A Split-face Study on Rejuvenation Efficacy According to Monopolar Radiofrequency Tip Size.

Monopolar radiofrequency (RF) non-invasively tightens and rejuvenates the skin by stimulating collagen fiber production. Since the introduction of the monopolar RF device in the early 2000's, RF devices have advanced and they can rejuvenate of periorbital and forehead wrinkles, as well as skin laxity of the lower face and neck. We compared the differences in the treatment effects based on the tip size.

Deficiency of peroxiredoxin 2 exacerbates angiotensin II-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an inflammatory vascular disease characterized by structural deterioration of the aorta caused by inflammation and oxidative stress, leading to aortic dilatation and rupture. Peroxiredoxin 2 (PRDX2), an antioxidant enzyme, has been reported as a potential negative regulator of inflammatory vascular diseases, and it has been identified as a protein that is increased in patients with ruptured AAA compared to patients with nonruptured AAA. In this study, we demonstrated that PRDX2 was a pivotal factor involved in the inhibition of AAA progression.

Analysis of Swine Leukocyte Antigen Haplotypes in Yucatan Miniature Pigs Used as Biomedical Model Animal.

The porcine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is called swine leukocyte antigen (SLA), which controls immune responses and transplantation reactions. The SLA is mapped on pig chromosome 7 (SSC7) near the centromere. In this study, 3 class I (SLA-1, SLA-3, and SLA-2) and 3 class II (DRB1, DQB1, and DQA) genes were used for investigation of SLA haplotypes in Yucatan miniature pigs in Korea.

Evidence supporting a key role of Lp-PLA2-generated lysophosphatidylcholine in human atherosclerotic plaque inflammation.

Objective: To determine whether the level of lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) generated by lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is associated with severity of inflammation in human atherosclerotic plaques. Elevated plasma Lp-PLA2 is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Lp-PLA2 inhibition reduces atherosclerosis.

4-Chlorotetrazolo[1,5-a]quinoxaline inhibits activation of Syk kinase to suppress mast cells in vitro and mast cell-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in mice.

4-Chlorotetrazolo[1,5-a]quinoxaline is a quinoxaline derivative. We aimed to study the effects of 4-chlorotetrazolo[1,5-a]quinoxaline on activation of mast cells in vitro and in mice. 4-Chlorotetrazolo[1,5-a]quinoxaline reversibly inhibited degranulation of mast cells in a dose-dependent manner, and also suppressed the expression and secretion of TNF-α and IL-4 in mast cells.

Morus bombycis Koidzumi extract suppresses collagen-induced arthritis by inhibiting the activation of nuclear factor-κB and activator protein-1 in mice.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Morus bombycis Koidzumi is widely distributed in Asia. In Korea, it has been used in traditional medicine because of its apparent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties.

Aim Of The Study: Although the extract of Morus bombycis Koidzumi (MB) has long since been used as a traditional anti-inflammatory medicine in Korea, its effect on arthritis remains unknown.

Interleukin-33 stimulates formation of functional osteoclasts from human CD14(+) monocytes.

Interleukin (IL)-33 is a recently described pro-inflammatory cytokine. Here we demonstrate IL-33 as a regulator of functional osteoclasts (OCs) from human CD14(+) monocytes. IL-33 stimulates formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)(+) multinuclear OCs from monocytes.

Interleukin-32α production is regulated by MyD88-dependent and independent pathways in IL-1β-stimulated human alveolar epithelial cells.

Interleukin (IL)-32 is a recently described cytokine that appears to play a critical role in a variety of inflammatory diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, thus far, the regulation of IL-32 production has not been fully established. Here, we report on signaling pathways that regulate the production of IL-32α, the most abundant isoform, in the human alveolar epithelial cell line, A549.

Oral administration of curcumin suppresses production of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-3 to ameliorate collagen-induced arthritis: inhibition of the PKCdelta/JNK/c-Jun pathway.

We investigated whether oral administration of curcumin suppressed type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice and its effect and mechanism on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-3 production in CIA mice, RA fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), and chondrocytes. CIA in mice was suppressed by oral administration of curcumin in a dose-dependent manner. Macroscopic observations were confirmed by histological examinations.

Anti-inflammatory effects of Artemisia princeps in antigen-stimulated T cells and regulatory T cells.

Objectives: The aim was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Artemisia princeps extract on the activity of anti-CD3/CD28-stimulated CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells and antigen-expanded regulatory T cells.

Methods: CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells were activated with coated anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 and cultured in the presence or absence of various concentrations of A. princeps extract.

Morin inhibits Fyn kinase in mast cells and IgE-mediated type I hypersensitivity response in vivo.

