Effects of egg consumption on carotenoid absorption from co-consumed, raw vegetables.

Background: Dietary lipids are one of the most effective stimulators of carotenoid absorption, but very limited data exist on the impact of endogenous food sources of lipids to enhance carotenoid absorption. The co-consumption of whole egg with carotenoid-rich foods may increase overall carotenoid absorption via lipid-rich egg yolk.

Objective: We designed this study to assess the effects of egg consumption on carotenoid absorption from a carotenoid-rich, raw mixed-vegetable salad.

Development and Validation of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Markers from an Expressed Sequence Tag (EST) Database in Olive Flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus).

To successful molecular breeding, identification and functional characterization of breeding related genes and development of molecular breeding techniques using DNA markers are essential. Although the development of a useful marker is difficult in the aspect of time, cost and effort, many markers are being developed to be used in molecular breeding and developed markers have been used in many fields. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) markers were widely used for genomic research and breeding, but has hardly been validated for screening functional genes in olive flounder.

Effects of topically applied rapamycin and mycophenolic acid on TNCB-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice.

Rapamycin (RPM) and mycophenolic acid (MPA) are immunosuppressive drugs approved for use in preventing transplant rejection. These drugs have also been used in the field of dermatology as glucocorticoid sparing agents for autoimmune and inflammatory disorders such as atopic dermatitis (AD). The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of topically applied RPM and/or MPA on AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice.

Pain relief scale is more highly correlated with numerical rating scale than with visual analogue scale in chronic pain patients.

The pain relief scale (PRS) is a method that measures the magnitude of change in pain intensity after treatment. The present study aimed to evaluate the correlation between PRS and changes in pain determined by the visual analogue scale (VAS) and numerical rating scale (NRS), to confirm the evidence supporting the use of PRS. Sixty patients with chronic spinal pain that had a VAS and NRS recorded during an initial examination were enrolled in the study.

In vivo cell tracking with bioluminescence imaging.

Molecular imaging is a fast growing biomedical research that allows the visual representation, characterization and quantification of biological processes at the cellular and subcellular levels within intact living organisms. In vivo tracking of cells is an indispensable technology for development and optimization of cell therapy for replacement or renewal of damaged or diseased tissue using transplanted cells, often autologous cells. With outstanding advantages of bioluminescence imaging, the imaging approach is most commonly applied for in vivo monitoring of transplanted stem cells or immune cells in order to assess viability of administered cells with therapeutic efficacy in preclinical small animal models.

Identification of Candidate Gene Variants in Korean MODY Families by Whole-Exome Sequencing.

Aims: To date, 13 genes causing maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) have been identified. However, there is a big discrepancy in the genetic locus between Asian and Caucasian patients with MODY. Thus, we conducted whole-exome sequencing in Korean MODY families to identify causative gene variants.

The efficacy and safety of liquid-type botulinum toxin type A for the management of moderate to severe glabellar frown lines.

Background: Botulinum toxin type A has been widely used to correct unwanted hyperfunctional facial lines. Most forms of botulinum toxin type A currently used require reconstitution, which is very inconvenient for users. The authors compared the efficacy and safety of a newly developed liquid-type botulinum toxin type A (MT10109L) and onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) for moderate to severe glabellar lines.

Disease awareness and management behavior of patients with atopic dermatitis: a questionnaire survey of 313 patients.

Background: Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) should be relatively well informed about the disorder to control their condition and prevent flare-ups. Thus far, there is no accurate information about the disease awareness levels and therapeutic behavior of AD patients.

Objective: To collect data on patients' knowledge about AD and their behavior in relation to seeking information about the disease and its treatment.

Biological production of an integrin αvβ3 targeting imaging probe and functional verification.

The aim of the present study is to establish a bacterial clone capable of secreting an integrin αvβ3 targeting probe with bioluminescent and fluorescent activities, and to verify its specific targeting and optical activities using molecular imaging. A bacterial vector expressing a fusion of secretory Gaussia luciferase (sGluc), mCherry, and RGD (sGluc-mCherry-RGDX3; GCR), and a control vector expressing a fusion of secretory Gaussia luciferase and mCherry (sGluc-mCherry; GC) were constructed. The GCR and GC proteins were expressed in E.

Chemical constituents of Tilia taquetii leaves and their inhibition of MMP-1 expression and elastase activities.

The ethanol extract of Tilia taquetii Schneider leaves was investigated for its anti-wrinkle properties and for the relevant chemical constituents. Phytochemical studies led to the identification of five known compounds, viz. phytol (1), isoquercitrin (2), oleanderolide (3), arjunolic acid (4) and maslinic acid (5) from the extract.

International note: Teen users' problematic online behavior: using panel data from South Korea.

The purpose of this study was to identify factors of teen users' problematic online behaviors using data from the Korea Youth Panel Survey (KYPS) collected over a four-year period. Problematic online behaviors included unauthorized ID use, disguising one's age or gender while chatting online, and cursing/insulting someone in a chat room or on a bulletin board. Results from the panel data analyses showed that many adolescents explored and discontinued engaging in online delinquency as they got older.

