PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting depression in mothers of children with disabilities and to identify the relationships between the depression, parenting-stress and self-esteem. METHODS: The participants were 100 mothers of children with disabilities lving in G city. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson Correlation Coefficients with SPSS/PC+ 21.0. RESULTS: There was a significant relationship between depression and parenting stress (p<.001). Depression was negatively correlated with self-esteem (p<.001). Variables affecting depression were parenting-stress, self-esteem and family income. The three factors accounted for 38.7% of the depression. CONCLUSION: The results of the study show that parenting-stress and selfesteem are the most significant factors affecting depression. There is an urgent need to develop nursing interventions to reduce levels of depression in mothers of children with disabilities and to help them lead a healthier life.
Depression* ; Disabled Children* ; Humans ; Mothers* ; Nursing ; Parenting ; Parents ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Natural products are increasingly appreciated as a lead for drug discovery and development. A number of investigators have studied various activities of natural products and have found that they have not only nutritional effects but also beneficial properties to cure various diseases and to maintain good health. Job's Tear(Yul-Moo) is a grass crop that have long been used in traditional medicine and a nourishing food. Job's Tear has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory, stomachic, antiallergic activity, and antispastic effects and has been used in China for the treatment of warts, rheumatism, and neuralgia although its mechanism remains unclear. Previous results in our laboratory demonstrated that the ethanol extract and water extract of Job's Tear exerted an immune regulatory function on mice cells in vitro. The present study was performed to investigate the ex vivo effect of Job's Tear on immune function. Seven to eight weeks old mices(Balb/c) were fed ad libitum on chow diet and water extract of Job's Tear were orally administrated every other day for two or four weeks at two different concentrations (50 and 500mg/kg B.W.). Proliferation of mice spenocytes and antibody production to sheep red blood cells(SRBC) using hemolytic plague forming cell assay were used to indicate the immune activity. Splenocytes proliferation of Job's Tear with mitogen stimulation such as Con A and LPS was enhanced at 50 mg/kg B.W. concentrations compared to those of control group. In case of antibody production to sheep red blood cells, the number of antibody- secreting cells was increased by administration of 50mg/kg B.W. concentration in mice immunized as a T-dependent antigen. From the present study, Job's Tear water extracts may be suggested to stimulate the mice immune response by enhancing the splenocytes proliferation and the number of plague forming cells.
Animals ; Antibody Formation ; Biological Products ; China ; Diet ; Drug Discovery ; Erythrocytes ; Ethanol ; Humans ; Medicine, Traditional ; Mice* ; Neuralgia ; Plague ; Poaceae ; Research Personnel ; Rheumatic Diseases ; Sheep ; Stomach ; Warts ; Water

Codonopsis lanceolatae has been used as one of the traditional remedies as well as food source. However, few studies on their immunomodulating effects have been reported. We previously reported that ex vivo supplementation of Codonopsis lanceolatae water extracts enhanced splenocyte proliferation compared to the control group. In order to elucidate its ex vivo effect, six to seven week old balb/c mice were fed ad libitum on a chow diet and water extracts of Codonopsis lanceolatae were orally administrated every other day for four weeks at two different concentrations (50 and 500 mg/kg B.W.). After preparing the single cell suspension, the proliferation of splenocytes was determined by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-y]-2,5-diphenyl terazolium bromide) assay. The production of cytokine (IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha), secreted by macrophages stimulated with LPS or not, was detected by ELISA assay using a cytokine kit. After 48 hrs of incubation with the mitogen (ConA or LPS) stimulation, the mice splenocyte proliferation in experimental group was statistically increased at two different concentrations than that in control group. The cytokines production was more significantly enhanced at the lower supplementation (500 mg/kg B.W.) group rather than higher concentration (500 mg/kg B.W.) compared to the control group. The results of this study may suggest that the supplementation of water extract of plant mixture could regulate the immune function by increasing the splenocyte proliferation and enhance the immune function through regulating cytokine production capacity by activated macrophages in mice.
Animals ; Codonopsis ; Cytokines ; Diet ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Interleukin-6 ; Macrophages ; Mice ; Plants ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Water

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) has been used as a raw material in many traditional preparations since the ancient time. As a component of traditional health products, Ginger is known to be effective as appetite enhancer, anticold and anti-inflammation. This study was performed to investigate the immunomodulative effects of Ginger in mouse, using in vitro and ex vivo experiments. In vitro experiment, the mice splenocytes proliferation and three kinds of cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha) prodution by peritoneal macrophages cultured with ethanol and water extracts of Ginger were used to indicate the immunomodulative effect. In order to elucidate the immunomodulative effects of Ginger ex vivo, water extract of Ginger was orally administrated into mice, and isolated splencytes and macrophages were used as experimental model. Ex vivo experiment, six to seven week old mice were fed ad libitum on a chow diet, and water extract of Ginger was orally administrated every other day for four weeks at two different concentractions (50 and 500 mg/kg B.W./day). In vitro study, the splenocytes proliferation was increased when water extract was supplemented in the range of 50-500 microliter/ml concentration. In case of cytokines production, IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha released by activated peritoneal macrophages were augmented by the supplementation of water extract of the Ginger. Ex vivo experiment, the highest proliferation of splenocytes and production of cytokines by activated peritoneal macrophages were seen in the mice orally administrated at the concentration of 500 mg/kg B.W./day. In conclusion, this study suggests that Ginger extracts may enhance the immune function by regulating the splenocytes proliferation and enhancing the cytokine prodution capacity by activated macrophages in mice.
Animals ; Appetite ; Cytokines ; Diet ; Ethanol ; Ginger* ; Interleukin-6 ; Macrophages ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; Mice* ; Models, Theoretical ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Water

