Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) and the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein in the brain, leading to the increase in inflammation and neuronal loss. Recently, evidences to support the association between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and AD have markedly increased by clinical researches and experimental studies. Reduced insulin action and impaired glucose metabolism in the brain leads to diabetes induced AD. Androgen, a male sex hormone, was known to regulate inflammatory response, Aβ deposition in AD, insulin signaling, and synaptic plasticity in brain. Clinical studies demonstrated that androgen deficiency results in the increased risk of AD and its severe progression in male subjects. We reviewed the significant evidences to support that low testosterone levels are linked to diabetes-induced AD based on previous studies. Thus, we highlight the therapeutic potential of androgen in diabetes induced AD.
Alzheimer Disease* ; Amyloid ; Brain ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Glucose ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Metabolism ; Neuronal Plasticity ; Neurons ; tau Proteins ; Testosterone

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the related factors of insight, self-esteem, and coping skills and the relationships among them in patients with alcohol addiction. METHODS: The participants enrolled in this study were 106 patients from two alcohol treatment hospitals in Gyeonggi Province. Data were collected from May, 12 to 20, 2010 using self-report questionnaires. The instruments were the Hanil Alcohol Insight Scale, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, and the Ways of Coping Checklist. Data were analyzed using the SPSS-Win 12.0 program. RESULTS: Among the participants, 24.5% had poor insight, 45.3% fair insight, and 30.2% good insight. Insights of participants who had experienced withdrawal symptoms (t=-3.79, p<.001) and of those not living with family (t=-2.07, p=.041) were higher than those who had not experienced the symptoms and who were not living with family. Self-esteem of participants living with family (F=3.60, p<.001) and of those with better academic backgrounds (F=3.39, p=.021) were higher than those of the other groups. Also, self-esteem showed a positive relation with active coping (r=.34, p<.001). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that mental health practitioners need to focus on insight and self-esteem enhancement, coping skill development when treating patients with alcohol addiction.
Adaptation, Psychological* ; Alcoholics* ; Checklist ; Humans ; Mental Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome

Lipocalin-2 (LCN2), a secreted glycoprotein belonging to the lipocalin superfamily was reported to participate in various biological processes including cell migration, cell survival, inflammatory responses, and insulin sensitivity. LCN2 is expressed in the multiple tissues such as kidney, liver, uterus, and bone marrow. The receptors for LCN2 were additionally found in microglia, astrocytes, epithelial cells, and neurons, but the role of LCN2 in the central nervous system (CNS) has not been fully understood yet. Recently, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies reported the association between LCN2 and the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we reviewed the significant evidences showing that LCN2 contributes to the onset and progression of AD. It may suggest that the manipulation of LCN2 in the CNS would be a crucial target for regulation of the pathogenesis and risk of AD.
Alzheimer Disease ; Astrocytes ; Biological Processes ; Bone Marrow ; Brain ; Cell Movement ; Cell Survival ; Central Nervous System ; Diagnosis ; Epithelial Cells ; Glycoproteins ; In Vitro Techniques ; Inflammation ; Insulin Resistance ; Kidney ; Lipocalins ; Liver ; Microglia ; Neurons ; Prognosis ; Uterus

Objective: Ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction are 2 of the leading causes of mortality. Both conditions are caused by arterial occlusion, resulting in ischemic necrosis of the cells in the cortex and heart. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of non-coding RNAs longer than 200 nucleotides without protein-coding potential. Thousands of lncRNAs have been identified but their involvement in ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction has not been studied extensively. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the role of lncRNAs, particularly those that are commonly altered in these two ischemic injuries. Methods: We combined diverse RNA sequencing data obtained from public databases and performed extensive bioinformatics analyses to determine reliable lncRNAs commonly identified from these datasets. Using sequence analysis, we also detected the lncRNAs that may act as microRNA (miRNA) regulators. Results: We found several altered lncRNAs that were common in ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction models. Some of these lncRNAs, including zinc finger NFX1-type containing 1 antisense RNA 1 and small nucleolar RNA host gene 1, were previously reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of each of these models. Interestingly, several lncRNAs had binding sites for miRNAs that were previously reported to be involved in the hypoxic response, suggesting the possible role of these lncRNAs as regulators in ischemic responses. Conclusion The lncRNAs identified in this study will be useful in determining the regulatory networks in ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction and in identifying potential specific markers for each of these ischemic diseases.

