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Purpose@#This study aimed to investigate COVID-19 vaccination intentions in Korean parents for their children aged 5 to 11 years and the factors influencing them. @*Methods@#A cross-sectional online survey of 363 parents of children aged 5 to 11 years was conducted in Korea in April 2022. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, χ2-test, Fisher’s exact test, and hierarchical logistic regression analysis using SPSS/WIN 26.0 and MedCalc software version 20.113. @*Results@#Of 363 Korean parents with children aged 5 to 11, 42.4% intended to vaccinate their children. Significant factors influencing vaccination intention were the second or third birth order of children (OR = 3.45, 95% CI = 1.45~8.21), vaccine hesitancy-confidence (OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.51~2.65), vaccine hesitancy-collective responsibility (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.10~2.25), and COVID-19 anxiety-avoidance (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.13~2.11). @*Conclusion@#Findings suggest that COVID-19 vaccine campaigns based on reliable information and evidence from health authorities are needed to increase COVID-19 vaccination. Well-designed health communications for the target population may help to increase parental vaccine acceptance.
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Purpose@#This study aimed to identify the mediating effect of learning flow and the moderated mediation effect of digital literacy on the effect of the learning presence of non-face-to-face class experience in nursing students on academic achievement. @*Methods@#Participants were 272 nursing students from six universities in two different cities. A self-report questionnaire was used to measure learning presence, learning flow, digital literacy, and academic achievement. Analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 and SPSS PROCESS Macro (4.0). @*Results@#The mediating effect of learning flow on the effect of learning presence on academic achievement was 0.42, and the moderated mediation index of digital literacy was 0.17. Learning flow showed a mediating effect on the relationship between learning presence and academic achievement. Digital literacy had a moderated mediation effect on the relationship between learning presence and academic achievement that was mediated by learning flow. @*Conclusion@#The intensity of the mediating effect of nursing students’ learning presence on academic achievement through learning flow increases as the level of digital literacy increases. These results suggest that educational programs considering the level of learning presence, learning flow, and digital literacy are required to promote the academic achievement of nursing college students.
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Objective@#This study aimed to identify the perceptions of orthodontic treatment among Korean adults and determine the factors that drive them to seek orthodontic treatment. @*Methods@#A total of 2,321 adults aged 19–64 years were surveyed using an internet research system from a specialized research company. The participants were divided into the following groups based on their experience of and willingness to undergo orthodontic treatment: experience, acceptance, and non-acceptance groups. The characteristics of the participants were compared using analysis of variance with post-hoc analysis.Multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed in all three models with the non-acceptance group as a reference. @*Results@#In terms of demographic characteristics, age, gender, marital status, and education had significant influences on orthodontic treatment decisions in adults in the experience and acceptance groups (p < 0.001). When all the factors were analyzed, age, marital status, past dental treatment experience, regular oral examinations, demand for orthodontic treatment, optimal treatment period, health insurance coverage, information on orthodontic treatments, perceptions regarding orthodontic treatment, and psychosocial impact of dental esthetics significantly influenced orthodontic treatment decisions in adults in the experience and acceptance groups (p < 0.001). @*Conclusions@#These findings suggest that various factors influence orthodontic treatment decisions in adults. Individuals who seek orthodontic treatment were found to undergo more regular dental treatment and oral examination than those who did not. They also had a better perception of orthodontic treatment and more negative values for the psychosocial impact of dental esthetics.
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Objective@#This study aimed to identify the perceptions of orthodontic treatment among Korean adults and determine the factors that drive them to seek orthodontic treatment. @*Methods@#A total of 2,321 adults aged 19–64 years were surveyed using an internet research system from a specialized research company. The participants were divided into the following groups based on their experience of and willingness to undergo orthodontic treatment: experience, acceptance, and non-acceptance groups. The characteristics of the participants were compared using analysis of variance with post-hoc analysis.Multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed in all three models with the non-acceptance group as a reference. @*Results@#In terms of demographic characteristics, age, gender, marital status, and education had significant influences on orthodontic treatment decisions in adults in the experience and acceptance groups (p < 0.001). When all the factors were analyzed, age, marital status, past dental treatment experience, regular oral examinations, demand for orthodontic treatment, optimal treatment period, health insurance coverage, information on orthodontic treatments, perceptions regarding orthodontic treatment, and psychosocial impact of dental esthetics significantly influenced orthodontic treatment decisions in adults in the experience and acceptance groups (p < 0.001). @*Conclusions@#These findings suggest that various factors influence orthodontic treatment decisions in adults. Individuals who seek orthodontic treatment were found to undergo more regular dental treatment and oral examination than those who did not. They also had a better perception of orthodontic treatment and more negative values for the psychosocial impact of dental esthetics.
