• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.15-23
• /
• 2015

PURPOSE: We aims to promote the development of proprioception measurement using smartphones, goniometers, and laser pointers as compared to the conventional use of electrogoniometer measurement. METHODS: Measurements using an electrogoniometer were previously proved to be reliabile and valid. Among E-university students, 20 who had no fracture, operation history, or inflammatory arthritis were examined. These subjects had not performed regular exercise in the past 3 months. Proprioception measurements were performed using four different measurement tools, three times per day, for test-retest analysis. RESULTS: No notable test-retest differences were noted for any of the measurement methods (P>0.05). With regard to the test-retest reliability for each measurement method, we observed that the readings from both the electrogoniometer and smartphone have high reliability (ICC>0.80), whereas the readings from the laser pointer have moderate reliability (ICC>0.60). When assessing the concurrent validity between electrogoniometers with individual measurements, we did not observe any notable difference between the smartphone and electrogoniometer (P>0.05) and these tools in fact showed high correlation (r>0.60, P<0.05) and a moderate reliability (ICC>0.60). Moreover, there was no notable difference in between electrogoniometers and laser pointers (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: CONCLUSION: The findings of this suggested that proprioception can be measured by using smart-phones, and proved that this method has sufficient credibility. Moreover, we noted that the concurrent validity with smartphones was high in comparison with the conventional electrogoniometer, which also indicates the validity and credibility. Based on these findings, we conclude that the measurement of proprioception by using a smartphone can be widely adopted.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.137-146
• /
• 2012

Dipsaci Radix (Dipsacaceae) has been used as a tonic, an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-complement agents in traditional herbal medicine for the therapy of low back pain, knee pain, rheumatic arthritis, traumatic hematoma, and bone fractures. A high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometric method (HPLC-ESI-MS) was developed for the simultaneous quantitation method of the five compounds from the herbal drug: asperosaponin VI and asperosaponin XII (terpene glycosides), sweroside, loganin and dipsacus A(iridoid glycosides). HPLC separation of the analytes was achieved on a C18 column ($150{\times}2.0$ mm i.d., 5 ${\mu}m$) using the aqueous methanol containing 5 mM ammonium acetate with gradient flow of the mobile phase. Detection of the analytes was performed by positive ion electrospray ionization, and selected ion monitoring was used for data acquisition using m/z corresponding molecular adduct ion, $[M+NH_4]^+$ and $[M+H]^+$. Calibration graphs showed good linearity ($r^2$=0.9997) over the wide range of the analytes; intra- and inter-day precisions (RSD, %) were within 9.1% and the accuracy between 94.0-111.0%. Recoveries of the analytes through the assay procedure were in the range of 93.7-110.8%. Analytical results of the herbal drugs of Dipsaci Radix (17 samples) show wide distribution of the five marker compounds and clear difference of the species from Phlomidis Radix (4 samples). The developed method would provide a practical guide for the quality control of the herbal drug.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.120-123
• /
• 2006

Spontaneous extensor pollicis longus tendon rupture is commonly caused by attrition of the tendon from trauma or inflammatory processes. We experienced a patient with extensor pollicis longus tendon rupture after steroid injection, in which the rupture may have been caused by the effects of steroid itself as well as direct damage from the needle. A 51-year-old woman complained of inability to extend her right thumb at the first metacarpophalangal & interphalangeal joint level. The patient had a history of local steroid injection into the dorsal & radial side of wrist on two occations, and had no history of trauma or rheumatologic disease. After a physical examination of the patient, we decided to explore the wrist. The patient agreed with operation. Intraoperatively, an incision was made into the wrist and the proximal and distal ends of the ruptured extensor pollicis longus tendon were identified. The defect between the proximal and the distal end was measured to approach 8cm, and a palmaris longus tendon graft was performed. After three months of rehabilitation, the first metacarpophalangal & interphalangeal joint recovered the normal range of motion. Steroid injection has been widely used in various musculoskeletal disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. However, inadvertent steroid injection into the extra or intra articular spaces may lead to tendon rupture. Steroids reduce tensile strength by decreasing tenocyte activity and collagen synthesis. Also, the physical effect of direct needle-stick injury into the mesotenon and blood vessels around the tendon may cause damage. In addition, hematoma and edema may increase pressure around the tendon and compromise blood supply, leading to tendon degeneration and subsequent rupture. When injecting steroid into an articular area, all physicians should have a complete understanding of the surrounding anatomy and always keep in mind the hazards of such procedures.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2008

