• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.493-499
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• 2023

In this study we evaluated the immune-enhancing effects of β-glucan, the main component of Euglena gracilis (Euglena), and Euglena on inflammatory factor expression in RAW264.7 macrophages and ICR mice with cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression. Macrophages were treated with β-glucan or Euglena for 48 h. The β-glucan and Euglena groups exhibited higher levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase, nitric oxide, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α than the control (vehicle alone) group. Animals were fed saline and β-glucan (400 mg/kg body weight (B.W.)) or Euglena (400 or 800 mg/kg B.W.) for 19 days, and on days 17-19, cyclophosphamide (CCP, 80 mg/kg B.W.) was administered to induce immunosuppression in the ICR mouse model. CCP reduced the body weight, spleen index, and cytokine expression of the mice. To measure cytokine and receptor expression, splenocytes were treated with concanavalin A (ConA) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as a mitogen for 24 h. In vivo, ConA stimulation significantly upregulated the expression of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12 receptor β1, IL-1β, and IL-2 in splenocytes from the β-glucan- or Euglena-treated groups compared with those in the splenocytes from the CCP-treated group; LPS stimulation increased the levels of the cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in splenocytes from the β-glucan- or Euglena- treated groups compared with those from the CCP-treated group, but most of these differences were not significant. These results demonstrate the effect of Euglena in ameliorating macrophages and immunosuppression in CCP-treated mice. Thus, Euglena has the potential to enhance macrophage- and splenocyte- mediated immune-stimulating responses.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.177-184
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• 2020

Objectives : Postpartum depression is known to occur in 10-15% of mothers. The concentration of cytokine varies depending on stress, depression, pregnancy and general medical conditions. We hypothesized that the concentration of cytokines may be related to reproduction and childbirth, and that women with postpartum depression would show alterations in cytokines levels. Methods : A total of 104 pregnant women were selected as subjects, and 60 non-pregnant women were selected as normal controls. Symptoms of depression were evaluated in the pregnant study subjects using the diagnostic criteria outlined in the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The pregnant subjects were divided into three groups perinatal non-depression controls (n=61), postpartum depression-recovery (n=18), and postpartum depression (n=25). Results : The plasma concentration of TGF-β1, IGF-1 was higher in the pregnant group than in non-pregnant controls (TGF-β1 ; p<0.01, IGF-1 ; p=0.026). At 24 weeks of pregnancy and 6 weeks of delivery, there were no significant differences in the plasma concentration of TGF-β1, IGF-1, β-NGF, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α between the three groups. There was no statistically significant difference in all three groups during the course of depression in pregnant women. Conclusions : This study found significant difference in plasma cytokines concentrations between non-pregnant controls and perinatal non-depression controls.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.785-791
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• 2003

We have studied the folding mechanism of β-hairpins from proteins of 1GB1, 3AIT and 1A2P by unfolding simulations at high temperatures. The analysis of trajectories obtained from molecular dynamics simulations in explicit aqueous solution suggests that the three β-hairpin structures follow different mechanism of folding. The results of unfolding simulations showed that the positions of the hydrophobic core residues influence the folding dynamics. We discussed the characteristics of different mechanisms of β-hairpin folding based on the hydrogen-bond-centric and the hydrophobic-centric models.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was not only to identify real-life conditions of Korean-Chinese in Korea(clothing habits, eating habits, housing habits, economic life and leisure activities) but also to reveal the related variables that shall affect life quality. The subjects were selected from Korean-Chinese in Korea related to ‘Compatriots House’. The survey was conducted from June 20th to July 5th, 2000. A total of 225 questionnaires out of 350 were used as the final data analysis. All data were analyzed using the SAS/PC for frequency, percentage, F-test and Regression analysis. The study revealed the following results. 1. Significant differences were found in life quality of Korean-Chinese in Korea according to age(p<.05), optimum income (p<.001), health condition(p<.001), education level(p<.005), and entry motivation(p<.05). 2. Variable such as optimum income(β=.334) education level(β=-.190), monthly income(β=.170), health condition(β=.151), and self-esteem(β=.133) affected life quality of Korean-Chinese in Korea. Korean-Chinese’s life quality was explained by these variable(35%). The optimum income variable was the primary influential factor.

