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Excessive ultraviolet (UV) B irradiation induced skin photoaging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-photoaging efficacy of enriched-schizandrin from Schisandra chinensis fruit in UVB-induced hairless mice. The cream containing enriched-schizandrin from S. chinensis fruit manufactured with another cosmetic ingredient. UVB-photoaged hairless mice topically applied with the cream once a day for 5 weeks. Application of the cream showed normal changes of body weight and food efficiency in the UVB-photoaged hairless mice. The cream application also was decreased interleukin (IL)-1β, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expressions and then it inhibited MMP-2 protein expression in UVB-photoaged hairless mice. Furthermore, the cream application inhibited epidermal wrinkle formation and decreased wrinkle depth and it restored to wrinkle thickness and collagen degradation of skin in UVB-photoaged hairless mice. Therefore, the cream could recover photoaging generated by UVB irradiation via downregulation of IL-1β, MMP-2, MMP-9 mRNA expressions and suppression of expression of MMP-2 proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundIn the past 20 years, various methods have been introduced to construct disease networks. However, established disease networks have not been clinically useful to date because of differences among demographic factors, as well as the temporal order and intensity among disease-disease associations. ObjectiveThis study sought to investigate the overall patterns of the associations among diseases; network properties, such as clustering, degree, and strength; and the relationship between the structure of disease networks and demographic factors. MethodsWe used National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC) data from the Republic of Korea, which included the time series insurance information of 1 million out of 50 million Korean (approximately 2%) patients obtained between 2002 and 2013. After setting the observation and outcome periods, we selected only 520 common Korean Classification of Disease, sixth revision codes that were the most prevalent diagnoses, making up approximately 80% of the cases, for statistical validity. Using these data, we constructed a directional and weighted temporal network that considered both demographic factors and network properties. ResultsOur disease network contained 294 nodes and 3085 edges, a relative risk value of more than 4, and a false discovery rate-adjusted P value of

BackgroundDry eye disease (DED) is a complex disease of the ocular surface, and its associated factors are important for understanding and effectively treating DED. ObjectiveThis study aimed to provide an integrative and personalized model of DED by making an explanatory model of DED using as many factors as possible from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data. MethodsUsing KNHANES data for 2012 (4391 sample cases), a point-based scoring system was created for ranking factors associated with DED and assessing patient-specific DED risk. First, decision trees and lasso were used to classify continuous factors and to select important factors, respectively. Next, a survey-weighted multiple logistic regression was trained using these factors, and points were assigned using the regression coefficients. Finally, network graphs of partial correlations between factors were utilized to study the interrelatedness of DED-associated factors. ResultsThe point-based model achieved an area under the curve of 0.70 (95% CI 0.61-0.78), and 13 of 78 factors considered were chosen. Important factors included sex (+9 points for women), corneal refractive surgery (+9 points), current depression (+7 points), cataract surgery (+7 points), stress (+6 points), age (54-66 years; +4 points), rhinitis (+4 points), lipid-lowering medication (+4 points), and intake of omega-3 (0.43%-0.65% kcal/day; −4 points). Among these, the age group 54 to 66 years had high centrality in the network, whereas omega-3 had low centrality. ConclusionsIntegrative understanding of DED was possible using the machine learning–based model and network-based factor analysis. This method for finding important risk factors and identifying patient-specific risk could be applied to other multifactorial diseases.

Describes the development of virtual reality therapy (VRT) system for the treatment of acrophobia and therapeutic case. Virtual scenarios included in the virtual environment (VE); Evaluation of the effectiveness of the VE; through the clinical treatment of a subject suffering from acrophobia.

Hemiplegic shoulder pain(HSP) is one of the most frequent and difficult problems affecting poststroke hemiplegic patients. Honeybee venom acupuncture therapy(BVAT) is known for its pain relieving effects in arthralgia. To evaluate the effectiveness of BVAT on HSP, 24 patients were sequential1y allocated into BVA T treatment group and control group and monitored for 4 weeks at time interval of initial(T0), 1 week(T1), 2 weeks(T2) and 4 weeks(T4). In treatment group, 1:10000 honeybee venom solution 0.2㎖ was injected into acupoint(s) following Deqi three times a week. Kyonu(LI15) was used in the first week. Thereafter Kyonu(LI15) and Nosu(SI10) were used. Visual analogue scale of pain severity showed significant decrease in treatment group compared to control group at T2 and T4 evaluation. Painless passive range of motion of shoulder external rotation showed significant increase in treatment group compared to control group at T4 evaluation. Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment of upper limb motor function and Modified Ashworth scale of the spasticity of upper limb showed no difference between two groups. BVAT showed as an effective therapy in HSP and further extensive clinical studies are expected.

[Purpose] This study examines the effects of the flexion-distraction technique and the drop technique on disorders and on Ferguson's angle in female patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty female patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were divided into an experimental group (n=15) treated with flexion-distraction and drop techniques and a control group (n=15) treated with spinal decompression therapy. Both groups were treated three times a week over an eight-week period. [Results] In the comparison of changes within each group after treatment, both groups showed statistically significant decreases in disorders and in Ferguson's angle. [Conclusion] Flexion-distraction and drop techniques may be an effective intervention to improve disorders and Ferguson's angle in female patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.

[Purpose] This study examined the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on pain and range of motion in patients with adhesive capsulitis. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty patients with adhesive capsulitis were divided into an experimental group (n=15) that would be treated with extracorporeal shock wave therapy and a control group (n=15) that would be treated only with conservative physical therapy. Both groups were treated three times a week over a four-week period. [Results] An intra-group comparison before and after the treatment showed that both groups experienced a decline in pain and an increase in their range of motion that were statistically significant. An inter-group comparison after the treatment showed that the experimental group had a lower level of pain and a higher range of motion than the control group that were statistically significant. [Conclusion] Extracorporeal shock wave therapy may be an effective intervention for reducing pain and improving the range of motion in patients with adhesive capsulitis.