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Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and ubiquitous environmental toxin with known harmful effects to human health. Abnormal phenotypes of keratinocytes are closely associated with their exposure to B[a]P. Resorcinol is a component of argan oil with reported anticancer activities, but its mechanism of action and potential effect on B[a]P damage to the skin is unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of resorcinol on B[a]P-induced abnormal keratinocyte biology and its mechanisms of action in human epidermal keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. Resorcinol suppressed aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activity as evidenced by the inhibition of B[a]P-induced xenobiotic response element (XRE)-reporter activation and cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) expression. In addition, resorcinol attenuated B[a]P-induced nuclear translocation of AhR, and production of ROS and pro-inflammatory cytokines. We also found that resorcinol increased nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) activity. Antioxidant response element (ARE)-reporter activity and expression of ARE-dependent genes NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1 (NQO1), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were increased by resorcinol. Consistently, resorcinol treatment induced nuclear localization of Nrf2 as seen by Western analysis. Knockdown of Nrf2 attenuated the resorcinol effects on ARE signaling, but knockdown of AhR did not affect resorcinol activation of Nrf2. This suggests that activation of antioxidant activity by resorcinol is not mediated by AhR. These results indicate that resorcinol is protective against effects of B[a]P exposure. The mechanism of action of resorcinol is inhibition of AhR and activation of Nrf2-mediated antioxidant signaling. Our findings suggest that resorcinol may have potential as a protective agent against B[a]P-containing pollutants.

Olfactory receptors (ORs), which belong to the G-protein-coupled receptor family, have been widely studied as ectopically expressed receptors in various human tissues, including the skin. However, the physiological functions of only a few OR types have been elucidated in skin cells. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is a well-known medication for various skin diseases. However, many studies have shown that ATRA can have adverse effects, resulting from the suppression of cell proliferation. Here, we investigated the involvement of OR7A17 in the ATRA-induced suppression of human keratinocyte (HaCaT) proliferation. We demonstrated that OR7A17 is expressed in HaCaT keratinocytes, and its expression was downregulated by ATRA. The ATRA-induced downregulation of OR7A17 was attenuated via RAR α or RAR γ antagonist treatment, indicating that the effects of ATRA on OR7A17 expression were mediated through nuclear retinoic acid receptor signaling. Moreover, we found that the overexpression of OR7A17 induced the proliferation of HaCaT cells while counteracting the antiproliferative effect of ATRA. Mechanistically, OR7A17 overexpression reversed the ATRA-induced attenuation of Ca2+ entry. Our findings indicated that ATRA suppresses cell proliferation through the downregulation of OR7A17 via RAR α- and γ-mediated retinoid signaling. Taken together, OR7A17 is a potential therapeutic target for ameliorating the anti-proliferative effects of ATRA.

Olfactory receptors (ORs), which belong to the G-protein-coupled receptor family, have been widely studied as ectopically expressed receptors in various human tissues, including the skin. However, the physiological functions of only a few OR types have been elucidated in skin cells. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is a well-known medication for various skin diseases. However, many studies have shown that ATRA can have adverse effects, resulting from the suppression of cell proliferation. Here, we investigated the involvement of OR7A17 in the ATRA-induced suppression of human keratinocyte (HaCaT) proliferation. We demonstrated that OR7A17 is expressed in HaCaT keratinocytes, and its expression was downregulated by ATRA. The ATRA-induced downregulation of OR7A17 was attenuated via RAR α or RAR γ antagonist treatment, indicating that the effects of ATRA on OR7A17 expression were mediated through nuclear retinoic acid receptor signaling. Moreover, we found that the overexpression of OR7A17 induced the proliferation of HaCaT cells while counteracting the antiproliferative effect of ATRA. Mechanistically, OR7A17 overexpression reversed the ATRA-induced attenuation of Ca2+ entry. Our findings indicated that ATRA suppresses cell proliferation through the downregulation of OR7A17 via RAR α- and γ-mediated retinoid signaling. Taken together, OR7A17 is a potential therapeutic target for ameliorating the anti-proliferative effects of ATRA.

This study examined the development of the public discussion on Twitter about the abusive comments specific to misogynistic discourse after the suicide of Sulli, a female celebrity in South Korea. Both the pattern of social networking between the users and the semantic representations of user responses were analyzed from a social network perspective using a large-scale Twitter dataset. A total of 37,101 tweets generated by 25,258 users were collected and analyzed. The findings of the network analysis suggest that hubs and authorities on Twitter were closely connected to each other and contributed to promoting the public discussion about abusive comments in response to her death. The results of the semantic network analysis suggested that her death, presumably due in part to continuous hateful comments from trolls, evoked an open discussion about the deeply rooted abusive comments and misogyny that are prevalent in South Korea. Users perceived that sensational news coverage about celebrities and unethical journalistic practices led to abusive comments and her death. The users shared their observations that gendered hate speech contributed to Sulli’s bullying. Dominant words that referred to Sulli’s sexual harassment show the ways in which haters had bullied her, as well as the criticism of online harassment. The results imply that the issue of online misogyny was closely associated with abusive comments in the public consciousness. This study verified the role of celebrities in increasing awareness about social issues and word-of-mouth dissemination even after a death. This study also offers methodological insights by demonstrating how social network analysis can be used to analyze public discussion using big data.

