• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.561-571
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• 2023

Background: Escalating evidence shows that ginseng possesses an antiaging potential with cognitive enhancing activity. As mountain cultivated ginseng (MCG) is cultivated without agricultural chemicals, MCG has emerged as a popular herb medicine. However, little is known about the MCG-mediated pharmacological mechanism on brain aging. Methods: As we demonstrated that glutathione peroxidase (GPx) is important for enhancing memory function in the animal model of aging, we investigated the role of MCG as a GPx inducer using GPx-1 (a major type of GPx) knockout (KO) mice. We assessed whether MCG modulates redox and cholinergic parameters, and memory function in aged GPx-1 knockout KOmice. Results: Redox burden of aged GPx-1 KO mice was more evident than that of aged wild-type (WT) mice. Alteration of Nrf2 DNA binding activity appeared to be more evident than that of NFκB DNA binding activity in aged GPx-1 KO mice. Alteration in choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity was more evident than that in acetylcholine esterase activity. MCG significantly attenuated reductions in Nrf2 system and ChAT level. MCG significantly enhanced the co-localization of Nrf2-immunoreactivity and ChAT-immunoreactivity in the same cell population. Nrf2 inhibitor brusatol significantly counteracted MCG-mediated up-regulation in ChAT level and ChAT inhibition (by k252a) significantly reduced ERK phosphorylation by MCG, suggesting that MCG might require signal cascade of Nrf2/ChAT/ERK to enhance cognition. Conclusion: GPx-1 depletion might be a prerequisite for cognitive impairment in aged animals. MCG-mediated cognition enhancement might be associated with the activations of Nrf2, ChAT, and ERK signaling cascade.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.319-326
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• 2023

Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has increased the workload of healthcare workers (HCWs), impacting their health. This study aimed to assess sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and identify factors associated with poor sleep among HCWs in Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1000 frontline HCWs were recruited from various healthcare facilities in Vietnam between October 2021 and November 2021. Data were collected using a 3-part self-administered questionnaire, which covered demographics, sleep quality, and factors related to poor sleep. Poor sleep quality was defined as a total PSQI score of 5 or higher. Results: Participants' mean age was 33.20±6.81 years (range, 20.0-61.0), and 63.0% were women. The median work experience was 8.54±6.30 years. Approximately 6.3% had chronic comorbidities, such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus. About 59.5% were directly responsible for patient care and treatment, while 7.1% worked in tracing and sampling. A total of 73.8% reported poor sleep quality. Multivariate logistic regression revealed significant associations between poor sleep quality and the presence of chronic comorbidities (odds ratio [OR], 2.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17 to 5.24), being a frontline HCW directly involved in patient care and treatment (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.16 to 2.16), increased working hours (OR, 1.84; 95% CI,1.37 to 2.48), and a higher frequency of encountering critically ill and dying patients (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.95). Conclusions: The high prevalence of poor sleep among HCWs in Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic was similar to that in other countries. Working conditions should be adjusted to improve sleep quality among this population.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.98-103
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• 2023

Sphaeranthus africanus is commonly used as a traditional remedy for sore throats and pain treatment in Vietnam. The aerial parts have been studied for its anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties. However, the antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of the plant has not been explored. In this work, hydrophilic extracts of the plant's aerial parts were prepared in order to investigate its antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties. Also, the cytotoxicity of the root was evaluated and compared to that of the aerial parts. All of the extracts inhibited lipid peroxidation with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.05 to 3.56 ㎍/mL, indicating substantial antioxidant activity. At an IC₅₀ value of 4.80 ㎍/mL, the 50% ethanol extract exhibited the most potent inhibition of α-glucosidase. The cytotoxic activity of root extracts is 2 to 5-fold less than that of the aerial parts. Nevertheless, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts of the root demonstrated a selective effect on leukemia cells, with no harm towards the normal HEK-293 cell line. This work provides a scientific support for the antioxidant and antidiabetic activity of the plant. Hence, it may find a promising material for the development of novel antioxidant and antidiabetic agents. More research can be conducted on the phytochemistry and anticancer activities of the plant's root.

