Importance of Bilateral Hip Assessments in Unilateral Lower-Limb Amputees: A Retrospective Review Involving Older Veterans.

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) discordance and its implications in veterans with unilateral lower-limb amputation, emphasizing the need for comprehensive hip assessments. Methods: Data were collected from 84 male veterans, and BMD was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the lumbar spine, intact hip, and amputated hip. Results: The T-scores for the lumbar spine, intact hip, and amputated hip were -0.27 ± 1.69, -0.25 ± 1.20, and -1.07 ± 1.33, respectively. Osteoporosis and osteopenia were present in 19% and 34.6% of patients, respectively. Osteopenia and osteoporosis were most prevalent in the hips on the amputated side (32.1% and 13.1%, respectively), followed by the lumbar spines (22.6% and 8.3%) and the hips on the intact side (17.9% and 2.4%). BMD discordance between the lumbar spine and hip was found in 47.6% of participants, while discordance between both hips was observed in 39.3%. Transfemoral amputees had significantly lower BMD at the amputated hip compared to transtibial amputees (-2.38 ± 1.72 vs. -0.87 ± 1.16, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Veterans with unilateral lower-limb amputation exhibit a high prevalence of osteoporosis and significant BMD discordance, particularly between both hips. These findings underscore the necessity for bilateral hip assessments to ensure the accurate diagnosis and effective management of osteoporosis in this population.

Risk Factors for Non-sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis in HR+/HER2- Breast Cancer With cN0.

BACKGROUND/AIM: This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with non-sentinel lymph node (non-SLN) metastasis in case of hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer with cN0 on preoperative exam, where the sentinel lymph node (SLN) is positive. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of medical records from the Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, spanning from January 2013 to January 2020, focusing on patients with HR+, HER2- breast cancer. Specifically, we collected the clinical and pathological data for those patients who underwent axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) due to positive SLN. RESULTS: Among the 166 patients who underwent ALND after positive SLNs, median patient age was 52 years. Univariate analyses demonstrated a significant association between non-SLN metastasis and the number of positive SLNs (p=0.039), SLN positive ratio (p<0.001), and primary tumor size (p=0.018). Multivariate analysis revealed that an SLN ratio >0.55 (p=0.004, HR=3.007, 95% CI=1.427-6.335) was independently associated with non-SLN metastasis. However, neither the number of positive SLN nor primary tumor size showed associations with non-SLN metastases. CONCLUSION: In patients with HR+, HER2- breast cancer who are cN0, completion of ALND should be considered when the positive SLN ratio is ≥0.55. This approach aims to provide the opportunity for survival benefit through additional adjuvant therapy or to contribute to de-escalation of unnecessary surgery.

Synthesis of low-k SiONC thin films by plasma-assisted molecular layer deposition with tetraisocyanatesilane and phloroglucinol.

Low-k SiONC thin films with excellent thermal stabilities were deposited using plasma-assisted molecular layer deposition (PA-MLD) with a tetraisocyanatesilane (Si(NCO)4) precursor, N2plasma, and phloroglucinol (C6H3(OH)3). By adjusting the order of the N2plasma exposure steps within the PA-MLD process, we successfully developed a deposition technique that allows accurate control of thickness at the Ångström level via self-limiting reactions. The thicknesses of the thin films were measured through spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). By tuning the N2plasma power, we facilitated the formation of -NH2sites for phloroglucinol adsorption, achieving a growth per cycle of 0.18 Å cycle-1with 300 W of N2plasma power. Consequently, the thickness of the films increased linearly with each additional cycle. Moreover, the organic linkers within the film formed stable bonds through surface reactions, resulting in a negligible decrease in thickness of approximately -11% even upon exposure to a high annealing temperature of 600 °C. This observation was confirmed by SE, distinguishing the as-prepared film from previously reported low-k films that fail to maintain their thickness under similar conditions. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurement were conducted to evaluate the composition, insulating properties, and dielectric constant according to the deposition and annealing conditions. XPS results revealed that as the plasma power increased from 200 to 300 W, the C/Si ratio increased from 0.37 to 0.67, decreasing the dielectric constant from 3.46 to 3.12. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the composition before and after annealing, and the hysteresis decreased from 0.58 to 0.19 V owing to defect healing, while maintaining the leakage current density, breakdown field, and dielectric constant. The low dielectric constant, accurate thickness control, and excellent thermal stability of this MLD SiONC thin film enable its application as an interlayer dielectric in back-end-of-line process.

