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

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

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.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases the risk of dyslipidemia, thereby heightening the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases. Hence, prior to the diagnosis of OSA, it is essential to investigate the association with dyslipidemia in at-risk individuals. Methods: Using raw data obtained from the 2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we examined the details of 2,882 participants aged 40 years and older, who were not diagnosed with sleep apnea and did not use lipid-lowering medications. Participants who had reported snoring, fatigue, or witnessed apnea episodes, were categorized into the “OSA Risk Group” (OSARG), and logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between serum lipid levels and dyslipidemia. Results: OSARG participants were found to have a higher prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia and increased prevalence of dyslipidemia. After adjusting for sex, age, education, economic status, housing type, obesity, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption, only hypertriglyceridemia remained significantly associated with the OSARG, and the odds ratio for OSA was significantly higher among those patients with hypertriglyceridemia (1.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–1.83). Conclusion Among adults aged 40 years and older, compared with those not at risk, individuals at risk of OSA were characterized by a higher prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia. These findings thus indicate that the management of hypertriglyceridemia and dyslipidemia may be warranted prior to the diagnosis of OSA in this population.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases the risk of dyslipidemia, thereby heightening the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases. Hence, prior to the diagnosis of OSA, it is essential to investigate the association with dyslipidemia in at-risk individuals. Methods: Using raw data obtained from the 2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we examined the details of 2,882 participants aged 40 years and older, who were not diagnosed with sleep apnea and did not use lipid-lowering medications. Participants who had reported snoring, fatigue, or witnessed apnea episodes, were categorized into the “OSA Risk Group” (OSARG), and logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between serum lipid levels and dyslipidemia. Results: OSARG participants were found to have a higher prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia and increased prevalence of dyslipidemia. After adjusting for sex, age, education, economic status, housing type, obesity, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption, only hypertriglyceridemia remained significantly associated with the OSARG, and the odds ratio for OSA was significantly higher among those patients with hypertriglyceridemia (1.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–1.83). Conclusion Among adults aged 40 years and older, compared with those not at risk, individuals at risk of OSA were characterized by a higher prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia. These findings thus indicate that the management of hypertriglyceridemia and dyslipidemia may be warranted prior to the diagnosis of OSA in this population.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases the risk of dyslipidemia, thereby heightening the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases. Hence, prior to the diagnosis of OSA, it is essential to investigate the association with dyslipidemia in at-risk individuals. Methods: Using raw data obtained from the 2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we examined the details of 2,882 participants aged 40 years and older, who were not diagnosed with sleep apnea and did not use lipid-lowering medications. Participants who had reported snoring, fatigue, or witnessed apnea episodes, were categorized into the “OSA Risk Group” (OSARG), and logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between serum lipid levels and dyslipidemia. Results: OSARG participants were found to have a higher prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia and increased prevalence of dyslipidemia. After adjusting for sex, age, education, economic status, housing type, obesity, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption, only hypertriglyceridemia remained significantly associated with the OSARG, and the odds ratio for OSA was significantly higher among those patients with hypertriglyceridemia (1.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–1.83). Conclusion Among adults aged 40 years and older, compared with those not at risk, individuals at risk of OSA were characterized by a higher prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia. These findings thus indicate that the management of hypertriglyceridemia and dyslipidemia may be warranted prior to the diagnosis of OSA in this population.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases the risk of dyslipidemia, thereby heightening the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases. Hence, prior to the diagnosis of OSA, it is essential to investigate the association with dyslipidemia in at-risk individuals. Methods: Using raw data obtained from the 2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we examined the details of 2,882 participants aged 40 years and older, who were not diagnosed with sleep apnea and did not use lipid-lowering medications. Participants who had reported snoring, fatigue, or witnessed apnea episodes, were categorized into the “OSA Risk Group” (OSARG), and logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between serum lipid levels and dyslipidemia. Results: OSARG participants were found to have a higher prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia and increased prevalence of dyslipidemia. After adjusting for sex, age, education, economic status, housing type, obesity, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption, only hypertriglyceridemia remained significantly associated with the OSARG, and the odds ratio for OSA was significantly higher among those patients with hypertriglyceridemia (1.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–1.83). Conclusion Among adults aged 40 years and older, compared with those not at risk, individuals at risk of OSA were characterized by a higher prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia. These findings thus indicate that the management of hypertriglyceridemia and dyslipidemia may be warranted prior to the diagnosis of OSA in this population.

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

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