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon formed during the incomplete combustion of organic matter, has harmful effects. Therefore, much research is ongoing to develop agents that can mitigate the effects of B[a]P. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of maclurin, one component of the branches of Morus alba L., on the B[a]P-induced effects in HaCaT cells, a human keratinocyte cell line. Maclurin treatment inhibited aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signaling as evidenced by reduced xenobiotic response element (XRE) reporter activity, decreased expression of cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), and reduced nuclear translocation of AHR. The B[a]P-induced dissociation of AHR from AHR-interacting protein (AIP) was suppressed by maclurin. Maclurin also inhibited the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by B[a]P. In addition, the antioxidant property of maclurin itself was demonstrated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Furthermore, maclurin activated antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling through enhancement of ARE luciferase reporter activity and the expression of ARE-dependent genes including nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Nrf2 activation and its nuclear translocation were promoted by maclurin through p38 MAPK activation. These data indicate that maclurin had antagonistic activity against B[a]P effects through activation of Nrf2-mediated signaling and inhibition of AHR signaling and, suggesting its potential in protecting from harmful B[a]P-containing pollutants.

Background. Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon present in the atmosphere, has cytotoxic and carcinogenic effects. There have been no reports to demonstrate involvement of Clematis apiifolia DC. extract (CAE) in B[a]P-induced effects. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of CAE on B[a]P-induced effects and to elucidate its mechanism of action in HaCaT human keratinocytes. CAE inhibited aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling by decreasing both XRE reporter activity and expression of cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) induced by B[a]P treatment in HaCaT cells. We also found that B[a]P-induced nuclear translocation of AhR and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and proinflammatory cytokines were attenuated by CAE treatment. CAE treatment suppressed B[a]P-induced phosphorylation of Src (Tyr416). In addition, dasatinib, a Src inhibitor, also inhibited B[a]P-induced nuclear translocation of AhR, similar to CAE treatment. In addition, CAE activated antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling by increasing ARE luciferase reporter activity and expression of ARE-dependent genes such as nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1 (NQO1), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Nuclear translocation of Nrf2 by CAE was demonstrated by Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry. The effects of CAE on ARE signaling were attenuated by knockdown of the Nrf2 gene. Inhibition of AhR signaling and activation of antioxidant activity by CAE operated in a reciprocally independent manner as evidenced by AhR and Nrf2 siRNA experiments. These findings indicate that CAE exerts protective effects against B[a]P by inhibiting AhR signaling and activating Nrf2-mediated signaling, suggesting its potential in protection from harmful B[a]P-containing pollutants.

This study introduces a data-driven approach for assessing the practices and effectiveness of digital diplomacy, using the cases of South Korea and Japan. The study compared the networking power of public diplomacy organizations based on social media use, engagement with the public, interaction patterns among the public, and public perceptions and attitudes toward organizations. This was accomplished through a three-step method employing social network analysis and topic modeling. The network analysis found that the Korean public diplomacy organization generated a larger, more loosely connected, and decentralized comment network than the Japanese organization, which presented a “small-world” connectivity pattern with highly interconnected actors. The findings also suggest that, compared to the Japanese organization, the Korean organization was successful in not only enhancing its soft power through social media but also building international networks among the foreign public.

This study investigates the popularity, global and local presence of the top cryptocurrency websites in terms of market capitalization, and geographic distribution of cryptocurrency information on the web by mapping the information network of cryptocurrency sites. The study also explores whether web traffic and social network metrics serve as valuable indicator of financial performance of cryptocurrencies. Both citation and social network analyses were employed. The results suggest that bitcoin.org, bitcoin.com and steemit.com are the most popular sites based on the number of hit counts. Information production and consumption about coins are concentrated in European and Asia–Pacific regions. Germany and technology startup companies are the most central sources for cryptocurrency-related information in the network. This study also found positive cross correlation outcomes between web traffic, social network attributes, and cryptocurrency performance indicators. The finding demonstrates that the number of TLDs and multiple social network centrality measures are useful indicators of cryptocurrency market capitalization, trading volume, and price.

Since the cause of hypopigmentary skin disorders (hair graying and vitiligo) is typically unknown, there is no known cure for these disorders. Melia azedarach L. is used in Southeast Asia across China and Japan as a traditional medicine, and it has been reported to have various pharmacological properties. However, there have been no reports to demonstrate the involvement of M. azedarach L. in pigmentation. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of ethanolic extract of M. azedarach L. (MAE) on melanogenesis and to elucidate its mechanism of action in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells and human epidermal melanocytes. Effects of MAE on melanogenesis and its mechanism of action were investigated using several assays, including melanin content, cellular tyrosinase activity, real-time PCR analysis, Western blot analysis, and ELISAs for cyclic AMP (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), cAMP response element binding (CREB) protein, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). MAE increased the melanin content levels and cellular tyrosinase activity in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells and human epidermal melanocytes. In addition, the action mechanism of MAE-induced melanogenesis was examined in human epidermal melanocytes. It also upregulated the expressions of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) gene and its downstream target genes, tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein (TRP) 1, but not TRP 2. MAE treatment increased the cAMP levels, PKA activity, and phosphorylation of CREB protein, its downstream signaling protein. However, MAE showed no effects on MAPKs (p42/44 MAPK, p38 MAPK, and c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK)). These findings indicate that MAE induces melanogenesis by upregulating the MITF gene through the cAMP-PKA-CREB signaling pathway, and they suggest its potential in the treatment of hypopigmentary skin diseases.

