• Title/Summary/Keyword: Stress release

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Epigallocatechin-3-gallate suppresses hemin-aggravated colon carcinogenesis through Nrf2-inhibited mitochondrial reactive oxygen species accumulation

  • Seok, Ju Hyung;Kim, Dae Hyun;Kim, Hye Jih;Jo, Hang Hyo;Kim, Eun Young;Jeong, Jae-Hwang;Park, Young Seok;Lee, Sang Hun;Kim, Dae Joong;Nam, Sang Yoon;Lee, Beom Jun;Lee, Hyun Jik
    • Journal of Veterinary Science
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    • v.23 no.5
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    • pp.74.1-74.16
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    • 2022
  • Background: Previous studies have presented evidence to support the significant association between red meat intake and colon cancer, suggesting that heme iron plays a key role in colon carcinogenesis. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major constituent of green tea, exhibits anti-oxidative and anti-cancer effects. However, the effect of EGCG on red meat-associated colon carcinogenesis is not well understood. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the regulatory effects of hemin and EGCG on colon carcinogenesis and the underlying mechanism of action. Methods: Hemin and EGCG were treated in Caco2 cells to perform the water-soluble tetrazolium salt-1 assay, lactate dehydrogenase release assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection assay, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot. We investigated the regulatory effects of hemin and EGCG on an azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colon carcinogenesis mouse model. Results: In Caco2 cells, hemin increased cell proliferation and the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins, and ROS levels. EGCG suppressed hemin-induced cell proliferation and cell cycle regulatory protein expression as well as mitochondrial ROS accumulation. Hemin increased nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression, but decreased Keap1 expression. EGCG enhanced hemin-induced Nrf2 and antioxidant gene expression. Nrf2 inhibitor reversed EGCG reduced cell proliferation and cell cycle regulatory protein expression. In AOM/DSS mice, hemin treatment induced hyperplastic changes in colon tissues, inhibited by EGCG supplementation. EGCG reduced the hemin-induced numbers of total aberrant crypts and malondialdehyde concentration in the AOM/DSS model. Conclusions: We demonstrated that EGCG reduced hemin-induced proliferation and colon carcinogenesis through Nrf2-inhibited mitochondrial ROS accumulation.

Activation of Heme Oxygenase-1 by Mangiferin in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Contributes to Blocking Oxidative Damage

  • Cheol Park;Hee-Jae Cha;Hyun Hwangbo;EunJin Bang;Heui-Soo Kim;Seok Joong Yun;Sung-Kwon Moon;Wun-Jae Kim;Gi-Young Kim;Seung-On Lee;Jung-Hyun Shim;Yung Hyun Choi
    • Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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    • v.32 no.3
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    • pp.329-340
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    • 2024
  • Mangiferin is a kind of natural xanthone glycosides and is known to have various pharmacological activities. However, since the beneficial efficacy of this compound has not been reported in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, this study aimed to evaluate whether mangiferin could protect human RPE ARPE-19 cells from oxidative injury mimicked by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The results showed that mangiferin attenuated H2O2-induced cell viability reduction and DNA damage, while inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and preserving diminished glutathione (GSH). Mangiferin also antagonized H2O2-induced inhibition of the expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes such as manganese superoxide dismutase and GSH peroxidase, which was associated with inhibition of mitochondrial ROS production. In addition, mangiferin protected ARPE-19 cells from H2O2-induced apoptosis by increasing the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, decreasing caspase-3 activation, and blocking poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. Moreover, mangiferin suppressed the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, which was achieved by interfering with mitochondrial membrane disruption. Furthermore, mangiferin increased the expression and activity of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and nuclear factor-erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2). However, the inhibition of ROS production, cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic effects of mangiferin were significantly attenuated by the HO-1 inhibitor, indicating that mangiferin promoted Nrf2-mediated HO-1 activity to prevent ARPE-19 cells from oxidative injury. The results of this study suggest that mangiferin, as an Nrf2 activator, has potent ROS scavenging activity and may have the potential to protect oxidative stress-mediated ocular diseases.

