Search Results (421)

Airborne fine-dust pollution poses a significant threat to both respiratory and skin health; however, the skin’s wound-healing process in response to such exposure remains underexplored. Therefore, this study examined the effect of fine-dust-model compounds, specifically polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PM₁₀-PAHs) and trace-metal-containing particles (PM₁₀-Trace), on the wound-healing process using human skin equivalents reconstructed with collagen-based biomaterials and human skin cells. Our findings revealed that fine-dust exposure significantly delayed wound closure by 2–3 times compared with unexposed controls, impairing re-epithelialization. Live imaging of wound-healing dynamics revealed that trace-metal-containing particles had a more pronounced inhibitory effect than polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Furthermore, fine-dust exposure elevated protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1) expression by up to 161%, indicating significant physiological disruption. Additionally, fine-dust exposure triggered inflammation and oxidative stress, leading to structural and functional damage in the reconstructed skin. These results provide critical insights into how airborne pollutants disrupt skin repair mechanisms and highlight the need for targeted strategies to mitigate their harmful effects. Full article

Introduction: Radiotherapy is effective for breast cancer treatment but often causes undesirable side effects that impair quality of life. Ultra-high dose rate radiotherapy (FLASH) has shown reduced normal tissue toxicity while achieving comparable tumor growth delay compared to conventional dose rate radiotherapy (CONV). This study evaluated whether FLASH could achieve similar tumor control as CONV with tumor eradication as the primary endpoint, in an orthotopic breast cancer model. Methods: Non-metastatic, orthotopic tumors were generated in the left fourth mammary fat pad using the Py117 mammary tumor cell line in syngeneic C57BL/6J mice. Two sequential irradiation studies were performed using FLASH (93–200 Gy/s) and CONV (0.08 Gy/s) electron beams. Single fractions of 20, 25, or 30 Gy were applied to tumors with varying abdominal wall treatment fields (~3.75 or 2.5 mm treatment margin to tumor). Results: Both FLASH and CONV demonstrated comparable efficacy. Small tumors treated with 30 Gy and larger abdominal wall treatment fields appeared to have complete eradication at 30 days but also exhibited the highest skin toxicity, limiting follow-up and preventing confirmation of eradication. Smaller abdominal wall treatment fields reduced skin toxicity and allowed for extended follow-up, which resulted in 75% tumor-free survival at 48 days. Larger tumors showed growth delay but no eradication. Conclusions: In this preclinical, non-metastatic orthotopic breast cancer model, FLASH and CONV demonstrated equivalent tumor control with single-fraction doses of 20, 25, or 30 Gy. Overall, 30 Gy achieved the highest eradication rate but also resulted in the most pronounced skin toxicity. Full article

Background/Objectives: Flavones, a class of plant-based flavonoids, have demonstrated conflicting anti-melanogenic activities in mouse and human melanocytes. Sinensetin (SNT), a polymethoxyflavone, has shown pro-melanogenic activity in B16F10 mouse melanoma (MM) cells, while eupatilin (EU) and jaceosidin (JAC), two flavones that are structural analogs of SNT, have not been evaluated for their effects on melanogenesis yet. Methods: Herein, the effects of SNT, EU, and JAC on melanogenesis in MNT-1 cells (human melanoma) and HEMn-DP cells (primary human melanocytes) have been examined. The mushroom tyrosinase (TYR) activity was tested in cell-free conditions, followed by examination of the cytotoxicity of the compounds via the Alamar Blue (AB) assay. Cellular melanin production and TYR activity were estimated in MNT-1 cells. The compounds were further examined in primary human melanocytes for melanin production, TYR activity, and protein levels. Results: Our findings show that SNT was a potent inhibitor of TYR activity in a cell-free assay, while EU and JAC had no effect. However, both SNT and EU were shown to exhibit anti-melanogenic activity (that was reversible) in human cells, while JAC was ineffective and cytotoxic. Conclusions: SNT and EU are potential novel candidates for hyperpigmentation treatment without cytotoxicity. Additional studies are warranted to elucidate the signaling mechanisms that govern their anti-melanogenesis action. Future research is necessary to assess the anti-melanogenic effectiveness of SNT/EU using 3D skin tissue equivalents and to select the optimal candidate. Full article

