Simple chained guide trees give high-quality protein multiple sequence alignments

PubMed Central

Boyce, Kieran; Sievers, Fabian; Higgins, Desmond G.

2014-01-01

Guide trees are used to decide the order of sequence alignment in the progressive multiple sequence alignment heuristic. These guide trees are often the limiting factor in making large alignments, and considerable effort has been expended over the years in making these quickly or accurately. In this article we show that, at least for protein families with large numbers of sequences that can be benchmarked with known structures, simple chained guide trees give the most accurate alignments. These also happen to be the fastest and simplest guide trees to construct, computationally. Such guide trees have a striking effect on the accuracy of alignments produced by some of the most widely used alignment packages. There is a marked increase in accuracy and a marked decrease in computational time, once the number of sequences goes much above a few hundred. This is true, even if the order of sequences in the guide tree is random. PMID:25002495

Fiducial marker guided prostate radiotherapy: a review

PubMed Central

Jain, Suneil; Hounsell, Alan R; O'Sullivan, Joe M

2016-01-01

Image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) is an essential tool in the accurate delivery of modern radiotherapy techniques. Prostate radiotherapy positioned using skin marks or bony anatomy may be adequate for delivering a relatively homogeneous whole-pelvic radiotherapy dose, but these surrogates are not reliable when using reduced margins, dose escalation or hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy. Fiducial markers (FMs) for prostate IGRT have been in use since the 1990s. They require surgical implantation and provide a surrogate for the position of the prostate gland. A variety of FMs are available and they can be used in a number of ways. This review aimed to establish the evidence for using prostate FMs in terms of feasibility, implantation procedures, types of FMs used, FM migration, imaging modalities used and the clinical impact of FMs. A search strategy was defined and a literature search was carried out in Medline. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, which resulted in 50 articles being included in this review. The evidence demonstrates that FMs provide a more accurate surrogate for the position of the prostate than either external skin marks or bony anatomy. A combination of FM alignment and soft-tissue analysis is currently the most effective and widely available approach to ensuring accuracy in prostate IGRT. FM implantation is safe and well tolerated. FM migration is possible but minimal. Standardization of all techniques and procedures in relation to the use of prostate FMs is required. Finally, a clinical trial investigating a non-surgical alternative to prostate FMs is introduced. PMID:27585736

Comparative evaluation of toric intraocular lens alignment and visual quality with image-guided surgery and conventional three-step manual marking.

PubMed

Titiyal, Jeewan S; Kaur, Manpreet; Jose, Cijin P; Falera, Ruchita; Kinkar, Ashutosh; Bageshwar, Lalit Ms

2018-01-01

To compare toric intraocular lens (IOL) alignment assisted by image-guided surgery or manual marking methods and its impact on visual quality. This prospective comparative study enrolled 80 eyes with cataract and astigmatism ≥1.5 D to undergo phacoemulsification with toric IOL alignment by manual marking method using bubble marker (group I, n=40) or Callisto eye and Z align (group II, n=40). Postoperatively, accuracy of alignment and visual quality was assessed with a ray tracing aberrometer. Primary outcome measure was deviation from the target axis of implantation. Secondary outcome measures were visual quality and acuity. Follow-up was performed on postoperative days (PODs) 1 and 30. Deviation from the target axis of implantation was significantly less in group II on PODs 1 and 30 (group I: 5.5°±3.3°, group II: 3.6°±2.6°; p =0.005). Postoperative refractive cylinder was -0.89±0.35 D in group I and -0.64±0.36 D in group II ( p =0.003). Visual acuity was comparable between both the groups. Visual quality measured in terms of Strehl ratio ( p <0.05) and modulation transfer function (MTF) ( p <0.05) was significantly better in the image-guided surgery group. Significant negative correlation was observed between deviation from target axis and visual quality parameters (Strehl ratio and MTF) ( p <0.05). Image-guided surgery allows precise alignment of toric IOL without need for reference marking. It is associated with superior visual quality which correlates with the precision of IOL alignment.

Comparative evaluation of toric intraocular lens alignment and visual quality with image-guided surgery and conventional three-step manual marking

PubMed Central

Titiyal, Jeewan S; Kaur, Manpreet; Jose, Cijin P; Falera, Ruchita; Kinkar, Ashutosh; Bageshwar, Lalit MS

2018-01-01

Purpose To compare toric intraocular lens (IOL) alignment assisted by image-guided surgery or manual marking methods and its impact on visual quality. Patients and methods This prospective comparative study enrolled 80 eyes with cataract and astigmatism ≥1.5 D to undergo phacoemulsification with toric IOL alignment by manual marking method using bubble marker (group I, n=40) or Callisto eye and Z align (group II, n=40). Postoperatively, accuracy of alignment and visual quality was assessed with a ray tracing aberrometer. Primary outcome measure was deviation from the target axis of implantation. Secondary outcome measures were visual quality and acuity. Follow-up was performed on postoperative days (PODs) 1 and 30. Results Deviation from the target axis of implantation was significantly less in group II on PODs 1 and 30 (group I: 5.5°±3.3°, group II: 3.6°±2.6°; p=0.005). Postoperative refractive cylinder was −0.89±0.35 D in group I and −0.64±0.36 D in group II (p=0.003). Visual acuity was comparable between both the groups. Visual quality measured in terms of Strehl ratio (p<0.05) and modulation transfer function (MTF) (p<0.05) was significantly better in the image-guided surgery group. Significant negative correlation was observed between deviation from target axis and visual quality parameters (Strehl ratio and MTF) (p<0.05). Conclusion Image-guided surgery allows precise alignment of toric IOL without need for reference marking. It is associated with superior visual quality which correlates with the precision of IOL alignment. PMID:29731603

Practical, computer-aided registration of multiple, three-dimensional, magnetic-resonance observations of the human brain

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Diegert, C.; Sanders, J.A.; Orrison, W.W. Jr.

1992-12-31

Researchers working with MR observations generally agree that far more information is available in a volume (3D) observation than is considered for diagnosis. The key to the new alignment method is in basing it on available information on surfaces. Using the skin surface is effective a robust algorithm can reliably extract this surface from almost any scan of the head, and a human operator`s exquisite sensitivity to facial features is allows him to manually align skin surfaces with precision. Following the definitions, we report on a preliminary experiment where we align three MR observations taken during a single MR examination,more » each weighting arterial, venous, and tissue features. When accurately aligned, a neurosurgeon can use these features as anatomical landmarks for planning and executing interventional procedures.« less

Oral administration of hyaluronan prevents skin dryness and epidermal thickening in ultraviolet irradiated hairless mice.

PubMed

Kawada, Chinatsu; Kimura, Mamoru; Masuda, Yasunobu; Nomura, Yoshihiro

2015-12-01

Hyaluronan is a component of the extracellular matrix that plays a role in water retention in tissues. In this study, we orally administered hyaluronans of varying molecular weights (300k and less than 10k) repeatedly to hairless mice exposed to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and examined their effects on the skin of these mice. UV irradiation induces a marked increase in the epidermal thickness of the dorsal skin and a marked decrease in the skin moisture content; however, orally administered hyaluronan, particularly that with a molecular weight of less than 10k, markedly reversed the increase and decrease in the epidermal thickness and skin moisture content, respectively. Furthermore, on analyzing the mice skin, orally administered hyaluronan with a molecular weight of less than 10k increased the levels of the HAS2 gene expression in the skin. Based on these findings, it is assumed that orally administered hyaluronans, with molecular weight of 300k and less than 10k, reversed UV irradiation-induced skin disturbance. In particular, it was considered that the increase in the skin moisture content by orally administered hyaluronan, with a molecular weight of less than 10k, was related to the effect on skin cells. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Local alignment vectors reveal cancer cell-induced ECM fiber remodeling dynamics

PubMed Central

Lee, Byoungkoo; Konen, Jessica; Wilkinson, Scott; Marcus, Adam I.; Jiang, Yi

2017-01-01

Invasive cancer cells interact with the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM), remodeling ECM fiber network structure by condensing, degrading, and aligning these fibers. We developed a novel local alignment vector analysis method to quantitatively measure collagen fiber alignment as a vector field using Circular Statistics. This method was applied to human non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cell lines, embedded as spheroids in a collagen gel. Collagen remodeling was monitored using second harmonic generation imaging under normal conditions and when the LKB1-MARK1 pathway was disrupted through RNAi-based approaches. The results showed that inhibiting LKB1 or MARK1 in NSCLC increases the collagen fiber alignment and captures outward alignment vectors from the tumor spheroid, corresponding to high invasiveness of LKB1 mutant cancer cells. With time-lapse imaging of ECM micro-fiber morphology, the local alignment vector can measure the dynamic signature of invasive cancer cell activity and cell-migration-induced ECM and collagen remodeling and realigning dynamics. PMID:28045069

Identification of Skin Electrical Injury Using Infrared Imaging: A Possible Complementary Tool for Histological Examination

PubMed Central

Lin, Hancheng; Wang, Zhenyuan; Dong, Hongmei

2017-01-01

In forensic practice, determination of electrocution as a cause of death usually depends on the conventional histological examination of electrical mark in the body skin, but the limitation of this method includes subjective bias by different forensic pathologists, especially for identifying suspicious electrical mark. The aim of our work is to introduce Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in combination with chemometrics as a complementary tool for providing an relatively objective diagnosis. The results of principle component analysis (PCA) showed that there were significant differences of protein structural profile between electrical mark and normal skin in terms of α-helix, antiparallel β-sheet and β-sheet content. Then a partial least square (PLS) model was established based on this spectral dataset and used to discriminate electrical mark from normal skin areas in independent tissue sections as revealed by color-coded digital maps, making the visualization of electrical injury more intuitively. Our pilot study demonstrates the potential of FTIR spectroscopy as a complementary tool for diagnosis of electrical mark. PMID:28118398

Acanthosis nigricans

MedlinePlus

... cause any symptoms other than skin changes. Eventually, dark, velvety skin with very visible markings and creases ... your provider if you develop areas of thick, dark, velvety skin. Alternative Names AN; Skin pigment disorder - ...

New overlay measurement technique with an i-line stepper using embedded standard field image alignment marks for wafer bonding applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kulse, P.; Sasai, K.; Schulz, K.; Wietstruck, M.

2017-06-01

In the last decades the semiconductor technology has been driven by Moore's law leading to high performance CMOS technologies with feature sizes of less than 10 nm [1]. It has been pointed out that not only scaling but also the integration of novel components and technology modules into CMOS/BiCMOS technologies is becoming more attractive to realize smart and miniaturized systems [2]. Driven by new applications in the area of communication, health and automation, new components and technology modules such as BiCMOS embedded RF-MEMS, high-Q passives, Sibased microfluidics and InP-SiGe BiCMOS heterointegration have been demonstrated [3-6]. In contrast to standard VLSI processes fabricated on front side of the silicon wafer, these new technology modules require addition backside processing of the wafer; thus an accurate alignment between the front and backside of the wafer is mandatory. In previous work an advanced back to front side alignment technique and implementation into IHP's 0.25/0.13 μm high performance SiGe:C BiCMOS backside process module has been presented [7]. The developed technique enables a high resolution and accurate lithography on the backside of BiCMOS wafer for additional backside processing. In addition to the aforementioned back side process technologies, new applications like Through-Silicon Vias (TSV) for interposers and advanced substrate technologies for 3D heterogeneous integration demand not only single wafer fabrication but also processing of wafer stacks provided by temporary and permanent wafer bonding [8]. Therefore, the available overlay measurement techniques are not suitable if overlay and alignment marks are realized at the bonding interface of a wafer stack which consists of both a silicon device and a silicon carrier wafer. The former used EVG 40NT automated overlay measurement system, which use two opposite positioned microscopes inspecting simultaneous the wafer back and front side, is not capable measuring embedded overlay marks. In this work, the non-contact infrared alignment system of the Nikon i-line Stepper NSR-SF150 for both the alignment and the overlay determination of bonded wafer stacks with embedded alignment marks are used to achieve an accurate alignment between the different wafer sides. The embedded field image alignment (FIA) marks of the interface and the device wafer top layer are measured in a single measurement job. By taking the offsets between all different FIA's into account, after correcting the wafer rotation induced FIA position errors, hence an overlay for the stacked wafers can be determined. The developed approach has been validated by a standard back to front side application. The overlay was measured and determined using both, the EVG NT40 automated measurement system with special overlay marks and the measurement of the FIA marks of the front and back side layer. A comparison of both results shows mismatches in x and y translations smaller than 200 nm, which is relatively small compared to the overlay tolerances of +/-500 nm for the back to front side process. After the successful validation of the developed technique, special wafer stacks with FIA alignment marks in the bonding interface are fabricated. Due to the super IR light transparency of both doubled side polished wafers, the embedded FIA marks generate a stable and clear signal for accurate x and y wafer coordinate positioning. The FIA marks of the device wafer top layer were measured under standard condition in a developed photoresist mask without IR illumination. Following overlay calculation shows an overlay of less than 200 nm, which enables very accurate process condition for highly scaled TSV integration and advanced substrate integration into IHP's 0.25/0.13 μm SiGe:C BiCMOS technology. The presented method can be applied for both the standard back to front side process technologies and also new temporary and permanent wafer bonding applications.

An integrated skin marking tool for use with optical coherence tomography (OCT)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patalay, Rakesh; Craythorne, Emma; Mallipeddi, Raj; Coleman, Andrew

2017-02-01

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been shown to provide clinically valuable images that can aid in the assessment of the pre-surgical margin in basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The accuracy and speed with which these images can be used to help delineate margins in the clinic are currently constrained by the need to suspend imaging whilst a pen is used to mark the skin. This constraint has been circumvented here by the design of a trigger-activated ink-loaded nib integrated with the OCT probe. The adapted OCT probe enables a mark to be placed on the skin precisely where a region of interest can be seen in the OCT images, accurately and reproducibly. The adapted probe is described and a comparison of its performance and early experience of its clinical use are reported here. Initial results indicate that the integrated skin marking probe makes margin delineation under OCT image-guidance faster, more accurate and more clinically acceptable.

Comparison of two different methods of preoperative marking for toric intraocular lens implantation: bubble marker versus pendulum marker.

PubMed

Farooqui, Javed Hussain; Koul, Archana; Dutta, Ranjan; Shroff, Noshir Minoo

2016-01-01

To compare the accuracy of two different methods of preoperative marking for toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, bubble marker versus pendulum marker, as a means of establishing the reference point for the final alignment of the toric IOL to achieve an outcome as close as possible to emmetropia. Toric IOLs were implanted in 180 eyes of 110 patients. One group (55 patients) had preoperative marking of both eyes done with bubble marker (ASICO AE-2791TBL) and the other group (55 patients) with pendulum marker (Rumex(®)3-193). Reference marks were placed at 3-, 6-, and 9-o'clock positions on the limbus. Slit-lamp photographs were analyzed using Adobe Photoshop (version 7.0). Amount of alignment error (in degrees) induced in each group was measured. Mean absolute rotation error in the preoperative marking in the horizontal axis was 2.42±1.71 in the bubble marker group and 2.83±2.31in the pendulum marker group (P=0.501). Sixty percent of the pendulum group and 70% of the bubble group had rotation error ≤3 (P=0.589), and 90% eyes of the pendulum group and 96.7% of the bubble group had rotation error ≤5 (P=0.612). Both preoperative marking techniques result in approximately 3 of alignment error. Both marking techniques are simple, predictable, reproducible and easy to perform.

Automatic alignment method for calibration of hydrometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Y. J.; Chang, K. H.; Chon, J. C.; Oh, C. Y.

2004-04-01

This paper presents a new method to automatically align specific scale-marks for the calibration of hydrometers. A hydrometer calibration system adopting the new method consists of a vision system, a stepping motor, and software to control the system. The vision system is composed of a CCD camera and a frame grabber, and is used to acquire images. The stepping motor moves the camera, which is attached to the vessel containing a reference liquid, along the hydrometer. The operating program has two main functions: to process images from the camera to find the position of the horizontal plane and to control the stepping motor for the alignment of the horizontal plane with a particular scale-mark. Any system adopting this automatic alignment method is a convenient and precise means of calibrating a hydrometer. The performance of the proposed method is illustrated by comparing the calibration results using the automatic alignment method with those obtained using the manual method.

Multi-slice ultrasound image calibration of an intelligent skin-marker for soft tissue artefact compensation.

PubMed

Masum, M A; Pickering, M R; Lambert, A J; Scarvell, J M; Smith, P N

2017-09-06

In this paper, a novel multi-slice ultrasound (US) image calibration of an intelligent skin-marker used for soft tissue artefact compensation is proposed to align and orient image slices in an exact H-shaped pattern. Multi-slice calibration is complex, however, in the proposed method, a phantom based visual alignment followed by transform parameters estimation greatly reduces the complexity and provides sufficient accuracy. In this approach, the Hough Transform (HT) is used to further enhance the image features which originate from the image feature enhancing elements integrated into the physical phantom model, thus reducing feature detection uncertainty. In this framework, slice by slice image alignment and calibration are carried out and this provides manual ease and convenience. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

TU-D-209-03: Alignment of the Patient Graphic Model Using Fluoroscopic Images for Skin Dose Mapping

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Oines, A; Oines, A; Kilian-Meneghin, J

2016-06-15

Purpose: The Dose Tracking System (DTS) was developed to provide realtime feedback of skin dose and dose rate during interventional fluoroscopic procedures. A color map on a 3D graphic of the patient represents the cumulative dose distribution on the skin. Automated image correlation algorithms are described which use the fluoroscopic procedure images to align and scale the patient graphic for more accurate dose mapping. Methods: Currently, the DTS employs manual patient graphic selection and alignment. To improve the accuracy of dose mapping and automate the software, various methods are explored to extract information about the beam location and patient morphologymore » from the procedure images. To match patient anatomy with a reference projection image, preprocessing is first used, including edge enhancement, edge detection, and contour detection. Template matching algorithms from OpenCV are then employed to find the location of the beam. Once a match is found, the reference graphic is scaled and rotated to fit the patient, using image registration correlation functions in Matlab. The algorithm runs correlation functions for all points and maps all correlation confidences to a surface map. The highest point of correlation is used for alignment and scaling. The transformation data is saved for later model scaling. Results: Anatomic recognition is used to find matching features between model and image and image registration correlation provides for alignment and scaling at any rotation angle with less than onesecond runtime, and at noise levels in excess of 150% of those found in normal procedures. Conclusion: The algorithm provides the necessary scaling and alignment tools to improve the accuracy of dose distribution mapping on the patient graphic with the DTS. Partial support from NIH Grant R01-EB002873 and Toshiba Medical Systems Corp.« less

Comparison of two different methods of preoperative marking for toric intraocular lens implantation: bubble marker versus pendulum marker

PubMed Central

Farooqui, Javed Hussain; Koul, Archana; Dutta, Ranjan; Shroff, Noshir Minoo

2016-01-01

AIM To compare the accuracy of two different methods of preoperative marking for toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, bubble marker versus pendulum marker, as a means of establishing the reference point for the final alignment of the toric IOL to achieve an outcome as close as possible to emmetropia. METHODS Toric IOLs were implanted in 180 eyes of 110 patients. One group (55 patients) had preoperative marking of both eyes done with bubble marker (ASICO AE-2791TBL) and the other group (55 patients) with pendulum marker (Rumex®3-193). Reference marks were placed at 3-, 6-, and 9-o'clock positions on the limbus. Slit-lamp photographs were analyzed using Adobe Photoshop (version 7.0). Amount of alignment error (in degrees) induced in each group was measured. RESULTS Mean absolute rotation error in the preoperative marking in the horizontal axis was 2.42±1.71 in the bubble marker group and 2.83±2.31in the pendulum marker group (P=0.501). Sixty percent of the pendulum group and 70% of the bubble group had rotation error ≤3 (P=0.589), and 90% eyes of the pendulum group and 96.7% of the bubble group had rotation error ≤5 (P=0.612). CONCLUSION Both preoperative marking techniques result in approximately 3 of alignment error. Both marking techniques are simple, predictable, reproducible and easy to perform. PMID:27275425

Reflection-Type Oil-Film Skin-Friction Meter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bandyopadhyay, Promode R.; Weinstein, Leonard M.

1993-01-01

Oil-film skin-friction meter for both flight and wind-tunnel applications uses internal reflection and is self-contained, compact unit. Contained in palm-sized housing, in which source of light, mirrors, and sensor mounted rigidly in alignment. Entire unit mounted rigidly under skin of aircraft or wind tunnel, eliminating any relative vibration between optical elements and skin of aircraft or wind tunnel. Meter primarily applicable to flight and wind-tunnel tests, also used in chemical-processing plants.

Integrated Flexible Electronic Devices Based on Passive Alignment for Physiological Measurement

PubMed Central

Ryu, Jin Hwa; Byun, Sangwon; Baek, In-Bok; Lee, Bong Kuk; Jang, Won Ick; Jang, Eun-Hye; Kim, Ah-Yung; Yu, Han Yung

2017-01-01

This study proposes a simple method of fabricating flexible electronic devices using a metal template for passive alignment between chip components and an interconnect layer, which enabled efficient alignment with high accuracy. An electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor was fabricated using 20 µm thick polyimide (PI) film as a flexible substrate to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method. The interconnect layer was fabricated by a two-step photolithography process and evaporation. After applying solder paste, the metal template was placed on top of the interconnect layer. The metal template had rectangular holes at the same position as the chip components on the interconnect layer. Rectangular hole sizes were designed to account for alignment tolerance of the chips. Passive alignment was performed by simply inserting the components in the holes of the template, which resulted in accurate alignment with positional tolerance of less than 10 µm based on the structural design, suggesting that our method can efficiently perform chip mounting with precision. Furthermore, a fabricated flexible ECG sensor was easily attachable to the curved skin surface and able to measure ECG signals from a human subject. These results suggest that the proposed method can be used to fabricate epidermal sensors, which are mounted on the skin to measure various physiological signals. PMID:28420219

Inter- and Intrafraction Uncertainty in Prostate Bed Image-Guided Radiotherapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Huang, Kitty; Palma, David A.; Department of Oncology, University of Western Ontario, London

2012-10-01

Purpose: The goals of this study were to measure inter- and intrafraction setup error and prostate bed motion (PBM) in patients undergoing post-prostatectomy image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) and to propose appropriate population-based three-dimensional clinical target volume to planning target volume (CTV-PTV) margins in both non-IGRT and IGRT scenarios. Methods and Materials: In this prospective study, 14 patients underwent adjuvant or salvage radiotherapy to the prostate bed under image guidance using linac-based kilovoltage cone-beam CT (kV-CBCT). Inter- and intrafraction uncertainty/motion was assessed by offline analysis of three consecutive daily kV-CBCT images of each patient: (1) after initial setup to skin marks, (2)more » after correction for positional error/immediately before radiation treatment, and (3) immediately after treatment. Results: The magnitude of interfraction PBM was 2.1 mm, and intrafraction PBM was 0.4 mm. The maximum inter- and intrafraction prostate bed motion was primarily in the anterior-posterior direction. Margins of at least 3-5 mm with IGRT and 4-7 mm without IGRT (aligning to skin marks) will ensure 95% of the prescribed dose to the clinical target volume in 90% of patients. Conclusions: PBM is a predominant source of intrafraction error compared with setup error and has implications for appropriate PTV margins. Based on inter- and estimated intrafraction motion of the prostate bed using pre- and post-kV-CBCT images, CBCT IGRT to correct for day-to-day variances can potentially reduce CTV-PTV margins by 1-2 mm. CTV-PTV margins for prostate bed treatment in the IGRT and non-IGRT scenarios are proposed; however, in cases with more uncertainty of target delineation and image guidance accuracy, larger margins are recommended.« less

Rigorous electromagnetic simulation applied to alignment systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Yunfei; Pistor, Thomas V.; Neureuther, Andrew R.

2001-09-01

Rigorous electromagnetic simulation with TEMPEST is used to provide benchmark data and understanding of key parameters in the design of topographical features of alignment marks. Periodic large silicon trenches are analyzed as a function of wavelength (530-800 nm), duty cycle, depth, slope and angle of incidence. The signals are well behaved except when the trench width becomes about 1 micrometers or smaller. Segmentation of the trenches to form 3D marks shows that a segmentation period of 2-5 wavelengths makes the diffraction in the (1,1) direction about 1/3 to 1/2 of that in the main first order (1,0). Transmission alignment marks nanoimprint lithography using the difference between the +1 and -1 reflected orders showed a sensitivity of the difference signal to misalignment of 0.7%/nm for rigorous simulation and 0.5%/nm for simple ray-tracing. The sensitivity to a slanted substrate indentation was 10 nm off-set per degree of tilt from horizontal.

Laser-assisted marking for toric intraocular lens alignment.

PubMed

Dick, H Burkhard; Schultz, Tim

2016-01-01

We describe a technique of 3-dimensional spectral-domain optical coherence tomography-controlled laser-assisted corneal marking for toric intraocular lens implantation. To facilitate accurate alignment, the technique creates 2 perpendicular intrastromal incisions (width 0.75 mm) using an image-guided femtosecond laser. This was performed in a case series comprising 10 eyes of 10 patients. No posterior corneal perforation or epithelial alterations occurred. The incisions were plainly visible under the operating microscope, and no optical phenomena were reported 6 weeks after surgery. Laser-assisted marking can be performed safely and has the potential to enable precise axis marking. Dr. Dick is a paid consultant to Abbott Medical Optics, Inc. Dr. Schultz has no financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned. Copyright © 2016 ASCRS and ESCRS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Association of skin problems with coat colour and white markings in three-year-old horses of the Franches-Montagnes breed].

PubMed

Federici, M; Gerber, V; Doherr, M G; Klopfenstein, S; Burger, D

2015-07-01

In the last 30 years the amount of white markings in the population of Franches-Montagnes horses (FM) has more than doubled which has led to some controversy, particularly in respect to the health of the horses. The objective of this study was to investigate if the coat colour and white markings have an impact on selected skin diseases and hoof horn abnormalities. To this purpose 974 three-year-old FM were subjected to a clinical examination during the field and station tests organized by the FM breeding association. In 16.9% of the horses, one or several equine sarcoids were detected, 15.2% of the horses showed clinical signs of pastern dermatitis, 1.1% of insect bite hypersensitivity and 18.0% of dermatitis of other aetiology. Abnormalities of the hoof horn were found in 20.1% of the horses. The prevalence of pastern dermatitis was 2.6 times higher in legs with white markings than in legs with pigmented skin (p <0.0001). The probability ofsuffering from sunburn and hoof horn of lesser quality was increased in animals with an elevated white marking index (WAI; p = 0.022 and p = 0.038), on the other hand, horses with sarcoids had a significantly lower WAI than sound horses (p = 0.038). Our study shows that FM horses with more pronounced white markings have an increased risk to suffer from pastern dermatitis, sunburns and hoof horn abnormalities. The coat colour was not associated with skin diseases.

Tool mark striations in pig skin produced by stabs from a serrated blade.

PubMed

Pounder, Derrick J; Bhatt, Shivani; Cormack, Lesley; Hunt, Bill A C

2011-03-01

Stab wounds produced by serrated blades are generally indistinguishable from stab wounds produced by non-serrated blades, except when visible tool mark striations are left on severed cartilage. Using a pig-skin experimental model, we explored the possibility that similar striations may be left in skin. Stabs into pig skin were made using a straight spine coarsely serrated blade (121), a drop point finely serrated blade (20), a clip point irregular coarsely serrated blade (20), a drop point coarsely serrated blade (15), and as controls 2 non-serrated blades (40). Tool mark striations could be seen on the skin wall of the stab canal in all stabs made using serrated blades but in none with non-serrated blades.The striation pattern, reflecting the class characteristics of the serrated blade, was the same as that described in cartilage but less well defined. Fixation of the specimen with Carnoy's solution best preserved visible striations, and fixation with formaldehyde after staining with 5% Neutral Red was also satisfactory. Casting with vinyl polysiloxane dental impression material greatly facilitated photo-documentation. Applying the technique to homicidal stabbings may help identify stab wounds produced with serrated blades.

Thermal Conductivity of Ultem(TradeMark)/Carbon Nanofiller Blends

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ghose, S.; Watson, K. A.; Delozier, D. M.; Working, D. C.; Connell, J. W.; Smith, J. G., Jr.; Sun, Y. P.; Lin, Y.

2006-01-01

In an effort to improve polymer thermal conductivity (TC), Ultem(TradeMark) 1000 was compounded with nano-fillers of carbon allotropes. Ultem(TradeMark) 1000 was selected since it is both solution and melt processable. As-received and modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), vapor grown carbon nanofibers (CNF) and expanded graphite (EG) were investigated. MWCNTs were modified by functionalizing the surface through oxidization with concentrated acids, mixing with an alkyl bromide, and addition of alkyl and phosphorus compounds after initial treatment with n-butyl lithium. Functionalization was performed to improve the TC compatibility between the resin and MWCNTs. It was postulated that this may provide an improved interface between the MWCNT and the polymer which would result in enhanced TC. The nano-fillers were mixed with Ultem(TradeMark) 1000 in the melt and in solution at concentrations ranging from 5 to 40 wt%. Ribbons were extruded from the blends to form samples where the nano-fillers were aligned to some degree in the extrusion direction. Samples were also fabricated by compression molding resulting in random orientation of the nano-fillers. Thermal properties of the samples were evaluated by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermal Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA). Tensile properties of aligned samples were determined at room temperature. The specimens were cut from the ribbons in the extrusion direction; hence the nano-fillers are somewhat aligned in the direction of stress. Typically it was observed that melt mixed samples exhibited superior mechanical properties compared to solution mixed samples. As expected, increased filler loading led to increased modulus and decreased elongation with respect to the neat polymer. The degree of dispersion and alignment of the nano-fillers was determined by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM). HRSEM of the ribbons revealed that the MWCNTs and CNFs were predominantly aligned in the flow direction. The TC of the samples was measured using a Nanoflash(TradeMark) instrument. Since the MWCNTs and CNF are anisotropic, the TC was expected to be different in the longitudinal (parallel to the nanotube and fiber axis) and transverse (perpendicular to the nanotube and fiber axis) directions. The extruded ribbons provided samples for transverse TC measurements. However, to determine the TC in the longitudinal direction, the ribbons needed to be stacked and molded under 1.7 MPa and 270 C. Samples were then obtained by cutting the molded block with a diamond saw. The largest TC improvement was achieved for aligned samples when the measurement was performed in the direction of MWCNT and CNF alignment (i.e. longitudinal axis). Unaligned samples also showed a significant improvement in TC and may be potentially useful in applications when it is not possible to align the nano-filler. The results of this study will be presented.

Birthmarks - red

MedlinePlus

Strawberry mark; Vascular skin changes; Angioma cavernosum; Capillary hemangioma; Hemangioma simplex ... at the site. Different types of hemangiomas include: Strawberry hemangiomas (strawberry mark, nevus vascularis, capillary hemangioma, hemangioma ...

Skin blister formation together with patterned intradermal hematoma: a special type of tire mark injury in victims run over by a wheel.

PubMed

Pircher, R; Epting, T; Schmidt, U; Geisenberger, D; Pollak, S; Kramer, L

2015-04-01

A traffic accident victim run over by a vehicle may show a patterned skin hematoma reflecting the grooves of the tire's profile. Apart from this well-known type of imprint mark, the affected skin can also be blistered provided that the wheel exerts high pressure on the body for a prolonged period of time. The macro- and micromorphological findings as well as the protein composition of the blister fluid were investigated on the basis of a relevant autopsy case. Analogous to blisters associated with hanging marks, the transudation of serous fluid with consecutive detachment of the epidermis is interpreted as a pressure-related effect which cannot be regarded as a sign of vitality. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

I-line stepper based overlay evaluation method for wafer bonding applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kulse, P.; Sasai, K.; Schulz, K.; Wietstruck, M.

2018-03-01

In the last decades the semiconductor technology has been driven by Moore's law leading to high performance CMOS technologies with feature sizes of less than 10 nm [1]. It has been pointed out that not only scaling but also the integration of novel components and technology modules into CMOS/BiCMOS technologies is becoming more attractive to realize smart and miniaturized systems [2]. Driven by new applications in the area of communication, health and automation, new components and technology modules such as BiCMOS embedded RF-MEMS, high-Q passives, Sibased microfluidics and InP-SiGe BiCMOS heterointegration have been demonstrated [3-6]. In contrast to standard VLSI processes fabricated on front side of the silicon wafer, these new technology modules additionally require to process the backside of the wafer; thus require an accurate alignment between the front and backside of the wafer. In previous work an advanced back to front side alignment technique and implementation into IHP's 0.25/0.13 µm high performance SiGe:C BiCMOS backside process module has been presented [7]. The developed technique enables a high resolution and accurate lithography on the backside of BiCMOS wafer for additional backside processing. In addition to the aforementioned back side process technologies, new applications like Through-Silicon Vias (TSV) for interposers and advanced substrate technologies for 3D heterogeneous integration demand not only single wafer fabrication but also processing of wafer stacks provided by temporary and permanent wafer bonding [8-9]. In this work, the non-contact infrared alignment system of the Nikon® i-line Stepper NSR-SF150 for both alignment and the overlay determination of bonded wafer stacks with embedded alignment marks are used to achieve an accurate alignment between the different wafer sides. The embedded field image alignment (FIA) marks of the interface and the device wafer top layer are measured in a single measurement job. By taking the offsets between all different FIA's into account, after correcting the wafer rotation induced FIA position errors, hence an overlay for the stacked wafers can be determined. The developed approach has been validated by a standard front side resist in resist experiment. After the successful validation of the developed technique, special wafer stacks with FIA alignment marks in the bonding interface are fabricated and exposed. Following overlay calculation shows an overlay of less than 200 nm, which enables very accurate process condition for highly scaled TSV integration and advanced substrate integration into IHP's 0.25/0.13 µm SiGe:C BiCMOS technology. The developed technique also allows using significantly smaller alignment marks (i.e. standard FIA alignment marks). Furthermore, the presented method is used, in case of wafer bow related overlay tool problems, for the overlay evaluation of the last two metal layers from production wafers prepared in IHP's standard 0.25/0.13 µm SiGe:C BiCMOS technology. In conclusion, the exposure and measurement job can be done with the same tool, minimizing the back to front side/interface top layer misalignment which leads to a significant device performance improvement of backside/TSV integrated components and technologies.

Alignment and focus of mirrored facets of a heliosat

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yellowhair, Julius E; Ho, Clifford Kuofei; Diver, Richard B

2013-11-12

Various technologies pertaining to aligning and focusing mirrored facets of a heliostat are described herein. Updating alignment and/or focus of mirrored facets is undertaken through generation of a theoretical image, wherein the theoretical image is indicative of a reflection of the target via the mirrored facets when the mirrored facets are properly aligned. This theoretical image includes reference points that are overlaid on an image of the target as reflected by the mirrored facets of the heliostat. A technician adjusts alignment/focus of a mirrored facet by causing reflected reference markings to become aligned with the reference points in the theoreticalmore » image.« less

Extending prayer marks as a sign of worsening chronic disease.

PubMed

Cangiano, M; Chisti, Mohammod J; Pietroni, Mark A C; Smith, Jonathan H

2011-06-01

A 60-year-old Muslim man was admitted to the Dhaka Hospital of ICDDR,B with an exacerbation of his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Incidental hyperpigmented skin lesions were noticed overlying the dorsum of his ankles, knees, and elbows. Such asymptomatic areas of thickened, lichenified and hyperpigmented skin are called 'prayer marks' and are well-imprinted on the knees, ankles, and forehead. These are secondary to prolonged periods of pressure over bony prominences during prayer. The patient's wife stated that the appearance of the elbow marks had coincided with an increase in his breathlessness and subsequent use of his elbows to rise from daily prayers. Prayer marks extending to the elbows could be a sign of worsening chronic disease.

Blepharoplasty

MedlinePlus

... Marks Sun-damaged Skin Tattoo Removal Varicose Veins Vitiligo Wrinkles Back Skin Treatments Back Ambulatory Phlebectomy Blepharoplasty ... Micropigmentation Back Migropigmentation for Burn Scars Migropigmentation for Vitiligo Back Microwave Thermolysis for Excessive Sweating Mohs Surgery ...

Skin-Friction Measurements in a 3-D, Supersonic Shock-Wave/Boundary-Layer Interaction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wideman, J. K.; Brown, J. L.; Miles, J. B.; Ozcan, O.

1994-01-01

The experimental documentation of a three-dimensional shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction in a nominal Mach 3 cylinder, aligned with the free-stream flow, and 20 deg. half-angle conical flare offset 1.27 cm from the cylinder centerline. Surface oil flow, laser light sheet illumination, and schlieren were used to document the flow topology. The data includes surface-pressure and skin-friction measurements. A laser interferometric skin friction data. Included in the skin-friction data are measurements within separated regions and three-dimensional measurements in highly-swept regions. The skin-friction data will be particularly valuable in turbulence modeling and computational fluid dynamics validation.

Cultural and ethnic differences in the acceptance or rejection of liposuction instrumentation entrance marks.

PubMed

Field, Lawrence M

2007-01-01

The acceptance of visible marks on the skin as a result of surgical procedures varies by the necessity of the procedure (ie, cosmetic or not) and by the cultural interpretation of those sequelae. As liposuction has become the most commonly performed major cosmetic procedure in the US, and perhaps throughout the world, the visible stigmata resulting from the surgical invasion may be of major consequence to some while they remain of little or no consequence to others. This article explores the national, cultural, racial, and ethnic variations in the acceptance or rejection of visible marks on the skin in several parts of world.

Usefulness of pressure-sensitive adhesives as a pretreatment material before application of topical drug formulations and a peeling tape for excess stratum corneum layers.

PubMed

Kikuchi, Keisuke; Todo, Hiroaki; Sugibayashi, Kenji

2014-01-01

Two unique pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) tapes (PSA-A, -B) with different adhesive properties of commercial PSAs were prepared and evaluated for their usefulness as a pretreatment material prior to the application of transdermal therapeutic systems or topical drug formulations and also as a peeling agent against excess layers of the stratum corneum. In the present study, in vitro permeation experiments were conducted using vertical type diffusion cells and excised hairless rat or porcine skin from which the stratum corneum had been stripped several times with PSAs. The results obtained revealed that PSA-A and -B had higher stripping or peeling effects than those of the marketed PSAs. Marked changes were observed in skin barrier function before and after stripping using PSAs, and the enhancement effect on the skin permeation of drugs achieved by stripping the stratum corneum was markedly different between the PSAs. PSA-A, in particular, markedly improved skin permeation and the skin concentration of topically applied chemical compounds because it removed many layers of the stratum corneum when skin was stripped only a few times. In contrast, when PSA-B was used to pretreat the skin surface, the extent of skin permeation and concentration of drugs was safely increased because only a few layers of the stratum corneum were removed, even with repeated stripping. The enhancement effect achieved by PSA-B was not as high as that by PSA-A. Thus, stripping with PSA-A can be used as a penetration enhancement tool, whereas PSA-B can be used as a peeling material against excess layers of the stratum corneum.

Five-Level Posterior Total En Bloc Spondylectomy of Severe Myelomeningocele Kyphosis.

PubMed

Ganjeifar, Babak; Zabihyan, Samira; Baharvahdat, Humain; Baradaran, Aslan

2016-06-01

In this case report we discuss a case of thoracolumbar kyphectomy associated with myelomeningocoele. To our knowledge, no such total spondylectomy and fascinating alignment, with no skin defect on the outcome, has been reported in the literature. A 15-year-old paraplegic girl, suffering from severe kyphosis, was not able to sit in a wheelchair. Her lumbar myelomeningocele was repaired perinatally. Surgery reduced the 137-degree angle deformity to a 30-degree kyphosis. At 12-month follow-up, the fusion consolidated as shown on the computed tomography scans and the instruments were good position with a 5-degree correction loss. In most cases of kyphosis, anterior wedging occurs in the vertebral body where the apex of the deformity is located. In our patient kyphosis had a round curve with no definite apex that could be marked out. These deformities demand special attention regarding the surgical techniques and postoperative course. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison of Munsell(®) color chart assessments with primary schoolchildren's self-reported skin color.

PubMed

Wright, C Y; Reeder, A I; Gray, A R; Hammond, V A

2015-11-01

Skin color is related to human health outcomes, including the risks of skin cancer and vitamin D insufficiency. Self-perceptions of skin color may influence health behaviours, including the adoption of practices protective against harmful solar ultraviolet radiation levels. Misperception of personal risk may have negative health implications. The aim of this study is to determine whether Munsell(®) color chart assessments align with child self-reported skin color. Two-trained investigators, with assessed color acuity, visually classified student inner upper arm constitutive skin color. The Munsell(®) classifications obtained were converted to Individual Typology Angle (ITA) values and respective Del Bino skin color categories after spectrocolorimeter measurements based on published values/data. As part of a written questionnaire on sun protection knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours, self-completed in class time, students classified their end of winter skin color. Student self-reports were compared with the ITA-based Del Bino classifications. A total of 477 New Zealand primary students attending 27 randomly selected schools from five geographic regions. The main measures were self-reported skin color and visually observed skin color. A monotonic association was observed between the distribution of spectrophotometer ITA scores obtained for Munsell(®) tiles and child self-reports of skin color, providing some evidence for the validity of self-report among New Zealand primary school children, although the lighter colored ITA defined groups were most numerous in this study sample. Statistically significant differences in ITA scores were found by ethnicity, self-reported skin color, and geographic residence (P < 0.001). Certain Munsell(®) color tiles were frequently selected as providing a best match to skin color. Assessment using Munsell(®) color charts was simple, inexpensive, and practical for field use and acceptable to children. The results suggest that this method may prove useful for making comparisons with other studies using visual tools to assess skin color. Alignment between the ITA distribution derived from the Munsell(®) assessment and child skin color self-reports could probably be improved, particularly with the addition of another 'light'/'white' color category in the self-report instrument. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Amorphous material of the skin in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a morphologic and biochemical study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ono, S.; Nagao, K.; Yamauchi, M.

1994-01-01

We performed morphologic studies on skin from seven patients with ALS and seven control subjects. By light microscopy, the wide spaces that separated collagen bundles reacted strongly with colloidal iron and alcian blue in ALS patients. Electron microscopy revealed markedly increased amorphous material that was positive for ruthenium red in the ground substance. These findings were not present in controls. Quantitative amino acid analysis showed that the amount of total amino acids (nmoles per mg dry weight) was significantly decreased (p < 0.01) in ALS patients compared with that of controls, and there was a significant negative correlation between skin amino acid content and duration of illness in ALS patients (r = -0.83, p < 0.001). These morphologic findings and biochemical data indicate that the amorphous material, which is markedly increased in ALS skin, includes glycosaminoglycans.

Self-cleaning skin-like prosthetic polymer surfaces

DOEpatents

Simpson, John T [Clinton, TN; Ivanov, Ilia N [Knoxville, TN; Shibata, Jason [Manhattan Beach, CA

2012-03-27

An external covering and method of making an external covering for hiding the internal endoskeleton of a mechanical (e.g., prosthetic) device that exhibits skin-like qualities is provided. The external covering generally comprises an internal bulk layer in contact with the endoskeleton of the prosthetic device and an external skin layer disposed about the internal bulk layer. The external skin layer is comprised of a polymer composite with carbon nanotubes embedded therein. The outer surface of the skin layer has multiple cone-shaped projections that provide the external skin layer with superhydrophobicity. The carbon nanotubes are preferably vertically aligned between the inner surface and outer surface of the external skin layer in order to provide the skin layer with the ability to transmit heat. Superhydrophobic powders may optionally be used as part of the polymer composite or applied as a coating to the surface of the skin layer to enhance superhydrophobicity.

Method of making self-cleaning skin-like prosthetic polymer surfaces

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Simpson, John T.; Ivanov, Ilia N.; Shibata, Jason

An external covering and method of making an external covering for hiding the internal endoskeleton of a mechanical (e.g., prosthetic) device that exhibits skin-like qualities is provided. The external covering generally comprises an internal bulk layer in contact with the endoskeleton of the prosthetic device and an external skin layer disposed about the internal bulk layer. The external skin layer is comprised of a polymer composite with carbon nanotubes embedded therein. The outer surface of the skin layer has multiple cone-shaped projections that provide the external skin layer with superhydrophobicity. The carbon nanotubes are preferably vertically aligned between the innermore » surface and outer surface of the external skin layer in order to provide the skin layer with the ability to transmit heat. Superhydrophobic powders may optionally be used as part of the polymer composite or applied as a coating to the surface of the skin layer to enhance superhydrophobicity.« less

biobambam: tools for read pair collation based algorithms on BAM files

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Sequence alignment data is often ordered by coordinate (id of the reference sequence plus position on the sequence where the fragment was mapped) when stored in BAM files, as this simplifies the extraction of variants between the mapped data and the reference or of variants within the mapped data. In this order paired reads are usually separated in the file, which complicates some other applications like duplicate marking or conversion to the FastQ format which require to access the full information of the pairs. Results In this paper we introduce biobambam, a set of tools based on the efficient collation of alignments in BAM files by read name. The employed collation algorithm avoids time and space consuming sorting of alignments by read name where this is possible without using more than a specified amount of main memory. Using this algorithm tasks like duplicate marking in BAM files and conversion of BAM files to the FastQ format can be performed very efficiently with limited resources. We also make the collation algorithm available in the form of an API for other projects. This API is part of the libmaus package. Conclusions In comparison with previous approaches to problems involving the collation of alignments by read name like the BAM to FastQ or duplication marking utilities our approach can often perform an equivalent task more efficiently in terms of the required main memory and run-time. Our BAM to FastQ conversion is faster than all widely known alternatives including Picard and bamUtil. Our duplicate marking is about as fast as the closest competitor bamUtil for small data sets and faster than all known alternatives on large and complex data sets.

Evaluation of Vitality in the Experimental Hanging Model of Rats by Using Immunohistochemical IL-1β Antibody Staining.

PubMed

Balandiz, Hüseyin; Pehlivan, Sultan; Çiçek, Ali Fuat; Tuğcu, Harun

2015-12-01

Hanging is the most common suicide method in the world, and the discrimination of antemortem-postmortem hanging must be done at autopsy. The aim of this experimental study was to examine the immunohistochemical expression of IL-1β antibody at the hanging mark skin samples of rats to discriminate antemortem and postmortem hangings. A total of 20 Wistar albino rats were used for this study. The groups were as follows: A-1, antemortem control group; A-2, antemortem second-hour hanging mark skin samples; A-3, antemortem 24th-hour hanging mark skin samples; A-4, antemortem 72nd-hour hanging mark skin samples; B-1, postmortem control group; and B-2, postmortem second-hour hanging mark skin samples. Interleukin-1β immunostaining was performed to all tissue samples. For epidermal cells, group A-1 samples did not show IL-1β immunostaining, group A-2 samples were severely immunostained, and groups A-3 and A-4 samples' staining were slightly decreased. There was no IL-1β antibody staining in groups B-1 and B-2 samples. For adnexal cells, groups A-1 and B-1 samples did not show IL-1β immunostaining, staining of group A-2 samples was mild to severe, and groups A-3 and A-4 samples' staining were slightly decreased. Half of the group B-2 samples did not show IL-1β immunostaining. For subepidermal cells, most of the samples of groups A-1 and B-1 showed slight immunostaining, groups A-2 and B-2 samples' staining were mild to severe, and there were slight immunostaining in groups A-3 and A-4 samples. The majority of vascular structure cells did not show IL-1β immunostaining. Interleukin-1β immunostaining of epidermal cells can discriminate antemortem-postmortem hangings, but vascular structure cells and subepidermal cells cannot discriminate vital hangings.

Beam alignment based on two-dimensional power spectral density of a near-field image.

PubMed

Wang, Shenzhen; Yuan, Qiang; Zeng, Fa; Zhang, Xin; Zhao, Junpu; Li, Kehong; Zhang, Xiaolu; Xue, Qiao; Yang, Ying; Dai, Wanjun; Zhou, Wei; Wang, Yuanchen; Zheng, Kuixing; Su, Jingqin; Hu, Dongxia; Zhu, Qihua

2017-10-30

Beam alignment is crucial to high-power laser facilities and is used to adjust the laser beams quickly and accurately to meet stringent requirements of pointing and centering. In this paper, a novel alignment method is presented, which employs data processing of the two-dimensional power spectral density (2D-PSD) for a near-field image and resolves the beam pointing error relative to the spatial filter pinhole directly. Combining this with a near-field fiducial mark, the operation of beam alignment is achieved. It is experimentally demonstrated that this scheme realizes a far-field alignment precision of approximately 3% of the pinhole size. This scheme adopts only one near-field camera to construct the alignment system, which provides a simple, efficient, and low-cost way to align lasers.

49 CFR 238.123 - Emergency roof access.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... access location shall be conspicuously marked with retroreflective material of contrasting color. As... material shall conspicuously mark the line along which the roof skin shall be cut; and (2) A sign plate...

In situ measurement of Larval Salamander growth using individuals marked with acrylic polymers

Treesearch

Brent R. Johnson; J. Bruce Wallace

2002-01-01

Mark-recapture studies are often used to provide valuable life history information for animal populations. However, long-term marking of larval amphibians has been problematic because of their small size, delicate skin, and ability to regenerate tissues (Cecil and Just 1978; Donnelly et al. 1994; Seale and Boraas 1974). Procedures that have been used to mark larvae...

SPA face lift: SMAS plication-anchoring.

PubMed

Mottura, A Aldo

2011-08-01

A variation of the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) plication called SPA face lift is here described. An axial line and then two medial and lateral parallel lines are penciled on the skin from the lateral canthus to the earlobe to show the future plication area. The undermining zone is delimited 1 cm beyond the medial line. In face- and neck-lifting, such marks extend vertically to the neck. Once the skin is undermined up to the delimiting marks, the three lines are penciled again on the fat layer, and a running lock suture is used for plication, with big superficial bites between the two distal lines. In fatty faces, a strip of fat is removed along the axial line to avoid bulging that can be seen through the skin. Because the undermining is limited, minor swelling occurs, and the postoperative recovery is shorter and faster. The same three lines can be marked in the contralateral side or can differ in cases of asymmetry. This report describes 244 face-lifts without any facial nerve problems. The author managed five hematoma cases in which surgery to the neck was performed. Three patients had to be touched up for insufficient skin tension. The SPA technique is consistent and easy to learn.

Aligning Greek-English parallel texts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galiotou, Eleni; Koronakis, George; Lazari, Vassiliki

2015-02-01

In this paper, we discuss issues concerning the alignment of parallel texts written in languages with different alphabets based on an experiment of aligning texts from the proceedings of the European Parliament in Greek and English. First, we describe our implementation of the k-vec algorithm and its application to the bilingual corpus. Then the output of the algorithm is used as a starting point for an alignment procedure at a sentence level which also takes into account mark-ups of meta-information. The results of the implementation are compared to those of the application of the Church and Gale alignment algorithm on the Europarl corpus. The conclusions of this comparison can give useful insights as for the efficiency of alignment algorithms when applied to the particular bilingual corpus.

The Yucatan miniature swine as an in vivo model for screening skin depigmentation.

PubMed

Nair, X; Tramposch, K M

1991-12-01

The usefulness of the Yucatan miniature pig as a screen for skin dipigmenting activity by topical application was evaluated with standard compounds. This is a naturally occurring breed of swine with light brown to dark brown skin that is relatively hairless. The skin morphology, including the pattern of pigment distribution, in this breed of swine closely resembles the human skin. Test compounds examined in this study included the three standard compounds with known clinical depigmenting activity, hydroquinone (HQ), 4-hydroxyanisole (4HA) and tert-butyl catechol (TBC), each at a 5% concentration. Test materials in 25 microliters of propylene glycol/ethanol (50:50) were applied topically twice daily, 7 days a week for 90 days to test sites on each side of the dorsal mid-line. Test sites were graded weekly for variation in pigmentation and local irritation. After 90 days of test material application, skin biopsies of the test sites were taken for histological evaluation. Topical application of HQ, 4HA and TBC promoted marked skin depigmentation which was substantiated by reductions of pigment and melanocytes observed on microscopic examination. While both HQ and TBC produced marked local irritation, 4HA was only mildly irritating. These results suggest that the Yucatan pig, could be a potentially useful model for screening compounds with skin depigmenting activity.

Pyruvate metabolism: A therapeutic opportunity in radiation-induced skin injury

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yoo, Hyun; Kang, Jeong Wook; Lee, Dong Won

Ionizing radiation is used to treat a range of cancers. Despite recent technological progress, radiation therapy can damage the skin at the administration site. The specific molecular mechanisms involved in this effect have not been fully characterized. In this study, the effects of pyruvate, on radiation-induced skin injury were investigated, including the role of the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 2 (PDK2) signaling pathway. Next generation sequencing (NGS) identified a wide range of gene expression differences between the control and irradiated mice, including reduced expression of PDK2. This was confirmed using Q-PCR. Cell culture studies demonstrated that PDK2 overexpression and a highmore » cellular pyruvate concentration inhibited radiation-induced cytokine expression. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated radiation-induced skin thickening and gene expression changes. Oral pyruvate treatment markedly downregulated radiation-induced changes in skin thickness and inflammatory cytokine expression. These findings indicated that regulation of the pyruvate metabolic pathway could provide an effective approach to the control of radiation-induced skin damage. - Highlights: • The effects of radiation on skin thickness in mice. • Next generation sequencing revealed that radiation inhibited pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 2 expression. • PDK2 inhibited irradiation-induced cytokine gene expression. • Oral pyruvate treatment markedly downregulated radiation-induced changes in skin thickness.« less

High Electromechanical Response of Ionic Polymer Actuators with Controlled-Morphology Aligned Carbon Nanotube/Nafion Nanocomposite Electrodes

PubMed Central

Liu, Sheng; Liu, Yang; Cebeci, Hülya; de Villoria, Roberto Guzmán; Lin, Jun-Hong

2011-01-01

Recent advances in fabricating controlled-morphology vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VA-CNTs) with ultrahigh volume fraction create unique opportunities for markedly improving the electromechanical performance of ionic polymer conductor network composite (IPCNC) actuators. Continuous paths through inter-VA-CNT channels allow fast ion transport, and high electrical conduction of the aligned CNTs in the composite electrodes lead to fast device actuation speed (>10% strain/second). One critical issue in developing advanced actuator materials is how to suppress the strain that does not contribute to the actuation (unwanted strain) thereby reducing actuation efficiency. Here our experiments demonstrate that the VA-CNTs give an anisotropic elastic response in the composite electrodes, which suppresses the unwanted strain and markedly enhances the actuation strain (>8% strain under 4 volts). The results reported here suggest pathways for optimizing the electrode morphology in IPCNCs using ultra-high volume fraction VA-CNTs to further enhanced performance. PMID:21765822

7. ALIGNMENT OF ABANDONED COULTERVILLE ROAD IN FORESTA AT FALLEN ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

7. ALIGNMENT OF ABANDONED COULTERVILLE ROAD IN FORESTA AT FALLEN TREE IN CENTER REAR. FOREGROUND MARKS TURN OF NEW ROAD FROM FORESTA TO HIGHWAY 120. LOOKING E. GIS: N-37 42 16.6 / W-119 44 00.3 - Coulterville Road, Between Foresta & All-Weather Highway, Yosemite Village, Mariposa County, CA

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Simpson, John T.; Ivanov, Ilia N.; Shibata, Jason

An external covering and method of making an external covering for hiding the internal endoskeleton of a mechanical (e.g., prosthetic) device that exhibits skin-like qualities is provided. The external covering generally comprises an internal bulk layer in contact with the endoskeleton of the prosthetic device and an external skin layer disposed about the internal bulk layer. The external skin layer is comprised of a polymer composite with carbon nanotubes embedded therein. The outer surface of the skin layer has multiple cone-shaped projections that provide the external skin layer with superhydrophobicity. The carbon nanotubes are preferably vertically aligned between the innermore » surface and outer surface of the external skin layer in order to provide the skin layer with the ability to transmit heat. Superhydrophobic powders may optionally be used as part of the polymer composite or applied as a coating to the surface of the skin layer to enhance superhydrophobicity.« less

Burn Rehabilitation and Research: Proceedings of a Consensus Summit

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-08-01

to determine appropriate utilization of therapy services. As patients with burn in- juries progress through various stages of recovery, their...tissue align- ment of an associated joint or anatomic structure. Contractures can affect a skin crease, skin juncture, or margin and may secondarily...comprehensive burn rehabilitation data base Increase utilization of current web sites for global communication Journal of Burn Care & Research 548

Elective penicillin skin testing in a pediatric outpatient setting.

PubMed

Jost, Barbara Capes; Wedner, H James; Bloomberg, Gordon R

2006-12-01

Adverse reactions associated with penicillin-type antibiotics are common in pediatric practice, leading to the subsequent unnecessary use of alternative antibiotics. IgE-mediated penicillin allergy represents only a fraction of these adverse reactions. To examine (1) the trend of penicillin skin test reactivity during a recent 10-year interval, (2) the relative distribution of specific reagents related to a positive skin test result, and (3) skin test reactivity as a function of reaction history. Penicillin testing using 3 reagents--benzylpenicilloyl polylysine, penicillin G, and sodium penicilloate (penicillin A)--was conducted in a prospective study of 359 consecutive patients referred to an outpatient pediatric allergy clinic between January 1, 1993, and May 31, 2003. We also retrospectively reviewed penicillin skin test results for 562 children previously tested between January 1, 1979, and December 31, 1992. Between 1993 and 2003, the prevalence of penicillin skin test sensitivity markedly declined. Of all the positive skin test results between 1979 and 2002, either penicillin G or sodium penicilloate or both identified 34%, with sodium penicilloate alone responsible for 8.5%. The rate of positive skin test reactions was not significantly different between patients with vs without a history of suggestive IgE-mediated reactions. A marked decline in penicillin skin test sensitivity in the pediatric age group is identified. The minor determinant reagents penicillin G and sodium penicilloate are both necessary for determining potential penicillin allergy. Relating history alone to potential penicillin sensitivity is unreliable in predicting the presence or absence of a positive skin test result.

Skindeep Ulysses.

PubMed

Freedman, Ariela

2008-01-01

This essay is about Joyce as an epidermist and Joyce as a chronicler and cataloguer of the "skindeep" surfaces of Dublin in Ulysses. The book is crowded with skins: tanned skins, blushing skins, skins enhanced by makeup and creams, skins marked by race or religion, skins legible and visible, skins imagined and inaccessible and associated with both authenticity and disguise. Skin in Joyce becomes, in Steven Connor's terms, in The Book of Skin, "a place of minglings; a mingling of places," a space where medical, cultural, and aesthetic meanings jostle and intersect and are inscribed and projected on the surface that both expresses and conceals the subject. A skin-deep analysis of Ulysses can reveal to us the entanglement of surface and depth that characterizes Joyce's novel.

Thematic Roles, Markedness Alignment and Processing Complexity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Yoonhyoung; Kwon, Youan; Gordon, Peter C.

2015-01-01

Two experiments used eye-tracking during reading to investigate the role of the consistency of the relative markedness alignment of noun phrases (NPs) in the processing of complex sentences in Korean. To do so, the animacy of the first NP was varied in both experiments to manipulate the relative markedness of NPs. In addition, case markings of the…

The Assessment of Skin Color and Iron Levels in Pediatric Patients with β-Thalassemia Major Using a Visual Skin Color Chart.

PubMed

Bucak, Ibrahim H; Almis, Habip; Benli, Samet; Turgut, Mehmet

2017-03-01

Patients with β-thalassemia major (β-TM), a disease that emerges due to disorder of hemoglobin (Hb) synthesis, require life-long erythrocyte transfusion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate skin color and iron levels of patients with β-TM using a visual skin color chart. Each patient's skin color was matched on a skin color chart under a fluorescent lamp by the same physician on each occasion. Iron, iron binding capacity, ferritin and complete blood count (CBC) were studied for each patient enrolled. Colors marked on the visual skin color chart were compared with the laboratory results. Thirty-five patients being monitored at our hospital were included, 19 (54.3%) males and 16 (45.7%) females. The colors marked on the chart darkened as patients aged (p = 0.002, r = 0.49), the frequency of annual transfusions (p = 0.022, r = 0.385), ferritin levels (p < 0.001, r = 0.72) and iron levels increased (p = 0.001, r = 0.538) and as total iron binding capacity (TIBC) decreased (p < 0.001, r = -0.709). On the basis of this study, iron deposition in patients with β-TM was correlated with the colors on the chart.

ZnO Nano-Rod Devices for Intradermal Delivery and Immunization

PubMed Central

Nayak, Tapas R.; Wang, Hao; Pant, Aakansha; Zheng, Minrui; Junginger, Hans; Goh, Wei Jiang; Lee, Choon Keong; Zou, Shui; Alonso, Sylvie; Czarny, Bertrand; Storm, Gert; Sow, Chorng Haur; Lee, Chengkuo; Pastorin, Giorgia

2017-01-01

Intradermal delivery of antigens for vaccination is a very attractive approach since the skin provides a rich network of antigen presenting cells, which aid in stimulating an immune response. Numerous intradermal techniques have been developed to enhance penetration across the skin. However, these methods are invasive and/or affect the skin integrity. Hence, our group has devised zinc oxide (ZnO) nano-rods for non-destructive drug delivery. Chemical vapour deposition was used to fabricate aligned nano-rods on ZnO pre-coated silicon chips. The nano-rods’ length and diameter were found to depend on the temperature, time, quality of sputtered silicon chips, etc. Vertically aligned ZnO nano-rods with lengths of 30–35 µm and diameters of 200–300 nm were selected for in vitro human skin permeation studies using Franz cells with Albumin-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) absorbed on the nano-rods. Fluorescence and confocal studies on the skin samples showed FITC penetration through the skin along the channels formed by the nano-rods. Bradford protein assay on the collected fluid samples indicated a significant quantity of Albumin-FITC in the first 12 h. Low antibody titres were observed with immunisation on Balb/c mice with ovalbumin (OVA) antigen coated on the nano-rod chips. Nonetheless, due to the reduced dimensions of the nano-rods, our device offers the additional advantage of excluding the simultaneous entrance of microbial pathogens. Taken together, these results showed that ZnO nano-rods hold the potential for a safe, non-invasive, and painless intradermal drug delivery. PMID:28617335

ZnO Nano-Rod Devices for Intradermal Delivery and Immunization.

PubMed

Nayak, Tapas R; Wang, Hao; Pant, Aakansha; Zheng, Minrui; Junginger, Hans; Goh, Wei Jiang; Lee, Choon Keong; Zou, Shui; Alonso, Sylvie; Czarny, Bertrand; Storm, Gert; Sow, Chorng Haur; Lee, Chengkuo; Pastorin, Giorgia

2017-06-15

Intradermal delivery of antigens for vaccination is a very attractive approach since the skin provides a rich network of antigen presenting cells, which aid in stimulating an immune response. Numerous intradermal techniques have been developed to enhance penetration across the skin. However, these methods are invasive and/or affect the skin integrity. Hence, our group has devised zinc oxide (ZnO) nano-rods for non-destructive drug delivery. Chemical vapour deposition was used to fabricate aligned nano-rods on ZnO pre-coated silicon chips. The nano-rods' length and diameter were found to depend on the temperature, time, quality of sputtered silicon chips, etc. Vertically aligned ZnO nano-rods with lengths of 30-35 µm and diameters of 200-300 nm were selected for in vitro human skin permeation studies using Franz cells with Albumin-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) absorbed on the nano-rods. Fluorescence and confocal studies on the skin samples showed FITC penetration through the skin along the channels formed by the nano-rods. Bradford protein assay on the collected fluid samples indicated a significant quantity of Albumin-FITC in the first 12 h. Low antibody titres were observed with immunisation on Balb/c mice with ovalbumin (OVA) antigen coated on the nano-rod chips. Nonetheless, due to the reduced dimensions of the nano-rods, our device offers the additional advantage of excluding the simultaneous entrance of microbial pathogens. Taken together, these results showed that ZnO nano-rods hold the potential for a safe, non-invasive, and painless intradermal drug delivery.

In Situ alignment system for phase-shifting point-diffraction interferometry

DOEpatents

Goldberg, Kenneth Alan; Naulleau, Patrick P.

2000-01-01

A device and method to facilitate the gross alignment of patterned object- and image-plane masks in optical systems such as the phase-shifting point diffraction interferometer are provided. When an array of similar pinholes or discreet mask fields is used, confusion can occur over the alignment of the focused beams within the field. Adding to the mask pattern a circumscribed or inscribed set of symbols that are identifiable in situ facilitates the unambiguous gross alignment of the object- and/or image-plane masks. Alternatively, a system of markings can be encoded directly into the window shape to accomplish this same task.

Hypertrophic lichen sclerosus sine sclerosis: clues to histopathologic diagnosis when presenting as psoriasiform lichenoid dermatitis.

PubMed

Weyers, Wolfgang

2015-02-01

The histopathologic diagnosis of lichen sclerosus (LS) is usually facilitated by a subepidermal zone of sclerosis. In the absence of sclerosis, LS mostly presents itself as a psoriasiform lichenoid dermatitis that may be difficult to distinguish from other diseases. We sought to assess histopathologic findings that allow recognition of LS in the absence of sclerosis. We studied 28 criteria in 100 biopsy specimens of LS from genital or perianal skin, including 55 cases with marked sclerosis, 16 cases with mild sclerosis confined to foci of the papillary dermis and 29 cases without sclerosis. Fifteen cases each of the early plaque stage of mycosis fungoides, lichen planus and lichen simplex chronicus were studied for comparison. Some histopathologic hallmarks of LS were seen chiefly in sclerotic lesions and, therefore, did not contribute to the diagnosis of difficult cases, such as dissolution of elastic fibers. Others were seen rarely in non-sclerotic lesions but might be helpful in individual cases, including follicular hyperkeratosis and thickening of the basement membrane. Findings that were more common and may be utilized as clues to the histopathologic diagnosis of non-sclerotic LS include tiny foci of homogenized tissue in dermal papillae, marked fibrosis with thickening of the papillary dermis, marked thickening of individual collagen fibers, lymphocytes aligned in rows between those fibers, necrotic keratinocytes, often with preserved pyknotic nuclei, in all reaches of the epidermis, including the cornified layer, clustering of necrotic keratinocytes above elongated dermal papillae and vertical columns of parakeratosis with distinct dyskeratotic parakeratotic cells. In the absence of sclerosis, histopathologic diagnosis of LS depends on findings that are less distinctive. Nonetheless, a constellation of those findings allows a specific diagnosis to be made. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Formulation design for topical drug and nanoparticle treatment of skin disease.

PubMed

Raphael, Anthony P; Garrastazu, Gabriela; Sonvico, Fabio; Prow, Tarl W

2015-02-01

The skin has evolved to resist the penetration of foreign substances and particles. Topical therapeutic and cosmeceutical delivery is a growing field founded on selectively overcoming this barrier. Both the biology of the skin and the nature of the formulation/active ingredient must be aligned for efficient transcutaneous delivery. This review discusses the biological changes in the skin barrier that occur with common dermatological conditions. This context is the foundation for the discussion of formulation strategies to improve penetration profiles of common active ingredients in dermatology. Finally, we compare and contrast those approaches to recent advances described in the research literature with an eye toward the future of topical formulation design.

Effect of limbal marking prior to laser ablation on the magnitude of cyclotorsional error.

PubMed

Chen, Xiangjun; Stojanovic, Aleksandar; Stojanovic, Filip; Eidet, Jon Roger; Raeder, Sten; Øritsland, Haakon; Utheim, Tor Paaske

2012-05-01

To evaluate the residual registration error after limbal-marking-based manual adjustment in cyclotorsional tracker-controlled laser refractive surgery. Two hundred eyes undergoing custom surface ablation with the iVIS Suite (iVIS Technologies) were divided into limbal marked (marked) and non-limbal marked (unmarked) groups. Iris registration information was acquired preoperatively from all eyes. Preoperatively, the horizontal axis was recorded in the marked group for use in manual cyclotorsional alignment prior to surgical iris registration. During iris registration, the preoperative iris information was compared to the eye-tracker captured image. The magnitudes of the registration error angle and cyclotorsional movement during the subsequent laser ablation were recorded and analyzed. Mean magnitude of registration error angle (absolute value) was 1.82°±1.31° (range: 0.00° to 5.50°) and 2.90°±2.40° (range: 0.00° to 13.50°) for the marked and unmarked groups, respectively (P<.001). Mean magnitude of cyclotorsional movement during the laser ablation (absolute value) was 1.15°±1.34° (range: 0.00° to 7.00°) and 0.68°±0.97° (range: 0.00° to 6.00°) for the marked and unmarked groups, respectively (P=.005). Forty-six percent and 60% of eyes had registration error >2°, whereas 22% and 20% of eyes had cyclotorsional movement during ablation >2° in the marked and unmarked groups, respectively. Limbal-marking-based manual alignment prior to laser ablation significantly reduced cyclotorsional registration error. However, residual registration misalignment and cyclotorsional movements remained during ablation. Copyright 2012, SLACK Incorporated.

[Blunt trauma with bullet-proof vests. Skin lesions are no reliable predictor of injury severity].

PubMed

Doll, D; Illert, B; Bohrer, S; Richter, C; Woelfl, C

2009-04-01

It is well known that so-called bullet-proof vests offer protection against a wide range of penetrating trauma, but their protection against blunt trauma is less well understood. Fast projectiles may result in hematomas and contusions behind the armour. We report a traffic accident involving a young soldier wearing a ballistic protection vest resulting in a right thoracoabdominal blunt trauma leading to a confined liver compression rupture. As nearly no skin marks were detectable, we point out that every emergency department surgeon should be very suspicious if a patient wore a ballistic vest at the time of the accident--there may be no skin marks despite severe intra-abdominal trauma. Our patient recovered following hypotensive ICU treatment, thrombocyte mobilization, and factor VIIa substitution.

[Analyzing and tracking preoperative and intraoperative astigmatism].

PubMed

Perez, M

2012-03-01

Precise evaluation of preoperative astigmatism is the first step optimizing outcomes. This begins with office-based evaluation of astigmatism; corneal astigmatism is evaluated by keratometry, traditionally by Javal keratometry, but now including topography, whether Placido- or elevation-based, which allows for detailed analysis of even irregular astigmatism, including the corneal periphery, which is invaluable. Aberrometers, essentially "super-auto refractors", allow the incorporation of additional data into the qualitative analysis of astigmatism. The correlation between these multiple preoperative data helps to differentiate between corneal and total astigmatism, to infer the lenticular astigmatism, and to integrate all of these data into the clinical decision-making process. Immediately preoperatively, the 0 and 180° axes are marked; then, with the aid of a special marker, the axis of alignment for the toric IOL is also marked. Once the cataract is removed, the toric IOL is injected and pre-aligned; the viscoelastic is carefully removed, particularly from between the IOL and posterior capsule, with the toric IOL being definitively aligned at this point. These alignment techniques represent a major advance, soon to be indispensible for toric IOL surgery, which will certainly continue to grow in the future. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

MR imaging of magnetic ink patterns via off-resonance sensitivity.

PubMed

Perkins, Stephanie L; Daniel, Bruce L; Hargreaves, Brian A

2018-03-30

Printed magnetic ink creates predictable B 0 field perturbations based on printed shape and magnetic susceptibility. This can be exploited for contrast in MR imaging techniques that are sensitized to off-resonance. The purpose of this work was to characterize the susceptibility variations of magnetic ink and demonstrate its application for creating MR-visible skin markings. The magnetic susceptibility of the ink was estimated by comparing acquired and simulated B 0 field maps of a custom-built phantom. The phantom was also imaged using a 3D gradient echo sequence with a presaturation pulse tuned to different frequencies, which adjusts the range of suppressed frequencies. Healthy volunteers with a magnetic ink pattern pressed to the skin or magnetic ink temporary flexible adhesives applied to the skin were similarly imaged. The volume-average magnetic susceptibility of the ink was estimated to be 131 ± 3 parts per million across a 1-mm isotropic voxel (13,100 parts per million assuming a 10-μm thickness of printed ink). Adjusting the saturation frequency highlights different off-resonant regions created by the ink patterns; for example, if tuned to suppress fat, fat suppression will fail near the ink due to the off-resonance. This causes magnetic ink skin markings placed over a region with underlying subcutaneous fat to be visible on MR images. Patterns printed with magnetic ink can be imaged and identified with MRI. Temporary flexible skin adhesives printed with magnetic ink have the potential to be used as skin markings that are visible both by eye and on MR images. © 2018 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

A System Approach to Navy Medical Education and Training. Appendix 16. Aviation Technician.

DTIC Science & Technology

1974-08-31

PHYSICAL/EMCTICNAL RESPONSE Tn ITREATMENT/DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES 5 Ir𔃽SERVE/REPOPT SYMPTO4S OF SIDE EFFECTS TO TREATENT/MEOICATION 6 ICHECK TEXTURE OF...SKIN, E.G. DRY, OILY, SCALY 7 ICHECK COLOR OF SKIN, E.G. CYANOSIS, BLANCHING, JAUNPICE, MOTTLING 8 ICHECK TEMPERATURE OF SKIN j 9 IPERFORM...CIRCULATION CHECK, E.G. COLOR, PULSE, TEmPERATUrE OF ISKIN, CAPILLARY RETURN 10 ICHECK SKIN FOR ABNORMAL CONDITIONS, E.G. PPESSURE SORES, IBRUISES, NEEDLE MARKS

Formation of bulk refractive index structures

DOEpatents

Potter, Jr., Barrett George; Potter, Kelly Simmons; Wheeler, David R.; Jamison, Gregory M.

2003-07-15

A method of making a stacked three-dimensional refractive index structure in photosensitive materials using photo-patterning where first determined is the wavelength at which a photosensitive material film exhibits a change in refractive index upon exposure to optical radiation, a portion of the surfaces of the photosensitive material film is optically irradiated, the film is marked to produce a registry mark. Multiple films are produced and aligned using the registry marks to form a stacked three-dimensional refractive index structure.

Polarization Imaging Apparatus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zou, Yingyin K.; Chen, Qiushui

2010-01-01

A polarization imaging apparatus has shown promise as a prototype of instruments for medical imaging with contrast greater than that achievable by use of non-polarized light. The underlying principles of design and operation are derived from observations that light interacts with tissue ultrastructures that affect reflectance, scattering, absorption, and polarization of light. The apparatus utilizes high-speed electro-optical components for generating light properties and acquiring polarization images through aligned polarizers. These components include phase retarders made of OptoCeramic (registered TradeMark) material - a ceramic that has a high electro-optical coefficient. The apparatus includes a computer running a program that implements a novel algorithm for controlling the phase retarders, capturing image data, and computing the Stokes polarization images. Potential applications include imaging of superficial cancers and other skin lesions, early detection of diseased cells, and microscopic analysis of tissues. The high imaging speed of this apparatus could be beneficial for observing live cells or tissues, and could enable rapid identification of moving targets in astronomy and national defense. The apparatus could also be used as an analysis tool in material research and industrial processing.

Cutaneous blood flow in psoriasis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Klemp, P.; Staberg, B.

1983-12-01

The disappearance rate of /sup 133/Xe was studied in 20 patients with psoriasis vulgaris, using an epicutaneous labeling technique in involved skin lesions or normal-appearing skin of the proximal extensor site of the forearm. Control experiments were performed in 10 normal subjects. Calculations of the cutaneous blood flow (CBF) in psoriatic skin lesions were performed using a tissue-to-blood partition coefficient for /sup 133/Xe, lambda c,pso, of 1.2 ml/100 g/min. lambda c,pso was estimated after the relative content of water, lipids, and proteins had been analyzed in psoriatic skin biopsies of 6 patients with untreated psoriasis. The mean relative content ofmore » water was markedly reduced to 23.5 +/- 1.5% (SEM), and lipids and proteins were markedly increased to 2.5 +/- 0.7% and 74.0 +/- 2.2, respectively, compared to previously published data for normal skin (water 72.5%, lipids 1%, proteins 26.5%). Mean CBF in untreated psoriatic skin was 63.5 +/- 9.0 ml/100 g/min. This was significantly higher than the mean CBF in 10 normal subjects, 6.3 +/- 0.5 ml/100 g/min (p much less than 0.0001). Mean CBF in normal-appearing skin in patients with psoriasis was 11.0 +/- 1.3 ml/100 g/min. This was significantly higher than CBF in normal subjects (p less than 0.0002).« less

Melasma treatment using an erbium:YAG laser: a clinical, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study.

PubMed

Attwa, Enayat; Khater, Mohamed; Assaf, Magda; Haleem, Manal Abdel

2015-02-01

Melasma is a common pigmentary disorder that remains resistant to available therapies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of erbium:YAG lasers in the treatment of refractory melasma and investigate the histopathological and ultrastructural changes between melasma skin and adjacent control skin before and after surgery. Fifteen Egyptian female patients with melasma unresponsive to previous therapy of bleaching creams and chemical peels were included in this study. Full-face skin resurfacing using an erbium:YAG laser was performed. Clinical parameters included physician and patient assessment, and melasma area and severity index score were done. Adverse effects after laser resurfacing were recorded. Biopsies of lesions and adjacent healthy skin were stained using hematoxylin-eosin, immunohistochemically marked for Melan-A, and evaluated by electron microscopy. The amount of melanin, staining intensity, and number of epidermal melanocytes are increased in melasma lesions as compared to normal skin. Electron microscopic analysis revealed an increased number of mature melanosomes in keratinocytes and melanocytes, with more marked cytoplasmic organelles in melasma skin than in biopsy specimens from normal skin, suggesting increased cell activity. After surgery, the number of melanocytes and concentration of melanin decreased in melasma skin, and the mean melasma area and severity index score decreased dramatically. Erbium:YAG laser resurfacing effectively improves melasma; however, the almost universal appearance of transient postinflammatory hyperpigmentation necessitates prompt and persistent intervention. © 2014 The International Society of Dermatology.

