Factors associated with psychological stress and distress among Korean adults: the results from Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

The prevalence of stress and distress has been increasing and being important public health issues; nevertheless, few studies have assessed the factors associated at the population level. This study identified factors associated and how they differentially influence stress and distress. A total of 35,105 individuals aged 19 years and older using nationally representative data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2012) were included in the study. Subjects were differentiated by gender and psychological state (no symptoms, stress, distress). The associations of socio-demographics, psychosocial factors, health behaviours, and chronic illness with psychological states were analysed by gender. Socio-demographics and psychosocial factors such as lower household income, lower education level, living alone or negative outcome of marriage, and unemployment were associated with distress in both genders. Male and female educated higher and with short sleep duration, male living alone and with higher household income, and female married and with a lower household income was associated with stress. A perceived body image of slim or fat was associated with distress and stress in both genders. Behavioural factors, such as smoking, higher alcohol consumption, and abnormal calorie intake, were associated with stress and distress in both genders, with the exception of alcohol consumption in distress and abnormal calorie intake in stress of male. Socio-economic deprivation and negative psychosocial and behavioural factors were differently associated with psychological distress or stress by gender. Intervention strategies for distress and stress should be specifically tailored regarding these differences.

Influences of Tobacco-Related Knowledge on Awareness and Behavior towards Smoking.

BACKGROUND: A considerable amount of research has shown that knowledge and appropriate awareness are essential for encouraging positive behaviors and promoting health. In Korea, the roles that behavioral changes play in the prevention of cancer have been an important issue since the introduction of the 10 codes for cancer prevention in 2006. Thus, the present study investigated the associations of tobacco-related knowledge with awareness and attitudes towards positive smoking-cessation behaviors. METHODS: The present study analyzed data from the 2010 national questionnaire survey (n = 1,006). This study evaluated sociodemographic characteristics, smoking status, self-rated health status, health-related interests, and the accuracy of 12 tobacco-related statements to determine knowledge level and to investigate its impact on awareness and behaviors related to smoking. These parameters were examined and staged using the Precaution Adoption Process Model. RESULTS: A higher level of tobacco-related knowledge was significantly associated with a positive attitude towards smoking cessation (5-8 correct answers: odds ratio [OR], 2.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.57-4.08; ≥ 9 correct answers: OR, 3.90; 95% CI, 2.22-6.82; reference: ≤ 4 correct answers). Interestingly, among current smokers, only those who correctly responded to ≥ 9 of 12 tobacco-related statements were significantly associated with a positive attitude towards smoking cessation. CONCLUSION: This study found that having a higher level of tobacco-related knowledge had a significant impact on positive attitudes towards smoking cessation. This suggests that there is a need to disseminate appropriate knowledge to the general population to encourage positive attitudes and promote healthful behaviors in terms of smoking.

Design and synthesis of benzoxazole containing indole analogs as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ/δ dual agonists.

A series of benzoxazole or benzothiazole containing indole analogs, 6-alkoxyindole-2-carboxylic acids and 5-alkoxy-3-indolylacetic acids, were synthesized as novel candidates of PPARγ/δ dual agonists and their ligand activities for PPAR subtypes (α, γ, and δ) were investigated. In transient transactivation assay, several compounds activated PPARγ and δ with little activity of PPARα. Putative binding mode of the compounds 1a and 2a in the active site of PPARγ was similar with that of rosiglitazone and the molecular modeling provides molecular insight to the observed activity.

Synthesis of phenylisothiourea derivatives as inhibitors of NO production in LPS activated macrophages.

A series of phenylisothioureas were synthesized as inhibitors of NO production in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages. We investigated the effect of lipophilic moiety and N- or S-substituents of the phenylisothioureas on the activity. Inhibitory activities of carbazole-linked phenylisothioureas were superior to the corresponding simple phenylisothiourea derivatives. Among these compounds, 12b having N-ethyl and S-isopropyl groups on phenylisothiourea moiety was the most potent in the inhibition of NO production. They inhibited NO production through the suppression of the LPS-induced translocation of p65 subunit of NF-kappaB and the followed suppression of the iNOS protein and mRNA expression.

Synthesis and biological activity of [[(heterocycloamino)alkoxy] benzyl]-2,4-thiazolidinediones as PPARgamma agonists.

Benzothiazole derivatives of thiazolidinediones (TZD) were synthesized using a modified Mitsunobu reaction of 2-(benzothiazol-2-ylmethylamino)ethanol (2) with 5-(4-hydroxybenzyl)-3-triphenylmethylthiazolidine-2,4-dione and assayed for activity on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) subtypes and inhibitory activity of NO production in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages. Most of the tested compounds were identified as potent PPARgamma agonists, indicating their potential as drug candidates for diabetes.