A Study on the Development of AI Utilization Guide Components at a Christian University (기독교대학의 AI활용가이드 구성요소 개발 연구)

  • Sungwon Kam;Minho Kim
    • Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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    • v.77
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    • pp.171-201
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    • 2024
  • Purpose of Research : Since ChatGPT's 2022 release, the educational sector faces mixed reactions to generative AI, sparking innovation but raising concerns about student cognition and communication. While Christian colleges employ AI reflecting their values, secular institutions stress ethical usage. This study explores ethical AI use in these settings, aiming to integrate findings into educational practices. Research content and method : Analyzing AI use and ethics guidelines from 50 domestic and international universities, differences between Christian and secular institutions were explored. Data was categorized, conceptualized via open coding, and components were identified through axial coding. The importance of components for Christian colleges' AI guides was assessed based on the initial data and previous research, leading to the development of tailored AI utilization components for Christian universities. Conclusion : Studies revealed secular institutions have six AI guide components, while Christian colleges found seven in both utilization and ethics guides, focusing on truthfulness, responsibility, and diversity. Emphasizing the need for ethical AI use in Christian colleges, the findings advocate developing AI ethics guidelines to aid marginalized groups and establish a new educational paradigm through further research.

Antioxidant Activity of Extract from Walnut Uuglans sinensis Dode) and Its Protective Effect on Cell Injury and Lipid Peroxidation in Renal Cortical Slices (호두 추출물의 항산화 활성과 신피질에서 세포 손상과 지질과산화 방지효과)

  • Bae Kae Sun;Hwang Eul Chul;Kwon Chae Hwa;Kim Soon Hee;Choi Chun Whan
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.15 no.1 s.68
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    • pp.106-111
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    • 2005
  • To investigate the antioxidant activity of extract from the raw walnut, Juglans sinensis Dode, we prepared five fractions (methanol (MeOH), dichloromethane $(CH_2Cl_2)$, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-buthanol (n-BuOH) and dehydrogen monooxide $(H_2O)$ fractions) and examined. The effect of walnut extract on the oxidative stress was investigated in vitro. The DPPH (2,2-Di (4-tert-octylphenyl)-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging activity of extract from raw walnut was shown in the following order: $EtOAc\;fraction layer. The result showed that the highest activity $(0.56{\mu}g/ml,\;IC_{50}.)$ was observed in EtOAc fraction, whereas n-BuOH fraction, MeOH fraction, $CH_2O_2$ fraction and $H_2O$ layer of $IC_{50}$ were $2.34{\mu}g//ml,\;3.88{\mu}g/ml,\;8.06{\mu}g/ml,\;and\;8.19{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The radical scavenging activity assay of each fraction showed that the antioxidative activity was observed in the following order: EtOAc fraction $(74.27\pm1.56\%)>MeOH\;fraction\;(60.76\pm3.4\%)>n-BuOH\;fraction\;(59.32\pm0.88\%)>H_2O\;layer\;(41.69\pm2.06\%)$. These results revealed that all fractions, except for $CH_2Cl_2$ fraction, showed high antioxidative activity. Furthermore, the peroxynitrite $(ONOO^-)$ scavenging activity was assayed in each fraction. The result showed that the $ONOO^-$ scavenging activity of EtOAc fraction, MeOH fraction and n-BuOH fraction from raw walnut was $95.14\pm0.36\%,\; 90.02\pm1.19\%\;and\;89.41\pm0.81\%$, respectively. The tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP) treatment in vitro increased lactate dehydrogenase release and lipid peroxidation in renal cortical slices. Such changes were completely prevented by addition of MeOH fraction, EtOAc fraction and n-BuOH fraction of walnut. These results indicate that the walnut extract exerts the benedicial effect against t-BHP-induced cell injury and its effect may be due to antioxidant action. In addition, it is suggested that walnut extract might be developed as the effective scavenger for the prevention of oxidative stress.

