PURPOSE: The transcription factor, NF-kB, is important in the coordinated expressions of various pro-inflammatory and adhesion molecules. Our hypothesis is that inhibiting the action of NF-kB using a synthetic decoy oligodeoxynucleotide(ODN) can block the underlying inflammatory response in glomerulonephritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty two male C57BL6 mice, weighting 25g, were divided into four groups; in group 1, 2 mice were used as normal controls; in group 2, a unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO) was induced in 12 mice; in group 3, 20 UUO mice were treated using ring-type NK-kB decoy ODN; and in group 4, 8 UUO mice were treated using scramble type NF-kB decoy ODN. The mice were killed 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after the NF-kB decoy ODN injections, and the blood urea nitrogen(BUN), and expressions of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-beta(IL-beta), fibronectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule(VCAM) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1), as well as the histopathological findings, analyzed in each group. RESULTS: The serum levels of BUN, TNF-alpha, IL-beta, fibronectin, VCAM and MCP-1 were increased in group 2, but decreased in group 3. The histopathological findings of the kidneys in group 3 were most similar to those found in the control(group 1). CONCLUSIONS: NF-kB decoy ODN treatment substantially inhibited the disease, with reductions in the histological damage and the renal expressions of inflammatory cytokines.
Animals ; Cell Adhesion ; Cytokines ; Fibronectins ; Glomerulonephritis ; Humans ; Kidney* ; Male ; Mice* ; Monocytes ; NF-kappa B ; Transcription Factors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Urea ; Ureter* ; Ureteral Obstruction*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The management of job-related stress among health-care workers is critical for the improvement of healthcare services; however, there is no existing research on endoscopy unit workers as a team. Korea has a unique health-care system for endoscopy unit workers. In this study, we aimed to estimate job stress and job satisfaction among health-care providers in endoscopy units in Korea. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional survey of health-care providers in the endoscopy units of three university-affiliated hospitals in Korea. We analyzed the job stress levels by using the Korean occupational stress scale, contributing factors, and job satisfaction. RESULTS: Fifty-nine workers completed the self-administered questionnaires. The job stress scores for the endoscopy unit workers (46.39±7.81) were relatively lower compared to those of the national sample of Korean workers (51.23±8.83). Job stress differed across job positions, with nurses showing significantly higher levels of stress (48.92±7.97) compared to doctors (42.59±6.37). Job stress and job satisfaction were negatively correlated with each other (R2=0.340, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: An endoscopy unit is composed of a heterogeneous group of health-care professionals (i.e., nurses, fellows, and professors), and job stress and job satisfaction significantly differ according to job positions. Job demand, insufficient job control, and job insecurity are the most important stressors in the endoscopy unit.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Delivery of Health Care ; Endoscopy* ; Job Satisfaction* ; Korea*