Characteristics of Defecation Function Related Quality of Life According to Cancer Location in Colorectal Cancer Survivors

Purpose@#The purpose of this study is to explore defecation functions related quality of life (QoL) according to the location of cancer in colorectal cancer survivors. @*Methods@#A total of 120 colorectal cancer survivors (67 colon vs. 53 rectum, mean age: 55.3±10.3 years, 46.7% male) who completed treatment were recruited from a tertiary hospital. QoL and defecation function related QoL were surveyed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ-C30) and EORTC QLQ- colorectal cancer specific core (CR29) questionnaire. Physical activity (PA) levels of participants were surveyed using a global PA questionnaire. @*Results@#There was no statistical difference in general QoL according to the location of cancer, but significant differences were observed in defecation function related QoL. When cancer location is closer to the anus, survivors experience more defecation dysfunction, negatively associated with QoL (Hemicolectomy: 67.71±14.07, anterior resection: 92.22±15.18, lower anterior resection: 151.85±17.20, and ultra-low anterior resection: 263.73±42.69). @*Conclusion@#When location of cancer is closer to the anus, colorectal survivors experience significantly more defecation dysfunction and poorer QoL. Strategies to reduce defecation dysfunction according to the location of cancer among colorectal cancer patients should be developed.

Effects of Slime Program on Hand Function and Problem Behavior of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Purpose@#This study examined the effects of training using the slime on the hand function and problem behavior in adults with intellectual disabilities. @*Methods@#Five adults with intellectual disabilities who were judged as Level 1 or Level 2 were selected. The training consisted of one session (50 min)/day, one day/week for 10 weeks (preparatory activities: 5 min, slime activities: 40 min, finishing activities: 5 min) The functions of the hand (Purdue Pegboard Test [PPT], grip strength test [GST]) and problem behavior (Korean Behavior Problems Inventory [K-BPI]) were assessed three times (first assessment; pre, second assessment; post-5 weeks, third assessment; post-10 weeks). Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to analyze changes in the subjects’ performance before and after the intervention. @*Results@#In the PPT, the use of the non-dominant hand was increased significantly (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed in the remaining results, but the mean value increased. In addition, although the problem behavior was not statistically significant, an increase in the problem behavior score was noted. @*Conclusion@#The training using the slime for adults with intellectual disabilities is effective in hand function improvement and reducing problem behavior.

Effects of Slime Program on Hand Function and Problem Behavior of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Purpose@#This study examined the effects of training using the slime on the hand function and problem behavior in adults with intellectual disabilities. @*Methods@#Five adults with intellectual disabilities who were judged as Level 1 or Level 2 were selected. The training consisted of one session (50 min)/day, one day/week for 10 weeks (preparatory activities: 5 min, slime activities: 40 min, finishing activities: 5 min) The functions of the hand (Purdue Pegboard Test [PPT], grip strength test [GST]) and problem behavior (Korean Behavior Problems Inventory [K-BPI]) were assessed three times (first assessment; pre, second assessment; post-5 weeks, third assessment; post-10 weeks). Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to analyze changes in the subjects’ performance before and after the intervention. @*Results@#In the PPT, the use of the non-dominant hand was increased significantly (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed in the remaining results, but the mean value increased. In addition, although the problem behavior was not statistically significant, an increase in the problem behavior score was noted. @*Conclusion@#The training using the slime for adults with intellectual disabilities is effective in hand function improvement and reducing problem behavior.

Longevity and Stress Resistant Property of 6-Gingerol from Zingiber officinale Roscoe in Caenorhabditis elegans

In order to discover lifespan-extending compounds made from natural resources, activity-guided fractionation of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberaceae) ethanol extract was performed using the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model system. The compound 6-gingerol was isolated from the most active ethyl acetate soluble fraction, and showed potent longevity-promoting activity. It also elevated the survival rate of worms against stressful environment including thermal, osmotic, and oxidative conditions. Additionally, 6-gingerol elevated the antioxidant enzyme activities of C. elegans, and showed a dose-depend reduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in worms. Further studies demonstrated that the increased stress tolerance of 6-gingerol-mediated worms could result from the promotion of stress resistance proteins such as heat shock protein (HSP-16.2) and superoxide dismutase (SOD-3). The lipofuscin levels in 6-gingerol treated intestinal worms were decreased in comparison to the control group. No significant 6-gingerol-related changes, including growth, food intake, reproduction, and movement were noted. These results suggest that 6-gingerol exerted longevity-promoting activities independently of these factors and could extend the human lifespan.

