BACKGROUND: Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RV) has traditionally been used in Korea as an indigenous food (Rhus chicken soup) and as an herbal medicinal plant. While the anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties of RV have been actively studied in the medical field, its antioxidant effects in the skin that resist the reactive oxygen species in keratinocytes and fibroblasts is less understood. OBJECTIVE: We designed to evaluate the effects of R. verniciflua Stokes extract (RVE) on the photo-aged skin by an in vitro experiment using human fibroblasts and an in vivo experiment using a photo-aged murine model. METHODS: For the in vitro experiments, human fibroblasts irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) B were treated with RVE or vehicle, and the growth levels and the expression level of type 1 procollagen were compared. For the in vivo experiment, photo-aged mice irradiated with UVB and UVA were administered drinking water with or without RVE, and histological changes and the expression level of type 1 procollagen and matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-13 were compared. RESULTS: In vitro experiments using fibroblasts irradiated with UVB showed that RVE promoted growth and significantly increased the expression of type 1 procollagen as compared to the control group. In the photo-aged mice, RVE increased collagen content in the dermis and promoted the synthesis of type 1 procollagen without any visible decrease in MMP-13 as compared to control group. CONCLUSION: In addition to the previously reported antioxidant effects of RVE, oral intake of RVE effectively inhibited photo-aging in hairless mice by enhancing collagen synthesis.
Aging ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; Chickens ; Collagen ; Dermis ; Drinking Water ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Keratinocytes ; Korea ; Mice* ; Mice, Hairless ; Plants, Medicinal ; Procollagen ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Rhus* ; Skin*

BACKGROUND: Various topical cosmeceuticals and lasers have been used to treat photo-aged skin that has wrinkles, acne scars and dilated pores. The microneedle therapy system (MTS) that mechanically makes multiple holes on the skin has come into the limelight to treat these skin problems via stimulating collagen remodeling. The automicroneedle therapy system (AMTS) is a developed version of MTS and it has several advantages compared with conventional MTS. AMTS can achieve regular treatment results because of its automatically punching method. In addition, AMTS can treat smaller area and it has cost advantages due to the inexpensive disposable needle head. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine the dermal proliferative effects and safety of AMTS on the skin compared with that of the conventional MTS roller. METHODS: Twelve hairless mice were divided into two groups; one group was treated with a 0.25 mm needle and the other group was treated with a 2 mm needle. The first group was subdivided into the AMTS-H and the MTS groups and the no treatment group as a control, while the second group was subdivided into the AMTS-H, AMTS, MTS and control groups. Each treated group underwent four procedures every other day. The dermal proliferative efficacies of the treatment were evaluated by the histology, including the dermal thickness and the densities of the collagen fibers. Western blot was also performed for the evaluation of the protein expression of procollagen type I and matrix metalloproteinase-13. For safety profiles, we performed gross observation, basal skin barrier function testing and histologic examination. RESULTS: Treatment by AMTS significantly increased dermal collagen synthesis and the dermal thickness in the hairless mice. In addition, the expression of procollagen type I protein was increased, which accounted for the increased dermal collagen density. There was no specific safety problem related to the treatment. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that AMTS is an effective, safe modality for treating skin problems that require dermal proliferation. We anticipate that AMTS could be a new therapeutic option for inducing dermal proliferation or regeneration.
Acne Vulgaris ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cicatrix ; Collagen ; Collagen Type I ; Head ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless ; Needles ; Regeneration ; Skin

Albumin is known to have neuroprotective effects. The protein has a long half-life circulation, and its effects can therefore persist for a long time to aid in the recovery of brain ischemia. In the present study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of human serum albumin (HSA) on brain hemodynamics. Albumin is administrated using repeated oral gavage to the rodents. Sprague-Dawley rats underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion procedures and served as a stroke model. Afterwards, 25% human serum albumin (1.25 g/kg) or saline (5 ml/kg) was orally administrated for 2 weeks in alternating days. After 2 weeks, the rodents were assessed for levels of brain ischemia. Our testing battery consists of behavioral tests and in vivo optical imaging sessions. Modified neurological severity scores (mNSS) were obtained to assess the levels of ischemia and the effects of HSA oral administration. We found that the experimental group demonstrated larger hemodynamic responses following sensory stimulation than controls that were administered with saline. HSA administration resulted in more significant changes in cerebral blood volume following direct cortical electric stimulation. In addition, the mNSS of the treatment group was lower than the control group. In particular, brain tissue staining revealed that the infarct size was also much smaller with HSA administration. This study provides support for the efficacy of HSA, and that long-term oral administration of HSA may induce neuroprotective effects against brain ischemia.
Administration, Oral* ; Animals ; Anoxia ; Behavior Rating Scale ; Blood Volume ; Brain Ischemia* ; Brain* ; Electric Stimulation ; Half-Life ; Hemodynamics ; Humans* ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; Ischemia ; Neuroprotection ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Optical Imaging ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rodentia ; Serum Albumin* ; Stroke

