Development and Evaluation of the Parenting Support Group Program for Mothers with Infants

Purpose@#The purpose of this study is to evaluate the changes in parenting competency, parenting environment, and parenting stress by developing and applying parenting support group program based on the social support intervention model for mothers with infants. @*Methods@#In this experimental study, mothers with infants of 8~12 weeks old were recruited. 23 mothers were selected for analysis (11 in the experimental group and 12 in the control group).The parenting support group program was provided to the experimental group for seven sessions with 120 minutes per session. @*Results@#The experimental group showed that the parenting competency and parenting environment were significantly increased and the parenting stress was significantly decreased immediately after intervention. In the case of parenting environment, it was found to have a lasting effect until the point of further investigation. @*Conclusion@#The results indicate that the program as a social support intervention strategy for mothers rearing up infants is effective intervention in a universal context in the community.

Indocyanine Green-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles Conjugated with Hyaluronic Acid Improve Target Specificity in Cervical Cancer Tumors

Purpose@#Indocyanine green (ICG) is a promising agent for intraoperative visualization of tumor tissues and sentinel lymph nodes in early-stage gynecological cancer. However, it has some limitations, including a short half-life and poor solubility in aqueous solutions. This study aimed to enhance the efficacy of near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging by overcoming the shortcomings of ICG using a nano-drug delivery system and improve target specificity in cervical cancer. @*Materials and Methods@#ICG and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) conjugated with polyethylenimine (PEI) were assembled to enhance stability. Hyaluronic acid (HA) was coated on PEI-PLGA-ICG nanoparticles to target CD44-positive cancer cells. The manufactured HA-ICG-PLGA nanoparticles (HINPs) were evaluated in vitro and in vivo on cervical cancer cells (SiHa; CD44+) and human dermal cells (ccd986sk; CD44-), respectively, using NIR imaging to compare intracellular uptake and to quantify the fluorescence intensities of cells and tumors. @*Results@#HINPs were confirmed to have a mean size of 200 nm and a zeta-potential of 33 mV using dynamic light scattering. The stability of the HINPs was confirmed at pH 5.0–8.0. Cytotoxicity assays, intracellular uptake assays, and cervical cancer xenograft models revealed that, compared to free ICG, the HINPs had significantly higher internalization by cervical cancer cells than normal cells (p<0.001) and significantly higher accumulation in tumors (p<0.001) via CD44 receptor-mediated endocytosis. @*Conclusion@#This study demonstrated the successful application of HINPs as nanocarriers for delivering ICG to CD44-positive cervical cancer, with improved efficacy in NIR fluorescence imaging.

Indocyanine Green-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles Conjugated with Hyaluronic Acid Improve Target Specificity in Cervical Cancer Tumors

Purpose@#Indocyanine green (ICG) is a promising agent for intraoperative visualization of tumor tissues and sentinel lymph nodes in early-stage gynecological cancer. However, it has some limitations, including a short half-life and poor solubility in aqueous solutions. This study aimed to enhance the efficacy of near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging by overcoming the shortcomings of ICG using a nano-drug delivery system and improve target specificity in cervical cancer. @*Materials and Methods@#ICG and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) conjugated with polyethylenimine (PEI) were assembled to enhance stability. Hyaluronic acid (HA) was coated on PEI-PLGA-ICG nanoparticles to target CD44-positive cancer cells. The manufactured HA-ICG-PLGA nanoparticles (HINPs) were evaluated in vitro and in vivo on cervical cancer cells (SiHa; CD44+) and human dermal cells (ccd986sk; CD44-), respectively, using NIR imaging to compare intracellular uptake and to quantify the fluorescence intensities of cells and tumors. @*Results@#HINPs were confirmed to have a mean size of 200 nm and a zeta-potential of 33 mV using dynamic light scattering. The stability of the HINPs was confirmed at pH 5.0–8.0. Cytotoxicity assays, intracellular uptake assays, and cervical cancer xenograft models revealed that, compared to free ICG, the HINPs had significantly higher internalization by cervical cancer cells than normal cells (p<0.001) and significantly higher accumulation in tumors (p<0.001) via CD44 receptor-mediated endocytosis. @*Conclusion@#This study demonstrated the successful application of HINPs as nanocarriers for delivering ICG to CD44-positive cervical cancer, with improved efficacy in NIR fluorescence imaging.