This study proposes alternative measures of infotainment’s effects on audience perception and reception of news on social media, focusing on infotainment coverage of North Korea. We determine the elements of framing strategies and narrative styles in facilitating public attention, positive and negative responses, and engagement in news content. We used the YouTube application programming interface to collect data from VideoMug, Korea’s most popular YouTube channel, run by the Seoul Broadcasting System. We examined 23,774 replies commenting on North Korea-related video clips from July 1, 2018, to May 17, 2019. The findings show that entertainment and human interest frames were effective in drawing public attention to news coverage about North Korea. Using humor and colloquial language facilitated public attention (both positive and negative) and public engagement. Over half (59.55%) of the comments generated positive emotions; less than one-third generated negative emotions (31.41%); and a few generated neutral ones (9.03%). The infotainment approach helped make South Koreans’ attitudes toward North Korea and inter-Korean relations more positive. A small number of users who served as top authorities were extremely partisan and conducted intense debates about infotainment practices. This study’s hybrid analytical framework using computerized text mining techniques offers both theoretical and methodological insights into the function of infotainment in the context of social media.

This study explores the effectiveness of crisis response strategies for public response and perception in the context of social media by examining a case about the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 product recall crisis. First, the study investigated the response strategies Samsung used on Facebook through the lens of situational crisis communication theory (SCCT). Next, we applied a webometric network analysis and exponential random graph models (ERGM) to analyze the relationship between the crisis response strategies and the dynamics of electronic word of mouth (eWOM) behaviors. Then, we performed topic modeling and semantic network analysis to examine the public perceptions of and responses to Samsung’s crisis communication strategies based on public comments. Samsung used silence, information, and rectification strategies. More participants and comments were generated and stronger ties were found in the eWOM networks for matched responses than for silence. Public responses and perceptions toward the silence and the late adoption of an information strategy were primarily negative and resulted in complaints about poor customer service, whereas positive responses –expressing brand royalty and forgiveness– increased via the rectification strategy. Methodological triangulation in this study offers evidence-based lessons on how to systemically monitor stakeholders’ reactions and manage consumer complaints in order to repair a corporation’s damaged reputation after a crisis.

This research adds to the growing body of literature on the role of celebrities as emergent spokespersons in climate advocacy using Twitter. This study investigates the effects of framing of celebrities&rsquo, messages (emotional framing and framing of celebrity involvement) on public attitudes and behaviors to address climate change. A sequential mediation process is examined with structural equation modeling. In addition, this study assesses the role of parasocial relationship (PSR) with celebrities as predictors and moderators of the impact of framing of celebrity involvement. The results indicate that fear appeals were more effective than hope appeals in driving participation in activism, but emotional framing did not affect any other variables. Framing of celebrity involvement appeals using first-person pronouns led to more positive attitudes, but had no effect on behaviors. In addition, PSR was a strong positive predictor of attitudes and behaviors.

Background SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2) was spreading rapidly in South Korea at the end of February 2020 following its initial outbreak in China, making Korea the new center of global attention. The role of social media amid the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has often been criticized, but little systematic research has been conducted on this issue. Social media functions as a convenient source of information in pandemic situations. Objective Few infodemiology studies have applied network analysis in conjunction with content analysis. This study investigates information transmission networks and news-sharing behaviors regarding COVID-19 on Twitter in Korea. The real time aggregation of social media data can serve as a starting point for designing strategic messages for health campaigns and establishing an effective communication system during this outbreak. Methods Korean COVID-19-related Twitter data were collected on February 29, 2020. Our final sample comprised of 43,832 users and 78,233 relationships on Twitter. We generated four networks in terms of key issues regarding COVID-19 in Korea. This study comparatively investigates how COVID-19-related issues have circulated on Twitter through network analysis. Next, we classified top news channels shared via tweets. Lastly, we conducted a content analysis of news frames used in the top-shared sources. Results The network analysis suggests that the spread of information was faster in the Coronavirus network than in the other networks (Corona19, Shincheon, and Daegu). People who used the word “Coronavirus” communicated more frequently with each other. The spread of information was faster, and the diameter value was lower than for those who used other terms. Many of the news items highlighted the positive roles being played by individuals and groups, directing readers’ attention to the crisis. Ethical issues such as deviant behavior among the population and an entertainment frame highlighting celebrity donations also emerged often. There was a significant difference in the use of nonportal (n=14) and portal news (n=26) sites between the four network types. The news frames used in the top sources were similar across the networks (P=.89, 95% CI 0.004-0.006). Tweets containing medically framed news articles (mean 7.571, SD 1.988) were found to be more popular than tweets that included news articles adopting nonmedical frames (mean 5.060, SD 2.904; N=40, P=.03, 95% CI 0.169-4.852). Conclusions Most of the popular news on Twitter had nonmedical frames. Nevertheless, the spillover effect of the news articles that delivered medical information about COVID-19 was greater than that of news with nonmedical frames. Social media network analytics cannot replace the work of public health officials; however, monitoring public conversations and media news that propagates rapidly can assist public health professionals in their complex and fast-paced decision-making processes.