Flavor characteristics of garlic fish cakes using electronic nose and tongue analyses.

This study investigated the utility of garlic powder as a functional ingredient. The aim was to develop fish cakes with improved functionality and sensory preference based on the antioxidant activity and quality characteristics. Increasing amounts of garlic powder in the prepared fish cakes were associated with increasing total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazolin-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS+) radical scavenging activity, and reducing power. Furthermore, electronic tongue and electronic nose analyses showed an increased the intensity of umami and sourness and increased the levels of volatile compounds. The lowest trimethylamine peak corresponded to the highest amount of garlic powder. Sensory evaluation indicated that 3% garlic powder had the highest score for all criteria. Fishy odor decreased as the proportion of garlic powder increased. These findings suggest that the addition of 3% garlic powder improves quality characteristics, sensory preference, and antioxidant activity of fish cakes.

Effect of Abiotic Signals on the Accumulation of Saponarin in Barley Leaves in Hydroponics Under Artificial Lights.

Functional flavonoid production is a new agenda in the agricultural industry, and young barley leaves (YBL) are one of the highlighted crops due to their health-beneficial flavonoid, saponarin. For the year-round cultivation of a high saponarin content of YBL, abiotic signal effects on the biosynthesis and metabolism in YBL need to be understood clearly. In this research, the effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related abiotic signals, such as light, potassium, and sodium, were investigated on the biosynthetic metabolism in YBL cultivation under artificial lights. A higher quantity of blue-rich white light (6500 K of light temperature) irradiation enhanced ROS levels and the related enzyme activities (APX and CAT), as well as photosynthesis and saponarin amount, while red-rich white light (3000 K of light temperature) increased the photosynthesis only. In addition, 1.0 g L-1 K+ treatment in water slightly reduced ROS levels and increased saponarin accumulation in YBL. These blue-rich light and K+ supplemental conditions relatively increased OGT expression and reduced 4-coumaric acid and isovitexin as saponarin precursors. Furthermore, the relative ratio of lutonarin as an oxidized product of saponarin increased in increments of light quantity. Finally, the abiotic conditions for saponarin production were optimized with the mixture solution treatment of 1.0 g L-1 Na+ and 1.0 g L-1 K+ under 500 PPFD of 6500 K light, and the saponarin amount per leaf was 219.5 µg plant-1; it was comparable amount with that under sunlight condition.

Antibiotic-induced intestinal microbiota depletion can attenuate the acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease transition via NADPH oxidase 2 and trimethylamine-N-oxide inhibition.

Intestinal microbiota and their metabolites affect systemic inflammation and kidney disease outcomes. Here, we investigated the key metabolites associated with the acute kidney injury (AKI)-to chronic kidney disease (CKD) transition and the effect of antibiotic-induced microbiota depletion (AIMD) on this transition. In 61 patients with AKI, 59 plasma metabolites were assessed to determine the risk of AKI-to-CKD transition. An AKI-to-CKD transition murine model was established four weeks after unilateral ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) to determine the effects of AIMD on the gut microbiome, metabolites, and pathological responses related to CKD transition. Human proximal tubular epithelial cells were challenged with CKD transition-related metabolites, and inhibitory effects of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) signals were tested. Based on clinical metabolomics, plasma trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) was associated with a significantly increased risk for AKI-to-CKD transition [adjusted odds ratio 4.389 (95% confidence interval 1.106-17.416)]. In vivo, AIMD inhibited a unilateral IRI-induced increase in TMAO, along with a decrease in apoptosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. The expression of NOX2 and oxidative stress decreased after AIMD. In vitro, TMAO induced fibrosis with NOX2 activation and oxidative stress. NOX2 inhibition successfully attenuated apoptosis, inflammation, and fibrosis with suppression of G2/M arrest. NOX2 inhibition (in vivo) showed improvement in pathological changes with a decrease in oxidative stress without changes in TMAO levels. Thus, TMAO is a key metabolite associated with the AKI-to-CKD transition, and NOX2 activation was identified as a key regulator of TMAO-related AKI-to-CKD transition both in vivo and in vitro.

C-Axis Aligned Composite InZnO via Thermal Atomic Layer Deposition for 3D Nanostructured Semiconductor.

