Prolonged skin inflammation is caused by disrupted skin barrier resulting in chronic inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis. As a potent natural product with anti-inflammatory property, Aster glehni (A. glehni) is a traditional edible herb and has been used to treat diabetes or colitis-associated colon cancer. In present study, we figured out an additional effect of A. glehni ethanol extract (AGE) in pro-inflammatory cytokines-stimulated human keratinocytes. Mixture of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferongamma (IFN-γ) was used to induce inflammatory responses in the HaCaT keratinocytes. AGE suppressed activation of ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 and 3 (STAT1 and STAT3). The treatment of AGE inhibited mRNA expressions of proinflammatory cytokines in TNF-α and IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. Also, AGE induced up-regulated expressions of skin barrier molecules like filaggrin, loricrin, or ZO-1. We evaluated the effects of AGE on protein or mRNA expression levels using western blot or qRT-PCR, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that the treatment of AGE exerts anti-inflammatory effect on keratinocytes through suppressing inflammatory signaling pathways and up-regulating skin molecules in HaCaT keratinocytes.

Prolonged skin inflammation is caused by disrupted skin barrier resulting in chronic inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis. As a potent natural product with anti-inflammatory property, Aster glehni (A. glehni) is a traditional edible herb and has been used to treat diabetes or colitis-associated colon cancer. In present study, we figured out an additional effect of A. glehni ethanol extract (AGE) in pro-inflammatory cytokines-stimulated human keratinocytes. Mixture of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferongamma (IFN-γ) was used to induce inflammatory responses in the HaCaT keratinocytes. AGE suppressed activation of ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 and 3 (STAT1 and STAT3). The treatment of AGE inhibited mRNA expressions of proinflammatory cytokines in TNF-α and IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. Also, AGE induced up-regulated expressions of skin barrier molecules like filaggrin, loricrin, or ZO-1. We evaluated the effects of AGE on protein or mRNA expression levels using western blot or qRT-PCR, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that the treatment of AGE exerts anti-inflammatory effect on keratinocytes through suppressing inflammatory signaling pathways and up-regulating skin molecules in HaCaT keratinocytes.

Prolonged skin inflammation is caused by disrupted skin barrier resulting in chronic inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis. As a potent natural product with anti-inflammatory property, Aster glehni (A. glehni) is a traditional edible herb and has been used to treat diabetes or colitis-associated colon cancer. In present study, we figured out an additional effect of A. glehni ethanol extract (AGE) in pro-inflammatory cytokines-stimulated human keratinocytes. Mixture of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferongamma (IFN-γ) was used to induce inflammatory responses in the HaCaT keratinocytes. AGE suppressed activation of ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 and 3 (STAT1 and STAT3). The treatment of AGE inhibited mRNA expressions of proinflammatory cytokines in TNF-α and IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. Also, AGE induced up-regulated expressions of skin barrier molecules like filaggrin, loricrin, or ZO-1. We evaluated the effects of AGE on protein or mRNA expression levels using western blot or qRT-PCR, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that the treatment of AGE exerts anti-inflammatory effect on keratinocytes through suppressing inflammatory signaling pathways and up-regulating skin molecules in HaCaT keratinocytes.

Prolonged skin inflammation is caused by disrupted skin barrier resulting in chronic inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis. As a potent natural product with anti-inflammatory property, Aster glehni (A. glehni) is a traditional edible herb and has been used to treat diabetes or colitis-associated colon cancer. In present study, we figured out an additional effect of A. glehni ethanol extract (AGE) in pro-inflammatory cytokines-stimulated human keratinocytes. Mixture of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferongamma (IFN-γ) was used to induce inflammatory responses in the HaCaT keratinocytes. AGE suppressed activation of ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 and 3 (STAT1 and STAT3). The treatment of AGE inhibited mRNA expressions of proinflammatory cytokines in TNF-α and IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. Also, AGE induced up-regulated expressions of skin barrier molecules like filaggrin, loricrin, or ZO-1. We evaluated the effects of AGE on protein or mRNA expression levels using western blot or qRT-PCR, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that the treatment of AGE exerts anti-inflammatory effect on keratinocytes through suppressing inflammatory signaling pathways and up-regulating skin molecules in HaCaT keratinocytes.

