Anti-Melanogenic Effects of a Polysaccharide Isolated from Sporophyll Extracts.

is a temperate brown alga known to exert free radical-scavenging and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we investigated the skin-whitening effects of sporophyll extracts (UPEs) in α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-stimulated B16F10 melanoma cells. The crude polysaccharide fraction (UPF) was obtained via ethanol precipitation.

Skin Improvement Effects of Ultrasound-Enzyme-Treated Collagen Peptide Extracts from Flatfish () Skin in an In Vitro Model.

Collagen is considered to be an intercellular adhesive that prevents tissue stretching or damage. It is widely utilized in cosmetic skin solutions, drug delivery, vitreous substitutions, 3D cell cultures, and surgery. In this study, we report the development of a green technology for manufacturing collagen peptides from flatfish skin using ultrasound and enzymatic treatment and a subsequent assessment on skin functionality.

How people perceive malicious comments differently: factors influencing the perception of maliciousness in online news comments.

This study proposes a comprehensive model to investigate the factors that influence the perceived maliciousness of online news comments. The study specifically examines individual factors, including demographic characteristics (e.g.

Underestimation of smoking hazards and smoking cessation intervention efficiency among healthcare professionals: A cross-sectional study among Korean occupational health nurses.

Introduction: Occupational health nurses (OHNs) in South Korea who visit the workplace periodically could play a key role in smoking cessation. It would be helpful to assess their understanding of smoking hazards and smoking cessation methods to encourage them to provide smoking intervention services at the workplace. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge of smoking hazards and perceptions of smoking cessation methods among OHNs.

An analysis of the number of liver and kidney transplantations during COVID-19 pandemic in Korea.

Background: The severity of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has discouraged organ donation. However, the prevalence of COVID-19 in Korea was much lower in comparison to Western countries. With this, the authors decided to determine the real-world impact of COVID-19 on organ donation and transplantation in Korea.

Corrigendum to: Deceased donor liver transplantation under the Korean model for end-stage liver disease score-based liver allocation system: 2-year allocation results at a high-volume transplantation center.

[This corrects the article on p. 112 in vol. 33.

Evaluation of anatomical and histological characteristics of human peripheral nerves: as an effort to develop an efficient allogeneic nerve graft.

Management of peripheral nerve defects is a complicated problem in clinical contexts. Autologous nerve grafting, a gold standard for surgical treatment, has been well known to have several limitations, such as donor site morbidity, a limited amount of available donor tissue, and size mismatches. Acellular nerve allografts (ANAs) have been developed as an alternative and have been applied clinically with favorable outcomes.

Oral health status and behavior in elderly Koreans with periodontal disease.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate oral health status and oral health behaviors in elderly Koreans with periodontal disease.

Methods: The data of the Seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2018) were used. This cross-sectional study included 2981 individuals who were at least 65 years of age.

Occupational health nurses' personal attitudes toward smoking: A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate if experience in smoking intervention training influences attitudes toward smoking, discuss the role of health management programs of small- and medium-sized enterprises, and analyze the current attitude of occupational health nurses regarding the hazards of smoking and responsibility to smokers to effectively facilitate smoking cessation support programs.

Methods: We conducted an anonymous self-administered cross-sectional survey of 108 nurses employed in occupational health services outsourcing specialized agency in Korea. We assessed the difference in attitude about smoking according to training experience in smoking interventions and perceived competence in counseling smokers using chi-square test and Fisher's exact test.

Combinatorial Effects of Protective Agents on Survival Rate of the Yeast Starter, 88-4, after Freeze-Drying.

A yeast starter is formulated for commercial practices, including storage and distribution. The cell viability of the yeast starter is one of the most important factors for manufacturing alcoholic beverages to ensure their properties during the fermentation and formulation processes. In this study, 64 potential protective agents were evaluated to enhance the survival rate of the brewing yeast 88-4 after freeze-drying.

AP2M1 Supports TGF-β Signals to Promote Collagen Expression by Inhibiting Caveolin Expression.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is important for normal development and disease states, including inflammation and fibrosis. To understand the complex regulation of ECM, we performed a suppressor screening using expressing the mutant ROL-6 collagen protein. One cuticle mutant has a mutation in that encodes the μ2 adaptin (AP2M1) of clathrin-associated protein complex II (AP-2).

CCR5-mediated Recruitment of NK Cells to the Kidney Is a Critical Step for Host Defense to Systemic Infection.

C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) regulates the trafficking of various immune cells to sites of infection. In this study, we showed that expression of CCR5 and its ligands was rapidly increased in the kidney after systemic infection, and infected CCR5 mice exhibited increased mortality and morbidity, indicating that CCR5 contributes to an effective defense mechanism against systemic infection. The susceptibility of CCR5 mice to infection was due to impaired fungal clearance, which in turn resulted in exacerbated renal inflammation and damage.

Rab8 and Rabin8-Mediated Tumor Formation by Hyperactivated EGFR Signaling via FGFR Signaling.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling is important for normal development, such as vulval development in , and hyperactivation of the EGFR is often associated with cancer development. Our previous report demonstrated the multivulva (Muv) phenotype, a tumor model in ( strain) by engineering LET-23/EGFR with a TKI-resistant human EGFR T790-L858 mutant. Because Rab proteins regulate vesicle transport, which is important for receptor signaling, we screened the RNAi in the strain to find the Rabs critical for Muv formation.

