Ginseng berry extract increases nitric oxide level in vascular endothelial cells and improves cGMP expression and blood circulation in muscle cells.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether ginseng berry extract improves blood circulation by regulating vasodilator expression in exposed to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-exposed endothelial cells and muscle cells. METHODS: Nitric oxide (NO) and cGMP levels in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and A7r5 cells exposed to ginseng berry extract were investigated. Based on the in vitro results, healthy participants were treated with ginseng berry extract for 4 weeks and then a non-invasive vascular screening device was used to confirm the improvement of blood circulation. RESULTS: When TNF-α-treated cells were exposed to the ginseng berry extract, the expression levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), NO, and cGMP were recovered to almost normal levels. In addition, TNF-ɑ-induced overexpression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), e-selectin, and p-selectin was lowered by ginseng berry extract. The ginseng berry extract significantly increased ankle brachial pressure index compared to placebo (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that the intake of ginseng berry extract improved blood circulation and therefore, its intake would be helpful for people having problems with blood circulation.

Assessing Muscle Tensions During VDT Works with Surface Electromyography / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTS: Thls study was designed to assess muscle tensions while working at a YDT workstation with surface electromyography (SEMG). METHODS: Variables texted were desk height, monitor positon on the desk, distance from edge of the desk to the keyboard. Eleven female volunteers working in the tele-com munication company were seated at an ergonomically adjusted workstation. They were assigned to a task of typing for 5 minutes and were given a 10 minutes resting with hands in their lap. For the initial experiment, the desk height was fixed to standard desk height(65.0 cm) recommended by ANSI and latter adjusted to a higher desk height (72.8 cm) for this study such that the subjects experienced slight elevation of shoulders. The monitor position initially at the center on the desk and latter left site of the desk (45o from monitorneck axles). The keyboard was positioned to an optimal distance (15 cm from the desk edge) and an abnormal distance (30 cm). Five muscle groups (paraspinal muscles, upper trapezium muscle, supraspinatus muscle, infraspinatus muscle, and rhomboid muscle) were selected for the study. The data of SEMG were analyzed by 2x2x2xs mixed factorial design. RESULTS: The results were as follows: 1. SEMG activity recorded from the paraspinal muscles were significantly higher when the angle of the monitor adjusted to 45 degree from the center of the desk.. 2. SEMG activity recorded from the upper trapezius/supraspinatus/infraspinatus muscles were significantly higher when the hight of the desk was elevated from the recommended height.3. SEMG activity from the rhomboid muscle showed no significantiy difference in all test conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The results of thls study confirm that the helght of a VDT workstation and the angle of the monitor are risk factors of upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders. Also SEMG would be useful for measuring muscle activities during workstation assessment.

A Case of Congenital Intranasal Meningocele Demonstrated by MRI / 대한이비인후과학회지

A 16-month-old male with mouth breathing due to intranasal mass and obstruction from birth is the subject of this report. CT (computerizd tomography) scan and MCTC (metrizamide CT cisternography) showed only a mass forming a cyst in the left nasal cavity, but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated the connection between the cranial content and the intranasal mass. The mass was concluded to be a congenital intranasal meningocele of a transethmoidal type, and dural plasty by bifrontal craniotomy was initially performed. The remaining herniated sac was removed by intranasal endoscopic resection. MRI has numerous advantages over CT. With MRI's multiplanar capability, there is no need for artificial dilution of the image of surrounding bone, and thus makes it the most valuable image technique for skull base lesions, making the diagnosis of intranasal meningocele much easier than it would be using conventional methods.

A Case of Neurilemmoma Arising from Nasal Septum: Transnasal Endoscopic Exicision

Neurilemmoma is characteristically an encapsulated benign tumor originating from the neural sheath of peripheral, autonomic, and cranial nerves. Whereas between 25% and 45% of all such lesions occur in the region of the head and neck, only 4% of them are found in the nose and paranasal sinuses. Recently, we experienced a case of isolated neuilemmoma of the nasal septum in a 33-year-old female patient who complained of nasal obstruction and postnasal drip over 1 year. The tumor mass was successfully removed by transnasal endoscopic excision under general anesthesia. The patient had an uneventful course with no signs of recurrence. We present our review of the clinicopathologic features, radiologic findings and the value of endoscopy in treatment of this tumor.