Pre-slaughter, slaughter and post-slaughter defects of skins and hides at the Sheba Tannery and Leather Industry, Tigray region, northern Ethiopia.

PubMed

Kahsay, Tesfay; Negash, Guesh; Hagos, Yohannes; Hadush, Birhanu

2015-08-21

Skins and hides are perishable resources that can be damaged by parasitic diseases and human error, which result in downgrading or rejection. This study was conducted to identify defect types and to determine their prevalence in pickled sheep and wet blue goat skins and wet blue hides. Each selected skin or hide was examined for defects in natural light and the defects were graded according to established quality criteria in Ethiopian standard manuals. Major defects were captured by digital photography. The major pre-slaughter defects included scratches (64.2%), cockle (ekek) (32.8%), wounds or scars (12.6%), lesions from pox or lumpy skin disease (6.1%), poor substance (5%), branding marks (2.3%) and tick bites (1.5%). The presence of grain scratches in wet blue hides (76.3%) was significantly higher than in pickled sheep (67.2%) and wet blue goat (59.1%) skins. The major slaughter defects included flay cuts or scores, holes, poor pattern and vein marks, with a higher occurrence in wet blue goat skins (28.7%; P < 0.001) than in wet blue hides (22.8%) and pickled sheep skins (11.1%). The most prevalent postslaughter defects were grain cracks (14.9%), hide beetle damage (8%), damage caused by heat or putrefaction (3.7%) and machine-induced defects (0.5%). Grain cracks (27.04%) and hide beetle damage (13.9%) in wet blue goat skins were significantly more common than in wet blue hides and pickled sheep skins. These defects cause depreciation in the value of the hides and skins. Statistically significant (P < 0.001) higher rejection rates were recorded for wet blue hides (82.9%) than for pickled sheep skins (18.3%) and wet blue goat skins (8.5%). Improved animal health service delivery, effective disease control strategies and strong collaboration between stakeholders are suggested to enhance the quality of skins and hides.

Aging Alters Functionally Human Dermal Papillary Fibroblasts but Not Reticular Fibroblasts: A New View of Skin Morphogenesis and Aging

PubMed Central

Mine, Solène; Fortunel, Nicolas O.; Pageon, Hervé; Asselineau, Daniel

2008-01-01

Understanding the contribution of the dermis in skin aging is a key question, since this tissue is particularly important for skin integrity, and because its properties can affect the epidermis. Characteristics of matched pairs of dermal papillary and reticular fibroblasts (Fp and Fr) were investigated throughout aging, comparing morphology, secretion of cytokines, MMPs/TIMPs, growth potential, and interaction with epidermal keratinocytes. We observed that Fp populations were characterized by a higher proportion of small cells with low granularity and a higher growth potential than Fr populations. However, these differences became less marked with increasing age of donors. Aging was also associated with changes in the secretion activity of both Fp and Fr. Using a reconstructed skin model, we evidenced that Fp and Fr cells do not possess equivalent capacities to sustain keratinopoiesis. Comparing Fp and Fr from young donors, we noticed that dermal equivalents containing Fp were more potent to promote epidermal morphogenesis than those containing Fr. These data emphasize the complexity of dermal fibroblast biology and document the specific functional properties of Fp and Fr. Our results suggest a new model of skin aging in which marked alterations of Fp may affect the histological characteristics of skin. PMID:19115004

Skin reflectance as a non-lethal measure of smoltification for juvenile salmonids

USGS Publications Warehouse

Haner, Philip V.; Faler, Joyce C.; Schrock, Robin M.; Rondorf, Dennis W.; Maule, Alec G.

1995-01-01

Our efforts to find nonlethal methods of assessing the parr-smoll transformation of juvenile steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss and spring and fall chinook salmon O. tshawytscha led to the development of a video system for quantitatively measuring skin silvering using skin reflectance. Gill Na'.K'-ATPase activity, skin guanine concentration, and skin reflectance were recorded from groups of fish marked with freeze brands at hatcheries and downstream sample sites in the Columbia River basin. Skin reflectance of migrants was significantly higher than that of fish before release; nonmigrants (released fish that did not migrate) had significantly lower skin reflectance than migrants from the same groups. Skin reflectance was significantly correlated with gill ATPasc activity and skin guanine concentration. Skin reflectance increased during the parrsmolt transformation and could be used as a nonlethal indicator of smoltification.

Effects of glycolic acid chemical peeling on facial pigment deposition: evaluation using novel computer analysis of digital-camera-captured images.

PubMed

Kakudo, Natsuko; Kushida, Satoshi; Suzuki, Kenji; Kusumoto, Kenji

2013-12-01

Chemical peeling is becoming increasingly popular for skin rejuvenation in dermatological cosmetic medicine. However, the improvements seen with chemical peeling are often very minor, and it is difficult to conduct a quantitative assessment of pre- and post-treatment appearance. We report the pre- and postpeeling effects for facial pigment deposition using a novel computer analysis method for digital-camera-captured images. Glycolic acid chemical peeling was performed a total of 5 times at 2-week intervals in 23 healthy women. We conducted a computer image analysis by utilizing Robo Skin Analyzer CS 50 and Clinical Suite 2.1 and then reviewed each parameter for the area of facial pigment deposition pre- and post-treatment. Parameters were pigmentation size and four pigmentation categories: little pigmentation and three levels of marked pigmentation (Lv1, 2, and 3) based on detection threshold. Each parameter was measured, and the total area of facial pigmentation was calculated. The total area of little pigmentation and marked pigmentation (Lv1) was significantly reduced. On the other hand, a significant difference was not observed for the total area of marked pigmentation Lv2 and Lv3. This suggests that glycolic acid chemical peeling has an effect on small facial pigment disposition or has an effect on light pigment deposition. As the Robo Skin Analyzer is useful for objectively quantifying and analyzing minor changes in facial skin, it is considered to be an effective tool for accumulating treatment evidence in the cosmetic and esthetic skin field. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Muzzle imprint mark: a patterned injury which may be constituted of intradermal blood extravasations.

PubMed

Pircher, R; Bielefeld, L; Geisenberger, D; Große Perdekamp, M; Pollak, S; Thierauf-Emberger, A

2014-11-01

The muzzle imprint mark in contact shots is usually regarded as a patterned pressure abrasion depicting the barrel end as well as adjacent constructional components of the weapon. Due to parching after exposure to air, the affected skin assumes a brown color, especially along the contours of the impacting structures. Apart from this well-known type of epidermal damage, the imprint mark may also be formed by intradermal hemorrhages. In some cases, these intracutaneous bleedings manifest themselves as circular, curved or straight reddish lines mirroring the surface relief of the weapon's muzzle end. To estimate the frequency of skin hematomas in muzzle imprints, 35 consecutive contact shots to the head (temple, forehead, submental and occipital region) were evaluated. In 3 cases, the muzzle imprint mark exclusively consisted of intracutaneous bruises surrounding the bullet entrance hole. In 14 cases, the muzzle imprint was composed of both excoriations and intradermal hematomas. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Simple Strategy in Avulsion Flap Injury: Prediction of Flap Viability Using Wood's Lamp Illumination and Resurfacing with a Full-thickness Skin Graft.

PubMed

Lim, Hyoseob; Han, Dae Hee; Lee, Il Jae; Park, Myong Chul

2014-03-01

Extensive degloving injuries of the extremities usually result in necrosis of the flap, necessitating comprehensive skin grafting. Provided there is a sufficient tool to evaluate flap viability, full-thickness skin can be used from a nonviable avulsed flap. We used a Wood's lamp to determine the viability of avulsed flaps in the operation field after intravenous injection of fluorescein dye. We experienced 13 cases during 16 months. Fifteen minutes after the intravenous injection of fluorescein dye, the avulsed skin flaps were examined and non-fluorescent areas were marked under Wood's lamp illumination. The marked area was defatted for full-thickness skin grafting. The fluorescent areas were sutured directly without tension. The non-fluorescent areas were covered by defatted skin. Several days later, there was soft tissue necrosis within the flap area. We measured necrotic area and revised the flap. Among all the cases, necrotic area was 21.3% of the total avulsed area. However, if we exclude three cases, one of a carelessly managed patient and two cases of the flaps were inappropriately applied, good results were obtained, with a necrotic area of only 8.4%. Eight patients needed split-thickness skin grafts, and heel pad reconstruction was performed with free flap. A full-thickness skin graft from an avulsed flap is a good method for addressing aesthetic concerns without producing donor site morbidity. Fluorescein dye is a useful, simple, and cost-effective tool for evaluating flap viability. Avulsed flap injuries can be managed well with Wood's lamp illumination and a full-thickness skin graft.

Diffuse reflectance imaging for non-melanoma skin cancer detection using laser feedback interferometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mowla, Alireza; Taimre, Thomas; Lim, Yah L.; Bertling, Karl; Wilson, Stephen J.; Prow, Tarl W.; Soyer, H. P.; Rakić, Aleksandar D.

2016-04-01

We propose a compact, self-aligned, low-cost, and versatile infrared diffuse-reflectance laser imaging system using a laser feedback interferometry technique with possible applications in in vivo biological tissue imaging and skin cancer detection. We examine the proposed technique experimentally using a three-layer agar skin phantom. A cylindrical region with a scattering rate lower than that of the surrounding normal tissue was used as a model for a non-melanoma skin tumour. The same structure was implemented in a Monte Carlo computational model. The experimental results agree well with the Monte Carlo simulations validating the theoretical basis of the technique. Results prove the applicability of the proposed technique for biological tissue imaging, with the capability of depth sectioning and a penetration depth of well over 1.2 mm into the skin phantom.

Gerodermia osteodysplastica and wrinkly skin syndrome: are they the same?

PubMed

Al-Gazali, L I; Sztriha, L; Skaff, F; Haas, D

2001-07-01

Gerodermia osteodysplastica (GO) is a connective tissue disorder characterized by premature aging, wrinkled, and lax skin with reduced elasticity which is more marked on the dorsum of the hands and feet associated with hyperextensible joints and osteoporosis. The wrinkly skin syndrome (WSS) is characterized by wrinkled skin over the dorsum of the hands, feet, and abdomen; hyperextensible joints, particularly of the hands; intrauterine growth retardation; postnatal failure to thrive; and mental and developmental delay. We report on five children from two consanguineous Arab families with features overlapping both GO and WSS. All five children had similar dysmorphic facial features consisting of broad and prominent forehead, hypotelorism with epicanthal folds, prominent bulbous nose, flat malar region, and large protruding ears. All had wrinkling of the skin more marked on the dorsum of the hands, feet, and abdomen; hyperextensibility of the joints, particularly of the hands; and aged appearance. Intrauterine growth retardation, subsequent failure to thrive, developmental delay, and variable degree of osteoporosis was also present in all of them. The older three children developed progressive prognathism. We suggest that GO and WSS could represent variable manifestation of the same disorder. Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Noninvasive computed tomography-guided marking technique for peripheral pulmonary nodules

PubMed Central

Matsuura, Yosuke; Nakao, Masayuki; Ichinose, Junji; Nakagawa, Ken; Okumura, Sakae

2016-01-01

Background Identification of the exact location of small peripheral pulmonary nodules during thoracoscopic wedge resection (TWR) is crucial. We describe a new method of computed tomography (CT)-guided marking without puncturing the visceral pleura (VP) for minimally palpable pulmonary nodules. Methods Preoperative CT scans were performed 1 day before TWR with the patient in the lateral decubitus position. Under CT guidance, we marked the skin over the pulmonary nodule. During TS, an indwelling catheter was inserted perpendicular to the marked skin surface and put a mark with gentian violet (Pyoktanin blue®, Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Osaka, Japan) onto the VP. We palpated the nodules near the mark(s) and performed TWR. Results Between October 2012 and April 2016, we performed CT-guided marking in 54 patients (24 males and 30 females, median age 65 years). Cases included 39 primary lung cancers, 10 metastatic lung tumors, and 5 benign tumors. The mean diameter of the nodules was 10 mm (range, 3–26 mm), and the mean distance of the nodule from the VP was 4 mm (range, 0–17 mm). The mean time of intraoperative marking was 3.5 min (range, 1–4.5 min). The mean distance from the nodule to the marking point was 7.0 mm (range, 0–30 mm). We were able to identify the location of the nodule using this procedure in 53 patients (98%). Hematoma of the chest wall after marking was observed in one patient. There were no other complications. Conclusions This marking technique is a simple, economic, and effective procedure to locate small peripheral pulmonary nodules during TWR. PMID:28066668

Evaluation of a new electronic preoperative reference marker for toric intraocular lens implantation by two different methods of analysis: Adobe Photoshop versus iTrace.

PubMed

Farooqui, Javed Hussain; Sharma, Mansi; Koul, Archana; Dutta, Ranjan; Shroff, Noshir Minoo

2017-01-01

The aim of this study is to compare two different methods of analysis of preoperative reference marking for toric intraocular lens (IOL) after marking with an electronic marker. Cataract and IOL Implantation Service, Shroff Eye Centre, New Delhi, India. Fifty-two eyes of thirty patients planned for toric IOL implantation were included in the study. All patients had preoperative marking performed with an electronic preoperative two-step toric IOL reference marker (ASICO AE-2929). Reference marks were placed at 3-and 9-o'clock positions. Marks were analyzed with two systems. First, slit-lamp photographs taken and analyzed using Adobe Photoshop (version 7.0). Second, Tracey iTrace Visual Function Analyzer (version 5.1.1) was used for capturing corneal topograph examination and position of marks noted. Amount of alignment error was calculated. Mean absolute rotation error was 2.38 ± 1.78° by Photoshop and 2.87 ± 2.03° by iTrace which was not statistically significant ( P = 0.215). Nearly 72.7% of eyes by Photoshop and 61.4% by iTrace had rotation error ≤3° ( P = 0.359); and 90.9% of eyes by Photoshop and 81.8% by iTrace had rotation error ≤5° ( P = 0.344). No significant difference in absolute amount of rotation between eyes when analyzed by either method. Difference in reference mark positions when analyzed by two systems suggests the presence of varying cyclotorsion at different points of time. Both analysis methods showed an approximately 3° of alignment error, which could contribute to 10% loss of astigmatic correction of toric IOL. This can be further compounded by intra-operative marking errors and final placement of IOL in the bag.

Fermented Maesil (Prunus mume) with probiotics inhibits development of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice.

PubMed

Jung, Bock-Gie; Cho, Sun-Ju; Koh, Hong-Bum; Han, Dong-Un; Lee, Bong-Joo

2010-04-01

Maesil (Prunus mume Siebold & Zucc.), a potential source of free radical scavengers and inhibitor of pro-inflammatory mediators, is used in traditional Korean medical preparations as a remedy for skin disorders as have probiotics. The action of a probiotic fermented Maesil preparation on the development of atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions was determined in a NC/Nga mouse model as an initial step towards the development of a therapeutic feed supplement for use in dogs. Continuous ingestion of the experimental feed markedly inhibited the development of the AD-like skin lesions, as evidenced by a marked decrease in skin signs and reduced inflammation within the skin lesions. Efficacy was confirmed by significant decreases in eosinophil ratio and serum IgE concentration, and a reduction in the number of Staphylococcus aureus recovered from the ear. Relative mRNA expression levels of IL-4, interferon-gamma and tumour necrosis factor-alpha in the spleens of the experimental animals were also decreased and there was an increased serum concentration of IL-10 with a concurrent decreased IL-4 concentration in comparison to a control group. Taken together, the results indicate that some component(s) of fermented Maesil have the ability to suppress the development of AD-like skin lesions, possibly by stimulation of IL-10. Beneficial effects of fermented Maesil may thus be expected in dogs with AD, although this and the nature of the active pathway remain to be explored.

Image-guided system versus manual marking for toric intraocular lens alignment in cataract surgery.

PubMed

Webers, Valentijn S C; Bauer, Noel J C; Visser, Nienke; Berendschot, Tos T J M; van den Biggelaar, Frank J H M; Nuijts, Rudy M M A

2017-06-01

To compare the accuracy of toric intraocular lens (IOL) alignment using the Verion Image-Guided System versus a conventional manual ink-marking procedure. University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands. Prospective randomized clinical trial. Eyes with regular corneal astigmatism of at least 1.25 diopters (D) that required cataract surgery and toric IOL implantation (Acrysof SN6AT3-T9) were randomly assigned to the image-guided group or the manual-marking group. The primary outcome was the alignment of the toric IOL based on preoperative images and images taken immediately after surgery. Secondary outcome measures were residual astigmatism, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), and complications. The study enrolled 36 eyes (24 patients). The mean toric IOL misalignment was significantly less in the image-guided group than in the manual group 1 hour (1.3 degrees ± 1.6 [SD] versus 2.8 ± 1.8 degrees; P = .02) and 3 months (1.7 ± 1.5 degrees versus 3.1 ± 2.1 degrees; P < .05) postoperatively. The mean residual refractive cylinder was -0.36 ± 0.32 D and -0.47 ± 0.28 D in the image-guided group and manual group, respectively (P > .05). The mean UDVA was 0.03 ± 0.10 logarithm of minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) and 0.04 ± 0.09 logMAR, respectively (both P > .05). No intraoperative complications occurred during any surgery. The IOL misalignment was significantly less with digital marking than with manual marking; this did not result in a better UDVA or lower residual refractive astigmatism. Copyright © 2017 ASCRS and ESCRS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Dietary cysteine is used more efficiently by children with severe acute malnutrition with edema compared with those without edema

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Children with edematous severe acute malnutrition (SAM) produce less cysteine than do their nonedematous counterparts. They also have marked glutathione (GSH) depletion, hair loss, skin erosion, gut mucosal atrophy, and depletion of mucins. Because GSH, skin, hair, mucosal, and mucin proteins are ri...

A patterned abrasion caused by the impact of a cartridge case may simulate an atypical muzzle imprint mark.

PubMed

Kramer, Lena; Nadjem, Hadi; Glardon, Matthieu; Kneubuehl, Beat P; Pollak, Stefan; Große Perdekamp, Markus; Pircher, Rebecca

2016-05-01

In contact shots, the muzzle imprint is an informative finding associated with the entrance wound. It typically mirrors the constructional components being in line with the muzzle or just behind. Under special conditions, other patterned skin marks located near a gunshot entrance wound may give the impression to be part of the muzzle imprint. A potential mechanism causing a patterned pressure abrasion in close proximity to the bullet entrance site is demonstrated on the basis of a suicidal shot to the temple. The skin lesion in question appeared as a ring-shaped excoriation with a diameter corresponding to that of the cartridge case. Two hypotheses concerning the causative mechanism were investigated by test shots: - After being ejected, the cartridge case ricocheted inside a confined space (car cabin in the particular case) and secondarily hit the skin near the gunshot entrance wound. - The ejection of the cartridge case failed so that the case became stuck in the ejection port and its mouth contacted the skin when the body collapsed after being hit.

North America Wound, Ostomy, and Continence and Enterostomal Therapy Nurses Current Ostomy Care Practice Related to Peristomal Skin Issues.

PubMed

Colwell, Janice C; McNichol, Laurie; Boarini, Joy

The purpose of this study was to describe the practice of 796 ostomy nurses in North America in 2014 related to peristomal skin issues. Descriptive study. Participants were 796 wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) and enterostomal therapy (ET) nurses currently practicing in the United States or Canada and caring for patients with ostomies. The collection of data occurred in conjunction with an educational program on peristomal skin complications and practice issues and solicited the participant's perception on the incidence and frequency of peristomal skin issues as well as on practice patterns. Participants attended an educational program. They were also asked to anonymously respond to multiple-choice questions on ostomy care management via an audience response system followed by discussion of each item and their responses. This descriptive study reports on the answers to the questions as well as the pertinent discussion points. Participants estimated that approximately 77.70% of their patients developed peristomal skin issues. The most commonly encountered problem was irritant contact dermatitis (peristomal moisture-associated skin damage). Contributing factors were inappropriate use of a pouching system owing to lack of follow-up after hospital discharge. Reported interventions for the prevention and management of peristomal skin issues included preoperative stoma site marking, use of a convex pouching system, and barrier rings. However, subsequent discussion revealed that the frequency of use of these products varied considerably. Participants identified shortened hospital stays, absence of preoperative stoma marking, and limited outpatient follow-up as contributing to development of peristomal skin problems. WOC and ET nurses estimate that more than three-quarters of persons living with an ostomy develop peristomal skin problems. Multiple interventions for managing these problems were identified, but some variability in management approaches emerged.

Open-Label Treatment of Moderate or Marked Melasma with a 4% Hydroquinone Skin Care System Plus 0.05% Tretinoin Cream

PubMed Central

Rendon, Marta; Dibernardo, Barry; Bruce, Suzanne; Lucas-Anthony, Chere; Watson, Joanne

2013-01-01

Objective: To evaluate treating epidermal melasma using a 4% hydroquinone skin care system plus tretinoin 0.05% cream. Design: Multicenter open-label study with all patients receiving above-mentioned treatment for up to 24 weeks. Setting: Private dermatology and plastic surgery clinics and clinical research facilities. Participants: Thirty-seven adult females with moderate or marked epidermal melasma, melasma pigmentation of mild-to-marked intensity and Fitzpatrick skin type III to VI. Measurements: Melasma severity melasma pigmentation intensity melasma improvement, patient satisfaction, quality-of-life measures, erythema, dryness, peeling, burning/stinging. Results: No patient discontinued due to lack of efficacy or treatment-related adverse events. Treatment was associated with a significant reduction from baseline in melasma severity and melasma pigmentation intensity from Week 4 onward (P≤0.001), and 100 percent of patients showed improvement from Week 8 onward. At Week 24, 100 percent of patients were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the overall effectiveness of their treatment. Patients’ quality of life also improved (e.g., the proportion of patients feeling embarrassed or self-conscious about their skin “a lot” or “very much” declined from 78 percent at baseline to four percent at Week 24). Mean and median scores for erythema, dryness, peeling, and burning/stinging did not exceed trace levels. Conclusion: Treating moderate-to-severe melasma using the 4% hydroquinone skin care system plus 0.05% tretinoin can significantly reduce the severity of melasma and the intensity of melasma pigmentation within four weeks. Treatment was generally well tolerated and associated with an improved quality of life and high levels of patient satisfaction. PMID:24307923

Patient-specific guides do not improve accuracy in total knee arthroplasty: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Victor, Jan; Dujardin, Jan; Vandenneucker, Hilde; Arnout, Nele; Bellemans, Johan

2014-01-01

Recently, patient-specific guides (PSGs) have been introduced, claiming a significant improvement in accuracy and reproducibility of component positioning in TKA. Despite intensive marketing by the manufacturers, this claim has not yet been confirmed in a controlled prospective trial. We (1) compared three-planar component alignment and overall coronal mechanical alignment between PSG and conventional instrumentation and (2) logged the need for applying changes in the suggested position of the PSG. In this randomized controlled trial, we enrolled 128 patients. In the PSG cohort, surgical navigation was used as an intraoperative control. When the suggested cut deviated more than 3° from target, the use of PSG was abandoned and marked as an outlier. When cranial-caudal position or size was adapted, the PSG was marked as modified. All patients underwent long-leg standing radiography and CT scan. Deviation of more than 3° from the target in any plane was defined as an outlier. The PSG and conventional cohorts showed similar numbers of outliers in overall coronal alignment (25% versus 28%; p = 0.69), femoral coronal alignment (7% versus 14%) (p = 0.24), and femoral axial alignment (23% versus 17%; p = 0.50). There were more outliers in tibial coronal (15% versus 3%; p = 0.03) and sagittal 21% versus 3%; p = 0.002) alignment in the PSG group than in the conventional group. PSGs were abandoned in 14 patients (22%) and modified in 18 (28%). PSGs do not improve accuracy in TKA and, in our experience, were somewhat impractical in that the procedure needed to be either modified or abandoned with some frequency.

Practice implications for peristomal skin assessment and care from the 2014 world council of enterostomal therapists international ostomy guideline.

PubMed

Stelton, Susan; Zulkowski, Karen; Ayello, Elizabeth A

2015-06-01

All persons with an ostomy are at risk for development of peristomal skin problems. This is true regardless of the person's nation of residence, type of stoma, or supplies available for stoma care. There are measures that can be taken to lessen the potential for peristomal skin problems. These measures include preoperative stoma site marking, preoperative education, appropriate pouch/barrier fitting, and pouch maintenance. The 2014 World Council of Enterostomal Therapists International Ostomy Guideline includes recommendations that can be implemented to prevent situations that may lead to peristomal skin complications.

Granulomatous slack skin. Histopathology diagnosis preceding clinical manifestations by 12 years.

PubMed

Goldsztajn, Karen O; Moritz Trope, Beatriz; Ribeiro Lenzi, Maria Elisa; Cuzzi, Tullia; Ramos-E-Silva, Marcia

2012-12-31

Granulomatous slack skin is a very rare subtype of T-cell cutaneous lymphoma, characterized by the slow development of cutaneous sagging, especially on flexural areas. Its behavior is indolent and the treatment, in the majority of cases, disappointing. We report a 54-year-old black patient with granulomatous slack skin, who at the beginning of the investigation showed intense xeroderma and generalized lymph node enlargement. The diagnosis was established based on histopathologic findings long before the disease's characteristic clinical presentation appeared. During the twelve years of follow-up, the clinical manifestation evolved to marked skin looseness, most predominant in flexural regions, illustrating the clinical hallmark of granulomatous slack skin, long after first histological abnormalities were observed.

A study of applications scribe frame data verifications using design rule check

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saito, Shoko; Miyazaki, Masaru; Sakurai, Mitsuo; Itoh, Takahisa; Doi, Kazumasa; Sakurai, Norioko; Okada, Tomoyuki

2013-06-01

In semiconductor manufacturing, scribe frame data generally is generated for each LSI product according to its specific process design. Scribe frame data is designed based on definition tables of scanner alignment, wafer inspection and customers specified marks. We check that scribe frame design is conforming to specification of alignment and inspection marks at the end. Recently, in COT (customer owned tooling) business or new technology development, there is no effective verification method for the scribe frame data, and we take a lot of time to work on verification. Therefore, we tried to establish new verification method of scribe frame data by applying pattern matching and DRC (Design Rule Check) which is used in device verification. We would like to show scheme of the scribe frame data verification using DRC which we tried to apply. First, verification rules are created based on specifications of scanner, inspection and others, and a mark library is also created for pattern matching. Next, DRC verification is performed to scribe frame data. Then the DRC verification includes pattern matching using mark library. As a result, our experiments demonstrated that by use of pattern matching and DRC verification our new method can yield speed improvements of more than 12 percent compared to the conventional mark checks by visual inspection and the inspection time can be reduced to less than 5 percent if multi-CPU processing is used. Our method delivers both short processing time and excellent accuracy when checking many marks. It is easy to maintain and provides an easy way for COT customers to use original marks. We believe that our new DRC verification method for scribe frame data is indispensable and mutually beneficial.

Effect of alignment perturbations in a trans-tibial prosthesis user: A pilot study.

PubMed

Courtney, Anna; Orendurff, Michael S; Buis, Arjan

2016-04-01

A recurring complication in trans-tibial prosthetic limb users is "poor socket fit" with painful residuum-socket interfaces, a consequence of excess pressure. This is due to both poor socket fit and poor socket alignment; however, the interaction of these factors has not been quantified. Through evaluation of kinetic data this study aimed to articulate an interaction uniting socket design, alignment and interface pressures. The results will help to refine future studies and will hopefully help determine whether sockets can be designed, fitted and aligned to maximize mobility whilst minimizing injurious forces. Interface pressures were recorded throughout ambulation in one user with "optimal (reference) alignment" followed by 5 malalignments in a patellar tendon-bearing and a hydrocast socket. Marked differences in pressure distribution were discovered when equating the patellar tendon-bearing against the hydrocast socket and when comparing interface pressures from reference with offset alignment. Patellar tendon-bearing sockets were found to be more sensitive to alignment perturbations than hydrocast sockets. A complex interaction was found, with the most prominent finding demonstrating the requisite for attainment of optimal alignment: a translational alignment error of 10 mm can increase maximum peak pressures by 227% (mean 17.5%). Refinements for future trials are described and the necessity for future research into socket design, alignment and interface pressures has been estabilished.

Influence of the axial rotation angle on tool mark striations.

PubMed

Garcia, Derrel Louis; Pieterman, René; Baiker, Martin

2017-10-01

A tool's axial rotation influences the geometric properties of a tool mark. The larger the axial rotation angle, the larger the compression of structural details like striations. This complicates comparing tool marks at different axial rotations. Using chisels, tool marks were made from 0° to 75° axial rotation and compared using an automated approach Baiker et al. [10]. In addition, a 3D topographic surface of a chisel was obtained to generate virtual tool marks and to test whether the axial rotation angle of a mark could be predicted. After examination of the tool mark and chisel data-sets it was observed that marks lose information with increasing rotation due to the change in relative distance between geometrical details on the tool and the disappearance of smaller details. The similarity and repeatability were high for comparisons between marks with no difference in axial rotation, but decreasing with increased rotation angle from 0° to 75°. With an increasing difference in the rotation angles, the tool marks had to be corrected to account for the different compression factors between them. For compression up to 7.5%, this was obtained automatically by the tool mark alignment method. For larger compression, manually re-sizing the marks to the uncompressed widths at 0° rotation before the alignment was found suitable for successfully comparing even large differences in axial rotation. The similarity and repeatability were decreasing however, with increasing degree of re-sizing. The quality was assessed by determining the similarity at different detail levels within a tool mark. With an axial rotation up to 75°, tool marks were found to reliably represent structural details down to 100μm. The similarity of structural details below 100μm was dependent on the angle, with the highest similarity at small rotation angles and the lowest similarity at large rotation angles. Filtering to remove the details below 100μm lead to consistently higher similarity between tool marks at all angles and allowed for a comparison of marks up to 75° axial rotation. Finally, generated virtual tool mark profiles with an axial rotation were compared to experimental tool marks. The similarity between virtual and experimental tool marks remained high up to 60° rotation after which it decreased due to the loss in quality in both marks. Predicting the rotation angle is possible under certain conditions up to 45° rotation with an accuracy of 2.667±0.577° rotation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Transgenic expression of human amphiregulin in mouse skin: inflammatory epidermal hyperplasia and enlarged sebaceous glands.

PubMed

Li, Yong; Stoll, Stefan W; Sekhon, Sahil; Talsma, Caroline; Camhi, Maya I; Jones, Jennifer L; Lambert, Sylviane; Marley, Hue; Rittié, Laure; Grachtchouk, Marina; Fritz, Yi; Ward, Nicole L; Elder, James T

2016-03-01

To explore the role of amphiregulin in inflammatory epidermal hyperplasia, we overexpressed human AREG (hAREG) in FVB/N mice using a bovine K5 promoter. A construct containing AREG coding sequences flanked by 5' and 3' untranslated region sequences (AREG-UTR) led to a >10-fold increase in hAREG expression compared to an otherwise-identical construct containing only the coding region (AREG-CDR). AREG-UTR mice developed tousled, greasy fur as well as elongated nails and thickened, erythematous tail skin. No such phenotype was evident in AREG-CDR mice. Histologically, AREG-UTR mice presented with marked epidermal hyperplasia of tail skin (2.1-fold increase in epidermal thickness with a 9.5-fold increase in Ki-67(+) cells) accompanied by significantly increased CD4+ T-cell infiltration. Dorsal skin of AREG-UTR mice manifested lesser but still significant increases in epidermal thickness and keratinocyte hyperplasia. AREG-UTR mice also developed marked and significant sebaceous gland enlargement, with corresponding increases in Ki-67(+) cells. To determine the response of AREG-UTR animals to a pro-inflammatory skin challenge, topical imiquimod (IMQ) or vehicle cream was applied to dorsal and tail skin. IMQ increased dorsal skin thickness similarly in both AREG-UTR and wild type mice (1.7- and 2.2-fold vs vehicle, P < 0.001 each), but had no such effect on tail skin. These results confirm that keratinocyte expression of hAREG elicits inflammatory epidermal hyperplasia, and are consistent with prior reports of tail epidermal hyperplasia and increased sebaceous gland size in mice expressing human epigen. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Electron Beam/Optical Hybrid Lithography For The Production Of Gallium Arsenide Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (Mimics)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagarajan, Rao M.; Rask, Steven D.

1988-06-01

A hybrid lithography technique is described in which selected levels are fabricated by high resolution direct write electron beam lithography and all other levels are fabricated optically. This technique permits subhalf micron geometries and the site-by-site alignment for each field written by electron beam lithography while still maintaining the high throughput possible with optical lithography. The goal is to improve throughput and reduce overall cost of fabricating MIMIC GaAS chips without compromising device performance. The lithography equipment used for these experiments is the Cambridge Electron beam vector scan system EBMF 6.4 capable of achieving ultra high current densities with a beam of circular cross section and a gaussian intensity profile operated at 20 kev. The optical aligner is a Karl Suss Contact aligner. The flexibility of the Cambridge electron beam system is matched to the less flexible Karl Suss contact aligner. The lithography related factors, such as image placement, exposure and process related analyses, which influence overlay, pattern quality and performance, are discussed. A process chip containing 3.2768mm fields in an eleven by eleven array was used for alignment evaluation on a 3" semi-insulating GaAS wafer. Each test chip contained five optical verniers and four Prometrix registration marks per field along with metal bumps for alignment marks. The process parameters for these chips are identical to those of HEMT/epi-MESFET ohmic contact and gate layer processes. These layers were used to evaluate the overlay accuracy because of their critical alignment and dimensional control requirements. Two cases were examined: (1) Electron beam written gate layers aligned to optically imaged ohmic contact layers and (2) Electron beam written gate layers aligned to electron beam written ohmic contact layers. The effect of substrate charging by the electron beam is also investigated. The resulting peak overlay error accuracies are: (1) Electron beam to optical with t 0.2μm (2 sigma) and (2) Electron beam to electron beam with f 0.lμm (2 sigma). These results suggest that the electron beam/optical hybrid lithography techniques could be used for MIMIC volume production as alignment tolerances required by GaAS chips are met in both cases. These results are discussed in detail.

Thermal Conductivity of Copoly(ethylene vinyl acetate)/Nano-Filler Blends

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ghose, S.; Watson, K. A.; Working, D. C.; Connell, J. W.; Smith, J. G.; Lin, Y.; Sun, Y. P.

2007-01-01

The development of flexible, thermally conductive fabrics and plastic tubes for the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG) are needed to reduce weight and improve the mobility, comfort, and performance of future spacesuits. Such improvements would allow astronauts to operate more efficiently and safely for extended extravehicular activities. As a continuation of our work on the improvement of thermal conductivity (TC) of polymeric materials, nanocomposites were prepared from copoly(ethylene vinyl acetate), trade name Elvax 260TradeMark), metallized carbon nanofibers (CNFs), nickel (Ni) nanostrands, boron nitride both alone and as mixtures with aluminum powder. The nanocomposites were prepared by melt mixing at various loading levels and subsequently fabricated into several material forms (i.e., ribbons, tubes, and compression molded plaques) for analysis. Ribbons and tubes were extruded to form samples in which the nanoparticles were aligned in the direction of flow. The degree of dispersion and alignment of the nanoparticles were investigated using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy. Tensile properties of the aligned samples were determined at room temperature. TC measurements were performed using a laser flash (Nanoflash(TradeMark) technique. The TC of the samples was measured in both the direction of alignment as well as transverse. Tubing of comparable dimensions to that used in the LCVG was extruded from select compositions and the thermal conductivities of the tubes measured.

The effect of prazosin on skin microcirculation as assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry.

PubMed Central

Khan, F; Struthers, A D; Spence, V A

1988-01-01

1. Laser Doppler flowmetry was used in six normal volunteers to record changes in fingertip skin blood flow after the administration of prazosin to block postsynaptic alpha 1-adrenoceptors. 2. Prazosin (0.5 mg orally) did not alter systolic or diastolic blood pressure or heart rate. 3. Prazosin did significantly increase basal skin blood flow 2 h after its administration but this effect was no longer evident after contralateral hand warming. Prazosin markedly reduced the skin vasoconstrictor response to deep inspiration and to contralateral hand cooling. 4. This study suggests that postsynaptic alpha 1-adrenoceptors are involved in maintaining skin vasoconstrictor tone at rest and are also involved in the rapid skin vasoconstriction seen in response to a deep inspiration and to contralateral hand cooling. PMID:2846022

A flexible skin patch for continuous physiological monitoring of mental disorders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jang, Won Ick; Lee, Bong Kuk; Ryu, Jin Hwa; Baek, In-Bok; Yu, Han Young; Kim, Seunghwan

2017-10-01

In this study, we have newly developed a flexible adhesive skin patch of electrocardiogram (ECG) device for continuous physiological monitoring of mental disorders. In addition, this flexible patch did not cause any damage to the skin even after 24 hours attachment. We have also suggested the possibility of novel interconnection for copper film on polyimide and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layers of the flexible patch. Self-align and soldering of IC chips such as resistor between metal pads on flexible skin patch have also successfully fabricated for 5 min at 180 °C in vacuum oven. Low temperature interconnection technology based on a Sn42/Bi58 solder was also developed for flexible ECG devices. As a result, we can monitor the mental health status through a comprehensive analysis of biological signals from flexible ECG devices.

[Comparison of bite marks and teeth features using 2D and 3D methods].

PubMed

Lorkiewicz-Muszyńska, Dorota; Glapiński, Mariusz; Zaba, Czesław; Łabecka, Marzena

2011-01-01

The nature of bite marks is complex. They are found at the scene of crime on different materials and surfaces - not only on human body and corpse, but also on food products and material objects. Human bites on skin are sometimes difficult to interpret and to analyze because of the specific character of skin--elastic and distortable--and because different areas of human body have different surfaces and curvatures. A bite mark left at the scene of crime can be a highly helpful way to lead investigators to criminals. The study was performed to establish: 1) whether bite marks exhibit variations in the accuracy of impressions on different materials, 2) whether it is possible to use the 3D method in the process of identifying an individual based on the comparison of bite marks revealed at the scene, and 3D scans of dental casts, 3) whether application of the 3D method allows for elimination of secondary photographic distortion of bite marks. The authors carried out experiments on simulated cases. Five volunteers bit various materials with different surfaces. Experimental bite marks were collected with emphasis on differentiations of materials. Subsequently, dental impressions were taken from five volunteers in order to prepare five sets of dental casts (the maxilla and mandible. The biting edges of teeth were impressed in wax to create an imprint. The samples of dental casts, corresponding wax bite impressions and bite marks from different materials were scanned with 2D and 3D scanners and photographs were taken. All of these were examined in detail and then compared using different methods (2D and 3D). 1) Bite marks exhibit variations in accuracy of impression on different materials. The most legible reproduction of bite marks was seen on cheese. 2) In comparison of bite marks, the 3D method and 3D scans of dental casts are highly accurate. 3) The 3D method helps to eliminate secondary photographic distortion of bite marks.

Near real-time skin deformation mapping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kacenjar, Steve; Chen, Suzie; Jafri, Madiha; Wall, Brian; Pedersen, Richard; Bezozo, Richard

2013-02-01

A novel in vivo approach is described that provides large area mapping of the mechanical properties of the skin in human patients. Such information is important in the understanding of skin health, cosmetic surgery[1], aging, and impacts of sun exposure. Currently, several methods have been developed to estimate the local biomechanical properties of the skin, including the use of a physical biopsy of local areas of the skin (in vitro methods) [2, 3, and 4], and also the use of non-invasive methods (in vivo) [5, 6, and 7]. All such methods examine localized areas of the skin. Our approach examines the local elastic properties via the generation of field displacement maps of the skin created using time-sequence imaging [9] with 2D digital imaging correlation (DIC) [10]. In this approach, large areas of the skin are reviewed rapidly, and skin displacement maps are generated showing the contour maps of skin deformation. These maps are then used to precisely register skin images for purposes of diagnostic comparison. This paper reports on our mapping and registration approach, and demonstrates its ability to accurately measure the skin deformation through a described nulling interpolation process. The result of local translational DIC alignment is compared using this interpolation process. The effectiveness of the approach is reported in terms of residual RMS, image entropy measures, and differential segmented regional errors.

Partial slip effect on non-aligned stagnation point nanofluid over a stretching convective surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nadeem, S.; Rashid, Mehmood; Noreen Sher, Akbar

2015-01-01

The present study inspects the non-aligned stagnation point nano fluid over a convective surface in the presence of partial slip.Two types of base fluids namely water and kerosene are selected with Cu nanoparticles. The governing physical problem is presented and transformed into a system of coupled nonlinear differential equations using suitable similarity transformations. These equations are then solved numerically using midpoint integration scheme along with Richardson extrapolation via Maple. Impact of relevant physical parameters on the dimensionless velocity and temperature profiles are portrayed through graphs. Physical quantities such as local skin frictions co-efficient and Nusselt numbers are tabularized. It is detected from numerical computations that kerosene-based nano fluids have better heat transfer capability compared with water-based nanofluids. Moreover it is found that water-based nanofluids offer less resistance in terms of skin friction than kerosene-based fluid. In order to authenticate our present study, the calculated results are compared with the prevailing literature and a considerable agreement is perceived for the limiting case.

Laser abrasion for cosmetic and medical treatment of facial actinic damage

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

David, L.M.; Lask, G.P.; Glassberg, E.

1989-06-01

Previous studies have shown the carbon dioxide (CO/sub 2/) laser to be effective in the treatment of actinic cheilitis. After CO/sub 2/ laser abrasion, normal skin and marked cosmetic improvement of the lip were noted. In our study, twenty-three patients were treated with CO/sub 2/ laser abrasions for cosmetic improvement of facial lines and actinic changes. Pre- and postoperative histopathologic examinations were made on two patients. Preoperative examination of specimens from actinically damaged skin showed atypical keratinocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis, with overlying dense compact orthokeratosis and parakeratosis. Abundant solar elastosis was seen in the papillary dermis.more » Postoperative histologic specimens showed a normal-appearing epidermis with fibrosis in the papillary dermis and minimal solar elastosis (about four weeks after laser treatment). At present, various modalities are available for the regeneration of the aged skin, including chemical peels and dermabrasion. Significantly fewer complications were noted with CO/sub 2/ laser abrasion than with these methods. Thus, CO/sub 2/ laser abrasion can be useful in the cosmetic and medical treatment of the aged skin. Marked clinical and histologic improvement has been demonstrated.« less

Integration of basic dermatological care into primary health care services in Mali.

PubMed Central

Mahé, Antoine; Faye, Ousmane; N'Diaye, Hawa Thiam; Konaré, Habibatou Diawara; Coulibaly, Ibrahima; Kéita, Somita; Traoré, Abdel Kader; Hay, Roderick J.

2005-01-01

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, in a developing country, the effect of a short training programme for general health care workers on the management of common skin diseases--a neglected component of primary health care in such regions. METHODS: We provided a one-day training programme on the management of the skin diseases to 400 health care workers who worked in primary health care centres in the Bamako area. We evaluated their knowledge and practice before and after training. FINDINGS: Before training, knowledge about skin diseases often was poor and practice inadequate. We found a marked improvement in both parameters after training. We analysed the registers of primary health care centres and found that the proportion of patients who presented with skin diseases who benefited from a clear diagnosis and appropriate treatment increased from 42% before the training to 81% after; this was associated with a 25% reduction in prescription costs. Improved levels of knowledge and practice persisted for up to 18 months after training. CONCLUSIONS: The training programme markedly improved the basic dermatological abilities of the health care workers targeted. Specific training may be a reasonable solution to a neglected component of primary health care in many developing countries. PMID:16462986

Effect of several electrolyzed waters on the skin permeation of lidocaine, benzoic Acid, and isosorbide mononitrate.

PubMed

Kitamura, Toshihiko; Todo, Hiroaki; Sugibayashi, Kenji

2009-02-01

The effects of several electrolyzed waters were evaluated on the permeation of model base, acid and non-ionized compounds, lidocaine (LC), benzoic acid (BA), and isosorbide mononitrate (ISMN), respectively, through excised hairless rat skin. Strong alkaline-electrolyzed reducing water (ERW) enhanced and suppressed the skin permeation of LC and BA, respectively, and it also increased the skin permeation of ISMN, a non-ionized compound. On the contrary, strong acidic electrolyzed oxidizing water (EOW) enhanced BA permeation, whereas suppressing LC permeation. Only a marginal effect was observed on the skin permeation of ISMN by EOW. These marked enhancing effects of ERW on the skin permeation of LC and ISMN were explained by pH partition hypothesis as well as a decrease in skin impedance. The present results strongly support that electrolyzed waters, ERW and EOW, can be used as a new vehicle in topical pharmaceuticals or cosmetics to modify the skin permeation of drugs without severe skin damage.

Lack of correlation between minimal erythema dose and skin phototype in a Colombian scholar population.

PubMed

Sanclemente, Gloria; Zapata, José-F; García, José-J; Gaviria, Angela; Gómez, Luis-F; Barrera, Marcela

2008-11-01

Sun exposure and skin phototype are the most relevant risk factors for skin cancer. Colombia has high levels of ultraviolet radiation during the whole year, therefore, both, high UVI's and outdoor worker's daily activities, in our country are very important risk factors for the development of cutaneous cancer. To date no study has evaluated the usefulness of Fitzpatrick's skin phototype classification in Colombians and its correlation with the minimal erythema dose (MED) and constitutional skin color. Such information is gaining importance in other nations due to the fact that several country's population is becoming more ethnically diverse. To determine the skin phototype, accumulated sun exposure, sun protection behavior, MED and phenotype in a Colombian school population. Last year high school students from the western Antioquia were invited to participate by phone and letter through their respective school directors. A self-questionnaire was handled to each student. A representative sample of the universe was selected for a medical examination by a dermatologist in order to validate the results of the self-questionnaire. The constitutional skin color was determined with the chromameter CR 300 Minolta. The MED was defined as the minimal dose of UVB being able to induce erythema 24 h later. Eight schools of the area agreed to participate in the study, and a total of 911 students (58% girls and 42% boys) filled-out the self-questionnaire. Sun exposure in the majority of individuals was in a level between moderate and very high. Ninety percent of students do not use any sun protection device or cream. Only a 50% of concordance between self-assessed skin phototype vs. medical skin phototype was found, and the highest concordance corresponded to skin phototype II (82%). There was a marked difference in skin photosensitivity of Colombians compared with reports in Caucasians. We observed a marked overlapping in MED's and L* values in phototypes II and III. The Fitzpatrick's classification was not useful in Hispanic populations such as ours. Therefore, a new skin-phototype classification system is required. In our population the constitutional color was a good predictor of the MED but it did not correlate with skin phototype. The self-assessed questionnaire method was not useful to determine skin cancer risk in our population. The majority of this population has light skin phototypes and is highly exposed to solar UV radiation without proper protection.

[Atopic eczema: psychophysiological reactivity with standardized stressors].

PubMed

Münzel, K; Schandry, R

1990-11-01

In 18 atopic eczema patients with active symptomatology and 15 control subjects a comparison of reactivity to psychological stressors was made. The physiological measures were heart rate, peripheral vasomotor response, skin resistance level, spontaneous fluctuations of the skin resistance, and forearm skin temperature. In addition, self-ratings of subjective state, situational anxiety, and social anxiety were assessed. Mental arithmetic performed undisturbed and in distracting conditions, and anticipation of the latter and of having to speak in public served as stressors. The results show higher reaction values of the eczema patients for heart rate, peripheral vasomotor response, fluctuations of skin resistance and subjective tension. A subgroup of patients with extreme skin irritation (itching) reacted with an elevation of skin temperature, in contrast to control subjects and patients with less marked itching, in whom skin temperature dropped slightly. The results suggest that atopic eczema may have a psychophysiological component.

Evaluation of a new electronic preoperative reference marker for toric intraocular lens implantation by two different methods of analysis: Adobe Photoshop versus iTrace

PubMed Central

Farooqui, Javed Hussain; Sharma, Mansi; Koul, Archana; Dutta, Ranjan; Shroff, Noshir Minoo

2017-01-01

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to compare two different methods of analysis of preoperative reference marking for toric intraocular lens (IOL) after marking with an electronic marker. SETTING/VENUE: Cataract and IOL Implantation Service, Shroff Eye Centre, New Delhi, India. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-two eyes of thirty patients planned for toric IOL implantation were included in the study. All patients had preoperative marking performed with an electronic preoperative two-step toric IOL reference marker (ASICO AE-2929). Reference marks were placed at 3-and 9-o'clock positions. Marks were analyzed with two systems. First, slit-lamp photographs taken and analyzed using Adobe Photoshop (version 7.0). Second, Tracey iTrace Visual Function Analyzer (version 5.1.1) was used for capturing corneal topograph examination and position of marks noted. Amount of alignment error was calculated. RESULTS: Mean absolute rotation error was 2.38 ± 1.78° by Photoshop and 2.87 ± 2.03° by iTrace which was not statistically significant (P = 0.215). Nearly 72.7% of eyes by Photoshop and 61.4% by iTrace had rotation error ≤3° (P = 0.359); and 90.9% of eyes by Photoshop and 81.8% by iTrace had rotation error ≤5° (P = 0.344). No significant difference in absolute amount of rotation between eyes when analyzed by either method. CONCLUSIONS: Difference in reference mark positions when analyzed by two systems suggests the presence of varying cyclotorsion at different points of time. Both analysis methods showed an approximately 3° of alignment error, which could contribute to 10% loss of astigmatic correction of toric IOL. This can be further compounded by intra-operative marking errors and final placement of IOL in the bag. PMID:28757694

Shark-skin surfaces for fluid-drag reduction in turbulent flow: a review.

PubMed

Dean, Brian; Bhushan, Bharat

2010-10-28

The skin of fast-swimming sharks exhibits riblet structures aligned in the direction of flow that are known to reduce skin friction drag in the turbulent-flow regime. Structures have been fabricated for study and application that replicate and improve upon the natural shape of the shark-skin riblets, providing a maximum drag reduction of nearly 10 per cent. Mechanisms of fluid drag in turbulent flow and riblet-drag reduction theories from experiment and simulation are discussed. A review of riblet-performance studies is given, and optimal riblet geometries are defined. A survey of studies experimenting with riblet-topped shark-scale replicas is also given. A method for selecting optimal riblet dimensions based on fluid-flow characteristics is detailed, and current manufacturing techniques are outlined. Due to the presence of small amounts of mucus on the skin of a shark, it is expected that the localized application of hydrophobic materials will alter the flow field around the riblets in some way beneficial to the goals of increased drag reduction.

ALIGNING JIG

DOEpatents

Culver, J.S.; Tunnell, W.C.

1958-08-01

A jig or device is described for setting or aligning an opening in one member relative to another member or structure, with a predetermined offset, or it may be used for measuring the amount of offset with which the parts have previously been sct. This jig comprises two blocks rabbeted to each other, with means for securing thc upper block to the lower block. The upper block has fingers for contacting one of the members to be a1igmed, the lower block is designed to ride in grooves within the reference member, and calibration marks are provided to determine the amount of offset. This jig is specially designed to align the collimating slits of a mass spectrometer.

Forensic photography. Ultraviolet imaging of wounds on skin.

PubMed

Barsley, R E; West, M H; Fair, J A

1990-12-01

The use of ultraviolet light (UVL) to study and document patterned injuries on human skin has opened a new frontier for law enforcement. This article discusses the photographic techniques involved in reflective and fluorescent UVL. Documentation of skin wounds via still photography and dynamic video photographic techniques, which utilize various methods of UV illumination, are covered. Techniques important for courtroom presentation of evidence gathered from lacerations, contusions, abrasions, and bite marks are presented through case studies and controlled experiments. Such injuries are common sequelae in the crimes of child abuse, rape, and assault.

Hypochlorite Solution as a Decontaminant in Sulfur Mustard Contaminated Skin Defects in the Euthymic Hairless Guinea Pig

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-05-13

AD-P008 792 Hyochlorte Solution as a Decossitamrsrl nan Sultur Mustard Contaminated Skin Defects in the Euthymesc Hailess Guinea Pig Mark B. Gol, OVM...euthymic hairles guinea pigs (EHGP) (n--6) were exposed tn 0 4 LD50 HO in a hA-thickntss 8 mm surgical bmop~sy skin deflect (ioe wound) Each animal was...in a animal model of an HO contaminated wound. The euthymic hairless guinea pig (EHGP) has been extensrvely studied and aicepted as the model of

From morphology to biochemical state – intravital multiphoton fluorescence lifetime imaging of inflamed human skin

PubMed Central

Huck, Volker; Gorzelanny, Christian; Thomas, Kai; Getova, Valentina; Niemeyer, Verena; Zens, Katharina; Unnerstall, Tim R.; Feger, Julia S.; Fallah, Mohammad A.; Metze, Dieter; Ständer, Sonja; Luger, Thomas A.; Koenig, Karsten; Mess, Christian; Schneider, Stefan W.

2016-01-01

The application of multiphoton microscopy in the field of biomedical research and advanced diagnostics promises unique insights into the pathophysiology of inflammatory skin diseases. In the present study, we combined multiphoton-based intravital tomography (MPT) and fluorescence lifetime imaging (MPT-FLIM) within the scope of a clinical trial of atopic dermatitis with the aim of providing personalised data on the aetiopathology of inflammation in a non-invasive manner at patients’ bedsides. These ‘optical biopsies’ generated via MPT were morphologically analysed and aligned with classical skin histology. Because of its subcellular resolution, MPT provided evidence of a redistribution of mitochondria in keratinocytes, indicating an altered cellular metabolism. Two independent morphometric algorithms reliably showed an even distribution in healthy skin and a perinuclear accumulation in inflamed skin. Moreover, using MPT-FLIM, detection of the onset and progression of inflammatory processes could be achieved. In conclusion, the change in the distribution of mitochondria upon inflammation and the verification of an altered cellular metabolism facilitate a better understanding of inflammatory skin diseases and may permit early diagnosis and therapy. PMID:27004454

From morphology to biochemical state - intravital multiphoton fluorescence lifetime imaging of inflamed human skin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huck, Volker; Gorzelanny, Christian; Thomas, Kai; Getova, Valentina; Niemeyer, Verena; Zens, Katharina; Unnerstall, Tim R.; Feger, Julia S.; Fallah, Mohammad A.; Metze, Dieter; Ständer, Sonja; Luger, Thomas A.; Koenig, Karsten; Mess, Christian; Schneider, Stefan W.

2016-03-01

The application of multiphoton microscopy in the field of biomedical research and advanced diagnostics promises unique insights into the pathophysiology of inflammatory skin diseases. In the present study, we combined multiphoton-based intravital tomography (MPT) and fluorescence lifetime imaging (MPT-FLIM) within the scope of a clinical trial of atopic dermatitis with the aim of providing personalised data on the aetiopathology of inflammation in a non-invasive manner at patients’ bedsides. These ‘optical biopsies’ generated via MPT were morphologically analysed and aligned with classical skin histology. Because of its subcellular resolution, MPT provided evidence of a redistribution of mitochondria in keratinocytes, indicating an altered cellular metabolism. Two independent morphometric algorithms reliably showed an even distribution in healthy skin and a perinuclear accumulation in inflamed skin. Moreover, using MPT-FLIM, detection of the onset and progression of inflammatory processes could be achieved. In conclusion, the change in the distribution of mitochondria upon inflammation and the verification of an altered cellular metabolism facilitate a better understanding of inflammatory skin diseases and may permit early diagnosis and therapy.

Metabolic epidermal necrosis in two dogs with different underlying diseases.

PubMed

Bond, R; McNeil, P E; Evans, H; Srebernik, N

1995-05-06

Two dogs with metabolic epidermal necrosis had hyperkeratosis of the footpads accompanied by erythematous, erosive and crusting lesions affecting the muzzle, external genitalia, perineum and periocular regions. Histopathological examination of skin biopsies revealed a superficial hydropic dermatitis with marked parakeratosis. Both dogs had high plasma activities of alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase and high concentrations of glucose, and also a marked hypoaminoacidaemia. Despite these similarities, the cutaneous eruptions were associated with different underlying diseases. One dog had a pancreatic carcinoma which had metastasised widely; the primary tumour and the metastases showed glucagon immunoreactivity on immunocytochemical staining, and the dog's plasma glucagon concentration was markedly greater than that of control dogs. The other dog had diffuse hepatic disease; its plasma glucagon concentration was similar to that of control samples and cirrhosis was identified post mortem. Metabolic epidermal necrosis in dogs is a distinct cutaneous reaction pattern which may be associated with different underlying systemic diseases; however, the pathogenesis of the skin lesions remains unclear.

North America Wound, Ostomy, and Continence and Enterostomal Therapy Nurses Current Ostomy Care Practice Related to Peristomal Skin Issues

PubMed Central

McNichol, Laurie; Boarini, Joy

2017-01-01

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the practice of 796 ostomy nurses in North America in 2014 related to peristomal skin issues. DESIGN: Descriptive study. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: Participants were 796 wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) and enterostomal therapy (ET) nurses currently practicing in the United States or Canada and caring for patients with ostomies. The collection of data occurred in conjunction with an educational program on peristomal skin complications and practice issues and solicited the participant's perception on the incidence and frequency of peristomal skin issues as well as on practice patterns. METHODS: Participants attended an educational program. They were also asked to anonymously respond to multiple-choice questions on ostomy care management via an audience response system followed by discussion of each item and their responses. This descriptive study reports on the answers to the questions as well as the pertinent discussion points. RESULTS: Participants estimated that approximately 77.70% of their patients developed peristomal skin issues. The most commonly encountered problem was irritant contact dermatitis (peristomal moisture-associated skin damage). Contributing factors were inappropriate use of a pouching system owing to lack of follow-up after hospital discharge. Reported interventions for the prevention and management of peristomal skin issues included preoperative stoma site marking, use of a convex pouching system, and barrier rings. However, subsequent discussion revealed that the frequency of use of these products varied considerably. Participants identified shortened hospital stays, absence of preoperative stoma marking, and limited outpatient follow-up as contributing to development of peristomal skin problems. CONCLUSION: WOC and ET nurses estimate that more than three-quarters of persons living with an ostomy develop peristomal skin problems. Multiple interventions for managing these problems were identified, but some variability in management approaches emerged. PMID:28362656

The performances of different overlay mark types at 65nm node on 300-mm wafers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tseng, H. T.; Lin, Ling-Chieh; Huang, I. H.; Lin, Benjamin S.; Huang, Chin-Chou K.; Huang, Chien-Jen

2005-05-01

The integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing factories have measured overlay with conventional "box-in-box" (BiB) or "frame-in-frame" (FiF) structures for many years. Since UMC played as a roll of world class IC foundry service provider, tighter and tighter alignment accuracy specs need to be achieved from generation to generation to meet any kind of customers' requirement, especially according to International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) 2003 METROLOGY section1. The process noises resulting from dishing, overlay mark damaging by chemical mechanism polishing (CMP), and the variation of film thickness during deposition are factors which can be very problematic in mark alignment. For example, the conventional "box-in-box" overlay marks could be damaged easily by CMP, because the less local pattern density and wide feature width of the box induce either dishing or asymmetric damages for the measurement targets, which will make the overlay measurement varied and difficult. After Advanced Imaging Metrology (AIM) overlay targets was introduced by KLA-Tencor, studies in the past shown AIM was more robust in overlay metrology than conventional FiF or BiB targets. In this study, the applications of AIM overlay marks under different process conditions will be discussed and compared with the conventional overlay targets. To evaluate the overlay mark performance against process variation on 65nm technology node in 300-mm wafer, three critical layers were chosen in this study. These three layers were Poly, Contact, and Cu-Metal. The overlay targets used for performance comparison were BiB and Non-Segmented AIM (NS AIM) marks. We compared the overlay mark performance on two main areas. The first one was total measurement uncertainty (TMU)3 related items that include Tool Induced Shift (TIS) variability, precision, and matching. The other area is the target robustness against process variations. Based on the present study AIM mark demonstrated an equal or better performance in the TMU related items under our process conditions. However, when non-optimized tungsten CMP was introduced in the tungsten contact process, due to the dense grating line structure design, we found that AIM mark was much more robust than BiB overlay target.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kang, H; Malin, M; Chmura, S

Purpose: For African-American patients receiving breast radiotherapy with a bolus, skin darkening can affect the surface visualization when using optical imaging for daily positioning and gating at deep-inspiration breath holds (DIBH). Our goal is to identify a region-of-interest (ROI) that is robust against deteriorating surface image quality due to skin darkening. Methods: We study four patients whose post-mastectomy surfaces are imaged daily with AlignRT (VisionRT, UK) for DIBH radiotherapy and whose surface image quality is degraded toward the end of treatment. To simulate the effects of skin darkening, surfaces from the first ten fractions of each patient are systematically degradedmore » by 25–35%, 40–50% and 65–75% of the total area of the clinically used ROI-ipsilateral-chestwall. The degraded surfaces are registered to the reference surface in six degrees-of-freedom. To identify a robust ROI, three additional reference ROIs — ROI-chest+abdomen, ROI-bilateral-chest and ROI-extended-ipsilateral-chestwall are created and registered to the degraded surfaces. Differences in registration using these ROIs are compared to that using ROI-ipsilateral-chestwall. Results: For three patients, the deviations in the registrations to ROI-ipsilateral-chestwall are > 2.0, 3.1 and 7.9mm on average for 25–35%, 40–50% and 65–75% degraded surfaces, respectively. Rotational deviations reach 11.1° in pitch. For the last patient, registration is consistent to within 2.6mm even on the 65–75% degraded surfaces, possibly because the surface topography has more distinct features. For ROI-bilateral-chest and ROI-extended-ipsilateral-chest registrations deviate in a similar pattern. However, registration on ROI-chest+abdomen is robust to deteriorating image qualities to within 4.2mm for all four patients. Conclusion: Registration deviations using ROI-ipsilateral-chestwall can reach 9.8mm on the 40–50% degraded surfaces. Caution is required when using AlignRT for patients experiencing skin darkening since the accuracy of AlignRT registration deteriorates. To avoid this inaccuracy, we recommend use of ROI-chest+abdomen, on which registration is consistent within 4.2mm even for highly degraded surfaces.« less

Partial structure of the phylloxin gene from the giant monkey frog, Phyllomedusa bicolor: parallel cloning of precursor cDNA and genomic DNA from lyophilized skin secretion.

PubMed

Chen, Tianbao; Gagliardo, Ron; Walker, Brian; Zhou, Mei; Shaw, Chris

2005-12-01

Phylloxin is a novel prototype antimicrobial peptide from the skin of Phyllomedusa bicolor. Here, we describe parallel identification and sequencing of phylloxin precursor transcript (mRNA) and partial gene structure (genomic DNA) from the same sample of lyophilized skin secretion using our recently-described cloning technique. The open-reading frame of the phylloxin precursor was identical in nucleotide sequence to that previously reported and alignment with the nucleotide sequence derived from genomic DNA indicated the presence of a 175 bp intron located in a near identical position to that found in the dermaseptins. The highly-conserved structural organization of skin secretion peptide genes in P. bicolor can thus be extended to include that encoding phylloxin (plx). These data further reinforce our assertion that application of the described methodology can provide robust genomic/transcriptomic/peptidomic data without the need for specimen sacrifice.

Photo-elastic stress analysis of initial alignment archwires.

PubMed

Badran, Serene A; Orr, John F; Stevenson, Mike; Burden, Donald J

2003-04-01

Photo-elastic models replicating a lower arch with a moderate degree of lower incisor crowding and a palatally displaced maxillary canine were used to evaluate the stresses transmitted to the roots of the teeth by initial alignment archwires. Six initial alignment archwires were compared, two multi-strand stainless steel wires, two non-super-elastic (stabilized martensitic form) nickel titanium wires, and two stress-induced super-elastic (austenitic active) nickel titanium wires. Three specimens of each archwire type were tested. Analysis of the photo-elastic fringe patterns, in the medium supporting the teeth, revealed that the non-super-elastic nickel titanium archwires produced the highest shear stresses (P = 0.001). However, the shear stresses generated by the super-elastic alignment archwires and the multi-strand stainless steel archwires were very similar (P = 1.00). These results show that even in situations where large deflections of initial alignment archwires are required, super-elastic archwires do not appear to have any marked advantage over multi-strand stainless steel alignment archwires in terms of the stresses transferred to the roots of the teeth.

A quick and reliable procedure for assessing foot alignment in athletes.

PubMed

De Michelis Mendonça, Luciana; Bittencourt, Natália Franco Netto; Amaral, Giovanna Mendes; Diniz, Lívia Santos; Souza, Thales Rezende; da Fonseca, Sérgio Teixeira

2013-01-01

Quick procedures with proper psychometric properties that can capture the combined alignment of the foot-ankle complex in a position that may be more representative of the status of the lower limb during ground contact are essential for assessing a large group of athletes. The assessed lower limb was positioned with the calcaneus surface facing upward in a way that all of the marks could be seen at the center of the camera display. After guaranteeing maintenance of the foot at 90° of dorsiflexion actively sustained by the athlete, the examiner took the picture of the foot-ankle alignment. Intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.82 to 0.93 demonstrated excellent intratester and intertester reliability for the proposed measurements of forefoot, rearfoot, and shank-forefoot alignments. The intraclass correlation coefficient between the shank-forefoot measures and the sum of the rearfoot and forefoot measures was 0.98, suggesting that the shank-forefoot alignment measures can represent the combined rearfoot and forefoot alignments. This study describes a reliable and practical measurement procedure for rearfoot, forefoot, and shank-forefoot alignments that can be applied to clinical and research situations as a screening procedure for risk factors for lower-limb injuries in athletes.

Adaptive Local Realignment of Protein Sequences.

PubMed

DeBlasio, Dan; Kececioglu, John

2018-06-11

While mutation rates can vary markedly over the residues of a protein, multiple sequence alignment tools typically use the same values for their scoring-function parameters across a protein's entire length. We present a new approach, called adaptive local realignment, that in contrast automatically adapts to the diversity of mutation rates along protein sequences. This builds upon a recent technique known as parameter advising, which finds global parameter settings for an aligner, to now adaptively find local settings. Our approach in essence identifies local regions with low estimated accuracy, constructs a set of candidate realignments using a carefully-chosen collection of parameter settings, and replaces the region if a realignment has higher estimated accuracy. This new method of local parameter advising, when combined with prior methods for global advising, boosts alignment accuracy as much as 26% over the best default setting on hard-to-align protein benchmarks, and by 6.4% over global advising alone. Adaptive local realignment has been implemented within the Opal aligner using the Facet accuracy estimator.

Alternative method for predicting optimal insertion depth of the laryngeal tube in children.

PubMed

Kim, J T; Jeon, S Y; Kim, C S; Kim, S D; Kim, H S

2007-11-01

Little information is available about the accuracy of the teeth mark on the laryngeal tube (LT) as a guide to correct placement in children. The aim of this crossover study was to evaluate three methods for optimal insertion depth of the size (#) 2 tube in children weighing 12-25 kg. In 24 children, the LT #2 was consecutively inserted by three different methods: (A) until the thick teeth mark on the tube was aligned with the upper incisors, (B) until resistance was felt, and (C) by inserting to a depth, previously measured, of the curved distance between the cricoid cartilage and the upper incisor. In each case, the depth of insertion, the degree of effective ventilation, the presence of leakage, and the fibreoptic view were assessed. Insertion based on the teeth mark led to a shorter insertion depth and a greater incidence of inadequate ventilation compared with the other two methods. There was no difference in the adequacy of ventilation between methods B and C. The vocal cords were more easily identified with methods B (62.5%) and C (75%) than with method A (12.5%). Insertion of the LT #2 aligned with the teeth mark can result in a shallow insertion depth and inadequate ventilation. The measured distance from the cricoid cartilage to the upper incisor offers alternative guidance for correct LT insertion.

Rhinoplasty in the Middle Eastern nose.

PubMed

Apaydin, Fazil

2014-08-01

In this article, the main characteristics of Middle Eastern patients seeking rhinoplasty are reported. Besides the preoperative preparation, surgical techniques that can be used to obtain good results are discussed. The pitfalls of profile alignment, tip procedures and skin have been noted as well. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Acquired prior knowledge modulates audiovisual integration.

PubMed

Van Wanrooij, Marc M; Bremen, Peter; John Van Opstal, A

2010-05-01

Orienting responses to audiovisual events in the environment can benefit markedly by the integration of visual and auditory spatial information. However, logically, audiovisual integration would only be considered successful for stimuli that are spatially and temporally aligned, as these would be emitted by a single object in space-time. As humans do not have prior knowledge about whether novel auditory and visual events do indeed emanate from the same object, such information needs to be extracted from a variety of sources. For example, expectation about alignment or misalignment could modulate the strength of multisensory integration. If evidence from previous trials would repeatedly favour aligned audiovisual inputs, the internal state might also assume alignment for the next trial, and hence react to a new audiovisual event as if it were aligned. To test for such a strategy, subjects oriented a head-fixed pointer as fast as possible to a visual flash that was consistently paired, though not always spatially aligned, with a co-occurring broadband sound. We varied the probability of audiovisual alignment between experiments. Reaction times were consistently lower in blocks containing only aligned audiovisual stimuli than in blocks also containing pseudorandomly presented spatially disparate stimuli. Results demonstrate dynamic updating of the subject's prior expectation of audiovisual congruency. We discuss a model of prior probability estimation to explain the results.

Laser Technology Is Primed for the Classroom.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lytle, Jim

1986-01-01

Explains the three characteristics of laser light (monochromatic light, divergence, and coherence), the components of a laser, applications of the laser (alignment, distance measurement, welding/cutting, marking, medical applications), and a complete laser training system appropriate for classroom use. (CT)

Diagnosis of Vitality in Skin Wounds in the Ligature Marks Resulting From Suicide Hanging.

PubMed

Legaz Pérez, Isabel; Falcón, Maria; Gimenez, M; Diaz, F Martínez; Pérez-Cárceles, M D; Osuna, E; Nuno-Vieira, D; Luna, A

2017-09-01

Ascertaining the vital origin of skin wounds is one of the most challenging problems in forensic pathology. The forensic literature describes biomarkers and methods for differentiating vital and postmortem wounds, although no clear conclusions have been reached. The aim of this study was to characterize human vital wounds by analyzing the concentrations of metallic ions and the expression of P-selectin and cathepsin D in skin wounds in the ligature marks in a cohort of suicidal hangings for which vitality was previously demonstrated.A total of 71 skin wounds were analyzed within a postmortem interval of 19 to 36 hours. The concentration of Fe, Zn, Mg, and Ca and the expression of P-selectin and cathepsin D were analyzed together and separately. The majority of autopsied suicidal hangings were men (86%) with complete hanging mode (60.7%) in which there was a high frequency of subcutaneous injuries (78.3%). High concentrations of Ca and Mg compared with Fe and Zn were found. Ca and Zn concentrations decreased, and Fe concentration increased with the seriousness of the injury. A high percentage of moderately negative expression of both proteins was correlated with subcutaneous injury and low or medium concentrations of Fe.In conclusion, the joint study of metallic ions and proteins allows to characterize and to differentiate an injured vital wound of noninjured skin, especially when the damage in the tissue affects to the majority of the structures of the skin, but these results will need to be complemented with other biomarkers in time-controlled samples to further help in the differentiation of vital and postmortem wounds.

Outcome of corneal and laser astigmatic axis alignment in photoastigmatic refractive keratectomy.

PubMed

Farah, S G; Olafsson, E; Gwynn, D G; Azar, D T; Brightbill, F S

2000-12-01

To compare the refractive results of laser astigmatic treatment in eyes in which the astigmatic axes of the eye and laser are aligned by limbal marking at the 6 o'clock position and in eyes that are not marked. University Hospital and Clinics, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. This retrospective study comprised 143 eyes that had photoastigmatic refractive keratectomy with the VISX Star excimer laser. The eyes were divided into marked (G1) and unmarked (G2) groups. Based on the preoperative astigmatism, each group was subdivided into low astigmatism (/=1.25 D). Early postoperative manifest refractions (1.0 to 2.5 months) were analyzed. The Alpins vector analysis method was used to calculate the target induced astigmatism, surgically induced astigmatism, difference vector (DV), magnitude of error (ME), angle of error (AE), and index of success (IS). There was no significant difference between the groups in DV, ME, and IS. When the subgroups were analyzed, the DV and ME were comparable; the IS in the G1 high astigmatism subgroup was significantly better than that in the G2 high astigmatism subgroup (0.22 +/- 0.08 and 0.29 +/- 0.04, respectively; P <.0001). There was comparable scatter of AE values; 30% and 36% in G1 and G2, respectively, had an AE of 0. Similar scatter was observed in the subgroups. Of the eyes that had an AE of 0, 90% and 43% in the high astigmatism subgroups of G1 and G2, respectively (P <.05), had full correction of astigmatism. Limbal marking and subsequent eye and laser astigmatic axis alignment improved the refractive outcome of laser astigmatic treatment of >/=1.25 D. A preliminary report of an ongoing prospective randomized study of eyes that had laser in situ keratomileusis is included.

SU-F-J-188: Clinical Implementation of in Room Mobile CT for Image Guided Proton Therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, H; Wu, R; Poenisch, F

Purpose: To implement soft-tissue image-guided proton therapy using inroom mobile CT. Methods: Anthropomorphic phantom was first used to determine the setup accuracy using in- room mobile CT. Laser and bbs were used for the initial setup (marked isocenter). CT data was then acquired with in-room mobile CT (daily CT). The shift between the marked isocenter and the planned isocenter (final isocenter) was determined from the daily CT using in-house Computer Assisted Targeting (CAT) software. Orthogonal DRRs of the day was also generated from the daily CT. The phantom was then transferred on the treatment couch top to the treatment machinemore » using a transportation system, and again aligned to the marked isocenter. Couch shifts were made to align the phantom to the final isocenter using the shifts as determined using the CAT software, and verified using orthogonal X-ray images with the daily DRRs. Results: Phantom data suggests that following the setup procedure as described above, targeting accuracy could be within 1 mm. Patient data are being acquired and analyzed. Conclusion: In-room mobile CT is capable of providing soft-tissue image-guided proton therapy.« less

Morphea

MedlinePlus

... a slightly depressed center with a well defined border described as "cliff-drop” in appearance. Linear morphea ( ... with furrow formation of the skin and underlying structures. The atrophy can be quite marked with involvement ...

Anterior stromal puncture with staining: A modified technique for preoperative reference corneal marking for toric lenses and its retrospective analyses.

PubMed

Bhandari, Sahil; Nath, Manas

2016-08-01

Toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) are an effective way of compensating preexisting corneal astigmatism during cataract surgery. To achieve success, it is imperative to align the toric IOLs in desired position and preoperative reference marking is one among the three important steps for accurate alignment. To make the marking procedure simpler and effective, we have modified the conventional three-step slit lamp-based technique. Patient is seated in front of the slit lamp and asked to keep the chin over chin rest. A 26-gauge bent needle with tip stained by sterile blue ink marker is used to make anterior stromal puncture (ASP) at the edges of horizontal 180° axis near the limbus. A total of 58 eyes were retrospectively evaluated. Mean (+/-SD) IOL deviation on day 1 and day 30 was 5.7 ± 6.5° and 4.7 ± 5.6°, respectively. Median IOL misalignment on day 1 and day 30 was 3°. Redialing of IOL was required in 2 (3.4%) eyes only, all of which were performed within 1 week of surgery. In total, 2 (3.7%) eyes had a residual astigmatism of - 0.5 Dcyl and - 1.0 Dcyl, respectively. ASP is an effective technique for reference marking, technically simpler and can be practiced by most of the surgeons. It avoids the necessity of high-end sophisticated machinery and gives a better platform for the reference corneal marking along with the benefit of reproducibility and simplicity.

The persistence of ligature marks: towards a new protocol for victims of abuse and torture.

PubMed

Spagnoli, L; Mazzarelli, D; Porta, D; Gibelli, D; Grandi, M; Kustermann, A; Cattaneo, C

2014-01-01

One of the most frequently observed lesions in clinical forensic practice concerns the patterned abrasion on skin due to constriction by various types of ligature. Detection of ligature marks and their patterns may be fundamental for reconstructing events and supporting testimony of an aggression, sexual abuse, or maltreatment. But very little actually exists in literature concerning their detectability and how long they last. This study aims at evaluating the time of persistence and detectability of skin signs left by different types of ligatures in living persons: on the arms of three volunteers, eight different ligatures were applied; 123 tests were performed, with time of contact ranging between 1 min and 2 h and 45 min. In addition, the persistence of the shape and pattern of the ligature was evaluated 15, 30, and 60 min after a 5- and 15-min compression. Polyvinyl siloxane, applied by a gun dispenser, was used to perform a cast of the skin mark. The results show that the pattern was less distinguishable with the decrease of time of contact, going from 75 % after 10 and 15 min of contact, to 45.8 % after 1 min. Above 15 min, the specific pattern was always recognizable. In addition, a progressive decrease of the detectability of the pattern with time, respectively, up to 12.5 and 37.5 % in 5- and 15-min tests was observed. This study provides useful results for the assessment of patterned injuries in forensic pathology and clinical forensic medicine, both on dead and living persons: in addition, the use of silicone casts seems to be a reliable and cheap method for easily recording and preserving the morphological profile of skin lesions.

