Differences in Neurotransmitters Level as Biomarker on Sleep Effects in Dementia Patients with Insomnia after Essential Oils Treatment

This study aimed to examine the effects of several essential oils on insomnia in dementia patients following transdermal treatment (aromatherapy). The mean change rates (%) of sleep biomarkers were compared between the single essential and jojoba (vehicle) oil massage groups in this study. The lavender (L) essential oil massage group demonstrated a significant decrease in the mean change rate (%) of 24-h urinary free cortisol, whereas the valerian (V) essential oil massage group demonstrated a significant increase in the mean change rate (%) of serum 5-hydroxytryptamine. In addition, a significant increase in the mean change rate (%) of 24-h urinary norepinephrine was observed in the chamomile (C) essential oil massage group only. Based on these results, valerian, lavender, and chamomile oils were mixed in different ratios to produce blending oils A (L:C:V=2:2:1), B (L:C:V=3:1:1) and C (L:C:V=1:3:1). The highest level of serum 5-hydroxytryptamine was observed after administering blending oil A. These results suggest that blending oil A might possess therapeutic effects against insomnia. Overall, it is hypothesized that the optimally blended essential oil will produce synergic effects when combined with hypnotic drugs.

Change in Cationic Amino Acid Transport System and Effect of Lysine Pretreatment on Inflammatory State in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Cell Model

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a lethal neurological disorder characterized by the deterioration of motor neurons. The aim of this study was to investigate alteration of cationic amino acid transporter (CAT-1) activity in the transport of lysine and the pretreatment effect of lysine on pro-inflammatory states in an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cell line. The mRNA expression of cationic amino acid transporter 1 was lower in NSC-34/hSOD1G93A (MT) than the control cell line (WT), lysine transport is mediated by CAT-1 in NSC-34 cell lines. The uptake of [3H]L-lysine was Na+-independent, voltage-sensitive, and strongly inhibited by inhibitors and substrates of cationic amino acid transporter 1 (system y+). The transport process involved two saturable processes in both cell lines. In the MT cell line, at a high-affinity site, the affinity was 9.4-fold higher and capacity 24-fold lower than that in the WT; at a low-affinity site, the capacity was 2.3-fold lower than that in the WT cell line. Donepezil and verapamil competitively inhibited [3H]L-lysine uptake in the NSC-34 cell lines. Pretreatment with pro-inflammatory cytokines decreased the uptake of [3H]L-lysine and mRNA expression levels in both cell lines; however, the addition of L-lysine restored the transport activity in the MT cell lines. L-Lysine exhibited neuroprotective effects against pro-inflammatory states in the ALS disease model cell lines. In conclusion, studying the alteration in the expression of transporters and characteristics of lysine transport in ALS can lead to the development of new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.

Change in Cationic Amino Acid Transport System and Effect of Lysine Pretreatment on Inflammatory State in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Cell Model

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a lethal neurological disorder characterized by the deterioration of motor neurons. The aim of this study was to investigate alteration of cationic amino acid transporter (CAT-1) activity in the transport of lysine and the pretreatment effect of lysine on pro-inflammatory states in an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cell line. The mRNA expression of cationic amino acid transporter 1 was lower in NSC-34/hSOD1G93A (MT) than the control cell line (WT), lysine transport is mediated by CAT-1 in NSC-34 cell lines. The uptake of [3H]L-lysine was Na+-independent, voltage-sensitive, and strongly inhibited by inhibitors and substrates of cationic amino acid transporter 1 (system y+). The transport process involved two saturable processes in both cell lines. In the MT cell line, at a high-affinity site, the affinity was 9.4-fold higher and capacity 24-fold lower than that in the WT; at a low-affinity site, the capacity was 2.3-fold lower than that in the WT cell line. Donepezil and verapamil competitively inhibited [3H]L-lysine uptake in the NSC-34 cell lines. Pretreatment with pro-inflammatory cytokines decreased the uptake of [3H]L-lysine and mRNA expression levels in both cell lines; however, the addition of L-lysine restored the transport activity in the MT cell lines. L-Lysine exhibited neuroprotective effects against pro-inflammatory states in the ALS disease model cell lines. In conclusion, studying the alteration in the expression of transporters and characteristics of lysine transport in ALS can lead to the development of new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.

