Background: The progressive digitalization of contemporary life, coupled with prolonged sedentary behavior, has contributed to the widespread occurrence of forward head posture (FHP) in the general population. Among the various exercise interventions aimed at correcting FHP, stretching exercises and proprioceptive training have garnered significant attention. Objectives: To investigate the effects of stretching exercises and proprioceptive training on craniovertebral angle (CVA), an indicator of forward head posture (FHP), and on the muscle tone of the suboccipital muscles. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty participants were randomly assigned to either the stretching exercise group (n=15) or the proprioceptive training group (n=15), and each group underwent intervention three times per week for six weeks. CVA and muscle tone of the suboccipital muscles were measured before and after the six-week intervention, and the results were statistically analyzed for comparison. Results: Both groups showed a significant increase in CVA after the intervention (P<.05), with no significant difference between the groups. The muscle tone of the suboccipital muscles did not show statistically significant changes either within or between the groups. Conclusion: Six weeks of stretching exercise and proprioceptive training both resulted in a significant increase in CVA, demonstrating that both interventions are effective in improving FHP. However, neither intervention produced significant changes in the muscle tone of the suboccipital muscles.

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of gypsum application on dry matter yield (DMY), mineral content of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and soil properties in reclaimed tidal land in South Korea. The experiment was conducted in Seokmun, located on the west coast of South Korea, which is reclaimed with approximately 70 cm depth of degraded island soil. Treatments consisted of a control with no gypsum application (G0), 2 ton ha-1 (G2), and 4 ton ha-1 (G4) of gypsum application. The first harvest was carried out when the alfalfa reached 10% flowering, and subsequent harvests were conducted at 35-day intervals. Over the three-year experimental periods (2019-2021), the total DMY of G2 treatment was significantly higher than those of G0 and G4 (p<0.05). Although both G2 and G4 gypsum application treatments lowered soil pH, the G4 treatment increased the electrical conductivity (EC) content of the soil. Additionally, gypsum application affected the mineral contents of alfalfa, resulting in reduced concentration of sodium (Na) and Magnesium (Mg). Therefore, this present study suggests that a gypsum application rate of 2 ton ha-1 is optimal for improving alfalfa dry matter yield and mineral balance, as well as enhancing soil chemical properties in reclaimed tidal land in South Korea.

풀빅산(FA)은 Fe(III)을 킬레이트화하여 생물학적으로 이용 가능한 Fe(II)로 전환함으로써 대형 해조류의 성장을 촉진하고 손 상된 해중림의 복원을 돕는다. 이에 본 연구에서는 풀빅산의 공급에 따른해중림 개선에 미치는 효과를 조사, 분석하였다. FA 보충제는 철(Fe) 부족 해역 내 인공 어초에 설치되었으며, 해조류 군집 및 해양 환경조사는 사계절을 대표하는 학술 잠수를 통해 수행되었다. 연 구 결과, 풀빅산 공급으로 인해 가용 철(Fe) 농도가 증가하면서 해조류의 광합성과 영양소 흡수가 촉진되어 성장률이 향상되는 것으로 나타났다. 우점종의 총 생물량은 전체 해조류 총 생물량과 비우점종에 비해 더욱 강한 상관관계를 나타내었다. 이는 철 보충제가 특정 우점종의 양적 증가에 기여하며, FA 보충제가 설치된 어초에서 해조류 군집의 양적 및 구조적 변화를 유발했음을 시사한다. 본 연구 결과는 풀빅산을 해중림 복원에 적용하기 위한 기초적인 정보를 제공하며, 향후 해조류 생태계 관리 및 보존 전략 수립에 기여할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

Maca has been reported to alleviate male menopause symptoms in humans and experimental animals; however, its mechanism of action in improving male menopause has not been clearly identified. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of action of gelatinized maca in improving male menopause by analyzing serum testosterone, testicular androgen receptor (AR) expression, and testicular oxidation-antioxidation balance. Gelatinized maca was administered orally to aged male C57BL/6 mice at three doses (500, 1,000, and 1,500 mg/kg/day) for 28 consecutive days. Serum biochemical analysis showed an increase in serum hydroxysteroid 17-beta-dehydrogenase 13 (HSD17β13) concentration at 1,500 mg/kg/day and a decrease in serum sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) concentration at ≥ 1,000 mg/kg/day. Gelatinized maca administration also resulted in the increased expression levels of testicular AR and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element binding protein (CREB) at 1,500 mg/kg/day. Oxidative stress analysis showed an increase in testicular superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase activities and a decrease in testicular malondialdehyde at 1,500 mg/kg/day. In conclusion, gelatinized maca administration to aged male mice increased HSD17β13, AR and CREB expression, and antioxidant capacity and decreased serum SHBG. The results of the present study suggest that gelatinized maca may be a useful substance that can help alleviate male menopause symptoms.