Bee wax coated water-soluble fraction of bee venom improved altered glucose homeostasis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anti-diabetic efficacy of orally administered bee wax coated water-soluble fraction of bee venom (BWCBVA) drug over orally administered bee wax (BW) and intraperitoneally administered whole bee venom (BV) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: Diabetes induced by intraperitoneal administration of 60 mg/kg STZ was treated with BWCBVA, BW, and BV for 21 d. The biochemical, protein and histological changes, and physical characteristics of BWCBVA were then analyzed. RESULTS: The BWCBVA group shows significantly decreased blood glucose level as compared to the BW and intraperitoneally administered whole BV treated group. Moreover, BWCBVA significantly normalizes the serum biochemical parameters and increases the body weight. Also, administration of BWCBVA significantly reverses the altered liver expression of phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases-p85 and liver glucokinase. Histological analysis of the pancreas an increase in the islet cell numbers and decrease in ß-cell damage. Co-administering BWCBVA 0.25 mg/kg with nifedipine (6.8 mg/kg) and nicorandil (13.8 mg/kg) to the diabetic rats results in insulin secretion through enhanced calcium ion influx. High performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography was performed to identify the pharmacologically important compounds present in BWCBVA. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that BWCBVA, an orally administered colon specific drug delivery system, can be effective in treating diabetes mellitus.

ERRATUM: Affiliation Correction. Evaluation of the association of vegetation of allergenic plants and pollinosis with meteorological changes

According to the author's request, in this paper, the eighth author's (Bong-Seong Kim) affiliation should be corrected.

Evaluation of the association of vegetation of allergenic plants and pollinosis with meteorological changes

PURPOSE: There are a number of reports suggesting that widespread propagation of weeds and high concentration of weed pollen have been contributed to climate change. We investigated the interrelationship between allergenic pollen concentration, allergic symptom and meteorological factor. METHODS: We collected data of pollen concentration and meteorological factors in 7 stations nationwide during between 1998 and 2012. We recruited total 297 allergic patients sensitized to weed pollens from each station, conducted a survey about allergic symptom, and calculated symptom index. We surveyed the vegetation area of ragweed and Japanese hop. Based on these data, we performed the long-term trend analysis (X11-ARIMA, autoregressive integrated moving average) on regional pollen concentration, and correlation analysis to investigate the interrelation between weed pollen concentration, allery symptom index and meteorological factor. We have also done regression analysis on vegetation area and maximal pollen concentration. RESULTS: Long-term trend analysis showed the increasing trend of pllen concentration in Seoul. Weed pollen concentration, allergy symptom index and each meteorological factor were not correlated significantly. Regression analysis revealed that increase of weed vegetation area results in increase of weed pollen concentration. Through this regression equation, we estimated the vegetation area that can product pollen concentration triggering allergenic risk. CONCLUSION: Meteorological factors, pollen concentration and allergic symptoms should be consistently assessed and the relationship between each factor should be analyzed, considering climate change. It is necessary to verify the equation for pollen estimation by vegetation area and set up a policy for vegetation control focused on the reduction of allergenic pollen.

Relationships among the Pain Belief, Pain Coping, and Pain Disability of Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain / 재활간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to understand the degree of pain belief in musculoskeletal patients, and to identify the correlation with chronic pain, pain coping and pain disability. METHODS: A total of 203 inpatients or outpatients with chronic pain in orthopedics agreed voluntarily to participate in this study and answer a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 17.0 program with descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and simple linear regression. RESULTS: The degree of pain belief in this study showed statistically significant differences depending on their age, education, job, health status, and pain duration. Among the variables correlating with pain belief in this study, there were positive correlations between pain and pain disability, pain and passive coping, pain belief and passive coping, pain belief and pain, pain belief and pain disability. The strongest correlation was passive coping and pain disability. CONCLUSION: From the results of this study, we concluded that it is necessary to develop the nursing intervention which can help reducing negative pain belief in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Also we need to enhance the ways of coping to active or chronic pains for controlling them effectively.

