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The structural information of small therapeutic compounds complexed in biological matrices is important for drug developments. However, structural studies on ligands bound to such a large and dynamic system as microtubules are still challenging. This article reports an application of the solid-state NMR technique to investigating the bioactive conformation of epothilone B, a microtubule stabilizing agent, whose analog ixabepilone was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an anticancer drug. First, an analog of epothilone B was designed and successfully synthesized with deuterium and fluorine labels while keeping the high potency of the drug; Second, a lyophilization protocol was developed to enhance the low sensitivity of solid-state NMR; Third, molecular dynamics information of microtubule-bound epothilone B was revealed by high-resolution NMR spectra in comparison to the non-bound epothilone B; Last, information for the macrolide conformation of microtubule-bound epothilone B was obtained from rotational-echo double-resonance (REDOR) NMR data, suggesting the X-ray crystal structure of the ligand in the P450epoK complex as a possible candidate for the conformation. Our results are important as the first demonstration of using REDOR for studying epothilones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The importance of hypomethylation in SLE is well recognized; however, the significance of hypermethylation has not been well characterized. We screened hypermethylated marks in SLE and investigated their possible implications. Methods. DNA methylation marks were screened in SLE whole-blood DNA by microarray, and two marks (CD3Z and VHL hypermethylations) were confirmed by a methylation single-base extension method in two independent ethnic cohorts consisting of 207 SLE patients and 151 controls. The correlation with clinical manifestations and the genetic influence on those epigenetic marks were analysed. Results. Two epigenetic marks, CD3Z and VHL hypermethylation, were significantly correlated with SLE: CD3Z hypermethylation (odds ratio = 7.76; P = 1.71 x 10-13) and VHL hypermethylation (odds ratio = 3.77; P = 3.20 x10-8), and the increased CD3Z methylation was correlated with downregulation of the CD3ς-chain in SLE T cells. In addition, less genetic influence on CD3Z methylation relative to VHL methylation was found in analyses of longitudinal and twin samples. Furthermore, a higher CD3Z methylation level was significantly correlated with a higher SLE disease activity index and more severe clinical manifestations, such as proteinuria, haemolytic anaemia and thrombocytopenia, whereas VHL hypermethylation was not. Conclusion. CD3Z hypermethylation is an SLE risk factor that can be modified by environmental factors and is associated with more severe SLE clinical manifestations, which are related to deranged T cell function by downregulating the CD3ς-chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the factors that affect suicidal ideation among middle-aged Korean women in an urban-rural province. Methods: This study used a convenience sample consisting of 196 middle-aged Korean women who live in Gyeonggi Province. Data were collected between November 2013 and January 2014. Results: There were significant correlations among social relationships (r = -.18, p = .013), previous experiences of violence (r = .15, p = .032), subjective happiness (r = -.36, p < .001), depression (r = .44, p < .001), and suicidal ideation. Economic status, subjective happiness, and depression were found to have an effect on suicidal ideation (R² = .26). Conclusions: The study's results demonstrate that there needs to be greater focus on middle-aged women when considering mental health interventions in rural areas of Korea. The results may also contribute to the development of improved interventions for psychological health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

“QUality Of care Through the patients' Eyes” (QUOTE) instruments for measuring care quality were classified in terms of procedures, structures, and content. The content and structures of each instrument were found to include (a) participation of the client in the tool development process, (b) evaluation of the importance and performance of care based on the client's needs, and (c) reflection of multidimensional care in diverse settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The patient's perspective in the assessment of quality of care has become increasingly important. The purpose of this paper was to introduce the concept of 'QUality Of care Through patient's Eyes (QUOTE)', to analyze the papers using QUOTE through an integrative review method, and to present the attributes of the QUOTE evaluation. Methods: Data were collected from electronic databases. Inclusion criteria were publication in English from 1997 to 2013, as a peer-reviewed research article, with an empirical study focused on QUOTE. Thirty two papers met the criteria and were analyzed. Results: QUOTE had been applied to various groups of patients such as those with various diseases since 1997 in the Netherlands. Four themes were retrieved from synthetic analysis of the thirty-two papers using QUOTE; 1) acceptance of individuation of the patient and family, 2) evaluation of diverse nurses' competencies, 3) evaluation of quality of nursing environments, and 4) participation of patient in the whole process of evaluation. Conclusion: The strengths of QUOTE are