Background: Although warm-ups before exercise are widely accepted, research on sex differences in improving hamstring flexibility is limited. Differences in the physical and physiological characteristics between males and females may result in different responses to warm-ups. Objects: This study aimed to examine sex differences in the effects of specific warm-up on hamstring flexibility. Methods: This study included 24 young adults with hamstring tightness. The participants performed five maximal knee extensions and flexions at 90° flexion of the hip, and the maximal knee extension angle was measured in real-time using a smartphone clinometer application. Results: The groups did not significantly affect the maximal knee extension angle but showed a significant effect for repetition (p = 0.002) and group-repetition interaction (p = 0.002). Males had no significant change in hamstring flexibility; however, females showed a significant increase in flexibility in the 5th trial compared with the 1st trial (p = 0.041). These results demonstrated sex-specific differences in flexibility improvement over time. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that specific warm-up can successfully improve hamstring flexibility in females. This may be due to various factors, such as muscle stiffness of the lower extremity, estrogen levels, and temperature sensitivity. In clinical settings, specific warm-up might be helpful for females who participate in sports or activities, such as running or jumping, which require a full range of motion in the hip and knee joints.

본 연구는 LED 조명의 파장이 육용종계의 생산성, 번식호르몬, 면역 수준 및 행동에 미치는 영향을 확인하고자 실시하였다. 25주령 아바에이커 192수를 공시하였다. 처리구는 백색(5,000 K), 녹색(520 nm), 황색(570 nm) 및 적색(620 nm) LED 전구를 사용하여 처리구당 6반복, 반복당 8수씩 임의 배치하였으며, 15주간 사양실험을 실시하였다. 산란율은 적색 처리구에서 유의적으로 증가하였고(P<0.05), 난중은 적색 처리구에서 유의적으 로 감소하였다(P<0.05). 수정율, 부화율, 병아리 체중, IgG 수준 및 혈액 생화학 조성은 처리구 간에 통계적인 차이가 없었다. 번식호르몬인 FSH와 LH 농도는 적색 LED 처리구에서 현저히 높게 나타났다(P<0.05). 또한 행동 관찰 결과, 적색 처리구에서 바닥 긁기, 바닥 쪼기 및 깃털 쪼기 행동이 다른 처리구에 비해 유의적으로 높게 나타났다(P<0.05). 본 연구 결과, 육용종계에 LED 점등을 사용할 경우 적색 처리구에서 번식호르몬의 증가와 산란율이 높아지는 것을 확인하였다. 그러나 적색 처리구에서 바닥 긁기, 바닥 쪼기 및 깃털 쪼기 행동이 높게 나타난 원인을 밝히기 위한 추가 연구가 필요한 것으로 보인다. 따라서 산란성적, 번식 호르몬 분비를 고려할 때 육용종계에 적색 LED 조명이 유리하다는 것을 확인할 수 있었다.

Background: The myofascial release technique is known to be an effective technique for increasing posterior fascia flexibility in short hamstring syndrome (SHS) subjects. But therapeutic mechanism of myofascial relaxation remains unclear. Recently, the theory of autonomic nervous system domination has been raised, however, a proper study to test the theory has not been conducted. Objectives: To investigate whether the application of the myofascial release technique can induce changes in the autonomic nervous system and affect the secretion of stress hormones and myofascial relaxation. Design: Quasi-experimental study. Methods: Twenty-four subjects with SHS were randomly divided into two groups. In the experimental group, the suboccipital muscle inhibition (SMI) technique was applied to the subjects for 4 min in supine position, and in the control group, the subjects were lying in the supine position only. A forward flexion distance (FFD) was conducted, blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels were measured before and after the intervention and 30 min after intervention to determine myofascial relaxation and stress hormone levels. The evaluation was conducted separately in blind by an evaluator. Results: A FFD decreased in the experimental group, no change in cortisol was observed. On the contrary, a decrease in cortisol appeared in the control group after 30 minutes. Conclusion: The myofascial release technique is an effective treatment to increase the range of motion through posterior superior myofascial chain, but there is no evidence that myofascial release technique can control the autonomic nervous system.

