Effect of Application over Time for Each Type of Blending Tea on Bovine Tooth Coloration / 치위생과학회지

Background@#This study aimed to investigate the effect of selecting commercially available blending teas and applying them to bovine teeth on color change over time. @*Methods@#After selecting healthy bovine teeth, using a cutting-disc, 105 specimens with a dimension of 5×5×3 mm were prepared, and 15 specimens were distributed to each group. Black tea was used as a positive control, water was used as a negative control, and blended tea of five types was used as an experimental group. First, pH and buffering capacity were measured with a pH meter, and tooth color was determined using a spectrophotometer before immersion in the blending tea solution and 1, 5, 7, 14, and 21 days after immersion. Thereafter, the shape change of the enamel surface was observed using a scanning electron microscope, and SPSS ver.26 was used to analyze the color change. @*Results@#The average pH of the five blending teas in the experimental group was 3.78, and the pH of group 3 (strawberry rhubarb) was the lowest at 3.22. The pH levels of black tea and water were 5.19 and 7.30, respectively. The buffering capacity was the highest in group 3 at both pH levels of 5.5 and 7.0. The L*a*b* color change according to immersion time was the largest in group 4 (rooibos yellow flower), and the amount of color change was large in black tea and group 4. As a result of observing the enamel surface of bovine teeth, changes in the surface shape were noted in all groups immersed in the experimental solution for 21 days, except for water. @*Conclusion@#There was a significant difference between the experimental groups in terms of color change according to the immersion time, and color and enamel surface changes were observed in black tea and all experimental groups, except for water.

Differential expression and methylation of integrin subunit alpha 11 and thrombospondin in the amnion of preterm birth

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between preterm birth and epigenetic mechanisms in the amnion. METHODS: We examined the association between differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and differentially expressed genes (DEG) using a cytosine-phosphate-guanine methylation array and whole-transcriptome sequencing from the amnion (preterm birth, n=5; full term, n=5). We enrolled 35 participants for mRNA expression analysis and pyrosequencing: 16 full-term and 19 preterm subjects. We compared the association of integrin subunit alpha 11 (ITGA11) and thrombospondin 2 (THBS2) gene methylation status with mRNA expression in the amnion. RESULTS: In the preterm birth group, methylation of ITGA11 and THBS2 genes was significantly lower (ITGA11 gene: 60.30% vs. 73.16%, P < 0.05; THBS2 gene: 64.59% vs. 73.16%, P < 0.05), and the expression of the genes was significantly higher than that in the full-term group (ITGA11 gene: 14.20 vs. 1.57, P < 0.01; THBS2 gene: 1.18 vs. 10.34, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Methylation of the ITGA11 and THBS2 genes in the amnion was associated with preterm birth. Thus, ITGA11 and THBS2 gene methylation status in the amnion may be valuable in explaining the mechanism underlying preterm birth.

Risk Factors for Preterm Birth in Advanced Maternal Age

PURPOSE: To identify the potential risk factors for preterm birth (PTB) in women with advanced maternal age in the Korean population. METHODS: We selected the data of 531 pregnant women and singletons in the Korean Preterm Collaborate Network Study. Among the data, we analyzed variables related to demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and delivery information. Maternal age was divided into two groups: younger ( < 35 years) and advanced (≥35 years). Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the potential risk factors for PTB in advanced maternal age. RESULTS: In advanced maternal age, education level, occupation, passive smoking, iron intake, and parity showed significant differences between term birth and PTB. In particular, women who were exposed to passive smoking (odds ratio [OR]=2.83, confidence interval [CI]=1.14~7.04) and had folic acid intake during pregnancy (OR=2.67, CI=1.11~6.43) were at a significantly increased risk of PTB, after adjusting for all variables. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that smoking and lifestyle factors are the potential risk factors for PTB in advanced maternal age.

