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BackgroundDue to the prevalence of the westernized dietary pattern and lack of physical activity, the numbers of overweight or obese individuals are increasing, resulting in a growing health burden because of various related diseases. A lifestyle modification approach has additional advantages compared with pharmacological therapies or bariatric surgery. In our randomized controlled trial conducted in 2015, we successfully used a ubiquitous health care (SmartCare) service for patients with metabolic syndrome to achieve a significant weight loss effect. Various useful apps have been developed for the SmartCare Service, which involves using a mobile phone to manage chronic diseases, minimizing time and space restrictions. Many studies have demonstrated weight loss effects using a SmartCare service, but limited data are available regarding the effect of active participation in relation to weight loss. ObjectiveWe aimed to assess the weight loss effect achieved after using the SmartCare service in terms of adherence and participation. We divided the intervention group of the previous study according to participation level, and analyzed whether there was a significant difference in the outcome. MethodsWe classified participants into 3 groups according to their adherence. Within the intervention group using the SmartCare service, the active group comprised those transmitting anthropometric measurement data using a mobile phone 3 or more times per week or who had a health consultation 5 or more times during a 24-week period. The passive group comprised those who did not adhere to these levels of engagement. The control group comprised those who did not use the SmartCare service. We compared changes in body weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, waist circumference, and lipid profile among the 3 groups. ResultsWe identified 422 participants and analyzed 405, excluding 17 who were missing necessary data for analysis. The active group consisted of 116 participants, compared with 80 in the passive group and 209 in the control group (without SmartCare service). There was a statistically significant difference in improvements to body weight, BMI, body fat percentage, and waist circumference among active participants compared with less active participants and the control group (P

This study presents the synthesis and characterization of hexadecyl-modified SiO2 (HD-SiO2) nanoparticles and their application in the fabrication of a multilayered elastomer hybrid sheet to enhance water resistance in implantable biomedical devices. The surface modification of SiO2 nanoparticles was confirmed via FT-IR and TGA analyses, showing the successful grafting of hydrophobic hexadecyl groups. FE-SEM and DLS analyses revealed spherical HD-SiO2 nanoparticles with an average size of 360 nm. A multilayered elastomer hybrid sheet, consisting of a PDMS-based circuit-protecting body, a water resistance layer of HD-SiO2, a planarization layer, and a biocompatible layer of polydopamine, was fabricated and characterized. The water resistance layer exhibited superhydrophobic properties, with a water contact angle of 154.7° and a 27% reduction in water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) compared to the circuit-protecting body alone. The device packaged with both the circuit-protecting body and water resistance layer demonstrated a tenfold increase in operational lifespan in water medium compared to the device without the water resistance layer. Cytotoxicity and cell proliferation tests on human dermal fibroblast cells (HDFn) confirmed the biocompatibility of the multilayered sheet, with no significant cytotoxicity observed over 48 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a significant public health concern, particularly in the elderly population. Absolute handgrip strength (HGS) serves to quantify muscle strength. It is recommended that the risk of low muscle strength and increased body mass index be concurrently evaluated using relative HGS. There are currently insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between relative HGS and DM in the elderly Korean population. Therefore, the association between relative HGS and the development of DM in Korean elderly was investigated. Methods: Data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing were used to determine the odds ratio (OR) between relative HGS and DM during the follow-up period from 2006–2020 among Korean men and women aged ≥65 years without DM when they first participated in this survey. Analysis was conducted using the Generalized Estimating Equation method. Trend analysis was performed for DM development based on relative HGS. Results: Among elderly males, higher relative HGS groups had reduced odds of developing DM (Middle tertile: OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.61–1.23, p = 0.419.) (Upper tertile: OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.56–1.18, p = 0.281.) Among elderly females, the reductions were similar. (Middle tertile: OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.66–1.03, p = 0.087.) (Upper tertile: OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.50–1.25, p = 0.306.) However, these differences were not statistically significant. Significant predictors of new-onset DM included age, BMI (overweight/obese), household income, alcohol consumption, hypertension, and chronic liver disease. Trend tests indicated a substantial decrease in the OR as the relative HGS increased for male and total groups (p for trend < 0.05). Conclusion: Relative HGS did not achieve statistical significance. Our findings indicate that BMI, particularly overweight and obesity, significantly predicts new-onset DM. However, trend tests indicated a substantial decrease in the OR as the relative HGS increased for male and total groups (p for trend < 0.05), even after adjusting for BMI categories. Despite the lack of statistical significance in some cases, the trend suggests that promoting resistance exercises to enhance HGS could be beneficial in DM prevention. Comprehensive DM prevention