Amorphous oxide semiconductors have been widely studied for various applications, including thin-film transistors (TFTs) for display backplanes and semiconductor memories. However, the inherent instability, limited mobility, and complexity of multicomponent oxide semiconductors for achieving high aspect ratios and conformality of cation distribution remain challenging. Indium-zinc oxide (IZO), known for its high mobility, also faces obstacles in instability resulting from high carrier doping density and low ionization energy. To address these issues and attain a balance between mobility and stability, adopting a highly aligned structure such as a c-axis aligned crystalline IGZO could be advantageous. However, limited studies have reported enhanced electrical performance using crystalline IZO, likely attributed to the high thermal stability of the individual components (In2O3 and ZnO). Here, we first propose a c-axis aligned composite (CAAC) IZO with superior TFT properties, including a remarkable performance of field-effect mobility (µFE) of 55.8 cm2/(V s) and positive-bias-temperature-stress stability of +0.16 V (2 MV/cm, 60 °C, 1 h), as well as a low subthreshold swing of 0.18 V/decade and hysteresis as 0.01 V, which could be obtained through optimization of growth temperature and composition using thermal atomic layer deposition. These results surpass those of TFTs based on nanocrystalline/polycrystalline/amorphous-IZO. We conducted a thorough investigation of CAAC-IZO and revealed that the growth temperature and cation distribution profoundly influence the crystal structure and device properties. Finally, we observed excellent compositional conformality and 97% step coverage of IZO on a high-aspect-ratio (HAR) structure with an aspect ratio reaching 40:1, which is highly promising for future applications. Our results include a detailed investigation of the influence of the crystal structure of IZO on the film and TFT performance and suggest an approach for future applications.

Diagnostic accuracy of CT and Doppler US for hepatic outflow obstruction after pediatric liver transplantation using left lobe or left lateral section grafts.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate diagnostic accuracy and to establish computed tomography (CT) and Doppler ultrasonography (US) criteria for hepatic outflow obstruction after pediatric liver transplantation (LT) using left lobe (LL) or left lateral section (LLS) grafts. METHODS: Pediatric patients who underwent LT using LL or LLS grafts between January 1999 and December 2021 were retrospectively included. The diagnostic performance of Doppler US and CT parameters for hepatic outflow obstruction was calculated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. A diagnostic decision tree model combining the imaging parameters was developed. RESULTS: In total, 288 patients (150 girls; median age at LT, 1.8 years [interquartile range, 0.9 to 3.6 years]) were included. Among the Doppler US parameters, venous pulsatility index (VPI) showed excellent diagnostic performance (area under the ROC curve [AUROC], 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.86 to 0.93; Youden cut-off value, 0.40). Among the CT parameters, anastomotic site diameter (AUROC, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.88 to 0.95; Youden cut-off, 4.2 mm) and percentage of anastomotic site stenosis (AUROC, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.84 to 0.92; Youden cut-off, 35%) showed excellent and good diagnostic performance, respectively. A decision tree model combining the VPI, peak systolic velocity, and percentage of anastomotic site stenosis stratified patients according to the risk of hepatic outflow obstruction. CONCLUSION: VPI, anastomotic site diameter, and percentage of anastomotic site stenosis were reliable imaging parameters for diagnosing hepatic outflow obstruction after pediatric LT using LL or LLS grafts.

Quality characteristics and antioxidant activity of meringue Jeung-pyun with different amounts of cacao bean husk.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the quality characteristics, antioxidant activity, and sensory traits of meringue Jeung-pyun with different amounts of cacao bean husk powder. Based on our analyses, high cacao bean husk content resulted in an increase in certain Jeung-pyun qualities, such as the L values, b values, hardness, gumminess, and number of pores, whereas the moisture content, pH, pore size, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, and chewiness significantly decreased. Electronic tongue analysis showed that the intensity of sourness, saltiness, and umami increased with the amount of cacao bean husk added. For the sensory characteristics, C6 demonstrated the highest ranking for all test items. Furthermore, it was found that the addition of cacao bean husks increased the antioxidant activity of the Jeung-pyun (p < 0.001). Therefore, these results suggest that Jeung-pyun produced with a mixing ratio of C6 has excellent qualities, antioxidant activities, and sensory characteristics.

Evodiae Fructus extract suppresses inflammatory response in HaCaT cells and improves house dust mite-induced atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.

