Search Results (175)

Exposure to sunlight, whose main component is UV radiation (UVR), leads to various skin damage such as sunburns, premature aging, or more severe issues such as increased symptoms of autoimmune disease and skin cancer. Therefore, there is a growing interest in developing improved photoprotective agents that can protect skin from sunlight incidence and antioxidants that counteract the oxidative stress caused by it. Lichens are a source of such agents since they adapt to extreme environments including those with high UVR by biosynthesizing metabolites with those properties. In this study, brialmontin 2 (1), physciosporin (2), and pseudocyphellarin A (3) were isolated for the first time from the lichen Pseudocyphellaria berberina (G. Forst.) D. J. Galloway & P. James, along with calycin (4) and 22-hydroxystictan-3-one (5). Their structural characterization was carried out by spectroscopy (¹H and ¹³C NMR). Sun protection factor (SPF) along with critical wavelength (λ_crit), a UVA/UVB ratio (UVA/UVB-r) of one to five, and acetone extract (AE) were evaluated spectrophotometrically as a measure of their UVB and UVA photoprotective capacities, respectively. Additionally, their antioxidant activity was measured by scavenging DPPH free radicals (RSA). Compounds 2, 4, and AE showed “medium” UVB photoprotective capacities (with SPFs between 15 and 30). Additionally, 4 and AE presented “maximum” UVA photoprotective capacities (λ_crit > 370 nm and UVA/UVB-r > 0.8), whereas this activity was “good” for 2 and 3 (λ_crit 350 to 370 nm and UVA/UVB-r 0.4 to 0.6), and “moderate” for 1 (λ_crit 335 to 350 nm and UVA/UVB-r 0.2 to 0.4). All compounds and AE showed antioxidant activity, standing out were AE and 4 with activity comparable to the controls (ca. 95 and 81 RSA %, respectively, at 1000 ppm). AE and 4 are dual agents with photoprotective (UVB-UVA) and antioxidant capacities that could help prevent skin damage associated with sunlight. In silico assays suggest that 4 spontaneously diffuses into the stratum corneum with limited absorption through the skin. Additionally, 4 lacks potential toxicity to Normal Human Epidermal Keratinocytes (showing viability ca. 70% at 100 ppm); therefore, it is a candidate for the development of sunscreen formulations. Full article

The timing of fruit bag removal is important for achieving optimum fruit quality, coloration, and visual appearance. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of fruit bag removal timing on fruit quality and color and the occurrence of physiological disorders in ‘Arisoo’ apples. Fruits were bagged in two-layer paper bags, which were removed 30, 20, and 10 days before harvest (DBH). Unbagged fruits served as the control. The incidence of fruit cracking, sunburn, and pathogen infection was highest in the unbagged group, followed by the group with bag removal at 30 DBH, and lowest in those with bag removal at 20 and 10 DBH. However, bag removal at 10 DBH significantly reduced fruit weight and soluble solids content but increased firmness. Additionally, bag removal at 10 DBH resulted in poorly colored fruits with higher chlorophyll and lower anthocyanin and carotenoid pigments and lower expression levels of pigment-related genes, including anthocyanin-, carotenoid-, and chlorophyll degradation-associated genes, compared with those in the other treatment groups. Bag removal at 30 and 20 DBH did not significantly affect fruit quality or coloration, but it did affect fruit size. Overall, this study serves as a reference for determining the optimal timing of fruit bag removal to enhance the quality and coloration of ‘Arisoo’ apples. Full article

Recent climatic extremes, characterized by hot and dry summers, threaten grape yield and berry composition, increasing the need for sustainable mitigation strategies. In this study, a fruit-zone cooling system was tested to reduce sunburn damage and improve vine performance. The system integrates proximal sensors and an automatic misting actuator, triggered when the air temperature exceeds 35 °C. Over two seasons (2022–2023), trials were conducted on Pignoletto vines subjected to four treatments: control (C), misted without defoliation (C + FOG), defoliated (DEF), and defoliated plus misted (DEF + FOG). The effects on microclimate, yield, berry sunburn, and berry composition were evaluated. Misting consistently reduced both air and berry temperature. Treated vines showed increased yield, mainly due to reduced sunburn and higher cluster weight. Although no clear differences in technological maturity were observed, misted vines tended to retain higher acidity under extreme heat. Flavonol synthesis was unaffected by cooling but stimulated by increased light exposure, being higher in defoliated vines. Volatile compounds analysis highlighted misting’s moderating effect on oxidative stress and aroma profile shifts, particularly during the hotter season. Overall, the cooling system proved effective in mitigating summer stress, offering a promising tool for preserving yield and berry composition in white cultivars under climate change. Full article

