A study on smartphone dependence and depression in Korean high school students.

Using the 10th Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey in 2020, we attempted to determine the relationship between smartphone addiction and depression in 25,987 high school students. The demographic characteristics of the subjects were reviewed frequently, and the correlation between smartphone dependence and depression were determined. The results show that it is difficult to track the time spent on smartphones to determine the level of depression (R = 0.

A study on the perception of hand washing and health status in Korean adults.

This study aimed to investigate the perception about hand washing and health status among Koreans using the data from the Community Health Survey.We examined the differences in the perceptions about hand washing and health statuses of 220,440 participants of the 2017 community health survey. The sample was divided into groups based on demographic variables, perceptions about hand washing, and prevalence of metabolic diseases.

Preparation and Characterization of Superabsorbent Polymers Based on Starch Aldehydes and Carboxymethyl Cellulose.

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are crosslinked hydrophilic polymers that are capable of absorbing large amounts of water. Commercial SAPs are mostly produced with acrylic acid that cannot be easily biodegraded. Therefore, in this study, polysaccharide-based SAPs using carboxymethyl cellulose as a major component were prepared.

Discovery of a small molecule RXFP3/4 agonist that increases food intake in rats upon acute central administration.

The relaxin family peptide receptors have been implicated in numerous physiological processes including energy homeostasis, cardiac function, wound healing, and reproductive function. Two family members, RXFP3 and RXFP4, are class A GPCRs with endogenous peptide ligands (relaxin-3 and insulin-like peptide 5 (INSL5), respectively). Polymorphisms in relaxin-3 and RXFP3 have been associated with obesity, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia.

Covalent Functionalization of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Surface via Chemical Treatment.

Due to the strong hydrophobic and van der Waals interactions between individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs), these particles easily aggregate with themselves. When CNTs were introduced into a polymer matrix as a filler, aggregations formed that can adversely affect the mechanical and thermal properties of polymer/CNTs composites. To prevent aggregation, covalent functionalizations via chemical treatments using H₂SO₄/HNO₃, H₂O₂/H₂O and a silane coupling agent(STX)-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, GPTMS) on the CNTs were chosen in this study.

3D motion analysis of the wrist splint effect to wrist joint movement.

[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate the degree of straightness of the wrist joint, depending on the use of a wrist splint while opening a bottle cap. Its results may provide data for later studies on preventing accidents at workplaces and improving efficiency. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty Male and Female in their twenties who did not have hand-related diseases, fractures, or history that included neurological impairments associated with the hand were selected as subjects of the study.

Systematic review of the effects of mirror therapy in children with cerebral palsy.

[Purpose] To provide data for systematic intervention plans in occupational therapy practice by objectivity showing the value of mirror therapy interventions in children with cerebral palsy. [Subjects and Methods] Medline and EMBASE databases were searched for the key words "cerebral palsy," "mirror movement," "mirror therapy," and "mirror visual feedback." Nine studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were identified.

Grip strength in post-stroke hemiplegia.

[Purpose] This study was performed in order to investigate the grip strength of the unaffected hand of hemiplegic post-stroke patients. [Subjects] This study conducted on 83 hemiplegic post-stroke patients from May to August 2012. [Methods] This study was measured the mean grip strength of the unaffected hand of patients with hemiplegia and comparatively analyzed this with the mean normal grip strength.

A study on physical status and life satisfaction of workers.

[Purpose] This study was conducted to examine physical status and life satisfaction of workers in Korea. [Subjects] In total, 25,455 workers from eight geographical areas were evaluated from 2007 to 2008. [Methods] Physical status of the subjects was measured based on cardiopulmonary endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and explosive muscular strength, and a life satisfaction index was used to measure life satisfaction.

3D motion analysis comparison of left handers' wrist flexion and cutting accuracy according to scissors type.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to research the difference in wrist flexion and accuracy of left-handers when using regular scissors made for right-handed persons versus scissors made for left-handers. [Subjects and Methods] Eighteen left-handers participated in the experiment. There were ten males and eight females subjects.

Study of the physical condition of middle-aged workers by gender.

[Purpose] The purpose of this research was to investigate the physical condition of middle-aged workers in Korea by gender. [Subjects] In total, 2,644 middle-aged workers (male, n = 2,175; female, n =469) ≥50 years of age from eight geographical areas were evaluated from 2007 to 2008. [Methods] The subjects' physical condition, muscular endurance, reaction, flexibility, agility and age of physical strength were evaluated.

The relationship between obesity and health-related quality of life of office workers.

