• Korean Journal of Child Education & Care
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.169-192
• /
• 2018

This study aims to investigate the changes of their recognition and childcare practices before and after the training for disability awareness targeting class teachers in inclusive childcare setting. Subjects of this study were 9 teachers and the data was collected from 3 focus group (3 persons per group) and personal interviews in case of study needs. The results of this study are as follows: childcare teachers appealed ignorance and fear of children with disabilities before learning to improve their disability awareness, and have learned from the non-prejudiced attitudes of non-disabled children. The need for understanding and knowledge of children with disabilities was high, and they voluntarily and actively participated in the education for the improvement of disability awareness. Since participating in education, teachers have shown changes in perceptions of children with disabilities and changes in the way they practice childcare for disabled children. As regards cognition, teachers have become more interested in and understanding of children with disabilities and have tried to treat them equally with non-disabled children. Regarding the practice of childcare, they practiced the integrated program together with the non-disabled child and the disabled child through cooperative partnership. They also provided the disability awareness education to the non-disabled children and provided the partial integrated childcare program flexibly in one class according to the situation. The results of this study were analyzed and discussed about the general childcare teachers' experience related to the education for improving disability recognition and caring at childcare setting.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.64 no.3
• /
• pp.299-307
• /
• 2021

Accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) and oxidative stress are the most common reason of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the present study, we investigated the cognitive improvement effects of butanol (BuOH) fraction from Momordica charantia in Aβ_25-35-induced AD mouse model. To develop an AD mouse model, mice were received injection of Aβ_25-35, and then orally administered BuOH fraction from M. charantia at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day during 14 days. In the T-maze and novel object recognition test, administration of BuOH fraction from M. charantia L. at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day improved spatial ability and novel object recognition by increased explorations of novel route and new object. In addition, BuOH fraction of M. charantia-administered groups improved learning and memory abilities by decreased time to reach hidden platform in Morris water maze test. Oral administration of BuOH fraction from M. charantia significantly inhibited lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide levels in the brain, liver, and kidney compared with Aβ_25-35-induced control group. These results indicated that BuOH fraction of M. charantia improved Aβ_25-35-induced cognitive impairment by attenuating oxidative stress. Therefore, M. charantia could be useful for protection from Aβ_25-35-induced cognitive impairment.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.564-569
• /
• 2019

Heavy drinking disrupts the nervous system by activation of GABA receptors and inhibition of glutamate receptors, thereby preventing short-term memory formation. Degradation of cognition by alcohol induces blackouts, and it can lead to alcoholic dementia if repeated. Therefore, drugs need to be developed to prevent alcohol-induced blackout. In this study, we confirmed the effect of an ethanol extract of Cassia obtusifolia seeds (COE) on alcohol-induced memory impairment. The effects of COE and ethanol on cognitive functions mice were examined using the passive avoidance and Y-maze tests. The manner in which alcohol affects long-term potentiation (LTP) in relation to the learning and memory was confirmed by electrophysiology performed on mouse hippocampal slices. We also measured N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated field excitatory synapses (fEPSPs), which have a known association with cognitive impairment caused by ethanol. Ethanol caused memory impairments in passive avoidance and Y-maze tests. COE prevented these ethanol-induced memory impairments in these tests. Ethanol also blocked LTP induction in the mouse hippocampus, and COE prevented this ethanol-induced LTP deficit. Ethanol decreased NMDA receptor-mediated fEPSPs in the mouse hippocampus, and this decrease was prevented by COE. These results suggest that COE might be useful in preventing alcohol-induced neurological dysfunctions, including blackouts.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.37-52
• /
• 2021

Introduction : Oral motor function is basic function of sensory exploration, feeding, and communication, that develops from the fetal stage to childhood. Problems with oral motor function result in difficulty within handling food in the oral cavity, decreased swallowing and feeding skills, difficulty with communication, and problems with oral hygiene. To treat these symptoms, oral motor therapy is provided for normalizing sensory adaptation in the oral cavity, and increasing postural control, oral movement and oral motor function. Discussion : The oral motor facilitation technique (OMFT) was developed for increasing general and integrated oral motor function based on the following: 1) understanding orofacial muscular physiology; 2) a comprehensive approach to sensory·adaptation·behavior·cognition; 3) sensorimotor stimulation by a manual approach; 4) motor control and motor learning theory. The OMFT is a new evidence-based treatment protocol, for children and adults with neuromuscular and oral motor problems. Conclusion : The goal of this article is to provide a theoretical background for OMFT development and the basic concept for the clinical application of OMFT. We hope that this article will help oral motor therapy experts to provide effective therapy in a more professional way.

