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This study aims to investigate the relationship between psychological empowerment, positive psychological capital, and intrinsic job satisfaction of beauty workers. There are several reasons to explain that. First, as the service industry develops, the beauty industry must grow as well. Second reason is that consumers in modern society value individuality and originality. Therefore, it is important to change according to the trend of the times because the beauty industry will be eliminated if it does not keep up with the latest trend. Nevertheless, compare to other industries, the beauty industry often neglected the treatment of beauty workers and the working environment so the frequency of turnover was high. Since this could negatively affect the development of the beauty industry, it would be wise to improve or change the working environment. Accordingly, the relationship between psychological empowerment, positive psychological capital, and intrinsic job satisfaction of beauty workers was analyzed. The study subjects used analysis data of 255 beauty workers, and frequency analysis was conducted to find out the general characteristics of the survey subjects. As a result, women showed the highest gender, and those in their 20s or older showed the highest age, and in the case of education, college enrollment/graduation was the highest. The number of working years was the highest for less than one year, and in the case of beauty experience, the highest was more than five years. The salary level was the highest from 1 million won to less than 2 million won. Psychological empowerment, positive psychological capital, and intrinsic job satisfaction were all positively related. Therefore, leadership should be given to members in a horizontal organizational structure rather than an authoritative vertical structure for the development of the beauty industry in accordance with the trend of the times. If you let them have psychological empowerment like this, they will develop positive thinking and fulfill the goals and responsibilities. Then, job satisfaction will result in positive changes such as long-term service and a decrease in turnover.

For safe preservation and consumption of fish, freshness monitoring and antimicrobial control is crucial. Edible films comprising natural antimicrobial and spoilage indicator agents represent a convenient method for such preservation. Edible chitosan-based films were prepared using red cabbage (RC) and clove bud oil (CBO)-loaded chitosan/carrageenan capsules as spoilage indicator and antimicrobial agents, respectively. CBO-loaded capsules were prepared by the ionic gelation of chitosan and carrageenan. Films containing CBO capsules exhibited significantly higher antimicrobial activity than films containing non-encapsulated free CBO, as confirmed by minimum inhibitory concentration and time-kill assays. The highest antimicrobial activity was observed in the largest capsules (1.7 μm). After incubation for 48 h, the pH of fish peptone agar containing Pseudomonas fluorescens increased from approximately 6.0 to 9.0, and a color change from purple to deep blue was clearly observed during the growth of fish-spoiling bacteria. Thus, our results suggested that edible films containing CBO-loaded capsules and RC showed the potential to inhibit microbial growth in fish and to visibly indicate fish freshness.

Strategies for stem cell-based cardiac regeneration and repair are key issues for the ischemic heart disease (IHD) patients with chronic complications related to ischemic necrosis. Cardiac stem cells (CSCs) have demonstrated high therapeutic efficacy for IHD treatment owing to their specific cardiac-lineage commitment. The therapeutic potential of CSCs could be further enhanced by designing a cellular spheroid formulation. The spheroid culture condition of CSCs was optimized to ensure regulated size and minimal core necrosis in the spheroids. The CSC spheroids revealed mRNA profiles of the factors related to cardiac regeneration, angiogenesis, anti-inflammatory, and cardiomyocyte differentiation with a higher expression level than the CSCs. Intramyocardially delivered CSC spheroids in the rat IHD model resulted in a significant increase in retention rate by 1.82-fold (day 3) and 1.98-fold (day 14) compared to CSCs. Endothelial cell differentiation and neovascularization of the engrafted CSC spheroids were noted in the infarcted myocardium. CSC spheroids significantly promoted cardiac regeneration: i.e., decreased infarction and fibrotic area (11.22% and 4.18%) and increased left ventricle thickness (0.62 mm) compared to the untreated group. Cardiac performance was also improved by 2.04-fold and 1.44-fold increase in the ejection fraction and fractional shortening, respectively. Intramyocardial administration of CSC spheroids might serve as an advanced therapeutic modality with enhanced cell engraftment and regenerative abilities for cardiac repair after myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND The rapid increase in one-person Korean households has led to an outbreak of metabolic syndrome. This calls for an analysis of the complex effects of metabolic syndrome risk factors in one-The present study aimed to identify the factors affecting metabolic syndrome in one-person households using machine-learning techniques and categorically characterize its risk factors through latent class analysis.person households, which vary from individual to individual. OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to identify the factors affecting metabolic syndrome in one-person households using machine-learning techniques and categorically characterize its risk factors through latent class analysis. METHODS This cross-sectional study included 10-year secondary data of the National Health and Nutrition Survey (2009–2018). We selected 1,371 participants belonging to one-person households. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 (IBM, New York), Mplus 8.0 (Muthen & Muthen, Los Angeles), and Python 3.0 (Plone & Python, Montreal). RESULTS Machine-learning techniques investigated the factors affecting metabolic syndrome in one-person households. We categorized the metabolic syndrome risk factors in one-person households hierarchically into four classes. Results showed that those with obesity and abdominal obesity in middle adulthood exhibited the highest probability, indicating that they are the most vulnerable and at-risk group (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS This study identified the factors affecting metabolic syndrome in one-person households using machine-learning techniques and latent class analysis. Customized interventions prepared for each risk factor for one-person households can prevent metabolic syndrome.

