• International Journal of Contents
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.59-63
• /
• 2011

The aim of our study was to evaluate the immediate effects of an 830-nm Aluminium gallium arsenide (GaAlAs) laser, by examining the changes, in pressure-pain threshold (PPT) and tenderness at 3 kg of the myofascial trigger point (MTrP) of the upper trapezius muscle in visual display terminal (VDT) workers in comparison with placebo treatment. Thirty VDT workers (13 males, 17 females) with complaints of upper trapezius muscle were recruited. All participants were given either active GaAlAs laser (830 nm wavelength, 450 mW, 9 J at point) or placebo GaAlAs laser, according to the double-blinded and placebo-controlled trial. Both active and placebo low-level laser therapy (LLLT) treatments showed no significant effect on PPT and tenderness at 3 kg. These results suggest that a higher dosage may be necessary to produce immediate effects when applying LLLT to the MTrP of relatively large muscles such as the upper trapezius muscle.

• Plant Resources
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.39-46
• /
• 2004

To demonstrate the importance of transformation efficiency in independent event, molecular and cytogenetic analysis were conducted with genomic DNA and chromosome of transgenic plants produced by Agrobacterium tumefeciens LBA4404 (pSBM-PPGN: gusA and bar). Selection ratios of putative transgenic calli were similar in independent experiments, however, transformation efficiencies were critically influenced by the type of regeneration media. MSRK5SS-Pr regeneration mediun, which contains 5 mgL$^{-1}$ kinetin, 2% (w/v) sucrose in combination with 3% (w/v) sorbitol, and 500 mgL$^{-1}$ proline, was efficient to produce transgenic plant of rice from putative transgenic callus in the presence of L-phosphinotricin (PPT). With MSRK5SS-Pr medium, transformation efficincies of Nagdongbyeo were significantly enhanced from 3.7% to 6.3% in independent callus lines arid from 7.3% to 19.7% in plants produced, respectively. Stable integration and expression of bar gene were confirmed by basta herbicide assay, PCR amplification and Southern blotting of bar gene, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis using pSBM-PPGN as a probe. In Southern blot analysis, diverse band patterns were observed in total 44 transgenic plants regenerated from 20 independent PPT resistant calli showing from one to five copies of T-DNA segments, however, the transformants obtained from one callus line showed the same copy numbers with the same fractionized band patterns.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.87-92
• /
• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of myofascial release technique on pain threshold and hormonal changes in patients with adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. Methods: Eight patients with adhesive capsulitis were treated with the myofascial release technique. Myofascial release is a form of manual therapy that involves the application of a low load, long duration stretch to the myofascial complex, intended to restore optimal length, decrease pain, and improve function. Blood tests and pressure pain threshold (PPT) examinations were performed on their first visit. On their second visit, the myofascial release technique was applied to the shoulder for 20 min. Then, blood tests and PPT were re-evaluated to determine the effects of the myofascial release technique on pain threshold and hormonal changes. Results: Pain threshold increased from 2.92 to 24.13 lb after treatment. Epinephrine decreased from .13 to .08 ng/mL whereas norepinephrine increased from .25 to .41ng/㎖ after treatment. Conclusion: Myofascial release technique in patients with adhesive capsulitis increased pain thresholds, norepinephrine and decreased epinephrine levels.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.335-343
• /
• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of ischemic compression treatment (ICT) or low-level laser therapy (LLLT) applied to the trigger points of the infraspinatus muscle on shoulder pain and function in patients with shoulder pain. Design: A randomized clinical trial Methods: Thirty patients with shoulder pain were randomly allocated into the ICT group (n=15) or LLLT groups (n=15). ICT was performed on three myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) of the infraspinatus muscle twice a week for 4 weeks (eight sessions), with 5 minutes of treatment per trigger point. LLLT was performed similarly. Shoulder pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and pain pressure threshold (PPT), and shoulder function was assessed using the Korean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, rotator cuff strength, and range of motion (ROM) of shoulder flexion and abduction. Results: Significant changes in VAS score and PPT were found after the intervention in both groups (p<0.05). Significant changes were observed in the Korean DASH score, rotator cuff strength, and ROM of shoulder flexion (p<0.05) but not in the ROM of shoulder abduction (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusions: This study showed that both ICT and LLLT applied on the MTrPs of the infraspinatus muscle were effective for relieving shoulder pain and improving shoulder functions in patients with shoulder pain.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.9 no.3 s.21
• /
• pp.155-160
• /
• 2006

