• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.315-324
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was done to determine the effects of a neurofeedback program on brain function and stress in occupational high school students. Method: A nonequivalent control group, non-synchronized with pre-posttest design was used with 62 students. Data collection was done from July to December, 2007. The neurofeedback training was given for 30 minutes at a time, three times a week for 12 weeks. Brain function was measured by brain waves in the frontal lobes of the students and analyzed by eight brain quotients characterizing patterns of EEG rhythms. The instrument used to measure stress was a scale for stress from regular daily life. Results: After neurofeedback training, the level of brain quotients in students in the experiment group increased(t=2.36, p<.05) and the level of stress decreased(t=-3.59, p<.001). Conclusion: The results of the study suggested that a neurofeedback program is effective for brain function improvement and stress reduction in high school students. Therefore, the conclusion of this study is that neurofeedback programs can be useful to increase brain function and decrease stress in occupational high school students.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.487-494
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• 2024

Recently, the term metabiotics has emerged as a new concept of probiotics. This concept entails combining existing probiotic components with metabolic by-products improve specific physiological functionalities. Representative ingredients of these metabiotics include short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), bacteriocins, polysaccharides, and peptides. The new concept is highly regarded as it complements the side effects of existing probiotics and is safe and easy to administer. Known health functions of metabiotics are mainly immune regulation, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and brain-neurological health. Research has been actively conducted on the health benefits related to the composition of intestinal microorganisms. Among them, the focus has been on brain neurological health, which requires extensive research. This study showed that neurological disorders, such as depression, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease, can be treated and prevented according to the gut-brain axis theory by changing the intestinal microflora. In addition, various studies are being conducted on the immunomodulatory and anticancer effects of substances related to metabiotics of the microbiome. In particular, its efficacy is expected to be confirmed through human studies on various cancers. Therefore, developing various health functional effects of the next-generation probiotics such as metabiotics to prevent or treatment of various diseases is anticipated.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.299-306
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• 2013

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) has been widely used as a treatment for the movement disturbances caused by Parkinson's disease (PD). Despite successful application of DBS, its mechanism of therapeutic effect is not clearly understood. Because PD results from the degeneration of dopamine neurons that affect the basal ganglia (BG) network, investigation of neuronal responses of BG neurons during STN DBS can provide informative insights for the understanding of the mechanism of therapeutic effect. However, it is difficult to observe neuronal activity during DBS because of large stimulation artifacts. Here, we report the observation of neuronal activities of the globus pallidus (GP) in normal and PD model rats during electrical stimulation of the STN. A custom artifact removal technique was devised to enable monitoring of neural activity during stimulation. We investigated how GP neurons responded to STN stimulation at various stimulation frequencies (10, 50, 90 and 130 Hz). It was observed that activities of GP neurons were modulated by stimulation frequency of the STN and significantly inhibited by high frequency stimulation above 50 Hz. These findings suggest that GP neuronal activity is effectively modulated by STN stimulation and strongly dependent on the frequency of stimulation.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.8
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• pp.537-549
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• 2022

Preproenkephalin (PPE) is a precursor molecule for multiple endogenous opioid peptides Leu-enkephalin (ENK) and Met-ENK, which are involved in a wide variety of modulatory functions in the nervous system. Despite the functional importance of ENK in the brain, the effect of brain-derived factor(s) on PPE expression is unknown. We report the dual effect of neural epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like-like 2 (NELL2) on PPE gene expression. In cultured NIH3T3 cells, transfection of NELL2 expression vectors induced an inhibition of PPE transcription intracellularly, in parallel with downregulation of protein kinase C signaling pathways and extracellular signal-regulated kinase. Interestingly, these phenomena were reversed when synthetic NELL2 was administered extracellularly. The in vivo disruption of NELL2 synthesis resulted in an increase in PPE mRNA level in the rat brain, suggesting that the inhibitory action of intracellular NELL2 predominates the activation effect of extracellular NELL2 on PPE gene expression in the brain. Biochemical and molecular studies with mutant NELL2 structures further demonstrated the critical role of EGF-like repeat domains in NELL2 for regulation of PPE transcription. These are the first results to reveal the spatio-specific role of NELL2 in the homeostatic regulation of PPE gene expression.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.127-138
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• 2012

Purpose: This study is a methodological study to develop education program for families of patients with brain injury. Method: This education program is on the basis of education items identified in a previous research, and literature review, and again this was developed by educational program for families of patients with brain injury that consist of items which pass through proof of content validity of special group. This study established the goal of the study about selected items and made out a preliminary education program, and it was reviewed and corrected by evidence of content validity of the special group and the degree of difficulty. Results: The final education program content consists of 6 areas. : disease, cure and care, rehabilitation, family and others. Conclusion: This program will expect to be utilized to keep optimal health state, also it can prevent various problems from happening to patients with brain injury; moreover, we expect that it would improve the quality of life.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.10-26
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• 2019

Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is an emerging new technology with considerable potential to treat various neurological diseases. With refinement of ultrasound transducer technology and integration with magnetic resonance imaging guidance, transcranial sonication of precise cerebral targets has become a therapeutic option. Intensity is a key determinant of ultrasound effects. High-intensity focused ultrasound can produce targeted lesions via thermal ablation of tissue. MRgFUS-mediated stereotactic ablation is non-invasive, incision-free, and confers immediate therapeutic effects. Since the US Food and Drug Administration approval of MRgFUS in 2016 for unilateral thalamotomy in medication-refractory essential tremor, studies on novel indications such as Parkinson's disease, psychiatric disease, and brain tumors are underway. MRgFUS is also used in the context of blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening at low intensities, in combination with intravenously-administered microbubbles. Preclinical studies show that MRgFUS-mediated BBB opening safely enhances the delivery of targeted chemotherapeutic agents to the brain and improves tumor control as well as survival. In addition, BBB opening has been shown to activate the innate immune system in animal models of Alzheimer's disease. Amyloid plaque clearance and promotion of neurogenesis in these studies suggest that MRgFUS-mediated BBB opening may be a new paradigm for neurodegenerative disease treatment in the future. Here, we review the current status of preclinical and clinical trials of MRgFUS-mediated thermal ablation and BBB opening, described their mechanisms of action, and discuss future prospects.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.251-261
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• 2009

Purpose: The study determined the effects of a brain respiration program on reducing the test anxiety and depression of nursing students. Method: This study used a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Subjects (n=126) were divided into an experimental group (n=64) that received the brain respiration program two times a week for 8 weeks, and control group (n=62), Data was analyzed using paired t-test and, Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: There was no significant group difference in decreased test anxiety between the two groups (t=1.726. p=.087), but the experimental group displayed a significant decrease in depression (t=2.882, p=.005). Test anxiety and depression was significantly difference by the group (F=5.449, p=021; F=21.008, p=<.001). Significant positive correlations were revealed between worry, and emotional and cognitive factors in test anxiety. Conclusions: Use of a brain respiration program can reduce test anxiety and depression in nursing students.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.53-60
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate changes in upper extremity joints and leisure satisfaction in children with brain lesions through sports stacking activities. Methods: A sports stacking program was conducted on three children with brain lesions who had upper extremity joint limitations and joint range of motion lower than the normal range. It was conducted 10 times, 1 to 2 times a week, 40 minutes each time. Upper extremity joint angles were measured using a goniometer in the order of shoulder, elbow, wrist, and fingers, and leisure satisfaction was measured using a smile evaluation. Results: As a result of measuring the upper extremity joint angles, all three children showed slight angle changes in the shoulder, elbow, and wrist areas. Differences in joint angles appeared differently for each child. Smile evaluation results were evaluated in various psychological, educational, and physical aspects. Only child A was evaluated for Smile Evaluation No. 1. Conclusion: Sports stacking activities changed the upper extremity function of children with brain lesion disorders and showed differences in psychological, physical, and educational aspects of leisure satisfaction. As this is a short-term study result, the change in upper extremity function is minimal, but if sports stacking activities are continued, it will be a rehabilitation program that can prevent upper extremity dysfunction and improve physical strength. Accordingly, continuous attention should be paid to increasing accessibility and enjoyment of daily life according to individual characteristics and level.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.191-202
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing factors university students' will toward brain death organ donation. Methods: Data from 250 students were collected using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using a chi-squared test, independent t-test, and binary logistic regression with the SPSS 23.0 program. Results: Factors influencing will of brain death organ donation were announcing to decision to engage in brain death donation(Confidence interval(CI)=3.02-32.14, p<.001), experience of having discussed brain death organ donation with others(CI=1.26-5.72, p=.011), intention to make advance directives(ADs)(CI=1.90-9.57., p<.001), and positive attitude toward ADs(CI=1.05-1.29, p=.004). Conclusions: The most important factors affecting the will of brain death organ donation were making an informed decision regarding organ donation, intending to make an AD, having engaged in organ donation conversation, and a positive attitude toward ADs.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.124-132
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• 2020

This study examines the clinical availability of alpha amplitude, asymmetry and mean frequency in old age as EEG indexes reflecting brain health condition. The EEGs of prefrontal lobes in eye closure state were measured for 4 minutes with 72 male and female elderly people aged 73. Subjects were divided into higher and lower groups based on average values of alpha amplitude, asymmetry and mean frequency. The results of correlations and t-test among EEG indexes were as follows. First, the higher Alpha altitude was, the higher physical and mental stress resistance and left-to-right brain communication were, and the lower mean Alpha mean frequency location was. The higher Alpha asymmetry was, the lower left-to-right communication level was. Second, as Alpha power of right brain was higher than that of left brain, Alpha amplitude and mental stress resistance and left-to-right brain communication level were higher. Third, as Alpha mean frequency location was higher, Alpha amplitude and mental anti-stress level were lowered and arousal level was enhanced. These high correlations and complementary meaning among quantitative EEG indicators demonstrated the possibility of biomarkers reflecting brain health state in old age.