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Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A), produced by the gram-positive anaerobic bacterium Clostridium botulinum, acts by cleaving synaptosome-associated protein-25 (SNAP-25), an essential component of the presynaptic neuronal membrane that is necessary for fusion with the membrane proteins of neurotransmitter-containing vesicles. Recent studies have highlighted the efficacy of BTX-A in treating chronic pain conditions, including lower back pain, chronic neck pain, neuropathic pain, and trigeminal neuralgia, particularly when patients are unresponsive to traditional painkillers. This review focuses on the analgesic effects of BTX-A in various chronic pain conditions, with a particular emphasis on the orofacial region.

Objective: To investigate whether various novel inflammatory and angiogenic biomarkers in maternal plasma, alone or in combination with baseline antenatal factors, could predict retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 140 premature singleton neonates born to women with preterm birth (≤32 weeks) and screened for ROP. Maternal blood obtained at the time of admission was assayed for CRP, endoglin, endostatin, IGFBP-2, IGFBP-3, IL-6, LBP, MMP-8, PlGF, S100A8/A9, TGFBI, and VEGFR-1. The primary outcome measures included severe ROP (stage 3 or higher) and type 1 ROP requiring treatment. Results: ROP was present in 25.7% (36/140) of the study population, including 20 (14.3%) cases of severe ROP and 14 (10%) with type 1 ROP. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed significant associations between high concentrations of maternal plasma LBP and severe ROP, and between elevated plasma IL-6 and LBP levels and type 1 ROP (all P< 0.05), while adjusting for confounders (i.e., gestational age [GA] at sampling). Prenatal prediction models for severe ROP and type 1 ROP were developed by combining plasma IL-6 or LBP levels with GA at sampling, which showed good discriminatory power (area under the curve = 0.747 and 0.854, respectively). Conclusions: IL-6 and LBP in maternal plasma were found to be independently associated with severe ROP and type 1 ROP. Prediction models based on these biomarkers along with GA at sampling may serve as good prenatal indicators for the neonatal risk of ROP progression in women at risk of preterm birth.

This study aimed to develop and validate the hypertension risk prediction models of the CArdioVascular disease Association Study (CAVAS). Overall, 6,186 participants without hypertension at baseline were randomly divided into derivation and internal validation sets in a 6:4 ratio. We derived two prediction models: the first used the Framingham hypertension risk prediction factors (F-CAVAS-HTN); the second considered additional risk factors identified using stepwise Weibull regression analysis (CAVAS-HTN). These models were externally evaluated among Ansan and Ansung (A&A) participants, and the external validity of the Framingham and A&A prediction models (F-HTN and A&A-HTN) were assessed using the internal validation set of CAVAS. The discrimination, calibration, and net reclassification were determined. During the 4-year follow-up, 777 new cases of hypertension were diagnosed. All four models showed good discrimination (C-statistic ≥ 0.7). Internal calibrations were good for both the coefficient-based and the risk score-based F-CAVAS-HTN models, respectively (Hosmer-Lemeshow chi-square, H-L χ2< 20, P≥ 0.05). However, the two CAVAS models (H-L χ2≥ 20, P< 0.05, both) as well as the F-HTN and the A&A-HTN prediction models (H-L χ2= 155.39, P< 0.0001; H-L χ2= 209.72, P< 0.0001, respectively) were not externally calibrated. The F-CAVAS-HTN may be better than models with additional risk factors or derived for another population in the view of the findings of the internal validation in the present study, although future studies to improve the external validity of the F-CAVAS-HTN are needed.

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to find out how Si precipitation affects the linear thermal expansion behaviors of Al–Si alloys with various Si content. These Al–Si alloys were manufactured by gravity casting using 99.98 wt-% pure Al and 98.5 wt-% Si pellets. Solution treatment was carried out at 530°C for 10 h for each specimen. As-quenched specimens were subjected to microstructure observation and linear thermal expansion analysis. Si precipitation and additional linear thermal expansion occurred at lower temperature when Si content was increased to 9.5 wt-%. The activation energy of Si precipitation was also lower when Si content was higher. Eutectic Si reduced diffusion distance and acted as a nucleation site of dissolved Si atoms in the Al matrix during aging. These Si phases decreased Si precipitation temperature and activation energy of Si precipitation.

