Suyoung Choi

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and their inhibitors as a novel family of antibiotics

The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains of pathogenic microorganisms and the slow progress in new antibiotic development has led in recent years to a resurgence of infectious diseases that threaten the well-being of humans. The result of many microorganisms becoming immune to major antibiotics means that fighting off infection by these pathogens is more difficult. The best strategy to get around drug resistance is to discover new drug targets, taking advantage of the abundant information that was recently obtained from genomic and proteomic research, and explore them for drug development. In this regard, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) provide a promising platform to develop novel antibiotics that show no cross-resistance to other classical antibiotics. During the last few years there has been a comprehensive attempt to find the compounds that can specifically target ARSs and inhibit bacterial growth. In this review, the current status in the development of ARS inhibitors will be briefly summarized, based on their chemical structures and working mechanisms.

Aloesin inhibits hyperpigmentation induced by UV radiation.

Summary Skin hyperpigmentation is caused by the overproduction of melanin pigment, which is synthesized by the action of tyrosinase. We recently reported that aloesin inhibits tyrosinase activity. The present study was undertaken to test the inhibitory effect of aloesin on pigmentation in human skin after UV radiation. Experimental subjects were UV‐irradiated (210 mJ) on the inner forearm. UV‐irradiated regions were assigned to four groups: vehicle control, aloesin treated, arbutin treated, and aloesin and arbutin treated. Aloesin and/or arbutin were administered four times a day for 15 days. Aloesin treatment suppressed pigmentation by 34%, arbutin by 43.5%, and the cotreatment by 63.3% compared with the control (n = 15; P < 0.05). Moreover, aloesin treatment showed pigmentation suppression in a dose‐dependent manner (n = 7; P < 0.05). These results raise the possibility that aloesin may be used as an agent that inhibits melanin formation induced by UV radiation.

Strategies for enhancing information, motivation, and skills for self-management behavior changes: a qualitative study of diabetes care for older adults in Korea.

Purpose To describe strategies for enhancing information, motivation, and skills related to changes in diabetes self-management behavior among community-dwelling older adults in Korea. Patients and methods A total of five focus group interviews (three separate focus groups) were conducted with 12 older adults with type 2 diabetes and five diabetes educators. Qualitative content analysis was used. Results “One’s own willingness and ability” emerged as a fundamental belief about the strategies for diabetes self-management. Six major themes under three categories were identified. Under the information category, the recurrent themes were: 1) repeatedly offering detailed knowledge regarding self-management, 2) providing information about current health status, and 3) identifying experiential knowledge of blood glucose control. The recurrent themes in the motivation category were: 1) ensuring a positive attitude regarding self-management, and 2) encouragement or feedback from significant others. Furthermore, in the skills category, we found that the following theme emerged: hands-on skills training with numerical standards. Conclusion This study identified six tailored strategies for enhancing information, motivation, and skills for diabetes self-management behavior changes. These strategies can be used in the development of a culturally sensitive diabetes self-management program for older adults.

Combined exercise training and self-management education for community-dwelling older adults with diabetes in Korea.

This study examined the effect of a combined program of exercise training and self-management education on risk factors for diabetes complications and adherence behavior. A two-group, quasi-experimental study design was used to test the 12-week intervention program with community-dwelling older adults in Korea. Change scores (from baseline to Week 13) of outcome variables were compared between the intervention group (n = 21) and the control group (n = 16). The change scores in triglyceride levels, body weight, body mass index, and diabetes self-management behavior showed significant differences between groups. However, no significant differences were found in A1C and blood pressure change scores between the groups in this sample, in which these characteristics were relatively well controlled at baseline. The results of this study showed some promising synergistic effects of lowering cardiovascular risk factors from combining the two interventions.