that it attempts to overcome the conceptual and methodological problems associated with evaluation of quality of care. Our results imply that QUOTE evaluation could be an effective strategy to improve care of patients in clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study was aimed to analyze the sexual health curriculum for the nursing baccalaureate and associate's degrees in Korea. The curriculum proper based on Posner's theory presented the analysis of purpose, content, organization, and underlying assumption. Methods: This study was conducted with sexual health education guidelines, nursing practice standards, 181 curriculums, and teaching materials. Data were collected through literature, online homepage from 181 nursing school, and textbooks from July to September, 2013. Data were analyzed using percentage and mean with SPSS 12.0. Results: The purposes were mostly included in the low grade cognitive learning domain. The contents included 20 key elements among 22, so the scope was not inclusive. There was an unbalance between content's depth and scope, because total mean credit of sexual health nursing education was only 19.81 hours. The spiral structure of organization showed continuity, sequence, and integration with international standards. The interdisciplinary integration and transcultural value were advantages of the curriculum. Conclusion: This study provided a view on understanding sexual health nursing curriculum and implication for advanced education. The proclaiming of the standard and concept mapping of sexual health curriculum may contribute to the curriculum development for the advanced nursing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk, Asiasarum sieboldii (Miq.) F. Maek (Asiasari radix), and Panax ginseng C. A. Mey (red ginseng) are traditionally acclaimed for therapeutic properties of various human ailments. Synergistic effect of each standardized plant extract was investigated for hair growth potential on nude mice, as thesemutant mice genetically lack hair due to abnormal keratinization. Dried plant samples were ground and extracted by methanol. Topical application was performed on the back of nude mice daily up to completion of two hair growth generations. The hair density and length of Eclipta alba treated mice were increased significantly (P > 0.001) than control mice. Hair growth area was also distinctly visible in Eclipta alba treated mice. On the other hand, Asiasari radix and Panax ginseng treated mice developing hair loss were recognized from the abortive boundaries of hair coverage. Histomorphometric observation of nude mice skin samples revealed an increase in number of hair follicles (HFs).The presence of follicular keratinocytes was confirmed by BrdU labeling, S-phase cells in HFs. Therefore, Eclipta alba extract and/or phytochemicals strongly displayed incomparability of hair growth promotion activity than others. Thus, the standardized Eclipta alba extract can be used as an effective, alternative, and complementary treatment against hair loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to identify if participating in a sexual education program, influences knowledge, and healthcare attitude among attitudes of nurse clinicians in Korea. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 210 Korean nurse clinicians. Data were collected through self-reported questionnaires from July to August, 2011 from five hospitals in S and I cities. Data were analyzed using t-test, Pearson correlations, and multiple linear regression with SPSS/WIN 21.0. Results: This study reported that the majority of nurse clinicians had attended sexual programs about sexual harassment, reproductive system and function. There were significant correlations between experience of attending sexual education (r=.32, p=.003) and sexual knowledge (r=.14, p=.047) with sexual healthcare attitude. Sexual education on the job (β=.13, p=.004), supplementary sexual education (β=.17, p=.009), sexual knowledge (β=.16, p=.048), and obstetrics and gynecology department carrier (β=.29, p<.001) explained 14.0% of sexual healthcare attitude. Conclusion: This study's results demonstrate that advanced and continuous sexual health program is necessary for nurse clinicians. Proper sexual knowledge and positive attitude may promote nursing intervention and counseling concerning patients' sexual problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

utoreactive cytotoxic T cells play a key role in the pathogenesis of aplastic anemia (AA) by myelosuppressive cytokines including interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and transforming growth factor beta. The purpose of this study is to determine which single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in cytokine genes were relevant to AA risk and whether the relevant SNPs were associated with response to immunosuppressive therapy (IST). Among 84 screened patients, 80 patients confirmed as having acquired AA, and 84 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were analyzed consecutively. We genotyped ten polymorphisms in three cytokine genes ( IFNG, TNF, and TGFB1) and FAS gene. We assessed the association between polymorphisms and AA risk, and the association between polymorphisms and response to IST in three genetic models (dominant, recessive, and additive). The IFNG −2,353 T allele (dominant model, OR = 0.43, p = .012) and TCA haplotype (dominant model, OR = 0.50, p = .038) were significantly associated with the development of AA. In addition, this relevant