The objective of this study was to find out how Si precipitation affects the linear thermal expansion behaviors of Al–Si alloys with various Si content. These Al–Si alloys were manufactured by gravity casting using 99.98?wt-% pure Al and 98.5?wt-% Si pellets. Solution treatment was carried out at 530°C for 10 h for each specimen. As-quenched specimens were subjected to microstructure observation and linear thermal expansion analysis. Si precipitation and additional linear thermal expansion occurred at lower temperature when Si content was increased to 9.5?wt-%. The activation energy of Si precipitation was also lower when Si content was higher. Eutectic Si reduced diffusion distance and acted as a nucleation site of dissolved Si atoms in the Al matrix during aging. These Si phases decreased Si precipitation temperature and activation energy of Si precipitation.

BACKGROUND:: Melanogenesis is a biological process resulting in the production of melanin pigment, which plays an important role in the prevention of sun-induced skin injury and determines the hair and skin color. Melanin has the ability to block ultraviolet radiation and scavenge free oxygen radicals, thus protecting the skin from their harmful effects. Agents that increase melanin synthesis in melanocytes may reduce the risk of photodamage and skin cancer. Hence, various approaches have been proposed to increase the synthesis of melanin. METHODS:: The current study aimed to develop a three-dimensional hair follicle-like tissue (HFLT) model with human dermal papilla, melanocytes, and outer root sheaths cells. This model showed enhanced melanogenesis-related protein expression after rice bran ash extract (RBE) treatment. Next, we investigated the melanogenic effect of RBE in the HFLT and compared the results to those of hair follicle (HF) organ culture model. RESULTS:: RBE was found to significantly increase the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, a key transcription factor involved in melanin production, in both HFLT and organ culture models. Results showed that melanogenesis-related protein expression levels were higher in the RBE group compared to those in the control group. Similar results were obtained by immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSION:: Our data suggested that RBE promotes melanin biosynthesis. Taken together, this simple in vitroHFLT model system has the potential to provide significant insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of HF melanogenesis, and hence can be used for controlled evaluation of the efficacy of new materials for melanogenesis.

The aim of this study was to develop flexible lipid carriers loaded with palmitoyl pentapeptide (PPP) for improved transdermal delivery. Transformer-ethosomes (TESs), composed of phosphatidylcholine and fatty acids, were prepared by a modified extrusion method. The physicochemical characteristics of PPP-entrapped TESs (PPP-TESs) indicated that they had a mean diameter of <150 nm, a homogeneous particle population, a net positive surface charge, and an encapsulation efficiency (EE) of >97%. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograms showed that incorporation of capric acid (CA) and myristic acid (MA) into the lipid bilayers altered their transition temperature and improved flexibility when compared with liposomes and ethosomes (ESs). The flexibility values of TESs containing CA or MA were inversely proportional to the transition temperature of the formulations. The skin permeation of PPP-TESs through either an artificial membrane or human cadaver skin was much higher than that observed with a PPP solution, PPP-liposomes, and PPPESs. Moreover, the collected receptor fluid and vertically sliced human skin of rhodamine-6G (R6G)-loaded TES-MA were analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to assess the accumulation of fluorescence in the skin and skin penetration. As a result, TES may be a promising candidate for the transdermal delivery of PPP as well as other drugs.

