• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.570-575
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• 2022

Stress breaks body balance, which can cause diverse physiological disorders and worsen preexisting diseases. However, recent studies have reported that controllable stress and overcoming from stress reinforce resilience to resist against more intense stress afterwards. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of corticosterone (CORT), a representative stress hormone against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced neuronal cell death and its underlying molecular mechanism in SH-SY5Y cells, a human neuroblastoma cell line. The decreased cell viability by H₂O₂ was effectively restored by the pretreatment with low concentration of CORT (0.03 μM for 72 h) in the cells. H₂O₂-increased expression of apoptotic markers such as PUMA and Bim was decreased by CORT pretreatment. Furthermore, pretreatment of CORT attenuated H₂O₂-mediated oxidative damages by upregulation of antioxidant enzymes via activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). These findings suggest that low concentration of CORT with eustressed condition enhances intracellular self-defense against H₂O₂-mediated oxidative cell death, suggesting a role of low concentration of CORT as one of key molecules for resilience and neuronal cell survival.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.355-363
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• 2005

This study aimed to investigate the cerebroprotective effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on permanent focal cerebral ischemia in Sprague-Dawley rats. Right middle cerebral artery (MCA) was occluded for 6 and 24 hours by an intraluminal monofilament technique. An open cranial window was made on the right parietal bone for determination of continuous changes in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) by laser-Doppler flowmetry. The infarct size was morphometrically determined using the 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride technique. Brain edema was determined by measuring brain water content. In normal rats, rCBF was significantly increased by intravenous infusion of VEGF for 10 minutes. The VEGF-induced increase in rCBF was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with suramin, a heparin-binding growth factor inhibitor as well as $N^{\omega}-nitro-L-arginine$, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. In focal cerebral ischemic rats, the amplitude of decrease in rCBF during ischemic period was significantly less in VEGF-treated group, compared with that in vehicle-treated group. The cerebral infarct size was reduced by VEGF in a dose-dependent manner. The brain edema formation was dose-dependently reduced by VEGF in 24-hour MCA occlusion group but not in 6-hour MCA occlusion group. It is suggested that VEGF not only improves the rCBF during cerebral ischemic period but also reduces the brain edema formation, and thereby exert a protective effect on focal cerebral ischemia in rats.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.93-103
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• 2015

Objectives: It was investigated the cytoprotective efficacies of isorhamnetin, a flavonoid originally derived from Hippophae rhamnoides L., against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in C2C12 myoblasts. Methods: The effects of isorhamnetin on cell growth, apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were evaluated by trypan blue dye exclusion assay, 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining and flow cytometry. The levels of apoptosis-regulatory and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway-related proteins, and caspase activities (caspase-3 and -9) were determined by Western blot analysis and colorimetric assay, respectively. Results: Our results revealed that treatment with isorhamnetin prior to hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) exposure significantly increased the C2C12 cell viability and, indicating that the exposure of C2C12 cells to isorhamnetin conferred a protective effect against oxidative stress. Isorhamnetin also effectively attenuated $H_2O_2$-induced apoptosis and ROS generation, which was associated with the restoration of the upregulation of Bax and downregulation of Bcl-2 induced by $H_2O_2$. In addition, $H_2O_2$ enhanced the activation of caspase-9 and -3, and degradation of poly (ADP-ribose)-polymerase, a typical substrate protein of activated caspase-3; however, these events were almost totally reversed by pretreatment with isorhamnetin. Moreover, isorhamnetin increased the levels of heme oxygenase-1, a potent antioxidant enzyme, associated with the induction of Nrf2. Conclusions: Our data indicated that isorhamnetin may potentially serve as an agent for the treatment and prevention of muscle disorders caused by oxidative stress.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 2024

