• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.57 no.4
• /
• pp.399-404
• /
• 2019

Scabies is a parasitic skin infection with intense itching. Scabies infection seriously impairs quality of life, while outbreaks in medical institutions cause financial losses. This study aimed to present the annual and seasonal trend of prevalence of scabies in the national population. Scabies cases were extracted from National Health Insurance Service database and its epidemiologic characteristics were assessed. To analyze the seasonality of scabies occurrence, temperature and humidity were included in the model as weather factors, and the per capita gross national income index was adjusted. The annual prevalence by age group was 0.56-0.69 per 1,000 persons until the age of 40 years and peaked at 3.0-4.1 per 1,000 persons in the age group over 80 years. The number of women diagnosed with scabies has been consistently higher compared to that of men since 2010. Mean number of cases diagnosed as scabies was lowest in spring, approximately 4,000 cases, when the average temperature was less than $5^{\circ}C$ at 2 months prior, whereas more than 6,000 scabies cases occurred in autumn when temperatures exceeded $25^{\circ}C$ at 2 months prior. This study presents the epidemiological characteristics and seasonality of all cases nationwide over 8 years and will help to establish control policies.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.39 no.6
• /
• pp.1225-1243
• /
• 2018

The berries of Schisandra chinensis (Schisandra fructus) are given the name Omiza in Korean (五味子), which translates as "five flavor fruit" because they possess all five basic flavors in Korean traditional herbal medicine: salty, sweet, sour, pungent (spicy), and bitter. It is used as a remedy for many ailments: to resist infections, increase skin health, and cure insomnia, coughing, and thirst. This study was designed to investigate the effects of Schisandra fructus butanol fraction (SFB) on serum lipid levels in hyperlipidemic mice. In this experiment, effects on total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride in serum were measured. In our results, SFB did not affect weight gain in hyperlipidemic mice. Oral administration of SFB lowered levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride, which were elevated by induction of hyperlipidemia. Finally, administration of SFB regulated changes in gene expression which were related to cell growth and differentiation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.518-526
• /
• 2019

Pueraria montana var. lobata is a bioactive substance with various beneficial health effects and has long been extensively used as a traditional medication for the treatment of fever, acute dysentery, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases in Northeast Asian countries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cytoprotective activity of Pueraria montana var. lobata ethanol extract (PLE) for ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced oxidative stress in human dermal fibroblasts (HDF). It was hypothesized that PLE treatment ($25-100{\mu}g/ml$) would reduce intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels as well as increase collagen production in UVB-irradiated HDF. The results confirmed this theory, with collagen production increasing in the PLE treatment group in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, regulators of cellular ROS accumulation, including HO-1 and NOQ-1, were activated by Nrf2, which was mediated by PLE. Hence, intracellular levels of ROS were also reduced in the PLE treatment group in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, PLE increases collagen production and maintains hyaluronic acid (HA) levels in human dermal fibroblasts exposed to UVB-irradiation, thereby inhibiting photoaging.

• Quantitative Bio-Science
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.103-111
• /
• 2018

This study was performed to investigate the cytoprotective effects of Stachys riederi var. japonica ethanol extract (SREE) to control oxidative stress induced by UVA-irradiation by examining antioxidant capacity and gene expression of cytochrome c using human dermal fibroblasts. The total polyphenolics and flavonoids in the SREE were 41.2 and 25.4 mg/g, respectively. At concentrations of 500 and $1000{\mu}g/mL$, the electron-donating ability of SREE was 48.6% and 82.0%, respectively, and the 2,2'-azino-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity was 62.3% and 78.8%, respectively. These findings showed that SREE has a fairly good antioxidant capacity. As determined by an MTT assay, the maximum permissible level for treating SREE to human dermal fibroblasts was shown to be over $200{\mu}g/mL$. SREE ($200{\mu}g/mL$) significantly decreased cytochrome c mRNA and protein expression by 31.1% (p<0.001) and 38.8% (p<0.01), respectively. These findings suggest that SREE may protect human skin cells against mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis. Therefore, SREE seems to be a natural antioxidant to protect cells against oxidative stress induced by UVA-irradiation.

• CELLMED
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.4.1-4.8
• /
• 2019

Now researchers have focused attention on exploring the mechanism of acute responses of heat stress given in heat therapy that ultimately promotes the long term health benefits. Heat therapy is not a new idea rather it was practiced since thousands years back in the form of hot bath, sauna bath, steam room. Similarly in Ayurveda there is very comprehensive description of heat therapy in the form of Svedan karma (Sudation therapy). Svedan is a process to induce sweating artificially in a patient who had already undergone Snehan. Svedan is applied for purification of body, as well as in management of various disorders originated due to vitiation of Vata, Kapha Dosha, Meda Dhatu and musculoskeletal disorders. It produces various beneficial effects by augmenting the Agni like clears the channels, liquefies the deposited Dosha, regulates Vata Dosha, helps in removal and pacification of Dosha, augments metabolism (Agni Deepan), increases appetite, flexibility in body parts, softness and shining of skin, removes coldness, stiffness, drowsiness, improves joint motility. However, Svedana karma is vastly used by Ayurveda Physicians in treatment of various disorders but the mechanisms of beneficial effects produced by Svedan Karma are yet not completely explored on scientific basis. In this article, we will discuss and try to establish a possible mechanism of action of Svedana karma in relation to heat stress, mitochondrial adaptation, heat shock protein (HSP) and glucocorticoids as these are secreted under stressful conditions.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.209-214
• /
• 2019