Background/Objectives: Thick-filament-based regulation in muscle is generally conceived as processes that modulate the number of myosin heads capable of force generation. It has been generally assumed that biochemical and structural assays of myosin active and inactive states provide equivalent measures of myosin recruitment, but recent studies indicate that this may not always be the case. Here, we studied the steady-state and dynamic mechanical changes in skinned porcine myocardium before and after treatment with omecamtiv mecarbil (OM) or piperine to help decipher how the biochemical and structural states of myosin separately affect contractile force. Methods: Force–Ca²⁺ relationships were obtained from skinned cardiomyocytes isolated from porcine myocardium before and after exposure to 1 μM OM and 7 μM piperine. Crossbridge kinetics were acquired using a step response stretch activation protocol allowing myosin attachment and detachment rates to be calculated. Results: OM augmented calcium-activated force at submaximal calcium levels that can be attributed to increased thick filament recruitment, increases in calcium sensitivity, an increased duty ratio, and from decelerated crossbridge detachment resulting in slowed crossbridge cycling kinetics. Piperine, in contrast, was able to increase activated force at submaximal calcium levels without appreciably affecting crossbridge cycling kinetics. Conclusions: Our study supports the notion that thick filament activation is primarily a process of myosin recruitment that is not necessarily coupled with the chemo-cycling of crossbridges. These new insights into thick filament activation mechanisms will need to be considered in the design of sarcomere-based therapies for treatment of myopathies. Full article

The epidermis acts as the body’s primary defense, relying on components like lipids, HA and GSH for skin barrier function, hydration and resistance to oxidative stress. However, limitations in the topical application of these biomolecules call for novel approaches. This study investigates the efficacy of Pro-GHL, a blend of free fatty acids, acetylglucosamine and GSH amino acid precursors (GAPs), designed to replenish skin lipids, HA and GSH through de novo biosynthesis. Using primary human keratinocytes, Pro-GHL demonstrated superior antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities compared to each individual component under the challenge of UVB or blue light. In 3D skin equivalent models (EpiKutis^®), Pro-GHL enhanced skin barrier function. In addition, Pro-GHL prevented the development of pigmentation in pigmented 3D skin equivalent models (MelaKutis^®) subjected to UVB irradiation or Benzo[a]pyrene exposure. Together, these results highlight Pro-GHL’s potential as a novel, effective and comprehensive skincare approach to fortify the skin’s defense system from within and prevent the accumulation of tissue damage in response to extrinsic stressors. Full article

Grape seeds are a rich source of bioactive compounds, especially polyphenols, which are known for their antioxidant and anti-aging properties. The aim of this study was to extract phytochemicals from the Lebanese grape variety “Obeidi” and incorporate them into liposomes and hyalurosomes in order to select the most effective formulation for improving skin properties and protecting against oxidative damage. Grape seeds were extracted by a sustainable ethanol-water method, yielding a total phenolic content (TPC) of 376 ± 16 mg/g (gallic acid equivalents) and an antioxidant activity of 0.58 ± 0.04 µg/mL (trolox equivalents). HPLC analysis identified catechins (4.51 mg/g), gallic acid (3.2 mg/g) and epicatechins (0.88 mg/g) as the dominant phenolics. The extract was encapsulated in liposomes and hyalurosomes with a mean diameter of 148–159 nm, polydispersity index < 0.3, and zeta potentials of −47 to −44 mV, and remained stable for three months at 4 °C. In vitro studies showed that hyalurosomes significantly increased keratinocyte viability by up to 144% and provided better protection against oxidative stress compared to liposomes. A 12-week clinical study involving 40 volunteers was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of extract-loaded hyalurosomes as an “anti-aging serum” by assessing various skin parameters. This treatment resulted in improved skin hydration, a reduction in wrinkle depth, and a slight decrease in melanin and erythema levels as demonstrated by imaging. These results are promising for cosmeceutical applications using grape seed extract loaded in hyalurosomes. Full article