Although blue light has been reported to affect skin cells negatively, little is known about its action mechanisms in skin cells. Therefore, we investigated the role of the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) in blue light-induced effects on human keratinocytes and its underlying mechanisms. Blue light decreased cell proliferation and upregulated TRPV1 expression. Blue light also suppressed the epidermal growth factor receptor- (EGFR-) mediated signaling pathway by reducing the protein levels of EGFR and suppressing the EGFR/PI3K/AKT/GSK3β/FoxO3a pathway. The blue light-induced effect in cell proliferation was reversed by TRPV1 siRNA, but not capsazepine, a TRPV1-specific antagonist. In addition, blue light irradiation increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Blue light irradiation also increased both phosphorylation levels of TRPV1 and calcium influx. The blue light-induced increase in production of ROS and TNF-α was reversed by capsazepine. Furthermore, the blue light-induced increase in production of TNF-α was attenuated by SP600125 or PDTC. These findings show that blue light regulates cell survival and production of ROS and TNF-α; its effects are mediated via TRPV1. Specifically, the effects of blue light on cell proliferation are mediated by upregulating TRPV1, a negative regulator of EGFR-FoxO3a signaling. Blue light-induced production of ROS and TNF-α is also mediated through increased calcium influx via TRPV1 activation.

This article explores how mobile phones function as an affective technology for young adults, by adapting the self-expansion model to understand attachment to mobile phones. In an online survey, 272 smart phone users reported on their recalled responses to loss/separation from their mobile phone (not by choice), as well as their use of the mobile phone for self-expansion. Results show that self-expansion via mobile phone was associated with greater inclusion of the mobile phone in the self-concept and greater subjective well-being. Most respondents reported negative feelings, such as loneliness/disconnection, anxiety, and boredom, when without their mobile phone, but others felt relieved to be out of touch with others. The use of the mobile phone for self-expansion was associated with more negative emotion and less positive emotion (relief) in response to loss/separation from the phone. Interpretations of the findings are discussed.

This study investigates Twitter issue networks formed in response to the 2012 presidential debates on TV in South Korea. The overall network structure and the communication pattern of users were mapped over time, and then the gatekeepers playing roles as hubs in each candidate's issue network and their framing practices were identified. Network analyses (a keyword analysis and a CONCOR analysis) were conducted and gatekeepers' political ideologies were identified. The results indicate that issue networks evolved in concert with the viewership of televised debates. According to the profile analysis of gatekeepers and the keyword analysis, gatekeepers on Twitter formed homogenous groups in terms of their political ideologies and geographic locations. In addition, Twitter users tended to form networks critical of the major conservative candidate, whereas they constructed networks of support for the major opposite candidate. This study contributes to understanding the role of Twitter in reflecting the political landscape in the offline world by revealing the structure, contents, and gatekeeping practices of issue networks.

Tobacco smoking is currently on the rise among women, and can pose a greater health risk. In order to understand the nature of the increase in smoking prevalence among women, we focused on the vulnerability of women to smoking behaviors--smoking cessation or tobacco addiction--and performed a systematic review of the socioeconomic and intrinsic factors as well as tobacco ingredients that affect women's susceptibility to smoking tobacco. We observed that nicotine and other tobacco components including cocoa-relatives, licorice products, and menthol aggravate tobacco addiction in women rather than in men. Various genetic and epigenetic alterations in dopamine pathway and the pharmaco-kinetics and -dynamic factors of nicotine also showed potential evidences for high susceptibility to tobacco addiction in women. Therefore, we suggest systemic approaches to prevent tobacco smoking-related health risks, considering gene-environment-gender interaction.

The hashtag #InHonorOfCarrie went viral on Twitter within hours of Carrie Fisher's death, as people tweeted about their own mental health experiences to honor Fisher. This study analyzed how the hashtag reinforced the social influence of Fisher. The full sample of 2160 tweets – from the initial use of the hashtag on December 27, 2016 through January 16, 2017 – were analyzed using semantic network analysis and CONCOR (convergence of iterated correlations) block modeling. In addition, the 1157 original tweets were hand coded for personal sharing of mental health conditions, as well as comments about Fisher and mental health. The results of semantic network analysis and CONCOR analysis found that the users generated integrated concepts and frames by sharing similar topics such as honoring Fisher's role in mental health advocacy, specific mental disorders they had, and framing mental illness in a positive way. The findings also suggest that the discourse reinforced Fisher's advocacy by echoing her challenge metaphor and sharing their mental health issues. Content analysis of the original tweets found that when describing their personal experiences, users often reported personal difficulties or challenges of dealing with mental health issues, but also often made positive self-references related to their own self-confidence and pride. Many of the tweets focused on Fisher's openness and honesty, her efforts to challenge stigma, her inspiration to others and the legacy she left. These results imply the positive role of Fisher in users' self-disclosures and sharing of mental health issues.

