Relationship between body image and weight status in east Asian countries: comparison between South Korea and Taiwan.

Background: There are many studies examining the relationship between body image and weight status that compare Western and Asian countries. One limitation of these past studies was assuming that all Asian countries are a homogeneous group. To fill the gap in the literature, this study examined the relationship between body image and weight status between participants from two Asian countries.

Measuring theory of mind in schizophrenia research: Cross-cultural validation.

Theory of mind (ToM) is the ability to understand mental states of others and it is crucial for building sensitivity to other persons or events. Measuring ToM is important for understanding and rehabilitating social cognitive impairments in persons with schizophrenia. The Social Attribution Task-Multiple Choice (SAT-MC) has been successfully employed to measure ToM between individuals with schizophrenia (SZ) and healthy controls (HC) in North America.

Changes in hormone levels of participants in a 622-km ultramarathon race based on distance and recovery period.

Background: Runners who participate in endurance sports such as marathons or ultramarathons have superior physical capabilities and health benefits compared to others. However, they may suffer long-term effects of the negative physiological changes during long-distance running. This study aimed to examine the effects of an ultramarathon on hormone levels, and the associated risks.

Nonmonotonic Effects of Chronic Low-Dose Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate on Gonadal Weight and Reproductive.

Endocrine disruptors have been concerned in toxicology but now challenged as physiological point especially concerned with exposing dose and period. In this study the low-dose chronic administration of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthaltae (DEHP) during reproductive period was examined to evaluate the possible roles. Adult male and female CD-1 mice were exposed to DEHP with drinking water containing 133 1g/L and 1,330 /g/L DEHP in water according to OECD 433 guide line and sacrificed just after weaning.

Hershberger Assays for Di-2-ethylhexyl Phthalate and Its Substitute Candidates.

In the present study, we employed Hershberger assay to determine possible androgenic or antiandrogenic activities of three di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) substitute candidates. The assay was carried out using immature castrated Sprague-Dawley male rats. After 7 days of the surgery, testosterone propionate (TP, 0.

Structure-activity relationship investigation of Phe-Arg mimetic region of human glutaminyl cyclase inhibitors.

Glutamyl cyclase (QC) is a promising therapeutic target because of its involvement in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we developed novel QC inhibitors that contain 3-aminoalkyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl and 4-aminoalkyloxyphenyl groups to replace the previously developed pharmacophore. Several potent inhibitors were identified, showing IC values in a low nanomolar range, and were further studied for in vitro toxicity and in vivo activity.

Mitochondria-Targeting Peptoids.

Mitochondria-specific delivery methods offer a valuable tool for studying mitochondria-related diseases and provide breakthroughs in therapeutic development. Although several small-molecule and peptide-based transporters have been developed, peptoids, proteolysis-resistant peptidomimetics, are a promising alternative to current approaches. We designed a series of amphipathic peptoids and evaluated their cellular uptake and mitochondrial localization.

The chloroplast genome sequence of DC. (Magnoliaceae).

As an endangered species, is distributed in Jeju island in Korea with only about 500-1000 individuals. In this study, we presented a complete chloroplast genome of which is 159,443 bp and has four sub-regions: 87,484 bp of large single copy and 18,783 bp of small single copy regions are separated by 26,588 bp of inverted repeat regions including 113 genes (79 unique genes, four rRNAs and 30 tRNAs). Phylogenetic analysis using chloroplast genomes showed that is a sister of and clade.

Anti-infective potential of catechins and their derivatives against viral hepatitis.

Polyphenols including catechins from green tea () have been reported to have anti-infective activities against a broad spectrum of viruses and other pathogens. During the last two decades, antiviral activities of catechins with different modes of action have been demonstrated on diverse families of viruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus, Herpes simplex virus, influenza virus, hepatitis B and C virus. In this study, we focused on the antiviral properties of catechins and their derivatives against viral hepatitis which have become a key public health issue due to their serious impact on human health with liver diseases.

Potent human glutaminyl cyclase inhibitors as potential anti-Alzheimer's agents: Structure-activity relationship study of Arg-mimetic region.

Pyroglutamate-modified amyloid β peptides (pGlu-Aβ) are highly neurotoxic and promote the formation of amyloid plaques. The pGlu-Aβ peptides are generated by glutaminyl cyclase (QC), and recent clinical studies indicate that QC represents an alternative therapeutic target to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD). We have previously developed a series of QC inhibitors with an extended pharmacophoric scaffold, termed the Arg-mimetic D-region.

Hershberger Assays for Bisphenol-A and Its Substitute Candidates.

Bisphenol-A(BPA) is a member of alkylphenol family, and shows adverse effects including reduced fertility, reproductive tract abnormalities, metabolic disorder, cancer induction, neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity. In the present study, we conducted Hershberger assay to evaluate whether the two candidates to replace BPA have androgenic or antiandrogenic activity. The assay was carried out using immature castrated Sprague-Dawley male rats.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 3-(2-aminoethyl) uracil derivatives as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonists.

We investigated a series of uracil analogues by introducing various substituents on the phenyl ring of the N-3 aminoethyl side chain and evaluated their antagonistic activity against human gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptors. Analogues with substituents at the ortho or meta position demonstrated potent in vitro antagonistic activity. Specifically, the introduction of a 2-OMe group enhanced nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) inhibition up to 6-fold compared to the unsubstituted analogue.

Effect of side chain hydrophobicity and cationic charge on antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of helical peptoids.

Peptoids are peptidomimetic polymers that are resistant to proteolysis and less prone to immune responses; thus, they can provide a practical alternative to peptides. Among the various therapeutic applications that have been explored, cationic amphipathic peptoids have demonstrated broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, including activity towards drug-resistant bacterial strains. While their potency and activity spectrum can be manipulated by sequence variations, bacterial selectivity and systemic toxicity need to be improved for further clinical development.