Docking alignment system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Monford, Leo G. (Inventor)

1990-01-01

Improved techniques are provided for alignment of two objects. The present invention is particularly suited for three-dimensional translation and three-dimensional rotational alignment of objects in outer space. A camera 18 is fixedly mounted to one object, such as a remote manipulator arm 10 of the spacecraft, while the planar reflective surface 30 is fixed to the other object, such as a grapple fixture 20. A monitor 50 displays in real-time images from the camera, such that the monitor displays both the reflected image of the camera and visible markings on the planar reflective surface when the objects are in proper alignment. The monitor may thus be viewed by the operator and the arm 10 manipulated so that the reflective surface is perpendicular to the optical axis of the camera, the roll of the reflective surface is at a selected angle with respect to the camera, and the camera is spaced a pre-selected distance from the reflective surface.

Improved docking alignment system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Monford, Leo G. (Inventor)

1988-01-01

Improved techniques are provided for the alignment of two objects. The present invention is particularly suited for 3-D translation and 3-D rotational alignment of objects in outer space. A camera is affixed to one object, such as a remote manipulator arm of the spacecraft, while the planar reflective surface is affixed to the other object, such as a grapple fixture. A monitor displays in real-time images from the camera such that the monitor displays both the reflected image of the camera and visible marking on the planar reflective surface when the objects are in proper alignment. The monitor may thus be viewed by the operator and the arm manipulated so that the reflective surface is perpendicular to the optical axis of the camera, the roll of the reflective surface is at a selected angle with respect to the camera, and the camera is spaced a pre-selected distance from the reflective surface.

Structure-activity relationships of cannabinoids: A joint CoMFA and pseudoreceptor modelling study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmetzer, Silke; Greenidge, Paulette; Kovar, Karl-Artur; Schulze-Alexandru, Meike; Folkers, Gerd

1997-05-01

A cannabinoid pseudoreceptor model for the CB1-receptor has been constructed for 31 cannabinoids using the molecular modelling software YAK. Additionally, two CoMFA studies were performed on these ligands, the first of which was conducted prior to the building of the pseudoreceptor. Its pharmacophore is identical with the initial superposition of ligands used for pseudoreceptor construction. In contrast, the ligand alignment for the second CoMFA study was taken directly from the final cannabinoid pseudoreceptor model. This altered alignment gives markedly improved cross-validated r2 values as compared to those obtained from the original alignment with{{r}}_{{{cross}}}^2 values of 0.79 and 0.63, respectively, for five components. However, the pharmacophore alignment has the better predictive ability. Both the CoMFA and pseudoreceptor methods predict the free energy of binding of test ligands well.

Wavefront holoscopy: application of digital in-line holography for the inspection of engraved marks in progressive addition lenses.

PubMed

Perucho, Beatriz; Micó, Vicente

2014-01-01

Progressive addition lenses (PALs) are engraved with permanent marks at standardized locations in order to guarantee correct centering and alignment throughout the manufacturing and mounting processes. Out of the production line, engraved marks provide useful information about the PAL as well as act as locator marks to re-ink again the removable marks. Even though those marks should be visible by simple visual inspection with the naked eye, engraving marks are often faint and weak, obscured by scratches, and partially occluded and difficult to recognize on tinted or antireflection-coated lenses. Here, we present an extremely simple optical device (named as wavefront holoscope) for visualization and characterization of permanent marks in PAL based on digital in-line holography. Essentially, a point source of coherent light illuminates the engraved mark placed just before a CCD camera that records a classical Gabor in-line hologram. The recorded hologram is then digitally processed to provide a set of high-contrast images of the engraved marks. Experimental results are presented showing the applicability of the proposed method as a new ophthalmic instrument for visualization and characterization of engraved marks in PALs.

A preliminary study for fully automated quantification of psoriasis severity using image mapping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mukai, Kazuhiro; Iyatomi, Hitoshi

2014-03-01

Psoriasis is a common chronic skin disease and it detracts patients' QoL seriously. Since there is no known permanent cure so far, controlling appropriate disease condition is necessary and therefore quantification of its severity is important. In clinical, psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) is commonly used for abovementioned purpose, however it is often subjective and troublesome. A fully automatic computer-assisted area and severity index (CASI) was proposed to make an objective quantification of skin disease. It investigates the size and density of erythema based on digital image analysis, however it does not consider various inadequate effects caused by different geometrical conditions under clinical follow-up (i.e. variability in direction and distance between camera and patient). In this study, we proposed an image alignment method for clinical images and investigated to quantify the severity of psoriasis under clinical follow-up combined with the idea of CASI. The proposed method finds geometrical same points in patient's body (ROI) between images with Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) and performs the Affine transform to map the pixel value to the other. In this study, clinical images from 7 patients with psoriasis lesions on their trunk under clinical follow-up were used. In each series, our image alignment algorithm align images to the geometry of their first image. Our proposed method aligned images appropriately on visual assessment and confirmed that psoriasis areas were properly extracted using the approach of CASI. Although we cannot evaluate PASI and CASI directly due to their different definition of ROI, we confirmed that there is a large correlation between those scores with our image quantification method.

[The riboxin treatment of workers in the electron vacuum tube industry suffering from dermatoses].

PubMed

Shulipa, I V; Turkevich, Iu N; Zaĭchenko, A I

1990-01-01

Analysis of the treatment results in 85 patients with occupational skin diseases, working at the Kineskop industrial amalgamation in Lvov, evidences that application of a liniment containing riboxin (10%) and dimexide (40-50%) results in a marked clinical effect and normalization of impaired protective-barrier function of the skin. The treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis without cessation of work.

Berberine-induced pigment dispersion in Bufo melanostictus melanophores by stimulation of beta-2 adrenergic receptors.

PubMed

Ali, Sharique A; Naaz, Ishrat; Choudhary, Ram Kumar

2014-02-01

Reduced production of melanin by decreased or the absence of melanocytes leads to various hypopigmentation disorders, and the development of melanogenetic agents for photoprotection and hypopigmentation disorders is one of the top priority areas of research. Hence, the present study was carried out to elucidate the ability of berberine, a principal active ingredient present in the roots of the herb Berberis vulgaris to stimulate pigment dispersion in the isolated skin melanophores of the toad Bufo melanostictus. In the present study, mean melanophore size index of the isolated skin melanophores of B. melanostictus was assayed after treating with various concentrations of berberine. A marked melanin dispersion response leading to skin darkening was observed in the isolated melanophores of toad in response to berberine, which was found to be mediated through beta-2 adrenergic receptors. The physiologically significant dose-related melanin dispersion effects of berberine per se were found to be completely abolished by propranolol, which is a specific beta-2 adrenergic receptor blocker. These per se melanin dispersal effects were also found to be markedly potentiated by isoprenaline, which is a specific beta-adrenoceptor agonist. The results indicate that berberine causes a tremendous, dose-dependent, physiologically significant pigment dispersing in the isolated skin melanophores of B. melanostictus.

Sclerosing lymphangitis of the penis associated with marked penile oedema and skin erosions.

PubMed

Karray, Mehdi; Litaiem, Noureddine; Jones, Mariem; Zeglaoui, Faten

2017-07-27

Sclerosing lymphangitis of the penis is a benign, under-reported condition consisting of a asymptomatic firm cord-like swelling around the coronal sulcus of the penis usually affecting men in the second or third decade of life. Penile oedema and erosions are rarely reported. Clinical signs may be remarkable contrasting with the self-limited character of the disease. We report a new case of sclerosing lymphangitis of the penis occurring in a 59-year-old patient marked by penile swelling and several overlying skin erosions, and discuss the clinical features and the pathogenesis aspects of the disease. © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd (unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Band Alignment-Driven Oxidative Injury to the Skin by Anatase/Rutile Mixed-Phase Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles under Sunlight Exposure.

PubMed

Sun, Xiujuan; Chang, Yun; Cheng, Yan; Feng, Yanlin; Zhang, Haiyuan

2018-04-12

Anatase/rutile mixed-phase titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) have been found in cosmetics and cotton textiles. Once exposed to sunlight, mixed-phase TiO2 NPs are even more toxic to cells than pure phase NPs, however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Considering the unique anatase/rutile heterojunction structure existing in mixed-phase NPs, the potent toxicity of mixed-phase TiO2 NPs probably originates from the high reactive oxygen species (ROS) production because the anatase/rutile heterojunction is constituted by the staggered energy bands that facilitate the electron-hole separation at the interface due to the band alignment. In the present study, a library of mixed-phase TiO2 NPs with different anatase/rutile ratios was established to investigate the potential property-activity relationship and further clarify the underlying molecular mechanism. Under sunlight exposure, these mixed-phase TiO2 NPs could produce significant abiotic ROS and induce hierarchical oxidative stress to HaCaT skin cells and mice skin. The ROS magnitude and toxicity potential of these NPs were found to be proportional to their energy band bending (BB) levels. This means that the toxicity of mixed-phase TiO2 NPs can be correlated to their heterojunction density, and the toxicity potential of mixed-phase TiO2 NPs can be weighed by their BB levels.

Riblets for aircraft skin-friction reduction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walsh, Michael J.

1986-01-01

Energy conservation and aerodynamic efficiency are the driving forces behind research into methods to reduce turbulent skin friction drag on aircraft fuselages. Fuselage skin friction reductions as small as 10 percent provide the potential for a 250 million dollar per year fuel savings for the commercial airline fleet. One passive drag reduction concept which is relatively simple to implement and retrofit is that of longitudinally grooved surfaces aligned with the stream velocity. These grooves (riblets) have heights and spacings on the order of the turbulent wall streak and burst dimensions. The riblet performance (8 percent net drag reduction thus far), sensitivity to operational/application considerations such as yaw and Reynolds number variation, an alternative fabrication technique, results of extensive parametric experiments for geometrical optimization, and flight test applications are summarized.

A Modified, Direct Neck Lift Technique: The Cervical Wave-Plasty

PubMed Central

Castel, Nikki; Parsa, Natalie Niloufar

2016-01-01

Background Major problems with cervicoplasty by direct skin excision include the subjective nature of skin markings preoperatively and the confusing array of procedures offered. This technique incorporates curved incisions, resulting in a wave-like scar, which is why the procedure is called a "wave-plasty". Methods This prospective study includes 37 patients who underwent wave-plasty procedures from 2004 to 2015. Skin pinching technique was used to mark the anterior neck preoperatively in a reproducible fashion. Intra-operatively, redundant skin was excised, along with excess fat when necessary, and closed to form a wave-shaped scar. Patients were asked to follow up at 1 week, 6 weeks, and 6 months after surgery. Results The mean operation time was 70.8 minutes. The majority (81.3%) was satisfied with their progress. On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being the worst, and 10 being the best), the scars were objectively graded on average 5.5 when viewed from the front and 7.3 when seen from the side 6 months after surgery. Complications consisted of one partial wound dehiscence (2.3%), one incidence of hypertrophic scarring (2.3%), and two cases of under-resection requiring revision (5.4%). Conclusions In select patients, surgical rejuvenation of the neck may be obtained through wave-like incisions to remove redundant cervical skin when other options are not available. The technique is reproducible, easily teachable and carries low morbidity and high patient satisfaction in carefully chosen patients. PMID:27019811

The use of dental putty in the assessment of hard surfaces within paved urban areas that may leave defined or patterned marks on bodies.

PubMed

Johnson, Oliver Ross; Lyall, Matt; Johnson, Christopher Paul

2015-04-01

The identification of a patterned skin or scalp mark at autopsy can provide key forensic evidence in identifying an injury that may have been left by an assailant's footwear. It is also important to consider whether such a mark could alternatively have been left by the deceased coming into forceful contact with a hard surface at the scene of an incident, for example by falling. This study was designed to demonstrate how variable surfaces are within paved urban areas, including those which might leave marks resembling footwear patterns, and to evaluate whether dental putty impression lifting is a practical and effective adjunct to photography in assessing patterned surfaces. Eighteen 'scenes' of approximately 50 m² were assessed for different hard surfaces by photography and by the production of dental putty impression lifts. The number of hard surfaces varied between 4 and 12 per scene, with 90% (122/135) of all hard surfaces deemed likely to leave distinct marking on skin with forceful contact and 46% (62/135) a defined/regular mark potentially similar to a footwear injury (mean = 3.4 per scene). Dental putty proved to be an excellent tool in characterising hard surfaces, producing firm but slightly flexible lifts that can be used in combination with a commercially available inkless footwear impression kit to generate transparencies that help facilitate detailed comparison work. Whenever a potential footwear mark is identified at autopsy, a systematic examination of all hard surfaces at the scene is mandatory, and this process will be significantly strengthened by the use of dental putty. © The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.

Evaluation of IgG4+ Plasma Cell Infiltration in Patients with Systemic Plasmacytosis and Other Plasma Cell-infiltrating Skin Diseases.

PubMed

Takeoka, Shintaro; Kamata, Masahiro; Hau, Carren Sy; Tateishi, Mihoko; Fukaya, Saki; Hayashi, Kotaro; Fukuyasu, Atsuko; Tanaka, Takamitsu; Ishikawa, Takeko; Ohnishi, Takamitsu; Sasajima, Yuko; Watanabe, Shinichi; Tada, Yayoi

2018-04-27

Systemic plasmacytosis is a rare skin disorder characterized by marked infiltration of plasma cells in the dermis. IgG4-related disease is pathologically characterized by lymphoplasmacytic infiltration rich in IgG4+ plasma cells, storiform fibrosis, and obliterative phlebitis, accompanied by elevated levels of serum IgG4. Reports of cases of systemic plasmacytosis with abundant infiltration of IgG4+ plasma cells has led to discussion about the relationship between systemic plasmacytosis and IgG4-related disease. This study examined IgG4+/IgG+ plasma cell ratios in 4 patients with systemic plasmacytosis and 12 patients with other skin diseases that show marked infiltration of plasma cells. Furthermore, we examined whether these cases met one of the pathological diagnostic criteria for IgG4-related disease (i.e. IgG4+/IgG plasma cells ratio of over 40%). Only one out of 4 patients with systemic plasmacytosis met the criterion. These results suggest that systemic plasmacytosis and IgG4-related disease are distinct diseases.

Orientation of cosmic web filaments with respect to the underlying velocity field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tempel, E.; Libeskind, N. I.; Hoffman, Y.; Liivamägi, L. J.; Tamm, A.

2014-01-01

The large-scale structure of the Universe is characterized by a web-like structure made of voids, sheets, filaments and knots. The structure of this so-called cosmic web is dictated by the local velocity shear tensor. In particular, the local direction of a filament should be strongly aligned with hat{e}_3, the eigenvector associated with the smallest eigenvalue of the tensor. That conjecture is tested here on the basis of a cosmological simulation. The cosmic web delineated by the halo distribution is probed by a marked point process with interactions (the Bisous model), detecting filaments directly from the halo distribution (P-web). The detected P-web filaments are found to be strongly aligned with the local hat{e}_3: the alignment is within 30° for ˜80 per cent of the elements. This indicates that large-scale filaments defined purely from the distribution of haloes carry more than just morphological information, although the Bisous model does not make any prior assumption on the underlying shear tensor. The P-web filaments are also compared to the structure revealed from the velocity shear tensor itself (V-web). In the densest regions, the P- and V-web filaments overlap well (90 per cent), whereas in lower density regions, the P-web filaments preferentially mark sheets in the V-web.

[Skin aging and evidence-based topical strategies].

PubMed

Bayerl, C

2016-02-01

Anti-aging in dermatology primarily focuses on the prevention of skin aging with UV protection (clothing and sunsceens), free radical scavengers (synthetic or botanic), and cell-protecting agents such as vitamin B3. For the correction of signs of early skin aging, retinoic acid derivatives in dermatological prescriptions are the best studied substances. Topical hormonal prescriptions are also an option if UV damage has not been the leading culprit for aging. Chemical peeling leads to a marked increase in collagen formation, the deaper the better. Ingredients in cream preparations can reduce superficial skin folds (polyphenols, amino acid peptides). Modulators of regular pigmentation are important for anti-aging preparations. Growth factors (plant extracts, recombinant growth factors) are not thoroughly studied regarding the cost-benefit and risk ratio. Complex precedures such as photodynamic therapy have an impact on the appearance of aged skin.

Repair of UVB-damaged skin by the antioxidant sulphated flavone glycoside thalassiolin B isolated from the marine plant Thalassia testudinum Banks ex König.

PubMed

Regalado, Erik L; Rodríguez, María; Menéndez, Roberto; Concepción, Angel A; Nogueiras, Clara; Laguna, Abilio; Rodríguez, Armando A; Williams, David E; Lorenzo-Luaces, Patricia; Valdés, Olga; Hernandez, Yasnay

2009-01-01

Daily topical application of the aqueous ethanolic extract of the marine sea grass, Thalassia testudinum, on mice skin exposed to UVB radiation resulted in a dose-dependent recovery of the skin macroscopic alterations over a 6-day period. Maximal effect (90%) occurred at a dose of 240 microg/cm(2), with no additional effects at higher doses. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the plant extract resulted in the isolation of thalassiolin B (1). Topical application of 1 (240 microg/cm(2)) markedly reduces skin UVB-induced damage. In addition, thalassiolin B scavenged 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical with an EC(50) = 100 microg/ml. These results suggest that thalassiolin B is responsible for the skin-regenerating effects of the crude extract of T. testudinum.

Fusion of cone-beam CT and 3D photographic images for soft tissue simulation in maxillofacial surgery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chung, Soyoung; Kim, Joojin; Hong, Helen

2016-03-01

During maxillofacial surgery, prediction of the facial outcome after surgery is main concern for both surgeons and patients. However, registration of the facial CBCT images and 3D photographic images has some difficulties that regions around the eyes and mouth are affected by facial expressions or the registration speed is low due to their dense clouds of points on surfaces. Therefore, we propose a framework for the fusion of facial CBCT images and 3D photos with skin segmentation and two-stage surface registration. Our method is composed of three major steps. First, to obtain a CBCT skin surface for the registration with 3D photographic surface, skin is automatically segmented from CBCT images and the skin surface is generated by surface modeling. Second, to roughly align the scale and the orientation of the CBCT skin surface and 3D photographic surface, point-based registration with four corresponding landmarks which are located around the mouth is performed. Finally, to merge the CBCT skin surface and 3D photographic surface, Gaussian-weight-based surface registration is performed within narrow-band of 3D photographic surface.

The rhinoceros among Serpents: Comparative anatomy and experimental biophysics of Calabar burrowing python (Calabaria reinhardtii) skin.

PubMed

Han, Dawei; Young, Bruce A

2018-01-01

The Calabar burrowing python (Calabaria reinhardtii) has a unique combination of marked thickness of the integumentary layers, a highly organized lamellate arrangement of the dermal collagen bundles, and a reduction in the size of the interscale hinge region of the integument. Biomechanical testing demonstrates that the skin of C. reinhardtii is more resistant to penetration than the skin of other snakes. The laminar arrangement of the collagen bundles provides for penetrative resistance, even while maintaining the flexibility characteristic of snake skin. Considering the life history of this species, it is hypothesized that the specialized integument of C. reinhardtii is a passive defensive mechanism against penetrative bites from maternal rodents and predators. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Bringing skin assessments to life using human patient simulation: an emphasis on cancer prevention and early detection.

PubMed

Kuhrik, Marilee; Seckman, Christy; Kuhrik, Nancy; Ahearn, Tina; Ercole, Patrick

2011-12-01

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with about 1,000,000 people developing the disease each year. The incidence of melanoma has rapidly increased in young white women between the ages of 15-34 over the last three decades. While melanoma accounts for approximately 3% of skin cancers, it causes more than 75% of skin cancer deaths. Thorough skin assessments and awareness of new or changing appearance of skin lesions are critical to early detection and treatment of skin cancer, as well as teaching sun-protective behaviors. Educators created a novel approach to "bring to life" skin cancer assessment skills to promote awareness of prevention and early detection of skin cancer using moulage in a human patient simulation lab. Through the use of moulage-like lesions, simulated patients were evaluated and taught skin cancer prevention and early detection principles by baccalaureate nursing students. The average age of study participants (n = 104) was 26.50 years. The majority of responders were female. At the end of the lab, students' average responses to an evaluation based on program goals were very positive. Anecdotal comments affirmed positive student perceptions of their simulation experience. Data analyses indicated item means were consistently higher for upper-division students. The age and gender of students who participated in this study align with the NCI statistics on age and gender of the population with increased incidence of melanoma.

Understanding Interfacial Alignment in Solution Coated Conjugated Polymer Thin Films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Qu, Ge; Zhao, Xikang; Newbloom, Gregory M.

Domain alignment in conjugated polymer thin films can significantly enhance charge carrier mobility. However, the alignment mechanism during meniscus-guided solution coating remains unclear. Furthermore, interfacial alignment has been rarely studied despite its direct relevance and critical importance to charge transport. In this study, we uncover a significantly higher degree of alignment at the top interface of solution coated thin films, using a donor–acceptor conjugated polymer, poly(diketopyrrolopyrrole-co-thiopheneco- thieno[3,2- b]thiophene-co-thiophene) (DPP2T-TT), as the model system. At the molecular level, we observe in-plane π–π stacking anisotropy of up to 4.8 near the top interface with the polymer backbone aligned parallel to the coatingmore » direction. The bulk of the film is only weakly aligned with the backbone oriented transverse to coating. At the mesoscale, we observe a well-defined fibril-like morphology at the top interface with the fibril long axis pointing toward the coating direction. Significantly smaller fibrils with poor orientational order are found on the bottom interface, weakly aligned orthogonal to the fibrils on the top interface. The high degree of alignment at the top interface leads to a charge transport anisotropy of up to 5.4 compared to an anisotropy close to 1 on the bottom interface. We attribute the formation of distinct interfacial morphology to the skin-layer formation associated with high Peclet number, which promotes crystallization on the top interface while suppressing it in the bulk. As a result, we further infer that the interfacial fibril alignment is driven by the extensional flow on the top interface arisen from increasing solvent evaporation rate closer to the meniscus front.« less

Understanding Interfacial Alignment in Solution Coated Conjugated Polymer Thin Films

DOE PAGES

Qu, Ge; Zhao, Xikang; Newbloom, Gregory M.; ...

2017-08-01

Domain alignment in conjugated polymer thin films can significantly enhance charge carrier mobility. However, the alignment mechanism during meniscus-guided solution coating remains unclear. Furthermore, interfacial alignment has been rarely studied despite its direct relevance and critical importance to charge transport. In this study, we uncover a significantly higher degree of alignment at the top interface of solution coated thin films, using a donor–acceptor conjugated polymer, poly(diketopyrrolopyrrole-co-thiopheneco- thieno[3,2- b]thiophene-co-thiophene) (DPP2T-TT), as the model system. At the molecular level, we observe in-plane π–π stacking anisotropy of up to 4.8 near the top interface with the polymer backbone aligned parallel to the coatingmore » direction. The bulk of the film is only weakly aligned with the backbone oriented transverse to coating. At the mesoscale, we observe a well-defined fibril-like morphology at the top interface with the fibril long axis pointing toward the coating direction. Significantly smaller fibrils with poor orientational order are found on the bottom interface, weakly aligned orthogonal to the fibrils on the top interface. The high degree of alignment at the top interface leads to a charge transport anisotropy of up to 5.4 compared to an anisotropy close to 1 on the bottom interface. We attribute the formation of distinct interfacial morphology to the skin-layer formation associated with high Peclet number, which promotes crystallization on the top interface while suppressing it in the bulk. As a result, we further infer that the interfacial fibril alignment is driven by the extensional flow on the top interface arisen from increasing solvent evaporation rate closer to the meniscus front.« less

Indigenous proteases in the skin of unicorn leatherjacket (Alutherus monoceros) and their influence on characteristic and functional properties of gelatin.

PubMed

Ahmad, Mehraj; Benjakul, Soottawat; Ovissipour, Mahmoudreza; Prodpran, Thummanoon

2011-07-15

Indigenous proteases in the skin of unicorn leatherjacket (Alutherus monoceros) were characterised using autolytic study. Maximised autolysis was found at pH 7 and 50°C. Autolysis was markedly inhibited by 0.04mM soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI), suggesting that heat activated serine protease was predominant in the skin. The impact of indigenous proteases on the properties of gelatin extracted from unicorn leatherjacket skin was investigated. Gelatin was extracted from unicorn leatherjacket skin using distilled water at 50°C for 12h in the presence and absence of 0.04mM SBTI. In the presence of SBTI, the degradation was markedly inhibited, but a lower gelatin extraction yield was obtained (P<0.05). Extracted gelatins contained α(1) and α(2) chains as the predominant components with some degradation peptides. FTIR spectra indicated a greater loss of molecular order of the triple helix and a higher degradation was found in gelatin extracted in the absence of 0.04mM SBTI. The net charge of gelatin samples extracted with and without 0.04mM SBTI became zero at pHs of 8.45 and 7.31, respectively, as determined by ζ-potential titration. Higher gel strength (320.68±3.02g) was obtained in gelatin extracted with SBTI, compared with that of gelatin extracted without SBTI (288.63±1.44g). High emulsifying activity index but lower emulsifying stability index was observed in the former. Therefore, heat-activated serine protease was involved in the degradation of gelatin molecules, thereby affecting the yield, proteinaceous components and properties of gelatin from unicorn leatherjacket skin. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Regulation of Hsp27 and Hsp70 expression in human and mouse skin construct models by caveolae following exposure to the model sulfur mustard vesicant, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Black, Adrienne T.; Hayden, Patrick J.; Casillas, Robert P.

Dermal exposure to the vesicant sulfur mustard causes marked inflammation and tissue damage. Basal keratinocytes appear to be a major target of sulfur mustard. In the present studies, mechanisms mediating skin toxicity were examined using a mouse skin construct model and a full-thickness human skin equivalent (EpiDerm-FT{sup TM}). In both systems, administration of the model sulfur mustard vesicant, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES, 100-1000 {mu}M) at the air surface induced mRNA and protein expression of heat shock proteins 27 and 70 (Hsp27 and Hsp70). CEES treatment also resulted in increased expression of caveolin-1, the major structural component of caveolae. Immunohistochemistry revealedmore » that Hsp27, Hsp70 and caveolin-1 were localized in basal and suprabasal layers of the epidermis. Caveolin-1 was also detected in fibroblasts in the dermal component of the full thickness human skin equivalent. Western blot analysis of caveolar membrane fractions isolated by sucrose density centrifugation demonstrated that Hsp27 and Hsp70 were localized in caveolae. Treatment of mouse keratinocytes with filipin III or methyl-{beta}-cyclodextrin, which disrupt caveolar structure, markedly suppressed CEES-induced Hsp27 and Hsp70 mRNA and protein expression. CEES treatment is known to activate JNK and p38 MAP kinases; in mouse keratinocytes, inhibition of these enzymes suppressed CEES-induced expression of Hsp27 and Hsp70. These data suggest that MAP kinases regulate Hsp 27 and Hsp70; moreover, caveolae-mediated regulation of heat shock protein expression may be important in the pathophysiology of vesicant-induced skin toxicity.« less

Regulation of Hsp27 and Hsp70 expression in human and mouse skin construct models by caveolae following exposure to the model sulfur mustard vesicant, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide

PubMed Central

Black, Adrienne T.; Hayden, Patrick J.; Casillas, Robert P.; Heck, Diane E.; Gerecke, Donald R.; Sinko, Patrick J.; Laskin, Debra L.; Laskin, Jeffrey D.

2012-01-01

Dermal exposure to the vesicant sulfur mustard causes marked inflammation and tissue damage. Basal keratinocytes appear to be a major target of sulfur mustard. In the present studies, mechanisms mediating skin toxicity were examined using a mouse skin construct model and a full-thickness human skin equivalent (EpiDerm-FTTM). In both systems, administration of the model sulfur mustard vesicant, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES, 100–1000 µM) at the air surface induced mRNA and protein expression of heat shock proteins 27 and 70 (Hsp27 and Hsp70). CEES treatment also resulted in increased expression of caveolin-1, the major structural component of caveolae. Immunohistochemistry revealed that Hsp27, Hsp70 and caveolin-1 were localized in basal and suprabasal layers of the epidermis. Caveolin-1 was also detected in fibroblasts in the dermal component of the full thickness human skin equivalent. Western blot analysis of caveolar membrane fractions isolated by sucrose density centrifugation demonstrated that Hsp27 and Hsp70 were localized in caveolae. Treatment of mouse keratinocytes with filipin III or methyl-β-cyclodextrin, which disrupt caveolar structure, markedly suppressed CEES-induced Hsp27 and Hsp70 mRNA and protein expression. CEES treatment is known to activate JNK and p38 MAP kinases; in mouse keratinocytes, inhibition of these enzymes suppressed CEES-induced expression of Hsp27 and Hsp70. These data suggest that MAP kinases regulate Hsp 27 and Hsp70; moreover, caveolae-mediated regulation of heat shock protein expression may be important in the pathophysiology of vesicant-induced skin toxicity. PMID:21457723

Regulation of Hsp27 and Hsp70 expression in human and mouse skin construct models by caveolae following exposure to the model sulfur mustard vesicant, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide.

PubMed

Black, Adrienne T; Hayden, Patrick J; Casillas, Robert P; Heck, Diane E; Gerecke, Donald R; Sinko, Patrick J; Laskin, Debra L; Laskin, Jeffrey D

2011-06-01

Dermal exposure to the vesicant sulfur mustard causes marked inflammation and tissue damage. Basal keratinocytes appear to be a major target of sulfur mustard. In the present studies, mechanisms mediating skin toxicity were examined using a mouse skin construct model and a full-thickness human skin equivalent (EpiDerm-FT™). In both systems, administration of the model sulfur mustard vesicant, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES, 100-1000μM) at the air surface induced mRNA and protein expression of heat shock proteins 27 and 70 (Hsp27 and Hsp70). CEES treatment also resulted in increased expression of caveolin-1, the major structural component of caveolae. Immunohistochemistry revealed that Hsp27, Hsp70 and caveolin-1 were localized in basal and suprabasal layers of the epidermis. Caveolin-1 was also detected in fibroblasts in the dermal component of the full thickness human skin equivalent. Western blot analysis of caveolar membrane fractions isolated by sucrose density centrifugation demonstrated that Hsp27 and Hsp70 were localized in caveolae. Treatment of mouse keratinocytes with filipin III or methyl-β-cyclodextrin, which disrupt caveolar structure, markedly suppressed CEES-induced Hsp27 and Hsp70 mRNA and protein expression. CEES treatment is known to activate JNK and p38 MAP kinases; in mouse keratinocytes, inhibition of these enzymes suppressed CEES-induced expression of Hsp27 and Hsp70. These data suggest that MAP kinases regulate Hsp 27 and Hsp70; moreover, caveolae-mediated regulation of heat shock protein expression may be important in the pathophysiology of vesicant-induced skin toxicity. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Disc resonator gyroscope fabrication process requiring no bonding alignment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shcheglov, Kirill V. (Inventor)

2010-01-01

A method of fabricating a resonant vibratory sensor, such as a disc resonator gyro. A silicon baseplate wafer for a disc resonator gyro is provided with one or more locating marks. The disc resonator gyro is fabricated by bonding a blank resonator wafer, such as an SOI wafer, to the fabricated baseplate, and fabricating the resonator structure according to a pattern based at least in part upon the location of the at least one locating mark of the fabricated baseplate. MEMS-based processing is used for the fabrication processing. In some embodiments, the locating mark is visualized using optical and/or infrared viewing methods. A disc resonator gyroscope manufactured according to these methods is described.

7 CFR 51.1521 - U.S. No. 1.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

...; which are free from decay and sunscald, and free from damage caused by broken skins, heat injury, growth cracks, sunburn, split pits, hail marks, drought spots, gum spots, russeting, scars, other disease...

Multi-organ sarcoidosis treatment with fumaric acid esters: a case report and review of the literature.

PubMed

Zouboulis, Christos C; Lippert, Undine; Karagiannidis, Ioannis

2014-01-01

Sarcoidosis is a rare, systemic disease that is characterized by the formation of granulomas in various organs, including the skin. As the etiology remains unknown, the treatment of sarcoidosis is challenging. We present a 47-year-old female patient with progressive, multi-organ sarcoidosis who had a complete clinical improvement of the skin lesions, a moderate reduction in pulmonary opacities on chest X-ray, a marked subjective improvement in general status and pulmonary efficiency and a marked reduction in serum angiotensin-converting enzyme and soluble interleukin-2 receptor after 6 months of therapy with fumaric acid esters. The present case and similar reports in the literature highlight the probable efficacy of fumaric acid esters in the treatment of sarcoidosis and other non-infectious, granulomatous diseases. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Filamin A Mediates Wound Closure by Promoting Elastic Deformation and Maintenance of Tension in the Collagen Matrix

PubMed Central

Mohammadi, Hamid; Pinto, Vanessa I.; Wang, Yongqiang; Hinz, Boris; Janmey, Paul A.; McCulloch, Christopher A.

2016-01-01

Cell-mediated remodeling and wound closure are critical for efficient wound healing, but the contribution of actin-binding proteins to contraction of the extracellular matrix is not defined. We examined the role of filamin A (FLNa), an actin filament cross-linking protein, in wound contraction and maintenance of matrix tension. Conditional deletion of FLNa in fibroblasts in mice was associated with ~ 4 day delay of full-thickness skin wound contraction compared with wild-type (WT) mice. We modeled the healing wound matrix using cultured fibroblasts plated on grid-supported collagen gels that create lateral boundaries, which are analogues to wound margins. In contrast to WT cells, FLNa knockdown (KD) cells could not completely maintain tension when matrix compaction was resisted by boundaries, which manifested as relaxed matrix tension. Similarly, WT cells on cross-linked collagen, which requires higher levels of sustained tension, exhibited approximately fivefold larger deformation fields and approximately twofold greater fiber alignment compared with FLNa KD cells. Maintenance of boundary-resisted tension markedly influenced the elongation of cell extensions: in WT cells, the number (~50%) and length (~300%) of cell extensions were greater than FLNa KD cells. We conclude that FLNa is required for wound contraction, in part by enabling elastic deformation and maintenance of tension in the matrix. PMID:26134946

Genomic data for 78 chickens from 14 populations

PubMed Central

Li, Diyan; Che, Tiandong; Chen, Binlong; Tian, Shilin; Zhou, Xuming; Zhang, Guolong; Li, Miao; Gaur, Uma; Li, Yan; Luo, Majing; Zhang, Long; Xu, Zhongxian; Zhao, Xiaoling; Yin, Huadong; Wang, Yan; Jin, Long; Tang, Qianzi; Xu, Huailiang; Yang, Mingyao; Zhou, Rongjia; Li, Ruiqiang

2017-01-01

Abstract Background: Since the domestication of the red jungle fowls (Gallus gallus; dating back to ∼10 000 B.P.) in Asia, domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) have been subjected to the combined effects of natural selection and human-driven artificial selection; this has resulted in marked phenotypic diversity in a number of traits, including behavior, body composition, egg production, and skin color. Population genomic variations through diversifying selection have not been fully investigated. Findings: The whole genomes of 78 domestic chickens were sequenced to an average of 18-fold coverage for each bird. By combining this data with publicly available genomes of five wild red jungle fowls and eight Xishuangbanna game fowls, we conducted a comprehensive comparative genomics analysis of 91 chickens from 17 populations. After aligning ∼21.30 gigabases (Gb) of high-quality data from each individual to the reference chicken genome, we identified ∼6.44 million (M) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for each population. These SNPs included 1.10 M novel SNPs in 17 populations that were absent in the current chicken dbSNP (Build 145) entries. Conclusions: The current data is important for population genetics and further studies in chickens and will serve as a valuable resource for investigating diversifying selection and candidate genes for selective breeding in chickens. PMID:28431039

Marriage and the homosexual body: it's about race.

PubMed

Keenan, Deirdre

2012-01-01

Any analogy between race and homosexuality cannot erase the fact that skin color has marked and continues to mark bodies for special punishment and necessary protection. Yet, the analogy has also been forged in the struggles against sexual discrimination and in the courts to recognize same-sex marriage as a basic civil right. My purposes here are, first, to review the role the race-sexual orientation analogy has played in same-sex marriage debates, second to examine the analogy within the context of race and queer theories and, finally, to suggest a racial dimension to sexuality that marks the homosexual body.

Delivery of Methotrexate and Characterization of Skin Treated by Fabricated PLGA Microneedles and Fractional Ablative Laser.

PubMed

Nguyen, Hiep X; Banga, Ajay K

2018-02-21

This study investigated in vitro transdermal delivery of methotrexate through dermatomed porcine ear and cadaver human skin treated with poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) acid microneedles or fractional ablative laser. PLGA microneedles were fabricated and characterized using scanning electron microscopy and mechanical assessment techniques. The integrity of treated skin was evaluated by rheometer, transepidermal water loss, and skin electrical resistance measurements. Successful skin microporation was demonstrated by dye binding, histology, pore uniformity, confocal laser microscopy, and DermaScan studies. In vitro permeation experiment was performed on Franz diffusion cells to determine drug delivery into and across the skin. Both physical treatments resulted in a considerable decrease in skin resistance and an increase in transepidermal water loss value. The laser-created microchannels were significantly larger than those formed by microneedles (p < 0.05). An effective force of 41.04 ± 18.33 N was required to achieve 100% penetration efficiency of the microneedles. For both porcine ear and human skin, laser ablation provided a significantly higher methotrexate permeability into the receptor chamber and skin layers compared to microneedle poration and untreated skin (p < 0.05). Both fractional ablative laser and polymeric microneedles markedly enhanced in vitro transdermal delivery of methotrexate into and across skin. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

[Werkgartner's muzzle imprint mark--a literature study].

PubMed

Geserick, Gunther; Vendura, Klaus; Wirth, Ingo

2009-01-01

Since Werkgartner described and correctly interpreted the muzzle imprint mark around the gunshot entrance wound in 1922, this finding has been generally accepted as a sign of a contact shot. In further studies, it could finally be clarified that the muzzle imprint mark is caused by the expansive power of the powder gases with pressure on and abrasion of the skin at the muzzle (weapon imprint). Its shape depends on the firearm, the ammunition and the anatomical conditions, but does not require a bullet. Examinations under a magnifying glass microscope and histological investigations can complete the macroscopic findings. Occasionally, the muzzle imprint mark requires a certain "drying period" in order to become clearly visible. In rare cases, muzzle imprint marks also form on textiles perforated by the projectile. Characteristically shaped muzzled imprint marks can provide clues to the type of the firearm and its position at the time of discharge.

Chromoblastomycosis due to Fonsecaea monophora misdiagnosed as sporotrichosis and cutaneous tuberculosis in a pulmonary tuberculosis patient.

PubMed

Shi, Dongmei; Zhang, Wei; Lu, Guixia; de Hoog, G Sybren; Liang, Guanzhao; Mei, Huan; Zheng, Hailin; Shen, Yongnian; Liu, Weida

2016-03-01

Chromoblastomycosis is caused by dematiaceous fungi. It develops after inoculation of the organism into the skin. We report a case of chromoblastomycosis in a pulmonary tuberculosis patient without known history of trauma. The lesions were initially diagnosed as sporotrichosis and skin tuberculosis. Histopathology of scales and skin biopsy specimen revealed sclerotic bodies, the hallmark of chromoblastomycosis. The causative organism was identified as Fonsecaea monophora by rDNA ITS sequencing. The lesions recovered markedly after two month treatment with oral terbinafine 250 mg daily according to drug sensitive test in vitro in combination with local thermotherapy.

Optodynamic monitoring of laser tattoo removal.

PubMed

Cencič, Boris; Grad, Ladislav; Možina, Janez; Jezeršek, Matija

2012-04-01

The goal of this research is to use the information contained in the mechanisms occurring during the laser tattoo removal process. We simultaneously employed a laser-beam deflection probe (LBDP) to measure the shock wave and a camera to detect the plasma radiation, both originating from a high-intensity laser-pulse interaction with a tattoo. The experiments were performed in vitro (skin phantoms), ex vivo (marking tattoos on pig skin), and in vivo (professional and amateur decorative tattoos). The LBDP signal includes the information about the energy released during the interaction and indicates textural changes in the skin, which are specific for different skin and tattoo conditions. Using both sensors, we evaluated a measurement of threshold for skin damage and studied the effect of multiple pulses. In vivo results show that a prepulse reduces the interaction strength and that a single strong pulse produces better removal results.

Skin and psyche--from the surface to the depth of the inner world.

PubMed

Beltraminelli, Helmut; Itin, Peter

2008-01-01

About 30% of dermatology patients have signs or symptoms of psychological problems. Dermatologists should be familiar with the basics needed to identify, advise and treat these patients. Because of the complex interaction between skin and psyche, it is difficult to distinguish whether the primary problem is the skin or the psyche. Sometimes the clinical picture is a consequence of interactions between them and other factors. The interactions between skin and psyche are well known in history, art and literature--perhaps better known today because the marked emphasis on such images in our modern multimedia society. Aging is increasingly perceived as an illness and not as a physiological process. Through globalization, many different cultural approaches to the skin have entered in our daily life and influence our communication. This article considers the most important dermatoses which often show primary or secondary interaction with the psyche.

Phytoconstituents as photoprotective novel cosmetic formulations

PubMed Central

Saraf, S.; Kaur, C. D.

2010-01-01

Phytoconstituents are gaining popularity as ingredients in cosmetic formulations as they can protect the skin against exogenous and endogenous harmful agents and can help remedy many skin conditions. Exposure of skin to sunlight and other atmospheric conditions causes the production of reactive oxygen species, which can react with DNA, proteins, and fatty acids, causing oxidative damage and impairment of antioxidant system. Such injuries damage regulation pathways of skin and lead to photoaging and skin cancer development. The effects of aging include wrinkles, roughness, appearance of fine lines, lack of elasticity, and de- or hyperpigmentation marks. Herbal extracts act on these areas and produce healing, softening, rejuvenating, and sunscreen effects. We have selected a few photoprotective phytoconstituents, such as curcumin, resveratrol, tea polyphenols, silymarin, quercetin and ascorbic acid, and have discussed the considerations to be undertaken for the development of herbal cosmetic formulations that could reduce the occurrence of skin cancer and delay the process of photoaging. This article is aimed at providing specific and compiled knowledge for the successful preparation of photoprotective herbal cosmetic formulations. PMID:22228936

Identification of Cutaneous Functional Units Related to Burn Scar Contracture Development

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-08-01

contracture sites with the markers photographed at the beginning and end of motion. The area of skin movement associated with joint ROM was recorded...Rev. 8-98) Prescribed by ANSI Std Z39-18 volved in joint ROM relative to usual sites of burn scar contracture development. METHODS After institutional...of the body part so distortions of the skin markings did not occur on the photographic film . Each definitive movement was performed three times in

Confocal laser scanning microscopy to estimate nanoparticles' human skin penetration in vitro.

PubMed

Zou, Ying; Celli, Anna; Zhu, Hanjiang; Elmahdy, Akram; Cao, Yachao; Hui, Xiaoying; Maibach, Howard

2017-01-01

With rapid development of nanotechnology, there is increasing interest in nanoparticle (NP) application and its safety and efficacy on human skin. In this study, we utilized confocal laser scanning microscopy to estimate NP skin penetration. Three different-sized polystyrene NPs marked with red fluorescence were applied to human skin, and Calcium Green 5N was used as a counterstain. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and ethanol were used as alternative vehicles for NPs. Tape stripping was utilized as a barrier-damaged skin model. Skin biopsies dosed with NPs were incubated at 4°C or 37°C for 24 hours and imaged using confocal laser scanning microscopy. NPs were localized in the stratum corneum (SC) and hair follicles without penetrating the epidermis/dermis. Barrier alteration with tape stripping and change in incubation temperature did not induce deeper penetration. DMSO enhanced NP SC penetration but ethanol did not. Except with DMSO vehicle, these hydrolyzed polystyrene NPs did not penetrate intact or barrier-damaged human "viable" epidermis. For further clinical relevance, in vivo human skin studies and more sensitive analytic chemical methodology are suggested.

Sesamol-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for treatment of skin cancer.

PubMed

Geetha, T; Kapila, Meenakshi; Prakash, Om; Deol, Parneet Kaur; Kakkar, Vandita; Kaur, Indu Pal

2015-02-01

Abstract Role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in skin carcinogenesis is well documented. Natural molecules, like sesamol, with marked antioxidant potential can be useful in combating skin cancers. In vitro antiproliferative (using MTT assay) and DNA fragmentation studies in HL 60 cell lines, confirmed the apoptotic nature of sesamol. However, it showed a significant flux across the mice skin upon topical application, such that its local availability in skin is limited. Former is attributed mainly to its properties like small size, low molecular weight (138.28), and a sufficient lipid and water solubility (log P 1.29; solubility 38.8 mg/ml). To achieve its maximum epicutaneous delivery, packaging it into a suitable carrier system is thus indicated. Sesamol-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (S-SLN) were thus prepared with particle size of 127.9 nm (PI: 0.256) and entrapment efficiency of 88.21%. Topical application of S-SLN in a cream base indicated significant retention in the skin with minimal flux across skin as confirmed by the in-vivo skin retention and ex-vivo skin permeation studies. In vivo anticancer studies performed on TPA-induced and benzo(a)pyrene initiated tumour production (ROS mediated) in mouse epidermis showed the normalization (in histology studies) of skin cancers post their induction, upon treatment with S-SLN.

Quantitative comparison of inflammatory infiltrate and linear contraction in human skin treated with 90-microsecond pulsed and 900-microsecond dwell time carbon dioxide lasers.

PubMed

Bucalo, B D; Moy, R L

1998-12-01

Skin resurfacing with 90-microsecond pulse duration carbon dioxide (CO2) resurfacing lasers has been reported to have shorter duration of erythema compared with skin resurfacing with 900-microsecond dwell time lasers. The presence of inflammatory infiltrate following resurfacing may correlate with the persistence of this erythema. Furthermore, skin treated with the 90-microsecond pulse duration laser and the 900-microsecond dwell time lasers both result in equivalent improvement of rhytids in the treated skin. To quantitative the inflammatory cell infiltrate and linear contraction of skin treated with the 90-microsecond pulsed and 900-microsecond dwell time CO2 lasers at intervals of 2 and 4 weeks after treatment. Volunteers were recruited from patients who were planning to undergo full face laser resurfacing under general anesthesia. Informed consent was obtained from all volunteers. In the posterior auricular areas of all volunteers, four separate rectangular areas were marked using a skin marking pen and a template. Two rectangular areas behind the right ear were treated with 6 passes of the 90-microsecond laser and two rectangular areas behind the left ear were treated with the 900-microsecond dwell time laser. The resurfaced areas were wiped with a moist cotton swab and then patted dry with dry gauze between passes. Contraction measurements of the resurfaced areas were taken before and immediately after laser treatment and again at 2 and 4 weeks following treatment. Punch biopsies were also performed at 2 and 4 weeks after treatment in an area of skin different from where contraction measurements were taken. The number of inflammatory cells present in the skin at 2 and 4 weeks after laser resurfacing are greater for skin resurfaced with a 900-microsecond dwell time laser than a 90-microsecond pulse time laser. Linear contraction of skin immediately after treatment was 18% greater with the 900-microsecond dwell time laser than with the 90-microsecond pulsed laser. The difference in the amount of contraction produced by the lasers tended to decrease over time. At 4 weeks there was a 10% difference in mean linear contraction between the two laser types. Increased numbers of inflammatory cells in skin resurfaced with the 900-microsecond dwell time laser may explain the observed persistence of erythema associated with the 900-microsecond dwell time laser. Measurable linear contraction produced by the 900-microsecond dwell time laser was initially 18% greater than the 90-microsecond pulse laser. This difference tends to decrease over time.

[Revision of Schatzker type Ⅵ tibial plateau fracture failure focus on the recovery of lower limb alignment].

PubMed

Cong, R J; Liu, J F; Jiang, Y; Dilixiati, Duolikun; Hou, X D; Zheng, L P

2018-03-01

Objective: To explore the influence of the lower extremity abnormal alignment and the joint surface, and to explore the surgical skills. Methods: Twenty-two cases of tibial plateau Schatzker Ⅵ fracture internal fixation failure revision from January 2012 to January 2017 in Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai 10(th) Hospital.One year follow-up after initial surgery to make sure of failure.Three-dimensional CT scan, radiography, infection index, gait analysis, knee joint ROM, femur tibia angle, tibial plateau tibial shaft angle and posterior slope if tibial plateau were observed. The medial approach and bi-planer osteotoma were used.Autogenous iliac bone graft, postoperative fast recovery channel were used.Follow-up point included preoperative and postoperative 7 days, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.Obvervational index included double lower limbs radiography, knee society score(KSS), complications such as infection, skin necrosis, joint main passive activity, double lower limbs alignment the last follow-up SF-36 scale.Rate was compared by χ(2) test, measurement data using paired sample t test.Correlation was analyzed by Pearson correlation regression testing. Results: Twenty-two patients received follow-up.KSS, more than 21 cases were benign, with good gait.One case was poor, with claudication gait.Not skin necrosis, no deep infection cases, 1 case get blisters 2 days postoperatively, and disappear after 5 days with detumescence and cold therapy.Whether restoring force line affect the KSS significantly(χ(2)=22.000, P =0.000). Knee joint ROM, SF-36 score, KSS and lower limb alignment were improved significantly. In different individual the articular surface and anatomical angle recovered greatly but the posterior slope angle was quite difference which has no correlation with KSS and SF-36 scale( P >0.01). Conclusions: Revision of Schatzker type Ⅵ tibial plateau fracture failure should focus on the recovery of lower limb alignment.moderate overcorrect bone cutting and joint surface height can bring benefits to the postoperative knee function.Revision surgery patients have greater psychological pressure, more early psychological intervention is necessary.

Investigation of irradiation by different nonablative lasers on primary cultured skin fibroblasts.

PubMed

Weng, Y; Dang, Y; Ye, X; Liu, N; Zhang, Z; Ren, Q

2011-08-01

A variety of lasers with different wavelengths and biological effects are widely used for nonablative skin rejuvenation, but the underlying mechanisms have not been fully investigated. To investigate the effects of irradiation by different nonablative lasers on collagen synthesis and the antioxidant status of cultured fibroblasts to identify a possible mechanism for laser photorejuvenation. Cultured skin fibroblasts were irradiated with three different lasers: 532 nm potassium-titanyl phosphate (KTP), 1064 nm Q-switched neodymium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Nd:Yag) and 1064 nm long-pulse Nd:YAG, and production of collagen and changes in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were assayed. Irradiation by all three lasers led to a marked increase in collagen production. Two major antioxidant enzymes, SOD and GSH, were significantly increased, whereas MDA was markedly reduced after laser irradiation. No change in LDH activity was found between nonirradiated and irradiated fibroblasts. This study indicates that the increased collagen synthesis by fibroblasts after laser treatment may be partly due to improved antioxidant capacity, which reduces oxidative stress and thus stimulates new collagen production. © The Author(s). CED © 2011 British Association of Dermatologists.

Skin effector memory T cells do not recirculate and provide immune protection in alemtuzumab-treated CTCL patients

PubMed Central

Clark, Rachael A.; Watanabe, Rei; Teague, Jessica E.; Schlapbach, Christoph; Tawa, Marianne C.; Adams, Natalie; Dorosario, Andrew A.; Chaney, Keri S.; Cutler, Corey S.; LeBoeuf, Nicole R.; Carter, Joi B.; Fisher, David C.; Kupper, Thomas S.

2012-01-01

CTCL is a cancer of skin homing T cells with variants that include leukemic CTCL (L-CTCL), a malignancy of central memory T cells (TCM), and mycosis fungoides (MF), a malignancy of skin resident effector memory T cells (TEM). We report that low-dose alemtuzumab (αCD52) effectively treated patients with refractory L-CTCL but not MF. Alemtuzumab depleted all T cells in blood and depleted both benign and malignant TCM from skin, but a diverse population of skin resident TEM remained in skin after therapy. T-cell depletion with alemtuzumab required the presence of neutrophils, a cell type frequent in blood but rare in normal skin. These data suggest that TCM were depleted because they recirculate between the blood and skin whereas skin resident TEM were spared because they are sessile and non-recirculating. After alemtuzumab treatment, skin T cells produced lower amounts of IL-4 and higher amounts of IFNγ. Moreover, there was a marked lack of infections in alemtuzumab-treated L-CTCL patients despite the complete absence of T cells in blood, suggesting that skin resident TEM can protect the skin from pathogens even in the absence of T cell recruitment from the circulation. Together, these data suggest that alemtuzumab may treat refractory L-CTCL without severely compromising the immune response to infection by depleting circulating TCM but sparing the skin resident TEM that provide local immune protection of the skin. PMID:22261031

Get It Right the First Time!

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heflebower, Tammy; Hoegh, Jan; Warrick, Phil

2017-01-01

Getting initial instruction right is essential for improving student and teacher efficacy. Teachers are more likely to hit the mark when they work with colleagues to unpack the standards before instruction. By designing what the authors call a "proficiency scale," and aligning instructional strategies for the varied levels, teachers can…

7 CFR 51.2116 - Similar varietal characteristics.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... types mixed with narrow types, and bitter almonds shall not be mixed with sweet almonds. Color of the kernels shall not be considered, since there is often a marked difference in skin color of kernels of the...

7 CFR 51.2116 - Similar varietal characteristics.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... types mixed with narrow types, and bitter almonds shall not be mixed with sweet almonds. Color of the kernels shall not be considered, since there is often a marked difference in skin color of kernels of the...

7 CFR 51.2116 - Similar varietal characteristics.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... bitter almonds shall not be mixed with sweet almonds. Color of the kernels shall not be considered, since there is often a marked difference in skin color of kernels of the same variety. (a) When a lot is...

Keratinocytes propagated in serum-free, feeder-free culture conditions fail to form stratified epidermis in a reconstituted skin model.

PubMed

Lamb, Rebecca; Ambler, Carrie A

2013-01-01

Primary human epidermal stem cells isolated from skin tissues and subsequently expanded in tissue culture are used for human therapeutic use to reconstitute skin on patients and to generate artificial skin in culture for academic and commercial research. Classically, epidermal cells, known as keratinocytes, required fibroblast feeder support and serum-containing media for serial propagation. In alignment with global efforts to remove potential animal contaminants, many serum-free, feeder-free culture methods have been developed that support derivation and growth of these cells in 2-dimensional culture. Here we show that keratinocytes grown continually in serum-free and feeder-free conditions were unable to form into a stratified, mature epidermis in a skin equivalent model. This is not due to loss of cell potential as keratinocytes propagated in serum-free, feeder-free conditions retain their ability to form stratified epidermis when re-introduced to classic serum-containing media. Extracellular calcium supplementation failed to improve epidermis development. In contrast, the addition of serum to commercial, growth media developed for serum-free expansion of keratinocytes facilitated 3-dimensional stratification in our skin equivalent model. Moreover, the addition of heat-inactivated serum improved the epidermis structure and thickness, suggesting that serum contains factors that both aid and inhibit stratification.

Keratinocytes Propagated in Serum-Free, Feeder-Free Culture Conditions Fail to Form Stratified Epidermis in a Reconstituted Skin Model

PubMed Central

Lamb, Rebecca; Ambler, Carrie A.

2013-01-01

Primary human epidermal stem cells isolated from skin tissues and subsequently expanded in tissue culture are used for human therapeutic use to reconstitute skin on patients and to generate artificial skin in culture for academic and commercial research. Classically, epidermal cells, known as keratinocytes, required fibroblast feeder support and serum-containing media for serial propagation. In alignment with global efforts to remove potential animal contaminants, many serum-free, feeder-free culture methods have been developed that support derivation and growth of these cells in 2-dimensional culture. Here we show that keratinocytes grown continually in serum-free and feeder-free conditions were unable to form into a stratified, mature epidermis in a skin equivalent model. This is not due to loss of cell potential as keratinocytes propagated in serum-free, feeder-free conditions retain their ability to form stratified epidermis when re-introduced to classic serum-containing media. Extracellular calcium supplementation failed to improve epidermis development. In contrast, the addition of serum to commercial, growth media developed for serum-free expansion of keratinocytes facilitated 3-dimensional stratification in our skin equivalent model. Moreover, the addition of heat-inactivated serum improved the epidermis structure and thickness, suggesting that serum contains factors that both aid and inhibit stratification. PMID:23326335

Smart and precise alignment of optical systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Langehanenberg, Patrik; Heinisch, Josef; Stickler, Daniel

2013-09-01

For the assembly of any kind of optical systems the precise centration of every single element is of particular importance. Classically the precise alignment of optical components is based on the precise centering of all components to an external axis (usually a high-precision rotary spindle axis). Main drawback of this timeconsuming process is that it is significantly sensitive to misalignments of the reference (e.g. the housing) axis. In order to facilitate process in this contribution we present a novel alignment strategy for the TRIOPTICS OptiCentric® instrument family that directly aligns two elements with respect to each other by measuring the first element's axis and using this axis as alignment reference without the detour of considering an external reference. According to the optical design any axis in the system can be chosen as target axis. In case of the alignment to a barrel this axis is measured by using a distance sensor (e.g., the classically used dial indicator). Instead of fine alignment the obtained data is used for the calculation of its orientation within the setup. Alternatively, the axis of an optical element (single lens or group of lenses) whose orientation is measured with the standard OptiCentric MultiLens concept can be used as a reference. In the instrument's software the decentering of the adjusting element to the calculated axis is displayed in realtime and indicated by a target mark that can be used for the manual alignment. In addition, the obtained information can also be applied for active and fully automated alignment of lens assemblies with the help of motorized actuators.

Magnetic Field Alignment of PS-P4VP: a Non-Liquid Crystalline Coil-Coil Block Copolymer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rokhlenko, Yekaterina; Zhang, Kai; Larson, Steven; Gopalan, Padma; O'Hern, Corey; Osuji, Chinedum

2015-03-01

Magnetic fields provide the ability to control alignment of self-assembled soft materials such as block copolymers. Most prior work in this area has relied on the presence of ordered assemblies of anisotropic liquid crystalline species to ensure sufficient magnetic anisotropy to drive alignment. Recent experiments with poly(styrene-b-4-vinylpyridine), a non-liquid crystalline BCP, however, show field-induced alignment of a lamellar microstructure during cooling across the order-disorder transition. Using in situ x-ray scattering, we examine the roles of field strength and cooling rate on the alignment response of this low MW coil-coil BCP. Alignment is first observed at field strengths as low as 1 Tesla and improves markedly with both increasing field strength and slower cooling. We present a geometric argument to illustrate the origin of a finite, non-trivial magnetic susceptibility anisotropy for highly stretched surface-tethered polymer chains and corroborate this using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. We rationalize the magnetic field response of the system in terms of the mobility afforded by the absence of entanglements, the intrinsic anisotropy resulting from the stretched polymer chains and sterically constrained conjugated rings, and the large grain size in these low molecular weight materials.

Ex vivo multiscale quantitation of skin biomechanics in wild-type and genetically-modified mice using multiphoton microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bancelin, Stéphane; Lynch, Barbara; Bonod-Bidaud, Christelle; Ducourthial, Guillaume; Psilodimitrakopoulos, Sotiris; Dokládal, Petr; Allain, Jean-Marc; Schanne-Klein, Marie-Claire; Ruggiero, Florence

2015-12-01

Soft connective tissues such as skin, tendon or cornea are made of about 90% of extracellular matrix proteins, fibrillar collagens being the major components. Decreased or aberrant collagen synthesis generally results in defective tissue mechanical properties as the classic form of Elhers-Danlos syndrome (cEDS). This connective tissue disorder is caused by mutations in collagen V genes and is mainly characterized by skin hyperextensibility. To investigate the relationship between the microstructure of normal and diseased skins and their macroscopic mechanical properties, we imaged and quantified the microstructure of dermis of ex vivo murine skin biopsies during uniaxial mechanical assay using multiphoton microscopy. We used two genetically-modified mouse lines for collagen V: a mouse model for cEDS harboring a Col5a2 deletion (a.k.a. pN allele) and the transgenic K14-COL5A1 mice which overexpress the human COL5A1 gene in skin. We showed that in normal skin, the collagen fibers continuously align with stretch, generating the observed increase in mechanical stress. Moreover, dermis from both transgenic lines exhibited altered collagen reorganization upon traction, which could be linked to microstructural modifications. These findings show that our multiscale approach provides new crucial information on the biomechanics of dermis that can be extended to all collagen-rich soft tissues.

[Strangulation marks in homicides caused by choking ? On an irritant blood stain picture].

PubMed

Metter, D

1988-01-01

Three homicides and one attempted homicide by choking in which apparent signs of throttling were present on the skin of the neck are described. The victims wore slender necklaces which were pressed against the skin by the hands of the perpetrator, causing transverse hematomas and cutaneous abrasions. The following criterious are typical for simulated signs of throttling: similarity to objects on the neck, incomplete course around the neck, absence of coarctation of the soft tissues, no lesions of subcutaneous structures.

A skin on fire: the link between thermal metaphors and early trauma in a case of pedophilia.

PubMed

Houssier, Florian; Duchet, C; Chagnon, Jean-Yves; Robert, Philippe; Marty, Francois

2011-03-01

On the basis of excerpts from the psychoanalytic psychotherapy of an adult patient convicted of child abuse, the authors suggest the hypothesis that the thermal metaphors that repeatedly appear in the patient's discourse are the marks of early psycho-bodily trauma. These are traces of the patient's burning incestuous relationship with his mother, which led to early fusion of his physical and psychic skins. In this clinical work the authors include the dynamics of transference.

Systematic study of error sources in supersonic skin-friction balance measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, J. M.

1976-01-01

An experimental study was performed to investigate potential error sources in data obtained with a self-nulling, moment-measuring, skin-friction balance. The balance was installed in the sidewall of a supersonic wind tunnel, and independent measurements of the three forces contributing to the balance output (skin friction, lip force, and off-center normal force) were made for a range of gap size and element protrusion. The relatively good agreement between the balance data and the sum of these three independently measured forces validated the three-term model used. No advantage to a small gap size was found; in fact, the larger gaps were preferable. Perfect element alignment with the surrounding test surface resulted in very small balance errors. However, if small protrusion errors are unavoidable, no advantage was found in having the element slightly below the surrounding test surface rather than above it.

Tryptase, CD15 and IL-15 as reliable markers for the determination of soft and hard ligature marks vitality.

PubMed

Turillazzi, Emanuela; Vacchiano, Giuseppe; Luna-Maldonado, Aurelio; Neri, Margherita; Pomara, Cristoforo; Rabozzi, Roberto; Riezzo, Irene; Fineschi, Vittorio

2010-12-01

In forensic practice, it is required to distinguish between suicidal or accidental hanging and simulated hanging. Conventional macroscopic and histological findings may be unreliable; vital signs are often absent, and they can be produced postmortem. The application of immunohistochemical techniques opened up a new field of investigation in the issue of ligature marks. We investigated the immunohistochemical expression of a panel of cytokines and inflammatory cells in skin specimens in autopsy cases of death due to hanging, to discuss their significance in assessing whether hanging mark and signs occurred before or after the death of the victim. We selected 21 cases in which broad, soft and yielding materials were used and 28 cases in which materials used for hanging were hard. The control group included the following 21 cases: 14 cases of sudden cardiac death and 7 cases of post-mortem hanging (suspension) of bodies (drug overdose or suffocation as cause of death in all the cases). An immunohistochemical investigation of skin samples was performed utilizing antibodies anti- tryptase, fibronectin, TNFa, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, MCP-1, IL-15, IL-1ß, CD45, CD4, CD3, CD8, CD68, CD20, CD15. We conclude that tryptase, IL-15, and CD15 appear to be reliable parameters in the determination of ligature marks' vitality with the accuracy needed for forensic purposes. This fact especially applies to soft marks which are particularly difficult to evaluate on the basis of gross examination and of conventional histological studies.

[A study of the pathogenesis of tonsillar focal infection--transplantation of human tonsillar lymphocytes and human skin into SCID mice].

PubMed

Yamamoto, Y; Kuki, K; Hayashi, Y; Yamanaka, N

2000-07-01

Pustulosis palmaris et plantaris (PPP) has been considered as one of the typical tonsillar focal infections, based on the marked clinical improvement of the skin lesions after tonsillectomy. In early-stage of PPP, it has been reported that lymphocytes, predominantly CD4-positive cells, infiltrate the palmar and plantar skin. However, the origin and mechanism of infiltration by these lymphocytes is not clear and there are very few reports on whether tonsillar cells react directly with the skin, possibly due to the difficulty of establishing adequate animal models. In this study, we established an experimental animal model of mice with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and observed the reactions of the tonsillar lymphocytes (TL) or peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of patients with PPP to their own plantar skin by transplanting the lymphocytes and skin of the patient into the mice. The results revealed that TL infiltrated the skin to a significantly greater extent than PBL. Most of these lymphocytes were T lymphocytes, and no B lymphocytes were detected in the transplanted skin. Strong expression of LFA-1 and ICAM-1 was observed in the skin after the TL transplantation. These results suggest that TL have a strong affinity for the skin in PPP, and that the adhesion molecules may play an important role in the infiltration by lymphocytes of the skin.

[A case of vasculitis syndrome associated with bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP)].

PubMed

Yago, Toru; Nishinarita, Makoto

2004-12-01

In 1996 36-year-old man was admitted into our hospital because of polyarthralgia, skin eruptions followed by multiple cutaneous ulcers, dry cough and elevation of C-reactive protein level. The finding of skin biopsy from left elbow was vasculitis. Chest CT showed linear interstitial shadow at bilateral dorsalis lungs. Transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) revealed marked infiltration of inflammatory cells in the bronchial walls and peripheral alveoli. In addition, eosinophils were not in branchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Moreover, video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) revealed organizing fibroblastic polyp and bronchiolitis obliterans at terminal bronchiole. We diagnosed his pneumonia as bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP). Administration of oral prednisolone (40 mg/day) was begun and he experienced diminished BOOP and other clinical manifestations. Three years later he developed dry cough, dyspnea and digital ulcers again. Arterial blood gas analysis revealed marked hypoxemia and laboratory studies showed LDH (377 IU/ml) and CRP (8.27 mg/dl) levels were elevated. Chest CT pointed out an exacerbation of BOOP. Treatment with intravenous pulses methylprednisolone and oral prednisolone (60 mg/day) resulted in marked improvement of the clinical manifestations. We describe a rare case of vasculitis associated with BOOP.

Epidermal segmentation in high-definition optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Li, Annan; Cheng, Jun; Yow, Ai Ping; Wall, Carolin; Wong, Damon Wing Kee; Tey, Hong Liang; Liu, Jiang

2015-01-01

Epidermis segmentation is a crucial step in many dermatological applications. Recently, high-definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT) has been developed and applied to imaging subsurface skin tissues. In this paper, a novel epidermis segmentation method using HD-OCT is proposed in which the epidermis is segmented by 3 steps: the weighted least square-based pre-processing, the graph-based skin surface detection and the local integral projection-based dermal-epidermal junction detection respectively. Using a dataset of five 3D volumes, we found that this method correlates well with the conventional method of manually marking out the epidermis. This method can therefore serve to effectively and rapidly delineate the epidermis for study and clinical management of skin diseases.

An electronic approach to minimising moisture-associated skin damage in ostomy patients.

PubMed

Lowry, Naomi; McLister, Anna; McCreadie, Karl; Davis, James

2015-08-01

Marked developments in the design of ostomy appliances in recent years have revolutionised stoma care and management but the prevalence of peristomal skin complications continues to be problematic with incidence rates ranging from 10% to 70%. Despite requisite pre and post-operative education for new patients, complications continue to arise - even under the close supervision of specialist nurses. Prolonged exposure of the skin to high pH stoma effluent is widely accepted as a key contributor to the onset of moisture-associated skin disease and it is our hypothesis that a "smart wafer", employing electrochemical manipulation of local pH, could mitigate some of the issues currently plaguing ostomy management. Current electrochemical research strategies translatable to stoma care are presented and their possible implementations critically appraised. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Risk of skin cancer in multiple myeloma patients: a retrospective cohort study.

PubMed

Robinson, Austin A; Wang, James; Vardanyan, Suzie; Madden, Erik K; Hebroni, Frank; Udd, Kyle A; Spektor, Tanya M; Nosrati, Jason D; Kitto, Alex Z; Zahab, Michael; Cheema, Simrin; Fors, Darron H; Norberg, Adam; Diehl, Joseph; Waterman, Gabriel N; Swift, Regina A; Crowley, John; Berenson, James R

2016-11-01

Immunosuppressed patients are known to have an increased incidence of skin cancer. Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) show impaired immune function. In the past, because of poor survival, the incidence of specific secondary primary malignancies such as skin cancer among these patients was difficult to establish. With more effective MM therapies that have emerged in recent years, these patients are living markedly longer, and therefore, it becomes of increasing importance to determine whether their risk of developing other medical problems such as skin cancer is increased. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 205 myeloma patients and 193 age-, race-, and gender-matched control subjects to assess the incidence of skin cancers among patients with MM and determine the specific types of and risk factors for skin cancer. We found that there is an increased occurrence of skin cancer among patients with MM compared to control subjects (26.8% vs. 16.1% in controls; P = 0.009). Among specific types of skin cancer, the proportion of patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was higher than controls (P = 0.016). In addition to MM diagnosis, older age and Caucasian ethnicity were predictors of skin cancer of any type. Furthermore, older age was also a predictor of SCC. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

For Some Skin Cancers, Targeted Drug Hits the Mark

Cancer.gov

Two studies reported June 7, 2012, in NEJM indicate that the drug vismodegib can elicit responses in people with advanced or metastatic basal cell carcinoma and help shrink or prevent tumors in those with basal cell nevus syndrome.

Rotating concave eddy current probe

DOEpatents

Roach, Dennis P [Albuquerque, NM; Walkington, Phil [Albuquerque, NM; Rackow, Kirk A [Albuquerque, NM; Hohman, Ed [Albuquerque, NM

2008-04-01

A rotating concave eddy current probe for detecting fatigue cracks hidden from view underneath the head of a raised head fastener, such as a buttonhead-type rivet, used to join together structural skins, such as aluminum aircraft skins. The probe has a recessed concave dimple in its bottom surface that closely conforms to the shape of the raised head. The concave dimple holds the probe in good alignment on top of the rivet while the probe is rotated around the rivet's centerline. One or more magnetic coils are rigidly embedded within the probe's cylindrical body, which is made of a non-conducting material. This design overcomes the inspection impediment associated with widely varying conductivity in fastened joints.

Intratarsal fixation at the same level as the skin incision to reduce asymmetric double eyelids: evaluation of symmetry using photogrammetry.

PubMed

Han, Kihwan; Yeo, Hyeonjung; Choi, Tae Hyun; Son, Daegu; Kim, Jun Hyung

2010-03-01

One of the most common complications of double eyelid operations is asymmetry. To reduce asymmetry, we fixed the dermis to the tarsal plate at the same level as the skin incision, and objectively evaluated the symmetry of the height using photogrammetry.Of 30 patients who had double eyelid operations by the intratarsal fixation technique, 15 patients completed a minimum follow-up of 6 months. After the skin incision and removal of the orbicularis oculi muscle and the orbital fat, the pretarsal fat pad was excised to expose the superior portion of the tarsal plate. The 3 fixation points were marked on the tarsal plate at the same level with the skin incision using a spreading caliper. The dermis was fixed to the marked points of the tarsal plate and the skin was closed.The height of the double eyelid was measured by clinical photography at 4 points when the eyes were opened and at 3 points when the eyes were closed. The height proportional index at each point was obtained by dividing the height of the left double eyelid by that of the right double eyelid. We compared each height proportional index with "1" to evaluate the symmetry of both double eyelids using a paired t test.The follow-up period was an average of 9.0 months. The mean height proportional indices were 0.97 (a), 0.96 (b), 0.98 (c), 1.08 (d), 0.97 (e), 1.02 (f), and 1.13 (g). According to a paired t test, the height of the left double eyelid was not different from that of the right double eyelid.Intratarsal fixation, along with other previously known methods, decreases asymmetric double eyelids.

Differential inhibitory effect on human nociceptive skin senses induced by local stimulation of thin cutaneous fibers.

PubMed

Nilsson, H J; Schouenborg, J

1999-03-01

It is known that stimulation of thin cutaneous nerve fibers can induce long lasting analgesia through both supraspinal and segmental mechanisms, the latter often exhibiting restricted receptive fields. On this basis, we recently developed a new method, termed cutaneous field stimulation (CFS), for localized stimulation of A delta and C fibers in the superficial part of the skin. In the present study, we have evaluated the effects of CFS on non-nociceptive and nociceptive skin senses. We compared the effects of CFS with those of conventional transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), known to preferentially activate coarse myelinated fibers. A battery of sensory tests were made on the right volar forearm of 20 healthy subjects. CFS (16 electrodes, 4 Hz per electrode, 1 ms, up to 0.8 mA) and TENS (100 Hz, 0.2 ms, up to 26 mA) applied either on the right volar forearm (homotopically), or on the lower right leg (heterotopically) were used as conditioning stimulation for 25 min. The tactile threshold was not affected by either homo- or heterotopical CFS or TENS. The mean thresholds for detecting warming or cooling of the skin were increased by 0.4-0.9 degrees C after homo- but not heterotopical CFS and TENS. Regarding nociceptive skin senses, homo- but not heterotopical CFS, markedly reduced CO2-laser evoked A delta- and C fiber mediated heat pain to 75 and 48% of control, respectively, and mechanically evoked pain to 73% of control. Fabric evoked prickle, was not affected by CFS. Neither homo- nor heterotopical TENS induced any marked analgesic effects. It is concluded that different qualities of nociception can be differentially controlled by CFS.

Lighting and marking policies are associated with reduced farm equipment-related crash rates: a policy analysis of nine Midwestern US states

PubMed Central

Ramirez, Marizen; Bedford, Ronald; Wu, Hongqian; Harland, Karisa; Cavanaugh, Joseph E; Peek-Asa, Corinne

2016-01-01

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of roadway policies for lighting and marking of farm equipment in reducing crashes in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Methods In this ecological study, state policies on lighting and marking of farm equipment were scored for compliance with standards of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE). Using generalized estimating equations negative binomial models, we estimated the relationships between lighting and marking scores, and farm equipment crash rates, per 100 000 farm operations. Results A total of 7083 crashes involving farm equipment was reported from 2005 to 2010 in the Upper Midwest and Great Plains. As the state lighting and marking score increased by 5 units, crash rates reduced by 17% (rate ratio=0.83; 95% CI 0.78 to 0.88). Lighting-only (rate ratio=0.48; 95% CI 0.45 to 0.51) and marking-only policies (rate ratio=0.89; 95% CI 0.83 to 0.96) were each associated with reduced crash rates. Conclusions Aligning lighting and marking policies with ASABE standards may effectively reduce crash rates involving farm equipment. PMID:27405602

Evaluation of Safety and Patient Subjective Efficacy of Using Radiofrequency and Pulsed Magnetic Fields for the Treatment of Striae (Stretch Marks)

PubMed Central

Dover, Jeffrey S.; Rothaus, Kenneth

2014-01-01

Stretch marks are common skin disorders that are dermal scars with associated epidermal atrophy. They are of significant concern or psychological concern to many. This manuscript describes the use of multipolar radiofrequency with pulsed magnetic fields that was successfully used to diminish these lesions in 16 subjects undergoing a series of treatments. The improvements noted were statistically significant and no serious adverse events were noted. PMID:25276274

Conformity of behaviors among medical students: impact on performance of knee arthrocentesis in simulation.

PubMed

Beran, Tanya N; McLaughlin, Kevin; Al Ansari, Ahmed; Kassam, Aliya

2013-10-01

Although the development of collaborative relationships is considered a requirement for medical education, the functioning of these relationships may be impaired by a well-documented social-psychological phenomenon known as group conformity. The authors hypothesized that students would insert a needle into an incorrect location relative to the patella when performing a knee arthrocentesis if they believed that their peers had also inserted a needle in the same incorrect location. This was a randomized controlled study conducted in 2011 with 60 medical students (24 male; 40.0 %) who were randomly assigned to either using a knee model that had a skin with holes left by peers inserting needles in the wrong location, or a knee with no marks in the skin. Each student's aspiration site was measured with a fibreglass ruler to determine whether it was correctly located within the superior third, 1 cm medial to the patella. The researchers determined that students who used the marked skin were more likely to insert the needle in the incorrect location compared to those who used the clean skin (n = 31, 86.11 vs. n = 14, 58.33 %), Fisher's exact test (1) = 5.93, p < 0.05, Cramer's ϕ = 0.31. This study demonstrates incorrect performance of the knee arthrocentesis procedure in simulation when students use a damaged model, which may be due to conformity. It suggests that further research on the impact of conformity in medical education is warranted.

