Search Results (24,132)

Schimmelpenning syndrome, or epidermal nevus syndrome, is a rare, neurocutaneous disorder characterized by skin abnormalities, such as epidermal nevi, and involvement of the central nervous system, including intracranial tumors. There are only a few reported cases of intracranial tumors associated with Schimmelpenning syndrome. In most cases, a single nucleotide mutation in the RAS family proto-oncogenes, like HRAS or KRAS genes, can result in the genetic mosaicism that is responsible for the clinical manifestations of this syndrome. The authors present a case report of a woman with Schimmelpenning syndrome who sought medical help with complaints of progressive headache and dizziness. The radiological and histopathological findings indicated an astrocytoma, IDH-mutant (WHO grade 3). The molecular analysis revealed pathogenic changes in the oncogenic HRAS gene with a prevalence of 31%. The patient underwent surgical treatment and had no neurological sequelae. By presenting such a clinical case, attention is paid to the interrelationship between genetic syndromes and intracranial tumors. Full article

Psoriasis is characterized by excessive exfoliation of the epidermal layer due to enhanced pro-inflammatory signaling and hyperproliferation of keratinocytes, further modulated by UV-based anti-psoriatic treatments. Consequently, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of a lipid extract derived from the microalgae Nannochloropsis oceanica on the proteomic alterations induced by lipid derivatives in non-irradiated and UVB-irradiated keratinocytes from psoriatic skin lesions compared to keratinocytes from healthy individuals. The findings revealed that the microalgae extract diminished the viability of psoriatic keratinocytes without affecting the viability of these cells following UVB exposure. Notably, the microalgae extract led to an increased level of 4-HNE-protein adducts in non-irradiated cells and a reduction in 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE)-protein and 15-deoxy-12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2)-protein adducts in UVB-exposed keratinocytes from psoriasis patients. In healthy skin cells, the extract decreased the UV-induced elevation of 4-HNE-protein and 15d-PGJ2-protein adducts. The antioxidant/anti-inflammatory attributes of the lipid extract from the Nannochloropsis oceanica suggest its potential as a protective agent for keratinocytes in healthy skin against UVB radiation’s detrimental effects. Moreover, it could offer therapeutic benefits to skin cells afflicted with psoriatic lesions by mitigating their proliferation and inflammatory responses during UV radiation treatment. Full article

Background/Objectives: Based on Blind Source Separation and the use of multispectral imaging, the new approach we propose in this paper aims to improve the estimation of the concentrations of the main skin chromophores (melanin, oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin), while considering shading as a fully-fledged source. Methods: In this paper, we demonstrate that the use of the Infra-Red spectral band, in addition to the traditional RGB spectral bands of dermatological images, allows us to model the image provided by each spectral band as a mixture of the concentrations of the three chromophores in addition to that of the shading, which are estimated through four steps using Blind Source Separation. Results: We studied the performance of our new method on a database of real multispectral dermatological images of melanoma by proposing a new quantitative performances measurement criterion based on mutual information. We then validated these performances on a database of multispectral dermatological images that we simulated using our own new protocol. Conclusions: All the results obtained demonstrated the effectiveness of our new approach for estimating the concentrations of the skin chromophores from a multispectral dermatological image, compared to traditional approaches that consist of using only the RGB image by neglecting shading. Full article

Inflammatory acne vulgaris (IAV) is a common skin condition characterized by the presence of reddish, inflamed, and painful lesions on the skin. IAV can drastically affect individuals, specifically their self-esteem, psychological health, and quality of their life in general. Despite new advances in the field, traditional treatment modalities withstand many challenges. Hence, in the current study, we sought to assess the efficacy and safety of a new pulsed wave mode of the fractional microneedling radiofrequency device in the treatment of IAV. This advanced technique employs insulated microneedles to administer energy to the deep dermis without causing damage to the epidermis. Eighty patients (40 males, 40 females, age 21 ± 3, Fitzpatrick skin type III and IV), with acne severity ranging from moderate to severe, were employed in this trial. They were randomly assigned into two groups, 40 patients each. The treated group (A) underwent four sessions of fractionated microneedle RF, 1.5-month apart, whereas group B was designated as the control group that received placebo treatment. Six months following the last session, the degree of improvement assessed by the quantity of IAV lesions and the overall skin appearance in terms of facial pores, sebum excretion, scar, skin tone, and texture. The RF-treated group showed significant improvement compared to the control group after the follow-up period (p-value = 0.0071). Regarding safety, very mild adverse effects were reported, such as discomfort during the session, pinpoint hemorrhage, and erythema, with no major side effects such as burns, scarring, hyperpigmentation, or hypopigmentation were reported. Thus, our data suggest a potential role of the fractional microneedling radiofrequency device in IAV treatment that is both effective and safe. Full article

Urinary bladder wound healing shares many features with skin healing, involving several molecular players, including microRNAs (miRs). This study investigated the role of miR-132 in urothelial cells. We analyzed miR-132 expression in rat bladder using in situ hybridization and conducted gain and loss of miR-132 function assays in primary human urothelial cells (HUCs). These assays included cell proliferation and migration studies. To explore the regulation of miR-132 expression, cells were treated with wound-healing-related factors such as interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 10 (IL-10), and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1). Predictive bioinformatics and a literature review identified potential miR-132 targets, which were validated through real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. miR-132 was found to promote cellular proliferation and migration during the early stages of urothelial wound repair. Its expression was modulated by key cytokines such as IL-6, IL-10, and TGF-β1. miR-132 played a crucial role in urothelial wound healing by enhancing cell proliferation and migration, regulated by cytokines, suggesting its action within a complex regulatory network. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting miR-132 in bladder injury repair, offering new insights into bladder repair mechanisms. Full article