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To investigate the antioxidant and anti-melanogenesis activities of an ultrasonic extract of red sea cucumber, Stichopus japonicus, collected from Jeju Island. Methods: Antioxidant activity experiments were assessed by an electron spin resonance system and a cellular model of immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT) to determine its radical scavenging activity and protective effects against 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced oxidative stress. Antimelanogenic activity of the ultrasonic extract of red sea cucumber was also examined using the melanoma cell model B16F10 and mushroom tyrosinase. Following the induction by ?-melanocytestimulating hormone, the effects of the ultrasonic extract of red sea cucumber on intracellular tyrosinase activity, melanin content and the melanogenic protein expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, tyrosinase, and tyrosinase-related proteins (TRP-1, and TRP-2) were examined. Results: The ultrasonic extract of red sea cucumber significantly scavenged 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and alkyl radicals [IC50: (0.9240.035) and (0.3270.006) mg/mL, respectively], as well as showed a protective effect against oxidative stress and attenuated generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species on AAPHinduced HaCaT cells, with no cytotoxicity (12.5-400 ug/mL). The ultrasonic extract of red sea cucumber also exhibited a tyrosinase inhibitory effect [IC50: (2.7500.006) mg/mL]. On ?-melanocytestimulating hormone-stimulated B16F10 melanoma cells, the ultrasonic extract of red sea cucumber (25-200 ug/mL) significantly inhibited not only melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity, but also protein expressions of microphthalmia-associated transcriptional factor, tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2. Conclusions: The ultrasonic extract of red sea cucumber shows antioxidant and anti-melanogenic potential and may be a natural candidate for anti-aging as well as a whitening agent in the cosmeceuticals industry.
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Background@#In the absence of a vaccine or treatment, the most pragmatic strategies against an infectious disease pandemic are extensive early detection testing and social distancing. This study aimed to summarize public and workplace responses to Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) and show how the Korean system has operated during the COVID-19 pandemic.Method: Daily briefings from the Korean Center for Disease Control and the Central Disaster Management Headquarters were assembled from January 20 to May 15, 2020. @*Results@#By May 15, 2020, 11,018 COVID-19 cases were identified, of which 15.7% occurred in workplaces such as health-care facilities, call centers, sports clubs, coin karaoke, and nightlife destinations. When the first confirmed case was diagnosed, the Korean Center for Disease Control and Central Disaster Management Headquarters responded quickly, emphasizing early detection with numerous tests and a social distancing policy. This slowed the spread of infection without intensive containment, shut down, or mitigation interventions. After entering the public health blue alert level, a business continuity plan was distributed. After entering the orange level, the Ministry of Employment and Labor developed workplace guidelines for COVID-19 consisting of social distancing, flexible working schedules, early identification of workers with suspected infections, and disinfection of workplaces. Owing to the intensive workplace social distancing policy, workplaces remained safe with only small sporadic group infections. @*Conclusion@#The workplace social distancing policy with timely implementation of specific guidelines was a key to preventing a large outbreak of COVID-19 in Korean workplaces. However, sporadic incidents of COVID-19 are still ongoing, and risk assessment in vulnerable workplaces should be continued.
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Background@#We performed this study to investigate the inequalities in site-specific cancer incidences among workers across different occupations in Korea. @*Methods@#Subjects included members of the national employment insurance. Incident cancers among 8,744,603 workers were followed from 1995 to 2007. Occupational groups were classified according to the Korean Standard Occupational Classification. Age-standardized incidence rate ratios were calculated. @*Results@#We found that men in service/sales and blue-collar occupations had elevated rates of esophageal, liver, laryngeal, and lung cancer. Among women, service/sales workers had elevated incidences of cervical cancer. Male prostate cancer, female breast, corpus uteri, and ovarian cancers, as well as male and female colorectal, kidney, and thyroid cancer showed lower incidences among workers in lower socioeconomic occupations. @*Conclusions@#Substantial differences in cancer incidences were found depending on occupation reflecting socioeconomic position, in the Korean working population. Cancer prevention policy should focus on addressing these socioeconomic inequalities.
