Effect of resilience on intolerance of uncertainty in nursing university students.

PURPOSE: Nursing students must cope in a complex and uncertain society. We identified the relationship between resilience and intolerance of uncertainty (IOU) in nursing students. METHODS: Data were collected from November 10 to 20, 2016, from 134 Korean nursing students (male = 21, female = 113; first-year = 39, second-year = 39, third-year = 35, and fourth-year = 21), using a questionnaire. The measures in this study included resilience and IOU. RESULTS: Differences in IOU relating to participants' general characteristics showed that IOU was high when the major satisfaction was rated as "middle" rather than "high." Participants' IOU was significantly negatively correlated with the following resilience subdomains: self-regulation skills, interpersonal skills, and positive tendencies. In particular, higher positive tendencies led to lower levels of IOU. CONCLUSION: It is vital to devise strategies to advance nursing students' satisfaction toward their major and positive tendencies to reduce the level of IOU. This will prepare nursing students for various programs and improve their outcomes at school.

Concentrations of Bisphenols in Canned Foods and Their Risk Assessment in Korea.

The purpose of this study was to survey concentrations of bisphenols in canned foods using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, to estimate the dietary exposure to bisphenols, and to assess the related risk for the Korean population from the intake of canned foods. The linearity of bisphenols in the range of 2.5 to 725 µg/L was satisfactory with correlation coefficients ( r2) of 0.999. The limit of detection was 0.14 to 5.85 µg/L, and the limit of quantitation was 0.44 to 17.73 µg/L. Sample recoveries were 70.56 to 113.6%, with relative standard deviations below 10% for spiking levels of 50 and 250 µg/kg (15 and 75 µg/kg for BPS). The bisphenol concentrations in 104 canned foods ranged from undetectable to 1,525 µg/kg. The estimated mean daily intake of bisphenols was 0.54 to 78.69 ng/kg of body weight per day, and the 95th percentile daily intake was 1.92 to 134 ng/kg of body weight per day. Therefore, the intake of bisphenols from canned foods for the population in Korea is unlikely to cause human health problems. The analytical methods used are suitable for regular monitoring and assessment of human exposure to bisphenols from foods.

Monitoring heavy metals, residual agricultural chemicals and sulfites in traditional herbal decoctions.

BACKGROUND: Asian traditional herbal preparations are frequently considered for the contamination with undeclared toxic or hazardous substances. The aim of this study was to determine the toxic heavy metals, pesticides and sulfur dioxide in decoctions that is a common form of final utilization in Korea. METHODS: A total of 155 decoctions composed of multi-ingredient traditional herbs were randomly sampled from Seoul in Korea between 2013 and 2014. For each decoction, the concentrations of four heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury), 33 pesticides and sulfur dioxide were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), mercury analyzer, gas chromatography/nitrogen phosphorous detector (GC/NPD), gas chromatography/micro electron capture detector (GC/µECD), and Monier-Williams method respectively. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-two of One hundred fifty-five decoctions (98.1%) contained one of three heavy metals (96.1% for As, 97.4% for Cd, and 90.3% for Pb, 0.0% for Hg). Their average concentrations (77.0 ± 79.7 ug/kg for As, 20.4 ± 23.7 ug/kg for Cd, and 68.8 ± 76.5 ug/kg for Pb) were approximately 20% of the maximum allowable limits of vegetable or ginseng beverage described in the Korean Food Standard Codex while their 95th percentile concentrations were below than the guideline for them. None of 33 pesticides was detected in 155 decoction samples, and only one sample showed over limit of detection for residual sulfites. CONCLUSIONS: This study support that the contained status of toxic heavy metals, pesticides and sulfur dioxide in herbal decoctions are currently within safe level in Korea, and provide a reference data for the further studies focused on the safety herbal preparations.

Determination of matrix effects occurred during the analysis of organochlorine pesticides in agricultural products using GC-ECD.