AIF has been formulated using three herbs known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-osteolytic effects. In this study, the potential therapeutic effects of AIF for osteoarthritis were assessed in vitro and in vivo. The effects of AIF on the cartilage and bone protection (MMP-13 expression, GAG degradation, OPG release) were examined, in vitro. In addition, the therapeutic effect of AIF was evaluated using a chemical-induced osteoarthritis rat model. Rats were injected with iodoacetate intraarticularly in one knee joint and treated with the oral administration of 100 mg/kg AIF-glucosamine once a day for 3 weeks. And then, destruction of cartilage and bone was evaluated by histopathological assessment. AIF significantly inhibited the production of MMP13 and GAG in a dose dependent manner in vitro. Also, AIF increased the production of OPG. In OA rat model, the AIF-glucosamine treated group reduced cartilage destruction, compared to vehicle or glucosamine treated group. AIF showed potent protective effects for the destruction of cartilage and bone, in vitro and in vivo. These results suggest that AIF contains effective compound(s) which may modify the progression of arthritis.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.10-17
• /
• 2017

Objectives: Boswellic acid (BA), a compound isolated from the gum-resin of Boswellia carterii, is a pentacyclic terpenoid that is active against many inflammatory diseases, including cancer, arthritis, chronic colitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and memory impairment, but the mechanism is poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of boswellic acid on spatial learning and memory impairment induced by trimethyltin (TMT) in Wistar rats. Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: Normal group, TMT-administrated rats (8.0 mg/kg, Intraperitoneally, i.p.) and TMT + BA (40, 80 and 160 mg/kg, i.p.)-administrated rats. BA was used daily for 21 days. To evaluate the cognitive improving of BA, we performed the Morris water maze test. Moreover, to investigate the neuroprotective effect of BA, we determined the acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity, the malondialdehyde (MDA) level as a marker of lipid peroxidation, and the glutathione (GSH) content in the cerebral cortex. Results: Treatment with TMT impaired learning and memory, and treatment with BA at a dose of 160 mg/kg produced a significant improvement in learning and memory abilities in the water maze tasks. Consistent with behavioral data, the activity of AChE was significantly increased in the TMT-injected rats compared to the control group (P < 0.01) whereas all groups treated with BA presented a more significant inhibitory effect against AChE than the TMT-injected animals. In addition, TMT reduced the GSH content and increased the MDA level in the cerebral cortex as compared to the control group) P < 0.01). On the other hand, treatment with BA at 160 mg/kg slightly increased the GSH content and reduced the MDA level in comparison to the TMT-administered group (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The above results suggest that the effect of BA in improving the cognitive function may be mediated through its antioxidant activity.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.150-158
• /
• 2001

The activity of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in rheumatoid arthritis is not only due to the inhibition of the production of prostaglandins, which can even have beneficial immunosuppressive effects in chronic inflammatory processes. Since we speculated that these drugs could also act by protecting endogenous proteins against denaturation, we evaluated their effect on heat-induced denaturation human serum albumin (HSA) in comparison with several fatty acids which are known to be potent stabilizers of this protein. By the Mizushimas assay and a recently developed HPLC assays we observed that NSAIDs were slightly less active [$EC_{50}~10^{-5}-10^{-4}$ M] than FA and that the HPLC method was less sensitive but more selective than the turbidimetric assay, i.e. it was capable of distinguishing true antiaggregant agents like FA and NSAIDs from substances capable of inhibiting the precipitation of denatured protein aggregates. In conclusion, this survey could be useful for the development of more effective agents in protein condensation diseases like rheumatic disorders, cataract and Alzheimers disease.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.51-58
• /
• 2015