• (The) Korean Journal of Educational Psychology
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.421-442
• /
• 2018

This study aimed to explore the constructs of the characteristics of at-risk learners with diverse educational needs in the blind spots of education, in order to understand them comprehensively and detect them early in schools. Participants were 156 elementary, middle, and high school teachers who filled out a semi-structured questionnaire consisting of open questions about their implicit knowledge of the characteristics of at-risk learners in the blind spots of education. Qualitative data were analyzed using a modified consensual qualitative research method. The main findings of this study are as follows. First, five domains and 16 categories were derived as the main constructs of the characteristics of learners in the blind spots of education. Second, the most listed of the five domains was the "domain of low learning and cognition," whereas the least listed domain was the "everyday life domain." Finally, deficiencies of interpersonal skills and interactive communications and categories related to family structure and functions frequently appeared among the 16 categories. Based on these results, implications and potentials for follow-up studies were further discussed.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.371-385
• /
• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Soy isoflavone (SIF) and soy lecithin (SL) have beneficial effects on many chronic diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases. Regretfully, there is little evidence to show the combined effects of these soy extractives on the impairment of cognition and abnormal cerebral blood flow (CBF). This study examined the optimal combination dose of SIF + SL to provide evidence for improving CBF and protecting cerebrovascular endothelial cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: In vivo study, SIF50 + SL40, SIF50 + SL80 and SIF50 + SL160 groups were obtained. Morris water maze, laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI), and hematoxylin-eosin staining were used to detect learning and memory impairment, CBF, and damage to the cerebrovascular tissue in rat. The 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and the oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were detected. The anti-oxidative damage index of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) in the serum of an animal model was also tested. In vitro study, an immortalized mouse brain endothelial cell line (bEND.3 cells) was used to confirm the cerebrovascular endothelial cell protection of SIF + SL. In this study, 50 µM of Gen were used, while the 25, 50, or 100 µM of SL for different incubation times were selected first. The intracellular levels of 8-OHdG, SOD, GSH, and GSSG were also detected in the cells. RESULTS: In vivo study, SIF + SL could increase the target crossing times significantly and shorten the total swimming distance of rats. The CBF in the rats of the SIF50 + SL40 group and SIF50 + SL160 group was enhanced. Pathological changes, such as attenuation of the endothelium in cerebral vessels were much less in the SIF50 + SL40 group and SIF50 + SL160 group. The 8-OHdG was reduced in the SIF50 + SL40 group. The GSSG showed a significant decrease in all SIF + SL pretreatment groups, but the GSH showed an opposite result. SOD was upregulated by SIF + SL pretreatment. Different combinations of Genistein (Gen)+SL, the secondary proof of health benefits found in vivo study, showed they have effective anti-oxidation and less side reaction on protecting cerebrovascular endothelial cell. SIF50 + SL40 in rats experiment and Gen50 + SL25 in cell test were the optimum joint doses on alleviating cognitive impairment and regulating CBF through protecting cerebrovascular tissue by its antioxidant activity. CONCLUSIONS: SIF+SL could significantly prevent cognitive defect induced by β-Amyloid through regulating CBF. This kind of effect might be attributed to its antioxidant activity on protecting cerebral vessels.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
• /
• v.14 no.1_spc
• /
• pp.319-348
• /
• 2008

Self-efficacy, achievement goals, task value, and attribution are some of the representative motivation constructs that explain adolescents' cognition, affect, and behavioral patterns in achievement settings. These constructs have won researchers' recognition by demonstrating explanatory and predictive utility that transcends various social and cultural milieus learners are exposed to. Korean adolescents' motivation is generally in line with this universal trend and can be described adequately with these constructs. Nonetheless, there also exist a host of indigenous factors that shape these motivation constructs to be uniquely Korean. The purpose of the present article was to explore some of the socio-cultural factors that appear to wield particularly determining effects on Korean adolescents' academic motivation. Review of the relevant literature identified interdependent self-construal, traditional morals of filial piety, familism, educational fervor, academic elitism, and the college entrance system as important cultural, social, and policy-related such factors. Also discussed in this article were the roles of these factors in creating more immediate psychological learning environments for Korean adolescents, such as parent-child relationships, teacher-student relationships, and classroom goal structures.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.565-578
• /
• 2008

The purpose of this study is to search for the factors that influence students' understanding of the nature of science through the experience of the cognitive processes of authentic open inquiries. The freshmen of a science high school practiced authentic open inquiries reflecting epistemological characteristics of authentic science. The case study was conducted with four focus students who were successful or unsuccessful at learning the nature of science during the authentic open inquiry activity. Questions that the focus students asked during the inquiries as well as students' answers to pre- and post-VNOS (C type) were analysed, and then elaborated in the semi-structured interview. The findings suggest that open inquiry activities provide the inquiry contexts that help science high school students to understand the nature of science, and that the characteristics of students' cognition influence the understanding of the nature of science. For instance, designing experiments with their own research questions had an influence on the students' understanding about the scientific methods and the diversity of research types, and drawing conclusions from their own data made students experience scientific reasoning. In addition, the experience of collecting anomalous data helped students to understand the role of inferences in generating scientific knowledge and the creative nature of scientific knowledge. In this inquiry context, the reflective thinking that came from proactive discussion among students, made students think about the validity of the designing experiments and interpreting data, and helped them to understand the uncertain nature of reasoning and the diverse nature of scientific methods. Moreover, divergent thinking linked to analogical thinking helped students to understand the creative nature of science.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.506-525
• /
• 1992

