Gender-specific alteration of steroid metabolism and its impact on viral replication in a mouse model of hepatitis B virus infection.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a sex-specific pathogen that is more severe in males than in females. Sex disparities in HBV infection have been attributed to hormonal differences between males and females. However, whether HBV infection affects the metabolic signatures of steroid hormones and how these influences viral replication remains unclear.

Tripartite motif-containing protein 21 is involved in IFN-γ-induced suppression of hepatitis B virus by regulating hepatocyte nuclear factors.

The antiviral role of the tripartite motif-containing (TRIM) protein family , a member of the E3-ubiquitin ligase family, has recently been actively studied. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major contributor to liver diseases; however, the host factors regulated by cytokine-inducible TRIM21 to suppress HBV remain unclear. In this study, we showed the antiviral efficacy of TRIM21 against HBV in hepatoma cell lines, primary human hepatocytes isolated from patient liver tissues, and mouse model.

Healthcare utilization for atopic dermatitis: An analysis of the 2010-2018 health insurance review and assessment service national patient sample data.

This cross-sectional, retrospective, observational study aimed to analyze the distribution and healthcare usage patterns of patients with atopic dermatitis using the 2010-2018 Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service data. Patients diagnosed with atopic dermatitis in Korea between January 2010 and December 2018 and registered in the Health Insurance Review and Assessment national database were identified, and 270,008 patients who used healthcare services at least once during this period were evaluated to ascertain the healthcare usage patterns and treatment methods for atopic dermatitis. The number of patients with atopic dermatitis plateaued during the study period, while the number of claims and total expenses increased by a small margin.

Quantitative analysis of phthalates using a pyrolyzer gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method.

A pyrolyzer gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method eliminates toxic solvents that burden our environment and can address the crucial problem of the solvent extraction GC/MS method. The purpose of this study is to establish an efficient quantitative analysis method for 10 phthalates that are regulated by the several governments. A change of concentrations over time for phthalates and internal standards was measured to verify the feasibility of using an auto sampler that facilitates analyzing multiple samples.

Particulate Matter Exposure and the Changes in Immune Biomarkers: Effects of Biyeom-Go on the Nasal Mucosa of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis and a Particulate Matter-Treated Mouse Model.

This study was to investigate the effects of Biyeom-go (BYG, an herbal formula) on immune biomarkers present in the nasal mucosa of patients with allergic rhinitis under exposure to particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5), and on changes in goblet cells and immune biomarkers in mice under exposure to Korea diesel particulate matter (KDP20).

Intranasal low-level laser therapy versus acupuncture treatment for allergic rhinitis: A randomized, noninferiority trial.

Introduction: Intranasal low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has already proven its immunosuppressive effects on allergic rhinitis (AR) in experimental studies; however, there is a dearth of clinical evidence supporting its effects in treating AR. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of intranasal LLLT in the treatment of AR compared with acupuncture.

Methods: A total of 80 patients with AR participated and were randomly assigned to the intranasal LLLT or acupuncture treatment (AT) group.

Prescription rate and treatment patterns for allergic rhinitis from 2010 to 2018 in South Korea: a retrospective study.

Background: There has been little investigation on how guidelines for allergic rhinitis (AR) treatment are applied in current clinical practice. We aimed to analyze prescription trends and patterns for AR treatment according to patient characteristics over a 9-year period in Korea.

Methods: We used cross-sectional data from the Korean Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service National Patient Sample from 2010 to 2018.

Effects and safety of intranasal phototherapy for allergic rhinitis: Study protocol for a single-center, randomized, parallel (acupuncture-controlled), open-label, investigator-initiated, pilot study.

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an immunoglobulin E (Ig E)-mediated inflammatory disease. Intranasal phototherapy is a promising treatment modality because it has a profound immunosuppressive effect, but the evidence of its use for AR is insufficient. Therefore, rigorously designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed.

Effects and safety of intranasal phototherapy for allergic rhinitis: Study protocol for a single-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled, investigator-initiated, pilot study.

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an immunoglobulin E (Ig E)-mediated inflammatory disease. Intranasal phototherapy is a promising treatment modality because it has a profound immunosuppressive effect, but the available evidence of its use for AR is insufficient. Therefore, rigorously designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed.

Surface-Modified Filter-Based Continuous Recovery of Microalgal Lipid-in-Solvent with High Recovery Efficiency, Long-Term Stability, and Cost Competitiveness.

Microalgal lipid-derived biofuels have been regarded as promising candidate materials to replace fossil fuels, but their production cost, especially for lipid extraction, still must be lowered substantially for field application. Although lipid extraction from concentrated wet microalgae using a nonpolar solvent is considered as a feasible method, an effective recovery method to regain the nonpolar solvent with microalgal lipid from the emulsified extraction mixture has not yet been addressed significantly. In this study, microalgal lipid is cost-efficiently recovered in continuous manner directly from the emulsified, highly concentrated extraction mixture by utilizing a surface-modified filter.