Skin physiopathological conditions have a strong influence on its biomechanical properties. However, it remains difficult to accurately assess the surface stiffness of soft tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performances of an impact-based analysis method (IBAM) and to compare them with those of an existing digital palpation device, MyotonPro^®. The IBAM is based on the impact of an instrumented hammer equipped with a force sensor on a cylindrical punch in contact with agar-based phantoms mimicking soft tissues. The indicator $\mathsf{\Delta }t$ is estimated by analyzing the force signal obtained from the instrumented hammer. Various phantom geometries, stiffnesses and structures (homogeneous and bilayer) were used to estimate the performances of both methods. Measurements show that the IBAM is sensitive to a volume of interest equivalent to a sphere approximately twice the punch diameter. The sensitivity of the IBAM to changes in Young’s modulus is similar to that of dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and significantly better compared to MyotonPro. The axial (respectively, lateral) resolution is two (respectively, five) times lower with the IBAM than with MyotonPro. The present study paves the way for the development of a simple, quantitative and non-invasive method to measure skin biomechanical properties. Full article

Measuring tools designed to objectively determine equine noseband tightness are inserted on the dorsal nasal planum in a rostro-caudal direction. The lateral aspect of the horse’s head has several areas where minimal soft tissue intervenes between the skin and underlying bone, which makes them potentially useful sites for measuring noseband tightness. One hundred horses were fitted with a snaffle bridle with a cavesson, Swedish or dropped noseband in random order. The tightness of each noseband type was adjusted sequentially to 2.0, 1.5, 1.0, 0.5 and 0.0 finger-equivalents using an ISES Taper Gauge. For each adjustment, a digital calliper determined the distance (mm) between the inner surface of the noseband at three lateral locations: (1) lateral nasal bone, (2) lateral maxilla rostral to the facial crest, and (3) lateral mandible. Friedman’s analysis was used to test the differences between locations (p < 0.02). No differences were found between 2.0 and 1.5 finger-equivalent tightness at the nasal and maxillary sites for the cavesson (p = 0.89, p = 0.03, respectively) and Swedish (p = 0.06, p = 0.40, respectively) noseband. When adjusted between 2.0 to 0.5 finger-equivalent tightness, the coefficient of variation was “good” for the nasal (16%) and maxilla (19%) sites. These results indicate that a lateral measuring site may provide a suitable addition to dorsal midline measurements. Full article

The aim of this study was to assess the applicability of the Mechanical Systems Coordination Working Group’s (MSCWG) findings, based on FAR 25.831(g), to Chinese pilots through a human physiological experiment conducted in a high-temperature environment to investigate the effects of core temperature. Methods: A controlled experiment was carried out in a high-temperature environment simulation room involving a cohort of healthy males aged 18–50 years. Wireless physiological monitoring equipment and a neurobehavioral assessment system were utilized to track changes in physiological parameters and neurobehavioral responses at varying core temperatures and time intervals. Results: There was a significant increase in human core body temperature, skin temperature, and heart rate as the ambient temperature rose, all remaining within acceptable physiological limits. Although arterial and venous oxygen saturation decreased with increasing ambient temperature, the difference was not statistically significant. The neurobehavioral abilities of the subjects did not exhibit notable changes across different core temperature–time conditions. Conclusions: The core temperature limits set forth by the MSCWG have been shown to have a safe impact on the physiological and behavioral aspects of Chinese pilots, which can be used as an equivalent safety regulation for airworthiness compliance validation under CCAR 25.831(g). Limitation: The present study was constrained to a male sample, it did not thoroughly explore female responses, and it had a small sample size (10 per group). The latter two factors may have affected the statistical validity and generalizability of the results. Full article

