Melanin is a bio-pigment molecule synthesized by melanocytes. Its role is to shield the skin from ultraviolet radiation. Nonetheless, aberrant melanin production, whether excessive or deficient, can lead to conditions such as vitiligo, freckles, melanocytic nevi, and even melanoma. The biosynthetic pathway of melanin is known as melanogenesis, which is regulated by various transcription factors and enzymatic processes. Piperine (PPN), an alkaloid compound extracted from Piper retrofractum Vahl., was investigated for its potential anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory effects. Our hypothesis centered on the inhibition of melanin biosynthesis in response to PPN treatment. Subsequently, it was observed that PPN treatment resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in melanin production, accompanied by a decrease in tyrosinase activity. Furthermore, PPN was found to downregulate the protein levels of key melanogenesis-related genes. Additionally, PPN was observed to elevate the phosphorylation levels of ERK. To assess the role of ERK signaling in PPN-induced melanogenesis regulation, PD98059, an ERK inhibitor, was used. When Melan-A cells were treated with PD98059, the reduced expression level of MITF and melanin content induced by piperine were restored. Additionally, phosphorylation of ERK increased the phosphorylation of MITF at Ser73. This phosphorylated MITF leads to ubiquitination, and ultimately, the protein level of MITF decreases through proteasomal degradation. Likewise, when Melan-A cells were treated with MG132, a proteasomal inhibitor, the reduced expression level of MITF and melanin content induced by piperine were restored.Consequently, PPN can be a potential candidate for application as a skin whitening agent or in formulations to mitigate hyperpigmentation.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in intestinal failure (IF) patients after different modes of intestinal rehabilitation. Methods: HRQoL was assessed using the generic 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36, ver. 2) and visual analogue scale (VAS) in 6 different areas: diet, sleep, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, diarrhea, musculoskeletal pain, and other symptoms. Results: Twenty-two patients completed the questionnaires, of which 7 had received intestinal transplant (ITx), 9 were continuing home total parenteral nutrition (HPN), and 6 had tapered off total parenteral nutrition (TPN). SF-36 physical component summary scores were highest in the ITx group (median, 65.6; interquartile range [IQR], 31.6–80.3) compared to the HPN (median, 48.4; IQR, 44.7–66.3) or tapered group (median, 54.2; IQR, 45.2–61.6). Mental component summary scores were lowest in the ITx group (median, 48.8; IQR, 37.1–63.6), compared to the TPN (median, 60.2; IQR, 41.6–78.5) or tapered group (median, 51.0; IQR, 48.8–56.0). Differences were not significant in all items of the SF-36. VAS scores showed that patients in the ITx group showed the best results in diet (0.9), gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (1.4), and musculoskeletal pain (2.4). There was a significant difference in sleep (P = 0.036), with the ITx (1.43) and HPN groups (1.33) showing better outcomes compared with the tapered group (4.67). Patients in the tapered group showed the least favorable results in all performance areas, except GI symptoms. Conclusion SF-36 did not show a significant difference between the ITx, HPN, and tapered groups, but VAS showed a significant difference in sleep between groups. Further studies, including serial data, will allow a better understanding of the effects of different modes of intestinal rehabilitation.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in intestinal failure (IF) patients after different modes of intestinal rehabilitation. Methods: HRQoL was assessed using the generic 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36, ver. 2) and visual analogue scale (VAS) in 6 different areas: diet, sleep, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, diarrhea, musculoskeletal pain, and other symptoms. Results: Twenty-two patients completed the questionnaires, of which 7 had received intestinal transplant (ITx), 9 were continuing home total parenteral nutrition (HPN), and 6 had tapered off total parenteral nutrition (TPN). SF-36 physical component summary scores were highest in the ITx group (median, 65.6; interquartile range [IQR], 31.6–80.3) compared to the HPN (median, 48.4; IQR, 44.7–66.3) or tapered group (median, 54.2; IQR, 45.2–61.6). Mental component summary scores were lowest in the ITx group (median, 48.8; IQR, 37.1–63.6), compared to the TPN (median, 60.2; IQR, 41.6–78.5) or tapered group (median, 51.0; IQR, 48.8–56.0). Differences were not significant in all items of the SF-36. VAS scores showed that patients in the ITx group showed the best results in diet (0.9), gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (1.4), and musculoskeletal pain (2.4). There was a significant difference in sleep (P = 0.036), with the ITx (1.43) and HPN groups (1.33) showing better outcomes compared with the tapered group (4.67). Patients in the tapered group showed the least favorable results in all performance areas, except GI symptoms. Conclusion SF-36 did not show a significant difference between the ITx, HPN, and tapered groups, but VAS showed a significant difference in sleep between groups. Further studies, including serial data, will allow a better understanding of the effects of different modes of intestinal rehabilitation.

