• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.115-125
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• 2022

Background: Ginsenosides (GS) have potential value as cosmetic additives for prevention of skin photoaging. However, their protective mechanisms against skin barrier damage and their active monomeric constituents are unknown. Methods: GS monomer types and their relative proportions were identified. A UVB-irradiated BALB/c hairless mouse model was used to assess protective effects of GS components on skin epidermal thickness and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Skin barrier function, reflected by filaggrin (FLG), involucrin (IVL), claudin-1 (Cldn-1), and aquaporin 3 (AQP3) levels and MAPK phosphorylation patterns, were analyzed in UVB-irradiated hairless mice or HaCaT cells. Results: Total GS monomeric content detected by UPLC was 85.45% and was largely attributed to 17 main monomers that included Re (16.73%), Rd (13.36%), and Rg1 (13.38%). In hairless mice, GS ameliorated UVB-induced epidermal barrier dysfunction manifesting as increased epidermal thickness, increased TEWL, and decreased stratum corneum water content without weight change. Furthermore, GS treatment of UVB-irradiated mice restored protein expression levels and epidermal tissue distributions of FLG, IVL, Cldn-1, and AQP3, with consistent mRNA and protein expression results obtained in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells (except for unchanging Cldn-1 expression). Mechanistically, GS inhibited JNK, p38, and ERK phosphorylation in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells, with a mixture of Rg2, Rg3, Rk3, F2, Rd, and Rb3 providing the same protective MAPK pathway inhibition-associated upregulation of IVL and AQP3 expression as provided by intact GS treatment. Conclusion: GS protection against UVB-irradiated skin barrier damage depends on activities of six ginsenoside monomeric constituents that inhibit the MAPK signaling pathway.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.149-162
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• 2021

Nowadays, the cosmetic and fashion industries are paying attention to influencer marketing on Instagram. In this study, we determined whether electronic word of mouth (e-WOM) communications were affected by the following parameters: the influencer's information source, message sidedness, and consumer's regulatory focus. The experimental design of this study is a three-way mixed ANOVA, which comprises of 2 (influencer information source: expert vs general consumer) × 2 (message sidedness: two-sided message vs one-sided message) × 2 (consumer regulatory focus: promotion focus vs prevention focus) structure. The data for this research study was obtained by distributing a questionnaire to 410 subjects. The participants were aged between 20 and 39 years and lived in Seoul and Gyeonggi areas. In total, the data of 396 subjects was analyzed with the help of SPSS 25.0 statistical program: frequency analysis, reliability analysis, t-test, three-way ANOVA, and simple main effect analysis were performed. The analysis results were as follows: First, influencer information sources and consumer regulatory focus exhibited a significant interaction with consumers' e-WOM intentions. Second, message sidedness and consumer's regulatory focus exhibited a significant interaction with e-WOM intentions. Third, influencer information source and message sidedness exhibited a significant interaction with consumers' e-WOM intentions. Based on these findings, the type of influencer's information source and the consumer's regulatory focus was taken into consideration while marketing cosmetics on Instagram. Moreover, influencer marketing strategies must be used to evaluate message sidedness. This would help us gauge the consumer's attitude towards advertisements.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.296-302
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• 2021

Background: The reconstruction of large full-thickness alar defects requires complex surgical procedures that are usually performed in two stages, with concomitant disadvantages in terms of patient trauma, surgical risk, and cost. This study presents a functional folded nasolabial island flap (FNIF) that can be used to repair large-sized full-thickness alar defects in a straightforward manner. Methods: This retrospective study included seven patients who received a FNIF for a full-thickness alar defect between January 2007 and December 2020. The FNIF is different from the conventional nasolabial flap in that it is folded and twisted to achieve nostril reconstruction with a satisfactory three-dimensional mucosal lining in a single stage. The cosmetic and functional results of FNIF were evaluated by both patients and physicians. Results: The age ranged from 51 to 82 years (mean, 65.6 years). The causes of the defects were squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and trigeminal trophic syndrome. The nostril lining did not collapse, there was no hypertrophic scarring, and air movement through the nostrils on the flap side was normal. Overall, FNIF produced excellent aesthetic and functional outcomes, with minimal patient discomfort. There were no postoperative complications. Conclusion: Compared with existing reconstruction methods for large full-thickness alar defects, FNIF can easily achieve aesthetic and functional success in a single-stage procedure. It provides satisfactory results for both the patient and the surgeon.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.513-520
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• 2021