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Objective@#To develop a standardized instrument to measure the level of cognition for orthodontic treatment in adults, and verify its reliability and validity for assessing perceptions of orthodontic treatment in adults. @*Methods@#A total of 406 adults aged 19–64 years were surveyed by an internet research system. A tool was developed through the instrument development and verification stages. The data were analyzed by correlation analysis, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and Cronbach’s α test. @*Results@#The instrument consisted of 11 items covering four factors related to orthodontic treatment. Three items were related to general perception, four described the perception of the treatment for adults, two related to the treatment effects, and two related to the retention of orthodontic treatment. In the reliability test, Cronbach’s α was 0.845 for the 11 items. In assessments for individual components, Cronbach’s α was 0.764 for the general perception of orthodontic treatment, 0.705 for the perception of this treatment for adults, 0.707 for the effects of the treatment, and 0.701 for the retention of orthodontic treatment.Finally, a measurement instrument for the perception of orthodontic treatment in adults was designed to assess the 11 items on a four-point Likert scale. @*Conclusions@#This study developed a standard measurement instrument for assessing the perception of orthodontic treatment in adults. The proposed instrument will enable additional studies on the influence of an adult’s perception of orthodontic treatment on the decision to undergo treatment.
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Purpose@#This study was done to identify the mediating effect of biomedical ethics awareness in the relationship between moral sensitivity and perceived ethical confidence among nursing students. @*Methods@#Participants were 211 nursing students from 7 universities in G city. A self-report questionnaire was used to measure moral sensitivity, biomedical ethics awareness, and perceived ethical confidence. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient analysis, and multiple regression analysis using Baron and Kenny's method. @*Results@#Moral sensitivity was significantly positively correlated with biomedical ethics awareness (r=.52, p<.001) and perceived ethical confidence (r=.60, p<.001). Biomedical ethics awareness was also significantly correlated with perceived ethical confidence (r=.50, p<.001). Also, biomedical ethics awareness (β=.25, p<.001) showed a partial mediating effect on the relationship between moral sensitivity and perceived ethical confidence. @*Conclusion@#The impact of moral sensitivity on perceived ethical confidence in nursing students was mediated by biomedical ethics awareness. Therefore, it is suggest that strategies for improving biomedical ethics awareness in nursing students should be considered when developing an educational program for enhancing their perceived ethical confidence.
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Purpose@#This study was done to identify the mediating effect of biomedical ethics awareness in the relationship between moral sensitivity and perceived ethical confidence among nursing students. @*Methods@#Participants were 211 nursing students from 7 universities in G city. A self-report questionnaire was used to measure moral sensitivity, biomedical ethics awareness, and perceived ethical confidence. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient analysis, and multiple regression analysis using Baron and Kenny's method. @*Results@#Moral sensitivity was significantly positively correlated with biomedical ethics awareness (r=.52, p<.001) and perceived ethical confidence (r=.60, p<.001). Biomedical ethics awareness was also significantly correlated with perceived ethical confidence (r=.50, p<.001). Also, biomedical ethics awareness (β=.25, p<.001) showed a partial mediating effect on the relationship between moral sensitivity and perceived ethical confidence. @*Conclusion@#The impact of moral sensitivity on perceived ethical confidence in nursing students was mediated by biomedical ethics awareness. Therefore, it is suggest that strategies for improving biomedical ethics awareness in nursing students should be considered when developing an educational program for enhancing their perceived ethical confidence.