Objective : The objective of this study is to create questionnaires for Social Capital (SCQ) and Built Environment (BEQ) that can be utilized as protective factors for mental health. Methods : A total of 426 adults aged 18 or older, residing in 'D' Metropolitan City in Korea, were included as subjects in this study. Data for subjective evaluation of social capital and built environment were collected through an online survey. Various statistical analyses, such as reliability analysis, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and correlation analysis between PHQ-9 and GAD-7, were conducted. Results : The Cronbach's α values for SCQ and BEQ were 0.94 and 0.90, respectively, indicating good reliability. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that SCQ consisted of 4 factors, explaining a total of 71.91%, while BEQ consisted of 4 factors, explaining a total of 62.18%. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that both questionnaires had a reasonable configuration, with TLI, CFI, and RMSEA values at an appropriate level. Additionally, both SCQ and BEQ showed negative correlations with depression and anxiety. Conclusion : This study has developed a tool for measuring social capital and the built environment in Korea. It also demonstrates the reliability and validity of this questionnaire. The use of this tool could greatly support preventive mental health interventions within the community.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.159-175
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that could overcome the crisis and adversity of the nursing care provider through understanding the effect of job adaptation on the turnover intention of the nursing care provider and to contribute to the various problems of the nursing care provider in the long term. In order to confirm this as an empirical research task, risk factors and protection factors, general characteristics of the survey subjects, job adaptation and turnover intention were selected, and the risk factors and protective factors of caregivers' As a mediator. So Seoul. The results of the questionnaire survey were as follows: 291 caregivers in the elderly medical welfare facilities in Gyeonggi area. First, as the relationship between the risk factors and protective factors of occupational caregivers and occupational adaptation were more severe, the higher the maladjustment of the workplace culture, the more the job satisfaction and organizational commitment were adversely affected. The emotional support, The higher the information support, the more satisfied and satisfied the job. Second, the relationship between the risk factors of the caregiver and the protective factors and the turnover intention, the higher the conflict of caregivers, the more unstable the workplace, the more difficult it is to adapt to work culture, Respectively. Finally, as a result of verifying the mediating effect of occupational adaptation on the relationship between risk factors and protective factors and turnover intention of caregivers, job satisfaction, which is a sub-factor of job adaptation, It is shown that they play mediating roles only in the relationship between stress and turnover intention, and do not play a mediating role in the relationship between protective factor self - efficacy and social support and turnover intention. In other words, if caregivers feel satisfaction about their job, they can be less stressed on their jobs, improve their self-efficacy, and have a positive attitude toward social support. Also, it was found that the more the caregiver 's immersion into the organization, the less job stress and turnover intention decreased, but the self - efficacy and social support perception were not influenced. Based on this, the director of the facility should strive to stabilize the operation of the facility and provide high-quality services by seeking ways to improve conflict resolution and adaptation to the workplace culture so that nursing care workers can adapt to their work. And it is required to develop active management strategies and institutional support for improving job satisfaction and organizational commitment of caregivers.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.402-410
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• 2016

Purpose: Personal protective equipment (PPE) is critical to protect healthcare workers from pandemic outbreaks. This study was designed to identify nurses' knowledge, attitude and perceptions on PPE. Methods: Data were collected from 154 nurses working at a tertiary general hospital, where positively diagnosed and suspected patients were accepted and admitted during the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus outbreak in 2015. The PPE tool consists of 20 items for knowledge, and 5 each for attitudes and perceptions. Results: Overall, knowledge for PPE was higher than moderate (76.95/100), but there was a lack for items related to powered air purifying respirator (PAPR). For attitudes, willingness to work in pandemic outbreaks was the most positive (4.04/5.00). Goggles and PAPR were perceived as the most uncomfortable barriers to work. There was no correlation between knowledge, attitude and perceptions, despite a strong positive correlation between attitude and perceptions. PPE training was identified as a factor to improve knowledge and attitudes on PPE. Conclusion: To respond to pandemic influenza, nurses need to expand their knowledge on PPE up to Level C, and be updated through regular training. Study findings suggest that repetitive studies targeting nurses and other healthcare workers at various hospital settings are necessary.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7663-7668
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• 2013

Background: Skin cancer is a global health problem that can be prevented by protective behavior promoted by nurses. In Turkey, only few studies have examined current knowledge of nurses related to skin cancer and to reveal their attitudes towards sun exposure and current protective behavior. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed from March 11 to May 30, 2013 with a study sample of 310 nurses working in two state hospitals located in Karab$\ddot{u}$k and Safranbolu. Results: Mean age of the nurses was $30.3{\pm}6.89$ years and 96.1% of them had graduated with a Bachelor degree. The participants were predominantly female (n=284). Knowledge level about skin cancer was significantly higher for females compared to males. Conclusions: Nurses do not have sufficient knowledge about skin cancer and are not adequately protecting themselves from ultraviolet light, the primary risk factor for skin cancer. While they demonstrated a responsible attitude towards avoiding sunburn and the need for adequate sun protection, they do not fully appreciate the extent to which the sun can cause skin cancer and that they lack full understanding about the need to protect the skin from burning and to avoid long term sun exposure in Turkey.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.341-346
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• 2004