Interval mapping for red/green skin color in Asian pears using a modified QTL-seq method

PubMed Central

Xue, Huabai; Shi, Ting; Wang, Fangfang; Zhou, Huangkai; Yang, Jian; Wang, Long; Wang, Suke; Su, Yanli; Zhang, Zhen; Qiao, Yushan; Li, Xiugen

2017-01-01

Pears with red skin are attractive to consumers and provide additional health benefits. Identification of the gene(s) responsible for skin coloration can benefit cultivar selection and breeding. The use of QTL-seq, a bulked segregant analysis method, can be problematic when heterozygous parents are involved. The present study modified the QTL-seq method by introducing a |Δ(SNP-index)| parameter to improve the accuracy of mapping the red skin trait in a group of highly heterozygous Asian pears. The analyses were based on mixed DNA pools composed of 28 red-skinned and 27 green-skinned pear lines derived from a cross between the ‘Mantianhong’ and ‘Hongxiangsu’ red-skinned cultivars. The ‘Dangshansuli’ cultivar genome was used as reference for sequence alignment. An average single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) index was calculated using a sliding window approach (200-kb windows, 20-kb increments). Nine scaffolds within the candidate QTL interval were in the fifth linkage group from 111.9 to 177.1 cM. There was a significant linkage between the insertions/deletions and simple sequence repeat markers designed from the candidate intervals and the red/green skin (R/G) locus, which was in a 582.5-kb candidate interval that contained 81 predicted protein-coding gene models and was composed of two subintervals at the bottom of the fifth chromosome. The ZFRI 130-16, In2130-12 and In2130-16 markers located near the R/G locus could potentially be used to identify the red skin trait in Asian pear populations. This study provides new insights into the genetics controlling the red skin phenotype in this fruit. PMID:29118994

Interval mapping for red/green skin color in Asian pears using a modified QTL-seq method.

PubMed

Xue, Huabai; Shi, Ting; Wang, Fangfang; Zhou, Huangkai; Yang, Jian; Wang, Long; Wang, Suke; Su, Yanli; Zhang, Zhen; Qiao, Yushan; Li, Xiugen

2017-01-01

Pears with red skin are attractive to consumers and provide additional health benefits. Identification of the gene(s) responsible for skin coloration can benefit cultivar selection and breeding. The use of QTL-seq, a bulked segregant analysis method, can be problematic when heterozygous parents are involved. The present study modified the QTL-seq method by introducing a |Δ(SNP-index)| parameter to improve the accuracy of mapping the red skin trait in a group of highly heterozygous Asian pears. The analyses were based on mixed DNA pools composed of 28 red-skinned and 27 green-skinned pear lines derived from a cross between the 'Mantianhong' and 'Hongxiangsu' red-skinned cultivars. The 'Dangshansuli' cultivar genome was used as reference for sequence alignment. An average single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) index was calculated using a sliding window approach (200-kb windows, 20-kb increments). Nine scaffolds within the candidate QTL interval were in the fifth linkage group from 111.9 to 177.1 cM. There was a significant linkage between the insertions/deletions and simple sequence repeat markers designed from the candidate intervals and the red/green skin (R/G) locus, which was in a 582.5-kb candidate interval that contained 81 predicted protein-coding gene models and was composed of two subintervals at the bottom of the fifth chromosome. The ZFRI 130-16, In2130-12 and In2130-16 markers located near the R/G locus could potentially be used to identify the red skin trait in Asian pear populations. This study provides new insights into the genetics controlling the red skin phenotype in this fruit.

Combined chemical and structural signals of biomaterials synergistically activate cell-cell communications for improving tissue regeneration.

PubMed

Xu, Yachen; Peng, Jinliang; Dong, Xin; Xu, Yuhong; Li, Haiyan; Chang, Jiang

2017-06-01

Biomaterials are only used as carriers of cells in the conventional tissue engineering. Considering the multi-cell environment and active cell-biomaterial interactions in tissue regeneration process, in this study, structural signals of aligned electrospun nanofibers and chemical signals of bioglass (BG) ionic products in cell culture medium are simultaneously applied to activate fibroblast-endothelial co-cultured cells in order to obtain an improved skin tissue engineering construct. Results demonstrate that the combined biomaterial signals synergistically activate fibroblast-endothelial co-culture skin tissue engineering constructs through promotion of paracrine effects and stimulation of gap junctional communication between cells, which results in enhanced vascularization and extracellular matrix protein synthesis in the constructs. Structural signals of aligned electrospun nanofibers play an important role in stimulating both of paracrine and gap junctional communication while chemical signals of BG ionic products mainly enhance paracrine effects. In vivo experiments reveal that the activated skin tissue engineering constructs significantly enhance wound healing as compared to control. This study indicates the advantages of synergistic effects between different bioactive signals of biomaterials can be taken to activate communication between different types of cells for obtaining tissue engineering constructs with improved functions. Tissue engineering can regenerate or replace tissue or organs through combining cells, biomaterials and growth factors. Normally, for repairing a specific tissue, only one type of cells, one kind of biomaterials, and specific growth factors are used to support cell growth. In this study, we proposed a novel tissue engineering approach by simply using co-cultured cells and combined biomaterial signals. Using a skin tissue engineering model, we successfully proved that the combined biomaterial signals such as surface nanostructures and bioactive ions could synergistically stimulate the cell-cell communication in co-culture system through paracrine effects and gap junction activation, and regulated expression of growth factors and extracellular matrix proteins, resulting in an activated tissue engineering constructs that significantly enhanced skin regeneration. Copyright © 2017 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Depicting the logic of three evaluation theories.

PubMed

Hansen, Mark; Alkin, Marvin C; Wallace, Tanner Lebaron

2013-06-01

Here, we describe the development of logic models depicting three theories of evaluation practice: Practical Participatory (Cousins & Whitmore, 1998), Values-engaged (Greene, 2005a, 2005b), and Emergent Realist (Mark et al., 1998). We begin with a discussion of evaluation theory and the particular theories that were chosen for our analysis. We then outline the steps involved in constructing the models. The theoretical prescriptions and claims represented here follow a logic model template developed at the University Wisconsin-Extension (Taylor-Powell & Henert, 2008), which also closely aligns with Mark's (2008) framework for research on evaluation. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An overview about oxidation in clinical practice of skin aging*

PubMed Central

Silva, Silas Arandas Monteiro e; Michniak-Kohn, Bozena; Leonardi, Gislaine Ricci

2017-01-01

Free radicals are unstable chemical species, highly reactive, being formed by cellular entities of different tissues. Increased production of these species without proper effective action of endogenous and exogenous antioxidant systems, generates a condition of oxidative stress, potentially provider of skin disorders that extend from functional impairments (skin cancer, dermatitis, chronic and acute inflammatory processes) even aesthetic character, with the destruction of structural proteins and cellular changes with the appearance of stains, marks and lines of expressions and other signs inherent to the intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging process. The antioxidants are chemical substances commonly used in clinical practice for topical application and may contribute in the fight against the radical species responsible for many skin damage. This paper summarized the main evidence of the benefits brought by the topical application of antioxidants in the skin, considering the amplitude of the indicative performance of antioxidant activity by in vitro and ex-vivo tests as well as in vivo tests. It is recognized that a breadth of product performance tests should be explored to truly identify the effectiveness of antioxidant products for an anti-aging effect. PMID:29186250

Experimental studies of methemoglobinemia due to percutaneous absorption of sodium nitrite.

PubMed

Saito, T; Takeichi, S; Nakajima, Y; Yukawa, N; Osawa, M

1997-01-01

Methemoglobin formation caused by a liniment solution containing sodium nitrite (30 g/L and 140 g/L) was studied in rats with normal or abraded skin, by measuring the methemoglobin concentration before and after application of liniment solutions with differing nitrite concentration. Each liniment solution (120 microL) was applied. Methemoglobin was measured for 180 minutes using a hemoximeter. Simultaneously, arterial blood pressure and cutaneous blood flow was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry and a pressure transducer. After the application of each liniment solution to normal skin, the methemoglobin concentration was not significantly modified depending on the time after application. Application of liniment solution to abraded skin (140 g/L) resulted in a marked increase in methemoglobin concentration. A remarkable decrease in arterial blood pressure and subcutaneous blood flow were observed after application of liniment solution to abraded skin (140 g/L). Each of these findings are characteristic of nitrite and they imply the percutaneous absorption of nitrite. Regardless of the nitrite concentration, the methemoglobin concentration was consistently higher in abraded skin than in normal skin.

Skin effector memory T cells do not recirculate and provide immune protection in alemtuzumab-treated CTCL patients.

PubMed

Clark, Rachael A; Watanabe, Rei; Teague, Jessica E; Schlapbach, Christoph; Tawa, Marianne C; Adams, Natalie; Dorosario, Andrew A; Chaney, Keri S; Cutler, Corey S; Leboeuf, Nicole R; Carter, Joi B; Fisher, David C; Kupper, Thomas S

2012-01-18

Cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a cancer of skin-homing T cells with variants that include leukemic CTCL (L-CTCL), a malignancy of central memory T cells (T(CM)), and mycosis fungoides (MF), a malignancy of skin resident effector memory T cells (T(EM)). We report that low-dose alemtuzumab (αCD52) effectively treated patients with refractory L-CTCL but not MF. Alemtuzumab depleted all T cells in blood and depleted both benign and malignant T(CM) from skin, but a diverse population of skin resident T(EM) remained in skin after therapy. T cell depletion with alemtuzumab required the presence of neutrophils, a cell type frequent in blood but rare in normal skin. These data suggest that T(CM) were depleted because they recirculate between the blood and the skin, whereas skin resident T(EM) were spared because they are sessile and non-recirculating. After alemtuzumab treatment, skin T cells produced lower amounts of interleukin-4 and higher amounts of interferon-γ. Moreover, there was a marked lack of infections in alemtuzumab-treated L-CTCL patients despite the complete absence of T cells in the blood, suggesting that skin resident T(EM) can protect the skin from pathogens even in the absence of T cell recruitment from the circulation. Together, these data suggest that alemtuzumab may treat refractory L-CTCL without severely compromising the immune response to infection by depleting circulating T(CM) but sparing the skin resident T(EM) that provide local immune protection of the skin.

Grade Expectations: How Marks and Education Policies Shape Students' Ambitions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

OECD Publishing (NJ3), 2012

2012-01-01

While enrolment in tertiary education has increased dramatically over the past decades, many university-aged students do not enrol, nor do they expect to earn a university degree. While it is important to promote high expectations for further education, it is equally important to ensure that students' expectations are well-aligned with their…

Earth fissures and localized differential subsidence

USGS Publications Warehouse

Holzer, Thomas L.; Pampeyan, Earl Haig

1979-01-01

Long tension cracks caused by declines of ground-water level at four sites in Arizona, California, and Nevada occur at points of maximum, convex-upward curvature in subsidence profiles based on relevelings of closely-spaced bench marks aligned perpendicular to the cracks. We conclude the cracks are caused by horizontal strains associated with the differential subsidence.

Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor skin toxicity: a matter of topical hydration.

PubMed

Ferrari, Daris; Codecà, Carla; Bocci, Barbara; Crepaldi, Francesca; Violati, Martina; Viale, Giulia; Careri, Carmela; Caldiera, Sarah; Bordin, Veronica; Luciani, Andrea; Zonato, Sabrina; Cassinelli, Gabriela; Foa, Paolo

2016-02-01

Skin toxicity is a frequent complication of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy, which can be an obstacle in maintaining the dose intensity and may negatively impact on the clinical outcome of cancer patients. Skin lesions depend on the disruption of the keratinocyte development pathways and no treatment is clearly effective in resolving the cutaneous alterations frequently found during anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy. Among systemic treatments, oral tetracycline proved to be useful in preventing skin manifestations. We describe the case of a patient affected by metastatic colorectal cancer, for whom a combination of chemotherapy and cetuximab was used as second-line treatment. The patient developed a symptomatic papulopustular skin rash that disappeared completely after a twice-daily application of a hydrating and moisturizing cream, mainly consisting of a mixture of paraffin, silicone compounds, and macrogol. The marked cutaneous amelioration allowed the patient to continue cetuximab without any further symptoms and was associated with a partial radiological response.

Absence of skin rash in Goodpasture's syndrome: the hyaluronan effect.

PubMed

Stern, A; Stern, R

2014-12-01

Goodpasture's syndrome is a rare disease that involves rapidly progressive kidney failure as well as hemorrhagic lung disease. It is a form of autoimmune disorder with unusual features; marked male preponderance, in contrast with other autoimmune disease in which females are at far greater risk. The autoantibodies are directed again the carboxy-extension non-collagenous (NC1) portion of one of the basement membrane-specific collagen IV alpha 3 chains. Basal laminas throughout the body share this structure, including those in kidney, lung and skin. But curiously, skin is rarely involved in Goodpasture's syndrome. Hyaluronan is a large extracellular matrix carbohydrate polymer. Half of total body hyaluronan occurs in skin. High molecular weight hyaluronan, a potent immunosuppressive polymer, might be functioning as an immune shield for skin in Goodpasture's syndrome, and be the basis for the anomaly. A summary of this putative effect is described, including possible molecular mechanisms involved, and suggestions for testing this hypothesis. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Psoriasiform skin disease in transgenic pigs with high-copy ectopic expression of human integrins α2 and β1

PubMed Central

Staunstrup, Nicklas Heine; Stenderup, Karin; Mortensen, Sidsel; Primo, Maria Nascimento; Steiniche, Torben; Liu, Ying; Li, Rong; Schmidt, Mette; Purup, Stig; Dagnæs-Hansen, Frederik; Schrøder, Lisbeth Dahl; Svensson, Lars; Petersen, Thomas Kongstad; Callesen, Henrik; Bolund, Lars

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Psoriasis is a complex human-specific disease characterized by perturbed keratinocyte proliferation and a pro-inflammatory environment in the skin. Porcine skin architecture and immunity are very similar to that in humans, rendering the pig a suitable animal model for studying the biology and treatment of psoriasis. Expression of integrins, which is normally confined to the basal layer of the epidermis, is maintained in suprabasal keratinocytes in psoriatic skin, modulating proliferation and differentiation as well as leukocyte infiltration. Here, we generated minipigs co-expressing integrins α2 and β1 in suprabasal epidermal layers. Integrin-transgenic minipigs born into the project displayed skin phenotypes that correlated with the number of inserted transgenes. Molecular analyses were in good concordance with histological observations of psoriatic hallmarks, including hypogranulosis and T-lymphocyte infiltration. These findings mark the first creation of minipigs with a psoriasiform phenotype resembling human psoriasis and demonstrate that integrin signaling plays a key role in psoriasis pathology. PMID:28679670

Confocal laser scanning microscopy to estimate nanoparticles’ human skin penetration in vitro

PubMed Central

Elmahdy, Akram; Cao, Yachao; Hui, Xiaoying; Maibach, Howard

2017-01-01

Objective With rapid development of nanotechnology, there is increasing interest in nanoparticle (NP) application and its safety and efficacy on human skin. In this study, we utilized confocal laser scanning microscopy to estimate NP skin penetration. Methods Three different-sized polystyrene NPs marked with red fluorescence were applied to human skin, and Calcium Green 5N was used as a counterstain. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and ethanol were used as alternative vehicles for NPs. Tape stripping was utilized as a barrier-damaged skin model. Skin biopsies dosed with NPs were incubated at 4°C or 37°C for 24 hours and imaged using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Results NPs were localized in the stratum corneum (SC) and hair follicles without penetrating the epidermis/dermis. Barrier alteration with tape stripping and change in incubation temperature did not induce deeper penetration. DMSO enhanced NP SC penetration but ethanol did not. Conclusion Except with DMSO vehicle, these hydrolyzed polystyrene NPs did not penetrate intact or barrier-damaged human “viable” epidermis. For further clinical relevance, in vivo human skin studies and more sensitive analytic chemical methodology are suggested. PMID:29184403

Method for nanoscale spatial registration of scanning probes with substrates and surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wade, Lawrence A. (Inventor)

2010-01-01

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for aligning a scanning probe used to pattern a substrate, by comparing the position of the probe to a reference location or spot on the substrate. A first light beam is focused on a surface of the substrate as a spatial reference point. A second light beam then illuminates the scanning probe being used for patterning. An optical microscope images both the focused light beam, and a diffraction pattern, shadow, or light backscattered by the illuminated scanning probe tip of a scanning probe microscope (SPM), which is typically the tip of the scanning probe on an atomic force microscope (AFM). Alignment of the scanning probe tip relative to the mark is then determined by visual observation of the microscope image. This alignment process may be repeated to allow for modification or changing of the scanning probe microscope tip.

New Coaxial Transseptal Needle for Creation of Atrial Septal Defects in Adult Sheep

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Uchida, Barry T.; Pavcnik, Dusan, E-mail: pavcnikd@ohsu.edu; Shimohira, Masashi

Objectives: To introduce a new transseptal (TS) needle assembled in our laboratory-the coaxial TS (CTS) needle-and describe our experience with it in creating experimental atrial septal defects (ASD) in adult sheep.BackgroundWith commercially available TS needles, we were not able to consistently perform TS puncture at the fossa ovalis in adult sheep.Material and MethodsTen adult sheep with a mean weight of 63.5 kg were used. The CTS needle consists of four components: a 9F Teflon catheter, a 14-gauge blunt curved-tip metal cannula, a 4F tapered catheter, and a 20-gauge open needle. A transjugular 5F pigtail catheter was used to display themore » septal anatomy by angiocardiography and was left in place to mark the level of the fossa ovalis. The septum was then probed by a transfemoral 5F curved-tip end-hole catheter. The CTS needle was aligned with the tip of the transjugular catheter, and the TS puncture was performed under fluoroscopic guidance. After documenting a left atrial position, a balloon angioplasty catheter was used for creation of the ASD. Results: A small patent foramen ovale was discovered by septal probing in one sheep. All sheep underwent successful TS punctures without complications. The ASD size ranged from 13 to 15 mm. In eight sheep, the ASD was in fossa ovalis. In the first two sheep where the needle was not well aligned with the marking catheter, the ASD was in the septum secundum. No damage to the atrial or other heart structures was found at necropsy. Conclusion: The CTS needle is a suitable needle for TS puncture and ASD creation in adult sheep. Proper alignment of the CTS needle with a catheter marking the fossa ovalis is essential for successful puncture.« less

Efficient intradermal delivery of superoxide dismutase using a combination of liposomes and iontophoresis for protection against UV-induced skin damage.

PubMed

Kigasawa, Kaoru; Miyashita, Moeko; Kajimoto, Kazuaki; Kanamura, Kiyoshi; Harashima, Hideyoshi; Kogure, Kentaro

2012-01-01

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a potent antioxidant agent that protects against UV-induced skin damage. However, its high molecular weight is a significant obstacle for efficient delivery into the skin through the stratum corneum and development of antioxidant activity. Recently, we developed a non-invasive transfollicular delivery system for macromolecules using a combination of liposomes and iontophoresis, that represents promising technology for enhancing transdermal administration of charged drugs (IJP, 403, 2011, Kajimoto et al.). In this study, in rats we attempted to apply this system to intradermal delivery of SOD for preventing UV-induced skin injury. SOD encapsulating in cationic liposomes was subjected to anodal iontophoresis. After iontophoretic treatment, the liposomes were diffused widely in the viable skin layer around hair follicles. In contrast, passive diffusion failed to transport liposomes efficiently into the skin. Iontophoretic delivery of liposomes encapsulating SOD caused a marked decrease in the production of oxidative products, such as malondialdehyde, hexanoyl lysine, and 8-hydroxi-2-deoxyguanosine, in UV-irradiated skin. These findings suggested that functional SOD can be delivered into the skin using a combination of iontophoresis and a liposomal system. In conclusion, we succeeded in developing an efficient intradermal SOD delivery system, that would be useful for delivery of other macromolecules.

Improved penetration of wild ginseng extracts into the skin using low-temperature atmospheric pressure plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nam, Seoul Hee; Hae Choi, Jeong; Song, Yeon Suk; Lee, Hae-June; Hong, Jin-Woo; Kim, Gyoo Cheon

2018-04-01

Wild ginseng (WG) is a well-known traditional medicinal plant that grows in natural environments in deep mountains. WG has been thought to exert potent physiological and medicinal effects, and, recently, its use in skin care has attracted much interest. This study investigated the efficient penetration of WG extracts into the skin by means of low-temperature atmospheric pressure plasma (LTAPP), and its effects on the skin at the cellular and tissue levels. NIH3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblasts and HRM-2 hairless mice were used to confirm the improved absorption of WG extracts into the skin using LTAPP. The gene expression levels in NIH3T3 cells and morphological changes in skin tissues after WG treatment were monitored using both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Although WG extracts did not show any significant effects on proliferative activity and cytotoxicity, at a concentration of 1:800, it significantly increased the expression of fibronectin and vascular endothelial growth factor. In the in vivo study, the combinational treatment of LTAPP and WG markedly induced the expression of fibronectin and integrin α6, and it thickened. Our results showed that LTAPP treatment safely and effectively accelerated the penetration of the WG extracts into the skin, thereby increasing the effects of WG on the skin.

Topical Application of Trisodium Ascorbyl 6-Palmitate 2-Phosphate Actively Supplies Ascorbate to Skin Cells in an Ascorbate Transporter-Independent Manner

PubMed Central

Shibuya, Shuichi; Sakaguchi, Ikuyo; Ito, Shintaro; Kato, Eiko; Watanabe, Kenji; Izuo, Naotaka; Shimizu, Takahiko

2017-01-01

Ascorbic acid (AA) possesses multiple beneficial functions, such as regulating collagen biosynthesis and redox balance in the skin. AA derivatives have been developed to overcome this compound’s high fragility and to assist with AA supplementation to the skin. However, how AA derivatives are transferred into cells and converted to AA in the skin remains unclear. In the present study, we showed that AA treatment failed to increase the cellular AA level in the presence of AA transporter inhibitors, indicating an AA transporter-dependent action. In contrast, torisodium ascorbyl 6-palmitate 2-phosphate (APPS) treatment significantly enhanced the cellular AA level in skin cells despite the presence of inhibitors. In ex vivo experiments, APPS treatment also increased the AA content in a human epidermis model. Interestingly, APPS was readily metabolized and converted to AA in keratinocyte lysates via an intrinsic mechanism. Furthermore, APPS markedly repressed the intracellular superoxide generation and promoted viability associated with an enhanced AA level in Sod1-deficient skin cells. These findings indicate that APPS effectively restores the AA level and normalizes the redox balance in skin cells in an AA transporter-independent manner. Topical treatment of APPS is a beneficial strategy for supplying AA and improving the physiology of damaged skin. PMID:28640219

The use of a mini-κ goniometer head in macromolecular crystallography diffraction experiments

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brockhauser, Sandor; UJF–EMBL–CNRS UMI 3265, 6 Rue Jules Horowitz, 38043 Grenoble; Ravelli, Raimond B. G.

2013-07-01

Hardware and software solutions for MX data-collection strategies using the EMBL/ESRF miniaturized multi-axis goniometer head are presented. Most macromolecular crystallography (MX) diffraction experiments at synchrotrons use a single-axis goniometer. This markedly contrasts with small-molecule crystallography, in which the majority of the diffraction data are collected using multi-axis goniometers. A novel miniaturized κ-goniometer head, the MK3, has been developed to allow macromolecular crystals to be aligned. It is available on the majority of the structural biology beamlines at the ESRF, as well as elsewhere. In addition, the Strategy for the Alignment of Crystals (STAC) software package has been developed to facilitatemore » the use of the MK3 and other similar devices. Use of the MK3 and STAC is streamlined by their incorporation into online analysis tools such as EDNA. The current use of STAC and MK3 on the MX beamlines at the ESRF is discussed. It is shown that the alignment of macromolecular crystals can result in improved diffraction data quality compared with data obtained from randomly aligned crystals.« less

Evaluation of the skin blanching of topically applied steroids using a chroma meter in animals.

PubMed

Ishii, Hiroshi; Fujino, Konomi; Todo, Hiroaki; Sugibayashi, Kenji

2012-01-01

We evaluated the utility of animal skins for determining the skin blanching of steroids. A Chroma Meter was used to determine the skin blanching of steroids. Hydrophilic creams containing clobetasol propionate (CP) or prednisolone (PS) were selected as model steroid formulations. Skin blanching, a*, was determined using a Chroma Meter after the application of 0.005, 0.01, 0.1, or 1.0% CP or PS hydrophilic cream to the back skin of guinea pigs and hairless rats for 24 h. The relationships between Δa*(6h) and the skin concentrations of the steroids were determined at 6 h after removal of the cream. Δa*(6h) was markedly decreased after the application of CP hydrophilic cream to guinea pigs, and a good linear relationship was observed between Δa*(6h) and skin concentration (r=0.98). In contrast, no relationship was observed between these parameters after the application of CP cream to the hairless rats. Although skin blanching was observed after PS cream application in guinea pigs, no relationship was observed between Δa*(6h) and skin concentration of PS in each animal. These results suggest that the skin blanching effect of CP in guinea pigs is greater than that of PS and that its blanching effect in guinea pigs was stronger than that in hairless rats. Guinea pigs were found to be a good animal model for determining the skin blanching produced by steroid creams. In addition, Chroma Meters can be effectively used in skin vasoconstrictive tests in guinea pigs.

Histological study of subcutaneous fat at NIR laser treatment of the rat skin in vivo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yanina, I. Y.; Svenskaya, Yu. I.; Navolokin, N. A.; Matveeva, O. V.; Bucharskaya, A. B.; Maslyakova, G. N.; Gorin, D. A.; Sukhorukov, G. B.; Tuchin, V. V.

2015-07-01

The goal of this work is to quantify impact of in vivo photochemical treatment using indocyanine green (ICG) or encapsulated ICG and NIR laser irradiation through skin of rat with obesity by the follow up tissue sampling and histochemistry. After 1 hour elapsed since 1-min light exposure samples of rat skin with subcutaneous tissue of thickness of 1.5-2.5 mm were taken by surgery from rats within marked 4-zones of the skin site. For hematoxylin-eosin histological examination of excised tissue samples, fixation was carried out by 10%-formaldehyde solution. For ICG and encapsulated ICG subcutaneous injection and subsequent 1-min diode laser irradiation with power density of 8 W/cm2, different necrotic regions with lipolysis of subcutaneous fat were observed. The obtained data can be used for safe layer-by-layer laser treatment of obesity and cellulite.

GATA3 Expression Is Decreased in Psoriasis and during Epidermal Regeneration; Induction by Narrow-Band UVB and IL-4

PubMed Central

Kant, Marius; Baerveldt, Ewout M.; Florencia, Edwin; Mourits, Sabine; de Ridder, Dick; Laman, Jon D.; van der Fits, Leslie; Prens, Errol P.

2011-01-01

Psoriasis is characterized by hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and by infiltration of activated Th1 and Th17 cells in the (epi)dermis. By expression microarray, we previously found the GATA3 transcription factor significantly downregulated in lesional psoriatic skin. Since GATA3 serves as a key switch in both epidermal and T helper cell differentiation, we investigated its function in psoriasis. Because psoriatic skin inflammation shares many characteristics of epidermal regeneration during wound healing, we also studied GATA3 expression under such conditions. Psoriatic lesional skin showed decreased GATA3 mRNA and protein expression compared to non-lesional skin. GATA3 expression was also markedly decreased in inflamed skin of mice with a psoriasiform dermatitis induced with imiquimod. Tape-stripping of non-lesional skin of patients with psoriasis, a standardized psoriasis-triggering and skin regeneration-inducing technique, reduced the expression of GATA3. In wounded skin of mice, low GATA3 mRNA and protein expression was detected. Taken together, GATA3 expression is downregulated under regenerative and inflammatory hyperproliferative skin conditions. GATA3 expression could be re-induced by successful narrow-band UVB treatment of both human psoriasis and imiquimod-induced psoriasiform dermatitis in mice. The prototypic Th2 cytokine IL-4 was the only cytokine capable of inducing GATA3 in skin explants from healthy donors. Based on these findings we argue that GATA3 serves as a key regulator in psoriatic inflammation, keratinocyte hyperproliferation and skin barrier dysfunction. PMID:21611195

From morphology to clinical pathophysiology: multiphoton fluorescence lifetime imaging at patients' bedside

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mess, Christian; Zens, Katharina; Gorzelanny, Christian; Metze, Dieter; Luger, Thomas A.; König, Karsten; Schneider, Stefan W.; Huck, Volker

2017-02-01

Application of multiphoton microscopy in the field of biomedical research and advanced diagnostics promises unique insights into the pathophysiology of skin diseases. By means of multiphoton excitation, endogenous biomolecules like NADH, collagen or elastin show autofluorescence or second harmonic generation. Thus, these molecules provide information about the subcellular morphology, epidermal architecture and physiological condition of the skin. To gain a deeper understanding of the linkage between cellular structure and physiological processes, non-invasive multiphotonbased intravital tomography (MPT) and fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) were combined within the scopes of inflammatory skin, chronic wounds and drug delivery in clinical application. The optical biopsies generated via MPT were morphologically analyzed and aligned with classical skin histology. Because of its subcellular resolution, MPT provided evidence of a redistribution of mitochondria in keratinocytes, indicating an altered cellular metabolism. Independent morphometric algorithms reliably showed a perinuclear accumulation in lesional skin in contrast to an even distribution in healthy skin. Confirmatively, MPT-FLIM showed an obvious metabolic shift in lesions. Moreover, detection of the onset and progression of inflammatory processes could be achieved. The feasibility of primary in vivo tracking of applied therapeutic agents further broadened our scope: We examined the permeation and subsequent distribution of agents directly visualized in patientś skin in short-term repetitive measurements. Furthermore, we performed MPT-FLIM follow-up investigations in the long-term course of therapy. Therefore, clinical MPT-FLIM application offers new insights into the pathophysiology and the individual therapeutic course of skin diseases, facilitating a better understanding of the processes of inflammation and wound healing.

Skin friction measurements by laser interferometry in swept shock wave/turbulent boundary-layer interactions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, Kwang-Soo; Settles, Gary S.

1988-01-01

The laser interferometric skin friction meter was used to measure wall shear stress distributions in two interactions of fin-generated swept shock waves with turbulent boundary layers. The basic research configuration was an unswept sharp-leading-edge fin of variable angle mounted on a flatplate. The results indicate that such measurements are practical in high-speed interacting flows, and that a repeatability of + or - 6 percent or better is possible. Marked increases in wall shear were observed in both swept interactions tested.

Pleural Dye Marking Using Radial Endobronchial Ultrasound and Virtual Bronchoscopy before Sublobar Pulmonary Resection for Small Peripheral Nodules.

PubMed

Lachkar, Samy; Baste, Jean-Marc; Thiberville, Luc; Peillon, Christophe; Rinieri, Philippe; Piton, Nicolas; Guisier, Florian; Salaun, Mathieu

2018-01-01

Minimally invasive surgery of pulmonary nodules allows suboptimal palpation of the lung compared to open thoracotomy. The objective of this study was to assess endoscopic pleural dye marking using radial endobronchial ultrasound (r-EBUS) and virtual bronchoscopy to localize small peripheral lung nodules immediately before minimally invasive resection. The endoscopic procedure was performed without fluoroscopy, under general anesthesia in the operating room immediately before minimally invasive surgery. Then, 1 mL of methylene blue (0.5%) was instilled into the guide sheath, wedged in the subpleural space. Wedge resection or segmentectomy were guided by visualization of the dye on the pleural surface. Contribution of dye marking to the surgical procedure was rated by the surgeon. Twenty-five nodules, including 6 ground glass opacities, were resected in 22 patients by video-assisted thoracoscopic wedge resection (n = 11) or robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (10 segmentectomies and 1 wedge resection). The median greatest diameter of nodules was 8 mm. No conversion to open thoracotomy was needed. The endoscopic procedure added an average 10 min to surgical resection. The dye was visible on the pleural surface in 24 cases. Histological diagnosis and free margin resection were obtained in all cases. Median skin-to-skin operating time was 90 min for robotic segmentectomy and 40 min for video-assisted wedge resection. The same operative precision was considered impossible by the surgeon without dye marking in 21 cases. Dye marking using r-EBUS and virtual bronchoscopy can be easily and safely performed to localize small pulmonary nodules immediately before minimally invasive resection. © 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Laser material micro-working (LMμW): some new surface processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daurelio, G.; D'Alonzo, M.

2007-05-01

On the last recent years many new Laser Surface Processes have been studied and tested in the field of the L.M. μW. - Laser Material Micro Working. Still today many of these "young" processes are to study and more and more searches are dedicated to they. These are the Marking, Texturing, Fine Texturing, Filling, Polishing, Micro Shot-Penning, Silking and Colouring. This experimental work reports the results obtained in the field of the Laser Surface Fine Texturing on AISI 304 and 430 Stainless Steels by using a Marking System, that is a Nd:YAG Laser, VECTORMARK type by TRUMPH ( D ). So some new laser surface finishes, called by Authors, - Effetto tessuto, con trama e ordito (Woven effect, with weft and warp) - Effetto pelle scamosciata ( Effect shammy leather ) - Effetto pelle uncinata ( Effect hooked skin ) - Effetto pelle unghiata ( Effect skin looking like scratch ) - Effetto pelle damascata ( Effect damask skin ) - Effetto speculare , ottonato ( Specular effect, looking like brass ) Effetto speculare, bronzato ( specular effect looking like bronze ) - Effetto speculare, argenteo ( specular, looking like silver effect ) - Effetto speculare, ramato ( Specular effect, looking like copper ), Effetto Speculare, dorato ( Specular effect, looking like gold ) - Effetto speculare , dorato, a raggiera ( Specular effect, looking like gold, to aureole) , were carried out. The work is still in progress.

Anti-photoaging properties of the phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitor cilostazol in ultraviolet B-irradiated hairless mice.

PubMed

Kim, Ha Neui; Gil, Chan Hee; Kim, Yu Ri; Shin, Hwa Kyoung; Choi, Byung Tae

2016-08-03

We investigated whether cilostazol, an activator of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent intracellular signaling, could inhibit ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation-induced photoaging in HR-1 hairless mice. Cilostazol decreased wrinkle formation and skin thickness in UVB-irradiated mice, as well as increased staining of collagen fibers and inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in the skin. Moreover, the proteolytic activities of gelatinase matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and collagenase MMP-3 were significantly decreased in UVB-irradiated mice treated with cilostazol. Western blotting showed that UVB-induced activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB was significantly inhibited by cilostazol, whereas the activation of Akt was significantly enhanced by cilostazol. Confirmation of localized protein expression in the skin revealed marked p38 MAPK and NF-κB activation that was mainly detected in the dermis. Marked Akt activation was mainly detected in the epidermis. Our results suggest that cilostazol may have anti-photoaging effects on UVB-induced wrinkle formation by maintaining the extracellular matrix density in the dermis, which occurs via regulation of ROS and related p38 MAPK and NF-κB signaling, and subsequent down-regulation of MMPs. Therefore, cilostazol may protect against photoaging-induced wrinkle formation.

Anti-photoaging properties of the phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitor cilostazol in ultraviolet B-irradiated hairless mice

PubMed Central

Kim, Ha Neui; Gil, Chan Hee; Kim, Yu Ri; Shin, Hwa Kyoung; Choi, Byung Tae

2016-01-01

We investigated whether cilostazol, an activator of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent intracellular signaling, could inhibit ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation-induced photoaging in HR-1 hairless mice. Cilostazol decreased wrinkle formation and skin thickness in UVB-irradiated mice, as well as increased staining of collagen fibers and inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in the skin. Moreover, the proteolytic activities of gelatinase matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and collagenase MMP-3 were significantly decreased in UVB-irradiated mice treated with cilostazol. Western blotting showed that UVB-induced activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB was significantly inhibited by cilostazol, whereas the activation of Akt was significantly enhanced by cilostazol. Confirmation of localized protein expression in the skin revealed marked p38 MAPK and NF-κB activation that was mainly detected in the dermis. Marked Akt activation was mainly detected in the epidermis. Our results suggest that cilostazol may have anti-photoaging effects on UVB-induced wrinkle formation by maintaining the extracellular matrix density in the dermis, which occurs via regulation of ROS and related p38 MAPK and NF-κB signaling, and subsequent down-regulation of MMPs. Therefore, cilostazol may protect against photoaging-induced wrinkle formation. PMID:27484958

Modeling Burns for Pre-Cooled Skin Flame Exposure

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

On a television show, a pre-cooled bare-skinned person (TV host) passed through engulfing kerosene flames. The assumption was that a water film should protect him during 0.74 s flame exposure in an environment of 86 kW/m2 heat flux. The TV host got light burn inflammation on the back, arms and legs. The present work studies skin temperatures and burn damage integral of such dangerous flame exposure. The skin temperature distribution during water spray pre-cooling, transport to the flames, flame exposure, transport to the water pool, and final water pool cooling is modelled numerically. Details of the temperature development of the skin layers are presented, as well as the associated damage integral. It is shown that 5 °C water spray applied for a 30 s period pre-cooled the skin sufficiently to prevent severe skin injury. Soot marks indicate that the water layer evaporated completely in some areas resulting in skin flame contact. This exposed dry skin directly to the flames contributing significantly to the damage integral. It is further analyzed how higher water temperature, shorter pre-cooling period or longer flame exposure influence the damage integral. It is evident that minor changes in conditions could lead to severe burns and that high heat flux levels at the end of the exposure period are especially dangerous. This flame stunt should never be repeated. PMID:28880253

The battle scars of pregnancy: can they be prevented?

PubMed

Razi, Emma

2012-05-01

I have feared developing stretch marks since my first pregnancy. Getting to grips with my changing shape was a big challenge, but I was safe in the knowledge that post-pregnancy I could work towards losing the weight. But stretch marks are permanent, and to me-disfiguring. I researched how stretch marks can be prevented and after finding little evidence for a particular cream or lotion: I scanned forums and asked friends what worked for them. Many people claimed that by keeping skin hydrated and supple, the dreaded stretch marks can be kept at bay or at least to a minimum. So I opted for regularly massaging oil across vulnerable areas and maintaining a balanced diet, including drinking lots of water. I was lucky the first time round; time will tell if my skincare routine will work for my second pregnancy.

Ultra-stiff large-area carpets of carbon nanotubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meysami, Seyyed Shayan; Dallas, Panagiotis; Britton, Jude; Lozano, Juan G.; Murdock, Adrian T.; Ferraro, Claudio; Gutierrez, Eduardo Saiz; Rijnveld, Niek; Holdway, Philip; Porfyrakis, Kyriakos; Grobert, Nicole

2016-06-01

Herewith, we report the influence of post-synthesis heat treatment (<=2350 °C and plasma temperatures) on the crystal structure, defect density, purity, alignment and dispersibility of free-standing large-area (several cm2) carpets of ultra-long (several mm) vertically aligned multi-wall carbon nanotubes (VA-MWCNTs). VA-MWCNTs were produced in large quantities (20-30 g per batch) using a semi-scaled-up aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD) setup. Electron and X-ray diffraction showed that the heat treatment at 2350 °C under inert atmosphere purifies, removes residual catalyst particles, and partially aligns adjacent single crystals (crystallites) in polycrystalline MWCNTs. The purification and improvement in the crystallites alignment within the MWCNTs resulted in reduced dispersibility of the VA-MWCNTs in liquid media. High-resolution microscopy revealed that the crystallinity is improved in scales of few tens of nanometres while the point defects remain largely unaffected. The heat treatment also had a marked benefit on the mechanical properties of the carpets. For the first time, we report compression moduli as high as 120 MPa for VA-MWCNT carpets, i.e. an order of magnitude higher than previously reported figures. The application of higher temperatures (arc-discharge plasma, >=4000 °C) resulted in the formation of a novel graphite-matrix composite reinforced with CVD and arc-discharge-like carbon nanotubes.Herewith, we report the influence of post-synthesis heat treatment (<=2350 °C and plasma temperatures) on the crystal structure, defect density, purity, alignment and dispersibility of free-standing large-area (several cm2) carpets of ultra-long (several mm) vertically aligned multi-wall carbon nanotubes (VA-MWCNTs). VA-MWCNTs were produced in large quantities (20-30 g per batch) using a semi-scaled-up aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD) setup. Electron and X-ray diffraction showed that the heat treatment at 2350 °C under inert atmosphere purifies, removes residual catalyst particles, and partially aligns adjacent single crystals (crystallites) in polycrystalline MWCNTs. The purification and improvement in the crystallites alignment within the MWCNTs resulted in reduced dispersibility of the VA-MWCNTs in liquid media. High-resolution microscopy revealed that the crystallinity is improved in scales of few tens of nanometres while the point defects remain largely unaffected. The heat treatment also had a marked benefit on the mechanical properties of the carpets. For the first time, we report compression moduli as high as 120 MPa for VA-MWCNT carpets, i.e. an order of magnitude higher than previously reported figures. The application of higher temperatures (arc-discharge plasma, >=4000 °C) resulted in the formation of a novel graphite-matrix composite reinforced with CVD and arc-discharge-like carbon nanotubes. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c6nr01660j

In vivo THz imaging of human skin: Accounting for occlusion effects.

PubMed

Sun, Qiushuo; Parrott, Edward P J; He, Yuezhi; Pickwell-MacPherson, Emma

2018-02-01

In vivo terahertz (THz) imaging of human skin needs to be done in reflection geometry due to the high attenuation of THz light by water in the skin. To aid the measurement procedure, there is typically an imaging window onto which the patient places the area of interest. The window enables better pulse alignment and helps keep the patient correctly positioned during the measurement. In this paper, we demonstrate how the occlusion caused by the skin contact with the imaging window during the measurement affects the THz response. By studying both rapid point measurements and imaging over an area of a human volar forearm, we find that even 5 seconds of occlusion affects the THz response. As the occlusion time increases, the skin surface water content increases, resulting in the reduction of the amplitude of the reflected THz pulse, especially in the first 3 minutes. Furthermore, it was found that the refractive index of the volar forearm increased by 10% to 15% after 20 minutes of occlusion. In this work, we examine and propose a model for the occlusion effects due to the quartz window with a view to compensating for its influence. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Oriented cell division: new roles in guiding skin wound repair and regeneration

PubMed Central

Yang, Shaowei; Ma, Kui; Geng, Zhijun; Sun, Xiaoyan; Fu, Xiaobing

2015-01-01

Tissue morphogenesis depends on precise regulation and timely co-ordination of cell division and also on the control of the direction of cell division. Establishment of polarity division axis, correct alignment of the mitotic spindle, segregation of fate determinants equally or unequally between daughter cells, are essential for the realization of oriented cell division. Furthermore, oriented cell division is regulated by intrinsic cues, extrinsic cues and other cues, such as cell geometry and polarity. However, dysregulation of cell division orientation could lead to abnormal tissue development and function. In the present study, we review recent studies on the molecular mechanism of cell division orientation and explain their new roles in skin repair and regeneration. PMID:26582817

Multilayer Microfluidic Devices Created From A Single Photomask

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kelly, Ryan T.; Sheen, Allison M.; Jambovane, Sachin R.

2013-08-28

The time and expense associated with high quality photomask production can discourage the creation of multilayer microfluidic devices, as each layer currently requires a separate photomask. Here we describe an approach in which multilayer microfabricated devices can be created from a single photomask. The separate layers and their corresponding alignment marks are arranged in separate halves of the mask for two layer devices or quadrants for four layer devices. Selective exposure of the photomask features and rotation of the device substrate between exposures result in multiple copies of the devices on each wafer. Subsequent layers are aligned to patterned featuresmore » on the substrate with the same alignment accuracy as when multiple photomasks are used. We demonstrate this approach for fabricating devices employing multilayer soft lithography (MSL) for pneumatic valving. MSL devices containing as many as 5 layers (4 aligned fluidic layers plus a manually aligned control layer) were successfully created using this approach. Device design is also modularized, enabling the presence or absence of features as well as channel heights to be selected independently from one another. The use of a single photomask to create multilayer devices results in a dramatic savings of time and/or money required to advance from device design to completed prototype.« less

Normal and PPP-affected palmoplantar sweat gland express neuroendocrine markers chromogranins and synaptophysin differently.

PubMed

Hagforsen, Eva; Michaëlsson, Gerd; Stridsberg, Mats

2010-11-01

Earlier findings indicate the acrosyringium as the target for the inflammation in the chronic and intensely inflammatory skin disease palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP). The sweat gland apparatus seems to be an immune-competent structure that probably contributes to the defence of the skin. Furthermore, the sweat gland and duct may be a hitherto unrecognized neuroendocrine organ because it expresses cholineacetyl-transferase and acetylcholinesterase, nicotinic receptors, beta-adrenergic and angiotensin receptors. The aim of this study was to obtain further information about neuroendocrine properties of the sweat gland apparatus by examining the expression of common neuroendocrine markers synaptophysin and chromogranins A and B in healthy palmar skin and in PPP skin. Synaptophysin and chromogranins were expressed in the sweat glands and ducts with some variation in the pattern and intensity of the expression. In PPP skin the expression differed, being higher and lower, depending on the part of the sweat duct. Chromogranins were further expressed in the epidermis, endothelium and inflammatory cells, but its intensity was weaker in epidermis than in the sweat gland apparatus. In most cases, chromogranins in epidermis in involved PPP were weakly expressed compared to healthy controls. The presence of synaptophysin and chromogranins in palmoplantar skin may have marked neuroendocrine effects, and the palmoplantar skin is likely to have important neuroimmuno-endocrine properties. Moreover, the altered chromogranin expression in PPP skin might influence both the neuroendocrine and neuroimmunologic properties of palmoplantar skin in these patients. These results indicate important neuroendocrine properties of the palmoplantar skin.

Patient-specific instrumentation in total knee arthroplasty: simpler, faster and more accurate than standard instrumentation-a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Vide, João; Freitas, Tânia Pinto; Ramos, Acácio; Cruz, Henrique; Sousa, João Paulo

2017-08-01

This randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) to standard instrumentation regarding efficacy to achieve a good coronal alignment and differences in surgical time, blood loss and length of stay. Ninety-five of 100 randomized patients eligible for total knee arthroplasty were analysed. PSI with magnetic resonance and long-leg radiograph was performed in 47 patients, while 48 patients received standard instrumentation. Primary outcome measure was coronal alignment, evaluated with long-leg radiograph. Deviation >3° varus/valgus was considered an outlier. Surgical time was compared from skin to skin. Length of stay was a post hoc analysis. Blood loss was evaluated comparing the number of blood units spent, fall in haemoglobin and haematocrit levels. Standard instrumentation had a higher number of outliers in the coronal alignment with a relative risk of 3.015, compared to PSI. Surgical time was reduced by 18 min (24.8 %) with the PSI, as well as length of stay, with a half-day reduction. Number of blood units spent was significantly less in the PSI group. Relative risk of transfusion was 7.09 for patients in the standard instrumentation group. Difference in Hg and Htc levels were not significant. No patient had to abandon PSI. Minor changes to preoperative plan occurred in 14.9 % of the patient: cut review in 4.3 % and insert change in 10.6 %. Patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) is able to provide important advantages over standard instrumentation in total knee arthroplasty: it lowers the risk of outliers and transfusion, is a faster procedure and enables a shorter length of stay with a low rate of intraoperative adjustments. I.

Involvement of tachykinin receptors in Clostridium perfringens beta-toxin-induced plasma extravasation

PubMed Central

Nagahama, Masahiro; Morimitsu, Shinsuke; Kihara, Atsushi; Akita, Masahiko; Setsu, Koujun; Sakurai, Jun

2003-01-01

Clostridium perfringens beta-toxin causes dermonecrosis and oedema in the dorsal skin of animals. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms of oedema induced by the toxin. The toxin induced plasma extravasation in the dorsal skin of Balb/c mice. The extravasation was significantly inhibited by diphenhydramine, a histamine 1 receptor antagonist. However, the toxin did not cause the release of histamine from mouse mastocytoma cells. Tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonists, [D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9]-SP, [D-Pro4, D-Trp7,9]-SP and spantide, inhibited the toxin-induced leakage in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the non-peptide tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonist, SR140333, markedly inhibited the toxin-induced leakage. The leakage induced by the toxin was markedly reduced in capsaicin-pretreated mouse skin but the leakage was not affected by systemic pretreatment with a calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist (CGRP8-37). The toxin-induced leakage was significantly inhibited by the N-type Ca2+ channel blocker, ω-conotoxin MVIIA, and the bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist, HOE140 (D-Arg-[Hyp3, Thi5, D-Tic7, Oic8]-bradykinin), but was not affected by the selective L-type Ca2+ channel blocker, verapamil, the P-type Ca2+ channel blocker, ω-agatoxin IVA, tetrodotoxin (TTX), the TTX-resistant Na+ channel blocker, carbamazepine, or the sensory nerve conduction blocker, lignocaine. These results suggest that plasma extravasation induced by beta-toxin in mouse skin is mediated via a mechanism involving tachykinin NK1 receptors. PMID:12522069

Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with an increased risk of inflammatory skin diseases: A population-based cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Kim, Miri; Choi, Kwang Hyun; Hwang, Se Won; Lee, Young Bok; Park, Hyun Jeong; Bae, Jung Min

2017-01-01

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease of the gastrointestinal tract attributed to aberrant activity of the immune system. Increasing evidence suggests that patients with IBD are at an increased risk of inflammatory skin diseases (ISDs). We sought to clarify the association between IBD and ISDs using a nationwide health claims database maintained in Korea. We interrogated Korean health claim database data from 2009 to 2013. We enrolled all patients with IBD, and age- and sex-matched control subjects, and evaluated the risks of ISDs, including psoriasis, rosacea, and atopic dermatitis, and the risks of autoimmune skin diseases, including vitiligo and alopecia areata. We used multivariable logistic regression to this end. ISDs including rosacea, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis were significantly associated with IBD, whereas the associations between IBD and autoimmune skin diseases including vitiligo and alopecia areata were less marked or nonexistent. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease were both associated with ISDs. We were unable to distinguish phenotypes and severities of skin diseases. IBD was significantly associated with ISDs, but less so or not at all with autoimmune skin diseases. Copyright © 2016 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Engraftment of tonsillar mononuclear cells in human skin/SCID mouse chimera--validation of a novel xenogeneic transplantation model for autoimmune diseases.

PubMed

Yamanaka, N; Yamamoto, Y; Kuki, K

2001-01-01

Pustulosis palmaris et plantaris (PPP) has been considered as one of the typical tonsillar focal infections, based on the marked clinical improvement of the skin lesions after tonsillectomy. Despite the accumulation of data showing the clinical efficacy of tonsillectomy for this skin lesion, fundamental etiological and pathophysiological issues have yet to be addressed. One primary obstacle hindering investigators has been the lack of an appropriate animal model for this human skin disorder. In the early stage of PPP, it has been reported that lymphocytes, predominantly CD4+ T lymphocytes, infiltrate the palmar and plantar skins. However, the origin and mechanism of infiltration by these lymphocytes is not clear and there are very few reports on whether tonsillar mononuclear cells react directly with the skin. We have been intrigued by the ability to engraft human cells onto severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice, together with the opportunity for long-term graft survival and ability to adoptively transfer various human immunocompetent cells. In this review, we addressed the existing deficiencies in our understanding of the relationship between tonsils and PPP by using emerging transplantation technology involving SCID mice.

Epidermal ablation of Dlx3 is linked to IL-17–associated skin inflammation

PubMed Central

Hwang, Joonsung; Kita, Ryosuke; Kwon, Hyouk-Soo; Choi, Eung Ho; Lee, Seung Hun; Udey, Mark C.; Morasso, Maria I.

2011-01-01

In an effort to understand the role of Distal-less 3 (Dlx3) in cutaneous biology and pathophysiology, we generated and characterized a mouse model with epidermal ablation of Dlx3. K14cre;Dlx3Kin/f mice exhibited epidermal hyperproliferation and abnormal differentiation of keratinocytes. Results from subsequent analyses revealed cutaneous inflammation that featured accumulation of IL-17–producing CD4+ T, CD8+ T, and γδ T cells in the skin and lymph nodes of K14cre;Dlx3Kin/f mice. The gene expression signature of K14cre;Dlx3Kin/f skin shared features with lesional psoriatic skin, and Dlx3 expression was markedly and selectively decreased in psoriatic skin. Interestingly, cultured Dlx3 null keratinocytes triggered cytokine production that is potentially linked to inflammatory responses in K14cre;Dlx3Kin/f mice. Thus, Dlx3 ablation in epidermis is linked to altered epidermal differentiation, barrier development, and IL-17–associated skin inflammation. This model provides a platform that will allow the systematic exploration of the contributions of keratinocytes to cutaneous inflammation. PMID:21709238

Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Alpha Improves Aged and UV-Irradiated Skin by Catalase Induction.

PubMed

Shin, Mi Hee; Lee, Se-Rah; Kim, Min-Kyoung; Shin, Chang-Yup; Lee, Dong Hun; Chung, Jin Ho

2016-01-01

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) is a nuclear hormone receptor involved in the transcriptional regulation of lipid metabolism, fatty acid oxidation, and glucose homeostasis. Its activation stimulates antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, whose expression is decreased in aged human skin. Here we investigated the expression of PPARα in aged and ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated skin, and whether PPARα activation can modulate expressions of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and procollagen through catalase regulation. We found that PPARα mRNA level was significantly decreased in intrinsically aged and photoaged human skin as well as in UV-irradiated skin. A PPARα activator, Wy14643, inhibited UV-induced increase of MMP-1 and decrease of procollagen expression and caused marked increase in catalase expression. Furthermore, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was suppressed by Wy14643 in UV-irradiated and aged dermal fibroblasts, suggesting that the PPARα activation-induced upregulation of catalase leads to scavenging of ROS produced due to UV irradiation or aging. PPARα knockdown decreased catalase expression and abolished the beneficial effects of Wy14643. Topical application of Wy14643 on hairless mice restored catalase activity and prevented MMP-13 and inflammatory responses in skin. Our findings indicate that PPARα activation triggers catalase expression and ROS scavenging, thereby protecting skin from UV-induced damage and intrinsic aging.

Common skate (Raja kenojei) secretes pentraxin into the cutaneous secretion: The first skin mucus lectin in cartilaginous fish.

PubMed

Tsutsui, Shigeyuki; Yamaguchi, Motoki; Hirasawa, Ai; Nakamura, Osamu; Watanabe, Tasuku

2009-08-01

A lactose-specific lectin with a molecular mass of about 25 kDa was purified from the skin mucus of a cartilaginous fish-the common skate (Raja kenojei). The complementary DNA sequence of the lectin was 1540 bp long and contained a reading frame encoding 226 amino acids, which showed approximately 38% identity to pentraxins of mammals and teleosts. Gene expression was observed in the skin, gill, stomach and intestine in the healthy skate. We also identified an isotype gene from the liver whose deduced amino-acid sequence shared 69.0% identity with the skin type gene. The antiserum detected protein in the skin, where the lectin is localized in the epidermal cells, and in the blood plasma. The lectin genes are multicopied in the common skate genome. Although pentraxins are acute phase proteins, mRNAs of both the isotypes were not upregulated after the in vivo challenge with formalin-killed Escherichia coli, which suggests that they are constantly present in the skin mucus and blood plasma to protect against pathogenic invasion. This lectin is the fifth type of lectin found in the cutaneous secretions of fish, demonstrating that skin mucus lectins have evolved with marked molecular diversity in fish.

Wheelchair cushion effect on skin temperature, heat flux, and relative humidity.

PubMed

Stewart, S F; Palmieri, V; Cochran, G V

1980-05-01

For patients subject to decubitus ulcers, wheelchair cushions should be prescribed with knowledge of the cushion's effect on the thermal as well as mechanical environment of the skin. To define thermal effects that may be encountered during routine use, tests werr made on 24 commercially available cushions. Skin temperature, heat flux and relative humidity were measured under the ischial tuberosities of a normal 24-year-old man during a 1-hour period of sitting on each cushion. After 1 hour, skin temperatures increased by means of 3.4 C and 2.8 C on foams and viscoelastic foams and there were slight decreases in heat flux as compared with control values in air. On gels, skin temperatures remained constant and heat flux increased, while water "floatation" pads caused a mean skin temperature decreased of 2.7 C along with a marked increase in heat flux. Relative humidity at the skin cushion interface increased by 10.4%, 22.8% and 19.8% on foams, gels and water floatation pads, as compared with room air values. Representative cushions from each of the general types (foam, viscoelastic foam, gel and water floatation) also were subjected to 2-hour tests which indicated the measured parameters continued to change asymptotically.

77 FR 19648 - Marine Mammals; File No. 16094

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-02

... would use hair dye to mark the seals' whiskers and photo document whisker growth over time. In... measured; have biological samples collected (blood, milk (lactating females), blubber, skin, muscle, hair... requesting the permit be amended to include authorization for takes related to a whisker growth and...

Longitudinal study of skin aging: from microrelief to wrinkles.

PubMed

Bazin, Roland; Lévêque, Jean Luc

2011-05-01

To study the changes in skin microrelief and periocular wrinkles during the aging process. Replicas of the crow's feet area of volunteers were recorded in 1987 and 2008 and observed comparatively. Characteristic features were quantified by image analysis. Observation shows that some microrelief features disappear and even merge with wrinkles that become more marked. Some primary lines also tend to merge to form thin new wrinkles. Quantitative data support these observations: the size of small and medium objects of skin relief decreases with age while large objects are becoming larger. Over 21 years, in the group studied, the total area of the detected objects remains quite constant. Only the distribution between small and large detected objects (microrelief features and wrinkles, respectively) is modified. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Measurements of Skin Friction of the Compressible Turbulent Boundary Layer on a Cone with Foreign Gas Injection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pappas, Constantine C.; Ukuno, Arthur F.

1960-01-01

Measurements of average skin friction of the turbulent boundary layer have been made on a 15deg total included angle cone with foreign gas injection. Measurements of total skin-friction drag were obtained at free-stream Mach numbers of 0.3, 0.7, 3.5, and 4.7 and within a Reynolds number range from 0.9 x 10(exp 6) to 5.9 x 10(exp 6) with injection of helium, air, and Freon-12 (CCl2F2) through the porous wall. Substantial reductions in skin friction are realized with gas injection within the range of Mach numbers of this test. The relative reduction in skin friction is in accordance with theory-that is, the light gases are most effective when compared on a mass flow basis. There is a marked effect of Mach number on the reduction of average skin friction; this effect is not shown by the available theories. Limited transition location measurements indicate that the boundary layer does not fully trip with gas injection but that the transition point approaches a forward limit with increasing injection. The variation of the skin-friction coefficient, for the lower injection rates with natural transition, is dependent on the flow Reynolds number and type of injected gas; and at the high injection rates the skin friction is in fair agreement with the turbulent boundary layer results.

Significantly Accelerated Wound Healing of Full-Thickness Skin Using a Novel Composite Gel of Porcine Acellular Dermal Matrix and Human Peripheral Blood Cells.

PubMed

Kuna, Vijay K; Padma, Arvind M; Håkansson, Joakim; Nygren, Jan; Sjöback, Robert; Petronis, Sarunas; Sumitran-Holgersson, Suchitra

2017-02-16

Here we report the fabrication of a novel composite gel from decellularized gal-gal-knockout porcine skin and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs) for full-thickness skin wound healing. Decellularized skin extracellular matrix (ECM) powder was prepared via chemical treatment, freeze drying, and homogenization. The powder was mixed with culture medium containing hyaluronic acid to generate a pig skin gel (PSG). The effect of the gel in regeneration of full-thickness wounds was studied in nude mice. We found significantly accelerated wound closure already on day 15 in animals treated with PSG only or PSG + hPBMCs compared to untreated and hyaluronic acid-treated controls (p < 0.05). Addition of the hPBMCs to the gel resulted in marked increase of host blood vessels as well as the presence of human blood vessels. At day 25, histologically, the wounds in animals treated with PSG only or PSG + hPBMCs were completely closed compared to those of controls. Thus, the gel facilitated generation of new skin with well-arranged epidermal cells and restored bilayer structure of the epidermis and dermis. These results suggest that porcine skin ECM gel together with human cells may be a novel and promising biomaterial for medical applications especially for patients with acute and chronic skin wounds.

Defining the cellular lineage hierarchy in the interfollicular epidermis of adult skin.

PubMed

Sada, Aiko; Jacob, Fadi; Leung, Eva; Wang, Sherry; White, Brian S; Shalloway, David; Tumbar, Tudorita

2016-06-01

The interfollicular epidermis regenerates from heterogeneous basal skin cell populations that divide at different rates. It has previously been presumed that infrequently dividing basal cells known as label-retaining cells (LRCs) are stem cells, whereas non-LRCs are short-lived progenitors. Here we employ the H2B-GFP pulse-chase system in adult mouse skin and find that epidermal LRCs and non-LRCs are molecularly distinct and can be differentiated by Dlx1(CreER) and Slc1a3(CreER) genetic marking, respectively. Long-term lineage tracing and mathematical modelling of H2B-GFP dilution data show that LRCs and non-LRCs constitute two distinct stem cell populations with different patterns of proliferation, differentiation and upward cellular transport. During homeostasis, these populations are enriched in spatially distinct skin territories and can preferentially produce unique differentiated lineages. On wounding or selective killing, they can temporarily replenish each other's territory. These two discrete interfollicular stem cell populations are functionally interchangeable and intrinsically well adapted to thrive in distinct skin environments.

Psoriasiform skin disease in transgenic pigs with high-copy ectopic expression of human integrins α2 and β1.

PubMed

Staunstrup, Nicklas Heine; Stenderup, Karin; Mortensen, Sidsel; Primo, Maria Nascimento; Rosada, Cecilia; Steiniche, Torben; Liu, Ying; Li, Rong; Schmidt, Mette; Purup, Stig; Dagnæs-Hansen, Frederik; Schrøder, Lisbeth Dahl; Svensson, Lars; Petersen, Thomas Kongstad; Callesen, Henrik; Bolund, Lars; Mikkelsen, Jacob Giehm

2017-07-01

Psoriasis is a complex human-specific disease characterized by perturbed keratinocyte proliferation and a pro-inflammatory environment in the skin. Porcine skin architecture and immunity are very similar to that in humans, rendering the pig a suitable animal model for studying the biology and treatment of psoriasis. Expression of integrins, which is normally confined to the basal layer of the epidermis, is maintained in suprabasal keratinocytes in psoriatic skin, modulating proliferation and differentiation as well as leukocyte infiltration. Here, we generated minipigs co-expressing integrins α2 and β1 in suprabasal epidermal layers. Integrin-transgenic minipigs born into the project displayed skin phenotypes that correlated with the number of inserted transgenes. Molecular analyses were in good concordance with histological observations of psoriatic hallmarks, including hypogranulosis and T-lymphocyte infiltration. These findings mark the first creation of minipigs with a psoriasiform phenotype resembling human psoriasis and demonstrate that integrin signaling plays a key role in psoriasis pathology. © 2017. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

More about the developing of invisible lipstick-contaminated lipmarks on human skin: the usefulness of fluorescent dyes.

PubMed

Navarro, E; Castelló, A; López-Alfaro, J A; Verdú, F

2007-08-01

At the present time fingerprints are one of the simplest, and most reliable means of identification. Increasingly, crime scene investigators look for palm, foot, ear or lip prints. With regard to lip prints, the use, very common today, of protective or permanent lipsticks allow the production an invisible lipmark (or invisible lipstick-contaminated lipmark) which is possible to develop. Some results have already been published about developers useful for different kinds of surfaces (both porous and non-porous) as well as those which are more efficient in case of old or recent prints. The latest studies are about the developing on human skin, and they prove the usefulness of lysochromes (specifically Sudan Black) for the develop of recent invisible lipstick-contaminated lipmarks on corpse skin. This study attempts to determine the efficiency of fluorescent reagents to develop invisible lipstick-contaminated lipmark on human skin. Results show that REDescent Fluorescent Latent Prints Powder is effective for obtaining recent invisible lipstick-contaminated lip mark on the skin of deceased.

Promotion of mouse fibroblast collagen gene expression by mast cells stimulated via the Fc epsilon RI. Role for mast cell-derived transforming growth factor beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha

PubMed Central

1994-01-01

Chronic allergic diseases and other disorders associated with mast cell activation can also be associated with tissue fibrosis, but a direct link between mast cell mediator release and fibroblast collagen gene expression has not been established. Using in situ hybridization, we show that the elicitation of an IgE-dependent passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction in mice results in a transient, but marked augmentation of steady state levels of type alpha-1 (I) collagen mRNA in the dermis. While peak levels of collagen mRNA expression in the skin are observed 16-24 h after mast cell activation, substantial numbers of dermal cells are strongly positive for collagen mRNA at 1 and 2 h after antigen challenge, before circulating inflammatory cells are recruited into the tissues. Furthermore, experiments in mast cell- reconstituted or genetically mast cell-deficient WBB6F1-W/Wv mice demonstrate that the increased expression of collagen mRNA at sites of PCA reactions is entirely mast cell dependent. In vitro studies show that the supernatants of mouse serosal mast cells activated via the Fc epsilon RI markedly increase type alpha-1 (I) collagen mRNA levels in mouse embryonic skin fibroblasts, and also upregulate collagen secretion by these cells. The ability of mast cell supernatants to induce increased steady state levels of collagen mRNA in mouse skin fibroblasts is markedly diminished by absorption with antibodies specific for either of two mast cell-derived cytokines, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta 1) or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF- alpha), and is eliminated entirely by absorption with antibodies against both cytokines. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that IgE-dependent mouse mast cell activation can induce a transient and marked increase in steady state levels of type alpha-1 (I) collagen mRNA in dermal fibroblasts and that mast cell-derived TGF-beta 1 and TNF-alpha importantly contribute to this effect. PMID:7964480

Induction of alternative proinflammatory cytokines accounts for sustained psoriasiform skin inflammation in IL-17C+IL-6KO mice

PubMed Central

Fritz, Yi; Klenotic, Philip A.; Swindell, William R.; Yin, ZhiQiang; Groft, Sarah G.; Zhang, Li; Baliwag, Jaymie; Camhi, Maya I.; Diaconu, Doina; Young, Andrew B.; Foster, Alexander M.; Johnston, Andrew; Gudjonsson, Johann E.; McCormick, Thomas S.; Ward, Nicole L.

2016-01-01

IL-6 inhibition has been unsuccessful in treating psoriasis, despite high levels of tissue and serum IL-6 in patients. Additionally, de novo psoriasis onset has been reported following IL-6 blockade in rheumatoid arthritis patients. To explore mechanisms underlying these clinical observations, we backcrossed an established psoriasiform mouse model (IL-17C+ mice) with IL-6 deficient mice (IL-17C+KO) and examined the cutaneous phenotype. IL-17C+KO mice initially exhibited decreased skin inflammation, however this decrease was transient and reversed rapidly, concomitant with increases in skin Tnf, Il36α/β/γ, Il24, Epgn and S100a8/a9 to levels higher than those found in IL-17C+ mice. Comparison of IL-17C+ and IL-17C+KO mouse skin transcriptomes with that of human psoriasis skin, revealed significant correlation among transcripts of psoriasis patient skin and IL-17C+KO mouse skin, and confirmed an exacerbation of the inflammatory signature in IL-17C+KO mice that aligns closely with human psoriasis. Transcriptional analyses of IL-17C+ and IL-17C+KO primary keratinocytes confirmed increased expression of proinflammatory molecules, suggesting that in the absence of IL-6, keratinocytes increase production of numerous additional proinflammatory cytokines. These preclinical findings may provide insight into why arthritis patients being treated with IL-6 inhibitors develop new onset psoriasis and why IL-6 blockade for the treatment of psoriasis has not been clinically effective. PMID:27984037

21st Century Skin Findings Response.

PubMed

Reese, V; Croley, J A; Ryan, M P; Wagner, R F

2018-04-28

We read of interest the letter by Ishida et al, "Skin Findings of 21 st Century Movie Characters." 1 The authors conclude that the prevalence of movie villains with cutaneous lesions in cinema since 2000 is lower than films released in the 20 th century. Reviewing their examples, we note some frank errors in the data presented. Immortan Joe from "Mad Max: Fury Road" is listed as having a "lip deficit." This is due to trauma and under his breathing apparatus, there is marked scarring. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Michelin tire syndrome: a report of two siblings.

PubMed

Kharfi, Monia; Zaraa, Ines; Chaouechi, S; Zekri, Sami; Boukef, Safia; Jaafoura, Habib; Kamoun, Mohamed R

2005-01-01

Michelin tire syndrome is a rare syndrome characterized by excessive folding of the skin. The diagnosis is mainly clinical. It has been found to be associated with noncutaneous anomalies, and probably reflects multiple underlying disorders. We report two siblings with Michelin tire syndrome, a 5-year-old boy and his sister both of whom had marked skin folds and facial anomalies. Histologic study found an increase in smooth muscle fibers of the dermis. Electron microscopy showed details of smooth muscle cells. We also review reported cases in the literature to contribute to a better understanding of this syndrome.

Treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin by Electrodesiccation and Curettage

PubMed Central

Williamson, George S.; Jackson, Robert

1964-01-01

Results of treatment of 108 squamous cell carcinomas of the skin are analyzed. Fiftyone were successfully treated by the technique of electrodesiccation and curettage. There were two treatment failures by this method. Large squamous cell cancers showing histologically a marked degree of anaplasia and/or invasion are not suitable for this technique. Small squamous cell carcinomas, well differentiated, with minimal invasion, occurring on the exposed areas, in elderly and infirm patients can be treated successfully by electrodesiccation and curettage. ImagesFig. 1Fig. 2Fig. 3Fig. 4Fig. 5Fig. 6Fig. 7Fig. 8 PMID:14123665

Protein oxidative damage and heme oxygenase in sunlight-exposed human skin: roles of MAPK responses to oxidative stress.

PubMed

Akasaka, Emiko; Takekoshi, Susumu; Horikoshi, Yosuke; Toriumi, Kentarou; Ikoma, Norihiro; Mabuchi, Tomotaka; Tamiya, Shiho; Matsuyama, Takashi; Ozawa, Akira

2010-12-20

Oxidative stress derived from ultraviolet (UV) light in sunlight induces different hazardous effects in the skin, including sunburn, photo-aging and DNA mutagenesis. In this study, the protein-bound lipid peroxidation products 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) and the oxidative DNA damage marker 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG) were investigated in chronically sun-exposed and sun-protected human skins using immunohistochemistry. The levels of antioxidative enzymes, such as heme oxygenase 1 and 2, Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD and catalase, were also examined. Oxidative stress is also implicated in the activation of signal transduction pathways, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Therefore, the expression and distribution of phosphorylated p38 MAPK, phosphorylated Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were observed. Skin specimens were obtained from the surgical margins. Chronically sunlight-exposed skin samples were taken from the ante-auricular (n = 10) and sunlight-protected skin samples were taken from the post-auricular (n = 10). HNE was increased in the chronically sunlight-exposed skin but not in the sunlight-protected skin. The expression of heme oxygenase-2 was markedly increased in the sunlight-exposed skin compared with the sun-protected skin. In contrast, the intensity of immunostaining of Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD and catalase was not different between the two areas. Phosphorylated p38 MAPK and phosphorylated JNK accumulated in the ante-auricular dermis and epidermis, respectively. These data show that particular anti-oxidative enzymes function as protective factors in chronically sunlight-exposed human skin. Taken together, our results suggest (1) antioxidative effects of heme oxygenase-2 in chronically sunlight-exposed human skin, and that (2) activation of p38 MAPK may be responsible for oxidative stress.

Comparison of two kinds of skin imaging analysis software: VISIA® from Canfield and IPP® from Media Cybernetics.

PubMed

Wang, X; Shu, X; Li, Z; Huo, W; Zou, L; Tang, Y; Li, L

2018-01-27

Skin imaging analysis, acting as a supplement to noninvasive bioengineering devices, has been widely used in medical cosmetology and cosmetic product evaluation. The main aim of this study is to assess the differences and correlations in measuring skin spots, wrinkles, vascular features, porphyrin, and pore between two commercially available image analysis software. Seventy healthy women were included in the study. Before taking pictures, the dermatologist evaluated subjects' skin conditions. Test sites included the forehead, cheek, and periorbital skin. A 2 × 2 cm cardboard was used to make a mark on the skin surface. Pictures were taken using VISIA ® under three kinds light conditions and analyzed using VISIA ® and IPP ® respectively. (1) Skin pore, red area, ultraviolet spot, brown spot, porphyrin, and wrinkle measured with VISIA ® were correlated with those measured with IPP ® (P < .01). (2) Spot, wrinkle, fine line, brown spot, and red area analyzed with VISIA ® were correlated with age on the forehead and periorbital skin (P < .05). L-value, Crow's feet, ultraviolet spot, brown spot, and red area analyzed with IPP ® were correlated with age on the periorbital skin (P < .05). (3) L-value, spot, wrinkle, fine line, porphyrin, red area, and pore analyzed with VISIA ® and IPP ® showed correlations with the subjective evaluation scores (P < .05). VISIA ® and IPP ® showed acceptable correlation in measuring various skin conditions. VISIA ® showed a high sensibility when measured on the forehead skin. IPP ® is available as an alternative software program to evaluate skin features. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Some Thoughts on Teaching about Ultraviolet Radiation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thumm, Walter

1975-01-01

Describes the major obstacles in the study of ultraviolet radiation (UV). Presents the beneficial aspects of UV such as vitamin O production, sterilization, clinical treatment of diseases and wounds, and the marking of patients for radiotherapy. Warns of the dangers of UV exposure such as skin cancer and early aging. (GS)

Dermatologic emergencies.

PubMed

Chacon, Anna H

2015-02-01

Although dermatology may be regarded as a medical specialty with few emergencies, they do exist and range from primary cutaneous disorders to severe systemic conditions with skin manifestations. Prompt recognition for appropriate diagnosis and treatment often is necessary to improve a patient's prognosis and a single decision can mark the difference between life and death.

Sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever-like skin disease in a free-ranging bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), Alberta, Canada

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF)-like clinical disease was diagnosed in a free-ranging bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) in Alberta, Canada. Ante-mortem observations and gross pathology included muscle atrophy, marked weight loss and focally extensive alopecia with chronic crusting hyperkeratotosis and...

Study of Image Quality From CT Scanner Multi-Detector by using Americans College of Radiology (ACR) Phantom

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mulyadin; Dewang, Syamsir; Abdullah, Bualkar; Tahir, Dahlang

2018-03-01

In this study, the image quality of CT scan using phantom American College of Radiology (ACR) was determined. Scanning multidetector CT is used to know the image quality parameters by using a solid phantom containing four modules and primarily from materials that are equivalent to water. Each module is 4 cm in diameter and 20 cm in diameter. There is white alignment marks painted white to reflect the alignment laser and there are also “HEAD”, “FOOT”, and “TOP” marks on the phantom to help align. This test obtains CT images of each module according to the routine inspection protocol of the head. Acceptance of image quality obtained for determination: CT Number Accuracy (CTN), CT Number Uniformity and Noise, Linearity CT Number, Slice Technique, Low Contrast Resolution and High Contrast Resolution represent image quality parameters. In testing CT Number Accuracy (CTN), CT Uniform number and Noise are in the range of tolerable values allowed. In the test, Linearity CT Number obtained correlation value above 0.99 is the relationship between electron density and CT Number. In a low contrast resolution test, the smallest contrast groups are visible. In contrast, the high resolution is seen up to 7 lp/cm. The quality of GE CT Scan is very high, as all the image quality tests obtained are within the tolerance brackets of values permitted by the Nuclear Power Control Agency (BAPETEN). Image quality test is a way to get very important information about the accuracy of snoring result by using phantom ACR.

Vitamin E improves biochemical indices associated with symptoms of atopic dermatitis-like inflammation in NC/Nga mice.

PubMed

Hayashi, Daisuke; Sugaya, Hotaka; Ohkoshi, Takayuki; Sekizawa, Kaori; Takatsu, Hirokatsu; Shinkai, Tadashi; Urano, Shiro

2012-01-01

We aimed to define whether vitamin E improves biochemical indices associated with symptoms of atopic dermatitis-like inflammation in NC/Nga mice. After picryl chloride (PC) application to their backs, changes in the content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and vitamin E, as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and catalase) were analyzed in the serum and skin of NC/Nga mice during a symptomatic cycle. The levels of inflammatory factors were also assessed, including IgE, cyclooxigenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). When allergic dermatitis was induced by the application of PC to the skin of the mice, skin inflammation appeared 2 wk after PC application, with the peak severity of inflammation observed 5 wk after PC application. Subsequently, the animals recovered from the inflammation by 9 wk after PC application. The TBARS content in the skin and serum increased markedly when the symptoms were the most severe, and decreased to levels near those in control mice by 9 wk after PC application. The activities of SOD and GSHPx in the skin and serum were also positively correlated with symptomatic changes; however, no change in catalase activity was observed 5 wk after PC application. Conversely, vitamin E content decreased at the stage of peak severity. The levels of all inflammatory factors analyzed in this study were altered in a manner similar to other indices. Additionally, vitamin E treatment markedly inhibited these PC-induced alterations. On the basis of these results, it is expected that the observed alterations in biochemical indices, which reflect the symptomatic cycle, may be applicable to objective diagnosis and treatment for atopic dermatitis, and that vitamin E may improve the symptoms of AD.

Bioinspired Tuning of Hydrogel Permeability-Rigidity Dependency for 3D Cell Culture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Min Kyung; Rich, Max H.; Baek, Kwanghyun; Lee, Jonghwi; Kong, Hyunjoon

2015-03-01

Hydrogels are being extensively used for three-dimensional immobilization and culture of cells in fundamental biological studies, biochemical processes, and clinical treatments. However, it is still a challenge to support viability and regulate phenotypic activities of cells in a structurally stable gel, because the gel becomes less permeable with increasing rigidity. To resolve this challenge, this study demonstrates a unique method to enhance the permeability of a cell-laden hydrogel while avoiding a significant change in rigidity of the gel. Inspired by the grooved skin textures of marine organisms, a hydrogel is assembled to present computationally optimized micro-sized grooves on the surface. Separately, a gel is engineered to preset aligned microchannels similar to a plant's vascular bundles through a uniaxial freeze-drying process. The resulting gel displays significantly increased water diffusivity with reduced changes of gel stiffness, exclusively when the microgrooves and microchannels are aligned together. No significant enhancement of rehydration is achieved when the microgrooves and microchannels are not aligned. Such material design greatly enhances viability and neural differentiation of stem cells and 3D neural network formation within the gel.

