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Objective@#North Korean defectors (NKDs) have experienced substantial difficulties during the migration and settlement in South Korea. They have a high prevalence of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidal behaviors. The high prevalence of mental disorders among NKDs can lead to a high suicide rate. However, there are no suicide prevention programs for NKDs. This study aims to customize a suicide prevention program with content suitable for NKDs’ particular circumstances. @*Methods@#A multidisciplinary research team developed this program based on domestic and international gatekeeper training programs for suicide prevention and articles related to suicide prevention. @*Results@#We developed a multi-part gatekeeper training program, “Suicide CARE for NKDs.” In the “Introduction,” trainees learn about the need for the program and its importance. In “Careful observation,” trainees learn to recognize linguistic, behavioral, and situational signals of suicide risk. In “Active listening,” trainees learn how to ask about suicidal thoughts and to listen empathetically. In “Risk evaluation and expert referral,” trainees learn to evaluate suicide risk and to connect NKDs with institutes or services. @*Conclusion@#We expect this program to become useful for training gatekeepers to prevent suicide among NKD. A future follow-up study is needed to confirm the efficacy of the program.
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Purpose@#This study aimed to understand the coping experiences of spouses of males with gambling disorders. @*Methods@#This study used narrative inquiry. Four spouses were recruited from Gam-Anon family groups. In-depth, semi-structured interviews with each participant were conducted from November to December 2020. @*Results@#The coping experiences of spouses ranged from daily stress to traumatic stress. The coping strategy was modified and developed by the perception of their husbands' gambling. Changes in participants' coping strategies were related to emotions that arose from the context of social interaction and internal emotions. The coping experiences of spouses were the process of learning a new way of recognizing the true meaning of life and finding happiness. @*Conclusion@#This study proposed an efficient coping strategy for families of people with gambling disorder by understanding the spouse's coping experiences. Reducing social stigma and creating a supportive environment for families of people with gambling disorders is essential, and perceived social support can be related to the spouse's adoption of effective coping strategies.
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Purpose@#This study aimed to understand the coping experiences of spouses of males with gambling disorders. @*Methods@#This study used narrative inquiry. Four spouses were recruited from Gam-Anon family groups. In-depth, semi-structured interviews with each participant were conducted from November to December 2020. @*Results@#The coping experiences of spouses ranged from daily stress to traumatic stress. The coping strategy was modified and developed by the perception of their husbands' gambling. Changes in participants' coping strategies were related to emotions that arose from the context of social interaction and internal emotions. The coping experiences of spouses were the process of learning a new way of recognizing the true meaning of life and finding happiness. @*Conclusion@#This study proposed an efficient coping strategy for families of people with gambling disorder by understanding the spouse's coping experiences. Reducing social stigma and creating a supportive environment for families of people with gambling disorders is essential, and perceived social support can be related to the spouse's adoption of effective coping strategies.
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Background@#Rotaviruses are a major cause of pediatric gastroenteritis. The rotavirus P[6] genotype is the most prevalent genotype isolated from Korean neonates but has rarely been reported in other countries. Histo-blood group antigen (HBGA) is known to play an important role in rotavirus infection. We investigated the relationship between rotavirus genotype and HBGA-Lewis blood type in Korean children and explored the reasons for the predominance of rotavirus P[6] strain in Korean neonates. @*Methods@#Blood and stool samples were collected from 16 rotavirus-infected patients. Rotavirus G (VP7) and P (VP4) genotyping was performed using reverse transcription-PCR and sequencing. Lewis antigen phenotypes (Lea /Leb ) were tested, and HBGA-Lewis genotype was determined by sequencing the secretor (FUT2) and Lewis (FUT3) genes. Deduced amino acid sequences and three-dimensional structures of the VP8* portion of the rotavirus VP4 protein were analyzed. @*Results@#All P[6] rotaviruses were isolated from neonates under one month of age, who were negative or weakly positive for the Leb antigen. However, 10 of the 11 non-P[6] rotaviruses were isolated from older children who were Leb antigen-positive. The VP8* amino acid sequences differed among P[6], P[4], and P[8] genotypes. Korean P[6] strains showed a unique VP8* sequence with amino acid substitutions, including Y169 > L169, which differed from the sequences of P[6] strains from other countries. @*Conclusions@#The predominance of the rotavirus P[6] genotype in Korean neonates may be related to the interaction between HBGA-Lewis antigen and the VP8* portion of the VP4 protein, and this information will be helpful in future neonatal vaccine development.
