Turcz. Root Bark Improves Skin Barrier Function and Symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis in Mice.

The root bark of Turcz. has been traditionally used for the topical treatment of skin disorders like pruritus. This study was designed to investigate the inflammatory and skin barrier protective effects of in mice with calcipotriol (MC903)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD).

Highly efficient dye adsorption by hierarchical porous SA/PVA/ZIF-8 composite microgels prepared via microfluidics.

Hierarchical porous composite microgels (SPZ microgels) were synthesized using microfluidic technology, composed of sodium alginate (SA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8). The incorporation of ZIF-8 nanoparticles led to the formation of significant porous structures within the microgels, greatly enhancing their dye adsorption performance. Additionally, the diffusion of acetone during the crosslinking reaction resulted in sodium chloride crystal formation, creating a hierarchical porous structure with larger internal porous channels and smaller external channels.

Stimuli-responsive, methyl cellulose-based, interpenetrating network hydrogels: Non-covalent design, injectability, and controlled release.

This paper demonstrates the molecular design of stimuli-responsive, methyl cellulose-based, injectable hydrogels consisting of two orthogonal supramolecular networks. Rapidly injectable hydrogels that undergo autonomous gelation without permanent cross-links are crucial for biomedical applications due to minimal invasiveness, adaptability to irregular target sites, and precise spatiotemporal control. However, they often lack sufficient mechanical strength, physicochemical stability, and high biocompatibility.

Enhanced Positive Charge Performance in Triboelectric Series: Molecular Engineering of Conjugated Mesoporous Fibers for Machine Learning-Based Wearable Sensors.

With the increasing focus on triboelectric-based sensors, research on synthesizing dielectric layers from specific substances is gradually emerging. Despite numerous negatively-charged triboelectric materials, there is a scarcity of synthesizable positively-charged materials, creating a research gap. This study demonstrates the molecular design of a conjugated, mesoporous, self-assembled sheet via bottom-up synthesis.

Regulation of Hippo-YAP signaling axis by Isoalantolactone suppresses tumor progression in cholangiocarcinoma.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a devastating malignancy characterized by aggressive tumor growth and limited treatment options. Dysregulation of the Hippo signaling pathway and its downstream effector, Yes-associated protein (YAP), has been implicated in CCA development and progression. In this study, we investigated the effects of Isoalantolactone (IALT) on CCA cells to elucidate its effect on YAP activity and its potential clinical significance.

Radiopaque, Self-Immolative Poly(benzyl ether) as a Functional X-ray Contrast Agent: Synthesis, Prolonged Visibility, and Controlled Degradation.

A self-immolative radiocontrast polymer agent has been newly designed for this study. The polymer agent is composed of a degradable poly(benzyl ether)-based backbone that enables complete and spontaneous depolymerization upon exposure to a specific stimulus, with iodophenyl pendant groups that confer a radiodensity comparable to that of commercial agents. In particular, when incorporated into a biodegradable polycaprolactone matrix, the agent not only reinforces the matrix and provides prolonged radiopacity without leaching but also governs the overall degradation kinetics of the composite under basic aqueous conditions, allowing for X-ray tracking and exhibiting a predictable degradation until the end of its lifespan.

Preparing the Frontlines: Delivering Special Pathogen Training to Maryland Hospital Staff.

Healthcare workers (HCWs) at community hospitals, also known as frontline hospitals (FLHs), may encounter patients with possible infectious diseases, including those caused by high-consequence pathogens such as We created and piloted a 1-day, in-person, didactic and skills training program to determine the feasibility and acceptability of implementing an educational program to enhance the knowledge and skills needed to respond when a patient with a potential high-consequence pathogen presents to an FLH. The Maryland Department of Health queried all 104 state FLHs to identify their interest in participating in the pilot training program. HCWs from 12 (75%) of the 16 interested FLHs participated in the program before it was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Burden of Herpes Zoster in Individuals with Immunocompromised Conditions and Autoimmune Diseases in the Republic of Korea: A Nationwide Population-Based Database Study.

Introduction: To estimate herpes zoster (HZ) incidence rate (IR) and economic burden in individuals with immunocompromised conditions and autoimmune diseases (IC/AID) in the Republic of Korea (ROK).

Methods: The nationwide Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database was used to identify HZ cases from 2016 to 2020 in ROK. HZ and non-HZ IC/AID cases were matched 1:3 using age, sex, institution, Charlson comorbidity index, IC/AID, and index date.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of (L.) S. Extract on Contact Dermatitis in Mice-Its Active Compounds and Molecular Targets.

(L.) S. has been used to treat epidemic fever, dysuria, and various skin ailments, such as measles eruptions, eczema, and pruritus, in China, Japan, and Korea.

The Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Function Recovery Effects of in Mice with Atopic Dermatitis.

: The fruit of (Turcz.) Baill. is widely used medicinally to treat coughs, asthma, exhaustion, eczema, and pruritus in Northeast Asian countries, including Korea, China, and Japan.

Covalent and non-covalent approaches to suppress plasticization of polymer membranes for gas separation.

