We investigated self-assembled structures and aggregation mechanisms of tetraphenylethene (TPE) derivatives in a THF/water mixture using time-resolved spectroscopic measurements and theoretical calculations. The TPE derivatives, with non-polar aromatic core and nonpolar exterior dodecyl chains, form unidirectional ordered aggregates in THF/water solvent mixture because of the effective ordered aggregation between non-polar aromatic cores. The aggregation formation of other TPE derivative with polar exterior di(ethylene oxide) chains is caused by an emulsion-driven amorphous aggregation without any obvious attractive intermolecular interaction. The different polarities of the exterior chains in the TPE derivatives and the emulsion formation in THF/water mixture induce different aggregation mechanisms: unidirectional ordered versus emulsion-driven amorphous aggregates.

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ObjectivesTo identify the association between the presence and severity of depressive symptoms and those of chronic knee pain.DesignA retrospective cross-sectional study.ParticipantsWe used data from the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VI-2) performed in 2014. Overall, 7550 patients were included in the KNHANES VI-2.Outcome measuresParticipants were asked whether they had chronic knee pain, and each answer was either ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used as a screening tool for depressive symptoms, and PHQ-9 scores of 10 or higher was classified as the depressed group. In total, 527 patients reported that they had pain in their knee, of whom 91 also had depressive symptoms.ResultsThe prevalence of chronic knee pain in the Korean population aged over 50 years was 19.8%. Multiple logistic regression was conducted after adjustment for sex, age, smoking, alcohol drinking, education level, household income, physical activity, sleep duration and comorbidity. The analysis revealed a significant association between depressive symptoms and chronic knee pain (adjusted OR=2.333, p<0.001). In contrast, the severity of depressive symptoms was linearly correlated with the intensity of chronic knee pain (p for trend <0.001). In participants with no chronic knee pain (Numerical Rating Scale; NRS=0) or mild chronic knee pain (NRS=1–4), the prevalence of moderate and severe depressive symptoms was 3.4% and 0.6%, respectively. However, in those with severe chronic knee pain (NRS=8–10), there was a higher prevalence of moderate and severe depressive symptoms (10.1% and 5.8%, respectively) (p<0.001).ConclusionsA strong association was observed between the presence and severity of depressive symptoms and the presence of chronic knee pain. The association became stronger with higher levels of depressive symptoms, indicating a positive correlation between depressive symptoms severity and chronic knee pain.

Objectives Low back disability, along with low back pain, places a significant social burden in terms of work loss and medical expenses. Motion-Style-Acupuncture-Treatment using Traction (T-MSAT) is employed as one of the conservative treatments to such conditions. In the present study, effectiveness of Korean Medical treatments, including T-MSAT, was investigated in inpatients with low back disability and low back pain. Methods Among the patients who were admitted between January 2018 to June 2018 with disabled low back function, ones that were treated with T-MSAT were identified. Pain and function were compared at the point of admission and discharge, using Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), respectively. Results Over the hospitalization period of 34.55 days, pain intensity significantly decreased from NRS score of 6.14 to 3.26 and low back function also significantly improved from ODI score of 50.93 to 33.73 upon receiving Korean Medical treatments including T-MSAT. Conclusions Korean Medical treatments including T-MSAT were found to be effective in inpatients with low back disability with a statistical significance. To evaluate the sole effectiveness of T-MSAT, rigorous clinical trials are necessitated in future.

Objectives This review aims to analyze the current research trend in the usage of bee venom (BV) acupuncture for articular diseases of single type joint. Methods We collected 74 articles on BV acupuncture clinical study for articular diseases of single joint by searching Korean web databases 'Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation', 'Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System', 'Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal' from 1999 to 2020 August. Results We summarized the most frequent clinical treatment methods of BV acupuncture for articular diseases of single type joint. Research focused on specific diseases in application of BV acupuncture about some articular type diseases of single joint. It is assumed that the details of treatment for each joint are not related to the type of joint. In clinical study of BV acupuncture, reproducibility was mostly insufficient. Conclusions BV acupuncture clinical study for articular diseases of single joint should be proceed for a number of subjects, to treat various types of disease, by using more safe and detailed treatments.