• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.83-107
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• 2011

This study examines the duration dependence in the exit rate from National Basic Livelihood Protection Program(NBLP). If the length of time on welfare is negatively correlated with the exit rate after controlling for 'unobserved heterogeneity', the observed declining exit rates would provide evidence of true duration dependence. Data are drawn from Korean Welfare Panel study 2005~2008. A variety of discrete-time hazard models are estimated, including parametric/nonparametric hazard model, gamma frailty hazard model/mass point technique model. It is found that welfare dynamics in Korea does not show strong evidence of duration dependence after controlling for unobserved heterogeneity. All the models estimated show that this finding is quite robust. The observed declining exit rate is largely due to differences in the unobservable characteristics of recipients. Thus, the detrimental effect of the welfare on the preference and attitude among recipients is not likely to be strengthened as time on welfare increases.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.211-217
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to report the effect of oriental medical treatments with exercise therapy on the frail elderly patient with gait disturbance and cognitive decline. The frail elderly patient with gait disturbance and cognitive decline was treated by oriental medical treatments combined with exercise therapy during 3 months. The improvement of clinical symptom was evaluated by Manual Muscle Test (MMT), Passive Range Of Motion (PROM), Mini Mental State Examination-Korea (MMSE-K). After 3 months, all of both lower extremity Manual Muscle Test (MMT) improved to Grade 4. Both knee extension Passive Range Of Motion (PROM) and Mini Mental State Examination-Korea (MMSE-K) also increased from -30/-30 to 0/-5, from 7 to 25 respectively. It could be suggested that oriental medical treatments with exercise therapy were effective on the frail elderly patient with gait disturbance and cognitive decline. And further research is encouraged to confirm the effectiveness of this treatment with a larger number of patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.253-261
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• 2012

Purpose: In this study, the following experiment was conducted to see how to apply the sprinter pattern in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and functional weight bearing exercise affected balance capabilities and weight bearing among chronic stroke patients. Methods: The subjects included 27 subjects who had been diagnosed with hemiplegia due to stroke. A total of 12 sessions was held, 3 sessions a week over 4 weeks, were provided to the groups. The control group received general rehabilitation program, and the experimental group performed sprinter pattern in PNF or functional weight bearing exercise. The weight bearing capability and static balance capability test was implemented by using Good-Balance System and Frailty and Injuries Cooperative Studies of Intervention Techniques, while the dynamic balance capability test was carried out by using Four Square Step Test and Timed "Up and Go". Results: The paretic/nonparetic side weight bearing by application of each exercise showed that there were no significant differences in variation among each groups on before exercise, after exercise, 2 weeks after exercise. Static balance test by application of each exercise showed that there were significant differences after exercise and 2 weeks after exercise. Dynamic balance test by application of each exercise showed that there were significant differences after exercise and 2 weeks after exercise. Conclusion: To put the results together, the application of sprinter pattern and functional weight bearing exercise was effective in improving static and dynamic balance capabilities. Therefore, these exercises are helpful to improve balance in patients with stroke.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.132-145
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• 2024

Sarcopenia, the age-related muscle atrophy, is a serious concern as it is associated with frailty, reduced physical functions, and increased mortality risk. Protein supplementation is essential for preserving muscle mass, and horse meat can be an excellent source of proteins. Since sarcopenia occurs under conditions of oxidative stress, this study aimed to investigate the potential anti-muscle atrophy effect of horse meat hydrolysate using C2C12 cells. A horse meat hydrolysate less than 3 kDa (A4<3kDa) significantly increased the viability of C2C12 myoblasts against H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity. Exposure of C2C12 myoblasts to lipopolysaccharide led to an elevation of cellular reactive oxygen species levels and mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin 6, and these effects were attenuated by A4<3kDa treatment. Additionally, A4<3kDa activated protein synthesis-related proteins through the protein kinase B/mechanistic target of rapamycin pathway, while decreasing the expression of activity and degradation-related proteins, such as Forkhead box O3, muscle RING finger protein-1, and Atrogin-1 in dexamethasone-treated C2C12 myotubes. Therefore, the natural material A4<3kDa has the potential of protecting against muscle atrophy, while further in vivo study is needed.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.199-208
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• 2022