Background: Patients diagnosed with melanoma are at increased risk of developing multiple primary melanomas (MPMs). Identifying clinical and genetic factors associated with MPM is critical for implementing personalized surveillance strategies. This study aims to describe the clinical, histopathological, and genetic characteristics of patients with MPM managed in a tertiary hospital and to contextualize findings within the current literature. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients diagnosed with two or more primary melanomas between 2010 and 2023 at a tertiary dermatology unit. Demographic data, personal and family cancer history, phototype, melanoma characteristics, genetic testing, staging, treatments, and outcomes were collected. These data were compared with findings from the recent literature. Results: Thirteen patients (ten males, three females; median age: 59 years) were found to have a total of 33 melanomas. Most patients had Fitzpatrick phototype II and no immunosuppression. The number of melanomas per patient ranged from two to five. Synchronous lesions were observed in two patients. Common locations included the trunk and extremities. Histologically, 57% were in situ melanomas, and subsequent melanomas were generally thinner than the index lesion. Two patients showed progression to advanced disease. One patient was positive for MC1R mutation; the rest were negative or inconclusive. Additional phenotypic and environmental risk factors were extracted from patient records and are summarized as follows: Ten patients (76.9%) had Fitzpatrick skin phototype II, and three (23.1%) had phototype III. Chronic occupational sun exposure was reported in four patients (30.8%), while five (38.5%) recalled having suffered multiple sunburns during childhood or adolescence. Eight patients (61.5%) presented with a total nevus count exceeding 50, and five (38.5%) exhibited clinically atypical nevi. None of the patients reported use of tanning beds. Conclusions: Our findings are consistent with the existing literature indicating that patients with MPM often present with thinner subsequent melanomas and require long-term dermatologic follow-up. The inclusion of genetic testing and phenotypic risk factors enables stratified surveillance and supports the application of personalized medicine in melanoma management. Full article

The impact of five different nets—conventional black, grey, white, and photoselective red and yellow—on the performance of “Gala Redlum” apples was evaluated over a five-year period (2020–2024) and compared to an uncovered control. The cumulative production over this period, ranked from highest to lowest, was as follows: white net (182.4 t/ha), grey net (178.5 t/ha), yellow net (175.8 t/ha), black net (175.5 t/ha), red net (169.5 t/ha), and uncovered control (138.8 t/ha). Vegetative growth results were inconsistent among the studied years. The cumulative photosynthetic rate (An) was slightly higher under the white net (57.9 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹). Fv/Fm values remained closest to optimal levels under the black and grey nets. Netting effectively protected fruits from elevated temperatures, particularly under the grey net, and reduced sunburn damage, with the grey, black, and yellow nets performing best in this regard. Overall profitability was increased by netting: the black net provided the highest cumulative income per hectare over a five-year period (EUR 72,315) alongside the second-lowest sunburn loss (0.69%), while the yellow net also showed strong economic performance (€64,742) with a moderate sunburn loss (1.26%) compared to the red net. Fruit dry matter and soluble solids content (SSC) were generally higher in the uncovered control, whereas °Hue values tended to be higher under the red and yellow nets. In summary, the black and yellow nets provided more balanced microclimatic conditions that enhanced tree performance, particularly under heat stress, leading to improved yield and profitability. However, the economic feasibility of each net type should be evaluated in relation to its installation and maintenance costs. Full article

Background: Connubial melanoma, the occurrence of melanoma in non-consanguineous spouses, is rarely described in the literature. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of shared risk factors, preventive behaviors, and the influence of couple dynamics on the early diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma (CM). Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study at the San Gallicano Dermatological Institute IRCCS, Rome, enrolling 52 heterosexual couples diagnosed with CM between 2010 and 2023. Clinical and anamnestic data, including phototype, history of sun exposure, use of tanning devices, and reason for dermatological evaluation, were collected. Dermatological assessments included dermoscopy, total body photography, and histological examination of excised lesions. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square and Student’s t-tests. Results: Women reported significantly higher use of artificial ultraviolet sources (51.9% vs. 19.2%, p < 0.001) and more frequent histories of sunburn. Phototype II was associated with higher use of tanning devices and a greater prevalence of sunburns. Although the CM stage did not significantly differ between sexes, husbands exhibited a greater Breslow thickness. Melanoma localization differed by sex, with lower limbs more often affected in women and the trunk in men (p < 0.001). In 86.5% of cases, wives initiated their husband’s dermatological evaluation, leading to earlier diagnosis. Conclusions: Despite shared environmental exposures, men and women differ in preventive behaviors and risk profiles. Women play a crucial role in promoting early detection among couples. Couple-based preventive strategies may be instrumental in improving early melanoma diagnosis and outcomes. Full article

