Improving Sensitive Skin Diagnosis by Integrating Diagnostic Questionnaires, Lactic Acid Sting Test, and Lipid Profiling.

Background: Sensitive skin (SS) is characterized by subjective symptoms, including burning, stinging, and itching, which occur with the use of cosmetics. Over 40% of the population experiences skin sensitivity, yet no clear standards for evaluating SS have been established.

Aim: To diagnose SS by combining lactic acid sting test (LAST), skin irritation tests, and biophysical measurements with a developed questionnaire, validating the characteristics through quantitative analysis of natural moisturizing factors (NMF) and lipid profiles.

Evaluation of Ocular Irritation Sensitivity: Implications of Clinical Parameters, Pain Sensitivity, and Tear Neuromediator Profiles.

Sensitivity to ocular irritation varies among individuals, being influenced by clinical, subjective, and biochemical factors. This study aimed to evaluate individual variability in ocular irritation sensitivity, focusing on clinical parameters, pain perception, and tear neuromediator profiles. Sixty female participants aged 20-40 were classified into high-sensitivity and low-sensitivity groups based on their response to an irritant (Tween20).

Genetic Variants Associated with Sensitive Skin: A Genome-Wide Association Study in Korean Women.

Sensitive skin (SS) is associated with discomfort, including burning, stinging, and itching. These symptoms are often exacerbated by environmental factors and personal care products. In this genome-wide association study (GWAS), we aimed to identify the genetic variants associated with SS in 1690 Korean female participants; 389 and 1301 participants exhibited sensitive and non-sensitive skin, respectively.

A single-ion conducting covalent organic framework for aqueous rechargeable Zn-ion batteries.

Despite their potential as promising alternatives to current state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries, aqueous rechargeable Zn-ion batteries are still far away from practical applications. Here, we present a new class of single-ion conducting electrolytes based on a zinc sulfonated covalent organic framework (TpPa-SOZn) to address this challenging issue. TpPa-SOZn is synthesised to exhibit single Zn conduction behaviour its delocalised sulfonates that are covalently tethered to directional pores and achieve structural robustness by its β-ketoenamine linkages.

Study on Consumer Exposure to Sun Spray and Sun Cream in South Korea.

When conducting risk assessments of cosmetic ingredients, it is important that reliable exposure information is obtained for cosmetic products. As cosmetics are becoming more diverse, continuous effort must be made to obtain exposure data that reflect their growth and usage trends. The usage pattern of cosmetics, such as the application area and amount used, may differ by product type and also by country.

Solvent-Free, Single Lithium-Ion Conducting Covalent Organic Frameworks.

Porous crystalline materials such as covalent organic frameworks and metal-organic frameworks have garnered considerable attention as promising ion conducting media. However, most of them additionally incorporate lithium salts and/or solvents inside the pores of frameworks, thus failing to realize solid-state single lithium-ion conduction behavior. Herein, we demonstrate a lithium sulfonated covalent organic framework (denoted as TpPa-SOLi) as a new class of solvent-free, single lithium-ion conductors.

Small leucine zipper protein functions as a negative regulator of estrogen receptor α in breast cancer.

The nuclear transcription factor estrogen receptor α (ERα) plays a critical role in breast cancer progression. ERα acts as an important growth stimulatory protein in breast cancer and the expression level of ERα is tightly related to the prognosis and treatment of patients. Small leucine zipper protein (sLZIP) functions as a transcriptional cofactor by binding to various nuclear receptors, including glucocorticoid receptor, androgen receptor, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ.

Effect of a Traditional Herbal Prescription, Kyung-Ok-Ko, on Male Mouse Spermatogenic Ability after Heat-Induced Damage.

Kyung-Ok-Ko (KOK), a well-known traditional Korean medicinal formula, has long been used to invigorate the essential qi. This use of KOK may be associated with reproductive ability as a more modern concept. The protective effect of KOK was evaluated against deterioration of testicular function induced by heat exposure in male mice.

14-3-3β and γ differentially regulate peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ2 transactivation and hepatic lipid metabolism.

Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) γ2 plays important roles in glucose and lipid metabolism in hepatocytes. PPARγ2 is involved in metabolic disorders, including obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver disease. Although the 14-3-3 proteins participate in a variety of cell signal pathways, the roles of the 14-3-3 proteins in regulating PPARγ2 transactivation and hepatic lipid metabolism are unknown.

The role of heat shock protein 90 in migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in the development of atherosclerosis.

The molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is overexpressed in plaques of atherosclerosis patients, and is associated with plaque instability. However, the role of HSP90 in atherosclerosis remains unclear. The present study investigated the effects of HSP90 inhibition on migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and involvement in atherosclerosis.