• BMB Reports
• /
• v.56 no.4
• /
• pp.234-239
• /
• 2023

Thioredoxin-like protein 1 (TXNL1), one of the thioredoxin superfamily known as redox-regulator, plays an essential in maintaining cell survival via various antioxidant and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. It is well known that relationship between ischemia and oxidative stress, however, the role of TXNL1 protein in ischemic damage has not been fully investigated. In the present study, we aimed to determine the protective role of TXNL1 against on ischemic injury in vitro and in vivo using cell permeable Tat-TXNL1 fusion protein. Transduced Tat-TXNL1 inhibited ROS production and cell death in H₂O₂-exposed hippocampal neuronal (HT-22) cells and modulated MAPKs and Akt activation, and pro-apoptotic protein expression levels in the cells. In an ischemia animal model, Tat-TXNL1 markedly decreased hippocampal neuronal cell death and the activation of astrocytes and microglia. These findings indicate that cell permeable Tat-TXNL1 protects against oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo ischemic animal model. Therefore, we suggest Tat-TXNL1 can be a potential therapeutic protein for ischemic injury.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.119-129
• /
• 2022

Cervical cytology has been widely used as a screening tool for cervical cancer. However, Human papillomavirus (HPV) detection and subtype testing are suggested to overcome the high false-negative rate associated with cytology. We aimed to investigate the clinical usefulness and infection rate in the HPV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test performed in hospitals. HPV PCR data from 217 patients were analyzed. Analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in the infection rate among different age groups (P=0.015). The biopsy results showed that epithelial cell abnormalities and high HPV-positivity rate was observed in 1 (100%) subject aged <29 years, in 4 out of 5 (80%) patients in their 30s, and in 3 out of 4 (75%) patients aged ≥70 years. The prevalence of HPV infection was very high (46.1%). The highest prevalence (87.5%) was observed among patients in their <29, followed by those in their 30s (67.7%) and those in their 40s (31.9%).A high rate of epithelial cell abnormalities (≥ cervical intraepithelial neoplasia type 1, mild dysplasia) was observed in HPV-infected women aged<30 years. Therefore, extensive research and prevention activities are needed in this age group. HPV PCR testing is recommended to complement cervical cytology

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.366-375
• /
• 2023

Background: Ginseng contains three active components: ginsenosides, gintonin, and polysaccharides. After the separation of 1 of the 3 ingredient fractions, other fractions are usually discarded as waste. In this study, we developed a simple and effective method, called the ginpolin protocol, to separate gintonin-enriched fraction (GEF), ginseng polysaccharide fraction (GPF), and crude ginseng saponin fraction (cGSF). Methods: Dried ginseng (1 kg) was extracted using 70% ethanol (EtOH). The extract was water fractionated to obtain a water-insoluble precipitate (GEF). The upper layer after GEF separation was precipitated with 80% EtOH for GPF preparation, and the remaining upper layer was vacuum dried to obtain cGSF. Results: The yields of GEF, GPF, and cGSF were 14.8, 54.2, and 185.3 g, respectively, from 333 g EtOH extract. We quantified the active ingredients of 3 fractions: L-arginine, galacturonic acid, ginsenosides, glucuronic acid, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), phosphatidic acid (PA), and polyphenols. The order of the LPA, PA, and polyphenol content was GEF > cGSF > GPF. The order of L-arginine and galacturonic acid was GPF >> GEF = cGSF. Interestingly, GEF contained a high amount of ginsenoside Rb1, whereas cGSF contained more ginsenoside Rg1. GEF and cGSF, but not GPF, induced intracellular [Ca²⁺]_i transient with antiplatelet activity. The order of antioxidant activity was GPF > GEF = cGSF. Immunological activities (related to nitric oxide production, phagocytosis, and IL-6 and TNF-α release) were, in order, GPF > GEF = cGSF. The neuroprotective ability (against reactive oxygen species) order was GEF > cGSP > GPF. Conclusion: We developed a novel ginpolin protocol to isolate 3 fractions in batches and determined that each fraction has distinct biological effects.

