Impaired coronary flow reserve in obstructive sleep apnea and its improvement after continuous positive airway pressure therapy: a transthoracic Doppler echocardiographic study

Background  

It is reported that patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) show endothelial dysfunction and that treatment of OSAS by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy improves it.     

New Frontiers in Gut Nutrient Sensor Research: Prophylactic Effect of Glutamine Against Helicobacter pylori–Induced Gastric Diseases in Mongolian Gerbils

Ammonia is one of the important toxins produced by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), the major cause of peptic ulcer diseases. We examined whether glutamine or marzulene (a gastroprotective drug containing 1% sodium azulene and 99% glutamine) protects the gastric mucosa against H. pylori in vivo and investigated the mechanism underlying glutamine-induced mucosal protection against ammonia in gastric epithelial cells in vitro. Mongolian gerbils were fed for 3 months with a diet containing glutamine (2% – 20%) or marzulene (20%) starting from 2 weeks or 2 years after H. pylori infection. Then, gastric mucosal changes were evaluated both macro- and microscopically. Cultured gastric epithelial cells were incubated in the presence of ammonia, with or without glutamine; and cell viability, ammonia accumulation, and chemokine production were determined. Gerbils exhibited edema, congestion, and erosion after 3-month infection; and after 2-year infection, they showed cancer-like changes in the gastric mucosa. Glutamine and marzulene significantly suppressed these pathological changes caused in the gastric mucosa by H. pylori infection. Ammonia was accumulated in the cells, resulting in an increase in chemokine production and a decrease in cell viability. These pathological responses were prevented by glutamine. In addition, glutamine decreased chemokine production and cell death through inhibition of cellular accumulation of ammonia, resulting in the prevention of H. pylori–induced gastric diseases in vivo. These results suggest that glutamine/marzulene would be useful for prophylactic treatment of H. pylori–induced gastric diseases in patients.     

Trusting Social Media as a Source of Health Information: Online Surveys Comparing the United States,Korea, and Hong Kong

BackgroundThe Internet has increasingly become a popular source of health information by connecting individuals with health content, experts, and support. More and more, individuals turn to social media and Internet sites to share health information and experiences. Although online health information seeking occurs worldwide, limited empirical studies exist examining cross-cultural differences in perceptions about user-generated, experience-based information compared to expertise-based information sources.ObjectiveTo investigate if cultural variations exist in patterns of online health information seeking, specifically in perceptions of online health information sources. It was hypothesized that Koreans and Hongkongers, compared to Americans, would be more likely to trust and use experience-based knowledge shared in social Internet sites, such as social media and online support groups. Conversely, Americans, compared to Koreans and Hongkongers, would value expertise-based knowledge prepared and approved by doctors or professional health providers more.MethodsSurvey questionnaires were developed in English first and then translated into Korean and Chinese. The back-translation method ensured the standardization of questions. Surveys were administered using a standardized recruitment strategy and data collection methods.ResultsA total of 826 participants living in metropolitan areas from the United States (n=301), Korea (n=179), and Hong Kong (n=337) participated in the study. We found significant cultural differences in information processing preferences for online health information. A planned contrast test revealed that Koreans and Hongkongers showed more trust in experience-based health information sources (blogs: t _451.50=11.21, P<.001; online support group: t _455.71=9.30, P<.001; social networking sites [SNS]: t _466.75=11.36, P<.001) and also reported using blogs (t _515.31=6.67, P<.001) and SNS (t _529.22=4.51, P<.001) more frequently than Americans. Americans showed a stronger preference for using expertise-based information sources (eg, WebMD and CDC) compared to Koreans and Hongkongers (t _360.02=3.01, P=.003). Trust in expertise-based information sources was universal, demonstrating no cultural differences (Brown-Forsythe F _2,654=1.82, P=.16). Culture also contributed significantly to differences in searching information on behalf of family members (t _480.38=5.99, P<.001) as well as to the goals of information searching.ConclusionsThis research found significant cultural differences in information processing preferences for online health information. Further discussion is included regarding effective communication strategies in providing quality health information.     

Syntheses and solid-state polymerization of diacetylene derivatives bearing dodecylthio groups directly bound to sp-carbons

Diacetylenes were synthesized bearing dodecylthio groups directly bound to the sp-carbons. These compounds afford polydiacetylenes having sulfur atoms directly attached to the π-conjugated main chains. The exciton absorption peaks appear at ca. 750 nm, which is a longer wave length than of conventional polydiacetylenes.     

Developing a questionnaire on the quality of working life for female medical and healthcare professionals

This study aimed to develop a questionnaire on the quality of working life among female medical and healthcare professionals and examine its validity and reliability. The questionnaire was developed from an item pool drawing on the literature. The four trait scales included 40 items, covering female-specific stress in continuing a career, stress of lifestyle in maintaining personal values, job satisfaction and social support network. The questionnaire’s validity and reliability were assessed using data from 1,784 female doctors, dentists, and nurses. Validity was examined using exploratory factor analysis on each trait for construct validity, and multitrait scaling analysis for convergent and discriminant validity. Reliability was tested using Cronbach’s alpha for trait subscales and scales. Exploratory factor analysis on each trait was convergent. One trait derived three subscales, and another two. The remaining two traits were convergent for one factor. Multitrait scaling analysis showed that all scales and subscales were independent. The questionnaire was therefore internally consistent and had construct validity. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.85 for the total and between 0.72 and 0.83 for the subscales. These results validate the four-trait combination questionnaire and suggest that it would be suitable for use in future research, perhaps in combination with other existing scales.