Stroke leads to a variety of pathophysiological conditions such as ischemic infarct, cerebral inflammation, neuronal damage, cognitive decline, and depression. Many endeavors have been tried to find the therapeutic solutions to attenuate severe neuropathogenesis after stroke. Several studies have reported that a decrease in the neuropeptide regulator ‘galanin’ is associated with neuronal loss, learning and memory dysfunctions, and depression following a stroke. The present review summarized recent evidences on the function and the therapeutic potential of galanin in post-ischemic stroke to provide a further understanding of galanin's role. Hence, we suggest that galanin needs to be considered as a therapeutic factor in the alleviation of post-stroke pathologies.
Depression ; Galanin ; Inflammation ; Learning ; Memory ; Neurons ; Neuropeptides ; Pathology ; Stroke

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Resveratrol, a natural polyphenol, has multiple functions in cellular responses including apoptosis, survival, and differentiation. It also participates in the regulation of inflammatory response and oxidative stress. MicroRNA-Let-7A (miR-Let7A), known as a tumor suppressor miRNA, was recently reported to play a crucial role in both inflammation and apoptosis. Therefore, we examined involvement of miR-Let7A in the modulation of inflammation and cell survival/apoptosis regulated by resveratrol. MATERIALS/METHODS: mRNA expression of pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokines and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), and protein expression of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), p-ASK1, and caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 were measured, and cell viability and Hoechst/PI staining for apoptosis were observed in Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human THP-1 macrophages with the treatment of resveratrol and/or miR-Let7A overexpression. RESULTS: Pre-treatment with resveratrol (25-200 µM) resulted in significant recovery of the reduced cell viabilities under LPS-induced inflammatory condition and in markedly increased expression of miR-Let7A in non-stimulated or LPS-stimulated cells. Increased mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin (IL)-6 induced by LPS were significantly attenuated, and decreased levels of IL-10 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor were significantly restored by resveratrol and miR-Let7A overexpression, respectively, or in combination. Decreased expression of IL-4 mRNA by LPS stimulation was also significantly increased by miR-Let7A overexpression co-treated with resveratrol. In addition, decreased SIRT1 mRNA levels, and increased p-ASK1 levels and PI-positive cells by LPS stimulation were significantly restored by resveratrol and miR-Let7A overexpression, respectively, or in combination. CONCLUSIONS: miR-Let7A may be involved in the inflammatory response and cell survival/apoptosis modulated by resveratrol in human THP-1 macrophages.
Apoptosis ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Survival ; Cytokines ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukins ; Macrophages* ; MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 5 ; MicroRNAs ; Necrosis ; Oxidative Stress ; RNA, Messenger ; Sirtuin 1

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the factors related to Korean physicians' trust in the government. METHODS: We used structured questionnaires that were composed of multidimensional scales for each of the various categories. RESULTS: The recognition levels of trust of the government by Korean physicians were not high, and they ranged from 3.6 to 4.8 for ten scales. The factors related to trust in the government were categorized into seven factors on the basis of a factor analysis. On the regression analysis, a positive relationship was found between "the individual propensity to trust" and trust in the government, while a negative relationship was found between "the recognition level regarding the government as an authoritarian power" and trust in the government. "Confidence about participation in the policy process" as internal efficacy and "belief in governmental ability and motivation toward public demand" as external efficacy also showed a strong positive relationship with trust in the government. CONCLUSIONS: From these results, we can draw the conclusion that making efforts to improve the recognition level of trust in the government among physicians is an important policy task. To increase the trust level, participation of physicians in the policy process in various ways and open communication between the physicians'associations and the government should be facilitated.
Adult ; *Attitude of Health Personnel ; Female ; *Government ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Physicians ; Policy Making ; Republic of Korea ; Societies, Medical ; *Trust

PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop and evaluate the lower extremity lymphedema nursing practice protocol for patients following gynecologic cancer treatment. METHODS: Thirteen web-sites were searched for eligible clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and eleven databases were searched to identify evidence to develop a lower extremity lymphedema nursing practice protocol for patients following gynecologic cancer treatment. RESULTS: Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, eight CPGs and ninety-six studies, two guidelines and eight studies were identified as evidence. The protocol development group consisted of ten experts who have at least five years' experience in the related area. A lower extremity lymphedema nursing practice protocol for patients following gynecologic cancer treatment was developed including forty-three recommendations in five domains. Significant differences were found in nurses' pre and post knowledge and confidence on lower extremity lymphedema prevention and management. CONCLUSION: Nurses and other professionals could utilize this evidence based lower extremity lymphedema nursing practice protocol and apply it to patients undergoing gynecologic cancer treatment.
Female ; Genital Neoplasms, Female ; Humans ; Lower Extremity* ; Lymphedema* ; Nursing Assessment ; Nursing*

