Physical Appearance Research Articles

Why Cosmetic Surgery is Prevalent in Korea: A Perspective Grounded in Basic Values.

The aim of this review is to explore the reasons behind the prevalence of cosmetic surgery in Korea from the viewpoint of "basic values." In societies characterized by high levels of prejudice, the hierarchy of values from highest to lowest is as follows: (1) political, (2) economic, (3) religious, (4) social, (5) theoretical, and (6) aesthetic. Conversely, in societies with low levels of prejudice, the ranking of values from highest to lowest is: (1) aesthetic, (2) social, (3) religious, (4) theoretical, (5) economic, and (6) political. In mature societies, higher levels of stability, cultural development, emphasis on quality of life, and greater tolerance and openness drive the appreciation of aesthetic values. As Korea's economy has developed and basic needs have been met, there has been an increasing emphasis on aesthetic values, including beauty standards and self-presentation. This trend is evident in the flourishing Korean beauty industries (K-beauty). There is a growing societal focus on physical appearance, fashion, and plastic surgery, which has become normalized in certain aspects of Korean culture. Rapid modernization, shifting social norms, competitive pressures, and evolving interpretations of traditional values have normalized and even popularized cosmetic surgery in Korean society. The combination of cultural expectations, advanced medical care, and social factors has positioned South Korea as a world leader in cosmetic surgery, despite its relatively small population. To keep pace with the rapidly evolving aesthetic values of Korean society, plastic surgeons must align with contemporary beauty standards, thoroughly understand surgical anatomy, and strive to minimize patient dissatisfaction.

Quality Assessment of Different Agricultural Produce under Organic as Well as Inorganic Production System: A Review

The urgent need to grow more food to feed the growing population has led to intensive farming with a lot of negative impacts on soil health as well as the ecosystem. To mitigate the negative impacts of conventional farming, the concept of organic farming has resurfaced. However, separate study of conventional and organic farming does not give a comparative assessment between two production system. The compensation of yield loss under organic farming could only be overlooked through enhancing the quality of produce. Good quality produce is just as important as quantity, yet quantity is typically prioritized. There is a myth that organically grown produce is superior and tastier than conventionally grown produce, yet this isn’t always the case. So, it’s high time to screen out the specific nutrient/ vitamin or any other quality parameter that can be enhanced through organic farming. So that agro-technique for organic fortification can be developed for the future researchers. Almost 71 research experiment were carefully studied and tried to assess the impact on organic farming on quality of produce. In developed and developing countries the area is increasing with an average growth rate of 20-25 %. Organically grown produce enhanced the mineral content especially phosphorous, and iron in rice, increased the protein content of maize by 8 to 19%, lysine content in wheat by 25-30%, ash and crude fat content in millets and oats and many more. Besides, improving physical appearances such as kernel length, elongation ratio of cereals, the cooking time has been greatly reduced in organic than inorganic production system. Even, the crude protein and oil contents greatly increased in the oilseed crops in organic production system over inorganic. However, variable response was reported in case of tuber crops, as quality parameters as well as organoleptic taste between conventional as well as organic farming system remained insignificant. However, few researchers reported significant increase in tuber dry matter content (20.92%) as well as quality traits for processing of tubers under organic farming system. Likewise, the oleoresin (5.26%) and essential oil (3.96%) contents of zinger rhizomes and curcumin (5.3%) and essential oil contents (4.2%) of turmeric greatly increased in organic production system over inorganic.

Structural variant allelic heterogeneity in MECP2 duplication syndrome provides insight into clinical severity and variability of disease expression

