• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.270-276
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the water extract of Albizziae Cortex (AC) on the learning and memory impairments. AC was administered to normal mouse and scopolamine-injected amnesia mouse model. Passive avoidance test, Y-maze test, and Morris water maze test were conducted to confirm the cognitive-enhancing activities of AC. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and acetylcholine (Ach) content were measured after oral administration of AC. On the passive avoidance test, AC (200 mg/kg) significantly increased latency time and recovered scopolamine-impaired learning and memory in mice. In addition, AC (200 mg/kg) reduced Exploration time in target quadrant and reversed the scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments in the Y-maze test. Moreover, AC (200 mg/kg) increased exploration time in target quadrant and improved scopolamine-reduced escape latencies in the Morris water maze test. These effects were presented by regulatory effects of AC on AChE activity and Ach content. Taken together, AC increases cognitive-enhancing activities and ameliorates scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairment. AC might be a potential agent for prevention and treatment of amnesia and dementia.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2019

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is highly prevalent in dementia, with no specifically effective treatment having yet been discovered. Amyloid plaques are one of the key hallmarks of AD. Transgenic mouse models exhibiting Alzheimer's disease-like pathology have been widely used to study the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we showed an age-dependent correlation between cognitive function, pathological findings, and [F-18] Florbetaben (FBB) PET images. Nineteen transgenic mice (12 with AD, 7 with controls) were used for this study. We observed an increase in ${\beta}$-Amyloid deposition ($A{\beta}$) in brain tissue and [F-18] FBB amyloid PET imaging in the AD group. The [F-18] FBB data showed a mildly negative trend with cognitive function. Pathological findings were negatively correlated with cognitive functions. These finding suggests that amyloid beta deposition can be well-monitored with [F-18] FBB PET and a decline in cognitive function is related to the increase in amyloid plaque burden.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.117-124
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• 2019

In the field of dance creation, the use of film and television skills, cyberspace, action sets, computer graphics and other technology and media technology have made the creative environment for dance art that it rapidly improves and presents a new situation. Especially in the dance creation part, VR technology can show many possibilities and can be used as a tool to fully satisfy the choreographer's intention and imagination. Therefore, this study analyzes the acceptance model of virtual reality technology in dance creative education, and we will examine the effect of social influence, shared trust, innovation, interest, and self-efficacy on perceived usefulness and perceived ease. Second, we will examine the effect of perceived usefulness and perceived ease on intention to use. The study is targeted at ordinary dance creators who currently reside in Hebei Province, China. The survey was conducted for approximately 30 days from March 16th to April 17th. The total number of valid samples collected was 377. The results of the identification of the hypotheses between variables based on the questionnaire data are as follows: Firstly, social influence, shared trust, innovation, interest, and self-efficacy have a positive impact on perceived usefulness, perceived ease. Secondly, perceived usefulness, perceived ease has a positive effect on the intention to use. In view of the above research results, the theoretical significance and limitations of this research and the future research directions are discussed in depth.

• Communications for Statistical Applications and Methods
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.603-624
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• 2020

There is an emerging interest in brain functional connectivity (FC) based on functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Alzheimer's disease (AD) studies. The complex and high-dimensional structure of FC makes it challenging to explore the association between altered connectivity and AD susceptibility. We develop a pipeline to refine FC as proper covariates in a penalized logistic regression model and classify normal and AD susceptible groups. Three different quantification methods are proposed for FC refinement. One of the methods is dimension reduction based on common component analysis (CCA), which is employed to address the limitations of the other methods. We applied the proposed pipeline to the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) data and deduced pathogenic FC biomarkers associated with AD susceptibility. The refined FC biomarkers were related to brain regions for cognition, stimuli processing, and sensorimotor skills. We also demonstrated that a model using CCA performed better than others in terms of classification performance and goodness-of-fit.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.77-85
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• 2022

