South Korean Media System: Toward a Democratization Model

Translated from the published article in Communication Theories vol. 6 (No.1): 144-190, 2010 with permission from the Korean Society for Journalism and Communication Studies.From a perspective of the media systems approach, we attempt to provide a media system model that accounts for the characteristics of the relationship between political and media systems in the democratization process of Korean society. Using the model, we explore the possibility by which media system has set the limit on the directions of political democratization. The notion of political parallelism is employed to characterize the historical changes of the role of the news media in function of public spheres in relation to political system. The Korean way of political parallelism accounts for the process by which mainstream newspapers and broadcasters have influenced political parties and civil society. The implications are discussed in terms of the role of media system in democratization

Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract inhibits glutamate-induced cell death through inhibition of calcium signals and nitric oxide formation in cultured rat hippocampal neurons

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Proanthocyanidin is a polyphenolic bioflavonoid with known antioxidant activity. Some flavonoids have a modulatory effect on [Ca²⁺]_i. Although proanthocyanidin extract from blueberries reportedly affects Ca²⁺buffering capacity, there are no reports on the effects of proanthocyanidin on glutamate-induced [Ca²⁺]_ior cell death. In the present study, the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) on glutamate-induced excitotoxicity was investigated through calcium signals and nitric oxide (NO) in cultured rat hippocampal neurons.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Pretreatment with GSPE (0.3-10 μg/ml) for 5 min inhibited the [Ca²⁺]_iincrease normally induced by treatment with glutamate (100 μM) for 1 min, in a concentration-dependent manner. Pretreatment with GSPE (6 μg/ml) for 5 min significantly decreased the [Ca²⁺]_iincrease normally induced by two ionotropic glutamate receptor agonists, N-methyl-D-aspartate and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA). GSPE further decreased AMPA-induced response in the presence of 1 μM nimodipine. However, GSPE did not affect the 50 mM K⁺-induced increase in [Ca²⁺]_i. GSPE significantly decreased the metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist (<it>RS</it>)-3,5-Dihydroxyphenylglycine-induced increase in [Ca²⁺]_i, but it did not affect caffeine-induced response. GSPE (0.3-6 μg/ml) significantly inhibited synaptically induced [Ca²⁺]_ispikes by 0.1 mM [Mg²⁺]_o. In addition, pretreatment with GSPE (6 μg/ml) for 5 min inhibited 0.1 mM [Mg²⁺]_o- and glutamate-induced formation of NO. Treatment with GSPE (6 μg/ml) significantly inhibited 0.1 mM [Mg²⁺]_o- and oxygen glucose deprivation-induced neuronal cell death.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>All these data suggest that GSPE inhibits 0.1 mM [Mg²⁺]_o- and oxygen glucose deprivation-induced neurotoxicity through inhibition of calcium signals and NO formation in cultured rat hippocampal neurons.</p

Protective Effect of Metformin on Gentamicin-Induced Vestibulotoxicity in Rat Primary Cell Culture

ObjectivesOne of the antidiabetic drugs, metformin, have shown that it prevented oxidative stress-induced death in several cell types through a mechanism involving the opening of the permeability transition pore and cytochrome c release. Thus, it is possible that the antioxidative effect of metformin can also serve as protection against gentamicin-induced cytotoxicity related to reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of this study was to examine the protective effect of metformin on gentamicin-induced vestibulotoxicity in primary cell culture derived from rat utricle.MethodsFor vestibular primary cell culture, rat utricles were dissected and incubated. Gentamicin-induced cytotoxicity was measured in both the auditory and vestibular cells. To examine the effects of metformin on gentamicin-induced cytotoxicity in the primary cell culture, the cells were pretreated with metformin at a concentration of 1 mM for 24 hours, and then exposed to 2.5 mM gentamicin for 48 hours. The intracellular ROS level was measured using a fluorescent dye, and also measured using a FACScan flow cytometer. Intracellular calcium levels in the vestibular cells were measured with calcium imaging using Fura-2 AM.ResultsVestibular cells were more sensitive to gentamicin-induced cytotoxicity than auditory hair cells. Metformin protects against gentamicin-induced cytotoxicity in vestibular cells. Metformin significantly reduced a gentamicin-induced increase in ROS, and also reduced an increase in intracellular calcium concentrations in gentamicin-induced cytotoxicity.ConclusionMetformin significantly reduced a gentamicin-induced increase in ROS, stabilized the intracellular calcium concentration, and inhibited gentamicin-induced apoptosis. Thus, Metformin showed protective effect on gentamicin-induced cytotoxicity in vestibular primary cell culture

