• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.8
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• pp.400-405
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• 2018

Chronic stress induces neuronal cell death, which can cause nervous system disorders including Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we evaluated the neuroprotective effects of Clematis terniflora extract (CTE) against corticosterone-induced apoptosis in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells, and also investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms. At concentrations of 300 and $500{\mu}g/ml$, CTE significantly decreased apoptotic cell death and mitochondrial damage induced by $200{\mu}M$ corticosterone. CTE decreased the expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress proteins GRP78, GADD153, and mitochondrial damage-related protein BAD, suggesting that it downregulates ER stress evoked by corticosterone. Furthermore, our results suggested that these protective effects were mediated by the upregulation of p-AKT and p-ERK1/2, which are involved in cell survival signaling. Collectively, our results indicate that CTE can lessen neural damage caused by chronic stress.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.40-49
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• 2019

Chronic and unpredictable stress can disrupt the female reproductive system by suppression for secretion of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotrophin, resulted in ovarian malfunction and infertility. In the recent days, kisspeptin has been highly highlighted as a hypothalamic peptide which directly stimulates synthesis and release for GnRH. However, in spite of the key role of kisspeptin in the female reproductive system, little information is still available on the changes of its expression during ovarian cycle under stressed condition. Therefore, we induced chronic and unpredictable stress series to the female mice to analyze kisspeptin expression in the brain and ovary. Stressed mice exhibited changes of behavior and body weight gain during the stress assessment, which suggested that the present stress model in mice was successfully established. In the brain level, kisspeptin expression was attenuated than control. In the ovary level, the stressed mice displayed irregularly shrunk oocytes with broken zona pellucida throughout the follicle stages, pyknotic granulosa cells, decreased number of developing follicles and increased number of atretic follicles than the control. In case of kisspeptin expression in the whole ovary tissue, the expression level was decreased in the stressed mice. In detail, the less intensity of kisspeptin expression in the antral follicles phase was observed in the stressed mice than control mice, indicating that local function of kisspeptin during ovary cycle is highly associated with development of ovarian follicles. We expect that the present study has important implications for the fields of reproductive biology.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.10-15
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• 2024

Previous studies have highlighted the pivotal role of the β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) signaling pathway in stimulating cancer metastasis induced by chronic stress. According to the theory of traditional Korean medicine, chronic stress can induce Qi stagnation. Based on the traditional role of premature citrus unshiu peel in moving Qi, we hypothesized that an ethanol extract of premature citrus unshiu peel (EPCU) can attenuate chronic stress-induced cancer progression. In this study, we investigated the potential role of EPCU on modulating the adrenergic agonists-induced metastatic properties of liver cancer cells. Our findings revealed that adrenergic agonists, including norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E), and isoproterenol (ISO), augmented the migratory capacity of Hep3B human hepatocellular carcinoma cells, which was completely abrogated by EPCU treatment in a concentration-dependent manner. Consistently, EPCU inhibited the E-induced invasive property of Hep3B cells in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that EPCU efficiently attenuates adrenergic agonists-induced metastatic abilities of liver cancer cells. As a molecular mechanism, EPF suppressed the phosphorylation of major components of β-AR signaling pathway, including Src, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and ERK, induced by E treatment. Taken together, our results demonstrate that EPCU impedes the adrenergic agonists-driven metastatic potential of cancer cells by inhibiting β-AR signaling pathway. This study provides basic evidence supporting the probable use of premature citrus unshiu peel to prevent metastasis in liver cancer patients under chronic stress.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.3715-3723
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• 2013

The objective of this study is to analyze the correlations between the chronic illnesses and congenital diseases of the chronic elderly invalids in nursing homes, as well as to examine the impact of stress scale and the factors affecting the emotional burnout scale. This study conducted Seoul survey from March 15 to May 31, 2013, targeting 147 seniors in nursing homes who were suffering from the four most common chronic illnesses. Analyses performed in this study include frequency, correlation and simple regression analyses, t-test and one-way analysis of variance, etc. All of the empirical analyses were conducted at 5% level of significance. The result of the study shows that there is a high correlation between the chronic invalids and their congenital diseases determined by the four pillars of destiny and that, if they are found to have a chronic illness, patients experience a high level of stress. Persons who score higher on the stress scale tend to score higher in the emotional burnout scale.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.196-204
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• 2020

Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is characterized by persistent airflow limitations associated with chronic inflammatory response due to noxious particles or gases in the lung. Increasing oxidative stress associated with COPD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influencing factors of biomarkers for oxidative stress in retired miners with COPD. Methods: The levels of total peroxide(TPx), total antioxidant capacity(TAC), and oxidative stress index(TPx/TAC ratio, OSI) in plasma as biomarkers for oxidative stress, serum C-reactive protein(CRP) as a biomarker for inflammation, and general characteristics were measured in 93 male subjects with COPD. COPD was defined as post bronchodilator FEV₁/FVC<0.7 by spirometry. Results: Mean levels of TPx(p=0.013), TAC(p=0.010), OSI(p=0.040), and CRP(p=0.024) were higher in current smokers. Levels of TPx(β=0.445, p<0.001), TAC(β=0.490, p<0.001), and OSI(β=0.351, p<0.001) were related to CRP levels, and CRP levels were related to %FEV₁ predicted(β=-0.295, p=0.003) and current smoking(β=0.214, p=0.032). Conclusions: These results suggest that oxidative stress was related to inflammation, and inflammation were related to decreasing %FEV₁ predicted and current smoking in retired miners with COPD.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.18-26
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• 2002

Objectives : The object of this study was to investigate the relationship between coping strategies and perceived stress or pain discomfort in patients with chronic low back pain. 80 patients with chronic low back pain and 100 normal controls participated in this study. Methods: Global assessment of recent stress (GARS) scale and Stress Response Inventory (SRI) were used to measure perception for stressors and stress responses. Coping scale and pain discomfort scale were used to measure coping strategies and pain perception. Results : Scores of perceived stress related to work or job, interpersonal relationship, changes in relationship, sickness or illness and the total scores on the GARS scale were significantly higher in those with chronic low back pain than normal controls. Scores of the SRI fatigue subscale scored significantly higher in those with chronic low back pain than normal controls. No significant difference was found on total scores of the pain discomfort scale between those with chronic low back pain and normal controls. The patients with chronic low back pain scored significantly higher on planful problem solving and positive reappraisal than normal controls. In the patient group, pain perception had significant positive correlations with total scores of the SRI and scores of stress perception related to illness or injury. The extent of escape-avoidance showed significant negative correlations with age, whereas the extent of distancing or escape-avoidance had significant negative correlations with the level of education. Significant difference was also found in accepting responsibilities between male subjects and females. However, no significant correlations were found between coping strategies and perceived stressors, stress responses or pain perception. Conclusion : The results suggest that patients with chronic low back pain were more likely to use more active coping strategies than normal controls, though the former had more perception for stressors than the latter. It was also found that coping strategies used by the patients were associated with sociodemographic factors, but that they were not associated with perceived stressors, stress responses or pain perception.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.333-343
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• 2004

Purpose: This study was designed to construct a structural model for symptom management of life of the patients with chronic fatigue. The hypothetical model was developed based on the literature review and Self-regulating Model. Method: Data were collected by questionnaires from 252 patients with chronic fatigue in the 8 community from December 2002 to April 2003 in Seoul. Data analysis was done with SAS for descriptive statistics and PC-LISREL Program for Covariance structural analysis. Result: The fit of the hypothetical model to the data was moderate, thus it was modified by excluding 4 path and including free parameters and 3 path to it The modified model with path showed a good fitness to the empirical data($x^2$=318.11, p=0.0, GFI=.98, AGFI=.98, NNFI=.95, RMSR=.03, RMSEA=.05). The symptoms of stress, self-efficacy, and present fatigue level were found to have significant direct effect on symptom management of the patients with chronic fatigue. The ways of coping, perceived stress, and fatigue symptom were found to have indirect effects on symptom management of the patients with chronic fatigue. Conclusion: The derived model is considered appropriate in explaining and predicting symptom management of the patients with chronic fatigue. Therefore, it can effectively be used as a reference model for further studies and suggested direction in nursing practice.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.287-302
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• 2017