Comparison of in vivo and ex vivo laser scanning microscopy and multiphoton tomography application for human and porcine skin imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Darvin, M. E.; Richter, H.; Zhu, Y. J.; Meinke, M. C.; Knorr, F.; Gonchukov, S. A.; Koenig, K.; Lademann, J.

2014-07-01

Two state-of-the-art microscopic optical methods, namely, confocal laser scanning microscopy in the fluorescence and reflectance regimes and multiphoton tomography in the autofluorescence and second harmonic generation regimes, are compared for porcine skin ex vivo and healthy human skin in vivo. All skin layers such as stratum corneum (SC), stratum spinosum (SS), stratum basale (SB), papillary dermis (PD) and reticular dermis (RD) as well as transition zones between these skin layers are measured noninvasively at a high resolution, using the above mentioned microscopic methods. In the case of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), measurements in the fluorescence regime were performed by using a fluorescent dye whose topical application on the surface is well suited for the investigation of superficial SC and characterisation of the skin barrier function. For investigations of deeply located skin layers, such as SS, SB and PD, the fluorescent dye must be injected into the skin, which markedly limits fluorescence measurements using CLSM. In the case of reflection CLSM measurements, the obtained results can be compared to the results of multiphoton tomography (MPT) for all skin layers excluding RD. CLSM cannot distinguish between dermal collagen and elastin measuring their superposition in the RD. By using MPT, it is possible to analyse the collagen and elastin structures separately, which is important for the investigation of anti-aging processes. The resolution of MPT is superior to CLSM. The advantages and limitations of both methods are discussed and the differences and similarities between human and porcine skin are highlighted.

Improvement of skin conditions by ingestion of Aspergillus kawachii (Koji) extract containing 14-dehydroergosterol in a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.

PubMed

Sugihara, Yoshihiko; Ikushima, Shigehito; Miyake, Mika; Kirisako, Takayoshi; Yada, Yukihiro; Fujiwara, Daisuke

2018-01-01

The present study examined the effect of ingestion of Koji extract containing 14-dehydroergosterol (14-DHE), prepared from Aspergillus kawachii NBRC4308, on improvement of skin conditions among healthy volunteers. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study, 70 healthy adult women who felt that their skin was dry ingested either a placebo dietary supplement or Koji extract (200 mg/day) supplement containing 0.1% 14-DHE for 12 weeks. Throughout the treatment period and for 4 weeks afterward, objective indicators - including moisture content of the stratum corneum, trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), and skin wrinkles - were evaluated; in addition, the subjects answered a questionnaire on their skin conditions with ratings on a visual analog scale. Statistical analysis was conducted on the basis of differences from baseline scores. Compared with the placebo group, the Koji extract group showed significantly increased forearm moisture at 4, 8, and 16 weeks ( p < 0.05 on unpaired t -test). The questionnaire survey showed a marked improvement in skin conditions, particularly crow's feet, in the Koji extract group versus the placebo group at 8 weeks ( p < 0.05 by unpaired t -test). Furthermore, the Koji extract group showed a trend ( p < 0.10) toward improvement in skin moisture (at 4 weeks), dryness around the eyes/mouth (at 4 weeks), and overall skin condition (at 8 weeks) versus the placebo group. Ingestion of Koji extract containing 14-DHE was demonstrated to have positive effects toward improving skin conditions - in particular, on increasing skin moisture in the stratum corneum.

Comparison of in vivo and ex vivo laser scanning microscopy and multiphoton tomography application for human and porcine skin imaging

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Darvin, M E; Richter, H; Zhu, Y J

Two state-of-the-art microscopic optical methods, namely, confocal laser scanning microscopy in the fluorescence and reflectance regimes and multiphoton tomography in the autofluorescence and second harmonic generation regimes, are compared for porcine skin ex vivo and healthy human skin in vivo. All skin layers such as stratum corneum (SC), stratum spinosum (SS), stratum basale (SB), papillary dermis (PD) and reticular dermis (RD) as well as transition zones between these skin layers are measured noninvasively at a high resolution, using the above mentioned microscopic methods. In the case of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), measurements in the fluorescence regime were performed bymore » using a fluorescent dye whose topical application on the surface is well suited for the investigation of superficial SC and characterisation of the skin barrier function. For investigations of deeply located skin layers, such as SS, SB and PD, the fluorescent dye must be injected into the skin, which markedly limits fluorescence measurements using CLSM. In the case of reflection CLSM measurements, the obtained results can be compared to the results of multiphoton tomography (MPT) for all skin layers excluding RD. CLSM cannot distinguish between dermal collagen and elastin measuring their superposition in the RD. By using MPT, it is possible to analyse the collagen and elastin structures separately, which is important for the investigation of anti-aging processes. The resolution of MPT is superior to CLSM. The advantages and limitations of both methods are discussed and the differences and similarities between human and porcine skin are highlighted. (laser biophotonics)« less

The fix for tough spots

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anders, John B.; Walsh, Michael J.; Bushnell, Dennis M.

1988-01-01

Modern turbulence-control techniques are discussed. Particular atention is given to retrofit techniques such as riblets and large-eddy breakup (LEBU) devices which use passive elements suitable for a variety of existing vehicles with minimum added complexity. Riblets are small flow-aligned grooves in the aircraft skin that damp turbulence and reduce skin friction; the mechanism of riblet drag reduction derives from the enhancement of turbulence-altering, transverse viscous forces by strong spanwise surface geometry gradients. LEBUs are thin plates or ribbons suspended in a turbulent boundary layer to sever or break up the large vortices that form the convoluted outer edge of the layer. Other turbulence-control techniques are discussed, including one that involves the injection of control vortices into the turbulent boundary layer to modify or substitute for large-eddy structures.

Preparation and evaluation of quercetin-loaded lecithin-chitosan nanoparticles for topical delivery.

PubMed

Tan, Qi; Liu, Weidong; Guo, Chenyu; Zhai, Guangxi

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate lecithin-chitosan nanoparticles as a topical delivery system for quercetin. Tocopheryl propylene glycol succinate was chosen to be the surfactant for the nanosystem. The mean particle size of the nanoparticles was 95.3 nm, and the entrapment efficiency and drug loading for quercetin were 48.5% and 2.45%, respectively. Topical delivery in vitro and in vivo of the quercetin-loaded nanoparticles was evaluated using quercetin propylene glycol solution as the control. Compared with quercetin solution, the quercetin-loaded nanoparticles showed higher permeation ability, and significantly increased accumulation of quercetin in the skin, especially in the epidermis. Microstructure observation of the skin surface after administration indicated that the interaction between ingredients of the nanoparticles and the skin surface markedly changed the morphology of the stratum corneum and disrupted the corneocyte layers, thus facilitating the permeation and accumulation of quercetin in skin. Lecithin-chitosan nanoparticles are a promising carrier for topical delivery of quercetin.

Preparation and evaluation of quercetin-loaded lecithin-chitosan nanoparticles for topical delivery

PubMed Central

Tan, Qi; Liu, Weidong; Guo, Chenyu; Zhai, Guangxi

2011-01-01

Background The purpose of this study was to investigate lecithin-chitosan nanoparticles as a topical delivery system for quercetin. Methods Tocopheryl propylene glycol succinate was chosen to be the surfactant for the nanosystem. The mean particle size of the nanoparticles was 95.3 nm, and the entrapment efficiency and drug loading for quercetin were 48.5% and 2.45%, respectively. Topical delivery in vitro and in vivo of the quercetin-loaded nanoparticles was evaluated using quercetin propylene glycol solution as the control. Results Compared with quercetin solution, the quercetin-loaded nanoparticles showed higher permeation ability, and significantly increased accumulation of quercetin in the skin, especially in the epidermis. Microstructure observation of the skin surface after administration indicated that the interaction between ingredients of the nanoparticles and the skin surface markedly changed the morphology of the stratum corneum and disrupted the corneocyte layers, thus facilitating the permeation and accumulation of quercetin in skin. Conclusion Lecithin-chitosan nanoparticles are a promising carrier for topical delivery of quercetin. PMID:21904452

Lack of Collagen VI Promotes Wound-Induced Hair Growth.

PubMed

Chen, Peiwen; Cescon, Matilde; Bonaldo, Paolo

2015-10-01

Collagen VI is an extracellular matrix molecule that is abundantly expressed in the skin. However, the role of collagen VI in hair follicle growth is unknown. Here, we show that collagen VI is strongly deposited in hair follicles, and is markedly upregulated by skin wounding. Lack of collagen VI in Col6a1(-/-) mice delays hair cycling and growth under physiological conditions, but promotes wound-induced hair regrowth without affecting skin regeneration. Conversely, addition of purified collagen VI rescues the abnormal wound-induced hair regrowth in Col6a1(-/-) mice. Mechanistic studies revealed that the increased wound-induced hair regrowth of Col6a1(-/-) mice is triggered by activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and is abolished by inhibition of this pathway. These findings highlight the essential relationships between extracellular matrix (ECM) and hair follicle regeneration, and suggest that collagen VI could be a potential therapeutic target for hair loss and other skin-related diseases.

Autologous bone marrow stem cell transplantation for the treatment of postoperative hand infection with a skin defect in diabetes mellitus: A case report.

PubMed

Liu, Yihong; Liu, Yuchen; Wang, Pujie; Tian, Haoming; Ai, Jianzhong; Liu, Yangbo; Zhou, Yi; Liu, Zhongwen; Guo, Wenjun; Yang, Shenke

2014-06-01

Among stem cells, autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are ideal for transplantation by virtue of limited rejection reactions and marked proliferative ability. This study presents a novel method by which MSCs were harvested from the bone marrow of a patient who presented with severe post-traumatic infection and a non-healing skin defect in the hand, secondary to uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM). An autologous MSC suspension was injected into the persistent skin defect after stabilizing the blood glucose level and appropriate infection control. During the course of a regular 18-month postoperative follow-up, the patient exhibited immediate recovery with no transplant-associated complications, as well as no evidence of tumorigenicity. Thus, transplantation of autologous MSCs may play a role in the clinical application of stem cells, particularly for treatment of skin defects following surgery in cases of DM and for those caused by various other traumas.

A 12-year-old girl with eczema not responding to treatment

PubMed Central

Pennal, Alexandra; Pope, Elena

2017-01-01

A 12-year-old girl, who has had a history of intermittent skin rashes since infancy, presents for the sixth time in four months for exacerbation of eczema that is not responding to recommended treatment (daily baths, frequent moisturization and twice-daily application of medium-potency topical corticosteroids). Her parents express concern about the effect of her skin disease on the child’s life. They are worried about her sleeping difficulties and decreased involvement in her regular activities; for example, she has stopped playing sports and attending school. During the interview, the patient makes minimal eye contact and appears agitated. Her medical history includes allergic rhinitis. She looks systemically well, with normal temperature and vital signs. Skin examination shows generalized xerotic skin and erythematous patches, with predominantly flexural and facial excoriations affecting about half of the body. There is no evidence of burrows, track marks, vesicular or pustular lesions, or honey-coloured crusts. The rest of the exam is unremarkable. PMID:27503865

Bilateral Symmetry of Distortions of Tactile Size Perception.

PubMed

Longo, Matthew R; Ghosh, Arko; Yahya, Tasneem

2015-01-01

The perceived distance between touches on the limbs is generally bigger for distances oriented across the width of the limb than for distances oriented along the length of the limb. The present study aimed to investigate the coherence of such distortions of tactile size perception across different skin surfaces. We investigated distortions of tactile size perception on the dorsal and palmar surfaces of both the left and right hands as well as the forehead. Participants judged which of two tactile distances felt larger. One distance was aligned with the proximodistal axis (along the body), the other with the mediolateral axis (across the body). Clear distortions were found on all five skin surfaces, with stimuli oriented across the width of the body being perceived as farther apart than those oriented along the length of the body. Consistent with previous results, distortions were smaller on the palmar than on the dorsal hand surface. Distortion on the forehead was intermediate between the dorsal and palmar surfaces. There were clear correlations between distortion on the left and right hands, for both the dorsal and palmar skin surfaces. In contrast, within each hand, there was no significant correlation between the two skin surfaces. Distortion on the forehead was not significantly correlated with that on any of the other skin surfaces. These results provide evidence for bilaterally symmetric representations underlying tactile size perception. © The Author(s) 2015.

FtsZ rings and helices: physical mechanisms for the dynamic alignment of biopolymers in rod-shaped bacteria.

PubMed

Fischer-Friedrich, Elisabeth; Friedrich, Benjamin M; Gov, Nir S

2012-02-01

In many bacterial species, the protein FtsZ forms a cytoskeletal ring that marks the future division site and scaffolds the division machinery. In rod-shaped bacteria, most frequently membrane-attached FtsZ rings or ring fragments are reported and occasionally helices. By contrast, axial FtsZ clusters have never been reported. In this paper, we investigate theoretically how dynamic FtsZ aggregates align in rod-shaped bacteria. We study systematically different physical mechanisms that affect the alignment of FtsZ polymers using a computational model that relies on autocatalytic aggregation of FtsZ filaments at the membrane. Our study identifies a general tool kit of physical and geometrical mechanisms by which rod-shaped cells align biopolymer aggregates. Our analysis compares the relative impact of each mechanism on the circumferential alignment of FtsZ as observed in rod-shaped bacteria. We determine spontaneous curvature of FtsZ polymers and axial confinement of FtsZ on the membrane as the strongest factors. Including Min oscillations in our model, we find that these stabilize axial and helical clusters on short time scales, but promote the formation of an FtsZ ring at the cell middle at longer times. This effect could provide an explanation to the long standing puzzle of transiently observed oscillating FtsZ helices in Escherichia coli cells prior to cell division.

An Exploratory Study of Skin Problems Experienced by UK Nursing Home Residents Using Different Pad Designs.

PubMed

Clarke-OʼNeill, Sinead; Farbrot, Anne; Lagerstedt, Marie-Louise; Cottenden, Alan; Fader, Mandy

2015-01-01

The primary aim of this study was to determine whether the severity of incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) among nursing home-based incontinence pad users varies between pad designs. A second aim was to examine the utility of a simple method for reporting skin health problems in which healthcare assistants were asked to record basic observational data at each pad change. Randomized, multiple crossover, observational, exploratory. Twenty-one men and 57 women using absorbent continence products to contain urinary and/or fecal incontinence were recruited from 10 nursing homes in London and the south of England. A day-time variant and a night-time variant of each of the 4 main disposable pad designs on the market for moderate/heavy incontinence were tested: (1) insert pads with stretch pants; (2) 1-piece all-in-one diapers; (3) pull-up pants; and (4) belted/T-shape diapers. All pad variants for day-time use had an absorption capacity of 1900 mL ± 20% (measured using ISO 11948-1 International Standards Organization) while the capacity of night-time variants was 2400 mL ± 20%. Each resident used each of the 4 pad designs (day-time and night-time variants) for 2 weeks and the order of testing was randomized by nursing home. Skin health data were collected using 2 methods in parallel. Method 1 comprised visual observation by researchers (1 observation per pad design; 4 observations in total over 8 weeks). In method 2, healthcare assistants logged observational data on skin health at every pad change for the 8 weeks. The primary outcome variable was severity of the most severe skin problem noted by the researcher for each resident, and for each pad design (method 1). Descriptive data on skin care methods used in the nursing homes were also collected using short questionnaires and researcher observation. No significant differences in the severity or incidence of skin problems were found between observations using the 4 pad designs. However, a wide range of skin conditions was recorded that made classification difficult; the skin was often marked with creases from absorbent products, temporary marks, and pink/purple discoloration. We observed few cases of the severe erythema, rashes, and vesicles that are commonly used descriptors in previous skin tools. Nevertheless, the collected data reflect an abundance of skin problems that were difficult to categorize neatly. Researcher observations (method 1) showed that nearly all the residents (96%) had at least 1 IAD skin problem recorded over the 8-week period and 64% of residents had at least 1 problem that was rated as maximum severity. Healthcare assistants logged skin problems on 6.1% of pad changes. The discrepancy between researcher and healthcare assistant data appears to be largely due to healthcare assistants sometimes discounting low-grade IAD as normal for that population. Incontinence-associated dermatitis is common among nursing home residents who use incontinence pads, and it is often severe. No evidence was found that any design of pad was more likely than any others to be associated with skin problems. The method devised to enable healthcare assistants to record basic observational data on skin health in the diaper area at each pad change (Method 2) proved simple to use but still resulted in substantial underreporting of IAD, suggesting that further work is needed to develop a tool that more successfully encourages them to log and treat IAD problems.

Cryptic Patterning of Avian Skin Confers a Developmental Facility for Loss of Neck Feathering

PubMed Central

Mou, Chunyan; Pitel, Frederique; Gourichon, David; Vignoles, Florence; Tzika, Athanasia; Tato, Patricia; Yu, Le; Burt, Dave W.; Bed'hom, Bertrand; Tixier-Boichard, Michele; Painter, Kevin J.; Headon, Denis J.

2011-01-01

Vertebrate skin is characterized by its patterned array of appendages, whether feathers, hairs, or scales. In avian skin the distribution of feathers occurs on two distinct spatial levels. Grouping of feathers within discrete tracts, with bare skin lying between the tracts, is termed the macropattern, while the smaller scale periodic spacing between individual feathers is referred to as the micropattern. The degree of integration between the patterning mechanisms that operate on these two scales during development and the mechanisms underlying the remarkable evolvability of skin macropatterns are unknown. A striking example of macropattern variation is the convergent loss of neck feathering in multiple species, a trait associated with heat tolerance in both wild and domestic birds. In chicken, a mutation called Naked neck is characterized by a reduction of body feathering and completely bare neck. Here we perform genetic fine mapping of the causative region and identify a large insertion associated with the Naked neck trait. A strong candidate gene in the critical interval, BMP12/GDF7, displays markedly elevated expression in Naked neck embryonic skin due to a cis-regulatory effect of the causative mutation. BMP family members inhibit embryonic feather formation by acting in a reaction-diffusion mechanism, and we find that selective production of retinoic acid by neck skin potentiates BMP signaling, making neck skin more sensitive than body skin to suppression of feather development. This selective production of retinoic acid by neck skin constitutes a cryptic pattern as its effects on feathering are not revealed until gross BMP levels are altered. This developmental modularity of neck and body skin allows simple quantitative changes in BMP levels to produce a sparsely feathered or bare neck while maintaining robust feather patterning on the body. PMID:21423653

Lighting and marking policies are associated with reduced farm equipment-related crash rates: a policy analysis of nine Midwestern US states.

PubMed

Ramirez, Marizen; Bedford, Ronald; Wu, Hongqian; Harland, Karisa; Cavanaugh, Joseph E; Peek-Asa, Corinne

2016-09-01

To evaluate the effectiveness of roadway policies for lighting and marking of farm equipment in reducing crashes in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. In this ecological study, state policies on lighting and marking of farm equipment were scored for compliance with standards of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE). Using generalized estimating equations negative binomial models, we estimated the relationships between lighting and marking scores, and farm equipment crash rates, per 100 000 farm operations. A total of 7083 crashes involving farm equipment was reported from 2005 to 2010 in the Upper Midwest and Great Plains. As the state lighting and marking score increased by 5 units, crash rates reduced by 17% (rate ratio=0.83; 95% CI 0.78 to 0.88). Lighting-only (rate ratio=0.48; 95% CI 0.45 to 0.51) and marking-only policies (rate ratio=0.89; 95% CI 0.83 to 0.96) were each associated with reduced crash rates. Aligning lighting and marking policies with ASABE standards may effectively reduce crash rates involving farm equipment. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Investigation of a tissue engineered tendon model by PS-OCT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Ying; Ahearne, Mark; Wimpenny, Ian; Guijarro-Leach, Juan; Torbet, Jim

2010-02-01

A few native tissues, such as tendon, skin and eye, possess highly organized collagenous matrices. In particular, the collagen fibers in tendon are organized into a hierarchical and unidirectional format, which gives rise to the high tissuespecific mechanical properties. This organization has been clearly revealed by a conventional polarized light microscope. The newly developed polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) technique allows non-invasive visualization of birefringence images arising from orientated structures in a three dimensional format. Our previous studies of native tendon and tissue engineered tendon by PS-OCT demonstrate that tissue engineered tendon has a far less perfect collagen fiber organization than native tendon even under dynamic culture conditions. The purpose of this study is to use PS-OCT to assess the relationship between the degree of birefringence, collagen concentration and fiber density in model tendon tissues. The model tissue is constructed from an aligned collagen hydrogel and aligned polyester nanofibers. The effects of the diameter and density of the nanofibers and the collagen concentration in the model have been investigated. The alignment of collagen fibrils is induced by application of a high magnetic field during fibrillogenesis while aligned polyester nanofibers are manufactured using the electrospinning technique. It is found that the collagen concentration, the density and size of nanofiber bundles are the key parameters to produce birefringence in OCT images. The perfectly aligned collagen hydrogel with concentration as high as 4 mg/ml does not exhibit a birefringence image until the hydrogel has been compressed and concentrated. Aligned nanofiber bundles have demonstrated marginal birefringence in the absence of the collagen matrix. These studies enhance our understanding of how to control and optimize the parameters in tendon tissue engineering.

Microneedling: Advances and widening horizons

PubMed Central

Singh, Aashim; Yadav, Savita

2016-01-01

Microneedling is a very simple, safe, effective, and minimally invasive therapeutic technique. It was initially introduced for skin rejuvenation, however, now it is being used for a very wide range of indications including acne scar, acne, post-traumatic/burn scar, alopecia, skin rejuvenation, drug delivery, hyperhidrosis, stretch marks, and many more. Moreover, during the last 10 years, many new innovations have been made to the initial instrument, which was used for microneedling. This technique can be combined with other surgical techniques to provide better results. In particular, it is a very safe technique for dark skin types, where risk of postinflammatory pigmentation is very high with other techniques that damage the epidermis. In this review article, we are updating on the different instruments now available for this procedure, and its efficacy when performed alone or in combination with other techniques for various indications. PMID:27559496

Skin fibroblasts from individuals hemizygous for the familial adenopolyposis susceptibility gene show delayed crisis in vitro

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, S.; Kazim, D.; Kraveka, J.

Normal human fibroblast cells have not been reported to escape crisis--that is they die after about 24 doublings in culture. The authors have been studying the growth properties of skin fibroblast cells from persons in families with familial adenopolyposis of the colon (FAP). An individual hemizygous at the FAP locus will develop hyperplasia of the colonic epithelium followed by colonic polyps, both at an early age. Polyps themselves still retain a single functional FAP allele. A mutation or deletion in this allele in a polyp is hypothesized to lead to further loss of growth control; thus, a tumor is formed.more » They found that the in vitro life-span of skin fibroblast cells from FAP individuals and from some asymptomatic children were markedly extended when compared with normal individuals.« less

Diagnosis of electrocution: The application of scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy in five cases.

PubMed

Visonà, S D; Chen, Y; Bernardi, P; Andrello, L; Osculati, A

2018-03-01

Deaths from electricity, generally, do not have specific findings at the autopsy. The diagnosis is commonly based on the circumstances of the death and the morphologic findings, above all the current mark. Yet, the skin injury due to an electrocution and other kinds of thermal injuries often cannot be differentiated with certainty. Therefore, there is a great interest in finding specific markers of electrocution. The search for the metallization of the skin through Scanning Electron Microscope equipped with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) probe is of special importance in order to achieve a definite diagnosis in case of suspected electrocution. We selected five cases in which the electrocution was extremely likely considering the circumstances of the death. In each case a forensic autopsy was performed. Then, the skin specimens were stained with Hematoxylin Eosin and Perls. On the other hand, the skin lesions were examined with a scanning electron microscope equipped with EDS probe in order to evaluate the morphological ultrastructural features and the presence of deposits on the surface of the skin. The typical skin injury of the electrocution (current mark) were macroscopically detected in all of the cases. The microscopic examination of the skin lesions revealed the typical spherical vacuoles in the horny layer and, in the epidermis, the elongation of the cell nuclei as well as necrosis. Perls staining was negative in 4 out 6 cases. Ultrastructural morphology revealed the evident vacuolization of the horny layer, elongation of epidermic cells, coagulation of the elastic fibers. In the specimens collected from the site of contact with the conductor of case 1 and 2, the presence of the Kα peaks of iron was detected. In the corresponding specimens taken from cases 2, 4, 5 the microanalysis showed the Kα peaks of titanium. In case 3, titanium and carbon were found. In the suspicion of electrocution, the integrated use of different tools is recommended, including macroscopic observation, H&E staining, iron-specific staining, scanning electron microscopy and EDS microanalysis. Only the careful interpretation of the results provided by all these methods can allow the pathologist to correctly identify the cause of the death. Particularly, the present study suggests that the microanalysis (SEM-EDS) represents a very useful tool for the diagnosis of electrocution, allowing the detection and the identification of the metals embedded in the skin and their evaluation in the context of the ultrastructural morphology. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Alpha Improves Aged and UV-Irradiated Skin by Catalase Induction

PubMed Central

Shin, Mi Hee; Lee, Se-Rah; Kim, Min-Kyoung; Shin, Chang-Yup

2016-01-01

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) is a nuclear hormone receptor involved in the transcriptional regulation of lipid metabolism, fatty acid oxidation, and glucose homeostasis. Its activation stimulates antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, whose expression is decreased in aged human skin. Here we investigated the expression of PPARα in aged and ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated skin, and whether PPARα activation can modulate expressions of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and procollagen through catalase regulation. We found that PPARα mRNA level was significantly decreased in intrinsically aged and photoaged human skin as well as in UV-irradiated skin. A PPARα activator, Wy14643, inhibited UV-induced increase of MMP-1 and decrease of procollagen expression and caused marked increase in catalase expression. Furthermore, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was suppressed by Wy14643 in UV-irradiated and aged dermal fibroblasts, suggesting that the PPARα activation-induced upregulation of catalase leads to scavenging of ROS produced due to UV irradiation or aging. PPARα knockdown decreased catalase expression and abolished the beneficial effects of Wy14643. Topical application of Wy14643 on hairless mice restored catalase activity and prevented MMP-13 and inflammatory responses in skin. Our findings indicate that PPARα activation triggers catalase expression and ROS scavenging, thereby protecting skin from UV-induced damage and intrinsic aging. PMID:27611371

Cyclic Alopecia and Abnormal Epidermal Cornification in Zdhhc13-Deficient Mice Reveal the Importance of Palmitoylation in Hair and Skin Differentiation.

PubMed

Liu, Kai-Ming; Chen, Yi-Ju; Shen, Li-Fen; Haddad, Amir N S; Song, I-Wen; Chen, Li-Ying; Chen, Yu-Ju; Wu, Jer-Yuarn; Yen, Jeffrey J Y; Chen, Yuan-Tsong

2015-11-01

Many biochemical pathways involved in hair and skin development have not been investigated. Here, we reported on the lesions and investigated the mechanism underlying hair and skin abnormalities in Zdhhc13(skc4) mice with a deficiency in DHHC13, a palmitoyl-acyl transferase encoded by Zdhhc13. Homozygous affected mice showed ragged and dilapidated cuticle of the hair shaft (CUH, a hair anchoring structure), poor hair anchoring ability, and premature hair loss at early telogen phase of the hair cycle, resulting in cyclic alopecia. Furthermore, the homozygous affected mice exhibited hyperproliferation of the epidermis, disturbed cornification, fragile cornified envelope (CE, a skin barrier structure), and impaired skin barrier function. Biochemical investigations revealed that cornifelin, which contains five palmitoylation sites at cysteine residues (C58, C59, C60, C95, and C101), was a specific substrate of DHHC13 and that it was absent in the CUH and CE structures of the affected mice. Furthermore, cornifelin levels were markedly reduced when two palmitoylated cysteines were replaced with serine (C95S and C101S). Taken together, our results suggest that DHHC13 is important for hair anchoring and skin barrier function and that cornifelin deficiency contributes to cyclic alopecia and skin abnormalities in Zdhhc13(skc4) mice.

The biology of skin wetness perception and its implications in manual function and for reproducing complex somatosensory signals in neuroprosthetics

PubMed Central

Ackerley, Rochelle

2017-01-01

Our perception of skin wetness is generated readily, yet humans have no known receptor (hygroreceptor) to signal this directly. It is easy to imagine the sensation of water running over our hands or the feel of rain on our skin. The synthetic sensation of wetness is thought to be produced from a combination of specific skin thermal and tactile inputs, registered through thermoreceptors and mechanoreceptors, respectively. The present review explores how thermal and tactile afference from the periphery can generate the percept of wetness centrally. We propose that the main signals include information about skin cooling, signaled primarily by thinly myelinated thermoreceptors, and rapid changes in touch, through fast-conducting, myelinated mechanoreceptors. Potential central sites for integration of these signals, and thus the perception of skin wetness, include the primary and secondary somatosensory cortices and the insula cortex. The interactions underlying these processes can also be modeled to aid in understanding and engineering the mechanisms. Furthermore, we discuss the role that sensing wetness could play in precision grip and the dexterous manipulation of objects. We expand on these lines of inquiry to the application of the knowledge in designing and creating skin sensory feedback in prosthetics. The addition of real-time, complex sensory signals would mark a significant advance in the use and incorporation of prosthetic body parts for amputees in everyday life. PMID:28123008

Liquid Crystalline Systems Based on Glyceryl Monooleate and Penetration Enhancers for Skin Delivery of Celecoxib: Characterization, In Vitro Drug Release, and In Vivo Studies.

PubMed

Dante, Mariane de Cássia Lima; Borgheti-Cardoso, Livia Neves; Fantini, Marcia Carvalho de Abreu; Praça, Fabíola Silva Garcia; Medina, Wanessa Silva Garcia; Pierre, Maria Bernadete Riemma; Lara, Marilisa Guimarães

2018-03-01

Celecoxib (CXB) is a widely used anti-inflammatory drug that also acts as a chemopreventive agent against several types of cancer, including skin cancer. As the long-term oral administration of CXB has been associated with severe side effects, the skin delivery of this drug represents a promising alternative for the treatment of skin inflammatory conditions and chemoprevention of skin cancer. We prepared and characterized liquid crystalline systems based on glyceryl monooleate and water containing penetration enhancers which were primarily designed to promote skin delivery of CXB. Analysis of their phase behavior revealed the formation of cubic and hexagonal phases depending on the systems' composition. The systems' structure and composition markedly affected the in vitro CXB release profile. Oleic acid reduced CXB release rate, but association oleic acid/propylene glycol increased the drug release rate. The developed systems significantly reduced inflammation in an aerosil-induced rat paw edema model. The systems' composition and liquid crystalline structure influenced their anti-inflammatory potency. Cubic phase systems containing oleic acid/propylene glycol association reduced edema in a sustained manner, indicating that they modulate CXB release and permeation. Our findings demonstrate that the developed liquid crystalline systems are potential carriers for the skin delivery of CXB. Copyright © 2018 American Pharmacists Association®. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Visualization of permanent marks in progressive addition lenses by digital in-line holography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perucho, Beatriz; Micó, Vicente

2013-04-01

A critical issue in the production of ophthalmic lenses is to guarantee the correct centering and alignment throughout the manufacturing and mounting processes. Aimed to that, progressive addition lenses (PALs) incorporate permanent marks at standardized locations at the lens. Those marks are engraved upon the surface and provide the model identification and addition power of the PAL, as well as to serve as locator marks to re-ink the removable marks again if necessary. Although the permanent marks should be visible by simple visual inspection, those marks are often faint and weak on new lenses providing low contrast, obscured by scratches on older lenses, and partially occluded and difficult to recognize on tinted or anti-reflection coated lenses. In this contribution, we present an extremely simple visualization system for permanent marks in PALs based on digital in-line holography. Light emitted by a superluminescent diode (SLD) is used to illuminate the PAL which is placed just before a digital (CCD) sensor. Thus, the CCD records an in-line hologram incoming from the diffracted wavefront provided by the PAL. As a result, it is possible to recover an in-focus image of the PAL inspected region by means of classical holographic tools applied in the digital domain. This numerical process involves digital recording of the in-line hologram, numerical back propagation to the PAL plane, and some digital processing to reduce noise and present a high quality final image. Preliminary experimental results are provided showing the applicability of the proposed method.

Cellular and ultrastructural characterization of the grey-morph phenotype in southern right whales (Eubalaena australis)

PubMed Central

Eroh, Guy D.; Clayton, Fred C.; Florell, Scott R.; Cassidy, Pamela B.; Chirife, Andrea; Marón, Carina F.; Valenzuela, Luciano O.; Campbell, Michael S.; Seger, Jon; Rowntree, Victoria J.; Leachman, Sancy A.

2017-01-01

Southern right whales (SRWs, Eubalena australis) are polymorphic for an X-linked pigmentation pattern known as grey morphism. Most SRWs have completely black skin with white patches on their bellies and occasionally on their backs; these patches remain white as the whale ages. Grey morphs (previously referred to as partial albinos) appear mostly white at birth, with a splattering of rounded black marks; but as the whales age, the white skin gradually changes to a brownish grey color. The cellular and developmental bases of grey morphism are not understood. Here we describe cellular and ultrastructural features of grey-morph skin in relation to that of normal, wild-type skin. Melanocytes were identified histologically and counted, and melanosomes were measured using transmission electron microscopy. Grey-morph skin had fewer melanocytes when compared to wild-type skin, suggesting reduced melanocyte survival, migration, or proliferation in these whales. Grey-morph melanocytes had smaller melanosomes relative to wild-type skin, normal transport of melanosomes to surrounding keratinocytes, and normal localization of melanin granules above the keratinocyte nuclei. These findings indicate that SRW grey-morph pigmentation patterns are caused by reduced numbers of melanocytes in the skin, as well as by reduced amounts of melanin production and/or reduced sizes of mature melanosomes. Grey morphism is distinct from piebaldism and albinism found in other species, which are genetic pigmentation conditions resulting from the local absence of melanocytes, or the inability to synthesize melanin, respectively. PMID:28170433

Cellular and ultrastructural characterization of the grey-morph phenotype in southern right whales (Eubalaena australis).

PubMed

Eroh, Guy D; Clayton, Fred C; Florell, Scott R; Cassidy, Pamela B; Chirife, Andrea; Marón, Carina F; Valenzuela, Luciano O; Campbell, Michael S; Seger, Jon; Rowntree, Victoria J; Leachman, Sancy A

2017-01-01

Southern right whales (SRWs, Eubalena australis) are polymorphic for an X-linked pigmentation pattern known as grey morphism. Most SRWs have completely black skin with white patches on their bellies and occasionally on their backs; these patches remain white as the whale ages. Grey morphs (previously referred to as partial albinos) appear mostly white at birth, with a splattering of rounded black marks; but as the whales age, the white skin gradually changes to a brownish grey color. The cellular and developmental bases of grey morphism are not understood. Here we describe cellular and ultrastructural features of grey-morph skin in relation to that of normal, wild-type skin. Melanocytes were identified histologically and counted, and melanosomes were measured using transmission electron microscopy. Grey-morph skin had fewer melanocytes when compared to wild-type skin, suggesting reduced melanocyte survival, migration, or proliferation in these whales. Grey-morph melanocytes had smaller melanosomes relative to wild-type skin, normal transport of melanosomes to surrounding keratinocytes, and normal localization of melanin granules above the keratinocyte nuclei. These findings indicate that SRW grey-morph pigmentation patterns are caused by reduced numbers of melanocytes in the skin, as well as by reduced amounts of melanin production and/or reduced sizes of mature melanosomes. Grey morphism is distinct from piebaldism and albinism found in other species, which are genetic pigmentation conditions resulting from the local absence of melanocytes, or the inability to synthesize melanin, respectively.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Antonysamy, A.A., E-mail: alphons.antonysamy@GKNAerospace.com; Meyer, J., E-mail: jonathan.meyer@eads.com; Prangnell, P.B., E-mail: philip.prangnell@manchester.ac.uk

With titanium alloys, the solidification conditions in Additive Manufacturing (AM) frequently lead to coarse columnar β-grain structures. The effect of geometry on the variability in the grain structure and texture, seen in Ti-6Al-4V alloy components produced by Selective Electron Beam Melting (SEBM), has been investigated. Reconstruction of the primary β-phase, from α-phase EBSD data, has confirmed that in bulk sections where in-fill “hatching” is employed growth selection favours columnar grains aligned with an <001> {sub β} direction normal to the deposited powder layers; this results in a coarse β-grain structure with a strong < 001 > {sub β} fibre texturemore » (up 8 x random) that can oscillate between a near random distribution around the fibre axis and cube reinforcement with build height. It is proposed that this behaviour is related to the highly elongated melt pool and the raster directions alternating between two orthogonal directions every layer, which on average favours grains with cube alignment. In contrast, the outline, or “contour”, pass produces a distinctly different grain structure and texture resulting in a skin layer on wall surfaces, where nucleation occurs off the surrounding powder and growth follows the curved surface of the melt pool. This structure becomes increasingly important in thin sections. Local heterogeneities have also been found within different section transitions, resulting from the growth of skin grain structures into thicker sections. Texture simulations have shown that the far weaker α-texture (∼ 3 x random), seen in the final product, arises from transformation on cooling occurring with a near random distribution of α-plates across the 12 variants possible from the Burgers relationship. - Highlights: • Distinctly different skin and bulk structures are produced by the contour and hatching passes. • Bulk sections contain coarse β-grains with a < 001 > fibre texture in the build direction. • This oscillates between a random distribution around the axis and cube reinforcement. • In the skin layer nucleation occurs off the surrounding powder bed and growth occurs inwards. • Simulations show that a weak α-texture results from a random distribution across habit variants.« less

Development of effective skin cancer treatment and prevention in xeroderma pigmentosum.

PubMed

Lambert, W Clark; Lambert, Muriel W

2015-01-01

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare, recessively transmitted genetic disease characterized by increasingly marked dyspigmentation and xerosis (dryness) of sun-exposed tissues, especially skin. Skin cancers characteristically develop in sun-exposed sites at very much earlier ages than in the general population; these are often multiple and hundreds or even thousands may develop. Eight complementation groups have been identified. Seven groups, XP-A…G, are associated with defective genes encoding proteins involved in the nucleotide excision DNA repair (NER) pathway that recognizes and excises mutagenic changes induced in DNA by sunlight; the eighth group, XP-V, is associated with defective translesion synthesis (TLS) bypassing such alterations. The dyspigmentation, xerosis and eventually carcinogenesis in XP patients appear to be due to their cells' failure to respond properly to these mutagenic DNA alterations, leading to mutations in skin cells. A subset of cases, especially those in some complementation groups, may develop neurological degeneration, which may be severe. However, in most XP patients, in the past the multiple skin cancers have led to death at an early age due to either metastases or sepsis. Using either topical 5-fluorouracil or imiquimod, we have developed a protocol that effectively prevents most skin cancer development in XP patients. © 2014 The American Society of Photobiology.

Non-invasive therapy of wrinkles and lax skin using a novel multisource phase-controlled radio frequency system.

PubMed

Elman, Monica; Vider, Itzhak; Harth, Yoram; Gottfried, Varda; Shemer, Avner

2010-04-01

Abstract The last few years have shown an increased demand for non-invasive skin tightening to improve body contour. Since light (lasers or intense pulsed light sources) has a limited ability to penetrate deep into the tissue, radio frequency (RF) modalities were introduced for the reduction of lax skin to achieve skin tightening and body circumference reduction. This study presents the use of the novel 3DEEP technology for body contouring. 3DEEP is a next generation RF technology that provides targeted heating to deeper skin layers without pain or other local or systemic side effects associated with the use of the earlier generation RF systems available today. The study included 30 treatment areas on 23 healthy volunteers at two sites. The treatment protocol included four weekly and two bi-weekly (n= 6) treatments on different body areas. Results were evaluated by standardized photography and by circumference measurements at the treatment area, and were compared to changes in body weight. Significant improvement could be observed in wrinkles and skin laxity, and in the appearance of stretch marks and cellulite. Some changes appeared as early as after a single treatment. Circumference changes of up to 4.3 cm were measured.

Nano-lipoidal carriers of tretinoin with enhanced percutaneous absorption, photostability, biocompatibility and anti-psoriatic activity.

PubMed

Raza, Kaisar; Singh, Bhupinder; Lohan, Shikha; Sharma, Gajanand; Negi, Poonam; Yachha, Yukhti; Katare, Om Prakash

2013-11-01

Tretinoin (TRE) is a widely used retinoid for the topical treatment of acne, psoriasis, skin cancer and photoaging. Despite unmatchable efficacy, it is associated with several vexatious side effects like marked skin erythema, peeling and irritation, eventually leading to poor patient compliance. Its photo-instability and high lipophilicity also pose challenges in the development of a suitable topical product. The present study, therefore, aims to develop biocompatible lipid-based nanocarriers of TRE to improve its skin delivery, photostability, biocompatibility and pharmacodynamic efficacy. The TRE-loaded liposomes, ethosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipidic carriers (NLCs) were prepared and characterized for micromeritics, surface charge, percent drug efficiency and morphology. Bioadhesive hydrogels of the developed systems were also evaluated for rheological characterization, photostability, ex vivo skin permeation and retention employing porcine skin, and anti-psoriatic activity in mouse tail model. Nanoparticulate carriers (SLNs, NLCs) offered enhanced photostability, skin transport and anti-psoriatic activity vis-à-vis the vesicular carriers (liposomes, ethosomes) and the marketed product. However, all the developed nanocarriers were found to be more biocompatible and effective than the marketed product. These encouraging findings can guide in proper selection of topical carriers among diversity of such available carriers systems. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Skin application of urea-containing cream affected cutaneous arterial sympathetic nerve activity, blood flow, and water evaporation.

PubMed

Horii, Yuko; Tanida, Mamoru; Shen, Jiao; Fujisaki, Yosiyuki; Fuyuki, Risa; Hashimoto, Kazuko; Niijima, Akira; Nakashima, Toshihiro; Nagai, Katsuya

2011-02-01

We observed that olfactory stimulation with scent of grapefruit oil elevated the activities of sympathetic nerves, and increased the plasma glycerol concentration and blood pressure. In contrast, olfactory stimulation with scent of lavender oil had opposite effects in rats. These suggest that changes in autonomic activities cause physiological functions via histaminergic H1 and H3 receptor. Moreover, it has been reported that somatic sensory stimulation affected autonomic neurotransmission. To examine effects of skin application of urea-containing cream on cutaneous arterial sympathetic nerve activity (CASNA), blood flow, and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). The activity of CASNA was determined by electrophysiological method, and cutaneous blood flow was determined using laser flowmeter in urethane-anesthetized rats, TEWL was measured using VapoMeter in the back skin of HWY hairless rats. CASNA was markedly and significantly inhibited by skin application of 10% urea-containing cream, whereas cutaneous blood flow was significantly elevated via histaminergic H3-receptor. In conscious hairless rats, TEWL was significantly decreased 24 h after application of 10% urea-containing cream to the back skin. These findings suggest that skin application of 10% urea-containing cream increases the cutaneous blood flow and water retaining ability, and that histaminergic H3-receptors may mediate these effects. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Induction of Alternative Proinflammatory Cytokines Accounts for Sustained Psoriasiform Skin Inflammation in IL-17C+IL-6KO Mice.

PubMed

Fritz, Yi; Klenotic, Philip A; Swindell, William R; Yin, Zhi Qiang; Groft, Sarah G; Zhang, Li; Baliwag, Jaymie; Camhi, Maya I; Diaconu, Doina; Young, Andrew B; Foster, Alexander M; Johnston, Andrew; Gudjonsson, Johann E; McCormick, Thomas S; Ward, Nicole L

2017-03-01

IL-6 inhibition has been unsuccessful in treating psoriasis, despite high levels of tissue and serum IL-6 in patients. In addition, de novo psoriasis onset has been reported after IL-6 blockade in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. To explore mechanisms underlying these clinical observations, we backcrossed an established psoriasiform mouse model (IL-17C+ mice) with IL-6-deficient mice (IL-17C+KO) and examined the cutaneous phenotype. IL-17C+KO mice initially exhibited decreased skin inflammation; however, this decrease was transient and reversed rapidly, concomitant with increases in skin Tnf, Il36α/β/γ, Il24, Epgn, and S100a8/a9 to levels higher than those found in IL-17C+ mice. A comparison of IL-17C+ and IL-17C+KO mouse skin transcriptomes with that of human psoriasis skin revealed significant correlation among transcripts of skin of patients with psoriasis and IL-17C+KO mouse skin, and confirmed an exacerbation of the inflammatory signature in IL-17C+KO mice that aligns closely with human psoriasis. Transcriptional analyses of IL-17C+ and IL-17C+KO primary keratinocytes confirmed increased expression of proinflammatory molecules, suggesting that in the absence of IL-6, keratinocytes increase production of numerous additional proinflammatory cytokines. These preclinical findings may provide insight into why patients with arthritis being treated with IL-6 inhibitors develop new onset psoriasis and why IL-6 blockade for the treatment of psoriasis has not been clinically effective. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effects of weightlessness on body composition in the rat

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pitts, G. C.; Ushakov, A. S.; Pace, N.; Smith, A. H.; Rahlmann, D. F.; Smirnova, T. A.

1983-01-01

The effects of weightlessness on the body composition of rats were investigated using 5 male rats exposed to 18.5 days of weightlessness on the COSMOS 1129 biosatellite and killed after reentry. The animals were immediately dissected and the three major body divisions (musculoskeletal system, skin, and pooled viscera) were analyzed for fat, water, solids, and six elements. These results were determined as percentages of the fat-free body or its components and then compared with two groups of terrestrial controls, one of which was subjected to a flight simulation in a spacecraft mock-up while the other was under standard vivarium conditions. Compared with the control groups, the flight group was found to exhibit a reduced fraction of total body water, a net shift of body water from skin to viscera, a marked diminution in the fraction of extracellular water in the fat-free body, a marked reduction in the fraction of bone mineral, no change in the quantity of stored fat or adrenal masses, and a net increase in total muscle mass as indicated by total body creatine, protein, and body cell mass.

Prayer marks.

PubMed

Abanmi, Abdullah A; Al Zouman, Abdulrahman Y; Al Hussaini, Husa; Al-Asmari, Abdulrahman

2002-07-01

Prayer marks (PMs) are asymptomatic, chronic skin changes that consist mainly of thickening, lichenification, and hyperpigmentation, and develop over a long period of time as a consequence of repeated, extended pressure on bony prominences during prayer. Three hundred and forty-nine Muslims and 24 non-Muslims were examined for the appearance of PMs at different body sites. The prospective study of 349 Muslims (both males and females) with regular praying habits showed the occurrence of PMs on specific locations, such as the forehead, knees, ankles, and dorsa of the feet, leading to dermatologic changes consisting of lichenification and hyperpigmentation. The incidence of PMs was significantly higher in males than in females. Older subjects (over 50 years of age) demonstrated a significantly higher frequency of lichenification and hyperpigmentation, suggesting that repeated pressure and friction for prolonged periods are the causative factors for the development of PMs. Histologic examination of skin biopsies from the affected sites showed compact orthokeratosis, hypergranulosis, dermal papillary fibrosis, and dermal vascularization. PMs were not associated with any risk of secondary complications, such as erythema, bullous formation, and infections. PMs are commonly occurring dermatologic changes in Muslims who pray for prolonged periods.

Real-Time Demonstration of Split Skin Graft Inosculation and Integra Dermal Matrix Neovascularization Using Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy

PubMed Central

Greenwood, John; Amjadi, Mahyar; Dearman, Bronwyn; Mackie, Ian

2009-01-01

Objectives: During the first 48 hours after placement, an autograft “drinks” nutrients and dissolved oxygen from fluid exuding from the underlying recipient bed (“plasmatic imbibition”). The theory of inosculation (that skin grafts subsequently obtain nourishment via blood vessel “anastomosis” between new vessels invading from the wound bed and existing graft vessels) was hotly debated from the late 19th to mid-20th century. This study aimed to noninvasively observe blood flow in split skin grafts and Integra™ dermal regeneration matrix to provide further proof of inosculation and to contrast the structure of vascularization in both materials, reflecting mechanism. Methods: Observations were made both clinically and using confocal microscopy on normal skin, split skin graft, and Integra™. The VivaScope™ allows noninvasive, real-time, in vivo images of tissue to be obtained. Results: Observations of blood flow and tissue architecture in autologous skin graft and Integra™ suggest that 2 very different processes are occurring in the establishment of circulation in each case. Inosculation provides rapid circulatory return to skin grafts whereas slower neovascularization creates an unusual initial Integra™ circulation. Conclusions: The advent of confocal laser microscopy like the VivaScope 1500™, together with “virtual” journals such as ePlasty, enables us to provide exciting images and distribute them widely to a “reading” audience. The development of the early Integra™ vasculature by neovascularization results in a large-vessel, high-volume, rapid flow circulation contrasting markedly from the inosculatory process in skin grafts and the capillary circulation in normal skin and merits further (planned) investigation. PMID:19787028

Staphylococcus epidermidis in the human skin microbiome mediates fermentation to inhibit the growth of Propionibacterium acnes: Implications of probiotics in acne vulgaris

PubMed Central

Wang, Yanhan; Kuo, Sherwin; Shu, Muya; Yu, Jinghua; Huang, Stephen; Dai, Ashley; Two, Aimee; Gallo, Richard L.; Huang, Chun-Ming

2014-01-01

Increasing evidence demonstrates that commensal microorganisms in the human skin microbiome help fight pathogens and maintain homeostasis of the microbiome. However, it is unclear how these microorganisms maintain biological balance when one of them overgrows. The overgrowth of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), a commensal skin bacterium, has been associated with the progression of acne vulgaris. Our results demonstrate that skin microorganisms can mediate fermentation of glycerol, which is naturally produced in skin, to enhance their inhibitory effects on P. acnes growth. The skin microorganisms, most of which have been identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis), in the microbiome of human fingerprints can ferment glycerol and create inhibition zones to repel a colony of overgrown P. acnes. Succinic acid, one of four short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) detected in fermented media by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, effectively inhibits the growth of P. acnes in vitro and in vivo. Both intralesional injection and topical application of succinic acid to P. acnes-induced lesions markedly suppress the P. acnes-induced inflammation in mice. We demonstrate for the first time that bacterial members in the skin microbiome can undergo fermentation to rein in the overgrowth of P. acnes. The concept of bacterial interference between P. acnes and S. epidermidis via fermentation can be applied to develop probiotics against acne vulgaris and other skin diseases. In addition, it will open up an entirely new area of study for the biological function of the skin microbiome in promoting human health. PMID:24265031

C-Jun expression in lichen planus, psoriasis, and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, an immunohistochemical study.

PubMed

Abdou, Asmaa Gaber; Marae, Alaa Hassan; Shoeib, Mohammed; Dawood, Ghada; Abouelfath, Enas

2018-01-01

The AP-1 transcription factor complex is a key player in regulating inflammatory processes, cell proliferation, differentiation, and cell transformation. The aim of the present study is to investigate C-Jun (one of AP-1complex) expression and its proliferative role in skin samples of lichen planus, psoriasis as common inflammatory skin diseases and squamous cell carcinoma using immunohistochemical method. The present study was carried out on skin biopsies of 15 psoriatic patients, 15 lichen planus patients, 15 SCC, and 15 normal skin biopsies. Nuclear expression of C-Jun was detected in basal and few suprabasal layers of epidermis of normal skin. C-Jun was expressed in the whole epidermal layers of both psoriasis (14/15) and lichen planus (15/15) in addition to its expression in lymphocytic infiltrate in the latter in about half of cases (8/15). C-Jun was also expressed in 93.3% (14/15) of SCC in a percentage lower than that of psoriasis, lichen planus, and normal skin. The percentage of C-Jun expression in SCC was significantly associated with an early stage (p = 0.000), free surgical margins (p = 0.022), and small tumour size (p = 0.003). The marked reduction of C-Jun in SCC in comparison to normal skin and inflammatory skin dermatoses may refer to its tumour suppressor activity. C-Jun expression in SCC carries favourable prognosis. Absence of significant association between C-Jun and Ki-67 either in SCC or inflammatory skin diseases indicates that it does not affect proliferative capacity of cells.

How much is too much assessment? Insight into assessment-driven student learning gains in large-scale undergraduate microbiology courses.

PubMed

Wang, Jack T H; Schembri, Mark A; Hall, Roy A

2013-01-01

Designing and implementing assessment tasks in large-scale undergraduate science courses is a labor-intensive process subject to increasing scrutiny from students and quality assurance authorities alike. Recent pedagogical research has provided conceptual frameworks for teaching introductory undergraduate microbiology, but has yet to define best-practice assessment guidelines. This study assessed the applicability of Biggs' theory of constructive alignment in designing consistent learning objectives, activities, and assessment items that aligned with the American Society for Microbiology's concept-based microbiology curriculum in MICR2000, an introductory microbiology course offered at the University of Queensland, Australia. By improving the internal consistency in assessment criteria and increasing the number of assessment items explicitly aligned to the course learning objectives, the teaching team was able to efficiently provide adequate feedback on numerous assessment tasks throughout the semester, which contributed to improved student performance and learning gains. When comparing the constructively aligned 2011 offering of MICR2000 with its 2010 counterpart, students obtained higher marks in both coursework assignments and examinations as the semester progressed. Students also valued the additional feedback provided, as student rankings for course feedback provision increased in 2011 and assessment and feedback was identified as a key strength of MICR2000. By designing MICR2000 using constructive alignment and iterative assessment tasks that followed a common set of learning outcomes, the teaching team was able to effectively deliver detailed and timely feedback in a large introductory microbiology course. This study serves as a case study for how constructive alignment can be integrated into modern teaching practices for large-scale courses.

SPHERE: SPherical Harmonic Elastic REgistration of HARDI Data

PubMed Central

Yap, Pew-Thian; Chen, Yasheng; An, Hongyu; Yang, Yang; Gilmore, John H.; Lin, Weili

2010-01-01

In contrast to the more common Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), High Angular Resolution Diffusion Imaging (HARDI) allows superior delineation of angular microstructures of brain white matter, and makes possible multiple-fiber modeling of each voxel for better characterization of brain connectivity. However, the complex orientation information afforded by HARDI makes registration of HARDI images more complicated than scalar images. In particular, the question of how much orientation information is needed for satisfactory alignment has not been sufficiently addressed. Low order orientation representation is generally more robust than high order representation, although the latter provides more information for correct alignment of fiber pathways. However, high order representation, when naïvely utilized, might not necessarily be conducive to improving registration accuracy since similar structures with significant orientation differences prior to proper alignment might be mistakenly taken as non-matching structures. We present in this paper a HARDI registration algorithm, called SPherical Harmonic Elastic REgistration (SPHERE), which in a principled means hierarchically extracts orientation information from HARDI data for structural alignment. The image volumes are first registered using robust, relatively direction invariant features derived from the Orientation Distribution Function (ODF), and the alignment is then further refined using spherical harmonic (SH) representation with gradually increasing orders. This progression from non-directional, single-directional to multi-directional representation provides a systematic means of extracting directional information given by diffusion-weighted imaging. Coupled with a template-subject-consistent soft-correspondence-matching scheme, this approach allows robust and accurate alignment of HARDI data. Experimental results show marked increase in accuracy over a state-of-the-art DTI registration algorithm. PMID:21147231

[Forensic-medical diagnostics of an electrical mark resulting from the injury inflicted by technical electricity in the aqueous environment].

PubMed

Pigolkin, Iu I; Skovorodnikov, S V; Dubrovin, I A

2014-01-01

The objective of the present study was to develop the criteria for forensic-medical diagnostics of an electrical injury inflicted in the aqueous environment based on the characteristics of the electrical mark. The specific morphological features of the electrical injuries inflicted in the aqueous environment that were discovered in the materials available for the forensic medical expertise were analysed taking into consideration the results of the relevant research reported in the forensic medical literature. It was shown that an electrical injury inflicted in the aqueous environment results in the formation of an unusual mark in the form of blisters containing no watery liquid associated with electrogenic oedema in the surrounding tissues. Macroscopic and microscopic studies of the electrical mark failed to reveal the signs of grade III and IV grade thermal burning or thermally affected hair. It is concluded that the consistent characteristics of the electrical mark resulting from the injury inflicted by technical electricity in the aqueous environment include cell lengthening, blister formation inside the corneal layer, and the separation of epidermis from the skin proper.

Goose-skin Pleura: A Thoracoscopic Finding in a Case of Recurrent Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion.

PubMed

Al-Halfawy, Ahmed; Light, Richard W

2010-10-01

We present the case of a female patient who presented with undiagnosed pleural effusion. Thoracoscopy was performed and at the beginning of the procedure, the parietal pleura was rather uniformly congested but with a smooth surface. As time passed, the parietal pleura became roughened by bumpy areas of mucosal elevations, which looked soft and watery. This became evident during the biopsy procedure, as the pleura was markedly edematous. The biopsy specimens were nonspecific and the cause of the effusion remained unclear. This phenomenon, which we termed "goose-skin" pleura, showed that the origin of the pleural effusion formed was the parietal pleura, for unknown causes.

Analysis of tooth marks in a homicide case. Observations by means of visual description, stereo-photography, scanning electron microscopy and stereometric graphic plotting.

PubMed

Bang, G

1976-01-01

In 1957 a woman was murdered in Oslo. Her left breast exhibited tooth marks. A man was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment partly because of the dental evidence. He never admitted guilt and filed a petition for retrial. The present author was appointed as new dental expert. The material consisted of the fixed breast, models of the bite mark and models of the teeth of the convict, and several photographs. By means of visual examination, a magnifying glass, a lens stereoscope and a stereomicroscope characteristic details were noted. Stereoscopic picture pairs were taken, the material was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy and a stereometricgraphic plotting method permitting the outline of the tooth mark or the biting edge of a tooth to be registered in great detail in all three dimensions in the form of a contour map. This method has not previously been applied in the analysis of tooth marks in human skin. These examinations revealed no discrepancies but showed many corresponding characteristic features between the tooth marks and the teeth of the convict, resulting in the conclusion that it is highly probable that the tooth marks in the breast were made by the teeth of the convict.

Anti-inflammatory activity effect of 2-substituted-1,4,5,6-tetrahydrocyclopenta[b]pyrrole on TPA-induced skin inflammation in mice.

PubMed

Xu, Xue-Tao; Mou, Xue-Qing; Xi, Qin-Mei; Liu, Wei-Ting; Liu, Wen-Feng; Sheng, Zhao-Jun; Zheng, Xi; Zhang, Kun; Du, Zhi-Yun; Zhao, Su-Qing; Wang, Shao-Hua

2016-11-01

2-Substituted-1,4,5,6-tetrahydrocyclopenta[b]pyrrole, a key structural moiety exiting in many bioactive molecules, has been shown to have excellent selective activity on COX-2. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory activity and the underlying molecular mechanism of 2-substituted-1,4,5,6-tetrahydrocyclopenta[b]pyrrole on skin inflammation were assessed by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced skin inflammation in mice. Most of the compounds showed anti-inflammatory activity on TPA-induced skin inflammation. The anti-inflammatory activity of compound 4 showed higher anti-inflammatory activity than celecoxib (3.2-fold). Compound 4 pretreatment resulted in markedly suppression of TPA-induced IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and COX-2, respectively. Furthermore, the mechanical study indicated that the anti-inflammatory activity of compound 4 was associated with its ability to inhibit activation of factor kappa-κB (NF-κB) by blocking IκB kinase (IKK) activities. Accordingly, compound 4 could be used as a potential anti-inflammatory agent for skin inflammation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Clinical and histopathological results following TriPollar radiofrequency skin treatments.

PubMed

Kaplan, Haim; Gat, Andrea

2009-06-01

Skin laxity, wrinkles and cellulite are common aesthetic problems associated with the aging process. These symptoms are due to the weakening and thinning of dermal connective tissue and the enlargement of hypodermal fat cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the TriPollar RF technology in reducing fat and collagen regeneration. Twelve healthy patients underwent weekly treatments on different body sites using the TriPollar technology. Treatment areas were photographed and measured and patient satisfaction was monitored. One abdominal patient consented to a series of TriPollar treatments prior to her scheduled abdominoplasty. A controlled histopathology analysis was performed on skin samples taken during the abdominoplasty procedure. Histopathological examination revealed marked differences between treated and non-treated abdominal skin areas. An increase of 49% in dermal thickness, focal thickening of collagen fibers and focal shrinkage of fat cells was shown following TriPollar treatments. Average patient satisfaction indicated clear satisfaction with the clinical results achieved. The TriPollar is a safe and effective non-invasive technology leading to skin tightening and body shaping. Histology results indicate changes at the dermal and fat layers following TriPollar treatments resulting in increased collagen regeneration and stimulated fat metabolism.

Alp Rose stem cells, olive oil squalene and a natural alkyl polyglucoside emulsifier: Are they appropriate ingredients of skin moisturizers - in vivo efficacy on normal and sodium lauryl sulfate - irritated skin?.

PubMed

Filipović, Mila; Gledović, Ana; Lukić, Milica; Tasić-Kostov, Marija; Isailović, Tanja; Pantelić, Ivana; Vuleta, Gordana; Savić, Snežana

2016-11-01

Since skin moisturization may be achieved by both actives and chosen carrier, plant stem cells, squalene and natural alkyl polyglucoside emulsifier may be potential components of contemporary cosmetic products. The aim of the study was in vivo evaluation of the skin irritation potential and the efficacy of Alpine Rose stem cells incorporated into li-posomes and olive oil squalene as ingredients of moisturizing creams, with respect to the novel emulsifier used for creams’ stabilization. With the employment of noninvasive skin biophysical measurements, skin hydration (EC), transepi-dermal water loss (TEWL), erythema index (EI) and viscoelas-ticity were measured on 76 healthy volunteers. In the first phase, skin irritation after a 24-hour occlusion and the long-term efficacy of creams (a 21-day study) on healthy skin were evaluated. Phase II of the study focused on the cream efficacy assessment after a 6-day treatment of sodium lauryl sulfate-irritated skin. After a 24-hour occlusion, there were no significant changes in the EI for any tested sample. In the second phase of the study, the EI was not significantly altered for the cream containing squalene, while the application of all active samples resulted in a significant reduction of TEWL. In both phases of the study an EC increase was recorded, espe-cially for the squalene-containing cream. Due to the lack of skin irritation and skin barrier impairment along with the marked hydration effect, it could be said that the in-vestigated actives incorporated into alkyl polyglucoside emulsi-fier-stabilized creams may be safely applied as ingredients for "tailor-made" cosmetic moisturizers intended for normal and dry skin care, whereas olive oil squalene could be used for the treatment of irritated or sensitive skin as well. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR34031

Interactions of skin thickness and physicochemical properties of test compounds in percutaneous penetration studies.

PubMed

Wilkinson, Simon C; Maas, Wilfred J M; Nielsen, Jesper Bo; Greaves, Laura C; van de Sandt, Johannes J M; Williams, Faith M

2006-05-01

To determine the effect of skin thickness on the percutaneous penetration and distribution of test compounds with varying physicochemical properties using in vitro systems. Studies were carried out in accordance with OECD guidelines on skin absorption tests. Percutaneous penetration of caffeine (log P -0.01), testosterone (log P 3.32), propoxur (log P 1.52) (finite dose in ethanol to water vehicle ratio) and butoxyethanol (log P 0.83) (undiluted finite dose or as an infinite dose 50% [v/v] aqueous solution) through skin of varying thicknesses under occluded conditions was measured using flow through cells for 8-24 h. Saline (adjusted to pH 7.4) was used as receptor fluid, with BSA added for studies with testosterone and propoxur. Following exposure, the remaining surface dose was removed by swabbing and the skin digested prior to scintillation counting. The maximum flux of caffeine was increased with decreasing skin thickness, although these differences were found to be non-significant. The presence of caffeine in the skin membrane was not altered by skin thickness. Maximum flux and cumulative dose absorbed of testosterone and butoxyethanol (in both finite and infinite doses) were markedly reduced with full thickness (about 1 mm thick) skin compared with split thickness skin (about 0.5 mm). Maximum flux of propoxur (dissolved in 60% ethanol) was clearly higher through skin of 0.71 mm than through skin of 1.36 mm, but no difference was found between 0.56 and 0.71 mm. The proportion of propoxur present in the membrane after 24 h increased significantly over the complete range of thicknesses tested (0.56-1.36 mm). A complex relationship exists between skin thickness, lipophilicity and percutaneous penetration and distribution. This has implications for risk assessment studies and for the validation of models with data from different sources.

Prediction of skin cancer occurrence by ultraviolet solar index

PubMed Central

Rivas, Miguel; Rojas, Elisa; Calaf, Gloria M.

2012-01-01

An increase in the amount of solar ultraviolet light that reaches the Earth is considered to be responsible for the worldwide increase in skin cancer. It has been reported that exposure to excessive levels of solar ultraviolet light has multiple effects, which can be harmful to humans. Experimental ultraviolet light measurements were obtained in several locations in Chile between 2006 and 2009 using wide-band solar light Biometer YES, calibrated according to World Meteorological Organization (WMO) criteria and integrated into the National Meteorological Center of Chile ultraviolet network (DMC). The aim of this study was to determine skin cancer rates in relation to experimental data accumulated during one year of studying the solar ultraviolet index in Chile, in order to explain the possible effect of radiation on skin cancer. The rate of skin cancer per 100,000 persons was considered in Arica, Santiago, Concepción and Valdivia and extrapolated to other cities. Results of the present study showed that the incidence of skin cancer was markedly correlated with accumulative ultraviolet radiation, and rates of skin cancer could be extrapolated to other locations in Chile. There is a steady increase in the rate of skin cancer in cities located nearest to the equator (low latitude) that receive greater accumulated solar ultraviolet radiation, due to the accumulative effects of this type of radiation on the skin. It can be concluded that Arica is a city at sea level that receives higher levels of ultraviolet solar radiation than other locations, which may explain the higher prevalence of skin cancer in the population of this location, compared with other cities in Chile. PMID:22741013

Improvement of skin conditions by ingestion of Aspergillus kawachii (Koji) extract containing 14-dehydroergosterol in a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial

PubMed Central

Sugihara, Yoshihiko; Ikushima, Shigehito; Miyake, Mika; Kirisako, Takayoshi; Yada, Yukihiro; Fujiwara, Daisuke

2018-01-01

Purpose The present study examined the effect of ingestion of Koji extract containing 14-dehydroergosterol (14-DHE), prepared from Aspergillus kawachii NBRC4308, on improvement of skin conditions among healthy volunteers. Subjects and methods In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study, 70 healthy adult women who felt that their skin was dry ingested either a placebo dietary supplement or Koji extract (200 mg/day) supplement containing 0.1% 14-DHE for 12 weeks. Throughout the treatment period and for 4 weeks afterward, objective indicators – including moisture content of the stratum corneum, trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), and skin wrinkles – were evaluated; in addition, the subjects answered a questionnaire on their skin conditions with ratings on a visual analog scale. Statistical analysis was conducted on the basis of differences from baseline scores. Results Compared with the placebo group, the Koji extract group showed significantly increased forearm moisture at 4, 8, and 16 weeks (p < 0.05 on unpaired t-test). The questionnaire survey showed a marked improvement in skin conditions, particularly crow’s feet, in the Koji extract group versus the placebo group at 8 weeks (p < 0.05 by unpaired t-test). Furthermore, the Koji extract group showed a trend (p < 0.10) toward improvement in skin moisture (at 4 weeks), dryness around the eyes/mouth (at 4 weeks), and overall skin condition (at 8 weeks) versus the placebo group. Conclusion Ingestion of Koji extract containing 14-DHE was demonstrated to have positive effects toward improving skin conditions – in particular, on increasing skin moisture in the stratum corneum. PMID:29563825

Deficient production of hexadecenoic acid in the skin is associated in part with the vulnerability of atopic dermatitis patients to colonization by Staphylococcus aureus.

PubMed

Takigawa, Hirofumi; Nakagawa, Hidemi; Kuzukawa, Michiya; Mori, Hajime; Imokawa, Genji

2005-01-01

As one of the major skin fatty acids, cis-6-hexadecenoic acid (C16:1Delta6) exhibits a specific antibacterial activity and might play a specific role in the defense mechanism against Staphylococcus aureus, in healthy subjects whereas S. aureus frequently colonizes the skin of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Fatty acid composition of sebum at the recovery level was analyzed by gas chromatography and S. aureus colonizing the skin was assessed by the 'cup-scrub' method (9 patients and 10 healthy controls). To evaluate in vivo effect of C16:1Delta6 on colonization, C16:1Delta6 was applied for 2 weeks on the upper arm skin of another group of AD patients (11 patients). Analysis of sebum lipids revealed that there is a significant lower free C16:1Delta6 content in nonlesional skin from AD patients compared with healthy controls. This lower content is also accompanied by a significantly lower level of C16:1Delta6 in the total fatty acid composition of sebum (analyzed following hydrolysis). The lower level of free C16:1Delta6 correlated significantly (R(2) = 0.41, p < 0.01) with the numbers of S. aureus colonizing nonlesional skin. Topical application of free C16:1Delta6 on the skin of AD patients for 2 weeks abolished the markedly increased bacterial count in 6 out of the 8 AD patients tested. Free C16:1Delta6 may be involved in the defense mechanism against S. aureus in healthy skin and this deficit triggers the susceptibility of the skin to colonization by S. aureus in AD. Copyright 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Whole-Mount Adult Ear Skin Imaging Reveals Defective Neuro-Vascular Branching Morphogenesis in Obese and Type 2 Diabetic Mouse Models.

PubMed

Yamazaki, Tomoko; Li, Wenling; Yang, Ling; Li, Ping; Cao, Haiming; Motegi, Sei-Ichiro; Udey, Mark C; Bernhard, Elise; Nakamura, Takahisa; Mukouyama, Yoh-Suke

2018-01-11

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are frequently associated with peripheral neuropathy. Though there are multiple methods for diagnosis and analysis of morphological changes of peripheral nerves and blood vessels, three-dimensional high-resolution imaging is necessary to appreciate the pathogenesis with an anatomically recognizable branching morphogenesis and patterning. Here we established a novel technique for whole-mount imaging of adult mouse ear skin to visualize branching morphogenesis and patterning of peripheral nerves and blood vessels. Whole-mount immunostaining of adult mouse ear skin showed that peripheral sensory and sympathetic nerves align with large-diameter blood vessels. Diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice exhibit defective vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) coverage, while there is no significant change in the amount of peripheral nerves. The leptin receptor-deficient db/db mice, a severe obese and type 2 diabetic mouse model, exhibit defective VSMC coverage and a large increase in the amount of smaller-diameter nerve bundles with myelin sheath and unmyelinated nerve fibers. Interestingly, an increase in the amount of myeloid immune cells was observed in the DIO but not db/db mouse skin. These data suggest that our whole-mount imaging method enables us to investigate the neuro-vascular and neuro-immune phenotypes in the animal models of obesity and diabetes.

Long non-coding RNA expression profile in Cdk5-knockdown mouse skin.

PubMed

Ji, Kaiyuan; Fan, Ruiwen; Zhang, Junzhen; Yang, Shanshan; Dong, Changsheng

2018-06-08

To elucidate the Cdk5 regulatory molecular mechanism in skin, we generated Cdk5-knockdown mice and subjected their skins to lncRNA sequencing. The results showed that there were 4533 novel lncRNAs from 142 lncRNA families. In total, 693 lncRNAs were significantly differentially expressed. Alignment analysis of the lncRNAs in miRBase identified 45 pre-mRNAs. By KEGG PATHWAY Database analysis, we found that lncRNAs (lnc-NONMMUT064276.2, lnc-NONMMUT075728.1, and lnc-NONMMUT039653.2) may regulate pigmentation by regulating target genes. To reveal potential antisense lncRNA-mRNA interactions, we searched all lncRNA-mRNA duplexes using RNAplex, and found 97 lncRNAs interacted with mRNAs. The luciferase assay confirmed that TCONS_00049140 binded to Krt80 by the co-transfection of pVAX1-TCONS_00049140 and pGL0-Krt80 expression plasmids in 293T cell, based on the bioinformatics analysis. Overexpression of TCONS_00049140 in mouse melanocytes down-regulated Krt80 and resulted in the phenotype of increased cell proliferation and increased melanin production. The results suggested that TCONS_00049140 contributed to skin thickening through Krt80. Our findings provide a direction for research of the molecular mechanism of Cdk5 function. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Correlation between sensory and instrumental measurements of standard and crisp-texture southern highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L. interspecific hybrids)

PubMed Central

Blaker, Kendra M; Plotto, Anne; Baldwin, Elizabeth A; Olmstead, James W

2014-01-01

BACKGROUND Fruit texture is a primary selection trait in southern highbush blueberry (SHB) breeding to increase fresh fruit postharvest quality and consumer acceptance. A novel crisp fruit texture has recently been identified among SHB germplasm. In this study, we developed a common set of descriptors that align sensory evaluation of blueberry fruit texture with instrumental measures that could be used for quantitative measurements during pre- and postharvest evaluation. RESULTS Sensory and instrumental characteristics were measured in 36 and 49 genotypes in 2010 and 2011, respectively. A trained sensory panel evaluated fresh fruit based on five common textural attributes in 2010 and 2011: bursting energy, flesh firmness, skin toughness, juiciness and mealiness. Instrumental measures of compression and bioyield forces were significantly different among cultivars and correlated with sensory scores for bursting energy, flesh firmness and skin toughness (R > 0.7, except skin toughness in 2011), but correlations with sensory scores for juiciness and mealiness were low (R < 0.4). CONCLUSION The results of sensory and instrumental measures supported the use of both compression and bioyield force measures in distinguishing crisp from standard-texture genotypes, and suggest that crisp texture in SHB is related to the sensory perception of bursting energy, flesh firmness and skin toughness. PMID:24619938

Surface-structured bacterial cellulose with guided assembly-based biolithography (GAB).

PubMed

Bottan, Simone; Robotti, Francesco; Jayathissa, Prageeth; Hegglin, Alicia; Bahamonde, Nicolas; Heredia-Guerrero, José A; Bayer, Ilker S; Scarpellini, Alice; Merker, Hannes; Lindenblatt, Nicole; Poulikakos, Dimos; Ferrari, Aldo

2015-01-27

A powerful replica molding methodology to transfer on-demand functional topographies to the surface of bacterial cellulose nanofiber textures is presented. With this method, termed guided assembly-based biolithography (GAB), a surface-structured polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mold is introduced at the gas-liquid interface of an Acetobacter xylinum culture. Upon bacterial fermentation, the generated bacterial cellulose nanofibers are assembled in a three-dimensional network reproducing the geometric shape imposed by the mold. Additionally, GAB yields directional alignment of individual nanofibers and memory of the transferred geometrical features upon dehydration and rehydration of the substrates. Scanning electron and atomic force microscopy are used to establish the good fidelity of this facile and affordable method. Interaction of surface-structured bacterial cellulose substrates with human fibroblasts and keratinocytes illustrates the efficient control of cellular activities which are fundamental in skin wound healing and tissue regeneration. The deployment of surface-structured bacterial cellulose substrates in model animals as skin wound dressing or body implant further proves the high durability and low inflammatory response to the material over a period of 21 days, demonstrating beneficial effects of surface structure on skin regeneration.

Strategies to Reduce Indoor Tanning

PubMed Central

Holman, Dawn M.; Fox, Kathleen A.; Glenn, Jeffrey D.; Guy, Gery P.; Watson, Meg; Baker, Katie; Cokkinides, Vilma; Gottlieb, Mark; Lazovich, DeAnn; Perna, Frank M.; Sampson, Blake P.; Seidenberg, Andrew B.; Sinclair, Craig; Geller, Alan C.

2015-01-01

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from indoor tanning device use is associated with an increased risk of skin cancer, including risk of malignant melanoma, and is an urgent public health problem. By reducing indoor tanning, future cases of skin cancer could be prevented, along with the associated morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. On August 20, 2012, the CDC hosted a meeting to discuss the current body of evidence on strategies to reduce indoor tanning as well as research gaps. Using the Action Model to Achieve Healthy People 2020 Overarching Goals as a framework, the current paper provides highlights on the topics that were discussed, including (1) the state of the evidence on strategies to reduce indoor tanning; (2) the tools necessary to effectively assess, monitor, and evaluate the short- and long-term impact of interventions designed to reduce indoor tanning; and (3) strategies to align efforts at the national, state, and local levels through transdisciplinary collaboration and coordination across multiple sectors. Although many challenges and barriers exist, a coordinated, multilevel, transdisciplinary approach has the potential to reduce indoor tanning and prevent future cases of skin cancer. PMID:23683986

Broadband and polarization reflectors in the lookdown, Selene vomer

PubMed Central

Zhao, Shulei; Brady, Parrish Clawson; Gao, Meng; Etheredge, Robert Ian; Kattawar, George W.; Cummings, Molly E.

2015-01-01

Predator evasion in the open ocean is difficult because there are no objects to hide behind. The silvery surface of fish plays an important role in open water camouflage. Various models have been proposed to account for the broadband reflectance by the fish skin that involve one-dimensional variations in the arrangement of guanine crystal reflectors, yet the three-dimensional organization of these guanine platelets have not been well characterized. Here, we report the three-dimensional organization and the optical properties of integumentary guanine platelets in a silvery marine fish, the lookdown (Selene vomer). Our structural analysis and computational modelling show that stacks of guanine platelets with random yaw angles in the fish skin produce broadband reflectance via colour mixing. Optical axes of the guanine platelets and the collagen layer are aligned closely and provide bulk birefringence properties that influence the polarization reflectance by the skin. These data demonstrate how the lookdown preserves or alters polarization states at different incident polarization angles. These optical properties resulted from the organization of these guanine platelets and the collagen layer may have implications for open ocean camouflage in varying light fields. PMID:25673301

Comparing maximum intercuspal contacts of virtual dental patients and mounted dental casts.