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to investigate the effects of alloying elements on mechanical and thermal characteristic of Al-6wt-%Si-0.4wt-%Mg–(Cu) foundry alloys after heat treatment using a universal testing machine and a laser flash apparatus. Solid solution treatment of samples was carried out at 535°C for 6 h before quenching samples in warm water. Artificial ageing treatment was conducted at various temperatures ranging from 180 to 220°C for 5 h. When Cu was added to increase the mechanical strength of Al-6wt-%Si-0.4wt-%Mg alloy, its thermal conductivity decreased. After adding 0.1wt-%Ti to an Al-6 wt-%Si-0.4wt-%Mg-0.9wt-%Cu alloy, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) was improved 18 MPa compared to that of Ti-free alloy at ageing temperature of 180°C. The addition of Ti facilitated the formation of θ′-Al2Cu and Q′-phase, which resulted in increased UTS at room temperature. In the case of Cu-free Al-6wt-%Si-0.4wt-%Mg alloy, adding Ti to the alloy did not affect the UTS.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of alloying elements on mechanical and thermal characteristic of Al-6wt-%Si-0.4wt-%Mg–(Cu) foundry alloys after heat treatment using a universal testing machine and a laser flash apparatus. Solid solution treatment of samples was carried out at 535°C for 6?h before quenching samples in warm water. Artificial ageing treatment was conducted at various temperatures ranging from 180 to 220°C for 5?h. When Cu was added to increase the mechanical strength of Al-6wt-%Si-0.4wt-%Mg alloy, its thermal conductivity decreased. After adding 0.1wt-%Ti to an Al-6 wt-%Si-0.4wt-%Mg-0.9wt-%Cu alloy, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) was improved 18?MPa compared to that of Ti-free alloy at ageing temperature of 180°C. The addition of Ti facilitated the formation of ?'-Al2Cu and Q'-phase, which resulted in increased UTS at room temperature. In the case of Cu-free Al-6wt-%Si-0.4wt-%Mg alloy, adding Ti to the alloy did not affect the UTS.

This study carried out a die soldering test using both H13 and 1045 steel to investigate the different performances of these two substrate materials with regard to die soldering. Aluminum alloys with various amounts of silicon (0, 4.5, and 9 wt.%) were used to investigate the action of silicon in the soldering reaction, with the 0 wt.% material being commercial pure aluminum. Aluminum alloy samples of varying Si content were melted and held at 680oC and both H13 and 1045 steel were dipped for two hours in the melt. After the dipping test, the specimens were air cooled and analyzed using SEM and EPMA. The reaction layer of the H13 steel and the aluminum alloys were composed of Al3Fe (ɵ), Al5Fe2(η) and Al8Fe2Si (τ5) phase. The reaction layer between the 1045 steel and the aluminum melt was composed AlFe (ζ), Al5Fe2 (η), Al3Fe (ɵ), and Al8Fe2Si (τ5). The reaction layer thickness with the H13 substrate increased with the Si content of the aluminum; it deceased with increased Si content with the 1045 steel substrate.

Mercury-free sphygmomanometers are gradually replacing the traditional sphygmomanometers in clinical settings and epidemiological surveys for measuring blood pressure (BP) due to mercury toxicity. No direct comparative studies have evaluated BP differences and statistical errors of automated oscillometric devices (ODs) against electronic auscultatory devices (ADs) for epidemiologic surveys. Herein, we evaluated the validity of ODs for the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) using the Universal Standard for BP device validation through a direct comparison with ADs as the reference standard. Four trained observers performed validation on 278 volunteers aged ≥ 19 years with a standardized BP measurement protocol. Agreement between the BP measurements recorded with an OD against those recorded with an AD was assessed by Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and Bland–Altman’s limits of agreement. To evaluate the agreement for BP classification, weighted kappa values were estimated. To explore the factors associated with BP measurement differences between the 2 devices, multiple linear regression analysis was performed. The average BP differences (OD-AD) were 2.6 ± 6.2 mm Hg for systolic BP (SBP) and −5.1 ± 5.6 mm Hg for diastolic BP (DBP). Lin’s CCCs were 0.927 and 0.768 for the overall SBP and DBP, respectively. The cumulative percentage of absolute errors ≤10 mm Hg was 88.1% for SBP and 81.3% for DBP. The weighted kappa value for the Joint National Committee 7 BP classification was 0.75 (95% confidence interval: 0.68–0.81). An OD overestimated the prevalence of SBP (0.3%, P = .0222) and underestimated the prevalence of DBP (1.8%, P < .0001). Multivariate analysis to identify the risk factors for BP difference revealed the arm circumference (AC) to be negatively associated with BP difference. Male sex was positively associated, while age was negatively associated with SBP difference. OD-DBP was positively associated with DBP difference and negatively associated for DBP absolute error. ODs met the accuracy requirements of the Universal Standard criteria against ADs for SBP but not for DBP. Thus, the DBP values may be underestimated by ODs in the KNHANES.