BACKGROUND: A stem cell is an undifferentiated cell that has the potential for self-renewal and differentiation. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have advantages in accessibility and abundance compared to other kinds of stem cells and produce many growth factors and hormones. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether ADSC cultured media could be used as a therapy for atopic dermatitis. METHODS: ADSC cultured media was topically applied twice daily for 5 days to oxazolone-treated atopic dermatitis-like hairless mice. RESULTS: Topical application of ADSC cultured media improved the epidermal permeability barrier and keratinocyte differentiation, and restored the predominant Th2 phenotype when compared to vehicle. ADSC cultured media-treated epidermis also showed an increase in the expression of antimicrobial peptides cathelin-related antimicrobial peptide, mouse beta-defensein 3. CONCLUSION: Topical ADSC cultured media could be useful in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.
Animals ; Cathelicidins ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Epidermis ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Keratinocytes ; Mice ; Oxazolone ; Peptides ; Permeability ; Phenotype ; Stem Cells

To substantiate psychological symptoms following humidifier disinfectant (HD) disasters, counseling records of 26 victims and 92 family members of victims (45 were bereaved) were analyzed retrospectively. Among the victims, 34.6% had Clinical Global Impression-Severity scores of over 4, which meant they were moderately ill. While anxiety/fear and depression with respiratory symptoms were frequently observed in victims and family members, chronic psychological distress such as alcohol/smoking abuse and insomnia was relatively high in bereaved family members. In conclusion, it is important to provide mental health support for victims and their families, focusing on the characteristic symptoms of each group as well as monetary compensation.
Compensation and Redress ; Counseling ; Depression ; Disaster Victims* ; Disasters* ; Humans ; Humidifiers* ; Mental Health ; Retrospective Studies ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

BACKGROUND: Although the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer is increasing, there are no effective practical preventive measures other than avoiding sun exposure. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the protective effect of topical application of biologically active vitamin D3 (calcitriol) on skin cancer development caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV). METHODS: Groups of hairless mice were topically treated with either calcitriol or vehicle immediately after exposure to UVB and UVA three times weekly for the initial 20 weeks, and without UV exposure in the following 6 weeks. Tumor number was counted and biopsies were done for histopathologic analysis. The changes of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) were evaluated 1 hour and 11 hours after short term of UV exposure and application of calcitriol. For safety evaluation, blood test and body weights were evaluated at 23rd and 25th week. RESULTS: Total tumor count and number of tumors less than 3 mm in size tended to be fewer in calcitriol group, and tumors more than 3 mm in size showed significantly lower tumor formation rate in calcitriol group. Single application of calcitriol reduced CPD at 1 hour and 11 hours after UV exposure. Histopathologic analysis showed tumors with lower grade malignancy in calcitriol group which suggested a delay in tumor progression. However, serum levels of calcium and phosphate in calcitriol group were above normal range, and weight loss was found. CONCLUSION: Topical calcitriol may suppress the formation and progression of UV-induced non-melanoma skin cancer by enhancing the repair mechanism of UV damage.
Animals ; Biopsy ; Body Weight ; Calcitriol ; Calcium ; Carcinogenesis ; Cholecalciferol* ; Hematologic Tests ; Incidence ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless ; Reference Values ; Skin Neoplasms ; Solar System ; Vitamins* ; Weight Loss

PURPOSE: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) stimulates proliferation, migration, and morphogenesis of epithelial cells by specifically binding to its receptor c-met. Abnomalities of the c-met oncogene have been studied in cancers of many organs including thyroid, lung, pancreas, and stomach. However, little is known about the clinical significance of c-met oncogene abnormalities in colorectal carcinomas. In this study, we investigated over- expression of the c-met protein in colorectal adenomas and adenocarcinomas, and analyzed the clinicopathologic significance of this over-expression. METHODS: Expression of the c-met protein localized in colorectal adenoma and adenocarcinoma tissues was analyzed by using immunohistochemistry. The results were compared with clinicopathologic parameters to find clinical correlation. RESULTS: c-met protein was detected in 42.5% (17/40) of colorectal cancers and in 10.0% (4/40) of colorectal adenomas (P= 0.001). In colorectal cancer, the proportion of expression of c-met protein was 0% (0/40) in stage I, 47.6% (10/40) in stage II, 53.8% (7/40) in stage III and, 0% (0/40) in stage IV. c-met protein expression was 18.8% (3/40) in tumors with invasion into the muscularis propria (MP), and 58.3% (14/40) in tumors with invasion beyond the MP. The depth of tumor invasion was a statistically significant factor (P=0.022) for c-met expression. CONCLUSIONS: The c-met protein expression was related to the depth of invasion of colorectal cancer and showed a significant difference in its rate of expression between adenoma and adenocarcinomas.
Adenocarcinoma ; Adenoma* ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Epithelial Cells ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung ; Morphogenesis ; Oncogenes ; Pancreas ; Stomach ; Thyroid Gland