Biotransformation, the structural modification of chemical compounds, has proved to be an indispensable tool in providing beneficial health effects. Although the health benefits of biotransformation using plant sources has been widely studied, the anti-adipogenic effect of biotransformed dairy products, such as whey, have not yet been demonstrated. Here, we investigated the anti-adipogenic effect of whey biotransformed by Weissella cibaria in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Weissella cibaria-biotransformed whey considerably reduced the accumulation of lipid droplets and intracellular triglycerides in 3T3-L1 cells. In the presence of W. cibaria-biotransformed whey, the mRNA and protein expression of a key transcription factor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), for adipogenesis was markedly suppressed in 3T3-L1 cells. Additionally, W. cibaria-biotransformed whey also decreased the mRNA and protein expressions of lipoprotein lipase and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein, which are regulated by PPARγ. Moreover, W. cibaria-biotransformed whey inhibited the expression of adipokines, resistin, and leptin. Collectively, these results suggest that whey biotransformed by W. cibaria has the potential to exert anti-adipogenic effects by inhibiting intracellular signaling events of adipogenic-related transcription factors and target genes.

Background and Objectives To investigate surgical outcomes of revision operation for recurrent cholesteatoma.Subjects and Method From 1989 to 2018, 5245 cases of middle ear surgeries were performed at Kangdong and Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital. A total of 138 clinical records of the subjects who underwent revision cholesteatoma surgery, and whose follow-up durations were more than 3 months, were reviewed. Hearing outcomes were analyzed in accordance with the 2005 Korean otology society guideline. Postoperative perforation was defined to be present if perforation exists after three months of surgery. Postoperative infection or recurrence was defined if patients were treated with intravenous antibiotics or underwent reoperation.Results Among 138 cases, surgical approaches used were canal wall up mastoidectomy in 38 (28%), canal wall down mastoidectomy in 89 (64%), and exploratory tympanotomy in 11 (8%). Air conduction and air bone gap showed statistically significant differences before and after the surgery. The number of patients who met at least 1 criteria was 70, accounting for 51%. Patients were classified into four groups according to the Postoperative ABG grade, where 43% of patients were included in “Excellent” or “Good” results group. When the results were compared according to the surgical method, canal wall up group showed significantly higher hearing success rate compared to CWDM group. Patients without postoperative perforation, infection or recurrence were considered successful and there were 122 such cases, accounting for 88%.Conclusion CWDM more frequently underwent revision than CWUM and ET, and showed worse hearing results than other groups. These analyses can be used for preoperative counseling.