Melanogenesis is the biological process that results in the synthesis of skin pigment of melanin and it has various functions in living systems and is synthesized by the melanosome within the melanocytes. A variety of physical treatments are used to promote melanin production in the melanocytes for pigmentation control. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intensity-dependent effect of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) on melanogenesis by melanocytes in vitro. Melanocytes were exposed to ELF-EMFs at a frequency of 50 Hz and at intensities in the range of 0.5–20 G over 4 days. The results of lactate dehydrogenase assay showed that there were no significant differences between cells exposed to 0.5 G or 2 G groups and the controls. The melanin contents increased 1.2–1.5-fold in cells exposed to ELF-EMFs and tyrosinase activity increased 1.3-fold in cells exposed to ELF-EMFs, relative to the controls. Also, exposure to ELF-EMFs was associated with activation in cyclic-AMP response element binding protein and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) was up-regulated. Up-regulation of MITF induces the expression of melanogenesis-related markers, such as tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1, TRP-2. In conclusion, the present study showed that the exposure to ELF-EMFs at low intensities can stimulate melanogenesis in melanocyte, and these results may be used to a therapeutic devices for inducing repigmentation in vitiligo patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether nocturnal blood pressure (BP), established on the basis of a single 24-h BP monitoring, is a stronger predictor of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) compared with nondipping status in the essential hypertensive patients.

Silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory devices were fabricated from polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) using the solid phase crystallization (SPC) method for use in a low-power system-on-panel (SOP) display. In these poly-Si SONOS memories, oxide or nitride was used as a buffer layer. The electrical characteristics, such as the threshold voltage (VT), subthreshold slope (SS) and transconductance (gm), were determined for each SONOS device. To interpret the characteristics of both poly-Si devices, x-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements and flicker noise analysis were conducted. The results show that the poly-Si SONOS on the oxide layer has better electrical, memory characteristics, such as turn-on speed and gm, program/erase, endurance and data retention than that on the nitride layer. From the XRD measurements, it is shown that the grain size of the poly-Si on the oxide layer is larger than that on the nitride layer. From the flicker noise analysis, the poly-Si device on oxide was shown to have less traps or defects in the channel layer than that on nitride.

In this work, we analyzed and correlated the hysteresis characteristics and instability under negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) stress in p-channel low-temperature poly-silicon (LTPS) thin-film transistors (TFTs). Positive VTHshifts were observed under the NBTI stress. The hysteresis does not appear to be affected by the NBTI stress; however, when the VG stress voltage is −40 V at 100°C, the hysteresis increases as the stress time increases and VTHshifts with sub-threshold slope (SS) degradation. The hysteresis may increase under the extreme stress condition due to the generation of trap-states.

This paper discusses the 3-level charge pumping method in planar-type Silicon-Oxide-High-k-Oxid e-Silicon (SOHOS) and Silicon-Oxide-Nitride-Oxide-Silicon (SONOS) devices to find out the reason for degradation of data retention properties. In the CP thechnique, a pulse is applied to the gate of the MOSFET which alternately fills the traps withe electrons and holes, thereby causing a recombination current Icp to flow in the substrate. A 3-level charge pumping method may be used to determine not only interface trap densities but also capture cross sections as a function of trap energy. By applying this method, SOHOS device found to have a higher interface trap density than SONOS device. Therefore, degradation of data retention characteristics is attributed to the many interface trap sites.

For the system on panel applications, we fabricated and analyzed the polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory device on different buffer layer such as oxide or nitride. The threshold voltage (VT) and transconductance (gm) are extracted from each device and the X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) measurement is carried out to interpret these characteristics. The results show the device on oxide layer has higher mobility and lower VT than on nitride layer. From the XRD spectra, it can be explained by the fact that the grain size of poly-Si on oxide layer has larger than on nitride layer. The both devices show program/erase characteristics as the potential of SOP memory devices.

In this paper, the electrical and physical analysis is carried out to investigate the effect of Al2O3 capping layer on ZnO film using atomic layer deposition. ZnO TFTs shows the metallic conduction behavior as Al2O3 capping layer thickness increases. From SIMS analysis, it is found out that the diffusion of Al into ZnO film is enhanced according to Al2O3 capping layer thickness. Moreover, the defects related to oxygen such as oxygen vacancy increase from XPS analysis and ZnO films reveal less compressive stress by substitution of Zn with Al form XRD analysis. That is, the metallic conduction behavior of ZnO TFTs with Al2O3 capping layer can be explained due to increase in the carrier concentration in ZnO channel layer from oxygen vacancy and substitution of Zn with Al.