BackgroundMECP2 Duplication Syndrome, also known as X-linked intellectual developmental disorder Lubs type (MRXSL; MIM: 300260), is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by copy number gains spanning MECP2. Despite varying genomic rearrangement structures, including duplications and triplications, and a wide range of duplication sizes, no clear correlation exists between DNA rearrangement and clinical features. We had previously demonstrated that up to 38% of MRXSL families are characterized by complex genomic rearrangements (CGRs) of intermediate complexity (2 ≤ copy number variant breakpoints < 5), yet the impact of these genomic structures on regulation of gene expression and phenotypic manifestations have not been investigated.MethodsTo study the role of the genomic rearrangement structures on an individual’s clinical phenotypic variability, we employed a comprehensive genomics, transcriptomics, and deep phenotyping analysis approach on 137 individuals affected by MRXSL. Genomic structural information was correlated with transcriptomic and quantitative phenotypic analysis using Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) semantic similarity scores.ResultsDuplication sizes in the cohort ranging from 64.6 kb to 16.5 Mb were classified into four categories comprising of tandem duplications (48%), terminal duplications (22%), inverted triplications (20%), and other CGRs (10%). Most of the terminal duplication structures consist of translocations (65%) followed by recombinant chromosomes (23%). Notably, 65% of de novo events occurred in the Terminal duplication group in contrast with 17% observed in Tandem duplications. RNA-seq data from lymphoblastoid cell lines indicated that the MECP2 transcript quantity in MECP2 triplications is statistically different from all duplications, but not between other classes of genomic structures. We also observed a significant (p < 0.05) correlation (Pearson R = 0.6, Spearman p = 0.63) between the log-transformed MECP2 RNA levels and MECP2 protein levels, demonstrating that genomic aberrations spanning MECP2 lead to altered MECP2 RNA and MECP2 protein levels. Genotype–phenotype analyses indicated a gradual worsening of phenotypic features, including overall survival, developmental levels, microcephaly, epilepsy, and genitourinary/eye abnormalities in the following order: Tandem duplications, Other complex duplications, Terminal duplications/Translocations, and Triplications encompassing MECP2.ConclusionIn aggregate, this combined analysis uncovers an interplay between MECP2 dosage, genomic rearrangement structure and phenotypic traits. Whereas the level of MECP2 is a key determinant of the phenotype, the DNA rearrangement structure can contribute to clinical severity and disease expression variability. Employing this type of analytical approach will advance our understanding of the impact of genomic rearrangements on genomic disorders and may help guide more targeted therapeutic approaches.

An Automatic and End-to-End System for Rare Disease Knowledge Graph Construction Based on Ontology-Enhanced Large Language Models: Development Study.

Rare diseases affect millions worldwide but sometimes face limited research focus individually due to low prevalence. Many rare diseases do not have specific International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition (ICD-9) and Tenth Edition (ICD-10), codes and therefore cannot be reliably extracted from granular fields like "Diagnosis" and "Problem List" entries, which complicates tasks that require identification of patients with these conditions, including clinical trial recruitment and research efforts. Recent advancements in large language models (LLMs) have shown promise in automating the extraction of medical information, offering the potential to improve medical research, diagnosis, and management. However, most LLMs lack professional medical knowledge, especially concerning specific rare diseases, and cannot effectively manage rare disease data in its various ontological forms, making it unsuitable for these tasks. Our aim is to create an end-to-end system called automated rare disease mining (AutoRD), which automates the extraction of rare disease-related information from medical text, focusing on entities and their relations to other medical concepts, such as signs and symptoms. AutoRD integrates up-to-date ontologies with other structured knowledge and demonstrates superior performance in rare disease extraction tasks. We conducted various experiments to evaluate AutoRD's performance, aiming to surpass common LLMs and traditional methods. AutoRD is a pipeline system that involves data preprocessing, entity extraction, relation extraction, entity calibration, and knowledge graph construction. We implemented this system using GPT-4 and medical knowledge graphs developed from the open-source Human Phenotype and Orphanet ontologies, using techniques such as chain-of-thought reasoning and prompt engineering. We quantitatively evaluated our system's performance in entity extraction, relation extraction, and knowledge graph construction. The experiment used the well-curated dataset RareDis2023, which contains medical literature focused on rare disease entities and their relations, making it an ideal dataset for training and testing our methodology. On the RareDis2023 dataset, AutoRD achieved an overall entity extraction F1-score of 56.1% and a relation extraction F1-score of 38.6%, marking a 14.4% improvement over the baseline LLM. Notably, the F1-score for rare disease entity extraction reached 83.5%, indicating high precision and recall in identifying rare disease mentions. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating LLMs with medical ontologies in extracting complex rare disease information. AutoRD is an automated end-to-end system for extracting rare disease information from text to build knowledge graphs, addressing critical limitations of existing LLMs by improving identification of these diseases and connecting them to related clinical features. This work underscores the significant potential of LLMs in transforming health care, particularly in the rare disease domain. By leveraging ontology-enhanced LLMs, AutoRD constructs a robust medical knowledge base that incorporates up-to-date rare disease information, facilitating improved identification of patients and resulting in more inclusive research and trial candidacy efforts.