PubMed

Delong, Ralph; Ko, Ching-Chang; Anderson, Gary C; Hodges, James S; Douglas, W H

2002-12-01

Quantitative measures of occlusal contacts are of paramount importance in the study of chewing dysfunction. A tool is needed to identify and quantify occlusal parameters without occlusal interference caused by the technique of analysis. This laboratory simulation study compared occlusal contacts constructed from 3-dimensional images of dental casts and interocclusal records with contacts found by use of conventional methods. Dental casts of 10 completely dentate adults were mounted in a semi-adjustable Denar articulator. Maximum intercuspal contacts were marked on the casts using red film. Intercuspal records made with an experimental vinyl polysiloxane impression material recorded maximum intercuspation. Three-dimensional virtual models of the casts and interocclusal records were made using custom software and an optical scanner. Contacts were calculated between virtual casts aligned manually (CM), aligned with interocclusal records scanned seated on the mandibular casts (C1) or scanned independently (C2), and directly from virtual interocclusal records (IR). Sensitivity and specificity calculations used the marked contacts as the standard. Contact parameters were compared between method pairs. Statistical comparisons used analysis of variance and the Tukey-Kramer post hoc test (P=<.05). Sensitivities (range 0.76-0.89) did not differ significantly among the 4 methods (P=.14); however, specificities (range 0.89-0.98) were significantly lower for IR (P=.0001). Contact parameters of methods CM, C1, and C2 differed significantly from those of method IR (P<.02). The ranking based on method pair comparisons was C2/C1 > CM/C1 = CM/C2 > C2/IR > CM/IR > C1/IR, where ">" means "closer than." Within the limits of this study, occlusal contacts calculated from aligned virtual casts accurately reproduce articulator contacts.

Distance-Dependent Sign Reversal in the Casimir-Lifshitz Torque

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thiyam, Priyadarshini; Parashar, Prachi; Shajesh, K. V.; Malyi, Oleksandr I.; Boström, Mathias; Milton, Kimball A.; Brevik, Iver; Persson, Clas

2018-03-01

The Casimir-Lifshitz torque between two biaxially polarizable anisotropic planar slabs is shown to exhibit a nontrivial sign reversal in its rotational sense. The critical distance ac between the slabs that marks this reversal is characterized by the frequency ωc˜c /2 ac at which the in-planar polarizabilities along the two principal axes are equal. The two materials seek to align their principal axes of polarizabilities in one direction below ac, while above ac their axes try to align rotated perpendicular relative to their previous minimum energy orientation. The sign reversal disappears in the nonretarded limit. Our perturbative result, derived for the case when the differences in the relative polarizabilities are small, matches excellently with the exact theory for uniaxial materials. We illustrate our results for black phosphorus and phosphorene.

[Axillary hyperhidrosis--efficacy and tolerability of an aluminium chloride antiperspirant. Prospective evaluation on 20 patients with idiopathic axillary hyperhidrosis].

PubMed

Streker, M; Reuther, T; Verst, S; Kerscher, M

2010-02-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of aluminium chloride gel for treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis. A total of 20 patients aged 22-38 (mean age: 26.9+/-4.3) with idiopathic axillary hyperhidrosis were included and treated with an antiperspirant (Sweat-off, Sweat-off GmbH, Hügelsheim). Study duration was 42 days. Treatment efficacy was evaluated clinically, as well as by starch-iodine test, gravimetric analysis and evaluation of the skin surface pH. After treatment there was a significant clinical improvement accompanied by significant qualitative and quantitative reduction of sweat as well as a significant reduction of skin surface pH. Except for slight skin irritation in 6 patients, there were no other side effects. Patient satisfaction improved markedly during the study. Treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis with aluminium chloride is an effective, safe and inexpensive treatment modality.

4,4',5'-trimethyl-8-azapsoralen, a new-photoreactive and non-skin-phototoxic bifunctional bioisoster of psoralen.

PubMed

Vedaldi, D; Dall'Acqua, F; Caffieri, S; Baccichetti, F; Carlassare, F; Bordin, F; Chilin, A; Guiotto, A

1991-01-01

Photochemical and photobiological properties of a new isoster of psoralen, 4,4',5'-trimethyl-8-azapsoralen (4,4',5'-TMAP), have been studied. This compound shows a high DNA-photobinding rate, higher than that of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), forming both monoadducts and inter-strand cross-links. The yield of cross-links, however, is markedly lower than that of 8-MOP. Antiproliferative activity of 4,4',5'-TMAP, in terms of DNA synthesis inhibition in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, is higher than that of 8-MOP. Mutagenic activity on E. coli WP2 R46+ cells appeared similar to or even lower than that of 8-MOP. This new compound applied on depilated guinea pig skin and irradiated with UVA did not show any skin-phototoxicity. On the basis of these properties 4,4',5'-TMAP appears to be a potential photochemotherapeutic agent.

Dillon cutoff-Basement-involved tectonic link between the disturbed belt of west-central Montana and the overthrust belt of extreme southwestern Montana

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Neill, J. Michael; Schmidt, Christopher J.; Genovese, Paul W.

1990-11-01

The front of the Cordilleran fold and thrust belt in western Montana follows the disturbed belt in the north, merges with the southwest Montana transverse zone in the west-central part of the region, and in southwestern Montana is marked by a broad zone characterized by complex interaction between thrust belt structures and basement uplifts. The front margin of the thrust belt in Montana reflects mainly thin-skinned tectonic features in the north, an east-trending lateral ramp that curves southwest in the central part into the Dillon cutoff, an oblique-slip, thick-skinned displacement transfer zone that cuts through basement rocks of the Lima recess, and a zone of overlap between thin- and thick-skinned thrusts in extreme southwestern Montana. The transverse ramp and basement-involved thrust faults are controlled by Proterozoic structures.

Hyaluronic acid is increased in the skin and urine in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ono, S.; Imai, T.; Yamauchi, M.; Nagao, K.

1996-01-01

We performed morphological studies of skin and measured glycosaminoglycans in the urine from patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and control subjects. The wide spaces separating collagen bundles reacted strongly with alcian blue stain in ALS patients and stained more markedly as ALS progressed. Staining with alcian blue was virtually eliminated by Streptomyces hyaluronidase. The urinary excretion of hyaluronic acid (HA) (mg/day) was significantly increased (P < 0.01) in ALS patients compared with that of control subjects, and there was a significant positive correlation between the excreted amount of HA and the duration of illness in advanced ALS patients with a duration of more than 2 years from clinical onset (r = 0.72, P < 0.02). We suggest that sporadic ALS includes a metabolic disorder of HA in which an accumulation of HA in the skin is linked to an increased urinary excretion of HA.

Mice with cancer-induced bone pain show a marked decline in day/night activity.

PubMed

Majuta, Lisa A; Guedon, Jean-Marc G; Mitchell, Stefanie A T; Kuskowski, Michael A; Mantyh, Patrick W

2017-09-01

Cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP) is the most common type of pain with cancer. In humans, this pain can be difficult to control and highly disabling. A major problem with CIBP in humans is that it increases on weight-bearing and/or movement of a tumor-bearing bone limiting the activity and functional status of the patient. Currently, there is less data concerning whether similar negative changes in activity occur in rodent models of CIBP. To determine whether there are marked changes in activity in a rodent model of CIBP and compare this to changes in skin hypersensitivity. Osteosarcoma cells were injected and confined to 1 femur of the adult male mouse. Every 7 days, spontaneous horizontal and vertical activities were assessed over a 20-hour day and night period using automated activity boxes. Mechanical hypersensitivity of the hind paw skin was assessed using von Frey testing. As the tumor cells grew within the femur, there was a significant decline in horizontal and vertical activity during the times of the day/night when the mice are normally most active. Mice also developed significant hypersensitivity in the skin of the hind paw in the tumor-bearing limb. Even when the tumor is confined to a single load-bearing bone, CIBP drives a significant loss of activity, which increases with disease progression. Understanding the mechanisms that drive this reduction in activity may allow the development of therapies that allow CIBP patients to better maintain their activity and functional status.

Cutaneous drug reaction case reports: from the world literature.

PubMed

2003-01-01

Skin disorders are the most common adverse reactions attributed to drugs. Any skin disorder can be imitated, induced or aggravated by drugs. To help you keep up-to-date with the very latest skin reactions occurring with both new and established drugs, this section of the journal brings you information selected from the adverse drug reaction alerting service Reactions Weekly. Reactions Weekly is the complete drug safety alerting service and summarizes information selected from over 1600 biomedical journals. This newsletter is produced by Adis International and is available in a variety of formats. Please contact your nearest Adis office for subscription details. The use of tradenames, identified by ['~'] or the use of a registered ((R)) or trade mark ( trade mark ), is for product identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement. The following case reports are selected from the very latest to be published in the world dermatology literature. Any claim of a first report has been verified by a search of AdisBase (a proprietary database of Adis International) and Medline. In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) Adverse Drug Reactions database is also searched. This database, maintained by the Uppsala Monitoring Centre in Sweden, is the largest and most comprehensive adverse drug reaction source in the world, with information obtained from National Centers of 65 affiliate countries. Each case report is assessed for seriousness using the FDA MedWatch definition of serious (patient outcome is: death; life-threatening; hospitalization; disability; congenital anomaly; or requires intervention to prevent permanent impairment or damage).

All-optical lithography process for contacting nanometer precision donor devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ward, D. R.; Marshall, M. T.; Campbell, D. M.; Lu, T. M.; Koepke, J. C.; Scrymgeour, D. A.; Bussmann, E.; Misra, S.

2017-11-01

We describe an all-optical lithography process that can make electrical contact to nanometer-precision donor devices fabricated in silicon using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). This is accomplished by implementing a cleaning procedure in the STM that allows the integration of metal alignment marks and ion-implanted contacts at the wafer level. Low-temperature transport measurements of a patterned device establish the viability of the process.

All-optical lithography process for contacting nanometer precision donor devices

DOE PAGES

Ward, Daniel Robert; Marshall, Michael Thomas; Campbell, DeAnna Marie; ...

2017-11-06

In this article, we describe an all-optical lithography process that can make electrical contact to nanometer-precision donor devices fabricated in silicon using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). This is accomplished by implementing a cleaning procedure in the STM that allows the integration of metal alignment marks and ion-implanted contacts at the wafer level. Low-temperature transport measurements of a patterned device establish the viability of the process.

All-optical lithography process for contacting nanometer precision donor devices

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ward, Daniel Robert; Marshall, Michael Thomas; Campbell, DeAnna Marie

In this article, we describe an all-optical lithography process that can make electrical contact to nanometer-precision donor devices fabricated in silicon using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). This is accomplished by implementing a cleaning procedure in the STM that allows the integration of metal alignment marks and ion-implanted contacts at the wafer level. Low-temperature transport measurements of a patterned device establish the viability of the process.

Advancing Survivors' Knowledge (ASK) about skin cancer study: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Daniel, Casey L; Armstrong, Gregory T; Keske, Robyn R; Davine, Jessica A; McDonald, Aaron J; Sprunck-Harrild, Kim M; Coleman, Catherine; Haneuse, Sebastien J; Mertens, Ann C; Emmons, Karen M; Marghoob, Ashfaq A; Elkin, Elena B; Dusza, Stephen W; Robison, Leslie L; Geller, Alan C

2015-03-24

Advances in treatment have increased childhood cancer 5-year survival rates to greater than 80%. However, children previously treated with radiation are at significantly increased risk of developing subsequent neoplasms, the most common of which are skin cancers. The National Cancer Institute and Children's Oncology Group have issued recommendations for survivors treated with radiation to perform monthly skin self-examinations and receive a physician skin examination at least annually, as early detection has demonstrated markedly improved outcomes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers. The goal of the present study is to increase rates of skin self-examinations and clinical skin examinations among adult survivors of childhood cancer treated with radiation. This randomized controlled trial uses a 3-group comparative effectiveness design comparing: (1) Patient Activation and Education (PAE) including text messaging, print and web-based tutorials over 12 months; (2) PAE plus physician activation (PAE + MD) adding physician activation/educational materials about survivors' increased skin cancer risk and conducting full-body skin exams; and (3) PAE plus physician activation, plus teledermoscopy (PAE + MD + TD) adding participant receipt of a dermatoscope intended to empower them to photograph suspect moles or lesions for review by the study dermatologist. The current study addresses barriers to screening in this population by providing educational and motivational information for both survivors and physicians regarding the value of periodic skin examinations. It also utilizes innovative mobile health technology to encourage and motivate (that is activate) survivors to conduct skin self-examinations, request physician exams, and obtain treatment when worrisome lesions are found. Finally, as a comparative effectiveness trial, this study isolates the effects of adding specific components to the patient activation intervention to test the most effective intervention for enhancing skin examination vigilance among this high-risk group. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02046811 ; Registration date: 22 January 2014.

An ultrasonographic evaluation of skin thickness in breast cancer patients after postmastectomy radiation therapy

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background To determine the usefulness of ultrasonography in the assessment of post radiotherapy skin changes in postmastectomy breast cancer patients. Methods Patients treated for postmastectomy radiotherapy in National University Hospital (NUH) and Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), Singapore between January 2004- December 2005 was recruited retrospectively. Ultrasound scan was performed on these Asian patients who had been treated to a total dose of 46-50 Gy with 1 cm bolus placed on the skin. The ultrasound scans were performed blinded to the RTOG scores, and the skin thickness of the individually marked points on the irradiated chest wall was compared to the corresponding points on the non-irradiated breast. Results The mean total skin thickness inclusive of the epidermis and the dermis of the right irradiated chest wall was 0.1712 mm (± 0.03392 mm) compared with the contra-lateral non-irradiated breast which was 0.1845 mm (± 0.04089 mm; p = 0.007). The left irradiated chest wall had a mean skin thickness of 0.1764 mm (± 0.03184 mm) compared with the right non-irradiated breast which was 0.1835 mm (± 0.02584 mm; p = 0.025). These independent t-tests produced a significant difference of reduced skin thickness on the right irradiated chest wall, p = 0.007 (p < 0.05) and left irradiated chest wall p = 0.025 (p < 0.025) in comparison to the non-irradiated skin thickness investigating chronic skin reactions. Patients with grade 2 acute skin toxicity presented with thinner skin as compared to patients with grade 1 (p = 0.006). Conclusions This study has shown that there is a statistically significant difference between the skin thicknesses of the irradiated chest wall and the contra-lateral non-irradiated breast and a predisposition to chronic reactions was found in patients with acute RTOG scoring of grade1 and grade 2. PMID:21261940

Inhibitory Effects of Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) Leaves on Tumour Promotion in Two-Stage Mouse Skin Carcinogenesis

PubMed Central

Yasukawa, Ken; Okuda, Sakiko; Nobushi, Yasuhito

2014-01-01

Ethanol extracts of gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) leaves exhibited marked antitumour-promoting activity in an in vivo two-stage carcinogenesis test in mice using 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene as an initiator and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) as a promoter. From the active fraction of the ethanol extract of the gymnema leaves, three triterpenoids were isolated and identified. These compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on TPA-induced inflammation (1 µg/ear) in mice. The tested compounds showed marked anti-inflammatory effects, with a 50% inhibitory dose of 50–555 nmol/ear. PMID:24734106

Inhibitory Effects of Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) Leaves on Tumour Promotion in Two-Stage Mouse Skin Carcinogenesis.

PubMed

Yasukawa, Ken; Okuda, Sakiko; Nobushi, Yasuhito

2014-01-01

Ethanol extracts of gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) leaves exhibited marked antitumour-promoting activity in an in vivo two-stage carcinogenesis test in mice using 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene as an initiator and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) as a promoter. From the active fraction of the ethanol extract of the gymnema leaves, three triterpenoids were isolated and identified. These compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on TPA-induced inflammation (1 µg/ear) in mice. The tested compounds showed marked anti-inflammatory effects, with a 50% inhibitory dose of 50-555 nmol/ear.

Planar solar concentrator featuring alignment-free total-internal-reflection collectors and an innovative compound tracker.

PubMed

Teng, Tun-Chien; Lai, Wei-Che

2014-12-15

This study proposed a planar solar concentrator featuring alignment-free total-internal-reflection (TIR) collectors and an innovative compound tracker. The compound tracker, combining a mechanical single-axis tracker and scrollable prism sheets, can achieve a performance on a par with dual-axis tracking while reducing the cost of the tracking system and increasing its robustness. The alignment-free TIR collectors are assembled on the waveguide without requiring alignment, so the planar concentrator is relatively easily manufactured and markedly increases the feasibility for use in large concentrators. Further, the identical TIR collector is applicable to various-sized waveguide slab without requiring modification, which facilitates flexibility regarding the size of the waveguide slab. In the simulation model, the thickness of the slab was 2 mm, and its maximal length reached 6 m. With an average angular tolerance of ±0.6°, and after considering both the Fresnel loss and the angular spread of the sun, the simulation indicates that the waveguide concentrator of a 1000-mm length provides the optical efficiencies of 62-77% at the irradiance concentrations of 387-688, and the one of a 2000-mm length provides the optical efficiencies of 52-64.5% at the irradiance concentrations of 645-1148. Alternatively, if a 100-mm horizontally staggered waveguide slab is collocated with the alignment-free TIR collectors, the optical efficiency would be greatly improved up to 91.5% at an irradiance concentration of 1098 (C(geo) = 1200X).

MO-FG-CAMPUS-JeP3-02: A Novel Setup Approach to Improve C-Spine Curvature Reproducibility for Head and Neck Radiotherapy Using Optical Surface Imaging with Two Regions of Interest

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ryan, K; Gil, M; Li, G

Purpose: To develop a novel approach to improve cervical spine (c-spine) curvature reproducibility for head and neck (HN) patients using optical surface imaging (OSI) with two regions of interests (ROIs). Methods: The OSI-guided, two-step setup procedure requires two ROIs: ROI-1 of the shoulders and ROI-2 of the face. The neck can be stretched or squeezed in superior-inferior (SI) direction using a specially-designed sliding head support. We hypothesize that when these two ROIs are aligned, the c-spine should fall into a naturally reproducible position under same setup conditions. An anthropomorphous phantom test was performed to examine neck pitch angles comparing withmore » the calculated angles. Three volunteers participated in the experiments, which start with conventional HN setup using skin markers and room lasers. An OSI image and lateral photo-picture were acquired as the references. In each of the three replicate tests, conventional setup was first applied after volunteers got on the couch. ROI-1 was aligned by moving the body, followed by ROI-2 alignment via adjusting head position and orientation under real-time OSI guidance. A final static OSI image and lateral picture were taken to evaluate both anterior and posterior surface alignments. Three degrees of freedom can be adjusted if an open-face mask was applied, including head SI shift using the sliding head support and pitch-and-roll rotations using a commercial couch extension. Surface alignment was analyzed comparing with conventional setup. Results: The neck pitch angle measured by OSI is consistent with the calculated (0.2±0.6°). Volunteer study illustrated improved c-spine setup reproducibility using OSI comparing with conventional setup. ROI alignments with 2mm/1° tolerance are achieved within 3 minutes. Identical knee support is important to achieve ROI-1 pitch alignment. Conclusion: The feasibility of this novel approach has been demonstrated for c-spine curvature setup reproducibility. Further evaluation is necessary with bony alignment variation in patient studies. This study is in part supported by the NIH (U54CA137788).« less

Practical alignment method for X-ray spectral measurement in micro-CT system based on 3D printing technology.

PubMed

Ren, Liqiang; Wu, Di; Li, Yuhua; Zheng, Bin; Chen, Yong; Yang, Kai; Liu, Hong

2016-06-01

This study presents a practical alignment method for X-ray spectral measurement in a rotating gantry based micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) system using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology. In order to facilitate the spectrometer placement inside the gantry, supporting structures including a cover and a stand were dedicatedly designed and printed using a 3D printer. According to the relative position between the spectrometer and the stand, the upright projection of the spectrometer collimator onto the stand was determined and then marked by a tungsten pinhole. Thus, a visible alignment indicator of the X-ray central beam and the spectrometer collimator represented by the pinhole was established in the micro-CT live mode. Then, a rough alignment could be achieved through repeatedly adjusting and imaging the stand until the pinhole was located at the center of the acquired projection image. With the spectrometer being positioned back onto the stand, the precise alignment was completed by slightly translating the spectrometer-stand assembly around the rough location, until finding a "sweet spot" with the highest photon rate and proper distribution of the X-ray photons in the resultant spectrum. The spectra were acquired under precise alignment and misalignment of approximately 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0mm away from the precise alignment position, and then were compared in qualitative and quantitative analyses. Qualitative analysis results show that, with slight misalignment, the photon rate is reduced from 1302 to 1098, 1031, and 416 photons/second (p/s), respectively, and the characteristic peaks in the acquired spectra are gradually deteriorated. Quantitative analysis indicates that the energy resolutions for characteristic peak of K α1 were calculated as 1.56% for precise alignment, while were 1.84% and 2.40% for slight misalignment of 0.2mm and 0.5mm. The mean energies were reduced from 43.93keV under precise alignment condition to 40.97, 39.63 and 37.78keV when misaligned. Accurate spectral measurements in micro-CT systems are significantly influenced by the alignment precision. This practical alignment method using 3D printing technology could be readily applied to other rotating gantry based micro-CT systems with modified design of the supporting structures and careful considerations of the spectrometer and gantry dimensions.

Practical alignment method for X-ray spectral measurement in micro-CT system based on 3D printing technology

PubMed Central

Ren, Liqiang; Wu, Di; Li, Yuhua; Zheng, Bin; Chen, Yong; Yang, Kai; Liu, Hong

2016-01-01

This study presents a practical alignment method for X-ray spectral measurement in a rotating gantry based micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) system using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology. In order to facilitate the spectrometer placement inside the gantry, supporting structures including a cover and a stand were dedicatedly designed and printed using a 3D printer. According to the relative position between the spectrometer and the stand, the upright projection of the spectrometer collimator onto the stand was determined and then marked by a tungsten pinhole. Thus, a visible alignment indicator of the X-ray central beam and the spectrometer collimator represented by the pinhole was established in the micro-CT live mode. Then, a rough alignment could be achieved through repeatedly adjusting and imaging the stand until the pinhole was located at the center of the acquired projection image. With the spectrometer being positioned back onto the stand, the precise alignment was completed by slightly translating the spectrometer-stand assembly around the rough location, until finding a “sweet spot” with the highest photon rate and proper distribution of the X-ray photons in the resultant spectrum. The spectra were acquired under precise alignment and misalignment of approximately 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0mm away from the precise alignment position, and then were compared in qualitative and quantitative analyses. Qualitative analysis results show that, with slight misalignment, the photon rate is reduced from 1302 to 1098, 1031, and 416 photons/second (p/s), respectively, and the characteristic peaks in the acquired spectra are gradually deteriorated. Quantitative analysis indicates that the energy resolutions for characteristic peak of Kα1 were calculated as 1.56% for precise alignment, while were 1.84% and 2.40% for slight misalignment of 0.2mm and 0.5mm. The mean energies were reduced from 43.93keV under precise alignment condition to 40.97, 39.63 and 37.78keV when misaligned. Accurate spectral measurements in micro-CT systems are significantly influenced by the alignment precision. This practical alignment method using 3D printing technology could be readily applied to other rotating gantry based micro-CT systems with modified design of the supporting structures and careful considerations of the spectrometer and gantry dimensions. PMID:27777787

Skin aging: in vivo microscopic assessment of epidermal and dermal changes by means of confocal microscopy.

PubMed

Longo, Caterina; Casari, Alice; Beretti, Francesca; Cesinaro, Anna Maria; Pellacani, Giovanni

2013-03-01

Skin aging is thought to be a complex biological process that is traditionally classified as intrinsic and extrinsic aging. Several clinical score and instrumental devices have been applied to obtain a precise assessment of skin aging. Among them, confocal microscopy has emerged as a new technique capable of assessing cytoarchitectural changes with a nearly histopathologic resolution. We sought to determine the microscopic skin changes occurring on the face in different age groups by means of confocal microscopy. The skin of the cheek in 63 volunteers belonging to distinct age groups was analyzed by confocal microscopy. In 4 cases, routine histopathology was performed on site-matched surplus areas from routine excisions for obtaining a better comparison with confocal findings. Young skin was characterized by regular polygonal keratinocytes and thin reticulated collagen fibers. With aging, more irregularly shaped keratinocytes and areas with unevenly distributed pigmentation and increased compactness of collagen fibers were observed. In the elderly, thinning of the epidermis, marked keratinocyte alterations, and huddles of collagen and curled fibers, corresponding to elastosis, were present. A side-by-side correlation between confocal descriptors and histopathologic aspects has been provided in a few cases. Reticular dermal changes cannot be assessed because of the limited depth laser penetration. Confocal microscopy was successfully applied to identify in vivo skin changes occurring in aged skin at both the epidermal and dermal levels at histopathologic resolution. This offers the possibility to test cosmetic product efficacy and to identify early signs of sun damage. Copyright © 2011 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Radiosensitivity of fibroblasts obtained from a cafe-au-lait spot and normal-appearing skin of a patient with neurofibromatosis (NF-6)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hannan, M.A.; Smith, B.P.; Sigut, D.

Fibroblast cells derived from a cafe-au-lait spot and normal-appearing skin of a neurofibromatosis (NF-6) patient were studied for radiosensitivity in comparison with two normal cell lines used as controls. No difference in radiosensitivity was observed between the patient's cell lines and the controls using acute gamma-irradiation. However, a markedly increased radiosensitivity of the fibroblasts obtained from the patient's skin of normal appearance was demonstrated after chronic gamma-irradiation. The cells from the cafe-au-lait spot showed intermediate sensitivity to chronic irradiation as compared with the control cell lines and the fibroblasts derived from the normal skin of the patient. These results showedmore » the usefulness of chronic irradiation in detecting increased cellular radiosensitivity which may result from a unique DNA repair defect in an NF patient. We suggest that enhanced genetic changes in radiosensitive NF patients may lead to formation of cafe-au-lait lesions and certain tumors. Such a transformation may be associated with production of radiotolerant cells.« less

Sulfated polysaccharides from Loligo vulgaris skin: potential biological activities and partial purification.

PubMed

Abdelmalek, Baha Eddine; Sila, Assaâd; Krichen, Fatma; Karoud, Wafa; Martinez-Alvarez, Oscar; Ellouz-Chaabouni, Semia; Ayadi, Mohamed Ali; Bougatef, Ali

2015-01-01

The characteristics, biological properties, and purification of sulfated polysaccharides extracted from squid (Loligo vulgaris) skin were investigated. Their chemical and physical characteristics were determined using X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopic analysis. Sulfated polysaccharides from squid skin (SPSS) contained 85.06% sugar, 2.54% protein, 1.87% ash, 8.07% sulfate, and 1.72% uronic acid. The antioxidant properties of SPSS were investigated based on DPPH radical-scavenging capacity (IC50 = 19.42 mg mL(-1)), hydrogen peroxide-scavenging activity (IC50 = 0.91 mg mL(-1)), and β-carotene bleaching inhibition (IC50 = 2.79 mg mL(-1)) assays. ACE-inhibitory activity of SPSS was also investigated (IC50 = 0.14 mg mL(-1)). Further antimicrobial activity assays indicated that SPSS exhibited marked inhibitory activity against the bacterial and fungal strains tested. Those polysaccharides did not display hemolytic activity towards bovine erythrocytes. Fractionation by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography showed three major absorbance peaks. Results of this study suggest that sulfated polysaccharides from squid skin are attractive sources of polysaccharides and promising candidates for future application as dietary ingredients.

Case Report: Strawberry Disease in Farmed Chilean Rainbow Trout.

PubMed

Sandoval, Carlos; Infante, Jorge; Abad, Jessica; Ferguson, Hugh W; Paredes, Enrique; Valdebenito, Samuel; Yáñez, Alejandro J; Ilardi, Pedro; Avendaño-Herrera, Ruben

2016-03-01

Strawberry disease is a chronic, nonlethal skin condition that affects Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss in the United States and several European countries, where it is also known as red-mark syndrome. We provide the first identification and characterization of three strawberry disease outbreaks occurring at two aquaculture farms in southern Chile. Clinically affected fish weighing an average of 400 g presented multiple bright-red, usually raised, skin lesions on the flank, ventral surface, and dorsal surface. A PCR using Rickettsia-like-organism (RLO)-specific primers was performed on nine affected fish, and all skin samples were positive for the RLO 16S ribosomal RNA sequence. All PCR results for Flavobacterium psychrophilum and other bacterial and viral pathogens were negative. Histopathological examination of the skin lesions revealed extensive dermatitis, with severe lymphocytic infiltration in advanced cases. This report is the first to describe strawberry disease in farmed Chilean Rainbow Trout. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the risk for Rainbow Trout culture; fish challenge experiments should be performed to fulfill Koch's postulates and to demonstrate that RLO is the cause of this disease. Received December 27, 2014; accepted October 23, 2015.

Gross functional anatomy: Integumentary system: Chapter 5

USGS Publications Warehouse

Elliott, Diane G.; Ostrander, Gary K.

2000-01-01

The integument or skin of a fish is the envelope for the body that separates and protects the animal from its environment, but it also provides the means through which most of the contacts with the outer world are made. The integument is continuous with the lining of all the body openings, and also covers the fins. The skin of a fish is a multifunctional organ, and may serve important roles in protection, communication, sensory perception, locomotion, respiration, ion regulation, excretion, and thermal regulation. The most obvious functions of fish integument are protective. For example, mucous secretions help to keep the skin surface free of pathogens by means of constant sloughing and renewal and the presence of antimicrobial substances. Integumentary features can assist a fish during locomotion. The slippery mucus of some fishes has marked friction-reducing properties that enable a fish to move at greater speed with less expenditure of energy. The integument is an important adjunct to the breathing equipment of some fish species. Gas exchange across the skin is known to play a significant role in the respiration of larval fish.

The protective effect of 18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid against UV irradiation induced photoaging in mice.

PubMed

Kong, Song-Zhi; Chen, Hai-Ming; Yu, Xiu-Ting; Zhang, Xie; Feng, Xue-Xuan; Kang, Xin-Huang; Li, Wen-Jie; Huang, Na; Luo, Hui; Su, Zi-Ren

2015-01-01

It has been confirmed that repeated exposure of skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation results in cutaneous oxidative stress and inflammation, which act in concert to cause premature skin aging, well known as photoaging. 18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), widely used to treat various tissue inflammations, is the main active component of licorice root, and has also been shown to possess favorable anti-oxidative property and modulating immunity function. In the present study, we investigated the potential protective effect of GA on UV-induced skin photoaging in a mouse model. During the experimental period of ten consecutive weeks, the dorsal depilated skin of mice was treated with topical GA for 2 hours prior to UV irradiation. The results showed that GA pretreatment significantly alleviated the macroscopic and histopathological damages in mice skin caused by UV. Meanwhile, the data also indicated that GA markedly up-regulated the activities of the antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH-Px), and increased the content of skin collagen, while obviously decreased malonaldehyde level and inhibited high expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and -3 (MMP-3), as well as down-regulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10. Taken together, these findings amply demonstrate that GA observably attenuates UV-induced skin photoaging mainly by virtue of its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as regulating the abnormal expression of MMP-1 and MMP-3. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Paging through history: parchment as a reservoir of ancient DNA for next generation sequencing

PubMed Central

Teasdale, M. D.; van Doorn, N. L.; Fiddyment, S.; Webb, C. C.; O'Connor, T.; Hofreiter, M.; Collins, M. J.; Bradley, D. G.

2015-01-01

Parchment represents an invaluable cultural reservoir. Retrieving an additional layer of information from these abundant, dated livestock-skins via the use of ancient DNA (aDNA) sequencing has been mooted by a number of researchers. However, prior PCR-based work has indicated that this may be challenged by cross-individual and cross-species contamination, perhaps from the bulk parchment preparation process. Here we apply next generation sequencing to two parchments of seventeenth and eighteenth century northern English provenance. Following alignment to the published sheep, goat, cow and human genomes, it is clear that the only genome displaying substantial unique homology is sheep and this species identification is confirmed by collagen peptide mass spectrometry. Only 4% of sequence reads align preferentially to a different species indicating low contamination across species. Moreover, mitochondrial DNA sequences suggest an upper bound of contamination at 5%. Over 45% of reads aligned to the sheep genome, and even this limited sequencing exercise yield 9 and 7% of each sampled sheep genome post filtering, allowing the mapping of genetic affinity to modern British sheep breeds. We conclude that parchment represents an excellent substrate for genomic analyses of historical livestock. PMID:25487331

Two-treatment protocol for skin laxity using 90-Watt dynamic monopolar radiofrequency device with real-time impedance intelligence monitoring.

PubMed

McDaniel, David; Weiss, Robert; Weiss, Margaret; Mazur, Chris; Griffen, Charmaine

2014-09-01

Multiple devices are currently on the market that employ radiofrequency to non-invasively treat skin laxity and wrinkle reduction. The study device was a unique monopolar radiofrequency device FDA cleared for the treatment of wrinkles and rhytids. The delivery system allows constant monitoring of the real-time local skin impedance changes, which allows radiofrequency energy to be more uniformly dosed over an entire treatment area. The objective was to validate effectiveness of a modified treatment protocol for a unique monopolar radiofrequency device, which has been engineered with greater power and self-monitoring circuitry. Twenty-four female subjects received bilateral monopolar radiofrequency treatments to the mid and lower face from the sub malar region to the submentum. Subjects completed 1 and 3 month follow ups with digital imaging. Skin biopsies (on 4 subjects) and ultrasound measurements (on 12 subjects) were completed. Assessments demonstrated a reduction in skin laxity of 35%, a reduction in fine lines/wrinkles of 42%, and a reduction in the appearance of global photodamage of 33%. Expert photograding demonstrated 92% of subjects showing at least a mild improvement in skin laxity at three months post treatment. 50 MHz ultrasound measurements in 12 subjects showed an increase of 19% in skin density. Histology showed a marked increase in dermal collagen and elastin fibers in two subjects who demonstrated a clinically noticeable reduction in skin laxity and minimal changes in two subjects who demonstrated minimal clinical improvements. There were no significant adverse events reported. This modified radiofrequency device and treatment protocol was well tolerated and produced improvements in the appearance of skin laxity and overall anti-aging effects in the majority of subjects. Objective measurements including ultrasound and histology help explain the clinical outcome.

Progression of Mouse Skin Carcinogenesis Is Associated with Increased Erα Levels and Is Repressed by a Dominant Negative Form of Erα

PubMed Central

Michalopoulos, Ioannis; Sideridou, Maria; Tsimaratou, Katerina; Christodoulou, Ioannis; Pyrillou, Katerina; Gorgoulis, Vassilis; Vlahopoulos, Spiros; Zoumpourlis, Vassilis

2012-01-01

Estrogen receptors (ER), namely ERα and ERβ, are hormone-activated transcription factors with an important role in carcinogenesis. In the present study, we aimed at elucidating the implication of ERα in skin cancer, using chemically-induced mouse skin tumours, as well as cell lines representing distinct stages of mouse skin oncogenesis. First, using immunohistochemical staining we showed that ERα is markedly increased in aggressive mouse skin tumours in vivo as compared to the papilloma tumours, whereas ERβ levels are low and become even lower in the aggressive spindle tumours of carcinogen-treated mice. Then, using the multistage mouse skin carcinogenesis model, we showed that ERα gradually increases during promotion and progression stages of mouse skin carcinogenesis, peaking at the most aggressive stage, whereas ERβ levels only slightly change throughout skin carcinogenesis. Stable transfection of the aggressive, spindle CarB cells with a dominant negative form of ERα (dnERα) resulted in reduced ERα levels and reduced binding to estrogen responsive elements (ERE)-containing sequences. We characterized two highly conserved EREs on the mouse ERα promoter through which dnERα decreased endogenous ERα levels. The dnERα-transfected CarB cells presented altered protein levels of cytoskeletal and cell adhesion molecules, slower growth rate and impaired anchorage-independent growth in vitro, whereas they gave smaller tumours with extended latency period of tumour onset in vivo. Our findings suggest an implication of ERα in the aggressiveness of spindle mouse skin cancer cells, possibly through regulation of genes affecting cell shape and adhesion, and they also provide hints for the effective targeting of spindle cancer cells by dnERα. PMID:22870269

The heparan sulphate deficient Hspg2 exon 3 null mouse displays reduced deposition of TGF-β1 in skin compared to C57BL/6 wild type mice.

PubMed

Shu, Cindy; Smith, Susan M; Melrose, James

2016-06-01

This was an observational study where we examined the role of perlecan HS on the deposition of TGF-β1 in C57BL/6 and Hspg2(∆3-/∆3-) perlecan exon 3 null mouse skin. Despite its obvious importance in skin repair and tissue homeostasis no definitive studies have immunolocalised TGF-β1 in skin in WT or Hspg2(∆3-/∆3-) perlecan exon 3 null mice. Vertical parasagittal murine dorsal skin from 3, 6 and 12 week old C57BL/6 and Hspg2(∆3-/∆3-) mice were fixed in neutral buffered formalin, paraffin embedded and 4 μm sections stained with Mayers haematoxylin and eosin (H & E). TGF-β1 was immunolocalised using a rabbit polyclonal antibody, heat retrieval and the Envision NovaRED detection system. Immunolocalisation of TGF-β1 differed markedly in C57BL/6 and Hspg2(∆3-/∆3-) mouse skin, ablation of exon 3 of Hspg2 resulted in a very severe reduction in the deposition of TGF-β1 in skin 3-12 weeks postnatally. The reduced deposition of TGF-β1 observed in the present study would be expected to impact detrimentally on the remodelling and healing capacity of skin in mutant mice compounding on the poor wound-healing properties already reported for perlecan exon 3 null mice due to an inability to signal with FGF-2 and promote angiogenic repair processes. TGF-β1 also has cell mediated effects in tissue homeostasis and matrix stabilisation a reduction in TGF-β1 deposition would therefore be expected to detrimentally impact on skin homeostasis in the perlecan mutant mice.

Effects of Riot Control Training on Systemic Microvascular Reactivity and Capillary Density.

PubMed

Pereira, Flavio; de Moraes, Roger; Van Bavel, Diogo; De Lorenzo, Andrea; Tibirica, Eduardo

2018-03-14

The main aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of strenuous exercise, related to special military training for riot control, on systemic microvascular endothelial function and skin capillary density. Endothelium-dependent microvascular reactivity was evaluated in the forearm skin of healthy military trainees (age 23.4 ± 2.3 yr; n = 15) using laser speckle contrast imaging coupled with cutaneous acetylcholine (ACh) iontophoresis and post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH). Functional capillary density was assessed using high-resolution, intra-vital color microscopy in the dorsum of the middle phalanx. Capillary recruitment (capillary reserve) was evaluated using PORH. Microcirculatory tests were performed before and after a 5-wk special military training for riot control. Microvascular endothelium-dependent vasodilatory responses were markedly and significantly reduced after training, compared with values obtained before training. The peak values of microvascular conductance obtained during iontophoresis of ACh or PORH before training (0.84 ± 0.22 and 0.94 ± 0.72 APU/mmHg, respectively) were markedly reduced after training (0.47 ± 0.11 and 0.71 ± 0.14 APU/mmHg; p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0037, respectively). Endothelium-dependent capillary recruitment was significantly reduced after training (before 101 ± 9 and after 95 ± 8 capillaries/mm2; p = 0.0007). The present study showed that a 5-wk strenuous military training, performed in unfavorable climatic conditions, induces marked systemic microvascular dysfunction, mainly characterized by reduced endothelium-dependent microvascular vasodilation and blunted capillary recruitment.

Correction of the bilateral question mark ear deformity using double-opposing z-plasty and a chondrocutaneous flap.

PubMed

Bastidas, Nicholas; Taylor, Jesse A

2013-03-01

To describe an alternative technique for correcting a rare and complex ear deformity. The question mark ear deformity has been described as a congenital cleft between the helix and the lobule in addition to a prominent ear. Here we describe a novel technique using double-opposing Z-plasty and a chondrocutaneous flap to correct the deformity without significant reduction in auricle height or creation of a donor-site defect. An anterior/posterior double-opposing Z-plasty and a superiorly based chondrocutaneous flap were designed at the level of the cleft. Flaps were raised full thickness, and Mustarde and Furnas sutures were placed to reduce the prominence. The flaps were then transposed and reapproximated. Of note, all anterior and posterior skin flaps were used in the repair to minimize diminution of ear height. Pre- and postoperative measurements and photographs of the ears were taken. Postoperatively, all flaps were viable, and there was no evidence of skin necrosis. The total length of the left ear was reduced by only 3 mm (53 to 50 mm), and the right ear was reduced by 1 mm (52 to 51 mm). The patient's pain was successfully managed as an outpatient, and there were no infectious complications. The resultant scars healed aesthetically and are minimally visible. The patient and her parents are satisfied with the results. Our technique addresses all components of the question mark ear deformity and does not create a visible donor-site deformity.

Sagittal lumbar and pelvic alignment in the standing and sitting positions.

PubMed

Endo, Kenji; Suzuki, Hidekazu; Nishimura, Hirosuke; Tanaka, Hidetoshi; Shishido, Takaaki; Yamamoto, Kengo

2012-11-01

The sitting position has become the most common posture in today's workplace. In relation to this position, kinematic analysis of the lumbar spine is helpful in understanding the causes of low back pain and its prevention. In this study, we investigated the relationship between sagittal lumbar alignment and pelvic alignment in the standing and sitting positions for 50 healthy adults. Lumbar lordotic angle (LLA), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), and pelvic incidence (PI) were measured on lateral lumbar spine standing and sitting radiographs. Regarding changes from the standing to sitting positions, average LLA, SS, and PT were -16.6° (-49.8 %), -18.7° (-50.3 %), and 18.3° (284.8 %), respectively (P < 0.01). In the sitting position, lumbar lordosis was reduced and pelvic rotation became posterior. This study showed that LLA decreased by approximately 50 % and PT increased by approximately 25 % in the sitting position compared with the standing position. No significant gender differences were observed for LLA, SS, and PT in the standing position. In the sitting position, however, LLA and SS were markedly larger for women.

Demographic and clinical factors related to ostomy complications and quality of life in veterans with an ostomy.

PubMed

Pittman, Joyce; Rawl, Susan M; Schmidt, C Max; Grant, Marcia; Ko, Clifford Y; Wendel, Christopher; Krouse, Robert S

2008-01-01

The purpose of this study is to describe demographic, clinical, and quality-of-life variables related to ostomy complications (skin irritation, leakage, and difficulty adjusting to an ostomy) in a veteran population in the United States. The original study employed a descriptive crosssectional study using a mixed method design. This secondary analysis used the quantitative data collected. Two hundred thirty-nine veterans with intestinal ostomies from 3 Veteran's Administration hospitals participated in the study. Instruments used for this investigation included the City of Hope Quality of Life: Ostomy Instrument. Demographic and medical history data were collected from the survey, the Veteran's Administration health information system, and the Tumor Registry database. A self-administered survey questionnaire (mCOH-QOL-Ostomy) was mailed to each participant. The severity of skin irritation, problems with leakage, and difficulty adjusting were significantly related to demographic, clinical, and quality-of-life domains. Univariate analyses showed that age, income, employment, preoperative care (stoma site marking and education), having a partner, ostomy type, reason for ostomy, time since surgery, total quality-of-life scores and scores on all 4 domains of quality of life were related to the severity of these ostomy complications. Age was inversely related to severity of all 3 ostomy complications (skin irritation, leakage, and difficulty adjusting). Having an ileostomy, rather than a colostomy, was associated with higher severity of skin irritation. Having had the stoma site marked preoperatively was associated with less difficulty adjusting to an ostomy, and having had preoperative ostomy education was associated with less severe problems with skin irritation and leakage. Severity of each ostomy complication predicted total quality-of-life scores. Difficulty adjusting to the ostomy was related to all 4 quality-of-life domains (physical, psychological, social, and spiritual). This study found important relationships between demographic and clinical factors and ostomy complications. Skin problems, leakage, and difficulty adjusting predicted total quality of life scores and domains. Establishing relationships among ostomy complications and demographic, clinical factors, and quality of life can enhance identification of patients at risk for the development of complications and is an important first step in identifying the development of effective interventions to reduce the negative impact of complications for people with ostomies. Further study of predictors and outcomes of ostomy complications is needed to improve care.

Randomized Clinical Trial of the Innovative Bilayered Wound Dressing Made of Silk and Gelatin: Safety and Efficacy Tests Using a Split-Thickness Skin Graft Model

PubMed Central

Hasatsri, Sukhontha; Angspatt, Apichai

2015-01-01

We developed the novel silk fibroin-based bilayered wound dressing for the treatment of partial thickness wounds. And it showed relevant characteristics and accelerated the healing of full-thickness wounds in a rat model. This study is the clinical evaluation of the bilayered wound dressing to confirm its safety and efficacy for the treatment of split-thickness skin donor sites. The safety test was performed using a patch model and no evidence of marked and severe cutaneous reactions was found. The efficacy test of the bilayered wound dressing was conducted on 23 patients with 30 split-thickness skin graft donor sites to evaluate healing time, pain score, skin barrier function, and systemic reaction in comparison to Bactigras. We found that the healing time of donor site wounds treated with the bilayered wound dressing (11 ± 6 days) was significantly faster than those treated with Bactigras (14 ± 6 days) (p = 10−6). The wound sites treated with the bilayered wound dressing showed significantly less pain and more rapid skin functional barrier recovery than those treated with Bactigras (p = 10−5). Therefore, these results confirmed the clinical safety and efficacy of the bilayered wound dressing for the treatment of split-thickness skin graft donor sites. PMID:26221170

The spectrum of skin diseases in a rural setting in Cameroon (sub-Saharan Africa).

PubMed

Bissek, Anne-Cécile Zoung-Kanyi; Tabah, Earnest Njih; Kouotou, Emmanuel; Sini, Victor; Yepnjio, Faustin N; Nditanchou, Rogers; Nchufor, Roland N; Defo, Defo; Dema, Fidèle; Fonsah, Julius Y; Njamnshi, Alfred K; Muna, Walinjom F T

2012-06-21

Skin disorders are generally considered to be more prevalent in the rural areas of Cameroon. This study was carried out to verify this assumption by describing the spectrum of skin disorders in a rural setting of Cameroon. We carried out a community-based clinical skin examination of 400 consenting subjects from 4 villages of Cameroon: Nyamanga (27%), Yebekolo (24%), Mbangassina (23%) and Bilomo (26%). The overall prevalence of skin diseases in our sample was 62% {95% CI: 57.2%, 66.8%} (248/400). The commonest skin disorders were: fungal infections (25.4%), parasitic infestations (21.4%), atrophic skin disorders (11.7%), hypertrophic skin disorders (9.7%), disorders of skin appendages {acne} (8.9%), benign neoplasm (6.5%), bacterial skin infections (5.2%), pigmentation disorders (4.8%), and dermatitis/eczema (4.0%). Skin infections and infestations constituted 52.82% of all skin disorders. The overall prevalence of infectious and parasitic infestation was 32.75% {95%CI: 28.17%, 37.59%} (131/400) as against 29.25% {95%CI: 24.83%, 33.98%} (117/400) for non-infectious disorders.Among people with skin infections/parasitic infestations, those with fungal infections and onchocercal skin lesions were the most prevalent, accounting for 48.1% (63/131) and 35.1% (46/131); and an overall prevalence of 15.75% {95%CI: 12.3%, 19.7%} (63/400) and 11.5% {95%CI: 8.5%, 15.0%} (46/400) respectively.There was secondary bacterial infection in 12.1% {95%CI: 8.31%, 16.82%} (30/248) of subjects with skin diseases. Hypertrophic and atrophic disorders of the skin were mainly keloids (9.68%), scarification marks (6.05%) and burn scars (5.65%). Skin diseases like dermatitis and eczema (4.03%), malignant tumours and pigmentation disorders were rare in our sample.The proportion of subjects diagnosed with skin disorders after examination (62.8%) was significantly higher than the proportion of 40.8% that declared having skin diseases (p < 0.0001). The prevalence of skin diseases in the rural Mbam valley is alarming, dominated by easily treatable or preventable skin infections and their magnitude is highly neglected by the community, contrasting with findings in the urban setting. Similar studies are needed in other ecological/demographic settings of the country in order to construct a better understanding of the epidemiology of skin disorders. This would lead to the development of national policies to improve skin care.

How Much Is Too Much Assessment? Insight into Assessment-Driven Student Learning Gains in Large-Scale Undergraduate Microbiology Courses

PubMed Central

Wang, Jack T. H.; Schembri, Mark A.; Hall, Roy A.

2013-01-01

Designing and implementing assessment tasks in large-scale undergraduate science courses is a labor-intensive process subject to increasing scrutiny from students and quality assurance authorities alike. Recent pedagogical research has provided conceptual frameworks for teaching introductory undergraduate microbiology, but has yet to define best-practice assessment guidelines. This study assessed the applicability of Biggs’ theory of constructive alignment in designing consistent learning objectives, activities, and assessment items that aligned with the American Society for Microbiology’s concept-based microbiology curriculum in MICR2000, an introductory microbiology course offered at the University of Queensland, Australia. By improving the internal consistency in assessment criteria and increasing the number of assessment items explicitly aligned to the course learning objectives, the teaching team was able to efficiently provide adequate feedback on numerous assessment tasks throughout the semester, which contributed to improved student performance and learning gains. When comparing the constructively aligned 2011 offering of MICR2000 with its 2010 counterpart, students obtained higher marks in both coursework assignments and examinations as the semester progressed. Students also valued the additional feedback provided, as student rankings for course feedback provision increased in 2011 and assessment and feedback was identified as a key strength of MICR2000. By designing MICR2000 using constructive alignment and iterative assessment tasks that followed a common set of learning outcomes, the teaching team was able to effectively deliver detailed and timely feedback in a large introductory microbiology course. This study serves as a case study for how constructive alignment can be integrated into modern teaching practices for large-scale courses. PMID:23858350

ASPIC: a novel method to predict the exon-intron structure of a gene that is optimally compatible to a set of transcript sequences.

PubMed

Bonizzoni, Paola; Rizzi, Raffaella; Pesole, Graziano

2005-10-05

Currently available methods to predict splice sites are mainly based on the independent and progressive alignment of transcript data (mostly ESTs) to the genomic sequence. Apart from often being computationally expensive, this approach is vulnerable to several problems--hence the need to develop novel strategies. We propose a method, based on a novel multiple genome-EST alignment algorithm, for the detection of splice sites. To avoid limitations of splice sites prediction (mainly, over-predictions) due to independent single EST alignments to the genomic sequence our approach performs a multiple alignment of transcript data to the genomic sequence based on the combined analysis of all available data. We recast the problem of predicting constitutive and alternative splicing as an optimization problem, where the optimal multiple transcript alignment minimizes the number of exons and hence of splice site observations. We have implemented a splice site predictor based on this algorithm in the software tool ASPIC (Alternative Splicing PredICtion). It is distinguished from other methods based on BLAST-like tools by the incorporation of entirely new ad hoc procedures for accurate and computationally efficient transcript alignment and adopts dynamic programming for the refinement of intron boundaries. ASPIC also provides the minimal set of non-mergeable transcript isoforms compatible with the detected splicing events. The ASPIC web resource is dynamically interconnected with the Ensembl and Unigene databases and also implements an upload facility. Extensive bench marking shows that ASPIC outperforms other existing methods in the detection of novel splicing isoforms and in the minimization of over-predictions. ASPIC also requires a lower computation time for processing a single gene and an EST cluster. The ASPIC web resource is available at http://aspic.algo.disco.unimib.it/aspic-devel/.

A novel specimen-specific methodology to optimise the alignment of long bones for experimental testing.

PubMed

Cheong, Vee San; Bull, Anthony M J

2015-12-16

The choice of coordinate system and alignment of bone will affect the quantification of mechanical properties obtained during in-vitro biomechanical testing. Where these are used in predictive models, such as finite element analysis, the fidelic description of these properties is paramount. Currently in bending and torsional tests, bones are aligned on a pre-defined fixed span based on the reference system marked out. However, large inter-specimen differences have been reported. This suggests a need for the development of a specimen-specific alignment system for use in experimental work. Eleven ovine tibiae were used in this study and three-dimensional surface meshes were constructed from micro-Computed Tomography scan images. A novel, semi-automated algorithm was developed and applied to the surface meshes to align the whole bone based on its calculated principal directions. Thereafter, the code isolates the optimised location and length of each bone for experimental testing. This resulted in a lowering of the second moment of area about the chosen bending axis in the central region. More importantly, the optimisation method decreases the irregularity of the shape of the cross-sectional slices as the unbiased estimate of the population coefficient of variation of the second moment of area decreased from a range of (0.210-0.435) to (0.145-0.317) in the longitudinal direction, indicating a minimisation of the product moment, which causes eccentric loading. Thus, this methodology serves as an important pre-step to align the bone for mechanical tests or simulation work, is optimised for each specimen, ensures repeatability, and is general enough to be applied to any long bone. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Face landmark point tracking using LK pyramid optical flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Gang; Tang, Sikan; Li, Jiaquan

2018-04-01

LK pyramid optical flow is an effective method to implement object tracking in a video. It is used for face landmark point tracking in a video in the paper. The landmark points, i.e. outer corner of left eye, inner corner of left eye, inner corner of right eye, outer corner of right eye, tip of a nose, left corner of mouth, right corner of mouth, are considered. It is in the first frame that the landmark points are marked by hand. For subsequent frames, performance of tracking is analyzed. Two kinds of conditions are considered, i.e. single factors such as normalized case, pose variation and slowly moving, expression variation, illumination variation, occlusion, front face and rapidly moving, pose face and rapidly moving, and combination of the factors such as pose and illumination variation, pose and expression variation, pose variation and occlusion, illumination and expression variation, expression variation and occlusion. Global measures and local ones are introduced to evaluate performance of tracking under different factors or combination of the factors. The global measures contain the number of images aligned successfully, average alignment error, the number of images aligned before failure, and the local ones contain the number of images aligned successfully for components of a face, average alignment error for the components. To testify performance of tracking for face landmark points under different cases, tests are carried out for image sequences gathered by us. Results show that the LK pyramid optical flow method can implement face landmark point tracking under normalized case, expression variation, illumination variation which does not affect facial details, pose variation, and that different factors or combination of the factors have different effect on performance of alignment for different landmark points.

Comparative Immune- and Stress-Related Transcript Response Induced by Air Exposure and Vibrio anguillarum Bacterin in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata) Mucosal Surfaces

PubMed Central

Khansari, Ali Reza; Balasch, Joan Carles; Vallejos-Vidal, Eva; Parra, David; Reyes-López, Felipe E.; Tort, Lluís

2018-01-01

Fish have to face various environmental challenges that may compromise the efficacy of the immune response in mucosal surfaces. Since the effect of acute stress on mucosal barriers in fish has still not been fully elucidated, we aimed to compare the short-term mucosal stress and immune transcriptomic responses in a freshwater (rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss) and a marine fish (gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata) to bacterial immersion (Vibrio anguillarum bacterin vaccine) and air exposure stress in skin, gills, and intestine. Air exposure and combined (vaccine + air) stressors exposure were found to be inducers of the cortisol secretion in plasma and skin mucus on both species in a time-dependent manner, while V. anguillarum bacterin exposure induced cortisol release in trout skin mucus only. This was coincident with a marked differential increase in transcriptomic patterns of stress- and immune-related gene expression profiles. Particularly in seabream skin, the expression of cytokines was markedly enhanced, whereas in gills the response was mainly suppressed. In rainbow trout gut, both air exposure and vaccine stimulated the transcriptomic response, whereas in seabream, stress and immune responses were mainly induced by air exposure. Therefore, our comparative survey on the transcriptomic mucosal responses demonstrates that skin and gut were generally more reactive in both species. However, the upregulation of immune transcripts was more pronounced in gills and gut of vaccinated trout, whereas seabream appeared to be more stress-prone and less responsive to V. anguillarum bacterin in gills and gut. When fish were subjected to both treatments no definite pattern was observed. Overall, the results indicate that (1) the immune response was not homogeneous among mucosae (2), it was greatly influenced by the specific traits of each stressor in each surface and (3) was highly species-specific, probably as a result of the adaptive life story of each species to the microbial load and environmental characteristics of their respective natural habitats. PMID:29770134

Toxic epidermal necrolysis

PubMed Central

Hoetzenecker, Wolfram; Mehra, Tarun; Saulite, Ieva; Glatz, Martin; Schmid-Grendelmeier, Peter; Guenova, Emmanuella; Cozzio, Antonio; French, Lars E.

2016-01-01

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare, life-threatening drug-induced skin disease with a mortality rate of approximately 30%. The clinical hallmark of TEN is a marked skin detachment caused by extensive keratinocyte cell death associated with mucosal involvement. The exact pathogenic mechanism of TEN is still uncertain. Recent advances in this field have led to the identification of several factors that might contribute to the induction of excessive apoptosis of keratinocytes. In addition, specific human leukocyte antigen types seem to be associated with certain drugs and the development of TEN. As well-controlled studies are lacking, patients are treated with various immunomodulators (e.g. intravenous immunoglobulin) in addition to the best supportive care. PMID:27239294

5D-intravital tomography as a novel tool for non-invasive in-vivo analysis of human skin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

König, Karsten; Weinigel, Martin; Breunig, Hans G.; Gregory, Axel; Fischer, Peter; Kellner-Höfer, Marcel; Bückle, Rainer; Schwarz, Martin; Riemann, Iris; Stracke, Frank; Huck, Volker; Gorzelanny, Christian; Schneider, Stefan W.

2010-02-01

Some years ago, CE-marked clinical multiphoton systems for 3D imaging of human skin with subcellular resolution have been launched. These tomographs provide optical biopsies with submicron resolution based on two-photon excited autofluorescence (NAD(P)H, flavoproteins, keratin, elastin, melanin, porphyrins) and second harmonic generation by collagen. The 3D tomograph was now transferred into a 5D imaging system by the additional detection of the emission spectrum and the fluorescence lifetime based on spatially and spectrally resolved time-resolved single photon counting. The novel 5D intravital tomograph (5D-IVT) was employed for the early detection of atopic dermatitis and the analysis of treatment effects.

Optical Docking Aid Containing Fresnel Lenses

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pierce, Cole J.

1995-01-01

Proposed device provides self-contained visual cues to aid in docking. Similar to devices used to guide pilots in landing on aircraft carriers. Positions and directions of beams of light give observer visual cues of position relative to docking target point. Optical assemblies generate directed, diverging beams of light that, together, mark approach path to docking point. Conceived for use in docking spacecraft at Space Station Freedom, device adapted to numerous industrial docking and alignment applications.

A comparative study between xerographic, computer-assisted overlay generation and animated-superimposition methods in bite mark analyses.

PubMed

Tai, Meng Wei; Chong, Zhen Feng; Asif, Muhammad Khan; Rahmat, Rabiah A; Nambiar, Phrabhakaran

2016-09-01

This study was to compare the suitability and precision of xerographic and computer-assisted methods for bite mark investigations. Eleven subjects were asked to bite on their forearm and the bite marks were photographically recorded. Alginate impressions of the subjects' dentition were taken and their casts were made using dental stone. The overlays generated by xerographic method were obtained by photocopying the subjects' casts and the incisal edge outlines were then transferred on a transparent sheet. The bite mark images were imported into Adobe Photoshop® software and printed to life-size. The bite mark analyses using xerographically generated overlays were done by comparing an overlay to the corresponding printed bite mark images manually. In computer-assisted method, the subjects' casts were scanned into Adobe Photoshop®. The bite mark analyses using computer-assisted overlay generation were done by matching an overlay and the corresponding bite mark images digitally using Adobe Photoshop®. Another comparison method was superimposing the cast images with corresponding bite mark images employing the Adobe Photoshop® CS6 and GIF-Animator©. A score with a range of 0-3 was given during analysis to each precision-determining criterion and the score was increased with better matching. The Kruskal Wallis H test showed significant difference between the three sets of data (H=18.761, p<0.05). In conclusion, bite mark analysis using the computer-assisted animated-superimposition method was the most accurate, followed by the computer-assisted overlay generation and lastly the xerographic method. The superior precision contributed by digital method is discernible despite the human skin being a poor recording medium of bite marks. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Induction melter apparatus

DOEpatents

Roach, Jay A [Idaho Falls, ID; Richardson, John G [Idaho Falls, ID; Raivo, Brian D [Idaho Falls, ID; Soelberg, Nicholas R [Idaho Falls, ID

2008-06-17

Apparatus and methods of operation are provided for a cold-crucible-induction melter for vitrifying waste wherein a single induction power supply may be used to effect a selected thermal distribution by independently energizing at least two inductors. Also, a bottom drain assembly may be heated by an inductor and may include an electrically resistive heater. The bottom drain assembly may be cooled to solidify molten material passing therethrough to prevent discharge of molten material therefrom. Configurations are provided wherein the induction flux skin depth substantially corresponds with the central longitudinal axis of the crucible. Further, the drain tube may be positioned within the induction flux skin depth in relation to material within the crucible or may be substantially aligned with a direction of flow of molten material within the crucible. An improved head design including four shells forming thermal radiation shields and at least two gas-cooled plenums is also disclosed.

Operating an induction melter apparatus

DOEpatents

Roach, Jay A.; Richardson, John G.; Raivo, Brian D.; Soelberg, Nicholas R.

2006-01-31

Apparatus and methods of operation are provided for a cold-crucible-induction melter for vitrifying waste wherein a single induction power supply may be used to effect a selected thermal distribution by independently energizing at least two inductors. Also, a bottom drain assembly may be heated by an inductor and may include an electrically resistive heater. The bottom drain assembly may be cooled to solidify molten material passing therethrough to prevent discharge of molten material therefrom. Configurations are provided wherein the induction flux skin depth substantially corresponds with the central longitudinal axis of the crucible. Further, the drain tube may be positioned within the induction flux skin depth in relation to material within the crucible or may be substantially aligned with a direction of flow of molten material within the crucible. An improved head design including four shells forming thermal radiation shields and at least two gas-cooled plenums is also disclosed.

Improved wheal detection from skin prick test images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bulan, Orhan

2014-03-01

Skin prick test is a commonly used method for diagnosis of allergic diseases (e.g., pollen allergy, food allergy, etc.) in allergy clinics. The results of this test are erythema and wheal provoked on the skin where the test is applied. The sensitivity of the patient against a specific allergen is determined by the physical size of the wheal, which can be estimated from images captured by digital cameras. Accurate wheal detection from these images is an important step for precise estimation of wheal size. In this paper, we propose a method for improved wheal detection on prick test images captured by digital cameras. Our method operates by first localizing the test region by detecting calibration marks drawn on the skin. The luminance variation across the localized region is eliminated by applying a color transformation from RGB to YCbCr and discarding the luminance channel. We enhance the contrast of the captured images for the purpose of wheal detection by performing principal component analysis on the blue-difference (Cb) and red-difference (Cr) color channels. We finally, perform morphological operations on the contrast enhanced image to detect the wheal on the image plane. Our experiments performed on images acquired from 36 different patients show the efficiency of the proposed method for wheal detection from skin prick test images captured in an uncontrolled environment.

No major impact of skin aging on the response of skin blood flow to a submaximal local thermal stimulus.

PubMed

Vionnet, Julien; Calero-Romero, Irene; Heim, Abigaël; Rotaru, Corina; Engelberger, Rolf Peter; Dischl, Benoît; Noël, Bernard; Liaudet, Lucas; Waeber, Bernard; Feihl, François

2014-11-01

This study was undertaken to investigate how aging affects dermal microvascular reactivity in skin areas differentially exposed to sunlight, and therefore to different degrees of photoaging. We assessed, in young (18-30 years, n = 13) and aged males (≥60 years, n = 13), the thigh, forearm, and forehead's skin vasodilatory response to local heating (LTH) with a LDI. In each subject and at each location, local Tskin was brought from 34°C (baseline) to 39 or 41°C for 30 minutes, to effect submaximal vasodilation, with maximal vasodilation then elicited by further heating to 44°C. The CVCs evaluated at baseline and after maximal vasodilation (CVCmax ) were higher in the forehead than in the two other anatomical locations. On all locations, CVCmax decreased with age but less markedly in the forehead compared to the two other locations. When expressed in % of CVCmax , the plateau increase of CVCs in response to submaximal temperatures (39 and 41°C) did not vary with age, and minimally so with location. Skin aging, whether intrinsic or combined with photoaging, reduces the maximal vasodilatory capacity of the dermal microcirculation, but not its reactivity to local heating. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Clinical results of computerized tomography-based simulation with laser patient marking.

PubMed

Ragan, D P; Forman, J D; He, T; Mesina, C F

1996-02-01

Accuracy of a patient treatment portal marking device and computerized tomography (CT) simulation have been clinically tested. A CT-based simulator has been assembled based on a commercial CT scanner. This includes visualization software and a computer-controlled laser drawing device. This laser drawing device is used to transfer the setup, central axis, and/or radiation portals from the CT simulator to the patient for appropriate patient skin marking. A protocol for clinical testing is reported. Twenty-five prospectively, sequentially accessioned patients have been analyzed. The simulation process can be completed in an average time of 62 min. Under many cases, the treatment portals can be designed and the patient marked in one session. Mechanical accuracy of the system was found to be within +/- 1mm. The portal projection accuracy in clinical cases is observed to be better than +/- 1.2 mm. Operating costs are equivalent to the conventional simulation process it replaces. Computed tomography simulation is a clinical accurate substitute for conventional simulation when used with an appropriate patient marking system and digitally reconstructed radiographs. Personnel time spent in CT simulation is equivalent to time in conventional simulation.

Use of LS-DYNA(Registered TradeMark) to Assess the Energy Absorption Performance of a Shell-Based Kevlar(TradeMark)/Epoxy Composite Honeycomb

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Polanco, Michael

2010-01-01

The forward and vertical impact stability of a composite honeycomb Deployable Energy Absorber (DEA) was evaluated during a full-scale crash test of an MD-500 helicopter at NASA Langley?s Landing and Impact Research Facility. The lower skin of the helicopter was retrofitted with DEA components to protect the airframe subfloor upon impact and to mitigate loads transmitted to Anthropomorphic Test Device (ATD) occupants. To facilitate the design of the DEA for this test, an analytical study was conducted using LS-DYNA(Registered TradeMark) to evaluate the performance of a shell-based DEA incorporating different angular cell orientations as well as simultaneous vertical and forward impact conditions. By conducting this study, guidance was provided in obtaining an optimum design for the DEA that would dissipate the kinetic energy of the airframe while maintaining forward and vertical impact stability.

The interaction of fentanyl on the Cp50 of propofol for loss of consciousness and skin incision.

PubMed

Smith, C; McEwan, A I; Jhaveri, R; Wilkinson, M; Goodman, D; Smith, L R; Canada, A T; Glass, P S

1994-10-01

We have previously demonstrated that the minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane at 1 atm that is required to prevent movement in 50% of patients or animals exposed to a maximal noxious stimulus is markedly reduced by increasing fentanyl concentrations. Total intravenous anesthesia with propofol is increasing in popularity, yet the propofol concentrations required for total intravenous anesthesia or the interaction between propofol and fentanyl have not yet been defined. Propofol and fentanyl were administered via computer-assisted continuous infusion to provide pseudo-steady-state concentrations and allow equilibration between plasma-blood concentration and their biophase concentration. For the induction of anesthesia patients were randomly allocated to receive propofol only or propofol plus fentanyl 0.2, 0.8, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 ng/ml. In each group patients were randomized to target propofol concentrations of 1.5-10 micrograms/ml. At 7 and 10 min arterial blood samples were taken for subsequent measurement of propofol and fentanyl concentrations. At 10 min loss of consciousness was assessed by the patients' ability to respond to a simple verbal command. Thereafter a new target concentration of propofol was entered to ensure loss of consciousness, and succinylcholine was administered to facilitate tracheal intubation. Patients were rerandomized to a new target concentration of propofol (1-19 micrograms/ml) until skin incision. Before skin incision and 1 min after skin incision, arterial blood samples were again obtained for subsequent measurement of fentanyl and propofol concentrations. At skin incision and for 1 min the patient was observed for purposeful movement. Only samples in which the pre- and poststimulus drug concentrations were within 35% of each other were included. The propofol blood concentration at which 50% or 95% of patients did not respond to verbal command (Cp50s and Cp95s, respectively) and to skin incision (Cp50i and Cp95i, respectively), were calculated by logistic regression. There were 56 evaluable patients for calculating the propofol Cp50s and 53 patients for calculating the propofol Cp50i. For propofol alone the Cp50s was 3.3 micrograms/ml and the Cp95s 5.4 microgram/ml. Increasing fentanyl concentrations reduced the Cp50s (P = 0.03), and increasing age decreased the Cp50s (P = 0.04). For propofol alone the Cp50i was 15.2 (95% confidence interval 7.6-22.8) micrograms/ml and the Cp95i 27.4 micrograms/ml. Increasing fentanyl concentrations markedly reduced the Cp50i (P < 0.01), with a 50% reduction in Cp50i produced by 0.63 ng/ml fentanyl. The propofol Cp50i was decreased by 63% with 1 ng/ml fentanyl and 89% by 3 ng/ml fentanyl. At higher fentanyl concentrations the decrease in Cp50i was proportionally less, demonstrating a ceiling effect. We defined the propofol concentration required for loss of consciousness and showed that it is reduced by increasing fentanyl concentration and by increasing age. The propofol concentration (alone) adequate for skin incision is high but is markedly reduced by fentanyl. A ceiling effect in the Cp50i for propofol is seen with fentanyl concentrations greater than 3 ng/ml.

An autopsy case of fatal acute peritonitis complicated by illegal acupuncture therapy.

PubMed

Kim, DongJa; Lee, SangHan

2017-07-01

Acupuncture is an alternative medical therapy and widely practiced in Northeast Asia. Although it is known as a safe procedure, complications including infection, pneumothorax, hemorrhage, and cardiac tamponade have been reported. The authors present a rare case of fatal acute peritonitis due to penetration of acupuncture needles directly into the abdominal and pelvic cavity. The victim was a 55-year-old woman who had a recent history of chemo-radiotherapy due to breast cancer. She was collapsed three days after receiving acupuncture. She had symptoms of fever and chilling sensation, general myalgia, and vomiting during three days. The autopsy revealed several needle marks in the lower abdomen and 180ml of bloody exudate in the abdominal cavity. There was no visible intestinal perforation, but hemorrhagic foci in the mesentery and paracolic area of sigmoid colon were noted. The deepest portion was 13.5cm from the needle marks on the abdominal skin. The practitioner had not a Chinese medical license. He was accused of illegal medical practice and manslaughter. Acute peritonitis associated with acupuncture might be caused by inadequate sterilization of skin and needle itself and/or direct mesentery injury. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Low-cost and miniaturized 100-Gb/s (2 × 50 Gb/s) PAM-4 TO-packaged ROSA for data center networks.

PubMed

Kang, Sae-Kyoung; Huh, Joon Young; Lee, Jie Hyun; Lee, Joon Ki

2018-03-05

We design and implement a cost-effective and compact 100-Gb/s (2 × 50 Gb/s) PAM-4 receiver optical sub-assembly (ROSA) by using a TO-can package instead of an expensive box-type package. It consists of an optical demultiplexer, two PIN-PDs and a 2-channel linear transimpedance amplifier. The components are passively aligned and assembled using alignment marks engraved on each part. With a real-time PAM-4 DSP chip, we measured the back-to-back receiver sensitivities of the 100-Gb/s ROSA based on TO-56 to be less than -13.2 dBm for both channels at a bit error rate of 2.4e-4. The crosstalk penalty due to the adjacent channel interference was observed around 0.1 dB.

The distance from the extramedullary cutting guide rod to the skin surface as a reference guide for the tibial slope in total knee arthroplasty.

PubMed

Tsukeoka, Tadashi; Tsuneizumi, Yoshikazu

2016-03-01

Although sagittal tibial alignment in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is important, no landmarks exist to achieve a reproducible slope. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of the distance from the guide rod to the skin surface for the tibial slope in TKA. Computer simulation studies were performed on 100 consecutive knees scheduled for TKA. The angle between the line connecting the most anterior point of the predicted tibial cut surface and the skin surface 20 cm distal to the predicted cut surface (Line S) and the mechanical axis (MA) of the tibia in the sagittal plane was measured. The mean (±SD) absolute angle difference between the Line S and the MA was 0.9°±0.7°. The Line S was almost parallel to the MA in the sagittal plane (95% and 99% within two degrees and three degrees of deviation from MA, respectively). The guide rod orientation is a surrogate for the tibial cut slope because the targeted posterior slope is usually built into the cutting block and ensuring the rod is parallel to the MA in the sagittal plane is recommended. Therefore the distance between the skin surface and the rod can be a useful guide for the tibial slope. II. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of Size and Surface Charge of Gold Nanoparticles on their Skin Permeability: A Molecular Dynamics Study

PubMed Central

Gupta, Rakesh; Rai, Beena

2017-01-01

Molecular level understanding of permeation of nanoparticles through human skin establishes the basis for development of novel transdermal drug delivery systems and design and formulation of cosmetics. Recent experiments suggest that surface coated nano-sized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can penetrate the rat and human skin. However, the mechanisms by which these AuNPs penetrate are not well understood. In this study, we have carried out coarse grained molecular dynamics simulations to explore the permeation of dodecanethiol coated neutral hydrophobic AuNPs of different sizes (2–5 nm) and surface charges (cationic and anionic) through the model skin lipid membrane. The results indicate that the neutral hydrophobic AuNPs disrupted the bilayer and entered in it with in ~200 ns, while charged AuNPs were adsorbed on the bilayer headgroup. The permeation free energy calculation revealed that at the head group of the bilayer, a very small barrier existed for neutral hydrophobic AuNP while a free energy minimum was observed for charged AuNPs. The permeability was maximum for neutral 2 nm gold nanoparticle (AuNP) and minimum for 3 nm cationic AuNP. The obtained results are aligned with recent experimental findings. This study would be helpful in designing customized nanoparticles for cosmetic and transdermal drug delivery application. PMID:28349970

High-resolution compact shear stress sensor for direct measurement of skin friction in fluid flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Muchen; Kim, Chang-Jin ``Cj''

2015-11-01

The high-resolution measurement of skin friction in complex flows has long been of great interest but also a challenge in fluid mechanics. Compared with indirect measurement methods (e.g., laser Doppler velocimetry), direct measurement methods (e.g., floating element) do not involve any analogy and assumption but tend to suffer from instrumentation challenges, such as low sensing resolution or misalignments. Recently, silicon micromachined floating plates showed good resolution and perfect alignment but were too small for general purposes and too fragile to attach other surface samples repeatedly. In this work, we report a skin friction sensor consisting of a monolithic floating plate and a high-resolution optical encoder to measure its displacement. The key for the high resolution is in the suspension beams, which are very narrow (e.g., 0.25 mm) to sense small frictions along the flow direction but thick (e.g., 5 mm) to be robust along all other directions. This compact, low profile, and complete sensor is easy to use and allows repeated attachment and detachment of surface samples. The sheer-stress sensor has been tested in water tunnel and towing tank at different flow conditions, showing high sensing resolution for skin friction measurement. Supported by National Science Foundation (NSF) (No. 1336966) and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) (No. HR0011-15-2-0021).

Correlation between sensory and instrumental measurements of standard and crisp-texture southern highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L. interspecific hybrids).

PubMed

Blaker, Kendra M; Plotto, Anne; Baldwin, Elizabeth A; Olmstead, James W

2014-10-01

Fruit texture is a primary selection trait in southern highbush blueberry (SHB) breeding to increase fresh fruit postharvest quality and consumer acceptance. A novel crisp fruit texture has recently been identified among SHB germplasm. In this study, we developed a common set of descriptors that align sensory evaluation of blueberry fruit texture with instrumental measures that could be used for quantitative measurements during pre- and postharvest evaluation. Sensory and instrumental characteristics were measured in 36 and 49 genotypes in 2010 and 2011, respectively. A trained sensory panel evaluated fresh fruit based on five common textural attributes in 2010 and 2011: bursting energy, flesh firmness, skin toughness, juiciness and mealiness. Instrumental measures of compression and bioyield forces were significantly different among cultivars and correlated with sensory scores for bursting energy, flesh firmness and skin toughness (R > 0.7, except skin toughness in 2011), but correlations with sensory scores for juiciness and mealiness were low (R < 0.4). The results of sensory and instrumental measures supported the use of both compression and bioyield force measures in distinguishing crisp from standard-texture genotypes, and suggest that crisp texture in SHB is related to the sensory perception of bursting energy, flesh firmness and skin toughness. © 2014 The Authors. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by JohnWiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of Aquaphilus dolomiae extract on in vitro models.

