• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.167-183
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to analyze the kinetical variables of the lower extremity joints when performing uchimata(inner thigh reaping throw) by uke(receiver)'s two posture(shizenhon tai), jigohon tai), by voluntary resistance level(VRL) in judo. The subjects, who were for 3 male Korean national representative judokas(elite group : EG) and 3 male representative judokas of Korean University(non-elite group: NEG), and were filmed 4 DV video cameras(60fields/sec.), that posture of uke were shizenhon-tai (straight natural posture), jigohon-tai(straight defensive posture), VRL of uke was 0%. The selected trials were subject to 3-dimensional film motion analysis and ground reaction force(MRF) analysis. The kinetical variable of this study were temporal, postures( ankle and knee angle of attacking leg), that were computed through video film analysis, MRF at events were obtained from the ground-reaction force analysis by AMTI force plate system. When performing uchi-mata according to each posture and by VRL, from the data analysis and discussion, the conclusions were as follows : 1) Temporal variables : total time-required(TR) when performing uchi-mata was shown EG 0.13sec the shorter than NEG(o.77sec.) in shizenhon-tai. and EG 0.17sec the shorter than NEG(o.76sec.) in jigonhon-tai. Also, all of two groups' jigohon-tai(0.68sec.) were faster than shizenhon-tai(0.71 sec.). 2) The posture variables : The angle of ankle in attacking when performing were plantar flexion in EG, and dorsi flexion in NEG by shizenhon-tai and jigohon-tai posture. The angle of knee in attacking when performing were extension in EG and NEG, but range of extension in EG were larger than in NEG. 3) MRF : Vertical MRF when performing uchi-mata was shown the strongest in the 2nd stage of kake phase(2.23BW) by EG in both posture, and it was same value by NEG(2.23BW), but shizenhon-tai (2.28BW), jigohon-tai(1.64BW), respectively.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9847-9851
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• 2014

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a haematological cancer characterized by clonal proliferation of plasma cells.The aim of this study was to investigate the activity of serum paraoxonase-1 (PON1) and arylesterase (ARE) in multiple myeloma with and without free light chain excretion(FLCe-MM and NFLCe-MM); as well as to investigate possible alterations in oxidative stress parameters. Materials and Methods: Total thiol (T.thl), oxidative stress index (OSI), total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) were examined in addition to the PON1 and ARE enzyme activities in twenty one FLCe-MM and nineteen NFLCe-MM subjects. Routine parameters like lipid panel, serum total protein, albumin, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid and hemoglobin levels were compared with the oxidative stress markers. Results: Serum total protein, BUN, creatinin, and uric acid levels were significantly higher (p=0.04, p=0.001, p=0.001 and p=0.0022, respectively), while hemoglobin and albumin levels were significantly lower in FLCe-MM patients (p=0.009 and p=0.04,respectively). PON1 and ARE activities were significantly lower in patients with FLCe-MM compared to those with NFLCe-MM (p=0.001 and p=0.008, respectively). Conclusions: Depending on our results of prognostic markers of MM such as age, hemoglobin, albumin, and creatinine we feel confident to presume FLCe-MM as a subgroup with a worse prognosis. A decrease in PON1 and ARE activities may contribute to the prognosis and may be used as a prognostic tool in MM.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2663-2667
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• 2012

Objectives: An attempt was made to understand the nicotine dependence of smokers selected for an ongoing smoking cessation intervention programme in rural Kerala, India. Methods: Data were collected from resident males in the age group of 18 to 60 years from 4 randomly allocated community development blocks of rural Thiruvananthapuram district (2 intervention and 2 control groups). Trained accredited social health activist workers were utilised to collect data from all groups through face to face interview. Nicotine dependence among participants was assessed by means of the six-item Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) translated into the local language. The internal consistency of FTND was computed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Criterion validity (concurrent) was assessed by correlations of nicotine dependence scores with age at initiation of smoking and cumulative smoking volume in pack-years. Results: Among the 928 smokers identified, 474 subjects were in the intervention area (mean age = 44.6 years, SD = 9.66 years) and 454 in the control area (mean age = 44.5 years, SD = 10.30 years). The overall FTND score among current daily smokers was 5.04 (SD: 5.05). FTND scores in the control and intervention areas were 4.75 (SD: 2.57) and 4.92 (SD: 2.51) respectively. The FTND scores increased with age and decreased with higher literacy and socioeconomic status. The average FTND score was high among smokers using both bidi and cigarettes (mean 6.10, SD 2.17). Internal consistency analysis yielded a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.70 in a subsample of 150 subjects, a moderate result. The association of the scale was strongest, with the number of pack-years smoked (rho = 0.677, p < 0.001). Conclusion: A moderate level of nicotine dependence was observed among smokers in the current study. Tobacco cessation strategies could be made more cost effective and productive if a baseline assessment of nicotine dependence is completed before any intervention.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2006

