This study aimed to investigate work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), occupational stress, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL); identify the factors that affect HRQoL; and ...investigate the moderating effects of WMSDs on occupational stress and HRQoL.
The participants were construction workers who had worked in the construction industry for over three months. A total of 178 construction workers voluntarily participated and anonymously completed the musculoskeletal symptoms questionnaire, the Korean Occupational Stress Scale, short-form 36. The moderation effect of WMSDs on occupational stress and HRQoL were analyzed by Haye's Process Macro Model.
The results of the study showed that 96 subjects (53.9%) had WMSDs, and the most common pain site was the lower back (33.3%). The group with WMSDs had higher occupational stress than did the group without WMSDs (p < 0.01). Compared with the group without WMSDs, the group with WMSDs displayed significant differences in HRQoL (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the factor affecting HRQoL was WMSDs (p < 0.001). In the impact of occupational stress on HRQoL, WMSDs had a significant moderating effect (p < 0.001).
The results of this study indicate that construction workers' WMSDs significantly impact occupational stress and HRQoL, and WMSDs have a significant moderating effect on the relationship between occupational stress and HRQoL. Therefore, to improve the HRQoL of workers in the construction industry, it is necessary to develop methods to reduce occupational stress and prevent and treat WMSDs.
Skin is the largest and outermost organ in the human body; it serves as a vital defense mechanism against various external threats. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain its health through protection ...against harmful substances and adequate moisture levels. This study investigates the anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and moisturizing properties of Oxyceros horridus Lour. (Oh‐EE) in human keratinocytes. Oh‐EE demonstrates potent antioxidant activity and effectively protects against oxidative stress induced by external stimuli such as UVB radiation and H2O2. Additionally, it exhibits significant anti‐inflammatory effects proven by its ability to downregulate the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, namely COX‐2 and IL‐6. The study also explores the involvement of the AP‐1 pathway, highlighting the ability of Oh‐EE to suppress the expression of p38 and its upstream regulator, MKK3/6, under UVB‐induced conditions. Interestingly, Oh‐EE can activate the AP‐1 pathway in the absence of external triggers. Furthermore, Oh‐EE enhances skin moisture by upregulating the expression of key genes involved in skin hydration, namely HAS3 and FLG. These findings underscore the potential of Oh‐EE as a versatile ingredient in skincare formulations, providing a range of skin benefits. Further research is warranted to comprehensively understand the underlying mechanisms through which Oh‐EE exerts its effects.
A novel cold-tolerant bacterium, designated strain YJ56
, was isolated from Antarctic soil collected from the Cape Burk area. Phylogenetic analysis through 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity revealed ...that strain YJ56
was most closely related to the genus
, including
DSM 20119
(99.06 % similarity),
DSM 20136
(98.98 %) and
ALL
(98.76 %). The genome size (5.2 Mbp) of strain YJ56
was the largest among all the published genomes of
type strains (4.2-5.0 Mbp). The genomic G+C content of strain YJ56
(64.7 mol%) was found to be consistent with those of other
strains (62.0-71.0 mol%). The average nucleotide identity and average amino acid identity values between strain YJ56
and
ALL
were estimated at 84.1 and 84.2 %, respectively. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization value between the two strains was calculated to be 28.0 %. This rod-shaped and obligate aerobic strain exhibited no swimming or swarming motility. It had catalase activity but no oxidase activity. Cells grew at 4-28 °C (optimum, 13 °C) and pH 5.0-11.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and with 0-6.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0%) in Reasoner's 2A medium. MK-9 (H2) was the sole menaquinone. Two-dimensional TLC results revealed that the primary polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, two glycolipids and phosphatidylinositol. Fatty acid methyl ester analysis showed that anteiso-C
, anteiso-C
, iso-C
, C
and iso-C
were the major cellular fatty acids in strain YJ56
. Based on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain YJ56
represents a novel species of the genus
, and thus the name
sp. nov is proposed. The type strain is YJ56
(=JCM 33881
=KACC 21510
).