This study was conducted to assess the effect of Evodiae Fructus 70% ethanol extract (EFE) on the pathology of atopic dermatitis using in vitro and in vivo models. The major compounds in EFE were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry as rutaecarpine, evodiamine, evodol, dehydroevodiamine, limonin, synephrine, evocarpine, dihydroevocarpine, and hydroxyevodiamine. EFE significantly decreased chemokine levels in tumor necrosis factor-α/interferon-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. In house dust mite-treated NC/Nga mice, topical application of EFE significantly decreased the dermatitis score, epidermal hyperplasia and thickening, mast cell infiltration, and plasma levels of histamine and corticosterone. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin, CD4+ T cells, interleukin-4, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in the lesioned skin was reduced in the treated mice. The mechanism of EFE was elucidated using transcriptome analysis, followed by experimental validation using Western blotting in HaCaT cells. EFE down-regulated the activation of Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathways in HaCaT cells. EFE improves atopic dermatitis-like symptoms by suppressing inflammatory mediators, cytokines, and chemokines by regulating the JAK-STAT and MAPK signaling pathways, suggesting its use as a potential agent for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Safety evaluation of Gamisoyo-san: genotoxicity, acute toxicity, and influence on drug-metabolizing enzymes.

Gamisoyo-san is an herbal formula widely used to treat psychological issues, menopausal symptoms, and dysmenorrhea. However, there is insufficient information on its safety profile. This study aimed to confirm the genotoxic and acute toxic potential of Gamisoyo-san. We performed a battery of tests, which included a bacterial reverse mutation test (Ames test) using five bacterial strains, an in vitro chromosomal aberration test using Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cells, an in vivo micronucleus test in mice, and human Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) assays. In the acute toxicity study, male and female rats were orally administered Gamisoyo-san 1000, 2000, or 5000 mg/kg and observed for 14 days. The activities of human CYP450s and UGTs were evaluated using recombinant baculosomes. Gamisoyo-san showed no signs of genotoxicity in the five bacterial strains, CHL cells, or mouse bone marrow cells. The acute toxicity test showed that the median lethal dose (LD50) of Gamisoyo-san was greater than 5000 mg/kg in rats. Gamisoyo-san inhibited the activities of CYP1A2, CYP2C19, and UGT1A1. In conclusion, Gamisoyo-san may not exert severe toxicological events or genotoxic effects at doses up to 5000 mg/kg in rats.

c-Axis Aligned 3 nm Thick In2O3 Crystal Using New Liquid DBADMIn Precursor for Highly Scaled FET Beyond the Mobility-Stability Trade-off.

Oxide semiconductors (OS) are attractive materials for memory and logic device applications owing to their low off-current, high field effect mobility, and superior large-area uniformity. Recently, successful research has reported the high field-effect mobility (µFE) of crystalline OS channel transistors (above 50 cm2 V-1 s-1). However, the memory and logic device application presents challenges in mobility and stability trade-offs. Here, we propose a method for achieving high-mobility and high-stability by lowering the grain boundary effect. A DBADMIn precursor was synthesized to deposit highly c-axis-aligned C(222) crystalline 3 nm thick In2O3 films. In this study, the 250 °C deposited 3 nm thick In2O3 channel transistor exhibited high µFE of 41.12 cm2 V-1 s-1, Vth of -0.50 V, and SS of 150 mV decade-1 with superior stability of 0.16 V positive shift during PBTS at 100 °C, 3 MV cm-1 stress conditions for 3 h.

Sarcopenia in paraspinal muscle as a risk factor of proximal junctional kyphosis and proximal junctional failure after adult spinal deformity surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) and proximal junctional failure (PJF), including paraspinal muscle atrophy. METHODS: Fifty-seven consecutive patients who underwent a long-instrumented fusion for adult spinal deformity (ASD) with a minimum follow-up of 2 years were included in the study. Patient, surgical, and radiological factors were evaluated. Muscle volume was measured using the muscle/vertebra ratio of the multifidus, erector spinae (ES), and psoas muscles, and muscle function was evaluated using the degree of fat infiltration at the L4-5 level. RESULTS: The study included 57 consecutive patients: 25 patients in the combined PJK/PJF group (13 with PJK and 12 with PJF) and 32 in the control group (without PJK or PJF). The mean time to onset of PJK and PJF was 15.7 and 1.7 months, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that greater pre- and postoperative sagittal vertical axis was associated with the occurrence of PJK/PJF. ES muscle atrophy was more significant in the PJK/PJF group than in the control group, and more severe in the PJF than in the PJK group. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that PJF occurred much earlier than PJK after ASD surgery. Paraspinal muscle atrophy was identified as a significant risk factor for PJK and PJF, especially PJF. The possibility of PJK and PJF development should be considered when long-segment fusion is planned for patients with paraspinal muscle atrophy.

