Bovine Colostrum Exosomes Are a Promising Natural Bacteriostatic Agent against Staphylococcus aureus.

Bioactive molecules and immune factors in the bovine colostrum (BC) are important elements of passive immunity that prevent bacterial infection. However, the mechanisms underlying the antimicrobial activity of BC are not fully understood. We assessed the antibacterial properties of BC-derived exosomes (BC-Exo) and found that they had bacteriostatic, anti-hemolytic, and biofilm-eradication effects on Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, cell surface deformation and reduced ATP production were observed following BC-Exo treatment. The most reasonable explanation for this finding is that BC-Exo has a strong inhibitory effect on the oxidative phosphorylation pathway in S. aureus. We demonstrated, for the first time, that BC-Exo can exhibit clear antimicrobial activity against S. aureus. Our findings constitute an important basis for future antibiotic discovery.

Survey of disease awareness, treatment behavior and treatment satisfaction in patients with atopic dermatitis in Korea: A multicenter study.

In Korea, there is a high dependency on oriental medicine and folk remedies (Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol, 25, 2005, 110). In addition, inaccurate information available through the Internet is increasing (Korean J Dermatol, 44, 2006, 137). So, there is always a possibility that patients may have difficulty obtaining accurate information about atopic dermatitis (AD). The aim was to determine the awareness, treatment behavior and treatment satisfaction of patients with AD and their caregivers. In October 2017, patients diagnosed with AD at nine hospitals were enrolled in this study. A questionnaire was completed by each patient. A total of 371 subjects were surveyed. In response to the question asking about knowledge of AD, the correct answer rate was 55.4%. Bathing using soap, body scrub and moisturizer showed favorable outcomes. A total of 54.9% patients responded that they were reluctant to use steroid ointment. When asked about their previous treatment, 39.6% reported using oriental medicine and 26.5% had tried folk remedies. The hospital treatment satisfaction score was 6.6. Patients usually applied their knowledge in their daily lives. However, there was a lot of inaccurate knowledge. Therefore, it is important for patients to understand the characteristics of this disease and obtain correct information.

A simple one-step assay platform based on fluorescence quenching of macroporous silicon.

We synthesized 3D macroporous silicon through a simple electrochemical dissolution process and systematically estimated its protein adsorption and effect on fluorescence emission. Compared with conventional 2D polystyrene plate, the macroporous silicon showed a superior protein adsorption capacity and significant fluorescence quenching effect. We developed a 3D macroporous silicon-based adenosine assay system through the following fabrication process: streptavidin molecules that have been immobilized on the surface of macroporous silicon are attached with biotin-linked and adenosine-specific DNA aptamer, followed by hybridization between the attached aptamer and fluorescent chemical (carboxytetramethylrhodamine/CTMR) that is conjugated with a short complementary DNA sequence. In the absence of adenosine, the aptamer-CTMR complexes remain closely attached to the surface of porous silicon, hence fluorescence being significantly quenched. Upon binding to adenosine, the DNA aptamer is subject to structure switching that leads to dissociation of CTMR from DNA aptamer, and consequently the CTMR fluorescence is restored, indicating a simple one-step assay of adenosine. Compared to the conventional 2D PS and ZnO nanorods-based assays, adenosine at much lower (sub-micromolar) concentration was successfully detected through the 3D macroporous silicon-based assay. The three-dimensionally and densely immobilized aptamer probes and effective fluorescence quenching on the surface of macroporous silicon enables adenosine to be detected at lower levels. Although the adenosine detection is reported here as a proof-of-concept, the developed macroporous silicon-based simple one-step assay platform can be applied in general to fluorescence quenching -based detection of many other biomolecules.

Inhibitory effect of kyungohkgo in the development of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.

Kyungohkgo (KOG) is one of the most important formulas in traditional oriental medicine. We investigated the remedial effect of KOG on the development of atopic dermatitis (AD) in female NC/Nga mice. AD-like lesion was induced by the application of 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene on to the back skin repeatedly; KOG was administered orally (12.5 and 25.0 mg/kg) and topically (0.5 and 1.0 mg/mouse) to NC/Nga mice once a day for all through the period of this experiment and every mouse body weight was periodically taken. The effects of KOG on 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene-treated NC/Nga mice were determined by measuring AD-like skin lesions, the infiltration of mast cells and serum immunoglobulin E concentration. After the KOG applications are over, the KOG groups had less skin lesions than the atopy one, their immunoglobulin E levels were significantly downregulated and the infiltration of mast cells in the dorsal skin were reduced. Our results suggest that KOG may be effective in alleviating the development of AD. The inhibition of AD in NC/Nga mice may be influenced by the prevention of mast cell activation.

Effect of taxifolin glycoside on atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice.

Increased levels of eosinphils, IgE, IL-4, 5, and 13 and pro-inflammatory factors (COX-2, iNOS) are observed in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Taxifolin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (TAX) from the roots of Rhododendron mucronulatum (RM) was examined to determine whether its immunomodulatory effect was applicable for treating atopic dermatitis.A total of 7 groups of NC/Nga mice with AD were treated by topical application or intraperitoneal injection of TAX for 4 weeks. Follow-up evaluations were done to assess the changes in clinical observations, eosinophil counts, and levels of IgE, cytokines, COX-2 and iNOS.In the clinical observation during the experimental period, TAX treatment significantly reduced the severity of AD-like lesions induced in NC/Nga mice. Eosinophil and IgE levels decreased after treatment of the animals with TAX. TAX may thus be associated with improvement of eosinophil-related allergic diseases. The expression of cytokines (IL-4, 5 and 13) was significantly inhibited in the TAX-treated group, suggesting that TAX might play an immunoregulatory role associated with AD. In RT-PCR, iNOS and COX-2 expression levels were reduced in the TAX-treated group. In western blotting, the expression levels of iNOS and COX-2 were also reduced in the TAX-treated group.These findings suggest that TAX is effective for the treatment of AD by preventing the production of inflammatory cytokines and by reducing skin inflammation.

The use of 1540 nm fractional photothermolysis for the treatment of acne scars in Asian skin: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Various modalities have been used to treat acne scars, but limited efficacy and considerable side effects have restricted their proper use. Recently, a new-generation fractional photothermolysis modality has been introduced that has deeper penetrating ability; however, a 1540 nm fractional photothermolysis study has not yet been performed. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 1540 nm fractional photothermolysis for the treatment of acne scars in Asian skin. METHODS: Sixteen volunteers (Fitzpatrick skin types III-IV) with mild to moderate acne scars were enrolled. Acne scar lesions were treated with 1540-nm fractional photothermolysis (Starlux 1540). Three treatment sessions were performed for each patient 4 weeks apart. Outcome assessments included the following four methods: (1) clinical evaluation of the photographs that were taken before and after the treatment; (2) comparison of the quality of life (QOL) of the patients before and after the treatment; (3) patients' satisfaction with the treatment; and (4) comparison of the quantity of collagen and elastic fibers in the skin biopsies before and 12 weeks after the last treatment. RESULTS: A mild to moderate clinical improvement was observed in most of the patients. Moreover, the QOL of all the patients improved, and all of them were satisfied with the results of the treatment. Significant collagen and elastic-fiber increases were also observed after the treatment, and side effects were limited to transient erythema and edema, which occurred in 50% of the patients. No severe side effect was observed. CONCLUSIONS: 1540 nm fractional photothermolysis is an effective and safe method for improving acne scar, even in Asian skin.