PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the accuracy and adequacy of research papers reporting statistical testings for correlation and regression. METHOD: Original research articles utilized correlation and regression analysis were reviewed from the Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing published from the year 2004 to 2006. Thirty-six papers were evaluated in accordance with formatted criteria in respect to an inclusiveness of research title, accuracy of statistical methods and presentation styles, and errors in reporting statistical outcomes. RESULT: Thirty articles (83.3%) utilized Pearson's correlational analysis, and ten articles did regression analysis. Lack of accurate understanding and interpretation of the statistical method was a main fault. Basic assumptions and diagnostic testings for each statistical method were not performed or described in most of the studies. Some points like consistency of research questions with statistical methods and criteria for sample size were still left out in part. Details of the presentation in the reporting of outcomes were not complied with the guidelines, which need careful concerns of the writers. Errors in English of result tables were found in more than one third of the tables. CONCLUSION: The outcome would be reflected in the submission guidelines for future writers. To reach the level comparable with internationally recognized nursing journals, concrete knowledge to apply statistical methods should be ensured in the processes of submission, reviews, and editing.
Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Sample Size ; Women's Health

Ethyl linoleate is an unsaturated fatty acid used in many cosmetics for its various attributes, such as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and clinically proven to be an effective anti-acne agent. In this study, we investigated the effect of ethyl linoleate on the melanogenesis and the mechanism underlying its action on melanogenesis in B16F10 murine melanoma cells. Our results revealed that ethyl linoleate significantly inhibited melanin content and intracellular tyrosinase activity in α-MSH-induced B16F10 cells, but it did not directly inhibit activity of mushroom tyrosinase. Ethyl linoleate inhibited the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, and tyrosinase related protein 1 (TRP1) in governing melanin pigment synthesis. We observed that ethyl linoleate inhibited phosphorylation of Akt and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) and reduced the level of β-catenin, suggesting that ethyl linoleate inhibits melanogenesis through Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin signal pathway. Therefore, we propose that ethyl linoleate may be useful as a safe whitening agent in cosmetic and a potential therapeutic agent for reducing skin hyperpigmentation in clinics.
Agaricales ; Glycogen Synthase Kinases ; Hyperpigmentation ; Linoleic Acid* ; Melanins ; Melanoma ; Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor ; Monophenol Monooxygenase ; Phosphorylation ; Signal Transduction* ; Skin

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy and adequacy of research papers reporting statistical testings for mean differences. METHODS: Original research articles utilized t-test, Chi-square test, and ANOVA were reviewed from Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing published from the year 2004 to 2006. Seventy-six papers were evaluated in accordance with formatted criteria in respect to an inclusiveness of research title, accuracy of statistical methods and presentation styles, and errors in reporting statistical outcomes. RESULTS: Research titles were quite comprehensive, however overall accuracy of statistical values and basic formats reached only 60 to 80% by items. Details of the presentation in the reporting of outcomes were not complied with the guidelines, which need careful concerns of the writers. Errors of English in table presentation were found in more than 30% of the papers. CONCLUSION: The outcome would be reflected in the submission guidelines for future writers. To reach the level comparable with internationally recognized nursing journals, concrete knowledge to apply statistical methods should be ensured in the processes of submission, reviews, and editing.
Analysis of Variance ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Nursing ; Women's Health

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Sageretia thea is traditionally used as a medicinal herb to treat various diseases, including skin disorders, in China and Korea. This study evaluated the inhibitory effect of Sageretia thea fruit on melanogenesis and its underlying mechanisms in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. The active chemical compounds in anti-melanogenesis were determined in Sageretia thea. MATERIALS/METHODS: Solvent fractions from the crude extract were investigated for anti-melanogenic activities. These activities and the mechanism of anti-melanogenesis in B16F10 cells were examined by determining melanin content and tyrosinase activity, and by performing western blotting. RESULTS: The n-hexane fraction of Sageretia thea fruit (HFSF) exhibited significant anti-melanogenic activity among the various solvent fractions without reducing viability of B16F10 cells. The HFSF suppressed the expression of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP1). The reduction of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) expression by the HFSF was mediated by the Akt/glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β) signaling pathway, which promotes the reduction of β-catenin. Treatment with the GSK3β inhibitor 6-bromoindirubin-3'-oxime (BIO) restored HFSF-induced inhibition of MITF expression. The HFSF bioactive constituents responsible for anti-melanogenic activity were identified by bioassay-guided fractionation and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis as methyl linoleate and methyl linolenate. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that HFSF and its constituents, methyl linoleate and methyl linolenate, could be used as whitening agents in cosmetics and have potential for treating hyperpigmentation disorders in the clinic.
alpha-Linolenic Acid ; Animals ; Bleaching Agents ; Blotting, Western ; Camellia ; China ; Fruit ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Hyperpigmentation ; Korea ; Linoleic Acid ; Melanins ; Melanoma ; Mice ; Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor ; Monophenol Monooxygenase ; Phosphotransferases ; Plants, Medicinal ; Skin

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a spindle cell neoplasm that occurs commonly in the pleural space. One-third of SFTs arising from an extrathoracic organ are found in the head and neck region, and they arise rarely in the sinonasal tract. Most of these tumors are benign, but malignant tumors are identified in some cases. Here we report a rare sinonasal SFT arising from the frontal recess. A 32-year-old male patient with chief complaint of headache and left facial pain visited the outpatient clinic. He had suffered from paranasal pain and nasal obstruction for several months, and symptoms became more severe in the previous three months. The mass rapidly increased in size and was protruding from the left nostril when he visited the hospital. After computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans, transnasal endoscopic resection of the tumor was performed, and gross total tumor removal was successfully achieved. We believe this case will be helpful for providing information regarding management of such uncommon huge sinonasal tumors originating from the frontal recess.