Prolonged skin inflammation is caused by disrupted skin barrier resulting in chronic inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis. As a potent natural product with anti-inflammatory property, Aster glehni (A. glehni) is a traditional edible herb and has been used to treat diabetes or colitis-associated colon cancer. In present study, we figured out an additional effect of A. glehni ethanol extract (AGE) in pro-inflammatory cytokines-stimulated human keratinocytes. Mixture of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferongamma (IFN-γ) was used to induce inflammatory responses in the HaCaT keratinocytes. AGE suppressed activation of ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 and 3 (STAT1 and STAT3). The treatment of AGE inhibited mRNA expressions of proinflammatory cytokines in TNF-α and IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. Also, AGE induced up-regulated expressions of skin barrier molecules like filaggrin, loricrin, or ZO-1. We evaluated the effects of AGE on protein or mRNA expression levels using western blot or qRT-PCR, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that the treatment of AGE exerts anti-inflammatory effect on keratinocytes through suppressing inflammatory signaling pathways and up-regulating skin molecules in HaCaT keratinocytes.

Prolonged skin inflammation is caused by disrupted skin barrier resulting in chronic inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis. As a potent natural product with anti-inflammatory property, Aster glehni (A. glehni) is a traditional edible herb and has been used to treat diabetes or colitis-associated colon cancer. In present study, we figured out an additional effect of A. glehni ethanol extract (AGE) in pro-inflammatory cytokines-stimulated human keratinocytes. Mixture of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferongamma (IFN-γ) was used to induce inflammatory responses in the HaCaT keratinocytes. AGE suppressed activation of ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 and 3 (STAT1 and STAT3). The treatment of AGE inhibited mRNA expressions of proinflammatory cytokines in TNF-α and IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. Also, AGE induced up-regulated expressions of skin barrier molecules like filaggrin, loricrin, or ZO-1. We evaluated the effects of AGE on protein or mRNA expression levels using western blot or qRT-PCR, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that the treatment of AGE exerts anti-inflammatory effect on keratinocytes through suppressing inflammatory signaling pathways and up-regulating skin molecules in HaCaT keratinocytes.

Background: This study investigates changes in infection control organizations and the roles of infection control nurses in healthcare institutions during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to provide evidence for preparing effective responses to future emerging infectious diseases. Methods: A survey was conducted from August 9 to 27, 2021, targeting infection control nurses working in infection control departments of general hospitals in South Korea with more than 100 beds. Results: A total of 118 (38.3%) healthcare institutions responded, and 113 questionnaires ultimately analyzed. Changes in infection control organizations observed during the COVID-19 pandemic included alterations in infection control department staffing (34.5%), work arrangements (92.0%), IT systems development (45.1%), facilities and equipment (92.9%), and systems for responding to emerging infectious diseases (99.1%). Over 50% of infection control tasks were performed either frequently or daily during the pandemic, with the most significant workload increase observed in epidemiological investigations (77.9%). The most challenging task for infection control nurses was establishing and operating epidemic management systems (82.3%). Among personal factors hindering their work, a sense of responsibility for their duties scored the highest (mean 4.73/5 points). The primary structural and environmental barrier was insufficient staffing (mean 4.36/5 points). The most critical need for improving infection control efforts was increased staffing in infection control departments and enhanced administrative support (mean 4.63/5 points). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant changes to infection control organizations and the roles of infection control nurses. Based on the lessons learned, healthcare institutions must systematically restructure infection control organizations and enhance the expertise of infection control nurses to respond effectively to future outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases.

Prolonged skin inflammation is caused by disrupted skin barrier resulting in chronic inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis. As a potent natural product with anti-inflammatory property, Aster glehni (A. glehni) is a traditional edible herb and has been used to treat diabetes or colitis-associated colon cancer. In present study, we figured out an additional effect of A. glehni ethanol extract (AGE) in pro-inflammatory cytokines-stimulated human keratinocytes. Mixture of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferongamma (IFN-γ) was used to induce inflammatory responses in the HaCaT keratinocytes. AGE suppressed activation of ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 and 3 (STAT1 and STAT3). The treatment of AGE inhibited mRNA expressions of proinflammatory cytokines in TNF-α and IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. Also, AGE induced up-regulated expressions of skin barrier molecules like filaggrin, loricrin, or ZO-1. We evaluated the effects of AGE on protein or mRNA expression levels using western blot or qRT-PCR, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that the treatment of AGE exerts anti-inflammatory effect on keratinocytes through suppressing inflammatory signaling pathways and up-regulating skin molecules in HaCaT keratinocytes.