Background: Benzalkonium chloride (BKC) has been extensively used as a preservative in industrial products and in hygiene, medical, and cosmetic applications. Humidifier disinfectant (HD) products containing BKC have been used in South Korea. Objectives: This study was aimed to review types of products containing BKC, to summarize the regulations in the US, EU, Japan, and South Korea, and to review the health effects associated with the use of HD. Methods: We reviewed and summarized documents which were searched through PubMed and Google Scholar with the key words: BKC and asthma/contact dermatitis, humidifier disinfectant-associated lung injury (HDLI), and more. Results: Regulations in most countries including South Korea do not allow its use as disinfectants in spray-type of products for medicine, cosmetics, and household products. Two types of HD containing BKC (800~1,270 ppm) were marketed in South Korea from 1996~2003. Health effects reported from people who used products containing BKC were allergic contact dermatitis, erythema, and respiratory disease, including asthma. Two people who responded as HD users containing BKC only were confirmed to have developed asthma. HD-associated lung injury (HDLI) was reported by consumers who used both HD containing polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) and HD containing BKC. Conclusions: In conclusion, the use of BKC as a biocide has to be controlled considering the route and pattern of exposure. Products containing BKC as preservatives were reviewed with exposure routes and sites in the human body such as skin, eyes, and the respiratory tract. HD containing BKC was clinically evaluated to be associated with asthma.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.365-368
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of desensitization and flooding on the behavior of dogs during grooming, focusing on their response to the sound and skin stimulation while using a clipper. A total of 20 adult dogs over two years of age with complete personality formation were included in the study. Ten dogs, of which three were Bichons (average weight 5 kg), four were Poodles (average weight 5 kg), and three were Malteses (average weight 4 kg), were subjected to the desensitization process. The remaining 10 adult dogs were subjected to the flooding experiment, and were of the same breed and average weight as the adult dogs used in the desensitization process. The desensitization and the flooding were performed three times a day (approximately 1 min per session) for 10 days. For desensitization, statistical significance was observed only on the fifth day, when compared by breed (p<0.05). Overall, when compared by measurement day, the results of desensitization for Bichon, Poodle and Maltese dogs were statistically significant (p<0.05). The results for the Bichon, Poodle, and Maltese dogs that were subjected to flooding were found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in the results of the flooding on the second and ninth days (p<0.05); however, flooding had no effect on the other days (p>0.05). Desensitization using the clipper, a beauty tool, was faster than flooding in achieving stabilization. In conclusion, desensitization and flooding showed positive results on the stress relief and emotions of dogs during grooming, with respect to cosmetic fear response.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.277-282
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• 2022

Whitening effect of the extract of Phaseolus angularis (PA) shell was investigated for its potential application as a functional ingredient for cosmetic products. The tyrosinase inhibitory effect, which is related to whitening, was 76.4% at a concentration of 1,000 ㎍/ml. Cell viability of melanoma cells was measured to test toxicity of the PA shell extract at concentrations showing at least 90% viability. In addition, western blot and RT-PCR assays of the PA shell extract showed concentration-dependent decreases of MITF, TRP-1, TRP-2 and tyrosinase protein and inhibitory effect of mRNA expression. These findings suggested that extract from PA shell has great potential as a cosmeceutical ingredient with whitening effect.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.536-542
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• 2022

Background: In aged skin, reactive oxygen species (ROS) induces degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), leading to visible aging signs. Collagens in the ECM are cleaved by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Syringaresinol (SYR), isolated from Panax ginseng berry, has various physiological activities, including anti-inflammatory action. However, the anti-aging effects of SYR via antioxidant and autophagy regulation have not been elucidated. Methods: The preventive effect of SYR on skin aging was investigated in human HaCaT keratinocytes in the presence of H₂O₂, and the keratinocyte cells were treated with SYR (0-200 ㎍/mL). mRNA and protein levels of MMP-2 and -9 were determined by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Radical scavenging activity was researched by 2,2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assays. LC3B level was assessed by Western blotting and confocal microscopy. Results: SYR significantly reduced gene expression and protein levels of MMP-9 and -2 in both H₂O₂-treated and untreated HaCaT cells. SYR did not show cytotoxicity to HaCaT cells. SYR exhibited DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities with an EC₅₀ value of 10.77 and 10.35 ㎍/mL, respectively. SYR elevated total levels of endogenous and exogenous LC3B in H₂O₂-stimulated HaCaT cells. 3-Methyladenine (3-MA), an autophagy inhibitor, counteracted the inhibitory effect of SYR on MMP-2 expression. Conclusion: SYR showed antioxidant activity and up-regulated autophagy activity in H₂O₂-stimulated HaCaT cells, lowering the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 associated with skin aging. Our results suggest that SYR has potential value as a cosmetic additive for prevention of skin aging.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.327-334
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• 2022

