Acute Impact of the Coronavirus Disease Outbreak on Behavioral Patterns and Emotional States of Pediatric Psychiatric Patients and Caregivers in Daegu, South Korea

Objective@#This study aimed to investigate the changes in interpersonal relationships, behavioral patterns, and emotional states of children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders and their caregivers immediately after the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Daegu, South Korea. @*Methods@#A total of 147 patients and 147 caregivers participated in the Survey for Outing and Time Usage for Child, Adolescent, and Parents and the COVID-19 Visual Analog Scale for Emotion. We classified the patients and their caregivers into the internalizing disorder (ID) and externalizing disorder (ED) groups and compared the changes. @*Results@#Parent–child relationships for adolescent patients and caregivers were interrupted, and friend relationships in all participants were disrupted, while sibling relationships improved in adolescent patients. They experienced negative emotional changes. Time spent outdoor decreased and digital screen time increased for all participants. Friend and parent–child relationships were interrupted in the ED group compared to those in the ID group. ED patients experienced negative changes in emotional states, while ID patients showed no significant changes. @*Conclusion@#Results are meaningful as a reference for predicting changes in interpersonal relationships and mental status of pediatric psychiatric patients and for determining healthcare system adaptations to allow mental health support during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Acute Impact of the Coronavirus Disease Outbreak on Behavioral Patterns and Emotional States of Pediatric Psychiatric Patients and Caregivers in Daegu, South Korea

Objective@#This study aimed to investigate the changes in interpersonal relationships, behavioral patterns, and emotional states of children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders and their caregivers immediately after the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Daegu, South Korea. @*Methods@#A total of 147 patients and 147 caregivers participated in the Survey for Outing and Time Usage for Child, Adolescent, and Parents and the COVID-19 Visual Analog Scale for Emotion. We classified the patients and their caregivers into the internalizing disorder (ID) and externalizing disorder (ED) groups and compared the changes. @*Results@#Parent–child relationships for adolescent patients and caregivers were interrupted, and friend relationships in all participants were disrupted, while sibling relationships improved in adolescent patients. They experienced negative emotional changes. Time spent outdoor decreased and digital screen time increased for all participants. Friend and parent–child relationships were interrupted in the ED group compared to those in the ID group. ED patients experienced negative changes in emotional states, while ID patients showed no significant changes. @*Conclusion@#Results are meaningful as a reference for predicting changes in interpersonal relationships and mental status of pediatric psychiatric patients and for determining healthcare system adaptations to allow mental health support during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Anti-obesity Effect of Steamed Soybean and Fermented Steamed Soybean in High-fat Diet-induced Obese ICR Mice

This study was performed to investigate the ameliorating effects of steamed soybeans (SS) and fermented SS (FSS) on lipid metabolism in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. ICR mice were divided into four groups and given the following different diets: normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HFD), HFD with 1% SS (HFD + SS), and HFD with 1% FSS (HFD + FSS). After 14 weeks, the body weight gain was higher in the HFD group compared with the ND group but lower in the HFD + FSS group compared with the HFD group. Plasma levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were significantly higher in the HFD group compared to the ND group, but lower in the HFD + SS and HFD + FSS groups compared with the HFD group. In addition, leptin concentration in plasma was lower in the groups fed HFD + SS and HFD + FSS compared with the HFD group. The accumulation of hepatic TG and TC was significantly inhibited in the HFD + SS and HFD + FSS groups. Furthermore, SS and FSS attenuated lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide formation in the liver induced by the high-fat diet. These results suggest that soybeans, especially FSS, may be useful in preventing obesity-induced abnormalities in lipid metabolism.

Malvidin Protects WI-38 Human Fibroblast Cells Against Stress-induced Premature Senescence

BACKGROUND: Malvidin is one of the most abundant components in red wines and black rice. The effects of malvidin on aging and lifespan under oxidative stress have not been fully understood. This study focused on the anti-aging effect of malvidin on stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS) in WI-38 human lung-derived diploid fibroblasts. METHODS: In order to determine the viability of WI-38 cells, MTT assay was conducted, and malondialdehyde level was determined using thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance assay. Protein expression of inflammation-related factors was also evaluated by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Acute and chronic oxidative stress via hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment led to SIPS in WI-38 cells, which showed decreased cell viability, increased lipid peroxidation, and a shortened lifespan in comparison with non-H2O2-treated WI-38 cells. However, malvidin treatment significantly attenuated H2O2-induced oxidative stress by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and increasing cell viability. Furthermore, the lifespan of WI-38 cells was prolonged by malvidin treatment. In addition, malvidin downregulated the expression of oxidative stress-related proteins, including NF-κB, COX-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Furthermore, protein expression levels of p53, p21, and Bax were also regulated by malvidin treatment in WI-38 cells undergoing SIPS. CONCLUSIONS: Malvidin may potentially inhibit the aging process by controlling oxidative stress.