본 연구의 목적은 출산 전 필라테스 운동과 프로바이오틱스 섭취가 출산 후 여성의 장내미생물, 신체구성, 혈중지질, 비만호르몬, 염증성 사이토카인에 미치는 영향을 알아보는데 있다. 총 15명의 임산부를 운동+프로바이오틱스섭취군(PEX, n=5), 운동군(EX, n=5), 대조군(CON, n=5)으로 구분하였다. PEX 집단과 EX 집단은 8주 동안 주 2회 필라테스 운동에 참여하였고 준비운동 10분, 본 운동 30분, 정리운동 10분으로 실시하였으며, PEX 집단은 매일 공복에 프로바이오틱스 1 캡슐을 섭취하였다. 그 결과 출산 후 PEX 집단의 체지방 및 WHR 수치가 감소하였다. 장내미생물의 변화는 비피도박테리움, 락토바실러스, 클로스트리디움, 퍼미큐테스, 박테리오데스의 구성 수준에서 집단 간 유의한 차이가 나타나지 않았다. 비만 호르몬과 염증성 사이토카인의 변화는 PEX 집단에서 사후 렙틴, IL-6, TNF-a 수치가 감소하는 것으로 나타났고, 혈중 지질 수준에서는 차이가 없었다. 결론적으로 출산 전 필라테스와 프로바이오틱스 병행 처치는 출산 후 여성의 복부지방 감소에 효과적이며 염증 및 비만 관련 호르몬에 긍정적인 영향을 주어 산후 빠른 회복에 도움이 될 것이다.

본 연구는 복합운동이 여성노인의 폐기능, 혈중 비타민 D, 칼슘 및 골대사호르몬에 미치는 영향을 구명하기 위해 만 65세 이상 여성노인을 대상으로 운동군(n=13), 대조군(n=17)으로 구분하여 주 3회, 회당 60분의 복합운동을 실시하였다. 유산소 운동 강도는 1-4주는 40-50%HRR(RPE 12-13), 5-8주는 50-60%HRR(RPE 13-14), 9-12주는 60-70%HRR(RPE 14-15)의 강도로 설정하였고 저항 운동 강도는 1-4주는 OMNI-RES(3-4), 5-8주는 OMNI-RES(5-6), 9-12주는 OMNI-RES(7-8)강도로 설정하였다. 그 결과 폐기능 중 FEV1은 그룹×시기 간 상호작용 효과가 나타났고 운동군의 FVC/FEV1이 유의하게 증가하였다. 비타민 D는 그룹×시기 간 상호작용 효과가 나타났고, 운동군과 대조군 모두 유의하게 증가하였다. 칼슘은 그룹×시기 간 상호작용 효과가 나타났으며 대조군이 유의하게 감소하였다. 골대사호르몬 중 칼시토닌과 오스테오칼신은 그룹×시기 간 상호작용 효과가 나타났고, 오스테오칼신은 대조군이 유의하게 감소하였다. 따라서 본 연구의 결과를 통해 12주간의 복합운동이 여성노인의 신체활동을 활발하게 하여 폐 기능을 개선하고 혈중 비타민 D의 결핍을 완화할 수 있다고 생각되지만 칼슘 및 골대사호르몬에서는 유의미한 결과를 나타내지 못하였다.

본 연구는 성인 지적장애인의 수영프로그램 참여에 따른 건강관련 지표들의 특징을 규명하고자 수행되었다. 이를 위해, 부산지역에 거주하고 있는 20-39세 사이의 성인 지적장애인 20명을 선정하였으며, 수영프로그램에 참여한 운동군 10명과 동일한 기간 특별한 신체활동에 참여하지 않고 일상적인 생활을 해 온 통제군 10명의 두 집단으로 분류하였다. 대상자들의 건강체력, 스트레스 호르몬 및 면역기능을 측정하여 자료를 수집하였으며, 자료분석은 SPSS 18.0을 이용하여 대응 t-test, 독립 t-test 및 two-way ANOVA를 실시하였다. 그 결과 운동군에서 근력(p<.001), 근지구력(p<.001), 유연성(p<.001), 심폐지구력 (p<.01) 향상에 유의한 차이가 있었고, 통제군은 유의한 차이가 나타나지 않았다. 스트레스 호르몬인 코티졸(p<.01)은 운동군에서 유의하게 감소하였고, 통제군에서는 유의한 차이가 없었다. 면역글로블린인 IgA(p<.05), IgG(p<.001), IgM(p<.05)은 운동군에서 유의한 증가가 있었고, 통제군에서는 유의한 차이가 나타나지 않았다. 따라서 규칙적인 수영프로그램은 성인 지적장애인의 건강체력 향상에 매우 효과적인 운동프로그램이라 할 수 있으며, 스트레스를 감소시키고 면역기능 개선에 도움을 줄 수 있음을 보여주는 결과로, 향후 성인 지적장애인들의 건강유지와 만성질환 예방을 위해 적극적인 신체활동 프로그램 개발과 중재의 필요성을 시사한다.

