• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.235-245
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• 2010

Mitochondria have long been recognized as ATP engines for the cell and recently as a dynamic and mobile organelles that control cell death and life. This exquisite organelle is the site of reactive oxygen species production and is highly vulnerable to exogenous stresses, resulting in catastrophic damage to the cell. Mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to a wide range of age-associated degenerative diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of mitochondria-dependent pathogenesis may provide important strategies to treat these diseases. Indeed, mitochondria are emerging therapeutic targets for the mitochondria-related diseases. In this paper, we review the recent concepts of mitochondrial biology and how mitochondria are involved in age-associated degenerative diseases. Furthermore, we summarize the therapeutics which target to improve mitochondrial functions.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.2.1-2.24
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• 2024

Studies over the last 2 decades have identified IL-17 and IL-21 as key cytokines in the modulation of a wide range of immune responses. IL-17 serves as a critical defender against bacterial and fungal pathogens, while maintaining symbiotic relationships with commensal microbiota. However, alterations in its levels can lead to chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. IL-21, on the other hand, bridges the adaptive and innate immune responses, and its imbalance is implicated in autoimmune diseases and cancer, highlighting its important role in both health and disease. Delving into the intricacies of these cytokines not only opens new avenues for understanding the immune system, but also promises innovative advances in the development of therapeutic strategies for numerous diseases. In this review, we will discuss an updated view of the immunobiology and therapeutic potential of IL-17 and IL-21.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.183-191
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• 2024

The Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) serves as a critical cellular mechanism dedicated to maintaining protein homeostasis, primarily within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This pathway diligently responds to a variety of intracellular indicators of ER stress with the objective of reinstating balance by diminishing the accumulation of unfolded proteins, amplifying the ER's folding capacity, and eliminating slow-folding proteins. Prolonged ER stress and UPR irregularities have been linked to a range of neuropsychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the UPR pathway, delineating its activation mechanisms and its role in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. It highlights the intricate interplay within the UPR and its profound influence on brain function, synaptic perturbations, and neural developmental processes. Additionally, it explores evolving therapeutic strategies targeting the UPR within the context of these disorders, underscoring the necessity for precision and further research to effective treatments. The research findings presented in this work underscore the promising potential of UPR-focused therapeutic approaches to address the complex landscape of neuropsychiatric disorders, giving rise to optimism for improving outcomes for individuals facing these complex conditions.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.114-120
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• 2022

Objectives: Antivenom serums have been used extensively for over a century and are the only effective treatment option for snake bites and other dangerous animal envenomations. In therapeutic serum centers, a wide range of antivenoms is made from animal serum, mainly equine and sheep, that are immunized with single or multiple venoms. This work aimed to use caprylic acid (CA) to purify therapeutic snake antivenom. Methods: Plasma was obtained from equine immunized with a mixture of venoms. Immunized plasma was obtained by precipitation of different concentrations (2-5%) of CA. This methodology was compared to that based on ammonium sulfate (AS) precipitation. Sediment plasma proteins were purified by ion-exchange chromatography. Protein assay, SDSPAGE, and agar gel diffusion were performed. Results: The total protein precipitation with AS was higher than precipitation with CA, but the best results were obtained when CA was added to the plasma until a final CA concentration of 5% was reached. Chromatography and electrophoresis indicated a stronger band for the 5% CA, and the gel diffusion assay showed antigen-antibody interaction in the purified serum. Conclusion: The use of CA compared to the routine method for purifying hyperimmune serums is a practical and cost-effective method for preparing and producing therapeutic serums. It constitutes a potentially valuable technology for alleviating the critical shortage of antivenom in Iran.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.1016-1023
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• 2022

In proton therapy, a highly conformal proton dose can be delivered to the tumor by means of the steep distal dose penumbra at the end of the beam range. The proton beam range, however, is highly sensitive to range uncertainty, which makes accurately locating the proton range in the patient difficult. In-vivo range verification is a method to manage range uncertainty, one of the promising techniques being prompt gamma imaging (PGI). In earlier studies, we proposed gamma electron vertex imaging (GEVI), and constructed a proof-of-principle system. The system successfully demonstrated the GEVI imaging principle for therapeutic proton pencil beams without scanning, but showed some limitations under clinical conditions, particularly for pencil beam scanning proton therapy. In the present study, we upgraded the GEVI system in several aspects and tested the performance improvements such as for range-shift verification in the context of line scanning proton treatment. Specifically, the system showed better performance in obtaining accurate prompt gamma (PG) distributions in the clinical environment. Furthermore, high shift-detection sensitivity and accuracy were shown under various range-shift conditions using line scanning proton beams.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.155-164
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• 2002