Melanin is a bio-pigment molecule synthesized by melanocytes. Its role is to shield the skin from ultraviolet radiation. Nonetheless, aberrant melanin production, whether excessive or deficient, can lead to conditions such as vitiligo, freckles, melanocytic nevi, and even melanoma. The biosynthetic pathway of melanin is known as melanogenesis, which is regulated by various transcription factors and enzymatic processes. Piperine (PPN), an alkaloid compound extracted from Piper retrofractum Vahl., was investigated for its potential anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory effects. Our hypothesis centered on the inhibition of melanin biosynthesis in response to PPN treatment. Subsequently, it was observed that PPN treatment resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in melanin production, accompanied by a decrease in tyrosinase activity. Furthermore, PPN was found to downregulate the protein levels of key melanogenesis-related genes. Additionally, PPN was observed to elevate the phosphorylation levels of ERK. To assess the role of ERK signaling in PPN-induced melanogenesis regulation, PD98059, an ERK inhibitor, was used. When Melan-A cells were treated with PD98059, the reduced expression level of MITF and melanin content induced by piperine were restored. Additionally, phosphorylation of ERK increased the phosphorylation of MITF at Ser73. This phosphorylated MITF leads to ubiquitination, and ultimately, the protein level of MITF decreases through proteasomal degradation. Likewise, when Melan-A cells were treated with MG132, a proteasomal inhibitor, the reduced expression level of MITF and melanin content induced by piperine were restored.Consequently, PPN can be a potential candidate for application as a skin whitening agent or in formulations to mitigate hyperpigmentation.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in intestinal failure (IF) patients after different modes of intestinal rehabilitation. Methods: HRQoL was assessed using the generic 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36, ver. 2) and visual analogue scale (VAS) in 6 different areas: diet, sleep, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, diarrhea, musculoskeletal pain, and other symptoms. Results: Twenty-two patients completed the questionnaires, of which 7 had received intestinal transplant (ITx), 9 were continuing home total parenteral nutrition (HPN), and 6 had tapered off total parenteral nutrition (TPN). SF-36 physical component summary scores were highest in the ITx group (median, 65.6; interquartile range [IQR], 31.6–80.3) compared to the HPN (median, 48.4; IQR, 44.7–66.3) or tapered group (median, 54.2; IQR, 45.2–61.6). Mental component summary scores were lowest in the ITx group (median, 48.8; IQR, 37.1–63.6), compared to the TPN (median, 60.2; IQR, 41.6–78.5) or tapered group (median, 51.0; IQR, 48.8–56.0). Differences were not significant in all items of the SF-36. VAS scores showed that patients in the ITx group showed the best results in diet (0.9), gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (1.4), and musculoskeletal pain (2.4). There was a significant difference in sleep (P = 0.036), with the ITx (1.43) and HPN groups (1.33) showing better outcomes compared with the tapered group (4.67). Patients in the tapered group showed the least favorable results in all performance areas, except GI symptoms. Conclusion SF-36 did not show a significant difference between the ITx, HPN, and tapered groups, but VAS showed a significant difference in sleep between groups. Further studies, including serial data, will allow a better understanding of the effects of different modes of intestinal rehabilitation.

Melanin is a bio-pigment molecule synthesized by melanocytes. Its role is to shield the skin from ultraviolet radiation. Nonetheless, aberrant melanin production, whether excessive or deficient, can lead to conditions such as vitiligo, freckles, melanocytic nevi, and even melanoma. The biosynthetic pathway of melanin is known as melanogenesis, which is regulated by various transcription factors and enzymatic processes. Piperine (PPN), an alkaloid compound extracted from Piper retrofractum Vahl., was investigated for its potential anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory effects. Our hypothesis centered on the inhibition of melanin biosynthesis in response to PPN treatment. Subsequently, it was observed that PPN treatment resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in melanin production, accompanied by a decrease in tyrosinase activity. Furthermore, PPN was found to downregulate the protein levels of key melanogenesis-related genes. Additionally, PPN was observed to elevate the phosphorylation levels of ERK. To assess the role of ERK signaling in PPN-induced melanogenesis regulation, PD98059, an ERK inhibitor, was used. When Melan-A cells were treated with PD98059, the reduced expression level of MITF and melanin content induced by piperine were restored. Additionally, phosphorylation of ERK increased the phosphorylation of MITF at Ser73. This phosphorylated MITF leads to ubiquitination, and ultimately, the protein level of MITF decreases through proteasomal degradation. Likewise, when Melan-A cells were treated with MG132, a proteasomal inhibitor, the reduced expression level of MITF and melanin content induced by piperine were restored.Consequently, PPN can be a potential candidate for application as a skin whitening agent or in formulations to mitigate hyperpigmentation.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a prevalent health issue that causes the irreversible loss of functioning nephrons, end-stage renal disease, cardiovascular disease, and premature mortality. Hypertension is the leading cause of CKD. However, the effect of long-term blood pressure (BP) changes on the development of CKD is still unknown. Therefore, the current study investigated the association between BP trajectory and the future development of CKD. METHODS: In this study, 246,874 individuals aged ≥40 years who underwent health examinations during the screening period (2002-2009) were evaluated. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) trajectory was determined using latent-class mixture modeling. New-onset CKD was identified during the follow-up period (2010-2019). The association between SBP trajectories and new-onset CKD was assessed. RESULTS: In total, 111,900 adults (53,420 females, 51.9±6.4 years old) presented with 2 SBP trajectory classes: class 1 (n=66,935) and class 2 (n=44,965). During the follow-up period, patients with SBP trajectory class 2 had an approximately 2.1-fold increased risk of developing CKD (unadjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.99 to 2.25; p<0.001). In the multivariate analysis adjusted for other significant variables, SBP trajectory class 2 was significantly associated with CKD in males (HR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.19; p=0.037), but not in females (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.95 to 1.18; p=0.321). CONCLUSIONS An elevated longitudinal BP was associated with a higher incidence of CKD in male participants aged ≥40 years. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to validate the clinical significance of an elevated SBP trajectory on CKD development.