Content Analysis of Mothers’ Questions Related to Parenting Young Children in Internet Parenting Community

Purpose@#This study aimed to investigate mothers’ questions related to parenting young children in the internet community. @*Methods@#One representative in the internet community was selected and parenting questions were collected over 2 weeks in October 2019. A total of 15,016 questions were analyzed by frequency and proportion after categorizing of 10 themes; health and daily care, connecting and communicating, play and learning, development and growth, poos and wees, sleep, feeding, solid foods, safety, behavior. @*Results@#The most frequently asked questions per age ranged from 1 to 3 months (32.2%). The most frequently asked questions by theme per age were about feeding newborn up to 6 months, solid foods from 7 to 12 months, health and daily care from 13 to 24 months, and play and learning from 25 to 71 months. @*Conclusion@#As these results reflect mother’s need for information and support, it is suggested that more specific and targeted online/offline support per age should be developed.

Evaluation of Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for the Simultaneous Detection of Sexually Transmitted Infections Using Swab Specimen

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are caused by the spread of pathogens via sexual activity and can cause serious complications if left untreated, regardless of their symptoms. Therefore, early diagnosis of STI is important, and molecular diagnostic methods for rapid detection and monitoring are needed. In this study, we evaluated a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) kit for simultaneously detecting 13 different bacterial, fungal, and viral microorganisms that cause STIs. The kit performance was evaluated for its sensitivity, lot-to-lot variation, and interference in detecting different pathogens. Additionally, its clinical usefulness was evaluated by estimating its sensitivity and specificity for clinical samples. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.021–50.104 copies for each pathogen. In the tests of lot-to-lot, 100% of positive samples were detected at low concentrations and negative samples all showed negative results. This result confirms that there is no the variation of lot-to-lot. In the test for interference between pathogens, the efficiency of amplification for each pathogen was not significantly reduced and no nonspecific amplification product was formed. We tested 322 vaginal swab samples using the multiplex PCR kit and confirmed that its clinical sensitivity and specificity were 100% for all pathogens. This multiplex PCR kit can be used widely for rapid diagnosis and monitoring of STIs.

Rapid Cartilage Regeneration of Spheroids Composed of Human Nasal Septum-Derived Chondrocyte in Rat Osteochondral Defect Model

Background@#Cell-based therapies have been studied for articular cartilage regeneration. Articular cartilage defects have little treatments because articular cartilage was limited regenerative capacity. Damaged articular cartilage is difficult to obtain a successful therapeutic effect. In additionally these articular cartilage defects often cause osteoarthritis. Chondrocyte implantation is a widely available therapy used for regeneration of articular cartilage because this tissue has poor repair capacity after injury. Human nasal septum-drived chondrocytes (hNCs) from the septum show greater proliferation ability and chondrogenic capacity than human articular chondrocytes (hACs), even across different donors with different ages. Moreover, the chondrogenic properties of hNCs can be maintained after extensive culture expansion. @*Methods@#In this study, 2 dimensional (2D) monolayer cultured hNCs (hNCs-2D) and 3 dimensional (3D) spheroids cultured hNCs (hNCs-3D) were examined for chondrogenic capacity in vitro by PCR and immunofluorescence staining for chondrogenic marker, cell survival during cultured and for cartilage regeneration ability in vivo in a rat osteochondral defect model. @*Results@#hNCs-3D showed higher viability and more uniform morphology than 3D spheroids cultured hACs (hACs-3D) in culture. hNCs-3D also showed greater expression levels of the chondrocyte-specific marker Type II collagen (COL2A1) and sex-determining region Y (SRY)-box 9 (SOX9) than hNCs-2D. hNCs-3D also expressed chondrogenic markers in collagen. Specially, in the osteochondral defect model, implantation of hNCs-3D led to greater chondrogenic repair of focal cartilage defects in rats than implantation of hNCs-2D. @*Conclusion@#These data suggest that hNCs-3D are valuable therapeutic agents for repair and regeneration of cartilage defects.