To study Cassia alata (CA) (Linnaeus) Roxburgh’s effectiveness towards atopic dermatitis (AD), CA leaf extracts were prepared using three methanol-based extraction solvent systems. Bioactive constituents were characterized and quantified via high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. Antioxidant properties and antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, a major AD exacerbation factor, were assessed. Four polyphenols (two flavonoids, two anthraquinones) beneficial in AD control were detected (rhein > aloe-emodin > astragalin > kaempferol). The 75% v/v MeOH/water extract had the most polyphenols and the best antioxidant profile (total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl-hydrate radical scavenging activity, ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity), with excellent S. aureus inhibition (minimum inhibitory concentration = 0.625 mg/mL; minimum bactericidal concentration = 1.25 mg/mL). Hence, it was selected for the in vitro examination of cytotoxicity and wound healing activity towards human epidermal keratinocyte cells using a 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2h-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and wound scratch assay. The extract showed no cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ > 100 µg/mL) without significant reduction in cell viability up to 200 µg/mL compared to the vehicle control. An amount of 50 μg/mL extract concentration showed the best wound-healing activity (p < 0.05), with a cell migration rate of 5.89 ± 0.80 µm/h over 96 h post-treatment. Such antioxidant, antimicrobial, and wound-healing activities suggest CA and its polyphenols to be promising natural, long-term AD remedies for skin health. Full article

Fumaria officinalis (fumitory), in the form of dust, was employed as a source of bioactive extracts whose chemical profile and biological potential were investigated. According to the results of the optimization of the extraction protocol, the extract with the highest polyphenol yield was prepared using fumitory dust under the optimal conditions determined using the statistical tool, 2³ full factorial design: 50% ethanol and a 30:1 mL/g ratio during 120 s of microwave extraction (22.56 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of plant material). LC-MS and spectrophotometric/gravimetric analyses quantified the polyphenol, flavonoid, tannin, alkaloid, and protein contents. Caffeoylmalic acid, quercetin dihexoside, quercetin pentoside hexoside, rutin, and methylquercetin dihexoside were the most dominant compounds. The highest total flavonoid, condensed tannin, alkaloid, and protein yields were determined in the extract prepared using microwaves. In addition to the proven antioxidant potential, in the present study, the anti-inflammatory activity of fumitory extracts is also proven in the keratinocyte model, as well as a significant reduction of H₂O₂-induced reactive oxygen species production in cells and the absence of keratinocyte cytotoxicity. Thus, detailed chemical profiles and investigated biological effects related to skin health benefits encourage the potential application of fumitory dust extracts in dermo-cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations for dermatological circumstances. Full article

This study focuses on optimizing the extraction conditions for antioxidants from the fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) through ultrasound-assisted extraction with the aim of creating a stable and effective cosmetic formulation. RSM was used to optimize the extraction parameters to ultrasonic power of 60%, with 50% ethanol concentration for 10 min. Under those conditions, the extract showed a phenolic-rich profile, with a total phenolic content equivalent to 18.56 mg GAE/g DM and a radical scavenging activity of 63.24%. Chromatographic analysis further confirmed the abundance of phenolic compounds, with epicatechin identified as the major compound at a concentration of 22.58 mg/g DM. The extract exhibited considerable antibacterial activity for a number of bacterial strains, and it exhibited no cell toxicity on RAW 267.4 cells, supporting its safe use in cosmetic products. The cosmetic formulation maintained high stability, with pH values from 6.25 to 6.35, viscosity values from 7941.69 to 7956.70 cp, and less color change after 90 days of preservation under varied temperature conditions. These findings validate fenugreek extract’s potential for producing a stable, eco-friendly, and effective cosmetic product, thus bringing skin health benefits and driving sustainable extraction methods in the cosmetic industry. Full article

