Evaluation of food effects on the pharmacokinetics of Pelargonium sidoides and Coptis with each bioactive compound berberine and epicatechin after a single oral dose of an expectorant and antitussive agent UI026 in healthy subjects

UI026 is an expectorant and antitussive agent which is a new combination of Pelargonium sidoides extract andCoptis extract. The bioactive compounds of Pelargonium sidoides and Coptis extracts were identified as epicatechin and berberine, respectively. This study evaluated the effect of food on the pharmacokinetics (PKs) and safety of UI026. A randomized, openlabel, single-dose, 2-treatment, parallel study in 12 healthy male subjects was performed. Subjects received a single oral dose of UI026 (27 mL of syrup) under a fed or fasted condition according to their randomly assigned treatment. Blood samples for the PK analysis were obtained up to 24 hours post-dose for berberine and 12 hours post-dose for epicatechin. The PK parameters were calculated by non-compartmental analysis. In the fed condition, the mean maximum plasma concentration (C max ) and mean area under the plasma concentrationtime curve from time zero to the last observed time point (AUC last ) for berberine were approximately 33% and 67% lower, respectively, compared with the fasted condition, both showing statistically significant difference. For epicatechin, the mean C max and mean AUC last were about 29% and 45% lower, respectively, compared to the fasting condition, neither of which showed a statistically significant difference. There were no drug-related adverse events. This finding suggests that food affects the systemic exposure and bioavailability of berberine and epicatechin.

Beneficial Effect of Chloroquine and Amodiaquine on Type 1 Diabetic Tubulopathy by Attenuating Mitochondrial Nox4 and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

Background@#Oxidative stress induced by chronic hyperglycemia is recognized as a significant mechanistic contributor to the development of diabetic kidney disease (DKD).Nonphagocytic nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (Nox4) is a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in many cell types and in the kidney tissue of diabetic animals. We designed this study to explore the therapeutic potential of chloroquine (CQ) and amodiaquine (AQ) for inhibiting mitochondrial Nox4 and diabetic tubular injury. @*Methods@#Human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (hRPTCs) were cultured in highglucose media (30 mM D-glucose), and diabetes was induced with streptozotocin (STZ, 50 mg/kg i.p. for 5 days) in male C57BL/6J mice. CQ and AQ were administered to the mice via intraperitoneal injection for 14 weeks. @*Results@#CQ and AQ inhibited mitochondrial Nox4 and increased mitochondrial mass in hRPTCs under high-glucose conditions. Reduced mitochondrial ROS production after treatment with the drugs resulted in decreased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, suppressed inflammatory protein expression and reduced cell apoptosis in hRPTCs under high-glucose conditions. Notably, CQ and AQ treatment diminished Nox4 activation and ER stress in the kidneys of STZ-induced diabetic mice. In addition, we observed attenuated inflammatory protein expression and albuminuria in STZ-induced diabetic mice after CQ and AQ treatment. @*Conclusion@#We substantiated the protective actions of CQ and AQ in diabetic tubulopathy associated with reduced mitochondrial Nox4 activation and ER stress alleviation. Further studies exploring the roles of mitochondrial Nox4 in the pathogenesis of DKD could suggest new therapeutic targets for patients with DKD.

The Effects of Working Conditions and Job Satisfaction on the Mental Health and Presenteeism of Early Childhood Teachers / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE@#The purpose of this study was to examine the mental health and presenteeism of early childhood teachers and to explore the effects of working conditions and job satisfaction on these.@*METHODS@#Data from the 4thKorean Work Environment Survey were used. The sample consisted of 474 female early-childhood teachers from private facilities. Mental health was measured using the WHO-Wellbeing Index. Presenteeism was attributed to a participant upon indication that, during the past 12 months, she had ever attended work, despite being sick. The data by complex sample design were analyzed through the Rao-Scott χ2 test and logistic regression analysis.@*RESULTS@#37.9% of early childhood teachers reported poor mental health and 34.2% had experienced presenteeism. Early childhood teachers in permanent employment, who did not work evening shifts, and with sustainable jobs, were more likely to have better mental health. Moreover, those in permanent employment and remunerated appropriately were less likely to experience presenteeism.@*CONCLUSION@#Type of employment, number of days working in the evening, and job sustainability affect mental health. Further, type of employment, number of workers, and being well paid have an effect on presenteeism. We suggest that improved working conditions should precede the improvement of early-childhood teachers' mental health.

