Optimization of Extraction Conditions and Quantitative Analysis of Isoquercitrin and Caffeic Acid from Aster scaber

To determine the optimum extraction conditions that give the highest yield of isoquercitrin and caffeic acid from Aster scaber, the effects of four extraction variables (solvent concentrations, extraction time, number of repeated extraction, and solvent volumes) on isoquercitrin and caffeic acid yield was examined via HPLC-UV. Our results showed that the highest extract and isoquercitrin yield were observed when A. scaber was extracted with 450 mL distilled water for 8 hr repeatedly for three times. In case of caffeic acid, the content was higher in the two repeated extracts. Also, content analysis of isoquercitrin in Aster species was performed in which A. fastigiatus, A. ageratoides, and A. scaber exhibited the highest isoquercitrin content at 6.39, 5.68, and 2.79 mg/g extract, respectively. In case of caffeic acid, the highest content of A. scaber and A. glehni was 0.64 and 0.56 mg/g extract, respectively. This study reports an optimized method for extraction of isoquercitrin and caffeic acid from A. scaber and evaluates potential sources of the compounds.

Validity and Reliability of Korean Version of the Spiritual Care Competence Scale

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of the Korean Version of the Spiritual Care Competence Scale (K-SCCS). METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was used. The K-SCCS consisted of 26 questions to measure spiritual care competence of nurses. Participants, 228 nurses who had more than 3 years'experience as a nurse, completed the survey. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine the construct validity and correlations of K-SCCS and spiritual well-being (SWB) were used to examine the criterion validity of K-SCCS. Cronbach's alpha was used to test internal consistency. RESULTS: The construct and the criterion-related validity of K-SCCS were supported as measures of spiritual care competence. Cronbach's alpha was .95. Factor loadings of the 26 questions ranged from .60 to .96. Construct validity of K-SCCS was verified by confirmatory factor analysis (RMSEA=.08, CFI=.90, NFI=.85). Criterion validity compared to the SWB showed significant correlation (r=.44, p<.001). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that K-SCCS serves as an appropriate measure of spiritual care competence with validity and reliability. However, further study is needed to retest the verification of the factor analysis related to factor 2 (professionalisation and improving the quality of spiritual care) and factor 3 (personal support and patient counseling). Therefore, we recommend using the total score without distinguishing subscales.

Suppressive effects of Schizandra chinensis Baillon water extract on allergy-related cytokine generation and degranulation in IgE-antigen complex-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells

Schizandra chinensis Baillon is a traditional folk medicine plant that is used to treat and prevent several inflammatory diseases and cancer in Korea, but the underlying mechanisms involved in its anti-allergic activity are not fully understood. This study was designed to investigate mechanisms of anti-allergic activity of a Schizandra chinensis Baillon water extract (SCWE) in immunoglobulin E (IgE)-antigen complex-stimulated RBL2H3 cells and to assess whether gastric and intestinal digestion affects the anti-allergic properties of SCWE. Oxidative stress is an important consequence of the allergic inflammatory response. The antioxidant activities of SCWE increased in a concentration-dependent manner. RBL-2H3 cells were sensitized with monoclonal anti-dinitrophenol (DNP) specific IgE, treated with SCWE, and challenged with the antigen DNP-human serum albumin. SCWE inhibited beta-hexosaminidase release and expression of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA and protein in IgE-antigen complex-stimulated RBL2H3 cells. We found that digested SCWE fully maintained its antioxidant activity and anti-allergic activity against the IgE-antigen complex-induced activation of RBL-2H3 cells. SCWE may be useful for preventing allergic diseases, such as asthma. Thus, SCWE could be used as a natural functional ingredient for allergic diseases in the food and/or pharmaceutical industries.

Task Analysis of Managers in the Customized Visiting Health Services

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the tasks of managers who were working in the Customized Visiting Health Services (CVHS) and to prioritize analyzed tasks according to performance frequency, perceived importance, and difficulty. METHODS: Job analysis method by Hartley (1999) was used for task analysis and performance frequency, perceived importance, and difficulty were used for prioritize as criteria. A total of 85 managers in the CVHS of public health centers nationwide were recruited through e-mail and mail survey. Using SPSS/WIN 15.0, descriptive statistics, such as frequency distribution, means, median, and standard deviation, were conducted to examine each subject's general characteristics, the frequency, importance, and difficulty of the tasks as well as to prioritize the each task. RESULTS: The job description of the managers revealed 12 duties, 35 tasks, and 104 task elements. Of the 85 managers, 84.8% were classified as nurses, 40.5% were home health care specialists, and 32.9% were social workers. Their coretasks were management of client cases, budget management, and management of work performance and quality assurance. CONCLUSION: Considering the analyzed managers' tasks and core tasks, we need to examine each manager's role precisely and provide various educational programs for improving overall manager competence.