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Purpose@#The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the experience of people with gambling disorder, who participated in the therapeutic community. @*Methods@#Ten adults participated in a therapeutic community for at least three months and abstinent from gambling for more than six months. The data were collected May 16-August 1, 2019. Individual in-depth interviews were performed for 35~40 minutes. @*Results@#The data were classified into seven categories and 14 subcategories using thematic analysis methods. The subjects reported the experience of the therapeutic community as follow: 1) Trusting in a warm and safe environment; 2) Being comforted by colleagues’ empathy; 3) Recognition of personal problems through colleagues’ stories; 4) Recognition of personal wrong values through philosophy; 5) Recognition of a personal problem with lifestyle; 6) Empathizing with family members; 7) Development of the ability to recognize and cope with relapse. @*Conclusion@#The results showed that the therapeutic community had a positive impact on gambling abstinence and changes in the attitudes of life.
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Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to determine factors associated with nicotine addiction and coping skills in the Synthetic House-Tree-Person Drawing Test. @*Methods@#This was a descriptive correlational study. The S-HTP drawings were scored using the Buck’s quantitative scoring manual. Participants completed the revised Multidimensional Coping skills questionnaire and the Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale. @*Results@#Non-smokers sketched additional decorations of a house (p=.009), 2D body parts (p<.001), and proportioned body parts (p=.001) as compared to the smokers (n=186). Smokers sketched a more disproportionate stem and branch (p=.010) and did not sketch the nose, lips, or eyes, and generally sketched 1D body parts as compared to the non-smokers (p=.001). There were correlations among the S-HTP drawings, nicotine addiction, and coping skills. The lack of additional decorations of a person, disproportionate house parts, and a lack of proportionate body parts explained 26% of the nicotine addiction (adjusted R2=.26, p<.001). @*Conclusion@#The results of this study showed that the S-HTP sketches differed according to the extent of nicotine addiction and coping skills.
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Purpose@#Myocardial T1 and T2 relaxation times are affected by technical factors such as cardiovascular magnetic resonance platform/vendor. We aimed to validate T1 and T2 mapping sequences using a phantom; establish reference T1, T2, and extracellular volume (ECV) measurements using two sequences at 3T in normal Koreans; and compare the protocols and evaluate the differences from previously reported measurements. @*Materials and Methods@#Eleven healthy subjects underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using 3T MRI equipment (Verio, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany). We did phantom validation before volunteer scanning: T1 mapping with modified look locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) with 5(3)3 and 4(1)3(1)2 sequences, and T2 mapping with gradient echo (GRE) and TrueFISP sequences. We did T1 and T2 mappings on the volunteers with the same sequences. ECV was also calculated with both sequences after gadolinium enhancement. @*Results@#The phantom study showed no significant differences from the gold standard T1 and T2 values in either sequence. Pre-contrast T1 relaxation times of the 4(1)3(1)2 protocol was 1142.27 ± 36.64 ms and of the 5(3)3 was 1266.03 ± 32.86 ms on the volunteer study. T2 relaxation times of GRE were 40.09 ± 2.45 ms and T2 relaxation times of TrueFISP were 38.20 ± 1.64 ms in each. ECV calculation was 24.42% ± 2.41% and 26.11% ± 2.39% in the 4(1)3(1)2 and 5(3)3 protocols, respectively, and showed no differences at any segment or slice between the sequences. We also calculated ECV from the pre-enhancement T1 relaxation time of MOLLI 5(3)3 and the postenhancement T1 relaxation time of MOLLI 4(1)3(1)2, with no significant differences between the combinations. @*Conclusion@#Using phantom-validated sequences, we reported the normal myocardial T1, T2, and ECV reference values of healthy Koreans at 3T. There were no statistically significant differences between the sequences, although it has limited statistical value due to the small number of subjects studied. ECV showed no significant differences between calculations based on various pre- and post-mapping combinations.
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Objective@#In 2011, “Suicide CARE” (Standardized Suicide Prevention Program for Gatekeeper Intervention in Korea) was originally developed for the early detection of warning signs of suicide completion, since there is a tendency to regard emotional suppression as a virtue of Korean traditional culture. A total of 1.2 million individuals completed the training program of “Suicide CARE” in Korea. @*Methods@#More sophisticated suicide prevention approaches according to age, sex, and occupation have been proposed, demanding for a more detailed revision of “Suicide CARE.” Thus, during the period from August 2019 to February 2020, “Suicide CARE” has been updated to version 2.0. The assessments on domestic gatekeeper training programs for suicide prevention, international gatekeeper training programs for suicide prevention, psychological autopsy interview reports between 2015 and 2018, and the evaluation of feedback from people who completed “Suicide CARE” version 1.6 training were performed. @*Results@#We describe the revision process of “Suicide CARE,” revealing that “Suicide CARE” version 2.0 has been developed using an evidence-based methodology. @*Conclusion@#It is expected that “Suicide CARE” version 2.0 be positioned as the basic framework for many developing gatekeeper training programs for suicide prevention in Korea in the near future.
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Objective@#Suicide is a huge nationwide problem that incurs a lot of socio-economic costs. Suicide also inflicts severe distress on the people left behind. The government of the Republic of Korea has been making many policy efforts to reduce suicide rate. The gatekeeper program, ‘Suicide CARE’, is one of the meaningful modalities for preventing suicide. @*Methods@#Multidisciplinary research team collaborated to update the ‘Suicide CARE’ to version 2.0. @*Results@#In the ‘Introductory part’, the authors have the time to think about the necessity and significance of the program before conducting full-scale gatekeeper training. In the ‘Careful observation’ part, trainees learn how to understand and recognize the various linguistic, behavioral, and situational signals that a person shows before committing suicide. In the ‘Active listening’ part, trainees learn how to ask suicide with a value-neutral attitude as well listening empathetically. In the ‘Risk evaluation and Expert referral’ part, trainees learn intervening strategies to identify a person’s suicidal intention, plan, and past suicide attempts, and connect the person to appropriate institutes or services. @*Conclusion@#Subsequent studies should be conducted to verify the efficacy of the gatekeeper program.
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Purpose@#This study aimed to elucidate the experiences of post-traumatic growth among spouses of alcoholics. @*Methods@#This study used narrative inquiry. The participants were three middle-aged women who had suffered domestic violence from their husbands, the latter of whom had been diagnosed with alcohol use disorders. In-depth interviews with each participant were conducted twice from June to July 2019. @*Results@#The participants reappraised the intrusive symptoms and negative feelings caused by their husbands' drinking problems and domestic violence, and they deliberately repeated reflective pondering through cognitive and emotional flexibility. The perception of social support from actively explored support resources led them to choose a problem-focused coping strategy. Their views of themselves, interpersonal relationships, and philosophical views that had collapsed due to trauma were reconstructed, thus attaining self-transformation. @*Conclusion@#The subjective perception of social support among spouses of alcoholics was affected by the social and cultural contexts and the means of support. Using an emotional-focused coping strategy to accommodate negative emotional response from trauma as well as helping deal with the emotions themselves are important for driving growth motivation and post-traumatic growth. Post-traumatic growth is the process of reconstructing narratives and integrating them into life stories, thereby giving meaning to life.
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Purpose@#This study aimed to elucidate the experiences of post-traumatic growth among spouses of alcoholics. @*Methods@#This study used narrative inquiry. The participants were three middle-aged women who had suffered domestic violence from their husbands, the latter of whom had been diagnosed with alcohol use disorders. In-depth interviews with each participant were conducted twice from June to July 2019. @*Results@#The participants reappraised the intrusive symptoms and negative feelings caused by their husbands' drinking problems and domestic violence, and they deliberately repeated reflective pondering through cognitive and emotional flexibility. The perception of social support from actively explored support resources led them to choose a problem-focused coping strategy. Their views of themselves, interpersonal relationships, and philosophical views that had collapsed due to trauma were reconstructed, thus attaining self-transformation. @*Conclusion@#The subjective perception of social support among spouses of alcoholics was affected by the social and cultural contexts and the means of support. Using an emotional-focused coping strategy to accommodate negative emotional response from trauma as well as helping deal with the emotions themselves are important for driving growth motivation and post-traumatic growth. Post-traumatic growth is the process of reconstructing narratives and integrating them into life stories, thereby giving meaning to life.
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PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the association of multiple addiction risks with life satisfaction, depression, and suicidal ideation in Korean adults. METHODS: This study was descriptive correlational. Data were collected in 800 adults (405 males, 395 females) aged 20 to 69 years recruited using the proportional allocation in a city on April 2017. The structured questionnaire consisted of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, the Internet Addiction Proneness Scale for adults, the Problem Gambling Severity Index, the Drug Screening Inventory, the Korean version of the Satisfaction with the Life Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Scale for Suicidal Ideation. RESULTS: Adults with multiple addiction risks had a low level of life satisfaction (p=.003) and high levels of depression and suicidal ideation (p<.001) compared to other participants. Multiple addiction risks were associated with low life satisfaction (β=.12), high depression (β=.21), and suicidal ideation (β=.20). Significant factors of life satisfaction were low suicidal ideation, a simple functioning job, high level of education, and unemployment status. CONCLUSION: Multiple addiction risks are associated with life satisfaction, depression, and suicidal ideation. The comprehensive mental health assessment for multiple addictions should precede the development of preventive multidimensional interventions.