Objective : The purpose of this study is to examine if scolopendrid acuacupucture may be effective to the lateral epicondylitis. Methods : Using scolopendrid aquacupucture, we injected a small dose of it to the affected area and operated 2 pre and post treatment test; VAS(visual analogue scale), PPT(pressure pain threshold). Results : The scolopendrid aquacupucture treatment led to improvement in the pain and symptom of lateral epicondylitis by all efficacy measures. After scolopendrid aquacupucture treatment, there was improvement in VAS, PPT. Conclusion :This results suggest that scolopendrid aquacupucture is good method for treatment of lateral epicondylitis, so we suggest the possibility to use this new remedy for the lateral epicondylitis.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.89-96
• /
• 1995

The purpose of this study was to assess the pain-relieving effect of iontophoretically applied prednisolone on the patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain. 30 TMJ pain patients participated in this study. Inclusion criteria for subject selection were 1) tenderness of TMJ on palpation and 2) visual analog scales (VAS) of above 20 mm. The patients with polyarthralgia, rheumatic arthralgia, and systemic diseases were excluded for this experiment. The patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups; (1) Group 1 for administration of 2% prednisolone, (2) Group 2 for administration of 1% prednisolone, and (3) Group 3 for administration of saline. Phoresor PM600(Motion Control Utah, U.S.A) was used for administration of drugs by iontophoresis. Baseline and post-medication pain levels were recorded by VAS, pressure pain threshold (PPT), and palpation index (PI). Post-medication data were compared with baseline data for each group. The results were as follows : 1. All the groups showed significant decrease of VAS scores after treatment. 2. PPT was significantly increase only in Group 1 and 2 not in Group 3. 3. PI was significantly decreased only in Group 1 and 2 not in group 3.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.23-31
• /
• 2009

To compare the effects of nanometer-sized silver ions and support materials (nano-silver coating material, NM-silver) and silver ions, we exposed zebrafish embryos to both types of nano-silver ions and compared the acute responses during embryogenesis. The amount of silver in the NM-silver (17.16%) was greater than that in the silver ion (4.56%). Both of these materials have different atomic compositions. The silver ion-exposed groups (10 and 20 ppt) showed lower survival rates than the NM-silver-exposed groups (10 and 20 ppt). NM-silver penetrated the skin and blood tube of zebrafish larvae as aggregated particles, whereas, silver ions penetrated the organelles, nucleus and yolk in a spread-out pattern. Micro-array analysis of RNA from zebrafish larvae (72 hours post-fertilization) that were treated with either NM-silver or silver ions, showed alteration in expression of the BMP, activin, TGF-$\beta$, and $GSK3{\beta}$ genes pathway. Additionally, $GSK3{\beta}$ gene pathway for apoptosis that was related with left-right asymmetry. Gene expression changes in the NM-silver or silver ions-treated zebrafish embryo led to phenotypic changes in the hatched larvae, reflecting increased apoptosis and incomplete formation of an axis.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.23-33
• /
• 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of walking on a treadmill while using dynamic functional electrical stimulation (Dynamic FES) on functional ability and gait in chronic stroke patients. This was a prospective, randomized controlled study. Twelve patients with chronic stroke (>24 months) who were under grade 3 in dorsiflexor strength with manual muscle test were included and randomized into intervention (Dynamic FES) ($n_1$=7) and control (FES) ($n_2$=5). Both the Dynamic FES group and FES group were given a neuromuscular development treatment. The Dynamic FES group has implemented a total of 60 minutes of exercise treatment and gait training with Dynamic FES application. The FES group, with the addition of applying FES while sitting, has also implemented a total of 90 minutes of gait training on treadmill after the exercise treatment. Both two groups accomplished the program, twice a week, for a total of 24 times in a 12-week period. Exercise treatment, gait training on treadmill, and both Dynamic FES and FES were implemented for 30 minutes each. Korean version activities-specific balance confidence scale (K-ABC) was measured to determine self-efficacy in balance function. Timed up and go (TUG) test was performed to evaluate the physical performance. K-ABC, TUG, Berg balance scale (BBS), modified physical performance test (mPPT) and G-walk were evaluated at baseline and at 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, statistically significant differences (p<.05) were apparent in the Dynamic FES group in the changes in K-ABC and BBS. mPPT, TUG, gait speed, stride length and stance phase duration (%) were compared with the FES group. K-ABC had higher correlation to BBS, along with mPPT to TUG. Our results suggest that walking with Dynamic FES in chronic stroke patients may be beneficial for improving their balance confidence, functional ability and gait.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.303-313
• /
• 2003