Bottom-gate staggered amorphous indium--gallium zinc oxide (a-IGZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) with Si3N4and Si3N4/Al2O3gate dielectrics were fabricated on glass substrates to investigate the electrical instabilities. An anomalous hump was observed only in the Si3N4device under the positive bias stress. To analyze the anomalous hump, the transmission electron microscope (TEM) images and the two-dimensional (2D) device simulation were investigated, and results showed that insulator thinning and electric field enforcement at the gate edge are not the causes of the hump. In the time dependence of $\Delta V_{\text{TH}}$ under stress, Si3N4/Al2O3and Si3N4devices follow the stretched-exponential and logarithmic time dependences, respectively. That is, in the Si3N4/Al2O3device, the trapped electrons are spatially redistributed easily in dielectrics or near the interface, which seems to suppress the hump.

In our previous studies of varying osmotic diuresis, UT-A1 urea transporter increased when urine and inner medullary (IM) interstitial urea concentration decreased. The purposes of this study were to examine 1) whether IM interstitial tonicity changes with different urine urea concentrations during osmotic dieresis and 2) whether the same result occurs even if the total urinary solute is decreased. Rats were fed a 4% high-salt diet (HSD) or a 5% high-urea diet (HUD) for 2 wk and compared with the control rats fed a regular diet containing 1% NaCl. The urine urea concentration decreased in HSD but increased in HUD. In the IM, UT-A1 and UT-A3 urea transporters, CLC-K1 chloride channel, and tonicity-enhanced binding protein (TonEBP) transcription factor were all increased in HSD and decreased in HUD. Next, rats were fed an 8% low-protein diet (LPD) or a 0.4% low-salt diet (LSD) to decrease the total urinary solute. Urine urea concentration significantly decreased in LPD but significantly increased in LSD. Rats fed the LPD had increased UT-A1 and UT-A3 in the IM base but decreased in the IM tip, resulting in impaired urine concentrating ability. The LSD rats had decreased UT-A1 and UT-A3 in both portions of the IM. CLC-K1 and TonEBP were unchanged by LPD or LSD. We conclude that changes in CLC-K1, UT-A1, UT-A3, and TonEBP play important roles in the renal response to osmotic diuresis in an attempt to minimize changes in plasma osmolality and maintain water homeostasis.

Most biomaterials widely used in nerve regeneration are either inert or modified with ECM proteins or their epitopes. Neurotransmitters play a key role in neuronal development and function. Thus we decided to investigate the feasibility of using neurotransmitters to create biofunctional materials that actively engage nerve cells to achieve functional restoration after injury of the nervous system. Our data indicated that a properly designed biodegradable polymer with dopamine functional groups was more capable of promoting neurite growth. Such biofunctional materials can potentially provide a new strategy for nerve regeneration.

Intrathecal implants of adrenal medullary chromaffin cells relieve chronic pain by secreting catecholamines, opioids and other neuroactive substances. Recently, macrocapsules with hollow fibers were employed to isolate immunologically xenogeneic chromaffin cells, but the poor viability in vivo of the encapsulated chromaffin cells limited the usefulness of this method. In this study, we used microencapsulation technology to increase the viability of chromaffin cells. Bovine adrenal chromaffin cells were microencapsulated with alginate and poly-L-lysine and implanted intrathecally in a rat using the neuropathic pain model. Intrathecal implants of microencapsulated cells relieved cold allodynia, which is the most prominent symptom of the neuropathic pain model in a rat. Furthermore, the microencapsulated chromaffin cells were morphologically normal and retained their functionality. These findings suggest that the intrathecal implant of microencapsulated chromaffin cells might be a useful method for treating chronic pain.

Abstract: Cycloheximide retarded the loss of chlorophyll from detached komatsuna (Brassica campestris cv. Komatsuna) leaves during incubation in the dark but promoted its loss in light. Cycloheximide-induced chlorophyll bleaching in light was prevented by some active oxygen scavengers. Chloroplast envelopes of cycloheximide-treated leaves incubated in both the dark and light were destroyed within 48 h. The grana of cycloheximide-treated leaves incubated in light were dilated.

