Effects of Meridian Acupressure on Constipation in the Institutionalized Elderly / 재활간호학회지

PURPOSE: In this study, we attempted to provide an evidence for the effects of meridian acupressure on relieving and preventing constipation in the institutionalized elderly. METHODS: The research design was a non-equivalent control group, non-synchronized design. The subjects consisted of 31 institutionalized elderly (experimental group: 16, control group: 15). The experimental group was given meridian acupressure for 10 minutes daily for 2 weeks. The data was analyzed by the chi2-test, Fisher's exact test, t-test and repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: The number of bowel movements per week of the experimental and control group performed meridian acupressure verified by repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed that interaction existed between the meridian acupressure availability and the measurement point (F=98.183, p<.001). Repeated measures analysis of variance to compare the changes in Bristol stool form scale scores of the experimental and control group performed meridian acupressure revealed that interaction existed between the meridian acupressure availability and the measurement point (F=48.896, p<.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study show the meridian acupressure is a useful nursing intervention on constipation in the institutionalized elderly.

A study on dietary habits, nutrient intakes and dietary quality in adults of a health screening and promotion center according to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate dietary habits, food intakes, nutrient intakes, and diet quality of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in a health screening and promotion center. METHODS: The total number of study subjects was 10,111 adults, where 3087 subjects (30.5%) were diagnosed as NAFLD. The dietary intakes were obtained using a food frequency questionnaire. They were then compared with the dietary reference intakes could be used in the future for development of diet and nutrition guidelines s (KDRIs). RESULTS: Mean age of subjects in the normal group was 52.9+/-10.3 yrs and body mass index (BMI) was 22.4 +/- 2.6 kg/m2, and those of the NAFLD group were 55.1 +/- 9.2 yrs and 25.4 +/- 2.9 kg/m2. BMI, blood pressure of the NAFLD group were significantly higher than those of the normal group. The rates of skipping breakfast, overeating, and eating out were significantly could be used in the future for development of diet and nutrition guidelines er in the NAFLD group (p < 0.05, p < 0.000, p < 0.000 respectively). The speed of eating was fast in the NAFLD group (p < 0.000). The NAFLD group consumed significantly higher amounts of grains, meats, fish, seaweeds, kimchies, sugars, sweets, coffee, teas, and oils compared to the normal group (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, intakes of starch products, fruits, milk, and milk products were significantly lower in the NAFLD group compared with those of the normal group (p < 0.05). Riboflavin, calcium, and dietary fiber nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) of the NAFLD group were significantly lower than those of the normal group. The Korean's dietary diversity score (KDDS) of the NAFLD group was lower than that of the normal group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we suggest that diet guidelines, such as increasing the intake of calcium and dietary fiber, reducing the intake of energy, fat, and simple carbohydrates, are necessary to improvement of NAFLD. The results could be used in the future for development of diet and nutrition guidelines for NAFLD.

Transforming Growth Factor-alpha Regulation of Insulin-like Growth Factor-II, Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-1 and 3 secretion and Epidermal Growth Factor receptor expression in human luteinized granulosa cells / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha on insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II, insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-1, and 3 secretion and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor expression in cultured human luteinized granulosa cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human luteinized granulosa cells were obtained from follicular fluid by transvaginal oocyte aspiration from infertile patients undergoing in vitro fertilization and cultured for 72 hours with TGF-alpha at concentration of 1.0, 10.0, 100.0 ng/ml. The luteinized granulosa cells not treated with TGF-alpha served as control. The secretion of IGF-II, IGFBP-1 and 3 were determined in conditioned media by immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed for EGF receptor mRNA expression. RESULTS: The cell numbers of 1.0 and 10.0 ng/ml supplement groups were significantly decreased compared to control (p<0.05, p<0.05, respectively), although the cell viabilities were similar in all groups. IGF-II levels were significantly higher in TGF-alpha treatment group at 1.0 and 10.0 ng/ml (p<0.01, p<0.01, respectively), but lower in 100.0 ng/ml (p<0.01). However, the concentrations of IGFBP-1, and 3 per one granulosa cell in each group were no statistically significant differences among the groups. The mRNA concentration of EGF receptor in cultured human luteinized granulosa cells were not significantly different among the groups. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that TGF-alpha regulate intrafollicular bioavailable IGF-II levels, by which TGF-alpha might involved luteinizations. However, TGF-alpha may not directly regulate EGF receptor mRNA expression in cultured human luteinized granulosa cells.

Mouse embryo culture and implantation by Type I Collagen / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVES: To examine the in vitro interactions of blastocyst attachment using type I collagen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ICR mice were used and follicular growth was stimulated by pregnant mare serum gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin. On day 4 of pregnancy, the uteri were removed and blastocysts were flushed. Mixtures of 1mL sterile water, 0.5mL DMEM, 2mL type collagen solution and 0.5mL 0.1M NaOH were prepared and transferred to an incubator where the collagen solution polymerized. Blastocysts were transferred to dishes previously coated with type I collagen. CMRL 1066 was used as the basic culture medium. It was supplemented with 1mM glutamine and 1mM sodium pyruvate plus 50 IU/ml penicillin and 50 mg/ml streptomycin. During the first 4 days the culture medium was supplemented with 20% fetal calf serum and thereafter with 20% heat inactivated human cord serum. All blastocysts were initially cultured for 2 days without media change. After 2 days, fresh medium was renewed daily. The stages of embryo growth were examined and recorded everyday under a dissecting microscope and classified according to the standard in vivo criteria set forth by Witschi. RESULTS: By 48h, nearly all blastocysts had attached to the surface of collagen pad. Following adhesion to the collagen pad, the blastocysts maintained their 3-dimensional integrity in contrast to control. The embryos in collagen pad were not flattening and kept polarity and spherical shape during culture. The polar trophoblast invaded the type I collagen downward unlike the horizontal growth in control. In the developmental stage of mouse blastocyst, there were significant differences between control and type I collagen group during day 4 and 5 culture. CONCLUSION: Blastocyst development was better in type I collagen group than control. Therefore, in vitro culture study using type I collagen could provide improved model for the establishment of blastocyst implantation study.

In Vitro Culture of Nontransformed Cell Lines Derived from Rat Endometrial Epithelium and Stroma / 대한불임학회지

Since the blastocyst is broken and spreads out on a flat plastic culture dish (two dimensional culture) during in vitro development, it has been difficult to study the implantation process. It also has been difficult to analyse the interactions between endometrial epithelial and stromal cells because of the lack of a long-term in vitro model which can stimulate in vivo characteristics, as these cells eventually fail to proliferate or cease to express differentiated functions. Recently nontransformed cell lines, CUE-P and CUS-V2, derived from rat endometrial epithelium and stroma were reported. In this study, morphology of CUE-P and CUS-V2 was examined and oxytocin gene expression by CUE-P cells was demonstrated by RT-PCR. The CUE-P cells have a cuboidal morphology and CUS-V2 cells resemble fibroblast and exhibit a spindle-like morphology. In RT-PCR, same size of PCR products of oxytocin gene at hypothalamus, uterus and CUE-P cells were demonstrated. These results showed three dimensional culture system could be made by using the new cell lines.