The effects of various stair-climbing exercises on functional mobility and trunk muscle activation in community-dwelling older adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background: Stair-climbing (SC) is an essential daily life skill, and stair-climbing exercise (SCE) serves as a valuable method for promoting physical activity in older adults. This study aimed to compare the impact of SCEs with heel contact (HC) and heel off (HO) during SC on functional mobility and trunk muscle (TM) activation amplitudes in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: In the pilot randomized controlled trial, participants were randomly allocated to either the HC group (n = 17; mean age 75.

Effect of Kaempferol on Modulation of Vascular Contractility Mainly through PKC and CPI-17 Inactivation.

In this study, we investigated the efficacy of kaempferol (a flavonoid found in plants and plant-derived foods such as kale, beans, tea, spinach and broccoli) on vascular contractibility and aimed to clarify the detailed mechanism underlying the relaxation. Isometric contractions of divested muscles were stored and linked with western blot analysis which was carried out to estimate the phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1 (MYPT1) and phosphorylation-dependent inhibitory protein for myosin phosphatase (CPI-17) and to estimate the effect of kaempferol on the RhoA/ROCK/CPI-17 pathway. Kaempferol conspicuously impeded phorbol ester-, fluoride- and a thromboxane mimetic-derived contractions regardless of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis, indicating its direct effect on smooth muscles.

The Effect of Luteolin on the Modulation of Vascular Contractility via ROCK and CPI-17 Inactivation.

In this investigation, we made a study of the efficacy of luteolin (a flavonoid found in plants such as vegetables, herbs and fruits) on vascular contractibility and to elucidate the mechanism underlying the relaxation. Isometric contractions of denuded muscles were stored and combined with western blot analysis which was conducted to assess the phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1 (MYPT1) and phosphorylation-dependent inhibitory protein for myosin phosphatase (CPI-17) and to examine the effect of luteolin on the RhoA/ROCK/CPI-17 pathway. Luteolin significantly alleviated phorbol ester-, fluoride- and thromboxane mimetic-elicited contractions regardless of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis, implying its direct effect on smooth muscle.

Effects of Tai Chi versus Taekkyon on balance, lower-extremity strength, and gait ability in community-dwelling older women: A single-blinded randomized clinical trial.

Background: Taekkyon, a Korean form of martial arts, has been trained for a long period. However, it is not yet known whether the Taekkyon exercise has better effects on functional mobility or balance in older adults than other types of well-investigated exercise programs such as Tai Chi (TC).

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of TC and Taekkyon exercise programs on the lower-extremity strength, balance, and gait ability of community-dwelling older women as a fall prevention method.

Phosphatidylcholine causes adipocyte-specific lipolysis and apoptosis in adipose and muscle tissues.

Phosphatidylcholine (PPC) formula has been therapeutically used to reduce areas of localized fat. However, no single research has been carried out on its effect on a variety of cells in adipose and muscle tissues. Herein, the current study aimed to explore the activity of PPC on different cells in adipose and muscle tissues and to investigate the molecular mechanisms contributing to the effects of PPC on lipolysis and apoptosis.

Effects of Taekkyon training on balance control during stair descent in community-dwelling older adults.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Taekkyon training on balance control during stair descent in community-dwelling older adults. [Participants and Methods] Participants were randomly assigned to either the Taekkyon group or wellness education group. The participants in the Taekkyon group received Taekkyon training 2 times a week for 12 weeks.

Endothelium Independent Effect of Pelargonidin on Vasoconstriction in Rat Aorta.

In this study, we investigated the effects of pelargonidin, an anthocyanidin found in many fruits and vegetables, on endothelium-independent vascular contractility to determine the underlying mechanism of relaxation. Isometric contractions of denuded aortic muscles from male rats were recorded, and the data were combined with those obtained in western blot analysis. Pelargonidin significantly inhibited fluoride-, thromboxane A2-, and phorbol ester-induced vascular contractions, regardless of the presence or absence of endothelium, suggesting a direct effect of the compound on vascular smooth muscles via a different pathway.

Effects of pelvic compression belts on the kinematics and kinetics of the lower extremities during sit-to-stand maneuvers.

[Purpose] To investigate the effects of a pelvic compression belt (PCB) and chair height on the kinematics and kinetics of the lower extremity during sit-to-stand (STS) maneuvers in healthy people. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-two people participated in this study. They were required to perform STS maneuvers under four conditions.

Hypothermia Inhibits Endothelium-Independent Vascular Contractility via Rho-kinase Inhibition.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of hypothermia on endothelium-independent vascular smooth muscle contractility and to determine the mechanism underlying the relaxation. Denuded aortic rings from male rats were used and isometric contractions were recorded and combined with molecular experiments. Hypothermia significantly inhibited fluoride-, thromboxane A-, phenylephrine-, and phorbol ester-induced vascular contractions regardless of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis, suggesting that another pathway had a direct effect on vascular smooth muscle.

The p90rsk-mediated signaling of ethanol-induced cell proliferation in HepG2 cell line.

Ribosomal S6 kinase is a family of serine/threonine protein kinases involved in the regulation of cell viability. There are two subfamilies of ribosomal s6 kinase, (p90rsk, p70rsk). Especially, p90rsk is known to be an important downstream kinase of p44/42 MAPK.

