Efficacy and safety of ephedra-containing oral medications: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and exploratory dose-response analysis for weight reduction.

Introduction: Despite the widespread use of ephedra in various forms, including food supplements and herbal prescriptions, comprehensive studies reviewing its efficacy and safety across different countries are lacking.

Methods: We systematically searched 5 electronic databases and conducted a meta-analysis of 16 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on ephedra-containing oral medications (EOMs), performing a dose-response analysis for weight loss.

Results: The meta-analysis results revealed a statistically significant reduction in the body mass index (BMI) (MD: 1.

Inhibitory Effect of Alnustone on Survival and Lung Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Background/objectives: Alnustone (Aln) is an effective compound of Hayata. Aln possesses various pharmacological activities such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. However, the inhibitory effect of Aln on colorectal cancer (CRC) has not yet been identified.

Impact of Speed Sintering on Translucency, Opalescence and Microstructure of Dental Zirconia with a Combination of 5 mol% and 3 mol% Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia.

Optical characteristics and microstructure of multilayered zirconia with different yttria contents in each layer can be influenced differently with a layer after speed sintering. The layer-wise translucency and opalescence of dental zirconia (E.max, E.

Influences of Digital Literacy and Moral Sensitivity on Artificial Intelligence Ethics Awareness Among Nursing Students.

Background: As artificial intelligence technology has developed, research on the application of AI in the medical field has increased, and there is a high likelihood that the use of AI technology will expand in nursing education and practice in the future. However, ethical issues arise when utilizing AI, necessitating a high level of ethical awareness before its application.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify factors in artificial intelligence ethics awareness among nursing students.

Influence of Health Literacy on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors in Older Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Coronary artery disease is a chronic condition that requires continuous adherence to healthy behaviors. Adhering to physical activity and reducing prolonged sedentary behavior are important for the physical health of older patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Health literacy is increasingly recognized as a key factor in secondary prevention for these patients.

Causal relationships among perception of errors, challenges, and deliberate practice in athletes with disabilities.

Introduction: There is limited evidence that the psychological characteristics of athletes with disabilities are identical to those of non-disabled athletes, owing to differences in ecological traits, and there is insufficient information on how athletes with disabilities perceive disabled athletes' perception of errors, challenges, and deliberate practice. Therefore, it is necessary to examine whether the causal model of the perception of errors, challenge, and deliberate practice will be reproduced in the same way as in non-disabled athletes. Therefore, this study aimed to verify a causal model of the perception of errors, challenges, and deliberate practice by athletes with disabilities.

Anxiety and Depression Are Associated with Poor Long-term Quality of Life in Moderate-to-Severe Ulcerative Colitis: Results of a 3-Year Longitudinal Study of the MOSAIK Cohort.

Background/aims: We previously reported that patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) often experience common mental disorders (CMDs) such as anxiety and depression, necessitating immediate psychological interventions within the first 4 weeks of diagnosis. In this 3-year follow-up study of the MOSAIK cohort in Korea, we examined the effects of CMDs at initial diagnosis on clinical outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods: We examined differences in clinical outcomes (evaluated based on clinical response, relapse, hospitalization, and medication use) and HRQoL (assessed using the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire [IBDQ] and Short Form 12 [SF-12]) according to Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores at diagnosis.

Analysis of key pathways and genes in nodal structure on rat skin surface using gene ontology and KEGG pathway.

Background: We have previously reported anatomical, histological, and gene expression characteristics of the nodal structure of rat skin surface and suggested its potential as an acupuncture point. However, the specific characteristics of the interactions among the genes expressed in this structure remain unclear.

Objective: We aimed to determine gene expression changes by analyzing interaction networks of genes up-regulated in nodal structures and to explore relationships with acupuncture points.

Comparative evaluation of hyaluronic acid-based dressing versus hydrocolloid dressing in rat dermal wound healing.

Background: Wound healing is a complex process influenced by a variety of environmental factors. Dressing materials play a critical role in creating barriers against contaminants, maintaining optimal moisture levels, and absorbing wound exudate. Therefore, selecting materials tailored to wound characteristics is crucial for enhancing outcomes.

Korean Medicine Subcision Therapies in Scar Treatment: A Retrospective, Multicenter Study at Network Clinics.

