• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.275-283
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• 2019

Sparassis latifolia is a fungus abundant in β-glucan and amino acids and is highly valued as a medicinal mushroom. Among amino acids, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a free amino acid and has biological effects, such as increase/decrease of hypertension, improvement of cerebral blood flow, and prevention of dementia. In this study, biological elicitors were used to increase bioactive substances as a biofortification method. Sodium alginate extracted from seaweed (Sargassum horneri, Sargassum fulvellum, Sargassum fusiforme) were used as the elicitor. The levels of β-glucan and GABA in the mycelium and fruiting body grown by adding the elicitor to the medium were investigated. Addition of sodium alginate positively affected GABA production and negatively affected the β-glucan production in these fungi. Sodium alginates extracted from S. fulvellum induced the highest increase in GABA in the mycelium and fruiting bodies. Moreover, we investigated the effects of the extracts from mycelium and fruiting bodies on dendrite development in primary cortical neurons. We found that the extract from the fruiting bodies of sodium alginate treated fungi with increased levels of GABA inhibited the dendrite outgrowth of excitatory neurons, but not inhibitory neurons.

• Journal of the Korean society of biological therapies in psychiatry
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.209-217
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• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of suicidality among community-dwelling elderly. Methods : The participants were 2,201 elderly people whose ages were over 65. The participants were asked to complete questionnaires, including Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview(MINI), module C, Short Geriatric Depression Scale of Korean version(SGDS-K), Korean Geriatric Anxiety Inventory(K-GAI), The Korean Health Status Measure for Elderly V 1.0, Korean version of Mini-Mental Status Examination for Dementia Screening(MMSE-DS). Their sociodemographic factors were investigated. The data were analyzed using the chi-square test and the logistic regression test to examine the relationship between suicidality and participants' risk factors. Results : The prevalence rate of suicidality was 23.3%. In multiple logistic regression, depressive symptoms (OR=3.301, 95% CI : 2.453-4.440), anxiety symptoms(OR=3.289, 95% CI : 2.515-4.303), low physical function (OR=1.606, 95% CI : 1.229-2.098), no spouse(OR=1.571, 95% CI : 1.037-1.690), elderly aged 80 years or older (OR=1.506, 95% CI : 1.094-1.740) were independently associated with suicidality. Conclusion : Suicidality in community-dwelling elderly was quite high, particularly related to depressive symptoms. The results of this study can be useful for development of community-based prevention and management programs for suicidality.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2020

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder causing dementia worldwide, and is mainly characterized by aggregated β-amyloid (Aβ). Increasing evidence has shown that plant extracts have the potential to delay AD development. The plant sterol β-Sitosterol has a potential role in inhibiting the production of platelet Aβ, suggesting that it may be useful for AD prevention. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of β-Sitosterol on deficits in learning and memory in amyloid protein precursor/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1) double transgenic mice. APP/PS1 mice were treated with β-Sitosterol for four weeks, from the age of seven months. Brain Aβ metabolism was evaluated using ELISA and Western blotting. We found that β-Sitosterol treatment can improve spatial learning and recognition memory ability, and reduce plaque load in APP/PS1 mice. β-Sitosterol treatment helped reverse dendritic spine loss in APP/PS1 mice and reversed the decreased hippocampal neuron miniature excitatory postsynaptic current frequency. Our research helps to explain and support the neuroprotective effect of β-Sitosterol, which may offer a novel pharmaceutical agent for the treatment of AD. Taken together, these findings suggest that β-Sitosterol ameliorates memory and learning impairment in APP/PS1 mice and possibly decreases Aβ deposition.

• The Journal of Natural Sciences
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.45-55
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• 2008

Alzheimer's disease is charaterized by the acetylcholine depletion, amyloid b-protein aggregation and neurofibrillary tangles. The prevention of the breakdown of acetylcholine by acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor has the best clinically therapeutic efficacy for Alzheimer's disease patients. To develop new antidementia alternative drugs or nutraceuticals, methanol extracts of Sorghum bicolor was screened from various extracts of cereals and legumes as a potent AChE inhibitor-containing extract in previous paper. In this paper, physicochemical properties of the methanol extracts was investigated. The methanol extracts was soluble by water, methanol and DMSO and had 215 nm and 282nm of maximum absorption spectra. It was also stable at 20-$100^{\circ}C$ and pH 2.0-10.0 for 1 hr. Test product was prepared by using methanol extracts from Sorghum bicolor and changes of its quality during storge at $20^{\circ}C$ and $40^{\circ}C$ were investigated. It was very stable for 8 weeks at $40^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.471-482
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• 2021