Older people, because of the psychological and physiological changes related to the aging process are more vulnerable to experiencing powerlessness than any other age group. This self destructive cycle of depression in older people related to the experience of continued and long term powerlessness can lead even to death. The purpose of this study was to measure powerlessness and resources to increase power in older people, and to measure the effectiveness of a psychological rehabilitation program for reducing powerlessness. The research methodology used was a two step process. In the first step, a survey was done of perceived powerlessness and power resources comparing four groups of elderly people ; those living at home, those in hospital, those living in nursing homes and those attending educational programs for the elderly. The total sample size was 236. In the second step, a psychological rehabilitation program was carried out, pre and post measurements were taken related to this program. The sample consisted of 29 residents in a nursing home. The results of the study are as follows : 1. Powerlessness was classified as cognitive, emotional, activity and learning. The lowest score for powerlessness was in the area of activity, that is the people in the sample felt more power concerning their activities. The highest score was in the area of cognition where they felt they had less power. 2. When the different groups of elderly were compared, it was found that the residents of the nursing home had the highest score on perceived powerlessness and the group who were living at home had the lowest score. 3. Among the general characteristics, the factors influencing the powerlessness score were age, sex, level of education, financial resources and health status. In the interaction effects among these factors, it was found that level of education and health status were factors influencing perceived powerlessness. The elderly with lower education and poorer health status had the higher scores for perceived powerlessness. 4. The power resources could be classified into the following areas : physical strength, emotional strength, positive self-image, energy, knowledge, motivation and belief system. Belief system was given the highest score among the power resources and energy, knowledge and motivation were given low scores. 5. The group participating in an educational program for the elderly had the highest score for power resources while the group made up of residents of a nursing home had the lowest score as well as the highest score for perceived powerlessness. 6. The factors influencing the power resource scores were sex, level of education, financial resources and health status. In the analysis of the interaction effect among the factors, it was found that sex, level of education and financial resources were the factors that influenced the power resource score, that is, women, those with a low level of education and those with poor financial resources reported a lower level of power resources. 7. There was a negative correlation between perceived powerlessness and power resources in the elderly in this study. Since power resources explainded 49% of the variance for powerlessness, it can be concluded that the power resources can be used to reduce powerlessness. 8. The psychological rehabilitation program was carried out with the nursing home residents over a period of five weeks. No statistically significant difference was found in the scores on powerlessness between the pre and post tests, but there was a slight decrease in the raw scores on the post test for emotional, activity and learning powerlessness. There was a statistically significant increase in the power resource scores for emotional strength, positive self-image, energy, knowledge and motivation in the post test as compared to the pre test. In conclusion, the study indicates that a psychological rehabilitation program for the elderly could be effective in increasing power resources and this in turn could lead to a decrease in perceived powerlessness.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.122-132
• /
• 2005

Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess cognitive functions and their relationship with sleep symptoms in young narcoleptic patients. Methods: Eighteen young narcolepsy patients and 18 normal controls (age: 17-35 years old) were recruited. All narcolepsy patients had HLA $DQB_1$ *0602 allele and cataplexy. Several important areas of cognition were assessed by a battery of neuropsychological tests consisting of 13 tests: executive functions (e.g. cognitive set shifting, inhibition, and selective attention) through Wisconsin card sorting test, Trail Making A/B, Stroop test, Ruff test, Digit Symbol, Controlled Oral Word Association and Boston Naming Test; alertness and sustained attention through paced auditory serial addition test; verbal/nonverbal short-term memory and working memory through Digit Span and Spatial Span; visuospatial memory through Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test; verbal learning and memory through California verbal learning test; and fine motor activity through grooved pegboard test. Sleep symptoms in narcolepsy patients were assessed with Epworth sleepiness scale, Ullanlinna narcolepsy scale, multiple sleep latency test, and nocturnal polysomnography. Relationship between cognitive functions and sleep symptoms in narcolepsy patients was also explored. Results: Compared with normal controls, narcolepsy patients showed poor performance in paced auditory serial addition (2.0 s and 2.4 s), digit symbol tests, and spatial span (forward)(t=3.86, p<0.01; t=-2.47, p=0.02; t=-3.95, p<0.01; t=-2.22, p=0.03, respectively). There were no significant between-group differences in other neuropsychological tests. In addition, results of neuropsychological test in narcolepsy patients were not correlated with Epworth sleepiness scale score, Ullanlinna narcolepsy scale score and sleep variables in multiple sleep latency test or nocturnal polysomnography. Conclusion: The current findings suggest that young narcolepsy patients have impaired attention. In addition, impairment of attention in narcolepsy might not be solely due to sleep symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness.