• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.523-532
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• 2022

Vitamin C is an important physiological antioxidant which neutralizes reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduces the oxidative stress in the body. Although it has been associated with various diseases, few studies have reported the dose-response relationship between vitamin C intake, storage and functions in the body, including its antioxidant function. The criteria to establish the Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRIs) for vitamin C were based on the changes in plasma concentrations and saturation of leukocytes according to intake levels and the effects on antioxidant capacity and risk of metabolic diseases. When establishing the 2020 vitamin C KDRI, while there was no change in the criteria from those of 2015, the reference values were recalculated and revised to reflect changes such as the new standard weight by age. As the number of people consuming dietary supplements has increased over the last decade, only about 10% of adults consume less than the average total vitamin C, but the proportion of adolescents and elderly who consume less than the average is high. On the other hand, as the intake of vitamin C supplements increases, the proportion of people consuming excessive vitamin C is also increasing. There is a body of opinion that it is necessary to establish a vitamin C KDRI for smokers or people with chronic diseases such as the metabolic syndrome, but these standards have not been established due to the lack of supporting scientific evidence. As a result, studies to establish vitamin C KDRI for Korean smokers and patients with the metabolic syndrome, as well as studies on the excessive intake of vitamin C due to supplementation and interactions with other nutrients, are needed.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.227-239
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• 2023

Major depressive disorder is a leading cause of disability in more than 280 million people worldwide. Monoamine-based antidepressants are currently used to treat depression, but delays in treatment effects and lack of responses are major reasons for the need to develop faster and more efficient antidepressants. Studies show that ketamine (KET), a PCP analog, produces antidepressant effects within a few hours of administration that lasts up to a week. However, the use of KET has raised concerns about side effects, as well as the risk of abuse. 4 -F-PCP analog is a novel PCP analog that is also an NMDA receptor antagonist, structurally similar to KET, and might potentially elicit similar antidepressant effects, however, there has been no study on this subject yet. Herein, we investigate whether 4-F-PCP displays antidepressant effects and explored their potential therapeutic mechanisms. 4-F-PCP at 3 and 10 mg/kg doses showed antidepressant-like effects and repeated treatments maintained its effects. Furthermore, treatment with 4-F-PCP rescued the decreased expression of proteins most likely involved in depression and synaptic plasticity. Changes in the excitatory amino acid transporters (EAAT2, EAAT3, EAAT4) were also seen following drug treatment. Lastly, we assessed the possible side effects of 4-F-PCP after long-term treatment (up to 21 days). Results show that 4-F-PCP at 3 mg/kg dose did not alter the cognitive function of mice. Overall, current findings provide significant implications for future research not only with PCP analogs but also on the next generation of different types of antidepressants.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.349-356
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• 2023

Gout, a chronic inflammatory arthritic disease, is characterized by hyperuricemia. Gout can be induced by an inflammatory response to monosodium urate (MSU) crystals mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokine release following activation of the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Many sulfur-containing phytochemical compounds in garlic (Allium sativum L.) are considered active ingredients because of their potential pharmacological benefits for various diseases, but their efficacy in NLRP3 inflammasome activation-mediated gout has not been demonstrated. In this study, we investigated whether diallyl disulfide (DADS) and diallyl trisulfide (DATS), representative garlic-derived sulfur compounds, have an inhibitory effect on MSU-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Our results showed that under non-cytotoxic conditions, DADS and DATS significantly blocked nitric oxide production and interleukin (IL)-1β release in response to MSU in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-primed RAW 264.7 macrophages. DADS and DATS also attenuated enhanced expression of NLRP3 and its adapter protein, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein, which was associated with downregulation of and caspase-1 p20 and IL-1β expression, suggesting that MSU-induced LRP3 inflammasome activation was counteracted by DADS and DATS. Furthermore, DADS and DATS blocked oxidative stress, an upstream event for NLRP3 inflammasome activation, as evidenced by the fact that they scavenged reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that DADS and DATS suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome activation by inhibiting the ROS/NLRP3 pathway and that they have potential as treatments for NLRP3-dependent gouty arthritis.

