Neuroprotective Effects of Astaxanthin in Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation in SH-SY5Y Cells and Global Cerebral Ischemia in Rat

Astaxanthin (ATX), a naturally occurring carotenoid pigment, is a powerful biological antioxidant. In the present study, we investigated whether ATX pharmacologically offers neuroprotection against oxidative stress by cerebral ischemia. We found that the neuroprotective efficacy of ATX at the dose of 30 mg/kg (n = 8) was 59.5% compared with the control group (n = 3). In order to make clear the mechanism of ATX neuroprotection, the up-regulation inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and heat shock proteins (HSPs) together with the oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) in SH-SY5Y cells were also investigated. The induction of various factors involved in oxidative stress processes such as iNOS was suppressed by the treatment of ATX at 25 and 50 µM after OGD-induced oxidative stress. In addition, Western blots showed that ATX elevated of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1; Hsp32) and Hsp70 protein levels in in vitro. These results suggest that the neuroprotective effects of ATX were related to anti-oxidant activities in global ischemia

Has globalization strengthened South Korea's national research system?

노트 : The authors acknowledge a support from the SSK (Social Science Korea) Program funded by National Research Foundation of South Korea; NRF-2010-330-B00232

ANALYSIS OF THE MOTION PLANES OF THE ‘FUNCTIONAL DOUBLE-PENDULUM’ POINTS IN GOLF

The purpose of this study was to investigate the swing characteristics of the skilled and less skilled golfers by comparing the properties of the functional swing plane (FSP) and motion planes (MPs) formed by the clubhead and key functional double-pendulum points. Twenty-seven male golfers were recruited: skilled (n = 15; handicap ? 3) and less skilled (n = 12; 12-18 handicap). The slopes and direction angles of the FSP and MPs were quantified. The skilled group was characterized by steeper MPs than the less skilled (p < 0.05). The skilled group also revealed more closed (or less open) FSP and MPs than the less skilled with an exception: the left shoulder plane. The skilled group aligned the left hand plane with the FSP closely, whereas the less skilled group aligned the left shoulder plane with the FSP

Complete Binocular Blindness as the First Manifestation of HIV-Related Cryptococcal Meningitis

Ocular complications of HIV-related cryptococcal meningitis are reasonably common, but complete binocular blindness as the first manifestation of HIV is extremely rare. A 58-year-old man presented with binocular blindness. He experienced blurred vision for 3 days before the blindness. Mild pleocytosis was present in the cerebrospinal fluid, from which Cryptococcus neoformans was cultured. Serology revealed positivity for HIV antibody. He was treated with antifungal and antiretroviral therapy. This case indicates that HIV-related cryptococcal meningitis should be taken into consideration when determining the cause of unexpected sudden binocular blindness

ANALYSIS OF THE TRUNK/SHOULDER COMPLEX MOTION DURING THE GOLF DRIVES USING A 5-SEGMENT TRUNK/SHOULDER MODEL

The purpose of this study was to quantify detailed trunk/shoulder complex motions during the golf drives using a new 5-segment trunk/shoulder model (pelvis, abdomen, thorax, and right/left shoulder girdles) and to describe the patterns of the relative motions of the trunk/shoulder segments. Fifteen male golfers were divided into two groups: skilled (n=8, 3-handicap or better) and less skilled (n=7, 13- to 18-handicap). The ranges of the orientation angles of the segments during the downswing were computed. In addition to the dominant rotation of the thorax, substantial frontal plane motions of the trunk segments (abdomen and thorax) and transverse plane motions of the shoulder girdles were observed. Only the frontal plane motion of the left shoulder girdle (elevation/depression) was identified as the factor which differentiated the groups

EFFECTS OF FOOT PLACEMENT ON RESULTANT JOINT MOMENTS OF LOWER EXTREMITY JOINTS DURING SQUAT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of foot placement (stance width and foot angle) on normalized sagittal- and frontal-plane resultant joint moments (NRJM) of the lower extremity joints during the squat. Forty-two participants were recruited: male (n = 21) and female (n = 21). Three-dimensional motion analysis and inverse dynamics analysis were conducted. There was a significant interaction between the stance width and foot angle on the NRJM in the sagittal plane, whereas there were significant main effects of the stance width, foot angle, and gender on the NRJM in the frontal plane