Anti-amnesic and Neuroprotective Effects of Artemisia argyi H. (Seomae mugwort) Extracts (섬애쑥 추출물의 뇌 신경세포 보호효과에 의한 학습 및 기억능력 개선 효과)

  • Ha, Gi-Jeong;Lee, Doo Sang;Seung, Tae Wan;Park, Chang Hyeon;Park, Seon Kyeong;Jin, Dong Eun;Kim, Nak-Ku;Shin, Hyun-Yul;Heo, Ho Jin
    • Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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    • v.47 no.3
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    • pp.380-387
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    • 2015
  • The anti-amnesic effect of Artemisia argyi H against trimethyltin (TMT)-induced learning and memory impairment and its neuroprotective effect against $H_2O_2$-inducedoxidative stress were investigated. Cognitive behavior was examined by Y-maze and passive avoidance test for 4 weeks, which showed improved cognitive functions in mice treated with the extract. In vitro neuroprotective effects against $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress were examined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium-bromide and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. A. argyi H. extract showed protective effects against $H_2O_2$-induced neurotoxicity; moreover, LDH release into the medium was inhibited. Finally, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that eupatilin and jaceosidin were the major phenolic compounds in A. argyi H. extract. These results suggest that A. argyi H. could be a good source of functional substances to prevent neurodegenerative diseases.

Characterization of Cigarette Smoke Extract (CSE)-induced Cell Death in Lung Epithelial Cells (폐상피세포에서 흡연추출물-유도성 세포사에 관한 연구)

  • Choi, Eun Kyung;Kim, Yun Seup;Park, Jae Seuk;Jee, Young Koo;Lee, Kye Young
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.58 no.1
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    • pp.43-53
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    • 2005
  • Emphysema is characterized by air space enlargement and alveolar destruction. The mechanism responsible for the development of emphysema was thought to be protease/antiprotease imbalance and oxidative stress. A very recent study shows that alveolar cell apoptosis causes lung destruction and emphysematous changes. Thus, this study was performed to support the evidence for the role of apoptosis in the development of emphysema by characterizing cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced apoptosis in A549 (type II pneumocyte) lung epithelial cells. CSE induced apoptosis at low concentration (10% or less) and both apoptosis and necrosis at high concentration (20%). Apoptosis was demonstrated by DNA fragmentation using FACScan for subG1 fraction. Discrimination between apoptosis and necrosis was done by morphologic analysis using fluorescent microscopy with Hoecst 33342/propium iodide double staing and electron microscopy. Cytochrome c release was confirmed by using immunofluorescence with monoclonal anti-cytochrome c antibody. However, CSE-induced cell death did not show the activation of caspase 3 and was not blocked by caspase inhibitors. This suggests that CSE-induced apoptosis might be caspase-independent apoptosis. CSE-induced cell death was near completely blocked by N-acetylcystein and bcl-2 overexpression protected CSE-induced cell death. This results suggests that CSE might induce apoptosis through intracellular oxidative stress. CSE also activated p53 and functional knock-out of p53 using stable overexpression of HPV-E6 protein inhibited CSE-induced cell death. The characterization of CSE-induced cell death in lung epithelial cells could support the role of lung cell apoptosis in the pathogenesis of emphysema.

Variation of Rice Production for Two Decades before and after Breeding Tongil Variety in Korea (수도 통일품종 육성보급 전후 20년간의 생산성 변이)

  • Eun-Woong Lee
    • KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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    • v.27 no.3
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    • pp.183-192
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    • 1982
  • The variability of rice productivity during last 2 decades (1961-1980) of ten years before and after the introduction of"Tongil" was reviewed from the epochal, regional and varietal points of view. During that period the cultivated area of paddy rice have remained almost unchanged, while the total rice production have got elevated from 3, 463 million metric tons in 1961 to 6.006 million metric tons in 1977, recording 73.4% increase. This remarkable increase in rice production is considered to be attributable much to the development and release of new high yielding variety, "Tongil", coupled with the amelioration of cultural techniques. However, in 1978 Tongil type varieties experienced the epidemic outbreak of blast disease due to the shifted race population of blast fungus and in 1980 recorded poor rice production as low as in 1960's due to the unfavorable weather stress throughout the rice growing season, giving rise to many problems awaiting solutions for securing the stabilized high production of rice. The rice yield has continued the gradual increase during last two decades but its difference between farmer and research organization have got wider from 79kg/10a during 1960 to 1971 to 101kg/l0a during 1972 to 1980, and also the inter-regional differences have been increased from 50-60kg/10a to 80kg/10a during those periods. Therefore, this proves that we have raised the upper boundary of rice yield by increasing the yield potential of rice variety but have not changed those absolute deviations. Estimates indicate that the increased rice production during that period was indebted 40 percent to the varietal improvement and 13 percent to the ameliorated agro-technologies, and the rest, 47 percent, could be ascribed to the other factors besides varieties and cultural technologies such as the improved agricultural environments, etc. Of course, even though it cannot be expected to unify the cultural environments and the cultural technologies, provided that much efforts are to be endeavored to minimize the yield difference of 20 percent between farmer and research organizations and the inter-regional yield difference of 20 percent, much increased rice production can be expected to be achieved with the current level of cultural technology and the yielding potential of the present rice varieties. In order to expedite the above effects on rice production the followings are to be put into practices consitently and steadfastly. 1. Reinforcement of breeding for varieties with high yielding potential and less susceptible to climatic-stress and pests, and of basic physicoecological studies of rice plant for improving the cultural technologies. 2. Continuous endeavor to secure the stabilized cultural environments by improving the soil fertility and increasing the drainage and irrigation facilities. 3. Political back-up to encourage the farmers' incentives for production 4. Precise surveys for agricultural statistics to facilitate the long-term planninge long-term planning.