• Journal of Korean Society of Disaster and Security
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.147-156
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• 2023

Because the behavior of cable bridges is dominated by dynamic response and is relatively complex, short- and long-term field monitoring are often required to evaluate the bridge condition. If a permanent SHMS (Structural Health Monitoring System) is not installed, a portable monitoring system is needed for the checking of bridge condition. In this case, it can be difficult to operate the portable monitoring system due to limited conditions such as power and communication according to the location and type of the bridge. In this study, the portable-based smart structural response monitoring system is developed that can be effectively used for short- and long-term monitoring of cable bridges in Korea and Southeast Asia. The developed system is a multi-channel portable data acquisition and analyzer that can be operated for a long time in the field using its own power supply system, and is included with the automated analysis algorithm for the dynamic characteristics of cable bridges using real-time data. In order to evaluate the field applicability of the developed system, field demonstration was conducted on cable bridges in Korea and Vietnam. Through the demonstration, the reliability and efficiency of field operation of the developed system were confirmed, and additionally, the possibility of application to overseas markets was confirmed in cable bridge monitoring field.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2024

Objectives: The objective of this study was to characterize mental health issues among Vietnamese healthcare workers (HCWs) and to identify related factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 990 HCWs in 2021. Their mental health status was measured using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale. Results: In total, 49.9%, 52.3%, and 29.8% of respondents were found to have depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. The multivariable linear regression model revealed that factors associated with increased anxiety scores included depression scores (β, 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39 to 0.51) and stress scores (β, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.52). Factors associated with increased depression scores included being frontline HCWs (β, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.10 to 1.10), stress scores (β, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.45 to 0.56), and anxiety scores (β, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.47), while working experience was associated with reduced depression scores (β, -0.08; 95% CI, -0.16 to -0.01). Factors associated with increased stress scores included working experience (β, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.00 to 0.16), personal protective equipment interference with daily activities (β, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.07 to 1.00), depression scores (β, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.48 to 0.59), and anxiety scores (β, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.50), while age was associated with reduced stress scores (β, -0.12; 95% CI, -0.20 to -0.05). Conclusions: Specific interventions are necessary to enhance and promote the mental health of HCWs so they can successfully cope with the circumstances of the pandemic.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2015

This study was conducted to evaluate influence of short-term application of abscisic acid (ABA) in nutrient solution on growth and drought tolerance of tomato seedlings. The treatments included four ABA concentrations (0.5, 1, 2, $3mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$) and control (non-treatment) were applied to the nutrient solution in a hydroponic system. On the $5^{th}$ and $10^{th}$ day after growing in the nutrient solution containing ABA, seedlings were transferred to -5 bars of PEG-8000 in a growth chamber to induce water stress. Except for stem diameter and fresh and dry weight of root, there were no statistical differences in other growth parameters among control, 0.5 and $1mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ of ABA treatments. Seedlings growths were strongly inhibited in nutrient solution containing 2 and $3mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ of ABA. The root growth such as fresh and dry weigh of root, total root surface area, and average root diameter was slightly enhanced in $1mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ of ABA treatment. The elevation of ABA concentrations in nutrient solution resulted in the decrease in transpiration rate and increase in stomatal diffusive resistance and leaf temperature of tomato seedlings. The initiations of seedling wilting after treating in -5 bars of PEG were delayed from 10 hrs in control to 30 hrs in ABA applied treatments. Additionally, the high percentages of recovered seedlings were observed in 0.5 and $1mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ of ABA treatments after re-irrigation. Therefore, short-term application of $1mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ of ABA in the nutrient solution stimulated the root growth and drought tolerance of tomato seedlings by delaying the start time of wilting point and enhancing the recovery after re-irrigation.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.146-153
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• 2013

This study was conducted to enhance graft-take ratio and quality of grafted tomato seedlings by controlling temperature and humidity during the healing and acclimatization processes. Three temperature levels ($20^{\circ}C$, $23^{\circ}C$, and $26^{\circ}C$) were carried out to determine optimum temperature on four rootstocks. In addition, twelve combinations of three relative humidity levels (70%, 80%, and 90%) and four temperature levels ($17^{\circ}C$, $20^{\circ}C$, $23^{\circ}C$, and $26^{\circ}C$) were set up to evaluate the effect of relative humidity and temperature on the graft-take ratio of grafted seedlings. In the other hand, five relative humidity periods (H0, H1, H2, H3, and H4: 90% relative humidity for first 0, 1, 2, 3 and 10 days and afterwards relative humidity was reduced to 70%, respectively) were examined effect of relative humidity periods on the graft-take and quality of grafted seedlings. The higher graft-take ratios (84.0~87.4%) were showed at $23^{\circ}C$ compared to $20^{\circ}C$ and $26^{\circ}C$ in all rootstocks. Graft-take ratios decreased and number of diseased plants increased at high temperature. The graft-take ratios increased with increasing relative humidity in all temperature levels on the $3^{rd}$ and $7^{th}$ day after grafting. However, increasing relative humidity significantly increased percent of diseased plants. The graft-take ratio reduced at ($26^{\circ}C$) and ($17^{\circ}C$) temperature under all relative humidity conditions. The graft-take ratio increased with increasing period of 90% relative humidity. Maximum graft-take ratios were observed in H2 and H3 treatments. Graft-take ratio decreased with increasing 90% relative humidity for 10 days (H4). Diseased plants had not been found in H0, H1, H2, and H3 treatments. Seedling quality was improved through increasing fresh and dry weight of root, compactness, and root morphology of tomato seedlings in H2 and H3 treatments. Therefore, high relative humidity (90%) for first 2 or 3 days and afterwards reduced low relative humidity (70%) at $23^{\circ}C$ condition during healing and acclimatization promoted the graft-take and quality of grafted tomato seedlings.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.158-166
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• 2017

