Nitrite formation from vegetable sources and its use as a preservative in cooked sausage.

BACKGROUND: Due to the potential health risk associated with nitrites, nitrite alternatives from natural sources in meat products have been investigated. We compared the nitrate contents of young radish, lettuce and commercial vegetable powder (cabbage and Chinese cabbage). We also investigated the effect of incubation time and salt addition on vegetable nitrite formation from vegetable sources. The antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of vegetable nitrite in cooked sausage were also compared with sodium nitrite. RESULTS: Young radish produced the greatest amount of nitrite after 24 h of incubation at 38 °C. On average, an approximately 32% reduction of nitrite was observed in sausage during 4 weeks of storage. Lipid oxidation in sausage was significantly prevented by vegetable nitrite produced from vegetable powder or young radish. The colour of the sausage prepared with young radish was most similar to that of the sausage with sodium nitrite. The addition of young radish to sausage significantly prevented the growth of Listeria monocytogenes at 4 °C and Staphylococcus aureus at 8 °C. CONCLUSION: Young radish was more effective as a natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agent as compared to commercial vegetable powder, which is currently used to make natural meat products, indicating that young radish has a high potential as a natural preservative. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Survival of pathogenic enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) and control with calcium oxide in frozen meat products.

This study investigated both the level of microbial contamination and the presence of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) in frozen meat products, followed by the evaluation of its survival over 180 days under frozen temperature. We also examined the effect of calcium oxide on the populations of EHEC, E. coli O157:H7 and EPEC under both 10 °C and -18 °C storage conditions. Afterward, the morphological changes occurring in EHEC cells in response to freezer storage temperature and calcium oxide (CaO) treatments were examined using transmission electron microscopy. Among the frozen meat products tested, the highest contamination levels of total aerobic counts, coliforms and E. coli were observed in pork cutlets. Examination showed that 20% of the frozen meat products contained virulence genes, including verotoxin (VT) 1 and 2. Over 180 days of frozen storage and after 3 freeze-thaw cycles, the population of EHEC did not change regardless of the type of products or initial inoculated concentration, indicating the strong survival ability of EHEC. Subsequent testing revealed that the growth of three pathogenic E. coli strains was completely inhibited in meat patties prepared with 1% CaO, stored at 10 °C. However, the addition of 2% CaO was necessary to control the survival of EHEC, E. coli O157:H7 and EPEC in meat patties stored at -18 °C. CaO reduced the population of E. coli O157:H7 more effectively than the other EHEC and EPEC strains at both 10 °C and -18 °C. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that exposed EHEC cells were resistant to the freezer storage temperature, although some cells incurred injury and death after several freeze-thaw cycles. Most of the cells exposed to CaO were found to have died or lost their cellular integrity and membranes, indicating that CaO has the potential to be used as a powerful antimicrobial agent for manufacturing frozen meat products.

The Association of Problematic Internet Shopping with Dissociation among South Korean Internet Users.

Background: This study examined patterns of problematic shopping behavior by South Korean internet users to investigate the association between problematic internet shopping (PIS) and dissociative experiences.; Methods: Five hundred and ninety eight participants from 20-69 years old were recruited through an online panel survey. We gathered information about sociodemographic characteristics, alcohol use, caffeine intake, and online shopping behaviors. Psychopathological assessments included Korean version of dissociative experience scale (DES-K), Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI-K), the modified Stress Response Inventory (SRI-MF), the Barratt Impulsive Scale-11-Revised (BIS-K). We used multiple logistic regression analysis with the Richmond compulsive buying scale (RCBS-K) as the dependent variable.; Results: The prevalence of shoppers with internet-based problem shopping was 12.5%. The amount of time spent on online shopping was correlated with PIS severity (OR = 1.008, p < 0.01). The risk of PIS was related to an increased tendency toward dissociation (OR = 1.044, p < 0.001) and impulsivity (OR = 1.046, p < 0.05). Conclusions: PIS participants with dissociation showed higher levels of perceived stress, gambling problems, and impulsivity than did PIS participants without dissociation. This study suggests that dissociation was associated with a higher burden of PIS as it was connected to poor mental health problems.

Cross-cultural adaptation and clinical evaluation of a Korean version of the disabilities of arm, shoulder, and hand outcome questionnaire (K-DASH).

We developed a Korean version of the disabilities of arm, shoulder, and hand outcome questionnaire (K-DASH) by performing cross-cultural adaptation and evaluated the reliability and validity of the K-DASH. The K-DASH, SF-36, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain were administered to 161 patients with arm, shoulder, and hand problems. The internal consistency of the disability/symptom scores of the K-DASH was high (Cronbach's alpha 0.94). The retest assessed 131 of the 161 patients. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.91. The construct validity was evaluated using the correlations between the K-DASH and the SF-36 and VAS. The physical and mental component summary scales of the SF-36 and the VAS at rest and during activity were significantly correlated with the DASH disability/symptom scores. Despite the linguistic and cultural differences, the reliability and validity of the K-DASH were just as excellent as those of the original DASH.

Influencing factors of attitudes toward seeking professional help for mental illness among Korean adults.

OBJECTIVES: Identifying predictors of psychological help-seeking attitudes is essential to improve access to needed mental health services. We investigated factors - particularly Big Five personality traits - that affect attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help for mental illness among Korean adults. METHODS: A total of 654 participants aged 15-54 years were recruited through an online panel survey. Help-seeking attitudes for mental illness were measured by the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale (ATSPPH), and personality traits were measured by the Big Five Personality Inventory-10. RESULTS: Multivariate analyses showed that female gender, history of psychiatric diagnosis, agreeableness and openness to experience were significantly associated with positive attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help for mental illness. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that specific personality traits should be considered when developing strategies to promote positive attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help. Further research using a representative community sample is needed to generalize our findings.

