• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.12
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• pp.621-626
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• 2022

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord. Main symptoms are manifested as weakness, muscle loss, and muscle atrophy. Some studies have reported that alterations in sphingolipid metabolism may be intimately related to neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS. Acid sphingomyelinase (ASM), a sphingolipid-metabolizing enzyme, is considered an important mediator of neurodegenerative diseases. Herein, we show that ASM activity increases in samples from patients with ALS and in a mouse model. Moreover, genetic inhibition of ASM improves motor function impairment and spinal neuronal loss in an ALS mouse model. Therefore, these results suggest the role of ASM as a potentially effective target and ASM inhibition may be a possible therapeutic approach for ALS.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.70-82
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to systematically clarify and enhance the understanding of osteoporosis prevention interventions based on Health Belief Model (HBM). The analysis includes HBM constructs, intervention characteristics, and outcomes from prior studies. Methods: We extensively searched eight electronic databases to identify peer-reviewed studies that implemented HBM-based interventions for osteoporosis prevention until June 2023. Results: Initially, 638 articles were identified, and after a rigorous evaluation process, 11 articles were included in the evidence synthesis. The analysis revealed that HBM-based interventions significantly improved likelihood of taking action including knowledge, HBM constructs and adopting preventive behaviors such as calcium intake and exercise. However, most interventions included in this study did not fully encompass all five HBM constructs or specify the particular components adopted. Conclusion: There is a need for additional research and intervention refinement for a more comprehensive understanding of osteoporosis preventive interventions. This should involve a concerted effort to incorporate all HBM constructs into the context of osteoporosis prevention. Thus, more effective interventions promoting optimal preventive behaviors and reducing the burden of osteoporosis can be developed.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.45-55
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• 1976

The effect of positive inotropic agents on the contractile properties of myocardial muscle were studied in the cat papillary muscle preparation. For the purpose, the effects of ouabain $(1{\times}10^{-6}g/ml)$, norepinephrine (0.05r/m1) and Aconiti tuber butanol fraction (AF(5), $1{\times}10^{-4}$, $5{\times}10^{-4}$, $1{\times}10^{-3}$, $2{\times}10^{-3}g/ml$) on the contractile dynamics of the papillary muscle preparation isolated from right ventricle of cat were observed in terms of the characteristics of isometric twitch and the lengh-tension relation, the force-velocity relation and the load-extension relation of the series elastic component of contractile model of A.V. Hill. All the studied inotropic drugs similary increased the rate and the intensity of the developed isometric tension, while shortened the time from onset of contraction to peak tension and the total duration of contraction. In the afterloaded simultaneous isotonic and isometric contraction, they also similary increased the maximal velocity of shortening accompanied with the increasing the maximum developed force. In the load-extension relation all the drugs, however, had no appreciable influence on the properties of the series elastic component. Increasing the concentration, Aconiti tuber butanol fraction produced more pronounced effect on all the studied parameters of isometric and isotonic contraction of cat papillary muscle preparation. From the aspect of contractile dynamics, it seemed that the positive inotropic effect of ouabain, norepinephrine and Aconiti tuber butanol fraction are similary achieved through an influence on the behavior of the contractile component only.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.1371-1377
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• 2002

During a 5-yr period, 1994-1998, pre-weaning and weaning data were collected on 591 calves produced by mating either straightbred Jersey, straightbred Limousin or $F_1$ (Limousin${\times}$Jersey) bulls to mature purebred Jersey or Limousin cows. Traits recorded included birth and weaning weight, height, length, girth, fat depth and a measure of muscle (ratio of stifle to hip width expressed as a percentage). All traits were analyzed assuming a model with sire and dam random effects that included effects of year and date of birth, sex, breed and year${\times}$sex interaction. Main effects were generally significant with few exceptions. Direct genetic effects were large for weight, height, girth and muscle with a breed trend from purebred Jersey (small) to purebred Limousin (large). At weaning, the maternal effect of the Jersey dam was positive for weight (10.9${\pm}$4.9 kg), girth (3.7${\pm}$1.0 cm) and muscle (6.0${\pm}$0.9%). Heterosis was highly significant and positive only for fat depth (1.5${\pm}$0.2 mm) with the $F_1$ progeny being the fattest, followed by the backcrosses, then purebred Jersey and purebred Limousin. Also, significant (p<0.001) but negative heterosis was observed for weight, girth and muscle. The change in ranking for fat depth relative to other traits is a reflection of the large heterotic effects relative to direct effects on fat depth. Epistatic effects were not significant on any trait at birth or weaning. This study has indicated the possibility of exploiting the positive heterotic and maternal effects for fat depth and muscularity to meet specific meat quality and quantity demand by consumers.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.69-78
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• 2023