The murine 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte cell line is widely used as an in vitro model for adipogenesis because of its similarities to primary fat cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the intracellular mechanisms by which skimmed milk fermented by two lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Enterococcus faecalis and Lactobacillus plantarum, inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. Skimmed milk fermented by both LAB, but not non-fermented skimmed milk, significantly reduced the accumulation of lipid droplets and cellular triglycerides in a concentration-dependent manner. The mRNA and protein levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) were markedly inhibited in the presence of skimmed milk fermented by both LAB. Furthermore, the skimmed milk fermented by both LAB decreased the mRNA and protein expressions of PPARγ-targeting genes, lipoprotein lipase and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein. Under the same circumstances, resistin mRNA expression was downregulated, but not leptin mRNA expression. In contrast, skimmed milk fermented by both LAB significantly upregulated tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). These results suggest that LAB-fermented skimmed milk inhibits adipogenesis by inhibiting a master transcription factor PPARγ via the upregulation of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α in 3T3-L1 cells.

Microbial bioconversion using lactic acid bacteria (LAB) provides several human health benefits. Although whey and whey-derived bioactive compounds can contribute to an improvement in human health, the potential anti-obesity effect of whey bioconversion by LAB has not been well studied. This study aimed to investigate whether bioconversion of whey by Pediococcus pentosaceus KI31 and Lactobacillus sakei KI36 (KI31-W and KI36-W, respectively) inhibits 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation. Both KI31-W and KI36-W reduced intracellular lipid accumulation significantly, without decreasing 3T3-L1 preadipocyte proliferation. In addition, obesity-related transcription factor (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ) and genes (adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein and lipoprotein lipase) were down-regulated significantly in 3T3-L1 cells in the presence of KI31-W and KI36-W. Collectively, these results suggest that bioconversion of whey by LAB exhibits anti-adipogenic activity and may be applied as a therapeutic agent for obesity.

The material used for disposable air filters is generally made of polypropylene, a typical petroleum compound, and is not easily degradable. As a result, secondary environmental pollution is caused...

This study aimed to improve the antimicrobial activity of natural extracts against oral bacteria by synergistic combination and nanoencapsulation. Among five natural antimicrobials: clove oil, thymol, naringin, naringenin, and licorice, clove oil and thymol were selected by comparing the antimicrobial activities against Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus before and after nanoencapsulation. The combination of clove oil and thymol (CLTY) was nanoencapsulated using chitosan and poly-γ-glutamic acid. While free CLTY showed additive and synergistic antimicrobial activity against S. mutans and S. sobrinus, respectively, CLTY nanoparticles (NPs) exhibited synergistic activity against both strains in a time-kill kinetic assay. CLTY NPs significantly decreased the growth of salivary S. mutans during testing, compared with free CLTY in the mouth rinse test. These results indicate that nanoencapsulation can significantly increase the synergistic antimicrobial activity of CLTY and maintain its antimicrobial activity in oral cavities for a longer time.

Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is widely used as standard surgical treatment for chronic rhinosinusitis. Orbital complications of varying degrees occurred during ESS have been widely reported. If the orbital symptoms occurred immediately after surgery, ocular damage associated with surgery is suspected if the patient’s preoperative ocular function was patent. If immediate action is not taken, permanent visual loss might develop, so it is very important to diagnose orbital complications and take appropriate action. In our case, there was no definite intraorbital hemorrhage when sudden visual loss was noted. The symptoms were fully recovered without further treatment and it is clinically suspected to be caused by transient ocular muscle toxicity of local anesthetics.

Objectives Korean student nurses may be exposed to stress caused by their future employment (employment stress). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a Laughter Program on psychological stress, by assessing salivary cortisol and the subjective happiness of student nurses in order to relieve employment stress. Methods A quasi-experimental, non-equivalent, control-group, and pre-test/post-test was conducted in 4th year student nurses (n = 48) from 2 universities in Korea at a time when participants’ final exams and job searches were simultaneously occurring. Physiological stress (salivary cortisol), and psychological stress measured using modified Cornell Medical Index questionnaire and the Subjective Happiness Scale were used to determine the effects of the program. Results The results of the study showed that the Laughter Program was effective in relieving employment stress and increasing the subjective well-being of student nurses. Psychological stress (p < 0.001), salivary cortisol levels (p < 0.001), and subjective happiness (p < 0.001) were statistically significantly improved after the intervention compared with before the Laughter Program. Conclusion This study is an effective evidence-based intervention to reduce student nurses employment stress and improve subjective happiness.