Ulcerous lesions can arise in primary skin cancers and upon infiltration of the skin by malignant cells originating from other organs. These malignant fungating wounds are difficult to treat, and they cause pain, itching and malodor. Distressing malodor imposes a major burden on patients. The carrion odor of decaying tissue is—at least in part—due to the bacterial breakdown products cadaverine and putrescine. Here, we examined the binding of cadaverine, histamine, putrescine, spermidine and spermine to the preparation of micronized purified clinoptilolite-tuff (PCT) by relying on three radiolabeled tracers ([³H]cadaverine, [³H]histamine and [³H]spermidine). Binding was rapid, stable and of high capacity. The binding affinities were in the low µM range. Displacement experiments indicated that the binding sites were non-equivalent. These three properties combined to support effective binding for any given ligand in the presence of the expected, submillimolar concentrations of competing ligands. This was further verified by measuring the binding of [³H]cadaverine in the presence of wound drainage fluids. [³H]Cadaverine was effectively adsorbed by a wound dressing, into which purified clinoptilolite-tuff had been incorporated: the observed binding capacity of this wound dressing was consistent with its content of purified clinoptilolite-tuff. Based on these findings, we propose that purified clinoptilolite-tuff be further investigated as a means to control malodor emanating from chronic wounds. Full article

The objective identification of depression using physiological data has emerged as a significant research focus within the field of psychiatry. The advancement of wearable physiological measurement devices has opened new avenues for the identification of individuals with depression in everyday-life contexts. Compared to other objective measurement methods, wearables offer the potential for continuous, unobtrusive monitoring, which can capture subtle physiological changes indicative of depressive states. The present study leverages multimodal wristband devices to collect data from fifty-eight participants clinically diagnosed with depression during their normal daytime activities over six hours. Data collected include pulse wave, skin conductance, and triaxial acceleration. For comparison, we also utilized data from fifty-eight matched healthy controls from a publicly available dataset, collected using the same devices over equivalent durations. Our aim was to identify depressive individuals through the analysis of multimodal physiological measurements derived from wearable devices in daily life scenarios. We extracted static features such as the mean, variance, skewness, and kurtosis of physiological indicators like heart rate, skin conductance, and acceleration, as well as autoregressive coefficients of these signals reflecting the temporal dynamics. Utilizing a Random Forest algorithm, we distinguished depressive and non-depressive individuals with varying classification accuracies on data aggregated over 6 h, 2 h, 30 min, and 5 min segments, as 90.0%, 84.7%, 80.1%, and 76.0%, respectively. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of using daily wearable-derived physiological data for depression recognition. The achieved classification accuracies suggest that this approach could be integrated into clinical settings for the early detection and monitoring of depressive symptoms. Future work will explore the potential of these methods for personalized interventions and real-time monitoring, offering a promising avenue for enhancing mental health care through the integration of wearable technology. Full article

The skin acts as the first line of defense against various environmental stressors, such as solar ultraviolet radiation, visible light, pollution particles and ozone. Simultaneous exposure to different stressors is common in everyday life but has been less studied than exposure to single stressors. Herein, the combined effects of a chemical pollutant (ozone) and a UV radiation stressor (UVSSR) were investigated on a 3D pigmented living skin equivalent model. Our results demonstrate that skin lightness (L* value) was significantly decreased by exposure to either UVSSR or ozone alone and that co-exposure to UVSSR and ozone further exacerbated surface darkness, suggesting that these stressors had a significant joint effect. Conventional differential expression analysis showed that, among exposure groups, co-exposure dysregulated the most genes, followed by ozone and UVSSR alone. Omics-based interaction framework (OBIF) analysis showed that most interactive genes following ozone and UVSSR exposure displayed a cooperative effect and had functions related to the skin barrier; these genes with synergistic effects were enriched in biological pathways such as the chronic inflammatory response and the apoptotic signaling pathway. In summary, exposure to ozone in combination with UVSSR showed a joint effect on UVSSR-induced phenotypic changes in the skin; the underlying mechanism was determined by using transcriptome analysis, showing the additive impacts of ozone on UVSSR-induced skin damage, such as cellular stress and inflammatory responses. These findings shed light on how ozone exacerbates UVSSR damage and indicate that the synergistic response genes identified using OBIF analysis may drive the progression of skin damage induced by chemical/photoradiation stress co-exposure. Full article