Purpose: The aerial parts of Dracocephalum moldavica L. (DM) have been widely used as traditional herbal medicine for cardiovascular diseases and skin problems in Central Asia and Europe. This study evaluated the photoprotective effects of three different DM seed (DMS) extracts against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced photoaging in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). Methods: DMS extracts were prepared using supercritical fluid (SC-oil), ethanol (EE), and aqueous (AE) methods. Their ability to regulate the extracellular matrix (ECM) components, including procollagen type I (PC1), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), and elastase-1, which are key biomarkers of photoaging, was evaluated. Results: All extracts restored procollagen synthesis, reduced MMP-1 and elastase-1 production and activity, and upregulated PC1 mRNA expression while downregulating the MMP-1 and elastase-1 mRNA levels in UVB-irradiated cells. SC-oil (0.0001%) and AE (0.125 mg/mL) reversed the PC1 mRNA levels most effectively in HDFs and HaCaT cells, respectively.In addition, SC-oil had the strongest suppressive effect on MMP-1 secretion in HDFs, while EE and AE were more effective in HaCaT cells. The elastase-1 activity and mRNA levels in both cell types were comparable to those treated with L-ascorbic acid, a positive control. Conclusion These findings suggest that DMS extracts, rich in bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, phytosterols, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, have significant potential as natural anti-aging agents. By protecting collagen and elastin integrity and modulating ECM biomarkers, DMS extracts may effectively prevent UVB-induced photoaging and improve skin resiliency.

Purpose: The aerial parts of Dracocephalum moldavica L. (DM) have been widely used as traditional herbal medicine for cardiovascular diseases and skin problems in Central Asia and Europe. This study evaluated the photoprotective effects of three different DM seed (DMS) extracts against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced photoaging in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). Methods: DMS extracts were prepared using supercritical fluid (SC-oil), ethanol (EE), and aqueous (AE) methods. Their ability to regulate the extracellular matrix (ECM) components, including procollagen type I (PC1), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), and elastase-1, which are key biomarkers of photoaging, was evaluated. Results: All extracts restored procollagen synthesis, reduced MMP-1 and elastase-1 production and activity, and upregulated PC1 mRNA expression while downregulating the MMP-1 and elastase-1 mRNA levels in UVB-irradiated cells. SC-oil (0.0001%) and AE (0.125 mg/mL) reversed the PC1 mRNA levels most effectively in HDFs and HaCaT cells, respectively.In addition, SC-oil had the strongest suppressive effect on MMP-1 secretion in HDFs, while EE and AE were more effective in HaCaT cells. The elastase-1 activity and mRNA levels in both cell types were comparable to those treated with L-ascorbic acid, a positive control. Conclusion These findings suggest that DMS extracts, rich in bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, phytosterols, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, have significant potential as natural anti-aging agents. By protecting collagen and elastin integrity and modulating ECM biomarkers, DMS extracts may effectively prevent UVB-induced photoaging and improve skin resiliency.

Purpose: The aerial parts of Dracocephalum moldavica L. (DM) have been widely used as traditional herbal medicine for cardiovascular diseases and skin problems in Central Asia and Europe. This study evaluated the photoprotective effects of three different DM seed (DMS) extracts against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced photoaging in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). Methods: DMS extracts were prepared using supercritical fluid (SC-oil), ethanol (EE), and aqueous (AE) methods. Their ability to regulate the extracellular matrix (ECM) components, including procollagen type I (PC1), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), and elastase-1, which are key biomarkers of photoaging, was evaluated. Results: All extracts restored procollagen synthesis, reduced MMP-1 and elastase-1 production and activity, and upregulated PC1 mRNA expression while downregulating the MMP-1 and elastase-1 mRNA levels in UVB-irradiated cells. SC-oil (0.0001%) and AE (0.125 mg/mL) reversed the PC1 mRNA levels most effectively in HDFs and HaCaT cells, respectively.In addition, SC-oil had the strongest suppressive effect on MMP-1 secretion in HDFs, while EE and AE were more effective in HaCaT cells. The elastase-1 activity and mRNA levels in both cell types were comparable to those treated with L-ascorbic acid, a positive control. Conclusion These findings suggest that DMS extracts, rich in bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, phytosterols, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, have significant potential as natural anti-aging agents. By protecting collagen and elastin integrity and modulating ECM biomarkers, DMS extracts may effectively prevent UVB-induced photoaging and improve skin resiliency.