UVB skin pathology is initiated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), differentiating this condition from other inflammatory diseases involving first the immune cell activation by danger or pathogen molecular patterns followed by oxidative stress. Resolvin D2 (RvD2) has been found to reduce inflammation in preclinical models. However, whether or not RvD2 reduces skin pathology caused by UVB irradiation is not yet known. Therefore, the efficacy of RvD2 on skin pathology triggered by UVB irradiation in female hairless mice was assessed. RvD2 (0.3, 1 or 3 ng/mouse, i.p.) was found to protect the skin against UVB inflammation, as observed in the reduction in edema (46%), myeloperoxidase activity (77%), metalloproteinase-9 activity (39%), recruitment of neutrophils/macrophages (lysozyme⁺ cells, 76%) and mast cells (106%), epidermal thickening (93%), sunburn cell formation (68%), collagen fiber breakdown (55%), and production of cytokines such as TNF-α (100%). Considering the relevance of oxidative stress to UVB irradiation skin pathologies, an important observation was that the skin antioxidant capacity was recovered by RvD2 according to the results that show the ferric reducing antioxidant power (68%), cationic radical scavenges (93%), catalase activity (74%), and the levels of reduced glutathione (48%). Oxidative damage was also attenuated, as observed in the reduction in superoxide anion production (69%) and lipid hydroperoxides (71%). The RvD2 mechanism involved the inhibition of NF-κB activation, as observed in the diminished degradation of IκBα (48%) coupled with a reduction in its downstream targets that are involved in inflammation and oxidative stress, such as COX-2 (66%) and gp91^phox (77%) mRNA expression. In conclusion, RvD2 mitigates the inflammatory and oxidative pathologic skin aggression that is triggered by UVB. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cutaneous manifestations can signal underlying systemic inflammation, potentially exacerbated by chronic stress and diminished well-being. While links between psychosocial factors and skin health are recognized, comprehensive data across diverse populations remain limited. This study aimed to quantify associations between self-reported stress management capabilities, sociodemographic factors (gender, age, education, urbanization, professional status), lifestyle factors indicative of well-being, and the prevalence of six common dermatological manifestations (pruritus, burning sensations, redness, rash, desquamation, sunburn) within a large Polish cohort. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 27,000 adult participants (22,043 women, 4887 men) collected during the National Healthy Skin Test (2023) via an online questionnaire. Participants reported the frequency of dermatological symptoms, stress management practices related to skin health, and relevant lifestyle factors (indicators of well-being). Logistic regression analyses identified significant predictors for each skin manifestation. Results: Effective stress coping ability was significantly associated with a lower prevalence of all six investigated dermatological manifestations (p < 0.001 for all). Significant gender differences emerged: women reported more frequent redness and burning sensations (p < 0.001), while men reported more frequent rash, sunburn, and desquamation (p < 0.001). Younger age (18–24 years) was associated with increased rash, desquamation, and redness compared to older adults (>65 years), who reported fewer burning sensations and less pruritus. Higher education and residence in large urban centers (≥500,000 inhabitants) were associated with increased reports of specific symptoms like sunburn and redness. Conclusions: This large-scale study demonstrates a significant association between psychosocial factors, particularly self-reported stress management, and the prevalence of six common, self-reported dermatological manifestations across various sociodemographic groups in Poland. The findings underscore the potential importance of considering a biopsychosocial approach in relation to these common skin symptoms. Further research is warranted, but these results suggest that for such common, self-reported skin issues, integrating stress reduction strategies and considering sociodemographic contexts and well-being may be valuable considerations for potentially enhancing personalized patient care and warrant further clinical investigation. Full article

