleep stage, sleep latency, REM sleep latency, number of waking, and sleep efficiency were not different between the two nights. Conclusion : We could not confirm the existence of first-night effect in this study. In healthy young male adults, it may not happen at all or may happen to a very negligible degree. Young healthy adults may have more adaptability to a new sleep environment. Also, the provision of a reasonably comfortable sleep environment could have helped them with abolition of first-night effect.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.333-340
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• 2015

This study is designed to analyze the effect of skincare using cosmetic containing ginseng extract, on improving quality of life (QOL) of healthy women, with blind testing. QOL is a concept that represents how one's disease or health condition can physically, psychologically, and socially influence his or her daily life. The study was conducted to assess the effect of a ginseng cosmetic preparation on quality of life (QOL) using the Skindex-16 score, stratified by blind versus non-blinded option. 45 healthy women aged between 30 and 49 years with no skin disease were recruited for this study. Volunteers were divided into two groups. Group A (n = 22) received anti-aging cream with ginseng extract in the original packaging, which included the brand name and logo. Group B (n = 23) received the same cream in a plain white jar without any package decoration or logo. Both groups used the cream for 8 weeks. For the skin-related QOL assessment, Skindex-16 was used at baseline, forth, and eighth week. All volunteers except two dropouts in Group A completed the dermatology-specific QOL measure, Skindex-16, at baseline, after 4 weeks, and after 8 weeks of treatment with the provided samples. As a result, the mean score of 43 participants at baseline was $22.70{\pm}4.82$. There was a significant difference between the baseline score and the score after 8 weeks in both groups: The scores changed from $23.30{\pm}5.14$ to $20.20{\pm}4.83$ in Group A, from $22.17{\pm}4.58$ to $20.52{\pm}3.60$ in Group B. The "Symptom" subscale of Skindex-16 improved after 4 weeks and the "Emotion" subscale improved after 8 weeks in Group A. The "Function" subscale did not show improvement in either groups. Both groups showed no interaction effect between follow up time and groups in Skindex-16 and subscale. This research opens up the possibility of skincare using ginseng cream having a positive effect on QOL in healthy women. Moreover, one can predict that skincare ritual itself may have greater impact on the improvement of QOL, compared to the product packaging.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.48-56
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• 1996

The research of cold therapy is preceding rarely nowadays. This study was researched to measure the skin temperature of the right foot malleolus when the leg change the situation precisely speaking it was cold, elevation, cold plus elevation. Twenty young healthy volunteers(M:10, F:10)with no history of cardiopulmonary disease, peripheral artery disease were tested. This study were analyzed by one-way-repeated ANOVA. In the first we examined the within changes of the skin temperature between before and after examination for each modality. The skin temperature at all of modalities had fallen. Therefore we could know the fact that elevation plus cold modality had fallen skin temperature significantly more than elevation or cold. And there were no significant difference between male and female. We conclude that elevation and cold therapy could be better effective on edema, contusion and sprain than cold or elevation therapy independently.