The object of this study was to improve tomato seedling quality in low temperature(below 7, $10^{\circ}C$ during night time or daily mean air temperature was $18^{\circ}C$) by application of silicate fertilizer. Six different silicate fertilizer concentrations (8, 16, 32, 64, 128, and 256mM) or water as the control were applied to tomato seedlings twice a week for 20 days. Positive effects were observed in the growth parameters of the seedlings treated with 16 and 32mM silicate fertilizer; the most effective concentration of silicate at which seedlings showed the best performance was 16mM. However, a high concentration of silicate (256mM) caused negative effects on the growth. The transpiration rate decreased alongside with the increase of silicate concentration up to 32mM, possibly due to the increased stomatal diffusive resistance. Silicate stimulated the growth and development of tomato seedlings, resulting in increased growth parameters and root morphology. However, no significant differences were observed among treatment numbers of soil-drenching wuth the silicate (6, 10, or 20 times with 16mM) for 20 days, suggesting that silicate treatment with 6 times may be sufficient to induce the silicate effects. The application of 16mM of silicate fertilizer reduced relative ion leakage and chilling injury during low temperature storage. In addition, the seedlings treated with silicate fertilizer recovered faster than those without silicate treatment after low temperature storage.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.354-364
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• 2020

This study was conducted to examine the potential of inducing salinity stress on cylindrical paper pot tomato seedlings to inhibit overgrowth. Potassium fertilizers, sulfate of potash (K₂SO₄), muriate of potash (KCl), and monopotassium phosphate (KH₂PO₄), were prepared as two solutions of (5 and 10) dS·m^-1 salinity level, respectively, to investigate the influence on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) seedling growth. We also investigated the adaptability and survivability of treated tomato seedlings with high-salinity potassium (10 dS·m^-1 KCl) to harsh environmental conditions (water deficit, low temperature, and storage conditions). Repeated addition of high-salinity level KCl, K₂SO₄, or KH₂PO₄ markedly decreased the dry matter of shoot and root, leaf area, and net assimilate rates (NAR) but increased the stem diameter of seedlings. Among the three sources, the relative growth rate of plant height (RGR_H) was most sensitive to KCl addition; increasing salinity levels of KCl solution decreased the RGR_H of seedlings. The compactness, which directly reflects the stocky growth index, increased in KCl or KH₂PO₄ treatments. After a week's water deficit, severely wilted seedlings were observed in control seedlings (untreated with KCl), but no wilted seedlings were observed in the KCl treated seedlings, and the relative water content (RWC) of the untreated seedlings significantly decreased by 23 %, while that of the pretreated seedlings only decreased by 8 %. The increase in ion leakage of KCl treated seedlings at low temperatures was less than that of untreated seedlings. Furthermore, there was far lower damage proportion on pretreated seedlings at (9, 12, and 15)℃ storage temperatures after 20 days, compared with on unpretreated seedlings. Our results suggest that high-salinity potassium fertilizer, especially KCl, is effective in preventing tomato seedling overgrowth, while it also improves tolerance.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.51-56
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of silicate fertilizer on growth, physiology and abiotic stress tolerance of Chinese cabbage seedlings. Five silicate concentrations (8, 16, 32, 64, and 128mM) and control (non-treatment) were applied to Chinese cabbage seedlings twice a week. Three weeks after application of silicate treatment, seedlings were used for treating abiotic stresses and were assessed for growth and physiological characteristics. Growth parameters significantly increased in 8, 16, and 32mM treatments except 64 and 128mM. Total root surface area, total root length, and number of root tips increased in 8, 16 and 32mM treatments, but they decreased in treated seedlings with 64 and 128mM of silicate. The highest growth parameters and root morphology were observed in 8mM treatment. As for the effect on the seedling physiology, transpiration rates decreased while stomatal diffusive resistance increased to increasing silicate concentration. The application of silicate reduced the electrical conductivity, heating and chilling injury index at high and low temperatures. Silicate enhanced drought tolerance of Chinese seedlings by delaying the starting time of wilting point. The starting time of wilting point in the control was 3 days after discontinuation of irrigation, while in the 8, 64 and 128mM of silicate treatments were 4 days, and the 16 and 32mM treatments were 5 days. All plants were wilted after 5 days in control without irrigation whereas it showed in 8mM treatment after 6 days, in 16, 32, 64, 128mM treatments after 7 days.