Prolonged skin inflammation is caused by disrupted skin barrier resulting in chronic inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis. As a potent natural product with anti-inflammatory property, Aster glehni (A. glehni) is a traditional edible herb and has been used to treat diabetes or colitis-associated colon cancer. In present study, we figured out an additional effect of A. glehni ethanol extract (AGE) in pro-inflammatory cytokines-stimulated human keratinocytes. Mixture of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferongamma (IFN-γ) was used to induce inflammatory responses in the HaCaT keratinocytes. AGE suppressed activation of ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 and 3 (STAT1 and STAT3). The treatment of AGE inhibited mRNA expressions of proinflammatory cytokines in TNF-α and IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. Also, AGE induced up-regulated expressions of skin barrier molecules like filaggrin, loricrin, or ZO-1. We evaluated the effects of AGE on protein or mRNA expression levels using western blot or qRT-PCR, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that the treatment of AGE exerts anti-inflammatory effect on keratinocytes through suppressing inflammatory signaling pathways and up-regulating skin molecules in HaCaT keratinocytes.

Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the level of mental health and burnout of medical staff at hospitals and public health centers, which responded to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in South Korea and to suggest appropriate management plans. Methods: The mental health and burnout levels of medical staff responding to COVID-19 were evaluated through an online survey conducted during the period July 1–14, 2021. To analyze the mental health status of the participants according to their demographic characteristics, the chisquare test, t-test, and an analysis of variance were conducted, followed by Scheffe post-hoc tests for pairwise comparisons. Results: A total of 773 participants were included in the study. An analysis of the clinically significant symptoms of the group showed that 29.5% had posttraumatic stress symptoms, 30.6% had depression, 15.8% had anxiety, 39.8% had somatic symptoms, and 4.5% were seen to be at risk of suicide. The average scores for burnout were as follows: 3.55±1.75 for emotional exhaustion, 2.68±1.73 for depersonalization, and 3.89±1.40 for personal accomplishment. Mental health problems and burnout were found to be high in women, those in the 20–39-year age bracket, those with less than 5 years of work experience, and public health center workers. Conclusion The medical staff responding to COVID-19 were observed to experience high levels of mental health and burnout problems. Work-related characteristics, such as younger age, lower work experience, and employment at a public health center, may have a negative impact on mental health and cause burnout. Therefore, individualized and systemic support for mental health and to prevent the burnout of medical staff responding to cases of COVID-19 is needed.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the changing seasonal pattern of suicides in Korea between 2000 and 2019. Methods: We calculated a seasonal pattern of suicides between 2000 and 2019 using a non-stationary cosinor model. In addition, we estimated the effect of each month on the suicide incidence compared to a reference month, using a generalized linear model with a categorical variable of the month. Then, we visualized the rate ratio curves of suicides by gender, age group, and subperiod. Results: We observed a seasonal pattern of suicides in Korea with a spring peak and a winter trough. The seasonal ups and downs were most pronounced in suicides among the elderly ≥65 years. However, the seasonal pattern has not been consistent over the past two decades, with lowering seasonal peaks since 2012. The amplitude of seasonality was also lower in 2010–2019 than in 2000–2009. Conclusion The seasonal pattern of suicides seems to have diminished in Korea in recent years. Thus, we need further studies to investigate climatic and non-climatic factors influencing the seasonality of suicides and the consequence of the change.

