Psychosocial Stressors of COVID-19- and Non-COVID-19-Dedicated Nurses: A Comparative Study.

The current comparative study sought to identify psychosocial stressors of corona-virus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-dedicated (n = 110) and non-COVID-19-dedicated (n = 118) nurses (herein referred to as COVID nurses and non-COVID nurses, respectively). Data were collected online from October 20, 2020, to April 1, 2021. Significant predictors of mental health for COVID nurses were purpose/meaning (ß = -0.32, p < 0.001), perceived stigma (ß = 0.25, p = 0.001), perceived work environment improvement (ß = -0.22, p = 0.004), and absolute work intensity (ß = 0.26, p = 0.004). For non-COVID nurses, predictors were purpose/meaning (ß = -0.34, p < 0.001) and absolute work intensity (ß = 0.26, p = 0.003). It is necessary to develop programs and policies that support the mental health of nursing staff. Administrative efforts should be made to create a work environment that allows nurses to focus on their work during health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Nursing staff should be supported so that appropriate working hours are maintained and breaks are guaranteed. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 61(1), 39-46.].

A Phenomenological Study of Nurses' Experience in Caring for COVID-19 Patients.

This study aimed to understand and describe the experiences of nurses who cared for patients with COVID-19. A descriptive phenomenological approach was used to collect data from individual in-depth interviews with 14 nurses, from 20 October 2020 to 15 January 2021. Data were analyzed using the phenomenological method of Colaizzi. Five theme clusters emerged from the analysis: (1) nurses struggling under the weight of dealing with infectious disease, (2) challenges added to difficult caring, (3) double suffering from patient care, (4) support for caring, and (5) expectations for post-COVID-19 life. The findings of this study are useful primary data for developing appropriate measures for health professionals' wellbeing during outbreaks of infectious diseases. Specifically, as nurses in this study struggled with mental as well as physical difficulties, it is suggested that future studies develop and apply mental health recovery programs for them. To be prepared for future infectious diseases and contribute to patient care, policymakers should improve the work environment, through various means, such as nurses' practice environment management and incentives.

Consumer perception and liking, and sensory characteristics of blended teas.

This study was conducted to identify the sensory characteristics of six blended teas containing different ingredients and analyze penalty factors for the products based on consumer acceptance, check-all-that-apply questions, and the just-about-right scale. Ten trained panelists created a descriptive set of 23 sensory attributes, and 93 consumers participated in the tests. The attributes were analyzed by classifying them as per appearance, odor/aroma, flavor/taste, texture/mouthfeel, and any aftertaste. Principal component analysis results showed that the blended teas were differentiated by artificial fruit flavor. According to the results of this study, the ideal products should be relatively sweet, mild, fruit flavored, and not too bitter, astringent, pungent, and strong or do not have fermented flavor; astringency is the most troublesome attribute. The consumers preferred teas that were less bitter and less astringent and did not leave the tongue coated with powder; therefore, these attributes were believed to act as drivers of "dislike."

Thiazolidine-2,4-dione-based irreversible allosteric IKK-ß kinase inhibitors: Optimization into in vivo active anti-inflammatory agents.

Selective kinase inhibitors development is a cumbersome task because of ATP binding sites similarities across kinases. On contrast, irreversible allosteric covalent inhibition offers opportunity to develop novel selective kinase inhibitors. Previously, we reported thiazolidine-2,4-dione lead compounds eliciting in vitro irreversible allosteric inhibition of IKK-ß. Herein, we address optimization into in vivo active anti-inflammatory agents. We successfully developed potent IKK-ß inhibitors with the most potent compound eliciting IC50 = 0.20 µM. Cellular assay of a set of active compounds using bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages elucidated significant in vitro anti-inflammatory activity. In vitro evaluation of microsomal and plasma stabilities showed that the promising compound 7a is more stable than compound 7p. Finally, in vivo evaluation of 7a, which has been conducted in a model of LPS-induced septic shock in mice, showed its ability to protect mice against septic shock induced mortality. Accordingly, this study presents compound 7a as a novel potential irreversible allosteric covalent inhibitor of IKK-ß with verified in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity.

Optimization study towards more potent thiazolidine-2,4-dione IKK-ß modulator: Synthesis, biological evaluation and in silico docking simulation.

Inhibition of IKK-ß (inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase subunit beta) has been broadly documentedas a promising approach for treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. Recently, we have identified a novel class of thiazolidine-2,4-diones as structurally novel modulators for IKK-ß. Herein, we report a hit optimization study via analog synthesis strategy aiming to acquire more potent derivative(s), probe the structure activity relationship (SAR), and get reasonable explanations for the elicited IKK-ß inhibitory activities though an in silico docking simulation study. Accordingly, a new series of eighteen thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives was rationally designed, synthesized, identified with different spectroscopic techniques and biologically evaluated as noteworthy IKK-ß potential modulators. Successfully, new IKK-ß potent modulators were obtained, including the most potent analog up-to-date 7m with IC50 value of 260 nM. A detailed structure activity relationship (SAR) was discussed and a mechanistic study for 7m was carried out indicating its irreversible inhibition mode with IKK-ß (Kinact value = 0.01 (min-1). Furthermore, the conducted in silico simulation study provided new insights for the binding modes of this novel class of modulators with IKK-ß.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel thiazolidinedione derivatives as irreversible allosteric IKK-ß modulators.

