• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.198-209
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to shorten the KPCS-1 (Korean Patient Classification System-1) for predicting nursing care need level and to explore whether the patients can be clustered by their acuity and dependency. Methods: The participants were inpatients in two surgical wards and two internal medicine wards at a teritory hospital during 14 days investigations. The KPCS-1 was evaluated once a day for all inpatients and 2,082 cases of data from a total of 411 patients were analyzed. Results: The items were reducted from 50 items to 26 items by partial least squares analysis and expert review. Through factor analysis, it was confirmed that hygiene, diet, elimination, and exercise were categorized as dependence factors. Patients were clustered with low acuity/low dependency (average score: 7.68±2.81/1.05±1.33), high acuity/low dependency (average score: 17.20±4.15/1.94±2.40), medium acuity/high dependency (average score: 13.56±5.30/9.66±2.64) through cluster analysis. The total score of the three groups for their nursing care needs was 8.73±3.36, 19.14±5.74, and 23.24±6.31 in order, and the results showed a statistically significant difference (F=1712.12, p<.001). Conclusion: The shortening of the KPCS-1 and the new criteria for categorizing patients according to acuity and dependence will increase clinical utility and be useful for manpower assignment criteria in detail.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.59-67
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• 2023

Purpose : Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is recognized as an important cellular response in metastatic proceduresand characterized by loss of cellular polarity as well as gain of mesenchymal features, which enables migration and invasion. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common primary carcinomas in the liver and exhibits a poor prognosis due to frequent extrahepatic metastasis. Taraxacum officinale has been used for a long time in oriental medicine because of its various pharmacological activitiessuch as anti-rheumatic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and anticarcinogenic activities. In this study, the anti-metastatic activity of T. officinale water extract (TOWE) and ethanol extract (TOEE) was investigated through the regulation of EMT in the Huh7 cells. Methods : The effects of TOWE and TOEE on migratory and invasive activities were investigated by wound healing and in vitro invasion assays. Western blot analysis was also applied to analyze protein expression levels associated with EMT and their upstream transcription factors in Huh7 cells. Results : TOWE and TOEE treatment potently inhibited migration and invasion of Huh7 cells compared to the untreated group. Both extracts treatment inhibited protein expression levels of N-cadherin, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, and vimentin while E-cadherin was significantly accelerated. In addition, the activated status of transcription factors, Snail, nuclear factor (NF)-κ B, and zinc finger E-box binding homeobox (ZEB)1 was also inhibited with statistical significance. In comparison to both extracts, TOEE more potently attenuated migration, invasion, and EMT markers as well as their transcription factors in Huh7 cells than TOWE, which means that TOEE might possess more functional phytochemicals than TOWE. Conclusion : Consequently, TOWE and TOEEattenuated metastatic activity of hepatocellular carcinoma through the regulation of EMT markers and their transcription factors in Huh7 cells, which means that T. officinale might be a promising strategy for a chemopreventive agent against HCC metastasis.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.5-17
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was to develop a factor-type patient classification system for general nursing unit based on nursing needs (KPCS; Korean patient classification system for nurses). Method: We reviewed workload management system for nurses(WMSN) of Walter Reed Medical Center, Korean patient classification system for ICU, and nursing activities in nursing records and developed the first version of KPCS. The final version KPCS was evaluated via validity and reliability verifications based on panel discussions and data from 800 patient classifications. Content validity was performed by Delphi method and concurrent validity was verified by the correlation of two tools (r=.71). Construct validity was also tested by medical department (p<.001), patient type (p<.001), and nurse intuition (p<.001). These verifications were performed from April to October, 2008. Results: The KPCS has 75 items in classifying 50 nursing activities, and categorized into 12 different nursing area (measuring vital sign, monitoring, respiratory treatment, hygiene, diet, excretion, movement, examination, medication, treatment, special treatment, and education/emotional support). Conclusion: The findings of the study showed sound reliability and validity of KPCS based on nursing needs. Further study is mandated to refine the system and to develop index score to estimate the necessary number of nurses for adequate care.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.169-179
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• 2023