Nanoscale imaging of rat atrial myocytes by scanning ion conductance microscopy reveals heterogeneity of T-tubule openings and ultrastructure of the cell membrane

In contrast to ventricular myocytes, the structural and functional importance of atrial transverse tubules (T-tubules) is not fully understood. Therefore, we investigated the ultrastructure of T-tubules of living rat atrial myocytes in comparison with ventricular myocytes. Nanoscale cell surface imaging by scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) was accompanied by confocal imaging of intracellular T-tubule network, and the effect of removal of T-tubules on atrial excitation-contraction coupling (EC-coupling) was observed. By SICM imaging, we classified atrial cell surface into 4 subtypes. About 38% of atrial myocytes had smooth cell surface with no clear T-tubule openings and intracellular T-tubules (smooth-type). In 33% of cells, we found a novel membrane nanostructure running in the direction of cell length and named it 'longitudinal fissures' (LFs-type). Interestingly, T-tubule openings were often found inside the LFs. About 17% of atrial cells resembled ventricular myocytes, but they had smaller T-tubule openings and a lower Z-groove ratio than the ventricle (ventricular-type). The remaining 12% of cells showed a mixed structure of each subtype (mixed-type). The LFs-, ventricular-, and mixed-type had an appreciable amount of reticular form of intracellular T-tubules. Formamide-induced detubulation effectively removed atrial T-tubules, which was confirmed by both confocal images and decreased cell capacitance. However, the LFs remained intact after detubulation. Detubulation reduced action potential duration and L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) density, and prolonged relaxation time of the myocytes. Taken together, we observed heterogeneity of rat atrial T-tubules and membranous ultrastructure, and the alteration of atrial EC-coupling by disruption of T-tubules.

Rapid Cartilage Regeneration of Spheroids Composed of Human Nasal Septum-Derived Chondrocyte in Rat Osteochondral Defect Model

Background@#Cell-based therapies have been studied for articular cartilage regeneration. Articular cartilage defects have little treatments because articular cartilage was limited regenerative capacity. Damaged articular cartilage is difficult to obtain a successful therapeutic effect. In additionally these articular cartilage defects often cause osteoarthritis. Chondrocyte implantation is a widely available therapy used for regeneration of articular cartilage because this tissue has poor repair capacity after injury. Human nasal septum-drived chondrocytes (hNCs) from the septum show greater proliferation ability and chondrogenic capacity than human articular chondrocytes (hACs), even across different donors with different ages. Moreover, the chondrogenic properties of hNCs can be maintained after extensive culture expansion. @*Methods@#In this study, 2 dimensional (2D) monolayer cultured hNCs (hNCs-2D) and 3 dimensional (3D) spheroids cultured hNCs (hNCs-3D) were examined for chondrogenic capacity in vitro by PCR and immunofluorescence staining for chondrogenic marker, cell survival during cultured and for cartilage regeneration ability in vivo in a rat osteochondral defect model. @*Results@#hNCs-3D showed higher viability and more uniform morphology than 3D spheroids cultured hACs (hACs-3D) in culture. hNCs-3D also showed greater expression levels of the chondrocyte-specific marker Type II collagen (COL2A1) and sex-determining region Y (SRY)-box 9 (SOX9) than hNCs-2D. hNCs-3D also expressed chondrogenic markers in collagen. Specially, in the osteochondral defect model, implantation of hNCs-3D led to greater chondrogenic repair of focal cartilage defects in rats than implantation of hNCs-2D. @*Conclusion@#These data suggest that hNCs-3D are valuable therapeutic agents for repair and regeneration of cartilage defects.

