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Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic posed numerous obstacles to psychosocial wellbeing for children. We conducted a longitudinal study to evaluate child mental health and social risks during the pandemic. Methods Participants were 172 caregivers of children aged 6–11 years old who attended well child visits within 6 months before pandemic onset at an urban safety net hospital in the US. Prepandemic data was extracted from the electronic medical record, and surveys were administered at three time points between August 2020 and July 2021. We measured mental health symptoms with the Pediatric Symptom Checklist-17, social risks (e.g., food and housing insecurity) with the THRIVE questionnaire, and school modality (in-person, hybrid, remote). Results Compared to pre-pandemic, children had significantly higher PSC-17 total scores (overall mental health symptoms) and THRIVE total scores (total burden of social risks) at all three mid-pandemic waves. Using longitudinal mixed models accounting for time, social risks, and school modality, both social risks (B = 0.37, SE = 0.14, p

Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem. (AES; family Araliaceae) is a medicinal plant and has been reported to have various bioactivities, including anticancer and hepatotoxicity protective activities. However, no studies have investigated the biological activities of AES or its extracts on skin. To address this, we aimed to explore the effect of AES-flower-derived absolute-type essential oil (AESFEO) on skin-related biological activities, especially skin wound healing and whitening-related responses in skin cells (human-derived keratinocytes [HaCaT cells] and melanocytes [B16BL6 cells]) and to identify the components of AESFEO. Cell biological activities were analyzed using WST and BrdU incorporation assays, ELISA, or by immunoblotting. In HaCaT cells, AESFEO promoted proliferation, type IV collagen production, and enhanced the phosphorylations of Erk1/2, p38 MAPK, JNK, and Akt. In B16BL6 cells, AESFEO reduced serum-induced proliferation, α-MSH-stimulated increases in melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity, and α-MSH-induced increases in MITF, tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2 expressions. In addition, AESFEO inhibited the phosphorylation of Erk1/2, p38 MAPK, and JNK in α-MSH-stimulated B16BL6 cells. Eighteen compounds were identified in AESFEO by GC/MS. These results suggest that AESFEO has beneficial effects on keratinocyte activities related to skin wound healing and melanocyte activities related to inhibition of skin pigmentation. AESFEO may serve as a useful natural substance for developing agents that facilitate skin wound healing and inhibit melanogenesis.

Lespedeza maximowiczii (LM), a member of the legume family, has tyrosinase inhibitory and estrogenic activities. However, its effects on skin-related biological activities remain unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the effects of LM flower absolute (LMFAb) on skin-related biological events, especially skin re-epithelization, barrier and moisturizing-related keratinocyte (HaCaT cell) responses. In this study, LMFAb was isolated from LM flowers via solvent extraction and its chemical composition analysis was performed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation, Boyden chamber, sprout outgrowth, enzyme-linked immunosorbent, and Western blot assay were used to analyze the biological effects of LMFAb on HaCaT cells (a human epidermal keratinocyte cell line). Twelve components were identified in LMFAb. LMFAb promoted cell proliferation, migration, and sprout outgrowth in HaCaT cells. The absolute enhanced the activations of MAPKs (ERK1/2, JNK, and p38), PI3K and AKT proteins in HaCaT cells and elevated collagen type I and IV levels in HaCaT cell conditioned medium. In addition, LMFAb induced an increase in the expression levels of epidermal barrier proteins (filaggrin and involucrin) in HaCaT cells. Furthermore, LMFAb increased hyaluronan (HA) production and expression of HA synthases (HAS-1, HAS-2, and HAS-3) but decreased HYBID (HA binding protein involved in HA depolymerization) level in HaCaT cells. These findings demonstrate that LMFAb might promote skin re-epithelization, barrier and moisturizing-related beneficial responses in keratinocytes. This study suggests that LMFAb should be considered a potential starting material for the development of cosmetic or pharmaceutical agents that restore the functions of damaged skin.