• Honam Mathematical Journal
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.491-502
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• 2023

As a generalization of Berwald spaces, we have the ideas of Douglas spaces and Landsberg spaces. S. Bacso defined a weakly-Berwald space as another generalization of Berwald spaces. In 1972, Matsumoto proposed the (α, β) metric, which is a Finsler metric derived from a Riemannian metric α and a differential 1-form β. In this paper, we investigated an important class of (α, β)-metrics of the form $F={\mu}_1\alpha+{\mu}_2\beta+{\mu}_3\frac{\beta^2}{\alpha}$, which is recognized as a special form of the first approximate Matsumoto metric on an n-dimensional manifold, and we obtain the criteria for such metrics to be weakly-Berwald metrics. A Finsler space with a special (α, β)-metric is a weakly Berwald space if and only if B^m_m is a 1-form. We have shown that under certain geometric and algebraic circumstances, it transforms into a weakly Berwald space.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Dental Administration
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.62-69
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• 2023

This study aims to identify the impact of organizational culture on the work ability of dental hygienists and to analyze the factors that affect dental hygiene work ability. The survey was conducted from August 1 to August 30, 2022, and involved 193 dental hygienists from U and D cities. The data analysis method was conducted using the SPSS 18.0 software. The analysis revealed that age, work experience, and position were the demographic and sociological characteristics with statistically significant differences in dental hygiene work ability. Relationship-oriented culture (β=0.446), career (β=-0.439), age (β=0.358), position (β=0.280), and work-oriented culture (β=0.167) were the most influential factors in dental hygiene work performance. Therefore, it is necessary to work for an extended period to enhance dental hygiene work capabilities and to cultivate a culture focused on relationships.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.637-642
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• 1996

Preparation and properties of potential CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) precursors for the TiO2, a major component of the perovskite materials such as PT, PLT, PZT, and PLZT were investigated. Reactions between β-diketones and TiMe3, formed in situ failed to produce stable Ti(β-diketonate)3 complexes but a stable purple solid, characterized as (OTi(BPP)2)2 (BPP=1,3-biphenyl-1,3-propanedione) was obtained when BPP was used. Several new Ti(Oi-Pr)2(β-diketonate)2 complexes with aromatic or ring substituents were synthesized by the substitution reaction of Ti(OiPr)4by β-diketones and characterized with 1H NMR, IR, ICP, and TGA. Solid complexes such as Ti(Oi-Pr)2(BAC)2 (BAC=1.-phenyl-2,4-pentanedione), Ti(Oi-Pr)2(BPP)2, Ti(Oi-Pr)2(1-HAN)2 (1-HAN=2-hydroxy-1-acetonaphthone), Ti(Oi-Pr)2(2-HAN)2 (2-HAN=1-hydroxy-2-acetonaphthone), Ti(Oi-Pr)2(ACCP)2 (ACCP=2-acetylcyclopentanone), and Ti(Oi-Pr)2(HBP)2 (HBP=2-hydroxybenzophenone) were found to be stable toward moisture and air. Ti(Oi-Pr)2(ACCP)2 and Ti(Oi-Pr)2(HBP)2 were proved to have lower melting points and higher decomposition temperatures. However, these complexes are thermally stable and pyrolysis under an inert atmosphere resulted in incomplete decomposition. Ti(Oi-Pr)2(DPM)2 (DPM=dipivaloylmethane) and Ti(Oi-Pr)2(HFAA)2 (HFAA=hexafluoroacetylacetone) were sublimed substantially during the thermal decomposition. Pyrolysis mechanism of these complexes are dependent on type of β-diketone but removal of Oi-Pr ligands occurs before the decomposition of β-diketonate ligands.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.108-117
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• 2023