Melanogenesis is the process of production of melanin pigments that are responsible for the colors of skin, eye, and hair and provide protection from ultraviolet radiation. However, excessive levels of melanin formation cause hyperpigmentation disorders such as freckles, melasma, and age spots. Liver X receptors (LXR) are nuclear oxysterol receptors belonging to the family of ligand-activated transcription factors and physiological regulators of lipid and cholesterol metabolism. In the skin, activation of LXRs stimulates differentiation of keratinocytes and augments lipid synthesis in sebocytes. However, the function of LXRs in melanogenesis has not been clearly elucidated. In addition, although beauvericin, a well-known mycotoxin primarily isolated from several fungi, has various biological properties, its involvement in melanogenesis has not been reported. Therefore, in this study, we examined the effects of beauvericin on melanogenesis and its molecular mechanisms. Beauvericin decreased melanin content and tyrosinase activity without any cytotoxicity. Beauvericin also reduced protein levels of MITF, tyrosinase, TRP1, and TRP2. In addition, beauvericin suppressed cAMP-PKA-CREB signaling and upregulated expression of LXR-α, resulting in the suppression of p38 MAPK. Our results indicate that beauvericin attenuates melanogenesis by regulating both cAMP/PKA/CREB and LXR-α/p38 MAPK pathways, consequently leading to a reduction of melanin levels.

Background/Objective South Korea's 2018 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth is the second comprehensive evaluation of physical activity and the sources of influence based on the 10 core indicators provided by the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance. It will serve as an advocacy tool to promote physical activity among children and youth. Methods Three national surveillance data (i.e., 2017 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, 2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2016 Physical Activity Promotion System) were used as main sources to evaluate the indicators. Descriptive statistics were performed to obtain prevalence estimates of physical activity-related indicators. In addition, expert opinions as well as the most recently available published or unpublished relevant sources were synthesized. Results South Korea's 2018 Report Card, compared to the 2016 Report Card, showed favourable changes in the Active Transportation (B+), Organized Sports Participation (C), Sedentary Behaviours (D), and School (D+) indicators, while unfavourable changes were shown in Overall Physical Activity (F) and Government (D). Physical Fitness was graded as D+. In parallel with the 2016 Report Card, Active Play, Family and Peers, and Community and Environment remain ungraded due to insufficient data. Conclusions Successes as well as gaps and research needs were identified in the 2018 Report Card. Though some indicators have shown improvement, most children and youth continue to be insufficiently physically active with overall poor grades (Average of D+). To achieve substantial improvement in all grades in future Report Cards, more institutional and governmental support and investment is needed to promote physical activity. Furthermore, effort should be made to generate data pertaining to the indicators that were ungraded.

Urban particulate matter (UPM) exerts negative effects on various human organs. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is a polymodal sensory transducer that can be activated by multiple noxious stimuli. This study aimed to explore the effects of the UPM 1648a on the expression of TRPV1, and its regulatory mechanisms in HaCaT cells. UPM enhanced TRPV 1 promoter-luciferase reporter activity. UPM also increased expression of the TRPV 1 gene as evidenced by increased mRNA and protein levels of TRPV 1. In addition, elucidation of the underlying mechanism behind the UPM-mediated effects on TRPV 1 expression revealed that UPM can upregulate expression of the TRPV1 gene by activating activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-&kappa, B). The UPM treatment also altered Ca2+ influx and cell proliferation, as well as production of interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-&alpha, (TNF-&alpha, ), and interleukin-1&beta, (IL-1&beta, ). In addition, these UPM-induced effects were attenuated by SB203580 and ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC). However, SP600125 and PD98059 did not alter the UPM-induced effects. Taken together, these findings indicate that UPM upregulates expression of the TRPV 1 gene, which is mediated by the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and NF-&kappa, B signaling pathways and suggest that UPM is a potential irritant that can induce skin processes such as aging and inflammatory responses.

