Review of child maltreatment prevention programs in South Korea

Objective: The objective of this study is twofold. The first objective is to examine the status of studies on the effect of child maltreatment prevention programs in South Korea. The second objective is to recommend directions for child maltreatment prevention programs based on the results of the first objective.Procedure: A literature search of prevention programs for child maltreatment was conducted. Research studies published from 1989 to 2013 were identified through a computerized selection process, resulting in 198 studies. Further detailed search of keywords ultimately identified 37 studies focusing on child maltreatment prevention programs. These 37 studies were further classified and reviewed. Results: This study was able to find several pertinent findings. First, child maltreatment prevention programs targeting teachers and parents were not sufficient. Second, child maltreatment prevention programs for high risk population were also insufficient in the selected literatures. Third, based on the existing studies, child maltreatment prevention programs in South Korea lacked diversified contents. Fourth, most research measured effectiveness through attitude and awareness factors. Finally, child maltreatment programs were not systematic and mainly were conducted as one-time programs.Conclusions: There needs to be more studies examining the effectiveness of prevention programs for child maltreatment, notably, sustainable and long-term effects of prevention programs. Moreover, these programs need to include high-risk populations, with more diverse contents, that are systematically included throughout all three levels of prevention – primary, secondary, and tertiary

Characterization of eight novel proteins with male germ cell-specific expression in mouse

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Spermatogenesis and fertilization are highly unique processes. Discovery and characterization of germ cell-specific genes are important for the understanding of these reproductive processes. We investigated eight proteins encoded by novel spermatogenic cell-specific genes previously identified from the mouse round spermatid UniGene library.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Polyclonal antibodies were generated against the novel proteins and western blot analysis was performed with various protein samples. Germ cell specificity was investigated using testes from germ cell-less mutant mice. Developmental expression pattern was examined in testicular germ cells, testicular sperm and mature sperm. Subcellular localization was assessed by cell surface biotin labeling and trypsinization. Protein localization and properties in sperm were investigated by separation of head and tail fractions, and extractabilities by a non-ionic detergent and urea.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The authenticity of the eight novel proteins and their specificity to spermatogenic cells were confirmed. In examining the developmental expression patterns, we found the presence of four proteins only in testicular germ cells, a single protein in testicular germ cells and testicular sperm, and three proteins in the testicular stages and mature sperm from the epididymis. Further analysis of the three proteins present in sperm disclosed that one is located at the surface of the acrosomal region and the other two are associated with cytoskeletal structures in the sperm flagellum. We name the genes for these sperm proteins Shsp1 (Sperm head surface protein 1), Sfap1 (Sperm flagellum associated protein 1) and Sfap2 (Sperm flagellum associated protein 2).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We analyzed eight novel germ cell-specific proteins, providing new and inclusive information about their developmental and cellular characteristics. Our findings will facilitate future investigation into the biological roles of these novel proteins in spermatogenesis and sperm functions.</p

Systematic identification and integrative analysis of novel genes expressed specifically or predominantly in mouse epididymis

BACKGROUND: Maturation of spermatozoa, including development of motility and the ability to fertilize the oocyte, occurs during transit through the microenvironment of the epididymis. Comprehensive understanding of sperm maturation requires identification and characterization of unique genes expressed in the epididymis. RESULTS: We systematically identified 32 novel genes with epididymis-specific or -predominant expression in the mouse epididymis UniGene library, containing 1505 gene-oriented transcript clusters, by in silico and in vitro analyses. The Northern blot analysis revealed various characteristics of the genes at the transcript level, such as expression level, size and the presence of isoform. We found that expression of the half of the genes is regulated by androgens. Further expression analyses demonstrated that the novel genes are region-specific and developmentally regulated. Computational analysis showed that 15 of the genes lack human orthologues, suggesting their implication in male reproduction unique to the mouse. A number of the novel genes are putative epididymal protease inhibitors or β-defensins. We also found that six of the genes have secretory activity, indicating that they may interact with sperm and have functional roles in sperm maturation. CONCLUSION: We identified and characterized 32 novel epididymis-specific or -predominant genes by an integrative approach. Our study is unique in the aspect of systematic identification of novel epididymal genes and should be a firm basis for future investigation into molecular mechanisms underlying sperm maturation in the epididymis

Analysis of differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs in LPS-induced human HMC3 microglial cells

Abstract Background Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as key modulators of inflammatory gene expression, but their roles in neuroinflammation are poorly understood. Here, we identified the inflammation-related lncRNAs and correlated mRNAs of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated human microglial cell line HMC3. We explored their potential roles and interactions using bioinformatics tools such as gene ontology (GO), kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG), and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Results We identified 5 differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs, 4 of which (AC083837.1, IRF1-AS1, LINC02605, and MIR3142HG) are novel for microglia. The DElncRNAs with their correlated DEmRNAs (99 total) fell into two network modules that both were enriched with inflammation-related RNAs. However, treatment with the anti-inflammatory agent JQ1, an inhibitor of the bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) protein BRD4, neutralized the LPS effect in only one module, showing little or even enhancing effect on the other. Conclusions These results provide insight into, and a resource for studying, the regulation of microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and its potential therapy by small-molecule BET inhibitors