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Objective: To investigate the antioxidant and anti-melanogenesis activities of an ultrasonic extract of red sea cucumber, Stichopus japonicus, collected from Jeju Island. Methods: Antioxidant activity experiments were assessed by an electron spin resonance system and a cellular model of immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT) to determine its radical scavenging activity and protective effects against 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced oxidative stress. Anti-melanogenic activity of the ultrasonic extract of red sea cucumber was also examined using the melanoma cell model B16F10 and mushroom tyrosinase. Following the induction by α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, the effects of the ultrasonic extract of red sea cucumber on intracellular tyrosinase activity, melanin content and the melanogenic protein expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, tyrosinase, and tyrosinase-related proteins (TRP-1, and TRP-2) were examined. Results: The ultrasonic extract of red sea cucumber significantly scavenged 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and alkyl radicals [IC50:(0.924±0.035) and (0.327±0.006) mg/mL, respectively], as well as showed a protective effect against oxidative stress and attenuated generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species on AAPH-induced HaCaT cells, with no cytotoxicity (12.5-400 μg/mL). The ultrasonic extract of red sea cucumber also exhibited a tyrosinase inhibitory effect [IC50: (2.750±0.006) mg/mL]. On α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-stimulated B16F10 melanoma cells, the ultrasonic extract of red sea cucumber (25-200 μg/mL) significantly inhibited not only melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity, but also protein expressions of microphthalmia-associated transcriptional factor, tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2. Conclusions: The ultrasonic extract of red sea cucumber shows antioxidant and anti-melanogenic potential and may be a natural candidate for anti-aging as well as a whitening agent in the cosmeceuticals industry.
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Purpose@#Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), an emerging infectious disease introduced in South Korea in 2020. Medically inclined college students are more susceptible to be infected by the virus. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors influencing preventive behavior against COVID-19 among medically inclined college students. @*Methods@#This is a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire survey. Data were collected from 400 medically inclined college students from four colleges of medice. Independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis were conducted to analysis the data. @*Results@#The study subjects had high knowledge and optimism related to COVID-19. Preventive behavior against COVID-19 was affected mostly by attitude (β=.32, p<.001). Such behavior was also high in relation to knowledge (β=.17, p<.001), and nursing students (β=.15, p=.002). @*Conclusion@#Infection prevention education for medically inclined college students mainly focuses on knowledge transfer. Infection preventive education programs aimed at improving COVID-19 optimistic attitudes and knowledge are helpful for these students to maintain appropriate preventive practices. The confirmation of the importance of optimistic attitudes and risk perception toward infectious diseases through this study can provide insight into infection prevention education programs to improve practice to wards new epidemic prevention behaviors.
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PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate perception, satisfaction and needs for continuing education for nurses in Korea. METHODS: Participants were selected 1,106 using disproportional stratified sampling for the 110,601 members of the 10 affiliated organizations of the Korean Nurses Association and 873 nurses participated in the online survey. Data were collected from February 2 to 27, 2015, and analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 24.0 program. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, One-way ANOVA, and Scheffé test were conducted. RESULTS: The perception of continuing education averaged 0.69 on a scale of 1, satisfaction with continuing education was 3.66 out of 5, and need for continuing education was 4.33 out of 6. Perception, satisfaction and needs for continuing education showed significant differences depending on age, marriage, education, work department, type of work and clinical career, while perception and satisfaction differed more among type of institution and the affiliated groups. CONCLUSION: For the development of continuing education for nurses, it is necessary to establish an integrated information system for nurse continuing education and to develop various education programs for career development.
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Education , Education, Continuing , Information Systems , Korea , MarriageABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study was done to verify relationships among occupational stress, labor intensity, fatigue and musculoskeletal disorder symptoms, and especially to identify factors influencing musculoskeletal disorder symptoms among hemodialysis nurses in tertiary hospitals.METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used, with a convenience sample of 125 hemodialysis nurses from 13 tertiary hospitals. Data were collected through self-evaluation questionnaires during July and August, 2018. Data were analyzed using t-test, χ² test, factor analysis and binary logistic regression analysis with SPSS/WIN 25.0 program.RESULTS: Of the hemodialysis nurses 96 (76.8%) were in the musculoskeletal symptomatic group and 29 (23.2%) in asymptomatic group. Occupational stress (p < .001), labor intensity (p < .001), and fatigue (p=.011) were higher in the symptomatic group compared to the asymptomatic group. Logistic regression analysis showed that occupational stress (OR=1.13, 95% CI: 1.03~1.25), labor intensity (OR=5.60, 95% CI: 1.25~24.97), no leisure life or hobbies (OR=4.67, 95% CI: 1.48~14.80), hemodialysis unit career 2~4 year (OR=4.58, 95% CI: 1.04~20.78), and hemodialysis unit career 8+ year (OR=14.10, 95% CI: 2.53~78.64) were effect factors for the musculoskeletal symptomatic group.CONCLUSION: For effective improvement of musculoskeletal disorder symptoms in hemodialysis nurses, multidimensional intervention programs are needed. Programs should include occupational stress, labor intensity and strategies to reduce symptoms.