We aimed to provide evidences for developing non-pharmacological intervention in older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment(MCI) by integrated literature review. The final 16 papers were selected as a result of an integrated literature analysis. All of them are focused on strengthening cognitive activities, while Korean studies have often merged emotional activities such as music therapy and laughter therapy rather than physical activities such as exercise therapy, international studies have combined physical activities rather than emotional activities. The effects of non-pharmacological intervention differed according to the outcome variables. The primary variables were cognitive function and depression, and secondary variables were found to have effects on physical function, activities of daily living (ADL), and self-efficacy. This study contributes to a multidisciplinary approach that can be applied in the clinical field through the development of various non-pharmaceutical intervention for the prevention of dementia in the older adults with MCI.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.637-653
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study examined the associations between food consumption frequency of Korean adults and self-perceived chewing difficulty, using the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ, 112 items) from 2013-2016 of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). SUBJECTS/METHODS: Subjects were divided into not difficult in chewing (NDC) and difficult in chewing (DC) groups, with 24.17% being classified into DC. Males and females consumed 35 and 37 items less frequently than the other sex, respectively. Due to the remarkable gender difference in food consumption, gender-stratified one-sided survey regression analysis was performed after adjusted for the effect of age, household income, and self-rated health status. RESULTS: Thirty-four items of FFQ were significantly less consumed by the DC group. Females exclusively consumed less beverages and alcohol while males showed the same for fruits and milk·dairy products. Consumption frequency of 8 items such as steamed potatoes·grilled potatoes, stir fried beef, other kimchi·fresh vegetable kimchi, orange, sour pork·pork cutlet, tteokbokki and green tea were significant only in males. In contrast, 17 items including cooked rice with other grains and legumes, boiled egg·steamed egg, Korean cabbage kimchi, banana, and tofu stew·soft tofu stew were significant only for females. Finally, items that showed significance for both were 9 items including loaf bread, ready-to-eat cereal, steamed sweet potatoes·grilled sweet potatoes, stir-fried lotus roots·stir-fried burdock, green laver salad·brown seaweed salads, apples, tomato·cherry tomatoes, squid (raw, dried shredded, boiled, stir-fried), and curd type yogurt. CONCLUSIONS: Findings in this study suggest chewing difficulty may be an important nutritional issue that has to be dealt with for healthful food consumption, with distinct interest of gender.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.231-244
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• 2000

Parish nursing is a community health nursing role developed in 1983 by Lutheran Chaplain Granger Westberg. An increasing emphasis on holistic care, personal responsibility for a healthy lifestyle, and changes in healthcare delivery systems have undoubtedly facilitated the establishment of an innovative nursing role in the community. Parish nurses are functioning in a variety of church congregations of various denominations. The parish nurse is a educator, a personal health counselor, a coordinator of volunteers. The parish nurses helps people relate to the complexed medical care system and assists people to integrate faith and health. The purpose of this study is to investigate what the korean parishioners want in parish nursing and what type of role expectation from parish nurse. The subjects were 1138 parishioners of 23 churches of various denominations in nationwide Korea. Data were collected by self-reported question naires from Feb 4 to June 25. 1999. The data were analyzed by using percentage. frequency. $x^2-test$. multiple Response set with SPSS program. The results are as follows: 1. Desired parish nursing contents by parish nurses are: psychological counselling(23.4%) out of private counselling. stress management(21.1 %) out of private health education. Emergency care(14.1%) out of group health education. Blood Pressure check-ups (19.0%) out of Health check ups. home visiting(44.9%) out of patient visiting method. B T. pulse, respiration and blood pressure check(15.0%) in Care to serve in home visiting. spiritual preparation to accept the death(41.7%) in hospice care, advices to choice of medical treatment using guide(50.1%) in introducing and guiding of health care facilities, pray(21.7%) in spiritual care' faith support. 2. Desired Health Teaching Content According to Period of Clients by Parish Nurse are: Vaccination(22.5%) in infant and toddler health management. sexual education(25.3%) in adolescent health management. prenatal care (29.5%) in pregnant health management. osteoporosis prevention and management (22.4%) in Middle aged health management. dementia prevention and management(25.5%) in elderly health management. 3. The expectant role from parish nurse is spiritual care faith support(14.1%). patient visiting care(13.2%), hospice care(12.9%), private counseling(12.8%), health check ups (11.1 %), volunteer organization and training out of believer(11.0%), private health education (9.3%), group health education (8.3%). 4. In Necessity of Performing Parish Nursing according to Region, Most(over 95%) responded that nursing program is needed. so there is no significance between regions. In Performing Parish Nursing in their church, Most(92.2%) responded they want to perform program. 5. In case of performing parish nursing, 52% out of the subjects responded they want to participated in parish nursing volunteer's activity, for example. to be in active to be a companion to chat(42.1%), necessity support (25.3%), donation support(25.0%), exercise support(18.2%), vehicles support (9.9%). As a result. in holistic care and spiritual care, the need of parish nursing and the role expectation from parish nurse are very high among korean believers. Therefore, I suggest parish nursing centering around Taegu and Kyungbuk province should be extended to nationwide. For extending parish nursing program. more active advertisement and research is needed. After performing parish nursing program through out the country, further comparative research between regions should be practiced and Korean parish nursing program will be developed and activated.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2016

