• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.147-151
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• 2019

Background Successful aesthetic plastic surgery is devoid of both unsightly scarring and postoperative disfigurement. Patients undergoing midface-lifting surgery are very often disconcerted by an altered side hairline, including sideburns, despite considerable amelioration of facial wrinkles. This study was conducted to identify an effective means of approaching an altered hairline and the unavoidable scarring arising from midface-lifting surgery. Methods A total of 37 patients who underwent corrective surgery with hair transplantation for hair loss or scar deformity arising from midface-lifting surgery from June 2014 to June 2017, and were observed for more than 6 months thereafter, were enrolled in the study. Prior to corrective surgery, the patients were administered a multiple-choice survey regarding their dissatisfaction arising from midface-lifting surgery. Among the 37 patients, 24, 12, and one underwent donor harvesting by the strip method, non-shaven follicular unit extraction, and partial shaving follicular unit extraction, respectively. Additionally, 33 of the 37 patients underwent hair transplantation in the frontotemporal recess area along with hairline correction surgery. The average number of transplanted grafts was 1,025. Results Surgery resulted in a natural and satisfactory appearance in all patients. The average patient and physician subjective satisfaction scores were 4.6 and 4.8, respectively. No adverse events such as folliculitis occurred. Conclusions Side-hairline correction surgery by hair transplantation can be considered an effective method of realigning an altered hairline accompanied by scars following midface-lifting surgery.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.241-247
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• 2019

Background Postoperative pain is one of the most common concerns of patients undergoing hair transplantation surgery. Because most patients are satisfied with the cosmetic improvement after transplantation, amelioration of postoperative pain would help to increase patient accessibility to hair restorative surgery and greatly impact patient satisfaction with the final cosmetic results. This study was performed to investigate postoperative pain after hair transplantation. Methods In total, 241 patients (202 who underwent follicular unit transplantation [FUT] and 39 who underwent follicular unit extraction [FUE]) were eligible for the study. Postoperative pain was evaluated on postoperative days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 using the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale. The patients' medical records were retrospectively reviewed for information on the harvesting method, number of transplanted grafts, size of donor design, and laxity, elasticity, and glidability of the scalp in relation to postoperative pain. Results Postoperative pain after hair transplantation, assessed with the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale, seemed to provide very subjective results. None of the variables were correlated with postoperative pain in the FUT group. Such pain, however, tended to disappear by postoperative day 3. Patients in the FUE group experienced significantly less severe pain than those in the FUT group. Conclusions Postoperative pain was significantly less severe in patients whose donor hair was harvested by the FUE than FUT method. Postoperative pain had almost disappeared by postoperative day 3 in the FUT group, whereas only minimal pain was present even on postoperative day 1 in the FUE group.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.12
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• pp.652-657
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• 2020

Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) is a traditional medicinal plant widely used in Asian countries for its pharmacological activities (e.g., amelioration of cardiovascular diseases). In this study, we investigated the anti-atherosclerotic activity of raw danshen root extract prepared using high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) at 550 MPa for 5 min and hot water extraction. This method was useful for elimination of bacteria from cultured danshen plants and for better extraction yield of active principles. The HHP-treated danshen extract (HDE) inhibited proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and induced autophagy that was assessed by LC3 conversion and p62 degradation. HDE suppressed foam cell formation in oxLDL-induced RAW264.7 macrophages; lysosomal activity simultaneously increased, measured by acridine orange staining. HDE also reduced atherosclerotic plaque development in vivo in apolipoprotein E knock-out (ApoE-/-) mice fed a high cholesterol diet. Taken together, these results indicated that HDE exhibited anti-atherosclerotic activity via autophagy induction.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2022