Pediatricians and Emergency Physicians’ Recognition and Training Regarding Child Abuse

Purpose To explore the recognition levels and educational experiences of child abuse among physicians. Methods We conducted an electronic questionnaire survey of pediatricians and emergency physicians. Results Of the 245 total respondents, 63% remarked that child abuse occurred “frequently” in Korea. One hundred twenty-seven (51.8%) respondents experienced an abused child during their practice, and only 55.9% reported the event. Regarding the knowledge for obligation of report as a medical specialist, 45.7% knew where they should report the case, and 39.2% of the respondents knew the phone number of the “Child Protection Agency”. Most respondents (70.2%) answered that they had never received an education about child abuse. Some respondents answered that they had not reported a suspected abused case because they were not certain that the case was abuse and thereby felt discomfort in making the report. To enhance child abuse reports, respondents thought that an immediate intervention is necessary for the reported case. Also, they answered that their confidentialities have to be assured and that the education about child abuse is needed. Conclusion The survey results show that pediatricians and emergency physicians often do not report suspected abuse despite their suspicion of the seriousness and frequent occurrence of child abuse. Such behaviors are affected by the recognition and knowledge levels about child abuse, the experience of training for child abuse, and discomfort of the reporting process. For medical specialists’ attention and reporting of abuse, repetitive education, appropriate public relations and improvement of the reporting process are needed

Tuberculosis among Dislocated North Koreans Entering Republic of Korea since 1999

The collapse of North Korea's public health system has increased the development of tuberculosis (TB) in its populace. This study investigated the prevalence of active and latent TB infection (LTBI) in such people who have settled in the Republic of Korea since 1999. From 1999 to August 2006, 7,722 dislocated North Koreans entered the Republic of Korea and all were screened immediately for active TB. Demographic and clinical characteristics were reviewed from the official records of the Settlement Support Office for Dislocated North Koreans, based in the Ministry of Unification. Of 7,722 participants, 87 (1.13%) were diagnosed with active TB from 1999 to August 2006. Of these, 78 (90%) had pulmonary TB. Checking for the presence of a Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) scar and tuberculin skin test has been performed in all dislocated North Koreans since November 2005. Of 1,112 participants, BCG vaccination scars were found in 67.4%. The tuberculin-positive rate using two tuberculin unit doses of the purified protein derivative RT23 (≥10 mm in diameter) was 81.5%. The prevalence of active TB and LTBI in dislocated North Koreans was high. Because this group bears a disproportionate burden of TB, we need to initiate a specific control programme and to plan for the impact of this disease in the Republic of Korea

Electrochemical Properties of Chemically Processed SiO

A SiOx coating material for Si anode in lithium-ion battery was processed by using SiCl4 and ethylene glycol. The produced SiOx particles after heat treatment at 725°C for 1 h were porous and irregularly shaped with amorphous structure. Pitch carbon added to SiOx was found to strongly affect solid electrolyte interphase stabilization and cyclic stability. When mixed with an optimal amount of 30 wt% pitch carbon, the SiOx showed a high charge/discharge cyclic stability of about 97% for the 2nd to the 50th cycle. The initial specific capacity of the SiOx was measured to be 1401 mAh/g. On the basis of the evaluation of the SiOx coating material, the process utilized in this study is considered an efficient method to produce SiOx with high performance in an economical way

Outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal neoplasms in patients with liver cirrhosis

Background/Aims The treatment of superficial esophageal neoplasms (SENs) in cirrhotic patients is challenging and rarely investigated. We evaluated the outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) to determine the efficacy and safety of treating SENs in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods The baseline characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients who underwent ESD for SENs between November 2005 and December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Results ESD was performed in 437 patients with 481 SENs, including 15 cirrhotic patients with 17 SENs. En bloc resection (88.2% vs. 97.0%) and curative resection (64.7% vs. 78.9%) rates were not different between the cirrhosis and non-cirrhosis groups (p=0.105 and p=0.224, respectively). Bleeding was more common in cirrhotic patients (p=0.054), and all cases were successfully controlled endoscopically. The median procedure and hospitalization duration did not differ between the groups. Overall survival was lower in cirrhotic patients (p=0.003), while disease-specific survival did not differ between the groups (p=0.85). Conclusions ESD could be a safe and effective treatment option for SENs in patients with cirrhosis. Detailed preprocedural assessments are needed, including determination of liver function, esophageal varix status, and remaining life expectancy, to identify patients who will obtain the greatest benefit