The Reliability and Validity of the Korean Version of Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The Behavioral Activation of Depression Scale (BADS) has been reported to be a valid tool for assessing the different behavioral aspects of depression, such as activation, rumination or avoidance, and functional impairment. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Korean version of BADS (K-BADS). METHODS: A sample of 196 outpatients completed the K-BADS and the data were analyzed for internal consistency and factor structures. An additional 51 outpatients re-filled the K-BADS after two weeks for the test-retest reliability. To test for the validity, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Working Alliance Inventory (WAI), Drug Attitude Inventory-10 (DAI-10), and Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) were administered. RESULTS: Internal consistency of K-BADS was good (Cronbach's alpha=0.843) and principal component factor analysis revealed the four-factor structure. The K-BADS showed a reasonable test-retest reliability (r=0.863, p<0.001). The total score of K-BADS correlated significantly with the total scores of the HADS depression (r=−0.694) and HADS anxiety (r=−0.681). No correlations were found between the K-BADS and the K-WAI (r=0.170) and between the K-BADS and the K-DAI-10 (r=0.311). CONCLUSION: The K-BADS is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring the behavioral activation for depression in Korean patients with depressive symptoms.

Genistein from Vigna angularis Extends Lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans

The seed of Vigna angularis has long been cultivated as a food or a folk medicine in East Asia. Genistein (4',5,7-trihydroxyisoflavone), a dietary phytoestrogen present in this plant, has been known to possess various biological properties. In this study, we investigated the possible lifespan-extending effects of genistein using Caenorhabditis elegans model system. We found that the lifespan of nematode was significantly prolonged in the presence of genistein under normal culture condition. In addition, genistein elevated the survival rate of nematode against stressful environment including heat and oxidative conditions. Further studies demonstrated that genistein-mediated increased stress tolerance of nematode could be attributed to enhanced expressions of stress resistance proteins such as superoxide dismutase (SOD-3) and heat shock protein (HSP-16.2). Moreover, we failed to find genistein-induced significant change in aging-related factors including reproduction, food intake, and growth, indicating genistein exerts longevity activity independent of affecting these factors. Genistein treatment also led to an up-regulation of locomotory ability of aged nematode, suggesting genistein affects healthspan as well as lifespan of nematode. Our results represent that genistein has beneficial effects on the lifespan of C. elegans under both of normal and stress condition via elevating expressions of stress resistance proteins.

Lifespan Extending and Stress Resistant Properties of Vitexin from Vigna angularis in Caenorhabditis elegans

Several theories emphasize that aging is closely related to oxidative stress and disease. The formation of excess ROS can lead to DNA damage and the acceleration of aging. Vigna angularis is one of the important medicinal plants in Korea. We isolated vitexin from V. angularis and elucidated the lifespan-extending effect of vitexin using the Caenorhabditis elegans model system. Vitexin showed potent lifespan extensive activity and it elevated the survival rates of nematodes against the stressful environments including heat and oxidative conditions. In addition, our results showed that vitexin was able to elevate antioxidant enzyme activities of worms and reduce intracellular ROS accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. These studies demonstrated that the increased stress tolerance of vitexin-mediated nematode could be attributed to increased expressions of stress resistance proteins such as superoxide dismutase (SOD-3) and heat shock protein (HSP-16.2). In this work, we also studied whether vitexin-mediated longevity activity was associated with aging-related factors such as progeny, food intake, growth and movement. The data revealed that these factors were not affected by vitexin treatment except movement. Vitexin treatment improved the body movement of aged nematode, suggesting vitexin affects healthspan as well as lifespan of nematode. These results suggest that vitexin might be a probable candidate which could extend the human lifespan.

The Longevity Properties of 1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-Galloyl-beta-D-Glucose from Curcuma longa in Caenorhabditis elegans

Here in this study, we isolated 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (PGG) from Curcuma longa L. and elucidated the lifespanextending effect of PGG using Caenorhabditis elegans model system. In the present study, PGG demonstrated potent lifespan extension of worms under normal culture condition. Then, we determined the protective effects of PGG on the stress conditions such as thermal and oxidative stress. In the case of heat stress, PGG-treated worms exhibited enhanced survival rate, compared to control worms. In addition, PGG-fed worms lived longer than control worms under oxidative stress induced by paraquat. To verify the possible mechanism of PGG-mediated increased lifespan and stress resistance of worms, we investigated whether PGG might alter superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and intracellular ROS levels. Our results showed that PGG was able to elevate SOD activities of worms and reduce intracellular ROS accumulation in a dose-dependent manner.