IFNG −2,353 T allele and TCA haplotype were related to the response of IST (dominant model, OR = 0.076, p = .034). Concerning TGFB1, although its polymorphisms are not related to AA susceptibility, P10L T allele (recessive model, OR = 0.18, p = .038) and CT haplotype (dominant model, OR = 5.68, p = .038) were associated with response to IST. This exploratory study concurred with prior studies indicating that polymorphisms in IFNG are related to AA susceptibility. In addition, it was found that polymorphisms in IFNG and TGFB1 are associated with response to IST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, it was reported that expression of transglutaminase 2 plays an important role in doxorubicin/cisplatin resistance in breast and ovarian cancer. The aims of this study were to verify the role of transglutaminase 2 in cisplatin response in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to study if transglutaminase 2 gene ( TGM2) methylation can be a molecular marker for good response to cisplatin. TGM2 promoter methylation was analyzed by sodium bisulfite sequencing. Cisplatin sensitivity was analyzed by treatment of cisplatin in NSCLC cell lines with/without TGM2 or TGM2 siRNA transfection. In one-third of NSCLC cell lines, TGase 2 gene ( TGM2) was silenced by promoter methylation. The TGM2 promoter-methylated cell lines (HCC-95 and HCC-1588) showed relatively higher sensitivity to cisplatin than the TGM2-expressing cell lines (NCI-H1299 and HCC-1195). Down-regulation and over-expression of TGM2 in those NSCLC cells also suggested a positive correlation of cisplatin sensitivity and TGM2 inhibition. With doxorubicin, the relationship was quite similar. We showed that good responders of cisplatin in NSCLC could be identified by the promoter methylation of TGM2 and that TGase 2 inhibition appears to be an effective cisplatin-sensitizing modality in NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The signaling pathway of insulin/insulin-like growth factor/phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/Akt/forkhead transcription factors is known to control life span and senescence in organisms ranging from yeast to mice. The FOXO family of forkhead transcription factors, FOXO1, FOXO3a, and FOXO4, play a critical role in this signal transduction pathway. However, the impact of FOXO3a activation on life span of primary cultured human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) is unknown. To investigate the role of FOXO3a in the regulation of cellular senescence, we prepared FOXO3a-siRNA stable HDFs. We found that the down-regulation of FOXO3a RNA and protein in HDFs induced many senescent phenotypes, including changes in cell morphology, increases in population doubling times, senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining and the cellular reactive oxygen species, and up-regulation of p53/p21 protein expression. Our data provide evidence of the key role of FOXO3a transcription factor as a mediator of cellular senescence in HDFs, and suggest that the mechanism of senescence is conserved in HDFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to develop the Dust Exposure Reduction Behavior Scale (DERBS) and to validate it for the general population. The scale was developed based on Williamson’s model of everyday life information seeking. For exploratory factor analysis and confirmative factor analysis, 274 subjects aged 18 or older were recruited in South Korea using convenience sampling between February 1 and March 28, 2021. Content validity, convergence validity, discriminant validity, and internal consistency reliability were examined according to DeVellis’ methodology. The DERBS consists of 12 items with four factors: protection from dust, staying inside, sharing information, and health promotion. Convergent validity with the personal environmental health behaviors scale was supported ( r = .63, p

Purpose This scoping review investigated the content and quality of YouTube videos on women’s health. Methods A literature search of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, ERIC, and RISS databases was performed using the keywords “(‘youtube’/exp OR youtube OR ‘social media’/exp OR ‘social media’ OR ((‘social’/exp OR social) AND (‘media’/exp OR media))) AND (‘female health care’ OR ((‘female’/exp OR female) AND (‘health’/exp OR health) AND (‘care’/exp OR care)))” from February 21 to 27, 2023. Peer-reviewed analytic studies in English or Korean that focused on women’s health using YouTube were included. Results The review identified 21 articles that covered various themes related to women’s health, such as breast cancer, urinary disease, sexual health, pelvic organ prolapse, the human papillomavirus vaccine, Papanikolaou smears, contraception, women’s health information during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, obstetric epidural anesthesia, and placenta accreta. However, the overall quality of the content was low, inaccurate, unreliable, and misleading. Conclusion This scoping review demonstrated that YouTube videos on women’s health covered diverse topics, but the quality of the content needed improvement. More reliable and high-quality videos produced by academic institutes and healthcare professionals specializing in women’s health are needed for social media to be usable as a reliable source of women’s health information. The high number of views and shares received by the videos underscores the importance of providing accurate and reliable information on women’s health.