This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of enzymatically modified stevia (EMS) on C2C12 cell-based model of dexamethasone (DEX)-induced muscle atrophy to provide baseline data for utilizing EMS in functional health products. C2C12 cells with DEX-induced muscle atrophy were treated with EMS (10, 50, and 100 ㎍/mL) for 24 h. C2C12 cells were treated with EMS and DEX to test their effects on cell viability and myotube formation (myotube diameter and fusion index), and analyze the expression of muscle strengthening or degrading protein markers. Schisandra chinensis Extract, a common functional ingredient, was used as a positive control. EMS did not show any cytotoxic effect at all treatment concentrations. Moreover, it exerted protective effects on C2C12 cell-based model of DEX-induced muscle atrophy at all concentrations. In addition, the positive effect of EMS on myotube formation was confirmed based on the measurement and comparison of the fusion index and myotube diameter when compared with myotubes treated with DEX alone. EMS treatment reduced the expression of muscle cell degradation-related proteins Fbx32 and MuRF1, and increased the expression of muscle strengthening and synthesis related proteins SIRT1 and pAkt/Akt. Thus, EMS is a potential ingredient for developing functional health foods and should be further evaluated in preclinical models.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.494-499
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• 2011

This paper presents the biomechanical analysis and evaluation technology of musculoskeletal system by multi-body human dynamic model and 3-D motion capture data. First, medical image based geometric model and material properties of tissue were used to develop the human dynamic model and 3-D motion capture data based motion analysis techniques were develop to quantify the in-vivo joint kinematics, joint moment, joint force, and muscle force. Walking and push-up motion was investigated using the developed model. The present model and technologies would be useful to apply the biomechanical analysis and evaluation of human activities.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.1243-1248
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• 2011

The purposes of this study were to develop a dynamic model of a human and to investigate the effect of a walker on an elderly subject's motions, such as sit-to-stand (STS) motion and normal gait, by using this model. A human model consisting of 15 segments and 14 joints was developed, embedded in $RecurDyn^{TM}$, and connected through a Simulink$^{(R)}$ interface with collected motion data. The model was validated by comparisons between joint kinematic results from inverse dynamics (Matlab$^{(R)}$-based in-house program) and from $RecurDyn^{TM}$ simulation during walking. The results indicate that the elderly walker induced a longer movement time in walking, such that the speed of joint flexion/extension was slower than that during a normal gait. The results showed that the muscle activities of parts of the ankle and hamstring were altered by use of the elderly walker. The technique used in this study could be very helpful in applications to biomechanical fields.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 2003

Purpose : Pulmonary vascular hypertension is a common problem in congenital heart disease, the most common cardiac condition in childhood. However, the mechanisms responsible for this pathologic change, treatment, and prevention are poorly understood. Therefore, we studied the gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) by using a hypoxic model of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. Methods : The main pulmonary artery and its proximal branches of a 6 wk old Fischer rat were excised. They were cut into multiple small pieces and suspended in DMEM medium supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum and incubated in 5% $CO_2$-95% air atmosphere. The smooth muscle cells were confirmed by immunostaining with smooth muscle myosin and ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin antibodies. The VEGF gene expression in the hypoxic group was compared with the one in control the group as well as the one in the starved group by RT-PCR and Northern blot hybridization. Results : There was no statistically significant difference among the control, hypoxic and starved groups. Conclusion : There are few studies of pulmonary vascular hypertension at the molecular level in Korea. Therefore, we studied the expression of VEGF gene in hypoxic pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells. Further studies will be needed to find the difference between newly born and adult rats, or human and rat pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells in gene expression. We hope that the study will lead to a better understanding of pulmonary vascular hypertension.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.58-68
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• 2024

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of treadmill exercise treadmill exercise (TE) and environmental enrichment (EE) interventions on cognitive function, muscle function, and the expression of tight junction proteins in an Alzheimer's disease (AD) animal model. To create the AD animal model, aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) was administered for 90 days (40mg/kg/day), while simultaneously exposing the animals to TE (10-12m/min, 40-60min/day) or EE. The results showed that cognitive impairment and muscle dysfunction induced by AlCl₃ administration were alleviated by TE and EE. Furthermore, TE and EE reduced the increased expression of β-amyloid(Aβ), alpha-synuclein, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) proteins observed in AD pathology. Additionally, TE and EE significantly increased the expression of decreased adhesive adjacent proteins (Occludin, Claudin-5, and ZO-1) induced by AlCl₃ administration. Lastly, correlation analysis between Aβ protein and tight junction proteins showed negative correlations (Occludin: r=-0.853, p=0.001; Claudin-5: r=-0.352, p=0.915; ZO-1: r=-0.424, p=0.0390). In conclusion, TE or EE interventions are considered effective exercise methods that partially alleviate pathological features of AD, improving cognitive and muscle function.

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.11-21
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• 2002

Parke and Waters' model［1］ of muscle-based face deformation was used to develop a system that can synthesize facial expressions when the pleasure-displeasure and arousal-sleep coordinate values of internal states are specified. Facial expressions sampled from a database developed by Chung, Oh, Lee and Byun ［2］ and its underlying model of internal states were used to find rules for face deformation. The internal - state model included dimensional and categorical values of the sampled facial expressions. To find out deformation rules for each of the expressions, changes in the lengths of 21 facial muscles were measured. Then, a set of multiple regression analyses was performed to find out the relationship between the muscle lengths and internal states. The deformation rules obtained from the process turned out to produce natural-looking expressions when the internal states were specified by the pleasure-displeasure and arousal-sleep coordinate values. Such a result implies that the rules derived from a large scale database and regression analyses capturing the variations of individual muscles can be served as a useful and powerful tool for synthesizing facial expressions.