Purpose: Hair disorders, which are often attributed to conditions associated with a shortened anagen growth phase, oxidative stress, and hormonal dysregulation, especially during aging, have profound psychological implications. Currently, only minoxidil has been approved as a topical hair growth solution; thus, alternative therapies for treating hair loss and promoting hair health are urgently needed. Herein, we aimed to develop and assess a novel method to promote hair growth and health using mastic (Pistacia lentiscus) gum and peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) extracts. Materials and Methods: After determining the optimal ratio of mastic gum and peppermint extracts, we performed in vitro and in vivo experiments to verify the efficacy of the 7:3 mastic gum-peppermint mixture (MP73; FHH-MG) for enhancing hair growth and health. Results: Mastic gum significantly promoted cell proliferation and demonstrated synergistic benefits when combined with peppermint extract. In vitro, FHH-MG increased human dermal follicle papilla cell proliferation and demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In vivo, treatment with FHH-MG dose-dependently enhanced hair growth and gloss and increased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor, β-catenin, and insulin-like growth factor-1 in C57BL/6 mice compared to the negative control. Conclusion The novel mixture exhibited hair growth-promoting effects in C57BL/6 mice; thus, FHH-MG may serve as a botanical alternative for hair growth and health promotion.

Purpose: Hair disorders, which are often attributed to conditions associated with a shortened anagen growth phase, oxidative stress, and hormonal dysregulation, especially during aging, have profound psychological implications. Currently, only minoxidil has been approved as a topical hair growth solution; thus, alternative therapies for treating hair loss and promoting hair health are urgently needed. Herein, we aimed to develop and assess a novel method to promote hair growth and health using mastic (Pistacia lentiscus) gum and peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) extracts. Materials and Methods: After determining the optimal ratio of mastic gum and peppermint extracts, we performed in vitro and in vivo experiments to verify the efficacy of the 7:3 mastic gum-peppermint mixture (MP73; FHH-MG) for enhancing hair growth and health. Results: Mastic gum significantly promoted cell proliferation and demonstrated synergistic benefits when combined with peppermint extract. In vitro, FHH-MG increased human dermal follicle papilla cell proliferation and demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In vivo, treatment with FHH-MG dose-dependently enhanced hair growth and gloss and increased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor, β-catenin, and insulin-like growth factor-1 in C57BL/6 mice compared to the negative control. Conclusion The novel mixture exhibited hair growth-promoting effects in C57BL/6 mice; thus, FHH-MG may serve as a botanical alternative for hair growth and health promotion.

Purpose: Hair disorders, which are often attributed to conditions associated with a shortened anagen growth phase, oxidative stress, and hormonal dysregulation, especially during aging, have profound psychological implications. Currently, only minoxidil has been approved as a topical hair growth solution; thus, alternative therapies for treating hair loss and promoting hair health are urgently needed. Herein, we aimed to develop and assess a novel method to promote hair growth and health using mastic (Pistacia lentiscus) gum and peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) extracts. Materials and Methods: After determining the optimal ratio of mastic gum and peppermint extracts, we performed in vitro and in vivo experiments to verify the efficacy of the 7:3 mastic gum-peppermint mixture (MP73; FHH-MG) for enhancing hair growth and health. Results: Mastic gum significantly promoted cell proliferation and demonstrated synergistic benefits when combined with peppermint extract. In vitro, FHH-MG increased human dermal follicle papilla cell proliferation and demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In vivo, treatment with FHH-MG dose-dependently enhanced hair growth and gloss and increased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor, β-catenin, and insulin-like growth factor-1 in C57BL/6 mice compared to the negative control. Conclusion The novel mixture exhibited hair growth-promoting effects in C57BL/6 mice; thus, FHH-MG may serve as a botanical alternative for hair growth and health promotion.