Background Melanin plays a crucial role in protecting human skin against exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. However, its overproduction induces hyperpigmentation disorders of the skin. Purpose To investigate effects of phenylethyl resorcinol as one resorcinol derivative on melanogenesis and its mechanisms using B16F10 mouse melanoma cells and human epidermal melanocytes. Methods Effects of phenylethyl resorcinol on melanogenesis and its mechanism of action were examined using several in vitro assays (i.e., cell survival, melanin content, cellular tyrosinase activity, real-time PCR analysis, luciferase-reporter assay, Western blot analysis, and ELISAs for cyclic AMP (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), cAMP response element binding (CREB) protein, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs)). Results Phenylethyl resorcinol reduced both melanin content and tyrosinase activity in these cells. Phenylethyl resorcinol also suppressed tyrosinase activity in cell-free tyrosinase enzyme assay. Although phenylethyl resorcinol decreased mRNA levels of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-2, it did not affect mRNA levels of melanogenic gene microphthalmia-associated transcriptional factor (MITF) or TRP-1. Phenylethyl resorcinol had no effects on cAMP signaling or NF-κB signaling based on results of cyclic AMP response element (CRE)-luciferase reporter assay, cAMP production, protein kinase A (PKA) activity, Western blot assays for phosphorylated CRE-binding protein (CREB), NF-κB-luciferase reporter assay, and Western blot assays for phosphorylated NF-κB. However, phenylethyl resorcinol induced activation of activator protein-1 (AP-1) signaling. Specifically, phenylethyl resorcinol increased AP-1 reporter activity and increased phosphorylation of p44/42 MAPK, but not p38 MAPK or c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). MEK1/2 and Src, upstream molecules of p44/42 MAPK were also phosphorylated by phenylethyl resorcinol. In addition, phenylethyl resorcinol-induced decreases in melanin content, tyrosinase activity, and MITF protein levels were attenuated by PD98059, a p44/42 MAPK inhibitor. Conclusion These data indicate that the anti-melanogenic activity of phenylethyl resorcinol is mediated by activation of p44/42 MAPK, indicating that phenylethyl resorcinol may be a potential therapeutic agent for treating hyperpigmentation skin disorders.

Grounded by the micro approach to network theory, information diffusion theory, and the web ecology model, this study comparatively explores the network structure, interaction pattern, and geographic distribution of users involved in communication networks of the Occupy Wall Street movement on Twitter and YouTube. The results show that Twitter users generated a loosely connected hub-and-spoke network, suggesting that information was likely to be organized by several central users in the network and that these users bridged small communities. On YouTube, homogeneously themed videos formed a dense mesh network, reinforcing shared ideas and meanings. According to the geographic distribution, both Twitter and YouTube networks were actively organized by U.S. users, but the YouTube network was activated mainly by anonymous users. These results highlight differing roles of social media in political information diffusion in which the Twitter network not only organizes and coordinates information but also facilitate the exchange of ideas between different groups. YouTube is suitable for disseminating ideas and reinforcing solidarity among members. The results demonstrate useful analytical techniques for data mining and analyzing Twitter and YouTube networks and have important implications for distinct roles of social media platforms in organizing collective action.

It was conducted to evaluate the control efficacy of Bordeaux mixture on pepper anthracnose invitro and in vivo. The suppressive efficacy of Bordeaux mixture on mycelial growth and spore germination ofColletotrichum acutatum was investigated on PDA, cellophane membranes and pepper fruits, respectively.Furthermore, its control value was evaluated on detached pepper fruits inoculated with C. acutatum by woundand non-wound inoculation method, and in fields. The mycelial growth of C. acutatum JC24 was inhibited by90.0% on PDA amended with 937 µg mL −1 of Bordeaux mixture. While the spore germination of C.acutatum JC24 was inhibited perfectly on cellophane membranes treated at 187 µg mL −1 of Bordeaux mixture,that on fruits inoculated with the pathogen by wound inoculation and non-wound inoculation method wasinhibited by 88.1% and 91.3%, respectively. Although the control value on fruits treated with 937 µg mL −1 ofBordeaux mixture was 17.6% in wound inoculation method, it was 58.8% in non-wound inoculation method.In fields, when Bordeaux mixture was sprayed five times at 14 day-intervals, it showed 55.7% and 61.7% ofcontrol value in 2012 and 2013, respectively. We think Bordeaux mixture was able to use as an eco-friendlyorganic farming material to control pepper anthracnose based on the above-mentioned results.Key words Bordeaux mixture, eco-friendly organic farming material, pepper anthracnose

Many studies have examined citizen participation in policymaking and its delivery mechanisms through social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, but few have explored empirical strategies to investigate the nature of online citizen participation in the field of policy analysis and management. The webometric approach is a quantitative tool for capturing network-based intercommunication derived from the Web 2.0 sphere as user-generated content by using diverse methods in informetrics. By applying this approach to examine citizen participation on social media, this study introduces an empirical strategy for collecting data on social media tools used by governments and identifies patterns of citizens’ e-participation and relationships between citizens, governments, and various organizations involved in policymaking processes through social media. The results based on the 311 service platforms of New York City and San Francisco suggest that the webometric approach can not only extract government agencies’ communication behaviors toward others on social media but also capture the overall network structure, the pattern of interactions between participants, and network properties of participants.

This article examines how South Korean and Japanese public diplomacy organizations employ digital media to embrace the principle of ‘networked public diplomacy’ through analyses of the web and social media practices. A network analysis was used to map interorganizational information networks among core public diplomacy organizations in each country. To reveal the key organizations' communication strategies on Facebook, a content analysis was also conducted. The findings indicate that Japan had a strong internal network infrastructure achieved through dispersed connections and partnerships; however, Korea had a centralized network, including a limited number of dominant actors. The results of content analysis suggest that both South Korea and Japanese public diplomats focused on promoting their cultural products and national values through their use of texts and visual images. In addition, user profile analysis gaged the degree of users' engagement in the organizations' profiles and identified the demograp...