What is fetal programming?: a lifetime health is under the control of in utero health

The “Barker hypothesis” postulates that a number of organ structures and associated functions undergo programming during embryonic and fetal life, which determines the set point of physiological and metabolic responses that carry into adulthood. Hence, any stimulus or insult at a critical period of embryonic and fetal development can result in developmental adaptations that produce permanent structural, physiological and metabolic changes, thereby predisposing an individual to cardiovascular, metabolic and endocrine disease in adult life. This article will provide evidence linking these diseases to fetal undernutrition and an overview of previous studies in this area as well as current advances in understanding the mechanism and the role of the placenta in fetal programming.

Decision Making Experience on Breast Reconstruction for Women with Breast Cancer

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore decision making experiences of Korean women with breast cancer who underwent breast reconstruction with/after a mastectomy. METHODS: Data were collected during 2015-2016 through individual in-depth interviews with 10 women who had both mastectomy and breast reconstruction, and analyzed using phenomenological method to identify essential themes on experiences of making a decision to have breast reconstruction. RESULTS: Five theme clusters emerged. First, “expected loss of sexuality and discovery of autonomy” illustrates various aims of breast reconstruction. Second, “holding tight to the reputation of doctors amid uncertainty” specifies the importance of a trust relationship with their physician despite a lack of information. Third, “family members to step back in position” describes support or opposition from family members in the decision making process. Fourth, “bewilderment due to the paradox of appearance-oriented views” illustrates paradoxical environment, resulting in confusion and anger. Lastly, “decision to be made quickly with limited time to oneself” describes the crazy whirling process of decision making. CONCLUSION: Findings highlight aims, worries, barriers, and facilitators that women with breast cancer experience when making a decision about breast reconstruction. Deciding on breast reconstruction was not only a burden for women in a state of shock with a diagnosis of breast cancer, but also an opportunity to decide to integrate their body, femininity, and self which might be wounded from a mastectomy. These findings will help oncology professionals provide effective educational counselling before the operation to promote higher satisfaction after the operation.

16S rRNA gene-based metagenomic analysis reveals differences in bacteria-derived extracellular vesicles in the urine of pregnant and non-pregnant women

Recent evidence has indicated that bacteria-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are important for host–microbe communication. The aims of the present study were to evaluate whether bacteria-derived EVs are excreted via the urinary tract and to compare the composition of bacteria-derived EVs in the urine of pregnant and non-pregnant women. Seventy-three non-pregnant and seventy-four pregnant women were enrolled from Dankook University and Ewha Womans University hospitals. DNA was extracted from urine EVs after EV isolation using the differential centrifugation method. 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene sequencing was performed using high-throughput 454 pyrosequencing after amplification of the V1–V3 region of the 16S rDNA. The composition of 13 taxa differed significantly between the pregnant and non-pregnant women. At the genus level, Bacillus spp. EVs were more significantly enriched in the urine of the pregnant women than in that of the non-pregnant women (45.61% vs 0.12%, respectively). However, Pseudomonas spp. EVs were more dominant in non-pregnant women than in pregnant women (13.2% vs 4.09%, respectively). Regarding the compositional difference between pregnant women with normal and preterm delivery, EVs derived from Ureaplasma spp. and the family Veillonellaceae (including Megasphaera spp.) were more abundant in the urine of preterm-delivered women than in that of women with normal deliveries. Taken together, these data showed that Bacillus spp. EVs predominate in the urine of pregnant women, whereas Pseudomonas spp. EVs predominate in the urine of non-pregnant women; this suggests that Bacillus spp. EVs might have an important role in the maintenance of pregnancy.

Husbands' Caring Experiences for Women with Breast Cancer in Korea

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to describe the caring experiences of husbands for women with breast cancer in Korea. METHODS: The data were collected by individual in-depth interviews with seven participants during 2010-2012. Transcribed data were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological analysis. RESULTS: A total of 10 theme clusters were derived from the analysis: Hidden fear of world without wife; Responsibility with guilt for breast cancer; Desperate search for treatment information; Becoming active companion of treatment itinerary; Comfort for wife's hair loss with sympathy; Multitasks undertaken at one time; Gain and loss by coming out publically; Wife-oriented open communication; New alternative sexual life; Everyday life matured by hardship. CONCLUSION: The results of the study can help oncology professionals in developing couple counseling programs by providing insights of the husbands' experiences of caring for women with breast cancer.