The aim of this study was to optimize the composition of catechin-loaded calcium pectinate gel (CPG) beads formed using internal gelation and to evaluate the sustained-release behavior of catechin. The pectin concentration, catechin-to-pectin ratio, and calcium carbonate-to-pectin ratio were optimized for the sustained catechin release (2.89, 28.92, and 32.79%, respectively). The catechin release profiles were analyzed using the simple enzyme kinetic-like semi empirical model newly proposed in this study. The actual release rate was found to be the fastest in the simulated intestinal fluid (SIF), followed by the simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and the pH 4.5 buffer, whereas the thermodynamic equilibrium was achieved fastest in the pH 4.5 buffer, followed by SGF and SIF. Glutaraldehyde treatment suppressed catechin release in all tested media. These results suggest that internally gelled CPG beads are suitable for catechin delivery, and crosslinkers, such as glutaraldehyde, can effectively sustain their release.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the effects of combination oral contraceptives (COCs) on bone mineral density (BMD) and metabolism in perimenopausal Korean women.The study subjects comprised two groups. The COC group included 55 women who took low-dose COC for at least one year to control vasomotor symptoms. Another 55 women who had annual checkups without history of COC use served as controls. BMD and bone turnover markers were assessed periodically.In the control group, 12-month BMD values at the lumbar spine (LS) and total hip (TH) significantly decreased with a greater magnitude at LS, and bone resorption (BR) and formation (BF) markers increased concurrently with a larger change in BR. COCs increased BMD at LS after 12 months and prevented BMD decline at TH. Multivariable linear regression revealed a significant difference in LS BMD between groups at 12 months. In the COC group, there were significant negative correlations between baseline BMD and Z-score at LS and corresponding changes at 12 months. COCs did not alter BR markers, whereas BF markers were significantly decreased at 3 months. Group comparison at 12 months, as tested with adjusted linear regression, disclosed significant differences in both BR and BF makers.Bone loss associated with activated bone turnover is evident during the menopausal transition, and COCs might prevent BMD decrease and suppress bone turnover markers in perimenopausal Korean women. Significant increase in LS BMD and decreases in BF makers suggest underlying mechanisms of greater impact on BF.

The murine 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte cell line is widely used as an

This study aimed to examine the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum, a lactic acid bacteria strain isolated from kimchi, on the development of low-grade inflammation and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) exacerbated by chronic stress. C57BL/6 mice were fed either a high-fat diet (HFD) and randomized into an HFD group or a group that was fed an HFD and subjected to chronic cold exposure-related stress (HFDS), or mice were fed a normal diet (ND) and randomized into an ND group or a group that was fed an ND and subjected to chronic cold exposure-related stress (NDS). Lactobacillus plantarum LRCC5310 (10(8), 10(10) CFU) and LRCC5314 (10(8), 10(10) CFU) as well as L. gasseri BNR17 (10(8) CFU), as a positive control, were administered orally twice every day to all the mice for 12 weeks. The expression of Glut4 and adiponectin, main glucose transporter-related genes, was upregulated in the LRCC5310- and LRCC5314-treated groups. Levels of serum proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α], interleukin-6 [IL-6]) and of mRNAs of proinflammatory genes (Tnf-α, Il-6, Ccl2, leptin) were elevated in HFDS mice. The expression of proinflammatory genes was downregulated in LRCC5310- and LRCC5314-treated groups; this was not the case for Tnf-α expression in HFDS mice. Levels of serum corticosterone and mRNA levels of stress-related genes (Npy, Y2r) were decreased in lactic acid bacteria (LAB)-fed groups, with only LRCC5314 downregulating Npy expression in HFDS mice. These results suggest that the LAB strains can normalize the expression of metabolic genes, inhibit inflammatory responses, and suppress stress in HFDS mice.