Kinetin Improves Barrier Function of the Skin by Modulating Keratinocyte Differentiation Markers

BACKGROUND: Kinetin is a plant hormone that regulates growth and differentiation. Keratinocytes, the basic building blocks of the epidermis, function in maintaining the skin barrier. OBJECTIVE: We examined whether kinetin induces skin barrier functions in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: To evaluate the efficacy of kinetin at the cellular level, expression of keratinocyte differentiation markers was assessed. Moreover, we examined the clinical efficacy of kinetin by evaluating skin moisture, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and skin surface roughness in patients who used kinetin-containing cream. We performed quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to measure the expression of keratinocyte differentiation markers in HaCaT cells following treatment. A clinical trial was performed to assess skin moisture, TEWL, and evenness of skin texture in subjects who used kinetin-containing cream for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Kinetin increased involucrin, and keratin 1 mRNA in HaCaT cells. Moreover, use of a kinetin-containing cream improved skin moisture and TEWL while decreasing roughness of skin texture. CONCLUSION: Kinetin induced the expression of keratinocyte differentiation markers, suggesting that it may affect differentiation to improve skin moisture content, TEWL, and other signs of skin aging. Therefore, kinetin is a potential new component for use in cosmetics as an anti-aging agent that improves the barrier function of skin.

Epigallocatechin Gallate-Mediated Alteration of the MicroRNA Expression Profile in 5α-Dihydrotestosterone-Treated Human Dermal Papilla Cells

BACKGROUND: Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) induces androgenic alopecia by shortening the hair follicle growth phase, resulting in hair loss. We previously demonstrated how changes in the microRNA (miRNA) expression profile influenced DHT-mediated cell death, cell cycle arrest, cell viability, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and senescence. Protective effects against DHT have not, however, been elucidated at the genome level. OBJECTIVE: We showed that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a major component of green tea, protects DHT-induced cell death by regulating the cellular miRNA expression profile. METHODS: We used a miRNA microarray to identify miRNA expression levels in human dermal papilla cells (DPCs). We investigated whether the miRNA expression influenced the protective effects of EGCG against DHT-induced cell death, growth arrest, intracellular ROS levels, and senescence. RESULTS: EGCG protected against the effects of DHT by altering the miRNA expression profile in human DPCs. In addition, EGCG attenuated DHT-mediated cell death and growth arrest and decreased intracellular ROS levels and senescence. A bioinformatics analysis elucidated the relationship between the altered miRNA expression and EGCG-mediated protective effects against DHT. CONCLUSION: Overall, our results suggest that EGCG ameliorates the negative effects of DHT by altering the miRNA expression profile in human DPCs.

Development of the Multimedia Education Program for Newly Employed Nurses in the Operating Room / 대한의료정보학회지

Operating Room nurses are required to have special skills and knowledge to do their job. However, because there is no systematic education program, which considers special circumstances in the OR, novice nurses have a great deal of difficulty adapting themselves to the work environment. The purpose of this study is to develope a multimedia education program, which provides the systematic learning environment, so novice nurses can adapt to the OR environment more effectively. This study has been implemented according to Computer Assisted Instruction Design Model(Il-Joo Na and In-Sung Jung, 1990), which goes through the following steps; 1). Education program analysis 2). Development, evaluation 3). CompletionLearning goals, objectives, motive strategy, and analysis of the education program are analyzed by the concepts based on basic education materials for novice surgery nurses of 6 Medical Centers in Seoul and 'Development of the job training program for newly employed nurses in operating rooms. 'written by Ji-Young Yoon(2000). We divided 9 areas of the contents in surgery education; 1. Basic orientation 2. OR nurses' roles and responsibilities 3. Asceptic technique 4. Disinfection and sterilization 5. OR safety 6. OR nursing care 7. Surgical positioning 8. OR Material management 9. Anesthetic care. We selected asceptic technique, which is the most fundamental concept in OR nursing care. The program screens consist of cover screen, screen for guide, mini menu screen, and test screen. We distributed questionnaires to fifteen experts and investigated their opinions to analyze learning contents and effects of the Courseware. The education program was modified based on respones provided by experts. This study offers an educational program, which allows the individuals to choose the areas they want to learn. The program is easy to use, which encourages the individuals to search for additional information more than one area.