Background: This study investigates changes in infection control organizations and the roles of infection control nurses in healthcare institutions during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to provide evidence for preparing effective responses to future emerging infectious diseases. Methods: A survey was conducted from August 9 to 27, 2021, targeting infection control nurses working in infection control departments of general hospitals in South Korea with more than 100 beds. Results: A total of 118 (38.3%) healthcare institutions responded, and 113 questionnaires ultimately analyzed. Changes in infection control organizations observed during the COVID-19 pandemic included alterations in infection control department staffing (34.5%), work arrangements (92.0%), IT systems development (45.1%), facilities and equipment (92.9%), and systems for responding to emerging infectious diseases (99.1%). Over 50% of infection control tasks were performed either frequently or daily during the pandemic, with the most significant workload increase observed in epidemiological investigations (77.9%). The most challenging task for infection control nurses was establishing and operating epidemic management systems (82.3%). Among personal factors hindering their work, a sense of responsibility for their duties scored the highest (mean 4.73/5 points). The primary structural and environmental barrier was insufficient staffing (mean 4.36/5 points). The most critical need for improving infection control efforts was increased staffing in infection control departments and enhanced administrative support (mean 4.63/5 points). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant changes to infection control organizations and the roles of infection control nurses. Based on the lessons learned, healthcare institutions must systematically restructure infection control organizations and enhance the expertise of infection control nurses to respond effectively to future outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases.

Background: This study investigates changes in infection control organizations and the roles of infection control nurses in healthcare institutions during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to provide evidence for preparing effective responses to future emerging infectious diseases. Methods: A survey was conducted from August 9 to 27, 2021, targeting infection control nurses working in infection control departments of general hospitals in South Korea with more than 100 beds. Results: A total of 118 (38.3%) healthcare institutions responded, and 113 questionnaires ultimately analyzed. Changes in infection control organizations observed during the COVID-19 pandemic included alterations in infection control department staffing (34.5%), work arrangements (92.0%), IT systems development (45.1%), facilities and equipment (92.9%), and systems for responding to emerging infectious diseases (99.1%). Over 50% of infection control tasks were performed either frequently or daily during the pandemic, with the most significant workload increase observed in epidemiological investigations (77.9%). The most challenging task for infection control nurses was establishing and operating epidemic management systems (82.3%). Among personal factors hindering their work, a sense of responsibility for their duties scored the highest (mean 4.73/5 points). The primary structural and environmental barrier was insufficient staffing (mean 4.36/5 points). The most critical need for improving infection control efforts was increased staffing in infection control departments and enhanced administrative support (mean 4.63/5 points). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant changes to infection control organizations and the roles of infection control nurses. Based on the lessons learned, healthcare institutions must systematically restructure infection control organizations and enhance the expertise of infection control nurses to respond effectively to future outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases.

Prolonged skin inflammation is caused by disrupted skin barrier resulting in chronic inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis. As a potent natural product with anti-inflammatory property, Aster glehni (A. glehni) is a traditional edible herb and has been used to treat diabetes or colitis-associated colon cancer. In present study, we figured out an additional effect of A. glehni ethanol extract (AGE) in pro-inflammatory cytokines-stimulated human keratinocytes. Mixture of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferongamma (IFN-γ) was used to induce inflammatory responses in the HaCaT keratinocytes. AGE suppressed activation of ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 and 3 (STAT1 and STAT3). The treatment of AGE inhibited mRNA expressions of proinflammatory cytokines in TNF-α and IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. Also, AGE induced up-regulated expressions of skin barrier molecules like filaggrin, loricrin, or ZO-1. We evaluated the effects of AGE on protein or mRNA expression levels using western blot or qRT-PCR, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that the treatment of AGE exerts anti-inflammatory effect on keratinocytes through suppressing inflammatory signaling pathways and up-regulating skin molecules in HaCaT keratinocytes.

