• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.521-527
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• 2001

Diclofenac, a phenylacetic acid derivative, is a widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to provide effective relief of inflammation and pain. Nitric oxide (NO) synthesized by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) has been implicated as a mediator of inflammation. We examined the inhibitory effects of diclofenac on the induction of iNOS in RAW 264.7 macrophages which were activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus interferon-gamma $(IFN-{\gamma}).$ Treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with diclofenac and other NSAIDs (aspirin and indomethacin) significantly inhibited NO production and iNOS protein expression induced by LPS plus $IFN-{\gamma}.$ Also, diclofenac but not aspirin and indomethacin, inhibited iNOS mRNA expression and nuclear factor-kappa B $(NF-{\kappa}B)$ binding activity concentration-dependently. Furthermore, transfection of RAW 264.7 cells with iNOS promoter linked to a CAT reporter gene revealed that only diclofenac inhibited the iNOS promoter activity induced by LPS plus $IFN-{\gamma}$ through the $NF-{\kappa}B$ sites of iNOS promoter. Taken together, these suggest that diclofenac may exert its anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting iNOS gene expression at the transcriptional level through suppression of $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.1242-1248
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• 2017

Several medicinal plants are ethnomedically used in Korea as agents for treating infection, anti-inflammation, and pain relief. However, beyond typical inhibitory effects on cell growth, little is known about the potential anti-biofilm activity of these herbs, which may help to prevent cavities and maintain good oral health. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities of the methanol extracts of 37 Korean medicinal plants against dental pathogens Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans, which synergize their virulence so as to induce the formation of plaque biofilms in the oral cavity. The antimicrobial activities were investigated by broth dilution and disk diffusion assay. The anti-biofilm and antioxidant activities were evaluated based on the inhibitory effect against glucosyltransferase (GTase) and the DPPH assay, respectively. Among 37 herbs, eight plant extracts presented growth and biofilm inhibitory activities against both etiologic bacteria. Among them, the methanol extracts (1.0 mg/ml) from Camellia japonica and Thuja orientalis significantly inhibited the growth of both bacteria by over 76% and over 83% in liquid media, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of these methanol extracts were determined to be 0.5 mg/ml using a disk diffusion assay on solid agar media. Biofilm formation was inhibited by more than 92.4% and 98.0%, respectively, using the same concentration of each extract. The present results demonstrate that the medicinal plants C. japonica and T. orientalis are potentially useful as antimicrobial and anti-biofilm agents in preventing dental diseases.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.1213-1217
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• 2011

Electric stimulators are used for various treatments, such as for pain relief and to improve rehabilitation in and out of the hospital. However, if the stimulation pulse affects the patient's heart, it can cause critical cardiac disorders such as arrhythmia or ventricular fibrillation. As a result, it must be ensured that the transmission length of the stimulation pulse does not exceed the proper range in the design of an electric stimulator. Furthermore, every anticipated risk factor must be monitored in in-vitro and in-vivo experiments. A new stimulator was designed to supply continuous 0.001 J stimulation pulses at a rate of 60 pulses per second. To evaluate the safety of the new electric stimulator and to measure its energy transfer and pulse transmission length, we built a conduction model that was filled with saline and measured the electric field at various positions in response to real stimulations. In an animal experiment with two pigs, heart disorders were induced by applying electric stimulation to tissues near the heart. These heart disorders were different from the result obtained with 9 V DC stimulation.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.426-438
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to examine bowel habits, dietary habits, and nutrient intake of constipated adults, and the effects of prune products on relieving constipation symptoms. Fifty one adults with self-reported constipation (mean age 23 years, range 19-41 years, 10 males and 41 females) participated in this study. After a baseline survey on bowel habits and dietuy habits, participants were asked to consume at least 50 g of prune and 200 ml of prune juice per day during a 4-week period in addition to usual diet. Nutrient intake was estimated by a 24 hour recall at the baseline and once every week by diet records during the intervention. Data were analyzed after classifying the subjects into mild constipation group and severe constipation group by the severity of the symptoms. During the intervention, the subjects with mild constipation consumed 56 g of prunes (about 5.6 fruits) and 200 ml of prune juice, and the subjects with severe constipation consumed 59 g of prunes (about 5.9 fruits) and 207 ml of prune juice. Average intakes of energy, dietary fiber and water of the subjects in the mild constipation and severe constipation group increased during the intervention compared to the baseline. Average dietary fiber intake of the mild constipation and severe constipation groups significantly increased from 12.5 g and 11.6 g at the baseline to 18.5 g and 16.8 g after consuming prune products, respectively. These changes were accompanied by an increase in the number of bowel movements, a decrease of defecation time, a change to a softer stool consistency, and a decrease of abdominal pain during defecation. Seventy two subjects answered that prune products were effective to improve their overall constipation symptoms. Our data show that supplementation of prune products is effective to provide energy, dietary fiber and water, and to relieve constipation symptoms for constipated adults.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.235-243
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• 2021

