Crosstalk between cannabinoid receptor 2 and lysophosphatidic acid receptor 5.

Cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) and lysophosphatidic acid receptor 5 (LPA5) are both classified as G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) activated by bioactive lipids and are highly expressed in colon cancer cells. However, crosstalk between two receptors and its potential effects on cancer cell physiology have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, the results of bioluminescence resonance energy transfer analysis showed that, among the LPA receptors, CB2 strongly and specifically interacted with LPA5. Both receptors were co-localized in the plasma membrane in the absence of agonists, and the receptors were co-internalized upon activation of either receptor alone or both receptors together. We further investigated the effects of expression of both receptors on cell proliferation and migration, and the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects in HCT116 colon cancer cells. Co-expression of receptors significantly increased cell proliferation and migration by increasing Akt phosphorylation and tumor progression-related gene expression, whereas no such effect was seen upon expression of either receptor alone. These results suggest the possibility of physical and functional crosstalk between CB2 and LPA5.

Mental Health and Smoking-Related Determinants of Alcohol Drinking Experience in Korean Adolescents.

This study aimed to identify the determinants of mental health and smoking-related behaviors among Korean adolescents with drinking experience. Secondary data from the Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (2021) were analyzed. The final study sample consisted of data from 5905 adolescents with a history of smoking. Chi-square and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine the factors related to drinking experience. The factors that influenced alcohol drinking were sex, school level, academic performance, self-reported depression, and smoking. The results of this study showed that there are numerous factors affecting adolescents' drinking experience. Early education and interventions are needed to reduce alcohol consumption among adolescents. Integrated attention and support from society, school, and family are necessary so that they can cope with and adapt to stress in a healthy way.

Aqueous Extracts of Pleurotus ostreatus and Hericium erinaceus Protect against Ultraviolet A-Induced Damage in Human Dermal Fibroblasts.

Pleurotus ostreatus (PO) and Hericium erinaceus (HE) have been traditionally used to treat various diseases, owing to their antioxidant, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, and antitumor effects. However, few studies have been reported on their antiaging effects. In this study, the antioxidant and antiaging activities of PO and HE aqueous extracts were investigated in ultraviolet A (UVA)-induced human dermal fibroblast cells (HDFs). The antioxidant properties of PO and HE aqueous extracts were measured by total polyphenol and ergothioneine content, and their antioxidant activity was analyzed with the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical-scavenging assays. To demonstrate the antiaging effect of PO and HE aqueous extracts in UVA-induced HDFs, the secretion and mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), procollagen type I (PC1), and elastase were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time PCR, respectively. The total polyphenol content in each extract was 13.6 and 11.7 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry weight (DW), respectively, and the total ergothioneine content in each extract was 3.43 and 2.18 mg/g DW, respectively. The PO and HE extracts increased DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging activity in a dose-dependent manner. In UVA-damaged HDFs, the extracts increased PC1 production but decreased MMP-1 production and elastase-1 activity. Furthermore, the mRNA levels of PC1, MMP-1, and elastase were recovered in the PO- and HE-treated UVA-irradiated HDFs compared to those in the irradiated control group. PO and HE aqueous extracts may be potentially used as a promising antiphotoaging agent.

Factors influencing knowledge, awareness, and compliance with standard precautions among psychiatric nurses.

This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, awareness, and compliance with standard precautions and to examine individual factors related to compliance with standard precautions among psychiatric nurses. Data were collected from September 2020 to March 2021. A total of 160 questionnaires were distributed, and a total sample of 134 valid questionnaires was analyzed. Compliance with standard precautions was significantly correlated with knowledge and awareness. Awareness (ß = 0.547, p < .001) was a significant factor of compliance with a total explanatory power of 35.0% (F = 7.27, p < .001). Thus, the current coronavirus disease pandemic has significantly influenced the mental health infection system. These findings highlighted that psychiatric nurse must continue their efforts to improve compliance with infection prevention to prepare for an uncertain future with potential pandemics.