A total of 20 agricultural organic materials including inorganic compounds, plant oils and plant extracts were used in the study for assessing the control efficacy on pepper diseases. Among inorganic compounds, only copper hydroxide showed inhibitory effect on both Phytophthora capsici causing Phytophthora blight and Colletotrichum acutatum causing anthracnose. Phosphorous acid inhibited the growth of P. capsici on PDA, and Sulfur/quicklime had it on that of C. acutatum. Plant essential oil, rosemary oil, and rapeseed oil among plant oils and plant extract of Japanese apricot/ginkgo nut inhibited the mycelial growth of the two pathogens. In the screening using pepper plant seedlings, the control efficacy on Phytophthora blight in 6-leaf stage of seedling was superior to that in 4-leaf stage of seedling. A protective effect on Phytophthora blight was displayed by copper hydroxide, sulfur/quicklime, water soluble calcium, phosphorous acid, plant essential oil, and cloves extract. When C. acutatum was inoculated by the non-wound method, copper hydroxide and rapeseed oil showed excellent protective activities with control values of 91.3% and 82.6%, respectively. However, copper hydroxide did not show any activity, when C. acutatum was inoculated after wounding pepper fruits. All organic materials never showed the curative effect on Phytophthora blight and anthracnose in pepper seedling assay and fruit assay.

Domestic LCD TV market is composed of two groups of products produced by major firms and small and medium enterprises. The major companies make the price relatively high, but the other makes lower in the same sizes. The model of the low price products does not make consumers choice when they choose LCD TV. This makes the questions of capability between difference price products. The reason above mentioned, the firms that include group of comparatively lower price, are worried about not increasing sale because of prejudice. This study is to find any interrelationship and evaluate the efficiency between the products using performance, exterior and brand power of product. In order to do this, a hybrid AHP/DEA evaluation model for comparison/valuation of LCD TV products is developed. The proposed process is; first, to derive hierarchy structure of LCD TV evaluation criteria using axiomatic design, second, to calculate the score of each LCD TV product through AHP analysis including weight calculation of evaluation criteria, and last, to evaluate the efficiency of LCD TV product by applying DEA by defining product scores as output and prices as input. It concludes that the high price products shows good efficiency, but there are some products with good exterior and brand power, not performance, also presenting good efficiency.

A total of 20 agricultural organic materials including inorganic compounds, plant oils and plant extracts wereused in the study for assessing the control efficacy on pepper diseases. Among inorganic compounds, onlycopper hydroxide showed inhibitory effect on both Phytophthora capsici causing Phytophthora blight andColletotrichum acutatum causing anthracnose. Phosphorous acid inhibited the growth of P. capsici on PDA,and Sulfur/quicklime had it on that of C. acutatum. Plant essential oil, rosemary oil, and rapeseed oil amongplant oils and plant extract of Japanese apricot/ginkgo nut inhibited the mycelial growth of the twopathogens. In the screening using pepper plant seedlings, the control efficacy on Phytophthora blight in 6-leafstage of seedling was superior to that in 4-leaf stage of seedling. A protective effect on Phytophthora blightwas displayed by copper hydroxide, sulfur/quicklime, water soluble calcium, phosphorous acid, plantessential oil, and cloves extract. When C. acutatum was inoculated by the non-wound method, copperhydroxide and rapeseed oil showed excellent protective activities with control values of 91.3% and 82.6%,respectively. However, copper hydroxide did not show any activity, when C. acutatum was inoculated afterwounding pepper fruits. All organic materials never showed the curative effect on Phytophthora blight andanthracnose in pepper seedling assay and fruit assay.

The rice diseases occurring on the transgenic rice plant carrying protox gene (CPPO06) was assessed and compared with other varieties of rice such as Dongjin, Chucheong, Ilpeum, and Onnuri in the fields located in Cheongwon of Chungbuk, Suwon of Gyeunggi, and Gwangju of Chonnam. In the field of Cheongwon, the diseases such as blast, leaf spot, sheath blight and Fusarium blight were observed. False smut were observed only in the field of Suwon, where the ratio of diseased plants was 0.28% in CPPO06 and 0.37% in Onnuri, respectively. In the field of Gwangju, leaf spot caused by Cochlioborus miyabeanus was the most severely occurring disease among rice diseases mentioned above. Fusarium blight occurred in all the 3 fields, which were more severe in CPPO06 plants treated with or without oxadiazon as the herbicide. Except for Fusarium blight, there was no significant difference in the rice diseases as blast, leaf spot, sheath blight and false smut between CPPO06 and other rice varieties.