Association Between Blood Sugar Level, Psychological Impact, and Emotional Symptoms in Patients Newly Diagnosed with Diabetes / 임상당뇨병

As the duration of diabetes mellitus (DM) increases, the risk of complications increases and the prevalence of depression becomes higher. Most studies on depression in Korean patients with DM have focused on a point 5-10 years after diagnosis, and there has not been much data reported regarding the early stages of DM, including newly developed DM. In this study, we examined whether blood glucose levels could be associated with emotional symptoms such as depression (DS) and anxiety (AS) in patients newly diagnosed with DM. Serum glucose and HbA1c were measured in 89 patients with DM. The Impact of Event Scale (IES) was used to investigate the extent of the psychological impact of a diagnosis of DM. The IES comprises four elements: hyperarousal, intrusiveness, avoidance, and sleep problems. DS and AS were investigated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales. DS was observed in 32 patients (36%) and AS was observed in 21 patients (23.6%), indicating a higher prevalence of DS and AS than in the general population. There was an inverse correlation between HbA1c and DS (Pearson's correlation coefficient: R = -0.227; P = 0.035), but no correlation was found for AS. The four elements of the IES had significant correlations with DS and AS. Logistic regression analysis showed that sleep problems (OR = 1.437) and HbA1c (OR = 0.51) were associated with DS, but only intrusiveness (OR = 0.629) showed a correlation with AS. In patients newly diagnosed with DM, DS is associated with sleep problems and low HbA1c levels. Emotional symptoms should be considered as part of glucose control, and efforts to mitigate psychological stress during the initial period of diabetes management should be made.

Phenomenology on the Lived Experience of Korean Women with Spinal Cord Injuries

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to understand and explain the essences and structures of the experience of Korean women who have had a spinal cord injury. METHODS: The data were collected in 2010 through individual in-depth interviews using open-ended questions. A total of 9 women with spinal cord injuries participated in the study. Each interview lasted about 2 hours. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using phenomenological analysis. RESULTS: Five theme clusters emerged from the analysis using Colaizzi's method: frozen mind with rigid body; shame due to restrictions of physical function and dependency; struggle to go back to the previous normal body; disabilities that are noticeable in everyday family life; rebirth by discarding the obsessions of the past. These theme clusters illustrate that although most participants faced very strange and unbearable situations in most aspects of life after the injury, they were empowered finally by finding their hope and by giving new meanings to the current existence. CONCLUSION: This study provides deep understanding of women with spinal cord injuries who are relatively alienated from society. Based on the results of the study, health professionals could develop effective nursing interventions to improve quality of life of these women.

Distress and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors in Korea

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to find the levels of distress and quality of life of breast cancer survivors in Korea and to identify relationship between distress and quality of life. METHODS: The data were collected from 122 breast cancer survivors in 2009. To measure the distress and quality of life, the 'Distress Thermometer and Problem List'and the 'Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy-Breast'were used respectively. RESULTS: The mean score of distress was 4.77 (+/-2.35) and 63.1% of the subjects reported a distress score of 4 or more, indicating a clinically significant level of distress. Among these, the most frequently reported problem area was emotion, followed by family. The mean score of the quality of life was 88.22 (+/-18.41), signifying 6.13 out of 10. The levels of distress and the quality of life were negatively correlated (r=-.38, p<.001). CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that distress is prevalent in Korean breast cancer survivors and the distress is related negatively with their quality of life. Thus oncology professionals continuously need to assess distress of breast cancer survivors and to provide appropriate psychosocial interventions to improve their quality of life.