The incidence of skin carcinoma has significantly increased among the Serbian population, with mortality rates among the highest in the world. Basic interventions can reduce the effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure, especially in youth, and decrease incidence and morbidity. This study is the first cross-sectional nationwide research on knowledge, attitudes, and sun exposure practices among Serbian high school students. The results revealed that fewer than 5% of students can correctly interpret the sunburn effect of a given UV index, while sun protection strategies are infrequently adopted. Most students (55.97%) expressed favorable attitudes regarding tanning, while more than half (64.48%) reported moderately high and high exposure. Females are more likely than males to expose themselves to UVR, especially intentionally. Females use protection more than males, while even 62.65% of males use protection insufficiently. The most commonly used sun protective measures were sunscreen and shade. The results indicate the necessity for innovative and age-suitable education methods and age- and gender-directed awareness campaigns for skin cancer prevention and the promotion of sun safety. Specifically, campaigns aimed at females should focus on motivating reduced intentional exposure, while those targeting males should emphasize the consistent use of sun protection measures. Full article

Sunburn in apple peel significantly affects fruit appearance and reduces its commercial value. Previous research has shown that apple peel reduces sunburn by increasing the accumulation of proanthocyanidins (PAs) and other protective compounds. However, the precise molecular regulatory mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we systematically investigated MdANR, a key gene involved in PAs biosynthesis. We found that MdANR expression in apple peel is responsive to temperature and light fluctuations, with higher expression levels observed under increased temperature and light exposure. Functional analysis revealed that MdANR overexpression in apple peel and callus enhanced resistance to high-temperature and -light-intensity stress, accompanied by a corresponding increase in PAs and chlorogenic acid contents. In addition, we demonstrated that MdMYBR9 can activate MdANR promoter activity and promote its expression through yeast one-hybrid, dual-luciferase, and electrophoretic mobility transfer experiments. The results indicated that MdMYBR9 was an upstream regulator of MdANR. Based on these findings, this study proposes the MdMYBR9-MdANR-PAs regulatory model for apple sunburn resistance, providing a molecular framework for enhancing sunburn tolerance in apple breeding programs. Full article

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a primary risk factor for various skin disorders, including erythema, sunburn, and skin cancer. Sunscreens containing UV filters, categorized as organic or inorganic, are widely utilized to mitigate these effects. Among inorganic UV filters, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and zinc oxide (ZnO) are prominently used due to their favorable safety and achievable broad-spectrum protection profiles. This review focuses on the properties, safety, and efficacy of TiO₂ and ZnO in sunscreens, emphasizing their mechanisms of action, photostability, and impacts on human health and the environment. Key factors influencing their performance include particle size, surface coatings, and formulation pH. Despite recognized advantages, concerns about toxicity—particularly related to nanoparticle penetration and reactive oxygen species generation—highlight the need for robust safety assessments. Additionally, the environmental impacts of inorganic UV filters, including bioaccumulation and effects on aquatic ecosystems, warrant consideration. Advances in nanoparticle synthesis, bioactive compound integration, and environmentally friendly formulations offer pathways to enhance sunscreen efficacy and safety, providing opportunities for innovation in photoprotection. Full article

Orah mandarin (Citrus reticulata cv. Orah) lacks systematic grading treatment after harvesting, resulting in a high fresh fruit loss rate and affecting the economic value. There are many drawbacks to traditional manual and mechanical sorting. Therefore, intelligent, rapid, non-destructive surface defect detection technology is significant. In addition to the fruit size, surface defects (e.g., canker, sunburn) are another important criterion for grading fruit. To overcome the challenges in detecting surface defects of orah mandarin, like multi-scale features, significant size differences, and slow convergence speed, we propose the YOLOv8-Orah detection model based on YOLOv8n. Path Aggregation Network (PANet) is replaced by a Focusing Diffusion Pyramid Network (FDPN), and the Diffusion and Spatial Interaction (DASI) module is introduced to effectively fuse and enhance features of different scales and improve detection accuracy. The Bottleneck in the C2f module is replaced by the Hybrid Dilated Residual Attention Block (HDRAB) module to reduce missed detections and false detections. We also introduce the NWD-CIoU joint bounding box loss to accelerate the convergence speed and improve the detection accuracy of small defects. The experimental results show that the improved YOLOv8-Orah model performs well in terms of precision, recall, and average precision, reaching 81.9%, 78.8%, and 84.2%, respectively. Compared with the original YOLOv8n, the improved model increased by 4.0%, 1.7%, and 3.0%, respectively. Meanwhile, the parameter count decreased by 7.76%. Compared with other mainstream models, YOLOv8-Orah achieves a good balance between detection accuracy and computational efficiency. The results technically support defect detection in postharvest orah mandarin and real-time grading of their quality. Meanwhile, it can promote the intelligent development of the bergamot industry. Full article