The effects of sling exercise program on balance and body activities in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the static and dynamic balance and body activities after administering a trunk stability exercise program using a sling for children with spastic cerebral palsy of Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels III-IV. This study was conducted based on a quasi-experimental study design. Six of the study participants were assigned to the control group and six were assigned to the experimental group using simple random sampling. Both groups underwent a double-blind clinical trial study in which exercise therapy was performed for 40 min twice a week for 8 weeks. The experimental group underwent the sling exercise program and the control group underwent neuro-developmental treatment. The results showed that static and dynamic balance were significantly different before and after intervention in both the experimental and control groups (P<0.05), and there was also a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). Gross motor function and activities of daily life showed significant improvement before and after intervention in the experimental group (P<0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference in the control group (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). Therefore, the sling exercise program can be used as an effective treatment for improving balance and physical activity in children with cerebral palsy of GMFCS levels III-IV who have difficulty walking. In addition, such exercise will have a positive impact on the independence of such children and help them to participate in social activities.

ß2-Adrenergic receptor (ß2-AR) agonist formoterol suppresses differentiation of L6 myogenic cells by blocking PI3K-AKT pathway.

ß2-Adrenergic receptor (ß2-AR) is implicated in muscle metabolic activities such as glycogen metabolism, glucose uptake, lipolysis and muscle growth. However, the functional role of ß2-AR in the differentiation of skeletal muscle is largely unknown. Here, we examined the functional role of ß2-AR in L6 myoblast differentiation using the long-term-acting ß2-AR-specific agonist formoterol. We observed that formoterol treatment strongly suppressed L6 myoblast differentiation and the expression of myosin heavy chain (MHC) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Showing that both long-acting agonist (formoterol) and short-acting agonist (terbutaline) inhibited the induction of MHC protein, whereas ß2-AR antagonist (ICI-118,551) upregulated MHC expression, we clearly demonstrated that ß2-AR is involved in L6 myoblast differentiation. Furthermore, our pharmacological inhibition study revealed that the PI3K-AKT pathway is the main signaling pathway for myotube formation. Formoterol inhibited the activation of PI3K-AKT signaling, but not that of ERK signaling. Moreover, formoterol selectively inhibited AKT activation by IGF-I, but not by insulin. Collectively, our findings reveal a previously undocumented role of ß2-AR activation in modulating the differentiation of L6 myoblasts.

In Vitro Investigation of Wear of CAD/CAM Polymeric Materials Against Primary Teeth.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of polymeric computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing CAD/CAM materials on antagonistic primary tooth wear. Five CAD/CAM polymeric materials were examined: Vipi Block Monocolor (VBM), Yamahachi polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) (YAP), Mazic Duro (MZD), Vita Enamic (ENA), and Pekkton (PEK). All of the specimens were tested in a thermomechanical loading machine with the primary canine as the antagonist (50 N, 1.2 × 105 cycles, 1.7 Hz, 5/55 °C). The wear losses of the antagonist tooth and the restorative materials were calculated using reverse modelling software and an electronic scale. VBM and ENA showed significantly higher antagonist tooth wear than PEK (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference observed among VBM, YAP, MZD, and ENA (p > 0.05). PEK showed the largest value in both material volumetric and weight losses. In terms of material volumetric losses, there was no significant difference between all of the groups (p > 0.05). In terms of material weight losses, PEK was significantly larger than ENA (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between VBM, YAP, MZD, and ENA (p > 0.05). Volumetric and weight losses of materials showed similar wear behaviour. However, the wear patterns of antagonists and materials were different, especially in PEK.

Individual Factors Affecting Self-esteem, and Relationships Among Self-esteem, Body Mass Index, and Body Image in Patients With Schizophrenia.

The purposes of this study were to identify correlations between body mass index, body image, and self-esteem in patients with schizophrenia and to analyse the specific factors affecting self-esteem. This study had a descriptive design, utilising a cross-sectional survey. Participants were patients with schizophrenia who were admitted to a mental health facility in South Korea. A total of 180 questionnaires were distributed, and an appropriate total sample size of 167 valid questionnaires was analysed. Self-esteem was significantly correlated with body image, the subscale of appearance orientation, and body areas satisfaction. However, body mass index exhibited no significant correlation with any variable. The variables found to have a significant explanatory power of 21.4% were appearance orientation and body areas satisfaction. The explanatory power of all factors was 33.6%. The self-esteem of patients with schizophrenia was influenced by body mass index and body image. The positive symptoms of schizophrenia can be controlled by medication, whereas negative symptoms can be improved through education and nursing care with medication. Thus, psychiatric nurses should develop education and care programs that contribute to the positive body image and self-esteem of patients with schizophrenia.