Matrix effects observed during the multiresidue analysis of seven organochlorine pesticides in six different agricultural products with GC-ECD were assessed. The presence of matrix coextractives, a major cause of observed matrix effects, directly and/or indirectly influenced the chromatographic responses of some pesticides. Two types of external calibrations, solvent calibration (SC) and matrixmatched calibration (MC), were used to assess matrix effects. Greater matrix effects were observed at the lower concentrations of each pesticide. The extent of matrix effects varied unpredictably with matrix type. Among the analyzed pesticides, iprodione, cyhalothrin, and cypermethrin exhibited greater matrix effects (>150%) for almost all matrices. The pesticide recovery rates obtained with MC were not statistically different from a 100% recovery rate in most samples, which indicates that MC may diminish the overestimates occurred due to matrix effects in GC analysis.

The association between measurement sites of visceral adipose tissue and cardiovascular risk factors after caloric restriction in obese Korean women.

Quantities as well as distributions of adipose tissue (AT) are significantly related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and can be altered with caloric restriction. This study investigated which cross-sectional slice location of AT is most strongly correlated with changes in CVD risk factors after caloric restriction in obese Korean women. Thirty-three obese pre-menopausal Korean women (32.4 ± 8.5 yrs, BMI 27.1 ± 2.3 kg/m(2)) participated in a 12 weeks caloric restriction program. Subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were measured using computed tomography (CT) scans at the sites of L2-L3, L3-L4, and L4-L5. Fasting serum levels of glucose, insulin, triglyceride, total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), leptin and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were observed. Pearson's partial correlation coefficients were used to assess the relationship between AT measurement sites and changes in CVD risk factors after calorie restriction. When calories were reduced by 350 kcal/day for 12 weeks, body weight (-2.7%), body fat mass (-8.2%), and waist circumference (-5.8%) all decreased (P < 0.05). In addition, following caloric restriction, serum levels of glucose (-4.6%), TC (-6.2%), LDL-C (-5.3%), leptin (-17.6%) and HOMA-IR (-18.2%) decreased significantly (P < 0.05) as well. Changes in VAT at the level of L3-L4 were significantly greater than those at other abdominal sites, and these changes were correlated with changes in TC (P < 0.05), LDL-C (P < 0.001), SBP (P < 0.001) and HOMA-IR (P < 0.01). These results show that VAT at L3-L4 had a stronger correlation with CVD risk factors than with other AT measurement sites after caloric restriction.

Beta-lapachone, a modulator of NAD metabolism, prevents health declines in aged mice.

NADH-quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) modulates cellular NAD(+)/NADH ratio which has been associated with the aging and anti-aging mechanisms of calorie restriction (CR). Here, we demonstrate that the facilitation of NQO1 activity by feeding ß-lapachone (ßL), an exogenous NQO1 co-substrate, prevented age-dependent decline of motor and cognitive function in aged mice. ßL-fed mice did not alter their food-intake or locomotor activity but did increase their energy expenditure as measured by oxygen consumption and heat generation. Mitochondrial structure and numbers were disorganized and decreased in the muscles of control diet group but those defects were less severe in ßL-fed aged mice. Furthermore, for a subset of genes associated with energy metabolism, mice fed the ßL-diet showed similar changes in gene expression to the CR group (fed 70% of the control diet). These results support the potentiation of NQO1 activity by a ßL diet and could be an option for preventing age-related decline of muscle and brain functions.

Chlorogenic acid ameliorates brain damage and edema by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase-2 and 9 in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia.

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) has been reported to have various beneficial effects on the cardiovascular and central nervous systems. The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether CGA has protective effects against cerebral ischemia and whether these effects are due to modification of brain edema-related vascular factors. In a rat model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo, 2h of occlusion followed by 22 h of reperfusion), we measured infarct volume and performed behavioral test to evaluate the effects of CGA on brain damage and sensory-motor functional deficits. Brain water content and Evans blue extravasation were measured to evaluate brain edema and blood brain barrier (BBB) damage. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) and the expressions and activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 were measured to investigate the mechanisms of action. Intraperitoneal injection of CGA (3, 10, and 30 mg/kg) at 0 h and 2h after MCAo dose-dependently reduced infarct volume and sensory-motor functional deficits. It also reduced brain water content and Evans blue extravasation. Mechanistically, CGA reduced LPO and MMPs expressions and activities. These results suggest that CGA reduces brain damage, BBB damage and brain edema by radical scavenging activity and the inhibitory effects on MMP-2 and MMP-9.