Hospital Workers' Experience with Hospital Evaluation Program: A Focus Group Study

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to understand and describe the hospital workers' experience related to the hospital evaluation program implemented in Korea between 2004 and 2009. METHODS: During 2010, data were collected using focus group interviews. Four focus group interviews were held with a total of 28 hospital workers participating. All interviews were recorded and transcribed as they were spoken, and data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Nine themes emerged from the analysis: 1) Positive change in the necessity of the evaluation; 2) Improvement in the hospital system, facilities, and human resources; 3) Unity through cooperation among departments; 4) Nursing work overload; 5) Lack of physicians' awareness and responsibilities; 6) Unfair and unrealistic evaluation items; 7) Lack of credibility of the outcome; 8) Shifting responsibility for negative outcomes to the workers; 9) Lack of pragmatic utility. CONCLUSION: The results of the study demonstrate that the hospital evaluation program played a key role in improving some work environments and communication among departments. At the same time, they show various negative themes resulting from the context of very authoritarian hospital systems and a connection-oriented society in Korea.

A Case of Gemcitabine and Cisplatin Associated Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

A 58-year-old female receiving gemcitabine and cisplatin chemotherapy for stage IV gallbladder cancer developed the clinicoradiologic syndrome, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). Just before the 4th gemcitabine chemotherapy cycle, she was admitted to the hospital with complaints of headache, dizziness, and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. A MRI was performed on the day when the seizure developed, and the findings showed patchy cortical and subcortical T2 hyperintensity without enhancement that involved both occipital and parietal lobes. Phenytoin loading and maintenance was started for prevention of recurrent seizures, which was successful. The follow-up brain MRI obtained 10 days after the seizure attack showed completely resolved radiologic findings. After the MRI findings revealed complete resolution, phenytoin maintenance was stopped. Even with discontinuation of phenytoin, she had no seizures or other clinical manifestations.

IL-1beta Mediated COX-2 Expression in Human Airway Epithelial Cells / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Prostaglandin is one of the important inflammatory mediator in inflammatory diseases. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) plays a key role in biosynthesis of prostaglandins. In this study, we aimed to investigate COX-2 expression and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production by interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) in cultured human airway epithelial cells. MATERIALS AND METHOD: COX-2 gene expression, and COX-2 protein, PGE2 production by IL-1beta were analyzed by RT-PCR, Western blot, and enzymeimmunoassay (EIA) in cultured human airway NCI-H292 epithelial cells. RESULTS: The COX-2 protein production was increased when the cells were exposed to IL-1beta in a dose dependent manner. The maximum level of COX-2 protein was detected at 20 ng/ml of IL-1beta. After 4 hours, the production of COX-2 protein was detected by IL-1beta(20 ng/ml) and this was held up to 12 hour. The maximum level of COX-2 protein production reached at 8 hour of exposure to IL-1beta and this was held up to 12 hour. The release of PGE2 occurred in the same pattern as the IL-1beta-mediated COX-2 protein production. The COX-2 gene expression was induced by IL-1beta (20 ng/ml). The IL-1beta-mediated COX-2 expression was suppressed by actinomycin D, but was not affected by cycloheximide. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the IL-1beta-mediated COX-2 expression and the PGE2 production were increased in dose and time dependent manner and regulated in the transcriptional step.

Regulation of IL-1beta-Mediated MUC2 Gene and Mucin in Human Airway Epithelial Cells / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Mucin secretion is regulated by the mucin genes (MUC) in the respiratory, gastrointestinal and reproductive system. Inflammation induces mucin hypersecretion in the human body. This study demonstrates the effects of IL-1beta on the regulation of mucin protein expression as well as the MUC2 gene in cultured airway epithelial cells. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Analysis of MUC2 gene was done by RT-PCR and the protein analysis was done by a flow cytometric analysis and an immunoassay method using cultured human airway epithelial cells, and NCI-H292 cells. RESULTS: The expression of MUC2 mRNA and protein induced by IL-1beta increased in a dose-and time-dependent manner. The maximum mRNA level of the MUC2 gene was approximately 3-fold, compared to that of the control cell. The IL-1beta-mediated MUC2 protein started at 6 hours of exposure to IL-1beta (20 ng/ml) and the maximum level was 12 hours. The MUC2 protein data of flow cytometric analysis corresponded to that of immunoassay analysis. The expression of MUC2 gene was suppressed by actinomycin D, but not attenuated by cycloheximide. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the IL-1beta-mediated MUC2 gene and protein expression were increased in a dose- and time-dependent pattern and regulated by transcriptional step.