Inhibitory effect of Gastrodia elata Blume extract on alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone-induced melanogenesis in murine B16F10 melanoma.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Gastrodia elata Blume (GEB), a traditional herbal medicine, has been used to treat a wide range of neurological disorders (e.g., paralysis and stroke) and skin problems (e.g., atopic dermatitis and eczema) in oriental medicine. This study was designed to investigate whether GEB extract inhibits melanogenesis activity in murine B16F10 melanoma. MATERIALS/METHOD: Murine B16F10 cells were treated with 0-5 mg/mL of GEB extract or 400 µg/mL arbutin (a positive control) for 72 h after treatment with/without 200 nM alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) for 24 h. Melanin concentration, tyrosinase activity, mRNA levels, and protein expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (Trp)1, and Trp2 were analyzed in α-MSH-untreated and α-MSH-treated B16F10 cells. RESULTS: Treatment with 200 nM α-MSH induced almost 2-fold melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity along with increased mRNA levels and protein expression of MITF, tyrosinase, Trp1 and Trp2. Irrespective of α-MSH stimulation, GEB extract at doses of 0.5-5 mg/mL inhibited all these markers for skin whitening in a dose-dependent manner. While lower doses (0.5-1 mg/mL) of GEB extract generally had a tendency to decrease melanogenesis, tyrosinase activity, and mRNA levels and protein expression of MITF, tyrosinase, Trp1, and Trp2, higher doses (2-5 mg/mL) significantly inhibited all these markers in α-MSH-treated B16F10 cells in a dose-dependent manner. These inhibitory effects of the GEB extract at higher concentrations were similar to those of 400 µg/mL arbutin, a well-known depigmenting agent. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that GEB displays dose-dependent inhibition of melanin synthesis through the suppression of tyrosinase activity as well as molecular levels of MITF, tyrosinase, Trp1, and Trp2 in murine B16F10 melanoma. Therefore, GEB may be an effective and natural skin-whitening agent for application in the cosmetic industry.

Efficacy of a footbath for post-partum fatigue in South Korea: A quasi-experimental study.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of a footbath on post-partum fatigue. METHODS: This study used a quasi-experimental design by using an unequivalent control group, pre-post-test design. The participants were divided into experimental and control groups. Fifty post-partum women who were admitted to an obstetrics and gynecology ward of a general hospital were the experimental group and 50 post-partum women who were admitted to an obstetrics and gynecology ward of a women's hospital were the control group. Two hospitals were providing similar postnatal care to their patients and they were located in the same city. The experimental group received a footbath along with postnatal care at the hospital, while the control group received only postnatal care from the hospital. Each group completed the Fatigue Continuum Form at a specified time. RESULTS: The general characteristics and pretest dependent variables were homogenous between the two groups. The hypothesis was supported post-test as the Fatigue Continuum Form scores differed significantly between the experimental and the control groups. CONCLUSION: This study showed that a footbath helps to decrease fatigue among post-partum women. In addition, it is a good preventative strategy for post-partum women who should initiate it in the early post-partum period.

Gastrodia elata Blume Extract Modulates Antioxidant Activity and Ultraviolet A-Irradiated Skin Aging in Human Dermal Fibroblast Cells.

