• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.5-18
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a client-centered integrated home nursing care model for rural areas by analyzing public health nursing, hospital-based home care services, and long-term nursing care in Korea. Methods: The literature review performed included data from the National Assembly Library, DBpia, RISS, and KISS, Google Scholar, the Ministry of Government Legislation, Statistics Korea, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Results: The client-centered and integrated home nursing care model in a rural area was opened as the Home Nursing Care Center in a public health center operating directly or on consignment. This model provides both a hospital-based home care services as well as long-term care, in accordance with the health status of the client and difficulty of nursing services. Moreover, the nurse who worked in a sub-organization (Centers for Supporting Healthy Living, Public Health Units, and etc.) of the public health center as care coordinator and case manager facilitates to connect home nursing care services and social welfare services. Conclusions: Our data indicates that the client-centered integrated home nursing care model in rural areas effectively combines professional services, regional accessibility, and social welfare services.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.134-141
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• 2015

Purpose: This study investigates morphologic change of the rectosigmoid colon using a belly board in prone position and distended bladder in patients with rectal cancer. We evaluate the possibility of excluding the proximal margin of anastomosis from the radiation field by straightening the rectosigmoid colon. Materials and Methods: Nineteen patients who received preoperative radiotherapy between 2006 and 2009 underwent simulation in a prone position (group A). These patients were compared to 19 patients treated using a belly board in prone position and a distended bladder protocol (group B). Rectosigmoid colon in the pelvic cavity was delineated on planning computed tomography (CT) images. A total dose of 45 Gy was planned for the whole pelvic field with superior margin of the sacral promontory. The volume and redundancy of rectosigmoid colon was assessed. Results: Patients in group B had straighter rectosigmoid colons than those in group A (no redundancy; group A vs. group B, 10% vs. 42%; p = 0.03). The volume of rectosigmoid colon in the radiation field was significantly larger in group A (56.7 vs. 49.1 mL; p = 0.009). In dose volume histogram analysis, the mean irradiated volume was lower in patients in group B (V45 27.2 vs. 18.2 mL; p = 0.004). In Pearson correlation coefficient analysis, the in-field volume of rectosigmoid colon was significantly correlated with the bladder volume (R = 0.86, p = 0.003). Conclusion: Use of a belly board and distended bladder protocol could contribute to exclusion of the proximal margin of anastomosis from the radiation field.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.349-360
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• 2024

Oxidative stress contributes to the onset of chronic diseases in various organs, including muscles. Morroniside, a type of iridoid glycoside contained in Cornus officinalis, is reported to have advantages as a natural compound that prevents various diseases. However, the question of whether this phytochemical exerts any inhibitory effect against oxidative stress in muscle cells has not been well reported. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate whether morroniside can protect against oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in murine C2C12 myoblasts. Our results demonstrate that morroniside pretreatment was able to inhibit cytotoxicity while suppressing H₂O₂-induced DNA damage and apoptosis. Morroniside also significantly improved the antioxidant capacity in H₂O₂-challenged C2C12 cells by blocking the production of cellular reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial superoxide and increasing glutathione production. In addition, H₂O₂-induced mitochondrial damage and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress were effectively attenuated by morroniside pretreatment, inhibiting cytoplasmic leakage of cytochrome c and expression of ER stress-related proteins. Furthermore, morroniside neutralized H₂O₂-mediated calcium (Ca²⁺) overload in mitochondria and mitigated the expression of calpains, cytosolic Ca²⁺-dependent proteases. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that morroniside protected against mitochondrial impairment and Ca²⁺-mediated ER stress by minimizing oxidative stress, thereby inhibiting H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity in C2C12 myoblasts.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.431-436
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• 2011