Silkworm pupae, a by-product of the silk industry are known to be valuable resource of nutrients for humans as well as animals besides encompassing diverse bioactive constituents. However, there is a paucity of knowledge on their role in amelioration of oxidative stress and anti-skin aging properties. In the present study, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of aqueous as well as ethanolic (30% and 70%) extracts from distinct stages of male and female silkworm pupae belonging to two silkworm varieties on skin aging-related enzymes. The activities of collagenase, elastase and tyrosinase were effectively inhibited by 70% ethanolic silkworm pupal extracts (SPE), followed by 30% with aqueous extracts exhibiting meager inhibitory potential. SPE were also investigated for their antioxidant activity in oxidative-stressed murine fibroblasts (L929). The intracellular ROS and lipid peroxidation induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) in fibroblasts was better attenuated by pre treatment with ethanolic (30%) and aqueous extracts, respectively. The safety of the extracts was determined by studying their effect on fibroblast cell viability and it was found that none of the extracts were cytotoxic. Our findings indicate the potential utility of SPE as anti-aging components in cosmeceuticals.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.959-965
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• 2022

Through psychological evaluation, this study attempted to verify the effect of quality of life improvements from gardening activities in apartment landscaping spaces. The study was conducted on 32 mothers raising children. Psychological valuation was conducted using world Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire(WHOQOL-Bref), the Satisfaction with Life Scale(SWLS), the Life Satisfaction Experience Scale(LSES), and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised(SCL-90-R). The psychological analysis results showed that, engaging in gardening activities for two weeks had, a positive effect on mothers' environmental of quality of life evaluation. The LSES indicates that satisfaction with oneself significantly increased after starting the gardening activities. The activity resulted in a positive change in attitude toward life. The SCL-90-R results showed changes in the mother's psychological state. There was a significant amelioration of obesessive-compulsive behaviors, hostility, and phobic anxiety. In conclusion, this study was found that, for mothers in apartments, outdoor gardening activities can significantly affect their quality of life. Moreover, it can help prevent mental health deterioration, Further study should be conducted on the beneficial effects of gardening on the variety of age groups and activities.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.59-66
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• 2024

The mature Bombyx mori silkworm is recognized as a rich source of several nutrients. A unique steaming process has been developed to enhance the palatability of Bombyx mori silkworm and make it more convenient to consume. Additionally, it has also been freeze-dried into a powder form, which is recognized as a nutritional supplement with many health benefits. Steamed and Freeze-dried Mature Silkworm Powder (SMSP) is said to offer a wide range of benefits, including longevity, improved athletic performance, prevention of alcohol-induced liver fibrosis or tumors, amelioration of fatty liver, prevention of peptic ulcers, regulation of melanin production, and mitigation of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases by improving cognitive function. The nutritional composition of SMSP is particularly high in glycine, alanine and serine. This review aims to summarize the molecular mechanisms underlying the diverse effects induced by these key components of SMSP. Such elucidation will enhance the credibility of future studies on SMSP, which will require more comprehensive analyses. It appears that SMSP represents a natural health supplement that could have a positive impact on global human health while increasing income.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.507-516
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• 2023

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection is an essential strategy to decrease the risk of developing gastric cancer. However, the standard triple therapy has negative aspects associated with side effects and the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Therefore, alternative therapies are required to enhance the management of H. pylori infection effectively. In this study we examined the effect of emodin on the amelioration of inflammatory response due to H. pylori infection. Our results indicated that emodin treatment effectively decreased the expression of virulence genes, including sabA, vacA, cagL, cagA, sabA, and suppressed the adhesion ability of H. pylori to AGS cells. Emodin has been shown inhibitory effects on the inflammasome pathway through reductions in VacA translocation, lowering ROS stress, cleaved Caspase-1, NLRP3, and cleaved Gasdermin D levels, thereby lowered pyroptosis in infected cells. In summary, our study demonstrated that emodin has the ability to attenuate inflammation caused by H. pylori by modulating virulence gene expression and decreasing VacA translocation. Further study is required to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of emodin in treating H. pylori infection and better understand the underlying mechanisms.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.871-886
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• 2008