Cardamonin inhibits agonist-induced vascular contractility via Rho-kinase and MEK inhibition.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of cardamonin on vascular smooth muscle contractility and to determine the mechanism(s) involved. Denuded aortic rings from male rats were used and isometric contractions were recorded and combined with molecular experiments. Cardamonin significantly relaxed fluoride-, phenylephrine-, and phorbol ester-induced vascular contractions, suggesting that it has an anti-hypertensive effect on agonist-induced vascular contraction regardless of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis.

Endothelium-Independent Effect of Fisetin on the Agonist-Induced Regulation of Vascular Contractility.

Fisetin, a natural flavonoid found in a variety of vegetables and fruits, has been shown to possess many biological functions. The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of fisetin on vascular smooth muscle contractility and to determine the mechanism involved. Denuded aortic rings from male rats were used and isometric contractions were recorded and combined with molecular experiments.

The influence of accuracy constraints on EMG and kinetic variables during gait initiation.

[Purpose] This study investigated the effects of accuracy constraints (targets) placed on the stepping-limb heel-strike (HS) on the electromyogram (EMG) and ground reaction forces (GRFs) during gait initiation. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty healthy subjects (29.2 ± 2.

The Inhibitory Effect of Apigenin on the Agonist-Induced Regulation of Vascular Contractility via Calcium Desensitization-Related Pathways.

Apigenin, a natural flavonoid found in a variety of vegetables and fruits, has been shown to possess many biological functions. The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of apigenin on vascular smooth muscle contractility and to determine the mechanism involved. Denuded aortic rings from male rats were used and isometric contractions were recorded and combined with molecular experiments.

The inhibitory effect of vitexin on the agonist-induced regulation of vascular contractility.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of vitexin on vascular smooth muscle contractility and to determine the mechanism involved. Intact or denuded aortic rings from male rats were used and isometric contractions were recorded and combined with molecular experiments. Vitexin more significantly relaxed phorbol ester-induced vascular contraction than thromboxane A2 or fluoride-induced contraction suggesting as a possible anti-hypertensive on the agonist-induced vascular contraction regardless of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis.

Inhibitory effects of polysaccharide-rich extract of Phragmites rhizoma on atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice.

Aims: Phragmites rhizoma was reported to have anti-oxidative and free radical scavenging activity. It also has been traditionally used to suppress inflammation. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the topical effects of the polysaccharide-rich extract of P.

The inhibitory effect of eupatilin on the agonist-induced regulation of vascular contractility.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of eupatilin on vascular smooth muscle contractility and to determine the mechanism involved. Denuded aortic rings from male rats were used and isometric contractions were recorded and combined with molecular experiments. Eupatilin more significantly relaxed fluoride-induced vascular contraction than thromboxane A(2) or phorbol ester-induced contraction suggesting as a possible anti-hypertensive on the agonist-induced vascular contraction regardless of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis.

Backward walking treadmill therapy can improve walking ability in children with spastic cerebral palsy: a pilot study.

The aim of this study was to determine whether an 8-week period of backward walking (BW) training on the treadmill can improve the gross motor function measure (GMFM), weight-bearing symmetry, and temporospatial gait parameters in individuals with spastic cerebral palsy. Twelve participants aged 5-15 years with spastic cerebral palsy participated in this study. The BW training was conducted on a treadmill for up to 20 min, with three sessions per week for 8 consecutive weeks.

Effects of whole-body cryotherapy in the management of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder.

Objective: To compare 2 different treatment approaches, physical therapy modalities, and joint mobilization versus whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) combined with physical therapy modalities and joint mobilization, for symptoms of adhesive capsulitis (AC) of the shoulder.

Design: A randomized trial.

Setting: Hospital.

Controversial effect of ethanol irrespective of kinases inhibition on the agonist-dependant vasoconstriction.

The present study was undertaken to determine whether ethanol influences on the agonist-induced vascular smooth muscle contraction and, if so, to investigate the related mechanism. The measurement of isometric contractions using a computerized data acquisition system was combined with molecular experiments. Ethanol significantly inhibited thromboxane A2 mimetic-induced contraction with intact endothelial function, but there was no relaxation on thromboxane A2 mimetic U-46619-induced contraction irrespective of endothelium suggesting that the pathway such as Rho-kinase activation, Ca(2+) entry or thin filament regulation was not affected.

Protective effect of resveratrol on agonist-dependent regulation of vascular contractility via inhibition of rho-kinase activity.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of resveratrol on vascular smooth muscle contractility and to determine the mechanism involved. Denuded aortic rings from male rats were used and isometric contractions were recorded and combined with molecular experiments. Resveratrol at a low concentration (0.

Characteristics of spontaneous contraction in the circular smooth muscles of cat ileum.

We investigated the characteristics of spontaneous contraction in feline ileal circular smooth. Smooth muscle contractions were recorded by an isometric force transducer. The neurotoxin tetrodotoxin did not alter the spontaneous contraction of the circular muscles.

Inhibitory effect of genistein on agonist-induced modulation of vascular contractility.

The present study was undertaken to determine whether treatment with genistein, the plant-derived estrogen-like compound influences agonist-induced vascular smooth muscle contraction and, if so, to investigate related mechanisms. The measurement of isometric contractions using a computerized data acquisition system was combined with molecular experiments. Genistein completely inhibited KCl-, phorbol ester-, phenylephrine-, fluoride- and thromboxane A(2)-induced contractions.