Impact of Face Mask-Wearing on Quality of Life in Post-Surgical Oral Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Treatments for oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) often result in significant aesthetic and functional issues, impacting patients’ quality of life (QoL). The COVID-19 pandemic’s mask mandates may have provided psychosocial benefits by concealing facial disfigurements, potentially reducing stigma. This study aimed to assess the impact of mask-wearing on the QoL of patients surgically treated for OSCC. Methods: This single-center, cross-sectional study, conducted from June 2022 to December 2023, included patients who had completed their treatment and returned home before or during the mask-wearing mandate. They answered a questionnaire using a four-point Likert scale to evaluate the mask-wearing’s impact on QoL and the influence on it of physical appearance, tumor localization, radiotherapy, and treatment end date. Results: The questionnaire analysis found a high internal consistency among the questions (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.931). Considering 41 patients (median age 69, 63% male), wearing a mask significantly improved QoL, with a mean score of 1.66 compared to a score of 2.00 for patients not wearing it (p &lt; 0.001). This improvement was particularly notable for appearance concerns, fear of perception by family or others, and sociability apprehension. The QoL, with or without mask use, was not significantly modified when considering physical appearance, tumor localization, radiotherapy, or end date of the treatment, as demonstrated by two-way ANOVA tests and multiple linear regression. Conclusions: Mask-wearing positively impacted QoL in OSCC patients, providing psychological relief from disfigurement and social stigma. Masks offer a simple, accessible solution to enhance QoL while awaiting a definitive prosthetic treatment, suggesting that their continued use could be beneficial in supportive care strategies.

Analysis of Regions of Homozygosity: Revisited Through New Bioinformatic Approaches

Background: Runs of homozygosity (ROHs), continuous homozygous regions across the genome, are often linked to consanguinity, with their size and frequency reflecting shared parental ancestry. Homozygosity mapping (HM) leverages ROHs to identify genes associated with autosomal recessive diseases. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) improves HM by detecting ROHs and disease-causing variants. Methods: To streamline personalized multigene panel creation, using WES and ROHs, we developed a methodology integrating ROHMMCLI and HomozygosityMapper algorithms, and, optionally, Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) terms, implemented in a Django Web application. Resorting to a dataset of 12,167 WES, we performed the first ROH profiling of the Portuguese population. Clustering models were applied to predict consanguinity from ROH features. Results: These resources were applied for the genetic characterization of two siblings with epilepsy, myoclonus and dystonia, pinpointing the CSTB gene as disease-causing. Using the 2021 Census population distribution, we created a representative sample (3941 WES) and measured genome-wide autozygosity (FROH). Portalegre, Viseu, Bragança, Madeira, and Vila Real districts presented the highest FROH scores. Multidimensional scaling showed that ROH count and sum were key predictors of consanguinity, achieving a test F1-score of 0.96 with additional features. Conclusions: This study contributes with new bioinformatics tools for ROH analysis in a clinical setting, providing unprecedented population-level ROH data for Portugal.