• Asia-pacific Journal of Multimedia Services Convergent with Art, Humanities, and Sociology
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.229-240
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• 2016

Academic resilience of individual competencies that have overcome fatal or chronic adversity seen as a excessive threat in academic scene is the psychological ability to overcome stress. This study is a survey research carried try to identify the factors that affect the academic resilience of nursing students. Interpersonal communication competence and happiness to target the nursing students of the total 554 people to investigate the effect on the academic resilience, were analyzed using the SPSS version 21.0. The main results are as follows. (1) academic resilience could vary depending on the grade, living arrangements, Interpersonal relationship, personality and academic performance. (2) academic resilience had a positive correlation with interpersonal communication competence(r=.46, p<.001) and happiness(r=.35, p<.001). (3) factors that had significant impact on academic resilience of nursing students were grade(p=.002), living arrangements(p=.001), academic performance(p<.001), interpersonal communication competence(p<.001) and happiness(p<.001) and explanatory power was 36.9%. Through this study, interpersonal communication competence and happiness were identified as having the positive effect on academic resilience. As a follow-up, in order to improve academic resilience, a study to develop programs that would promote interpersonal communication competence and happiness are suggested.

• 한국노년학
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.941-958
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to explore change trajectories patterns of Self-Rated Health in middle aged, to identify socioeconomic factors, self-esteem, family relationship factors, and to identify relevant predictors. For this purpose, the 2,418 middle aged, who married couples were extracted from the 2^nd to 12^st waves of Korea Welfare Panel Survey data. The data analysis included Latent Class Growth Analysis, multiple logistic regression. The change trajectories patterns of self-rated health in middle aged were classified into four types: (1) high state-retained type(46.3%), (2) low state-retained type(19.6%), (3) reduced type(17.5%), (4) increasing type(16.6%). Despite the control of chronic diseases that are closely related to health, when the low state-retained type, which is a crisis group, was set as the reference group for the self-rated health, the economic participation, self-esteem and satisfaction of the family relationship had a more inadequate effect than the high state-retained type. Likewise, when the reduced type, which is a crisis group, was set as the reference group for the self-rated health, the economic participation, self-esteem, satisfaction of the family relationship, and family stress had a more effect than the increasing type. Based on the analysis results, this study suggest political and practical intervention to maintain the proper health, and the details are as follows.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.899-916
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress is a fundamental neurodegenerative disease trigger that damages and decimates nerve cells. Neurodegenerative diseases are chronic central nervous system disorders that progress and result from neuronal degradation and loss. Recent studies have extensively focused on neurodegenerative disease treatment and prevention using dietary compounds. Heseperetin is an aglycone hesperidin form with various physiological activities, such as anti-inflammation, antioxidant, and antitumor. However, few studies have considered hesperetin's neuroprotective effects and mechanisms; thus, our study investigated this in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-treated SH-SY5Y cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: SH-SY5Y cells were treated with H₂O₂ (400 µM) in hesperetin absence or presence (10-40 µM) for 24 h. Three-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assays detected cell viability, and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining allowed us to observe nuclear morphology changes such as chromatin condensation and apoptotic nuclei. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection assays measured intracellular ROS production; Griess reaction assays assessed nitric oxide (NO) production. Western blotting and quantitative polymerase chain reactions quantified corresponding mRNA and proteins. RESULTS: Subsequent experiments utilized various non-toxic hesperetin concentrations, establishing that hesperetin notably decreased intracellular ROS and NO production in H₂O₂-treated SH-SY5Y cells (P < 0.05). Furthermore, hesperetin inhibited H₂O₂-induced inflammation-related gene expression, including interluekin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 activation. In addition, hesperetin inhibited NF-κB translocation into H₂O₂-treated SH-SY5Y cell nuclei and suppressed mitogen-activated protein kinase protein expression, an essential apoptotic cell death regulator. Various apoptosis hallmarks, including shrinkage and nuclear condensation in H₂O₂-treated cells, were suppressed dose-dependently. Additionally, hesperetin treatment down-regulated Bax/Bcl-2 expression ratios and activated AMP-activated protein kinase-mammalian target of rapamycin autophagy pathways. CONCLUSION: These results substantiate that hesperetin activates autophagy and inhibits apoptosis and inflammation. Hesperetin is a potentially potent dietary agent that reduces neurodegenerative disease onset, progression, and prevention.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2024