• Annals of Clinical Microbiology
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.23-27
• /
• 2014

Rapidly growing mycobacteria are ubiquitous in the environment and are increasingly being recognized as opportunistic pathogens. Recently, a new species, Mycobacteium conceptionense, has been validated from the Mycobacterium fortuitum third biovariant complex by molecular analysis. However, there are few reports, and postsurgical wound infection by this species is rare. We report a case of postsurgical wound infection caused by M. conceptionense in an immunocompetent patient that was identified by a sequencing analysis of 16S rRNA, hps65, and rpoB genes.

• Korea Science and Art Forum
• /
• v.31
• /
• pp.355-365
• /
• 2017

The future population of Korea is expected to reach the second highest level in the world by 2060 for the elderly. It is because of the rapid development of low fertility and medical technology. The burden of society for the elderly is expected to increase steadily. The elderly person firstly appears functional disorder. They have low ability in memory and in cognitive will be. Their activities are therefore limited. And economic production capacity is sharply reduced. Self-sufficiency is a difficult situation. They need help in economic and social aspects. Products for them need research and development. The elderly have a Mild Cognitive Impairment(MCI) stage with poor cognitive abilities. It is effective to combine pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment methods for people with mild cognitive impairment. The effects of non-pharmacological treatments on music have been proven. This paper is a study on the appearance from the viewpoint of design in the development of ancillary instruments using music therapy techniques with Digital Convergence. For this study, we investigated the preference for external appearance of mild cognitive impairment. Two times surveys were conducted. As a result, the design of home care product for the hard cognitive impaired was different from that of a conventional game machine or set top box. It should be designed according to the user's special circumstances. They are memory and cognitive abilities. Products that meet physical and mental changes must be developed.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.91-102
• /
• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a digital group reminiscence program on elderly patients with mild dementia who were registered with Day Care Centers. Methods: The study was conducted with elderly patients with mild dementia in Day Care Centers in D city. The patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group and were assessed for cognitive function, depression, and ego integrity using pre-test and post-test designs. A digital group reminiscence program was applied to the experimental group. Data was collected from July 5 to September 17, 2021, using questionnaires in three sessions. Results: The pre-test cognitive function score was 12.00 in the experimental group and 11.09 in the control group. The post-test cognitive function score was 19.20 in the experimental group and 14.42 in the control group. The later cognitive function score was 18.00 in the experimental group and 13.31 in the control group. The pre-test depression score was 8.32 in the experimental group and 9.91 in the control group. The post-test depression score was 6.05 in the experimental group and 8.82 in the control group. The later depression score was 6.94 in the experimental group and 9.02 in the control group. The pre-test ego integrity score was 41.39 in the experimental group and 39.55 in the control group. The post-test ego integrity score was 57.95 in the experimental group and 51.41 in the control group. The later ego integrity score was 55.88 in the experimental group and 42.15 in the control group. Cognitive function, depression, and ego integrity showed significant differences according to group (p<.05), time (p<.001), and interaction between group and time (p<.01). Conclusion: The digital group reminiscence program was found to be effective in improving cognitive function and ego integrity and reducing depression in elderly patients with mild dementia. Further research is needed to explore the effects of repetitive digital group recall programs based on the progress, course, age, and communication level of dementia.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.215-229
• /
• 2023