Discovery of an Orally Bioavailable Benzofuran Analogue That Serves as a β-Amyloid Aggregation Inhibitor for the Potential Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.

We developed an orally active and blood-brain-barrier-permeable benzofuran analogue (8, MDR-1339) with potent antiaggregation activity. Compound 8 restored cellular viability from Aβ-induced cytotoxicity but also improved the learning and memory function of AD model mice by reducing the Aβ aggregates in the brains. Given the high bioavailability and brain permeability demonstrated in our pharmacokinetic studies, 8 will provide a novel scaffold for an Aβ-aggregation inhibitor that may offer an alternative treatment for AD.

Gene-Editing: Interpretation of Current Law and Legal Policy.

With the development of the third-generation gene scissors, CRISPR-Cas9, concerns are being raised about ethical and social repercussions of the new gene-editing technology. In this situation, this article explores the legislation and interpretation of the positive laws in South Korea. The BioAct does not specify and regulate 'gene editing' itself.

Effects of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma on Regeneration of Damaged Endometrium in Female Rats.

Purpose: To investigate whether autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment can improve regeneration of the endometrium in an experimental model of ethanol-induced damage.

Materials And Methods: Sixty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into three groups: control group, ethanol group, and PRP-treated group (administration of 0.25 mL of PRP into both uterine cavities 72 hours after ethanol injection).

Discovery of thienopyrrolotriazine derivatives to protect mitochondrial function against Aβ-induced neurotoxicity.

Recovery of mitochondrial dysfunction has gained increasing attention as an alternative therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent studies suggested that the 18 kDa mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO) has the potential to serve as a drug target for the treatment of AD. In this study, we generated a structure-based pharmacophore model and virtually screened a commercial library, identifying SVH07 as a virtual hit, which contained a tricyclic core structure, thieno[2',3':4,5]pyrrolo[1,2-d][1,2,4]triazine group.

Development of a smart activity-based probe to detect subcellular activity of asparaginyl endopeptidase in living cells.

We developed a smart activity-based probe that detects the activity of asparaginyl endopeptidase (AEP) in live cells to monitor the dynamics of enzyme regulation. The newly designed probe generated a turn-on fluorescence signal in response to the activity of AEP in living cells without compromising the labelling efficiency or selectivity. Our probe closely reflected the enzyme activity in its native state, detecting subcellular AEP activity in colon cancer cells and neuronal cells.

Discovery of non-peptidic small molecule inhibitors of cyclophilin D as neuroprotective agents in Aβ-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.

Cyclophilin D (CypD) is a mitochondria-specific cyclophilin that is known to play a pivotal role in the formation of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP).The formation and opening of the mPTP disrupt mitochondrial homeostasis, cause mitochondrial dysfunction and eventually lead to cell death. Several recent studies have found that CypD promotes the formation of the mPTP upon binding to β amyloid (Aβ) peptides inside brain mitochondria, suggesting that neuronal CypD has a potential to be a promising therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Body mass index and self-rated health in East Asian countries: Comparison among South Korea, China, Japan, and Taiwan.

There have been conflicting findings regarding the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and self-rated health (SRH) worldwide. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between BMI and SRH by comparing its relationship in four East Asian countries: South Korea, China, Japan, and Taiwan. Using data from the East Asian Social Survey, the relationship between weight status and SRH status was investigated and compared between four countries, China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Intradialytic exercise improves physical function and reduces intradialytic hypotension and depression in hemodialysis patients.

Background/aims: As numbers of maintenance hemodialysis patients are growing, debilitating conditions of muscle wasting and atrophy are becoming some of the greatest concerns in end-stage renal disease patients. Exercise training has various potential benefits in terms of prevention of a sustained decline in functional status. This study aimed to evaluate the physical, psychological, laboratory, and dialysis-related effects of intradialytic exercise.

The relationship between perceived parental rearing behaviors and school adjustment of adolescent cancer survivors in Korea: A cross-sectional study.

Return and adjustment to school in adolescents who have survived cancer have become of increasing interest as the numbers of childhood cancers survivors have grown due to advances in treatments. Perceived parental rearing behavior is an important factor related to school adjustment. This study examined the relationships between maternal and parental rearing practices, general characteristics, and school adjustment in adolescent cancer survivors in Korea.

Factors associated with bystander behaviors of Korean youth in school bullying situations: A cross-sectional study.

The behaviors of bystanders can have important effects on their peers. The aim of this study was to identify psychosocial and contextual factors associated with 3 types of bystander behavior (bully followers, outsiders, and defenders of victims) among Korean youth. A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted among 416 7th and 8th-grade students from 1 middle school in Korea.

Disturbing Effects of Chronic Low-dose 4-Nonylphenol exposing on Gonadal Weight and Reproductive Outcome over One-generation.

4-Nonylphenol (NP) is a surfactant that is a well-known and widespread estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC). Although it has been known that the affinity of NP to ERs is low, it has been suggested that low-dose NP has toxicity. In the present study, the endocrine disrupting effects on reproduction, and the weight of gonads, epididymis, and uterus were evaluated with the chronic lower-dose NP exposing.

Discovery of simplified leucyladenylate sulfamates as novel leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LRS)-targeted mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) inhibitors.

Leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LRS) has been reported to be a possible mediator of intracellular amino acids signaling to mTORC1. Given that mTORC1 is associated with cell proliferation and tumorigenesis, the LRS-mediated mTORC1 pathway may offer an alternative strategy in anticancer therapy. In this study, we developed a series of simplified analogues of leucyladenylate sulfamate (1) as LRS-targeted mTORC1 inhibitors.