Immunomodulating and Antitumor Activities of Panellus serotinus Polysaccharides

This study was initiated in order to investigate the anticancer and immunomodulating activities of crude polysaccharides extracted in methanol, neutral saline, and hot water (hereinafter referred to as Fr. MeOH, Fr. NaCl, and Fr. HW, respectively) from the fruiting bodies of Panellus serotinus. Content of beta-glucan and protein in Fr. MeOH, Fr. NaCl, and Fr. HW extracts of P. serotinus ranged from 22.92~28.52 g/100 g and 3.24~3.68 g/100 g, respectively. In vitro cytotoxicity tests, none of the various fractions of crude polysaccharides were cytotoxic against sarcoma 180, HT-29, NIH3T3, and RAW 264.7 cell lines at the tested concentration. Intraperitoneal injection with crude polysaccharides resulted in a life prolongation effect of 23.53~44.71% in mice previously inoculated with sarcoma 180. Treatment with Fr. HW resulted in an increase in the numbers of spleen cells by 1.3 fold at the concentration of 50 microg/mL compared with control. Treatment with Fr. NaCl resulted in improvement of the immuno-potentiating activity of B lymphocytes by increasing the alkaline phosphatase activity by 1.4 fold, compared with control, at the concentration of 200 microg/mL. Among the three fractions, maximum nitric oxide (13.48 microM) was recorded at 500 microg/mL in Fr. HW. Production of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1beta, and interleukin-6 was significantly higher, compared to the positive control, concanavalin A, at the tested concentration. Therefore, treatment with crude polysaccharides extracted from the fruiting body of P. serotinus could result in improvement of antitumor activity.

Measuring Fluid Balance in Patients with Cancers: Comparison between Cumulative Intake and Output Records and Body Weight Change / 종양간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of two different fluid intake measurement methods (fluid only vs. all dietary intake) in measuring fluid balance compared to body weight change among patients with cancers. METHODS: A total of 60 cancer patients in an urban cancer center in South Korea participated in the study. Adult patients who were over 18 years old; having 24-hr I&O order; and taking either normal regular diet or soft blend diet were included. Demographic information and disease related information were also gathered. The data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 program. RESULTS: Measuring 'fluid only' for oral intake was a more accurate measure than measuring 'all dietary intake' (p=.026 vs. p=.094). Both methods had positive correlations with the amount of weight change (r=.329, p=.010; r=.303, p=.019). Measuring body weight was a more accurate and efficient way of evaluating the fluid balance than 24 hr cumulative I&O. CONCLUSION: Developing clinical manual for selecting proper patients who needs fluid balance monitoring is imperative. Administering weight check and/or 24 hr cumulative I&O should be considered thoroughly based on solid nursing evidence in future.

A Case of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcal Urinary Tract Infection and Pseudomembranous Colitis Co-Infection / 대한신장학회지

Infections are the second leading cause of mortality among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Recently, colonization or infection with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) is increasing in prevalence at many institutions and is often reported in dialysis patients. Enterococci are generally considered to be of low pathogenicity but may cause urinary tract infection, bacteremia, endocarditis or meningitis in debilitated patients. Three cases of VRE peritonitis in patients on CAPD were reported, but there was no report of VRE urinary tract infection (UTI) in hemodialysis patients in Korea. We present a case of VRE UTI with pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) in an ESRD patient with anal VRE colonization. The VRE UTI was treated successfully with linezolid.

The virulence of Brucella abortus isolated from cattle in Korea / 대한수의학회지

In this study, we isolated 12 of Brucella (B.) spp. from cattle, which have been positive in Rose Bangal test and tube agglutination test in Gyeongbuk province in 2009. According to AMOS PCR analysis, isolated 12 strains were identified as B. abortus. Murine derived macrophage, RAW 264.7 cells, were infected with isolated 12 strains or reference strain (B. abortus 544), and bacterial internalization were characterized. According to these results, we divided the isolated strains into the following three groups: class I, lower internalization than that of B. abortus 544; class II, similar internalization to that of that of B. abortus 544; class III, higher internalization than that of B. abortus 544 within RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, intracellular growth, bacterial adherent assay, LAMP-1 colocalization, virulence in mice and surface protein pattern were characterized. From these results, representative strains of class III showed lower LAMP-1 colocalization, higher adherent efficiency, higher virulence in mice than those of B. abortus 544, and showed different pattern of surface proteins. These results suggest that B. abortus field strains, isolated from cattle in Korea, possess various virulence properties and higher internalization ability of field strain may have an important role for its virulence expression.

