• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.37-47
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• 2005

Biobehavioral nursing research is focused on generating knowledge that examines relations among biological, behavioral, and social dimensions of health to improve outcomes. In this paper we review the findings of a biobehavioral nursing study of individuals with fibromyalgia (FM) that was framed from the perspective of an individual human response model, the FM literature, and our previous studies in midlife women. We were particularly interested in the studying the role of 'arousal' secondary to pain or to dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hormones during sleep and the impact on symptom expression. Unexpectedly, we did not find evidence of, arousal' or abnormal amounts of HPA axis hormones but we did find reduced amounts of growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) and of sleep spindle activity, a biomarker of sleep maintenance. We discuss these new findings and how our thinking was re-shaped to better understand the role that disturbed sleep plays in symptom expression in FM. It is argued that disturbed sleep maintenance mechanisms coupled with dysregulated somatotrophic-growth hormone axis and sleep-related PRL render individuals vulnerable to the development of or exacerbations of FM symptoms.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.77-87
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• 2024

Purpose : The study aim was to determine the present state of occupational therapists in Korea in terms of the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO). We collected basic data for future research by investigating recognition by occupational therapists for applications of the MOHO and the necessity thereof. Specifically, we explored ways to effectively apply the MOHO in occupational therapy. Methods : We conducted a study from December 3, 2023, to January 18, 2024. A survey was administered to 163 occupational therapists. The general characteristics, recognition, and necessity of the MOHO were examined using a frequency analysis and descriptive statistics. Results : The most responses to "degree of ease of access to the MOHO information" were for "disagree" 56 people(34 %). Regarding "degree of satisfaction with information about [the] MOHO," 53 people (33 %) responded with "disagree" (the highest response rate). Only 22 % had applied the MOHO previously. Second, occupational therapists thought that the MOHO should be applied in occupational therapy clinical practice; they also believed that related education was needed for occupational therapy university/college students and occupational therapists. In response to the question, "What channels do you think MOHO education will be helpful for?", 118 people (32 %) answered "continuing education at the association level," and 86 people (23 %) answered "educational institutions aimed at MOHO." Conclusion : Based on these results, I recommend the following. For application of the MOHO in occupational therapy clinical practice, an occupation-based concept must first be established. In addition, related knowledge must be acquired through the expansion of education regarding the MOHO. The efficient application of the MOHO will ultimately lead to improvement in the health of clients.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.105-125
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• 2021

Purpose - This study analyzes the effects that the response to the technical barriers to trade (TBT), which are used by various countries as means to restrict imports, exerts on exports at a time when protectionism is emerging in the face of a global economic downturn. TBT has been widely used in developed countries for the safety and protection of their people. Recently, the use of TBT as a tool of protectionism has increased considerably in developing countries as well. Therefore, this study analyzes the South Korean SMEs' response and export performance. Design/methodology - To analyze SMEs' response to TBT and their export performance, this study conducted empirical analysis through statistical analysis. To this end, the research established a theory based on previous research and designed its hypothesis and research model. To verify the hypothesis and research model, factor analysis addressing validity and reliability was performed using SPSS 25 and AMOS 26, and the structural equation model was analyzed. Findings - This study found the causal relationship between the independent variable, the mediating variable, and the dependent variable adopted against the theoretical background to have little or no effect, in contrast with previous studies. In a break from previous studies, all hypotheses were rejected for innovation strategic competencies, one of the sub-factors of the independent variable, which is believed to be a result of the lack of practical research related to TBT. Originality/value - Previous studies performed analysis using trade statistics or macro data. A number of such studies analyzed the relationship between technical regulation and trade volume. This study differs from previous studies in some respects, because it analyzed the export performance of companies by establishing a hypothesis and implementing a research model with the factors analyzed in previous studies. In addition, a new attempt has been made by classifying the TBT response factors into technology competencies, human resource competencies, and innovation strategic competencies, and utilizing technology innovation and the export support system as mediating effects.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.3D
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• pp.231-240
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• 2010

As majority of the traffic accidents in intersections is caused by human factor, a close examination is required on its contributing factors through measuring the psychological and physiological response according to the driving characteristics of the drivers and the road conditions. In this study, for the safety evaluation of individual intersection considering human factors of the drivers, electroencephalography reaction was measured utilizing cutting-edge measuring equipment and survey on drivers' cognitive characteristics in ordinary times and while driving test was conducted. The relationship between the electroencephalography response when approaching the intersection and cognitive evaluation survey data in driving test was clarified, and individual intersection safety evaluation model was built considering cognitive evaluation factor and the reaction of a bio-response electroencephalography data. As a result, I could find out that cognitive evaluation was made through the reaction of a bio-response (Electroencephalography) process because electroencephalography reaction of a bio-response showed differently by the physical characteristics of the intersection and cognitive evaluation had a difference.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.45-49
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• 2010

Unlike human, with some exceptions, animals do not heal with excessive scar. The lack of suitable animal model has hindered the development of effective scar therapy. We previously reported that partial thickness rabbit ear wound model resembles human wound heal process. This study was designed to prepare a hypertropic scar wound model which can be employed for testing anti-scar therapy. Four wounds were created down to the bare cartilage on the anterior side of each rabbit ear using 8-mm dermal biopsy punch and histology analysis at post operation day (POD) 5, 28 and 48 were performed. As the outcome of scar formation is largely determined by the early inflammatory response to the wounding and the degree and the duration of occlusion, cephalodin(50 mg/kg) was injected daily and medical occlusive dressings were applied. Five micro wound and scar sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for quantification of epidermal regeneration and scar hypertrophy. Sections were also stained using Masson's trichrome and Sirius red to evaluate collagen organization and rete ridge formation. Wound closure process was assessed to 7wks post wounding. Complete removal of the epidermis, dermis and perichondrial layer caused delayed epithelialization, which results in hypertropic scarring. The inability of the wounds to contract and the delay in epithelialization in rabbit ear was likely due to cartilage and it created scar elevation. The results suggest that full thickness surgical punch wound model in rabbit ear could be employed as a reliable and reproducible scar wound model for testing anti-scar therapy.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.157-164
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• 2018