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An Analysis of Fun Distance of Visually Impaired School Physical Education Program (시각장애학교 체육프로그램의 재미거리 분석)

  • Shim, Ji-Hoon;Lee, Seung-Chan;Her, Mun-Young
    • Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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    • v.13 no.3
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    • pp.181-192
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    • 2019
  • The purpose of this study is to look at the fun that high school students from blind schools feel in sports programs. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 10 out of 12 blind schools nationwide, including 122 male and 102 female students. Research tools are open questionnaires and questions are as follows. - Questionnaire: "Write down three of the most interesting things about sports programs." The data analysis was done with frequency analysis and the following conclusions were drawn. First, male high school students at blind schools are able to build up their physical strength in the area of competent factors (control-self) (23, 21.5%), in the area of competent factors (7, 77.8%) and in the area of motion-related factors (competition) (24, 15.1%), and in the area of non-execution factors (26, 37.7%), Second, high school girls with visual impairments did not respond in the areas of proficiency (control-self) because of stress release (25, 26.6%), in the areas of control-tain), in the areas of movement (competition) because they were able to do various exercises (22, 15.7%), and in the areas of non-watering (environmental) (18, 37.5%). Third, in the sports program comparative analysis of high school students between genders of blind schools, boys are interested in health and physical fitness in the field of competent factors (control-self) and girls are considered to be a means of relieving stress. In the field of competent factors (control-others), boys and girls can react to a variety of sports opportunities. In the future, by studying the fun of students in the physical education program through research to find out more fun in the school physical education program, we will explore practical ways to maximize student participation and increase motivation level The educational aspect of the process, that is, the educational value provided by the physical education, should be composed of content that can change the thinking and behavior of the teacher and the student so that the program contents and operation method.

Role of Oxygen Free Radical in the Expression of Interleukin-8 and Interleukin-$1{\beta}$ Gene in Mononuclear Phagocytic Cells (내독소에 의한 말초혈액 단핵구의 IL-8 및 IL-$1{\beta}$ 유전자 발현에서 산소기 역할에 관한 연구)

