• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.637-644
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• 2021

Malassezia is the most abundant genus in the fungal microflora found on human skin, and it is associated with various skin diseases. Among the 18 different species of Malassezia that have been identified to date, M. restricta and M. globosa are the most predominant fungal species found on human skin. Several studies have suggested a possible link between Malassezia and skin disorders. However, our knowledge on the physiology and pathogenesis of Malassezia in human body is still limited. Malassezia is unable to synthesize fatty acids; hence, it uptakes external fatty acids as a nutrient source for survival, a characteristic compensated by the secretion of lipases and degradation of sebum to produce and uptake external fatty acids. Although it has been reported that the activity of secreted lipases may contribute to pathogenesis of Malassezia, majority of the data were indirect evidences; therefore, enzymes' role in the pathogenesis of Malassezia infections is still largely unknown. This review focuses on the recent advances on Malassezia in the context of an emerging interest for lipases and summarizes the existing knowledge on Malassezia, diseases associated with the fungus, and the role of the reported lipases in its physiology and pathogenesis.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.27-43
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• 2015

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of AI on AD induced by DNCB in mice. AI has antiallergic property that is useful in treating allergy-related-diseases, such as asthma, anaphylactic shock, acute bronchitis and skin diseases, skin pruritus from gastrointestinal diseases. However, AI has not been studied intensively yet regarding anti-inflammatory effect on AD. Therefore, this study was conducted on 2,4-dinitrochlorobezene (DNCB)-induced mice to investigate effects of AI in AD. Methods In the experiment, we divided mice into four groups: a normal group (NOR), a control group (CON), an AI spread group (AI spread), and an AI spread and feeding group (AI spread & feeding). Then examined the changes in the body weight, weights of spleen and ear, thickness of dorsum skin and ear skin, clinical aspects on dorsum skin, historical assessments, proliferation of splenocytes in vitro and in vivo, and cytokine (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-10). Results From the experiment, the ear weight of AI spread & feeding group was significantly dropped and the ear thickness of both AI spread and AI spread & feeding were decreased significantly. Dorsum skin thickness was also decreased significantly in both AI spread and AI spread & feeding group. Also, AI treatment improved the symptoms of AD, such as coloration, erythema and desquamation and had a better effect on AI spread & feeding group. In histopathological observation, thickened epidermis, hyperkeratosis, pigmentation, hypergranulosis, parakeratosis were diminished as well in both AI spread and AI spread & feeding group. In vitro, we could observe when AI was increased as proliferation rate of splenocytes were increased, too. Conclusions In conclusion, these data suggest that AI can decrease symptoms of AD and show AI can be useful herbal therapy for AD.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.207-217
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• 2015

Skin is the first line of defense for protecting our bodies against external perturbations, including ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, mechanical/chemical stress, and bacterial infection. Nutrition is one of many factors required for the maintenance of overall skin health. An impaired nutritional status alters the structural integrity and biological function of skin, resulting in an abnormal skin barrier. In particular, the importance of micronutrients (such as certain vitamins and minerals) for skin health has been highlighted in cell culture, animal, and clinical studies. These micronutrients are employed not only as active compounds in therapeutic agents for treating certain skin diseases, but also as ingredients in cosmetic products. Here, the author describes the barrier function of the skin and the general nutritional requirements for skin health. The goal of this review is to discuss the potential roles and current knowledge of selected micronutrients in skin health and function.

• The Korean Nurse
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• v.6 no.4 s.30
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• pp.31-35
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• 1967

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.34.1-34.9
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• 2023

Dogs exhibit patterns of health issues that vary by life stage. An understanding of disease incidence with respect to breed and age/life stage could be an important component of canine health management and welfare. This study aimed to describe the age-specific disease incidence of 3 small dog breeds that attended veterinary clinics in the Republic of Korea, based on data from electronic veterinary medical records (EVMRs). A total of 40,785 EVMRs from Maltese (n = 21,355), Miniature Poodle (n = 11,658) and Shih Tzu dogs (n = 7,772) were analyzed. Common health problems in 3 small dog breeds were 'diseases of the skin' and 'diseases of the ear,' respectively. Among dogs aged ≤ 3 years, 'preventive medicine' was the most common cause cited for veterinary clinic visits. Among dogs aged 4 to 8 years, the most frequent health problems were 'diseases of the skin.' Among dogs aged 9 to 13 years, 'heart diseases,' 'kidney diseases,' 'mammary gland tumor,' and 'neoplasia (unspecified)' were considerably more frequent, compared to the rates in dogs ≤3 years. Among dogs aged ≥ 14 years, 'heart diseases' and 'sneezing/cough' were the main health problems. In all breeds, the frequencies of 'diseases of circulatory system,' 'diseases of respiratory system,' 'diseases of the nervous system,' 'endocrine' and 'neoplasia' increased rapidly with aging. This surveillance could inform strategies for disease screening tests and management based on life stage in these dog breeds and enable more effective health management.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.95-105
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• 2022