Plants in the genus
have been reported to produce a variety of chemical components, such as coumarins, flavonoids, lignans, sterols, and terpenoids. Here, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography ...coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) were applied to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the major bioactive components in an ethanolic crude extract from the leaves of
L., which grows naturally in Korea. In addition, the antibacterial activity of the crude extract against pathogenic bacteria was investigated. Using LC-QTOF-MS analysis, we identified ten compounds, of which six were confirmed to be flavonoid and lignan-based components as the major bioactive components, i.e., isoquercetin, quercetin-3-
-α-l-rhamnoside, hinokiflavone, amentoflavone, podocarpusflavone A, and matairesinoside. Among them, a quantitative analysis performed using LC-MS/MS revealed that the levels of quercetin-3-
-α-l-rhamnoside and amentoflavone in the crude extract were 203.78 and 69.84 mg/g, respectively. Furthermore, the crude extract exhibited potential antibacterial activity against 10 pathogenic bacteria, with the highest antibacterial activity detected against
. Thus, further studies of the leaf extract of
L. must be carried out to correlate the compounds present in the extract with the antibacterial activity and elucidate the mechanisms of action of this extract against bacteria.
This study aimed to investigate the effects of lower limbs muscles’ strength, balance, walking, and quality of life through sit-to-stand training combined with real-time visual feedback (RVF-STS ...group) in patients with stroke and to compare the effects of classic sit-to-stand training (C-STS group). Thirty patients with stroke were randomly divided into two groups. The RVF-STS group received sit-to-stand training combined with real-time visual feedback using a Wii Balance Board (n = 15), and the C-STS group received classic sit-to-stand training (n = 15). All participants received training for 20 min once a day, 5 days a week for 6 weeks, and both groups underwent general physical therapy for 30 min before training. Before and after the training, the muscle strength of the hip flexor, abductor, and knee extensor were measured, and the Wii Balance Board was used to perform the center of pressure test and Berg Balance Scale to evaluate static and dynamic balance. Additionally, the 10 m walking test and the Timed Up and Go test were performed to evaluate gait function. The Stroke-Specific Quality of Life was used to measure the quality of life. The results showed that the lower extremity muscle strength, balance ability, walking ability, and quality of life of the RVF-STS group significantly improved in comparison of the pre- and post-differences (p < 0.05), and it also showed significant differences between groups (p < 0.05). This study showed that sit-to-stand training combined with real-time visual feedback was effective at improving the muscle strength of the lower extremities, balance, gait, and quality of life in patients with stroke. Therefore, repeating sit-to-stand training combined with real-time visual feedback could be used as an effective treatment method for patients with stroke.
Brain-computer interface-controlled functional electrical stimulation (BCI-FES) approaches as new feedback training is increasingly being investigated for its usefulness in improving the health of ...adults or partially impaired upper extremity function in individuals with stroke.
To evaluate the effects of BCI-FES on postural control and gait performance in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke.
A total of 25 individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke (13 individuals received BCI-FES and 12 individuals received functional electrical stimulation FES). The BCI-FES group received BCI-FES on the tibialis anterior muscle on the more-affected side for 30 minutes per session, 3 times per week for 5 weeks. The FES group received FES using the same methodology for the same periods. This study used the Mann-Whitney test to compare the two groups before and after training.
After training, gait velocity (mean value, 29.0 to 42.0 cm/s) (P = .002) and cadence (mean value, 65.2 to 78.9 steps/min) (P = .020) were significantly improved after BCI-FES training compared to those (mean value, 23.6 to 27.7 cm/s, and mean value, 59.4 to 65.5 steps/min, respectively) after FES approach. In the less-affected side, step length was significantly increased after BCI-FES (mean value, from 28.0 cm to 34.7 cm) more than that on FES approach (mean value, from 23.4 to 25.4 cm) (P = .031).
The results of the BCI-FES training shows potential advantages on walking abilities in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke.
There is a growing demand for hair loss treatments with minimal side effects and recurrence potential. Connarus semidecandrus Jack has been used as a folk medicine for fever in tropical regions, but ...its anti-alopecia effects remain unclear. In this study, the anti-androgenic alopecia effect of an ethanol extract of Connarus semidecandrus Jack (Cs-EE) was demonstrated in a testosterone-induced androgenic alopecia (AGA) model, in terms of the hair–skin ratio, hair type frequency, and hair thickness. The area of restored hair growth and thickened hair population after Cs-EE treatment showed the hair-growth-promoting effect of Cs-EE. Histological data support the possibility that Cs-EE could reduce hair loss and upregulate hair proliferation in mouse skin by shifting hair follicles from the catagen phase to the anagen phase. Western blotting indicated that Cs-EE reduced the expression of the androgenic receptor. Cs-EE treatment also inhibited programmed cell death by upregulating Bcl-2 expression at the mRNA and protein levels. The anti-alopecia effect of Cs-EE was confirmed by in vitro experiments showing that Cs-EE had suppressive effects on 5-α reductase activity and lymph node carcinoma of the prostate proliferation, and a proliferative effect on human hair-follicle dermal papilla (HDP) cells. Apoptotic pathways in HDP cells were downregulated by Cs-EE treatment. Thus, Cs-EE could be a potential treatment for AGA.