Objectives : Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is characterized by the manifestation of a variety of physical symptoms, but little is known about differences in autonomic nervous system activity according to symptom severity, especially within patient groups. In this study, we examined differences in heart rate variability (HRV) across symptom severity in a group of SSD patients to analyze a representative marker of autonomic nervous system changes by symptoms severity. Methods : Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for patients who were diagnosed with SSD based on DSM-5 from September 18, 2020 to October 29, 2021. We applied inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) methods to generate more homogeneous comparisons in HRV parameters by correcting for selection biases due to sociodemographic and clinical characteristic differences between groups. Results : There were statistically significant correlations between the somatic symptom severity and LF (nu), HF (nu), LF/HF, as well as SD1/SD2 and Alpha1/Alpha2. After IPTW estimation, the mild to moderate group was corrected to 27 (53.0%) and the severe group to 24 (47.0%), and homogeneity was achieved as the differences in demographic and clinical characteristics were not significant. The analysis of inverse probability weighted regression adjustment model showed that the severe group was associated with significantly lower RMSSD (β=-0.70, p=0.003) and pNN20 (β=-1.04, p=0.019) in the time domain and higher LF (nu) (β=0.29, p<0.001), lower HF (nu) (β=-0.29, p<0.001), higher LF/HF (β=1.41, p=0.001), and in the nonlinear domain, significant differences were tested for SampEn15 (β=-0.35, p=0.014), SD1/SD2 (β=-0.68, p<0.001), and Alpha1/Alpha2 (ß=0.43, p=0.001). Conclusions : These results suggest that differences in HRV parameters by SSD severity were showed in the time, frequency and nonlinear domains, specific parameters demonstrating significantly higher sympathetic nerve activity and reduced ability of the parasympathetic nervous system in SSD patients with severe symptoms.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.12
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• pp.437-445
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• 2019

This study is a 1:1 survey of 154 elderly 65 or older to find out the direct and indirect effects of oral dryness on their quality of life through the medium of depression. As a result, the subjective oral health of the elderly and oral dryness, depression and quality of life were correlated. In the medial effect of subjective oral health and oral dryness on the quality of life, subjective oral health is the quality of life(β=.23, p<.01), depression(β=-.24, p<.01)and the influence of subjective oral health when depression is controlled(β=.08, p>05) was not significant and was completely mediated. Oral dryness is the quality of life(β=-.24, p<.01) and depression(β=.37, p<.001) was shown to have a significant effect and the influence of oral dryness when depression is controlled(β=.00, p>.05) was not significant and was completely mediated. In order to improve the quality of life for the elderly, it is necessary to develop and apply a comprehensive arbitration program that can improve oral health and oral function, and to study the effects of consequences in the future.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.42-52
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to find grounds for the development of a health promotion program by examining the risk factors affecting children in low-income families. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The subjects were 288 children under 13 years of age in We-Start, W city. The tools used included a household information questionnaire and risk assessment tools. The data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, and multiple regressions. Results: Risk factors like disability problems (β=.38, p<.001), residential environment (β=.37, p<.001), parenting type (β=.27, p=.003), the foster's educational level (β=.22, p=.011), and the gender of the child (β=.19, p=.030) explained 51% (p<.001) of the preschoolers in crisis. For the schooler, academic achievement (β=.39, p<.001), disability problems (β=.24, p<.001), adaptation to school (β=.23, p<.001), noise from the environment (β=.20, p<.001), and the foster's job (β=-.15, p=.007) explained 50% (p<.001) of crisis of schooler. Conclusion: The study found that children (disability, gender), family (residential environment, type of parenting), and caregivers (educational level, economic competence) had a complex impact on crisis situations. In children of a school-going age, school life appeared to be an important influencing factor. Therefore, an integrated case management approach that considers children, carers, and the home environment is necessary.