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to retrospectively analyze 3 years of inpatient dermatologic and surgical consultation to Korean medicine ophthalmology, otolaryngology & dermatology department in Korean medicine hospital. Methods : We classified dermatological and surgical inpatient consultations between September 1st, 2019 and August 31st, 2022, based on electronic medical record by gender, age, hospitalized department, categories of diseases. Results : Total number of consultations were 336. The proportion of female and male were 2.5:1, and the average of age was 65.6 and 60, respectively. The most frequently referred skin disease category was infectious skin disease(39.9%), followed by eczema(20.2%), dermatoses due to physical forces(10.1%), pigment anomalies(7.1%), nevi and tumors(4.8%), diseases of the skin appendages(4.2%), urticaria(3.9%), and others(4.9%). Consultations from department of Korean rehabilitation medicine, and Korean internal medicine were most common, because they have a comparatively large number of inpatients and long hospitalization period. In case of infectious disease and skin ulcer, patients from Korean internal medicine were frequently consulted due to characteristics of stroke and internal diseases. Conclusions : This study identified the frequency of consultation and the disease group with many requests for each department. Identifying the characteristics of diseases with a high frequency of consultation will prevent various dermatological problems that may occur by department. In addition, it was found that a prompt consultation was needed for accurate diagnosis and treatment in dermatological problem.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.123-134
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• 2017

Wounds are commonly created during almost every kind of surgery, trauma and skin diseases. Delayed wound healing affects a plenty of patients and requires prolonged treatments that seriously reduce the quality of life for patients. Skin damage involving large areas or great severity can lead to disability or even death. Wound healing involves a complicated series of actions, of various tissues and cell lineages, concerning inflammation, migration, proliferation, reepithelialization, and remodeling. Sopung-san is reported to have anti-inflammatory effect and has been used for various skin diseases such as allergic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis. In this study, the hypothesis that oral treatment with Sopung-san could enhances healing potential on rat full thickness skin wounds was tested. Twenty young male Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the studies. A full-thickness skin wound was made on the dorsal skin of the rats. Either Sopung-san water extract (SPS) or saline (Control) was orally administrated every day. The wound area was measured and the percentages of wound contraction, wound healed and wound epithelization were calculated. Wound tissue samples were excised following injection for histopathological and immunohistological examination. Wound area in rats of SPS group significantly was decreased compared to Control. SPS group showed significant promotion of wound healing compared to Cotrol group in the percentages of wound contraction, wound healed and wound epithelization. Histopathological examination revealed that SPS induces neo-vascularization potential in wound healing process. SPS treatment in rats significantly accelerated cutaneous wound healing in the neo-vascularization process by increasing VEGF and $TGF-{\beta}1$ synthesis. The results suggest that Sopung-san affects key cellular processes responsible for wound repair and point to a unique potential for this molecule in the therapy of skin wounds, particularly as an angiogenic agent.

• Journal of Advanced Information Technology and Convergence
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.47-58
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• 2018

In this paper, we propose a method for skin condition analysis using a camera module embedded in a smartphone without a separate skin diagnosis device. The type of skin disease detected in facial image taken by smartphone is acne, pigmentation, blemish and flush. Face features and regions were detected using Haar features, and skin regions were detected using YCbCr and HSV color models. Acne and flush were extracted by setting the range of a component image hue, and pigmentation was calculated by calculating the factor between the minimum and maximum value of the corresponding skin pixel in the component image R. Blemish was detected on the basis of adaptive thresholds in gray scale level images. As a result of the experiment, the proposed skin condition analysis showed that skin diseases of acne, pigmentation, blemish and flush were effectively detected.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.56-62
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• 2021

Madecassoside, an active ingredient extracted from Centella asiatica, is used for treatment of various skin disorders in humans. However, the effect of madecassoside on the skin of dogs and cats has not been studied yet. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical efficacy of topical madecassoside cream in dogs and cats with skin diseases. A total of twenty-one dogs and ten cats with various skin diseases were included in the study. The 1% topical madecassoside cream was applied to the animal's skin lesion at least once a day for 7 days, and the skin condition was evaluated before the application of madecassoside cream (day 0) and 7 days after the application (day 7). The skin condition was scored by five clinical indices: canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index-4 (CADESI-4), coat condition, pruritus, scale, and general condition. In dogs, all five clinical indices (CADESI-4, coat condition, pruritus, scale, and general condition) were significantly decreased on day 7 compared to those on day 0 (p < 0.0001, p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.01, and p < 0.05, respectively). In cats, the CADESI-4 and scale were significantly decreased on day 7 compared to those on day 0 (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). No adverse effects were observed during the trial period in the dogs and cats included in this study. The results of this study demonstrate that the topical madecassoside cream is applicable to skin lesions in dogs and cats.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2018

Allergy is conditions when a hypersensitivity reaction happens with a certain element, called as an allergen, which is commonly not reactive to ordinary individuals. Allergic diseases involve various organs or systems in the body. The purpose of allergy tests is to make a diagnosis of allergic diseases and to identify the affecting allergens. In vivo tests, more relevant in clinical situation, include skin test, patch test and provocation test. In in vitro tests, there are specific IgE test, histamine releasing assay, and lymphocyte activation test, safer and more objective than in vivo tests. In the view point of clinical practice, skin test, provocation test, total IgE test and specific IgE test were reviewed in depth.