Objectives: To evaluate effects of Resina Dendropanacis Morbiferus (RDM) on stress and sleep hormones when administered to Chronic Mild Stressed (CMS) rats. Methods: Twenty-five healthy rats were randomly divided into 5 groups; Normal, CMS (Control), Resina Dendropanacis Mobiferus 50 mg/kg (RDM 50), 100 mg/kg (RDM 100), and 200 mg/kg (RDM 200). All rats except the normal group were exposed to unpredicted stress conditions such as water deprivation, empty bottles, forced thread mill, etc. according to timetable of CMS for 3 weeks. After a week starting experiments, rats in RDM 50, RDM 100, and RDM 200 groups were fed orally once a day for 2 weeks. Afterward, blood samples were taken from rats to analyze complete blood count, AST, ALT, and glucose. Noradrenalin, GABA and Melatonin were measured by ELISA kit. BDNF, CREB and TrkB were measured by RT-PCT. Results: 1. In Noradrenalin content, RDM 100 and RDM 200 groups revealed significant decrease compared to the control group. 2. In GABA content, RDM 50 and RDM 100 groups revealed significant decrease compared to the control group. 3. In Melatonin content, RDM 100 and 200 groups revealed significant decrease compared to the control group. 4. In Activity of BDNF, RDM 100 and 200 groups revealed significant increase compared to the control group. 5. In Activity of CREB and TrkB, RDM 100 group revealed significant increase compared to the control group. 6. In Erythrocyte and Thrombocyte changes, red blood cells and hematocrit significantly increased in RDM 50 and RDM 200 groups than the control group. Hemoglobin and platelet significantly increased in all experimental groups and the control group. 7. In Weight gain content, all RDM groups revealed insignificant increase compared to the control group. 8. In Glucose content, RDM 50, RDM 100, and RDM 200 groups revealed significant decrease compared to the control group. Conclusions: Results suggest that RDM have effects on stress and sleep hormones when administered to Chronic Mild Stressed (CMS) rats.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.213-221
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• 2009

Longanae Arillus (the rind of fruits of Dimocarpus longan) has been consumed for the treatment of insomnia and anxiety in Asia. To provide further scientific basis to traditional uses of this fruit on insomnia, we evaluated the effects of methanol extract of Longanae Arillus (MELA) on the alteration of sleep architecture and electroencephalogram (EEG) power spectra in acutely and chronically restraint-stressed rats. Following postsurgical recovery, Polygraphic signs of sleep-wake activities were recorded for 24 h after MELA administration in rats. Rats in the acute stress and chronic stress were administered with MELA for 10 days. On the $8^{th},\;9^{th}\;and\;10^{th}$ day of MELA administration, the rats were stressed for 3 h once per day. On the $10^{th}$ day and 1 h after MELA administration, the rats were stressed once for 22 h in the chronic stress group. Acute and chronic stress induced alternations in cortex EEG recordings during non-rapid eye movement (NREM), rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and wakefulness. MELA shortened the total and REM sleep and increased the wakefulness in night time recording without changing daytime recordings. Chronic stress increased wakefulness and REM sleep, decreased total and NREM sleep in the daytime recording, and increased REM and decreased NREM sleep without changing total sleep and wakefulness in night time recording. These findings suggest that MELA ameliorated the alterations in REM and NREM sleep of acutely and chronically stressed rats via modulation of cortical ${\alpha}-$, ${\theta}-$ and ${\delta}-$ wave activity.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.125-130
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• 2003

Objectives : This study evaluated the stress of community residents using the General Health Questionnaire, GHQ-60, as an instrument of stress measurement. Methods : The study included 2100 residents, aged 20 and over, living in three areas, a large city, a medium sized city and a rural area, between June and September 2001. A questionnaire interviewing method was used to collect data. The data were analyzed using a t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis. Results : In this study, the degree of stress, as measured by the GHQ-60, was shown to be significantly higher in the following categories: females, people over 60 years old, people engaged in the primary industries and labor work, low incomes, the divorced and the bereaved, people who received no more than an elementary education, people who suffer from chronic diseases and non-exercisers. A factor analysis suggested that there were three factors of social dysfunction factors; psychosomatic symptom, and depression and anxiety, The social dysfunction factors was statistically significant for the groups described above. The factor of psychosomatic symptoms was statistically significant in the rural residents, and in the groups describedabove. The depression and anxiety factor was statistically significant in the large city residents, people aged between 20-29 years, students, unmarried persons, university graduates and those having suffered from chronic diseases. From the multiple linear regression analyses, chronic disease, exercise, gender and income, proved to be significant stress related factors Conclusions : This study suggests that special attention should be given to the management of the chronic invalided, non-exercisers, females and snail income earners, in order to maintain and promote the psychological health of residents in a community.