Systematic Target Screening Revealed That Tif302 Could Be an OffTarget of the Antifungal Terbinafine in Fission Yeast

We used a heterozygous gene deletion library of fission yeasts comprising all essential and non-essential genes for a microarray screening of target genes of the antifungal terbinafine, which inhibits ergosterol synthesis via the erg1 enzyme. We identified 14 heterozygous strains corresponding to 10 non-essential [7 ribosomal-protein (RP) coding genes, spt7, spt20, and elp2] and 4 essential genes (tif302, rpl2501, rpl31, and erg1). Expectedly, their erg1 mRNA and protein levels had decreased compared to the control strain SP286. When we studied the action mechanism of the non-essential target genes using cognate haploid deletion strains, knockout of SAGA-subunit genes caused a down-regulation in erg1 transcription compared to the control strain ED668. However, knockout of RP genes conferred no susceptibility to ergosterol-targeting antifungals. Surprisingly, the RP genes participated in the erg1 transcription as components of repressor complexes as observed in a comparison analysis of the experimental ratio of erg1 mRNA. To understand the action mechanism of the interaction between the drug and the novel essential target genes, we performed isobologram assays with terbinafine and econazole (or cycloheximide). Terbinafine susceptibility of the tif302 heterozygous strain was attributed to both decreased erg1 mRNA levels and inhibition of translation. Moreover, Tif302 was required for efficacy of both terbinafine and cycloheximide. Based on a molecular modeling analysis, terbinafine could directly bind to Tif302 in yeasts, suggesting Tif302 as a potential off-target of terbinafine. In conclusion, this genome-wide screening system can be harnessed for the identification and characterization of target genes under any condition of interest.

The Effects of Compliance and Self Efficacy on Nursing Education Program for Pneumonia Patient

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to validate the effects that the structured pamphlet and education through tablets regarding the daily life management and disease nursing education program has towards pneumonia patients in compliance, and self-efficacy. @*Methods@#This study used the quasi-experimental study design based upon the nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. A total of 100 patients-50 patients who were hospitalized February 2020 as the control group and 50 patients who were hospitalized March 2020 as the experimental group – were used as material for the statistical analysis. These data were analyzed with a significance level of p< .05 using the SPSS WIN 21.0 program. @*Results@#The patients’ compliance, and self-efficacy had no significance difference between the two previous scores, meaning homogeneity in the two groups. Through verifying the experimental group who had disease and daily-life managing nursing education will have higher scores in compliance (t= 20.95, p< .001), and self-efficacy (t= 17.24, p< .001) than the control group who had not received those education, were statistically significantly different leading to all hypothesis being supported. @*Conclusion@#For improving pneumonia patients’ compliance, the methods should be simple, easy to understand, effective in numerous clinical situations, require constant education and reinforcement, and periodic nursing education program.

Erratum: Authorship & Funding Acknowledgment Correction. The relationship of nutrition of rice and positive evaluation of the rice-based meal on the physical and emotional self-diagnosis and learning efficiency of the middle and highschool students in the Jeonju area / 한국영양학회지

The original version of this article contained errors in authorship and funding acknowledgment.

The relationship of nutrition of rice and positive evaluation of the rice-based meal on the physical and emotional self-diagnosis and learning efficiency of the middle and highschool students in the Jeonju area / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: This study examined the relationship of the nutrition of rice and the positive evaluation of the rice-based meal with the food consumption habits, physical and emotional health status, and learning efficacy of 601 middle and high school students in Jeonju area. METHODS: The participants were divided into two groups using cluster analysis in that the participants belonging to the upper groups had a center score of 46.86 (n = 348), while the people belonging to the lower group had a center score of 36.89 (n = 253). Statistical differences were tested for all the relationships between the physical and emotional healths symptoms and learning efficacy between the groups at the α = 0.05 level. RESULTS: Significant differences in the physical self-evaluated symptoms were observed in all five items in each cluster (p < 0.05). In the case of the emotional health status, nine out of 10 items showed significant differences between the groups. Similarly, significant differences in all five items in learning efficacy questionnaire were noted (p < 0.05). Positive attitudes of the parents toward having breakfast also showed significant differences among the groups. CONCLUSION: The nutrition of rice and a positive evaluation of the rice-based meals significantly affect the physical and emotional health status and learning efficacy of juveniles. These findings can be used as baseline information for promoting nutrition education, particularly rice-based breakfast.

Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Chronic Pain Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis / 정신간호학회지

PURPOSE: The aims of this study was to evaluate the effects of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for chronic pain patients. METHODS: Based on the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses, we searched the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, EMBASE, OVID, PubMed and Korean databases to identify randomized controlled trials published through May 2019. To estimate the effect size, a meta-analysis of the studies was performed using the R program, and the risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane's Risk of Bias tool for randomized studies. RESULTS: A total of 11 studies were included in this study. Studies were heterogeneous, and random effects models were used in the analyses. ACT was effective for improving pain (g=−0.40, 95%CI:−0.69~−1.12, p<.001, I2=80%), pain acceptance (g=1.24, 95% CI:0.41~2.05, p<.001, I²=95%), anxiety (g=−0.47, 95% CI:−0.81~−0.13, p<.001, I²=84%), depression (g=−0.52, 95% CI:−0.85~−0.19, p<.001, I²=85%), and quality of life (g=1.14, 95% CI:0.11~2.17, p<.001, I²=95%). CONCLUSION: Our study findings of the ACT seems to be effective for improving pain, pain acceptance, anxiety, depression, and quality of life in patients with chronic pain. Additionally, ACT may be useful for reducing barriers to therapy, and various studies should be attempted.

Maxillary complete denture and mandibular All-on-4 implant restoration considering maintenance: a case report

In the case of edentulous patients, the total amount of occlusal force is dispersed by the keratinized gingiva during mastication, in result, causing lower masticatory and chewing efficiency. In particular, the mandibular area has more side effects such as pain than the maxilla has. It gets worse when the patient has more absorption of alveolar bone, but the implant treatment is often interrupted due to the existence of the inferior alveolar nerve. In this case, a patient treated with the all-on-4 method by placing the implant in the anterior part of mandible and with the conventional complete denture for the maxilla has maintained without complications and was satisfied with the restoration both functionally and esthetically.

Effects of Self-Awareness, Other-Awareness and Empathy on Communication Ability of Nursing Students / 의료커뮤니케이션

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify factors affecting communication ability of nursing students.METHODS: The participants were 140 students in nursing college at the G city. The data were collected using online-questionnaires from July 4 to July 10 2018 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis with SPSS 20.0 program.RESULTS: The results show that communication ability was statistically significant according to self-awareness, other-awareness, empathy. Multiple regression analysis found that the factors influencing communication ability of nursing students were empathy(β=.540), self-awareness(β=.429), other-awareness(β=.375). These variable factors explained community ability as 46.3%.CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that empathy, self-awareness, other-awareness are significant factors of communication ability of nursing students. Therefore, strategies to improve communication ability of nursing students should be developed with consideration for empathy, self-awareness, other-awareness.

Involvement of a Novel Organic Cation Transporter in Paeonol Transport Across the Blood-Brain Barrier

Paeonol has neuroprotective function, which could be useful for improving central nervous system disorder. The purpose of this study was to characterize the functional mechanism involved in brain transport of paeonol through blood-brain barrier (BBB). Brain transport of paeonol was characterized by internal carotid artery perfusion (ICAP), carotid artery single injection technique (brain uptake index, BUI) and intravenous (IV) injection technique in vivo. The transport mechanism of paeonol was examined using conditionally immortalized rat brain capillary endothelial cell line (TR-BBB) as an in vitro model of BBB. Brain volume of distribution (V(D)) of [³H]paeonol in rat brain was about 6-fold higher than that of [¹⁴C]sucrose, the vascular space marker of BBB. The uptake of [³H]paeonol was concentration-dependent. Brain volume of distribution of paeonol and BUI as in vivo and inhibition of analog as in vitro studies presented significant reduction effect in the presence of unlabeled lipophilic compounds such as paeonol, imperatorin, diphenhydramine, pyrilamine, tramadol and ALC during the uptake of [³H]paeonol. In addition, the uptake significantly decreased and increased at the acidic and alkaline pH in both extracellular and intracellular study, respectively. In the presence of metabolic inhibitor, the uptake reduced significantly but not affected by sodium free or membrane potential disruption. Similarly, paeonol uptake was not affected on OCTN2 or rPMAT siRNA transfection BBB cells. Interestingly. Paeonol is actively transported from the blood to brain across the BBB by a carrier mediated transporter system.

Effect of pH variation on flexural and compressive properties of composite resins / 대한치과재료학회지

The pH of the oral cavity can dynamically change due to diverse foods and beverages served. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate flexural and compressive properties of composite resins after immersion in solutions of different pHs. Four composite resins were cured and immersed in test solutions of different pHs (3, 7.1, and 9) for 2 weeks. Flexural and compressive properties (strength and modulus) were evaluated using universal test machine. After immersion, initial flexural and compressive strength significantly changed to 1.5–30.0% and 0.3–19.6%, respectively; flexural and compressive modulus significantly changed to 4.4–29.0% and 3.5–21.5%, respectively. However, the values obtained from solutions of different pHs were not significantly and consistently different to each other.