Photobiomodulation (PBM)-based therapy, which uses a phenomenon in which a light source of a specific wavelength band promotes ATP production in mitochondria, has attracted much attention in the fields of biology and medicine because of its effects on wound healing, inflammation reduction, and pain relief. Research on PBM-based therapy has mainly used lasers and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as light sources and, despite the advantages of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), there have been only a few cases where OLEDs were used in PBM-based therapy. In this research, the skin-care effect of PBM was analyzed using red (λ = 620 nm), green (λ = 525 nm), and blue (λ = 455 nm) OLED lighting modules, and was compared to the PBM effect of LEDs. We demonstrated the PBM-based skin-care effect of the red, green, blue OLED lighting modules by measuring the increase in the amount of collagen type-1 synthesis, the inhibition of melanin synthesis, and the suppression of nitric oxide generation, respectively.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2012

Oral lichen planus(OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease with cell-mediated immune responses, but the exact cause is unknown. The treatment aim of OLP is not complete cure but to alleviate symptoms. In this study, two kinds of corticosteroid gargling solutions used for comparing the effects. From 2002 to 2010, 180 patients diagnosed with oral lichen planus and received topical steroid therapy in the Pusan National University Dental Hospital. Each of two types of solution contained dexamethasone (dexamethasone disodium phosphate) and prednisolone ($solondo^{(R)}$). A period of relief of symptoms and recurrence was recorded. The group using solution containing dexamethasone(dexa gargle) was prescribed to 33 patients(25 female, 8 male) and another group containing prednisolone (solon gargle) included 147 patients (114 female, 33 male). The effect of dexa gargle seemed faster than the solon gargle. There was no significant difference for recurrent rate between the groups using dexa and solon gargle.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.60-64
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• 2005

Purpose: To describe the impingement of the osteophyte between the olecranon process and olecranon fossa and to understand the effect of removing the lesion on the elbow extension in heavy workers. Materials and Methods: Arthroscopy was performed to elbow of heavy industrial workers who complained painful limitation of elbow extension.6 patients(Teases) with average age of 43 year were selected. The average ROM showed flexion contracture of $17^{\circ}$ and further flexion of $87^{\circ}$. Results: In all cases, after the operation two months follow up, mean flexion contracture improved from $17^{\circ}\;to\;2^{\circ}$ with further flexion from$87^{\circ}\;to\;122^{\circ}$. After the operation 1 year follow up, the mean flexion contracture was $3^{\circ}$ and further flexion was $113^{\circ}$. Pain relief within acquired range of motion was achieved in all cases and there was no complication in this series. Conclusion: Selective removal of the impingement bony spur for treatment of flexion contracture in the patient with chronic cumulative trauma disorder patients appear to be effective method to control pain, recover joint movement and at] ow early rehabilitation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.67 no.3
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• pp.354-363
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• 2024

Objective : This study aims to determine the optimal dose of recombinant-human bone morphogenic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) for successful bone fusion in minimally invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusion (MIS LLIF). Previous studies show that rhBMP is an effective alternative to autologous iliac crest bone graft, but the optimal dose remains uncertain. The study analyzes the fusion rates associated with different rhBMP doses to provide a recommendation for the optimal dose in MIS LLIF. Methods : Ninety-three patients underwent MIS LLIF using demineralized bone matrix (DBM) or a mixture of rhBMP-2 and DBM as fusion material. The group was divided into the following three groups according to the rhBMP-2 usage : group A, only DBM was used (n=27); group B, 1 mg of rhBMP-2 per 5 mL of DBM paste (n=41); and group C, 2 mg of rhBMP-2 per 5 mL of DBM paste (n=25). Demographic data, clinical outcomes, postoperative complication and fusion were assessed. Results : At 12 months post-surgery, the overall fusion rate was 92.3% according to Bridwell fusion grading system. Groups B and C, who received rhBMP-2, had significantly higher fusion rates than group A, who received only DBM. However, there was no significant increase in fusion rate when the rhBMP-2 dosage was increased from group B to group C. The groups B and C showed significant improvement in back pain and Oswestry disability index compared to the group A. The incidence of screw loosening was decreased in groups B and C, but there was no significant difference in the occurrence of other complications. Conclusion : Usage of rhBMP-2 in LLIF surgery leads to early and increased final fusion rates, which can result in faster pain relief and return to daily activities for patients. The benefits of using rhBMP-2 were not significantly different between the groups that received 1 mg/5 mL and 2 mg/5 mL of rhBMP-2. Therefore, it is recommended to use 1 mg of rhBMP-2 with 5 mL of DBM, taking both economic and clinical aspects into consideration.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fashion and Beauty
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• v.3 no.3 s.3
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• pp.31-40
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• 2005