Purpose : The study aimed to examine gender-differences in muscle tone, elasticity, and stiffness of the erector spinae in young and old subjects. This study also aimed to assess the effect of aging on muscle tone, elasticity, and stiffness of the erector spinae in men and women, and compare the trend of the aging effect between the two gender groups. Methods : With the muscle in the relaxed state and subjects in the prone position, a myotonometer was used to quantify muscle tone, elasticity, and stiffness, of the erector spinae in 102 participants[46 males (29 young subjects, aged 22.48±2.23 years and 17 old subjects, aged 76.35±3.71 years), 56 females (40 young subjects, aged 20.38±1.43 years and 16 old subjects, aged 74.56±5.40 years)]. Results : The tone and stiffness of the erector spinae muscles were greater in men than in women for both age groups (p<.001-.01), while elasticity did not show a significant difference between men and women. For the direction of change, both male and female groups showed significantly increased tone and stiffness, and decreased elasticity with increasing age (p<.001). For age-related changes, a different tendency was observed between men and women. Men showed a greater increase in tone than women with aging. in contrast, both men and women exhibited a similar decrease or increase in elasticity and stiffness. Conclusion : Gender-differences in the erector spinae in terms of muscle tone and stiffness were observed. Regardless of the age, men had higher muscle tone and stiffness than women, but not elasticity. The erector spinae muscles showed age-related changes in all aspects of muscle tone, elasticity, and stiffness, in both men and women. Notably, men presented greater variation than women in the amount of increase of muscle tone with aging. These findings have implications for musculoskeletal therapeutic approaches, and gender-customized tuning may be indicated for designing exercise interventions to prevent and manage gender-sensitive muscular injuries or diseases and frailty.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.128-148
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• 2023

Dementia is an umbrella term that describes the loss of thinking, memory, attention, logical reasoning, and other mental abilities to the extent that it interferes with the activities of daily living. More than 50 million individuals worldwide live with dementia, which is expected to increase to 131 million by 2050. Recent research has shown that poor oral health increases the risk of dementia, while oral health declines with cognitive decline. In this narrative review, the literature was based on the "hypothesis" that dementia and oral health have a close relationship, and appropriate oral health and occlusal rehabilitation treatment can improve the quality of life of patients with dementia and prevent progression. We conducted a literature search in PubMed and Google Scholar databases, using the search terms "dementia," "major neurocognitive disorder," "dentition," "occlusion," "tooth loss," "dental prosthesis," "dental implant," and "occlusal rehabilitation" in the title field over the past 30 years. A total of 131 studies that scientifically addressed dementia, oral health, and/or oral rehabilitation were included. In a meta-analysis, the random effect model demonstrated significant tooth loss increasing the dementia risk 3.64-fold (pooled odds ratio=3.64, 95% confidence interval [2.50~5.32], P-value=0.0348). Tooth loss can be an important indicator of cognitive function decline. As the number of missing teeth increases, the risk of dementia increases. Loss of teeth can lead to a decrease in the ascending information to the brain and reduced masticatory ability, cerebral blood flow, and psychological atrophy. Oral microbiome dysbiosis and migration of key bacterial species to the brain can also cause dementia. Additionally, inflammation in the oral cavity affects the inflammatory response of the brain and the complete body. Conversely, proper oral hygiene management, the placement of dental implants or prostheses to replace lost teeth, and the restoration of masticatory function can inhibit symptom progression in patients with dementia. Therefore, improving oral health can prevent dementia progression and improve the quality of life of patients.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.277-286
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• 2023

Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of muscle mass and function. It is a natural part of aging and can lead to decreased mobility and increased frailty. The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, which is involved in muscle protein degradation, is closely linked to sarcopenia. Germinated Rhynchosia nulubilis hydrolysate (GRH) has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but there have been no reports on its inhibitory effect on muscle reduction. However, no study has yet explored the relationship between GRH and muscle loss inhibition. In this study, we evaluated the effects of GRH on muscle atrophy inhibitory activity in dexamethasone (Dexa)-induced muscle atrophy C2C12 myotubes and mouse models. Moreover, we identified a molecular pathway underlying the effects of GRH on skeletal muscle. May Grunwald-Giemsa staining showed that the length and area of myotubes increased in the groups treated with GRH. In addition, the GRH-treated group significantly reduced the expression of muscle ring finger protein 1 and muscular atrophy F-box (MAFbx) in the Dexa-induced muscular atrophy C2C12 model. GRH also improved muscle strength in C57BL/6 mice with Dexa-induced muscle atrophy, resulting in prolonged running exhaustive time and increased grip strength. We found that muscle strengthening by GRH was correlated with a decreased expression of the MAFbx gene in mouse muscle tissue. In conclusion, GRH can attenuate Dexa-induced muscle atrophy by inhibiting the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway via downregulation of the MAFbx gene expression.