Anonymity and Digital Islamic Authority

Much of the literature on digital religious authority has focused on spiritual “influencers” and the challenges they pose to traditional religious hierarchies and structures of authority. Less attention has been dedicated to religious websites, social media pages, and digital feeds whose popularity and influence do not hinge on the personalistic qualities of their creators. There is a wide assortment of generic religious reference sites that, although developed and managed by largely anonymous webmasters and administrators, command significant audiences and exert substantial influence on religious interpretations and practices. We argue that anonymity affords certain advantages for bolstering visibility and influence that have hitherto received insufficient attention in the literature on religion, authority, and cyberspace. In contrast to spiritual influencers, who draw attention to their personal biographies, credentials, appearances, and connections to enhance their legitimacy and authority, individuals or groups who administer religious reference sites commonly employ alternative strategies that involve concealing personal identities, experiences, and affiliations. Their aim is to come off as neutral, impartial, and free of ideological baggage that might bias their interpretations. This facilitates their efforts to frame the content they share as a form of universal religious truth that transcends ideological and sectarian differences. Our analysis centers on websites and social media pages that provide guidance to Spanish speakers on Islamic theology, jurisprudence, and piety.

Post-harvest processing methods have critical roles on the contents of active metabolites and pharmacological effects of Astragali Radix

BackgroundProcessing methods of traditional Chinese medicinal materials are critical in influencing the active metabolites and pharmacological effects. The fresh processing method effectively prevents the loss and degradation of metabolites, common in traditional drying and softening processes, while also reducing production costs. Astragali Radix (AR), a leguminous botanical drug, is widely utilized in clinical practice and functional foods. Therefore, optimizing its the post-harvest processing method is crucial for enhancing production and application.MethodsAR samples were processed using different methods with varying moisture content, including unpretreated samples and those subjected to kneading and sweating treatments. These samples were evaluated for physical appearance and active metabolite content. The entropy weight method, combined with the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), was employed to optimize the fresh processing method. A comparative study between freshly processed AR (AR-F) and traditionally processed AR (AR-T) assessed active metabolites, pharmacological effects and mechanisms.ResultsThe appearance and active metabolites content of AR samples were affected by moisture content, kneading, and sweating treatments. After these treatments, the content of polysaccharides and calycosin-7-O-glucoside increased compared to unpretreated samples at the same moisture level. Entropy weight-TOPSIS analysis showed that the sample with 35% moisture, 100 kneading cycles, and 12 h of sweating had the highest score. Comparative studies revealed that AR-F had significantly higher content of total polysaccharides, total flavonoids, and calycosin-7-O-glucoside compared to AR-T, along with an increased flavonoid glycoside/aglycone ratio. However, no significant differences were observed in the total saponins and their metabolites. Pharmacological studies demonstrated that total flavonoids in AR-F exhibited superior macrophage RAW264.7 activation, compared to AR-T. Furthermore, we confirmed that the enhanced immunomodulatory capacity of AR-F was linked to its ability to stimulate the release of TNF, SRC, ER-α, AKT, HSP90, and Caspase-3 in RAW264.7 cells.ConclusionOur study optimized the fresh processing method of AR, and conducted a systematic comparative analysis between fresh and traditional processing samples, providing a basis for post-harvest processing in the AR production areas.

Improved Gynecomastia Surgery: Power-Assisted Liposuction With Stab-Flatten Technique Without Resection.

Gynecomastia, the enlargement of male breast tissue, significantly impacts both physical and psychological health. Surgical intervention is often necessary, utilizing various techniques to reduce glandular and fatty tissue. This paper introduces an innovative surgical method combining power-assisted liposuction with the stab-flatten technique to enhance precision and cosmetic results. We present our clinical experience and evaluate its effectiveness in gynecomastia treatment. From June 2021 to January 2023, 128 gynecomastia patients underwent power-assisted liposuction and the stab-flatten method via a single axillary incision. We collected demographic and clinical data, including surgery duration, complications, and patient satisfaction regarding physical appearance, mental state, and social interactions. The BODY-Q questionnaire was used preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively for assessment. The study included 128 male patients, treating 252 breasts, with an average age of 35 years and a mean BMI of 27.7kg/m2. Most procedures were bilateral (96.9%), with an average fat removal of 224.5mL and a surgery duration of 147 minutes. The complication rate was low at 2.0%, with bruises in 5 breasts. The average hospital stay was 2 days. Significant improvements were noted in BODY-Q scores for appearance satisfaction and health-related quality of life, with increased appearance satisfaction and reduced appearance-related distress. Since June 2021, the combined use of power-assisted liposuction and the stab-flatten technique has been effective in managing gynecomastia. This synergistic approach not only achieves aesthetically pleasing outcomes but also minimizes the surgical risks associated with traditional methods.