Acupressure for treating neurological disorders: a systematic review.

The objective of this review is to assess the clinical evidence for or against acupressure as a treatment for neurological disorders. We searched the literature from 12 databases from their inception to July 2010. We included any type of controlled clinical trial (CCT) in which patients with neurological disorders were treated with acupressure. The methodological quality of all clinical trials was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias analysis. In total, two randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and four CCTs were included. Four studies (one RCT and three CCTs) compared the effects of acupressure with routine care or no treatment in patients with stroke and showed significant effects of acupressure on improving patient function and symptoms. One RCT, which compared acupressure with sham acupressure and no treatment in patients with headache, also showed that acupressure significantly reduced headache severity and pain. However, all trials were open to methodological limitations and a high risk of bias. In conclusion, current evidence showing that acupressure is an effective treatment for improving function and symptoms in patients with stroke is limited. However, the evidence is insufficient to draw conclusions concerning the effects of acupressure on other neurological disorders. More rigorous studies are warranted.

Downregulation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling causes degeneration of hippocampal neurons in vivo.

The possibility that the degeneration of hippocampal neurons can be caused by mis-regulation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling was tested. Downregulation of Wnt signaling by the inducible expression of Axin, ICAT, and dnTcf4E causes degeneration of hippocampal neurons, while upregulation of Wnt signaling by the inducible expression of Dvl and ß-catenin has a negligible effect. Treatment with ICG-001, a small molecule known to inhibit Wnt signaling, causes degeneration of hippocampal neurons, while the treatment with a JNK specific inhibitor does not show any effect. The results from LDH and TUNEL assays suggest that degeneration occurs via apoptotic processes. Inhibition of Wnt signaling reduced IGF-1 expression and the addition of IGF-1 blocked degeneration, which suggests that downregulation of IGF-1/Akt signaling is partially responsible for the degeneration. Inducible expression of Axin in the hippocampal neurons isolated from Axin2P-rtTA/pBI-EGFP-Axin double transgenic mice also causes degeneration. Consistent with the findings, these mice had more neuronal cell death in hippocampus and had differences in contextual conditioning upon the inducible expression of Axin. In summary, our data strongly support the idea that downregulation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling causes degeneration of hippocampal neurons in vivo and may be a cause of neurodegenerative diseases related to an anxiety related response.

Effects of soy protein and genistein on blood glucose, antioxidant enzyme activities, and lipid profile in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

In the current study, the effect of soy protein and genistein, one of the main isoflavones in soybeans, on blood glucose, lipid profile, and antioxidant enzyme activities in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats was investigated. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into nondiabetic control, STZ, STZ-genistein supplemented group (STZ-G; 600 mg/kg diet), and STZ-isolated soy protein supplemented group (STZ-ISP; 200 g/kg diet). Diabetes was induced by a single injection of STZ (50 mg/kg BW) freshly dissolved in 0.1 mol/L citrate buffer (pH 4.5) into the intraperitonium. Diabetes was confirmed by measuring the fasting blood glucose concentration 48-h post-injection. The rats with blood glucose level above 350 mg/dL were considered to be diabetic. Genistein and ISP were supplemented in the diet for 3 weeks. The supplementation of genistein and ISP increased the plasma insulin level but decreased the HbA(IC) level of the STZ-induced diabetic rats. The supplementation of genistein and ISP increased the glucokinase level of the STZ-induced diabetic rats. A significant reduction in glucose-6-phosphatase was observed in the groups treated with genistein and ISP in comparison with the diabetic control group. Hepatic superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities of the STZ-induced diabetic rats were significantly decreased in comparison with the control rats. Administering genistein and ISP to the STZ-induced diabetic rats significantly increased those enzyme activities. The concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in the STZ-induced diabetic rats was significantly elevated, while the genistein and ISP supplement decreased it to the control concentration. Genistein and ISP supplements seem to be beneficial for correcting the hyperglycemia and preventing diabetic complications.