The kinase known as IKK-ß activates NF-κB signaling pathway leading to expression of several genes contributing to inflammation, immune response, and cell proliferation. Modulation of IKK-ß kinase activity could be useful for treatment and management of such diseases. Starting from a discovered weakly active hit compound, twenty four thiazolidinedione-scaffold based chemical entities belonging to five series have been designed, synthesized and evaluated as potential IKK-ß modulators. Among them, compounds 6q, 6r and 6u showed low micromolar IC50 values while compounds 6v, 6w, and 6x elicited submicromolar IC50 values equal to 0.4, 0.7 and 0.9 µM respectively. These submicromolar IC50 values are 243, 139 and 105 folds the value of the reported IC50 of the starting hit compound. Kinetic study of compounds 6v and 6w confirmed this class of modulators as irreversible inhibitors. LPS-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages proved the anti-inflammatory activity of compounds 6q and 6v. Assay of hERG inhibition demonstrated a safe profile of compound 6q suggesting it as a lead for further development of IKK-ß modulators.

[Predictors of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: Based on the Model of Multi-Dimensional Behavior].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify factors predicting behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in persons with dementia. Factors including the patient, caregiver, and environment based on the multi-dimensional behavioral model were tested. METHODS: The subjects of the study were 139 pairs of persons with dementia and their caregivers selected from four geriatric long-term care facilities located in S city, G province, Korea. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, inverse normal transformations, Pearson correlation coefficients, Spearman's correlation coefficients and hierarchical multiple regression with the SPSS Statistics 22.0 for Windows program. RESULTS: Mean score for BPSD was 40.16. Depression (ß=.42, p<.001), exposure to noise in the evening noise (ß=-.20, p=.014), and gender (ß=.17, p=.042) were factors predicting BPSD in long-term care facilities, which explained 25.2% of the variance in the model. CONCLUSION: To decrease BPSD in persons with dementia, integrated nursing interventions should consider factors of the patient, caregiver, and environment.

Superiority of traditional cooking process for bugak (Korean traditional fried dish) for plasma lipid reduction.

In this study, the efficacy and mode of action of the Korean traditional fried dish bugak for reducing plasma lipids are investigated. Three different studies were performed as follows: lipid-lowering effects of bugak compared with (1) different preparation methods, (2) different batters, and (3) different frying oils. Traditionally, bugak is prepared with fermented glutinous rice batter (FGR) and pan-fried in unroasted sesame oil (USSO; this preparation of bugak is referred to as FGRUSSO). FGR is prepared by placing the glutinous rice and water in a crock for 7 days at room temperature. For the study, wheat flour batter (WF) and soybean oil (SBO) were alternatively used. Low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLr⁻/⁻) mice (n=24) were fed atherogenic diets with bugak (20 g/100 g of feed) for 10 weeks. Plasma triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration and hepatic lipid accumulations decreased significantly in mice fed FGRUSSO, compared with bugak made with WF and fried in SBO (WFSBO). Protein expression of fatty acid synthesis (FAS) and 3-hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) in the FGRUSSO group was decreased, although sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP-1 and -2) were not different. When batter differences were compared, TG concentration of mice fed bugak prepared with FGR and fried in SBO (FGRSBO) was lower than the WFSBO group due to suppression of hepatic FAS expression. In the oil comparison study, TC and LDL-C concentrations in the FGRUSSO group were lower due to attenuated HMGCR activity. In conclusion, bugak prepared by traditional cooking methods was most effective for lowering plasma TG, TC, and LDL-C via suppressing hepatic FAS and HMGCR activity, although transcription factors for regulating lipogenic enzyme expression were not significantly different.

[The effects of a support group intervention on the burden of primary family caregivers of stroke patients].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the effects of a support group intervention on the burden of primary family caregivers of stroke patients. METHOD: A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. The subjects were 36 primary family caregivers of stroke patients [experimental(N=18) and control(N=18) groups] in a neurosurgery ward of a university hospital. The experimental group members participated in six sessions of a support group intervention for two weeks and the degree of their caregiving burden was evaluated. Data was analyzed by Chi-square tests, t-tests, and paired t-tests using SPSS 10.0. RESULT: The experimental group had a significantly lower total burden score (t=2.061, p= .047)and sub-scales of emotional(t=-3.319, p= .002), time-dependent(t=-2.045, p= .049) and developmental(t=-2.656, p= .012) burden scores than the control group, while no significant differences were found in physical, social or financial burden scores between the two groups. Within the experimental group, there was a significant decrease in physical(t=2.507, p= .023), emotional(t=4.754, p= .000), social(t=2.932, p= .009), time- dependent(t=5.015, p= .000) and developmental(t=7.541, p= .000) burden scores but not the financial burden score. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that a support group intervention can be utilized as an effective nursing program to reduce the burden of primary family caregivers of stroke patients.