Purpose: Aging process comes with cognitive impairment due to decreased neuronal cell number, activity, and neuronal circuit. Alteration of inhibitory neurons contributes to cognitive impairment in normal aging and is responsible for disrupting the excitation/inhibition balance by reducing the synthesis of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Morus nigra (Mulberry) is a natural physiologically active substance that has been proven to have anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory effects through many studies. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the mulberry extract (ME) on cognitive function through anti-oxidant enzyme and GABAergic neuronal activity in aged rat brain. Methods: Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned as the young group (8 weeks, n= 8), aging group (67 weeks, n= 8), and aging+ mulberry extract group (67 weeks, n= 8). The aging+ mulberry extract group was orally administered 500 mg/kg/d mulberry extract for 6 weeks. Results: The aging+ mulberry extract group improved spatial and short-term memory. The antioxidant potential of ME increased the expression of superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1) and decreased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Also, the aging+ mulberry extract group significantly increased the expression of GABAergic interneuron in hippocampus cornu ammonis1 (CA1) compared to the aging group. Conclusion: The number of GABAergic inhibitory interneurons was deceased and memory functions in the aging process, but those symptoms were improved and restored by mulberry extract administration.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.12
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• pp.608-618
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• 2021

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is the most common cause of neonatal encephalopathy with a global incidence of approximately 1 to 8 per 1,000 live births. Neonatal encephalopathy can cause neurodevelopmental and cognitive impairments in survivors of hypoxic-ischemic insults with and without functional motor deficits. Normal neurodevelopmental outcomes in early childhood do not preclude cognitive and behavioral difficulties in late childhood and adolescence because cognitive functions are not yet fully developed at this early age. Therapeutic hypothermia has been shown to significantly reduced death and severe disabilities in term newborns with HIE. However, children treated with hypothermia therapy remain at risk for cognitive impairments and follow-up is necessary throughout late childhood and adolescence. Novel adjunctive neuroprotective therapies combined with therapeutic hypothermia may enhance the survival and neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants with HIE. The extent and severity of brain injury on magnetic resonance imaging might predict neurodevelopmental outcomes and lead to targeted interven tions in children with a history of neonatal encephalopathy. We provide a summary of the long-term cognitive outcomes in late childhood and adolescence in children with a history of HIE and the association between pattern of brain injury and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.305-314
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• 2022

In this paper, we propose a "social mentality" of primary and secondary school teachers in Anshan City, China. To conduct the study, 298 teachers in Ansan City were selected and a survey was conducted. This study adopted the method of combining literature research and questionnaire survey. The results showed that the overall level of "social mentality" of primary and secondary school teachers in Anshan was relatively high. Teachers' social support levels differed significantly from educational background, teaching section, administrative position, and school location. The path model shows the interaction mechanism between variables. It appeared that general self-efficacy and job involvement play an important role in the mechanism.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.142-162
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• 2014

Objectives: To evaluate the critical environmental factors on healthy-aging of Korean people, we investigated the significant factors influencing health status of septuagenarians living in rural area of Jeonla province, known to be one of the representative longevity regions in Korea. Methods: We divided subjects into healthy group (36M/25F) or poor-health group (26M/73F) based on self-reported health status, body mass index, a number of prescription, and blood test data. General characteristics, physical measurements, lifestyle, dietary behavior and nutrient intake, physical health and mental health data were statistically compared between the two groups. Results: Average age was not different between healthy group and poor-health group in men and women, respectively. In men, significantly favorable factors to health were observed to be higher education, regular exercise, higher grip strength and walking function, body mass index (${\geq}18.5kg/m^2$), moderate frequency of drinking and eating-out, non-smoking, normal red blood cell (RBC) count, higher serum dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) level, good digestive function and appetite, normal hearing function, regular meals, adequate vegetable and fruit intake, diverse food intake, adequate energy and nutrients (protein, vitamin $B_1$, $B_6$, C and E, folate, niacin, P, Zn and K) intake, higher mini-nutrient status assessment (MNA) score and low level of depression. On the other hand, in women, those were literacy, living arrangement, moderate frequency of drinking, healthy teeth, higher grip strength and walking function, bone mineral density, normal RBC and white blood cell (WBC) count, higher DHEAS concentration, higher MNA score, normal cognition and memory function, having snack and adequate fruit intake. Conclusions: These results could be useful to plan effective strategies to increase health-life expectancy of Korean old people living in rural areas.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.148-158
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• 2011

