• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effects of a 1-night, 2-day mental health healing center program on the physical stress, autonomic nervous system health, brain activity levels, brain stress, concentration levels, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores of dementia patients and their caregivers. Methods: Forty-eight dementia patients (average age 80 years, 14 males and 34 females) and 48 caregivers (average age 65.23 years, 14 males and 34 females) participated in the program. Pre- and post-assessments were conducted to measure the variables. Results: Dementia patients experienced reduced physical stress, increased brain activity levels, decreased brain stress, improved concentration levels, and a significant decrease in PHQ-9 scores (p<0.05). However, there was a tendency for a decline in autonomic nervous system health among dementia patients. A significant decrease in physical stress was seen in caregivers, but no other significant differences were observed. Conclusions: While the 1-night, 2-day mental health healing center program did not produce significant changes in the caregivers of dementia patients, it exhibited overall positive effects in dementia patients. Consequently, mental healing programs should be utilized effectively for dementia patients. Furthermore, investigating the significance of ongoing programs for the mental well-being of dementia caregivers is imperative, mirroring the attention given to dementia patient care.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.20.1-20.21
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• 2024

The brain and lungs, vital organs in the body, play essential roles in maintaining overall well-being and survival. These organs interact through complex and sophisticated bi-directional pathways known as the 'lung-brain axis', facilitated by their close proximity and neural connections. Numerous studies have underscored the mediation of the lung-brain axis by inflammatory responses and hypoxia-induced damage, which are pivotal to the progression of both pulmonary and neurological diseases. This review aims to delve into how pulmonary diseases, including acute/chronic airway diseases and pulmonary conditions, can instigate neurological disorders such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Additionally, we highlight the emerging research on the lung microbiome which, drawing parallels between the gut and lungs in terms of microbiome contents, may play a significant role in modulating brain health. Ultimately, this review paves the way for exciting avenues of future research and therapeutics in addressing respiratory and neurological diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.5
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• pp.1053-1068
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• 2020

In accordance with the new healthcare policy of government (Moon Jae-In Care) to strengthen health insurance coverage, the National Health Insurance (NHI) coverage of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), brain/neck MR angiography (MRA), and head and neck MRI have been expanded since 2018 in Korea. This article has been reviewed focusing on the "Detailed matter concerning criteria and method for providing reimbursed services in the NHI. Some revisions" regarding reimbursement for MRI, which was revised from October 2018 to April 2020 and is currently in effect. It included the MRI reimbursement system in Korea, recent adjustment of the reimbursement coverage for patients with headache or dizziness, and reimbursement coverage, standard imaging, and radiologic report of brain MRI, brain/neck MRA and head and neck MRI. This article could help radiologists gain knowledge on health insurance to protect the expertise of the radiologist and to play a leading role in the hospital. As the policy changes, detailed matter concerning criteria and method for providing reimbursed services in the NHI may be revised. Therefore, radiologists should update issues related to insurance reimbursement for MRI continuously.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.166-171
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• 2013

While high-dose ionizing radiation results in long term cellular cytotoxicity, chronic low-dose (<0.2 Gy) of X- or ${\gamma}$-ray irradiation can be beneficial to living organisms by inducing radiation hormesis, stimulating immune function, and adaptive responses. During chronic low-dose-rate radiation (LDR) exposure, whole body of mice is exposed to radiation, however, it remains unclear if LDR causes changes in gene expression of the whole brain. Therefore, we aim to investigate expressed genes (EGs) and signaling pathways specifically regulated by LDR-irradiation ($^{137}Cs$, a cumulative dose of 1.7 Gy for total 100 days) in the whole brain. Using microarray analysis of whole brain RNA extracts harvested from ICR and AKR/J mice after LDR-irradiation, we discovered that two mice strains displayed distinct gene regulation patterns upon LDR-irradiation. In ICR mice, genes involved in ion transport, transition metal ion transport, and developmental cell growth were turned on while, in AKR/J mice, genes involved in sensory perception, cognition, olfactory transduction, G-protein coupled receptor pathways, inflammatory response, proteolysis, and base excision repair were found to be affected by LDR. We validated LDR-sensitive EGs by qPCR and confirmed specific upregulation of S100a7a, Olfr624, and Gm4868 genes in AKR/J mice whole brain. Therefore, our data provide the first report of genetic changes regulated by LDR in the mouse whole brain, which may affect several aspects of brain function.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.83-96
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• 2024

