As many countries implement different programs aimed at eliminating malaria, attention should be given to asymptomatic carriers that may interrupt the progress. This was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted in Tanzania from December 2022 to July 2023 within 4 villages from each of the 3 regions, Geita and Kigoma, which are high malaria transmission, and Arusha, which is low transmission. Malaria was diagnosed in asymptomatic individuals aged 1 year and older using the malaria rapid diagnostic test and light microscope.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRecently, our in vivo experiment showed that silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) did not cause developmental toxicity. However, the putative influences of direct exposure of AgNPs on the embryo-fetuses could not be elucidated because the embryo-fetus was exposed to AgNPs through their dams. In this study, the potential impact of AgNPs on embryonic development during the critical phase of organogenesis was examined utilizing a rat whole embryo culture model.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHepatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is implicated in the development of steatosis and its progression to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The ER in the liver can sustain metabolic function by activating defense mechanisms that delay or prevent the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the precise mechanisms by which the ER stress response protects against NAFLD remain largely unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study investigates the antimalarial potential of extracts and compounds from various plants used in traditional Korean medicine, in response to the increasing resistance of to standard treatments such as chloroquine and artemisinin. The antimalarial activity screening was conducted on 151 extracts, identifying the top seven candidates, including (50% ethanol and 100% methanol extract), , (hot water and 50% ethanol extract), , and . Among these, was identified as the top priority for further analysis due to its high antimalarial activity and high yield of bioactive compounds.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSilibinin, a major compound of silymarin, has been reported to alleviate respiratory diseases including acute lung injury, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pulmonary fibrosis through its antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. However, the specific mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects, particularly in allergic asthma, are not fully understood. With the increasing prevalence and impact of allergic asthma, there is a need to elucidate the exact underlying mechanisms of its potential treatment effects.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMyostatin is a paracrine myokine that regulates muscle mass in a variety of species, including humans. In this work, we report a functional role for myostatin as an endocrine hormone that directly promotes pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) synthesis and thereby ovarian function in mice. Previously, this FSH-stimulating role was attributed to other members of the transforming growth factor-β family, the activins.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLife (Basel)
December 2024
This study compared glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy and assessed maternal and neonatal outcomes according to HbA1c variations among women with pregestational diabetes. This retrospective, multicenter Korean study involved mothers with diabetes who had given birth in 17 hospitals. A total of 292 women were divided into three groups based on HbA1c levels during the first and second trimesters: women with HbA1c levels maintained at <6.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA novel protocol for the synthesis of monoprotected resorcinol -methyliminodiacetate (MIDA) boronates was developed via the chemoselective deprotection of diprotected resorcinol MIDA derivatives with identical protecting groups, utilizing the MIDA boronate moiety as a blocking group for deprotection. This protocol exhibited a broad substrate scope, and the resulting MIDA boronates were readily isolated by simple filtration from the reaction mixture. Furthermore, the utility of this protocol was demonstrated by converting the resulting MIDA boronates into value-added chemicals containing resorcinol scaffolds.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicrobiol Resour Announc
January 2025
Background: Although copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) offer certain benefits to humans, they can be toxic to organs and exacerbate underlying diseases upon exposure. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), induced by smoking, can worsen with exposure to various harmful particles. However, the specific impact of CuONPs on COPD and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAsian sand dust (ASD), a seasonal dust storm originating from the deserts of China and Mongolia, affects Korea and Japan during the spring, carrying soil particles and a variety of biochemical components. Exposure to ASD has been associated with the onset and exacerbation of respiratory disorders, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigates ASD-induced pulmonary toxicity and its mechanistic pathways, focusing on the role of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAntioxidants (Basel)
September 2024
Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, in South Korea, several inpatient wards were converted to temporary negative pressure isolation (TNPI) wards by using portable high-efficiency particulate air filter units (PHUs). This study proposes improvements to the TNPI ward to prepare for airborne infections.
Methods: Existing air-conditioning systems were investigated during the pandemic in 4 hospitals through a document review and field investigation with staff interviews.
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiONPs) are used in products that are applied to the human body, such as cosmetics and food, but their biocompatibility remains controversial. Pycnogenol (PYC), a natural extract of pine bark, exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In this study, we investigated whether PYC effectively alleviates pulmonary toxicity induced by airway exposure to TiONPs, and the beneficial effects of PYC were explained through the analysis of changes to the mechanism of cytotoxicity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnim Cells Syst (Seoul)
August 2024
Allergic asthma, a type of chronic airway inflammation, is a global health concern because of its increasing incidence and recurrence rates. L. yields a variety type of teas, which are also used as medicinal plants in East Asia and are known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-potentiating properties.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Matern Fetal Neonatal Med
December 2024
Objectives: To determine the effects of cerclage on twin pregnancies.
Methods: A multicenter, retrospective, cohort study was conducted at 10 tertiary centers using a web-based data collection platform. The study population included twin pregnancies delivered after 20 weeks of gestation.
Background: Elevated FSH often occurs in women of advanced maternal age (AMA, age ≥ 35) and in infertility patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation (COS). There is controversy on whether high endogenous FSH contributes to infertility and whether high exogenous FSH adversely impacts patient pregnancy rates.
Methods: The senescence-accelerated mouse-prone-8 (SAMP8) model of female reproductive aging was employed to assess the separate impacts of age and high FSH activity on the percentages (%) of viable and mature ovulated oocytes recovered after gonadotropin treatment.
Antioxidants (Basel)
March 2024
Asian sand dust (ASD), generally produced in East Asia, including China, Japan, and Korea, directly leads to the development of pulmonary disease and exacerbates underlying pulmonary diseases. Franch. and Sav.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAsian sand dust (ASD), also called China dust or yellow dust, mainly occurs in East Asia during spring and autumn. Because ASD enters the body mainly through the respiratory system, it can cause respiratory disorders or worsen underlying diseases. Because of this, it has become an important health concern that threatens the well-being of humans and animals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFXanthogranulomatous (XG) inflammatory disease is a rare benign disease involving various organs, including the gallbladder, bile duct, pancreas, spleen, stomach, small bowel, colon, appendix, kidney, adrenal gland, urachus, urinary bladder, retroperitoneum, and female genital organs. The imaging features of XG inflammatory disease are nonspecific, usually presenting as a heterogeneous solid or cystic mass. The disease may also extend to adjacent structures.
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