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the main global health problems. Chronic exposure to hyperglycemia can lead to cellular dysfunction that may become irreversible over time, a process that is termed glucose toxicity. Our perspective about glucose toxicity as it pertains to the pancreatic β-cell is that the characteristic decreases in insulin secretion are caused by regulated apoptotic gene expression. In this study, we examined whether ferulic acid protects INS-1 pancreatic cells against high glucose-induced apoptosis. High glucose concentration (30 mM) induced glucotoxicity and death of INS-1 pancreatic β cells. However, treatment with 1, 5, 10, or 20 μM ferulic acid increased the cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. Treatment with ferulic acid dose-dependently decreased the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and nitric oxide in INS-1 pancreatic β cells pretreated with high glucose. These effects influence the apoptotic pathway, increasing the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and reducing the levels of pro-apoptotic proteins, including Bax, cytochrome C, and caspase 9. Annexin V/propidium iodide staining indicated that ferulic acid significantly reduced high glucose-induced apoptosis. These results demonstrate that ferulic acid is a potential therapeutic agent to protect INS-1 pancreatic β cells against high glucose-induced apoptosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.142-150
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• 2005

Background : Continuous growth stimulation by various factors, as well as chronic oxidative stress, may co-exist in many solid tumors, such as lung cancer. A new family of antioxidant proteins, the peroxiredoxins (Prxs), have been implicated in the regulation of many cellular processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. However, a real pathophysiological significance of Prx proteins, especially in lung disease, has not been sufficiently defined. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the distribution and expression of various Prx isoforms in lung cancer and other pulmonary conditions. Method : Patients diagnosed with lung cancer, and who underwent surgery at the Ajou Medical Center, were enrolled. The expressions of Prxs, Thioredoxin (Trx) and Thioredoxin reductase (TR) were analyzed using proteomic techniques and the subcellular localization of Prx proteins was studied using immunohistochemistry on normal mouse lung tissue. Result : Immunohistochemical staining has shown the isoforms of Prx I, II, III and V are predominantly expressed in bronchial and alveolar lining epithelia, as well as in the alveolar macrophages of the normal mouse lung. The isoforms of Prx I and III, and thioredoxin were also found to be over-expressed in the lung cancer tissues compared to their paired normal lung controls. There was also an increased amount of the oxidized form of Prx I, as well as a putative truncated form of Prx III, in the lung cancer samples when analyzed using 2-dimensional electrophoresis. In addition, a 43 kDa intermediate molecular weight protein band, and other high molecular weight bands of over 20 kDa, recognized by the anti-Prx I antibody, were present in the tissue extracts of lung cancer patients on 1-Dimensional electrophoresis, which require further investigation. Conclusion : The over-expressions of Prx I and III, and Trx in human lung cancer tissue, as well as their possible chaperoning function, may represent an attempt by tumor cells to adjust to their microenvironment in a manner advantageous to their survival and proliferation, while maintaining their malignant potential.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.1619-1637
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• 2000