Purpose: Implant-based breast reconstruction is the most common reconstruction method used after mastectomy in breast cancer patients. Many studies have compared the smooth round implants and textured anatomical implants. This study aimed to compare the complications, including capsular contracture, between these two implants used in direct-toimplant (DTI) breast reconstruction. Methods: This retrospective chart review was performed using a prospectively maintained database from a single center. We identified patients who underwent mastectomy with DTI single-stage breast reconstruction at our hospital between August 2011 and June 2021. The overall complications, including capsular contracture, postoperative infection, seroma, hematoma, implant rupture, implant exposure, rippling, implant malposition, and nipple necrosis, were analyzed. Results: In total, 340 breasts of 323 patients were reconstructed by the DTI approach using either textured anatomical (n = 203) or smooth round (n = 137) implants. The incidence of overall complications and capsular contracture was significantly lower with smooth round implants than with textured anatomical implants. Multivariate analysis showed that smooth round implants were associated with a reduced risk of overall complications (odds ratio [OR], 0.465; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.265–0.813) and capsular contracture (OR, 0.475; 95% CI, 0.235–0.962). Particularly, smooth round implants were associated with a decreased risk of overall complications in patients not receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and a decreased risk of capsular contracture in patients with body mass index < 25 kg/m2 and in those not receiving adjuvant radiotherapy. Conclusion Smooth round implants demonstrated a decreased risk of overall complications and capsular contracture when compared with textured anatomical implants. These results may be utilized in counseling patients regarding the advantages and disadvantages of smooth round implants in DTI breast reconstruction.

On 16 April 2014, the Sewol ferry, carrying 476 people, sank in the ocean off the south coast of South Korea. Two hundred and ninety five are confirmed dead and 9 remain missing. The Korean Neuropsychiatric Association (KNPA) set up a Disaster Mental Health Committee (KDMHC) for out-reach services and to provide general strategies for promoting mental health and resilience. Mem bers of KDMHC and Volunteering Psychiatrists of the KNPA had participated in disaster mental health services organized by Gyeonggi-Ansan disaster mental health support team. Their activities were composed of psychoeducation, supportive individual and familial counseling and referring service to professional institutes. This report has described the outline of the initial and acute mental health care responses by KDMHC and volunteers among KNPA members.
Academies and Institutes ; Counseling ; Disasters* ; Korea ; Mental Health Services ; Mental Health* ; Psychiatry ; Volunteers*

Background: and Purpose Alzheimer’s disease (AD) does not always mean amyloid positivity. [ 18 F]THK-5351 has been shown to be able to detect reactive astrogliosis as well as tau accompanied by neurodegenerative changes. We evaluated the [ 18 F]THK-5351 retention patterns in positron-emission tomography (PET) and the clinical characteristics of patients clinically diagnosed with AD dementia who had negative amyloid PET findings. Methods: We performed 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging, [ 18 F]THK-5351 PET, and amyloid PET in 164 patients with AD dementia. Amyloid PET was visually scored as positive or negative. [ 18 F]THK-5351 PET were visually classified as having an intratemporal or extratemporal spread pattern. Results: The 164 patients included 23 (14.0%) who were amyloid-negative (age 74.9±8.3 years, mean±standard deviation; 9 males, 14 females). Amyloid-negative patients were older, had a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus, and had better visuospatial and memory functions. The frequency of the apolipoprotein E ε4 allele was higher and the hippocampal volume was smaller in amyloid-positive patients. [ 18 F]THK-5351 uptake patterns of the amyloid-negative patients were classified into intratemporal spread (n=10) and extratemporal spread (n=13).Neuropsychological test results did not differ significantly between these two groups. The standardized uptake value ratio of [ 18 F]THK-5351 was higher in the extratemporal spread group (2.01±0.26 vs. 1.61±0.15, p=0.001). After 1 year, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores decreased significantly in the extratemporal spread group (-3.5±3.2, p=0.006) but not in the intratemporal spread group (-0.5±2.8, p=0.916). The diagnosis remained as AD (n=5, 50%) or changed to other diagnoses (n=5, 50%) in the intratemporal group, whereas it remained as AD (n=8, 61.5%) or changed to frontotemporal dementia (n=4, 30.8%) and other diagnoses (n=1, 7.7%) in the extratemporal spread group. Conclusions Approximately 70% of the patients with amyloid-negative AD showed abnormal [ 18 F]THK-5351 retention. MMSE scores deteriorated rapidly in the patients with an extratemporal spread pattern.