Influence of Memory Intensive Training Program on Cognitive Function, Memory Performance, and Self-Esteem in Elderly People / 재활간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was to confirm the influence of memory intensive training program on the elderly people's cognitive function, memory performance, and self-esteem. METHOD: Using a quasi-experimental or experimental design, 60 elderly aged over 60 years randomly assigned the experimental and control groups completed pretest-post evaluation. The experimental group participated in the memory intensive training program was offered to the participants in the experimental group for three weeks (2times/week). The t-test and chi2-test using SAS program. RESULTS: 1) The cognitive function was significantly higher in the experimental group compared to that in the control group (t=3.26, p=.002). 2) The memory performance that included immediate word recall tasks, word recognition tasks and delayed word recall tasks was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (t=5.30, p<.001). The experimental group showed significantly higher scores for memory performance than the control group (t=5.30, p<.001). 3) The self-esteem was higher in the experimental group than in the control group, but there was no significant difference between the two groups (t=1.94, p=.058). CONCLUSION: The Memory Intensive Training Program could be an effective intervention for improving cognitive function, and memory performance of the elderly people.

Mycelial Propagation and Molecular Phylogenetic Relationships of Commercially Cultivated Agrocybe cylindracea based on ITS Sequences and RAPD

This study evaluated the optimal vegetative growth conditions and molecular phylogenetic relationships of eleven strains of Agrocybe cylindracea collected from different ecological regions of Korea, China and Taiwan. The optimal temperature and pH for mycelial growth were observed at 25degrees C and 6. Potato dextrose agar and Hennerberg were the favorable media for vegetative growth, whereas glucose tryptone was unfavorable. Dextrin, maltose, and fructose were the most effective carbon sources. The most suitable nitrogen sources were arginine and glycine, whereas methionine, alanine, histidine, and urea were least effective for the mycelial propagation of A. cylindracea. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of rDNA were amplified using PCR. The sequence of ITS2 was more variable than that of ITS1, while the 5.8S sequences were identical. The reciprocal homologies of the ITS sequences ranged from 98 to 100%. The strains were also analyzed by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) using 20 arbitrary primers. Fifteen primers efficiently amplified the genomic DNA. The average number of polymorphic bands observed per primer was 3.8. The numbers of amplified bands varied based on the primers and strains, with polymorphic fragments ranging from 0.1 to 2.9 kb. The results of RAPD analysis were similar to the ITS region sequences. The results revealed that RAPD and ITS techniques were well suited for detecting the genetic diversity of all A. cylindracea strains tested.

Burden of COPD among Family Caregivers / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health problem resulting in significant burden for patients and families. However, family caregivers' burden has not been well recognized. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the level of caregivers' burden and to explore the related factors based on family, patient, and social support factors. METHODS: A face-to-face interview with 86 family caregivers who had been taking care of COPD patients was conducted. The participants answered a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included the level of family caregivers' burden, health status and the relationship within the family, functional limitation of patients perceived by family caregivers and the social support. RESULTS: The level of caregivers' burden among participants was considerably high. Risk factors for caregivers' burden included low educational level of family caregivers, low family income, hours of caregiving, and functional limitation of the patients. Protective factors for caregivers' burden were good relationship within the family and support from other family members or friends. CONCLUSION: It is proved that family caregivers are facing significant burden in taking care of COPD patients. To reduce family caregivers' burden, it is necessary to address socioeconomic status of the family and to provide various community resources including financial support and nursing services.

Study of sedation according to neurologic and non-neurologic pediatric patients / 소아과

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sedatives for pediatric patients using noninvasive procedures. METHODS: We performed a prospective study in 446 (aged 1 month-21 y) consecutive pediatric patients undergoing sedation to study noninvasive sedation techniques from February to August 2007. We reviewed demographic data, sedative drugs, dosage, complications, and successful rates of sedation according to the underlying diseases. RESULTS: The overall successful rate of sedation was 435/446 (97.5%). The overall rate of successful sedation using chloral hydrate was 99.1% (420/424), and was 70.6% (12/17) and 60.0% (3/5) with ketamine and midazolam, respectively. Of the neurologic patients (n=172, aged 1 month to 21 years), 136 patients were sedated for EEGs, 5 patients for renal scans, and 31 patients for neuroimaging studies such as brain CT or MRI. All non-neurological patients (n=274, aged 1 month to 5 years) were diagnosed with urinary tract infection and sedated for renal scan. The overall success rate of sedation for this group was 99.6%(273/274). Atotal of 14 adverse events were observed (3.1%). Most adverse reactions were mild in severity and clinically insignificant. CONCLUSION: Using chloral hydrate alone has enough effect to sedate non-neurologic patients. However, neurologic patients in the severe course group, especially those suffering from intractable epilepsy, autism, or severe cerebral palsy, must be medicated with chloral hydrate 2 times at most; instead, injections of ketamine or midazolam in the early stage may result in a more promising outcome.