A review was undertaken to obtain information on the range of beak-trimming methods available or under development. Beak-trimming of commercial layer replacement pullets is a common yet critical management tool that can affect the performance for the life of the flock. The most obvious advantage of beak-trimming is a reduction in cannibalism although the extent of the reduction in cannibalism depends on the strain, season, and type of housing, flock health and other factors. Beak-trimming also improves feed conversion by reducing food wastage. A further advantage of beak-trimming is a reduction in the chronic stress associated with dominance interactions in the flock. Beak-trimming of birds at 7-10 days is favoured by Industry but research over last 10 years has shown that beak-trimming at day-old causes the least stress on birds and efforts are needed to encourage Industry to adopt the practice of beak-trimming birds at day-old. Proper beak-trimming can result in greatly improved layer performance but improper beak-trimming can ruin an other wise good flock of hens. Re-trimming is practiced in most flocks, although there are some flocks that only need one trimming. Given the continuing welfare scrutiny of using a hot blade to cut the beak, attempts have been made to develop more welfare friendly methods of beak-trimming. Despite the developments in design of hot blade beak-trimmers the process has remained largely unchanged. That is, a red-hot blade cuts and cauterises the beak. The variables in the process are blade temperature, cauterisation time, operator ability, severity of trimming, age of trimming, strain of bird and beak length. This method of beak-trimming is still overwhelmingly favoured in Industry and there appears to be no other alternative procedures that are more effective. Sharp secateurs have been used trim the upper beak of both layers and turkeys. Bleeding from the upper mandible ceases shortly after the operation, and despite the regrowth of the beak a reduction of cannibalism has been reported. Very few differences have been noted between behaviour and production of the hot blade and cold blade cut chickens. This method has not been used on a large scale in Industry. There are anecdotal reports of cannibalism outbreaks in birds with regrown beaks. A robotic beak-trimming machine was developed in France, which permitted simultaneous, automated beak-trimming and vaccination of day-old chicks of up to 4,500 chickens per hour. Use of the machine was not successful because if the chicks were not loaded correctly they could drop off the line, receive excessive beak-trimming or very light trimming. Robotic beak-trimming was not effective if there was a variation in the weight or size of chickens. Capsaicin can cause degeneration of sensory nerves in mammals and decreases the rate of beak regrowth by its action on the sensory nerves. Capsaicin is a cheap, non-toxic substance that can be readily applied at the time of less severe beak-trimming. It suffers the disadvantage of causing an extreme burning sensation in operators who come in contact with the substance during its application to the bird. Methods of applying the substance to minimise the risk to operators of coming in contact with capsaicin need to be explored. A method was reported which cuts the beaks with a laser beam in day-old chickens. No details were provided on the type of laser used, or the severity of beak-trimming, but by 16 weeks the beaks of laser trimmed birds resembled the untrimmed beaks, but without the bill tip. Feather pecking and cannibalism during the laying period were highest among the laser trimmed hens. Currently laser machines are available that are transportable and research to investigate the effectiveness of beak-trimming using ablasive and coagulative lasers used in human medicine should be explored. Liquid nitrogen was used to declaw emu toes but was not effective. There was regrowth of the claws and the time and cost involved in the procedure limit the potential of using this process to beak-trim birds.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 2005

Objectives : We have studied female patients with either alopecia areata or androgenetic alopecia to evaluate psychological aspects, such as anxiety, depression, alexithymia, and characteristic personalities. In addition, we tried to examine the differences in psychological characteristics between these two types of alopecia, where the alopecia areata has been cotroversial on the role of stress in its etiology and the androgenetic alopecia seems to be more influeced by genetic and biological factors. Methods : All participated patients were females with alopecia for more than 1 you. Among them, 52 were with alopecia areata and 33 were with androgenetic alopecia. They were compared with 54 normal healthy controls by using MMPI, BDI, STAI-S, STAI-T, and TAS-20K. Results The average scores of F, Hs, D, Pd, Pa, Sc, Si in MMPI of alopecia groups were significantly higher than that of normal controls, and the androgenetic alopecia group had highest Hy and Pt scores. The average scores of BDI, STAI-S, and STAI-T in alopecia groups were higher than the normal controls. 94.2% of alopecia areata patients and 97.0% of androgenetic alopecia patients had severe depression, who scored higher than 23 in BDI. In TAS-20K, the average total scores of alopecia groups were higher than the normal control group, and the average Factor 3 score in androgentic alopecia was higher than the other groups. The alopecia groups scored higher than normal control group in STAI-S and STAI-T. Conclusion : Females with chronic alopecia were more depressed, had higher levels of anxiety, and more alexithymic than normal healthy females. In spite of arguments about etiological role of stress to alopecia, psychiatric interventions are needed for depression, and considerations for personality and psychological defense mechanism were needed in both types of alopecia.