Hibiscus Collagen Alternative (VC-H1) as an Oral Skin Rejuvenating Agent: A 12-Week Pilot Study.

Skin aging causes reduced hydration, elasticity, and increased wrinkles. Recent safety and compliance concerns over oral collagen supplements have increased interest in plant-based alternatives like with antioxidant and anti-aging properties. However, clinical evidence regarding its efficacy remains limited.

Sacrificial Template-Derived CoMo-LDH Gas Diffusion Electrode for Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis.

Anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) offers a cost-effective and efficient platform for hydrogen production by enabling the use of non-platinum group metal (non-PGM) electrode materials. However, the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) remains a key challenge. In this study, a CoMo-LDH OER electrode for AEMWE is developed via a sacrificial template strategy.

Restoration of Hair Luster via Novel Biomarker COL7A1 by Minoxidil, Caffeine, and Biotin.

Hair luster, a key component of visual hair quality, depends largely on the integrity of the cuticle. While cosmetic products offer temporarily enhanced luster, their effects are limited due to a poor understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms. In this study, we employed a UVB-induced mouse model of hair luster loss to identify differentially expressed genes via quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR.

Enhancing Tissue Integration and Reducing Inflammation in Silicone and Human Acellular Dermal Matrix Implants via Vacuum Plasma Treatment.

Plasma, an ionized gas composed of charged particles, has shown therapeutic potential in enhancing biological processes such as wound healing and tissue integration. Implants, such as silicone and human acellular dermal matrix (hADM), are commonly used in reconstructive surgery, but improving their biocompatibility and integration remains a challenge. This study investigated the effects of vacuum plasma treatment on silicone and hADM implants using an in vivo rat model.

Recycled Anode Materials from Manufacturing Industry for Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzer.

As the energy industries, such as secondary batteries and fuel cells, expand rapidly, the demand for transition metals used as electrode materials is increasing, which has led to a rise in their prices. One promising strategy to address these challenges is upcycling, which involves recycling transition metal-based waste from various industries. In this study, a heterostructure electrocatalyst for anion exchange membrane water electrolysis is developed by upcycling iron-based waste from the automotive industry.

Synergistic effects of hierarchical micro/nanostructures and PDMS/lubricant composites for superior tribological and wetting performance on aluminum.

In this study, we propose a method to enhance the friction and wetting properties of aluminum surfaces with micro-/nanostructures by coating them with a PDMS/lubricant composite. Hierarchical micro/nanostructures were formed on the aluminum surface through an etching process, and coating solutions were prepared by mixing xylene and the PDMS/lubricant composites in various ratios. The surface morphology, roughness, and wettability of the coated specimens were analyzed, and their friction and wear characteristics were evaluated under dry and lubricated conditions.

Enhancement of tribological performance of lubricants using polydimethylsiloxane powder additives.

This study explored the potential enhancement of lubrication performance by incorporating polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) powder as a lubricant additive. The PDMS powder was successfully synthesized mechanical and thermal processes, exhibiting a particle size distribution with an average diameter of 39 μm. XRD and FTIR analyses confirmed the amorphous structure and chemical composition of the PDMS-based silicone rubber powder.

Solar-Powered AEM Electrolyzer via PGM-Free (Oxy)hydroxide Anode with Solar to Hydrogen Conversion Efficiency of 12.44.

Water electrolyzers powered by renewable energy are emerging as clean and sustainable technology for producing hydrogen without carbon emissions. Specifically, anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzers utilizing non-platinum group metal (non-PGM) catalysts have garnered attention as a cost-effective method for hydrogen production, especially when integrated with solar cells. Nonetheless, the progress of such integrated systems is hindered by inadequate water electrolysis efficiency, primarily caused by poor oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrodes.

Impact of Tribological Conditions on Collagen Coating Self-Healing.

The study examined the correlation between collagen coating damage and self-healing under various tribological conditions. It confirmed that the friction coefficient and degree of damage on the collagen coating varied based on contact and sliding conditions. The friction coefficient, measured at 0.