strategies should include managing obesity and chronic conditions for elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in significant societal changes, particularly for individuals with sensitive skin. To address this issue, the researchers explored traditional medicine and identified Potentilla anserina extract as a potential solution due to its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects. This research investigated how this extract influences skin hydration, barrier function, and itching. The findings revealed that the extract had a hydrating effect by elevating Aquaporin-3 (AQP3) expression. Additionally, the study demonstrated that the extract improved skin barrier function, with Filaggrin (FLG) expression being approximately three times higher (p < 0.001) in the Potentilla-anserina-extract-treated group compared to the control group and the genes associated with itching being reduced. In this process, we researched and developed HPβCD (hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin)-Liposome containing Potentilla anserina extract, gradually and sustainably releasing the active components of the Potentilla anserina extract. During four weeks of clinical trials involving individuals wearing masks for over 6 h a day, a moisturizer containing Potentilla anserina extract demonstrated a notable reduction in skin redness. Hemoglobin values (A.U.), which serve as indicators of skin redness, showed decreases of 5.06% and 6.74% in the test area inside the mask after 2 and 4 weeks, respectively, compared to the baseline measurements. Additionally, the moisturizer containing Potentilla anserina extract notably decreased Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL), with reductions of 5.23% and 9.13% observed in the test area inside the mask after 2 and 4 weeks, respectively. The moisturizer, especially in the test area treated with the extract-containing moisturizer, significantly enhanced skin hydration compared to the control group. The Corneometer values (A.U) exhibited notable increases of 11.51% and 15.14% in the test area inside the mask after 2 and 4 weeks, respectively. These discoveries emphasize the potential of Potentilla anserina extract and its utility in tackling skin issues caused by mask wearing, including enhancing moisture, fortifying the skin's barrier, and alleviating itching. These results indicate that moisturizers incorporating specific ingredients provide greater benefits compared to conventional moisturizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Taean Formation on the central western margin of the Korean Peninsula contains layered metapelite, quartzo‐feldspathic schist, amphibolite, calcsilicate, and impure marble. The layering was formed by tectonic transposition of the original bedding. The formation has lithologic and isotopic age signatures similar to those of metasedimentary rocks of the Imjingang Belt, which is the eastern extension of the Qinling–Dabie–Sulu Belt, and the depositional age of the formation can be constrained to the Late Devonian. The metamorphic pressure–temperature (P–T) path for the formation is characterized by a high ΔP/ΔT prograde part and subsequent near‐isothermal decompression with peak P–T conditions of 600–620°C and 9.0–10.5 kbar, based on observations of mineral assemblages and phase equilibria modelling. Strong compressional deformation (Dn) produced a N–S‐trending Sn foliation that transposed the earlier Sn–1 and isoclinal Fn folds and was coeval with an episode of medium‐ to high‐pressure amphibolite‐facies metamorphism. The NNE–SSW‐trending left‐lateral Ryeseonggang Fault played a key role in producing the N–S distribution of the metamorphosed forearc deposits along the western coast of the Korean Peninsula. The peak metamorphism and deformation occurred during the early Permian to Early Triassic (276–250 Ma), with retrogression taking place during the Late Triassic (c. 230 Ma), as inferred from new U–Pb zircon age data and previous titanite and muscovite ages for the formation. The clockwise P–T–t (time)–d (deformation) path for the Taean Formation indicates rapid burial during Dn followed by rapid exhumation during the Permian–Triassic collision between the Qinling microcontinent and the North China Craton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Unlabelled: Background Sexually transmissible infections (STIs) in adolescents are an important heath problem. However, the understanding of STIs among adolescents is poor. Rates of and risk factors for ever having a STI and relationships between ever having a STI and mental health in adolescents was investigated.Methods: Data from the Korea Youth Risk Behaviour Web-based Survey (KYRBS) were used. The KYRBS is an anonymous, self-administered online survey. To achieve a representative sample of Koreans, researchers used a stratification, clustering and multi-stage sampling method. Data from adolescents who had not had sexual intercourse and surveys with missing data concerning sexual experience were excluded. Finally, 31363 participants were included.Results: The rate of ever having a STI was 10.0%. A total of 26.5% of adolescents who have had sexual experience report always using contraceptives, and condoms are the most popular contraceptives (69.0%). Contraceptive method (condom, OR: 0.601, 95% CI: 0.491-0.736) and elementary school sexual debut (elementary school, OR: 1.000, middle school, OR: 0.235, 95% CI: 0.181-0.305; high school, OR: 0.128, 95% CI: 0.094-0.173) were significantly correlated with ever having a STI in the multivariate analysis. Depressed mood (OR: 1.379, 95% CI: 1.130-1.683), suicidal ideation (OR: 1.358, 95% CI: 1.109-1.664) and suicide attempts (OR: 1.382, 95% CI: 1.029-1.856) were significantly associated with ever having a STI after adjusting for potential confounders.Conclusions: STIs are common diseases in adolescents who have sexual experience and are significantly associated with mental health. Development of preventive measures and treatment policies including mental counselling for adolescents with STI are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]