• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.16-24
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• 2021

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome P-encoded protein HBV DNA polymerase (Pol) has long been known as a reverse transcriptase during HBV replication. In this study, we investigated the impact of HBV Pol on host cellular processes, mainly apoptosis, and the underlying mechanisms. We showed a marked reduction in apoptotic rates in the HBV Pol-expressed HepG2 cells compared to controls. Moreover, a series of assays, i.e., yeast two-hybrid, GST pull-down, co-immunoprecipitation, and confocal laser scanning microscopy, identified the host factor eEF1A2 to be associated with HBV Pol. Furthermore, knockdown of eEF1A2 gene by siRNA abrogated the HBV Pol-mediated anti-apoptotic effect with apoptosis induced by endoplasmatic reticulum (ER) stress-inducer thapsigargin (TG), thus suggesting that the host factor eEF1A2 is essential for HBV Pol's anti-apoptosis properties. Our findings have revealed a novel role for HBV Pol in its modulation of apoptosis through integrating with eEF1A2.

• 대한정형도수물리치료학회지
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.1-15
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in joint position sense (JPS), force sense (FS), and performance level of the upper extremities according to the injury and pain experiences of Korean elite archers. Methods: A total of 15 subjects were briefed about the purpose of this study and agreed to participate voluntarily. JPS was evaluated using the laser-point attached to the wrist while aiming at the target. The difference when relocating while aiming was used as JPS factor. FS was evaluated using load cell through reproduces same muscle strength. Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) was used to evaluate psychosocial factors, Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic overhead athlete scores (KJOC) and numerical rating scale (NRS) was used to evaluate pain. and performance was evaluated by tournament match score. Results: There is a strong correlation between the current pain and KJOC. Moreover, moderate correlation between KJOC and FABQ also current pain and both upper trapezius and lower trapezius in elite archers. The mean (SD) between groups based on current pain display relatively large margin in force sense than without pain group. The result presents that there is a significant difference in performance and pain. There is a significant difference in the force sense of the upper and lower trapezius and pain. Conclusions: Result present there is a significant difference in functional level in the average comparison between groups according to the presence of absence of current pain. There is a significant difference in the force sense of the upper trapezius as well as lower trapezius and without pain group present a relatively low joint position sense error compared to the groups.

• Medical Lasers
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.96-105
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• 2021

Background and Objectives Skin aging is reportedly associated with regulation in collagen and elastin synthesis. This study investigated the potential of combining light-emitting diode (LED) treatments using a 630-nm and 850-nm LED with simultaneous microcurrent application. Materials and Methods The dorsal skin of female pigs was treated with a home-use device. We examined the treatment effects using photography, thermocamera, microscopic pathology, and histological examination to determine the mechanism of action, efficacy, and safety of the procedure. A histological observation was performed using hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, Victoria blue, and immunohistochemical staining. We also used the Sircol soluble collagen and elastin assay kit to measure the amounts of collagen and elastin in the porcine back skin tissue after 2 and 6 weeks. Results Evaluation by visual inspection and devices showed no skin damage or heat-induced injury at the treatment site. Histological staining revealed that accurate treatment of the targeted dermis layer effectively enhanced collagen and elastin deposition. Collagen type I, a protein defined by immunohistochemical staining, was overexpressed in the early stages of weeks 2 and 6. Combined therapy findings showed the superior capability of the 630-nm and 850-nm LED procedures to induce collagen; in contrast, elastin induction was more pronounced after microcurrent treatments. Conclusion The home-use LED device, comprising a combination of 630-nm and 850-nm LEDs and microcurrent, is safe and can be used as an adjunctive treatment for self-administered facial rejuvenation.

• Medical Lasers
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.220-228
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• 2021

Background and Objectives In designing a resistance exercise program, intensity, rest, and exercise volume are important. Many studies have been conducted to find the most suitable resistance exercise program incorporating the above, and in particular, many prior studies have been conducted on intensity. This study attempted to determine the effective volume of exercise by analyzing the number of repetitions performed at intensities of 65% one-repetition maximum (1RM) and 75% 1RM during the bench press exercise, and the electromyography (EMG) response of the agonist muscle. Materials and Methods Eight males in their 20s were selected as study subjects and they performed five sets of bench presses at two levels of intensity (65% 1RM, 75% 1RM). The following results were obtained by measuring the number of repetitions and the EMG response according to the exercise intensity and sets during the workout. Results First, the number of repetitions showed a sharp drop from the first set to the third set at 65% 1RM intensity and showed no change in the fourth and fifth sets. At 75% 1RM intensity, the intensity of hypertrophy showed a gradual decrease from the first set to the fifth set. Second, at 75% 1RM exercise intensity, the pectoralis major, anterior deltoid and triceps brachii showed high muscle activity, and the activity of the anterior deltoid continued to increase from the first set to the fourth set at 65% 1RM intensity, and from the first set to the fifth set at 75% 1RM. Conclusion It was found that during the bench press exercise, three minutes of rest at 75% 1RM intensity, five sets of five sets, one minute rest at 65% 1RM intensity, and three sets of the exercise were effective.