Gastrodia elata Blume (GEB), a traditional herbal medicine, has been used to treat a wide range of neurological disorders (e.g., paralysis and stroke) and skin problems (e.g., atopic dermatitis and eczema) in oriental medicine. This study was designed to investigate the antioxidant ability of GEB and its antiaging effect on human dermal fibroblast cells (HDF). The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of GEB were 21.8 and 0.43 mg/g dry weight (DW), respectively. The ergothioneine content of GEB was 0.41 mg/mL DW. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities of GEB at 5 and 10 mg/mL approximately ranged between 31% and 44%. The superoxide dismutase activity of GEB at 10 and 25 mg/mL was 57% and 76%, respectively. GEB increased procollagen type 1 (PC1) production and inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) production and elastase-1 activity in UVA-irradiated HDF. PC1 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels decreased upon UVA irradiation, but recovered in response to high doses of GEB in HDF. On the contrary, GEB significantly decreased MMP-1 and elastase-1 mRNA levels, which were markedly induced in UVA-irradiated HDF. Collectively, these results suggest that GEB has sufficient antioxidant ability to prevent the signs of skin aging in UVA-irradiated human skin cells, suggesting its potential as a natural antiaging product.

Bioconverted Jeju Hallabong tangor (Citrus kiyomi × ponkan) peel extracts by cytolase enhance antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity in RAW 264.7 cells.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Citrus and its peels have been used in Asian folk medicine due to abundant flavonoids and usage of citrus peels, which are byproducts from juice and/or jam processing, may be a good strategy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of bioconversion of Jeju Hallabong tangor (Citrus kiyomi × ponkan; CKP) peels with cytolase (CKP-C) in RAW 264.7 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: Glycosides of CKP were converted into aglycosides with cytolase treatment. RAW 264.7 cells were pre-treated with 0, 100, or 200 µg/ml of citrus peel extracts for 4 h, followed by stimulation with 1 µg/ml lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 8 h. Cell viability, DPPH radical scavenging activity, nitric oxide (NO), and prostagladin E2 (PGE2) production were examined. Real time-PCR and western immunoblotting assay were performed for detection of mRNA and/or protein expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines, respectively. RESULTS: HPLC analysis showed that treatment of CKP with cytolase resulted in decreased flavanone rutinoside forms (narirutin and hesperidin) and increased flavanone aglycoside forms (naringenin and hesperetin). DPPH scavenging activities were observed in a dose-dependent manner for all of the citrus peel extracts and CKP-C was more potent than intact CKP. All of the citrus peel extracts decreased NO production by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity and PGE2 production by COX-2. Higher dose of CKP and all CKP-C groups significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of LPS-stimulated iNOS. Only 200 µg/ml of CKP-C markedly decreased mRNA and protein expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Both 100 and 200 µg/ml of CKP-C notably inhibited mRNA levels of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and IL-6, whereas 200 µg/ml CKP-C significantly inhibited mRNA levels of TNF-α. CONCLUSIONS: This result suggests that bioconversion of citrus peels with cytolase may enrich aglycoside flavanones of citrus peels and provide more potent functional food materials for prevention of chronic diseases attributable to oxidation and inflammation by increasing radical scavenging activity and suppressing pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines.

Bioconversion of Citrus unshiu peel extracts with cytolase suppresses adipogenic activity in 3T3-L1 cells.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Citrus flavonoids have a variety of physiological properties such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation, anti-cancer, and anti-obesity. We investigated whether bioconversion of Citrus unshiu with cytolase (CU-C) ameliorates the anti-adipogenic effects by modulation of adipocyte differentiation and lipid metabolism in 3T3-L1 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: Glycoside forms of Citrus unshiu (CU) were converted into aglycoside forms with cytolase treatment. Cell viability of CU and CU-C was measured at various concentrations in 3T3L-1 cells. The anti-adipogenic and lipolytic effects were examined using Oil red O staining and free glycerol assay, respectively. We performed real time-polymerase chain reaction and western immunoblotting assay to detect mRNA and protein expression of adipogenic transcription factors, respectively. RESULTS: Treatment with cytolase decreased flavanone rutinoside forms (narirutin and hesperidin) and instead, increased flavanone aglycoside forms (naringenin and hesperetin). During adipocyte differentiation, 3T3-L1 cells were treated with CU or CU-C at a dose of 0.5 mg/ml. Adipocyte differentiation was inhibited in CU-C group, but not in CU group. CU-C markedly suppressed the insulin-induced protein expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) as well as the mRNA levels of CEBPα, PPARγ, and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP1c). Both CU and CU-C groups significantly increased the adipolytic activity with the higher release of free glycerol than those of control group in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. CU-C is particularly superior in suppression of adipogenesis, whereas CU-C has similar effect to CU on stimulation of lipolysis. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that bioconversion of Citrus unshiu peel extracts with cytolase enhances aglycoside flavonoids and improves the anti-adipogenic metabolism via both inhibition of key adipogenic transcription factors and induction of adipolytic activity.