Nanoscale imaging of rat atrial myocytes by scanning ion conductance microscopy reveals heterogeneity of T-tubule openings and ultrastructure of the cell membrane

In contrast to ventricular myocytes, the structural and functional importance of atrial transverse tubules (T-tubules) is not fully understood. Therefore, we investigated the ultrastructure of T-tubules of living rat atrial myocytes in comparison with ventricular myocytes. Nanoscale cell surface imaging by scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) was accompanied by confocal imaging of intracellular T-tubule network, and the effect of removal of T-tubules on atrial excitation-contraction coupling (EC-coupling) was observed. By SICM imaging, we classified atrial cell surface into 4 subtypes. About 38% of atrial myocytes had smooth cell surface with no clear T-tubule openings and intracellular T-tubules (smooth-type). In 33% of cells, we found a novel membrane nanostructure running in the direction of cell length and named it 'longitudinal fissures' (LFs-type). Interestingly, T-tubule openings were often found inside the LFs. About 17% of atrial cells resembled ventricular myocytes, but they had smaller T-tubule openings and a lower Z-groove ratio than the ventricle (ventricular-type). The remaining 12% of cells showed a mixed structure of each subtype (mixed-type). The LFs-, ventricular-, and mixed-type had an appreciable amount of reticular form of intracellular T-tubules. Formamide-induced detubulation effectively removed atrial T-tubules, which was confirmed by both confocal images and decreased cell capacitance. However, the LFs remained intact after detubulation. Detubulation reduced action potential duration and L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) density, and prolonged relaxation time of the myocytes. Taken together, we observed heterogeneity of rat atrial T-tubules and membranous ultrastructure, and the alteration of atrial EC-coupling by disruption of T-tubules.

Evaluation of Polycaprolactone-Associated Human Nasal Chondrocytes as a Therapeutic Agent for Cartilage Repair

BACKGROUND: In this study, we manufactured a complex of human nasal septal cartilage (hNC) with polycaprolactone (PCL) for transplantation into cartilaginous skeletal defects and evaluated their characteristics.METHODS: Nasal septum tissue was obtained from five patients aged ≥ 20 years who were undergoing septoplasty. hNCs were isolated and subcultured for three passages in vitro. To formulate the cell–PCL complex, we used type I collagen as an adhesive between chondrocyte and PCL. Immunofluorescence staining, cell viability and growth in the hNC–PCL complex, and mycoplasma contamination were assessed.RESULTS: hNCs in PCL showed viability ≥ 70% and remained at these levels for 9 h of incubation at 4 ℃. Immunostaining of the hNC–PCL complex also showed high expression levels of chondrocyte-specific protein, COL2A1, SOX9, and aggrecan during 24 h of clinically applicable conditions.CONCLUSION: The hNC–PCL complex may be a valuable therapeutic agent for implantation into injured cartilage tissue, and can be used clinically to repair cartilaginous skeletal defects. From a clinical perspective, it is important to set the short duration of the implantation process to achieve effective functional implantation.

Deficiency of Anoctamin 5/TMEM16E causes nuclear positioning defect and impairs Ca²⁺ signaling of differentiated C2C12 myotubes

Anoctamin 5 (ANO5)/TMEM16E belongs to a member of the ANO/TMEM16 family member of anion channels. However, it is a matter of debate whether ANO5 functions as a genuine plasma membrane chloride channel. It has been recognized that mutations in the ANO5 gene cause many skeletal muscle diseases such as limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2L (LGMD2L) and Miyoshi muscular dystrophy type 3 (MMD3) in human. However, the molecular mechanisms of the skeletal myopathies caused by ANO5 defects are poorly understood. To understand the role of ANO5 in skeletal muscle development and function, we silenced the ANO5 gene in C2C12 myoblasts and evaluated whether it impairs myogenesis and myotube function. ANO5 knockdown (ANO5-KD) by shRNA resulted in clustered or aggregated nuclei at the body of myotubes without affecting differentiation or myotube formation. Nuclear positioning defect of ANO5-KD myotubes was accompanied with reduced expression of Kif5b protein, a kinesin-related motor protein that controls nuclear transport during myogenesis. ANO5-KD impaired depolarization-induced [Ca²⁺]i transient and reduced sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca²⁺ storage. ANO5-KD resulted in reduced protein expression of the dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) and SR Ca²⁺-ATPase subtype 1. In addition, ANO5-KD compromised co-localization between DHPR and ryanodine receptor subtype 1. It is concluded that ANO5-KD causes nuclear positioning defect by reduction of Kif5b expression, and compromises Ca²⁺ signaling by downregulating the expression of DHPR and SERCA proteins.