Effect of rivastigmine or memantine add-on therapy is affected by butyrylcholinesterase genotype in patients with probable Alzheimer's disease.

Background: The K variant of butyrylcholinesterase (BCHE-K) exhibits a reduced acetylcholine-hydrolyzing capacity; so the clinical response to rivastigmine may differ in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients with the BCHE-K gene.

Objective: To investigate the clinical response to rivastigmine transdermal patch monotherapy or memantine plus rivastigmine transdermal patch therapy in AD patients based on the BCHE-K gene.

Methods: A total of 146 probable AD patients consented to genetic testing for butyrylcholinesterase and underwent the final efficacy evaluations.

Retardation of Listeria monocytogenes growth in mozzarella cheese using antimicrobial sachets containing rosemary oil and thyme oil.

An antimicrobial sachet containing microcellular foam starch (MFS) with embedded rosemary oil and thyme oil was developed to reduce bacterial growth in shredded mozzarella cheese. The efficacy of the volatiles of oils at various concentrations in reducing Listeria monocytogenes as well as the release of the oils from the MFS have been also determined in this study. The cheese, inoculated with a cocktail of 5 strains of L.

Symptomatic aggravation after corticosteroid pulse therapy in definite sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease with the feature of Hashimoto's encephalopathy.

Background: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and Hashimoto's encephalopathy often show similar clinical presentation. Among Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease mimics, Hashimoto's encephalopathy is particularly important as it is treatable with corticosteroids. Thus, in cases of middle-aged woman diagnosed with probable Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and who exhibit high titers of antithyroid antibodies, corticosteroid pulse therapy is typically performed with expectations of near complete recovery from Hashimoto's encephalopathy.

Alternative technique for changing from nasal to oral endotracheal tube for orthognathic and nasal surgery by using an airway exchange catheter: a case report.

A 28-year-old male patient with right maxillar, zygomatic arch, orbital wall, and nasal bone fractures had an orthognathic and nasal surgery. Naso-endotracheal intubation is the first choice during surgical correction of dentofacial deformities in an orthognathic surgery; however, its presence can interfere with concomitant surgical procedures on the nose. Traditionally, the naso-endotracheal tube will be removed and replaced with an oro-endotracheal tube.

The significance of hypersensitivity to autologous sweat and serum in cholinergic urticaria: cholinergic urticaria may have different subtypes.

Background: The pathogenesis of cholinergic urticaria (ChU) has been unclear except for the involvement of acetylcholine. Attempts to classify ChU according to etiology have rarely been performed.

Objective: To evaluate the significance of responsiveness to autologous sweat and serum in ChU in relation to their clinical characteristics.

Moxibustion treatment for knee osteoarthritis: a multi-centre, non-blinded, randomised controlled trial on the effectiveness and safety of the moxibustion treatment versus usual care in knee osteoarthritis patients.

Introduction: This study tested the effectiveness of moxibustion on pain and function in chronic knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and evaluated safety.

Methods: A multi-centre, non-blinded, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial compared moxibustion with usual care (UC) in KOA. 212 South Korean patients aged 40-70 were recruited from 2011-12, stratified by mild (Kellgren/Lawrence scale grades 0/1) and moderate-severe KOA (grades 2/3/4), and randomly allocated to moxibustion or UC for four weeks.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of antenatal fetal intra-abdominal umbilical vein varix detection.

Objective: This study reviewed clinical characteristics of fetal intra-abdominal umbilical vein (FIUV) varices that were detected during antenatal ultrasound examinations.

Methods: Between January 2006 and January 2012, 121 cases of FIUV varices were detected and 7 cases were lost to follow-up. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 114 patients and neonates.

Solitary congenital erosion in a newborn: report of a solitary congenital self-healing reticulohistiocytosis.

Congenital self-healing reticulohistiocytosis (CSHRH) is a rare, cutaneous, self-limited form of Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Whereas multiple lesions are common, a solitary lesion is rare. A 14-day-old neonate presented with a solitary, 5-mm, oval, reddish, and eroded papule with crust on the left thigh that had existed since birth.

A Recurrent Angiosarcoma Isolated to the Eyelid without the Recurrence on the Primary Lesion of the Forehead.

Angiosarcoma is a highly malignant vascular tumor of endothelial origin. Initially, a cutaneous manifestation presents as a singular or multifocal bruise-like patches on the skin, most frequently on the face, the scalp or the neck regions. On progression, the lesions become violaceous, and ill-defined spongy nodular tumors appear.

Clinical characteristics of cholinergic urticaria in Korea.

Background: Cholinergic urticaria is a type of physical urticaria characterized by heat-associated wheals. Several reports are available about cholinergic urticaria; however, the clinical manifestations and pathogenesis are incompletely understood.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of cholinergic urticaria in Korea.

Effect of intraperitoneal administered ginseng total saponins on hyperalgesia induced by repeated intramuscular injection of acidic saline in rats.

The aim of this study was to assess the antinociceptive activity of ginseng total saponins (GTS) on hyperalgesia induced by repeated intramuscular injections of acidic saline in rats and to examine the mechanisms involved. Rats were injected intraperitoneally with a 0.9% saline vehicle or various doses of GTS after the development of hyperalgesia.