Siegesbeckia glabrescens Makino (SGM) has been traditionally used to treat many disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, and acute hepatitis. However, the biological activities of SGM in skin remain unclear. The present study explored the effects of SGM flower absolute (SGMFAb) on skin-whitening-linked biological activities in B16BL6 cells. SGMFAb was extracted using hexane, and its composition was analyzed through gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. The biological effects of SGMFAb on B16BL6 melanoma cells were detected via WST and BrdU incorporation assays, ELISA, and immunoblotting. SGMFAb contained 14 compounds. In addition, SGMFAb was noncytotoxic, attenuated the serum-induced proliferation of, and inhibited melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in α-MSH-exposed B16BL6 cells. SGMFAb also reduced the expressions of MITF (microphthalmia-associated transcription factor), tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1, and TRP-2 in α-MSH-exposed B16BL6 cells. Moreover, SGMFAb downregulated the activation of p38 MAPK, ERK1/2, and JNK in α-MSH-stimulated B16BL6 cells. In addition, SGMFAb reduced the expressions of three melanosome-transport-participating proteins (myosin Va, melanophilin, and Rab27a) in α-MSH-stimulated B16BL6 cells. These results indicate that SGMFAb positively influences skin whitening activities by inhibiting melanogenesis and melanosome-transport-related events in B16BL6 cells, and suggest that SGMFAb is a promising material for developing functional skin whitening agents.

Caragana sinica (CS; family Legume) was used as a medicinal material to treat neuralgia and arthritis in folk remedies and has been shown to have antioxidant, neuroprotective, and anti-apoptotic effects. However, CS is unknown for its biological activities related to skin. The present study explored the effects of CS flower absolute (CSFAb) on skin repair responses, viz., wound healing and anti-wrinkle-related responses using keratinocytes. CSFAb was extracted using hexane, and its composition was analyzed by GC/MS. The effects of CSFAb on human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) were evaluated using Boyden chamber, sprouting, water-soluble tetrazolium salt, 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation, ELISA, zymography, and immunoblotting assays. GC/MS detected 46 components in CSFAb. In addition, in HaCaT cells, CSFAb increased the proliferation, migration, and sprout outgrowth and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, p38 MAPK, and AKT, and also increased collagen type I and IV synthesis, reduced TNF-α-increased MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities, and upregulated hyaluronic acid (HA) and HA synthase-2 levels. These effects of CSFAb on wound healing and anti-wrinkle-related responses in keratinocytes suggest its potential use for skin repair and care preparations.

Impatiens textori Miq. (ITM; family Balsaminaceae) is a traditional medicinal plant with many biological activities, which include anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-pruritic properties. However, it remains to be determined whether ITM affects biological activities in the skin. Thus, we investigated the effects of ITM flower absolute (ITMFAb) extract on the biological activities of skin, especially those related to skin wound repair and whitening. ITMFAb was extracted with hexane, and its composition was determined through GC/MS. The biological activities of ITMFAb on HaCaT keratinocytes and B16BL6 melanoma cells were analyzed using a water-soluble tetrazolium salt, 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation, a Boyden chamber, an ELISA, a sprouting assay, and by immunoblotting. These analyses were performed in a range of ITMFAb concentrations that did not inhibit the viability of the cells (HaCaT, ≤400 µg/mL; B16BL6, ≤200 µg/m). Forty components were identified in ITMFAb. ITMFAb stimulated proliferation, migration, sprout outgrowth, and type I and IV collagen synthesis and upregulated the activations of ERK1/2, JNK, p38 MAPK, and AKT in HaCaT cells. In addition, ITMFAb attenuated the serum-induced proliferation of B16BL6 cells. ITMFAb inhibited melanin synthesis, tyrosinase activity, and expressions of MITF and tyrosinase in α-MSH-exposed B16BL6 cells. These findings indicate that ITMFAb has beneficial effects on wound repairing and whitening-linked responses in the skin and suggest the potential use of ITMFAb as a natural material for the development of skin wound repair and whitening agents.

Abstract Displays play a significant role in delivering information and providing visual data across all media platforms. Among displays, the prominence of reflective displays is increasing, in the form of E-paper, which has features distinct from emissive displays. These unique features include high visibility under daylight conditions, reduced eye strain and low power consumption, which make them highly effective for outdoor use. Furthermore, such characteristics enable reflective displays to achieve high synergy in combination with wearable devices, which are frequently used for outdoor activities. However, as wearable devices must stretch to conform to the dynamic surfaces of the human body, the issue of how to fabricate stretchable reflective displays should be tackled prior to merging them with wearable devices. In this paper, we discuss stretchable and reflective displays. In particular, we focus on reflective displays that can be divided into two types, passive and active, according to their responses to stretching. Passive displays, which consist of dyes or pigments, exhibit consistent colors under stretching, while active displays, which are based on mechanochromic materials, change their color under the same conditions. We will provide a comprehensive overview of the materials and technologies for each display type, and present strategies for stretchable and reflective displays.

