New supplements with preventive effects against skin photodamage are receiving increasing attention. This study evaluated the anti-photoaging effects of salmon nasal cartilage proteoglycan (SPG), acting as a functional material for skin health. We administered SPG to in vitro and in vivo models exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation and assessed its moisturizing and anti-wrinkle effects on dorsal mouse skin and keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts cell lines. These results showed that SPG restored the levels of filaggrin, involucrin, and AQP3 in the epidermis of UVB-irradiated dorsal skin and keratinocytes, thereby enhancing the keratinization process and water flow. Additionally, SPG treatment increased the levels of hyaluronan and skin ceramide, the major components of intercellular lipids in the epidermis. Furthermore, SPG treatment significantly increased the levels of collagen and procollagen type 1 by down-regulating matrix metalloproteinase 1, which play a crucial role in skin fibroblasts, in both in vitro and in vivo models. In addition, SPG strongly inhibited mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) signaling, the including extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. These findings suggest that dietary SPG may be an attractive functional food for preventing UVB-induced photoaging. And this SPG product may provide its best benefit when treating several signs of skin photoaging.

Background/Aims: Quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) is believed to identify patients at risk of poor outcomes in those with suspected infection. We aimed to evaluate the ability of modified qSOFA (m-qSOFA) to identify high-risk patients among those with acutely deteriorated chronic liver disease (CLD), especially those with acute-onchronic liver failure (ACLF). Methods: We used data from both the Korean Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (KACLiF) and the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver ACLF Research Consortium (AARC) cohorts. qSOFA was modified by replacing the Glasgow Coma Scale with hepatic encephalopathy, and an m-qSOFA ≥2 was considered high. Results: Patients with high m-qSOFA had a significantly lower 1-month transplant-free survival (TFS) in both cohorts and higher organ failure development in KACLiF than those with low m-qSOFA (Ps<0.05). Subgroup analysis by ACLF showed that patients with high m-qSOFA had lower TFS than those with low m-qSOFA. m-qSOFA was an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratios, HR=2.604, 95% confidence interval, CI 1.353–5.013, P=0.004 in KACLiF and HR=1.904, 95% CI 1.484– 2.442, P<0.001 in AARC). The patients with low m-qSOFA at baseline but high m-qSOFA on day 7 had a significantly lower 1-month TFS than those with high m-qSOFA at baseline but low m-qSOFA on day 7 (52.6% vs. 89.4%, P<0.001 in KACLiF and 26.9% vs. 61.5%, P<0.001 in AARC). Conclusions Baseline and dynamic changes in m-qSOFA may identify patients with a high risk of developing organ failure and short-term mortality among CLD patients with acute deterioration.

BACKGROUND: Baicalein is a bioactive flavone that is originally extracted from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. This plant has long served as Chinese herbal medicine in the management of multiple diseases including inflammatory bowel diseases. Although it has been revealed that baicalein inhibits experimental colitis in mice, the molecular mechanisms still remain largely unrecognized. METHODS: The experimental colitis was induced in mice by 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water. The mice were given baicalein (10 or 25 mg/kg) by gavage for 7 days before and after DSS administration. Expression of COX-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and molecules involved in NF-κB signaling, such as inhibitor of κBα (IκBα), pIκBα, p65, and phospho-p65 was examined by Western blot analysis in the tissue of the mouse colon. Activity of IκB kinase β (IKKβ) was assessed by measuring the relative amount of radioactive γ-phosphate of ATP transferred to the IκBα substrate protein. The expression and phosphorylation of STAT3 and its target gene cyclin D1 were also measured. RESULTS: Baicalein prominently mitigated the severity of DSS-induced colitis in mice. It inhibited the expression of COX-2 and iNOS. Moreover, baicalein attenuated activity and phosphorylation of IKKβ and subsequent degradation of IκBα. Baicalein suppressed the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65, resulting in a reduced DNA binding activity of NF-κB. Baicalein also suppressed the phosphorylation of STAT3 and expression of cyclin D1. Baicalein exhibited the synergistic effect on inhibition of COX-2 induced by DSS with curcumin, an ingredient of turmeric. CONCLUSIONS: Protective effects of baicalein on DSS-induced colitis are associated with suppression of NF-κB and STAT3 signaling pathways, which may contribute to its cancer preventive effects on colon carcinogenesis.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Animals ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blotting, Western ; Carcinogenesis ; Colitis ; Colon ; Curcuma ; Curcumin ; Cyclin D1 ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Dextran Sulfate ; Dextrans ; DNA ; Drinking Water ; Herbal Medicine ; Humans ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Plants ; Scutellaria baicalensis