Intervention Mapping Protocol for Developing a Theory-Based Diabetes Self-Management Education Program

Development of behavior theory–based health promotion programs is encouraged with the paradigm shift from contents to behavior outcomes. This article describes the development process of the diabetes self-management program for older Koreans (DSME-OK) using intervention mapping (IM) protocol. The IM protocol includes needs assessment, defining goals and objectives, identifying theory and determinants, developing a matrix to form change objectives, selecting strategies and methods, structuring the program, and planning for evaluation and pilot testing. The DSME-OK adopted seven behavior objectives developed by the American Association of Diabetes Educators as behavioral outcomes. The program applied an information-motivation-behavioral skills model, and interventions were targeted to 3 determinants to change health behaviors. Specific methods were selected to achieve each objective guided by IM protocol. As the final step, program evaluation was planned including a pilot test. The DSME-OK was structured as the 3 determinants of the IMB model were intervened to achieve behavior objectives in each session. The program has 12 weekly 90-min sessions tailored for older adults. Using the IM protocol in developing a theory-based self-management program was beneficial in terms of providing a systematic guide to developing theory-based and behavior outcome–focused health education programs.

Development and Validation of the Diabetes Management Self-efficacy Scale for Older Adults (DMSES-O)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a diabetes management self-efficacy scale for older adults (DMSES-O). Methods: A preliminary DMSES-O of 22 items was derived from a literature review and seven domains of self-management behaviors. Content validity was confirmed by experts in diabetes self-management education. To test the reliability and validity of the DMSES-O, data were collected from 150 older adults with type 2 diabetes. The data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis, and Cronbachs ⍺ and Pearsons correlation coefficients were calculated. Results: From the exploratory factor analysis, 17 significant items in six subscales were derived. Factors derived were named “problem solving for hypoglycemia and self-monitoring blood glucose,” “problem solving for hyperglycemia,” “coping with psychological distress and taking medication,” “reducing risks of diabetes complications,” “appropriate exercise,” and “healthy eating.” The criterion-related validity of the DMSES-O was established by its correlation with the Summary of Diabetes Self-care Activities Questionnaire. Cronbachs ⍺, a measure of internal consistency, was .84 for the overall scale and ranged from .54 to .80 for the subscales. Conclusion: The DMSES-O is a reliable and valid instrument to measure selfefficacy for diabetes self-management among older adults.

Development of a scale to measure diabetes self-management behaviors among older Koreans with type 2 diabetes, based on the seven domains identified by the American Association of Diabetes Educators.

AIM The purpose of this study was to develop the Diabetes Self-Management Behavior for Older Koreans (DSMB-O). This scale is based on the seven relevant domains that have been identified by the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) and is adjusted for sociocultural and age-related characteristics. METHODS Four phases were used to develop of the DSMB-O as a criterion-referenced measure. In phases 1 and 2, the DSMB-O adopted the AADEs seven domains and established a self-report questionnaire using a small number of items that are applicable to older Koreans. In phase 3, the DSMB-O was formulated with 16 preliminary items, including seven subitems. By assessing the content validity, 14 items (including five subitems) were selected. The final phase involved evaluating the DSMB-Os psychometric properties, including test-retest reliability, content validity, and criterion-related validity, using data from 150 older Koreans with type 2 diabetes. RESULTS The coefficients of agreement and Cohens Kappa for the test-retest reliability test ranged from 0.32 to 1.0 and -0.07 to 1.0, respectively. For the content validity, the values of both the item- and scale-level content validity indices were 1.0. The scores from the DSMB-O were positively correlated with the scores from the Korean version of the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Questionnaire. CONCLUSION The DSMB-O is short and easy for older Koreans to use, as well as having acceptable levels of reliability and validity. Hence, the DSMB-O can be a useful tool to evaluate diabetes self-management behaviors in older Koreans with type 2 diabetes.

Voltage-dependent Ca 2+ channels promote branching morphogenesis of salivary glands by patterning differential growth

Branching morphogenesis is a crucial part of early developmental processes in diverse organs, but the detailed mechanism of this morphogenic event remains to be elucidated. Here we introduce an unknown mechanism leading to branching morphogenesis using mouse embryonic organotypic cultures with time-lapse live imaging. We found spatially expressed L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (VDCCs) in the peripheral layers of developing epithelial buds and identified the VDCCs as a core signaling mediator for patterning branching architecture. In this process, differential growth in peripheral layers by VDCC-induced ERK activity promoted cleft formation through an epithelial buckling-folding mechanism. Our findings reveal an unexpected role of VDCCs in developmental processes, and address a fundamental question regarding the initial process of branching morphogenesis.