The stratum corneum tryptic enzyme kallikrein 5 (KLK5) is a serine protease that is involved in the cell renewal and maintenance of the skin barrier functions. The excessive activation of KLK5 causes an exacerbation of dermatoses, such as rosacea and atopic dermatitis. Nasturtium officinaleR. Br. (Brassicaceae) is a hardy perennial plant native to Europe and commonly called “Watercress” or “Cresson,” which is one of the brassica vegetables. We aimed to investigate whether the bioactive sulfur-containing compound inhibits the KLK5 protease. The sulfur-containing compounds were evaluated using an enzymatic assay to measure the anti-KLK5 activity. Our study revealed that the sulfur-containing compound inhibits the KLK5 and 7 protease activity. Indole-3-acetonitrile-4-methoxy-2-S-β-d-glucopyranoside may affect the skin barrier and atopic function via the regulation of proteases.

This method allowed for the metabolic profiling and the subsequent evaluation of the content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of coffee samples, depending on the 4 species of coffee (Colombia, Guatemala, Kenya, and Vietnam) and extraction procedure (focused high ultrasound [INEFU]) and (ultrasound extraction [UE] )and (water extraction [WE]). The goal was to provide cosmeceutical activity data about the extraction yield and total polyphenol of the 4 species of coffee by optimizing the INEFU, UE, and WE conditions. Under optimal extraction conditions, which consisted of 1800W for 45 minutes (INEFU) and 500 W for 45 minutes (UE), 10.4-19.5% and 8.2-16.2% (w/w) of the highest extractions yield and total polyphenol content was obtained. For the skin whitening activity, tyrosinase inhibitory activity was observed at 65.5% in the INEFU extracts, which was 26.5% higher than that of the UE extracts (51.8%) in Vietnam coffees. To reduce melanin production in Clone M-3 cells, 88.4% melanin production was observed following the addition of control, WE relative to the control without a sample, and 85.4% and 80.5% were found in the UE and INEFU conditions. The highest total phenol secretion was conclusively obtained under the optimal conditions and resulted in a significant improvement of the coffee-based cosmeceutical ingredient.

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ABSTRACTThe objective of this study is to evaluate of rice bran mineral extract (RBM) increases the expression of anagen-related molecules in human dermal papilla (DOCs). Four treatment groups were established to evaluate the efficacy of RBM, including a negative control, positive control (ascorbic acid), RBM and ortho-silicic acid (Si(OH)4) (OSA) group. Three days after the DPCs were administered the various treatments, western blot analysis showed that type I collagen expression was increased 2.5-fold in the OSA group and 4-fold in the RBM group, and ALP expression was increased 1.5-fold in the OSA and RBM group while the expression of fibronectin was increased ~3-fold in the OSA group and 2.5-fold in the RBM group. Also, the expression of Wnt-3α and β-catenin protein was increased in OSA and RBM group compared to control group. Furthermore, the expression of IL-1a was decreased by more than 50% in the OSA and RBM groups compared to the negative control. Analysis of mRNA expression by RT-qPCR showed that type I collagen increased 1.2-fold in the OSA- and RBM-treated DPCs, whereas type IV collagen increased 2.7-fold in the OSA group and 3.5-fold in the RBM group. However, TGF-β2 mRNA decreased about 80% in the OSA and RBM groups, respectively. Immunohistochemical staining of the DPCs for versican protein showed a significant increase in the OSA- and RBM-treated groups compared to the negative control. Thus, RBM have a potential to recover of DPCs activity and decreased inflammatory-related markers. It can be expected that hair loss prevention and hair growth enhancement can be expected when RBM is applied as a cosmetic product.