Understanding of Body Dysmorphic Disorder - An Ayurvedic conceptual study

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is common mental health condition characterized by an obsessive focus on perceived flaws in physical appearance. These perceived imperfections, often not visible to others, can cause significant emotional distress and impair daily functioning. BDD affects both men and women and can manifest at any age, though it commonly begins in adolescence. In Ayurveda, this appearance preoccupation can be understood in terms of Chintyam (thinking) or Atichintana (overthinking). Chintyam is also considered as objective of mind which means to be thought about or to be imagined and by regulating the thought process Manonigraha can be achieved.[1] Chinta and Chita (fire) have only a difference of dot. Chita burns the dead while Chinta burns the alive.[2] In a recent systematic review it was found that weighted prevalence of BDD in adults in the community was estimated to be 1.9% though this was increased when looking at specific psychiatric settings (adult psychiatric outpatients (5.8%) and adult psychiatric inpatients 7.4%) and even further increased in the context of other nonpsychiatric specialties such as general cosmetic surgery 13.2%; in rhinoplasty surgery 20.1%; in orthognathic surgery 11.2%; in orthodontics/cosmetic dentistry settings 5.2%; in dermatology outpatients 11.3%; and in cosmetic dermatology outpatients 9.2%.[3] Many individuals affected with this condition will have high level of anxiety and depressed mood and some may even end up with major depressive disorder.

The Updated Review on Ayurvedic Melasma Etiopathogenesis

Since skin covers the entire body, it is a prominent bodily feature that is readily visible and appreciated. Self-esteem is greatly impacted by one's physical appearance, which also helps to create social connections and opens doors. Even while we claim that this is not a major medical problem, there is still plenty here to undermine one's self-assurance. Due to intense competition and globalization, being well-groomed has become essential for success. In Ayurveda, Vyanga (also known as Melasma) is stated under Rakta Pradoshaja Vyadhi and Kshudra Roga. This is an effort to describe the pathophysiology, symptoms, and causation of Vyanga. With careful examination and compilation of evidence from many Samhitas and contemporary literature, we can determine the precise etiopathogenesis of Melasma (Vyanga) from an Ayurvedic perspective.[1]

Influence of The Anabolic Steroid Usage on The Physical Health: A Review

Introduction: Anabolic steroids are synthetic derivatives of testosterone commonly used to enhance athletic performance and physical appearance. Despite their popularity, their non-medical use is associated with significant health risks. This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on the impact of anabolic steroid use on physical health, emphasizing cardiovascular, hepatic, endocrine, and musculoskeletal systems, as well as broader systemic effects. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed articles from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar published between 2000 and 2023. Studies were selected based on relevance, with particular focus on human clinical trials, observational studies, and meta-analyses. Keywords included "anabolic steroids," "health effects," "cardiovascular risk," and "endocrine disruption." Results: Anabolic steroid use is linked to increased cardiovascular risks, liver dysfunction, endocrine disturbances, and musculoskeletal injuries. Key effects include hypertension, hepatotoxicity, testosterone suppression, infertility, and tendon injuries. Psychological impacts such as aggression and mood changes were also observed. Conclusions: Anabolic steroid use poses significant risks to multiple organ systems and overall health. Despite widespread awareness of these dangers, misuse persists, often driven by societal pressures and misinformation. Healthcare providers should prioritize prevention through education, early intervention, and support for individuals at risk. Future research should focus on long-term effects and effective strategies for harm reduction.