  • Kang, Min-Jong;Kim, Jae-Yeol;Park, Jae-Seok;Lee, Seung-Joon;Yoo, Chul-Gyu;Kim, Young-Whan;Han, Sung-Koo;Shim, Young-Soo
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.42 no.6
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    • pp.862-870
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    • 1995
  • Background: Oxygen free radicals have generally been considered as cytotoxic agents. On the other hand, recent results suggest that small nontoxic amounts of these radicals may act a role in intracellular signal transduction pathway and many efforts to reveal the role of these radicals as secondary messengers have been made. It is evident that the oxygen radicals are released by various cell types in response to extracellular stimuli including LPS, TNF, IL-1 and phorbol esters, all of which translocate the transcription factor $NF{\kappa}B$ from cytoplasm to nucleus by releasing an inhibitory protein subunit, $I{\kappa}B$. Activation of $NF{\kappa}B$ is mimicked by exposure to mild oxidant stress, and inhibited by agents that remove oxygen radicals. It means the cytoplasmic form of the inducible tanscription factor $NF{\kappa}B$ might provide a physiologically important target for oxygen radicals. At the same time, it is well known that LPS induces the release of oxygen radicals in neutrophil with the activation of $NF{\kappa}B$. From above facts, we can assume the expression of IL-8 and IL-$1{\beta}$ gene by LPS stimulation may occur through the activation of $NF{\kappa}B$, which is mediated through the release of $I{\kappa}B$ by increasing amounts of oxygen radicals. But definitive evidence is lacking about the role of oxygen free radicals in the expression of IL-8 and IL-$1{\beta}$ gene in mononuclear phagocytic cells. We conducted a study to determine whether oxygen radicals act a role in the expression of IL-8 and IL-$1{\beta}$ gene in mononuclear phagocytic cells. Method: Human peripheral blood monocytes were isolated from healthy volunteers. Time and dose relationship of $H_2O_2$-induced IL-8 and IL-$1{\beta}$ mRNA expression was observed by Northern blot analysis. To evaluate the role of oxygen radicals in the expression of IL-8 and IL-$1{\beta}$ mRNA by LPS stimulation, pretreatment of various antioxiants including PDTC, TMTU, NAC, ME, Desferrioxamine were done and Northern blot analysis for IL-8 and IL-$1{\beta}$ mRNA was performed. Results: In PBMC, dose and time dependent expression of IL-8 and IL-$1{\beta}$ mRNA by exogenous $H_2O_2$ was not observed. But various antioxidants suppressed the expression of LPS-induced IL-8 and IL-$1{\beta}$ mRNA expression of PBMC and the suppressive activity was most prominant when the pretreatment was done with TMTU. Conclusion: Oxygen free radical may have some role in the expression of IL-8 and IL-$1{\beta}$ mRNA of PBMC but that radical might not be $H_2O_2$.

