Risk of New-Onset Acute Coronary Syndrome and Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Compared With a Risk-Set and Propensity Score-Matched Cohort - A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has extra-articular manifestations of cardiovascular diseases and is associated with a high mortality rate in Western populations. This study aimed to investigate the risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and atrial fibrillation (AF) associated with RA in a Korean population.

Methods and results: Patients were selected from a senior cohort from the Korean National Health Insurance Service in 2002, and followed until 31 December 2015.

Analysis of multidimensional factors in attempts to quit using tobacco by Korean adolescents.

Background: This study aims to understand the extent of adolescents' attempts to quit using tobacco and the factors influencing such attempts in Korea, using a descriptive, cross-sectional design and secondary data analysis with the 2019 Youth Health Behavior Survey.

Methods: The participants were 4028 adolescent tobacco users who had used tobacco for 1 day or more in the past 30 days. The data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS/WIN 26.

Biokinetics of food additive silica nanoparticles and their interactions with food components.

Nanomaterials have been widely utilized in the food industry in production, packaging, sensors, nutrient delivery systems, and food additives. However, research on the interactions between food-grade nanoparticles and biomolecules as well as their potential toxicity is limited. In the present study, the in vivo solubility, oral absorption, tissue distribution, and excretion kinetics of one of the most extensively used food additives, silica (SiO) were evaluated with respect to particle size (nano vs bulk) following single-dose oral administration to rats.

Bioavailability of Silica, Titanium Dioxide, and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Rats.

Inorganic nanoparticles have been widely applied to various industrial fields and biological applications. However, the question as to whether nanoparticles are more efficiently absorbed into the systemic circulation than bulk-sized materials remains to be unclear. In the present study, the physico-chemical and dissolution properties of the most extensively developed inorganic nanoparticles, such as silica (SiO2), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and zinc oxide (ZnO), were analyzed, as compared with bulk-sized particles.

Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticle-Biomolecule Interactions Influence Oral Absorption.

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely applied in various industrial fields, such as electronics, packaging, food, and cosmetics. Accordingly, concerns about the potential toxicity of TiO₂ NPs have increased. In order to comprehend their in vivo behavior and potential toxicity, we must evaluate the interactions between TiO₂ NPs and biomolecules, which can alter the physicochemical properties and the fate of NPs under physiological conditions.

Cytotoxicity, Uptake Behaviors, and Oral Absorption of Food Grade Calcium Carbonate Nanomaterials.

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in human body and essential for the formation and maintenance of bones and teeth as well as diverse cellular functions. Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) is widely used as a dietary supplement; however, oral absorption efficiency of CaCO₃ is extremely low, which may be overcome by applying nano-sized materials. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of food grade nano CaCO₃ in comparison with that of bulk- or reagent grade nano CaCO₃ in terms of cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, intestinal transport, and oral absorption.

Inactivation of the virulence factors from 2,3-butanediol-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae.

The microbiological production of 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO) has attracted considerable attention as an alternative way to produce high-value chemicals from renewable sources. Among the number of 2,3-BDO-producing microorganisms, Klebsiella pneumoniae has been studied most extensively and is known to produce large quantity of 2,3-BDO from a range of substrates. On the other hand, the pathogenic characteristics of the bacteria have limited its industrial applications.

Toxicity and Biokinetics of Colloidal Gold Nanoparticles.

Gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) have promising potential for diverse biological application, but it has not been completely determined whether Au-NP has potential toxicity and . In the present study, toxicity of Au-NP was evaluated in human intestinal cells as well as in rats after 14-day repeated oral administration. Biokinetic study was also performed to assess oral absorption and tissue distribution.