The estrogen-mediated effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a highly critical factor for the clinical application of MSCs. However, the present study is conducted on MSCs derived from adult donors, which have different physiological status with steroid hormonal changes. Therefore, we explores the important role of 17β-estradiol (E2) in MSCs derived from female and male newborn piglets (NF- and NM-pBMSCs), which are non-sexually matured donors with steroid hormones. The results revealed that in vitro treatment of MSCs with E2 improved cell proliferation, but the rates varied according to the gender of the newborn donors. Following in vitro treatment of newborn MSCs with E2, mRNA levels of Oct3/4 and Sox2 increased in both genders of MSCs and they may be correlated with both estrogen receptor α (ERα) and ERβ in NF-pBMSCs, but NM-pBMSCs were only correlated with ERα. Moreover, E2-treated NF-pBMSCs decreased in β-galactosidase activity but no influence on NM-pBMSCs. In E2-mediated differentiation capacity, E2 induced an increase in the osteogenic and chondrogenic abilities of both pBMSCs, but adipogenic ability may increased only in NF-pBMSCs. These results demonstrate that E2 could affect both genders of newborn donor-derived MSCs, but the regulatory role of E2 varies depending on gender-dependent characteristics even though the original newborn donors had not been affected by functional steroid hormones.

Browning is one of the key factors that influenced the callus subculture of tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.). Effects of medium composition and exogenous hormones: macro elements of Murashige and Skoog (MS salts) and iron salt (Fe2+), pH, agar and 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA), 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and kinetin (KT) on the callus browning of P. suffruticosa ‘Shan Hu Tai’ in vitro were studied in this paper. Results showed that the browning of P. suffruticosa callus were more sensitive to KT than 6-BA in different concentrations of 6-BA and KT separately with different concentrations of NAA, and reduced to the lowest (13.3%) under 0.5 mg·L-1 NAA plus 0.3 mg·L-1 KT. 1/4 × MS plus 1/4 × Fe2+ was the best basic medium in which the browning rate was only 18.2%. The browning rate of the callus was the lowest of 4.0% under pH 6.5 and the callus grew better in 7.0 g·L-1 agar than others. This study indicated that the best medium preventing P. suffruticosa callus in vitro from browning was: 1/4 × MS medium supplemented with 6.95 mg·L-1Fe2+, 0.3 mg·L-1 KT, 0.5 mg·L-1 NAA, 6.0 g·L-1 agar and 30 g·L-1 sucrose in pH 6.5.

The objective of this work was to analyze the concentrations of progesterone (P4) and estrogen (E2) hormones changed during estrus synchronization in dairy heifers. Estrus synchronization was carried out with CIDRⓇ (Controlled Intravaginal Drug Release) devices. Corpus luteum (CL) was classified into three grades based on its size and palpable characteristics. The concentrations of P4 and E2 were measured by enzyme-amplified chemiluminescence. Serum P4 concentration was markedly low at the estrus stage (36 hrs after removal of CIDR) compared to other stages, while E2 concentration was kept high during estrus stage. The serum P4 concentration was highest in the CL classified into gradeⅠ. These results indicate that P4 concentration could be used as a criteria for determining recipients for artificial insemination or embryo transfer in dairy cattle.