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한국 청소년의 약물남용과 비행행위

  • 김성이
    • Korea journal of population studies
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    • v.11 no.2
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    • pp.54-66
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    • 1988
  • I. Introduction Since the 1970's drug abuse among young people has increasingly become a social problem in Korea. In the 1980's, drug abuse, especially glue sniffing, has become the cause of many unfortunated incidents resulting in harm to others as well as the abusers themselves. Taking into consideration of the seriousness of this problem, the Republic of Korea National Red Cross initiated a nation-wide research programme, to understand the present situation and to raise the level of public awareness. The goal of this research was to begin a nation - wide campaign against drug abuse. The research team was composed of the Advisary Committee members and the staff of the Youth Department of the Republic of Korea National Red Cross. The data were collected in February 1988 with the collaboration of the staff and volunteers in the local Chapters. The respondents were allocated nation-wide by the quota sampling method. The questionnaires were distributed to the respondents in three groups :2, 700 to junior and senior high school students, 605 to working youths, and 916 to delinquent youths. A total of 4, 221 questionnaires were collected. II. Characteristics of the Respondents The respondents in each group were selected evenly from rural and urban areas. The general characteristics of the respondents can be described as follow: in case of students, the proportions between male and female respondents, and between senior high school and junior high school students were almost evenly distributed. In case of working youths, the proportion of females (80.5%) was higher than those of the students and the delinquents groups. Delinquent youths were defined as those currently being under custody of the centers for juvenile delinquents. Of this number, 38.8% and 68.2% were junior and senior high school drop-outs respectively. The majority of them (92.6%) were male. As for the family background of the respondents, the proportion of those residing in poverty - stricken areas, and the proportion of those from broken families were higher in case of working youths and delinquent youths than those in case of students. III. Present Patterns of Drug Abuse The following summarizes the presents of drug abuse, as tabulated from the results of the survey. 1. Smoking The percentage of youths who smoke was 36% in the student group, 32% m the working youths group, and 94.4% in the delinquent youths group. 2. Alcohol 50.3% of students, 71.6% of working youths, and 93.3% of delinquent youths has experienced drinking alcohol beverages. 3. Tonic: non - alcoholic, caffeinated beverages popular in Korea and Japan The percentage of those who have used tonic at least once was over 90% in all of the three groups. 4. Sedative About 70% of each group has used sedative with the proportion of working youths use higher than those in other groups. 5. Stimulants Those who have used stimulants comprised around 15% in each group. 6. Tranquilizers Somewhat less than 5% of students and working youths, and 28% of delinquent youths, have used tranquilizers. 7. Hypnotics The users of hypnotics amounted to 0.4% of students, 2.6% of working youths and 7.1% of delinquent youths. 8. Marihuana Those who have used marihuana indicated 0.7% of students, 0.8% of working youths, and 13% of delinquent youths. 9. Glue-sniffing The percentage of glue-sniffing was 3.7%, 5% in the students group and in the youths group respectively, but the proportion was unusually high, at 40.7% in the delinquent youths group. From the results of the survey the present situation of drug abuse in Korea can be summarized as follows: 1. A high percentage of Korean youths have experienced smoking cigarettes and drinking alcoholic beverages. 2. Tonics (non - alcoholic, caffeinated beverages), antipyretic analgesics and stimulants quite regularly used. 3. Tranquilizers, hypnotics, marihuana and glue-sniffing are more widely used among delinquent youths than the other youths. From this fact, there exists a correlation between drug abuse and juvenile delinquency. IV. Time-series Analysis of the First Experience of Drug Abuse and Deviant Behaviour The respoundents were asked when they were first exposed to drugs and when they committed deviant acts. By calculating the average age of each experience, the following pattern was found (See Figure 1). Youths are first exposed to drugs by abuse of tonic(non - alcoholic, caffeinated beverages). At the age of 13, they amoke cigarettes, the use of antipyretic analgesics begins at 14 year old, while at the age of 15, they use tranquilizers, and at 16 hynotics. The period of drug abuse which starts from drinking caffeinated beverages and smoking cigarettes and ends in the use of hypnotics takes about three years. During this period, other delinquent behaviours begin to surface, that is, at the age of 13 when smoking cigarettes begins, the delinquent behaviour pattern starts with truancy. Next, they start taking money from others by using physical force. Prior to the age of 15, they are suspended from school, become hostile to adults, begin running away from home, and start using stimulants and alcohol. Soon they become involved even in glue-sniffing and in the use of marihuana. At the age of 15, they begin to see adult videos and carry weapons. Sexual promiscuity and usage of tranquilizers follows the viewing of adult videos. Consequently, by the time they reach the age of 16, they visit drinking establishments, and are picked up by police for committing delinquent acts. And finally, they come to use hypnotic - type drugs. From the above descriptions, drug abuse can be assumed to have a close correlation with delinquent behaviour. V. Social Factors Related to Drug Abuse As for the Korean youths, glue-sniffing is found to he related to aggressive delinquency, in such cases as run - aways, being picked up by the police, and taking money by force. Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol is found to be related to seeing adult videos and visiting drinking establishments. Hypnotics and marihuana were found to be representive of drugs which are related to degenerational delinquency, irrespective of social delinquency. The social factors connected with these drug abuse are as follows: 1. Individual factors Male students were more heavily involved in the usage of drug than females. Youths who do not attend church were more likely to be involved in drugs than those who attend. 2. Family factors The youths who were displeased with their mothers smoking and those who thought their parents did not love each other, or those whose parents had used drugs without prescription, were more likely to he drug users. 3. School factors Those youths who found school life boring, were unsuccessful in their studies, spend most of their time with friends, feel their teachers smoke too much, those who had a positive perception of their teachers smoking were likely to he drug users. To sum up, drug abusers depend on the influence of their parents, teachers and peers. IV. Reasons for Drug Abuse Korean students have mainly used drugs to release stress (42.8%), to stay awake (19.7%), and because of the easy accessibility of drugs( 16.6%). Other reasons are due to their ignorance of the side effects of the drugs (3.6%), natural curiosity (4.2%), and to increase strength(3.O%). From the above facts, the major reasons for drug abuse among Korean youths are to release stress and to stay awake in order to prepare exams. Furthermore, since drugs are readily available, we can conclude that drug abuse is caused by the school system(such as entrance exams) in Korea. VII. Conclusion Drug usage among Korean youths are relatively less common than those of western youths. In some cases, such as, glue-sniffing and use of stimulants, the pattern of drug abuse is found. Moreover, early drug abuse is evident, and it has a close connection with deviant behaviour, resulting in juvenile delinquency. Drug abuse cannot be attributed to any one social factor. Specifically, drug abuse depends on parents, peers, teachers and other members of the community, and also is influenced by social institutions such as the entrance exam system. Every person and organization concerned with youth must participate collectively in restraining drug abuse. Finally, it is suggested that social agencial working for youth welfare should make every effort to tackle this serious problem confronted by the Korean youths today.

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