The onset, severity, and ultimate outcome of malaria infection are influenced by parasite-expressed virulence factors as well as by individual host responses to these determinants. In both humans and mice, liver injury follows parasite entry, persisting to the erythrocytic stage in the case of infection with the fatal strain of Plasmodium falciparum. Hepatic nuclear factor (HNF)-$1{\alpha}$ is a master regulator of not only the liver damage and adaptive responses but also diverse metabolic functions. In this study, we analyzed the expression of host HNF-$1{\alpha}$ in relation to malaria infection and evaluated its interaction with the 5'-untranslated region of subtilisin-like protease 2 (subtilase, Sub2). Recombinant human HNF-$1{\alpha}$ expressed by a lentiviral vector (LV HNF-$1{\alpha}$) was introduced into mice. Interestingly, differences in the activity of the 5'-untranslated region of the Pf-Sub2 promoter were detected in 293T cells, and LV HNF-$1{\alpha}$ was observed to influence promoter activity, suggesting that host HNF-$1{\alpha}$ interacts with the Sub2 gene.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6919-6924
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• 2013

Background: Between 1998-2009 South Korea experienced significant progress in reducing the male smoking rate from 66.3% to 46.9%. As part of a significant government effort in the area of smoking cessation intervention, the Korean government implemented the national "Smoking Cessation Clinics (SCC)" program in 2004. Materials and Methods: Data covered 804,334 adult male smokers participating in SCC program at 253 public health centers between 2006-2009. We examined participant cessation rates with the SCC program, their characteristics and program intervention components using health insurance status as a socioeconomic status (SES) indicator. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed correcting for intra-class correlations within public health centers. Results: The overall 6-month quit rate was high (46.8%). Higher odds of smoking cessation were positively associated with higher levels of behavioral counseling sessions, but not nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Cessation rates were lower for Medicaid participants than for regular health insurance participants. Disadvantaged younger smokers were less likely to participate in the program. Older smokers were more likely to quit regardless of SES. Stress was cited as major reason for failure. Conclusions: SES inequalities across different age groups exist in smoking cessation among Korean adult male smokers. There is a need for intervention programs specifically targeting sub-populations of SES by different age groups.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.31 no.2 s.51
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• pp.135-140
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• 2005

A solid state emulsion haying high velocity gradient shows two important transition ranges in the plot of storage modulus(G') as a function of shear strain, when the state is changed from solid to liquid. However, a solid state emulsion having low velocity gradient shows only one apparent transition range when the change from solid to liquid state takes place. The result implies the importance of the surface properties in the solid state emulsion. The addition of water phase in the solid state emulsion reduces the modulus in the modulus in the surface transition range by increasing interfacial friction and weakening the matrix. The addition of pigments increases the modulus in the modulus in the surface transition range by reinforcing the matrix, when there is no wafer phase in the solid state emulsion. When the solid state emulsion has water phase, however, the addition of pigments decreases the modulus in the modulus in the surface transition range.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.504-510
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• 2024

Background: As a physiological function of body, immunity can maintain health by identifying itself and excluding others. With economic development and increasingly fierce social competition, the number of sub-healthy population is gradually increasing, and the most basic problem exposed is human hypoimmunity. Hypoimmunity can be manifested as often feeling tired, catching colds, mental depression, etc. In order to enhance immunity, eating healthy foods with the effect of enhancing immunity may become an effective choice. KRG has pharmacological effects of enhancing immunity. Because the screening and evaluation method of immune population are not unified, there are relatively few KRG immunity tests for sub-health population. It is of great significance to study the effect of KRG on people with hypoimmunity to improve sub-health status. Methods: This was a 180-day, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. According to the trial scheme design, 119 qualified subjects were included and randomly divided into the test group taking KRG and the placebo control group. Subjects need to check safety indicators (blood pressure and heart rate, blood routine, liver and kidney function, urine routine and stool routine) and efficacy indicators (main and secondary) inspection at baseline, efficacy indicators inspection during the mid-term of the test (90th days of administration), safety and efficacy indicators inspection after the test (180th days of administration). Results: After the test, the safety indicators of placebo control group and KRG test group were basically within the normal range, and there is no significant difference in fireness score between the two groups. Through follow-up interviews, it was found that the subjects in the test group and the control group had no adverse reactions and allergic reactions such as nausea, flatulence, diarrhea, and abdominal pain during the test period. Self-comparison of the test group, the results of the main efficacy indicators: (1) immune related health scores were significantly improved in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.01), (2) CD3 and CD4/CD8 increased significantly after the test (P < 0.05), (3) IgG, IgA, IgM and WBC increased significantly in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.01); the results of the secondary efficacy indicators: (1) TNF-α decreased significantly in the midterm (P < 0.05), IFN-γ decreased significantly in the mid-term (P < 0.01), (2) NK increased significantly in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.05), (3) monocyte increased significantly in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.01). Inter-group comparison of the test group and the control group, the results of the main efficacy indicators: (1) immune related health scores were higher than that of the control group in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.01), (2) IgA of the test group was higher than that of the control group in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.05); the results of the secondary efficacy indicators: (1) WBC of the test group was higher than that of the control group in the mid-term (P < 0.05); (2) monocytes of the test group were higher than that of the control group in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.05), neutrophils of the test group were higher than that of the control group in the mid-term (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Taking KRG has no adverse effects on the health of the subjects. According to the standard of clinical trial scheme, the immune related health scores and IgA in the main efficacy indicators were positive, which shows that KRG is helpful in enhancing human immunity.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.219-226
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• 2021

