Population pharmacokinetics of erlotinib in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): A model-based meta-analysis.

Background: Erlotinib is a potent first-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Due to its proximity to the upper limit of tolerability, dose adjustments are often necessary to manage potential adverse reactions resulting from its pharmacokinetic (PK) variability.

Methods: Population PK studies of erlotinib were identified using PubMed databases.

Applying new regional background concentration criteria to assess heavy metal contamination in deep-sea sediments at an ocean dumping site, Republic of Korea.

It is crucial to establish appropriate background concentrations to discern heavy metal pollution in the marine environment. In this study, we analyzed heavy metals in deep-sea sediment cores to determine regional background concentrations at the East-Sea Byeong Ocean dumping site. The vertical profiles of heavy metals were categorized into three groups based on their contamination characteristics, and regional background levels for 12 metals were determined using pre-1900 averages.

Long-term effects of chromium from red mud (bauxite residue) ocean dumping on the benthic environment in South Korea.

Between 1999 and 2009, 344,000 m of red mud was released into the red mud dumping zone in the East Sea-Byeong ocean dumping site in South Korea. This study aimed to assess the impacts before and after the 2010 red mud dumping ban. We quantified total Cr concentrations by depth from core sediment samples at the red mud dumping station and evaluated benthic communities in 2004, 2009, 2012, 2017, and 2019.

Addition of cariogenic pathogens to complex oral microflora drives significant changes in biofilm compositions and functionalities.

Background: Dental caries is a microbe and sugar-mediated biofilm-dependent oral disease. Of particular significance, a virulent type of dental caries, known as severe early childhood caries (S-ECC), is characterized by the synergistic polymicrobial interaction between the cariogenic bacterium, Streptococcus mutans, and an opportunistic fungal pathogen, Candida albicans. Although cross-sectional studies reveal their important roles in caries development, these exhibit limitations in determining the significance of these microbial interactions in the pathogenesis of the disease.

D-galactose Intake Alleviates Atopic Dermatitis in Mice by Modulating Intestinal Microbiota.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most prevalent, chronic and persistent inflammatory skin diseases closely associated with intestinal microbiota. To evaluate the effect of D-galactose intake on AD, we orally administered D-galactose to BALB/c mice whose ears and skin were treated with 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). D-galactose alleviated DNCB-induced AD-like phenotypes such as redness, scaling/dryness and excoriation.

Distribution and assessment of heavy metal concentrations in the East Sea-Byeong ocean dumping site, Korea.

Sediment cores were collected from three sites, the Control, Dumping, and Resting sites in the East Sea-Byeong ocean dumping site, Korea, and the enrichment and degree of accumulation of heavy metals were investigated. Further, to assess the level of heavy metal pollution and understand the potential effects of the ocean dumping activities that began in 1993, the results obtained corresponding to the different sampling sites were compared, and various criteria were employed. Indices, including the enrichment factor and the modified contamination degree, demonstrated that the sediments were contaminated with various heavy metals at different contamination levels.

Daily Life Changes and Life Satisfaction among Korean School-Aged Children in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has been disrupting the daily lives of people across the world, causing a major concern for psychological well-being in children. This study aimed to examine (1) how life satisfaction and its potential predictors have been affected by the pandemic among school-aged children in Korea, and (2) which factors would predict their life satisfaction during the pandemic. We surveyed 166 fourth-graders in the Seoul metropolitan area to assess their psychological well-being and potentially related variables during the pandemic.

Synergism of and Reinforces Biofilm Maturation and Acidogenicity in Saliva: An Study.

Early childhood caries, a virulent-form of dental caries, is painful, difficult, and costly to treat that has been associated with high levels of (Sm) and (Ca) in plaque-biofilms on teeth. These microorganisms appear to develop a symbiotic cross-kingdom interaction that amplifies the virulence of plaque-biofilms. Although biofilm studies reveal synergistic bacterial-fungal association, how these organisms modulate cross-kingdom biofilm formation and enhance its virulence in the presence of saliva remain largely unknown.

Implication of Surface Properties, Bacterial Motility, and Hydrodynamic Conditions on Bacterial Surface Sensing and Their Initial Adhesion.

Biofilms are structured microbial communities attached to surfaces, which play a significant role in the persistence of biofoulings in both medical and industrial settings. Bacteria in biofilms are mostly embedded in a complex matrix comprised of extracellular polymeric substances that provide mechanical stability and protection against environmental adversities. Once the biofilm is matured, it becomes extremely difficult to kill bacteria or mechanically remove biofilms from solid surfaces.

A Comprehensive Analysis of Near-Contact Photobiomodulation Therapy in the Host-Bacteria Interaction Model Using 3D-Printed Modular LED Platform.

One well-studied bacterial factor recognized by the host immune system is lipopolysaccharides (LPS) that stimulate host cells, resulting in cell inflammation. Although photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy demonstrates its potency on anti-inflammatory activity, the complete mechanism of action in the host-bacteria interaction model is still elusive. In addition, many studies were performed regarding a distance between the light source and biological sample (non-contact therapy) that may result in disparate reports on the efficacy of PBM therapy.

