Due to an author error the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant Number was incorrectly listed in the original online publication of this article.

No abstract available.

Chitosan, which is a biopolymer, composed of glucosamine units linked by beta-1, 4 glycoside bonds, is rich in shells of crustacean such as crabs and shrimps. Consumption of chitosan has been rapidly increased as a functional food. We examined effects of chitosan on the damages caused by lead (Pb) exposure in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 8 groups (n = 64), then fed diets containing 3% cellulose (control) or 3% chitosan, each with 4 different lead doses (0 mg/d, 20 mg/d, 50 mg/d, and 100 mg/d) for 4 wks. Lead doses were given 3 times per week by oral administration. Blood lead levels in rats increased depending on the administered doses of lead. Rats fed chitosan diets showed lower blood lead concentration than did their respective controls. Effect of chitosan on the blood lead was more beneficial in rats exposed to lower lead (20 mg/d) than in rats exposed to higher lead (50 mg/d and 100 mg/d). Histological changes in erythrocytes and liver were also examined. Chitosan tended to reduce numbers of basophilic stippling erythrocytes and improve the histological liver changes in rats given various lead doses. The preventive effects of chitosan on liver damages were stronger in rats with higher lead than those with lower lead. These results indicate that chitosan has beneficial effects on both blood toxicological responses and histological damages of erythrocytes and liver induced by the administration of various lead doses.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Basophils ; Biopolymers ; Cellulose ; Chitosan* ; Diet ; Erythrocytes ; Functional Food ; Glucosamine ; Humans ; Liver ; Male ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing nurses’ caring behavior. Methods: The descriptive study included 178 intensive care unit (ICU) nurses who completed a self-report structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression analysis using the IBM SPSS/WIN 23.0 program. Results: Significant correlation existed between perception of Patient- and Family-Centered Care (PFCC) and nurses’ caring behaviors (r = .36, p < .001). Multiple regression analysis showed that perception of support (β = .36, p < .001), total career length (β = .33, p < .001), and familiarity with PFCC (β = .15, p = .018) affected the caring behavior of ICU nurses. These variables explained 30.0% of the variance in caring behavior. Conclusion Effective strategies are needed to improve perceptions of support as well as to promote PFCC for increasig the frequency of caring behavior among ICU nurses.

PURPOSE: In this study changes were observed in body temperature, heart rate and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) of newborns after bathing and to determine the effects of covering their heads with cotton hats after bathing. METHODS: Participants were 58 newborn infants, 31 in the experimental group had their heads covered with cotton hats after their bath while 27 in the control group did not. Body temperature, arterial oxygen saturation and heart rate were measured at 8 consecutive times after bathing. Data were analyzed using t-test and repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Body temperature declined shortly after bathing. The experimental group showed faster recovery (p<.001). Heart rate increased after bathing in both groups. Heart rate in the experimental group decreased for 120 minutes and gradually increased to baseline (p<.001). In the control group, heart rate decreased for 180 minutes and then increased but did not reach the baseline (p<.001). Arterial oxygen saturation decreased shortly after bathing and recovery to the baseline was more rapid in the experimental group (30 minutes vs. 60 minutes) (p<.001). CONCLUSION: With significant changes observed in newborns' body temperature, arterial oxygen saturation and heart rate, covering the head right after bathing is effective in stabilizing infants' physiological system.
Baths ; Body Temperature ; Head ; Heart ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Oxygen ; Child Health

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing nurses’ caring behavior. Methods: The descriptive study included 178 intensive care unit (ICU) nurses who completed a self-report structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression analysis using the IBM SPSS/WIN 23.0 program. Results: Significant correlation existed between perception of Patient- and Family-Centered Care (PFCC) and nurses’ caring behaviors (r = .36, p < .001). Multiple regression analysis showed that perception of support (β = .36, p < .001), total career length (β = .33, p < .001), and familiarity with PFCC (β = .15, p = .018) affected the caring behavior of ICU nurses. These variables explained 30.0% of the variance in caring behavior. Conclusion Effective strategies are needed to improve perceptions of support as well as to promote PFCC for increasig the frequency of caring behavior among ICU nurses.

Although some comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus, lung disease, and chronic kidney disease, are known as risk factors for poor clinical outcome in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), it is unknown if human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients with COVID-19 would have poor prognosis than others. Rare cases of HIV patients with COVID-19 have been reported. As of May 25th, 2020, over 11,000 patients have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and over 13,000 are living with HIV in Korea. Here, we present the first HIV patient with COVID-19 in Korea. The 29-year-old Korean man had been taking Genvoya® regularly for seven years and HIV was well suppressed with CD4 counts of 555/mm 3 . He had mild symptoms of sore throat, dry cough, loss of taste and smell. He received hydroxychloroquine while Genvoya® was continued. Pneumonia diagnosed in chest computed tomography improved without oxygen supplementation. He was discharged on hospital day 31. HIV patients are considered as immunocompromised, but this case suggests that well controlled HIV patients have satisfactory prognosis following proper medical care.

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Neurologic Examination*

Cellular prion protein, a membrane protein, is expressed in all mammals. Prion protein is also found in human blood as an anchorless protein, and this protein form is one of the many potential sources of misfolded prion protein replication during transmission. Many studies have suggested that beta-amyloid1-42 oligomer causes neurotoxicity associated with Alzheimer's disease, which is mediated by the prion protein that acts as a receptor and regulates the hippocampal potentiation. The prevention of the binding of these proteins has been proposed as a possible preventative treatment for Alzheimer's disease; therefore, a greater understanding of the binding hot-spots between the two molecules is necessary. In this study, the epitope mapping immunoassay was employed to characterize binding epitopes within the prion protein and complementary epitopes in beta-amyloid. Residues 23-39 and 93-119 in the prion protein were involved in binding to beta-amyloid1-40 and 1-42, and monomers of this protein interacted with prion protein residues 93-113 and 123-166. Furthermore, beta-amyloid antibodies against the C-terminus detected bound beta-amyloid1-42 at residues 23-40, 104-122 and 159-175. beta-Amyloid epitopes necessary for the interaction with prion protein were not determined. In conclusion, charged clusters and hydrophobic regions of the prion protein were involved in binding to beta-amyloid1-40 and 1-42. The 3D structure appears to be necessary for beta-amyloid to interact with prion protein. In the future, these binding sites may be utilized for 3D structure modeling, as well as for the pharmaceutical intervention of Alzheimer's disease.
Amyloid beta-Peptides/*metabolism ; Electrophoresis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; *Epitope Mapping ; Epitopes/*metabolism ; Humans ; *Immunoassay ; Prions/*metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Recombinant Proteins/metabolism

No abstract available.
Monokines* ; Neutrophil Activation* ; Neutrophils*