The Effects of Working Conditions and Job Satisfaction on the Mental Health and Presenteeism of Early Childhood Teachers / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the mental health and presenteeism of early childhood teachers and to explore the effects of working conditions and job satisfaction on these. METHODS: Data from the 4thKorean Work Environment Survey were used. The sample consisted of 474 female early-childhood teachers from private facilities. Mental health was measured using the WHO-Wellbeing Index. Presenteeism was attributed to a participant upon indication that, during the past 12 months, she had ever attended work, despite being sick. The data by complex sample design were analyzed through the Rao-Scott χ2 test and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: 37.9% of early childhood teachers reported poor mental health and 34.2% had experienced presenteeism. Early childhood teachers in permanent employment, who did not work evening shifts, and with sustainable jobs, were more likely to have better mental health. Moreover, those in permanent employment and remunerated appropriately were less likely to experience presenteeism. CONCLUSION: Type of employment, number of days working in the evening, and job sustainability affect mental health. Further, type of employment, number of workers, and being well paid have an effect on presenteeism. We suggest that improved working conditions should precede the improvement of early-childhood teachers' mental health.

Reduction of the Isolated Anterior Wall of the Maxillary Sinus Fracture with Double Urinary Balloon Catheters and Fibrin Glue

BACKGROUND: Conservative treatment is performed for isolated anterior wall of the maxillary sinus fractures, in many cases when the fracture is clinically not severe and asymptomatic. Despite the absence of symptoms, complications such as sinusitis, rhinitis, and chronic purulent secretion may develop; therefore, successful reduction is required. We attempted to reduce the risk of complications using an alternative technique: reduction of the fracture with two urinary balloon catheters inserted through the maxillary ostium and fixation using fibrin glue, which minimizes the damage to the bony fragments and sinus mucosa. METHODS: In this study, 38 patients who were diagnosed with an isolated anterior wall of the maxillary sinus fracture at our hospital between January 2014 and January 2017 were enrolled. The fracture site was exposed via the Caldwell-Luc approach followed by reduction through the insertion of two urinary balloon catheters using a nasal endoscope and fixation with fibrin glue. The sex, cause of fracture, physical examination, and presence of complications were examined and patient's medical records and facial bone computed tomography scans were analyzed. RESULTS: Radiological evaluation showed that there was no evidence of collapsed reduction fragments. Although some patients had remaining symptoms of hypoesthesia (15%; 3 patients), there were no complications such as infection, rhinitis, sinusitis, and chronic purulent secretion at the surgical site. CONCLUSION: In this study, we present an alternative surgical technique using two urinary balloon catheters and fibrin glue for the successful reconstruction of an isolated anterior wall of the maxillary sinus fracture. This technique enables precise restoration with a reduced risk of complications.

Eccrine Spiradenoma of the Scalp

Eccrine spiradenoma is an uncommon benign adnexal tumor originating from the eccrine sweat gland. We diagnosed a eccrine spiradenoma on a 55-year-old man with histopathologic confirmation upon biopsy followed by complete resection, who had visited our clinic with a chief complain of occipital scalp mass. The solitary eccrine spiradenoma occurring in the scalp is rarely to be seen and should be considered as a differential diagnosis for a solitary cystic mass of the scalp.

Relationship between Milk and Calcium Intake and Lipid Metabolism in Female Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the association between intake of milk and dairy products as well as calcium and biomarkers related to lipid metabolism in Korean female patients with type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort of 509 female subjects (mean age: 59.0 years; range: 35-80 years) was recruited from Huh's Diabetes Clinic in Seoul between 2005 and 2010. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Subjects were divided into three groups on the basis of their daily intake of milk and dairy products [200 g/day (>200-1201 g/day)] and then further divided into two groups according to their daily calcium intake: below and above the estimated average requirement (EAR). RESULTS: After adjustment for age, body mass index, energy intake, exercise, use of nutritional supplements and cholesterol medication, the level of serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol was significantly higher in subjects with milk and dairy products consumption of >200 g/day than in subjects in the other two groups. Those subjects with a milk and dairy products consumption of >200 g/day had significantly higher levels of apolipoprotein A-1 and a significantly lower atherogenic index than the other two groups. Patients with a calcium intake above the EAR exhibited a significantly greater serum HDL-cholesterol level than those with a calcium intake below the EAR. CONCLUSION: Milk and dairy products, good sources of calcium, play a positive role in lipid profiles in female patients with type 2 diabetes.