Subject(s)
Diagnostic Self Evaluation , Fatigue , Hobbies , Leisure Activities , Logistic Models , Musculoskeletal Diseases , Renal Dialysis , Tertiary Care CentersABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Methyl alcohol poisoning in mobile phone–manufacturing factories during 2015–2016 was caused by methyl alcohol use for cleaning in computerized numerical control (CNC) processes. To determine whether there were health complications in other workers involved in similar processes, the Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute conducted a survey. METHODS: We established a national active surveillance system by collaborating with the Ministry of Employment and Labor and National Health Insurance Service. Employment and national health insurance data were used. Overall, 12,048 employees of major domestic mobile phone companies and CNC process dispatch workers were surveyed from 2016 to 2017. We investigated methyl alcohol poisoning by using the national health insurance data. Questionnaires were used to investigate diseases due to methyl alcohol poisoning. RESULTS: Overall, 24.9% of dispatched workers were employed in at least five companies, and 23.9% of dispatched workers had missing employment insurance history data. The prevalence of blindness including visual impairment, optic neuritis, visual disturbances, and alcohol toxicity in the study participants was higher than that reported in the national health insurance database (0.02%, 0.07%, 0.23%, and 0.03% versus 0.01%, 0.07%, 0.13%, and 0.01%, respectively, in 2015). Moreover, 430 suspicious workers were identified; 415 of these provided an address and phone number, of whom 48 responded (response rate, 11.6%). Among the 48 workers, 10 had diseases at the time of the survey, of whom 3 workers were believed to have diseases related to methyl alcohol exposure. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that active surveillance data can be used to assess health problems related to methyl alcohol poisoning in CNC processes and dispatch workers.
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Academies and Institutes , Blindness , Cell Phone , Employment , Insurance , Mass Screening , Methanol , National Health Programs , Occupational Diseases , Occupational Health , Optic Neuritis , Poisoning , Prevalence , Vision DisordersABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of perception of importance of patient safety management, patient safety culture and safety performance on managerial performance of hospital nurses. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used, with a convenience sample of 393 nurses from seven general hospitals. Data were collected through self-evaluation questionnaires. The data collection period was April and May, 2016 and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, One-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression with the SPSS/WIN 24.0 program. RESULTS: There were significantly positive relationships (p < .001) between hospital managerial performances and perception of importance of patient safety management (r=.36), patient safety culture (r=.51), safety performance (r=.44). Factors influencing hospital managerial performances in the hospital nurses were identified as patient safety culture (β=.34), type of hospital (advanced general hospital) (β=.31), and safety performance (β=.20). The explanation power of this regression model was 39.0% and it was statistically significant (F=183.82, p < .001). CONCLUSION: The results from this study can be used to develop further management strategies for enhancement of hospital managerial performances.