The immunomodulatory effect of a new herbal preparation, HemoHIM, on the recovery from leukopenia induced by cyclophosphamide treatment was investigated. The HemoHIM was made up with an addition of the ethanol-insoluble fraction to the total water extract of Angelica Radix, Cnidii Rhizoma and Paeonia Radix. Daily oral administration of 100 mg/kg BW or 500 mg/kg BW HemoHIM accelerated the recovery from cyclophosphamide-induced leukopenia. HemoHIM increased the number of leukocytes and lymphocytes in the peripheral blood when compared with the cyclophosphamide-treated control. Moreover, the suppressed natural killer (NK) cell activity and interferon $(IFN)-{\gamma}$ secretion in the cyclophosphamide-treated mice were restored by the administration of HemoHIM. HemoHIM significantly reduced the abnormally heightened ratio of interleukin $(IL)-4/IFN-{\gamma}$ and immunoglobulin (Ig)E/IgG2a in the cyclophosphamide-treated mice. These results suggest that HemoHIM accelerates the recovery from leukopenia and alleviates the imbalanced T helper (Th)l/Th2 responses in the cyclophosphamide-treated mice. Additionally, HemoHIM was found to stimulate normal splenocytes to secrete not only Thl type cytokines such as $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-2, but also Th2 type cytokine IL-4. In conclusion, our results show that HemoHIM certainly has an influence on the balanced recovery of immune cells and the activation of their activities in the cyclophosphamide-treated mice.

• Plant Resources
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.161-170
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• 2001

A major portion of drugs used in Ayurvedic system of medicine which has been practiced since the early human civilization in Indian subcontinent were of plant origin. It should be noted that 70% of the population in this region depends on Ayurveda for their medical treatment and 60% of the drug resources are obtained from the Himalayan region. Therefore, Nepal becomes a potential source of plant drug resource since it occupies a major portion of the Himalaya. In the present paper, in general a current status of medicinal plant resources of Himalayan region especially Nepal will be discussed. In addition to this, a typical example of antidiabetic activity of Shilajit will be taken for the discussion. Shilajit is one of the crucial elements in several formulations including those of Rasayana, a therapy in Ayurveda, which has been practiced in the prevention of ageing and mental disorder. Although, Shilajit is widely used for the treatment of diabetes, no satisfactory scientific reports are available up to now. The crude Shilajit in the market is a dark brown or black rock-like substance collected from the Himalayan region with a strong smell of cow's stale urine. In our studies, Shilajit (collected in the central Himalayan region) prevented the diabetes in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice model. Shilajit also prevented the diabetes in the rats against the action of multiple low-dose (10 mg/kg, i.v., 5 times) of streptozotocin. On the other hand, Shilajit did not show antioxidative activity. The preventive action of Shilajit on diabetes is mainly focused on the Thl and Th2 cell activities, since Th2 cells activity was found to be significantly upregulated. Shilajit, however, showed a mild action in controlling the blood sugar level in young, old, and mild diabetic rats, but not in the severe diabetic rats. It also stimulated the nitric oxide production in macrophages. Based on these evidences, the antidiabetic activities of Shilajit appear to be immunomodulative probably by protecting or strengthening insulin-producing b-cells in the pancreas. Further systematic research on constituents of Shilajit and its quality evaluation is necessary to enable the use of natural medicines in the treatment of diabetes.

• BMB Reports
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.578-583
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• 2001

As a prototypic Thl vs Th2 cytokine, IFN-$\gamma$ and IL-4 activate distinct STAT proteins, STAT1 and STATE, respectively. In cytokine-producing Jurkat T cells, IL-4 is effectively rescued from cell death that is induced by dexamethasone, but IFN-$\gamma$ failed to do so. Since the Ras/MAPK pathway is known to play an important role in cytokine-induced cell survival, we investigated the mechanism of T cell survival through the analysis of functional cross-talk between Ras/MAPK and distinct STAT proteins that are activated by IL-4 and IFN-$\gamma$. Although IL-4 and IFN-$\gamma$ each induced the activation of STATE and STATI. in Jurkat T cells, respectively, only IL-4 was capable of inducing MAPK. Along with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, MEK/MAPK inhibitors also caused a significant suppression of the IL-4-induced STATE activity. This suggests a positive regulation of STATE by MAPK during IL-4 signal transduction. Furthermore, transfection studies with dominant active (da) vs dominant negative (dn) Ras revealed that daRas, but not dnRas, selectively up-regulated the expression and activity of STATE with a concomitant increase in MAPK activity. These results, therefore, suggest that there is a functional cross-talk between the Ras/MAPK and Jak/STAT6 pathways, which may have a role in the IL-4-induced T cell survival.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.2891-2896
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• 2013