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a major contributor to skin injury, including sunburn, photoaging, and augmented risk of skin cancer, primarily through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that induce oxidative stress. Rosmarinic acid (RA), a natural phenolic compound with antioxidant and several other biological properties, has shown promise in mitigating such damage when incorporated into sunscreens. We evaluated RA’s possible interactions and potential to enhance the efficacy of three worldwide known UVB filters—ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC), octocrylene (OCT), and ethylhexyl salicylate (EHS). The performance of sunscreens with and without RA (0.1% w/w) was analyzed through in vitro and in vivo photoprotective assessments. The HPLC-TBARS-EVSC (high-performance liquid chromatography—thiobarbituric acid reactive substances—ex vivo stratum corneum) protocol, which quantified oxidative stress reduction in the human stratum corneum, was also used. The in vitro photoprotective assays showed that RA had distinct levels of interactions with the UVB filters. When associated with EHMC, RA exclusively acted in the UVB range (SPF-enhancing effect). Remarkably, for EHS, RA contributed to a higher efficacy profile in the total UV spectrum. OCT-RA was the sample that reached the highest critical wavelength value parallelly to OCT, boosting the in vivo SPF by more than 157% in comparison to OCT. However, its in vitro SPF performance was not affected by the RA addition, being comparable to OCT, EHS, and EHS-RA. Furthermore, the HPLC-TBARS-EVSC protocol highlighted RA’s ability to reduce lipid peroxidation, with OCT-RA exhibiting the most notable protective effect. These findings underscore RA’s potential as a multifunctional additive in sunscreen systems, enhancing both photoprotection and oxidative stress mitigation. Full article

Increasing cases of sunburn is one of the serious problems across the globe. In this connection, there is an urgent requirement for some effective sun screening agents. In the search for the same, nanoemulsions of some new synthesized and characterized chalcone derivatives were prepared and evaluated in vitro and in vivo. In order to meet the said objective, in the first step, vanillin was reacted with 4-aminoacetophenone in the presence of 15% sodium hydroxide and ethanol to synthesize the target compounds (C-1 to C-5). Progress of reaction was monitored using thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The crystals of purified compounds were characterized using spectroscopic techniques such as Infrared (IR) spectroscopy, ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, ¹³C-NMR, and mass spectrometry. We prepared the nanoemulsions of the final compounds (C-1 to C-5) and subsequently evaluated them for in vitro sun protection factor activity. The concentration of the nanoemulsions, consistently ranging from 0.88 to 0.91 mg/mL across all formulations, demonstrated a high degree of consistency. The range of particle size varied from approximately 172 to 183 nm, with low polydispersity index values (approximately 0.11 to 0.15). The negative zeta potentials recorded for all the formulations (ranging from −35.87 mV to −39.30 mV) showed that the nanoemulsions are electrostatically stable enough to keep them from sticking together. The pH values of the nanoemulsions ranged narrowly from approximately 5.00 to 5.16, which indicated the compatibility of emulsion with biological systems and the potential to reduce irritation or instability during administration. The viscosity of the nanoemulsions varied between 2.00 and 2.12 cP. In silico studies were performed using MMP-I and MMP-2 as target receptors. For in vitro SPF evaluation, the Mansur equation was employed. COLIPA guidelines were compiled for in vivo SPF evaluation. The nanoemulsions derived from compounds C-3 and C-4, designated as C-3NE and C-4NE, were more effective as anti-aging agents. Findings suggested the possible scope of further synthesis of newer synthetic derivatives of chalcones for furfur development nanoemulsions for better SPF activity. Full article

This study addresses the challenges of detecting inferior fruits in table grapes in natural environments, focusing on subtle appearance differences, occlusions, and fruit overlaps. We propose an enhanced green grape fruit disease detection model named RF-YOLOv7. The model is trained on a dataset comprising images of small fruits, sunburn, excess grapes, fruit fractures, and poor-quality grape bunches. RF-YOLOv7 builds upon the YOLOv7 architecture by integrating four Contextual Transformer (CoT) modules to improve target-detection accuracy, employing the Wise-IoU (WIoU) loss function to enhance generalization and overall performance, and introducing the Bi-Former attention mechanism for dynamic query awareness sparsity. The experimental results demonstrate that RF-YOLOv7 achieves a detection accuracy of 83.5%, recall rate of 76.4%, mean average precision (mAP) of 80.1%, and detection speed of 58.8 ms. Compared to the original YOLOv7, RF-YOLOv7 exhibits a 3.5% increase in mAP, with only an 8.3 ms increase in detection time. This study lays a solid foundation for the development of automatic detection equipment for intelligent grape pruning. Full article