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Humans , Data Collection , Diagnostic Self Evaluation , Hospitals, General , Patient Safety , Safety ManagementABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Probability of causation (PC) is a reasonable way to estimate causal relationships in radiation-related cancer. This study reviewed the international trend, usage, and critiques of the PC method. Because it has been used in Korea, it is important to check the present status and estimation of PC in radiation-related cancers in Korea. METHODS: Research articles and official reports regarding PC of radiation-related cancer and published from the 1980s onwards were reviewed, including studies used for the revision of the Korean PC program. PC has been calculated for compensation-related cases in Korea since 2005. RESULTS: The United States National Institutes of Health first estimated the PC in 1985. Among the 106 occupational diseases listed in the International Labor Organization Recommendation 194 (International Labor Office (ILO), ILO List of Occupational Diseases, 2010), PC is available only for occupational cancer after ionizing radiation exposure. The United States and United Kingdom use PC as specific criteria for decisions on the compensability of workers’ radiation-related health effects. In Korea, PC was developed firstly as Korean Radiation Risk and Assigned Share (KORRAS) in 1999. In 2015, the Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute and Radiation Health Research Institute jointly developed a more revised PC program, Occupational Safety and Health-PC (OSH-PC). Between 2005 and 2015, PC was applied in 16 claims of workers’ compensation for radiation-related cancers. In most of the cases, compensation was given when the PC was more than 50%. However, in one case, lower than 50% PC was accepted considering the possibility of underestimation of the cumulative exposure dose. CONCLUSIONS: PC is one of the most advanced tools for estimating the causation of occupational cancer. PC has been adjusted for baseline cancer incidence in Korean workers, and for uncertainties using a statistical method. Because the fundamental reason for under- or over-estimation is probably inaccurate dose reconstruction, a proper guideline is necessary.
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Academies and Institutes , Compensation and Redress , Evaluation Studies as Topic , United Kingdom , Incidence , Korea , Methods , Occupational Diseases , Occupational Health , Radiation, Ionizing , United StatesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Sargassum horneri is an edible brown alga that grows in the subtidal zone as an annual species along the coasts of South Korea, China, and Japan. Recently, an extreme amount of S. horneri moved into the coasts of Jeju Island from the east coast of China, which made huge economic and environmental loss to the Jeju Island. Thus, utilization of this biomass becomes a big issue with the local authorities. Therefore, the present study was performed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of crude polysaccharides (CPs) extracted from S. horneri China strain in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: CPs were precipitated from S. horneri digests prepared by enzyme assistant extraction using four food-grade enzymes (AMG, Celluclast, Viscozyme, and Alcalase). The production levels of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β were measured by Griess assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor (NF)-κB, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were measured by using western blot. The IR spectrums of the CPs were recorded using a fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectrometer. RESULTS: The polysaccharides from the Celluclast enzyme digest (CCP) showed the highest inhibition of NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells (IC₅₀ value: 95.7 µg/mL). Also, CCP dose-dependently down-regulated the protein expression levels of iNOS and COX-2 as well as the production of inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α and IL-1β, compared to the only LPS-treated cells. In addition, CCP inhibited the activation of NF-κB p50 and p65 and the phosphorylation of MAPKs, including p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase, in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, FT-IR analysis showed that the FT-IR spectrum of CCP is similar to that of commercial fucoidan. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that CCP has anti-inflammatory activities and is a potential candidate for the formulation of a functional food ingredient or/and drug to treat inflammatory diseases.
Subject(s)
Biomass , Blotting, Western , China , Cyclooxygenase 2 , Cytokines , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Functional Food , Inflammation , Interleukins , Japan , Korea , Macrophages , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases , Nitric Oxide , Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II , Phosphorylation , Phosphotransferases , Polysaccharides , Sargassum , Seaweed , Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alphaABSTRACT
Particulate matter (PM) has been found to damage vital body organs, including the lungs and heart, through vascular damage and oxidative stress. Recently, renal function and chronic urologic diseases have also been found to be related to PM. To investigate this, we reviewed the characteristics of PM related to renal toxicity, including recent studies on the associations of urologic diseases with PM. PM can include constituents that cause renal toxicity, such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, and crystalline silica, which result in renal tubular or interstitial damage. Since 2008, 7 studies have evaluated the renal effects of PM. Two prospective cohort studies and a quantitative study of consecutive patients showed that PM may be related to decreased renal function, as shown by the estimated glomerular filtration rate of diseased or aged participants. Two cross-sectional studies found an association between PM and chronic kidney disease. One of those studies identified the specific renal diseases of immunoglobulin A nephropathy and membranous nephropathy. Two studies that analyzed renal cancer and PM showed no evidence that renal cancer is related to PM. Nine studies were evaluated regarding the relationship of bladder and prostate cancer with PM. The evidence for an association of PM with bladder and prostate cancer is still inconclusive. Although some recently published studies have shown a significant relationship, the causal relationship is not clear. Further well-designed studies on specific renal diseases are required.