Background: This study investigates changes in infection control organizations and the roles of infection control nurses in healthcare institutions during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to provide evidence for preparing effective responses to future emerging infectious diseases. Methods: A survey was conducted from August 9 to 27, 2021, targeting infection control nurses working in infection control departments of general hospitals in South Korea with more than 100 beds. Results: A total of 118 (38.3%) healthcare institutions responded, and 113 questionnaires ultimately analyzed. Changes in infection control organizations observed during the COVID-19 pandemic included alterations in infection control department staffing (34.5%), work arrangements (92.0%), IT systems development (45.1%), facilities and equipment (92.9%), and systems for responding to emerging infectious diseases (99.1%). Over 50% of infection control tasks were performed either frequently or daily during the pandemic, with the most significant workload increase observed in epidemiological investigations (77.9%). The most challenging task for infection control nurses was establishing and operating epidemic management systems (82.3%). Among personal factors hindering their work, a sense of responsibility for their duties scored the highest (mean 4.73/5 points). The primary structural and environmental barrier was insufficient staffing (mean 4.36/5 points). The most critical need for improving infection control efforts was increased staffing in infection control departments and enhanced administrative support (mean 4.63/5 points). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant changes to infection control organizations and the roles of infection control nurses. Based on the lessons learned, healthcare institutions must systematically restructure infection control organizations and enhance the expertise of infection control nurses to respond effectively to future outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases.

Prolonged skin inflammation is caused by disrupted skin barrier resulting in chronic inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis. As a potent natural product with anti-inflammatory property, Aster glehni (A. glehni) is a traditional edible herb and has been used to treat diabetes or colitis-associated colon cancer. In present study, we figured out an additional effect of A. glehni ethanol extract (AGE) in pro-inflammatory cytokines-stimulated human keratinocytes. Mixture of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferongamma (IFN-γ) was used to induce inflammatory responses in the HaCaT keratinocytes. AGE suppressed activation of ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 and 3 (STAT1 and STAT3). The treatment of AGE inhibited mRNA expressions of proinflammatory cytokines in TNF-α and IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. Also, AGE induced up-regulated expressions of skin barrier molecules like filaggrin, loricrin, or ZO-1. We evaluated the effects of AGE on protein or mRNA expression levels using western blot or qRT-PCR, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that the treatment of AGE exerts anti-inflammatory effect on keratinocytes through suppressing inflammatory signaling pathways and up-regulating skin molecules in HaCaT keratinocytes.

Purpose: The treatment of male breast cancer (MBC) has been extrapolated from female breast cancer (FBC) because of its rarity despite their different clinicopathologic characteristics. We aimed to investigate the distribution of intrinsic subtypes based on immunohistochemistry, their clinical impact, and treatment pattern in clinical practice through a multicenter study in Korea. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 248 MBC patients from 18 institutions across the country from January 1995 to July 2016. Results: The median age of MBC patients was 63 years (range, 25 to 102 years). Among 148 intrinsic subtype classified patients, 61 (41.2%), 44 (29.7%), 29 (19.5%), and 14 (9.5%) were luminal A, luminal B, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, and triple-negative breast cancer, respectively. Luminal A subtype showed trends for superior survival compared to other subtypes. Most hormone receptor-positive patients (166 patients, 82.6%) received adjuvant endocrine treatment. Five-year completion of adjuvant endocrine treatment was associated with superior disease-free survival (DFS) in patients classified with an intrinsic subtype (hazard ratio [HR], 0.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.04 to 0.49; p=0.002) and in all patients (HR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.54; p=0.003). Conclusion Distribution of subtypes of MBC was similar to FBC and luminal type A was most common. Overall survival tended to be improved for luminal A subtype, although there was no statistical significance. Completion of adjuvant endocrine treatment was associated with prolonged DFS in intrinsic subtype classified patients. MBC patients tended to receive less treatment. MBC patients should receive standard treatment according to guidelines as FBC patients.