General information is summarized, that is necessary to introduce a scientific assessment of the human health and exposure issue concerning dioxin and dioxin-like compound. Scientific literatures were reviewed to assess the background exposures to the dioxin-like compounds for normal residents. Epidemiologic studies were also reviewed to assess malignant and nonmalignant sweets of dioxins. In 1997, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) as a human carcinogen, primarily based on occupational cohort studies. The US Environmental Protection Agency made the same decision in it's Draft Dioxin Reassessment. Epidemiologic evidences point to a generalized excess of all cancers, without any pronounced excess at specific sites. Reported non-cancer effects included a range of conditions affecting most systems. Among them, chloracne, elevation in gamma glutamyl transferase(GGT), and alterations in reproductive hormones are related to TCDO, Other adverse outcomes, such as lipid concentrations, diabetes, circulatory and heart diseases, immunologic disorders, neurobehavioral effects, and developmental outcomes require further study before their respective relationships to TCDD can be more definitively assessed.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.490-498
• /
• 2010

HCFC-22 (chlorodifluoromethane, $CHClF_2$), one of the major components in various refrigeration, is emitted mostly from developing countries, as its consumption is not limited until 2013 by the Montreal Protocol. In addition, HFC-23 (trifluoromethane, $CHF_3$), a by-product in the manufacture of HCFC-22, is also a powerful greenhouse gas. Here, we discuss the regional emission characteristics of these compounds based on high-frequency in-situ measurements using the "Medusa" GC-MS system. HCFC-22 and HFC-23 baseline concentrations measured at Gosan (Jeju Island, Korea) from November 2007 to December 2008 increased by 1.8 ppt/yr and 0.6 ppt/yr, respectively. Pollution events of these compounds were observed, very frequently (e.g., ~2~3 times) at Gosan than baseline levels. All the measurement data were divided into four groups by simultaneously considering the ratio (HFC-23/HCFC-22) and concentration (HCFC-22) at Trinidad Head (TH, California, USA). The residence time of trajectories were then analyzed in each of the four groups. The results exhibited the existence of a strong correlation with air mass origin for each group: 1) Air masses originating from Siberia in the north and from the Pacific in the south had ratios of 0.08~0.12 and concentrations of 196.9~254.3 ppt which is highly comparable to background air at TH. 2) Air masses passing over the Southern China exhibited similar ratios but higher HCFC-22 concentrations. 3) Air masses passing over the Northern China had ratios of 0.12~0.21. 4) Air masses passing over Korea and/or Japan had ratios of 0.01~0.08. Our results suggest that the HFC-23/HCFC-22 ratio can be used as a good indicator for the assessment of the pollution with Chinese origin. We also confirmed differences in air masses traveling over Northern and Southern China, most likely due to differences in air mass travelling speed over these regions before arriving at Gosan. This signature may be treated as one of the critical components in identifying the emission sources from different parts of China.