Integrative Assessment of Mixture Toxicity of Household Chemicals Using the Toxic Unit Approach and Mode of Action.

Household chemicals used daily are often combined, leading to inhalation exposure to mixtures. However, methods for assessing their toxic effects are limited. This study proposes an in vitro assay strategy for evaluating household chemical mixtures using benzalkonium chloride (BKC) and didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC), a common disinfectant.

Population Pharmacokinetics of Telmisartan in Healthy Subjects and Hypertensive Patients.

Background And Objective: Telmisartan exhibits significant pharmacokinetic (PK) variability, but it remains unclear whether its PK profile is altered in hypertensive patients. This study aimed to characterize telmisartan PKs by conducting a meta-analysis and developing a pooled population PK model based on data from healthy subjects and hypertensive patients.

Methods: Relevant literature was identified by a systematic approach.

Analyzing collaborations in clinical trials in Korea using association rule mining.

Identifying how trial sites collaborate is essential for multicenter trials. The ways in which collaboration among trial sites is established can vary according to study phase and clinical trial domains. In this study, we employed association rule mining to reveal trial collaboration.

Research on unintroduced new drugs in South Korea from 2011 to 2020: approaches to prioritization and strategy.

In recent years, with the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries around the world have realized that improving patient access to new medicines can have a significant impact on public health and economic stability. The aim of this study was to identify new drugs that are urgently needed among those not yet available in South Korea from 2011 to 2020, and to develop strategies to improve access by analyzing the causes of delay. Through a 3-step screening process that included a literature review of new drugs, surveys of domestic clinicians and academics, and consideration of expedited review status by regulatory authorities, 34 out of 244 unreleased new drugs were prioritized for rapid introduction.

Exploring Technology Acceptance of Healthcare Devices: The Moderating Role of Device Type and Generation.

The increasing adoption of healthcare devices necessitates a deeper understanding of the factors that influence user acceptance in this rapidly evolving area. Therefore, this study examined the factors influencing the technology acceptance of healthcare devices, focusing on radar sensors and wearable devices. A total of 1158 valid responses were used to test hypotheses, mediation, and moderation effects using SmartPLS 4.

Effect of Process Parameters on Nano-Microparticle Formation During Supercritical Antisolvent Process Using Mixed Solvent: Application for Enhanced Dissolution and Oral Bioavailability of Telmisartan Through Particle-Size Control Based on Experimental Design.

This study investigates the impact of supercritical antisolvent (SAS) process parameters on the particle formation of telmisartan, a poorly water-soluble drug. A fractional factorial design was employed to examine the influence of the SAS process parameters, including solvent ratio, drug solution concentration, temperature, pressure, injection rate of drug solution, and CO₂ flow rate, on particle formation. Solid-state characterizations of the SAS process particles using XRD and FT-IR confirmed their amorphous nature.

Lignan Content and Antioxidant Capacity of Eight Sesame Varieties Cultivated in Korea.

The objective of this study was to examine the lignan content and antioxidant activity of eight Korean sesame seed varieties. We analyzed the lignan content using two different techniques: (1) liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, and (2) high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet detection. We identified that in sesame seeds, the sesamolin lignan occurs at the highest concentration (ranging between 4.

Protective effects of methylnissolin and methylnissolin-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside on TNF-α-induced inflammation in human dermal fibroblasts.

Methylnissolin-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (MNG) and methylnissolin (MN) are pterocarpan derivatives that are found in plants, such as Astragalus membranaceus. There are limited existing studies on the potential health benefits of MNG, and currently there is no evidence to suggest that MNG has any impact on skin-aging. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) plays a significant role in skin aging by promoting chronic inflammation, damaging skin cells, and impairing the skin's natural repair mechanisms.

Half-Metallic Antiferromagnetic 2D Nonlayered CrSe Nanosheets.

Half-metallic magnetism, characterized by metallic behavior in one spin direction and semiconducting or insulating behavior in the opposite spin direction, is an intriguing and highly useful physical property for advanced spintronics because it allows for the complete realization of 100% spin-polarized current. Particularly, half-metallic antiferromagnetism is recognized as an excellent candidate for the development of highly efficient spintronic devices due to its zero net magnetic moment combined with 100% spin polarization, which results in lower energy losses and eliminates stray magnetic fields compared to half-metallic ferromagnets. However, the synthesis and characterization of half-metallic antiferromagnets have not been reported until now as the theoretically proposed materials require a delicate and challenging approach to fabricate such complex compounds.

Recent advances in recovering bioactive compounds from macroalgae and microalgae using subcritical water extraction: Prospective compounds and biological activities.

Algae, widely as a valuable marine biomass, are appreciated globally for their unique chemical compositions and exceptional nutritional benefits. Scientists are increasingly focusing on valorizing algae biomass to recover polysaccharides and bioactive extracts. Conventional methods commonly used to extract bioactive compounds have several limitations.

Controllable Synthesis of Magnetic 2D Non-Layered Cobalt Sulfide Nanocrystals Using Chemical Vapor Deposition.