The reason that aromatherapy began to draw attention again as the alternative therapy is because the essential oils that are used for aromatherapy not only allow the human body to maintain homeostasis but also have an effect on curing a mental feeling of fatigue and because these efficacies and effects are proceeding with being proved scientifically. Also, with coming to be high in a voice of concern about severally side effects that the modern medicine and the synthetic chemistry have, the aromatherapy came to be paid attention as the replacement therapy that can substitute for and supplement this. In particular, at the time of requiring a study on a substance to substitute for this after having been announced in Japan for 1998 a risk of Zincpyrithione that is being used as a component of dandruff treatment, it is thought that the aroma oil that was known for having an anti-dandruff effect has a merit of being easy in a user's access, thus it will be effective in curing the symptom of dandruff. Accordingly, this study conducted the following experiment in a bid to examine whether the aroma oil has the anti-microbial effect on the actual malassezia. First of all, it measured the minimum concentration of aroma oil in which the growth of malassezia is inhibited, by carrying out MIC(Minimum Inhibition Concentration) test in terms of anti-microbial activity against Malassezia furfur KCTC 7744 while using oils of Patchouli, Rosemary, Lavender, and Tea tree among aroma oils that are being used for dandruff treatment. As a result of that, Tea tree oil has the most excellent anti-microbial activity, and the measurement result of anti-microbial activity was shown in order of Lavender oil>Rosemary oil>Patchouli oil. Next, it carried out the is actually eased by applying Tea tree oil directly to the scalp of dandruff. In consequence of the experiment, the massage of Tea tree oil indicated the result of relieving the symptoms of dandruff such as scale, itch, pain, inflammation, and sebum, and among these symptoms of dandruff, it was shown to be most effective in easing itch. Especially, this clinical experiment was indicated that the massage of Tea tree oil has the most effect on relieving itch of targets with a dry-skin type who had no experience of dandruff treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.418-425
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to introduce the ultrasound-guided transmeniscal injection in medial compartment knee osteoarthritis and analyze the clinical outcomes. Materials and Methods: The electronic medical records of 36 patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis who were treated with an ultrasound-guided transmeniscal injection from March 2019 to July 2019 were accessed for this retrospective review. Using an ultrasound guided spinal needle, the patients received an intra-articular steroid injection at the medial compartment of the knee. A physical examination was conducted at the initial visit (pre-injection), and at one week, four weeks, and eight weeks after the injection. The numeric pain rating scale (NRS), Lequesne index, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) score were measured at each visit and analyzed over time. The percentage change of the patients who revealed substantial improvement was analyzed. The NRS, Lequesne index, and percentage of patients, who revealed substantial improvement over time classified by osteoarthritis grade, were analyzed. Results: The NRS and Lequesne index decreased at one week, four weeks, and eight weeks after the injection compared to the initial baseline, and the pain-relief effect continued without change until eight weeks. The percentage of patients who showed substantial improvement at one, four, and eight weeks was 50.0%, 47.2%, and 52.8%, respectively. The WOMAC scores decreased at one, four, and eight weeks compared to the initial baseline, and the decrease was continued without any difference until eight weeks. The percentage of patients with osteoarthritis stage 1 or 2 who revealed more than substantial improvement was significantly higher at one, four, and eight weeks than those with osteoarthritis stages 3 or 4 (p<0.05). Conclusion: In patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis, the pain reduction and functional improvement persisted for at least eight weeks after the ultrasound-guided transmeniscal injection at the medial compartment. In particular, patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis stage 1 or 2 showed more effective pain reduction.