Erratum: Funding Acknowledgment

The funding acknowledgment in this article was omitted as published.

Development and Effectiveness of a Spiritual Care Education Program for Nursing Students - Based on the ASSET Model

PURPOSE: This study was done to develop a spiritual care education program (SCEP) for nursing students to help increase their awareness of the essence of spirituality in care so as to enable them to promote spiritual well-being and spiritual care competence. METHODS: The participants were assigned to an experimental group (n=42) or a control group (n=39). From August to October 2009, the experimental group participated in the SCEP, which were held 2 hours a week for 6 weeks. The data were analyzed using chi2-test, Fisher's exact probability test, paired t-test, t-test with the SPSS WIN 17.0 statistics program. RESULTS: The experimental group had a higher mean score for spirituality, spiritual well-being and spiritual care competence than the control group. Significant differences were found between the experimental group and the control group. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that the SCEP was effective in improving spirituality, spiritual well-being and spiritual care competence for nursing students.

Anticancer activity of subfractions containing pure compounds of Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) extract in human cancer cells and in Balbc/c mice bearing Sarcoma-180 cells

The Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) has been used in folk medicine to treat cancers. However, limited information exists on the underlying anticancer effects of the major component of I. obliquus in vivo. We hypothesize that the pure compounds (3beta-hydroxy-lanosta-8,24-dien-21-al, inotodiol and lanosterol, respectively) separated from I. obliquus would inhibit tumor growth in Balbc/c mice bearing Sarcoma-180 cells (S-180) in vivo and growth of human carcinoma cells in vitro. To test this hypothesis, the growth inhibition of each subfraction isolated from I. obliquus on human carcinoma cell lines (lung carcinoma A-549 cells, stomach adenocarcinoma AGS cells, breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells, and cervical adenocarcinoma HeLa cells) was tested in vitro. Then, after S-180 implantation, the mice were fed a normal chow supplemented with 0, 0.1 or 0.2 mg of subfraction 1, 2 or 3 per mouse per day. All of the subfractions isolated from I. obliquus showed significant cytotoxic activity against the selected cancer cell lines in vitro. Subfraction 1 was more active than subfraction 2 and subfraction 3 against the A549, AGS and MCF-7 cancer cell lines in vitro. In in vivo results, subfraction 1 isolated from I. obliquus at concentrations of 0.1 and 0.2 mg/mouse per day significantly decreased tumor volume by 23.96% and 33.71%, respectively, as compared with the control. Subfractions 2 and 3 also significantly inhibited tumor growth in mice bearing S-180 as compared with the control mouse tumor. Subfraction 1 isolated from I. obliquus showed greater inhibition of tumor growth than subfractions 2 and 3, which agrees well with the in vitro results. The results suggest that I. obliquus and its compounds in these subfractions isolated from I. obliquus could be used as natural anticancer ingredients in the food and/or pharmaceutical industry.

An Analysis of Articles for Health Promotion Behaviors of Korean Middle-Aged

PURPOSE: This study has a purpose to suggest research and intervention directions for health promoting behaviors (HPB) of the Korean middle-aged in the future. METHODS: Forty four articles on HPB of the Korean middle-aged were reviewed and analyzed. The articles analyzed are theses written for a doctoral or master's degree and published between 1995 and 2007. RESULTS: 1. As for the major characteristics of the subject groups, most of them were between 40 and 60 years old (61.4%), were females (79.5%), and resided in cities (84.1%). 2. The dependent variables adopted were physiological, psychological and cognitive factors (self-efficacy, knowledge of health management, etc.), HPB and factors related to Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP). 3. The average scores of HPLP were 1.57~3.08 on a 4-point scale. The highest score was observed in self-actualization, and the lowest score in exercise. 4. Self-efficacy, perceived health status and income had significant correlations with HPB. 5. In regression analysis, self-efficacy, self-esteem and perceived health status were the most powerful predictors. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to develop intervention tools for more diverse HPB of the Korean middle-aged. The interventions are recommended to focus on increasing exercise and to use strategies for improving self-efficacy and self-esteem.