Influence of strength and balance ability on functional performance in the involved and uninvolved sides after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The restoration and management of the uninvolved side have been emphasized to prevent a second anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and to ensure that athletes return to sports after ACL reconstruction. OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors influencing the single leg hop test (SLHT) and single leg vertical jump test (SLVJT) at 1 year postoperatively after ACL reconstruction in both the involved and uninvolved sides. METHODS: Ninety-four patients who underwent ACL reconstruction were assessed at 1 year postoperatively. Multiple regression models included eight independent variables with two dependent variables (SLHT and SLVJT.), each on the involved and uninvolved side. RESULTS: On the involved side, the Y balance test (YBT), extensor peak torque per body weight (PT/BW), Biodex balance system anteroposterior index (BBS-API), and sex accounted for 53.9% of the variance in SLHT (P= 0.002), and extensor PT/BW and YBT accounted for 26.3% of the variance in SLVJT (P= 0.027). On the uninvolved side, YBT, sex, age, BBS-API, and flexor PT/BW accounted for 47.0% of the variance in SLHT (P= 0.046), and flexor PT/BW, YBT, and age accounted for 44.9% of the variance in SLVJT (P= 0.002). CONCLUSION: Knee extensor strength on the involved side and flexor strength on the uninvolved side influence the two functional performance tests. The YBT was an important factor in the two functional performance tests in both sides. Anteroposterior stability was the only factor that influenced the SLHT bilaterally.

Age and Post-Lobectomy Recurrence after Endoscopic or Robotic Thyroid Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 2348 Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Patients.

The biology of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in young patients is poorly understood, and there are conflicting data regarding the recurrence for younger patients compared to older patients. We retrospectively analyzed 2348 clinically node-negative (cN0) PTC patients who underwent a thyroid lobectomy between 2008 and 2017. Young age was defined as less than 35 years old. The clinicopathological characteristics and oncologic outcomes of the young age group were compared to those of the older age group. The number of young age cN0 PTC patients accounted for 20.7% of the enrolled patients, and 24.2% were upstaged into pathologic N1a. The young age group had a significantly larger proportion of females, endoscopic/robotic thyroid lobectomies, stage N1a, and larger tumor sizes. Post-lobectomy recurrences were significantly higher in the young age group. In the Cox analysis, young age, large tumor size, and stage N1a were significant risk factors. The multivariate analysis reveals that young age and stage N1a are significant risk factors. Conversely, minimally invasive or robot-endoscopic thyroidectomies were not risk factors for post-lobectomy recurrence compared to conventional thyroidectomies. While young patients with a stage N1a had a significant risk factor for post-lobectomy recurrence, endoscopic/robotic thyroidectomy was as feasible and safe as conventional thyroidectomies in the median seven-year oncologic follow-up. Further high-quality studies are needed to elucidate the relationship between age and the risk of post-lobectomy recurrence.

Development of Pollen Parent Cultivar-Specific SCAR Markers and a Multiplex SCAR-PCR System for Discrimination between Pollen Parent and Seed Parent in Citrus.

This study discusses the challenge of distinguishing between two high-quality mandarin cultivars, 'Asumi' and 'Asuki', which have been introduced and cultivated in Korea after being developed through crossbreeding in Japan. Owing to genetic similarities resulting from crossbreeding between the same parent cultivars, it is challenging to differentiate them morphologically at the seedling stage. This difficulty poses challenges for cultivation and harvesting on farms. To address this issue, we developed a method using sequence characteristic amplification region (SCAR) markers for rapid and accurate differentiation between the two cultivars. We selected specific primer sets from random amplified polymorphic DNA-SCAR combinations and sequence-related amplified polymorphism contrast markers. The multiplex PCR system using these molecular markers was able to identify 16 mandarin cultivars, including 'Asumi' and 'Asuki', among 30 cultivars. The use of these SCAR markers is expected to enhance citrus cultivation by accurately identifying mixed cultivars and facilitating proper harvest timing for citrus distribution. Additionally, the markers can help identify the genetic traits of hybrid varieties at the seedling stage.