Background: To illustrate multiple approaches and to assess participation rates adopted for a community based smoking cessation intervention programme in rural Kerala. Materials and Methods: Resident males in the age group 18-60 years who were 'current daily smokers' from 4 randomly allocated community development blocks of rural Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala (2 intervention and 2 control groups) were selected. Smoking status was assessed through house-to-house survey using trained volunteers. Multiple approaches included awareness on tobacco hazards during baseline survey and distribution of multicolour anti-tobacco leaflets for intervention and control groups. Further, the intervention group received a tobacco cessation booklet and four sessions of counselling which included a one-time group counselling cum medical camp, followed by proactive counselling through face-to-face (FTF) interview and mobile phone. In the second and fourth session, motivational counselling was conducted. Results: Among 928 smokers identified, smokers in intervention and control groups numbered 474 (mean age: 44.6 years, SD: 9.66 years) and 454 respectively (44.5 years, SD: 10.30 years). Among the 474 subjects, 75 (16%) had attended the group counselling cum medical camp after completion of baseline survey in the intervention group, Among the remaining subjects (n=399), 88% were contacted through FTF and mobile phone (8.5%). In the second session (4-6 weeks time period), the response rate for individual counselling was 94% (78% through FTF and 16% through mobile phone). At 3 months, 70.4% were contacted by their mobile phone and further, 19.6% through FTF (total 90%) while at 6 months (fourth session), the response rate was 74% and 16.4% for FTF and mobile phone respectively, covering 90.4% of the total subjects. Overall, in the intervention group, 97.4% of subjects were being contacted at least once and individual counselling given. Conclusion: Proactive community centred intervention programmes using multiple approaches were found to be successful to increase the participation rate for intervention.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.922-927
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• 2005

In the present study, baicalin, baicalein, and wogonin, a major flavone isolated from Scutellaria Radix were examined for their effects on PMA-induced Interlukin-6 (IL-6), $interferon-\gamma(IFN-\gamma)$, tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-\alpha$, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13 productions in the PMA-stimulated $CD4^+$ Jurkat T cells. These three compounds inhibited PMA-induced Th1 cytokine $(IL-6,\;IFN-\gamma,\;TNF-\alpha)$ and Th2 cytokine (IL-4 and IL-13) productions in a concentration-dependent manner. But wogonin, but not baicalin baicalein, increased PMA-induced IL-10 production. These results suggest that baicalin, baicalein, and wogonin, a major flavone modulate Th1 and Th2 cytokine productions in $CD4^+$ Jurkat T cells and these properties may contribute to the anti-atopic dermatitis activity of Scutellaria Radix.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2008

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigative the effects of Gagambojungikgi-tang (GBT), a Korean herbal medicine, on the immune mediators, T cell proliferation and wound healing in the recombinant Sj26 (rSj26) antigen induced atopic dermatitis(AD) model mice. Methods : GBT is the water extracts prepared from mixture of Ginseng Radix, Astragali Radix, Angelicae gigantis Radix, Atractylodes Rhizoma alba, Aurantii nobilis Pericarpium, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Artemisia iwayomogi Herba, Scutellaria Radix, Lonicera japonica Flos. This is a modified prescription of Bojungikgi-tang, which has been used for the treatment of indigestion, and immunological disease in east-asian countries. GBT was orally administered or externally applied at difference doses. The levels of immune mediators [(IgE, IgG1, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), Th1/Th2 cytokines], T cell proliferation, and wound healing in the rSj26 or chemical antigen induced AD model BALB/c were investigated. Results : GBT dose-dependently suppressed the release of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ (Th1 cytokines), IL-4, IL-10 (Th2 cytokines), PGE2 (inflammatory mediators) and T cell proliferation. But GBT increased the production of IFN-${\gamma}$ (Th1 cytokine). Furthermore, A wound healing effect of GBT was similar to external application of dexamethasone. Conclusions : These results suggest that GBT suppresses the inflammatory mediators and regulates the Thl/Th2 cytokines, and promotes the wound healing. Therefore, these properties may contribute to the strong anti-AD effect of GBT.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1984.09a
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• pp.145-152
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• 1984

Toxohormone-L (THL) elicited fatty acid release from rat epididymal adipose tissue, which is present in cancerous ascites fluids. In this study, the effect of ginseng powder on lipolysis induced by Toxohormane-L, and ACTH was studied. Korean ginseng selectively inhibited Toxohormone-L induced lipolysis, but did not inhibit ACTH-induced lipolysis.