This paper attempts to explore the public dimension of religion in Korea. First, it examines the Western and East Asian contexts on the concept of ’public’, noting that the gap in notions of public is large between East Asian and Western traditions. The following section discusses Habermas’ ‘institutional translation proviso’ in relation to the notion ‘public’. The institutional translation proviso serves as the basis for further discussion on rethinking the public role of religion in Korea in the era of climate crisis. We argue that ‘secular’ translations of religious convictions can help religious citizens and communities engage in public discourses on ecological challenges. We then consider major limitations of Habermas’ understanding of religion. In the following section, we move on to discuss Albert Schweitzer and process theology in order to demonstrate how religious languages can be reinterpreted on the basis of modern experiences of ecological challenges. We then consider Buddhist alternatives for overcoming the climate crisis. The final section introduces José Casanova’s account of public religions and discusses its implication for envisioning the public role of religious organizations in ecological efforts. Reviewing the contributions made by religious organizations to the Korean society, we suggest that ‘ecological publicness’ of religion can be obtained.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to conduct a concept analysis of cultural nursing competence. METHODS: Cultural nursing competence was analyzed using Rodgers' evolutionary concept development method. A literature search using the keywords "cultural nursing competence", "intercultural nursing competence", "cultural nursing", "cultural health nursing", and "cultural competence" was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, ERIC, and RISS on material published before 2015. Database and bibliographic searches yielded 35 records. RESULTS: Cultural nursing competence comprised cognitive, affective, and behavioral domains. The critical attributes of the concept were sensitivity, equality, and activity. The analysis identified the following dimensions: awareness, openness, and coherence. The consequences of cultural nursing competence were personal satisfaction and social justice. The definition contained competence on both an individual and social level. CONCLUSION: Cultural competency enhances quality of care by narrowing health disparities and increasing client satisfaction. The concept analysis of cultural nursing competence may offer an acceptable framework which can be used to develop psychometric tools of this concept and provide guidelines in nursing practice.

PURPOSE: In this study effects of a paternal participation program during cesarean section on paternal infant attachment were investigate. The experimental treatment was an integrative nursing intervention to promote father to infant attachment. METHODS: Study design was a non-equivalent control group posttest design. The program consisted of emotional support to spouse and father towards infant attachment immediately following cesarean birth. Participants were 66 men, partners of women with normal full term pregnancy having a cesarean section with spinal or epidural anesthesia, (experimental group, 34; control group, 32). The experiment was carried out from August 1 to October 30, 2010. Control group data were obtained from May 1 to June 30, 2012. Posttest was performed 72 hours after cesarean birth. A self-report questionnaire including a paternal attachment instrument was used. Data were analyzed using t-test, propensity score matching, and analysis of covariance with the SPSS/WIN 18.0 program. RESULTS: Total score for paternal infant attachment in the experimental group was significantly higher than the control group (p