[Purpose] This study aimed to understand how office workers' obesity, anxiety and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) affect each other. [Subjects] The study was conducted from February 1 of 2013 to March 31 of 2014 and targeted a total of 143 office workers working in Seoul, Republic of Korea. [Methods] The study collected data using both an assessment tool and questionnaire in order to learn the subjects' obesity index, anxiety and HRQOL.

Study of the Physical Condition of Middle-aged Office and Field Workers Aged 50 and Older.

[Purpose] We investigated the physical condition of middle-aged workers in Korea by job category (office job vs. production job). [Subjects] In total, 3,650 middle-aged workers (production job, n = 2,615; office job, n = 1,035) ≥50 years of age from eight geographical areas were evaluated from 2007 to 2008.

Comparison of Muscle Activation during Dominant Hand Wrist Flexion when Writing.

[Purpose] This study investigated the difference in muscle activation of the dominant upper extremity in right-handed and left-handed persons during writing. [Subjects] There were 36 subjects (16 left- handers/ 20 right- handers), and the study was conducted from 03/01/2012 to 30/3/2012. [Methods] Six electrodes were attached to the FCU (flexor carpi ulnaris), FCR (flexor carpi radialis), ECU (extensor carpi ulnaris), ECR (extensor carpi radialis), and both UT (upper trapezius) muscles.

A study on the necessity of medical facilities safety design adoption.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the requirements of the introduction of a safety design and certification system for medical facilities. [Subjects] A survey was carried out of one hundred nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists from May to August in 2012. [Methods] The survey was conducted after giving subjects some information about safety design.

Effects of diet-induced mild obesity on airway hyperreactivity and lung inflammation in mice.

Purpose: Obesity has been suggested to be linked to asthma. However, it is not yet known whether obesity directly leads to airway hyperreactivity (AHR) or obesity-induced airway inflammation associated with asthma. We investigated obesity- related changes in adipokines, AHR, and lung inflammation in a murine model of asthma and obesity.

Expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α and PPAR-γ in the lung tissue of obese mice and the effect of rosiglitazone on proinflammatory cytokine expressions in the lung tissue.

Purpose: We investigated the mRNA levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α, PPAR-γ, adipokines, and cytokines in the lung tissue of lean and obese mice with and without ovalbumin (OVA) challenge, and the effect of rosiglitazone, a PPAR-γ agonist.

Methods: We developed 6 mice models: OVA-challenged lean mice with and without rosiglitazone; obese mice with and without rosiglitazone; and OVA-challenged obese mice with and without rosiglitazone. We performed real-time polymerase chain reaction for leptin, leptin receptor, adiponectin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, PPAR-α and PPAR-γ from the lung tissue and determined the cell counts and cytokine levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

Verticillin G, a new antibacterial compound from Bionectra byssicola.

A new epidithiodioxopiperazine compound named verticillin G along with the known compound verticillin D has been isolated from the mycelium of liquid fermentation cultures of a fungal strain Bionectra byssicola F 120. The structure of verticillin G was determined on the basis of MS and NMR data. Verticillin G inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus including methicillin-resistant and quinolone-resistant S.

Signalling cross-talk between hepatocyte nuclear factor 4alpha and growth-hormone-activated STAT5b.

In the present study, we have characterized signalling cross-talk between STAT5b (signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b) and HNF4alpha (hepatocyte nuclear factor 4alpha), two major regulators of sex-dependent gene expression in the liver. In a HepG2 liver cell model, HNF4alpha strongly inhibited beta-casein and ntcp (Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide) promoter activity stimulated by GH (growth hormone)-activated STAT5b, but had no effect on interferon-gamma-stimulated STAT1 transcriptional activity. By contrast, STAT5b synergistically enhanced the transcriptional activity of HNF4alpha towards the ApoCIII (apolipoprotein CIII) promoter.

Sex-dependent liver gene expression is extensive and largely dependent upon signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b (STAT5b): STAT5b-dependent activation of male genes and repression of female genes revealed by microarray analysis.

Sexual dimorphism in mammalian liver contributes to sex differences in physiology, homeostasis, and steroid and foreign compound metabolism. Many sex-dependent liver genes are regulated by sex differences in pituitary GH secretion, with the transcription factor, signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT5b), proposed to mediate signaling by the pulsatile, male plasma GH profile. Presently, a large-scale gene expression study was conducted using male and female mice, wild type and Stat5b inactivated, to characterize sex differences in liver gene expression and their dependence on STAT5b.