Therapeutic Potential of Human Turbinate-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Experimental Acute Ischemic Stroke / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have demonstrated great promises for the treatment of ischemic stroke. Previously, we identified a new source of MSCs located in the inferior turbinate. We investigated therapeutic potentials of human turbinate- derived mesenchymal stem cells (hTMSCs) in ischemic stroke. METHODS: Ischemic stroke was induced by the intraluminal occlusion of middle cerebral artery (MCAo) for 50 minutes in rats. At one day after MCAo, hTMSCs, adipose tissue-derived MSCs (AdMSCs), or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) were transplanted into the striatum. Functional recovery was assessed by repeating behavioral tests including modified neurologic severity score and corner test. At 14 days after MCAo, brains were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for measuring infarct volume. The survival of grafted MSCs was evaluated by immunohistochemistry to human nuclei (hNU). Immunohistochemistry with anti-doublecortin (anti-DCX) was performed to assess hippocampal neurogenesis. RESULTS: Transplantation of hTMSCs following MCAo showed improvements of neurologic function, which was comparable with that of AdMSCs. H&E staining showed no difference in infarct volume among 3 groups. Regarding the survival of grafted MSCs, the number of hNU-expressing cells was not different between hTMSCs- and AdMSCs-treated groups. Finally, hTMSCs increased the number of subgranular DCX-positive cells compared to PBS-treated controls, without affecting hilar ectopic migration of newborn neurons. CONCLUSIONS: hTMSCs could improve functional recovery following ischemic stroke, of which efficacy was similar to AdMSCs. Although hTMSCs showed comparable infarct size and survival of grafted MSCs, transplantation of hTMSCs could upregulate subgranular neurogenesis with no impact on ectopically migrating newborn neurons.

Experience of Conflict in Three Shift Nurses Rearing more than Two Kids: Phenomenological Study

PURPOSE: To understand the essentials of rearing conflict experience by three shift nurses in advanced general hospitals. METHODS: The design was a qualitative research of phenomenology. Participants were 7 shift nurses working in advanced general hospitals who were rearing young children. Data were collected individually through in-depth interview on their life experiences. Data were analyzed by Colaizzi's phenomenological methodology. RESULTS: Eighteen themes were drawn from 256 meaningful experiences and these themes were integrated to six theme clusters. The most influencing themes were ‘Regret that I cannot satisfy even the slightest wish’, ‘Fail to care for kids’, and ‘Mutual feeling to care giver between appreciation and inconvenience’. Other themes were as follows: ‘Body and mind are broken’, ‘The need for a three-shift system to support nurses who are rearing children’, ‘Doing my best for work and child rearing’. CONCLUSION: The nature of three-shift nurses working in advanced hospital and caring kids is explained as ‘lives with conflict’ between work and home. This study suggests it is necessary to establish a 24-hour care center for 3-shift nurses to keep working while rearing their children.

Relationship of dental anxiety with oral health behavior and dental caries experience in adolescents / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of dental anxiety with oral health behavior and dental caries experience among adolescents. METHODS: The subjects were 469 teenagers (238 middle school students and 231 high school students) in 15 different schools located in 7 regions of Bucheon in Gyeonggi Province, Daejeon, and others. A survey and interviews were conducted to evaluate subjects' oral health behavior and dental anxiety. Dental anxiety was additionally assessed by Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale. The caries experience of subjects was examined. RESULTS: There were no regional differences in dental anxiety. Girls felt more dental anxiety than boys did. Adolescents who did not receive treatment even when they needed it felt more dental anxiety than those who did receive treatment. There were also statistically significant differences in dental anxiety according to the type of treatment received. Adolescents who received extraction treatment or underwent oral surgery experienced more dental anxiety than those who received orthodontic or aesthetic treatment. Those who had a toothache or who experienced gingival bleeding felt more dental anxiety than those who did not have those conditions. Subjects with poor perceived oral health also had more dental anxiety. The number of decayed teeth and filled teeth was significantly correlated with dental anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: In adolescents, dental anxiety is related to their oral health behavior, the type of conditions they present with, the treatment received, and dental caries experience. Therefore, the kind of systematic programs that could relieve adolescents of dental anxiety should be prepared.