Purpose: This study is a retrospective, multicenter research designed to report the efficacy of Korean medicine subcision therapies in scar treatment.

Patients And Methods: Charts and photographs of 29 patients who received subcision treatment between May 2016 and June 2020 in four scar treatment network clinics were analyzed. The Qualitative Global Acne Scarring Grade System (QGASC) and the Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale (SBSES) were used to objectively measure scar scores.

Tobacco Cessation: Screening and Interventions.

Background: Tobacco use has been the leading cause of disease and death in South Korea. Early detection of tobacco use and evidence-based interventions play pivotal roles in facilitating tobacco cessation.

Methods: In accordance with the earlier iterations of the Lifetime Health Maintenance Program (2009) and recent recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF; 2021), two themes were chosen for investigation: the identification of and intervention for tobacco use.

Rotenone exposure causes features of Parkinson`s disease pathology linked with muscle atrophy in developing zebrafish embryo.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with both genetic and environmental factors; however, sporadic forms of PD account for > 90 % of cases, and PD prevalence has doubled in the past 25 years. Depending on the importance of the environmental factors, various neurotoxins are used to induce PD both in vivo and in vitro. Unlike other neurodegenerative diseases, PD can be induced in vivo using specific neurotoxic chemicals.

The Inhibitory Effect of Essential Oil on the Dental Biofilm.

This study aimed to identify the inhibitory effect of essential oil (AREO) on the cariogenic properties of , which causes dental caries and dental plaque formation. After extracting the AREO, their effects on the growth and acid production of were examined. Furthermore, biofilm formation was observed on the resin teeth surface.

Antidepressant-like Effects of L. Extract in an Lipopolysaccharide Model: Modulation of Mast Cell Activation in Deep Cervical Lymph Nodes and Dura Mater.

Background: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation is a well-established model for studying depression-like behavior, driven by pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β. Mast cells (MCs) contribute to neuroinflammation by releasing mediators that exacerbate depressive-like symptoms. This study evaluates the antidepressant-like and anti-inflammatory effects of L.

Preparation and Properties of Cyano-Functionalized Graphitic Nanoplatelets for High-Performance Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Resin.

Cyano-functionalized graphitic nanoplatelets (CyGNs) are synthesized by means of a mechanochemical reaction between graphite and acrylonitrile. The resulting CyGNs exhibit excellent mechanical properties and are highly dispersible in various solvents (i.e.

The Significance of an Initial Controlling Nutritional Status Score in Predicting the Functional Outcome, Complications, and Mortality in a First-Ever Ischemic Stroke.

Background And Purpose: Nutritional status can influence the outcomes and mortality of various diseases. The association between initial nutritional status and ischemic stroke outcomes, however, remains poorly understood. This study investigated whether the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score at admission could predict functional recovery, complications, and survival following an ischemic stroke.

Mechanism for Site-Selective Hydroboration of C Fullerene with Borane by DFT-D3 Study.

We studied the hydroboration of the C fullerene using both B3LYP-D3(BJ)/6-311G(d,p) and M06-2X-D3/6-311G(d,p) levels of theory, incorporating the empirical dispersion interaction, and Fukui index calculations. Potential energy surfaces (PESs) and Gibbs free energy surfaces (GFESs) were calculated for the pathways from four BH adducts (located at the , , , and sites) on the C to eight products formed by the 1,2-addition of BH across the four [6,6]-ring fused bonds (, , , and ) and across the two [5,6]-ring fused bonds ( and ). These pathways are two-step consecutive reactions.

Evolving epidemiology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in South Korea: incidence, prevalence, progression, and healthcare implications from 2010 to 2022.

Background/aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), now the most common chronic liver worldwide, has become a significant public health concern. This study aims to analyze the evolving epidemiology of NAFLD in South Korea.

Methods: We utilized claim data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service from 2010 to 2022 to analyze NAFLD's incidence, prevalence, and progression.

A novel method for measuring the direction and angle of central ray and predicting rotation centre via panorama phantom.

The aim of this study is to propose and evaluate a novel method for measuring the central ray direction and detecting the rotation centre of panoramic radiography using the panorama phantom. To determine the central ray direction, 2 points passing through the same x-coordinate in a panoramic radiograph were identified and connected. The angles formed by the central ray with the midline and the angle to the arch form were measured using mathematical calculations.