To investigate the electrical instability mechanism under the application of gate bias stress and relaxation, the $1/f$ noise spectra of two different ZnO thin-film transistors (TFTs) were analyzed. In terms of gate bias dependence ($S_{\text{IDS}}/I_{\text{DS}}$), both devices followed a mobility fluctuation model based on the traps in their channel layers prior to and after stress. Device A (channel thickness: 20 nm), recovered its initial noise parameter ($\alpha_{\text{app}}$) after relaxation, in exact agreement with the current--voltage ($I$--$V$) measurement results; this shows that in device A, the dominant phenomenon under the application of stress was temporary charge trapping at grain boundary traps. However, in device B (channel thickness: 80 nm), $\alpha_{\text{app}}$ did not recover its initial values after relaxation, and transfer parameters, such as $V_{\text{TH}}$, mobility, SS, and $N_{\text{t}}$, degraded after the gate bias stress. Moreover, after the stress, device B showed a reduced gate insulator breakdown voltage. The electrical degradation seen in device B can be explained by trap creation and/or charge injection near channel/gate oxide interfaces, including those within the channel layer.

Abnormal dipping pattern in ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is a predictor of cardiovascular risk. However, in a real world practice situation, the impact on cardiovascular mortality of abnormal dipping pattern has not been investigated enough to be considered as standard parameter. We investigated whether the abnormal dipping pattern is more related to increased cardiovascular mortality in a tertiary referral hospital setting.

In this paper, we investigate the origin of abnormal hump after O2annealing in bottom-gated polycrystalline ZnO thin film transistors (TFTs). The channel width dependency and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis show that the hump is not related with the parasitic edge or highly conductive upper layer by the superior crystal quality to channel/gate oxide interface. It is generally known that there is the grain boundary potential barrier (GBPB) caused by the intrinsic point defects such as Znix, VOxand VZnxlocalized in the grain boundary of ZnO film. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and The room temperature photoluminescence (RTPL) analysis reveals that the thermal annealing in O2gas reduces GBPB near ZnO surface forming the additional neutral zinc oxide lattice by the chemical interaction of defects. That is, the oxygen-induced hump is well explained by the reduced GBPB near ZnO surface, which is also supported by the clean transfer curve of ZnO TFTs with floating Schottky contact on the back side of the channel.

An electrical characteristic analysis of postannealed ZnO thin-film transistors (TFTs) under O2ambient from 200 to 300 °C for 1 h was carried out. The 250-°C-annealed device showed the best electrical characteristics, which can be explained by crystallinity improvement on the basis of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. However, although having an active layer of the best crystal quality, the electrical properties of the 300-°C-annealed device were degraded, which can be due to the higher $\Phi_{\text{B0}}$ resulting from the oxidation of Ti used as the S/D electrodes. Next, the stability of ZnO TFTs was investigated. Under a positive bias stress of 20 V, it was found that the annealed devices showed smaller threshold voltage shifts ($\Delta V_{\text{TH}}$) than the as-grown device. In addition, with the stress bias removed, all devices recover their original characteristics, which can be explained by temporary charge trapping into preexisting traps. Therefore, the post-thermal annealing under O2ambient can improve the electrical and reliability characteristics of ZnO TFTs, which can be explained by a fewer grain boundary traps and a lower grain boundary potential barrier, as determined by $1/f$ noise analysis, closely related to the crystallinity improvement of the active layer and fewer zinc interstitials and/or oxygen vacancies near the grain boundary in the active layer.

Left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Presence of LVH by echocardiography is widely assessed clinically and epidemiologically. The ethnic background may be differently associated with LVH and the role of the related factors may be different.

Left ventricular(LV) hypertrophy is a well known predictor for cardiovascular outcomes. The genetic susceptibility is expected to be associated with the degree of hypertrophy. To explore the applicability of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) identified in western country for Korean ethnicity, we replicate the analysis of SNPs identified in relation to LV structure in GWAS Framingham study and HyperGEN study.

An efficient synthesis of 2‐bromohomoallylic alcohols (III) is carried out via an In‐mediated Barbier‐type 2‐bromoallylation of aldehydes (I).

A series of various Baylis—Hillman adducts of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes is synthesized using excess amounts of DABCO and phenol additive.

Treatment of spiro‐lactones (I) and (IV) with sulfuric acid affords the title compounds in a cycloaddition sequence.

Treatment of nitriles (I) with aroyl chlorides results in formation of unexpected 3‐iminodihydroindoles via Thorpe—Ziegler cyclization.

Reissert compounds (I) are converted into homoallylic compounds (III) whereas the isoquinoline derived Reissert compound (IV) gives ring closure product (V) and N‐hexanoyl derivative (VI) unexpectedly yields imine (VII).