Semiotic Analysis in Barbie Film by Charles Sanders Peirce's Theory

This research discussed the meaning of the signs in the Barbie (2023) film. This research aimed to find the signs contained in the film based on the types of signs in Charles Sanders Peirce's semiotic and to interpret the meaning of these signs based on the semiosis process which involved the relationship between representamen, object, and interpretant. In this research, researchers used qualitative methods and data was collected by marking and sorting with a semiotic approach. The researcher found 4 types of signs: icon show that every woman has the same opportunities and rights as other women and has equal gender roles as men in society, qualisign show the feminine side of women and the sexual violence that women often experience, symbol shows allusions to sexism and patriarchal culture, and index shows self-discovery. Based on 4 types of signs that have been analyzed through a semiosis process involving representamen, object, and interpretant, the researcher found the meaning of this film was about the position of women in society, the importance of gender equality without gender stereotypes, women also had the same rights in a career regardless of their physical appearance and skin color, women had ambition and dreams and be able to play an active role in society as well as the meaning about the importance of being yourself.

The psychological impact on women during matchmaking process in arranged marriage

This study examines the psychological impact of the matchmaking process in arranged marriage on women in the Dhanusha district of Nepal. The research used a semi-structured interview to explore the experiences of 100 women aged 20-40 who faced evaluation during the arranged marriage matchmaking process. The findings reveal that physical appearance, particularly skin complexion, and height, is a predominant standard in bride selection, often leading to reduced self-esteem, psychological distress, and feelings of insufficiency among women who do not conform to these societal expectations. Dowry remains a significant factor in urban and rural settings adding financial and emotional burdens on women and their families. Although educational qualification offers some agency in marriage negotiations, it does not alleviate the issues related to beauty standards and dowry demands. Proficiency in domestic skills is also appreciated, particularly in traditional rural settings where educational qualification is less valued. The research contributes to the knowledge of how deeply rooted cultural and traditional norms perpetuate gender inequality and adversely affect women's mental well-being. However, the study's limited sample size and geographical region suggest the need for further research across diverse regions to gain more comprehensive insights.

Evaluating the benefits and risks of puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormones for transgender adolescents.

The use of puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormones by transgender adolescents is the subject of an ongoing public debate. In this paper, we address one central ethical aspect of the debate - the question of what sort of benefits these treatments provide and how to evaluate the significance of these benefits in relation to risks. We argue that the intended benefit of these treatments is best understood as appearance congruence, namely, to create or maintain alignment of physical appearance with one's gender identity. The common focus on the mental health benefits associated with these treatments may obscure a range of experiential benefits sought by young people, such as positive gender experiences and being treated by others as one's identified gender. We also address concern about the risk that young people may revert to their assigned gender (de-transition) and experience regret. We distinguish between de-transition and regret, highlighting that regret appears to occur in a minority of instances of de-transition or discontinuation of hormone treatment.

Gender’s Portrayal in Pakistani Urdu Cinema During First Two Decades of 21 Century

This content analysis of Pakistani Urdu movies was designed to explore gender portrayal in the first two decades of the 21st century. The research universe comprised nearly five hundred films released in Pakistani cinema between 2001 and 2020. Each year, a representative movie was selected based on its box office earnings and screening duration in major cinema houses, resulting in a sample of twenty films. The unit of analysis focused on individual scenes within these films. The study investigates the ascribed and achieved roles, physical appearance, and dressing styles of main characters throughout two decades (2001-2020) of Pakistani Urdu cinema. This comprehensive analysis aims to provide insights into how gender representation has evolved within the cinematic landscape of Pakistan. The research identifies stereotypical portrayals of females in both achieved and ascribed statuses and in their dress and appearance throughout the entire study period. Additionally, a shift in gender portrayal was observed across different periods of the study.

Natalya Lopatina: “Using personality adaptations, we take a good look at where early decisions are”

Abstract: This article contains an interview with Natalya Lopatina, certified Practitioner, Trainer and Supervisor with the right to certify specialists in personality-focused treatment (PFT), about her professional path in psychology, the choice of transactional analysis as a method for development. About her first teacher in TA. And her learning experience with Vann Joines and Linda Gregory. Natalya tells about the advantages of the theory of personality adaptations, peculiarities of her teaching style and the opportunities that learning provides.