PubMed

Aries, Marie-Françoise; Hernandez-Pigeon, Hélène; Vaissière, Clémence; Delga, Hélène; Caruana, Antony; Lévêque, Marguerite; Bourrain, Muriel; Ravard Helffer, Katia; Chol, Bertrand; Nguyen, Thien; Bessou-Touya, Sandrine; Castex-Rizzi, Nathalie

2016-01-01

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin disease characterized by recurrent pruritic inflammatory skin lesions resulting from structural and immune defects of the skin barrier. Previous studies have shown the clinical efficacy of Avène thermal spring water in AD, and a new microorganism, Aquaphilus dolomiae was suspected to contribute to these unique properties. The present study evaluated the anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and immunomodulatory properties of ES0, an original biological extract of A. dolomiae , in immune and inflammatory cell models in order to assess its potential use in the treatment of AD. An ES0 extract containing periplasmic and membrane proteins, peptides, lipopolysaccharides, and exopolysaccharides was obtained from A. dolomiae. The effects of the extract on pruritus and inflammatory mediators and immune mechanisms were evaluated by using various AD cell models and assays. In a keratinocyte model, ES0 inhibited the expression of the inflammatory mediators, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, interleukin (IL)-18, IL-4R, IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-3, macrophage inflammatory protein-3α, and macrophage-derived chemokine and induced the expression of involucrin, which is involved in skin barrier keratinocyte terminal differentiation. In addition, ES0 inhibited protease-activated receptor-2 activation in HaCaT human keratinocytes stimulated by stratum corneum tryptic enzyme and T helper type (Th) 1, Th2, and Th17 cytokine production in Staphylococcal enterotoxin B-stimulated CD4+ lymphocytes. Lastly, ES0 markedly activated innate immunity through toll-like receptor (TLR) 2, TLR4, and TLR5 activation (in recombinant human embryonic kidney 293 cells) and through antimicrobial peptide induction (psoriasin, human beta-defensin-2, and cathelicidin), mainly through TLR5 activation (in normal human keratinocytes). Overall, these in vitro results confirm the marked regulatory activity of this A. dolomiae extract on inflammatory and immune responses, which may be of value by virtue of its potential as an adjunctive treatment of AD inflammatory and pruritic lesions.

Incidence of cancer among Nordic airline pilots over five decades: occupational cohort study

PubMed Central

Pukkala, Eero; Aspholm, Rafael; Auvinen, Anssi; Eliasch, Harald; Gundestrup, Maryanne; Haldorsen, Tor; Hammar, Niklas; Hrafnkelsson, Jón; Kyyrönen, Pentti; Linnersjö, Anette; Rafnsson, Vilhjálmur; Storm, Hans; Tveten, Ulf

2002-01-01

Objective To assess the incidence of cancer among male airline pilots in the Nordic countries, with special reference to risk related to cosmic radiation. Design Retrospective cohort study, with follow up of cancer incidence through the national cancer registries. Setting Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Participants 10 032 male airline pilots, with an average follow up of 17 years. Main outcome measures Standardised incidence ratios, with expected numbers based on national cancer incidence rates; dose-response analysis using Poisson regression. Results 466 cases of cancer were diagnosed compared with 456 expected. The only significantly increased standardised incidence ratios were for skin cancer: melanoma 2.3 (95% confidence interval 1.7 to 3.0), non-melanoma 2.1 (1.7 to 2.8), basal cell carcinoma 2.5 (1.9 to 3.2). The relative risk of skin cancers increased with the estimated radiation dose. The relative risk of prostate cancer increased with increasing number of flight hours in long distance aircraft. Conclusions This study does not indicate a marked increase in cancer risk attributable to cosmic radiation, although some influence of cosmic radiation on skin cancer cannot be entirely excluded. The suggestion of an association between number of long distance flights (possibly related to circadian hormonal disturbances) and prostate cancer needs to be confirmed. What is already known on this topicAirline pilots are occupationally exposed to cosmic radiation and other potentially carcinogenic elementsIn the studies published so far, dose-response patterns have not been characterisedWhat this study addsNo marked risk of cancer attributable to cosmic radiation is observed in airline pilotsA threefold excess of skin cancers is seen among pilots with longer careers, but the influence of recreational exposure to ultraviolet light cannot be quantifiedA slight increase in risk of prostate cancer with increasing number of long haul flights suggests a need for more studies on the effects of circadian hormonal disturbances PMID:12228131

Effects of combination therapy using basic fibroblast growth factor and mature adipocyte-derived dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells on skin graft revascularisation.

PubMed

Asami, Takashi; Soejima, Kazutaka; Kashimura, Tsutomu; Kazama, Tomohiko; Matsumoto, Taro; Morioka, Kosuke; Nakazawa, Hiroaki

2015-01-01

Although the benefits of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for wound healing and angiogenesis are well known, its effects on the process of skin graft revascularisation have not been clarified. It was hypothesised that bFGF would be beneficial to promote taking of skin grafts, but that the effect might be limited in the case of bFGF monotherapy. Therefore, this study investigated the efficacy of combination therapy using bFGF and dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells. DFAT cells have multilineage differentiation potential, including into endothelial cells, similar to the case of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Commercially available human recombinant bFGF was used. DFAT cells were prepared from SD strain rats as an adipocyte progenitor cell line from mature adipocytes. Full-thickness skin was lifted from the back of SD strain rats and then grafted back to the original wound site. Four groups were established prior to skin grafting: control group (skin graft alone), bFGF group (treated with bFGF), DFAT group (treated with DFAT cells), and combination group (treated with both bFGF and DFAT cells). Tissue specimens for histological examination were harvested 48 hours after grafting. The histological findings for the bFGF group showed vascular augmentation in the grafted dermis compared with the control group. However, the difference in the number of revascularised vessels per unit area did not reach statistical significance against the control group. In contrast, in the combination group, skin graft revascularisation was significantly promoted, especially in the upper dermis. The results suggest that replacement of the existing graft vessels was markedly promoted by the combination therapy using bFGF and DFAT cells, which may facilitate skin graft taking.

Supraclavicular skin temperature as a measure of 18F-FDG uptake by BAT in human subjects.

PubMed

Boon, Mariëtte R; Bakker, Leontine E H; van der Linden, Rianne A D; Pereira Arias-Bouda, Lenka; Smit, Frits; Verberne, Hein J; van Marken Lichtenbelt, Wouter D; Jazet, Ingrid M; Rensen, Patrick C N

2014-01-01

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has emerged as a novel player in energy homeostasis in humans and is considered a potential new target for combating obesity and related diseases. The current 'gold standard' for quantification of BAT volume and activity is cold-induced 18F-FDG uptake in BAT. However, use of this technique is limited by cost and radiation exposure. Given the fact that BAT is a thermogenic tissue, mainly located in the supraclavicular region, the aim of the current study was to investigate whether cold-induced supraclavicular skin temperature and core body temperature may be alternative markers of BAT activation in humans. BAT volume and activity were measured in 24 healthy lean adolescent males (mean age 24.1±0.8 years), using cold-induced 18F-FDG uptake with PET-CT. Core body temperature was measured continuously in the small intestine with use of an ingestible telemetric capsule and skin temperature was measured by eighteen wireless iButtons attached to the skin following ISO-defined locations. Proximal and distal (hand/feet) skin temperatures markedly decreased upon cold exposure, while supraclavicular skin temperature significantly increased (35.2±0.1 vs. 35.5±0.1°C, p = 0.001). Furthermore, cold-induced supraclavicular skin temperature positively correlated with both total (R2 = 0.28, P = 0.010) and clavicular BAT volume (R2 = 0.20, P = 0.030) and clavicular SUVmax (R2 = 0.27, P = 0.010), while core body temperature did not. Supraclavicular skin temperature as measured by iButtons may have predictive value for BAT detection in adult humans. This is highly desirable considering the increasing interest in pharmacological interventions to stimulate BAT in human subjects. NTR 2473.

Ultraviolet light exposure, skin cancer risk and vitamin D production.

PubMed

Rivas, Miguel; Rojas, Elisa; Araya, María C; Calaf, Gloria M

2015-10-01

The danger of overexposure to solar ultraviolet radiation has been widely reviewed since the 1980s due to the depletion of the ozone layer. However, the benefits of mild exposure of the skin to ultraviolet (UV) light have not been widely investigated. Numerous reports have demonstrated that an association exists between low light exposure to the sun, non-melanoma skin cancer and a lack of vitamin D synthesis. As vitamin D synthesis in the body depends on skin exposure to UVB radiation from the sun (wavelength, 290-320 nm), experimental measurements for this type of solar radiation are important. The present study analyzed data obtained from a laboratory investigating UV radiation from the sun at the University of Tarapacá (Arica, Chile), where systematic experimental UVB measurements had been performed using a calibrated biometer instrument since 2006. These data were compared with skin cancer data from the local population. The results demonstrated that the incidence of skin cancer systematically increased from 7.4 to 18.7 in men and from 10.0 to 21.7 in women between 2000 and 2006 in Arica, respectively; this increase may be due to multiple factors, including the lack of adequate levels of vitamin D in risk groups such as post-menopausal women and senior age. This marked increase may also be due to the high levels of UV radiation measured in this region throughout the year. However, it is not certain that the local population has adequate vitamin D levels, nor that their skin has been predominantly exposed to artificial light that does not allow adequate vitamin D synthesis. Thus, the current study presents the association between skin type IV, the time to induce solar erythema and the time required to produce 1,000 international units of vitamin D.

Injury downregulates the expression of the human cathelicidin protein hCAP18/LL-37 in atopic dermatitis.

PubMed

Mallbris, Lotus; Carlén, Lina; Wei, Tianling; Heilborn, Johan; Nilsson, Margareta Frohm; Granath, Fredrik; Ståhle, Mona

2010-05-01

Reduced production of antimicrobial peptides was proposed to contribute to susceptibility for skin infections in atopic dermatitis (AD). Focusing on the human cathelicidin protein, hCAP18, the aim of the present study was to explore whether reduced hCAP18 expression is a constitutive trait in AD and if established inducers affect the expression of hCAP18 in the skin of AD. First, we compared levels of hCAP18 mRNA between lesional skin in AD and psoriasis and verified significantly lower expression of hCAP18 mRNA in AD. In non-lesional skin, however, there was no difference between AD, psoriasis and healthy, indicating that there is no constitutive defect in the production of hCAP18 in AD patients. In healthy skin, hCAP18 was reported to be rapidly induced following wounding and here we verified this pattern in healthy controls and in psoriasis. In AD lesions, however, the expression of hCAP18 mRNA was markedly suppressed following wounding. Obviously, the inflammation in AD lesions neutralizes the expected induction of hCAP18 and even induces suppression. Notably, the mechanism to upregulate hCAP18 following vitamin D treatment was functional in lesional as well as in non-lesional AD indicating that the CAMP gene is normally regulated in this respect. In addition, cultured primary keratinocytes from non-lesional skin of psoriasis, AD and healthy skin, upregulated hCAP18mRNA following treatment with vitamin D. Itching is a hallmark of AD and scratching inevitably injures the skin. Failure to upregulate hCAP18 in eczema following injury is likely to affect antimicrobial protection and tissue repair in AD.

Deep Tissue Injury in Development of Pressure Ulcers: A Decrease of Inflammasome Activation and Changes in Human Skin Morphology in Response to Aging and Mechanical Load

PubMed Central

Stojadinovic, Olivera; Minkiewicz, Julia; Sawaya, Andrew; Bourne, Jonathan W.; Torzilli, Peter; de Rivero Vaccari, Juan Pablo; Dietrich, W. Dalton; Keane, Robert W.; Tomic-Canic, Marjana

2013-01-01

Molecular mechanisms leading to pressure ulcer development are scarce in spite of high mortality of patients. Development of pressure ulcers that is initially observed as deep tissue injury is multifactorial. We postulate that biomechanical forces and inflammasome activation, together with ischemia and aging, may play a role in pressure ulcer development. To test this we used a newly-developed bio-mechanical model in which ischemic young and aged human skin was subjected to a constant physiological compressive stress (load) of 300 kPa (determined by pressure plate analyses of a person in a reclining position) for 0.5–4 hours. Collagen orientation was assessed using polarized light, whereas inflammasome proteins were quantified by immunoblotting. Loaded skin showed marked changes in morphology and NLRP3 inflammasome protein expression. Sub-epidermal separations and altered orientation of collagen fibers were observed in aged skin at earlier time points. Aged skin showed significant decreases in the levels of NLRP3 inflammasome proteins. Loading did not alter NLRP3 inflammasome proteins expression in aged skin, whereas it significantly increased their levels in young skin. We conclude that aging contributes to rapid morphological changes and decrease in inflammasome proteins in response to tissue damage, suggesting that a decline in the innate inflammatory response in elderly skin could contribute to pressure ulcer pathogenesis. Observed morphological changes suggest that tissue damage upon loading may not be entirely preventable. Furthermore, newly developed model described here may be very useful in understanding the mechanisms of deep tissue injury that may lead towards development of pressure ulcers. PMID:23967056

Ultraviolet light exposure, skin cancer risk and vitamin D production

PubMed Central

RIVAS, MIGUEL; ROJAS, ELISA; ARAYA, MARÍA C.; CALAF, GLORIA M.

2015-01-01

The danger of overexposure to solar ultraviolet radiation has been widely reviewed since the 1980s due to the depletion of the ozone layer. However, the benefits of mild exposure of the skin to ultraviolet (UV) light have not been widely investigated. Numerous reports have demonstrated that an association exists between low light exposure to the sun, non-melanoma skin cancer and a lack of vitamin D synthesis. As vitamin D synthesis in the body depends on skin exposure to UVB radiation from the sun (wavelength, 290–320 nm), experimental measurements for this type of solar radiation are important. The present study analyzed data obtained from a laboratory investigating UV radiation from the sun at the University of Tarapacá (Arica, Chile), where systematic experimental UVB measurements had been performed using a calibrated biometer instrument since 2006. These data were compared with skin cancer data from the local population. The results demonstrated that the incidence of skin cancer systematically increased from 7.4 to 18.7 in men and from 10.0 to 21.7 in women between 2000 and 2006 in Arica, respectively; this increase may be due to multiple factors, including the lack of adequate levels of vitamin D in risk groups such as post-menopausal women and senior age. This marked increase may also be due to the high levels of UV radiation measured in this region throughout the year. However, it is not certain that the local population has adequate vitamin D levels, nor that their skin has been predominantly exposed to artificial light that does not allow adequate vitamin D synthesis. Thus, the current study presents the association between skin type IV, the time to induce solar erythema and the time required to produce 1,000 international units of vitamin D. PMID:26622830

Nasal tumor with widespread cutaneous metastases in a Golden Retriever.

PubMed

Koehler, J W; Weiss, R C; Aubry, O A; Smith, A N; Hathcock, J T; Brawner, W R

2012-09-01

An intact, 8-year-old, male Golden Retriever dog was presented for evaluation of a nasal mass and approximately 30 firm, raised, variably ulcerated dermal and subcutaneous masses. Histopathology of both nasal and multiple skin masses revealed multiple nonencapsulated, infiltrative masses comprising clusters, anastomosing trabeculae, and packets of neoplastic, round to ovoid, hyperchromatic cells with marked nuclear molding. Surrounding the neoplastic cells was a marked stromal response in which many of the spindle-shaped cells expressed muscle-specific actin and had ultrastructural features consistent with myofibroblasts. A literature search indicates that this is the first report in a peer-reviewed journal of cutaneous metastasis of a nasal neuroendocrine tumor in any domestic animal species.

Curcumin synergizes the growth inhibitory properties of Indian toad (Bufo melanostictus Schneider) skin-derived factor (BM-ANF1) in HCT-116 colon cancer cells.

PubMed

Giri, Biplab; Gomes, Antony; Sengupta, Radha; Banerjee, Sanjeev; Nautiyal, Jyoti; Sarkar, Fazlul H; Majumdar, Adhip P N

2009-01-01

Curcumin, an active ingredient of turmeric with no discernable toxicity, inhibits the growth of transformed cells and the development and progression of colon carcinogenesis in experimental animals. Recent data from one of our laboratories demonstrated that a crude skin extract or a purified crystalline compound (Bufo melanostictus-antineoplastic factor 1, BM-ANF1) from Indian common toad (Bufo melanostictus, Schneider) skin inhibits the growth of human leukemic cells. The present investigation was undertaken to determine whether combining BM-ANF1 with curcumin would be a better therapeutic strategy for colon cancer. Colon cancer HCT-116 cells were used. Changes in growth, apoptosis, growth factor receptor signaling and events of the cell cycle were analyzed. Curcumin together with BM-ANF1 produced a greater inhibition of HCT-116 cells growth than either agent alone, attributable to the inhibition of proliferation and stimulation of apoptosis, as evidenced by suppression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression, cell cycle arrest at the G2/M-phase and caspase-3 activation. There was also a marked reduction of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)2, CDK4 and cyclin B expression and up-regulation of CDK inhibitors (p21, p27) and p53, accompanied by attenuation of Akt signaling and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation. BM-ANF1 in combination with curcumin causes a marked inhibition of growth of colon cancer cells and could be an effective therapeutic strategy for colon cancer.

Zones of Adhesion of the Abdomen: Implications for Abdominoplasty.

PubMed

Taylor, D Alastair

2017-02-01

The elucidation of the superficial fascial system (SFS) by Lockwood in 1991 has been the cornerstone of our understanding of abdominal excisional dynamics for the last 25 years. The SFS can be used for closure and, appropriately mobilized, for tension transmission in abdominoplasty, and lower body lifts. The pattern of SFS adhesion to muscle fascia and the zones of adhesion was also described but there are inconsistencies between the description and clinical experience. This study was performed to better describe the pattern of subcutaneous tissue adhesion to the trunk. Twenty pre-abdominoplasty patients were studied. A series of points were marked around the trunk and the skin moved in four opposing directions. The excursions were measured and the median plotted on a diagram. Two fresh cadavers were also dissected, removing all subcutaneous tissue circumferentially from the trunk muscle fascia and marking the strength of the adhesion with a colored pin. Three grades of adhesion were mapped. In the current study, maximal laxity was shown in the mid-lower abdomen and the anterior and lateral chest. Laxity was limited in the anterior and posterior midlines, over the lower back, and the lateral upper thigh. The cadaver dissection mapped adhesion which correlated with the skin laxity diagram. The detailed skin adhesion map better explains features of surface anatomy. Incorporating this understanding a tension vector of abdominoplasty closure obliquely inwards is proposed to maximally harvest the laxity of the anterior and lateral chest and to create further lowering and narrowing of the waist. © 2016 The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc. Reprints and permission: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Mice with cancer-induced bone pain show a marked decline in day/night activity

PubMed Central

Majuta, Lisa A.; Guedon, Jean-Marc G.; Mitchell, Stefanie A.T.; Kuskowski, Michael A.; Mantyh, Patrick W.

2017-01-01

Abstract Introduction: Cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP) is the most common type of pain with cancer. In humans, this pain can be difficult to control and highly disabling. A major problem with CIBP in humans is that it increases on weight-bearing and/or movement of a tumor-bearing bone limiting the activity and functional status of the patient. Currently, there is less data concerning whether similar negative changes in activity occur in rodent models of CIBP. Objectives: To determine whether there are marked changes in activity in a rodent model of CIBP and compare this to changes in skin hypersensitivity. Methods: Osteosarcoma cells were injected and confined to 1 femur of the adult male mouse. Every 7 days, spontaneous horizontal and vertical activities were assessed over a 20-hour day and night period using automated activity boxes. Mechanical hypersensitivity of the hind paw skin was assessed using von Frey testing. Results: As the tumor cells grew within the femur, there was a significant decline in horizontal and vertical activity during the times of the day/night when the mice are normally most active. Mice also developed significant hypersensitivity in the skin of the hind paw in the tumor-bearing limb. Conclusion: Even when the tumor is confined to a single load-bearing bone, CIBP drives a significant loss of activity, which increases with disease progression. Understanding the mechanisms that drive this reduction in activity may allow the development of therapies that allow CIBP patients to better maintain their activity and functional status. PMID:29392229

Identification of danger signals in nevirapine-induced skin rash.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiaochu; Sharma, Amy M; Uetrecht, Jack

2013-09-16

Nevirapine (NVP) can cause serious skin rashes and hepatotoxicity. It also causes an immune-mediated skin rash in rats but not hepatotoxicity. This rash is caused by a metabolite of NVP; specifically, NVP is oxidized in the liver to a benzylic alcohol (12-OH-NVP), which travels to the skin where it forms a reactive benzylic sulfate. This could both act as a hapten and induce a danger signal. In contrast, most of the covalent binding in the liver involves oxidation of the methyl group leading to a reactive quinone methide. In this study, we examined the effects of NVP and 12-OH-NVP on gene expression in the liver and skin. Both NVP and 12-OH-NVP induced changes in the liver, but the list of genes was different, presumably reflecting different bioactivation pathways. In contrast, many more genes were up-regulated in the skin by 12-OH-NVP than by NVP, which is consistent with the fact that 12-OH-NVP is an obligate intermediate in the formation of the reactive sulfate in the skin. Genes up-regulated by 12-OH-NVP in the skin included TRIM63 (18-fold increase), S100a7a (7-fold increase), IL22-RA2 (4-fold increase), and DAPK1 (3-fold increase). TRIM63 acts as a ubiquitin ligase, which is consistent with protein damage leading to an increase in protein turnover. In addition, TRIM proteins are involved in inflammasome activation, and it appears that inflammasome activation is an essential step in the induction of NVP-induced skin rash. S100A7 is considered a danger signal, and its upregulation supports the danger hypothesis. Upregulation of the IL-22 RA2 gene marks an immune response. DAPK1 is involved with inflammasome assembly through binding directly to NLRP3, a NOD-like receptor expressed in keratinocytes. These results provide important clues to how NVP causes the induction of an immune response, in this case leading to skin rash.

A goal bias in action: The boundaries adults perceive in events align with sites of actor intent.

PubMed

Levine, Dani; Hirsh-Pasek, Kathy; Pace, Amy; Michnick Golinkoff, Roberta

2017-06-01

We live in a dynamic world comprised of continuous events. Remembering our past and predicting future events, however, requires that we segment these ongoing streams of information in a consistent manner. How is this segmentation achieved? This research examines whether the boundaries adults perceive in events, such as the Olympic figure skating routine used in these studies, align with the beginnings (sources) and endings (goals) of human goal-directed actions. Study 1 showed that a group of experts, given an explicit task with unlimited time to rewatch the event, identified the same subevents as one another, but with greater agreement as to the timing of goals than sources. In Study 2, experts, novices familiarized with the figure skating sequence, and unfamiliarized novices performed an online event segmentation task, marking boundaries as the video progressed in real time. The online boundaries of all groups corresponded with the sources and goals offered by Study 1's experts, with greater alignment of goals than sources. Additionally, expertise, but not mere perceptual familiarity, boosted the alignment of sources and goals. Finally, Study 3, which presented novices with the video played in reverse, indicated, unexpectedly, that even when spatiotemporal cues were disrupted, viewers' perceived event boundaries still aligned with their perception of the actors' intended sources and goals. This research extends the goal bias to event segmentation, and suggests that our spontaneous sensitivity toward goals may allow us to transform even relatively complex and unfamiliar event streams into structured and meaningful representations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

B220 analysis with the local lymph node assay: proposal for a more flexible prediction model.

PubMed

Betts, Catherine J; Dearman, Rebecca J; Kimber, Ian; Ryan, Cindy A; Gerberick, G Frank; Lalko, Jon; Api, Anne Marie

2007-01-01

The mouse local lymph node assay (LLNA) has been developed and validated for the identification of chemicals that have the potential to induce skin sensitisation. In common with other predictive test methods the accuracy of the LLNA is not absolute and experience has revealed that a few chemicals, including for instance a minority of skin irritants, may elicit false-positive reactions in the assay. To improve further the performance of the LLNA, and to eliminate or reduce false-positives, there has been interest in an adjunct method in which the ability of chemicals to cause increases in the frequency of B220(+) lymphocytes in skin-draining lymph nodes is measured. Previous studies suggest that the use of B220 analyses aligned with the standard LLNA may serve to distinguish further between contact allergens and skin irritants. In the original predictive model, chemicals were regarded as being skin sensitisers if they were able to induce a 1.25-fold or greater increase in the percentage of B220(+) cells within lymph nodes compared with concurrent vehicle controls. Although this first prediction model has proven useful, in the light of more recent experience, and specifically as a consequence of some variability observed in the frequency of B220(+) lymphocytes in nodes taken from vehicle control-treated animals, it is timely now to reconsider and refine the model. As a result a new prediction model is proposed in which reliance on the use of absolute thresholds is reduced, and in which small changes in control values can be better accommodated. (c) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Molecular cloning, mRNA expression and tissue distribution analysis of Slc7a11 gene in alpaca (Lama paco) skins associated with different coat colors.

PubMed

Tian, Xue; Meng, Xiaolin; Wang, Liangyan; Song, Yunfei; Zhang, Danli; Ji, Yuankai; Li, Xuejun; Dong, Changsheng

2015-01-25

Slc7a11 encoding solute carrier family 7 member 11 (amionic amino acid transporter light chain, xCT), has been identified to be a critical genetic regulator of pheomelanin synthesis in hair and melanocytes. To better understand the molecular characterization of Slc7a11 and the expression patterns in skin of white versus brown alpaca (lama paco), we cloned the full length coding sequence (CDS) of alpaca Slc7a11 gene and analyzed the expression patterns using Real Time PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The full length CDS of 1512bp encodes a 503 amino acid polypeptide. Sequence analysis showed that alpaca xCT contains 12 transmembrane regions consistent with the highly conserved amino acid permease (AA_permease_2) domain similar to other vertebrates. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis revealed that alpaca xCT had the highest identity and shared the same branch with Camelus ferus. Real Time PCR and Western blotting suggested that xCT was expressed at significantly high levels in brown alpaca skin, and transcripts and protein possessed the same expression pattern in white and brown alpaca skins. Additionally, immunohistochemical analysis further demonstrated that xCT staining was robustly increased in the matrix and root sheath of brown alpaca skin compared with that of white. These results suggest that Slc7a11 functions in alpaca coat color regulation and offer essential information for further exploration on the role of Slc7a11 in melanogenesis. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Broadband and polarization reflectors in the lookdown, Selene vomer.

PubMed

Zhao, Shulei; Brady, Parrish Clawson; Gao, Meng; Etheredge, Robert Ian; Kattawar, George W; Cummings, Molly E

2015-03-06

Predator evasion in the open ocean is difficult because there are no objects to hide behind. The silvery surface of fish plays an important role in open water camouflage. Various models have been proposed to account for the broadband reflectance by the fish skin that involve one-dimensional variations in the arrangement of guanine crystal reflectors, yet the three-dimensional organization of these guanine platelets have not been well characterized. Here, we report the three-dimensional organization and the optical properties of integumentary guanine platelets in a silvery marine fish, the lookdown (Selene vomer). Our structural analysis and computational modelling show that stacks of guanine platelets with random yaw angles in the fish skin produce broadband reflectance via colour mixing. Optical axes of the guanine platelets and the collagen layer are aligned closely and provide bulk birefringence properties that influence the polarization reflectance by the skin. These data demonstrate how the lookdown preserves or alters polarization states at different incident polarization angles. These optical properties resulted from the organization of these guanine platelets and the collagen layer may have implications for open ocean camouflage in varying light fields. © 2015 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.

Real-time strap pressure sensor system for powered exoskeletons.

PubMed

Tamez-Duque, Jesús; Cobian-Ugalde, Rebeca; Kilicarslan, Atilla; Venkatakrishnan, Anusha; Soto, Rogelio; Contreras-Vidal, Jose Luis

2015-02-16

Assistive and rehabilitative powered exoskeletons for spinal cord injury (SCI) and stroke subjects have recently reached the clinic. Proper tension and joint alignment are critical to ensuring safety. Challenges still exist in adjustment and fitting, with most current systems depending on personnel experience for appropriate individual fastening. Paraplegia and tetraplegia patients using these devices have impaired sensation and cannot signal if straps are uncomfortable or painful. Excessive pressure and blood-flow restriction can lead to skin ulcers, necrotic tissue and infections. Tension must be just enough to prevent slipping and maintain posture. Research in pressure dynamics is extensive for wheelchairs and mattresses, but little research has been done on exoskeleton straps. We present a system to monitor pressure exerted by physical human-machine interfaces and provide data about levels of skin/body pressure in fastening straps. The system consists of sensing arrays, signal processing hardware with wireless transmission, and an interactive GUI. For validation, a lower-body powered exoskeleton carrying the full weight of users was used. Experimental trials were conducted with one SCI and one able-bodied subject. The system can help prevent skin injuries related to excessive pressure in mobility-impaired patients using powered exoskeletons, supporting functionality, independence and better overall quality of life.

Aligned Incentives: Could the Army’s Award System Inadvertently be Hindering Counterinsurgency Operations

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-06-01

and dining room facilities, payment by cheque, special uniform and markings on the uniform, admission to the membership of professional bodies ...accompanied President Lincoln’s body to its burial site; Peter Collier, Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor beyond the Call of Duty (New York: Artisan, 2003...insurgent/counterinsurgent wars are not recent developments; there is a significant body of literature already devoted to them. Discussed below are some of

Test Operations Procedure (TOP) 4-2-013 Commodity Engineering Test Procedures, Recoilless Rifle Ammunition

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-09-22

test officer). At a minimum, the CIL will be conducted at the operator level (often referred to as “field strip and clean”). More detailed...is checked before each shot is fired. Use a boresight (optical or laser ) as necessary to check alignment to the target aiming point if the barrel is...for this test should be representative of production. All components must be present, including projectile paint and markings, fuzes, any tool

East Europe Report, Economic and Industrial Affairs, No. 2417

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-07-01

the country has so far won by operating in the market with an open strategy . The USSR Situation in 1982—The Soviet economy went into full...in the international markets by Bulgarian economic policy’s more marked alignment with that of the Soviet Union. The rate of growth of heavy industri...that the country will once again be forced to have recourse to the international markets to meet domestic needs. The country’s governing circles

Stabilized nonlinear optical chromophore alignment in high-? guest - host polycarbonates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Healy, D.; Bloor, D.; Gray, D.; Cross, G. H.

1997-11-01

Electric-field-poling studies of two polycarbonates doped with 2-(N,N dimethylamino)-5-nitroacetanilide revealed a long-term room-temperature alignment stability. This stability at room temperature is compared with that of similarly doped poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) which displays short-term relaxation. Despite several previous suggestions that hydrogen bonding between guest and host plays a major role in these effects, infra-red spectroscopic studies refuted the idea that stronger hydrogen bond formation in the polycarbonate rather than in PMMA is the dominant influence. Rather we show, using an examination of the poling currents during poling, that the re-orientation dynamics in the polycarbonate systems are markedly different. In the case of PMMA-doped films, the deposited surface charge is compensated by poling currents at a rate at least comparable to the rate of deposition of corona charge. The compensation rate for polycarbonate-doped systems was markedly lower, however, suggesting that polar re-orientation is slower. Studies of the second-order optical nonlinearities of poled thin films using second-harmonic generation revealed an apparent enhancement of the second-harmonic coefficient compared with the predictions of conventional theories. However, we note that the use of microscopic parameters (the dipole moment and the first hyperpolarizability) obtained from measurements in non-dipolar media may give rise to the apparent anomaly since high reaction fields in polycarbonate films may act to modify these parameters.

Innovative Use of Thighplasty to Improve Prosthesis Fit and Function in a Transfemoral Amputee.

PubMed

Kuiken, Todd A; Fey, Nicholas P; Reissman, Timothy; Finucane, Suzanne B; Dumanian, Gregory A

2018-01-01

Excess residual limb fat is a common problem that can impair prosthesis control and negatively impact gait. In the general population, thighplasty and liposuction are commonly performed for cosmetic reasons but not specifically to improve function in amputees. The objective of this study was to determine if these procedures could enhance prosthesis fit and function in an overweight above-knee amputee. We evaluated the use of these techniques on a 50-year-old transfemoral amputee who was overweight. The patient underwent presurgical imaging and tests to measure her residual limb tissue distribution, socket-limb interface stiffness, residual femur orientation, lower-extremity function, and prosthesis satisfaction. A medial thighplasty procedure with circumferential liposuction was performed, during which 2,812 g (6.2 lbs.) of subcutaneous fat and skin was removed from her residual limb. Imaging was repeated 5 months postsurgery; functional assessments were repeated 9 months postsurgery. The patient demonstrated notable improvements in socket fit and in performing most functional and walking tests. Her comfortable walking speed increased 13.3%, and her scores for the Sit-to-Stand and Four Square Step tests improved over 20%. Femur alignment in her socket changed from 8.13 to 4.14 degrees, and analysis showed a marked increase in the socket-limb interface stiffness. This study demonstrates the potential of using a routine plastic surgery procedure to modify the intrinsic properties of the limb and to improve functional outcomes in overweight or obese transfemoral amputees. This technique is a potentially attractive option compared with multiple reiterations of sockets, which can be time-consuming and costly.

A Micromachined Geometric Moire Interferometric Floating-Element Shear Stress Sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Horowitz, S.; Chen, T.; Chandrasekaran, V.; Tedjojuwono, K.; Nishida, T.; Cattafesta, L.; Sheplak, M.

2004-01-01

This paper presents the development of a floating-element shear stress sensor that permits the direct measurement of skin friction based on geometric Moir interferometry. The sensor was fabricated using an aligned wafer-bond/thin-back process producing optical gratings on the backside of a floating element and on the top surface of the support wafer. Experimental characterization indicates a static sensitivity of 0.26 microns/Pa, a resonant frequency of 1.7 kHz, and a noise floor of 6.2 mPa/(square root)Hz.

Naringin protects ultraviolet B-induced skin damage by regulating p38 MAPK signal pathway.

PubMed

Ren, Xiaolin; Shi, Yuling; Zhao, Di; Xu, Mengyu; Li, Xiaolong; Dang, Yongyan; Ye, Xiyun

2016-05-01

Naringin is a bioflavonoid and has free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory properties. We examined the effects of naringin on skin after ultraviolet radiation B (UVB) irradiation and the signal pathways by in vitro and in vivo assay. HaCaT cells pretreated with naringin significantly inhibited UVB induced-cell apoptosis and production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). The expressions of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in HaCaT cells pretreated with naringin were decreased compared with the only UVB group. Also, the activation of p38 induced by UVB in HaCaT cells was reversed by naringin treatments. The inhibition function of naringin on p38 activity was more obvious than JNK. In vivo, topical treatments with naringin prevented the increase of epidermal thickness, IL-6 production, cell apoptosis and the overexpression of COX-2 in BALB/c mice skin irradiated with UVB. Naringin treatment also markedly blocked the activation of p38 in response to UVB stimulation in the mouse skin. Naringin can effectively protect against UVB-induced keratinocyte apoptosis and skin damage by inhibiting ROS production, COX-2 overexpression and strong inflammation reactions. It seemed that naringin played its role against UVB-induced skin damage through inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/p38 activation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Contact dermatitis and other skin conditions in instrumental musicians

PubMed Central

Gambichler, Thilo; Boms, Stefanie; Freitag, Marcus

2004-01-01

Background The skin is important in the positioning and playing of a musical instrument. During practicing and performing there is a permanent more or less intense contact between the instrument and the musician's skin. Apart from aggravation of predisposed skin diseases (e.g., atopic eczema or psoriasis) due to music-making, specific dermatologic conditions may develop that are directly caused by playing a musical instrument. Methods To perform a systematic review on instrument-related skin diseases in musicians we searched the PubMed database without time limits. Furthermore we studied the online bibliography "Occupational diseases of performing artist. A performing arts medicine bibliography. October, 2003" and checked references of all selected articles for relevant papers. Results The most prevalent skin disorders of instrumental musicians, in particular string instrumentalists (e.g., violinists, cellists, guitarists), woodwind players (e.g., flautists, clarinetists), and brass instrumentalists (e.g., trumpeters), include a variety of allergic contact sensitizations (e.g., colophony, nickel, and exotic woods) and irritant (physical-chemical noxae) skin conditions whose clinical presentation and localization are usually specific for the instrument used (e.g., "fiddler's neck", "cellist's chest", "guitar nipple", "flautist's chin"). Apart from common callosities and "occupational marks" (e.g., "Garrod's pads") more or less severe skin injuries may occur in musical instrumentalists, in particular acute and chronic wounds including their complications. Skin infections such as herpes labialis seem to be a more common skin problem in woodwind and brass instrumentalists. Conclusions Skin conditions may be a significant problem not only in professional instrumentalists, but also in musicians of all ages and ability. Although not life threatening they may lead to impaired performance and occupational hazard. Unfortunately, epidemiological investigations have exclusively been performed on orchestra musicians, though the prevalence of instrument-related skin conditions in other musician groups (e.g., jazz and rock musicians) is also of interest. The practicing clinician should be aware of the special dermatologic problems unique to the musical instrumentalist. Moreover awareness among musicians needs to be raised, as proper technique and conditioning may help to prevent affection of performance and occupational impairment. PMID:15090069

Contact dermatitis and other skin conditions in instrumental musicians.

PubMed

Gambichler, Thilo; Boms, Stefanie; Freitag, Marcus

2004-04-16

The skin is important in the positioning and playing of a musical instrument. During practicing and performing there is a permanent more or less intense contact between the instrument and the musician's skin. Apart from aggravation of predisposed skin diseases (e.g., atopic eczema or psoriasis) due to music-making, specific dermatologic conditions may develop that are directly caused by playing a musical instrument. To perform a systematic review on instrument-related skin diseases in musicians we searched the PubMed database without time limits. Furthermore we studied the online bibliography "Occupational diseases of performing artist. A performing arts medicine bibliography. October, 2003" and checked references of all selected articles for relevant papers. The most prevalent skin disorders of instrumental musicians, in particular string instrumentalists (e.g., violinists, cellists, guitarists), woodwind players (e.g., flautists, clarinetists), and brass instrumentalists (e.g., trumpeters), include a variety of allergic contact sensitizations (e.g., colophony, nickel, and exotic woods) and irritant (physical-chemical noxae) skin conditions whose clinical presentation and localization are usually specific for the instrument used (e.g., "fiddler's neck", "cellist's chest", "guitar nipple", "flautist's chin"). Apart from common callosities and "occupational marks" (e.g., "Garrod's pads") more or less severe skin injuries may occur in musical instrumentalists, in particular acute and chronic wounds including their complications. Skin infections such as herpes labialis seem to be a more common skin problem in woodwind and brass instrumentalists. Skin conditions may be a significant problem not only in professional instrumentalists, but also in musicians of all ages and ability. Although not life threatening they may lead to impaired performance and occupational hazard. Unfortunately, epidemiological investigations have exclusively been performed on orchestra musicians, though the prevalence of instrument-related skin conditions in other musician groups (e.g., jazz and rock musicians) is also of interest. The practicing clinician should be aware of the special dermatologic problems unique to the musical instrumentalist. Moreover awareness among musicians needs to be raised, as proper technique and conditioning may help to prevent affection of performance and occupational impairment.

Epidermal hydrogen peroxide is not increased in lesional and non-lesional skin of vitiligo.

PubMed

Zailaie, Mohammad Z

2017-01-01

It is widely believed that the loss of the epidermal melanocytes in vitiligo is basically due to excessive oxidative stress. Previous research work described abnormal elevation of the absolute concentration of the epidermal hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) in lesional and non-lesional skin of vitiligo. Based on this finding, our primary research objective was to use this feature as a screening marker in individuals at a great risk of developing vitiligo. Ninety-six patients of non-segmental vitiligo (NSV) of varying durations, skin phototypes, and treatment modalities (psoralen UVA-, narrow band UVB-treated) were recruited for this study. Raman spectroscopic measurements, using an external probehead, of the lesional and non-lesional skin were obtained, and the resulting spectra were analyzed using the Opus software package of the MultiRam spectrometer and the intensity of the peak at 875 cm -1 that represents the absolute concentration of H 2 O 2 was calculated. Contrary to previous reports, in patients of skin phototype IV, the absolute concentrations of H 2 O 2 in non-lesional and lesional NSV of all groups were non-significantly decreased compared to normal control. In patients of NSV of skin phototype V, the decrease in the absolute concentrations of H 2 O 2 was not significant in the untreated group, and a slight non-significant increase in the NBUVB-treated group was noted. However, in the PUVA-treated group, the non-lesional skin demonstrated significant increase in the absolute concentration of H 2 O 2 , whereas the lesional skin showed only a slight non-significant increase compared to normal control. In NSV patients of skin phototype VI who were previously treated with PUVA, the non-lesional skin showed a slight non-significant increase in the absolute concentration of H 2 O 2 ; however, the lesional skin showed a marked significant decrease compared to normal control and the non-lesional skin. Thereof, one can conclude that the epidermal H 2 O 2 is not increased in NSV as previously thought and may not be responsible for the oxidative stress that leads to the melanocytes destruction, the hallmark of vitiligo pathogenesis.

Characteristics of the patient with an ostomy.

PubMed

Pittman, Joyce

2011-01-01

Complications following intestinal and urinary diversion (OSTOMY) surgery are a significant problem for many individuals. Patient characteristics or risk factors have been associated with the development of ostomy complications, but research in this area is limited. To examine the demographic and clinical characteristics of new ostomy patients. Descriptive, cross-sectional study. A convenience sample of 144 new ostomy patients was recruited from a large midwest urban level i trauma teaching hospital system. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used to examine the demographic and clinical characteristics in persons with a new ostomy. demographic and clinical characteristics included were age, gender, disposition, diagnosis, ostomy type, type of procedure (emergent or elective), stoma type (temporary or permanent), technique of stoma creation (loop or end), stoma site marked preoperatively, body type, stoma height, and complicating factors. Data were collected through a medical record review and direct observation by the WOC nurse. Significant differences were found among demographic and clinical characteristics and ostomy type and disposition. Age, type of procedure, reason for surgery, stoma type, stoma site marking, and complicating factors were significantly different by ostomy type. The majority of stomas were not marked preoperatively (67%). Sixty-eight percent of persons with a stoma above skin level versus 38% with a stoma below skin level were discharged to their home. Statistically significant relationships were found among disposition and type of procedure (P = .036), stoma height (P = .003), reason for surgery (P = .000), and age (P = .005). This study provides additional information regarding specific patient characteristics (demographic and clinical) and their relationship to ostomy type and disposition.

Aberrant methylation of nucleotide excision repair genes is associated with chronic arsenic poisoning.

PubMed

Zhang, Aihua; Li, Huiyao; Xiao, Yun; Chen, Liping; Zhu, Xiaonian; Li, Jun; Ma, Lu; Pan, Xueli; Chen, Wen; He, Zhini

2017-07-01

To define whether aberrant methylation of DNA repair genes is associated with chronic arsenic poisoning. Hundred and two endemic arsenicosis patients and 36 healthy subjects were recruited. Methylight and bisulfite sequencing (BSP) assays were used to examine the methylation status of ERCC1, ERCC2 and XPC genes in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) and skin lesions of arsenicosis patients and NaAsO 2 -treated HaCaT cells. Hypermethylation of ERCC1 and ERCC2 and suppressed gene expression were found in PBLs and skin lesions of arsenicosis patients and was correlated with the level of arsenic exposure. Particularly, the expression of ERCC1 and ERCC2 was associated with the severity of skin lesions. In vitro studies revealed an induction of ERCC2 hypermethylation and decreased mRNA expression in response to NaAsO 2 treatment. Hypermethylation of ERCC1 and ERCC2 and concomitant suppression of gene expression might be served as the epigenetic marks associated with arsenic exposure and adverse health effects.

Laser skin welding using water absorption and heat management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Halder, Rabindra K.; Katz, Alvin; Savage, Howard E.; Kartazayev, Vladimir; McCormick, Steven A.; Budansky, Yury; Paul, Misu; Rosen, Richard B.; Alfano, Robert R.

2005-04-01

Laser skin welding (LSW) is being pursued for scarless wound healing. We present a new LSW approach using a contact glass slide over the sample and rapid scanning of the laser beam around the area to be welded. This led to dramatic improvement in welding efficacy. A 400 mW beam at 1455 nm with a focused spot diameter of 80 μm in air was scanned at a rate of 5mm/second over a 5mm line of incision in 5 mm x 20 mm human skin samples. Histological analysis of the welded samples using hematoxyline and eosin under unpolarized light showed full-thickness full-length weld, and that with picrosirius red F3BA stain under polarized light revealed that there was no appreciable damage. Measured tensile strength of 2.1 kg/cm2 is markedly greater than our previous LSW results of 1.05 +/- 0.19 kg/cm2, which is greater than the typical values of 0.4 kg/cm2 obtained using sutures.

Lysine hydroxylation of collagen in a fibroblast cell culture system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Uzawa, Katsuhiro; Yeowell, Heather N.; Yamamoto, Kazushi; Mochida, Yoshiyuki; Tanzawa, Hideki; Yamauchi, Mitsuo

2003-01-01

The lysine (Lys) hydroxylation pattern of type I collagen produced by human fibroblasts in culture was analyzed and compared. Fibroblasts were cultured from normal human skin (NSF), keloid (KDF), fetal skin (FDF), and skin tissues of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type VIA and VIB patients (EDS-VIA and -VIB). The type I collagen alpha chains with or without non-helical telopeptides were purified from the insoluble matrix and analyzed. In comparison with NSFs, KDF and FDF showed significantly higher Lys hydroxylation, particularly in the telopeptide domains of both alpha chains. Both EDS-VIA and -VIB showed markedly lower Lys hydroxylation in the helical domains of both alpha chains whereas that in the telopeptides was comparable with those of NSFs. A similar profile was observed in the tissue sample of the EDS-VIB patient. These results demonstrate that the Lys hydroxylation pattern is domain-specific within the collagen molecule and that this method is useful to characterize the cell phenotypes in normal/pathological connective tissues.

Differential characterization of emerging skin diseases of rainbow trout--a standardized approach to capturing disease characteristics and development of case definitions.

PubMed

Oidtmann, B; Lapatra, S E; Verner-Jeffreys, D; Pond, M; Peeler, E J; Noguera, P A; Bruno, D W; St-Hilaire, S; Schubiger, C B; Snekvik, K; Crumlish, M; Green, D M; Metselaar, M; Rodger, H; Schmidt-Posthaus, H; Galeotti, M; Feist, S W

2013-11-01

Farmed and wild salmonids are affected by a variety of skin conditions, some of which have significant economic and welfare implications. In many cases, the causes are not well understood, and one example is cold water strawberry disease of rainbow trout, also called red mark syndrome, which has been recorded in the UK since 2003. To date, there are no internationally agreed methods for describing these conditions, which has caused confusion for farmers and health professionals, who are often unclear as to whether they are dealing with a new or a previously described condition. This has resulted, inevitably, in delays to both accurate diagnosis and effective treatment regimes. Here, we provide a standardized methodology for the description of skin conditions of rainbow trout of uncertain aetiology. We demonstrate how the approach can be used to develop case definitions, using coldwater strawberry disease as an example. © 2013 Crown copyright.

Insulin autoimmune syndrome caused by an adhesive skin patch containing loxoprofen-sodium.

PubMed

Okazaki-Sakai, Satoko; Yoshimoto, Sachiko; Yagi, Kunimasa; Wakasugi, Takanobu; Takeda, Yoshiyu; Yamagishi, Masakazu

2013-01-01

A 62-year-old woman complained of repeated hypoglycemic events. A 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (75 gOGTT) showed a marked increase in the plasma insulin level and impaired glucose tolerance. The patient exhibited a high titer of plasma anti-insulin autoantibodies. Her diagnosis was insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS). Following the cessation of loxoprofen-sodium (LOXs), she experienced no further hypoglycemic episodes. However, the hypoglycemic attacks recurred following the accidental readministration of LOXs in an adhesive skin patch. Considering the changes in the titer of anti-insulin autoantibodies, the repeated 75 gOGTT and the repeated Scatchard analysis, we determined LOXs to be the cause of the IAS and evaluated the characteristics of the autoantibodies.

In vivo terahertz imaging of rat skin burns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tewari, Priyamvada; Kealey, Colin P.; Bennett, David B.; Bajwa, Neha; Barnett, Kelli S.; Singh, Rahul S.; Culjat, Martin O.; Stojadinovic, Alexander; Grundfest, Warren S.; Taylor, Zachary D.

2012-04-01

A reflective, pulsed terahertz (THz) imaging system was used to acquire high-resolution (d10-90/ λ~1.925) images of deep, partial thickness burns in a live rat. The rat's abdomen was burned with a brass brand heated to ~220°C and pressed against the skin with contact pressure for ~10 sec. The burn injury was imaged beneath a Mylar window every 15 to 30 min for up to 7 h. Initial images display an increase in local water concentration of the burned skin as evidenced by a marked increase in THz reflectivity, and this likely correlates to the post-injury inflammatory response. After ~1 h the area of increased reflectivity consolidated to the region of skin that had direct contact with the brand. Additionally, a low reflecting ring of tissue could be observed surrounding the highly reflective burned tissue. We hypothesize that these regions of increased and decreased reflectivity correlate to the zones of coagulation and stasis that are the classic foundation of burn wound histopathology. While further investigations are necessary to confirm this hypothesis, if true, it likely represents the first in vivo THz images of these pathologic zones and may represent a significant step forward in clinical application of THz technology.

An effective hair detection algorithm for dermoscopic melanoma images of skin lesions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chakraborti, Damayanti; Kaur, Ravneet; Umbaugh, Scott; LeAnder, Robert

2016-09-01

Dermoscopic images are obtained using the method of skin surface microscopy. Pigmented skin lesions are evaluated in terms of texture features such as color and structure. Artifacts, such as hairs, bubbles, black frames, ruler-marks, etc., create obstacles that prevent accurate detection of skin lesions by both clinicians and computer-aided diagnosis. In this article, we propose a new algorithm for the automated detection of hairs, using an adaptive, Canny edge-detection method, followed by morphological filtering and an arithmetic addition operation. The algorithm was applied to 50 dermoscopic melanoma images. In order to ascertain this method's relative detection accuracy, it was compared to the Razmjooy hair-detection method [1], using segmentation error (SE), true detection rate (TDR) and false positioning rate (FPR). The new method produced 6.57% SE, 96.28% TDR and 3.47% FPR, compared to 15.751% SE, 86.29% TDR and 11.74% FPR produced by the Razmjooy method [1]. Because of the 7.27-9.99% improvement in those parameters, we conclude that the new algorithm produces much better results for detecting thick, thin, dark and light hairs. The new method proposed here, shows an appreciable difference in the rate of detecting bubbles, as well.

Lectin histochemistry of the interdigital gland in the Japanese serow (Capricornis crispus) in winter.

PubMed Central

Atoji, Y; Suzuki, Y; Sugimura, M

1988-01-01

The interdigital gland of the Japanese serow was examined by histological and lectin histochemical techniques. The gland is composed of a thin-walled pouch and a duct. Both regions contain sebaceous and apocrine glands, but the development of each component was significantly less marked than those of the skin in the region. In particular, only a small amount of sebaceous and apocrine glandular elements was found in the pouch, although they were more abundant in the duct. Histochemical staining of the sebaceous and apocrine glands showed similar reactions to six lectins except for UEA in the interdigital gland and digital surface skin. UEA reacted with the apocrine part of the interdigital gland, but not with the gland in the digital surface skin. In addition, tubules in the apocrine gland revealed eight different staining patterns with UEA. These stainings possibly represent a cyclic activity of glandular tubules and suggest that the apocrine portion of the interdigital gland has a different function from that of the body skin. Images Fig. 1 Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fig. 5 Fig. 6 Fig. 7 Fig. 8 Fig. 9 Fig. 10 Fig. 11 Fig. 12 PMID:3254889

Do owls use torpor? Winter thermoregulation in free-ranging pearl-spotted owlets and African scops-owls.

PubMed

Smit, Ben; McKechnie, Andrew E

2010-01-01

Numerous avian taxa use torpor, which involves pronounced reductions in body temperature (T(b)) to below normothermic levels. However, the occurrence of this phenomenon in owls (Strigidae) remains largely unknown. We investigated winter patterns of thermoregulation in the crepuscular 80-g pearl-spotted owlet Glaucidium perlatum and the strictly nocturnal 61-g African scops-owl Otus senegalensis by obtaining telemetric measurements of skin temperature (T(skin)) from free-ranging individuals in the Kalahari Desert of southern Africa. Pearl-spotted owlets remained homeothermic throughout the study period, whereas African scops-owls routinely used shallow torpor, with T(skin) reduced by 3.3 degrees -8.6 degrees C (pooled mean, 5.3+/- 1.1 degrees C) below normothermic levels for 3-4 h after sunrise. The mean lowest T(skin) recorded in three African scops-owl individuals was 29.0 degrees C +/- 0.1 degrees C. The thermoregulatory differences between these two species may be related to their diets and activity patterns. African scops-owls are almost exclusively insectivorous and experience a marked reduction in food availability on cold winter nights. In contrast, pearl-spotted owlets have more flexible activity patterns and include larger or diurnal vertebrate prey in their diet.

[Morphological characteristic of Langerhans cells from the human epidermis in case of general hypothermia].

PubMed

Stefanenko, E V; Miadelets, O D; Kukhnovets, O A; Miadelets, V O

2009-01-01

The objective of this work was to study morphological changes in the Langerhans cells of epidermis and epithelium of hair follicles from subjects who died as a result of general hypothermia. A total of 105 cadaveric skin samples from subjects of either gender aged from 19 to 83 years were available for analysis. Postmortem examination 1-2 days after death was performed at the Department of Forensic Medical Examination for the Vitebsk region. Skin samples were frozen in liquid nitrogen and studied as cryostat sections. Langerhans cells were detected using the ATPase assay as described by Wachstein and Meisel and modified by Robins and Brendon. The Langerhans cells of subjects who died from general hypothermia were shown to undergo marked morphological changes. Moreover, their number significantly decreased as a result of disintegration and transformation into fine-grain material. Surviving cells lost many of their outgrowths and exhibited enhanced ATPase activity in pericarion. The Langerhans cells from dorsal and ventral skin as well as from interfollicular epidermis and the outer sheath of hair follicles underwent virtually identical changes. A unique morphological feature of the skin in those who died from general hypothermia was formation of intraepidermal, subepidermal, and dermal blisters.

[A 65-year-old man with history of claudication, palpable purpura and livedo reticularis].

PubMed

Braun, N; Kimmel, M; Grabner, A; Ott, G; Alscher, M D

2010-04-01

A 65-year-old man was admitted with history of claudication symptoms and painful skin lesions of the lower legs. Physical examination showed palpable purpura of the lower legs and livedo reticularis, most marked at the forefoot and toes. Computed tomography (CT) showed an aortic mass 2 cm above the bifurcation. This was treated after angiography with a covered stent. Biopsy of the skin lesions showed no sign of vasculitis and no cholesterol crystals. The patient was discharged and remained symptom-free for 9 months. He was readmitted at that time with recurrent complaints. CT revealed a subtotal stenosis of the aortic stent. A skin biopsy showed CD31-positive tumor cells in small arteries. Biopsy of a new osteolytic lesion in the ileum confirmed the diagnosis of angiosarcoma of the aorta. The patient decided in favor of palliative care and was discharged from the hospital. Primary tumors of the aorta, although they are rare, should be considered in the presence of an intravascular mass with stenosis to blood flow. A skin biopsy is easy to conduct and often leads to the final diagnosis. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart. New York.

Simulation-based cutaneous surgical-skill training on a chicken-skin bench model in a medical undergraduate program.

PubMed

Denadai, Rafael; Saad-Hossne, Rogério; Martinhão Souto, Luís Ricardo

2013-05-01

Because of ethical and medico-legal aspects involved in the training of cutaneous surgical skills on living patients, human cadavers and living animals, it is necessary the search for alternative and effective forms of training simulation. To propose and describe an alternative methodology for teaching and learning the principles of cutaneous surgery in a medical undergraduate program by using a chicken-skin bench model. One instructor for every four students, teaching materials on cutaneous surgical skills, chicken trunks, wings, or thighs, a rigid platform support, needled threads, needle holders, surgical blades with scalpel handles, rat-tooth tweezers, scissors, and marking pens were necessary for training simulation. A proposal for simulation-based training on incision, suture, biopsy, and on reconstruction techniques using a chicken-skin bench model distributed in several sessions and with increasing levels of difficultywas structured. Both feedback and objective evaluations always directed to individual students were also outlined. The teaching of a methodology for the principles of cutaneous surgery using a chicken-skin bench model versatile, portable, easy to assemble, and inexpensive is an alternative and complementary option to the armamentarium of methods based on other bench models described.

Protective effect of Schizandrin B against damage of UVB irradiated skin cells depend on inhibition of inflammatory pathways.

PubMed

Gao, Chenguang; Chen, Hong; Niu, Cong; Hu, Jie; Cao, Bo

2017-01-02

Schizandrin B is extracted from Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. This study evaluated the photoprotective effect of Schizandrin B on oxidative stress injury of the skin caused by UVB-irradiation and the molecular mechanism of the photoprotective effect of Schizandrin B, and we firstly found that Schizandrin B could block Cox-2, IL-6 and IL-18 signal pathway to protect damage of skin cells given by UVB-irradiation. In the research, we found that Schizandrin B can attenuate the UVB-induced toxicity on keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts in human body, and can outstandingly eliminated intracellular ROS produced by UVB-irradiation. These results demonstrate that Schizandrin B can regulate the function of decreasing intracellular SOD's activity and increasing the expression level of MDA in HaCaT cells result from the guidance of UVB, and it markedly reduced the production of inflammatory factors such as Cox-2, IL-6 or IL-18, decreased the expression level of MMP-1, and interdicted degradation process of collagens in UVB-radiated cells. Therefore, skin keratinocytes can be effectively protected from UVB-radiated damage by Schizandrin B, and UVB-irradiation caused inflammatory responses can be inhibited by attenuating process of ROS generating.

Diabetes Alters Mechanical Properties and Collagen Fiber Re-Alignment in Multiple Mouse Tendons

PubMed Central

Connizzo, Brianne K.; Bhatt, Pankti R.; Liechty, Kenneth W.; Soslowsky, Louis J.

2014-01-01

Tendons function to transfer load from muscle to bone through their complex composition and hierarchical structure, consisting mainly of type I collagen. Recent evidence suggests that type II diabetes may cause alterations in collagen structure, such as irregular fibril morphology and density, which could play a role in the mechanical function of tendons. Using the db/db mouse model of type II diabetes, the diabetic skin was found to have impaired biomechanical properties when compared to the non-diabetic group. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of diabetes on biomechanics, collagen fiber re-alignment, and biochemistry in three functionally different tendons (Achilles, supraspinatus, patellar) using the db/db mouse model. Results showed that cross-sectional area and stiffness, but not modulus, were significantly reduced in all three tendons. However, the tendon response to load (transition strain, collagen fiber re-alignment) occurred earlier in the mechanical test, contrary to expectations. In addition, the patellar tendon had an altered response to diabetes when compared to the other two tendons, with no changes in fiber realignment and decreased collagen content at the midsubstance of the tendon. Overall, type II diabetes alters tendon mechanical properties and the dynamic response to load. PMID:24833253

Theory of the deformation of aligned polyethylene.

PubMed

Hammad, A; Swinburne, T D; Hasan, H; Del Rosso, S; Iannucci, L; Sutton, A P

2015-08-08

Solitons are proposed as the agents of plastic and viscoelastic deformation in aligned polyethylene. Interactions between straight, parallel molecules are mapped rigorously onto the Frenkel-Kontorova model. It is shown that these molecular interactions distribute an applied load between molecules, with a characteristic transfer length equal to the soliton width. Load transfer leads to the introduction of tensile and compressive solitons at the chain ends to mark the onset of plasticity at a well-defined yield stress, which is much less than the theoretical pull-out stress. Interaction energies between solitons and an equation of motion for solitons are derived. The equation of motion is based on Langevin dynamics and the fluctuation-dissipation theorem and it leads to the rigorous definition of an effective mass for solitons. It forms the basis of a soliton dynamics in direct analogy to dislocation dynamics. Close parallels are drawn between solitons in aligned polymers and dislocations in crystals, including the configurational force on a soliton. The origins of the strain rate and temperature dependencies of the viscoelastic behaviour are discussed in terms of the formation energy of solitons. A failure mechanism is proposed involving soliton condensation under a tensile load.

Evaluation of dermal-epidermal skin equivalents ('composite-skin') of human keratinocytes in a collagen-glycosaminoglycan matrix(Integra artificial skin).

PubMed

Kremer, M; Lang, E; Berger, A C

2000-09-01

Integra artificial skin (Integra LifeSciences Corp., Plainsboro, NJ, USA) is a dermal template consisting of bovine collagen, chondroitin-6-sulphate and a silastic membrane manufactured as Integra. This product has gained widespread use in the clinical treatment of third degree burn wounds and full thickness skin defects of different aetiologies. The product was designed to significantly reduce the time needed to achieve final wound closure in the treatment of major burn wounds, to optimise the sparse autologous donor skin resources and to improve the durable mechanical quality of the skin substitute. The clinical procedure requires two stages. The first step creates a self neodermis, the second creates a self epidermis on the neodermis. However, it is desirable to cover major burn wounds early in a single step by a skin substitute consisting of a dermal equivalent seeded in vitro with autologous keratinocytes ('composite-skin') out of which a full thickness skin develops in vivo.The goal of this experimental study was to develop a method to integrate human keratinocytes in homogeneous distribution and depth into Integra Artificial Skin. The seeded cell-matrix composites were grafted onto athymic mice in order to evaluate their potential to reconstitute a human epidermis in vivo. We were able to demonstrate that the inoculated human keratinocytes reproducibly displayed a homogeneous pattern of distribution, adherence, proliferation and confluence. The cell-matrix composites grafted in this model exhibited good wound adherence, complete healing, minor wound contraction and had the potential to reconstitute an elastic, functional and durable human skin. Histologically we were able to show that the inoculated human keratinocytes in vivo colonised the matrix in a histomorphologically characteristic epidermal pattern (keratomorula, keratinocyte bubbling) and developed a persisting, stratified, keratinising epidermis which immunohistologically proved to be of human origin. These experimental results demonstrate the establishment of an effective cell cultivation process which may be suitable for scale-up production of the epidermal component as large-scale composite-skin grafts. When seeded into Integratrade mark and grafted onto the nude mouse a replacement skin with normal functioning dermal-epidermal components was developed. These results encourage the design of a clinical trial to assess the function of this composite graft in man.

Dynamical patterns in nematic active matter on a sphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Henkes, Silke; Marchetti, M. Cristina; Sknepnek, Rastko

2018-04-01

Using simulations of self-propelled agents with short-range repulsion and nematic alignment, we explore the dynamical phases of a dense active nematic confined to the surface of a sphere. We map the nonequilibrium phase diagram as a function of curvature, alignment strength, and activity. Our model reproduces several phases seen in recent experiments on active microtubule bundles confined the surfaces of vesicles. At low driving, we recover the equilibrium nematic ground state with four +1 /2 defects. As the driving is increased, geodesic forces drive the transition to a polar band wrapping around an equator, with large empty spherical caps corresponding to two +1 defects at the poles. Upon further increasing activity, the bands fold onto themselves, and the system eventually transitions to a turbulent state marked by the proliferation of pairs of topological defects. We highlight the key role of the nematic persistence length in controlling pattern formation in these confined systems with positive Gaussian curvature.

Zernike phase-contrast electron cryotomography applied to marine cyanobacteria infected with cyanophages.

PubMed

Dai, Wei; Fu, Caroline; Khant, Htet A; Ludtke, Steven J; Schmid, Michael F; Chiu, Wah

2014-11-01

Advances in electron cryotomography have provided new opportunities to visualize the internal 3D structures of a bacterium. An electron microscope equipped with Zernike phase-contrast optics produces images with markedly increased contrast compared with images obtained by conventional electron microscopy. Here we describe a protocol to apply Zernike phase plate technology for acquiring electron tomographic tilt series of cyanophage-infected cyanobacterial cells embedded in ice, without staining or chemical fixation. We detail the procedures for aligning and assessing phase plates for data collection, and methods for obtaining 3D structures of cyanophage assembly intermediates in the host by subtomogram alignment, classification and averaging. Acquiring three or four tomographic tilt series takes ∼12 h on a JEM2200FS electron microscope. We expect this time requirement to decrease substantially as the technique matures. The time required for annotation and subtomogram averaging varies widely depending on the project goals and data volume.

Identification of Cadherin 11 as a Mediator of Dermal Fibrosis and Possible Role in Systemic Sclerosis

PubMed Central

Wu, Minghua; Pedroza, Mesias; Lafyatis, Robert; George, Anuh-Teresa; Mayes, Maureen D.; Assassi, Shervin; Tan, Filemon K.; Brenner, Michael B.; Agarwal, Sandeep K.

2014-01-01

Objective Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease clinically manifesting as progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Recent microarray studies demonstrated that cadherin 11 (Cad-11) expression is increased in the affected skin of patients with SSc. The purpose of this study was to examine our hypothesis that Cad-11 is a mediator of dermal fibrosis. Methods Biopsy samples of skin from SSc patients and healthy control subjects were used for real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis to assess Cad-11 expression and for immunohistochemistry to determine the expression pattern of Cad-11. To determine whether Cad-11 is a mediator of dermal fibrosis, Cad-11–deficient mice and anti–Cad-11 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were used in the bleomycin-induced dermal fibrosis model. In vitro studies with dermal fibroblasts and bone marrow–derived macrophages were used to determine the mechanisms by which Cad-11 contributes to the development of tissue fibrosis. Results Levels of messenger RNA for Cad-11 were increased in skin biopsy samples from patients with SSc and correlated with the modified Rodnan skin thickness scores. Cad-11 expression was localized to dermal fibroblasts and macrophages in SSc skin. Cad-11–knockout mice injected with bleomycin had markedly attenuated dermal fibrosis, as quantified by measurements of skin thickness, collagen levels, myofibroblast accumulation, and profibrotic gene expression, in lesional skin as compared to the skin of wild-type mice. In addition, anti–Cad-11 mAb decreased fibrosis at various time points in the bleomycin-induced dermal fibrosis model. In vitro studies demonstrated that Cad-11 regulated the production of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) by macrophages and the migration of fibroblasts. Conclusion These data demonstrate that Cad-11 is a mediator of dermal fibrosis and TGFβ production and suggest that Cad-11 may be a therapeutic target in SSc. PMID:24757152

Development of Transgenic Cloned Pig Models of Skin Inflammation by DNA Transposon-Directed Ectopic Expression of Human β1 and α2 Integrin

PubMed Central

Staunstrup, Nicklas Heine; Madsen, Johannes; Primo, Maria Nascimento; Li, Juan; Liu, Ying; Kragh, Peter M.; Li, Rong; Schmidt, Mette; Purup, Stig; Dagnæs-Hansen, Frederik; Svensson, Lars; Petersen, Thomas K.; Callesen, Henrik; Bolund, Lars; Mikkelsen, Jacob Giehm

2012-01-01

Integrins constitute a superfamily of transmembrane signaling receptors that play pivotal roles in cutaneous homeostasis by modulating cell growth and differentiation as well as inflammatory responses in the skin. Subrabasal expression of integrins α2 and/or β1 entails hyperproliferation and aberrant differentiation of keratinocytes and leads to dermal and epidermal influx of activated T-cells. The anatomical and physiological similarities between porcine and human skin make the pig a suitable model for human skin diseases. In efforts to generate a porcine model of cutaneous inflammation, we employed the Sleeping Beauty DNA transposon system for production of transgenic cloned Göttingen minipigs expressing human β1 or α2 integrin under the control of a promoter specific for subrabasal keratinocytes. Using pools of transgenic donor fibroblasts, cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer was utilized to produce reconstructed embryos that were subsequently transferred to surrogate sows. The resulting pigs were all transgenic and harbored from one to six transgene integrants. Molecular analyses on skin biopsies and cultured keratinocytes showed ectopic expression of the human integrins and localization within the keratinocyte plasma membrane. Markers of perturbed skin homeostasis, including activation of the MAPK pathway, increased expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1α, and enhanced expression of the transcription factor c-Fos, were identified in keratinocytes from β1 and α2 integrin-transgenic minipigs, suggesting the induction of a chronic inflammatory phenotype in the skin. Notably, cellular dysregulation obtained by overexpression of either β1 or α2 integrin occurred through different cellular signaling pathways. Our findings mark the creation of the first cloned pig models with molecular markers of skin inflammation. Despite the absence of an overt psoriatic phenotype, these animals may possess increased susceptibility to severe skin damage-induced inflammation and should be of great potential in studies aiming at the development and refinement of topical therapies for cutaneous inflammation including psoriasis. PMID:22590584

UV decreases the synthesis of free fatty acids and triglycerides in the epidermis of human skin in vivo, contributing to development of skin photoaging.

PubMed

Kim, Eun Ju; Jin, Xing-Ji; Kim, Yeon Kyung; Oh, In Kyung; Kim, Ji Eun; Park, Chi-Hyun; Chung, Jin Ho

2010-01-01

Although fatty acids are known to be important in various skin functions, their roles on photoaging in human skin are poorly understood. We investigated the alteration of lipid metabolism in the epidermis by photoaging and acute UV irradiation in human skin. UV irradiated young volunteers (21-33 years, n=6) and elderly volunteers (70-75 years, n=7) skin samples were obtained by punch biopsy. Then the epidermis was separated from dermis and lipid metabolism was investigated. We observed that the amounts of free fatty acids (FFA) and triglycerides (TG) in the epidermis of photoaged or acutely UV irradiated human skin were significantly decreased. The expressions of genes related to lipid synthesis, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FAS), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARgamma) were also markedly decreased. To elucidate the significance of these changes of epidermal lipids in human skin, we investigated the effects of TG or various inhibitors for the enzymes involved in TG synthesis on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in cultured human epidermal keratinocytes. We demonstrated that triolein (TG) reduced basal and UV-induced MMP-1 mRNA expression. In addition, each inhibitor for various lipid synthesis enzymes, such as TOFA (ACC inhibitor), cerulenin (FAS inhibitor) and trans-10, cis-12-CLA (SCD inhibitor), increased the MMP-1 expression significantly in a dose-dependent manner. We also demonstrated that triolein could inhibit cerulenin-induced MMP-1 expression. Furthermore, topical application of triolein (10%) significantly prevented UV-induced MMP-13, COX-2, and IL-1beta expression in hairless mice. Our results suggest that TG and FFA may play important roles in photoaging of human skin. Copyright 2009 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The impact of urban particulate pollution on skin barrier function and the subsequent drug absorption.

PubMed

Pan, Tai-Long; Wang, Pei-Wen; Aljuffali, Ibrahim A; Huang, Chi-Ting; Lee, Chiang-Wen; Fang, Jia-You

2015-04-01

Ambient particulate matters (PMs) are known as inducers that adversely affect a variety of human organs. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the influence of PMs on the permeation of drugs and sunscreens via the skin. The role of skin-barrier properties such as the stratum corneum (SC) and tight junctions (TJs) during the delivery process was explored. This work was conducted using both in vitro and in vivo experiments in pigs to check the responses of the skin to PMs. PMs primarily containing heavy metals (1648a) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs, 1649b) were employed to treat the skin. According to the transepidermal water loss (TEWL), 1649b but not 1648a significantly disrupted the SC integrity by 2-fold compared to the PBS control. The immunohistochemistry (IHC) of cytokeratin, filaggrin, and E-cadherin exhibited that 1649b mildly damaged TJs. The cytotoxicity of keratinocytes and skin fibroblasts caused by 1649b was stronger than that caused by 1648a. The 1649b elicited apoptosis via caspase-3 activation. The proteomic profiles showed that PMs upregulated Annexin A2 by >5-fold, which can be a biomarker of PM-induced barrier disruption. We found that the skin uptake of ascorbic acid, an extremely hydrophilic drug, was increased from 74 to 112 μg/g by 1649b treatment. The extremely lipophilic drug tretinoin also showed a 2.6-fold increase of skin accumulation. Oxybenzone and dextran absorption was not affected by PMs. The in vivo dye distribution visualized by fluorescence microscopy had indicated that 1649b intervention promoted permeant partitioning into SC. Caution should be taken in exposing the skin to airborne dust due to its ability to reduce barrier function and increase the risk of drug overabsorption, although this effect was not very marked. Copyright © 2015 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Gender Affects Skin Wound Healing in Plasminogen Deficient Mice

PubMed Central

Rønø, Birgitte; Engelholm, Lars Henning; Lund, Leif Røge; Hald, Andreas

2013-01-01

The fibrinolytic activity of plasmin plays a fundamental role in resolution of blood clots and clearance of extravascular deposited fibrin in damaged tissues. These vital functions of plasmin are exploited by malignant cells to accelerate tumor growth and facilitate metastases. Mice lacking functional plasmin thus display decreased tumor growth in a variety of cancer models. Interestingly, this role of plasmin has, in regard to skin cancer, been shown to be restricted to male mice. It remains to be clarified whether gender also affects other phenotypic characteristics of plasmin deficiency or if this gender effect is restricted to skin cancer. To investigate this, we tested the effect of gender on plasmin dependent immune cell migration, accumulation of hepatic fibrin depositions, skin composition, and skin wound healing. Gender did not affect immune cell migration or hepatic fibrin accumulation in neither wildtype nor plasmin deficient mice, and the existing differences in skin composition between males and females were unaffected by plasmin deficiency. In contrast, gender had a marked effect on the ability of plasmin deficient mice to heal skin wounds, which was seen as an accelerated wound closure in female versus male plasmin deficient mice. Further studies showed that this gender effect could not be reversed by ovariectomy, suggesting that female sex-hormones did not mediate the accelerated skin wound healing in plasmin deficient female mice. Histological examination of healed wounds revealed larger amounts of fibrotic scars in the provisional matrix of plasmin deficient male mice compared to female mice. These fibrotic scars correlated to an obstruction of cell infiltration of the granulation tissue, which is a prerequisite for wound healing. In conclusion, the presented data show that the gender dependent effect of plasmin deficiency is tissue specific and may be secondary to already established differences between genders, such as skin thickness and composition. PMID:23527289

Antecedent thermal injury worsens split-thickness skin graft quality: A clinically relevant porcine model of full-thickness burn, excision and grafting.

PubMed

Carlsson, Anders H; Rose, Lloyd F; Fletcher, John L; Wu, Jesse C; Leung, Kai P; Chan, Rodney K

2017-02-01

Current standard of care for full-thickness burn is excision followed by autologous split-thickness skin graft placement. Skin grafts are also frequently used to cover surgical wounds not amenable to linear closure. While all grafts have potential to contract, clinical observation suggests that antecedent thermal injury worsens contraction and impairs functional and aesthetic outcomes. This study evaluates the impact of antecedent full-thickness burn on split-thickness skin graft scar outcomes and the potential mediating factors. Full-thickness contact burns (100°C, 30s) were created on the backs of anesthetized female Yorkshire Pigs. After seven days, burn eschar was tangentially excised and covered with 12/1000th inch (300μm) split-thickness skin graft. For comparison, unburned wounds were created by sharp excision to fat before graft application. From 7 to 120days post-grafting, planimetric measurements, digital imaging and biopsies for histology, immunohistochemistry and gene expression were obtained. At 120days post-grafting, the Observer Scar Assessment Scale, colorimetry, contour analysis and optical graft height assessments were performed. Twenty-nine porcine wounds were analyzed. All measured metrics of clinical skin quality were significantly worse (p<0.05) in burn injured wounds. Histological analysis supported objective clinical findings with marked scar-like collagen proliferation within the dermis, increased vascular density, and prolonged and increased cellular infiltration. Observed differences in contracture also correlated with earlier and more prominent myofibroblast differentiation as demonstrated by α-SMA staining. Antecedent thermal injury worsens split-thickness skin graft quality, likely by multiple mechanisms including burn-related inflammation, microscopically inadequate excision, and dysregulation of tissue remodeling. A valid, reliable, clinically relevant model of full-thickness burn, excision and skin replacement therapy has been demonstrated. Future research to enhance quality of skin replacement therapies should be directed toward modulation of inflammation and assessments for complete excision. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

[Verrucous pastern dermatitis syndrome in heavy draught horses. Part II: Clinical findings].

PubMed

Geburek, F; Deegen, E; Hewicker-Trautwein, M; Ohnesorge, B

2005-07-01

In the present field study the skin of the feet of 37 heavy draught horses of different breeds showing verrucous pastern dermatitis was examined clinically. Included were the degree of severity of the disease and the prevalence of anatomically normal structures associated with the skin: fetlock tufts of hair ("feathering"), ergots, chestnuts, bulges in the pastern region, cannon circumference. Each horse was examined for Chorioptes sp. skin mites. Information was also collected on the development of the skin alterations and housing conditions and feeding. These individual data were correlated with the clinical degree of severity of verrucous pastern dermatitis, which was evaluated using a numerical code (scoring system). In addition, punch biopsies were taken from the diseased skin of the feet and from healthy skin of the neck for comparative patho-histological examination (see Part III). Verrucous pastern dermatitis is a chronic disease which can be divided into four groups: scaling (group I), hyperkeratotic and hyperplastic plaque-like lesions (group II), tuberous skin masses (group III), and verrucous skin lesions with rugged surfaces (group IV). No correlation was found between the clinical degree of severity of the skin lesions and sex, breed, amount of work, use of stallions for breeding, grooming condition of the hair, white markings in the foot region, or Chorioptes sp. infestation. In regard to feeding it was found that the amount of maize and oats fed had some influence on the clinical degree of severity. Statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between the clinical degree of severity and the age, the grooming condition of the hooves, and the mean cannon circumference. The prevalence of fetlock tufts of hair, chestnuts, ergots, and anatomically normal bulges in the pastern region also increased significantly with the clinical degree of severity. Furthermore the study revealed that the clinical degree of severity depended on the hygienic conditions of the stables and of the ground where the horses were kept outdoors.