Francisella tularensis (FT), a highly infectious pathogen, is considered to be a potential biological weapon owing to the current lack of a human vaccine against it. Tul4 and FopA, both outer membrane proteins of FT, play an important role in the bacterium's immunogenicity. In the present study, we evaluated the immune response of mice - humanized with human CD34+ cells (hu-mice) - to a cocktail of recombinant Tul4 and FopA (rTul4 and rFopA), which were codon-optimized and expressed in Escherichia coli. Not only did the cocktail-immunized hu-mice produce a significant human immunoglobulin response, they also exhibited prolonged survival against an attenuated live vaccine strain as well as human T cells in the spleen. These results suggest that the cocktail of rTul4 and rFopA had successfully induced an immune response in the hu-mice, demonstrating the potential of this mouse model for use in the evaluation of FT vaccine candidates.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.358-368
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• 2011

Objectives: In order to evaluate the association between occupational exposure to chloroethylene (TCE) and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), we conducted a meta-analysis of retrospective cohort studies and casecontrol studies and attempted to summarize the evidence of the association from molecular-epidemiological studies and experiments with human cells. Methods: In the meta-analysis, we restricted the analysis to those studies with data for chlorinated solvents, degreasers, or TCE. Studies involving dry cleaners or launderers were excluded from the analysis because use of TCE as a dry cleaning fluid has been rare since the 1960s. The data were combined using a random-effects model to estimate the summary risks (OR and RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Molecular evidence of the effect of TCE on human immune system were also reviewed and summarized. Results: Occupational exposure to TCE was strongly associated with NHL among cohort studies (number of studies=13, summary RR=1.33, 95% CI=1.04-1.70) whereas the association was not statistically significant among case-control studies (number of studies=15, summary OR=1.10, 0.98-1.23). When exposure level was considered, it became statistically significant for the highest exposure level (number of studies=5, summary OR=1.70, 1.25-2.32). Molecular evidences showed that TCE exposure in human or cultured human cells may cause a significant decrease immune cell subsets and changes in hormone levels related to immune response. Conclusions: Our results from meta-analysis and additional molecular evidence suggest that occupational exposure to TCE may cause NHL. However, unmeasured potential confounding and unclear dose-response relationships warrant further study on the role of TCE exposure in NHL carcinogenesis.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.18 no.9
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• pp.1027-1038
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• 2015

For last several decades, the color correction methods have been proposed for HDR(high dynamic range) images. However, color distortion problems take place after correcting the colors such as halos, dominant color as well known. Accordingly, this article presents a novel approach in which the method consists of tone-mapping method and cone response function. In the proposed method, the tone mapping method is used to improve the contrast in the given HDR image based on chromatic and achromatic based on the CIEXYZ tristimulus value, expressed in c/m². The cone response function is used to deal with mismatch between corrected image and displayed image as well as to estimate various human visual effects based on the CMCAT2000 color appearance model. The experimental results show that the proposed method yields better performance of color correction over the conventional method in subjective and quantitative quality, and color reproduction.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.403-410
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• 2018

Background Radiation-induced skin injury is a dose-limiting complication of radiotherapy. To investigate this problem and to develop a framework for making decisions on treatment and dose prescription, a murine model of radiation-induced skin injury was developed. Methods The dorsal skin of the mice was isolated, and irradiation was applied at single doses of 15, 30, and 50 Gy. The mice were followed for 12 weeks with serial photography and laser Doppler analysis. Sequential skin biopsy samples were obtained and subjected to a histological analysis, immunostaining against transforming growth factor beta (TGF-${\beta}$), and Western blotting with Wnt-3 and ${\beta}$-catenin. Increases in the levels of TGF-${\beta}$, Wnt, and ${\beta}$-catenin were detected after irradiation. Results All tested radiation doses caused progressive dermal thickening and fibrosis. The cause of this process, however, may not be radiation alone, as the natural course of wound healing may elicit a similar response. The latent appearance of molecular and histological markers that induce fibrosis in the 15 Gy group without causing apparent gross skin injuries indicates that 15 Gy is an appropriate dose for characterizing the effects of chronic irradiation alone. Thus, this model best mimics the patterns of injury that occur in human subjects. Conclusions This animal model can be used to elucidate the gross and molecular changes that occur in radiation-induced skin injury and provides an effective platform for studying this adverse effect without complicating the process of wound healing.

• Journal of applied mathematics & informatics
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• v.33 no.5_6
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• pp.559-578
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• 2015

Human Immune Deficiency Virus (or simply HIV) induces a persistent infection that leads to AIDS causing death in almost every infected individual. As HIV affects the immune system directly by attacking the CD4+ T cells, to exterminate the infection, the natural immune system produces virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes(CTLs) that kills the infected CD4+ T cells. The reduced CD4+ T cell count produce reduced amount of cytokines to stimulate the production of CTLs to fight the invaders that weakens the body immunity succeeding to AIDS. In this paper, we introduce a mathematical model with discrete time-delay to represent this cell dynamics between CD4+ T cells and the CTLs under HIV infection. A modified functional form has been considered to describe the infection mechanism. Characteristics of the system are studied through mathematical analysis. Numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the analytical findings.