Epigenetic Alterations of IL-6/STAT3 Signaling by Placental Stem Cells Promote Hepatic Regeneration in a Rat Model with CCl4-induced Liver Injury

BACKGROUND: Human chorionic plate-derived mesenchymal stem cells (CP-MSCs) isolated from the placenta have been reported to demonstrate therapeutic effects in animal models of liver injury; however, the underlying epigenetic mechanism of this effect has not been elucidated. Thus, we investigated whether CP-MSCs influence epigenetic processes during regeneration of the injured liver. METHODS: CP-MSCs were engrafted into a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-injured rat model through direct transplantation into the liver (DTX), intrasplenic transplantation (STX), and intravenous transplantation via the tail vein (TTX). Non-transplanted (NTX) rats were maintained as sham controls. Liver tissues were analyzed after transplantation using immunohistochemistry, western blot analysis, and quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. Proliferation and human interleukin-6 (hIL-6) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed using CCl4-treated hepatic cells that were co-cultured with CP-MSCs. RESULTS: The Ki67 labeling index, cell cyclins, albumin, IL-6, and gp130 levels were elevated in the CP-MSC transplantation groups. The concentration of hIL-6 in supernatants and the proliferation of CCl4-treated rat hepatic cells were enhanced by co-culturing with CP-MSCs (p<0.05), while the methylation of IL-6/IL-6R and STAT3 by CP-MSC transplantation decreased. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that administration of CP-MSCs promotes IL-6/STAT3 signaling by decreasing the methylation of the IL-6/SATA3 promoters and thus inducing the proliferation of hepatic cells in a CCl4-injured liver rat model. These data advance our understanding of the therapeutic mechanisms in injured livers, and can facilitate the development of cell-based therapies using placenta-derived stem cells.

Vav3, a GEF for RhoA, Plays a Critical Role under High Glucose Conditions

BACKGROUND: The role of small GTPase molecules is poorly understood under high glucose conditions. METHODS: We analyzed the expression pattern of Vav3 in skeletal muscle C2C12 cells under high glucose culture condition with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. We also measured glucose uptake using isotope-labelled glucose. RESULTS: We showed that expression of Vav3 (a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for RhoA) increased. mRNA and protein levels in skeletal muscle C2C12 cells under high glucose conditions. The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator AMPK agonist 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxy-amide-1-d-ribofuranoside (AICAR) suppressed high glucose-induced Vav3 induction. In addition, exposure of cells to high glucose concentration increased the phosphorylation of PAK-1, a molecule downstream of RhoA. The phosphorylation of paxillin, a downstream molecule of PAK-1, was also increased by exposure to high glucose. Phosphorylation of these molecules was not observed in the presence of AICAR, indicating that AMPK is involved in the RhoA signal pathway under high glucose conditions. Knock down of Vav3 enhances metformin-mediated glucose uptake. Inhibition of AMPK blocked the increases of Vav3 knock down-induced glucose uptake. Metformin-mediated Glut4 translocation was also increased by Vav3 knock-down, suggesting that Vav3 is involved in metformin-mediated glucose uptake. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that Vav3 is involved in the process of metformin-mediated glucose regulation.