Purpose: Hair disorders, which are often attributed to conditions associated with a shortened anagen growth phase, oxidative stress, and hormonal dysregulation, especially during aging, have profound psychological implications. Currently, only minoxidil has been approved as a topical hair growth solution; thus, alternative therapies for treating hair loss and promoting hair health are urgently needed. Herein, we aimed to develop and assess a novel method to promote hair growth and health using mastic (Pistacia lentiscus) gum and peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) extracts. Materials and Methods: After determining the optimal ratio of mastic gum and peppermint extracts, we performed in vitro and in vivo experiments to verify the efficacy of the 7:3 mastic gum-peppermint mixture (MP73; FHH-MG) for enhancing hair growth and health. Results: Mastic gum significantly promoted cell proliferation and demonstrated synergistic benefits when combined with peppermint extract. In vitro, FHH-MG increased human dermal follicle papilla cell proliferation and demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In vivo, treatment with FHH-MG dose-dependently enhanced hair growth and gloss and increased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor, β-catenin, and insulin-like growth factor-1 in C57BL/6 mice compared to the negative control. Conclusion The novel mixture exhibited hair growth-promoting effects in C57BL/6 mice; thus, FHH-MG may serve as a botanical alternative for hair growth and health promotion.

Purpose: Hair disorders, which are often attributed to conditions associated with a shortened anagen growth phase, oxidative stress, and hormonal dysregulation, especially during aging, have profound psychological implications. Currently, only minoxidil has been approved as a topical hair growth solution; thus, alternative therapies for treating hair loss and promoting hair health are urgently needed. Herein, we aimed to develop and assess a novel method to promote hair growth and health using mastic (Pistacia lentiscus) gum and peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) extracts. Materials and Methods: After determining the optimal ratio of mastic gum and peppermint extracts, we performed in vitro and in vivo experiments to verify the efficacy of the 7:3 mastic gum-peppermint mixture (MP73; FHH-MG) for enhancing hair growth and health. Results: Mastic gum significantly promoted cell proliferation and demonstrated synergistic benefits when combined with peppermint extract. In vitro, FHH-MG increased human dermal follicle papilla cell proliferation and demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In vivo, treatment with FHH-MG dose-dependently enhanced hair growth and gloss and increased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor, β-catenin, and insulin-like growth factor-1 in C57BL/6 mice compared to the negative control. Conclusion The novel mixture exhibited hair growth-promoting effects in C57BL/6 mice; thus, FHH-MG may serve as a botanical alternative for hair growth and health promotion.

Numerous systemic diseases manifest with oral symptoms and signs. The molecular diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease worldwide, currently relies on invasive or expensive methods, emphasizing the imperative for easily accessible biomarkers.In this study, we explored the expression patterns of key proteins implicated in AD pathophysiology within the taste buds of mice. We detected the expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and tau protein in the taste buds of normal C57BL/6 mice. Phosphorylated tau was predominantly found in type II and III taste cells, while APP was located in type I taste cells. Remarkably, we observed significantly stronger immunoreactivity to phosphorylated tau in the taste buds of aged AD mouse models compared to age-matched controls. These findings underscore the oral expression of biomarkers associated with AD, highlighting the diagnostic potential of the oral cavity for neurodegenerative diseases.

Purpose: Photobiomodulation (PBM), encompassing low-energy laser treatment and light-emitting diode (LED) phototherapy, has demonstrated positive impacts on skin rejuvenation and wound healing. Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) present a promising advancement as wearable light sources for PBM. However, the biological and biochemical substantiation of their skin rejuvenation and wound healing effects remains limited. This study aimed to ascertain the safety and efficacy of OLEDs as a nextgeneration PBM modality through comprehensive in vitro and in vivo investigations. Materials and Methods: Cell viability assays and human ex vivo skin analyses were performed after exposure to OLED and LED irradiation to examine their safety. Subsequent evaluations examined expression levels and wound healing effects in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and wound healing assays post-irradiation. Additionally, an in vivo study was conducted using a ultra violet (UV)-irradiated animal skin model to explore the impact of OLED exposure on dermal collagen density and wrinkles, employing skin replica and tissue staining techniques. Results: OLED irradiation had no significant morphological effects on human skin tissue, but caused a considerably higher expression of collagen than the control and LED-treated groups. Moreover, OLED irradiation reduced the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) more effectively than did LED on HDFs. OLED irradiation group in HDFs had significantly higher expression levels of growth factors compared to the control group, but similar to those in the LED irradiation group. In addition, OLED irradiation on photo-aged animal skin model resulted in increased collagen fiber density in the dermis while reducing ultra violet radiation-mediated skin wrinkles and roughness, as shown in the skin replica. Conclusion This study established comparable effectiveness between OLED and LED irradiation in upregulating collagen and growth factor expression levels while downregulating MMP levels in vitro. In the UV-irradiated animal skin model, OLED exposure post UV radiation correlated with reduced skin wrinkles and augmented dermal collagen density. Accelerated wound recovery and demonstrated safety further underscore OLEDs’ potential as a future PBM modality alongside LEDs, offering promise in the realms of skin rejuvenation and wound healing.