Purpose : Although human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) are a supportive factor for tissue engineering, oxidative stress during cell culture and transplantation has been shown to affect stem cell viability and mortality, leading to failed regeneration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and protective effects against cell damage of celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, and the antioxidant signal of hPDLSCs in H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress. Methods : To induce oxidative stress in cultured hPDLSCs, H₂O₂ was used as an exogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS). Dose-dependent celecoxib (.1, 1, 10, or 100 µM) was administered after H₂O₂ treatment. WST-1 assay was used to assess cell damage and western blot was used to observe antioxidant activity of hPDLSCs in oxidative stress. Immunohistochemistry was performed for inverting the localization of the SOD and Nrf2 antibody. Results : We found that progressive cell death was induced in hPDLSCs by H₂O₂ treatment. However, low-dose celecoxib reduced H₂O₂-induced cellular damage and eventually enhanced the SOD activity and Nrf2 signal of hPDLSCs. Oxidative stress-induced morphological change in hPDLSCs included lowered the survival and number of spindle-shaped cells, and shrinkage and shortening of cell fibers. Notably, celecoxib promoted cell survival function and activated antioxidants such as SOD and Nrf2 by positively regulating the cell survival signal pathway, and also reduced the number of morphological changes in hPDLS. Immunohistochemistry results showed a greater number of SOD- and Nrf2-stained cells in the celecoxib-treated group following oxidative stress. Conclusion : By increasing SOD and Nrf2 expression at the antioxidant system, the findings suggest that celecoxib enhanced the antioxidative ability of hPDLSCs and protected cell viability against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress by increasing SOD and Nrf2 expression in the antioxidant system.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.421-428
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• 2022

Background: The exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation is a significant risk factor generally underestimated by outdoor workers and employers. Several studies have pointed out that occupational solar exposure increased eye and skin diseases with a considerable impact on the lives and productivity of affected workers. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness against ultraviolet radiation of some measures recently undertaken for the protection of lifeguards in a coastal area of Tuscany. Methods: Different shading structures (gazebos and beach umbrella) were tested during a sunny summer's day on a sandy beach by means of two radiometers; the UV protection offered by some T-shirts used by lifeguards was also tested in the laboratory with a spectrophotometer. Results: The analysed shading structures strongly reduced the ultraviolet radiation by up to 90%, however a not always negligible diffuse radiation is also present in the shade, requiring further protective measures (T-shirt, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.); the tested T-shirts showed a very good-excellent protection according to the Australian/New Zealand standard. Conclusion: Results obtained in this study suggest how the adoption and dissemination of good practices, including those tested, could be particularly effective as a primary prevention for lifeguards who are subjected to very high levels of radiation for long periods.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.33-40
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• 2023

This study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory function of Pyropia yezoensis hydrothermal (water) extract (PYWE) in comparison to the group treated only with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in RAW264.7 cells. LPS is known to be an inflammatory mediator that activates macrophages, leading to the secretion of nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as defense responses. Through enzyme-linked immunoassay and western blot analyses, it was observed that PYWE increased the expression levels of NO, iNOS, TNF-α, and IL-6 in RAW264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner, although to a lesser extent compared with the group treated with LPS alone. In addition, the study examined the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathway, which regulates various cellular activities, including gene expression, mitosis, cell differentiation, transformation, survival, and death. The western blot analysis confirmed that PYWE also regulated the MAPKs pathway. Furthermore, the expression levels of immunomodulatory-related factors increased in the group treated with PYWE compared with the control group. Even though the effects of PYWE were usually less strong than those of LPS, the effects of PYWE increased with increasing doses compared to the control group. This suggests that PYWE could be used to control the immune system.

• Journal of the Health Care and Life Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.157-162
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• 2022

Smoking is known to be a causative factor of periodontal disease in addition to drinking alcohol. However, studies on microorganisms in oral cavity according to smoking status are currently very poor. In this study, 30 smokers and 30 nonsmokers were selected for university students. It was statistically significant that Streptococcus mutans, Prevotella intermedia were detected more frequently in smokers with 30% compared to non-smokers with 7%, and was detected in subjects that engaged in tooth brushing fewer than three times a day with 20%(p<0.05). P. intermedia was significant in that more bacteria were detected in smokers than in non-smokers (p<0.05). As continuous smoking directly stimulates the oral cavity, bacteria that can cause oral disease may appear more dominant than in non-smokers. Furthermore, it is expected that it will have a positive effect on students' smoking cessation.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.74-84
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• 2016