Ixeris sonchifolia Hance (Godulbaegi), Oenanthe javanica (Dolminari), Fagopyrum esculentum Moench (Buckwheat), Hizikia fusiforme (Seaweed Fusiforme) and Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Ginger) have been used respectively as one of folk remedies as well as food materials. However, reportedly few studies on their immunomodulating effects have been made, although it has been known from other preceding studies that the ex vivo supplementation of each Ish, Oj, Fem, Hf, Zor water extracts tends to enhance the proliferation of splenocyte in comparison to the control group. This study on the combined immunomodulative effect of water extract mixture of these five food materials (Ish + Oj + Fem + Hf + Zor) lasted covering seven or eight weeks. The old mice (balb/c) was fed ad libitum on chow diet, and the water extract of plant mixture was orally administrated every other day for four weeks at two different concentrations (50 and 500 mg/kg B.W). After preparing the single cell suspension, the proliferation of splenocyte was determined by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-y]-2,5- diphenyl terazolium bromide) assay. The production of cytokine (IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha) which was secreted by macrophages stimulated with LPS or not was detected by ELISA assay using the cytokine kit. After the 48 hours of incubation with the mitogen (ConA or LPS) stimulation, the proliferation of the mice splenocyt in the experimental group statisticaly increased at both of two different concentrations in comparison to the control group. The cytokines production was more significantly enhanced at the lower supplementation (50 mg/kg B.W.) group than at the higher concentration (500 mg/kg B.W.). The result of this study may suggest that the supplementation of water extract of plant mixture can regulate and enhance the immune function by increasing the splenocyte proliferation and regulating the cytokine production capacity by the activated macrophages in mice.
Animals ; Asteraceae ; Biphenyl Compounds ; Cytokines ; Diet ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fagopyrum ; Ginger ; Interleukin-6 ; Macrophages ; Medicine, Traditional ; Mice ; Oenanthe ; Plants ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Water

The purpose of this study was to analyze information about food and nutrition presented through the television broadcast media, with the aim of finding out the optimal communication method for supplying the general public with accurate information. To perform this study, a total of sixteen monitoring people were recruited and trained before and during the study. Five domestic TV channels were selected to be monitored, and the total monitoring period was six months. For maximum efficiency, the monitoring people were assigned to 8 teams. The results of the present study can be summarized as follows : First, the total reported cases of information about food and nutrition were 237, of which about 30% were judged appropriate and 70% as inappropriate. Second, classifying each case by program type, information programs made up the highest portion at 82 cases (34.6%), cooking programs accounted for 76 cases (32.1%), news programs for 40 cases (16.9%), and entertainment programs for 7 cases (3.0%). The analysis showed that the greatest amount of incorrect information was found in dramas, followed by entertainment, information, cooking and news programs. Third, classifying each case by theme of contents monitored, meal preparation and cookery made up the highest portion at 86 cases (36.3%), foods accounted for 67 cases (28.3%), disease and diet-therapy for 40 cases (16.9%), eating habits for 31 cases (13.1%), and diet and fitness for 13 cases (5.5%). Incorrect information was conveyed most often on the themes of food habits, foods, disease and diet-therapy, cookery, and diet and fitness. Fourth, classifying each case by channel, Cable TV had the highest frequency at 72 cases (30.4%), MBC had 51 cases (21.5%), SBS had 43 cases (18.1%), KBS1 had 41 cases (17.3%) and KBS2 had 30 cases (12.7%). In conclusion, systematic monitoring should be continued to reduce the frequency of incorrect information being broadcast and to help ensure that accurate information is conveyed to the general public. Moreover, there should be a system of cooperation to provide information to help broadcast production teams establish a strategic program. Finally, it is essential to organize an advisory team by promoting links between the mass media and specialists in the field, and to develop an educational program on nutrition to help ensure the communication of accurate information on food and nutrition.
Cooking ; Diet ; Drama ; Eating ; Food Habits ; Mass Media ; Meals ; Specialization ; Television*