Associations Between Body Composition and Chronic Low Back Pain in Adults: Data from the 2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BACKGROUND: The relationship between fat mass, muscle mass and chronic low back pain is unclear and little is known about it. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between body composition and the risk of chronic low back pain in young and middle-aged Korean adults. METHODS: Data from 1807 men and 1810 women aged 19 to 64 years who participated in the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2009 were evaluated. Chronic low back pain was defined as pain lasting for more than three months. Sociodemographic, lifestyle, anthropometric and body composition variables were analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of chronic low back pain was higher in women (11.5%) than in men (6.4%). In men, the risk for chronic low back pain was significantly associated with education level and alcohol use. In women, the risk factors were age, education level, occupation, physical activity, menopausal status, body mass index and waist circumference. After adjusting for covariates, total and trunk fat mass and total and appendicular lean body mass were not associated as risk for chronic low back pain in both genders. CONCLUSIONS: Fat mass and muscle mass may not be associated with chronic low back pain in young and middle-aged Korean adults.

Associations Between Body Composition and Chronic Low Back Pain in Adults: Data from the 2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BACKGROUND: The relationship between fat mass, muscle mass and chronic low back pain is unclear and little is known about it. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between body composition and the risk of chronic low back pain in young and middle-aged Korean adults. METHODS: Data from 1807 men and 1810 women aged 19 to 64 years who participated in the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2009 were evaluated. Chronic low back pain was defined as pain lasting for more than three months. Sociodemographic, lifestyle, anthropometric and body composition variables were analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of chronic low back pain was higher in women (11.5%) than in men (6.4%). In men, the risk for chronic low back pain was significantly associated with education level and alcohol use. In women, the risk factors were age, education level, occupation, physical activity, menopausal status, body mass index and waist circumference. After adjusting for covariates, total and trunk fat mass and total and appendicular lean body mass were not associated as risk for chronic low back pain in both genders. CONCLUSIONS: Fat mass and muscle mass may not be associated with chronic low back pain in young and middle-aged Korean adults.

Effects of the Field Management Training Program for Home Care Services : Understanding and Professional Competence / 農村醫學 地域保健

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study is to examine the effects of the Field Management Training Program for home care services personnel on their understanding and professional competences. METHODS: The subjects were 373 team managers of public home care services who participated in the training program. Data was collected with a self-administered questionnaire in April and September, 2007. The subjects' level of understanding of home care was measured by 35 questions divided into 8 categories while their professional competence was measured by 15 questions divided into 5 categories. Result: After attending the training, the subjects' understanding improved from 20.90 points (possible range: 4~32) to 26.11 points. The most improvement was evident in the Planning and Public Health Education categories. Their professional competences improved from 10.81 points (possible range: 4~16) to 12.51 points. The improvement of their understanding and professional competences differed across to training places. It was also evident that an increase in understanding brought about an increase in professional competence. CONCLUSION: The Field Management Training Program needs to be continued with efforts to reduce the differences of training effects between training places. And additional recommendations should be made through further evaluation of subsequent training programs.

Leisure-time Activities Associated with Obesity in Adolescents

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare the differences between obese and non-obese students in sedentary leisure-time activities. METHODS: The survey was performed with 725 students from 3 different middle schools in Kyeonggi-do. In order to measure the degree of obesity, used are BMI and "2007 Korea Children and Adolescents' Average Scale". With regard to the leisure activities, YRBS and "Youth Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance" were referred. RESULTS: The rate of boys' overweight was 18.0% and that of girls was 11.8%. Students watching TV 3hours+/day were 16.6% for boys and 30.6% for girls during weekday. Respective values for weekend were 56.8% and 71.4%. Students using computer 3hours+/day were both 14.5% for boys and girls during weekday, and 53.7% for boys and 36.7% for girls during weekend. 14.9% of boys and 21.2% of girls didn't participate in vigorous physical activities and 5.9% for boys and 11.2% for girls didn't participate in moderate physical activities. The differences between obese and non-obese students in sedentary activities were not significant. However, the difference in leisure-time activity was significant. CONCLUSION: The programs for prevention and management of adolescents' obesity have to be focused on reducing their sedentary activities and improving physical activities.