Recreational sports in prison: inmates' perspectives on coaching effectiveness.

This study examines inmates' perspectives on the effectiveness of sports coaches in prison. According to the integrative definition of effective coaching, coaches require professional, interpersonal, and intrapersonal knowledge to enhance athletes' outcomes within a specific context. Five male inmates of a German prison were interviewed after they participated in sports programs. The data were analyzed using directed content analysis. The inmates recognized professional knowledge in coaches who demonstrated clear training structures and spoke in an educated manner. Interpersonal knowledge was highly valued, with inmates expressing a preference for coaches who showed closeness, truthfulness, and responsiveness, while intrapersonal knowledge was attributed through coaches' adaptability. Inmates identified all four possible outcomes and emphasized that sensitivity, authenticity, energetic demeanor, physical appearance, and athletic skills are crucial qualities for an effective coach in a prison. The balance between an authentic and energetic demeanor, including a certain degree of strictness, emerges as a key factor in effective coaching within the prison context.

In vitro hair growth-promoting effects of araliadiol via the p38/PPAR-γ signaling pathway in human hair follicle stem cells and dermal papilla cells.

Scalp hair plays a crucial role in social communication by expressing personal appearance and self-identity. Consequently, hair loss often leads to a perception of unattractiveness, negatively impacting an individual's life and mental health. Currently, the use of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs for hair loss is associated with several side effects, highlighting the need for identifying new drug candidates, such as plant-derived phytochemicals, to overcome these issues. This study investigated the hair growth-promoting effects of araliadiol, a polyacetylene compound found in plants such as Centella asiatica. We employed an in vitro model comprising human hair follicle stem cells (HHFSCs) and human dermal papilla cells (HDPCs) to evaluate the hair growth-promoting effects of araliadiol. The proliferation-stimulating effects of araliadiol were assessed using water-soluble tetrazolium salt assay, adenosine triphosphate content assay, and crystal violet staining assay. In addition, we performed luciferase reporter assay, polymerase chain reaction analysis, cell fractionation, Western blot analysis, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to elucidate the mechanism underlying the hair growth-inductive effects of araliadiol. Araliadiol exhibited both proliferation- and hair growth-promoting effects in HHFSCs and HDPCs. Specifically, it increased the protein expression of cyclin B1 and Ki67. In HHFSCs, it elevated the expression of hair growth-promoting factors, including CD34, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and angiopoietin-like 4. Similarly, araliadiol increased the expression of hair growth-inductive proteins such as fibroblast growth factor 7, VEGF, noggin, and insulin-like growth factor 1 in HDPCs. Subsequent Western blot analysis and ELISA using inhibitors such as GW9662 and SB202190 confirmed that these hair growth-promoting effects were dependent on the p38/PPAR-γ signaling in both HHFSCs and HDPCs. Araliadiol promotes hair growth through the p38/PPAR-γ signaling pathway in human hair follicle cells. Therefore, araliadiol can be considered a novel drug candidate for the treatment of alopecia.

Inovasi Mie Subtitut Tepung Oat dengan Cumi Bumbu Base genep

Bali is a city famous for its culinary delights. Bali has a variety of traditional foods rich in spices. Genep base is one of the traditional Balinese spices that has not been lost over time. Genep base has been available since 2000 years ago according to the lontar book. The author conducted research with the aim of finding out the combination of base genep products with noodles. This innovation of noodles substituting oat flour with squid base genep spices provides a traditional touch and unique taste. So far the author has not found research on the innovation of noodles substituted for oat flour with squid base genep seasoning, therefore the author brought up this innovation. The method used was organoleptic by carrying out 2 recipe formulation trials and data collection was carried out by distributing questionnaires to random panelists. The best result was Genep base noodles. 4.2 on a scale of 5 (very tasty), color 4.4 on a scale of 5 (very attractive), texture 4.6 on a scale of 5 (very soft), physical appearance 4.8 on a scale of 5 (very attractive). The results of this trial can be concluded that this innovative product of oat flour substitute noodles with squid base genep seasoning can be well received by the public.