An Analysis on the Research Papers about Exercise Interventions to the Stroke Survivors / 재활간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was to suggest the direction to the exercise intervention development for the stroke survivors. METHOD: 12 domestic and 54 foreign research papers about the exercise intervention for the stroke patients published during 1998~2007 were analyzed. RESULT: Among the papers, quasi-experimental design(75.8%) and multidisciplinary approach(60.6%) were the most frequent ones. The mean age of the respondents was 63.3 and the intervention was supplied for 7.14 weeks. The frequency of exercise was 3.87 per week and the exercise time was 1.88 hours. And physical research variables - such as ambulation, muscle strength, activities of daily living and balance - were more than psychosocial variables. This study suggested that the exercise intervention for the stroke survivors need to include aerobic exercise, muscle strengthening exercise, flexible exercise, body coordination, balance exercise. In addition we confirmed that the exercise intervention was revealed as an effective physiological parameters; such as maximum oxygen uptake quantity, blood pressure. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the further researchs are needed which include the intensity of exercise into the quantity of the exercise. Also researchers need to extend the motion intervention time for an effective sociopsychological variable and to try the meta analysis for the effective exercise intervention for the stroke survivors.

Relation of General Characteristics and Memory Performance of Old Adults / 재활간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to find out relation of general characteristics and memory performance of old adults. METHOD: The subjects consisted of 160 old adults over the age 60 who living in Seoul. Data were collected by the interview method, using a structured questionnaire and the testing method on the memory performance. Data were analyzed by SPSS PC. RESULT: The level of memory performance is 63.0 points in the 84 point scale, immediate recall is 7.8 points in the 12 point scale, delayed recall is 7.6 points in the 12 point scale, word recognition is 16 points in the 24 point scale, & face recognition is 16 points in the 24 point scale, & face recognition is 26.8 points in the 40 point scale. Analysis of memory performance according to general characteristics showed that there were statistically differences for age, sex, religion and alcohol. Memory performance showed a significantly negative correlation with age and alcohol, but positive correlation with sex. The significant variables to predict old adults'memory performance are age and alcohol. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study give useful information for constructing an memory performance improving program based on general characteristics in old adults.

Study of Post Procedural Complications Associated with Voiding Cystourethrography

PURPOSE: Voiding cystourethrography(VCUG) is a commonly performed diagnostic procedure in children with urinary tract infections. Recently, with the widespread use of prenatal ultrasonography, VCUG is performed as part of the postnatal radiological evaluation of asymptomatic infants with prenatally detected hydronephrosis. The procedure is relatively simple but it involves discomfort and some complications. We studied post procedural symptoms and complications in children who underwent VCUG. METHODS: This study reviewed 269 patients who underwent VCUG in our hospital between October 2005 and September 2006. We did a chart review and a telephone interview with the patients' parents about symptoms and complications associated with VCUG. RESULTS: Among 269 children, 217 patients(80.7%) were under 2 years of age and 5 patients (1.9%) were over 8 years of age. Their mean age was 13.1+/-22.9 months. After VCUG, dysuria was found in 49 patients presented with dysuria, and irritability in 36 patients with irritability. Other complications were hematuria, fever, frequency, bladder rupture and urinary tract infection. Mean symptoms duration was 1.4+/-0.7 days. There was no significant relationship between prophylactic antibiotics use and complication rate associated with VCUG. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that 32.7% of patients showed complications including bladder rupture and urinary tract infection after VCUG. We also found that prophylactic antibiotics use did not prevent urinary tract infection nor decrease the rate of complications associated with VCUG. Therefore, we suggest that the procedure must be done carefully and aseptically, and we should closely observe the children who undergo VCUG for development of possible complications.

Diagnostic ability of differential diagnosis in ameloblastoma and odontogenic keratocyst by imaging modalities and observers / 대한구강악안면방사선학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic ability in differentiating between ameloblastoma and odontogenic keratocyst according to the imaging modalities and observers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated thirty-six cases of ameloblastomas and forty-seven cases of odontogenic keratocysts all histologically confirmed. Six oral and maxillofacial radiologists diagnosed the lesions by 3 methods: using panoramic radiograph, using computed tomograph (CT), and using panoramic radiograph and CT. The observers were classified by 3 groups: group 1 had experienced over 10 years in oral and maxillofacial radiologic field, group 2 had experienced for 3-4 years, and group 3 was in the process of residentship. After over 2 weeks, the observers diagnosed them by the same methods. RESULTS: The ROC curve areas except for group 3 were the highest with interpretation using panoramic radiograph and CT, followed by interpretation using CT only, and the lowest with interpretation using panoramic radiograph only. The overall difference was not found in diagnostic ability among groups in using panoramic radiograph only, but there was difference in diagnostic ability of group 1 and 2 vs 3 in using CT only, and combination panoramic radiograph and CT. CONCLUSIONS: To differentiate between ameloblastoma and odontogenic keratocyst more accurately, the experienced oral and maxillofacial radiologist should diagnose with combination of panoramic radiograph and CT.