L. seed extracts induce apoptosis and reduce migration of oral squamous cell carcinoma KB and KBcells by downregulation of β-catenin.

Although, oral cancer therapies have been developed for decades, patient survival rates have not changed. Side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy reduce quality of life of patients and it remains difficult to treat oral cancers due to the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) that cause recurrence and metastasis. Therefore, we search for natural products that affect oral cancer cells including oral cancer stem cells.

The Protective Role of Feruloylserotonin in LPS-Induced HaCaT Cells.

Epidermal inflammation is caused by various bacterial infectious diseases that impair the skin health. Feruloylserotonin (FS) belongs to the hydroxycinnamic acid amides of serotonin, which mainly exists in safflower seeds and has been proven to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Human epidermis mainly comprises keratinocytes whose inflammation causes skin problems.

Sanguisorba officinalis L. extracts activate Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and subsequently control adipo-osteogenic differentiation.

Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays an important role in adipogenesis and osteogenesis. To search for novel activators of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, we screened plant extracts and found that Sangusorba officinalis L. extracts (SOE) could increase β-catenin expression level and nuclear accumulation in 3T3-L1 and MC3T3-E1 cells.

Development of Novel Photosensitizer Using the Extract for Head and Neck Cancer.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is generally safer and less invasive than conventional strategies for head and neck cancer treatment. However, currently available photosensitizers have low selectivity for tumor cells, and the burden and side effects are so great that research is needed to develop safe photosensitizers. In this study, it was confirmed that the (BO) extract, used in the treatment of inflammation and vascular diseases, shows fluorescence when activated by LED light, and, based on this, we aimed to develop a new photosensitive agent suitable for PDT.

Red light-emitting diode irradiation regulates oxidative stress and inflammation through SPHK1/NF-κB activation in human keratinocytes.

Oxidative stress, in which the amount of oxidants exceeds the capacity of antioxidant defense system, is a well-accepted pathogenesis of several human diseases. Light-emitting diode irradiation (LEDI) is an efficient strategy to counteract this condition. The biological effect of phototherapy, using visible light, has attracted recent attention especially in dermatological practice.

Cell proliferation and migration mechanism of caffeoylserotonin and serotonin via serotonin 2B receptor in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells.

Caffeoylserotonin (CaS), one derivative of serotonin (5-HT), is a secondary metabolite produced in pepper fruits with strong antioxidant activities. In this study, we investigated the effect of CaS on proliferation and migration of human keratinocyte HaCaT cells compared to that of 5-HT. CaS enhanced keratinocyte proliferation even under serum deficient condition.

Feruloylserotonin inhibits hydrogen peroxide-induced melanogenesis and apoptosis in B16F10 and SK-Mel-2 melanoma cells.

Feruloylserotonin (FS) is a major bioactive component of safflower seeds, with documented strong antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and free radical scavenging activities. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can strongly induce melanogenesis and cell apoptosis. The present study aimed to investigate the ability of FS in preventing hydrogen peroxide (HO)-induced melanogenesis and cell apoptosis.

Variations in the concentrations of heavy metals through enforcement of a rest-year system and dredged sediment capping at the Yellow Sea-Byung dumping site, Korea.

In 2014, the concentrations of 13 heavy metals in surface sediments from 14 sampling stations were analyzed and compared to samples from previous years to evaluate the remediation effectiveness of the "rest-year" (RY) system and capping with dredged material at the Yellow Sea-Byung dumping site offshore Korea. Since the 2006 introduction of the RY system, annual variations in metal concentrations at stations within the RY zone have gradually decreased over time. Heavy metal concentrations at most stations were lower than sediment quality guidelines, indicating the success of the RY system.

Association between cancer stem cell-like properties and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in primary and secondary cancer cells.

One of the theories on cancer stem cells (CSCs) states that these cells initiate most tumors and give rise to more-or-less differentiated tumor cells. Genetic signatures of CSCs are thought to predict tumor recurrence and metastases, thus, supporting the notion that CSCs may be metastatic precursors and induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this study, we tried to examine the association between CSCs and EMT (using specific markers) in the mucoepidermoid carcinoma cell line YD15 and its derivative cell line YD15M (lymph node metastasis).

Secretion of IL-1β from imatinib-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia cells contributes to BCR-ABL mutation-independent imatinib resistance.

Some cases of chronic myelogenous leukemia are resistant to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) independently of mutation in BCR-ABL, but the detailed mechanism underlying this resistance has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we generated a TKI-resistant CML cell line, K562R, that lacks a mutation in BCR-ABL. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) was more highly expressed in K562R than in the parental cell line K562S, and higher levels of IL-1β contributed to the imatinib resistance of K562R.

Insights into Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Inflammatory Diseases.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous population of cells involved in immune regulation. This population subdivides into granulocytic MDSCs and monocytic MDSCs, which regulate immune responses via the production of various molecules including reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, arginase-1, interleukin-10, and transforming growth factor-β. Most studies of MDSCs focused on their role in tumors.