Marine resources have various biological activities and their constituents are more novel than those of land organisms. Several biologically active constituents have been found in marine organisms. Recently, many studies have reported that marine animals (MAs) can be used as functional ingredients in functional foods or nutraceutical due to their health benefits. However, no studies have extensively investigated the cosmeceutical activities of MAs extracts. Here, 70% ethanol extracts of 38 MAs were investigated for their activities of whitening and anti-aging properties for use as materials in novel cosmeceuticals. Anti-aging activities were determined by skin aging-related enzyme activities (anti-collagenase, anti-elastase, anti-hyaluronidase) and whitening activities (anti-tyrosinase, anti-3,4-dihydroxyl-L-phenylalanine [DOPA] oxidation) evaluated by colorimetric method. Among the 38 MAs, we found that Urechis unicinctus and Petrosia corticata extracts showed the strongest inhibitory effects against tyrosinase and DOPA oxidation, respectively. Our results additionally showed that Protankyra bidentata extract might provide a major source of anti-hyaluronidase and anti-elastase; meanwhile, anti-collagenase effects were similar in most MAs. Overall, these results suggest that extracts of marine animals have potential as a tyrosinase, collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase inhibitors. Taken together, MA resources could be considered as a novel cosmeceutical agent to be applied in cosmetic industry.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.352-359
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• 2022

Background Breast augmentation with implants is the most commonly performed cosmetic plastic surgery in Brazil and worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess patient satisfaction and quality of life following subpectoral breast augmentation with either microtextured or macrotextured implants, using the BREAST-Q. Methods A prospective study was conducted with 40 women with hypomastia undergoing subpectoral breast augmentation. The patients were randomly allocated to two groups to receive either microtextured or macrotextured breast implants. All participants were assessed preoperatively (baseline) and after 2 and 4 months of surgery for quality of life and patient satisfaction with the surgical results, using the BREAST-Q augmentation module, a patient-reported outcome measure. Results The patients had a mean age of 28.9 ± 6.45 years. The microtextured (n = 20) and macrotextured (n = 20) groups were homogeneous for sex, age, education level, marital status, and number of children (p > 0.05). Both groups showed significant improvement in satisfaction with breasts (p < 0.001), psychosocial well-being (p < 0.001), and sexual well-being (p < 0.001) at the 2- and 4-month follow-up visits compared with baseline. The observed improvements were associated with high effect size values of 5.09, 3.44, and 3.90, respectively. In contrast, significant decreases from baseline in physical well-being scores (p = 0.001) were found 2 and 4 weeks after surgery in both groups. Conclusion Subpectoral breast augmentation with either microtextured or macrotextured breast implants improved satisfaction with breasts and quality of life in patients with hypomastia.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.207-212
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• 2022

Nanosized rutile titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is used in inorganic pigments and cosmetics because of its high whiteness and duality. The high quality of the white pigments depends on their surface coating technique via the solgel process. SiO₂ coatings are required to improve the dispersibility, UV-blocking, and whiteness of TiO₂. Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) is an important coating precursor owing to its ability to control various thicknesses and densities. In addition, we use Na₂SiO₃ (sodium silicate) as a precursor because of its low cost. Compared to TEOS, which controls the pH using a basic catalyst, Na₂SiO₃ controls the pH using an acid catalyst, giving a uniform coating. The coating thickness of TiO₂ is controlled using a surface modifier, cetrimonium bromide, which is used in various applications. The shape and thickness of the nanosized coating layer on TiO₂ are analyzed using transmission electron microscopy, and the SiO₂ nanoparticle behavior in terms of the before-and-after size distribution is measured using a particle size analyzer. The color measurements of the SiO₂ pigment are performed using UV-visible spectroscopy.