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) or its mRNA expression are increased in acute nephrosis of various types including ischemia/reperfusion injury. This study was undertaken to determine whether pentoxifylline (PTX), an inhibitor of TNF-α production, provides a protective effect against hypoxia-induced cell injury in rabbit renal cortical slices. To induce hypoxia-induced cell injury, renal cortical slices were exposed to 100% N₂ atmosphere. Control slices were exposed to 100% O₂ atmosphere. The cell injury was estimated by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and p-aminohippurate (PAH) uptake. Exposure of slices to hypoxia increased the LDH release in a time-dependent manner. However, when slices were exposed to hypoxia in the presence of PTX, the LDH release was decreased. The protective effect of PTX was dose-dependent over the concentrations of 0.05∼1 mM. Hypoxia did not increase lipid peroxidation, whereas an organic hydroperoxide t-butylhydroperoxide (tBHP) resulted in a significant increase in lipid peroxidation. PTX did not affect tBHP-induced lipid peroxidation. Hypoxia decreased PAH uptake, which was significantly attenuated by PTX and glycine. tBHP-induced inhibition of PAH uptake was not altered by PTX, although it was prevented by antioxidant deferoxarnine. The PAH uptake by slices in rabbits with ischemic acute renal failure was prevented by PTX pretreatment. These results suggest that PTX may exert a protective effect against hypoxia-induced cell injury and its effect may due to inhibition of the TNF-α production, but not by its antioxidant action.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.606-617
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• 2019

Background: The Panax ginseng berry extract (GBE) is well known to have an antidiabetic effect. The aim of this study is to evaluate and investigate the protective effect of ultrasonication-processed P. ginseng berry extract (UGBE) compared with GBE on liver fibrosis induced by mild bile duct ligation (MBDL) model in rats. After ultrasonication process, the composition ratio of ginsenoside in GBE was changed. The component ratio of ginsenosides Rh1, Rh4, Rg2, Rg3, Rk1, Rk3, and F4 in the extract was elevated. Methods: In this study, the protective effect of the newly developed UGBE was evaluated on hepatotoxicity and neuronal damage in MBDL model. Silymarin (150 mg/kg) was used for positive control. UGBE (100 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg), GBE (250 mg/kg), and silymarin (150 mg/kg) were orally administered for 6 weeks after MBDL surgery. Results: The MBDL surgery induced severe hepatotoxicity that leads to liver inflammation in rats. Also, the serum ammonia level was increased by MBDL surgery. However, the liver dysfunction of MBDL surgery-operated rats was attenuated by UGBE treatment via myeloid differentiation factor 88-dependent Toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathways. Conclusion: UGBE has a protective effect on liver fibrosis induced by MBDL in rats through inhibition of the TLR4 signaling pathway in liver.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.3-9
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• 2021

Objectives: It is hard to accumulate research data on adolescents' suicide, because friends and family of the suicide completers might be reluctant to share the experience. To overcome the lack of information on adolescent suicide victims, the authors examined the risk and protective factors for adolescents' suicide from a character in a novel. Methods: Krystal, an adolescent female in the novel The Casual Vacancy by Joanne Rowling, failed to overcome her unfortunate circumstances and committed suicide. The authors analysed Krystal's case based on the guideline for patients with suicidal behaviours to address the complicated situation of her death. Results: Krystal grew up in a poor and dangerous environment. Despite the environmental hardships, she developed ego maturation with affectionate help from Mr Fairbrother, an assistant coach of the Girls' Rowing Team and a parish councillor. The sudden passing away of Mr Fairbrother brought on a crisis of identity for Krystal. In addition, a villainous character raped her and her brother drowned to death, which brought her great sorrow. She felt helpless and committed suicide. Conclusion: In spite of many risk factors for suicide, Krystal was able to keep her life with a few protective factors, a younger brother in the home, and a sense of responsibility for the family. After the loss of her brother, however, she collapsed in a moment. Krystal's suicide might not only be a personal choice but a breakdown of the social protection system for the youth.