Literacy on food additives of elementary school teachers (ET) and nutrition teachers (NT) could be influential factor on safe dietary education for school children. Therefore, the perceptions and information needs on food additives were surveyed from 351 elementary school teachers and nutrition teachers in metropolitan area of Korea, and the basic data for the promotion of risk communication on food additives among them were obtained. Compared to ET who consider 'taste' (39.1%) as the most important factor while purchasing food, NT considered 'safety' (68.1%) first (p < 0.001). Among the food labelling items, the level of understanding on food additives was the lowest both in ET (3.53) and NT (4.17), and NT showed better levels of understanding overall on food labels. Both ET and NT regarded hazardous factors of food as environmental pollutants, foodborne pathogens, and food additives in order, and tended to select 'no additives' or 'no artificial color' products while purchasing processed food. Although NT answered that they know all food additives had been passed the evaluation of safety and effectiveness tests (100%) and have standards of use (81.9%), majority of them (87.5%) believed the consumption of food additives are harmful on human health. ET (75.2%) also regarded food additives as dangerous materials. Above results suggested the necessity of proper and enough risk communication for both ET and NT. Both ET and NT wanted to have information on the safety or hazard of food additives. Most preferred media to get the information on food additives was TV (3.80) among ET and lecture (3.65) among NT. ET and NT trusted hospital, research institution/universities or the personnels working in these institutions as the provider of information on food additives. The result that the trust levels of ET and NT on government were relative low suggested the weakness of risk communication in Korean government. Although ET and NT answered that they do not trust mass media, their behaviors were affected by them such as reading food labels in ET (39.4%) and reducing the consumption of food additives in NT (50%). They also indicated mass media's problem of sensitive approach on food additives and asked the urgent reaction of government by providing sound information through experts on food additives. Above results revealed that ET and NT have different perceptions and information needs on food additives, therefore, proper risk communication should be provided for them to serve as dietary educators for elementary school children.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.352-356
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to introduce the toxicological study review to evaluate the safety of PDMS on the 69th JECFA meeting. Polydimethylsiloxane is a polymer and its ADI was established at 23rd JECFA meeting in 1979. The ADI was maintained although the specification was expanded at its 26th, 29 th, 37 th meetings. Recently, it was reported that PDMS with low molecular weight and viscosity has high absorption rate and different toxicity, so it was submitted at 69th meeting. Toxicological studies of PDMS were submitted from the sponsor and additional information is collected from a document searching. The toxicological studies were reviewed in accordance with the 'Guidelines for the preparation of toxicological working papers for the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives'. In the available acute, sub-chronic and chronic toxicity studies on PDMS, dose-related increases in incidence and severity of ocular lesions(corneal crystal, inflammation of the corneal epithelium etc.) were consistently observed after oral dosing. It seems to be a local irritant effect, but the mechanism by which the ocular lesions arose is unclear, although the lack of absorption of PDMS indicates that it is unlikely to be a direct systemic effect. Consequently, the relevance of the ocular lesions for food use of PDMS could not be determined. The ADI of PDMS was re-established from 0-1.5 mg/kg bw/day to 0-0.8 mg/kg bw/day by applying additional safety factor 2 based on its ocular toxicity. The result of 0-0.8 mg/kg bw/day is a temporary ADI until further data are provided to 2010.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.544-550
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• 2023

To develop a functional probiotic that inhibits gingipain, a major virulence factor of Porphyromonas gingivlais (P. gingivalis), we screened over 30 probiotic strains for their ability to inhibit gingipian activity. We investigated the inhibition of expression of gingipain genes kgp, rgpA, and rgpB as well as gingipain activity, using freeze dried cell-free supernatants of Weisiella cibaria SPM402 (WC402) and Lactobacillus paracasei SMP412 (LP412), both of which demonstrated antibacterial activity against P. gingivalis. Thus, it was verified that kgp expression was reduced by approximately 0.71±0.02 folds and rgpB expression was reduced by approximately 0.71±0.14 folds at a concentration of WC402 10 mg/mL. Meanwhile, at the same concentration of 10 mg/mL of LP412, kgp expression was reduced by approximately 0.19±0.08 folds, rgpA expression was reduced by approximately 0.09±0.02 folds, and rgpB expression was reduced by approximately 0.24±0.03 folds. At a concentration of 10 mg/mL, Kgp activity was inhibited by approximately 78.65±3.58% (cell associated gingipain, CAG), 82.45±1.22% (cell-free gingipain, CFG) by WC402 and 80.71±2.11% (CAG), and 85.81±0.05% (CFG) by LP412 respectively. Rgp activity was also effectively inhibited by approximately 78.6±1.01% (CAG), 86.78±0.47% (CFG) and 82.93±1.26% (CAG), 88.81±0.36% (CFG) by WC402 and LP412 respectively. Based on these results, W. cibaria SPM402 and L. paracasei SPM412 can be regarded as functional probiotics with the ability to inhibit gingipain activity and exhibit antibacterial effects against P. gingivalis.