Factors Affecting the Quality of Life in Stroke Patient at Home / 재활간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify factors affecting the Quality of Life of the Stroke Patients. METHOD: The subjects were 249 Stroke Patients who had visiting at the hospital and health care center. The research tools were FIM, CES-D, ATD PA, Quality of life Scale. Data were analyzed with SPSS WIN program in which frequency, percentage, Pearson's correlation and stepwise regression were used examination the factors affecting the quality of life. RESULT: There were positive correlation between patient's FIM and Quality of life, depression and physical disability, and negative correlation between FIM and depression and physical disability. Depression was the most important factor with influence on quality of life. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, Active nursing intervention to decreased depression and to improve patients physical functional status in needed.

Correlation of bone quality in radiographic images with clinical bone quality classification / 대한구강악안면방사선학회지

PURPOSE: To investigate the validity of digital image processing on panoramic radiographs in estimating bone quality before endosseous dental implant installation by correlating bone quality in radiographic images with clinical bone quality classification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An experienced surgeon assessed and classified bone quality for implant sites with tactile sensation at the time of implant placement. Including fractal dimension eighteen morphologic features of trabecular pattern were examined in each anatomical sites on panoramic radiographs. Finally bone quality of 67 implant sites were evaluated in 42 patients. RESULTS: Pearson correlation analysis showed that three morphologic parameters had weak linear negative correlation with clinical bone quality classification showing correlation coefficients of -0.276, -0.280, and - 0.289, respectively (p<0.05). And other three morphologic parameters had obvious linear negative correlation with clinical bone quality classification showing correlation coefficients of -0.346, -0.488, and -0.343 respectively (p<0.05). Fractal dimension also had a linear correlation with clinical bone quality classification with correlation coefficients -0.506 significantly (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that fractal and morphometric analysis using digital panoramic radiographs can be used to evaluate bone quality for implant recipient sites.

Family Functioning and Quality of Life of the Family Care-giver in Cancer Patients / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship among quality of life, family coherence, family hardiness, and family resources of the family care-giver caring for a cancer patient. METHOD: Data was collected by questionnaires from 137 families with a cancer patient at a General Hospital and Government Cancer Hospital. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: The score of quality of life showed a significant positive correlation with the score of the level of family sense of coherence, family hardiness, and family resources. The most powerful predictor of quality of life was sense of coherence and the variance was 30%. A combination of sense of coherence and family resources account for 34 % of the variance in quality of life of the family care-giver caring for a cancer patient. CONCLUSION: The results showed that family sense of coherence, hardiness, and family resources were significant influencing factors on the quality of life of the family care-giver caring for a cancer patient.

Psychosocial and Obstetric Predictors of Depressive Symptomatology at Postpartum 4 Weeks / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the psychosocial and obstetric predictors of depressive symptomatology at postpartum 4 weeks in Korea. METHODS: At their 1-week and 4-week postpartum visits, 61 postpartum women completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Symptom Check List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). Data related to the psychiatric and obstetric characteristics, pregnancy and delivery related events were collected from the standardized medical records. 42 women with no history of pregnancy or delivery within the previous 6 months were selected as the control group. The postpartum group was divided into the depressive and non-depressive subgroups, according to their EPDS and BDI results at postpartum 4 weeks. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the mean score of the BDI at postpartum 4 weeks was significantly higher in the postpartum group. The percentages of women having experienced severe emotional stress during pregnancy and of smokers and drinkers before pregnancy were significantly higher in the postpartum depressive subgroup (EPDS >or=10 and BDI >or=10) when compared to the postpartum non-depressive subgroup. The percentage of women having experienced depressive symptoms at postpartum 1 week was also significantly higher in the depressive subgroup. A depressive symptomatology at postpartum 1 week was identified as a significant risk factor for depressive symptoms at postpartum 4 weeks. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that screening for depressive symptomatology in the immediate postpartum period might provide an effective means of detecting women at risk of developing postpartum depression in Korea. The finding that severe emotional stress experienced during pregnancy is associated with the development of postpartum depressive symptoms confirms the results of previous studies.