• Medical Lasers
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.22-30
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• 2021

Background and Objectives Ocular alkali burns cause severe damage to the ocular tissues and vision loss. Solcoseryl is a standardized calf blood extract that normalizes the metabolic disturbance and aids in maintaining the chemical and hormonal balance and has been used to treat burns in various tissues. This study examined the effects of Solcoseryl on a rat corneal alkali burn model. Materials and Methods Twenty rats were assigned randomly to four equal groups, including alkali burn, hyaluronic acid, Solcoseryl eyedrop, and Solcoseryl gel. A corneal alkali burn was induced by a NaOH-soaked paper disc. The treatments were given twice a day, every day. The wound area was measured after 24 and 48 hours, and the degree of neovascularization and corneal opacity were scored every week. The rats were sacrificed after three weeks for immunohistochemistry (IHC) to compare the level of inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. The thickness of the retinal layers was compared to observe any changes in the retina. Results The use of Solcoseryl on corneal alkali burn accelerated wound healing with less neovascularization, greater opacity, and less cataract. IHC showed that the inflammation of the cornea was controlled by both the hyaluronic acid and Solcoseryl treatments. On the other hand, the inflammation had spread to the retina. When the dosage forms were compared, eyedrops were more effective on corneal inflammation, while the gel-type had a greater effect on retinal inflammation. Conclusion Solcoseryl was effective in accelerating the wound healing rate on a corneal alkali burn but could not prevent the spread of inflammation from the cornea to the retina. Eyedrops were more effective on inflammation in the cornea, and the gel was more effective in the retina.

• Medical Lasers
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.39-43
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• 2020

Background and Objectives Breast reconstruction has the advantage of reducing the loss of the body image of patients after mastectomy surgery, and also improving the quality of the social and sexual life of breast cancer patients. However, in surprising and unfortunate number of patients, acute postoperative pain persists beyond the normal course of postsurgical recovery. We set out to investigate the effect of local dynamical micro-massage (LDM) treatment for achieving pain relief and reducing other postoperative complications. Materials and Methods We performed a retrospective analysis on 58 patients who underwent LDM treatment for postoperative pain management at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital between February 2017 and June 2019. Those patients who complained of persistent postoperative pain, which was uncontrollable with medication, were treated with LDM. The degree of pain and discomfort with contracture were recorded using numerical rating scale (NRS) scoring system with numbers from 0 to 10 ('none' to 'worst'). Results The median NRS score of pain was reduced by 62.3% from the start to the end of LDM treatment (p<0.001). Further, the NRS score of discomfort with contracture was reduced 66.0% (p<0.001). There was no complication related to the LDM treatment. Conclusion Dual-frequency ultrasound LDM can be an effective therapeutic option for persisting pain after breast reconstruction surgery. It was also effective in improvement of discomfort with contracture and erythema of the surgical wound.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.33-38
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• 2013

Objectives : The aim of this study was to examine anti-thrombotic effect of traditional herbal extracts in a rat model of ferric chloride ($FeCl_3$)-induced carotid arterial thrombosis. Methods : Thirty minutes prior to a 35% $FeCl_3$ application, Sprague Dawley(SD) rats were injected with the 10 types of traditional herbal extracts (100mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection), respectively. The effect of these herbal extracts was examined for time to occlusion(TTO) using the Laser doppler flow meter and measured for thrombus weight (TW) in $FeCl_3$-induced thrombosis model. Results : In the TTO, Salvia miltiorrhiza (Sm, $2.30{\pm}0.28$ min, p<0.001) and Santalum album (Sa, $2.19{\pm}0.19$ min, p<0.001) showed significantly delayed TTO more than twice compared with Saline-treated group. Cnidium officinale (Co), Psoralea corylifolia (Pc), Scutellatia baicalensis (Sba), Panax notoginseng (Pn), Angelica tenuissima (At), Scrophularia buergeriana (Sbu), Rhus verniciflua (Rv) and Picrasma quassioides (Pq), except for Rhus verniciflua (Rv) also meaningfully impeded TTO more than one fold. In addition, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Santalum album, Cnidium officinale, Psoralea corylifolia and Scutellatia baicalensis significantly reduced TW more than 10% compared with Saline-treated group. Especially, Salvia miltiorrhiza and Santalum album showed the most excellent anti-thrombotic effect among the 10 herbal extracts tested on the restoration of altered TTO and TW. Conclusions : These results suggest that Sm and Sa extracts have outstanding anti-thrombotic effect in $FeCl_3$-induced thrombosis model and is potentially useful as herbal medicines for the treatment and prevention of thrombosis.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.127-135
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• 2023

