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"The 2024 Guidelines for Osteoporosis - Korean Society of Menopause: Part II" provides information on the pharmacologic therapy of osteoporosis. The article discusses various treatments, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT), selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), bisphosphonates, denosumab, and romosozumab. It highlights the effectiveness of these treatments in reducing fractures and increasing bone mineral density. The article also touches on the topics of osteopenia, sarcopenia, and medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), providing insights into diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. The document includes a comprehensive list of references for further research on osteoporosis and its treatment options. [Extracted from the article]

Background Myocardial infarction (MI), a representative form of ischemic heart disease, remains a huge burden worldwide. This study aimed to explore whether extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted from hyaluronic acid (HA)-primed induced mesenchymal stem cells (HA-IMSC-EVs) could enhance the cardiac repair after MI. Results HA-IMSC-EVs showed typical characteristics for EVs such as morphology, size, and marker proteins expression. Compared with iMSC-EVs, HA-iMSC-EVs showed enhanced tube formation and survival against oxidative stress in endothelial cells, while reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in cardiomyocytes. In THP-1 macrophages, both types of EVs markedly reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory signaling players, whereas HA-IMSC-EVs were more potent in augmenting anti-inflammatory markers. A significant decrease of inflammasome proteins was observed in HA-iMSC-EV-treated THP-1. Further, phospho-SMAD2 as well as fibrosis markers in TGF-β1- stimulated cardiomyocytes were reduced in HA-IMSC-EVs treatment. Proteomic data showed that HA-IMSC-EVs were enriched with multiple pathways including immunity, extracellular matrix organization, angiogenesis, and cell cycle. The localization of HA-IMSC-EVs in myocardium was confirmed after delivery by either intravenous or intramyocardial route, with the latter increased intensity. Echocardiography revealed that intramyocardial HA-IMSC-EVs injections improved cardiac function and reduced adverse cardiac remodeling and necrotic size in MI heart. Histologically, MI hearts receiving HA-iMSC-EVs had increased capillary density and viable myocardium, while showed reduced fibrosis. Conclusions Our results suggest that HA-IMSC-EVs improve cardiac function by augmenting vessel growth, while reducing ROS generation, inflammation, and fibrosis in MI heart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of shared decision-making (SDM), experts have advocated the use of validated decision aids (DAs) as valuable tools for facilitating SDM in various healthcare scenarios. This comprehensive review attempts to analyze a vast corpus of DA research by performing thorough searches across four prominent databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Web of Science). Independent reviewers selected relevant reviews, extracted data, and assessed review quality using the AMSTAR II tool. A total of 34 systematic reviews were identified and evaluated in this review, encompassing a wide range of outcomes associated with using DAs. These outcomes include patient knowledge, patient involvement in SDM, decision conflict, decision regret, satisfaction, and adherence. In addition, DAs positively affect healthcare provider outcomes by increasing satisfaction, reducing decision conflicts, and lengthening clinical consultations. This review highlights the need for additional research in specific contexts such as long-term care, mental health, and reproductive health to better understand the benefits and challenges of implementing DAs in these settings. Such research can contribute to the improvement of SDM practices and patient-centered care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study investigated the decision factors influencing the intention to use non-face-toface services such as online support, social networking, educational programs, and video conferencing among family caregivers of persons with dementia (PwD). Methods: This correlational study uses the Technology Acceptance Model as a decision process model. The study targeted family caregivers registered at local dementia care centers, and data from 284 participants were analyzed. An online questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain general characteristics, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and intention to use non-face-to-face services. Results: The results indicated that perceived ease of use differed according to family caregivers’ age, education level, and relationship with the PwD. Intention to use significantly differed by education level, relationship with the PwD, and caregiving duration. Perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use were the main influential factors in the intention to use non-face-to-face services. The regression model accounted for 63.9% of the variance in the intention to use. Conclusion: This study contributed to understanding the intention to use non-face-to-face services for family caregivers and identified the influencing factors. The results indicate the need to communicate better the usefulness of non-face-to-face service and early information and education about available technologies in helping caregivers prepare to adopt new services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) is a transcription factor involved in adipogenesis, and its transcriptional activity depends on its ligands. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), well-known PPARγ agonists, are drugs that improve insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. However, TZDs are associated with severe adverse effects. As current therapies are not well designed, novel PPARγ agonists have been investigated in adipocytes. (E)-2-methoxy-4-(3-(4-methoxyphenyl) prop-1-en-1-yl) phenol (MMPP) is known to have anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. In this study, we demonstrated the adipogenic effects of MMPP on the regulation of PPARγ transcriptional activity during adipocyte differentiation in vitro. MMPP treatment increased PPARγ transcriptional activity, and molecular docking studies revealed that MMPP binds directly to the PPARγ ligand binding domain. MMPP and rosiglitazone showed similar binding affinities to the PPARγ. MMPP significantly promoted lipid accumulation in adipocyte cells and increased the expression of C/EBPβ and the levels of p-AKT, p-GSK3, and p-AMPKα at an early stage. MMPP enhanced the expression of adipogenic markers such as PPARγ, C/EBPa, FAS, ACC, GLUT4, FABP4 and adiponectin in the late stage. MMPP also improved insulin sensitivity by increasing glucose uptake. Thus, MMPP, as a PPARγ agonist, may be a potential drug for type 2 diabetes and metabolic disorders, which may help increase adipogenesis and insulin sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: This study is a descriptive research study to identify factors affecting quality of professional lives of nurses. Method/Statistical Analysis: The subjects of this study were 177 nurses working in a general hospital in Korea, and the data collection was from February 01, 2018 to February 26, 2018. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation and multiple regression analysis. Findings: As a result of the study, Quality of professional lives of nurses and Emotional labor(r=-.114, p=.016) showed negative correlation, and Emotional intelligence(r=.274, p=.000) showed significant positive correlation. Among emotional intelligence, self emotional appraisal(β=-.043, p=.000) and the use of emotion(β=-.394, p=.007) were found to affect the quality of professional lives of nurses. Improvements/Applications: In conclusion, strategies for minimizing emotional labor and improving emotional intelligence are needed to improve the quality of professional life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased incidence of Crohn's disease in smokers has been recently reported, suggesting a strong association of cigarette smoke (CS) with colitis. However, the mechanism of the action of CS on colitis has not yet been explored. Here, we demonstrate that CS exposure is sufficient to induce colitis in mice. Interestingly, the colitis is mainly mediated by Th1, but not Th17, responses. CD4+ T-cell depletion or T-bet/IFN-γ deficiency protects against the development of colitis induced by CS. Additionally, IFN-γ-producing CD4+ T cells play a substantial role in CS-induced colitis. The adoptive transfer (AT) of effector T cells from CS-exposed WT mice into colitis-prone mice caused these mice to develop colitis, while the AT of effector T cells from IFN-γ knock-out mice did not. These findings have implications for broadening our understanding of CS-induced pathology and for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to treat Crohn's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea ice loss is proposed as a primary reason for the Arctic amplification, although the physical mechanism of the Arctic amplification and its connection with sea ice melting is still in debate. In the present study, monthly ERAInterim reanalysis data are analyzed via cyclostationary empirical orthogonal function analysis to understand the seasonal mechanism of sea ice loss in the Arctic Ocean and the Arctic amplification. While sea ice loss is widespread over much of the perimeter of the Arctic Ocean in summer, sea ice remains thin in winter only in the Barents-Kara seas. Excessive turbulent heat flux through the sea surface exposed to air due to sea ice reduction warms the atmospheric column. Warmer air increases the downward longwave radiation and subsequently surface air temperature, which facilitates sea surface remains to be free of ice. This positive feedback mechanism is not clearly observed in the Laptev, East Siberian, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas, since sea ice refreezes in late fall (November) before excessive turbulent heat flux is available for warming the atmospheric column in winter. A detailed seasonal heat budget is presented in order to understand specific differences between the Barents-Kara seas and Laptev, East Siberian, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: This study was conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of Erigeron canadensis (EC) on the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-, interleukin (IL)-4- and IL-1β-induced stimulation of A549 cells. Methods: In the present study, the anti-inflammatory effects of EC on TNF-α-, IL-4- and IL-1β-induced A549 cells were determined by analyzing eotaxin secretion using ELISA. In addition, the effects of ECon gene expression profiles in stimulated A549 cells were evaluated by microarray analysis. Results: Oligonucleotide microarray analysis revealed that inflammatory-related genes such as NOS1, NOS2A, IL-1β, IL-8 and CSF2 and cell adhesion-related genes such as SELE, MMP3, VCAM1, ICAM1, ITGA7 and ITGB2 were downregulated in EC-treated A549 cells that had been pretreated with TNF-α, IL-4 and IL-1β. In addition, significant decreases in Eotaxin, ICAM, VCAM and IL-8 gene expression were observed in EC-treated A549 cells. Conclusions: EC has an anti-inflammatory effect in stimulated A549 cells. Microarray-based genomic survey is a high-throughput approach that is suitable for the evaluation of gene expression in cell lines that have been treated with EC. Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Genes correlated with nicotine may be important in obesity because of the role of nicotine in food intake. Methods: To determine if single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α2 subunit gene ( CHRNA2) are associated with overweight/obesity, 156 non-obese and 200 overweight/obese Koreans were genotyped for four CHRNA2 SNPs using an Affymetrix Array Chip. Results: Of four SNPs, only one, rs2043063, was associated with overweight/obesity in the study population (co-dominant, p=0.049; dominant, p=0.027). Associations between the significant SNP and obesity-related clinical characteristics were observed, but these were not significant. Conclusions: The CHRNA2 rs2043063 SNP might be a risk factor for overweight/obesity in Koreans. Therefore, further studies are needed to investigate whether mutations or common polymorphisms of the CHRNA2 gene represent a risk factor for obesity. Clin Chem Lab Med 2008;46:1085–9. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taraxacum officinale (TO), a tranditional oriental medicine, has been used for treatment of various inflammatory disorders in Korea. The study was conducted to investigate the effects of Taraxacum officinale extracts on oxidative stress, inflammation, and lipid profile in C57BL/6 mice fed atherogenic diet. Five groups of C57BL/6 mice were given atherogenic diet (control) and containing 1.5%, 3% Taraxacum officinale water extract (TOWE) and alcohol extract (TOAE) for 6 weeks, respectively after 6 weeks of supplementation, plasma and heapatic triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations were decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in TOWE and TOAE groups compared to control group. Fecal total lipid, triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations were also higher significantly in TO groups compared to control group (p < 0.05), while fecal total lipid, triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations were lower in TOWE group than TOAE group. Concentration of fecal bile acid was higher in TOAE 1.5% group than the other groups. Superoxide dismutase activity was significantly lower in TO extract groups, but catalase activity and glutathione level were significantly higher in TO groups than control group, sVCAM-1 concentration was significantly lower in TO extract groups than control group. However, there were no significant changes in MCP-1, TNF-α and IL-1β among treatments. These results support that Taraxacum officinale may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis via the attenuation of anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]