Objectives : Pinus densiflora gnarl, called Song-Jeol in Korean medicine, has been used to cure inflammatory diseases such as arthritis. In the present study, we evaluated inhibitory property of Song-Jeol pharmacopuncture(SJ) on C6 glioma cell migration. Methods : To evaluate cell viability on C6 glioma cells of SJ, the viability was assessed by using Ez-cytox assay kit. The cell migration was assessed by wound-healing assay and Boyden chamber assay, respectively. LPS-induced NO productions were determined by using the Griess reagent. The expression of iNOS and protein kinase $C(PKC)-{\alpha}$ were estimated by western blotting assay. Results : In the wound-healing assay and Boyden chamber assay, SJ showed a significant inhibition on serum-induced C6 glioma cell migration. In addition, NO production was decreased by SJ through suppression of iNOS expression in LPS-stimulated C6 glioma cell. Futhermore, LPS-induced protein kinase $C(PKC)-{\alpha}$ expression was effectively inhibited by SJ. Conclusions : These results demonstrated that SJ was useful for the suppression of the C6 glioma cell migration.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.27-36
• /
• 2013

Objectives : The focus of the analysis was laid on changes in research pertaining to bee venom in regards to time progression. Methods : We collected 365 articles on Bee venom study result from OASIS system using the Keyword 'bee venom, apitoxin, apitherapy, bee sting'. We figured out number and percentage of theses according to year, study method, journal, subject. Results : Bee venom papers published in the journal of korean medicine from 1976. The classification of papers associated with bee venom, clinical studies outnumbered the other study types by a ratio of 1.3 to 1, followed by 138 for experimental papers, and 22 for literature studies. Proportion of Experimental Papers Classified According to the Theme, 16 for pain-killing, 14 papers concentrated on apoptosis anticancer, 13 for anti inflammatory, 11 for arthritis, and other disorders were followed. Type analysis of papers associated with bee venom in clinical trials, lumbar disorders comprised 38 out of 205 papers, 35 papers concentrated on upper limb disorders, 34 papers concentrated on systemic disease, followed by the effect on body. Conclusions : Bee venom is a treatment method based on the unique theory of Korean traditional medicine. Its effort and academical approach on bee venom are expected to receive positive evaluation through numerous research works.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.44-53
• /
• 2003

Purpose : This study was to identify Korean terms appropriate for a new scale using pain terms to assess the pain of the arthritis patients. Method : This study was conducted by secondary analysis of two previous studies, one from Kim's data (1994) and the other from Lee and Choi's(1988). The subjects were 482 patients with arthralgia. Data were analyzed by SPSS Win 11.0, for frequencies, percentages, and means. Results : Five pain groups were sorted out from the sensory pain category, three in the affective pain category, and two in the miscellaneous pain category by selecting groups of pain terms expressed more than 50% by all subjects. Local inflammatory repeated pain terms, simple irritative pain terms, superficial pressure pain terms, traction pain terms, and peripheral nerve terms were included in the sensory pain category, fatigue-related pain terms, digestion-related terms, and suffering-related terms in the affective category, and dull pain terms and body cavity pressure pain category. Among five sample groups terms selected by more than 3 groups with more than 30% of patients were dugumhada, sikungorinda, wooksinwooksinhada, nurudusi apuda, and dangginda in the sensory pain category; nogonhage apuda, gobukhada, and jajungsurupge apuda in the affecte pain category; and buctjockgigunhada and manjimyon apuda in the miscellaneous pain category. Conclusion : Ten pain groups were tentatively selected out of 20 pain groups; 10 pain terms composed of 1 pain term from each group were selected out of 90 pain terms from thesecondarydataofarthriticpainpatients. Implications More detailed clinical studies are needed for the refinement of the scale.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.289-294
• /
• 2010

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (S. miltiorrhiza) is a traditional Korean medicine that is commonly used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as edema, arthritis, and hepatitis. The present study investigated the antimicrobial activity of methanol (MeOH) extract of S. miltiorrhiza roots against oral bacteria using broth the microdilution method and the checkerboard and time-kill methods evaluated the synergistic effects of treatment with antibiotics. The MeOH extract was demonstrated as a higher antibacterial activity (MICs, 8 to $64\;{\mu}g/mL$; MBCs, 16 to $64\;{\mu}g/mL$) against all tested oral bacteria. Additionally, the extract was observed to have a synergistic effect with ampicillin or gentamicin. A time-kill study evaluating the effects of the extract indicated that the extract treatment in combination with ampicillin or gentamicin showed rapid bactericidal activity. The results suggest that MeOH extract of S. miltiorrhiza could be employed as a natural antibacterial agent against dental caries.