Gastrodia elata has a very low pollination rate in natural state, and even in artificial cultivation, there are very few individuals that bloom due to the degeneration, so little studies have been conducted. This study confirmed that the potential as a cosmetic ingredient by evaluating the antioxidant activity through the evaluation of DPPH radical scavenging activity, anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibitory effect on nitric oxide production, and the moisturizing activity through the effect on promoting hyaluronic acid production by artificially flowering G. elata flower. It was also confirmed that the appearance rate and flowering rate of G. elata harvested in spring were high, and the content of gastrodin was 0.36%. The IC50 value of G. elata flower extract was 0.045% and it was confirmed that G. elata flower extract had higher radical scavenging activity than G. elata root extract. The NO production inhibitory activity against the flower extract showed a significant inhibitory effect from 1% to 83.2%. Hyaluronic acid production promotion efficacy was not confirmed in the G. elata root extract, but the production rate increased with concentration dependence in the flower extract, and it was the highest at 46.9% when 0.02% treatment was performed. Based on the above research results, it is judged that G. elata flower extract has high potential for use as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin moisturizing cosmetic ingredient.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Child Welfare
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• no.56
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• pp.33-68
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• 2016

This study aimed to explore the experiences of community child center workers about how they have dealt with the mental health of children and adolescents who use such centers. For this study, we used a sample of ten community child center workers, who were divided into two groups and who participated in four focus group interviews. The results revealed four themes and twelve sub-themes: "the reality of facing children's mental health issues," "dealing with children's mental health issues and limitations," "know-hows accumulated from experiences and visible changes," and "remaining tasks--the workers who cannot give all." Based on the results the implications of promoting the mental health of children at community child centers were discussed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.78-88
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• 2022

Objectives: To develop the smart sensor to protect worker's health from chemical exposure by adopting ICT (Information and Communications Technology) technologies. Methods: To develope real-time chemical exposure monitoring system, IoT (Internet of Things) sensor technology and regulations were reviewed. We developed and produced smart sensor. A smart sensor is a system consisting of a sensor unit, a communication unit, and a platform. To verify the performance of smart sensors, each sensor has been certified by the Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (KOLAS). Results: Chemicals (TVOC; Total Volatile Organic Compounds, Cl₂: Chlorine, HF: Hydrogen fluoride and HCN: Hydrogen cyanide) were selected according to a priority logic (KOSHA Alert, acute poisoning statistics, literature review). Notifications were set according to OEL (occupational exposure limit). Sensors were selected based on OEL and the capabilities of the sensors. Communication is designed to use LTE (Long Term Evolution) and Wi-Fi at the same time for convenience. Electronic platform were applied to build this monitoring system. Conclusions: Real-time monitoring system for OEL of hazardous chemicals in workplace was developed. Smart sensor can detect chemicals to complement monitoring of traditional workplace environmental monitoring such as short term and peak exposure. Further research is needed to expand the scope of application, improve reliability, and systematically application.