Background: Latency in transferring patients from intensive care units (ICUs) to general wards impedes the optimal allocation of ICU resources, underscoring the urgency of initiatives to reduce it. This study evaluates the extent of ICU transfer latency and assesses the potential benefits of minimizing it. Methods: Transfer latency was measured as the time between the first transfer request and the actual ICU discharge at a single-center tertiary hospital in 2021. Computer-based simulations and cost analyses were performed to examine how reducing transfer latency could affect average hourly ICU bed occupancy, the proportion of time ICU occupancy exceeds 80%, and hospital costs. The first analysis evaluated all ICU admissions, and the second analysis targeted a subset of ICU admissions with longer transfer latency, those requiring infectious precautions. Results: A total of 7,623 ICU admissions were analyzed, and the median transfer latency was 5.7 hours. Eliminating transfer latency for all ICU admissions would have resulted in a 32.8% point decrease in the proportion of time ICU occupancy exceeded 80%, and a potential annual savings of $6.18 million. Eliminating transfer latency for patients under infectious precautions would have decreased the time ICU occupancy exceeded 80% by 13.5% points, and reduced annual costs by a potential $1.26 million. Conclusions Transfer latency from ICUs to general wards might contribute to high ICU occupancy. Efforts to minimize latency for all admissions, or even for a subset of admissions with particularly long transfer latency, could enable more efficient use of ICU resources.

Purpose: To investigate changes in corneal endothelial cell (CEC) by cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) during phacoemulsification. Methods: Based on the degree of nucleus sclerosis (NS), changes in CECs were compared preoperatively and at 1 and 3 months postoperatively in 67 eyes that underwent phacoemulsification. Results: The mean CDE used during surgery was 4.30 ± 2.31. A comparison of the surgical measurements before and 1 month after surgery revealed significant differences in the cell density (CD) and coefficient of variation (CV) (p < 0.001, 0.011, respectively). The CD showed significant differences among NS grades 2–6 (p < 0.001). The CDE increased significantly with higher NS grades (r = 0.809, p < 0.001). Within the same NS grade, there was a positive correlation between higher CDE and greater CEC loss (r = 0.559, p = 0.001). CD changes were significantly associated with increasing CDE (r = 0.612, p < 0.001). The CD loss also increased significantly from NS2 to NS6 (p < 0.001). At 3 months postoperatively, surgical measurements revealed a significant decrease in CD with increasing NS grade (p = 0.010). Conclusions CDE increased with higher NS grades and there was a positive correlation between CDE and CEC loss. Therefore, surgeons should plan surgical techniques preoperatively to minimize CDE as NS increases. Additionally, it is important to assess CEC damage postoperatively based on surgical measurements in patients with high intraoperative CDE.

Background: Over the last decade, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use in critically ill children has increased and is associated with favorable outcomes. Our study aims to evaluate the current status of pediatric ECMO in Korea, with a specific focus on its volume and changes in survival rates based on diagnostic indications. Methods: This multicenter study retrospectively analyzed the indications and outcomes of pediatric ECMO over 10 years in patients at 14 hospitals in Korea from January 2012 to December 2021. Four diagnostic categories (neonatal respiratory, pediatric respiratory, postcardiotomy, and cardiac-medical) and trends were compared between periods 1 (2012–2016) and 2 (2017–2021). Results: Overall, 1065 ECMO runs were performed on 1032 patients, with the annual number of cases remaining unchanged over the 10 years. ECMO was most frequently used for post-cardiotomy (42.4%), cardiac-medical (31.8%), pediatric respiratory (17.5%), and neonatal respiratory (8.2%) cases. A 3.7% increase and 6.1% decrease in pediatric respiratory and post-cardiotomy cases, respectively, were noted between periods 1 and 2.Among the four groups, the cardiac-medical group had the highest survival rate (51.2%), followed by the pediatric respiratory (46.4%), post-cardiotomy (36.5%), and neonatal respiratory (29.4%) groups. A consistent improvement was noted in patient survival over the 10 years, with a significant increase between the two periods from 38.2% to 47.1% (P = 0.004). Improvement in survival was evident in post-cardiotomy cases (30–45%, P = 0.002).Significant associations with mortality were observed in neonates, patients requiring dialysis, and those treated with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (P < 0.001). In pediatric respiratory ECMO, immunocompromised patients also showed a significant correlation with mortality (P < 0.001). Conclusion Pediatric ECMO demonstrated a steady increase in overall survival in Korea;however, further efforts are needed since the outcomes remain suboptimal compared with global outcomes.

Implant assisted removable partial denture (IARPD) has been practiced in various forms for a long time, and among them, implant surveyed crown RPD is gaining predictability as well as being considered as a treatment option for patients with anatomical and financial disadvantages. The position of implant could be divided as posterior placement or anterior placement according to the purpose of the treatment and should be planned in consider to the alveolar ridge of patient, anticipated prognosis of remaining teeth, and opposing dentition. This case report describes a treatment for mandibular Kennedy class I partial edentulous patient with two implant-supported surveyed crown and implant assisted removable partial denture. Given the difficulty of posterior placement in this patient and the prognosis of the residual teeth, the plan was to place two implants in close proximity to the residual teeth, which were placed in the planned position, angle, and depth using guided surgery. The process of fabricating the fixed prosthesis was carried out in parallel with the maxillary edentulous tooth arrangement process to increase predictability, and when fabricating the localized tooth, the implant was designed in a form that allows the patient to perform functional movements by preventing excessive loading as the last supporting tooth, and was fabricated through a secondary impression process. Each treatment procedure was proceeded as planned, with aesthetically and functionally satisfactory results for both patient and operator.