Bleaching of stained resin using nitrogen doped-TiO₂ nanoparticles / 대한치과재료학회지

There has been increasing use of the H₂O₂-based teeth bleaching agents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bleaching effectiveness of the laser irradiation combined with nitrogen doped-TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) on the stained resin. Nitrogen (N) doped-TiO₂ NPs were prepared under sol-gel method. Light absorbance, X-ray diffraction patterns of NPs, and bleaching of methylene blue and stained resins were evaluated. For bleaching of stained resin, NPs-containing gel was used. For irradiation, light of two different wavelengths was used. Unlike TiO₂, N-TiO₂ showed high absorbance after 400 nm. N-TiO₂, which have used TiN as a precursor, showed a new rutile phase at the TiN structure. For methylene blue solution, N-TiO₂ with 3% H₂O₂ resulted in the greatest absorbance decrease after laser irradiation regardless of wavelength. For stained resin test, N-TiO₂ with 3% H₂O₂ resulted in the greatest color difference after laser irradiation, followed by group that used N-TiO₂ without 3% H₂O₂.

Frequency of Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose during the School Day Is Associated with the Optimal Glycemic Control among Korean Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels among Korean adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Factors affecting the SMBG frequency were analyzed in order to improve their glycemic control. METHODS: Sixty-one adolescents aged 13 to 18 years with T1DM were included from one tertiary center. Clinical and biochemical variables were recorded. Factors associated with SMBG frequency were assessed using structured self-reported questionnaires. RESULTS: Average total daily SMBG frequency was 3.8±2.1 and frequency during the school day was 1.3±1.2. The mean HbA1c level was 8.6%±1.4%. As the daily SMBG frequency increased, HbA1c levels declined (P=0.001). The adjusted odds of achieving the target HbA1c in participants who performed daily SMBG ≥5 significantly increased 9.87 folds (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.58 to 61.70) compared with those performed SMBG four times a day. In the subjects whose SMBG frequency < 1/day during the school day, an 80% reduction in the adjusted odds ratio 0.2 (95% CI, 0.05 to 0.86) showed compared to the group with performing two SMBG measurements in the school setting. The number of SMBG testing performed at school was significantly high for individuals assisted by their friends (P=0.031) and for those who did SMBG in the classrooms (P=0.039). CONCLUSION: Higher SMBG frequency was significantly associated with lower HbA1c in Korean adolescents with T1DM. It would be necessary to establish the school environments that can facilitate adequate glycemic control, including frequent SMBG.

Ethanol changes atpB gene expression and proton permeability in Streptococcus mutans / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: As a first step to study the anticaries effect of ethanol alone, we investigated the effects of ethanol on the expression levels of the atpB gene and proton permeability of Streptococcus mutans in suspension cultures. METHODS: S. mutans UA159 was grown in brain heart infusion medium at either pH 4.8 or 6.8. The total extracted RNA was reverse-transcribed into cDNA using a Superscript™ First-Strand Synthesis System. The resulting cDNA and negative controls were amplified by ABI PRISM 7700 real-time PCR system with SYBR Green PCR Master Mix. For proton flux assay, bacterial suspensions were titrated to pH 4.6 with 0.5 M HCl, and then additional 0.5 M HCl was added to decrease the pH values by approximately 0.4 units. The subsequent increase in pH was monitored using a glass electrode. Ten percent (v/v) butanol was added to the suspensions at 80 min to disrupt the cell membrane. RESULTS: In a concentration-dependent manner, ethanol alone not only decreased the growth rate of S. mutans and the expression of the atpB gene but also increased the proton permeability at both pH 4.8 and 6.8. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that ethanol has the potential for an anticaries ingredient. We believe that ethanol may be used together with fluoride and/or other cariostatic agents in order to develop better anticaries toothpastes and/or mouthrinses.

Differentiation of CD31-Positive Vascular Endothelial Cells from Organoid Culture of Dental Pulp Stem Cells

The mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that reside in dental tissues hold a great potential for future applications in regenerative dentistry. In this study, we used human dental pulp cells, isolated from the molars (DPCs), in order to establish the organoid culture. DPCs were established after growing pulp cells in an MSC expansion media (MSC-EM). DPCs were subjected to organoid growth media (OGM) in comparison with human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). Inside the extracellular matrix in the OGM, the DPCs and DPSCs readily formed vessel-like structures, which were not observed in the MSC-EM. Immunocytochemistry analysis and flow cytometry analysis showed the elevated expression of CD31 in the DPCs and DPSCs cultured in the OGM. These results suggest endothelial cell-prone differentiation of the DPCs and DPSCs in organoid culture condition.