Validity of caries prediction by caries activity tests using sulfisomidine-containing acidic high sucrose liquid medium / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the caries prediction validity and between-observer reliability of caries activity tests using sulfisomidine-containing acidic high sucrose liquid medium (SAHS test). METHODS: This longitudinal follow-up study was done for 1 year. The subjects were 188 elementary school children. The caries experience and caries activity of each of the subjects was examined. We adopted both the SAHS test and Dentocult SM test as caries activity tests. We conducted an ROC analysis on the test data, and thereafter calculated the sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, and Kappa statistics. RESULTS: According to the ROC analysis, it was found that both the SAHS test and Dentocult SM test showed a similar level of AUC (0.5 or higher), which means that both tests have significant caries prediction validity. When the validating criterion was based on 1 or more new caries lesions and the screening criterion was based on a score of 5, it was found that the SAHS test (12 grade) showed a sensitivity value of 0.72-0.73, specificity value of 0.48-0.51, positive predictive value of 0.62-0.63, and negative predictive value of 0.61-0.62, respectively. Based on these 4 values, it was found that the SAHS test had a higher grade of sensitivity and negative predictive value than the Dentocult SM test. However, the latter had a higher grade of specificity and positive predictive value. Despite this, there were no significant differences between both tests. The SAHS test had higher between-observer reliability (kappa value) than the Dentocult SM test (0.90>0.88). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, it was found that both the SAHS test and Dentocult SM test had a similar level of caries prediction validity and between-observer reliability.

Factors related to busyness of practicing dentists / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the busyness of dentists and analyzed factors related to busyness in these professionals. METHODS: The subjects were 243 practicing dentists. Surveys were carried out via mail. Busyness was measured by using the Mumma scale. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: The dentists' busyness index was 1.91. Of the participants, 40% of practicing dentists wanted more patients, 30.8% did not overwork but did not want more patients, and 27.1% overworked and did not want more patients. The busyness index was significantly related to the number of dental hygienists and dentists. However, it did not differ with respect to the number of assistant nurses. CONCLUSIONS: The busyness index should be considered when developing relevant human resource plans.

Reactions of First-Year Medical Students to Cadaver Dissection and Their Perception on Learning Methods in Anatomy / 한국의학교육

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the reactions of medical students to cadaver dissection and their preferred learning methods in studying anatomy. METHODS: Participants were 110 first-year medical students 57 from a pre-medical course and 53 from the graduate entry level. A self-reported questionnaire survey was used to assess students' emotional and physical reactions to their encounters with cadavers in the dissecting room and their preferred teaching and learning methods and materials. Frequency, paired t-test, and cross-sectional analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Most students experienced negative physical symptoms, such as eye soreness (72%), mile headache or dizziness (40%), headache (18%), decrease in appetite (17%), nausea (15%), and disgust (10%), in the first encounter with a cadaver in the dissection room. They also experienced adverse emotional responses, such as surprise (38%), depression (37%), sadness (23%), fear (23%) and feelings of guilt (19%), anxiety (17%), and crying (2.7%). However, most of these reactions decreased significantly 8 weeks later, except for nausea. Regarding teaching and learning methods, students reported that lectures and cadaver dissections were the most helpful methods in studying anatomy. CONCLUSION: The results shows that initial encounters with a cadaver in the dissecting room caused emotional and physical distress to first-year medical students, but most students adapted gradually to the stressful learning environment. In addition, students regarded cadaver dissection as one of the most helpful learning experiences in studying anatomy.

Differential Methylation Pattern of ID4, SFRP1, and SHP1 between Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

To gain insight into the differential mechanism of gene promoter hypermethylation in acute and chronic leukemia, we identified the methylation status on one part of 5'CpG rich region of 8 genes, DAB2IP, DLC-1, H-cadherin, ID4, Integrin alpha4, RUNX3, SFRP1, and SHP1 in bone marrows from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. Also, we compared the methylation status of genes in AML and CML using methylation-specific PCR (MSP). The frequencies of DNA methylation of ID4, SFRP1, and SHP1 were higher in AML patients compared to those in CML patients. In contrast, no statistical difference between AML and CML was detected for other genes such as DLC-1, DAB2IP, H-cadherin, Integrin alpha4, and RUNX3. Taken together, these results suggest that these methylation-controlled genes may have different roles in AML and CML, and thus, may act as a biological marker of AML.