Purpose : This study was performed to evaluate the effects of magnetic therapy (MT) on pain threshold, blood flow, and balance in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods : A single-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with 30 patient with knee osteoarthritis. They were randomly allocated 2 groups; magnetic therapy group (MTG; n=15) and placebo magnetic therapy group (PG; n=15). The MTG group received 30 minutes magnetic therapy and 20 minute conservative physical therapy (Hotpack, ICT), magnetic therapy was conducted in magnetic therapy device (OM-100, NUGA, Korea). In the placebo magnetic group received 30 minutes placebo magnetic therapy and 20 minute conservative physical therapy. Each group performed 50 minutes a day 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The primary outcome pressure pain threshold test, blood flow, balance ability were measured by a pressure threshold meter (Commander algometer, JTECH medical, USA), laser dofler image (Moor LDI2-IR, Moor instruments, USA), balance measurement system (BioRescue, Marseille, France). The measurement were performed before and after the 8 weeks intervention period. Results : Both groups demonstrated significant improvement of outcome in pain threshold, blood flow, and balance ability during intervention period. magnetic therapy group revealed significant differences in pain threshold, blood flow, and balance as compared to the placebo magnetic therapy group groups (p<.05). Our results showed that magnetic therapy was more effective than placebo therapy on pain threshold, blood flow, and balance in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Conclusion : Our findings indicate that magnetic therapy can improve pain threshold, blood flow, and Balance, highlight the benefits of magnetic therapy. This study will be able to be used as an intervention data for recovering pain threshold, blood flow, and balance in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

• Medical Lasers
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.64-73
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• 2019

Background and Objectives The effectiveness of many physiotherapy modalities in reducing subcutaneous fat has been investigated in numerous previous studies. However, to the best of our knowledge, there have been no attempts to determine the effectiveness of physiotherapy modalities in body contouring. The present report determined the effect of 448-kHz capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency (CRMRF) in a porcine model. Materials and Methods This study investigated the effect of selective destruction of the subcutaneous fat layer in abdominal fat tissue using CRMRF. The effects of two types of CRMRF (capacitive electric transfer (CET) and resistive electric transfer (RET)) treatment were evaluated using regular digital photography in addition to thermal imaging evaluation, ultrasound measurement, hematological evaluation, and histologic analyses (H&E (hematoxylin and eosin), Oil red O, and immunohistochemistry staining). Results Preclinical evaluation was performed to obtain the data for comparison of the safety and efficacy of the subcutaneous fat reduction after applying CRMRF using CET and RET. After treatment, the thermal transmission was effective, and a 42-47℃ temperature change was observed in the fat layer while an approximately temperature of 42℃ was confirmed on the skin surface. Moreover, after the application of both types of CRMRF treatment, fibrotic septa were observed in the adipose tissue induced by heat at the treatment sites. TUNEL staining was also performed to confirm the process of apoptosis in the adipocytes. Conclusion These results suggest that both CET and RET for CRMRF treatment are safe and effective for subcutaneous fat reduction in a porcine model.

• Medical Lasers
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.59-63
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• 2019

Background and Objectives High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been developed as an effective, non-invasive, skin-tightening method in response to the increasing demand for improvements in skin laxity and tightening with minimal risk and recovery time. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of HIFU for non-invasive skin tightening of crow's feet wrinkles, with the aim of determining how long the tightening can be maintained. Materials and Methods Between January and March 2019, 21 female patients with crow's feet wrinkles were treated with HIFU. The treatment involved 200 shots, three times every 2 weeks. Three blinded, experienced plastic surgeons and patients evaluated satisfaction at 2 weeks after the first procedure, 2 weeks after the second procedure, 2 weeks after the third procedure, and 6 weeks after the first procedure based on photographs according to the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS). The Friedman test was used to compare data. Results Of the 21 patients treated using HIFU, one was lost to follow-up for nonstudy-related reasons. Therefore, 20 patients were evaluated and ranged in age from 28 to 48 years. Plastic surgeons' GAIS scores were 2.6, 2.3, 1.7, and 1.3 and patients' GAIS scores were 2.6, 2.2, 1.8, and 1.4 at 2 weeks after the first procedure, 2 weeks after the second procedure, 2 weeks after the third procedure, and 6 weeks after the third procedure. No serious adverse effects were observed. Conclusion The aging face with crow's feet wrinkles can be improved by using HIFU, while minimizing epidermal and dermal injury.