The protective effect of L-theanine addition to a cryoprotectant on the storage viability of lactic acid bacteria.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that metabolize sugars to obtain energy and produce a large amount of lactate through the process are well known for their benefits. However, they can be used on a large scale only when good storage stability is guaranteed. The vitality and stability of several LAB strains were effectively protected in this investigation by L-theanine at 1% of the appropriate concentration (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum MG5023, Enterococcus faecium MG5232, Lactococcus lactis MG4668, Streptococcus thermophilus MG5140, and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis MG741). The inclusion of L-theanine as a protective agent significantly enhanced the viability of all strains throughout the freeze-drying process compared to that of the non-coated probiotics. The efficacy of L-theanine in improving bacterial stability and survivability was evaluated using accelerated stability tests, gastrointestinal (GI) tract survivability tests, and adhesion assays with intestinal epithelial cells. The cell surface was covered with substances including L-theanine, according to morphological findings, providing efficient defense against a variety of external stresses. Therefore, by exerting anti-freezing and anti-thawing properties, the adoption of L-theanine as a new and efficient protective agent may improve the stability and viability of a variety of probiotics.

The hazardous interactions of copper-dyed patient gowns with MRI: Two cases of superficial abdominal burns.

Magnetic resonance imaging is a commonly used imaging modality in medical procedures. Despite its prevalent use, unexpected adverse events such as burns can occur during an MRI procedure. The majority of the transmitted Radio Frequency power can be converted into heat within the patient's tissue due to resistive losses, leading to such incidents. In this study, we present an intriguing case of a patient who experienced an MRI-induced burn, presumably caused by the copper dye in the patient's gown. Notably, we observed frequent distortion of the MR image due to the patient's gown. The awareness and understanding of such potential adverse events are critical for clinicians and technicians to prevent future occurrences. Through this study, we aim to contribute to this critical area of patient safety during MRI procedures.

Daeshiho-tang attenuates inflammatory response and oxidative stress in LPS-stimulated macrophages by regulating TLR4/MyD88, NF-κB, MAPK, and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways.

Daeshiho-tang (DSHT), a traditional herbal formula with diverse pharmacological effects, has shown promise in medicine owing to its anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the precise molecular mechanism underlying these effects remains unclear. Thus, we investigated the effect of DSHT on inflammatory response and oxidative stress to understand its molecular mechanism using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage (RAW 264.7) cells. DSHT decreased the contents of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) through downregulating inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expressions. DSHT suppressed the LPS-induced TLR4 as well as MyD88, subsequently suppressing the NF-κB activation and the phosphorylation of MAPK (p38, ERK, and JNK). Radical scavenging activity results revealed a dose-dependent response of DSHT with diminished ABTS activity, a hallmark of oxidative stress potential. Furthermore, DSHT enhanced Nrf2 and HO-1 expression in response to LPS. Collectively, our findings indicated that DSHT exert anti-inflammatory effect and regulating oxidative stress by modulating TLR4/MyD88, NF-κB, MAPK, and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways, consequently can provide potential therapeutic strategy for the prevention and treatment of inflammation and oxidative stress-related diseases.

Astragalus membranaceus and Cinnamomum cassia Stimulate the Hair Follicle Differentiation-Related Growth Factor by the Wnt/ß-Catenin Signaling Pathway.

Astragalus membranaceus and Cinnamomum cassia are used as spices and flavorful ingredients, or medicinal herbs with pharmacological effects. In this study, the hair-growth-promoting effects of the YH complex, a newly developed formula consisting of membranaceus and C. cassia, are investigated with the prediction of its molecular mechanism. The target gene of the YH complex was about 74.8% overlapped with the gene set of 'Hair growth' on the GO Biological Process database. The oral administration of the YH complex promoted hair regrowth and increased hair-shaft thickness in depilated hair loss mice. In addition, the anagen/telogen hair follicle ratio was significantly increased by the YH complex. The growth factors affecting the growth of hair follicles were dose-dependently increased by treatment with the YH complex. The Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway expressions in skin tissues were apparently increased by the administration of the YH complex. In conclusion, the YH complex consisting of A. membranaceus and C. cassia induced hair follicle differentiation and preserved the growing-anagen phase by increasing growth factors and the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, leading to the restoration of hair loss. The YH complex can be a remedy for hair loss diseases, such as alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, and chemotherapy-induced alopecia.