Brain-computer interface (BCI)-functional electronic stimulation (FES) systems are increasingly being explored as potential neuro-rehabilitation tools. Here, we investigate the effect of action ...observation training (AOT) plus electroencephalogram (EEG)-based BCI-controlled FES system on motor recovery of upper extremity and cortical activation in patients with stroke.
There were a total of 26 patients: an AOT plus BCI-FES group (n = 13) and a control group (n = 13). The control group performed FES treatment and the conventional physical therapy, while the AOT plus BCI-FES group performed AOT plus BCI-FES and the conventional physical therapy. Upper extremity performance was measured using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), Motor Activity Log (MAL) and Modified Barthel Index (MBI). Cortical activation was measured using electro-encephalographic recordings from alpha and beta power, concentration, and activation.
After intervention, there were significant differences between two groups in FMA-UE, WMFT, MAL and MBI and the results of EEG including alpha power, beta power, concentration and activation.
This study demonstrated that AOT plus BCI-FES can enhance motor function of upper extremity and cortical activation in patients with stroke. This training method may be feasible and suitable for individuals with stroke.
An ethanol extract (Pd-EE) of Pinus densiflora Siebold and Zucc was derived from the branches of pine trees. According to the Donguibogam, pine resin has the effects of lowering the fever, reducing ...pain, and killing worms. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether Pd-EE has anti-inflammatory effects. During in vitro trials, NO production, as well as changes in the mRNA levels of inflammation-related genes and the phosphorylation levels of related proteins, were confirmed in RAW264.7 cells activated with lipopolysaccharide depending on the presence or absence of Pd-EE treatment. The activities of transcription factors were checked in HEK293T cells transfected with adapter molecules in the inflammatory pathway. The anti-inflammatory efficacy of Pd-EE was also estimated in vivo with acute gastritis and acute lung injury models. LC-MS analysis was conducted to identify the components of Pd-EE. This extract reduced the production of NO and the mRNA expression levels of iNOS, COX-2, and IL-6 in RAW264.7 cells. In addition, protein expression levels of p50 and p65 and phosphorylation levels of FRA1 were decreased. In the luciferase assay, the activities of NF-κB and AP-1 were lowered. In acute gastritis and acute lung injury models, Pd-EE suppressed inflammation, resulting in alleviated damage.
This study aims to investigate the effect of a preoperative telerehabilitation (PT) program on muscle strength, knee range of motion (ROM), and functional outcomes in candidates for total knee ...arthroplasty (TKA). Sixty patients (all women, mean age 70.53 ± 2.7 years) scheduled for bilateral TKA participated in this study. The PT and preoperative patient education (PE) groups participated in a 3-week intensive exercise program (30 min/session, 2 times/day, 5 days/week), whereas the control group received the usual care before TKA. Quadriceps muscle strength, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), ROM of knee flexion, pain, and time up-and-go (TUG) test time were evaluated at 4 weeks preoperatively, post-interventionally, and 6 weeks after TKA. Significant differences were found in the time-by-group interaction for 60°/s extension peak torque F(4, 100) = 2.499, p = 0.047, η2p = 0.91, 180°/s extension peak torque F(4, 100) = 3.583, p = 0.009, η2p = 0.125, ROM F(4, 100) = 4.689, p = 0.002, η2p = 0.158, TUG time F(4, 100) = 7.252, p < 0.001, η2p = 0.225, WOMAC pain F(4, 100) = 9.113, p < 0.001, η2p = 0.267, WOMAC functional outcome F(4, 100) = 6.579, p < 0.001, η2p = 0.208, and WOMAC total score F(4, 100) = 10.410, p < 0.001, η2p = 0.294. The results of this study demonstrate the early benefits of a PT program in elderly female patients with end-stage osteoarthritis. The PT program improved muscle strength, ROM, and functional outcomes before TKA, which contributed to better functional recovery after TKA.
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