Background: The forward head posture acts as a factor that can cause various neurovascular and musculoskeletal dysfunctions. But searching for a study on quality of life for patient with forward head posture was challenging. Therefore, this study aims to find the factors that most affect the quality of life in patients with forward head posture. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlations between the cranio-vertebral angle (CVA), neck disability index (NDI), pain, and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) thickness of patients with forward head posture and the quality of life of the patients and to figure out important factors that affect the quality of life of the patients with forward head posture. Design: Cress-sectional study. Methods: To measure the CVA, the angle at which the visible protrusion of C7 and the ear bead were connected was measured, and the neck disorder index was evaluated using the Korean version of NDI. The degree of pain of the subject was measured using a visual-analog scale (VAS). The SCM thickness was measured using an ultrasound imaging device, and the quality of life was evaluated using the Korean version of the World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire (WHOQL-BREF). Results: A significant predictive model showing 88% explanatory power for the dependent variable was confirmed, with an appropriate regression equation being found. The factor that most affected patients' quality of life in the forward head posture was confirmed by the SCM thickness. Conclusion: When applying an intervention to improve a patient's quality of life for patient with forward head posture, an intervention method that improves the SCM thickness should be recommended.
This study was conducted to develop a Han-sik database as well as to assess the effects of Han-sik on dietary quality among Koreans. The Han-sik database was developed by a focus group composed of food and nutrition specialists considering the results of Han-sik perception surveys conducted in previous studies for frequently consumed dishes. Among the 1,322 dish items identified in the 4th (2007-2009) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), 973 items (73.6%) were classified as Han-sik. Han-sik usage was defined as the percentage of Han-sik items of all individually consumed dish items in the dietary data of 22,113 subjects who participated in a 24-hour diet recall in the 4th (2007-2009) KNHANES. Dietary quality was evaluated based on adherence to the Korean Food Guidance System (KFGS), which was calculated as the percentage of the number of servings consumed in each food group out of recommended servings according to age and sex. Mean usage of Han-sik was 80.1% and was higher in older age groups, rural areas, as well as in households at the lowest income level. Han-sik usage was also higher on weekdays as well as for breakfast. Adherence to the KFGS was significantly higher for grains, meat · fish · egg · beans, vegetables, and fruits (p<0.001) but lower for milk · dairy products and oils · fats · sugars (p<0.001) across the quartiles of Han-sik usage. The results of this study indicate that Han-sik usage is high among Koreans. Further studies are needed to update the Han-sik database as well as investigate the association between health-related factors and Han-sik use.
This study was conducted to investigate the response of the human body to stress induced by wall recording of subway stations in the city center. The experiment was conducted as a simulation exercise, and six images were selected and produced based on Subway Line 2, a representative underground space in Seoul. The study participants included 24 male and female college students. A three-minute experiment was conducted, during which the participants were shown the control image and green wall image once each. To measure psychological status, the following measurement indicators were used: Semantic Differential, Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Physiological changes were investigated by tracking participants’ heart rate and blood pressure. Results showed that parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves were activated in the presence of the green wall in the subway station. The psychological evaluation analysis revealed that negative affect toward underground space decreased, while positive affect increased. This study found that the green wall in subway stations has a stable effect on the human body, both psychologically and physiologically. In the future, green walls in underground spaces can be used to reduce psychological stress and increase physiological relaxation.
During implantation period uterus undergoes functional and histological changes including cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis. This delicate condition is regulated by various factors such as steroid hormones, cytokines, and growth factors. From previous our studies, we showed the spatio-temporal expression of Müllerian inhibiting substance (MIS) and MIS receptor Ⅱ (MISR II) in mouse uteri during pregnancy. In present study investigated the role of MISRⅡ in proliferation and differentiation in the uterus. The decidualization markers were dramatically decreased during treated rhMIS and MISRⅡ viral particles in in vitro decidualization model. The intensity of PAS staining and Oil-Red-O staining were dramatically decreased by treatment of rhMIS and overexpression of MISRⅡ. MIS/MISRⅡ also suppressed stromal proliferation regulate the differentiation of stroma cell during decidualization. MIS suppress the stromal proliferation and decidual differentiation along with its receptor. Put together it is suggested that MIS works as paracrine and autocrine factors for cell proliferation regulator and differentiation regulator during implantation.
Early growth response 1 (Egr1) is an inducible zinc finger transcription factor. Egr1 binds specific GC-rich region. Egr1 mRNA is rapidly and transiently expressed in pre-ovulatory follicles by LH and expressed in decidual cell by estrogen. Progesterone receptor (PR) is a nuclear transcription factor that is induced in granulosa cells of pre-ovulatory follicles following the LH surge. PR regulates ADAMTS1, which downstream gene of PR. In previous study, we observed ADAMTS1 mRNA expression pattern changed in Egr1 KO mice. Therefore, we expected that progesterone receptor gene expression is directly regulated by early growth response 1 in mouse ovarian granulosa cell. We could found the ER binding domain, Egr1 binding domain and CAAT box in PR promoter using the web tool AliBaba 2.1. We construct the PR promoter vectors truncated ER binding domain, Egr1 binding domain, CAAT box, respectively. We also construct the Egr1 expression vector using pcDNA 3.1 (+) vector. Granulosa cells are isolated from female ICR mice after 12h PMSG injection. To confirm the Egr1 overexpression, we performed western blot. For reporter assay, we used Dual-Luciferase reporter assay system. In conclusion, Egr1 may regulate PR expression in granulosa cell.