Association between antioxidant vitamin intake and obesity among Korean women: using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007 ~ 2016 / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: This study examined the association between the antioxidant vitamin intake and obesity in Korean women. METHODS: Adult women aged ≥19 years who completed a health examination and nutrition survey from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2007 ~ 2016 were selected for the study (n = 30,425). A BMI ≥25 kg/m2 and waist circumference ≥85 cm were defined as obesity and abdominal obesity, respectively. The individual antioxidant vitamin intake was estimated by linking the antioxidant vitamin composition database of commonly consumed foods and the subjects' 24-hour recall food consumption data. Carotenoids, retinol, vitamin A (retinol activity equivalent), vitamin C, tocopherols, and vitamin E (α-tocopherol equivalent) were included in the analysis. Each vitamin intake was converted to the nutrient density per 1,000 kcal. Odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for obesity according to each tertile of the nutrient density was obtained from multiple logistic regression adjusted for age, household income, education level, smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity. RESULTS: The mean intake of α-carotene, retinol, vitamin E, α-tocopherol, and γ-tocopherol per 1,000 kcal was significantly lower in the obese group than in the normal group. A higher intake of lycopene was inversely associated with obesity (highest vs. lowest; OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.83–0.96) and abdominal obesity (highest vs. lowest; OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.81–0.95). Higher intakes of α-carotene, total carotenoids, vitamin A, and γ-tocopherol also had a negative relationship with abdominal obesity. The antioxidant vitamin intakes from eggs, milk and dairy products, seasoning, and grains were significantly lower in the obese group than in the normal group. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the dietary intake of antioxidant vitamins was inversely associated with obesity and abdominal obesity among Korean women. Further study will be needed to examine the causal relationship between the antioxidant vitamin and obesity.

Accuracy of several implant bite registration techniques: an in-vitro pilot study

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the accuracies of different bite registration techniques for implant-fixed prostheses using three dimensional file analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Implant fixtures were placed on the mandibular right second premolar, and the first and second molar in a polyurethane model. Aluwax (A), Pattern Resin (P), and Blu-Mousse (B) were used as the bite registration materials on the healing abutments (H) or temporary abutments (T). The groups were classified into HA, HP, HB, TA, TP, and TB according to each combination. The group using the bite impression coping was the BC group; impression taking and bite registration were performed simultaneously. After impression and bite taking, the scan bodies were connected to the lab analogs of the casts. These casts were scanned using a model scanner. The distances between two reference points in three-dimensional files were measured in each group. One-way ANOVA and Duncan's test were used at the 5% significance level. RESULTS: The smallest distance discrepancy was observed in the TB group using the temporary abutments. The Blu-Mousse and HP groups showed the largest distance discrepancy. The TB and BC groups showed a lower distance discrepancy than the HP group (P=.001), and there was no significant difference between the groups using the temporary abutments and healing abutments (P>.05). CONCLUSION: Although this study has limitations as an in-vitro investigation, the groups using the temporary abutments to hold the Blu-Mousse record and bite impression coping showed greater accuracy than the group using the healing abutments to hold the pattern resin record.

Analysis of Current Status of the Community Health Nursing Practice Education

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide basic evidence to improve community health nursing practice education by analyzing the current status of actual operation, program outcomes and evaluation methods, and the level of achieving learning goals. METHODS: Data were collected through an e-mail survey from 155 professors teaching community health nursing in April 2016. Out of 45 responses in total, 42 cases were used for analysis (response rate 29.0%). RESULTS: Community health nursing practice was a 3-credit course in most of the schools (66.7%) and included a practice at public health centers without exception. The most common diagnosis classification system was OMAHA (81.0%). The core fundamental nursing skills evaluated during the practice were subcutaneous injection, vital signs, oral administration, and intradermal injection. Among the subjects of community health nursing practice, the area with the highest potential for achieving learning goals was primary health care provision (4.4/5) and the area with the lowest potential was disaster management (2.4/5). CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that there would be active efforts to complement and improve several problems of the community health nursing practice among the community health nursing practice instructors for more effective and qualitative community health nursing practice.

Primary Cutaneous Nocardiosis Caused by Nocardia takedensis

Nocardia species are aerobic, gram-positive, filamentous, partially acid-fast actinomycetes which are found worldwide in soil and decaying organic plant matter. When they infect human beings, they generally enter through the respiratory tract and then disseminate systemically. Rarely has a primary infection occurred as the result of direct inoculation. Isolation of Nocardia from clinical specimens and identification of species are difficult. But, with the introduction of new genetic technologies, reports of novel species of Nocardia have increased. We describe a case of cutaneous nocardiosis caused by Nocardia takedensis in an 87-year-old woman who was diagnosed by bacterial culture and 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing. N. takedensis has been described as a new species. This report describes the first clinical isolate of N. takedensis from a skin specimen in Korea.