A Preliminary Study to Determine Comprehensive Research and Development Plans for Promoting Mental Health Services.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze research and development projects in mental health services in Korea, using priority evaluation of mental health promotion policies to determine direction of the service. METHODS: An online survey was conducted that targeted experts in the mental health service regarding promotion of mental health in Korea in 2016. The survey was based on 32 policy projects that resulted from 12 strategies according to 4 policy objectives. RESULTS: Analysis of 32 mental health projects were assessed regarding the possibility of technology development success, magnitude of the ripple effect, and necessity of a national response. It was observed that 3 policy projects relevant to suicide, had a high relative priority. This was followed by policies for improvement of health insurance and the medical benefit cost system, and policies for reinforcement of crisis psychological support such as those for disaster victims. CONCLUSION: The prioritization of mental health services should place an emphasis on promotion of a healthy mental lifestyle, rehabilitation support for patients with serious mental illness, and reinforcement of social safety networks for suicide prevention.

Lay beliefs about the causes and cures of schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Lay beliefs about schizophrenia are an important factor associated with treatment-seeking behavior. AIMS: This study was conducted to investigate the lay beliefs about the causes and treatments of schizophrenia in South Korea. METHODS: A total of 654 adults (mean age, 35.96 ± 11.33 years) completed two questionnaires assessing their views on the causes and cures of schizophrenia. The factor structures of lay beliefs about the causes and treatments of schizophrenia were then analyzed and the correlations between the resultant factors investigated. RESULTS: From the cause items, four factors were extracted: Health/Lifestyle, God/Fate, Social/Environmental and Biological. Four factors were also extracted from the treatment items: Self-Help/Stress Management, Physical Treatment/Health Management, Religious Help and Mental Health Service Utilization. Notably, most participants believed that items in the Social/Environmental and Biological factors were the causes of schizophrenia, while they believed that items in the Mental Health Service Utilization and Self-Help/Stress Management factors were the treatments. Participants' beliefs about the causes and treatments of schizophrenia were systematically correlated. CONCLUSION: Overall, laypeople have reasonably accurate beliefs and a multidimensional view of the causes and treatments of schizophrenia. Nevertheless, our results suggest that public education about the etiology and treatment of schizophrenia are necessary to increase actual usage of mental health services and treatments for schizophrenia.

Stereoselective synthesis of 3-hydroxymethyl-D-cyclopentenone, the versatile intermediate for the synthesis of carbocyclic nucleosides.

The preparative and stereoselective synthesis (45- 50% overall yields, >50 g scale) of the key carbasugars 7a-d was achieved from D-ribose via stereoselective Grignard reaction and oxidative rearrangement as key reactions.

Cross-cultural adaptation and clinimetric property of Korean version of the Chronic Pain Coping Inventory-42 in patients with chronic low back pain.

STUDY DESIGN: Validation of a translated, culturally adapted questionnaire. OBJECTIVE: We developed a Korean version of the Chronic Pain Coping Inventory-42 (CPCI-42) by performing a cross-cultural adaptation, and evaluated its reliability and validity. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The CPCI is widely used and validated instruments for measuring coping strategies in chronic pain. However, no validated and culturally adapted version was available in Asian countries. METHODS: We assessed 142 patients with chronic low back pain using the CPCI-42 and measures of physical disability, pain, and quality of life. Results for 93 of the 142 patients exhibited test-retest reliability. The interval time of collecting retest data varied from 2 weeks to 1 month. Criterion validity was evaluated using correlations between the CPCI-42 and the Oswestry Disability Index, the Brief Pain Inventory, and the Short Form 36-item Health Survey (version 2.0). Construct validity was computed using exploratory factor analysis. RESULTS: The Korean version of the CPCI-42 had a high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha >0.70) with the exception of results for task persistence and relaxation. Illness-focused coping (guarding, resting, asking for assistance) and other-focused coping (seeking social support) were most significantly correlated with Oswestry Disability Index, Brief Pain Inventory, and Short Form 36-item Health Survey, respectively. Outcomes for task persistence were contrary to other subscales in wellness-focused coping. Construct validity by factor analysis produced similar results to the original CPCI subscale. However, several factors showed cross-loading in 8 factor solutions. CONCLUSION: Despite linguistic and cultural differences, the Korean version of the CPCI-42 is overall a meaningful tool, and produces results sufficiently similar to the original CPCI-42.

Discrepancies between balance confidence and physical performance among community-dwelling Korean elders: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates discrepancies between the confidence expressed by Korean elders in their balance and their actual physical performances according to sex and age. It also attempts to identify the factors responsible for such gaps or discrepancies. METHODS: The Korean Longitudinal Study on Health and Aging (KLoSHA) was designed as a population-based prospective cohort study on the health and aging of Korean adults aged 65 years and over. We evaluated 1000 of 1118 randomly selected subjects in terms of activities-specific balance confidence (ABC) and performance in regard to balance and gait (POMA). Activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) were assessed to measure disability. Pain-related dysfunctions, depression and cognitive functions were assessed. Next, we assessed the relationship between balance confidence and physical performance and functioning by sex and age. RESULTS: The balance confidence of elderly women was lower than that of elderly men, although the physical performances of men and women under the age of 80 were similar. Women showed increased functional disability related to lower extremity pain and closely associated with balance confidence. However, psychological variables such as depression and cognitive functioning did not affect balance confidence. CONCLUSION: We found a discrepancy between balance confidence and physical performance according to sex and age among Koreans elders. Low balance confidence among women elders was correlated with pain-related dysfunctions other than those reflected in POMA scores. Therefore, enhancing confidence and controlling pain as a means of preventing disability should be emphasized when developing models for maintaining and promoting health in elders.