Gastric and rectal cancers in workers exposed to asbestos: a case series.

Background: The Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute (OSHRI) of the Korea had not recognized gastrointestinal cancer as work-related disease during their evaluation. However, in 2018 OSHRI recognized gastric and rectal cancers as work-related disease in asbestos-exposed workers. We present 2 such cases along supportive evidence of causation.

Deceased donor liver transplantation under the Korean model for end-stage liver disease score-based liver allocation system: 2-year allocation results at a high-volume transplantation center.

Background: The Korean model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score-based liver allocation system was started in June 2016 in Korea.

Methods: This study analyzed the detailed allocation results of deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) during the first 2 years after the MELD score-based liver allocation system implementation at a high-volume liver transplantation (LT) center in Korea.

Results: This study included 174 patients with age above 12 years.

Comparison of the regeneration induced by acellular nerve allografts processed with or without chondroitinase in a rat model.

There have been various studies about the acellular nerve allograft (ANA) as the alternative of autologous nerve graft in the treatment of peripheral nerve defects. As well as the decellularization process methods of ANA, the various enhancement methods of regeneration of the grafted ANA were investigated. The chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) inhibit the action of laminin which is important for nerve regeneration in the extracellular matrix of nerve.

Effects of an Online Imagery-Based Treatment Program in Patients with Workplace-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study.

Objective: We developed easily accessible imagery-based treatment program for patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to workplace accidents and investigated the effects of the program on various PTSD related symptoms.

Methods: The program was based on an online platform and consisted of eight 15-min sessions that included script-guided imagery and supportive music. Thirty-five patients with workplace-related PTSD participated in this program 4 days per week for 4 weeks.

Electronic Cigarette Themes on Twitter: Dissemination Patterns and Relations with Online News and Search Engine Queries in South Korea.

This study examines multiple aspects of e-cigarette mentions on different online media channels during the announcement and implementation of a cigarette tax increase policy in South Korea. It consists of three parts. First, a Naive Bayes classifier was used to sort 59,147 tweets about e-cigarettes into five pre-designated themes - promotion, health, policy, product evaluation, and price - and to determine their relative prevalence.

Impaired Executive Functioning of Sexual Assault Survivors with Acute Stress Disorder.

This study aimed to examine the executive functioning of survivors exposed to recent sexual assaults. Twenty-seven female rape survivors who met the criterion for acute stress disorder (ASD) were enrolled and completed the assessment within 4 weeks after the traumatic experience. Additionally, 25 age-matched female health controls (HC) never exposed to such a traumatic event were enrolled.

DNA-Functionalized 100 nm Polymer Nanoparticles from Block Copolymer Micelles.

DNA-mediated self-assembly of colloidal particles is one of the most promising approaches for constructing colloidal superstructures. For nanophotonic materials and devices, DNA-functionalized colloids with diameters of around 100 nm are essential building blocks. Here, we demonstrate a strategy for synthesizing DNA-functionalized polymer nanoparticles (DNA-polyNPs) in the size range of 55-150 nm using block copolymer micelles as a template.

Volumetric accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography.

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the influence of object shape and distance from the center of the image on the volumetric accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans, according to different parameters of tube voltage and current.

Materials And Methods: Four geometric objects (cylinder, cube, pyramid, and hexagon) with predefined dimensions were fabricated. The objects consisted of Teflon-perfluoroalkoxy embedded in a hydrocolloid matrix (Dupli-Coe-Loid TM; GC America Inc.

Erratum to: Practice status of specialized agencies for occupational health management of small- to medium-size enterprises and the factors improving their performance: a cross-sectional survey study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s40557-017-0161-4.].

Practice status of specialized agencies for occupational health management of small- to medium-size enterprises and the factors improving their performance: a cross-sectional survey study.

Background: We examined the current status of specialized agencies for occupational health management (SAs) and their workforce. Furthermore, we aimed to clarify the current practice status of SA healthcare professionals and factors that influence their performance.

Methods: To examine the current SA workforce, we analyzed data from the 2014 Survey of Current Status of SA and their Workforce from the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL).

Clinical Characteristics and Metabolic Health Status of Obese Korean Children and Adolescents.

Background: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of metabolically healthy and unhealthy obesity (MHO and MUO, respectively) and examine the demographic, anthropometric, and lifestyle predictors of metabolic health status in Korean children and adolescents.

Methods: This study was based on data collected from the Korean Children-Adolescent Study in 2010. A total of 1,700 children (846 boys and 854 girls) were included in the primary cohort and classified into metabolically healthy and unhealthy groups according to factors related to the metabolic syndrome.

Time to First Cigarette and Hypertension in Korean Male Smokers.

Background: Morning blood pressure surge affects to cardiovascular disease risk. Short time to first cigarette (TTFC) after waking can enhance morning blood pressure surge, and accelerate atherosclerosis.

Methods: We investigated that the relationship between TTFC and blood pressure.