The composition of culture media is a key element in the process of in vitro embryo production. With the development of defined culture media, many components that are present in trace amounts in follicular fluid and serum have been excluded from the in vitro embryo production system. Among these are hormones, which have important regulatory roles in growth, metabolism and differentiation and are known to be present in follicular fluid, serum and the female reproductive tract. We have investigated the effects of supplementation of in vitro maturation and/or culture medium with testosterone (T), androstenedione (A4) and thyroid hormones (TH) on bovine in vitro embryo production and the mechanisms of action of TH in developing embryos. Our results show that testosterone, but not androstenedione or thyroid hormone supplementation increased cleavage rates. None of the treatments significantly altered the sex ratio. Addition of thyroid hormones, T3 and T4, to the in vitro culture media resulted in a significant increase in the rate of development to the blastocyst stage. In addition, blastocysts from the T3/T4 treated groups had higher cell number and lower rates of apoptosis. We have confirmed the expression of mRNAs for both Thyroid hormone receptor α and β (TR α and β) in cumulus‐oocyte‐complexes, oocytes, and in both treated and control blastocyst. Quantitatively, the expression of TR mRNA was higher in the treated embryos but the difference was not statistically significant. TR proteins were detectable in blastocysts of both groups with a difference in the distribution pattern. TH treated embryos had peri‐nuclear concentration of TR while in control embryos it was homogenously distributed in the cytoplasm. Preliminary studies of inhibition of TR α and β by siRNA knockdown by micro injection at the zygote stage show a drastic reduction in development suggesting that TH play an essential role in embryo development. They appear to mediate this effect by their receptors, TR α and β. Overall the results show that the presence of hormones in maturation and the culture medium can alter the outcome of in vitro embryo production and highlight the significance of biological components missing from in defined embryo culture media.

Eight female Himalayan tahrs (Hemitragus jemlahicus) were estrus-synchronized, and transcervically inseminated with frozen-thawed semen in September, 2009, about 2 to 3 months earlier than their natural breeding season. Intravaginal progesterone-releasing devices were inserted into vaginas of six Himalayan tahrs on September 7, and the other two on September 8 to suppress luteal function of ovaries. The devices had been placed deep inside the vagina prior to withdrawal on September 23. A day before CIDR removal, a combination of PMSG 400 IU and hCG 200 IU was intramuscularly injected. Forty hours later, frozen-thawed semen was transcervically inseminated. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed 39 days later by analyzing progesterone level of serum. Every treatment was done under anesthesia inducted by xylazine injection. In conclusion, vaginal discharge of cervical mucus, hormonal changes induced by implant-typed or muscularly injectable hormones and widening of cervix enough to insert an insemination gun into uterine body were achieved in non-breeding season. Moreover, the first inseminated Himalayan tahr, 36 hours after CIDR removal was assumed to be pregnant but the fetus may have been lost due to the use of anesthetic drug.

분자생물학의 발달로 최근에야 비로소 조금씩 비밀이 풀려가는 생체 주기성에 대하여 고대인들은 그 원인과 기전에 대해서는 알 수 없었지만, 경험적으로 그 존재에 대하여는 東西를 막론하고 이해하고 있었던 것으로 보인다. 또한 한의학에서는 十二經脈의 시간에 따른 유주 특성을 통해 인체 생리의 일주기 특성을 이해하였으며, 이에 따라 疾病의 치료와 양생에 적극적으로 응용하여 왔다. 본 논문에서는 한의학에서 十二經脈의 시간적 유주 특성과 현대 서양의학에서의 호르몬 분비 변화 주기가 생체시계, 즉 인체 생리의 일주기 특성이라는 동일한 면을 서로 다른 방향에서 바라보는 합리적인 방법인지를 알아보고자 하였다. 인체 생리 활동에 큰 영향을 끼치며, 일정한 분비 주기특성을 지니는 멜라토닌, 성장호르몬, 인슐린, 코티솔의 일주기 특성과 생리적 작용을 분석하고, 각 호르몬의 분비가 왕성한 시간대에 盛하게 流注하는 經脈의 특성과 비교하여, 十二經脈의 시간적 유주 특성이 생체시계를 이해하는 동양의학의 합리적인 방법인지를 확인하였다. 그 결과 고대인들은 원리적으로 설명할 수는 없었지만, 인체 내 생리시계의 존재를 경험적으로 잘 이해하고 있었으며, 이를 十二經脈의 시간적 유주 특성으로 표현하여 합리적으로 활용하였음을 확인할 수 있었다.

Epithelial ovarian tumors appear to arise from the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE), a simple squamous-to-cuboidal mesothelium covering the ovary. Ovarian tumorigenesis is the most frequent cause of cancer death in gynecological malignancies; however the exact mechanism of this disease is not well known. A theory of repeated ovulation which contributes to neoplastic transformation of OSE has been proposed, and the process of healing ruptured OSE may contribute to the disease. Therefore, it can be assumed that endocrine and autocrine factors may have an influence on ovarian carcinogenesis in women. Thus, in this review, we suggest that these endocrine and autocrine factors may play a role in ovarian tumorigenesis in regulation of growth-stimulation or -inhibition and/or apoptosis of normal and neoplastic OSE cells via their specific receptors.