Treating nasal symptoms associated with rhinitis using the intranasal herbal ointment Biyeom-go: A prospective observational study.

Objectives: The aim of the current study was to investigate the effectiveness and clinical feasibility of Biyeom-go for the treatment of nasal symptoms associated with rhinitis.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: This study was conducted at the Woosuk Korean Medicine Medical Center in South Korea.

In situ solvent recovery by using hydrophobic/oleophilic filter during wet lipid extraction from microalgae.

While lipid extraction from wet microalgae has attracted attention as an economical method for microalgal biofuel production, few studies have focused the actual separation of extract phase from the emulsified extraction mixture. Here, a novel approach which utilizes hydrophobic/oleophilic filter was developed for the efficient solvent recovery. The filter was surface-modified by coating a functional polymer via initiated vapor deposition for the selective solvent permeability.

Effect of Korean medicine as add-on therapy to phototherapy for psoriasis: Two case reports.

Rationale: Psoriasis is a common chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease. Here, we describe 2 patients who presented with psoriasis to illustrate the potential efficacy of Korean medicine treatment combined with phototherapy.

Patient Concerns: A 33-year-old female (Case 1) and a 37-year-old male (Case 2) presented at the clinic with symptoms of itching, erythema, and scaliness.

Socheongryong-tang for improving nasal symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis: A study protocol for a randomized, open-label, cetirizine controlled, clinical trial.

Introduction: Socheongryong-tang (SCRT) is an herbal medicine with anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties, commonly used in East Asian countries to reduce rhinitis symptoms. There have been several clinical studies of its effects on allergic rhinitis (AR), but no trials comparing it with conventional treatment. We present the protocol for a feasibility trial to assess the safety and clinical effectiveness of SCRT in AR in comparison with cetirizine.

Safety and efficacy of Galgeun-tang-ga-cheongung-sinyi, a herbal formula, for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: A herbal formula, Galgeun-tang-ga-cheongung-sinyi (GGTCS), is traditionally used for the treatment of rhinosinusitis in East Asian countries. However, there is a dearth of clinical evidence supporting the effects of this medication. Here, we describe the protocol for a randomized controlled study designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of GGTCS for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Economic evaluation of manual therapy for musculoskeletal diseases: a protocol for a systematic review and narrative synthesis of evidence.

Introduction: Manual therapy is the non-surgical conservative management of musculoskeletal disorders using the practitioner's hands on the patient's body for diagnosing and treating disease. The aim of this study is to systematically review trial-based economic evaluations of manual therapy relative to other interventions used for the management of musculoskeletal diseases.

Methods And Analysis: Randomised clinical trials (RCTs) on the economic evaluation of manual therapy for musculoskeletal diseases will be included in the review.

The efficacy and safety of a proposed herbal moisturising cream for dry skin and itch relief: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial--study protocol.

Background: Moisturisers prevent and treat dry skin. They can also protect sensitive skin, improve skin tone and texture, and mask imperfections. Herbal medicines or their extracts have been available as topical formulations and cosmetics.

Acupuncture for the treatment of tinnitus: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has frequently been used to treat tinnitus, and acupuncture is a particularly popular option. The objective of this review was to assess the evidence concerning the effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment for tinnitus.

Methods: Fourteen databases were searched from the dates of their creation to July 4th, 2012.

Hwangryunhaedoktang in adult patients with atopic dermatitis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-centre trial--study protocol.

Background: Atopic Dermatitis is a chronic relapsing eczematous skin disease with increasing prevalence and rising costs. It has a clear impact on a patient's quality of life. Many patients are worried about the use of usual care techniques, such as corticosteroids and antihistamine due to the widespread fear of adverse effects.

Developing and validating a sham cupping device.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to develop a sham cupping device and to validate its use as a placebo control for healthy volunteers.

Methods: A sham cupping device was developed by establishing a small hole to reduce the negative pressure after suction such that inner pressure could not be maintained in the cup. We enrolled 34 healthy participants to evaluate the validity of the sham cupping device as a placebo control.

Moxibustion for ulcerative colitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasingly used for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Acupuncture-type treatments are among the most popular options. Several studies have reported that moxibustion is effective in ulcerative colitis (UC).

Bojungikgitang and banhabaekchulchonmatang in adult patients with tinnitus, a randomized, double-blind, three-arm, placebo-controlled trial--study protocol.

Background: Tinnitus is the perception of hearing a sound for which there is no external acoustic source. It is often associated with sudden, temporary hearing loss and has a clear impact on a patient's quality of life. Despite numerous trials, there are no treatments that can be considered well established in terms of providing replicable long-term tinnitus reduction.

Cupping for treating pain: a systematic review.

The objective of this study was to assess the evidence for or against the effectiveness of cupping as a treatment option for pain. Fourteen databases were searched. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) testing cupping in patients with pain of any origin were considered.