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Comparison of scapular muscle activity during Y-raise exercise with isometric adduction in subjects with and without rounded shoulder posture

2025-12-31T15:00:00Z

Title: Comparison of scapular muscle activity during Y-raise exercise with isometric adduction in subjects with and without rounded shoulder posture All Author(s): Byeong-Hun Hwang; In-Cheol Jeon Abstract: Background: Rounded shoulder posture (RSP) is a commonly observed abnormal alignment of the scapula. RSP is typically associated with shortening of the pectoralis muscle and weakness of the lower trapezius (LT). Changed muscle length of these muscles may result in different movement patterns compared to healthy subjects when performing exercises. Purpose: We investigated to compare the muscle activity of the upper trapezius (UT), LT, and serratus anterior (SA) between healthy and RSP groups during Y-raise exercises with and without isometric adduction (IAD) using an elastic band. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a single data collection session, participants were classified according to the criteria for RSP and assigned to either the healthy group (25.06 ± 1.24, n = 16) or the RSP group (24.88 ± 2.09, n = 16). Surface electromyography was used to measure muscle activity of the UT, LT, and SA during the exercises. Results: UT and SA muscle activity significantly decreased during the Y-raise with IAD compared to the Y-raise without IAD in both groups (p < .025). Conversely, LT muscle activity significantly increased during the Y-raise with IAD compared to the Y-raise without IAD in the healthy group (p < .025), while LT activity significantly decreased in the RSP group (p < .025). Conclusion: Applying IAD during the Y-raise exercise is effective for selectively increasing LT activity while decreasing UT and SA activity in the healthy group. However, structural improvement of scapular alignment may be required for subjects with RSP to perform the Y-raise with IAD effectively.

Association between oil spill clean-up work and thyroid cancer: Nine years of follow-up after the Hebei Spirit oil spill accident

2023-12-31T15:00:00Z

Title: Association between oil spill clean-up work and thyroid cancer: Nine years of follow-up after the Hebei Spirit oil spill accident All Author(s): Yun-Hee Choi; Lita Kim; Da-An Huh; Kyong Whan Moon; Min-Sung Kang; Yong-Jin Lee Abstract: In 2007, an unprecedented oil spill occurred in Taean, Korea. Although crude oil contains chemicals that could increase thyroid cancer risk, few studies have examined the long-term effects of oil exposure during clean-up and thyroid cancer incidence. We investigated the long-term thyroid cancer incidence among participants involved in clean-up work. 1798 participants engaged in at least two surveys since the baseline was tracked from 2008 to 2018. Participants reported the days they participated in oil clean-up works and cancer diagnoses. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard ratios between clean-up work duration and thyroid cancer. Over the 9-year follow-up, 30 thyroid cancer cases were diagnosed. A positive association was observed between clean-up duration and thyroid cancer risk. This effect was more pronounced among residents living <50 m from traffic roads. Our results indicate that crude oil clean-up work participation may increase the thyroid cancer risk.

Liver-specific propanoate metabolism-derived 2-ethylhexanol as a novel biomarker for precise diagnosis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

2024-12-31T15:00:00Z

Title: Liver-specific propanoate metabolism-derived 2-ethylhexanol as a novel biomarker for precise diagnosis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma All Author(s): Dongyong Lee; Jinhee Mun; Jihyun Lee; Chan Jang; Geumjong Song; Jonghyuk Yun; Kwangseock Kim; Taewan Kim; Seob Jeon; Jinmyoung Joo Abstract: Alterations in propanoate metabolism are increasingly recognized as significant biomarkers for various liver disorders, notably hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To enhance diagnostic specificity for HCC, we conducted integrated binary omics and targeted metabolomics analyses, identifying liver-specific propanoate metabolism (LPM) gene signatures and associated metabolites. Leveraging data from 40 tissues and 81 cell subclasses, hepatocytes showed the highest metabolic specificity. Clinical validation using the TCGA-LIHC cohort highlighted LPM genes, notably ALDH2 and ABAT, as robust prognostic markers significantly associated with poor survival outcomes. Serum metabolomic profiling of 273 patients demonstrated that elevated toluene and xylene isomers and significantly reduced 2-ethylhexanol distinctly characterize HCC, distinguishing it from liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, and other cancers. These findings emphasize the potential of LPM-based metabolic profiling as a precise diagnostic and prognostic tool, with potential implications in targeted therapeutic development for HCC.

Relationship between Heated Tobacco Product Use and Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Korean Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2018-2021 (VII-1 and VIII)

2024-12-31T15:00:00Z

Title: Relationship between Heated Tobacco Product Use and Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Korean Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2018-2021 (VII-1 and VIII) All Author(s): Myungeun Kim; Kyung-Jin Lee; In Choi; Seung Hee Kim; Kunyoung Ryu Abstract: Background: The use of heated tobacco products (HTPs) among Korean adults has been steadily increasing since they were first introduced in 2017. It is known that smoking combustible cigarettes (CCs) adversely affects the serum lipid profile and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the health impacts of HTPs remain under- researched. This study, therefore, aims to explore the effects of HTP use on serum lipid levels. Methods: This study involved 10,309 participants, selected from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VII-1 and VIII conducted between 2018 and 2021. Participants were categorized based on their smoking status: "HTPs ever user" included dual, triple, and past HTP users; "current HTPs only user" for those exclusively using HTPs; "current CCs only user" for those exclusively smoking CCs; and "never smoker." Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the impact of smoking type on serum lipid concentrations. Results: The analysis revealed that the "HTPs ever user" group had a higher odds ratio (OR) for elevated total cholesterol compared to the "never smoker" group (OR, 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.92). The likelihood of having high low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol was greatest in the "current HTPs only user" group when compared to "never smokers" (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.01-2.89). Conclusion: The findings indicate that exclusive use of HTPs is linked to an increased level of serum LDL-cholesterol. Further longitudinal studies are necessary to fully determine the health risks associated with HTPs.