Background: Although respiratory tract infection is one of the most important factors triggering acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AE-COPD), limited data are available to suggest an epidemiologic pattern of microbiology in South Korea. Methods: A multicenter observational study was conducted between January 2015 and December 2018 across 28 hospitals in South Korea. Adult patients with moderate-to-severe acute exacerbations of COPD were eligible to participate in the present study. The participants underwent all conventional tests to identify etiology of microbial pathogenesis. The primary outcome was the percentage of different microbiological pathogens causing AE-COPD. A comparative microbiological analysis of the patients with overlapping asthma–COPD (ACO) and pure COPD was performed. Results: We included 1,186 patients with AE-COPD. Patients with pure COPD constituted 87.9% and those with ACO accounted for 12.1%. Nearly half of the patients used an inhaled corticosteroid-containing regimen and one-fifth used systemic corticosteroids. Respiratory pathogens were found in 55.3% of all such patients. Bacteria and viruses were detected in 33% and 33.2%, respectively. Bacterial and viral coinfections were found in 10.9%. The most frequently detected bacteria were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9.8%), and the most frequently detected virus was influenza A (10.4%). Multiple bacterial infections were more likely to appear in ACO than in pure COPD (8.3% vs. 3.6%, p=0.016). Conclusion Distinct microbiological patterns were identified in patients with moderate-to-severe AE-COPD in South Korea. These findings may improve evidence-based management of patients with AE-COPD and represent the basis for further studies investigating infectious pathogens in patients with COPD.

Purpose: This study was conducted to build a direction for government policies regarding strategies for the commercialization of digital therapeutics in Korea, as well as its globalization. Materials and Methods: The study included 37 participants from the Korea Digital Health Industry Association (KODHIA). The data was based on a survey conducted in 2020 targeting employees of companies engaged in the digital health industry in Korea.Participants were asked about their involvement in product development of digital therapeutics and their opinion about the growing motivator for digital therapeutics in Korea and the global market. Results: According to our data, among subjects not involved in making digital therapeutics products, the main reason for not being involved was the lack of experts (73.9%) and difficulty in licensing (73.9%). Responses concerning the priority area in need of national support were R&D funding (43.2%), and the next was licensing guidance and simplifying regulations (24.3%). Possible difficulties of overseas market expansion were the unfamiliarity in digital therapeutics technology verification and licensing structures of foreign countries (73%), and concerns regarding the level of recognition of clinical trials and technology in Korea from overseas (70.3%). Overall, respondents were hesitant in starting a related business due to the lack of government support and the complexity of the regulation process. Moreover, concerns about global market entry were similar. Being unfamiliar with the novel process and worrying about the achievement despite existing challenges were the biggest drawback. Conclusion For the digital therapeutics industry to evolve domestically and internationally, government support and guidance are essential.

Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has notably altered the emergency department isolation protocol, imposing stricter requirements on probable infectious disease patients that enter the department. This has caused adverse effects, such as an increased rate of leave without being seen (LWBS). This study describes the effect of fever/respiratory symptoms as the main cause of isolation regarding LWBS after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed emergency department visits before (March to July 2019) and after (March to July 2020) the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients were grouped based on existing fever or respiratory symptoms, with the LWBS rate as the primary outcome. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors of LWBS. Logistic regression was performed using interaction terminology (fever/respiratory symptom patient [FRP] × post–COVID-19) to determine the interaction between patients with FRPs and the COVID-19 pandemic period. Results: A total of 60,290 patients were included (34,492 in the pre–COVID-19, and 25,298 in the post–COVID-19 group). The proportion of FRPs decreased significantly after the pandemic (P < 0.001), while the LWBS rate in FRPs significantly increased from 2.8% to 19.2% (P < 0.001). Both FRPs (odds ratio, 1.76; 95% confidence interval, 1.59–1.84 (P < 0.001) and the COVID-19 period (odds ratio, 2.29; 95% confidence interval, 2.15–2.44; P < 0.001) were significantly associated with increased LWBS. Additionally, there was a significant interaction between the incidence of LWBS in FRPs and the COVID-19 pandemic period (P < 0.001). Conclusion The LWBS rate has increased in FRPs after the COVID-19 pandemic; additionally, the effect observed was disproportionate compared with that of nonfever/respiratory symptom patients.