Objectives : This study was aimed to survey the perception of public official on public health promotion programs in Traditional Korean Medicine (PHPP-TKM). Methods : Data were collected from 129 public officials who were in charge of PHPP-TKM business in the public health centers using the structured questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed through frequency analysis and T-test using SPSS 13.0. Results : Even though stroke prevention programs are implemented most often at present, respondents hope to practice dementia prevention programs in the future. The obstructive factor was measured by 5-point Likert scale, and the most obstructive factor was that there were neither standard manuals nor methodological guidelines for the programs($3.73{\pm}0.97$). The second most obstructive factor was that TKM-PHPP duplicated other public health programs($3.67{\pm}1.07$). The plan to activate TKM-PHPP was also measured by 5-point Likert scale. The most suggested plan was to develop competitive programs ($4.20{\pm}0.88$). The second most suggested plan was that of various integration of public health programs ($4.14{\pm}0.80$). Conclusions : The result of survey questionnaire suggests to develop various integrated programs, and to draw up a standard manual to activate the TKM-PHPP in public health centers.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.112-119
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• 2012

Objectives : Delirium is a disorder defined as a sudden disturbance in thinking, speaking, acting and sleep pattern due to altered level of consciousness and cognitive function. The objective of this study is to analyze characteristics and therapeutic methods of the delirious patients during the recent 5 years, and provide basic data for further studies and investigation regarding delirium in the occurrence and treatment. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 475 patients who were consulted for delirium in Kyunghee University Medical Center from January 2007 to December 2011. Results : During the 5 years, among the 475 patients who were diagnosed as delirium, men were more common(61.7%). The most commonly consulted reason and cause were sleep disturbance(80.8%) and post-operational delirium(30.9%), respectively. The medication prescription percentage was 76.6% and was significantly increased year after year. Ratio of using antipsychotics were 76.4% among prescribed medication and the most frequently prescribed antipsychotic drug was quetiapine(46.8%). Other specialists commonly misdiagnosed delirium when the patient was previously diagnosed as dementia(6.8%). Conclusions : In our study, post-operational delirium was the most commonly referred reason and the percentage of medication prescription tended to increase. Patients with history of dementia were more easily misdiagnosed as diseases other than delirium. Our study suggests that we should evaluate symptoms, causes, reasons of consultation, management tendency of delirium. We should also closely observe changes in sleep patterns and establish the prevention strategies for post-operational delirium and therapeutic bases for pharmacotherapy.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.184-190
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• 2016

Objectives : This study analyzed the differences of body mass index(BMI) in Korean patients with Alzheimer's diseases(AD), Mild Cognitive Impairment(MCI), and healthy controls to verify whether low BMI is associated with cognitive impairment. Furthermore, this study also sought to examine any association between BMI and Mini Mental State Examination-Korean version(MMSE-K), Clinical Dementia Rating(CDR), and Global Deterioration Scale(GDS). Methods : A total of 257 subjects were included in the study. History taking, mental status examination, physical examination and neurocognitive function test were carried out for the diagnosis of AD and MCI. The subjects' demographic data and presence of diseases were also surveyed. The overall cognitive function and severity of diseases were assessed using MMSE-K, GDS, and CDR. Results : The order of BMI was found to be healthy controls>MCI>AD, with statistically significant differences among the groups. The order of MMSE-K scores was similar, with healthy controls>MCI>AD in statistically significant differences. The healthy controls had the lowest CDR and GDS scores, and AD patients had the highest scores. There was a significant positive correlation between BMI and MMSE scores(r=0.238, p=0.000). BMI was negatively correlated with CDR(r=-0.174, p=0.008) as well as with GDS(r=-0.233, p= 0.000). Conclusions : Measuring BMI of patients with AD or MCI is expected to be meaningful in that BMI could be a clinical indicator of AD. We expect this to be beneficial for the diagnosis, prevention, and therapeutic approach of AD and also expect large-scale, long-term longitudinal studies to follow.