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Vascular inflammation is an important feature in the atherosclerotic process. Recent studies report that leaves and branches of Carpinus turczaninowii (C. turczaninowii) have antioxidant capacity and exert anti-inflammatory effects. However, no study has reported the regulatory effect of C. turczaninowii extract on the arterial inflammatory response. This study therefore investigated modulation of the arterial inflammatory response after exposure to C. turczaninowii extract, using human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HAoSMCs). MATERIALS/METHODS: Scavenging activity of free radicals, total phenolic content (TPC), cell viability, mRNA expressions, and secreted levels of cytokines were measured in LPS-stimulated (10 ng/mL) HAoSMCs treated with the C. turczaninowii extract. RESULTS: C. turczaninowii extract contains high amounts of TPC (225.6 ± 21.0 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g of the extract), as well as exerts time-and dose-dependent increases in strongly scavenged free radicals (average 14.8 ± 1.97 µg/mL IC50 at 40 min). Cell viabilities after exposure to the extracts (1 and 10 µg/mL) were similar to the viability of non-treated cells. Cytokine mRNA expressions were significantly suppressed by the extracts (1 and 10 µg/mL) at 6 hours (h) after exposure. Interleukin-6 secretion was dose-dependently suppressed 2 h after incubation with the extract, at 1–10 µg/mL in non-stimulated cells, and at 5 and 10 µg/mL in LPS-stimulated cells. Similar patterns were also observed at 24 h after incubation with the extract (at 1–10 µg/mL in non-stimulated cells, and at 10 µg/mL in the LPS-stimulated cells). Soluble intracellular vascular adhesion molecules (sICAM-1) secreted from non-stimulated cells and LPS-stimulated cells were similarly suppressed in a dose-dependent manner after 24 h exposure to the extracts, but not after 2 h. In addition, sICAM-1 concentration after 24 h treatment was positively related to IL-6 levels after 2 h and 24 h exposure (r = 0.418, P = 0.003, and r = 0.524, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that C. turczaninowii modulates the arterial inflammatory response, and indicates the potential to be applied as a therapeutic use for atherosclerosis.
Antioxidants ; Arteries ; Atherosclerosis ; Betulaceae ; Cell Survival ; Cytokines ; Free Radicals ; Gallic Acid ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Interleukin-6 ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Phenol ; RNA, Messenger

Objectives: ：The purpose of this study was to quantitatively assess the degree of Graves’ Disease affecting mental health through the results of multiphasic military personality inventory (MPI) in 19-year-old men. Methods: ：We collected and analyzed the results of the MPI for 592 healthy subjects and 148 Graves’ disease patients among the 19-year-old men who visited the Military Manpower Administration from February 2008 to January 2010. Results: ：Among demographic characteristics, both Graves’ disease and control group are 19-year-old men. Educational level, socioeconomic status, parental relationship, and BMI were not statistically different between the two groups (χ2 =0.089, p=0.766; χ2 =5.090, p=0.278; χ 2 =5.988, p=0.112 ; t=-0.635, p=0.526). In the MPI, among validity scales, the score of the faking-good subscale was significantly lower in the Graves’ group (t=3.507, p<0.001), but in the faking-bad and infrequency subscales scores were not significantly different between two groups (t=-1.700, p=0.090; t=-0.519, p=0.604). Among the neurosis scale, anxiety, depression, somatization, and personality disor-der subscale scores were all significantly higher in Graves’ disease group (t=-3.323, p<0.001; t=-4.210, p<0.001; t=-6.202, p<0.001; t=-2.872, p<0.01). Among the psychopath scale, each score of schizophrenia and paranoia subscales were not statistically different between the two groups (t=-0.158, p=0.874; t=-0.846, p=0.398). Conclusions ：According to MPI result, we can confirm that Graves’ disease patients in 19-year-old-men may appear features such as anxiety, depression, somatization and personality tendency (introversion or impulsivity) than the control group.