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Adult , Humans , Male , Behavior, Addictive , Depression , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical , Education , Gambling , Internet , Mental Health , Personal Satisfaction , Suicidal Ideation , UnemploymentABSTRACT
Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) infection results in hepatitis in dogs. In this study, we investigated the biologic and genetic characteristics of the CAV-1 vaccine strain (CAV1V) to improve quality control about CAV vaccine. The identity of CAV1V as CAV-1 was confirmed based on its cytopathic effects and the results of hemagglutination (HA) and immunofluorescence assays, and electron microscopy. The CAV1V strain reached 10(7.5) TCID(50)/mL in MDCK cells at 4 days post-inoculation and exhibited hemmagglutination activity of 256 U using guinea pig erythrocytes. Intranuclear fluorescence in the infected cells was observed and typical adenoviruses were observed in electon microscope. CAV1V strain was identified as a CAV-1 strain by nucleotide sequence analysis. In a comparison of the nucleotide sequences of the fiber genes of several CAV strains, CAV1V showed the highest similarity (99.8%) with the GLAXO strain, which was isolated in Canada. Our biological characterization of CAV1V will facilitate quality control of the canine hepatitis vaccine.
Subject(s)
Animals , Dogs , Adenoviridae , Adenoviruses, Canine , Base Sequence , Canada , Erythrocytes , Fluorescence , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Guinea Pigs , Hemagglutination , Hepatitis , Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells , Microscopy, Electron , Quality ControlABSTRACT
Since 2000, large amounts of rabies bait vaccine have been distributed in two provinces where raccoon dog-mediated rabies has occurred. A total of 146 raccoon dogs were caught in Gangwon and Gyeonggi Provinces from January 2017 to June 2018, and raccoon dog blood samples were collected. Of the 146 raccoon dogs, 13.7% (20/146) had rabies antibodies. In Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces, the rate of rabies antibody was 8.5% (5/59) and 17.2% (15/87), respectively. Considering these results, it would be desirable to improve the distribution method or use a new bait vaccine to prevent animal rabies in South Korea.
Subject(s)
Animals , Antibodies , Korea , Methods , Rabies , Raccoon Dogs , RaccoonsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The present study was done to provide understanding of how female nurses adapt to male nurses and to derive an entity concept that explains the experience process for female nurses. METHODS: Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 16 female nurses who had work experience with male nurses. Collected data were analyzed using the grounded theory methodology of Strauss and Corbin. RESULTS: The core category found in the adjustment experience of female nurses to male nurses was “win-win partnership with male nurses who struggle to keep up in the clinical setting”. The central phenomenon was “unprepared meeting with male nurses who are different from us”. The action/interaction strategies the participants used were “recognition of differences,”, “positive approach,” and “acceptance as a colleague.” CONCLUSION: The results showed that female nurses tried to have a win-win partnership with male nurses by using several strategies. This result broadened the range of understanding of female nurses' adjustment to male nurses and provides new information on their adaptation to practical work.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Adaptation, Psychological , Grounded Theory , Life Change Events , Nurses, MaleABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the subjective experiences of those who are abstinent from alcohol to recover from alcoholism. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study design was used. RESULTS: In this study, 3 clusters of themes and 7 themes were derived: 1. Decision for abstinence - 1) an unavoidable choice and 2) choice due to insight to alcoholism; 2. Difficulties to endure - 1) difficulty with giving up and 2) difficulty with handling; 3. Adaptation to a new lifestyle - 1) satisfaction with trivial rounds of daily life, 2) finding new values, and 3) restoration of broken relationships. CONCLUSION: Abstinence experience among people with alcohol use disorder is decided with a variety of personal motives. Abstinence experience includes giving up relationships with people and pleasure with alcohol as well as difficulties with enduring stress without alcohol. However, participants who were abstinent from alcohol were satisfied with their new lifestyles, had new life values, and were respected by their family and others. Therefore, healthcare providers needed to understand abstinence experience to support people with alcohol use disorder who have passed through a difficult process of alcohol abstinence.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Alcohol Abstinence , Alcoholics , Alcoholism , Health Personnel , Life Style , Pleasure , Qualitative ResearchABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Different age groups may have different reference intervals. However, the currently used reference interval for complete blood count (CBC) in clinical laboratories is based on results from healthy adults between 20 and 50 years of age. In this study, we aimed to establish reference intervals for 16 CBC parameters in Korean healthy elderly individuals. METHODS: A total of 3,359 healthy adults were selected from 4,253 adults (aged ≥20 years) who underwent regular health check-ups, based on a medical examination by interview. The reference intervals for CBC in two groups (aged <60 and ≥60 years), and the partitioning of reference intervals between the two age groups were established. RESULTS: Most CBC parameters showed no significant differences in reference intervals between the two age groups. Among the men, platelet distribution width (PDW) was the only parameter that required a separate reference interval between the two age groups. Among the women, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), red cell distribution width (RDW), and eosinophil % required separate reference intervals between the two age groups. CONCLUSIONS: The reference intervals for most CBC parameters were not significantly different between the two age groups. Except for PDW in men and MCV, MCHC, RDW, and eosinophil % in women, reference intervals for CBC parameters in individuals younger than 60 years of age could also be applied to those that are 60 years of age or older.