This descriptive correlation study was undertaken in order to investigate the relationship of family support and personality with quality of life in patients receiving radiotherapy for breast cancer and to provide basic data to help them improve a better quality of life. This subjects for this study were 74 out-patients undergoing a radiation therapy at C hospital in Kwang-Ju. The data were obtained using a convenience sampling technique. The tool of this study were Ro's qualify of life scale, Kang's family support scale and Wallston & others health locus of control scale. The data were analyzed using a SAS program for percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson Correlation Coefficient, GLM. The results were as fellows: 1. The total average score of the quality of life of the subjects was 137.22 (minimum score 38-maximum score 227), item mean score(range 1-5) was 3.15. The total average score of the family support of the subjects was 40.38(minimum score 21-maximum score 47), item mean score(range 1-5) was 3.69. The total average score of health locus of control of the subjects was 42.47(minimum score 28-maximum score 59), item mean score(range 1-6 was 3.69. 2. The results of the analysis of the relationship between the quality of life scores and the health locus of control were as follows : the total average score of the qualify of life of internal locus of control scale was 133.50, he total average score of the quality of life of external locus of control scale was 138.41. 3. There was positive correlation between the health locus of control and the quality of life(r=0.0722, p=0.5413). 4. There were significant positive correlation between family support and quality of life(r=0.2328, p=0.0399). The results of the analysis of the relationship between the each factor in the quality of life scores and family support were as fellows : There were significant difference between the self esteem factor(r=0.2974, p=0.0124), relationship with family factor(r=0.2657, p=0.0241)

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.267-275
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• 2023

Background: Physical therapy (PT) plays an important role in the recovery of function following anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA). While several PT protocols have been published for these patients, there is no standardized protocol for aTSA rehabilitation. This lack of standardization may lead to confusion between patients and physicians, possibly resulting in suboptimal outcomes. This study examines how PT protocols provided by academic orthopedic surgery programs vary regarding therapeutic goals and activities following aTSA. Methods: PT protocols for aTSA available online from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accredited orthopedic surgery programs were included for review. Each protocol was analyzed to evaluate it for differences in recommendation of length of immobilization, range of motion (ROM) goals, start time for and progression of therapeutic exercises, and timing for return to functional activity. Results: Of 175 accredited programs, 25 (14.2%) had protocols publicly available, programs (92%) recommended sling immobilization outside of therapy for an average of 4.4±2.0 weeks. Most protocols gave recommendations on starting active forward flexion (24 protocols, range 1-7 weeks), external rotation (22 protocols, range 1-7 weeks), and internal rotation (18 protocols, range 4-7 weeks). Full passive ROM was recommended at 10.8±5.7 weeks, and active ROM was 13.3±3.9 weeks, on average. ROM goals were inconsistent among protocols, with significant variations in recommended ROM and resistance exercise start times. Only 13 protocols (52%) gave recommendations on resuming recreational activities (mean, 17.4±4.4 weeks). Conclusions: Publicly available PT protocols for aTSA rehabilitation are highly variable. Level of evidence: IV.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.11-20
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• 1998

The propagation of light radiation in a turbid medium is an important problem that confronts dosimetry of therapeutic laser delivery and the development of diagnostic spectroscopy. Scattered light is measured as a function of the position(distance r, depth z) between the axis of the incident beam and the detection spot. Turbid sample yields a very forward-directed scattering pattern at short range of position from source to detector, whereas the thicker samples greatly attenuated the on-axis intensity at long range of position. The portions of scattered light reflected from or transmitted throughphantom depend upon internal reflectance and absorption properties of the phantom. Monte Carlo simulation method for modelling light transport in tissue is applied. It uses the photon is moved a distance where it may be scattered, absorbed, propagated, internally reflected, or transmitted out of tissue. The photon is repeatedly moved until it either escape from or is absorbed by the phantom. In order to obtain an optimum therapeutic ratio in phantom material, optimum control the light energy fluence rate is essential. This study is to discuss the physical mechanisms determining the actual light dose in phantom. Permitting a qualitative understanding of the measurements. It may also aid in designing the best model for laser medicine and application of medical engineering.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.9
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• pp.911-921
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• 2008

Learning disabilities (LD) are heterogeneous group of disorders with evidences of genetic or familial trait, intrinsic to the individual and presume to be due to central nervous dysfunction. Learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are the two of the most common disorders in the population of school-age children. Typically academic achievements in children with learning disabilities are significantly lower than expected by their normal or above normal range of IQ. Although academic and cognitive deficits are hallmarks of children with LD, those children are also at risk for a broad range of behavioral and emotional problems. Almost all cases meet criteria for at least one additional diagnosis such as ADHD, developmental coordination disorder, depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, tic disorder, among which ADHD is particularly predominant. Because of the response to the therapeutic intervention program is promising and positive when applied early, it is critical to recognize patients as early as possible. Pediatricians often are the first to hear from parents worried about a childs academic progress. It is not the responsibility of pediatrician to make a diagnosis, referring children for a diagnostic evaluation of LD is a reasonable first step. Pediatricians can make early referral of suspicious children by asking some serial short questions about basic and processing skills. With a basic knowledge about the clinical characteristics, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures of LD, pediatricians also can provide primary counseling and education for parents at their outpatient clinical settings.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.81-90
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of electro-acupuncture stimulation regarding restoration of range of motion on patients with frozen shoulder. Methods : Experimental group measured with shoulder flexion and abduction angle at pre and post electro-acupuncture stimulation. Results : There were statistically significant difference regarding change of flexion angle of electro-acupuncture stimulation(p<0.01) and the testing value of all levels had a significant difference with the value of final post-test(p<0.01). There were statistically significant difference regarding change of abduction angle of electro-acupuncture stimulation(p<0.01). Conclusions : Electro-acupuncture stimulation of distal part increased range of motion of frozen shoulder. Therefore, application of electro-acupuncture should be developed as a therapeutic method in treatment of frozen shoulder. Also, it can contribute as one of good therapeutic methods offered to patients through approach of oriental rehabilitation medicine.