The Nursing Students' Experience of Psychiatric Practice in South Korea.

In 1995, South Korea passed the Mental Health Act, and since this time it has developed many mental health policies and facilities. The aim of this study is to understand and explore the experience of nursing students in the changed psychiatric practice environment since 1995. The present study is a qualitative thematic analysis. Interviews were conducted with 11 third and fourth grade nursing students who had experienced psychiatric practice in South Korea. A thematic analysis of 11 in-depth student interviews identified three themes: 'orientation before psychiatric practice', 'facing the mental hospital', and 'change and choice'. After practicing, nursing students developed positive attitude regarding psychiatry. Educators will have to focus more on education and support in order for the students to maintain positive attitude throughout their experience. The research herein shows that the role of the educators and psychiatric nurses is extremely important for nursing students in the elimination of a negative attitude towards psychiatry.

Effects of teaching communication skills using a video clip on a smart phone on communication competence and emotional intelligence in nursing students.

This study aims to verify the communication skills training for nursing students by using a video clip on a smart phone. The study settings were the nursing departments of two universities in South Korea. This study was a quasi-experimental one using a nonequivalent control group pre-posttest design. The experimental and control groups consisted of second-year nursing students who had taken a communication course. The experimental group included 45 students, and the control group included 42 students. The experimental group improved more significantly than the control group in communication competence and emotional intelligence. Using a video clip on a smart phone is helpful for communication teaching method.

Recognizing bioethical issues and ethical qualification in nursing students and faculty in South Korea.

The role of nursing faculty members in charge of ethics education is important. Although all nursing students receive the same bioethics education, their experiences differ, related to ethical qualification, which depends on the personal socialization process. This Korean study aimed to provide nursing faculty members with the basic data to help them develop as bioethics experts and provide nursing students with knowledge to improve their ethical decision-making abilities. We used a survey design to assess recognition of bioethical issues and ethical qualification in nursing students and faculty members. A total of 1225 undergraduate students and 140 faculty members participated in this study. The results revealed that nursing students and nursing faculty members generally understood the seriousness of various bioethical issues and both considered the most serious issue to concern abortion. Ethical behavior can be improved by education, and accordingly, nursing ethics should be a mandatory subject, rather than an elective one.

Ethical problems experienced by psychiatric nurses in Korea.

This study aimed to explore the ethical problems experienced by psychiatric nurses in a clinical setting. Data were collected using semistructured interviews with a purposive sample of 12 female psychiatric nurses from 3 psychiatric facilities in Korea. A thematic content analysis was used to identify ethical problems. The study illustrated 5 categories of ethical problems: moral unpreparedness and blindness, moral numbness, moral complacency, moral conflict, and moral stress. This study provides a theoretical basis of psychiatric ethical problems for developing ethical guidelines that will enable psychiatric nurses to make decisions reasonably and behave ethically in their workplace.

[The lived experience of the women with schizophrenia taking antipsychotic medication].

PURPOSE: This study was done to identify some natural meaning through the dosage experience of psychoactive drugs in women patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: The Hermeneutic phenomenology written by van Manen was used. The period for data collection was from November 2009 to January 2010. This study took place in mental health hospitals and mental health centers in two cities in North Jeolla Province. Nine patients with schizophrenia participated. Data collection was done through individual in-depth interview. RESULTS: The seven natural subjects demonstrated by participants from this study were 'Pills forcibly taken like veiled threats', 'A terrible side effect, a side effect rooted slowly', 'Shame which cannot be hidden as a woman', 'A bad medicine took away from motherhood', 'The fate of a wife who can't be equal', 'A struggle for the complete recovery without promise', and 'Participants want the future without medicine'. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that the urgent need to develop a safe and believable psychoactive drug for woman patients considering the time of menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, and child raising.