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Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Blood Cell Count , Blood Cells , Blood Platelets , Eosinophils , Erythrocyte IndicesABSTRACT
Interleukin-32 (IL-32), a recently identified pro-inflammatory cytokine, is involved in the pathogenesis and progression of infections, cancer, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune disease. IL-32γ is the most active isoform in cell death and cell activation among nine distinct isoforms of IL-32. IL-32γ potentiates both osteogenic and osteoclastogenic capacities, and is critical in the coupling of bone resorption and bone formation for maintenance of bone homeostasis. IL-32γ is strongly associated with inflammatory bone disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and osteoporosis. In this review, we summarize current research on the role of IL-32γ in inflammatory bone disorders, highlighting this cytokine as a novel target for prognostic marker and control of these diseases.
Subject(s)
Arthritis, Rheumatoid , Autoimmune Diseases , Bone Diseases , Bone Resorption , Cell Death , Homeostasis , Inflammation , Osteogenesis , Osteoporosis , Protein Isoforms , Spondylitis, AnkylosingABSTRACT
This study was performed to investigate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of fermented red ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer; FRG) on high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups of seven: normal control, NC; high-fat diet control, HFC; high-fat diet–0.5% FRG, HF-FRGL; and high-fat diet–1% FRG, HF-FRGH. All rats were fed a high-fat diet for eight weeks, except those in the NC group, while rats in the FRG treatment groups received drinking water containing 0.5% or 1% FRG. After eight weeks of treatment, levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) in the serum were measured. The concentration of the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA), and activity of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in rat liver were evaluated. Histological analysis of the liver was performed using hematoxylin and eosin. The high-fat diet markedly increased serum levels of ALT, AST, TC, TG, and LDL-C and hepatic MDA levels, while administration of FRG to the hyperlipidemic rats resulted in a significant decline in the levels of these parameters. Furthermore, the decline in the levels of serum HDL-C and hepatic SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px induced by the high-fat diet was attenuated by FRG treatment. In addition, histopathological analysis of liver sections suggested that FRG treatment also provided protection against liver damage. These results suggested that FRG improved lipid profiles, inhibited lipid peroxidation, and played a protective role against liver injury in hyperlipidemic rats.
Subject(s)
Animals , Cats , Rats , Alanine Transaminase , Antioxidants , Aspartate Aminotransferases , Catalase , Cholesterol , Diet, High-Fat , Drinking Water , Eosine Yellowish-(YS) , Glutathione Peroxidase , Hematoxylin , Hyperlipidemias , Lipid Peroxidation , Liver , Malondialdehyde , Oxidative Stress , Panax , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Superoxide Dismutase , TriglyceridesABSTRACT
Tendon and ligament (T/L) have been known to be obviously different from each other in tissue level. However, due to the overlapping gene markers, distinction in cellular level has not been clearly verified yet. Recently, the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has shown the potential to detect biological markers in cellular level. Therefore, in this study we applied a non-invasive technique based on NMR spectroscopy to establish biomarkers to distinguish between T/L fibroblasts. In addition the cellular morphologies and gene expression patterns were also investigated for comparison through optical microscopy and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). No difference was observed from morphology and real-time PCR results, either as expected. However, we found clear differences in their metabolomic spectra using ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The calculated integral values of fatty acids (with chemical shifts at ~0.9, 1.26, 1.59, 2.05, 2.25, and 2.81 ppm), lactate (~1.33 ppm), and leucine (~2.72 ppm) were significantly different between the two types of fibroblasts. To be specific tendon group exhibited higher level of the metabolite than ligament group. In conclusion, in-cell metabolomic evaluation by NMR technique used in this study is believed to provide a promising tool in distinguishing cell types, especially T/L cells, which cannot be classified by conventional biological assays.