Effects of the etching process on the surface, friction and wear characteristics of silicone rubber coated with micro-sized ceramic particles.

This study investigates the friction and wear characteristics of silicone rubber used in hydraulic systems, focusing on surface properties achieved through coating strategies. Silicone rubber specimens with varying surface characteristics, prepared by coating with micro-sized ceramic particles and employing etching processes, were examined. Surface morphology, roughness, water droplet contact angles, and friction and wear characteristics were evaluated.

Sleep disturbance correlated with severity of neuropathic pain in sciatic nerve crush injury model.

The association between sleep and pain has been investigated widely. However, inconsistent results from animal studies compared with human data show the need for a validated animal model in the sleep-pain association field. Our study aims to validate common neuropathic pain models as a tool for evaluating the sleep-pain association.

Influence of surface structure on friction and wear characteristics of silicone rubber for hydraulic rod seals.

This research investigates the impact of surface structure on the friction and wear characteristics of silicone rubber used as a material for hydraulic rod seals. Various silicone rubber specimens with different surface structures were prepared, and their surface morphology, water contact angle, and surface roughness were compared. Friction tests were conducted using a reciprocating sliding method to evaluate the friction coefficient and wear characteristics.

Relationship between consciousness and the thalamocortical tract in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.

In patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), the relationship between consciousness and the thalamocortical tract (TCT), which links the thalamic intralaminar nuclei (ILN) and the cerebral cortex, was investigated. Forty-one patients with ICH were assigned to 1 of 2 groups according to their preservation of consciousness as determined by their Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score. Patient group A had impaired consciousness (GCS < 15, 21 patients), and patient group B had intact consciousness (GCS = 15, 20 patients).

Disease-microenvironment modulation by bare- or engineered-exosome for rheumatoid arthritis treatment.

Background: Exosomes are extracellular vesicles secreted by eukaryotic cells and have been extensively studied for their surface markers and internal cargo with unique functions. A deeper understanding of exosomes has allowed their application in various research areas, particularly in diagnostics and therapy.

Main Body: Exosomes have great potential as biomarkers and delivery vehicles for encapsulating therapeutic cargo.

A preliminary study about the potential risks of the UV-weathered microplastic: The proteome-level changes in the brain in response to polystyrene derived weathered microplastics.

The growing use of plastic materials has resulted in a constant increase in the risk associated with microplastics (MPs). Ultra-violet (UV) light and wind break down modify MPs in the environment into smaller particles known as weathered MPs (WMPs) and these processes increase the risk of MP toxicity. The neurotoxicity of weathered polystyrene-MPs remains unclear.

Correlation between spasticity and corticospinal/corticoreticular tract status in stroke patients after early stage.

We investigated the correlation between spasticity and the states of the corticospinal tract (CST) and corticoreticular tract (CRT) in stroke patients after early stage. Thirty-eight stroke patients and 26 healthy control subjects were recruited. The modified Ashworth scale (MAS) scale after the early stage (more than 1 month after onset) was used to determine the spasticity state of the stroke patients.

Self-lubrication and tribological properties of polymer composites containing lubricant.

The purpose of this study was to improve the tribological properties of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) by mixing lubricants into it. The chemical composition, physical/chemical bonding state, and mechanical properties of the PDMS/lubricant composites (PLCs), prepared by mixing PDMS and lubricants at different ratios, were analyzed. With increasing lubricant content, the friction coefficient initially decreased, reaching a minimum value at a PDMS/lubricant ratio of 100 : 10; however, it gradually increased with a further increase in the lubricant content.

Tribological Effects of Water-Based Graphene Lubricants on Graphene Coatings.

In this study, the friction and wear characteristics of graphene coatings were evaluated using lubricants with various ratios of graphene ink to deionized (DI) water. When dry graphene ink and pure DI water were used as lubricants, the graphene coating initially peeled off, and the friction coefficient rapidly increased to a large value. However, when a lubricant with graphene ink added to DI water was used, a lubricating film was formed on the graphene coating and the friction coefficient was reduced significantly.