Recently many investigators have initiated searches for immunomodulating substances from natural food sources. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) has been used as a raw material in many traditional preparations since the ancient time. This study was performed to investigate the immunomodulative effects of Zingiber officinale Roscoe in mice, using ex vivo experiments. In order to elucidate the immunomodulative effects of Ginger, water extracts of the plant were orally administrated into mice, and isolated splenocytes and macrophages were used as experimental model. In order to identify its ex vivo effect six to seven week old Balb/c mice were fed ad libitum on a chow diet, and water extracts of ginger were orally administrated every other day for two weeks at two different concentrations (50 and 500 mg/kg b.w.). After preparing the single cell suspension, the proliferation of splenocytes was determined by MTT assay. The result of ex vivo study showed that the highest proliferation of splenocytes and macrophage activatation was seen in the mice orally administrated at the concentration of 500 mg/kg b. w. of ginger water extracts. In conclusion, this study suggests that ginger extracts may enhance the immune function by regulating the splenocyte proliferation and cytokine prodution capacity by activated macrophages in mice.
Animals ; Diet ; Ginger* ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; Macrophages* ; Mice* ; Models, Theoretical ; Plants ; Research Personnel ; Spleen* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Water

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing the alcohol drinking behavior in female university students. METHODS: The subjects were 298 female university students at three universities in J Province and G city. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS/PC+ 15.0. RESULTS: The variables that affected the drinking behavior of female university students were smoking status, pocket money, coping strategy of problem solving, positive expectancy of alcohol drinking and negative expectancy of alcohol drinking. These factors could explain 30.4% of the drinking behavior. Stress did not affect the drinking behavior of subjects. CONCLUSION: Drinking behavior of the subjects was slightly higher than average for all women. In order to decrease the drinking behavior, the development of drinking reduction programs is needed and it can lead healthy life for female university students.
Adaptation, Psychological ; Alcohol Drinking ; Drinking ; Drinking Behavior ; Female ; Humans ; Problem Solving ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Stress, Psychological ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Tumor necrosis factor-n (TNF - alpha) involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis and contribute to the degeneration of oligodendrocytes as well as neurons. TNF - alpha is produced by miocroglia and astrocytes, which also produce hormones and cytokines that influence its biological activity. Astrocytes, the major glial cells in the CNS, are capable of producing TNF - alpha at both the mRNA and protein levels in response to interleukine-1 (IL-1) or TNF - alpha. Two immunosuppressive cytokines, transforming growth factor - beta (TGF - beta) and IL-10, have been shown to influence glial cell function. TGF - beta can modulate the activity of glial cells by inhibiting interferon-gamma (IFN - gamma) induced expression of class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on astrocytes and microglia. To explore the role of astrocytes in the production of TNF - alpha, astrocytes were pretreated with IL-10 or TGF - beta and then stimulated with IL-1p to determine their effects on TNF - alpha production. The secretion of TNF - alpha by human fetal astrocytes was markedly inhibited by TGF - beta at a low concentration. In contrast IL-10 had no effect on TNF - alpha mRNA level. These results show that TGF - beta may regulate the expression of TNF - alpha in activated human fetal astrocytes.
Astrocytes* ; Cytokines ; Gene Expression* ; Humans* ; Interferon-gamma ; Interleukin-10 ; Major Histocompatibility Complex ; Microglia ; Multiple Sclerosis ; Necrosis ; Neuroglia ; Neurons ; Oligodendroglia ; RNA, Messenger ; Transforming Growth Factors

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to suggest methods for improving school health promotion programs by investigating the daily activities and the performance level of environment management, the awareness of importance, and opinions on the revision of and knowledge about laws and regulations related to school health promotion programs. METHOD: The subjects of this study were 289 school nurses in Gyeongsangbuk-do. The survey used a questionnaire containing 90 questions developed by the present researcher. Data were collected from July 5 to July 21, 2006 and analyzed using SPSS 12.0 for Windows. RESULT: 1. Regular check-up and drinking water management got the highest score in performance level. Sexual health and drinking water management got the highest score in the awareness of importance. 2. School nurses were aware of laws and regulations related to their clients (0.93), and the revision opinion was high on the whole (3.58). 3. According to general characteristics, the more educated school nurse were (F=6.80, p=.001) and the fewer students their school had (F=4.66, p=.010), the higher their performance level in daily activities was. The shorter their career in their work was (F=4.86, p=.008), the fewer classes their school had (F=5.04, p=.007) and the fewer students their school had (F=3.83, p=.023), the higher their awareness of importance was. 4. There was not any difference in the performance level of environment management according to general characteristics. The awareness of importance was highest in school nurses with experience less then ten years (F=3.66, p=.027). 5. There was not any difference in knowledge about laws and regulations according to general characteristics. The revision opinion was high in school nurses at schools with less than 18 classrooms (F=6.04, p=.003) and less than 500 students (F=4.24, p=.015). CONCLUSION: When school nurses perform school health promotion programs actively and vigorously, the students can be healthy and national health promotion can be actualized fundamentally.
Drinking Water ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Jurisprudence ; Reproductive Health ; School Health Services* ; School Nursing ; Social Control, Formal ; Surveys and Questionnaires