Long-term outcomes of two rescue therapies in lamivudine-refractory patients with chronic hepatitis B: combined lamivudine and adefovir, and 1-mg entecavir

Background/AimsAdefovir (ADV) and lamivudine (LAM) combination therapy (ADV+LAM) has been a useful option for patients with LAM-resistant (LAM-r) chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, the long-term outcomes of LAM+ADV and 1-mg entecavir (ETV) rescue therapies have still been limited. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term outcomes of these two rescue therapies.MethodsSixty patients with LAM-r CHB underwent rescue therapy with LAM+ADV (n=36) or 1-mg ETV (n=24). We determined the duration of rescue therapy, timing and type of mutation, undetectable serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA by PCR (lower limitation of detection, < 140 copies/mL), biochemical response (alanine aminotransferase < 40 IU/mL), and the incidence of hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion and virologic breakthrough.ResultsBaseline characteristics did not differ between the two therapy groups. The duration of rescue therapy was 56 months (range, 14-100 months) in the ADV+LAM group and 42 months (range, 12-73 months) in the ETV group (P=0.036). The cumulative rates of HBV DNA undetectability and HBeAg seroconversion up to 6 years were 88.6% and 43.0%, respectively, in the ADV+LAM group, and 45.8% and 31.8% in the ETV group. The rate of virologic breakthrough and resistance was 14.4% in the ADV+LAM group and 71.9% in the ETV group (P=0.001).ConclusionsCombination of LAM and ADV therapy for up to 6 years achieved modest rates of virological suppression and resistance. ETV is not an optimal therapy because the risk of viral breakthrough to ETV increases over time

The effect of employment instability on security funds and open -ended credit

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of employment related factors on household saving and the use of credit when controlling for financial security factors, and to compare the effect of employment for two periods. A conceptual framework was developed based on the precautionary saving theory, the permanent income hypothesis, family stress theory, and previous empirical studies. Drawing from risk management, security funds and open-ended credit were selected as dependent variables. Using data on working households in the 1992 and the 1998 Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF), analyses were conducted for a security funds model and an open-ended credit model. The 1992 and 1998 data were used to reflect periods of economic recession and expansion, respectively. Pooled data from the 1992 and 1998 SCF were analyzed to examine macroeconomic impacts on households from the two periods. As expected, employment related factors affected households\u27 perception of financial security as well as financial difficulties. OLS regression on security funds indicated that factors representing resources, preferences, financial security, and race influenced the amount of security funds in both 1992 and 1998. Employment related factors played an important role in determining the amount of security funds in 1998, but not in 1992. A double hurdle analysis on open-ended credit suggested similar results between 1992 and 1998. Factors representing resources were the most influential in determining the likelihood of having an outstanding balance as well as the amount of the balance. Employment factors were significant in determining the likelihood of having a balance but were not significantly related to the amount. The analyses on pooled data indicated that there was no significant difference in the amount of security funds or outstanding balance of open-ended credit between the periods. However, compared to the self-employed in 1992, the self-employed in 1998 had less security funds and a larger outstanding balance. The study provided a comprehensive understanding of households\u27 financial behaviors related to employment. From the findings, implications for employment and credit related policies, and market segmentations and strategies for credit industry were suggested. The important areas of financial education to help consumers were highlighted

Scheduled Naps Improve Drowsiness and Quality of Nursing Care among 12-Hour Shift Nurses

Scheduled naps in the workplace are an effective countermeasure to drowsiness in safety-sensitive industries. This quasi-experimental study with a one-group, pre- and post-test design aimed to examine the effects of scheduled naps on nurses working 12-h shifts. Nurses in two pediatric intensive care units at a tertiary hospital were provided 30-min scheduled nap opportunities during their shifts. A total of 38 nurses completed pre- and post-test work diaries for sleepiness, fatigue, work demands and pace, and quality of nursing care at the end of each shift. The drowsiness of 13 nurses was continuously assessed during their shifts using infrared reflectance oculography. Nurses who reached naps reported improved levels of fatigue on the first night shift and better quality of nursing care the second night and day shifts post-test, while nurses who did not reach naps showed no significant improvements. The oculography successfully assessed drowsiness during 73% and 61% of the pre- and post-test total work hours, respectively. The total cautionary and cautionary or higher levels of drowsiness decreased. Nurse managers should consider scheduled naps in clinical settings to improve nurses&rsquo; alertness during their shifts