The topical application of low-temperature argon plasma enhances the anti-inflammatory effect of Jaun-ointment on DNCB-induced NC/Nga mice.

PubMed

Choi, Jeong-Hae; Song, Yeon-Suk; Lee, Hae-June; Kim, Gyoo-Cheon; Hong, Jin-Woo

2017-06-27

Jaun-ointment (JO), also known as Shiunko in Japan, is one of the most popular medicinal formulae used in Korean traditional medicine for the external treatment of skin wound and inflammatory skin conditions. Since JO is composed of crude mixture of two herbal extracts (radix of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Siebold & Zucc and Angelica gigas Nakai), those been proved its anti-inflammatory activities in-vitro and in-vivo, JO has been expected as a good alternative treatment option for atopic dermatitis (AD). However, due to the lack of strategies for the penetrating methods of JO's various anti-inflammatory elements into the skin, an effective and safe transdermal drug delivery system needs to be determined. Here, low-temperature argon plasma (LTAP) was adopted as an ancillary partner of topically applied JO in a mice model of AD and the effectiveness was examined. Dorsal skins of NC/Nga mice were challenged with DNCB (2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene) to induce AD. AD-like skin lesions were treated with JO alone, or in combination with LTAP. Inflammatory activity in the skin tissues was evaluated by histological analysis and several molecular biological tests. LTAP enhanced the effect of JO on AD-like skin lesion. Topical application of JO partially inhibited the development of DNCB-induced AD, shown by the moderate reduction of eosinophil homing and pro-inflammatory cytokine level. Combined treatment of JO and LTAP dramatically inhibited AD phenotypes. Interestingly, treatment with JO alone did not affect the activity of nuclear factor (NF)κB/RelA in the skin, but combined treatment of LTAP-JO blocked DCNB-mediated NFκB/RelA activation. LTAP markedly enhanced the anti-inflammatory activity of JO on AD-like skin lesions. The effect of LTAP may be attributed to enhancement of drug penetration and regulation of NFκB activity. Therefore, the combination treatment of JO and LTAP could be a potential strategy for the treatment of AD.

Selective Matrix (Hyaluronan) Interaction with CD44 and RhoGTPase Signaling Promotes Keratinocyte Functions and Overcomes Age-related Epidermal Dysfunction

PubMed Central

Bourguignon, Lilly Y.W.; Wong, Gabriel; Xia, Weiliang; Man, Mao-Qiang; Holleran, Walter M.; Elias, Peter M.

2013-01-01

Background Mouse epidermal chronologic aging is closely associated with aberrant matrix (hyaluronan, HA) -size distribution/production and impaired keratinocyte proliferation/differentiation, leading to a marked thinning of the epidermis with functional consequence that causes a slower recovery of permeability barrier function. Objective The goal of this study is to demonstrate mechanism-based, corrective therapeutic strategies using topical applications of small HA (HAS) and/or large HA (HAL) [or a sequential small HA (HAS) and large HA(HAL) (HAs-»HAL) treatment] as well as RhoGTPase signaling perturbation agents to regulate HA/CD44-mediated signaling, thereby restoring normal epidermal function, and permeability barrier homeostasis in aged mouse skin. Methods A number of biochemical, cell biological/molecular, pharmacological and physiological approaches were used to investigate matrix HA-CD44-mediated RhoGTPase signaling in regulating epidermal functions and skin aging. Results In this study we demonstrated that topical application of small HA (HAS) promotes keratinocyte proliferation and increases skin thickness, while it fails to upregulate keratinocyte differentiation or permeability barrier repair in aged mouse skin. In contrast, large HA (HAL) induces only minimal changes in keratinocyte proliferation and skin thickness, but restores keratinocyte differentiation and improves permeability barrier function in aged epidermis. Since neither HAS nor HAL corrects these epidermal defects in aged CD44 knock-out mice, CD44 likely mediates HA-associated epidermal functions in aged mouse skin. Finally, blockade of Rho-kinase activity with Y27632 or protein kinase-Nγ activity with Ro31-8220 significantly decreased the HA (HAS or HAL)-mediated changes in epidermal function in aged mouse skin. Conclusion The results of our study show first that HA application of different sizes regulates epidermal proliferation, differentiation and barrier function in aged mouse skin. Second, manipulation of matrix (HA) interaction with CD44 and RhoGTPase signaling could provide further novel therapeutic approaches that could be targeted for the treatment of various aging-related skin disorders. PMID:23790635

3D skin length deformation of lower body during knee joint flexion for the practical application of functional sportswear.

PubMed

Choi, Jiyoung; Hong, Kyunghi

2015-05-01

With the advent of 3D technology in the design process, a tremendous amount of scanned data is available. However, it is difficult to trace the quantitative skin deformation of a designated location on the 3D body surface data during movement. Without identical landmarks or reflective markers, tracing the same reference points on the different body postures is not easy because of the complex shape change of the body. To find the least deformed location on the body, which is regarded as the optimal position of seams for the various lengths of functional compression pants, landmarks were directly marked on the skin of six subjects and scanned during knee joint flexion. Lines of non-extension (LoNE) and maximum stretch (LoMS) were searched for, both by tracing landmarks and newly drawn guidelines based on ratio division in various directions. Considering the waist as the anchoring position of the pants, holistic changes were quantified and visualized from the waistline in lengthwise and curvilinear deformation along the dermatomes of the lower body for various lengths of pants. Widthwise and unit area skin deformation data of the skin were also provided as guidelines for further use such as streamlined pants or design of other local wearing devices. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved.

Photochemoprevention of UVB-induced skin carcinogenesis in SKH-1 mice by brown algae polyphenols.

PubMed

Hwang, Hyejeong; Chen, Tong; Nines, Ronald G; Shin, Hyeon-Cheol; Stoner, Gary D

2006-12-15

Chronic exposure of the skin to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation induces oxidative stress, which plays a crucial role in the induction of skin cancer. In this study, the effect of dietary feeding and topical application of brown algae polyphenols on UVB radiation-induced skin carcinogenesis in SKH-1 mice was investigated. SKH-1 hairless mice were randomly divided into 9 groups, including control, UVB control and treatment groups. They were treated orally (0.1% and 0.5% with AIN-76 diet, w/w) and topically (3 and 6 mg/0.2 ml of vehicle) with brown algae polyphenols and irradiated with UVB for 26 weeks. Dietary feeding (0.1% and 0.5%) of brown algae polyphenols significantly reduced tumor multiplicity (45% and 56%) and tumor volume (54% and 65%), and topical administration (3 and 6 mg) significantly decreased tumor multiplicity (60% and 46%) and tumor volume (66% and 57%), respectively, per tumor-bearing mouse. Dietary feeding and topical administration of the polyphenols also inhibited tumor incidence by 6% and 21%, respectively, but the results were not significant. Dietary and topical administration of the polyphenols markedly inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 activity and cell proliferation. These observations show that brown algae polyphenols have an antiphotocarcinogenic effect which may be associated with the prevention of UVB-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell proliferation in the skin. Copyright 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Protective effects of a topical antioxidant complex containing vitamins C and E and ferulic acid against ultraviolet irradiation-induced photodamage in Chinese women.

PubMed

Wu, Yan; Zheng, Xin; Xu, Xue-Gang; Li, Yuan-Hong; Wang, Bin; Gao, Xing-Hua; Chen, Hong-Duo; Yatskayer, Margarita; Oresajo, Christian

2013-04-01

The objective of the study was to investigate whether a topical antioxidant complex containing vitamins C and E and ferulic acid can protect solar-simulated ultraviolet irradiation (ssUVR)-induced acute photodamage in human skin. Twelve healthy female Chinese subjects were enrolled in this study. Four unexposed sites on dorsal skin were marked for the experiment. The products containing antioxidant complex and vehicle were applied onto 2 sites, respectively, for 4 consecutive days. On day 4, the antioxidant complex-treated site, the vehicle-treated site, and the untreated site (positive control) received ssUVR (5 times the minimal erythema dose). The fourth site (negative control) received neither ssUVR nor treatment. Digital photographs were taken, and skin color was measured pre- and postirradiation. Skin biopsies were obtained 24 hours after exposure to ssUVR, for hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical staining. A single, 5 times the minimal erythema dose of ssUVR substantially induced large amounts of sunburn cell formation, thymine dimer formation, overexpression of p53 protein, and depletion of CD1a+ Langerhans cells. The antioxidant complex containing vitamins C and E and ferulic acid conferred significant protection against biological events compared with other irradiated sites. A topical antioxidant complex containing vitamins C and E and ferulic acid has potential photoprotective effects against ssUVR-induced acute photodamage in human skin.

Antioxidant Artemisia princeps Extract Enhances the Expression of Filaggrin and Loricrin via the AHR/OVOL1 Pathway.

PubMed

Hirano, Akiko; Goto, Masashi; Mitsui, Tsukasa; Hashimoto-Hachiya, Akiko; Tsuji, Gaku; Furue, Masutaka

2017-09-11

The Japanese mugwort, Artemisia princeps ( yomogi in Japanese), has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Skin care products containing Artemisia princeps extract (APE) are known to improve dry skin symptoms in atopic dermatitis. Atopic dry skin is associated with a marked reduction of skin barrier proteins, such as filaggrin (FLG) and loricrin (LOR). Recently, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), and its downstream transcription factor OVO-like 1 (OVOL1), have been shown to regulate the gene expression of FLG and LOR. The focus of this paper is to evaluate the effects of APE on the AHR/OVOL1/FLG or LOR pathway since they have remained unknown to this point. We first demonstrated that non-cytotoxic concentrations of APE significantly upregulated antioxidant enzymes, NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone 1 and heme oxygenase 1, in human keratinocytes. Even at these low concentrations, APE induced nuclear translocation of AHR and significantly upregulated CYP1A1 (a specific target gene for AHR activation), FLG , and LOR expression. AHR knockdown downregulated OVOL1 expression. The APE-induced upregulation of FLG and LOR was canceled in keratinocytes with AHR or OVOL1 knockdown. In conclusion, antioxidant APE is a potent phytoextract that upregulates FLG and LOR expression in an AHR/OVOL1-dependent manner and this may underpin the barrier-repairing effects of APE in treating atopic dry skin.

Antioxidant Artemisia princeps Extract Enhances the Expression of Filaggrin and Loricrin via the AHR/OVOL1 Pathway

PubMed Central

Hirano, Akiko; Goto, Masashi; Mitsui, Tsukasa; Hashimoto-Hachiya, Akiko; Tsuji, Gaku; Furue, Masutaka

2017-01-01

The Japanese mugwort, Artemisia princeps (yomogi in Japanese), has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Skin care products containing Artemisia princeps extract (APE) are known to improve dry skin symptoms in atopic dermatitis. Atopic dry skin is associated with a marked reduction of skin barrier proteins, such as filaggrin (FLG) and loricrin (LOR). Recently, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), and its downstream transcription factor OVO-like 1 (OVOL1), have been shown to regulate the gene expression of FLG and LOR. The focus of this paper is to evaluate the effects of APE on the AHR/OVOL1/FLG or LOR pathway since they have remained unknown to this point. We first demonstrated that non-cytotoxic concentrations of APE significantly upregulated antioxidant enzymes, NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone 1 and heme oxygenase 1, in human keratinocytes. Even at these low concentrations, APE induced nuclear translocation of AHR and significantly upregulated CYP1A1 (a specific target gene for AHR activation), FLG, and LOR expression. AHR knockdown downregulated OVOL1 expression. The APE-induced upregulation of FLG and LOR was canceled in keratinocytes with AHR or OVOL1 knockdown. In conclusion, antioxidant APE is a potent phytoextract that upregulates FLG and LOR expression in an AHR/OVOL1-dependent manner and this may underpin the barrier-repairing effects of APE in treating atopic dry skin. PMID:28892018

Promoting sun awareness: evaluation of an educational children's book.

PubMed

Thornton, C M; Piacquadio, D J

1996-07-01

To assess the value of early childhood education as a means of increasing awareness and knowledge about the sun and related skin disease(s). A children's book promoting sun awareness and protection was developed. The next was incorporated into the health education curriculum of two third-grade classrooms (n = 82). The students completed a questionnaire before, immediately after, and 6 weeks after reading the text. Student sun awareness knowledge was compared using descriptive statistics and paired T-tests. Behaviors and attitudes that resulted in over-exposure to the sun's ultraviolet light were common among third-graders. Primary test areas included the sun's effect on skin, effective sunscreens, skin type, and skin cancer. Test scores showed a marked improvement (40% compared with baseline) in knowledge of sun protection at both posttests. Parents represented the greatest source of information for children (28 of 82) before this study, while doctors and teachers each accounted for only 1 of 82. Preventive measures in childhood have the potential to significantly reduce the incidence of sunrelated skin diseases; however, education to date has been directed primarily at presents. This study demonstrated that an educational book for elementary school students can be an effective tool to increase sun awareness and knowledge. The multifaceted approach to prevention recommended here is similar to that of the highly successful dental care campaign, consisting of direct education of children by physicians, teachers, parents, and the media.

Orthogonal Rings, Fiducial Markers, and Overlay Accuracy When Image Fusion is Used for EVAR Guidance.

PubMed

Koutouzi, G; Sandström, C; Roos, H; Henrikson, O; Leonhardt, H; Falkenberg, M

2016-11-01

Evaluation of orthogonal rings, fiducial markers, and overlay accuracy when image fusion is used for endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). This was a prospective single centre study. In 19 patients undergoing standard EVAR, 3D image fusion was used for intra-operative guidance. Renal arteries and targeted stent graft positions were marked with rings orthogonal to the respective centre lines from pre-operative computed tomography (CT). Radiopaque reference objects attached to the back of the patient were used as fiducial markers to detect patient movement intra-operatively. Automatic 3D-3D registration of the pre-operative CT with an intra-operative cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) as well as 3D-3D registration after manual alignment of nearby vertebrae were evaluated. Registration was defined as being sufficient for EVAR guidance if the deviation of the origin of the lower renal artery was less than 3 mm. For final overlay registration, the renal arteries were manually aligned using aortic calcification and vessel outlines. The accuracy of the overlay before stent graft deployment was evaluated using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as direct comparison. Fiducial markers helped in detecting misalignment caused by patient movement during the procedure. Use of automatic intensity based registration alone was insufficient for EVAR guidance. Manual registration based on vertebrae L1-L2 was sufficient in 7/19 patients (37%). Using the final adjusted registration as overlay, the median alignment error of the lower renal artery marking at pre-deployment DSA was 2 mm (0-5) sideways and 2 mm (0-9) longitudinally, mostly in a caudal direction. 3D image fusion can facilitate intra-operative guidance during EVAR. Orthogonal rings and fiducial markers are useful for visualization and overlay correction. However, the accuracy of the overlaid 3D image is not always ideal and further technical development is needed. Copyright © 2016 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fabrication and Characterization of Three Dimensional Photonic Crystals Generated by Multibeam Interference Lithography

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-01

and J. A. Lewis, "Microperiodic structures - Direct writing of three-dimensional webs ," Nature, vol. 428, pp. 386-386, 2004. [9] M. Campbell, D. N...of Applied Physics Part 1-Regular Papers Brief Communications & Review Papers , vol. 44, pp. 6355-6367, 2005. [75] P. Cloetens, W. Ludwig, J... paper screen on the sample holder and marking the beam position. If the central beam is properly aligned, the spot on the screen remains at the

Method for Fabricating and Packaging an M.Times.N Phased-Array Antenna

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Xu, Xiaochuan (Inventor); Chen, Yihong (Inventor); Chen, Ray T. (Inventor); Subbaraman, Harish (Inventor)

2017-01-01

A method for fabricating an M.times.N, P-bit phased-array antenna on a flexible substrate is disclosed. The method comprising ink jet printing and hardening alignment marks, antenna elements, transmission lines, switches, an RF coupler, and multilayer interconnections onto the flexible substrate. The substrate of the M.times.N, P-bit phased-array antenna may comprise an integrated control circuit of printed electronic components such as, photovoltaic cells, batteries, resistors, capacitors, etc. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

SHORT COMMUNICATION: An image processing approach to calibration of hydrometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lorefice, S.; Malengo, A.

2004-06-01

The usual method adopted for multipoint calibration of glass hydrometers is based on the measurement of the buoyancy by hydrostatic weighing when the hydrometer is plunged in a reference liquid up to the scale mark to be calibrated. An image processing approach is proposed by the authors to align the relevant scale mark with the reference liquid surface level. The method uses image analysis with a data processing technique and takes into account the perspective error. For this purpose a CCD camera with a pixel matrix of 604H × 576V and a lens of 16 mm focal length were used. High accuracy in the hydrometer reading was obtained as the resulting reading uncertainty was lower than 0.02 mm, about a fifth of the usual figure with the visual reading made by an operator.

Diabetic artefacts in forensic practice.

PubMed

Murty, O P

2009-05-01

A case is presented where confusion arose about skin lesions and whether they were diabetic or electrical in origin. The deceased was a known diabetic and hypertensive man. A middle-aged person in early fifties was found unconscious in the cell and judicial autopsy was performed. He was facing trial for capital punishment of being allegedly involved in drug trafficking and money laundering. He had few marks over his fingers and foot which were considered to be electric marks produced in electric torture. also had fracture of skull and ischemic necrosis of right side of cerebrum; and contrecoup lesions. Findings are documented with photographs of the lesions. The article also depicts photographs of the scene where the victim had fallen and sustained skull fracture.

Langerhans Cells Maintain Local Tissue Tolerance in a Model of Systemic Autoimmune Disease1

PubMed Central

King, Jennifer K.; Philips, Rachael L.; Eriksson, Anna U.; Kim, Peter J.; Halder, Ramesh C.; Lee, Delphine J.; Singh, Ram Raj

2015-01-01

Systemic autoimmune diseases such as lupus affect multiple organs, usually in a diverse fashion where only certain organs are affected in individual patients. It is unclear whether the ‘local’ immune cells play a role in regulating tissue specificity in relation to disease heterogeneity in systemic autoimmune diseases. Here, we used skin as a model to determine the role of tissue-resident dendritic cells in local and systemic involvement within a systemic lupus disease model. Skin-resident dendritic cells, namely Langerhans cells (LC), have been implicated in regulating tolerance or autoimmunity using elegant transgenic models, however, their role in local versus systemic immune regulation is unknown. We demonstrate that while lymphocytes from skin-draining lymph nodes of autoimmune-prone MRL/MpJ-Faslpr/lpr mice react spontaneously to a physiological skin self-Ag desmoglein-3, epicutaneous applications of desmoglein-3 induced tolerance that is dependent on LCs. Inducible ablation of LCs in adult, preclinical MRL/MpJ-Faslpr/lpr and MRL/MpJ-Fas+/+ mice resulted in increased autoantibodies against skin Ags and markedly accelerated lupus dermatitis with increased local macrophage infiltration, but had no effect on systemic autoantibodies such as anti-dsDNA Abs or disease in other organs such as kidneys, lung, and liver. Furthermore, skin-draining lymph nodes of LC-ablated MRL/MpJ-Faslpr/lpr mice had significantly fewer CD4+ T-cells producing anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 than LC-intact controls. These results indicate that a skin-resident dendritic cell population regulates local tolerance in systemic lupus and emphasize the importance of the local immune milieu in preventing tissue-specific autoimmunity yet have no effect on systemic autoimmunity. PMID:26071559

Civil construction work: The unseen contributor to the occupational and global disease burden

PubMed Central

Sitalakshmi, R.; Saikumar, P.; Jeyachandran, P.; Manoharan; Thangavel; Thomas, Jayakar

2016-01-01

Background: Construction industry is the second largest employment giving industry in India with many semi-skilled or unskilled workers taking up the occupation for livelihood without any training and proper guidance. Aim: To evaluate the pathogenic association of cement exposure to occupational contact dermatoses as evidenced by immune markers and to correlate their pulmonary functions with years of exposure to cement. Setting and Design: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among randomly selected cement workers. Methods and material: Evaluation of socioeconomic status (SES) and years of exposure of cement workers was done using a questionnaire. Clinical examination of skin lesions and strip patch test with application of potassium dichromate on unexposed skin was performed. Results were interpreted after 48 hours. Absolute eosinophil count (AEC) and IgE levels measured, and spirometric evaluation was performed. Statistical Analysis: Analysis of variance and Pearson's correlation test were used for data analysis. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Clinically, skin lesions were noticed in 51%, elevated AEC in 47%, and raised Anti IgE in 73%. Two participants developed positive reactions to the skin strip patch test. Duration of exposure to cement and SES were compared with clinical skin lesions. Spirometry result was normal in 81%, obstruction in 8%, restriction in 10%, and mixed pattern in 1%. Forced expiratory volume at 1.0 second, forced expiratory flow (25–75%), and  (PEFR) Peak Expiratory Flow Rate were markedly reduced with years of exposure. Workers who had greater skin lesions and with increase in exposure had increased AEC and IgE levels, although statistically not significant. Conclusions: Exposure to cement and poor SES is strongly correlated to increased prevalence of skin lesions and reduced pulmonary functions. PMID:28194084

Alterations in leucocyte subsets and histomorphology in normal-appearing perilesional skin and early and chronic hidradenitis suppurativa lesions.

PubMed

van der Zee, H H; de Ruiter, L; Boer, J; van den Broecke, D G; den Hollander, J C; Laman, J D; Prens, E P

2012-01-01

Current insight into the histopathological course of events during disease progression in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is fragmentary. To identify histological alterations and leucocyte subsets in normal-appearing perilesional skin, and early and chronic HS lesions. In this observational study we examined eight perilesional skin samples, and six early and 10 chronic prototypic HS lesions, as well as skin samples from four healthy donors using in situ immunostaining. Perilesional skin showed mild psoriasiform hyperplasia and follicular plugging as well as a low-grade influx of tryptase-positive mast cells, CD3+ T cells, CD138+ plasma cells and factor XIIIa+ dendritic cells. In early HS lesions, neutrophilic abscess formation and influx of mainly macrophages, monocytes and dendritic cells predominated. In chronic disease, the infiltrate expanded with markedly increased frequencies of CD20+ and CD79a+ B cells and CD138+ plasma cells. As in early lesions, free keratin fibres were detected in the dermis and within giant cells. Single detached keratinocytes and strands of follicular epithelium were observed in the dermis, the latter frequently expressing Ki67, indicative of active proliferation. Psoriasiform hyperplasia, follicular plugging and low-grade leucocytic infiltration are already present in normal-appearing perilesional skin. Keratin fibres in the dermis are associated with clinical disease. Early lesions are characterized by neutrophilic abscess formation and influx of mainly histiocytes, and chronic lesions mainly by expansion of B cells and plasma cells in 'pseudo' follicles. Proliferating strands of follicular epithelium may initiate fistula formation. Mast cells are increased in all stages of HS including perilesional skin. © 2011 The Authors. BJD © 2011 British Association of Dermatologists.

Skin denervation and its clinical significance in late-stage chronic kidney disease.

PubMed

Chao, Chi-Chao; Wu, Vin-Cent; Tan, Chun-Hsiang; Wang, Yi-Mei; Tseng, Ming-Tsung; Wu, Pei-Chen; Lin, Yea-Huey; Lin, Whei-Min; Wu, Kwan-Dun; Hsieh, Sung-Tsang

2011-02-01

To investigate the skin innervation and its clinical significance in late-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD). Case series. National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Forty consecutive nondiabetic patients with late-stage CKD (14 female and 26 male; mean [SD] age, 60.7 [12.3] years), including 2 cases with stage 3 CKD, 6 with stage 4 CKD, and 32 with stage 5 CKD, ie, end-stage kidney disease. Clinical evaluation of neurological deficits, nerve conduction study, autonomic function tests, and a 3-mm-diameter skin biopsy specimen taken from the distal leg. Quantitation of epidermal innervation, parameters of nerve conduction study, R-R interval variability, and sympathetic skin response. Clinically, 21 patients (52.5%) were symptomatic with paresthesia over the limbs or autonomic symptoms. The intraepidermal nerve fiber (IENF) density was markedly reduced in patients with CKD compared with age- and sex-matched controls (mean [SD], 2.8 [2.0] vs 8.6 [2.8] fibers/mm; P < .001). Skin denervation was observed in 27 patients (67.5%). Fifteen patients (37.5%) had abnormalities on nerve conduction studies, and 29 patients (72.5%) had abnormal results on autonomic function tests. By analysis with multiple regression models, the IENF density was negatively correlated with the duration of renal disease (P = .02). Additionally, the R-R interval variability at rest was linearly correlated with the IENF density (P = .02) and the absence of sympathetic skin responses at the soles was associated with reduced IENF density (P = .03). Small-fiber sensory and autonomic neuropathies constitute the major form of neuropathy in late-stage CKD. Furthermore, skin denervation was associated with the duration of renal disease.

A histopathologic evaluation of the Plasma Skin Regeneration System (PSR) versus a standard carbon dioxide resurfacing laser in an animal model.

PubMed

Fitzpatrick, R; Bernstein, E; Iyer, S; Brown, D; Andrews, P; Penny, K

2008-02-01

A variety of high energy, pulsed, and scanned carbon dioxide lasers are available to perform cutaneous resurfacing. Rhytec has developed a device for skin regeneration that utilizes energy delivered via a burst of nitrogen plasma. This study was undertaken to benchmark the energy outputs of the plasma skin regeneration device as compared to an ultra-short pulsed carbon dioxide laser (the control device). The two systems were compared for time to complete healing, and the healing response post-treatment. Three Yucatan mini-pigs were utilized for this study. Following anesthesia, five experimental sites were marked along the skin atop the psoas muscle on each side of the spine. Treatment was applied using either the plasma skin regeneration system or the carbon dioxide laser, with one site remaining untreated as a control. Biopsies were taken from all treatment sites 0, 2, 7, 14, 30, and 60 days following treatment and processed to hematoxylin-eosin staining. Histopathologic examination was performed by observers blinded as to the treatment conditions. Skin treated with the plasma skin regeneration device showed a wider range of tissue effects across the energy settings used as compared to the laser treatment. All treatment sites had clinically regenerated epidermis by 7 days after treatment, with active cellular response below the D/E junction noted at the day 30 time-point at energies ranging from 2 to 4 J. The Rhytec PSR system provides an attractive alternative to standard CO2 laser with good remodeling of tissue architecture. Epidermis regenerated after PSR treatment shows a smoother surface profile than adjacent untreated tissue.

Civil construction work: The unseen contributor to the occupational and global disease burden.

PubMed

Sitalakshmi, R; Saikumar, P; Jeyachandran, P; Manoharan; Thangavel; Thomas, Jayakar

2016-01-01

Construction industry is the second largest employment giving industry in India with many semi-skilled or unskilled workers taking up the occupation for livelihood without any training and proper guidance. To evaluate the pathogenic association of cement exposure to occupational contact dermatoses as evidenced by immune markers and to correlate their pulmonary functions with years of exposure to cement. This was a cross-sectional study conducted among randomly selected cement workers. Methods and material: Evaluation of socioeconomic status (SES) and years of exposure of cement workers was done using a questionnaire. Clinical examination of skin lesions and strip patch test with application of potassium dichromate on unexposed skin was performed. Results were interpreted after 48 hours. Absolute eosinophil count (AEC) and IgE levels measured, and spirometric evaluation was performed. Analysis of variance and Pearson's correlation test were used for data analysis. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Clinically, skin lesions were noticed in 51%, elevated AEC in 47%, and raised Anti IgE in 73%. Two participants developed positive reactions to the skin strip patch test. Duration of exposure to cement and SES were compared with clinical skin lesions. Spirometry result was normal in 81%, obstruction in 8%, restriction in 10%, and mixed pattern in 1%. Forced expiratory volume at 1.0 second, forced expiratory flow (25-75%), and  (PEFR) Peak Expiratory Flow Rate were markedly reduced with years of exposure. Workers who had greater skin lesions and with increase in exposure had increased AEC and IgE levels, although statistically not significant. Exposure to cement and poor SES is strongly correlated to increased prevalence of skin lesions and reduced pulmonary functions.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha blockade exacerbates murine psoriasis-like disease by enhancing Th17 function and decreasing expansion of Treg cells.

PubMed

Ma, Hak-Ling; Napierata, Lee; Stedman, Nancy; Benoit, Stephen; Collins, Mary; Nickerson-Nutter, Cheryl; Young, Deborah A

2010-02-01

Patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis respond well to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) blockers in general; however, there is now mounting evidence that a small cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis who receive TNFalpha blockers develop psoriasis. This study was undertaken to explore the mechanisms underlying TNFalpha blockade-induced exacerbation of skin inflammation in murine psoriasis-like skin disease. Skin inflammation was induced in BALB/c scid/scid mice after they received CD4+CD45RB(high)CD25- (naive CD4) T cells from donor mice. These mice were treated with either anti-interleukin-12 (anti-IL-12)/23p40 antibody or murine TNFRII-Fc fusion protein and were examined for signs of disease, including histologic features, various cytokine levels in the serum, and cytokine or FoxP3 transcripts in the affected skin and draining lymph node (LN) cells. In a separate study, naive CD4+ T cells were differentiated into Th1 or Th17 lineages with anti-CD3/28 magnetic beads and appropriate cytokines in the presence or absence of TNFalpha. Cytokine gene expression from these differentiated cells was also determined. Neutralization of TNFalpha exacerbated skin inflammation and markedly enhanced the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-17, IL-21, and IL-22 but suppressed FoxP3 expression in the skin and reduced the number of FoxP3-positive Treg cells in the draining LNs. TNFalpha also demonstrated a divergent role during priming and reactivation of naive T cells. These results reveal a novel immunoregulatory role of TNFalpha on Th17 and Treg cells in some individuals, which may account for the exacerbation of skin inflammation in some patients who receive anti-TNF treatments.

Epidemiology of Skin Cancer in the German Population: Impact of Socioeconomic and Geographic Factors.

PubMed

Augustin, J; Kis, A; Sorbe, C; Schäfer, I; Augustin, M

2018-04-06

Skin cancer being the most common cancer in Germany has shown increasing incidence in the past decade. Since mostly caused by excessive UV exposure, skin cancer is largely related to behaviour. So far, the impact of regional and sociodemographic factors on the development of skin cancer in Germany is unclear. The current study aimed to investigate the association of potential predictive factors with the prevalence of skin cancers in Germany. Nationwide ambulatory care claims data from persons insured in statutory health insurances (SHI) with malignant melanoma (MM, ICD-10 C43) and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC, ICD-10 C44) in the years 2009-2015 were analysed. In addition, sociodemographic population data and satellite based UV and solar radiation data were associated. Descriptive as well as multivariate (spatial) statistical analyses (for example Bayes' Smoothing) were conducted on county level. Data from 70.1 million insured persons were analysed. Age standardized prevalences per 100,000 SHI insured persons for MM and NMSC were 284.7 and 1126.9 in 2009 and 378.5 and 1708.2 in 2015. Marked regional variations were observed with prevalences between 32.9% and 51.6%. Multivariate analysis show statistically significant positive correlations between higher income and education, and MM/NMSC prevalence. Prevalence of MM and NMSC in Germany shows spatio-temporal dynamics. Our results show that regional UV radiation, sunshine hours and sociodemographic factors have significant impact on skin cancer prevalence in Germany. Individual behaviour obviously is a major determinant which should be subject to preventive interventions. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Experiment K-7-29: Connective Tissue Studies. Part 1; Rat Skin, Normal and Repair

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vailas, A. C.; Grindeland, R.; Ashman, R.; Choy, V.; Durnova, G.; Graf, B.; Griffith, P.; Kaplansky, A. S.; Kolis, S.; Martinez, D.;

Correlation between skin temperature and heart rate during exercise and recovery, and the influence of body position in these variables in untrained women

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neves, Eduardo Borba; Cunha, Raphael Martins; Rosa, Claudio; Antunes, Natacha Sousa; Felisberto, Ivo Miguel Vieira; Vilaça-Alves, José; Reis, Victor Machado

2016-03-01

It was known that the thermal response varies according to some variables. Until now, there are no studies that have investigated the relationship of skin temperature and heart rate during and after the workout, either the thermal behavior during postural changes. Objective: the aim of this study was to evaluate the behavior of skin temperature and heart rate, during exercise and up to an hour of recovery (with postural change), performed in two different intensities sessions (70% and 85% of 10 repetitions maximum) and observe the correlation between them. Method: This was a short longitudinal study, carried out with women aged from 18 to 30 years. A sample of 31 untrained women, aged 18 and 30 was used. The volunteers were randomized into two groups: Biceps Group (BG), with 15 women, and Quadriceps Group (QG) with 16 women. Results: During and after completion of the exercise session, there was a significant reduction in skin temperature on the active muscles in both groups (BG and QG), with similar thermal responses for the two intensities studied (70% and 85%) to the minute 15 (which marks the end of the recovery in the standing position). From minute 15 to minute 20-60, the skin temperature increases abruptly and significantly, returning to levels close to those observed before exercise. Conclusion: There were no statistical differences in thermal response to exercises in 70% or 85% of 10RM. There is a negative correlation between heart rate and skin temperature when untrained women perform anaerobic exercise. It was observed that after a change of posture (from a standing position to a sitting posture) skin temperature increased abruptly and significantly.

Cold hands, warm feet: sleep deprivation disrupts thermoregulation and its association with vigilance.

PubMed

Romeijn, Nico; Verweij, Ilse M; Koeleman, Anne; Mooij, Anne; Steimke, Rosa; Virkkala, Jussi; van der Werf, Ysbrand; Van Someren, Eus J W

2012-12-01

Vigilance is affected by induced and spontaneous skin temperature fluctuations. Whereas sleep deprivation strongly affects vigilance, no previous study examined in detail its effect on human skin temperature fluctuations and their association with vigilance. In a repeated-measures constant routine design, skin temperatures were assessed continuously from 14 locations while performance was assessed using a reaction time task, including eyes-open video monitoring, performed five times a day for 2 days, after a normal sleep or sleep deprivation night. Participants were seated in a dimly lit, temperature-controlled laboratory. Eight healthy young adults (five males, age 22.0 ± 1.8 yr (mean ± standard deviation)). One night of sleep deprivation. Mixed-effect regression models were used to evaluate the effect of sleep deprivation on skin temperature gradients of the upper (ear-mastoid), middle (hand-arm), and lower (foot-leg) body, and on the association between fluctuations in performance and in temperature gradients. Sleep deprivation induced a marked dissociation of thermoregulatory skin temperature gradients, indicative of attenuated heat loss from the hands co-occurring with enhanced heat loss from the feet. Sleep deprivation moreover attenuated the association between fluctuations in performance and temperature gradients; the association was best preserved for the upper body gradient. Sleep deprivation disrupts coordination of fluctuations in thermoregulatory skin temperature gradients. The dissociation of middle and lower body temperature gradients may therefore be evaluated as a marker for sleep debt, and the upper body gradient as a possible aid in vigilance assessment when sleep debt is unknown. Importantly, our findings suggest that sleep deprivation affects the coordination between skin blood flow fluctuations and the baroreceptor-mediated cardiovascular regulation that prevents venous pooling of blood in the lower limbs when there is the orthostatic challenge of an upright posture.

Increased systemic and epidermal levels of IL-17A and IL-1β promotes progression of non-segmental vitiligo.

PubMed

Bhardwaj, Supriya; Rani, Seema; Srivastava, Niharika; Kumar, Ravinder; Parsad, Davinder

2017-03-01

Non-segmental vitiligo (NSV) results from autoimmune destruction of melanocytes. The altered levels of various cytokines have been proposed in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. However, the exact immune mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. To investigate the role of epidermal and systemic cytokines in active and stable NSV patients. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines were checked in 42 active and 30 stable NSV patients with 30 controls. The lesional, perilesional and normal skin sections were subjected to H&E staining. The mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines and their respective receptors were assessed by quantitative PCR in lesional skin of both active and stable NSV skin. The MITF and IL-17A were immunolocalized in lesional, perilesional and normal skin tissue. Significant increase in the expression of inflammatory cytokines, IL-17A, IL-1β and TGF-β was observed in active patients, whereas no change was observed in stable patients. A marked reduction in epidermal thickness was observed in lesional skin sections. Significant increase in IL-17A and significant decrease in microphthalmia associated transcription factor (MITF) expression was observed in lesional and perilesional skin sections. Moreover, qPCR analysis showed significant alterations in the mRNA levels of IL-17A, IL-1β, IFN-γ, TGF-β and their respective receptors in active and stable vitiligo patient samples. Increased levels of IL-17A and IL-1β cytokines and decreased expression of MITF suggested a possible role of these cytokines in dysregulation of melanocytic activity in the lesional skin and hence might be responsible for the progression of active vitiligo. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Self-aligned blocking integration demonstration for critical sub-40nm pitch Mx level patterning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raley, Angélique; Mohanty, Nihar; Sun, Xinghua; Farrell, Richard A.; Smith, Jeffrey T.; Ko, Akiteru; Metz, Andrew W.; Biolsi, Peter; Devilliers, Anton

2017-04-01

Multipatterning has enabled continued scaling of chip technology at the 28nm node and beyond. Selfaligned double patterning (SADP) and self-aligned quadruple patterning (SAQP) as well as Litho- Etch/Litho-Etch (LELE) iterations are widely used in the semiconductor industry to enable patterning at sub 193 immersion lithography resolutions for layers such as FIN, Gate and critical Metal lines. Multipatterning requires the use of multiple masks which is costly and increases process complexity as well as edge placement error variation driven mostly by overlay. To mitigate the strict overlay requirements for advanced technology nodes (7nm and below), a self-aligned blocking integration is desirable. This integration trades off the overlay requirement for an etch selectivity requirement and enables the cut mask overlay tolerance to be relaxed from half pitch to three times half pitch. Selfalignement has become the latest trend to enable scaling and self-aligned integrations are being pursued and investigated for various critical layers such as contact, via, metal patterning. In this paper we propose and demonstrate a low cost flexible self-aligned blocking strategy for critical metal layer patterning for 7nm and beyond from mask assembly to low -K dielectric etch. The integration is based on a 40nm pitch SADP flow with 2 cut masks compatible with either cut or block integration and employs dielectric films widely used in the back end of the line. As a consequence this approach is compatible with traditional etch, deposition and cleans tools that are optimized for dielectric etches. We will review the critical steps and selectivities required to enable this integration along with bench-marking of each integration option (cut vs. block).

Improving Robotic Operator Performance Using Augmented Reality

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maida, James C.; Bowen, Charles K.; Pace, John W.

2007-01-01

The Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) is a two-armed robot that functions as an extension to the end effector of the Space Station Robotics Manipulator System (SSRMS), currently in use on the International Space Station (ISS). Crew training for the SPDM is accomplished using a robotic hardware simulator, which performs most of SPDM functions under normal static Earth gravitational forces. Both the simulator and SPDM are controlled from a standard robotic workstation using a laptop for the user interface and three monitors for camera views. Most operations anticipated for the SPDM involve the manipulation, insertion, and removal of any of several types of Orbital Replaceable Unit (ORU), modules which control various ISS functions. Alignment tolerances for insertion of the ORU into its receptacle are 0.25 inch and 0.5 degree from nominal values. The pre-insertion alignment task must be performed within these tolerances by using available video camera views of the intrinsic features of the ORU and receptacle, without special registration markings. Since optimum camera views may not be available, and dynamic orbital lighting conditions may limit periods of viewing, a successful ORU insertion operation may require an extended period of time. This study explored the feasibility of using augmented reality (AR) to assist SPDM operations. Geometric graphical symbols were overlaid on one of the workstation monitors to afford cues to assist the operator in attaining adequate pre-insertion ORU alignment. Twelve skilled subjects performed eight ORU insertion tasks using the simulator with and without the AR symbols in a repeated measures experimental design. Results indicated that using the AR symbols reduced pre-insertion alignment error for all subjects and reduced the time to complete pre-insertion alignment for most subjects.

Ultrastructural and biomolecular detection of Rickettsiales-like organisms in tissues of rainbow trout with Red Mark Syndrome.

PubMed

Galeotti, M; Manzano, M; Beraldo, P; Bulfon, C; Rossi, G; Volpatti, D; Magi, G E

2017-07-01

Red mark syndrome (RMS) and US strawberry disease (US SD) are skin disorders affecting rainbow trout farmed in Europe and USA. The disease etiology has not yet been established. In spite of specific investigations, identifying Rickettsia-like organism (RLO)- and Midichloria-like organism (MLO)-related DNA in affected individuals, these pathogens have never been observed. We performed histological, ultrastructural and biomolecular analysis on skin and spleen samples of trout with RMS. Examination by TEM revealed the presence of intracytoplasmic microorganisms resembling Rickettsiales within macrophages, fibroblasts and erythrocytes. The microorganisms were oval or short rod shaped (400-800 nm in length and 100-200 nm in width) and often showed a cell wall similar to Gram-negative bacteria. PCR analysis for Rickettsiales supported these findings: 53% of affected trout were positive by both PCR and TEM The primers RiFCfw-RiFCrev were used to anneal both the RLO 16S DNA sequence and the MLO 16S DNA sequence. For this reason, and in agreement with previous studies confirming the presence of Rickettsiales-related DNA in trout with RMS, we assume that TEM detected microorganisms morphologically consistent with bacteria belonging to Rickettsiales order and could be considered as possible causative agents of RMS. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

New perspectives of penile enhancement surgery: tissue engineering with biodegradable scaffolds.

PubMed

Perovic, Sava V; Byun, Jae-Sang; Scheplev, Peter; Djordjevic, Miroslav L; Kim, Jin-Hong; Bubanj, Tatjana

2006-01-01

To evaluate in a multicenter, prospective study preliminary aesthetic and functional results of autologous ex-vivo tissue engineering for penile girth enhancement. From July 1999 to January 2004, 204 men of mean age 26.77 (range 19-54 years) underwent this procedure. Indications for penile girth enhancement were penile dysmorphic disorder and previous failed surgery for penile girth enhancement. Fibroblast cells harvested from 1 cc of biopsied scrotal dermal tissue were expanded in culture until the total cell number of at least 2x10(7) was reached. Suspended cells in culture medium were then seeded on pretreated tube-shaped PLGA scaffolds and incubated for 24 hours. After penile degloving, scaffolds were shape adjusted and transplanted between dartos and Buck's fascia when the skin was compliant or under the neurovascular bundle when the skin was not compliant. A total of 84 randomly selected patients were followed 1 to 5 years postoperatively (median 24 months). The gain in girth ranged from 1.9 to 4.1cm (mean 3.15 cm). Postoperative complications occurred as infection in three, penile skin pressure necrosis in two and seroma formation in five patients and were all treated conservatively. Surgical intervention was appraised by patients on a scale from 1 to 5 as follows: the best mark (5) was given by 44.05%, very good (4) by 36.90%, good (3) by 19.05% and only one patient gave the mark 2 judging general penile appearance as dissatisfactory; mean score was 4.25. Autologous tissue engineering by using biodegradable scaffolds as a carrier is a new and safe therapeutic approach for penile girth enhancement. The outcome of this study points out the necessity for its expanded clinical applicability in the future.

Timing of decontamination and treatment in case of percutaneous VX poisoning: a mini review.

PubMed

Joosen, Marloes J A; van der Schans, Marcel J; Kuijpers, Willem C; van Helden, Herman P M; Noort, Daan

2013-03-25

Low volatile organophosphorous nerve agents such as VX, will most likely enter the body via the skin. The pharmacokinetics of drugs such as oximes, atropine and diazepam, are not aligned with the variable and persistent toxicokinetics of the agent. Repeated administration of these drugs showed to improve treatment efficacy compared to a single injection treatment. Because of the effectiveness of continuous treatment, it was investigated to what extent a subchronic pretreatment with carbamate (pyridostigmine or physostigmine combined with either procyclidine or scopolamine) would protect against percutaneous VX exposure. Inclusion of scopolamine in the pretreatment prevented seizures in all animals, but none of the pretreatments affected survival time or the onset time of cholinergic signs. These results indicate that percutaneous poisoning with VX requires additional conventional treatment in addition to the current pretreatment regimen. Decontamination of VX-exposed skin is one of the most important countermeasures to mitigate the effects of the exposure. To evaluate the window of opportunity for decontamination, the fielded skin decontaminant Reactive Skin Decontaminant Lotion (RSDL) was tested at different times in hairless guinea pigs percutaneously challenged with 4× LD50 VX in IPA. The results showed that RSDL decontamination at 15 min after exposure could not prevent progressive blood cholinesterase inhibition and therefore would still require additional treatment. A similar decontamination regimen with RSDL at 90 min showed that it still might effectively increase the time window of opportunity for treatment. In conclusion, the delay in absorption presents a window of opportunity for decontamination and treatment. The continuous release of VX from the skin presents a significant challenge for efficacious therapy, which should ideally consist of thorough decontamination and continuous treatment. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Self-propelled in-tube shuttle and control system for automated measurements of magnetic field alignment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Boroski, W.N.; Nicol, T.H.; Pidcoe, S.V.

1990-03-01

A magnetic field alignment gauge is used to measure the field angle as a function of axial position in each of the magnets for the Superconducting Super Collider (SSC). Present measurements are made by manually pushing the through the magnet bore tube and stopping at intervals to record field measurements. Gauge location is controlled through graduation marks and alignment pins on the push rods. Field measurements are recorded on a logging multimeter with tape output. Described is a computerized control system being developed to replace the manual procedure for field alignment measurements. The automated system employs a pneumatic walking devicemore » to move the measurement gauge through the bore tube. Movement of the device, called the Self-Propelled In-Tube Shuttle (SPITS), is accomplished through an integral, gas driven, double-acting cylinder. The motion of the SPITS is transferred to the bore tube by means of a pair of controlled, retractable support feet. Control of the SPITS is accomplished through an RS-422 interface from an IBM-compatible computer to a series of solenoid-actuated air valves. Direction of SPITS travel is determined by the air-valve sequence, and is managed through the control software. Precise axial position of the gauge within the magnet is returned to the control system through an optically-encoded digital position transducer attached to the shuttle. Discussed is the performance of the transport device and control system during preliminary testing of the first prototype shuttle. 1 ref., 7 figs.« less

Evidence that two alkyl ester quaternary ammonium compounds lack substantial human skin-sensitizing potential.

PubMed

Jowsey, Ian R; Kligman, Albert M; White, Ian R; Goossens, An; Basketter, David A

2007-03-01

Alkyl ester quaternary ammonium compounds (ester quats) are used extensively in fabric rinse conditioners. It is important to document in the literature the outcome of historical studies that were performed to assess the risk of adverse skin effects associated with their use. (1) To document the outcomes of historical studies performed to evaluate the skin sensitizing potential of two ester quats (the di-[hardened tallow fatty acid] ester of 2,3-dihydroxypropyl-trimethyl ammonium chloride [HEQ] and the dialkyl ester of triethanol ammonium methyl sulfate [TEA-Quat]) and (2) to demonstrate that these ester quats lack marked skin-sensitizing potential in humans, such that they do not present a risk of contact allergy for consumers who use fabric rinse conditioners. Each material was assessed in the human maximization test in a panel of 25 volunteers. Diagnostic patch testing was also performed with each material in a population of 239 patients undergoing routine patch testing for suspected allergic contact dermatitis. These data are also considered in the context of an exposure-based quantitative risk assessment. Neither HEQ nor TEA-Quat was found to cause skin sensitization under the conditions of the human maximization test. No evidence of contact allergy to the materials was found among the relatively small population assessed by diagnostic patch testing. This study provides evidence that HEQ and TEA-Quat lack substantial skin-sensitizing potential in humans. Taken together with similar data for other ester quats, it suggests that compounds in this class are unlikely to be significant human contact allergens.

Garlic Supplementation Ameliorates UV-Induced Photoaging in Hairless Mice by Regulating Antioxidative Activity and MMPs Expression.

PubMed

Kim, Hye Kyung

2016-01-08

UV exposure is associated with oxidative stress and is the primary factor in skin photoaging. UV-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause the up-regulation of metalloproteinase (MMPs) and the degradation of dermal collagen and elastic fibers. Garlic and its components have been reported to exert antioxidative effects. The present study investigated the protective effect of garlic on UV-induced photoaging and MMPs regulation in hairless mice. Garlic was supplemented in the diet, and Skh-1 hairless mice were exposed to UV irradiation five days/week for eight weeks. Mice were divided into four groups; Non-UV, UV-irradiated control, UV+1% garlic powder diet group, and UV+2% garlic powder diet group. Chronic UV irradiation induced rough wrinkling of the skin with hyperkeratosis, and administration of garlic diminished the coarse wrinkle formation. UV-induced dorsal skin and epidermal thickness were also ameliorated by garlic supplementation. ROS generation, skin and serum malondialdehyde levels were significantly increased by UV exposure and were ameliorated by garlic administration although the effects were not dose-dependent. Antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in skin tissues were markedly reduced by UV irradiation and garlic treatment increased these enzyme activities. UV-induced MMP-1 and MMP-2 protein levels were suppressed by garlic administration. Furthermore, garlic supplementation prevented the UV-induced increase of MMP-1 mRNA expression and the UV-induced decrease of procollagen mRNA expression. These results suggest that garlic may be effective for preventing skin photoaging accelerated by UV irradiation through the antioxidative system and MMP regulation.

Efficacy of Astaxanthin for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis in a Murine Model.

PubMed

Yoshihisa, Yoko; Andoh, Tsugunobu; Matsunaga, Kenji; Rehman, Mati Ur; Maoka, Takashi; Shimizu, Tadamichi

2016-01-01

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with various factors, including immunological abnormalities and exposure to allergens. Astaxanthin (AST) is a xanthophyll carotenoid that has recently been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory effects and to regulate the expression of inflammatory cytokines. Thus, we investigated whether AST could improve the dermatitis and pruritus in a murine model of AD using NC/Nga mice. In addition to a behavioral evaluation, the effects of AST on the AD were determined by the clinical skin severity score, serum IgE level, histological analyses of skin, and by reverse transcription-PCR and Western blotting analyses for the expression of inflammation-related factors. AST (100 mg/kg) or vehicle (olive oil) was orally administered once day and three times a week for 26 days. When compared with vehicle-treated group, the administration of AST significantly reduced the clinical skin severity score. In addition, the spontaneous scratching in AD model mice was reduced by AST administration. Moreover, the serum IgE level was markedly decreased by the oral administration of AST compared to that in vehicle-treated mice. The number of eosinophils, total and degranulated mast cells all significantly decreased in the skin of AST-treated mice compared with vehicle-treated mice. The mRNA and protein levels of eotaxin, MIF, IL-4, IL-5 and L-histidine decarboxylase were significantly decreased in the skin of AST-treated mice compared with vehicle-treated mice. These results suggest that AST improves the dermatitis and pruritus in AD via the regulation of the inflammatory effects and the expression of inflammatory cytokines.

Diagnostic evaluation of a large group of patients with immediate allergy to penicillins: the role of skin testing.

PubMed

Torres, M J; Romano, A; Mayorga, C; Moya, M C; Guzman, A E; Reche, M; Juarez, C; Blanca, M

2001-09-01

Penicillin is no longer the most commonly prescribed beta-lactam, and the pattern of reactions has changed. We studied the diagnostic value of skin testing in penicillin-allergic subjects from a population where benzylpenicillin is not now the most frequently used beta-lactam. Patients with a history of immediate allergic reactions to penicillins were studied with: skin tests with major and minor determinants of benzylpenicillin (BPO/MDM), amoxicillin, and ampicillin; in vitro determination of specific IgE; and controlled administration for those with a positive history but negative skin and in vitro tests. A reaction was considered immediate when symptoms appeared within a maximum of 1 h after drug intake. After testing, 290 patients (71% having anaphylaxis and 29% having urticaria) proved to be allergic. Amoxicillin was involved in 64.8% and benzylpenicillin in 2.8% of the patients. Skin test positivity to at least one determinant appeared in 70% of cases, amoxicillin being the most frequent. The overall sensitivity decreased markedly when only BPO and MDM were considered. In 13.1% of patients, the diagnosis was established by in vitro test and in 16.9% by controlled administration. Of the 290 patients, 42.1% were positive to determinants generated from benzylpenicillin and 57.9% were selective responders. Sensitivity of skin tests to BPO was lower than reported, being partly replaced by minor determinants, mostly amoxicillin. The incorporation of additional reagents and the development of new tests are required, and these will probably change as the patterns of consumption vary.

How UV Light Touches the Brain and Endocrine System Through Skin, and Why.

PubMed

Slominski, Andrzej T; Zmijewski, Michal A; Plonka, Przemyslaw M; Szaflarski, Jerzy P; Paus, Ralf

2018-05-01

The skin, a self-regulating protective barrier organ, is empowered with sensory and computing capabilities to counteract the environmental stressors to maintain and restore disrupted cutaneous homeostasis. These complex functions are coordinated by a cutaneous neuro-endocrine system that also communicates in a bidirectional fashion with the central nervous, endocrine, and immune systems, all acting in concert to control body homeostasis. Although UV energy has played an important role in the origin and evolution of life, UV absorption by the skin not only triggers mechanisms that defend skin integrity and regulate global homeostasis but also induces skin pathology (e.g., cancer, aging, autoimmune responses). These effects are secondary to the transduction of UV electromagnetic energy into chemical, hormonal, and neural signals, defined by the nature of the chromophores and tissue compartments receiving specific UV wavelength. UV radiation can upregulate local neuroendocrine axes, with UVB being markedly more efficient than UVA. The locally induced cytokines, corticotropin-releasing hormone, urocortins, proopiomelanocortin-peptides, enkephalins, or others can be released into circulation to exert systemic effects, including activation of the central hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, opioidogenic effects, and immunosuppression, independent of vitamin D synthesis. Similar effects are seen after exposure of the eyes and skin to UV, through which UVB activates hypothalamic paraventricular and arcuate nuclei and exerts very rapid stimulatory effects on the brain. Thus, UV touches the brain and central neuroendocrine system to reset body homeostasis. This invites multiple therapeutic applications of UV radiation, for example, in the management of autoimmune and mood disorders, addiction, and obesity.

Improvement of green tea polyphenol with milk on skin with respect to antioxidation in healthy adults: a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized crossover clinical trial.

PubMed

Chiu, Hui-Fang; Lin, Tung-Yi; Shen, You-Cheng; Venkatakrishnan, Kamesh; Wang, Chin-Kun

2016-02-01

Green tea polyphenols (GTP) have been widely tested for their effects on several metabolic syndromes and degenerative diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. The present study was formulated to assess the physiological efficacy of green tea polyphenol infused with milk (GTPM) on skin integrity in correlation with antioxidative status in healthy adults. Forty-four healthy voluntary subjects were recruited and assigned to two groups, who drank 240 ml of mineral water mixed with either an experimental (GTPM) or placebo package (2 packs per day) for the following 6 months. The experimental group then switched to the placebo package, and vice versa, for a further 6 months, with one month of washout period in between. During the initial, 3(rd), 6(th), 10(th), and 13(th) month anthropometric measurements were performed and fasting blood samples were withdrawn for various biochemical assays. Skin examination was performed at the initial, 6(th) and 13(th) month. No significant alterations were observed in any of the anthropometric measurements. Administration of GTPM significantly increased (p < 0.05) the antioxidant index and antioxidant enzyme activities when compared with the placebo group, whereas a concomitant decrease in the levels of lipid peroxidation were noted. Moreover, GTPM intake notably improved skin integrity and texture by markedly lowering (p < 0.05) skin wrinkles and roughness in elderly subjects. GTPM proved to be an effective antioxidant by lowering oxidative stress and thereby ameliorating skin texture and integrity.

SCARLESS SKIN WOUND HEALING IN FOXN1 DEFICIENT (NUDE) MICE IS ASSOCIATED WITH DISTINCTIVE MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE EXPRESSION

PubMed Central

Gawronska-Kozak, Barbara

2011-01-01

Similar to mammalian fetuses FOXN1 deficient (nude) mice are able to restore the structure and integrity of injured skin in a scarless healing process by mechanisms independent of the genetic background. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are required for regular skin wound healing and the distinctive pattern of their expression has been implicated to promote scarless healing. In this study, we analyzed the temporal and spatial expression patterns of these molecules during the incisional skin wounds in adult nude mice. Macroscopic and histological analyses of skin wounds revealed an accelerated wound healing process, minimal granulation tissue formation and markedly diminished scarring in nude mice. Quantitative RT-PCR (Mmp-2,-3,-8,-9,-10,-12,-13,-14 and Timp-1, -2, -3), Western blots (MMP-13) and gelatin zymography (MMP-9) revealed that MMP-9 and MMP-13 showed a unique, bimodal pattern of up-regulation during the early and late phases of wound healing in nude mice. Immunohistochemically MMP-9 and MMP-13 were generally detected in epidermis during the early phase and in dermis during the late (remodeling) phase. Consistent with these in vivo observations, dermal fibroblasts cultured from nude mice expressed higher levels of type I and III collagen, MMP-9 and MMP-13 mRNA levels and higher MMP enzyme activity than wild type controls. Collectively, these finding suggest that the bimodal pattern of MMP-9 and MMP-13 expression during skin repair process in nude mice could be a major component of their ability for scarless healing. PMID:21539913

Global and local skin friction diagnostics from TSP surface patterns on an underwater cylinder in crossflow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miozzi, Massimo; Capone, Alessandro; Di Felice, Fabio; Klein, Christian; Liu, Tianshu

2016-12-01

A systematical method is formulated for extracting skin-friction fields from Temperature Sensitive Paint (TSP) images in the sense of time-averaging and phase-averaging. The method is applied to an underwater cylinder in crossflow at two subcritical regimes (Re = 72 000 and 144 000). TSP maps are decomposed in a time-averaged, a phase-averaged, and a random component. The asymptotic form of the energy equation at the wall provides an Euler-Lagrange equation set that is solved numerically to gain the relative skin friction time- and phase-averaged fields from the TSP surface temperature maps. The comparison of the time averaged relative skin-friction profiles with the literature data shows an excellent agreement on the whole laminar boundary layer up to the laminar separation line. Downstream of separation, time averaged results identify the secondary reattachment/separation events, which are lost in the available literature data. The periodic behavior of the skin-friction is taken, describing how the laminar separation bubble evolves by providing the time history of the laminar separation line and of the secondary reattachment/separation over the entire vortex shedding period. Instantaneous skin friction maps reveal the existence of coherent structures by capturing their footprint on the cylinder's surface. An array of Π-shaped traces marks the existence of counter-rotating, streamwise-oriented vortices just before the laminar separation line. Their interaction with the laminar boundary layer and with the separation line is briefly described. An example of the intermittent excerpt of their influence through the laminar separation line is reported.

Tool for Inspecting Alignment of Twinaxial Connectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Christopher R.

2008-01-01

A proposed tool would be used to inspect alignments of mating twinaxial-connector assemblies on interconnecting wiring harnesses. More specifically, the tool would be used to inspect the alignment of each contact pin of each connector on one assembly with the corresponding socket in the corresponding connector on the other assembly. It is necessary to inspect the alignment because if mating of the assemblies is attempted when any pin/socket pair is misaligned beyond tolerance, the connection will not be completed and the dielectric material in the socket will be damaged (see Figure 1). Although the basic principle of the tool is applicable to almost any type of mating connector assemblies, the specific geometry of the tool must match the pin-and-socket geometry of the specific mating assemblies to be inspected. In the original application for which the tool was conceived, each of the mating assemblies contains eight twinaxial connectors; the pin diameter is 0.014 in. (.0.35 mm), and the maximum allowable pin/socket misalignment is 0.007 in. (.0.18 mm). Incomplete connections can result in loss of flight data within the functional path to the space shuttle crew cockpit displays. The tool (see Figure 2) would consist mainly of a transparent disk with alignment clocking tabs that can be fitted onto either connector assembly. Sets of circles or equivalent reference markings are affixed to the face of the tool, located at the desired positions of the mating contact pairs. An inspector would simply fit the tool onto a connector assembly, engaging the clocking tabs until the tool fits tightly. The inspector would then align one set of circles positioning a line of sight perpendicular to one contact within the connector assembly. Mis alignments would be evidenced by the tip of a pin contact straying past the inner edge of the circle. Socket contact misalignments would be evidenced by a crescent-shaped portion of the white dielectric appearing within the circle. The tool could include a variable magnifier plus an illuminator that could be configured so as not to cast shadows.

Characteristics of ionospheric convection and field-aligned current in the dayside cusp region

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lu, G.; Lyons, L. R.; Reiff, P. H.; Denig, W. F.; Beaujardiere, O. De LA; Kroehl, H. W.; Newell, P. T.; Rich, F. J.; Opgenoorth, H.; Persson, M. A. L.

1995-01-01

The assimilative mapping of ionospheric electrodynamics (AMIE) technique has been used to estimate global distributions of high-latitude ionospheric convection and field-aligned current by combining data obtained nearly simultaneously both from ground and from space. Therefore, unlike the statistical patterns, the 'snapshot' distributions derived by AMIE allow us to examine in more detail the distinctions between field-aligned current systems associated with separate magnetospheric processes, especially in the dayside cusp region. By comparing the field-aligned current and ionospheric convection patterns with the corresponding spectrograms of precipitating particles, the following signatures have been identified: (1) For the three cases studied, which all had an IMF with negative y and z components, the cusp precipitation was encountered by the DMSP satellites in the postnoon sector in the northern hemisphere and in the prenoon sector in the southern hemisphere. The equatorward part of the cusp in both hemispheres is in the sunward flow region and marks the beginning of the flow rotation from sunward to antisunward. (2) The pair of field-aligned currents near local noon, i.e., the cusp/mantle currents, are coincident with the cusp or mantle particle precipitation. In distinction, the field-aligned currents on the dawnside and duskside, i.e., the normal region 1 currents, are usually associated with the plasma sheet particle precipitation. Thus the cusp/mantle currents are generated on open field lines and the region 1 currents mainly on closed field lines. (3) Topologically, the cusp/mantle currents appear as an expansion of the region 1 currents from the dawnside and duskside and they overlap near local noon. When B(sub y) is negative, in the northern hemisphere the downward field-aligned current is located poleward of the upward current; whereas in the southern hemisphere the upward current is located poleward of the downward current. (4) Under the assumption of quasi-steady state reconnection, the location of the separatrix in the ionosphere is estimated and the reconnection velocity is calculated to be between 400 and 550 m/s. The dayside separatrix lies equatorward of the dayside convection throat in the two cases examined.

Experimental Genital Infection of Male Guinea Pigs with the Agent of Guinea Pig Inclusion Conjunctivitis and Transmission to Females

PubMed Central

Mount, David T.; Bigazzi, Pierluigi E.; Barron, Almen L.

1973-01-01

Male guinea pigs were inoculated intraurethrally with the agent of guinea pig inclusion conjunctivitis (Gp-ic). Cytoplasmic inclusions were found in superficial epithelial cells of the urethra in smears and stained sections. Gp-ic antigen(s) was detected by immunofluorescent staining of sections. There was no marked urethral exudate, but many animals developed bullous lesions on the glans and the body of the penis and a severe inflammatory lesion of the hind leg. All males demonstrated an antibody response and most of them showed a positive skin test reaction. Venereal transmission to females of Gp-ic infection was shown to occur as determined by detection of inclusions in vaginal smears, antibody response, and positive skin tests. Images PMID:4594119

Soil Correlates and Mortality from Giraffe Skin Disease in Tanzania.

PubMed

Bond, Monica L; Strauss, Megan K L; Lee, Derek E

2016-10-01

Giraffe skin disease (GSD) is a disorder of undetermined etiology that causes lesions on the forelimbs of Masai giraffe ( Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi) in Tanzania, East Africa. We examined soil correlates of prevalence of GSD from 951 giraffe in 14 sites in Tanzania, and estimated mortality using 3 yr of longitudinal mark-recapture data from 382 giraffe with and without GSD lesions, in Tarangire National Park (TNP). Spatial variation in GSD prevalence was best explained by soil fertility, measured as cation exchange capacity. We found no mortality effect of GSD on adult giraffe in TNP. Based on our findings, GSD is unlikely to warrant immediate veterinary intervention, but continued monitoring is recommended to ensure early detection if GSD-afflicted animals begin to show signs of increased mortality or other adverse effects.

Female habitual self-mutilators.

PubMed

Favazza, A R; Conterio, K

1989-03-01

Data are presented on 240 female habitual self-mutilators. The typical subject is a 28-year-old Caucasian who first deliberately harmed herself at age 14. Skin cutting is her usual practice, but she has used other methods such as skin burning and self-hitting, and she has injured herself on at least 50 occasions. Her decision to self-mutilate is impulsive and results in temporary relief from symptoms such as racing thoughts, depersonalization, and marked anxiety. She now has or has had an eating disorder, and may be concerned about her drinking. She has been a heavy utilizer of medical and mental health services, although treatment generally has been unsatisfactory. In desperation over her inability to control her self-mutilative behavior this typical subject has attempted suicide by a drug overdose.

A new golden frog species of the genus Diasporus (Amphibia, Eleutherodactylidae) from the Cordillera Central, western Panama.

PubMed

Hertz, Andreas; Hauenschild, Frank; Lotzkat, Sebastian; Köhler, Gunther

2012-01-01

We describe the frog species Diasporus citrinobapheussp. n. from the Cordillera Central of western Panama. The new species differs from all other species in its genus in coloration, disk cover and disk pad shape, skin texture, advertisement call, and size. It is most similar to Diasporus tigrillo, from which it differs in dorsal skin texture, relative tibia length, number of vomerine teeth, ventral coloration, dorsal markings, and relative tympanum size, and to Diasporus gularis, from which it can be distinguished by the lack of membranes between the toes, adult size, posterior thigh coloration, and position of the choanae. We provide data on morpho- logy, vocalization, and distribution of the new species, as well as brief information on its natural history.

A new golden frog species of the genus Diasporus (Amphibia, Eleutherodactylidae) from the Cordillera Central, western Panama

PubMed Central

Hertz, Andreas; Hauenschild, Frank; Lotzkat, Sebastian; Köhler, Gunther

2012-01-01

Abstract We describe the frog species Diasporus citrinobapheus sp. n. from the Cordillera Central of western Panama. The new species differs from all other species in its genus in coloration, disk cover and disk pad shape, skin texture, advertisement call, and size. It is most similar to Diasporus tigrillo, from which it differs in dorsal skin texture, relative tibia length, number of vomerine teeth, ventral coloration, dorsal markings, and relative tympanum size, and to Diasporus gularis, from which it can be distinguished by the lack of membranes between the toes, adult size, posterior thigh coloration, and position of the choanae. We provide data on morpho- logy, vocalization, and distribution of the new species, as well as brief information on its natural history. PMID:22679389

Custom-fit total knee arthroplasty: our initial experience in 32 knees.

PubMed

Bali, Kamal; Walker, Peter; Bruce, Warwick

2012-06-01

We share our initial experience of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using customized cutting block technology in 32 TKAs from May 2010 to March 2011. Ten of these patients had prior TKA done on the other side using conventional or navigation-assisted TKA. Customized cutting blocks were generated for each of the knee using preoperative magnetic resonance imaging of knee and long-leg weight-bearing radiographs. At 6 weeks, long-leg radiographs were obtained to evaluate the coronal alignment. There were no adverse intraoperative events. Twenty-nine of the 32 knees had a mechanical axis restored to within 3°° of neutral. Of 10 patients with prior TKA without custom-fit technology, the mean blood loss and the mean skin-to-skin time was found to be lower in knees that had undergone custom-fit TKA. We conclude that this technology can be safely used in most of the cases of osteoarthritis. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

HIGH FREQUENCY POWER TRANSMISSION LINE FOR CYCLOTRONS AND THE LIKE

DOEpatents

Armstrong, W.J.

1954-04-20

High-frequency power transmission systems, particularly a stacked capacitance alternating power current transmission line wherein maximum utilization of the effective conductios skin of the line conductors is achieved while enabling a low impedance to be obtained are reported. The transmission line consists of a number of flat metal strips with interleaved dielectric strips. The metal dielectric strips are coiled spirally with the axis of the spiral extending along the length of the strips, and the alternating metal strips at the output end have outwardly extending aligned lugs which are directly strapped together and connected to the respective terminals on the load. At the input end of the transmission line, similarly, the alternate metal strips are directly strapped together and connected to an altereating current source. With the arrangement described each metal strip conducts on both sides, so that the metal strips are designed to have a thickness corresponding to twice the depth of the "skin effect" conducting lamina of each conductor at the source frequency.

SU-F-P-58: Squamous Cell and Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Skin Treated with a Freiburg Flap Applicator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dou, K; Li, B; Jacobs, M

Purpose: To treat squamous cell and basal cell carcinoma of the skin with the Freiburg flap applicator using a high dose rate modality of an Elekta Flexitron or MicroSelectron for radiation delivery by compensating the dose deviation resulting from the incomplete scatter environment. Methods: Patients were selected to have lesions greater than or equal to 2cm. A mask might be needed depending on special locations. The lesions on the eyelid and face presented in this research were, however, treated without a mask. Cutting the flap into a shape conformal to the target and attaching it to the mask were usedmore » in order to make the treatment reproducible. Patients were scanned with a Philips Big Bore Brilliant CT. A 1cm margin was added to the lesion. An Elekta Oncentra Brachy treatment planning system ver. 4.3 was used for treatment planning. 40 Gy in 10 or 8 fractions was prescribed to the 1cm depth. The Freiburg flap was aligned and verified by CT scanning prior to treatment. Results: Three patients with squamous cell and basal cell carcinoma of the skin were treated with the Freiburg flap applicator. Lesion sizes ranged from 2cm to 6 cm in a maximum dimension. With treatment planning, we made a dose correction for compensating the dose deviation resulting from the incomplete scatter environment of the flap applicators exposed to air. The flap was also covered by a 4cm bolus in order to obtain more back scattered radiation during treatment. Six month follow up showed a very good cosmetic result. Conclusion: The Freiburg flap brachytherapy offers a non-invasive skin cancer treatment with a high skin dose delivered to the tumor while a low dose sparing the surrounding health tissue. It is a promising alternative to skin cancer surgery or external beam radiation therapy.« less

Cognitive issues in fingerprint analysis: inter- and intra-expert consistency and the effect of a 'target' comparison.

PubMed

Dror, Itiel E; Champod, Christophe; Langenburg, Glenn; Charlton, David; Hunt, Heloise; Rosenthal, Robert

2011-05-20

Deciding whether two fingerprint marks originate from the same source requires examination and comparison of their features. Many cognitive factors play a major role in such information processing. In this paper we examined the consistency (both between- and within-experts) in the analysis of latent marks, and whether the presence of a 'target' comparison print affects this analysis. Our findings showed that the context of a comparison print affected analysis of the latent mark, possibly influencing allocation of attention, visual search, and threshold for determining a 'signal'. We also found that even without the context of the comparison print there was still a lack of consistency in analysing latent marks. Not only was this reflected by inconsistency between different experts, but the same experts at different times were inconsistent with their own analysis. However, the characterization of these inconsistencies depends on the standard and definition of what constitutes inconsistent. Furthermore, these effects were not uniform; the lack of consistency varied across fingerprints and experts. We propose solutions to mediate variability in the analysis of friction ridge skin. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Prevalence of skin problems and leg ulceration in a sample of young injecting drug users.

PubMed

Coull, Alison F; Atherton, Iain; Taylor, Avril; Watterson, Andrew E

2014-08-13

Drug users suffer harm from the injecting process, and clinical services are reporting increasing numbers presenting with skin-related problems such as abscesses and leg ulcers. Skin breakdown can lead to long-term health problems and increased service costs and is often the first indication of serious systemic ill health. The extent of skin problems in injecting drug users has not previously been quantified empirically, and there is a dearth of robust topical literature. Where skin problems have been reported, this is often without clear definition and generic terms such as 'soft tissue infection' are used which lack specificity. The aim of this study was to identify the range and extent of skin problems including leg ulceration in a sample of injecting drug users. Definitions of skin problems were developed and applied to descriptions from drug users to improve rigour. Data were collected in needle exchanges and methadone clinics across Glasgow, Scotland, from both current and former drug injectors using face-to-face interviews. Two hundred participants were recruited, of which 74% (n = 148) were males and 26% (n = 52) were females. The age range was 21-44 years (mean 35 years). Just under two thirds (64%, n = 127) were currently injecting or had injected within the last 6 months, and 36% (n = 73) had previously injected and had not injected for more than 6 months.Sixty per cent (n = 120) of the sample had experienced a skin problem, and the majority reported more than one problem. Most common were abscesses, lumps, track marks and leg ulcers. Fifteen per cent (n = 30) of all participants reported having had a leg ulcer. This is an original empirical study which demonstrated unique findings of a high prevalence of skin disease (60%) and surprisingly high rates of leg ulceration (15%). Skin disease in injecting drug users is clearly widespread. Leg ulceration in particular is a chronic recurring condition that is costly to treat and has long-term implications for drug users and services caring for current or former injectors long after illicit drug use has ceased.

Real-Time Strap Pressure Sensor System for Powered Exoskeletons

PubMed Central

Tamez-Duque, Jesús; Cobian-Ugalde, Rebeca; Kilicarslan, Atilla; Venkatakrishnan, Anusha; Soto, Rogelio; Contreras-Vidal, Jose Luis

2015-01-01

Assistive and rehabilitative powered exoskeletons for spinal cord injury (SCI) and stroke subjects have recently reached the clinic. Proper tension and joint alignment are critical to ensuring safety. Challenges still exist in adjustment and fitting, with most current systems depending on personnel experience for appropriate individual fastening. Paraplegia and tetraplegia patients using these devices have impaired sensation and cannot signal if straps are uncomfortable or painful. Excessive pressure and blood-flow restriction can lead to skin ulcers, necrotic tissue and infections. Tension must be just enough to prevent slipping and maintain posture. Research in pressure dynamics is extensive for wheelchairs and mattresses, but little research has been done on exoskeleton straps. We present a system to monitor pressure exerted by physical human-machine interfaces and provide data about levels of skin/body pressure in fastening straps. The system consists of sensing arrays, signal processing hardware with wireless transmission, and an interactive GUI. For validation, a lower-body powered exoskeleton carrying the full weight of users was used. Experimental trials were conducted with one SCI and one able-bodied subject. The system can help prevent skin injuries related to excessive pressure in mobility-impaired patients using powered exoskeletons, supporting functionality, independence and better overall quality of life. PMID:25690551

CRITICA: coding region identification tool invoking comparative analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Badger, J. H.; Olsen, G. J.; Woese, C. R. (Principal Investigator)

1999-01-01

Gene recognition is essential to understanding existing and future DNA sequence data. CRITICA (Coding Region Identification Tool Invoking Comparative Analysis) is a suite of programs for identifying likely protein-coding sequences in DNA by combining comparative analysis of DNA sequences with more common noncomparative methods. In the comparative component of the analysis, regions of DNA are aligned with related sequences from the DNA databases; if the translation of the aligned sequences has greater amino acid identity than expected for the observed percentage nucleotide identity, this is interpreted as evidence for coding. CRITICA also incorporates noncomparative information derived from the relative frequencies of hexanucleotides in coding frames versus other contexts (i.e., dicodon bias). The dicodon usage information is derived by iterative analysis of the data, such that CRITICA is not dependent on the existence or accuracy of coding sequence annotations in the databases. This independence makes the method particularly well suited for the analysis of novel genomes. CRITICA was tested by analyzing the available Salmonella typhimurium DNA sequences. Its predictions were compared with the DNA sequence annotations and with the predictions of GenMark. CRITICA proved to be more accurate than GenMark, and moreover, many of its predictions that would seem to be errors instead reflect problems in the sequence databases. The source code of CRITICA is freely available by anonymous FTP (rdp.life.uiuc.edu in/pub/critica) and on the World Wide Web (http:/(/)rdpwww.life.uiuc.edu).

Supraclavicular Skin Temperature as a Measure of 18F-FDG Uptake by BAT in Human Subjects

PubMed Central

van der Linden, Rianne A. D.; Pereira Arias-Bouda, Lenka; Smit, Frits; Verberne, Hein J.; van Marken Lichtenbelt, Wouter D.

2014-01-01

Background Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has emerged as a novel player in energy homeostasis in humans and is considered a potential new target for combating obesity and related diseases. The current ‘gold standard’ for quantification of BAT volume and activity is cold-induced 18F-FDG uptake in BAT. However, use of this technique is limited by cost and radiation exposure. Given the fact that BAT is a thermogenic tissue, mainly located in the supraclavicular region, the aim of the current study was to investigate whether cold-induced supraclavicular skin temperature and core body temperature may be alternative markers of BAT activation in humans. Subjects/Methods BAT volume and activity were measured in 24 healthy lean adolescent males (mean age 24.1±0.8 years), using cold-induced 18F-FDG uptake with PET-CT. Core body temperature was measured continuously in the small intestine with use of an ingestible telemetric capsule and skin temperature was measured by eighteen wireless iButtons attached to the skin following ISO-defined locations. Results Proximal and distal (hand/feet) skin temperatures markedly decreased upon cold exposure, while supraclavicular skin temperature significantly increased (35.2±0.1 vs. 35.5±0.1°C, p = 0.001). Furthermore, cold-induced supraclavicular skin temperature positively correlated with both total (R2 = 0.28, P = 0.010) and clavicular BAT volume (R2 = 0.20, P = 0.030) and clavicular SUVmax (R2 = 0.27, P = 0.010), while core body temperature did not. Conclusions Supraclavicular skin temperature as measured by iButtons may have predictive value for BAT detection in adult humans. This is highly desirable considering the increasing interest in pharmacological interventions to stimulate BAT in human subjects. Trial Registration NTR 2473 PMID:24922545