Domestic bitches are non-seasonally monoestrus; spontaneously ovulate only once or twice occurs at anytime of the year. Estrus induction has been applied infrequent estrus, misleading ovulation, mating difficulties, failure to conceive after normal mating, pregnancy failure and biological research. Protocol of estrus induction which included variable hormones such as FSH, GnRH, and PMSG have been applied for the last decades. Recently, Bromocriptine, one of anti-prolatin/dopamine agonist has been occasionally applied for estrus induction. The study was carried out to investigate the effective method for the induction of estrus in bitches using different hormone treatments, and the initiation time of estrus from hormone treatment by assessments of cytological observation and blood plasma progesterone concentration. A total of 54 bitches on anestrus were selected for the study and divided randomly into 8 treatment groups as follow. Control, natural estrus; FSH (L), FSH (1.5 mg/kg, twice a day, , Vetrepharm); FSH (H), FSH (3.0 mg/kg, twice a day); GnRH+FSH, GnRH (5 ug/kg, once first day, , Dongbang)+FSH (3 mg/kg, SID); PMSG, PMSG (50 IU/kg, every third day , Intevet); GnRH+PMSG, GnRH (5 ug/kg, only first day)+PMSG (50 IU/kg, every third day); GnRH, GnRH (5 ug/kg, only first day); Bromocriptine, bromocriptine (0.3 mg/kg, SID, , Novartis). The bitches were evaluated clinical sign, cytological exam and Premate for assessment of estrus induction. Estrus induction rates were significantly (P<0.05) higher in GnRH+PMSG (100%) compared to others. PMSG and GnRH+PMGS (87.5 and 100%) and Bromocriptine (77.8%) were higher than others except GnRH+PMSG. Analysis of vaginal smear has proved to be effective a correct assessment of estrus induction with assay of progesterone concentration by Premate. Proestrus initiated by the after induction in most case. In conclusion, bromocriptine is an effective drug for estrus induction in bitches and assay of progesterone concentration by Premate with examination of vaginal smear that should be useful to detection of estrus induction of estrus induced bitches.

낙동강 상류로부터 유입되는 각종 오염물질로 심하게 오염된 낙동강 하구역에서 오염정도가 다른 두 지역으로부터 문절망둑 Acanthogobius flavimanus을 채집하여 이들의 간중량지수(HSI), 생식선중량지수(GSI), 해독효소계 및 성 호르몬 수준을 비교하였다. 해독효소계로는 cytochrome P450 (CYP), NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (P450R), NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase (b5

본 연구는 2003년 8월에 통영 바다목장해역 5개 정점 표층수에서 페놀류, 9개의 폴리클로리네이티드비페닐(PCB) 및 유기주석화합물(TBT)의 농도와 10개 정점에서 수은 및 크롬(VI), 카드뮴, 납의 중금속 농도를 해양 환경공정시험방법(해양수산부 2002) 또는 이 방법과 내분비계 장애물질의 측정 분석방법(국립환경연구원 1999)을 일부 변경하여 분석하였다. 환경정책기본법시행령(대통령령 제18108호: 별표 1, 3. 수질, 라. 해역)에 의하면

Periodontitis is a chronic infectious disease that leads to periodontal destruction, and is one of the major causes of tooth loss in humans. The osteoclast differentiation factor (ODF), which is also known as the receptor activator of the NF-kB ligand (RANKL), is a surface-associated ligand on bone marrow stromal cells and osteoblasts. RANKL activates its cognate receptor, RANK, on osteoclast progenitor cells, which leads to the differentiation of mononucleated precursor cells. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a decoy receptor that is released from stromal cells and osteoblasts to inhibit the interaction between RANKL and RANK. Although the precise mechanism of bone loss in periodontitis is unknown, the differentiation and activation of osteoclasts by OPG-ODF-RANK signaling might play the role in periodontal bone destruction. The relationship between the concentration of sex hormones and the expression of ODF and OPG was examined by treating human gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells with the normal serum concentration of estrogen or progesterone during menstruation or at menopause. The ODF/OPG relative ratio was elevated at the concentration observed during ovulation in human gingival fibroblasts and at the concentration observed between ovulation and menstruation in periodontal ligament cells treated with estrogen. However, the ratio was <1 at all concentrations in both cells treated with progesterone. In the case of menopause simulated by estrogen depletion, the ratio was <1 in human gingival fibroblasts but >1 in periodontal ligament cells.