BACKGROUND: Sleep problems commonly occur in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), and are associated with a lower quality of life. The aim of the current study was to translate the English version of the Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease-Sleep (SCOPA-S) into the Korean version of SCOPA-S (K-SCOPA-S), and to evaluate its reliability and validity for use by Korean-speaking patients with PD. METHODS: In total, 136 patients with PD from 27 movement disorder centres of university-affiliated hospitals in Korea were enrolled in this study. They were assessed using SCOPA, Hoehn and Yahr Scale (HYS), Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale 2nd version (PDSS-2), Non-motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS), Montgomery Asberg Depression Scale (MADS), 39-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ39), Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension Questionnaire (NOHQ), and Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behaviour Disorder Questionnaire (RBDQ). The test-retest reliability was assessed over a time interval of 10–14 days. RESULTS: The internal consistency (Cronbach's α-coefficients) of K-SCOPA-S was 0.88 for nighttime sleep (NS) and 0.75 for daytime sleepiness (DS). Test-retest reliability was 0.88 and 0.85 for the NS and DS, respectively. There was a moderate correlation between the NS sub-score and PDSS-2 total score. The NS and DS sub-scores of K-SCOPA-S were correlated with motor scale such as HYS, and non-motor scales such as UPDRS I, UPDRS II, MADS, NMSS, PDQ39, and NOHQ while the DS sub-score was with RBDQ. CONCLUSION: The K-SCOPA-S exhibited good reliability and validity for the assessment of sleep problems in the Korean patients with PD.
Depression ; Humans ; Hypotension, Orthostatic ; Korea ; Movement Disorders ; Parkinson Disease ; Quality of Life ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sleep, REM ; Weights and Measures

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a major health problem and leads to metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia. Recently, it was reported that aloe QDM complex, composed of processed aloe vera gel, aloesin and chromiun could improve insulin sensitivity by enhancing 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein (AMPK) activity and has an anti-inflammatory effect by reducing the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines. It is also known that aloe QDM complex can reduce body weight, body fat mass and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes patients. The purpose of this study was to assess for possible synergistic effects of weight-bearing circuit training and aloe QDM complex supplementation on body composition, physical fitness, blood profile and diabetes risk factors. METHODS: Study subjects included 19 participants randomly assigned to the Exercise group (Ex, n=9) and to the Exercise with aloe QDM complex group (Q-Ex, n=10). Both groups participated in weight-bearing circuit training 3 times a week for 4 weeks and took a capsule composed of either aloe (aloe QDM complex) or soy bean (placebo), 1100 mg/day for 4 weeks. Body composition was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Grip strength, flexibility, curl-up, balance, agility, Sargent jump and VO2max were measured, as well as fasting blood samples taken. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of weight-bearing circuit training and aloe QDM complex supplementation, the significant interactions (time x intervention) between the groups regarding body fat percentage (F=7.024, P=0.017) and body fat mass (F=5.243, P=0.035) were calculated. There were significant differences in body fat percentage (P=0.029) and body fat mass (P=0.039). No significant interaction was observed in physical fitness, blood profile and diabetes risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the combination of weight-bearing circuit training and aloe QDM complex supplementation showed a positive effect for reducing body fat mass, and could be an effective intervention for managing obesity.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adenosine ; Adipose Tissue ; Aloe* ; Body Composition ; Body Weight ; Cytokines ; Fasting ; Female ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Insulin Resistance ; Metabolic Diseases ; Middle Aged* ; Obesity ; Physical Fitness ; Pliability ; Risk Factors ; Soybeans ; Weight-Bearing*

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a major health problem and leads to metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia. Recently, it was reported that aloe QDM complex, composed of processed aloe vera gel, aloesin and chromiun could improve insulin sensitivity by enhancing 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein (AMPK) activity and has an anti-inflammatory effect by reducing the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines. It is also known that aloe QDM complex can reduce body weight, body fat mass and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes patients. The purpose of this study was to assess for possible synergistic effects of weight-bearing circuit training and aloe QDM complex supplementation on body composition, physical fitness, blood profile and diabetes risk factors. METHODS: Study subjects included 19 participants randomly assigned to the Exercise group (Ex, n=9) and to the Exercise with aloe QDM complex group (Q-Ex, n=10). Both groups participated in weight-bearing circuit training 3 times a week for 4 weeks and took a capsule composed of either aloe (aloe QDM complex) or soy bean (placebo), 1100 mg/day for 4 weeks. Body composition was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Grip strength, flexibility, curl-up, balance, agility, Sargent jump and VO2max were measured, as well as fasting blood samples taken. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of weight-bearing circuit training and aloe QDM complex supplementation, the significant interactions (time x intervention) between the groups regarding body fat percentage (F=7.024, P=0.017) and body fat mass (F=5.243, P=0.035) were calculated. There were significant differences in body fat percentage (P=0.029) and body fat mass (P=0.039). No significant interaction was observed in physical fitness, blood profile and diabetes risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the combination of weight-bearing circuit training and aloe QDM complex supplementation showed a positive effect for reducing body fat mass, and could be an effective intervention for managing obesity.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adenosine ; Adipose Tissue ; Aloe* ; Body Composition ; Body Weight ; Cytokines ; Fasting ; Female ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Insulin Resistance ; Metabolic Diseases ; Middle Aged* ; Obesity ; Physical Fitness ; Pliability ; Risk Factors ; Soybeans ; Weight-Bearing*