Purpose : This study was conducted to determine the effects of a brain spinning program on cognitive function, body composition, health related fitness and physical self-efficacy of children and adolescents. Methods : This study, 34 children and adolescents were selected and divided into two groups : the exercise group (n=16), which received a brain spinning program and the control group (n=16), which did not receive any exercise program. The program was conducted for 30 minutes three times a week for 4 weeks, and the cognitive function, body composition, health related fitness and physical self-efficacy were measured both before and after the program. Results : The exercise group, which received a brain spinning program showed a significant increase in short-term memory (p<.05) and working memory (p<.01), and muscle mass increased significantly only in the exercise group (p<.05). In addition, left grip strength increased in the exercise group (p<.01), and the maximum oxygen intake decreased significantly only in the control group (p<.05), and Sit-forward bend increased significantly only in the exercise group (p<.01). Physical self-efficacy significantly increased only in the exercise group (p<.05). Conclusion : In summary, short-term memory, cognitive efficiency, working memory, muscle mass, left grip strength, maximum oxygen intake, and left forward bending in children and adolescents significantly increased after the 4-week brain spinning program. However, the control group that was not provided with the 4-week brain spinning program showed a significant increase in body weight and a significant decrease in maximum oxygen intake. In conclusion, the 4-week brain spinning program has positive effects on short-term memory, cognitive function, muscle mass, muscle strength, cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, and physical self-efficacy.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.92-98
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• 2021

A brain-computer interface (BCI) is a technology that acquires and analyzes electrical signals from the brain to control external devices. BCI technologies can generally be used to control a computer cursor, limb orthosis, or word processing. This technology can also be used as a neurological rehabilitation tool for people with poor motor control. We reviewed historical attempts and methods toward predicting arm movements using brain waves. In addition, representative studies of minimally invasive and noninvasive BCI were summarized.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.281-287
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• 2011

Purpose: The study was done to explore growth variation in head circumference (HC) in extremely premature infants (EPI) with brain injury. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with 79 cohort samples from the archives of the catch-up growth project. Mean age of the infants was 29.2 weeks of gestation and mean HC, 27.1 cm at birth. Their HC measurements were retrieved from the archives up to 6 month of corrected age (CA) and analyzed against history of brain injury during hospitalization. Results: Overall growth retardation in HC was observed in the cohort sample compared to longer gestation premature infants. EPI with brain injury showed decreased HC compared to infants without brain injury, and resulting growth variation across 6 month of CA. Highest retardation in HC growth was observed in male infants with brain injury. Conclusion: Extreme preterm birth itself may function as a major obstacle against HC growth toward term age in EPI. Sustainability of brain injury could be observed with higher HC growth retardation after term. Evolutionary favor to female infants may exist in HC growth of EPI. Intensive education on HC monitoring is highly suggested for parents of EPI, particularly with children with brain injury.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.128-137
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was performed to identify the effects of oriental herbal tea on the brain function elders at the day care center and the nursing home. Methods: This study used a pre-post quasi-experimental design with a non-equivalent control group. Total 38 of elderly population (20 of experimental group and 18 of control group) was recruited. 100 mL of a type of oriental herbal tea developed for purpose of this study was given to each subject 3 times a day for 30 days (from May to Jun 2013). The brain function quotient was used to measure brain function. The data were analyzed by SPSS/WIN 18.0. Results: After drinking the oriental herbal tea, more significant improvement on attention quotient (AQ), anti-stress quotient (ASQ), emotion quotient (EQ) and brain quotient (BQ) were found in the experimental group than control group. Conclusion: This study shows that oriental herbal tea can be a health promotion option in elders. Therefore the tea can be utilized as an effective intervention for the health of elders in health facilities.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.297-309
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• 2016

Around the world, fermentation of foods has been adopted over many generations, primarily due to their commercial significance with enriched flavors and high-profile nutrients. The increasing application of fermented foods is further promoted by recent evidence on their health benefits, beyond the traditionally recognized effects on the digestive system. With recent advances in the understanding of gut-brain interactions, there have also been reports suggesting the fermented food's efficacy, particularly for cognitive function improvements. These results are strengthened by the proposed biological effects of fermented foods, including neuroprotection against neurotoxicity and reactive oxygen species. This paper reviews the beneficial health effects of fermented foods with particular emphasis on cognitive enhancement and neuroprotective effects. With an extensive review of fermented foods and their potential cognitive benefits, this paper may promote commercially feasible applications of fermented foods as natural remedies to cognitive problems.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.159-170
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• 2011

This study aims at providing basic data on brain death by analyzing factors of influencing toward attitude to brain death subject to citizens of Busan City. The data was collected for 47 days from 14 July to 31 August, 2009. Among a total of 2200 cases of the questionaries, only 2042 cases were used. For data analysis, SPSS 17.0 was used, and for the specific analysis method frequency analysis to understand general characteristics of the participants. In addition, examination on T-test and ANOVA analysis were conducted after analyzing the factors for participants' consciousness on brain death, and logistic regression analysis for understanding of relations between participants' will to brain death and general characteristics. The results of this study are summarized as follows; First, attitudes towards brain death according to general characteristics was high in those with will to donate their organs than those without in the attitude factors, namely, death recognition, acceptive, exclusive and religious attitude factors. Second, Significant variables for effects of attitudes towards brain death were gender, patients or their family's chronic or incurable diseases, religion, occupation and death recognition, acceptive, and exclusive attitude factors.