The effect of ceramides on skin absorption by Raman spectroscopy.

Introduction: Ceramides are essential epidermal constituents that play a critical role in skin moisturization treatment as a raw material in cosmetics formulation. Recently, ceramides have been known to be frequently applied in various cosmetic formulations. Despite ceramide's beneficial characteristics, academic research regarding ceramides and their skin absorption remains insufficient.

Deep Learning Model for Predicting Intradialytic Hypotension Without Privacy Infringement: A Retrospective Two-Center Study.

Objective: Previously developed Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) prediction models utilize clinical variables with potential privacy protection issues. We developed an IDH prediction model using minimal variables, without the risk of privacy infringement.

Methods: Unidentifiable data from 63,640 hemodialysis sessions (26,746 of 79 patients for internal validation, 36,894 of 255 patients for external validation) from two Korean hospital hemodialysis databases were finally analyzed, using three IDH definitions: (1) systolic blood pressure (SBP) nadir <90 mmHg (Nadir90); (2) SBP decrease ≥20 mmHg from baseline (Fall20); and (3) SBP decrease ≥20 mmHg and/or mean arterial pressure decrease ≥10 mmHg (Fall20/MAP10).

Nationwide Implementation of Nonpharmaceutical Interventions During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic Is Associated With Decreased Incidence of Pneumonia in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of nationwide nonpharmaceutical interventions against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the incidence of pneumonia (PCP) in kidney transplant recipients. The monthly incidence of PCP during the COVID-19 period decreased significantly compared to that of the pre-COVID-19 period in kidney transplant recipients.

Exercise reduces the risk of chronic kidney disease in individuals with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A nationwide cohort study.

Aims: Recent studies of individuals with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have indicated benefits of exercise in improving outcomes. We investigated whether exercise reduces the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in individuals with NAFLD.

Methods: A total of 7275 participants from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) cohort, and 40,418 participants with NAFLD from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) cohort were included for the cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, respectively.

The effects of wearing a face mask and of subsequent moisturizer use on the characteristics of sensitive skin.

Background: COVID-19 is a serious respiratory disease, and wearing masks has become essential in daily life. Nevertheless, the number of people complaining of skin problems caused by wearing masks is increasing. Therefore, we investigated the characteristics of changes in sensitive skin caused by wearing a mask.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and risk of incident chronic kidney disease: A nationwide cohort study.

Aims: The recently proposed metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has been suggested to better reflect the metabolic components of fatty liver disease (FLD), compared to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study investigated whether MAFLD identifies a higher proportion of individuals at risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: 268,946 participants aged 40-64 years, who underwent National Health Insurance Service health examinations between 2009 and 2015 were included.

Technique for analyzing the transfer of colored cosmetics onto face masks.

Background: With the rapid spread of COVID-19, the makeup trend in the cosmetics market is changing as mask-wearing has become a common practice. This study was conducted to establish an objective and reliable method for analyzing the transfer of colored cosmetics onto face masks.

Methods: A total of 24 women participated in this test.

Changes in skin wrinkles and pores due to long-term mask wear.

Background: The spread of COVID-19 has made mask wear essential. Expecting that long-term mask wear would change the characteristics of skin, this study investigated changes in skin wrinkles and pores caused by long-term mask wear and whether or not use of moisturizers has an effect on any changes.

Materials And Methods: The study participants were 20 women who were instructed to wear a mask for at least 6 hours a day for 4 weeks.

Low High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Level in Korean Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease and Its Predictive Significance for Cardiovascular Events, Mortality, and Adverse Kidney Outcomes: Results From KNOW-CKD.

Background Inflammation levels are lower in East Asians than in Western people. We studied the association between high-sensitivity hs-CRP (C-reactive protein) and adverse outcomes in Korean patients with chronic kidney disease. Methods and Results We included 2018 participants from the KNOW-CKD (Korean Cohort Study for Outcome in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease) between April 2011 and February 2016.

SD-OCT parameters and visual field defect in chiasmal compression and the diagnostic value of neural network model.

Purpose: To evaluate the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) measurements using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in patients with chiasmal compression and analyze the diagnostic value of a neural network model.

Methods: Forty-seven patients with chiasmal compressive disorder were recruited and divided into two groups depending on the visual field defect (perimetric; group 1 and preperimetric; group 2). Fifty-seven normal subjects were also recruited (group 3).

Evaluation of factors triggering sensitive scalp in Korean adult women.

Background: The scalp care market is growing rapidly and research into the factors associated with sensitive scalp is performed in many countries. However, to the best of our knowledge, no previous study has examined the factors triggering sensitive scalp in Korean women. Thus, the aim of our study was to establish objective standards for sensitive scalp, investigate factors that trigger this condition, and determine the ratio of sensitive scalp in Korean women.

Evaluation of human electroencephalogram change for sensory effects of fragrance.

Background: The stabilizing effect of lavender and the arousal effect of peppermint essential oils are acknowledged and used widely in aromatherapy and the cosmetics industry. However, no evaluation method confirms the effects of essential oils through quantitative and objective electroencephalogram (EEG) results; instead, only a psychological and subjective method exists. Therefore, this study aims to create a new emotional cosmetic evaluation paradigm using EEG values.

Cynandione A inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced cell adhesion via suppression of the protein expression of VCAM‑1 in human endothelial cells.

Cynandione A (CA) is one of the most active compounds in the roots of Cynanchum wilfordii, the extracts of which have been used extensively in East Asia to treat various diseases including anti‑ischemic stroke. In the present study, the anti‑adherent activity of CA in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‑stimulated human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) was investigated. CA markedly reduced the expression of vascular adhesion molecule‑1 (VCAM‑1) by LPS in HUVECs.