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic action of Du-zhong (Eucommia ulmoides Oliver) leaves water extract in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice.

The anti-diabetic efficacy of Du-zhong (Eucommia ulmoides Oliver) leaves water extract (WDZ) was investigated in type 2 diabetic animals. The WDZ was given to C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice as a dietary supplement based on 1% dried whole Du-zhong leaves (0.187 g WDZ/100 g standard diet) for 6 weeks. The WDZ supplementation significantly lowered the blood glucose level and enhanced the glucose disposal in an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test. The plasma insulin and C-peptide levels were significantly higher in the WDZ group than in the control group, while the glucagon level was lower. The hepatic glucokinase activity was significantly higher in the WDZ group, whereas, the glucose-6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activities were significantly lower. The WDZ supplementation also significantly lowered the hepatic fatty acid synthase, HMG-CoA reductase and ACAT activities compared to the control group, while it elevated the lipoprotein lipase activity in the skeletal muscle. The WDZ also altered the plasma and hepatic lipid levels by lowering the cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, while elevating the plasma HDL-cholesterol level. Therefore, these results suggest that WDZ may partly ameliorate hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia with type 2 diabetes through increasing glycolysis, suppressing gluconeogenesis and the biosynthesis of fatty acid and cholesterol in the liver.

Momordin Ic and oleanolic acid from Kochiae Fructus reduce carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Hepatoprotective effects of momordin Ic and oleanolic acid obtained from Kochiae Fructus (KF), the fruit of a traditional Oriental medicinal plant, were evaluated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: control, CCl4-treated, CCl4 plus momordin Ic-treated (MMDIc-CCl4), and CCl4 plus oleanolic acid-treated (OAA-CCl4). Momordin Ic (30 mg/kg of body weight) and oleanolic acid (30 mg/kg of body weight) were orally administered once a day for 14 days. A mixture of 0.2 mL/100 g of body weight of CCl4 in olive oil (1:1, vol/vol) was injected 30 minutes after the final administration of momordin Ic and oleanolic acid. The momordin Ic and oleanolic acid pretreatments resulted in significantly lower serum transaminase, lactic dehydrogenase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase levels in the CCl4-treated rats. The CCl4-treated rats had significantly lower activities of glutathione, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. However, pretreatment with momordin Ic and oleanolic acid reduced the effect of CCl4 and helped maintain levels of the enzymes. Pretreatment with momordin Ic and oleanolic acid resulted in significantly lower production of aminopyrine N-demethylase and aniline hydroxylase in the CCl4-treated rats. Pretreatment with momordin Ic resulted in lower catalase and aminopyrine N-demethylase activity induction by CCl4, towards normalization. Momordin Ic and oleanolic acid obtained from KF appear to contribute to alleviating the adverse effects of CCl4 treatment by enhancing the hepatic antioxidant defense system.

Du-zhong (Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.) cortex water extract alters heme biosynthesis and erythrocyte antioxidant defense system in lead-administered rats.