Among 2-dimensional (2D) non-layered transition-metal chalcogenides (TMCs), cobalt sulfides are highly interesting because of their diverse structural phases and unique properties. The unique magnetic properties of TMCs have generated significant interest in their potential applications in future spintronic devices. In addition, their high conductivity, large specific surface area, and abundant active sites have attracted attention in the field of catalysis.

Neuroprotective Effects of STAT3 Inhibitor on Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Neuronal Cell Death via the ERK/CREB Signaling Pathway.

This study investigates the neuroprotective potential of STAT3 inhibition in reducing oxidative stress-induced neuronal damage and apoptosis, a major factor contributing to the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our findings demonstrate that STAT3 inhibitors significantly enhance cell survival and reduce apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide. These protective effects are mediated through the ERK/CREB signaling pathway rather than direct suppression of STAT3 phosphorylation.

Indirect targeting of MYC and direct targeting in combination with chemotherapies are more effective than direct mono-targeting in triple negative breast cancer.

MYC amplification is disproportionally elevated in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) compared to other subtypes of breast cancer. Indeed, MYC has long been considered an undruggable oncogene using conventional drug design strategies or small molecules. We hypothesized that targeting MYC using asymmetric siRNA (asiRNA) alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic agents or indirectly via BRD4 and RRM2, may curb its oncogenic behavior.

cGAS/STING pathway modulation in polyhexamethyleneguanidine phosphate-induced immune dysregulation and pulmonary fibrosis using human monocytic cells (THP-1) and male C57BL/6 mice.

Polyhexamethyleneguanidine phosphate (PHMG), a widely used antimicrobial agent, has been implicated in humidifier disinfectant-associated lung injuries (HDLI). PHMG exposure suppressed interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) activation and interferon-β (IFN-β) expression induced by a cGAS agonist or a STING agonist in human monocytic cells (THP-1), which are known to transition to alveolar macrophages during pulmonary fibrosis development. However, the mechanisms underlying PHMG-induced pulmonary toxicity in lung remain unclear.

A seventeen-year, population-based study to identify dynamic patterns of interfering neck pain and its burden in South Korea.

Aim: The aim of this study were to introduce a profile of a nationwide cohort for patients with neck pain and to identify the patterns of recurrent neck pain over time.

Methods: Health insurance data for 1,127,323 patients (43.5 ± 11.

Factors influencing among middle-aged Korean women.

Objective: This study aimed to examine factors associated with (a feeling of loneliness and solitude) - including aging anxiety, menopausal symptoms, social support and self-efficacy - in middle-aged women to provide fundamental data for future research endeavors.

Methods: One hundred and fifty-nine women aged 40-60 years were recruited from two cities in Gyeongnam Province and Busan City. Gu and Eun's Scale was employed to evaluate , alongside questionnaires to assess menopause status and symptoms, self-efficacy, social support and aging anxiety.

New insights into Korea's trade relations: A comprehensive FNARDL analysis with 18 global partners.

This study applied the Fourier nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (FNARDL) model to investigate the bilateral J-curve effect between Korea and 18 trading partners. As a result, negative asymmetric effects of changes in the real exchange rate were detected in some cases in the short run. However, in other cases, these effects were positive or exhibited both positive and negative trends.

Comprehensive analysis of adverse outcome pathway, potency, human exposure supports carcinogenicity of polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate in lung cancer.

In this study, we investigated the potential mechanisms by which polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG-p), a known respiratory irritant, may contribute to lung cancer development. Using the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework, we analyzed established databases (such as AOP-Wiki) and employed AI tools (AOP-helpFinder) to identify key events (KEs) associated with lung carcinogenesis. Our analysis indicates that chronic inhalation of PHMG-p triggers a non-genotoxic pathway, characterized by cell membrane disruption, inflammation, and oxidative stress, with a point of departure (POD) of 0.

Autocrine Motility Factor and Its Peptide Derivative Inhibit Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Regulating Wound Repair, Survival, and Drug Efflux.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents a significant challenge in oncology due to its aggressive nature and limited targeted therapeutic options. This study explores the potential of autocrine motility factor (AMF) and an AMF-derived peptide as novel treatments for TNBC. AMF, primarily secreted by neoplastic cells, plays a crucial role in cancer cell motility, metastasis, and proliferation.

Effects of fermented oyster extract supplementation on free fatty acid and liver enzymes in older women with obesity.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-week intake of fermented oyster extract on free fatty acids and liver enzymes in older women with obesity and to provide basic data for improving liver function in older individuals with obesity.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial aimed to confirm the effects of fermented oyster extract intake on free fatty acid (FFA) levels and liver function in older women with obesity. The study included 40 older women with obesity with a body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2.

Metabolite changes by combined treatment, ethyl formate and low temperature, in Drosophila suzukii.

Although ethyl formate (EF) fumigant and low temperature applications are widely used for pest management, studies related to their mechanisms of action and subsequent metabolic changes in Drosophila suzukii models are still unclear. In this study, a comparative metabolome analysis was performed to investigate the major metabolites modified by EF and low temperature and how they are related to and affect insect physiology. Most of the identified metabolites function in metabolic pathways related to the biosynthesis of amino acids, nucleotides and cofactors.