In the field of actuator materials, hydrogels that undergo large volume changes in response to external stimuli have been developed for a variety of promising applications. However, most conventional hydrogels are brittle and therefore rupture when they are stretched to moderate strains (~50%). Thus, gels to be used for actuators still require improved mechanical properties and actuation performance. In this study, we synthesized a tough and thermo-sensitive hydrogel with a large actuation force by forming interpenetrating networks between covalently crosslinked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and ionically crosslinked alginate. Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) was used as a thermo-sensitive actuation material, and alginate was found to enhance the mechanical properties of the hydrogels. Due to the enhanced elastic modulus and energy dissipation in the hybrid gel, the toughness was increased by a factor of 60 over that of pure PNIPAAm gel. Further, based on the results showing that the hybrid gel exhibits an actuation force that is seven times higher than that of pure PNIPAAm gel, the hybrid gel is more applicable to real actuators.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory dermal disease with symptoms that include inflammation, itching, and dry skin. 1-Iodohexadecane is known as a component of Chrysanthemum boreale essential oil that has an inhibitory effect on AD-like lesions. However, its effects on AD-related pathological events have not been investigated. Here, we explored the effects of 1-iodohexadecane on AD lesion-related in vitro and in vivo responses and the mechanism involved using human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells), mast cells (RBL-2H3 cells), and a 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced mouse model (male BALB/c) of AD. Protein analyses were performed by immunoblotting or immunohistochemistry. In RBL-2H3 cells, 1-iodohexadecane inhibited immunoglobulin E-induced releases of histamine and β-hexosaminidase and the expression of VAMP8 protein (vesicle-associated membrane proteins 8; a soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor [SNARE] protein). In HaCaT cells, 1-iodohexadecane enhanced filaggrin and loricrin expressions; in DNCB-treated mice, it improved AD-like skin lesions, reduced epidermal thickness, mast cell infiltration, and increased filaggrin and loricrin expressions (skin barrier proteins). In addition, 1-iodohexadecane reduced the β-hexosaminidase level in the serum of DNCB-applied mice. These results suggest that 1-iodohexadecane may ameliorate AD lesion severity by disrupting SNARE protein-linked degranulation and/or by enhancing the expressions of skin barrier-related proteins, and that 1-iodohexadecane has therapeutic potential for the treatment of AD.

Salix koreensis Anderss (SKA) has been used traditionally to treat inflammation, pain, and edema. SKA has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, but no study has examined its effects on skin wound healing. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of the absolute extracted from SKA flower (SKAFAb) on skin wound healing-associated responses in keratinocytes. SKAFAb was produced using a solvent extraction method and its chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The effects of SKAFAb on HaCaT cells (a human epidermal keratinocyte cell line) were investigated using a Boyden chamber and 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation, sprout outgrowth, immunoblotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent, and water-soluble tetrazolium salt assays. Sixteen constituents were identified in SKAFAb. SKAFAb promoted HaCaT cell proliferation, migration, and type I and IV collagen productions. SKAFAb increased sprout outgrowth and increased the phosphorylations of serine/threonine-specific protein kinase (Akt), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in HaCaT cells. These results indicate that SKAFAb promotes keratinocyte proliferation and migration, probably by activating Akt and MAPK signaling pathways, and induces collagen synthesis in keratinocytes. SKAFAb may be a promising material for promoting skin wound healing.

Prevention of age-associated reduction in muscle mass and function is required to manage a healthy life. Supplemental (-)-Epicatechin (EC) appears to act as a potential regulator for muscle growth and strength. However, its cellular and molecular mechanisms as a potential muscle growth agent have not been studied well. In the current study, we investigated a role of EC in differentiation of muscle progenitors to gain the molecular insight into how EC regulates muscle growth. EC enhanced myogenic differentiation in a dose-dependent manner through stimulation of promyogenic signaling pathways, p38MAPK and Akt. EC treatment elevated MyoD activity by enhancing its heterodimerization with E protein. Consistently, EC also positively regulated myogenic conversion and differentiation of fibroblasts. In conclusion, EC has a potential as a therapeutic or nutraceutical remedy to treat degenerative muscle diseases or age-related muscle weakness.