Mast cells are responsible for IgE-mediated allergic responses. Although dietary flavonoid morin has been known to suppress mast cell activation, its in vivo anti-allergic activity and the underlying mechanisms remain are largely unknown. In this study, we determine whether morin suppresses IgE-mediated allergic responses in an animal model and its mechanism of action.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced interleukin-32 is positively regulated via the Syk/protein kinase Cdelta/JNK pathway in rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts.

Objective: Interleukin-32 (IL-32) is a recently discovered cytokine that appears to play a critical role in human rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is highly expressed in synovium and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from RA patients, but not in patients with osteoarthritis (OA). This study was undertaken to assess IL-32 levels in RA synovial fluid (SF) and to investigate the secretion and regulation of IL-32 in RA FLS.

Mast cell-mediated allergic response is suppressed by Sophorae flos: inhibition of SRC-family kinase.

Complementary and alternative medicines are considered as a promising direction for the development of anti-allergic therapies in oriental countries. We screened approximately 100 oriental herbal medicines for anti-allergic activity. Sophorae flos exhibited the most potent effect on degranulation in antigen-stimulated mast cells.

Curcumin, a constituent of curry, suppresses IgE-mediated allergic response and mast cell activation at the level of Syk.

Background: Activation of mast cells through the high-affinity receptor for IgE (FcepsilonRI) underlies atopic allergic reactions. Curcumin can block this activation, but the mechanism and the effects of curcumin on IgE-mediated allergic reactions are unknown.

Objectives: We sought to determine the antiallergic activity of curcumin in vivo and its mechanism of action in mast cells.

Unique expression of a small IL-32 protein in the Jurkat leukemic T cell line.

Interleukin (IL)-32 was recently identified as a new cytokine which induces various proinflammatory cytokines in human monocytes and macrophages. Therefore, IL-32 has been primarily studied in inflammatory models such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases. The regulation of endogenous IL-32 in other immune cells remains unknown.

Polygoni cuspidati radix inhibits the activation of Syk kinase in mast cells for antiallergic activity.

The antiallergic activity of Polygoni cuspidati radix (PR) and the mechanism of action by which it functions were investigated in this study. The extract of PR exhibited potent inhibitory activity in mast cells; its IC50 values were 62 +/- 2.1 microg/ml for RBL-2H3 mast cells and 46 +/- 3.

Analysis of erythema after Er:YAG laser skin resurfacing.

Background: Postoperative erythema can be expected to occur in every patient after laser resurfacing, and pigmentary disturbances may be related to the intensity and the duration of erythema.

Objective: This study was undertaken to assess the clinical features of erythema, the factors that influence its duration, and the relation between the duration of erythema and the incidence of hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation in skin of Asian persons after Er:YAG laser resurfacing.

Methods: A total of 218 patients (skin phototypes III to V) were recruited and treated with a short-pulsed Er:YAG laser, a variable-pulsed Er:YAG laser, or a dual-mode Er:YAG laser for skin resurfacing.

Videoconferencing journal club for dermatology residency training: an attitude study.

The use of videoconferencing as a teaching modality in dermatology is not widespread. The objectives of this study were to introduce the videoconferencing format to dermatology journal clubs and to determine its effects on the training and satisfaction of house officers (residents). Ten dermatology house officers participated in this study.

The anti-inflammatory effects of Pyrolae herba extract through the inhibition of the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and NO production.

The extract of Pyrolae herba (PH), which has been used as an anti-inflammatory folk remedy in Korea and China, was investigated for its anti-inflammatory action using arachidonic acid, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate or carrageenan-induced edema assays. The anti-nociceptive activity of PH was also tested in mice using the acetic acid-induced writhing model. PH showed dose-dependent and significant (P<0.

Meliae cortex extract exhibits anti-allergic activity through the inhibition of Syk kinase in mast cells.

The anti-allergic action of various Oriental medicinal herbs was investigated using in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Of these extracts, the ethanol extract of Meliae cortex (MC) exhibited the most potent activity in mast cells; its IC(50) values were 29+/-1.5 microg/ml for antigen stimulation and 57+/-3.

In-vitro and in-vivo anti-inflammatory action of the ethanol extract of Trachelospermi caulis.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity, antinociceptive activity and the action mechanism of Trachelospermi caulis extract. The anti-inflammatory effects were investigated using arachidonic acid, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate or carrageenan-induced oedema assays. Antinociceptive activity, using the acetic acid-induced writhing model, was also tested in mice.

Inhibitory effects of a fermented ginseng extract, BST204, on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated murine macrophages.

In this study, the effects of BST204, a fermented ginseng extract, on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitric oxide (NO) production are looked into. Crude ginseng extract was incubated with ginsenoside-beta-glucosidase to prepare BST204. BST204, unlike lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and crude ginseng extract, did not affect the level of iNOS protein and NO production in unstimulated RAW 264.