Usnic acid brief exposure suppresses cariogenic properties and complexity of biofilms.

Bacterial biofilms are highly structured surface associated architecture of micro-colonies, which are strongly bonded with the exopolymeric matrix of their own synthesis. These exopolymeric substances, mainly exopolysaccharides (EPS) initially assist the bacterial adhesion and finally form a bridge over the microcolonies to protect them from environmental assaults and antimicrobial exposure. Bacterial cells in dental biofilm metabolize dietary carbohydrates and produce organic acids.

Allatotropin (AT) related peptides L-ATRP and D2-ATRP diastereomers activate an endogenous receptor and suppress heart rate in the Pacific abalone Haliotis discus hannai.

Allatotropin (AT) has been identified in many insects and plays important roles in the regulation of their intestinal contraction, heart rate, ion transport, and digestive enzyme secretion. However, information on AT-related bioinformatics in other animal phyla is scarce. In this study, we cloned a full-length cDNA encoding the AT-related peptide receptor (ATRPR) of the abalone Haliotis discus hannai (Hdh) and further characterized Hdh-ATRPR with its potential ligands, Hdh-ATRPs.

Associations of personal urinary volatile organic compounds and lung function in children.

Background: We investigated the correlation between urine VOC metabolites and airway function in children exposed to anthropogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), notable pollutants impacting respiratory health.

Methods: Out of 157 respondents, 141 completed skin prick tests, spirometry, IOS, and provided urine samples following the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC)-related questions. Allergic sensitization was assessed through skin prick tests, and airway functions were evaluated using spirometry and impulse oscillometry (IOS).

Crustacean cardioactive peptide signaling system in the gastropod mollusk Pacific abalone.

Crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP) signaling systems have been characterized in a diverse range of protostomes, representatively in arthropods. The cyclic CXC-type CCAP regulates various biological activities through CCAP receptors (CCAPRs), which are orthologous to neuropeptide S receptors (NPSRs) in deuterostomes. However, the CCAPRs of the lophotrochozoa remain poorly characterized; therefore, the relationship between the CCAP, NPS, and CXC-type oxytocin/vasopressin (OT/VP) signaling systems is unclear.

Functional Characterization of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone and Corazonin Signaling Systems in Pacific Abalone: Toward Reclassification of Invertebrate Neuropeptides.

Introduction: The proposed evolutionary origins and corresponding nomenclature of bilaterian gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-related neuropeptides have changed tremendously with the aid of receptor deorphanization. However, the reclassification of the GnRH and corazonin (CRZ) signaling systems in Lophotrochozoa remains unclear.

Methods: We characterized GnRH and CRZ receptors in the mollusk Pacific abalone, Haliotis discus hannai (Hdh), by phylogenetic and gene expression analyses, bioluminescence-based reporter, Western blotting, substitution of peptide amino acids, in vivo neuropeptide injection, and RNA interference assays.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus- and Complication-Related Risk of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Disease in a South Korean Cohort.

We aimed to investigate whether type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and diabetes-related complications constitute significant risk factors for nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease. Data from the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (which represents 2.2% of the total South Korean population) recorded between 2007 and 2019 were extracted to establish the NTM-naive T2DM cohort ( = 191,218) and the 1:1 age- and sex-matched NTM-naive matched cohort ( = 191,218).

Effects of Radix Polygalae on Cognitive Decline and Depression in Estradiol Depletion Mouse Model of Menopause.

Postmenopausal syndrome refers to symptoms caused by the gradual decrease in female hormones after mid-40 years. As a target organ of estrogen, decrease in estrogen causes various changes in brain function such as a decrease in choline acetyltransferase and brain-derived neurotrophic factor; thus, postmenopausal women experience cognitive decline and more depressive symptoms than age-matched men. Radix Polygalae has been used for memory boosting and as a mood stabilizer and its components have shown neuroprotective, antidepressant, and stress relief properties.

NPF activates a specific NPF receptor and regulates food intake in Pacific abalone Haliotis discus hannai.

Neuropeptides function through G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) with high specificity, implying a significant degree of neuropeptide-GPCR coevolution. However, potential neuropeptide signaling systems in non-chordates are relatively elusive. We determined the specificity of the neuropeptide F (Hdh-NPF) signaling system with a cognate receptor (Hdh-NPFR) in the Pacific abalone, Haliotis discus hannai.