The roots of grapevine in the field in which the crown gall was occurred severely in Chungbuk province were collected and Agrobacterium spp. were isolated from the roots using the selective media. The selected 13 isolates were identified as A. tumefaciens with fatty acid analysis using MIDI system, nucleotide sequence of 16S rDNA, biochemical characteristics, and PCR with the species-specific primers. A. vitis, a pathogen of crown gall disease of grapevine was not isolated from the roots. All of the isolates did not show pathogenicity on the tomato seedlings and the stem and root of grapevine. Eric-PCR showed that DNA band patterns of the root isolates were a little more similar to A. tumefaciens than A. vitis. However, overall similarity between the root isolates and the pathogenic strains of A. tumefaciens and A. vitis was low by rep-PCR. These results suggest that a pathogen causing crown gall in grapevine in Chungbuk province may transmitted through the seedlings rather than via soil or roots.

As one of a number of p53-regulated genes, Gadd45a (growth arrest and DNA damage inducible gene) has been shown to delay carcinogenesis and decrease mutation frequency. Gadd45a is known to regulate nucleotide excision DNA repair (NER) in response to UV radiation. Here, we report an emerging role for Gadd45a in base excision repair (BER). Gadd45a-null mouse embryo fibroblasts MEF and gadd45a-deficient human colon cancer cells exhibited slow BER after treatment with methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) a pure base-damaging agent. In addition, removal of AP sites by apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox factor 1 (APE1/Ref1) was significantly delayed in gadd45a-null cells. Moreover, the localization of APE1/Ref1 within the nucleus was observed in gadd45a wild-type cells, whereas APE1 become mainly distributed in the cytoplasm, and there is a reduced interaction with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in Gadd45a-deficient cells. Inasmuch as p53 has been shown to regulate BER in addition to the NER pathway, our data suggest that p53-regulated gene Gadd45a contributes to the BER response by affecting the interaction of cellular APE1/Ref1 with PCNA. Gadd45a might be a key component gene of the p53 pathway involved in protection from carcinogenic base damage and maintenance of genomic stability, although the downstream mechanism including APE1/Ref1 will need further study.

Tablet splitting is used in pharmacy practice to adjust the dose to be administered. However, it also causes several problems such as undesirable effect for sustained release or enteric-coated dosage form, inaccuracy of dose, and pharmacist's safety by splitting hazardous drugs. This study investigated the current status of oral dosage form splitting for patients older than 19 years by analyzing Korea National Health Insurance Claims Database. Out of oral solid drugs prescribed (N=1,486,584) 9.8% of them included tablets (or capsules) split. There were some splitting cases even in sustained release (4.9%), enteric-coated forms (1.3%) and hazardous drugs (2.7%) that were selected by NIOSH (The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health). The most frequently split drugs were antihistamines, neuropsychotics and steroids. In case of digoxin and warfarin, unit doses in a domestic market were not diverse compared to foreign markets. Guidelines for splitting oral solid dosage forms, approval of diverse doses and conducting dose-response studies for the commonly splitting ingredients on Korean people are needed for the saff and effective use of oral solid drugs.

Purpose: This study was performed to examine vascular pain due to gemcitabine and according to clinical factors. Methods: The survey was performed with 525 cancer patients visiting chemotherapy infusion room in one general hospital. The data were collected via self-reported questionnaire, researchers observation, and reviewing medical records. Data were analyzed descriptive statistics, ttest, Kruskal-Wallis test, Tukey test using ranks, Jonckheere-Terpstra test, and Spearman correlation analysis were used. Results: The mean scores of the intensity and onset time of vascular pain were 3.06 ± 2.16 and 8.13 ± 13.13 min, and each other were negative correlaton. Degree of intensity of vascular pain had a significant difference on gender (p = .003), age (p = .004), weight (p = .019), Body mass index (BMI) (p = .005), Body surface area (BSA) (p = .030), infusion time (p < .001), dose (p = .027), dose per minute (p < .001), the number of administered gemcitabine (p = .005), combination chemotherapeutic drug (p = .013) and tumor type (p = .002). Degree of onset time of vascular pain had a significant difference on infusion time (p = .044), combination chemotherapy (p = .001) and injection site (p = .001). Conclusion: Patients administrated gemcitabine were experiencing various vascular pain, and vascular pain had a difference on clinical factors. Therefore, oncology nurses should be considered significant clinical factors to implement effective interventions to patients administered gemcitabine.

A 65-year-old woman was admitted due to poor oral intake and a dry cough over the previous 3 months. The physical examination was remarkable for bibasilar crackles, and plain chest radiography showed reticulation in both lower lung fields. A pulmonary function test demonstrated a restrictive pattern with a reduced diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide. High resolution computed tomography showed reticulation and honey-combing in both peripheral lung zones, which was consistent with usual interstitial pneumonia pattern. Her skin showed livedo reticularis. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein level were elevated, and hematuria was noted on urinary analysis. A serologic test for auto-antibodies showed seropositivity for Myeloperoxidase-Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA). A kidney biopsy was performed and showed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. She was diagnosed as having pulmonary fibrosis with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and treated with high dose steroids. Here we report a case of pulmonary fibrosis coexistent with microscopic polyangiitis.

The introduction of nanometer-sized pores into low dielectric (k) materials is the most promising approach in producing ultra-low dielectric constant materials (k