Objectives The eye movement (EM) has been reported to play a role in enhancing the retrieval of episodic memories and reducing effects of fearful episodes in the past and worries for the futures. However, it is still unclear in the mechanism of EM in normal subjects. We examined the horizontal eye movement (HEM) effect using an aiding apparatus on mental health indices including negative and positive psychological factors, and psychophysiological measures such as heart rate variability and quantitative electroencepaholography (qEEG) in healthy subjects. Methods Twenty eight healthy subjects were recruited and randomly allocated into two groups : active HEM group and control group. The active HEM group conducted the HEM training with usual stress management audio-intervention using the apparatus inducing eye movement once a day for 14 days. The control group also conducted the same training once a day for 14 days, however, the saccadic eye movement was not included in this training. Psychological measurements, neurocognitive function tests, heart rate variability measurement and qEEG were conducted before and after the training in both groups. Results In the active HEM group, sleep status using Sleep Quality Scale (SQS) positive factors significantly increased after the training. By contrast, scores on the negative items of Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS), and negative items of the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R) were significantly decreased after the training. The percentage of delta amplitude (1-3 Hz) in qEEG significantly decreased after the HEM training. The percentage of alpha amplitude (8-12 Hz) significantly increased after HEM training. The change of delta amplitude in the active HEM group was positively correlated with the change of sleep satisfaction of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the change of alpha amplitude was negatively correlated with depression of VAS, anxiety of VAS and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Conclusions The HEM training improved sleep quality and well-being, and sense of optimism. The HEM training also increased alpha amplitude and decreased delta amplitude in qEEG. The qEEG changes were well correlated with subjective improvement of mental health indices in healthy subjects. These results suggest some evidences that HEM training using the apparatus that induces EM would be helpful in improving subjective mental health in healthy subjects. Further study with larger samples size would be needed.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.45-53
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• 2013

Objectives Non-major depression with fewer symptoms than required for a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-4th edition diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) has consistently been found to be associated with functional impairment. In this study, we aim to estimate the cognitive impairment and the quality of life in elderly patients with subsyndromal depression (SSD) compared with non-depressive elderly (NDE). Methods The Korean version of Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview was administered to 194 outpatients with depression and 108 normal controls. SSD is defined as having five or more current depressive symptoms with core depressive symptoms (depressive mood or loss of interest or pleasure) during more than half a day and more than seven days over two weeks. Depression was evaluated by the Korean form of Geriatric Depression Scale of a 15-item short version. Global cognition was assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination in the Korean version of CERAD assessment packet (MMSE-KC). Subjective cognitive impairment was assessed by the Subjective Memory Complaint Questionnaire. Quality of life was evaluated by the Korean Version of Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey. Results The mean score of the MMSE-KC in the SSD group was lower than that in the NDE group with adjustment for age, gender, and education [F = 4.270, p = 0.04, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA)]. If we defined those having Z-score of MMSE-KC < -1.5 as a high risk group of cognitive impairment, the odds ratio for the high risk group of cognitive impairment was 1.86 [95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.04-3.34] in SSD and 7.57 (95% CI 3.50-16.40) in MDD compared to NDE. The scores of physical component summary (F = 9.274, p = 0.003, ANCOVA) and mental component summary (F = 53.166, p < 0.001, ANCOVA) in the SSD group were lower than those in the NDE group with adjustment for age, gender, and education. Conclusions The subjects with SSD, as well as those with MDD, showed impairment of global cognition and also experienced low quality of life in both physical and mental aspects, compared to the NDE group.