Polymer membranes represent an attractive platform for energy-efficient gas separation, but they are known to suffer from plasticization during continuous gas-separation processes. This phenomenon is caused by the spontaneous relaxation of individual polymer chains arising from the swelling effect induced by high-pressure highly soluble gases such as CO, and it weakens the stability of the membrane, leading to a significant loss of selectivity during the separation of mixed gases. Thus, minimizing the disadvantages of polymer membranes is essential to ensure reliable gas-separation performance for practical applications.

Incidence and Healthcare Burden of Pertussis among Older Adults with and without Pre-Existing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or Asthma in South Korea.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted to examine trends in the incidence and burden of pertussis among adults ≥50 years in South Korea, with/without pre-existing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. The nationwide Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database was used to identify patients ≥50 years diagnosed with pertussis (2009-2018). Mean annual incidence of pertussis per 100 000 persons and overall mean incidence rate ratios (IRR) were calculated for patients with pre-existing COPD or asthma versus those with neither.

The Related Mechanisms Predicted through Network-Based Pharmacological Analysis and the Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Hance Bark on Contact Dermatitis in Mice.

Hance bark has been used to treat patients with inflammatory or purulent skin diseases in China, Japan, and Korea. This study was undertaken to determine the mechanism responsible for the effects of and whether it has a therapeutic effect in mice with contact dermatitis (CD). In this study, the active compounds in , their targets, and target gene information for inflammatory dermatosis were investigated using network-based pharmacological analysis.

Post-marketing surveillance study of the safety of the HPV-16/18 vaccine in Korea (2017-2021).

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is associated with the risk of developing certain cancers, including cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus, rectum, and oropharynx. In 2016, the bivalent HPV-16/18 vaccine was included in the Korea National Immunization Program. This vaccine protects against HPV types 16 and 18 and other oncogenic HPV types predominant in cervical and anal cancers.

Risk Factors of Pertussis Among Older Adults in South Korea: A Nationwide Health Data-Based Case-Control Study.

Introduction: To better understand the conditions associated with pertussis diagnosis among older adults in South Korea, a matched case-control study was conducted of individuals ≥ 50 years diagnosed with pertussis between 2009 and 2018.

Methods: Pertussis cases were identified using the nationwide Health Insurance Review and Assessment service (HIRA) database. Each case was then matched to up to 10 controls identified using the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC) by age, sex, and geographic region at index date.

All-Gas-Phase Synthesis of Heterolayered Two-Dimensional Nanohybrids Decorated with Metallic Nanocatalysts for Water Splitting.

Herein, a sequential gas-phase process involving air jet milling followed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), is demonstrated to be an efficient strategy for the fabrication of heterolayered 2D nanohybrids (2DNHs) decorated with nanocatalysts. Tens of grams of the nanohybrids, which is a substantial quantity at the laboratory scale, are produced in the absence of solvents and water, and without the need for an extra purification procedure. Air jet milling enables the development of binary/ternary heterolayered structures consisting of graphene, WSe , and/or MoS via the gas-phase co-exfoliation of their bulk counterparts.

Anti-inflammatory Effects of Ampelopsis Japonica Root on Contact Dermatitis in Mice.

Objective: To investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of Ampelopsis japonica on contact dermatitis (CD).

Methods: A total of 38 Balb/c mice were divided into 5 groups by using a random number table: normal mice (n=6), CD model mice (n=8), CD mice treated with 3 or 30 mg/kg of the ethanol extract of A. japonica (EEAJ, n=8) and 7.

Magnetically controlled reversible shape-morphing microrobots with real-time X-ray imaging for stomach cancer applications.

Stomach cancer is a global health concern as millions of cases are reported each year. In the present study, we developed a pH-responsive microrobot with good biocompatibility, magnetic-field controlled movements, and the ability to be visualized X-ray imaging. The microrobot consisted of composite resin and a pH-responsive layer.

Controllable Physical Synergized Triboelectricity, Shape Memory, Self-Healing, and Optical Sensing with Rollable Form Factor by Zn cluster.

To build devices offering users comfortable experience, it is important to focus on form factor and multifunctionality. In this study, for the first time, multifunctional Zn clusters with shape memory, self-healing, triboelectricity, and optical sensing synergized with rollable form factor are designed and fabricated by coordinating COO and Zn . As pore forming agent, Zn clusters produce hierarchical porous structure depending on Zn amount.

Poly(benzyl ether)-type additive to engineer glassy polyimide membranes for enhanced gas separations.

This conceptual study demonstrates the reinforcement of glassy polyimide membranes by incorporating a poly(benzyl ether)-type additive. Traces of the sterically bulky additive alter the overall physical properties of the entire matrix and further enhance the separation properties of small gas molecules.

Houtt. Protects Dopaminergic Neurons by Regulating Mitochondrial Function and Gut-Brain Axis in In Vitro and In Vivo Models of Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide. Houtt. (RJ) has been used to treat gastrointestinal and inflammatory diseases in East Asia.

Improving vaccination rates in older adults and at-risk groups: focus on pertussis.

Despite the implementation of effective paediatric vaccination programmes, pertussis remains a global health problem. Disease epidemiology has changed over time, shifting towards the adolescent and adult populations. In adults, the true burden of pertussis is greatly underestimated and pertussis vaccine coverage rates are suboptimal, including individuals with chronic conditions.