Friction Property of Hierarchical Micro/Nanopatterned PDMS.

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has many advantages, but the friction coefficient generated by contact with the counter material is high. The purpose of this study is to reduce the friction coefficient by forming hierarchical micro/nanopatterns on the PDMS surface using the imprinting method. In addition, the optimum conditions for reducing the friction coefficient by controlling the sliding speed and normal load were determined.

Neuroprotective effect of Geijigadaehwang-tang against trimethyltin-induced hippocampal neurodegeneration: An in vitro and in vivo study.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Patients with dementia are diagnosed with deficiency patterns and interior patterns in traditional Chinese medicine due to decreased physical strength, mental atrophy including cognitive function, and decreased motor function in the gastrointestinal tract. Since "greater yin symptom" in Shanghanlun has been interpreted as interior, deficiency, and cold pattern in traditional Chinese medicine, it is necessary to determine whether Geijigadaehwang-tang (GDT) has therapeutic effects on neurodegenerative diseases and the underlying mechanism if it has such effects.

Aims Of The Study: Trimethyltin (TMT), a neurotoxic organotin compound, has been used to induce several neurodegenerative diseases, including epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease.

Fabrication of TiO ̶ KH550 ̶ PEG Super-Hydrophilic Coating on Glass Surface without UV/Plasma Treatment for Self-Cleaning and Anti-Fogging Applications.

In this study, we have developed a self-cleaning transparent coating on a glass substrate by dip coating a TiO ̶ KH550 ̶ PEG mixed solution with super-hydrophilicity and good antifogging properties. The fabrication of the thin-film-coated glass is a one-step solution blending method that is performed by depositing only one layer of modified TiO nanoparticles at room temperature. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to determine the structure and morphology of the nanoparticles and the thin-film-coated glass.

Friction and Wear Characteristics of Polydimethylsiloxane under Water-Based Lubrication Conditions.

In this study, the friction and wear characteristics of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were evaluated when using lubricants created by adding surfactants at various ratios to deionized (DI) water. When pure DI water is used as a lubricant, the repulsion of water from the hydrophobic PDMS surface is large and the interfacial affinity is low; thus, the lubrication properties cannot be significantly improved. However, when a lubricant with a surfactant is added to DI water, the interfacial affinity with the PDMS surface increases to form a lubricating film, and the friction coefficient is greatly reduced.

Reactive Oxygen Species-Responsive Miktoarm Amphiphile for Triggered Intracellular Release of Anti-Cancer Therapeutics.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive nanocarriers have received considerable research attention as putative cancer treatments because their tumor cell targets have high ROS levels. Here, we synthesized a miktoarm amphiphile of dithioketal-linked ditocopheryl polyethylene glycol (DTTP) by introducing ROS-cleavable thioketal groups as linkers between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties. We used the product as a carrier for the controlled release of doxorubicin (DOX).

Microglial phagocytosis of polystyrene microplastics results in immune alteration and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo.

The remarkable increase in plastic usage and widespread microplastic (MP) pollution has emerged as a substantial concern today. Many recent studies have revealed MPs as potentially hazardous substances in mammals. Despite several reports on the impact of small MPs in the brain and behaviors in aquatic animals, it is still unclear how small MPs affect the brain and its underlying cellular physiology in terrestrial animals.

Assessment of the Physical, Mechanical, and Tribological Properties of PDMS Thin Films Based on Different Curing Conditions.

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a silicone-based elastomeric polymer, is generally cured by applying heat to a mixture of a PDMS base and crosslinking agent, and its material properties differ according to the mixing ratio and heating conditions. In this study, we analyzed the effects of different curing processes on the various properties of PDMS thin films prepared by mixing a PDMS solution comprising a PDMS base and a crosslinking agent in a ratio of 10:1. The PDMS thin films were cured using three heat transfer methods: convection heat transfer using an oven, conduction heat transfer using a hotplate, and conduction heat transfer using an ultrasonic device that generates heat internally from ultrasonic vibrations.