This study examined the ameliorative effect of a Du-zhong (Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.) cortex water extract (DzCw) on heme biosynthesis and erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities in lead (Pb)-administered rats. Male rats were divided into three groups: normal control group, Pb control group (Pb), and DzCw-administered Pb group (Pb + DzCw). The Pb (25 mg/kg of body weight) was administered orally once a week for 4 weeks, while the DzCw was administered orally at a dosage of 0.139 g of DzCw/kg of body weight/day. DzCw administration significantly lowered plasma Pb concentration compared with the Pb group. Furthermore, the blood hematocrit and hemoglobin levels were significantly higher in the Pb + DzCw group than in the Pb group. Although the blood and hepatic delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activities were significantly lower in the Pb group compared with the normal control group, both ALAD activities was normalized with the administration of DzCw. The erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were significantly higher in the Pb group than in the normal control group, whereas the glutathione peroxidase activity and glutathione level were lowered by Pb administration compared with the normal group. However, the administration of DzCw was found to enhance the antioxidant defense system and significantly lower lipid peroxidation levels in erythrocytes compared with the Pb group. These results indicate that the DzCw administration alleviated the Pb-induced oxidative stress in the erythrocytes through elevating the blood and hepatic ALAD activity and enhancing the antioxidant enzyme activities.

Supplementation of Pueraria radix water extract on changes of antioxidant enzymes and lipid profile in ethanol-treated rats.

BACKGROUND: Water extract of Pueraria radix (PRWE), traditional oriental medicinal plant, may have an effect on the activity of hepatic antioxidant enzymes and lipid profile in ethanol-treated rats. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control, ethanol, PRWE and ethanol-PRWE supplemented groups. Twenty-five percent (v/v) ethanol (5 g/kg body weight) was orally administered once a day for 5 weeks. The PRWE was supplemented in a diet based on 1500 mg of raw PRWE/kg body weight/day. RESULTS: Ethanol feeding resulted in a higher alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity and lower aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity. After PRWE supplementation, both activities were increased. The PRWE supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in the plasma and liver total cholesterol concentrations in the ethanol-treated rats. Ethanol administration significantly lowered the activities of hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), whereas it increased the plasma and hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and the hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities. However, PRWE supplementation resulted in a significant increase in the SOD and CAT activities and a significant decrease in the TBARS and the GSH-Px activities in the ethanol-treated rats. CONCLUSION: PRWE can contribute to alleviating the adverse effect of ethanol ingestion by enhancing the lipid metabolism as well as the hepatic antioxidant defense system.

Crystal structure of a methine dye, C.I. Disperse Blue 354.

Crystals of C.I. Disperse Blue 354, a commercial methine disperse dye, were grown from an ethyl acetate and the crystal structure was determined. Results show that two aromatic planes are effectively coplanar with the dihedral angle of 10.61(11) degrees. The dicyanomethylene group is slightly twisted and two n-hexyl groups tend to be separated with one alkyl group being at the level of the aromatic plane, and another one below it. The intermolecular hydrogen bonds and the interlayer pi-pi stacking stabilize the crystal packing.

The effect of Puerariae radix on lipoprotein metabolism in liver and intestinal cells.

BACKGROUND: Animal studies investigating the beneficial effects of Puerariae radix on cardiovascular disease have suggested this plant possesses anti-diabetic and lipid lowering properties. However, the exact mechanism by which Puerariae radix affects lipid metabolism is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the water extract of Puerariae radix on the secretion of VLDL and chylomicrons from HepG2 liver cells and CaCo2 cells, respectively, in humans. METHODS: The amount of apoB100 (a protein marker for VLDL) and apoB48 (a protein marker for chylomicrons) in cells and media were quantified by Western Blotting and enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL). Total, free and esterified cholesterol concentrations were measured by gas liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Treatment of cells with water extract of Puerariae radix significantly decreased apoB100 production and secretion from HepG2 cells up to 66% in a dose dependent manner. The intracellular total cholesterol and free cholesterol concentration in HepG2 cells also decreased with increasing concentration of the Puerariae radix. In contrast, water extract of Puerariae radix attenuated apoB48 concentrations in cells, but not apoB48 secretion from CaCo2 enterocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, our findings suggest that the water extract of Puerariae radix attenuates the hepatic lipoprotein production and secretion. Our present cell culture findings may explain why circulating VLDL and LDL levels were attenuated in animals supplemented with Puerariae radix. Since decreasing the production and secretion of atherogenic lipoproteins decreases the risk of development of cardiovascular disease, diets supplemented with radix may provide a safe and effective beneficial cardioprotective effects in humans.