Objectives: To validate the effectiveness of a real-time chemical exposure monitoring system developed by KOSHA (Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency), we applied the system to a workplace in the electronics industry for 153 days. Methods: The monitoring system consisted of a PID chemical sensor, a LTE communication equipment, and a web-based platform. To monitor chemical exposure, four sets of sensors were placed in two manufacturing tasks - inspection and jig cleaning - which used TCE as a degreasing agent. We reviewed previous reports of work environment measurements and conducted a new work environment measurement on one day during the period. The PID sensor systems detected the chemical exposure levels in the workplace every second and transmitted it to the platform. Daily average and maximum chemical exposure levels were also recorded. Results: We compared the results from the real-time monitoring system and the work environment measurement by traditional methods. Generally, the data from the real-time monitoring system showed a higher level because the sensors were closer to the chemical source. We found that 28% of jig cleaning task data exceeded the STEL. Peak exposure levels of sensor data were useful for understanding the characteristics of the task's chemical use. Limitations and implications were reviewed for the adoption of the system for preventing poisoning caused by chemical substances. Conclusions: We found that the real-time chemical exposure monitoring system was an efficient tool for preventing occupational diseases caused by chemical exposure, such as acute poisoning. Further research is needed to improve the reliability and applicability of the system. We also believe that forming a social consensus around the system is essential.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.44 no.3
• /
• pp.439-454
• /
• 2023

Objectives: As Korea transitions into an aging society, the incidence of cerebrovascular disease is expected to increase. Herbal medicine is commonly used in Oriental medicine to treat cerebrovascular disease. However, there is insufficient clinical evidence to actively support the safety of herbal medicine in clinical practice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the toxicity and safety of four herbal medicines (Cheongsimyeonja-tang, Dodam-tang, Hyeolbuchukso-tang, and Boshiniknai-tang) in patients with cerebrovascular disease. Methods: This study used electronic medical records to analyze patients admitted to an oriental medicine hospital from April 1, 2017, to December 31, 2020. Liver and renal function values at the time of admission and discharge were compared. Results: A total of 25 patients were included in this study. We found no significant differences in various variables, such as complete blood count, liver-renal function test, and urine, before and after the administration of the four herbal medicines. Additionally, no significant adverse events related to herbal medicine were observed. Conclusions: This study confirmed the safety of the four herbal medicines in patients with cerebrovascular disease who were hospitalized in a single Oriental medicine hospital.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.35-47
• /
• 2022

Objective : In this study, we conducted a questionnaire survey of occupational therapists to examine their perceptions on and willingness to provide telerehabilitation dementia prevention education. Methods : From March 13 to 19, 2021, a questionnaire survey targeting occupational therapists in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam was conducted. 100 questionnaires were distributed but only 70 were collected. The collected data were subjected to frequency analysis and descriptive statistics using the statistical program SPSS version 23.0. Results : The average scores by region were as follows. The average compatibility score was highest at 3.92 score, intention to providing education, doctors 3.89 score, community-centric rehabilitation awareness 3.81 score, cost saving 3.78 score, perceiver usefulness 3.75 score, accessibility 3.62 score, the quality of telerehabilitation service was in order of 3.49 score. Conclusion : All items asking whether occupational therapists participate in community-centered rehabilitation and non-face-to-face dementia prevention education programs showed high scores, indicating the willingness to participate actively. In the future, in addition to follow-up research on the implementation of telerehabilitation dementia prevention education, measures for improving accessibility within the local and national government should be discussed.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
• /
• v.13 no.6
• /
• pp.265-275
• /
• 2019

The purpose of this study was to analysis of the changes of the white noise on the change of the writing ability and hand function of the children with the intellectual disabilities and then provide the basic information about that. The subjects was 12 children with intellectual disabilities. White noise was applied to analyze the subjects' writing ability and hand function before and after application. The provision of the white noise was continuous and uniform through the white noise generator. The analysis of the writing ability was performed by using the KNISE-BAAT assessment and the writing, vocabulary and composing ability were evaluated for the writing ability of the subjects. Also, the analysis of the hand function was performed by using the pegboard sub-item of the Manual Function Test. The results of the writing ability showed the statistically significant increase of the writing and vocabulary ability, but in the case of the composing ability, there was no statistically significant increase in the composing ability. Also, the results of the hand function showed the statistically significant increase in the both hands. The use of the white noise should be considered as a compensatory approach to improve the writing ability and hand function of the children with intellectual disabilities. Also, in order to improve the level of the performance, learning level, and academic achievement of the children of the intellectual disabilities, the application of the white noise in the living and learning environment should be needed to consider.