Objective : Gypsum fibrosum has been traditionally used in treatment of febrile diseases and recently been shown to have anti-inflammatory effect. Chronic renal failure has a serious clinical symptoms including proteinuria, azotemia, anemia, and hyperlipidemia and has characteristic histopathological changes, glomerular hypertrophy, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and crescentic sclerosis, We investigated the effects of gypsum fibrosum on renal functional and histopathological disorder in chronic renal failure rat model induced 5/6 nephrectomy. Methods : Using Sprague-Dawley rats, CRF was induced by 5/6 nephrectomy. The rats were divided into 3 groups, normal, conrol, and gypsum administered orally with gypsum fibrosum 500mg/kg/day. Body weight, 24 hr proteinuria, hematologic analysis, and histological morphologic changes were followed up after 8 weeks. The glomerular macrophage/monocyte infiltration, $TGF-{\beta}_1$, type IV collagen, and angiotensin II type1 receptor($AT_1$) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Resuls : In the CRF control group, functional parameters and histopathologic changes clearly indicated the development of CRF. 24 hr proteinuria significantly increased in the CRF control group over the normal group, and serum creatinine level was lower in the gypsum group than in the control group, LDL-cholesterol was significantly lower in the gypsum group than in the control group. Morphological investigations showed a variety of characteristic features of CRF, glomerular hypertrophy, increasing cellular density of glomerulus, deposition of extra-cellular matrix, fibrotic change, and glomerular sclerosis in the control group, but in the gypsum group, these features diminished significantly. In observation of renal type IV collagen and $AT_1$ expression, positive area significantly increased in the control group over the normal group, and it significantly decreased in the gypsum group compared to the control group. Conclusions : Our findings suggest that gypsum fibrosum inhibits $AT_1$ and type IV collagen expression in renal tissues and attenuates progression of glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis in chronic renal failure rats, which lead to amelioration of renal function. From these results, we suggest that gypsum fibrosum may have renoprotective effects and could be a useful remedy agent for treating chronic renal failure.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.343-348
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• 2009

This study sought to determine changes in self-selected diets in response to a high energy tomato pasta entree. Thirty men, mostly African-American, who were diagnosed with prostate cancer and also scheduled for prostatectomy were enrolled in the study. Dietary intakes were obtained by 24 hr diet recall for 3 days before the intervention and 3 days in week 2 during the intervention. Tomato pasta entrees were formulated to contain 30 mg of lycopene with roughly the same macronutrient composition and averaged 771 kcal/entree. Mean adherence to lycopene dose was 82% and, days when the entree was consumed, the mean adherence to lycopen was 90%. Lycopene intake in their self-selected diet decreased from 5 to 1 mg/day which lowered the exposure to lycopene, planned during the intervention. The men were able to decompensate for most of the added energy to their diet, but there was still a mean increase in total intake of 242 kcal/day (p=0.04), which did not result in weight gain over the short period of the study. There were no significant changes in the percent of energy from protein, fat or carbohydrates, but dietary cholesterol increased from 341 to 472 mg/day (p=0.0002). Mean intakes of vitamins A and C, and folate were not significantly different and were above the EAR. Vitamin E intake decreased, but, because of the variance in intake, the decrease was not statistically significant. Possible deterioration of diet quality should be a consideration when recommending whole food interventions for the prevention of chronic disease or the amelioration of physiological dysfunction.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.471-479
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• 2009

In this paper, we proposed an improved ray tracing method with an amelioration of visible tree structure, a visible face determination method, and non-uniform random test point method. In a proposed visible tree structure, it reduces tree nodes by means of merging similar nodes. In a visible face determination method, it shows that a ray hit test with a packet ray method can reduce a test time. A ray tracing method involving with a packet ray hit test method can improve a tree construction time up to 3.3 times than a ray tracing method with a single ray hit test method. Furthermore, by seeding a non-uniform and random test point on a face, tree construction time is improved up to 1.11 times. Received powers from the proposed ray tracing results and measured results have good agreement with 1.9 dB RMS error.