Sopungyangjae-Tang Inhibits Development of Dermatitis in Nc/Nga Mice

Sopungyangjae-Tang (SYT) is a traditional Korean decoction used for the treatment of dermatitis. The aim of this study was to confirm whether or not SYT has a preventive effect on the development of atopic dermatitis in dinitrochlorobenzene-applied Nc/Nga mice. SYT was administered orally to Nc/Nga mice, which led to the remarkable suppression of the development of dermatitis, as determined by a histological examination and the serum IgE levels. Moreover, SYT inhibited the production of thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) and its mRNA expression in a keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT, which had been stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Activation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) or activator protein-1 (AP-1) is one of the key steps in the signaling pathways mediating induction of TARC. In this study, SYT selectively suppressed NF-κB activation, which may be essential for TARC expression in TNF-α/IFN-γ treated keratinocytes. The inhibitory effect of SYT on NF-κB activation and TARC production might be associated with the anti-dermatitic effects of SYT

Polarity engineering in polycrystalline ZnO by inversion boundaries

Two distinctive polarity-engineered microstructures were obtained in polycrystalline ZnO ceramics by inducing two different types of inversion boundaries (IBs) inside individual grains to examine the effect of the different polarities on the varistor performances. The presence of head-to-head IBs induced by the addition of Sb and tail-to-tail IBs by doping Ti was directly confirmed by the characteristic geometry of the chemical etch pits. It was proposed that a consequent polarity on the grain boundary planes, which are affected by the presence of head-to-head IBs is crucial in exhibiting the superior performance of ZnO varistors.open2

Familial Glucocorticoid Deficiency with a Point Mutation in the ACTH Receptor: A Case Report

Familial glucocorticoid deficiency (FGD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by severe glucocorticoid deficiency associated with failure of adrenal responsiveness to ACTH but no mineralocorticoid deficiency. We report a 2 month-old boy of nonconsanguineous parents, presented with hyperpigmentation. Physical examination showed diffuse dark skin of body including, oral mucosa, gum, hands, nails and scrotum. Laboratory evaluation revealed low serum cortisol (0.3 µg/dL), with very high plasma ACTH level (18,000 pg/mL), and serum cortisol level did not increase after ACTH stimulation test. Serum sodium, potassium, plasma renin activity, aldosterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone were normal. Sequence analysis of the ACTH receptor (MC2R) gene showed a homozygous mutation of D103N. Diagnosis of FGD was made and treatment started with oral hydrocortisone