Gonadal efficacy of Thymus quinquecostatus Celakovski: Regulation of testosterone levels in aging mouse models.

Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is an age-related disease in men characterized by decreased testosterone levels with symptoms such as decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and depression. Thymus quinquecostatus Celakovski (TQC) is a plant used as a volatile oil in traditional medicine, and its bioactive compounds have anti-inflammatory potential. Based on this knowledge, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of TQC extract (TE) on LOH in TM3 Leydig cells and in an in vivo aging mouse model.

A Drop-and-Drain Method for Convenient and Efficient Fabrication of MOF/Fiber Composites.

The fabrication of flexible composites by integrating metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with flexible substrates is a critical strategy for developing advanced materials with excellent feasibility and processability. These flexible MOF-based composites play a particularly important role in the separation and purification processes. However, several drawbacks remain challenge to overcome such as long processing time, high-cost, complicated processes, or harsh reaction conditions.

Assessment of phthalate exposure at a fire site in Korean firefighters.

To determine phthalate exposure in 32 firefighters, the concentrations of urinary phthalate metabolites, immediately (exposure day) and three weeks (control day) after fire suppression, were compared. Mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate, mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate, mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate, mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP), mono-n-benzyl phthalate (MBzP), and total phthalates (∑phthalates) levels, and creatinine-adjusted levels of MBP, MBzP, and ∑phthalates were significantly higher on exposure day than on control day. Phthalate concentration was significantly higher in firefighters who performed the fire extinguishing tasks (geometric mean [GM], 149.

Anion-Induced Interfacial Liquid Layers on LiCoO in Salt-in-Water Lithium-Ion Batteries.

The incompatibility of lithium intercalation electrodes with water has impeded the development of aqueous Li-ion batteries. The key challenge is protons which are generated by water dissociation and deform the electrode structures through intercalation. Distinct from previous approaches utilizing large amounts of electrolyte salts or artificial solid-protective films, we developed liquid-phase protective layers on LiCoO (LCO) using a moderate concentration of 0.

Association between sleep quality and type of shift work in Korean firefighters.

Background: Shift work that interferes with normal sleep patterns, is known to be a cause of sleep disturbance and has been studied through various occupational groups. However, it is not known which shift type is better for sleep health.

Methods: This study included 568 firefighters.

Relationship between job rotation and work-related low back pain: a cross-sectional study using data from the fifth Korean working conditions survey.

Background: Job rotation was introduced in various industries as a strategic form of work for improving workers' job skills and health management. This study aims to examine the relationship between job rotation and work-related low back pain (LBP), one of the typical work-related musculoskeletal symptoms of Korean workers.

Methods: We conducted this study using the data of the 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS).

Psychosocial factors affecting sleep quality of pre-employed firefighters: a cross-sectional study.

Background: There have been no health-related studies of pre-employed firefighters without firefighter-specific job-related factors (FSJRF). This study aimed to evaluate the sleep quality of pre-employed firefighters and to examine the relationship between sleep quality and psychosocial factors.

Methods: We conducted a self-report questionnaire survey for 602 pre-employed firefighters at 3 Fire Service Academies after brief lecture about sleep.

Relationship between shift work and liver enzymes: a cross-sectional study based on the Korea National Health and Examination Survey (2007-2015).

Background: Shift work has well-known adverse effects on health. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between shift work and hepatic disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the association between shift work and abnormal level of liver enzymes.

Isolation of Cellulolytic Bacillus subtilis Strains from Agricultural Environments.

The bioconversion of cellulose and hemicellulose to soluble sugars is important for global stabilization and a sustainable human society. Here, hundreds of cellulolytic bacteria were screened and isolated from soil, compost, and animal waste slurry in Jeju Island, South Korea. Among the isolates, three strains, SL9-9, C5-16, and S52-2, showing higher potential for practical uses were purified on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) agar plates and identified as Bacillus subtilis strains by morphological, physiological, and biochemical characterization and 16S rRNA gene analysis.

Protective effect of recombinant adeno-associated virus 2/8-mediated gene therapy from the maternal hyperphenylalaninemia in offsprings of a mouse model of phenylketonuria.

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an autosomal recessively inherited metabolic disorder caused by a deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). The accumulation of phenylalanine leads to severe mental and psychomotor retardation, and the fetus of an uncontrolled pregnant female patient presents with maternal PKU syndrome. We have reported previously on the cognitive outcome of biochemical and phenotypic reversal of PKU in a mouse model, Pahenu2, by the AAV serotype 2-mediated gene delivery of a human PAH transgene.

Recombinant adeno-associated virus mediated gene transfer in a mouse model for homocystinuria.

Homocystinuria is a metabolic disorder caused by a deficiency of cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS). The major clinical symptoms of this disease are mental retardation, lens dislocation, vascular disease with life-threatening thromboembolisms, and skeletal deformities. The major treatments for CBS deficiency include pharmacologic doses of pyridoxine or dietary restriction of methionine.

Structural and functional analyses of mutations of the human phenylalanine hydroxylase gene.

Background: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inborn error of metabolism that results from a deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). We demonstrated PAH mutational spectrum from patients with PKU, including 10 novel and 3 tetrahydrobiopterin (BH(4))-responsive mutations. In this study, 11 PAH missense mutations, including 6 novel mutations (P69S, G103S, L293M, G332V, S391I, A447P) found in our previous study, 2 mutations common in east Asian patients with PKU (R243Q, R413P), and 3 tetrahydrobiopterin (BH(4))-responsive mutations (R53H, R241C, R408Q) have been functionally and structurally analyzed.

Reversal of gene expression profile in the phenylketonuria mouse model after adeno-associated virus vector-mediated gene therapy.

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder caused by phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) deficiency. Accumulation of phenylalanine leads to severe mental and psychomotor retardation, and hypopigmentation of skin and hair. We have demonstrated the cognitive outcome of biochemical and phenotypic reversal by the adeno-associated virus vector-mediated gene delivery of a human PAH transgene.

The molecular basis of phenylketonuria in Koreans.

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inborn error of metabolism that results from a deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). We characterized the PAH mutations of 79 independent Korean patients with PKU or hyperphenylalaninemia. PAH nucleotide sequence analysis revealed 39 different mutations, including ten novel mutations.

Long-term enzymatic and phenotypic correction in the phenylketonuria mouse model by adeno-associated virus vector-mediated gene transfer.

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder caused by a deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). The accumulation of phenylalanine leads to severe mental and psychomotor retardation, and hypopigmentation of skin and hair. Low-phenylalanine diet therapy can prevent irreversible damage if instituted from birth.

In vivo differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into hepatocytes.

Embryonic stem (ES) cells have been regarded as a powerful resource for cell replacement therapy. In recent reports mouse ES cells have been successfully applied in the treatment of spinal cord injury, hereditary myelin disorder of the central nervous system, and diabetes mellitus. Another type of disease that could benefit from the availability of stem cell therapy is liver disease.