COVID-19 Vaccine-associated Anaphylaxis and Allergic Reactions: Consensus Statements of the KAAACI Urticaria/Angioedema/Anaphylaxis Working Group.

In the era of novel coronavirus epidemics, vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been recognized as the most effective public health interventions to control the pandemic. An adverse event following immunization (AEFI) is defined as any untoward occurrence following immunization, and the majority of AEFIs are caused by protective immune responses stimulated by vaccines. Most of the reported AEFIs are not serious, and many are not immunologically mediated or even reproducible on re-exposure.

sp. nov. and sp. nov., isolated from the gut of larvae of , reclassification of as comb. nov. and emended description of the genus .

Two bacterial strains, FWR-8 and CFWR-9, were isolated from the gut of larvae of that were raised at the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Wanju-gun, Republic of Korea. Both strains were strictly aerobic, Gram-stain-positive and non-motile. Strain FWR-8 possessed the highest sequence similarity (98.

Specialist Perception of Severe Asthma in Korea: A Questionnaire Survey.

The Working Group on Severe Asthma of the Korean Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology recently published an expert opinion paper on the management of severe asthma in Korea. When developing a consensus, the working group encountered several diagnostic and treatment issues and decided to perform a questionnaire survey of Korean specialists with regard to severe asthma. An e-mail with a uniform resource locator link to the questionnaire was sent to 121 asthma specialists, of whom 44.

Association of serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein level with sensitization to food allergens in children.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding protein (LBP) is an acute-phase reactant that mediates innate immune responses triggered by LPS. Recent studies indicated a positive correlation of circulating LBP level with chronic low-grade inflammation, a condition present in many non-communicable diseases. We determined the association of serum LBP concentration with allergic sensitization in a general pediatric population.

Evaluation and Management of Difficult-to-Treat and Severe Asthma: An Expert Opinion From the Korean Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the Working Group on Severe Asthma.

Severe asthma (SA) presents in about 3%-5% of adult asthmatics and is responsible for over 60% of asthma-related medical expenses, posing a heavy socioeconomic burden. However, to date, a precise definition of or clear diagnostic criteria for SA have not been established, and therefore, it has been challenging for clinicians to diagnose and treat this disease. Currently, novel biologics targeting several molecules, such as immunoglobulin E, interleukin (IL)5, and IL4/IL13, have emerged, and many new drugs are under development.

Extract of Suppresses Mast Cell-Mediated Allergic Inflammation by Inhibiting Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase and Nuclear Factor-κB.

Mast cells are effector cells that initiate allergic inflammatory immune responses by inducing inflammatory mediators. (Linn.) Gaudich is a natural herb in the nettle family Urticaceae that possesses numerous pharmacological properties.

Ovarian transcriptome profiles associated with sexual maturation in Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai).

Background: There is now abundant information on genes involved in molluscan oogenesis and their associations with ovarian development. However, few studies have investigated the ovarian transcriptome of Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai).

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify genes related to ovarian development and maturation in Pacific abalone utilizing RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) and to verify the genes most relevant to different stages of maturation.

The KAAACI/KDA Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines for Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria in Korean Adults and Children: Part 2. Management of H1-Antihistamine-Refractory Chronic Urticaria.

Quite a few patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) are refractory to H₁-antihistamines, even though the dose of H₁-antihistamines is increased up to 4-fold. CSU that is not controlled with H₁-antihistamines results in increased disease burden. Several immunomodulators have been used to manage these patients.

Incidence of cancer after asthma development: 2 independent population-based cohort studies.

Background: Evidence regarding the risk of cancer development after asthma diagnosis is controversial and inconclusive.

Objective: This study sought to determine whether asthma is associated with an increased risk for incident cancer.

Methods: Two independent, population-based, longitudinal cohorts were examined, and estimated hazard ratios were determined using Cox regression.

The KAAACI/KDA Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines for Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria in Korean Adults and Children: Part 1. Definition, Methodology and First-line Management.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is defined as the occurrence of spontaneous wheals, angioedema, or both for >6 weeks in the absence of specific causes. It is a common condition associated with substantial disease burden both for affected individuals and societies in many countries, including Korea. CSU frequently persists for several years and requires high-intensity treatment; therefore, patients experience deteriorations in quality of life and medication-associated complications.