Abstract Cave crickets (Rhaphidophoridae) are insects of an ancient and wingless lineage within Orthoptera that are distributed worldwide except in Antarctica, and each subfamily has a high level of endemicity. Here, we show the comprehensive phylogeny of cave crickets using multi-gene datasets from mitochondrial and nuclear loci, including all extant subfamilies for the first time. We reveal phylogenetic relationships between subfamilies, including the sister relationship between Anoplophilinae and Gammarotettiginae, based on which we suggest new synapomorphies. Through biogeographic analyses based on divergence time estimations and ancestral range reconstruction, we propose novel hypotheses regarding the biogeographic history of cave crickets. We suggest that Gammarotettiginae in California originated from the Asian lineage when Asia and the Americas were connected by the Bering land bridge, and the opening of the western interior seaway affected the division of Ceuthophilinae from Tropidischiinae in North America. We estimate that Rhaphidophoridae originated at 138 Mya throughout Pangea. We further hypothesize that the loss of wings in Rhaphidophoridae could be the result of their adaptation to low temperatures in the Mesozoic era.

Predicting an abnormally rapid decline in battery capacity in low-temperature environments is important for maintaining battery stability and performance. This study introduces a method that integrates cycling tests under various current conditions with deep neural network algorithms to identify and predict in real-time the trend of battery capacity reduction in low-temperature conditions ( $- 10~^{\circ }$ C). For this method, 18 feature data points were included, consisting of the test environment and conditions, as well as geometric and statistical features. The importance of these features was analyzed using the Random Forest (RF) algorithm, and the top 12 feature data points were selected to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model. Furthermore, we applied a sequential ensemble technique that uses the output of the LSTM model as the input for the particle filter, significantly improving the performance of the prediction model. The approach was used to predict the capacity of the tested battery using C-rate transformation based on the WLTC. The results showed an error rate of 0.9% and an RMSE of 0.0048, representing a 25% decrease in the error rate and a 48% reduction in the RMSE compared with those predicted by the LSTM model.

Abstract Background When studying the quality of sleep in relation to athletic performance, the athlete’s chronotype and habitual time consider important factors. We aim to investigate the sleep quality and athletes’ performance according to chronotype in elite athletes. Methods Three hundred forty elite athletes (males = 261, females = 79) were recruited for the present study. All participants were screening for chronotype by the Korean versions of the Morningness - Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ-K). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) were measurement after screening. Results PSQI global score, PSQI sleep quality, PSQI sleep onset latency, PSQI sleep disturbance, and PSQI daytime dysfunction were significant differences among the groups. WAnT mean power (W), mean power (W/kg), peak power (W), and peak power (W/kg) were significant differences among the groups. A negative correlation coefficient was found between PSQI score and WAnT mean power (W) (r = − 0.256, p

Angelica polymorpha Maxim. (APM) is used in traditional medicine to treat chronic gastritis, rheumatic pain, and duodenal bulbar ulcers. However, it is not known whether APM has epidermis-associated biological activities. Here, we investigated the effects of APM flower absolute (APMFAb) on responses associated with skin wound healing and whitening using epidermal cells. APMFAb was obtained by solvent extraction and its composition was analyzed by GC/MS. Water-soluble tetrazolium salt, 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation, Boyden chamber, sprouting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and immunoblotting were used to examine the effects of APMFAb on HaCaT keratinocytes and B16BL6 melanoma cells. APMFAb contained five compounds and induced keratinocyte migration, proliferation, and type IV collagen synthesis. APMFAb also induced the phosphorylations of ERK1/2, JNK, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and AKT in keratinocytes. In addition, APMFAb decreased serum-induced B16BL6 cell proliferation and inhibited tyrosinase expression, melanin contents, and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor expression in α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-stimulated B16BL6 cells. These findings demonstrate that APMFAb has beneficial effects on skin wound healing by promoting the proliferation, migration, and collagen synthesis of keratinocytes and on skin whitening by inhibiting melanin synthesis in melanoma cells. Therefore, we suggest that APMFAb has potential use as a wound healing and skin whitening agent.