Cynandione A attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced production of inflammatory mediators via MAPK inhibition and NF-κB inactivation in RAW264.7 macrophages and protects mice against endotoxin shock.

Cynanchum wilfordii has been traditionally used in eastern Asia for the treatment of various diseases such as gastrointestinal diseases and arteriosclerosis. Cynandione A (CA), an acetophenone, is one of major constituents from roots of C. wilfordii.

A novel synthetic compound 3-amino-3-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-1H-quinoline-2,4-dione (KR22332) exerts a radioprotective effect via the inhibition of mitochondrial dysfunction and generation of reactive oxygen species.

Purpose: Acute side effects of radiation such as oral mucositis are observed in most patients. Although several potential radioprotective agents have been proposed, no effective agent has yet been identified. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of synthetic compound 3-amino-3-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-1H-quinoline-2,4-dione (KR22332) as a radioprotective agent.

Jaceosidin, a natural flavone, promotes angiogenesis via activation of VEGFR2/FAK/PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathways in endothelial cells.

Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature, plays an important role in physiological and pathological processes such as embryonic development wound healing and revascularization of tissues after exposure to ischemia. We investigated the effects of jaceosidin, a main constituent of medicinal herbs of the genus Artemisia, on angiogenesis and signaling pathways in endothelial cells. Jaceosidin stimulated proliferation, migration and tubulogenesis of ECs as well as ex vivo sprouting from aorta rings, which are phenomena typical of angiogenesis.

The stimulatory effects of Stewartia koreana extract on the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts and the wound healing activity of the extract in mice.

Stewartia koreana (S. koreana) has been used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, such as acute gastroenteritis and aches, in Korean folk medicine and has been reported to have a number of biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory activity and the promotion of angiogenesis. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of S.

Protective effects of Korean red ginseng against radiation-induced apoptosis in human HaCaT keratinocytes.

Radiation-induced oral mucositis is a dose-limiting toxic side effect for patients with head and neck cancer. Numerous attempts at improving radiation-induced oral mucositis have not produced a qualified treatment. Ginseng polysaccharide has multiple immunoprotective effects.

Radioprotective effect of epicatechin in cultured human fibroblasts and zebrafish.

Radiation-induced normal cell damage limits the delivery of high-dose radiation to targeted cancer. This study investigated the effect of epicatechin (EC), a minor component of green tea extracts, on radiation-induced cellular damage in vitro in primary cultured human fibroblasts and in vivo in a zebrafish model. Cell viability, proliferation and wound-healing efficacy, mitochondrial membrane potential, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation as well as changes in the signaling pathway related to apoptosis were investigated in fibroblasts.

Effect of epicatechin against radiation-induced oral mucositis: in vitro and in vivo study.

Purpose: Radiation-induced oral mucositis limits the delivery of high-dose radiation to head and neck cancer. This study investigated the effectiveness of epicatechin (EC), a component of green tea extracts, on radiation-induced oral mucositis in vitro and in vivo.

Experimental Design: The effect of EC on radiation-induced cytotoxicity was analyzed in the human keratinocyte line HaCaT.

Enhancement of CCL15 expression and monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells (ECs) after hypoxia/reoxygenation and induction of ICAM-1 expression by CCL15 via the JAK2/STAT3 pathway in ECs.

CCL15, a member of the CC chemokine family, is a potent chemoattractant for leukocytes and endothelial cells (ECs). Given that chemokines play key roles in vascular inflammation, we investigated the effects of hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) on expression of human CCL15 and a role of CCL15 in upregulating ICAM-1 in ECs. We found that exposure of ECs to H/R increased expression of CCL15 and ICAM-1, which resulted in an increase in monocyte adhesivity to the ECs.

Caffeoyl triterpenes from pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai) fruit peels and their antioxidative activities against oxidation of rat blood plasma.

Six triterpenes, including three caffeoyl triterpenes, were purified and isolated from pear fruit ( Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai cv. Chuwhangbae) peel extracts using various column chromatography techniques with a guided 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assay. The isolated compounds were identified as betulinic aldehyde (1), lupeol (2), betulinic acid (3), 3-O-cis-caffeoylbetulinic acid (4), 3-O-trans-caffeoylbetulinic acid (5), and 3-O-trans-caffeoyloleanolic acid (6) on the basis of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

Hydroxycinnamoylmalic acids and their methyl esters from pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai) fruit peel.

Two novel caffeoylmalic acid methyl esters, 2-O-(trans-caffeoyl)malic acid 1-methyl ester (6) and 2-O-(trans-caffeoyl)malic acid 4-methyl ester (7), were isolated from pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai cv. Chuhwangbae) fruit peels. In addition, 5 known hydroxycinnamoylmalic acids and their methyl esters were identified: 2-O-(trans-coumaroyl)malic acid (1), 2-O-(cis-coumaroyl)malic acid (2), 2-O-(cis-coumaroyl)malic acid 1-methyl ester (3), 2-O-(trans-coumaroyl)malic acid 1-methyl ester (4), and 2-O-(trans-caffeoyl)malic acid (phaselic acid, 5).

Comparison of the content of bioactive substances and the inhibitory effects against rat plasma oxidation of conventional and organic hot peppers (Capsicum annuum L.).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical compositions and antioxidative activities of hot pepper fruits cultivated with strict management by organic and conventional agricultural practices. The ascorbic acid content in the organically grown hot pepper (OGP) was significantly higher than that of conventionally grown hot pepper (CGP) in both green and red fruits. The content of other bioactive compounds such as flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, quercetin) and total phenolics in OGP was typically higher than in CGP regardless of fruit color.