Doxycycline is frequently prescribed to treat urogenital infections or acne vulgaris. A 39-year-old man was prescribed doxycycline as a treatment for his skin infection. He took each tablet on an empty stomach in the morning, and just before going to bed with insufficient water. After taking the prescribed medication for approximately 3 weeks, he was diagnosed with esophageal ulcer. He had not experienced these symptoms before, and the drug label says that doxycycline rarely causes esophageal ulcer. After discontinuing the medication, the symptoms disappeared. Using the World Health Organization-Uppsala Monitoring Center criteria, the causality for doxycycline-induced esophageal ulcer was evaluated as "possible." Additionally, using the Naranjo scale and Korean causality assessment algorithm (Ver. 2), the causality was evaluated as "probable." Previous reports have stated that most patients who took doxycycline with insufficient water just before going to bed or in the supine position developed esophageal ulcer. Therefore, all patients taking doxycycline must be provided with detailed instructions about the appropriate administration methods.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.205-215
• /
• 2019

A flexible polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite prototype with high piezoelectricity and force sensitivity was constructed, and its huge potential for applications such as biomechanical energy harvesting, self-powered health monitoring system, and pressure sensors was proved. The crystallization, piezoelectric, and electrical properties of the composites were characterized using an X-ray diffraction (XRD) experiment and customized experimental setups. The composite can sustain up to 100% strain, which is a huge improvement over monolithic PVDF fibers and other PVDF-based composites in the literature. The Young's modulus is 1.64 MPa, which is closely matched with the flexibility of the human skin, and shows the possibility for integrating PVDF/PDMS composites into wearable devices and implantable medical devices. The $300{\mu}m$ thick composite has a 14% volume fraction of PVDF fibers and produces high piezoelectricity with piezoelectric charge constants $d_{31}=19pC/N$ and $d_{33}=34pC/N$, and piezoelectric voltage constants $g_{31}=33.9mV/N$ and $g_{33}=61.2mV/N$. Under a 10 Hz actuation, the output voltage was measured at 190 mVpp, which is the largest output signal generated from a PVDF fiber-based prototype.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.52 no.3
• /
• pp.143-148
• /
• 2021

This study was performed to elucidate the inhibitory effects of Alveopora japonica extract on melanin synthesis by measuring the levels of cell viability, mRNA expression, tyrosinase activity, and melanin production in the B16F10 cell line. The effects of A. japonica extract on tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1), TYRP2, tyrosinase (TYR), and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) mRNA expression levels and melanin content were determined. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR show that A. japonica extract decrease the mRNA expression levels of TYRP1, TYRP2, TYR, and MITF in B16F10 cell line, resulting in lower levels of melanin production compared to α-MSH-treated B16F10 cells. Tyrosinase activity assays reveal that A. japonica extract decrease melanin production in B16F10 cells. These results demonstrate the whitening effects of A. japonica extract on B16F10 cells; thus, A. japonica extract is a potent ingredient for skin whitening. Further research is needed on the mechanism of action of A. japonica extract. Such research will benefit not only cosmetics, but also the health food and medical industries.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.175-182
• /
• 2021

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma characterized as CD30 positive and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) negative. In 2016, the World Health Organization declared BIA-ALCL as a new disease entity. The first case of BIA-ALCL was reported in 1997, and as of July 2019, the United States Food and Drug Administration had cited a total of 573 United States and global medical device reports of BIA-ALCL, including 33 deaths. In all clinical case reports, except for those with unknown clinical history, the patient had received at least one textured surface breast implant. Although the etiology is not yet clear, chronic inflammation has been proposed as a potential precursor to tumorigenesis. The most common presentation of BIA-ALCL is peri-implant fluid collection following aesthetic or reconstructive implantation with textured surface breast implants. It can be accompanied by breast swelling, asymmetry, pain, skin lesions, lymphadenopathy, and B-type symptoms. Most cases are detected on average 7 to 10 years after implantation. Diagnostic specimens can be obtained with fine-needle aspiration or biopsy. BIA-ALCL is CD30 positive, epithelial membrane antigen positive, and ALK negative. It can be cured with complete surgical excision at the T1-T3 stage.

• Particle and aerosol research
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.37-50
• /
• 2022

Due to the syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, the subway passenger cabin should be continuously sterilized. However, a disinfectant such as chlorine is toxic and can lead to different issues to human health. In this paper, we introduced a novel disinfectant based on natural product (Dendropanax morbifera extract). Via ultra-high performance liquid chromatography - mass spectrometer (UHPLC-MS), different compounds from Dendropanax morbifera extract showed antivirus potentials. Antimicrobial experiments confirmed that the air-disinfectant containing Dendropanax morbifera can eliminate harmful microorganisms including Gram (-), Gram (+), and yeast within 5 mins. The as-prepared air-disinfectant also showed high antivirus activity against H1N1, HRV, and EV71. Deodorization test also indicates that the as-prepared air-disinfectant can lower the harmful gas such as ammonia and trimethylamine in the atmosphere. To evaluate the potential of air-disinfectant containing Dendropanax morbifera in practical applications, different safety tests including acute oral toxicity, acute skin irritation, and eye irritation were conducted. Results showed that the as-prepared disinfectant did not negatively affect tested animals during these safety investigations.