Abnormal aggregation of α-synuclein is a key element in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy. α-synuclein aggregation spreads through various brain regions during the course of disease progression, a propagation that is thought to be mediated by the secretion and subsequent uptake of extracellular α-synuclein aggregates between neuronal cells. Thus, aggregated forms of this protein have emerged as promising targets for disease-modifying therapy for PD and related diseases. Here, we generated and characterized conformation-specific antibodies that preferentially recognize aggregated forms of α-synuclein. These antibodies promoted phagocytosis of extracellular α-synuclein aggregates by microglial cells and interfered with cell-to-cell propagation of α-synuclein. In an α-synuclein transgenic model, passive immunization with aggregate-specific antibodies significantly ameliorated pathological phenotypes, reducing α-synuclein aggregation, gliosis, inflammation, and neuronal loss. These results suggest that conformation-specific antibodies targeting α-synuclein aggregates are promising therapeutic agents for PD and related synucleinopathies.

BACKGROUND: Molecular epidemiological typing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae is crucial for monitoring the spread of resistant strains. As reference strains can be used for laboratory internal quality control, we genetically characterised the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) gonococcal strains by Neisseria gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) and porB sequence typing using public multilocus sequence typing (PubMLST). METHODS: Eight ATCC gonococcal reference strains (ATCC 19424, ATCC 31426, ATCC 35541, ATCC 43069, ATCC 43070, ATCC 49226, ATCC 49926, and ATCC 49981) from Culti-Loops (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA) were cultured. After DNA extraction, porB and tbpB were amplified and sequenced. Sequence types (STs) and allele numbers were each determined by NG-MAST (http://www.ng-mast.net) and porB sequence typing using PubMLST (http://pubmlst.org/neisseria/porB/). RESULTS: ATCC 19424 was identified as ST 266 by NG-MAST, and as Allele 946 by PubMLST. ATCC31426 was assigned a novel ST by NG-MAST, and was assigned Allele 958 with 1.2% mismatch by PubMLST. ATCC 35541 was identified as ST 12 by NG-MAST, and as Allele 624 by PubMLST. ATCC 43069 and ATCC 43070 were both identified as ST 681 by NG-MAST, and as Allele 984 by PubMLST. ATCC 49226 was identified as ST 1572 by NG-MAST, and as Allele 2110 by PubMLST. ATCC 49926 and ATCC 49981 were both identified as ST 16496 by NG-MAST, and as Allele 928 by PubMLST. CONCLUSIONS: The ST data obtained for ATCC gonococcal reference strains by NG-MAST and porB sequence typing using PubMLST can be used for quality assurance of molecular epidemiological typing in clinical microbiological laboratories.
Alleles ; DNA ; Multilocus Sequence Typing ; Neisseria gonorrhoeae ; Neisseria ; Quality Control

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors associated with the critical thinking ability of nursing students at the individual and school levels. The study adopted a descriptive design and recruited 465 nursing students from four nursing schools from November 2014 to September 2015 through convenience sampling. The Clinical Critical Thinking Skill Test was used to measure critical thinking ability, and the data were analyzed with the SAS ver. 9.4 program (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) for descriptive statistics, t-test, analysis of variance, and multi-level model. The results showed that clinical practicum experience (β=−0.72, p=0.025), taking critical thinking courses (β=0.63, p=0.010), and taking simulation courses (β=0.56, p=0.035) improved critical thinking ability in the individual level model. In the school level model, the interaction effect between the years of clinical practice done by the student and the presence of full-time clinical instructors was significant (β=1.29, p=0.011). These results suggest that critical thinking ability improves with the more years of clinical practice individual nursing students have, and this improvement is greater with the presence of full-time clinical instructors in the school. Therefore, it is recommended that nursing students undergo critical thinking and simulation courses to develop their critical thinking ability, and dedicated clinical instructors in nursing schools should play a vital role.
Humans ; Nursing ; Preceptorship ; Problem Solving ; Schools, Nursing ; Simulation Training ; Students, Nursing ; Thinking