Sunscreen products can protect the skin against the harmful effects of UV radiation, including reddening, aging, and cancer. The aim of this research was to evaluate the photoprotective effects of yeast pulcherrimin, an iron-chelating dipeptide. We first investigated the cytotoxicity of pulcherrimin produced by Metschnikowia pulcherrima yeast on the human keratinocyte HaCaT cell line, using the PrestoBlue assay. We assessed the ability of pulcherrimin to induce DNA repair after the exposure of HaCaT cells to oxidative stress. We also evaluated its protective activity against UVC radiation. The sun protective factor (SPF) was calculated using the Mansur equation. The UVA/UVB ratio values for pure pulcherrimin were evaluated using the Boots Star Rating system. The critical wavelength was determined by calculating the integrated optical density curve area. Based on the results, pulcherrimin shows strong cytoprotective effects through antioxidant and photoprotective activities on the HaCaT cell line. The calculated SPFs were 20 and 15 at pH = 7 and pH = 10, respectively. The critical wavelength above 370 nm and the UVA/UVB ratio R > 1 suggest that yeast pulcherrimin—a cyclic dipeptide containing iron—may be considered a promising photoprotective agent. Full article

The effects of salt–enzyme–alkali progressive tenderization treatments on porcine cortical conformation and collagen properties were investigated, and their effectiveness and mechanisms were analyzed. The tenderization treatment comprised three treatment stages: CaCl₂ (25 °C/0–30 min), papain (35 °C/30–78 min), and Na₂CO₃ (25 °C/78–120 min). The textural, microscopic, and collagenous properties (content, solubility, and structure) of pork skin were determined at the 0th, 30th, 60th, 90th, and 120th min of the treatment process. The results showed that the shear force, hardness, and chewability of the skin decreased significantly (p < 0.05), and the elasticity exhibited a gradual increase with the progression of tenderization. The content and solubility of collagen showed no significant change at the CaCl₂ treatment stage. However, the soluble collagen content increased, the insoluble collagen content decreased, and the collagen solubility increased by 18.04% during the subsequent treatment with papain and Na₂CO₃. Meanwhile, the scanning electron microscopy results revealed that the regular, wavy structure of the pig skin collagen fibers gradually disappeared during the CaCl₂ treatment stage, the overall structure revealed expansion, and the surface microscopic pores gradually increased during the papain and Na₂CO₃ treatment stages. The findings of the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis indicated that the hydrogen bonding interactions between the collagen molecules and the C=O, N-H and C-N bonds in the subunit structure of collagen were substantially altered during treatment and that the breakage of amino acid chains and reduction in structural ordering became more pronounced with prolonged treatment. In the tertiary structure, the maximum emission wavelength was blue-shifted and then red-shifted, and the fluorescence intensity was gradually weakened. The surface hydrophobicity was slowly increased. The salt–enzyme–alkali tenderization treatment considerably improved the physical properties and texture of edible pork skins by dissolving collagen fibers and destroying the structure of collagen and its interaction force. Full article

Introduction: Secondary complex microsurgical reconstructions after amputation and severe trauma injuries are often necessary to optimize functional outcomes. Methods and Patients: We reviewed eight patients who underwent extensive reconstruction after severe trauma. The details of secondary procedures are further described in the article. A literature search was performed using the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database for studies evaluating secondary procedures after complex reconstructions. Discussion: To date, the order and the need for performing secondary procedures have yet to be fully defined. The tissues encountered include skin, soft tissue, bone, nerve, joint, and tendon. Conclusions: We described the use of a decision-theoretic approach to the secondary reconstruction. Treatment of a complex trauma should be measured by functional outcome. Full article

Skin barrier impairment is becoming increasingly common due to changes in lifestyle and modern living environments. Oily sensitive skin (OSS) is a condition that is characterized by an impaired skin barrier. Thus, examining the differences between OSS and healthy skin will enable a more objective evaluation of the characteristics of OSS and facilitate investigations of potential treatments. Initially, a self-assessment questionnaire was used to identify patients with OSS. Biophysical measurements and LAST scores were used to determine whether skin barrier function was impaired. Epidermal biophysical properties, including skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), sebum content, erythema index (EI), and a* value, were measured with noninvasive instruments. We subsequently devised a noninvasive D-square sampling technique to identify changes in the skin metabolome in conjunction with an untargeted metabolomics analysis with an Orbitrap Q ExactiveTM series mass spectrometer. In the stratum corneum of 47 subjects, 516 skin metabolites were identified. In subjects with OSS, there was an increase in the abundance of 15 metabolites and a decrease in the abundance of 48 metabolites. The participants with OSS were found to have the greatest disruptions in sphingolipid and amino acid metabolism. The results revealed that an impaired skin barrier is present in patients with OSS and offers a molecular target for screening for skin barrier damage. Full article

Background/Objectives: Wound healing relies on a coordinated process with the participation of different mediators. Natural products are a source of active compounds with healing potential. Isoorientin is a natural flavone recognized as having several pharmacological properties, such as anti-inflammatory effects, making it a potential treatment for wounds. We investigated the effect of isoorientin on the healing of excisional skin wounds. Methods: Male Swiss mice were subjected to the induction of excisional skin wounds (6 mm diameter) and treated with a vehicle (2% dimethyl sulfoxide in propylene glycol) or 2.5% isoorientin applied topically once a day for 14 days. The wound area was measured on days 0, 3, 7, and 14. Histopathological analyses were performed on the cicatricial tissue after 14 days. The myeloperoxidase activity and the interleukin-1β, tumoral necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin-6 concentrations were determined on the third day. Results: We observed that 3 days after the topical application of isoorientin, the lesion area was significantly smaller when compared to those of the vehicle (p < 0.01) and control (p < 0.05) groups. No difference was observed after 7 and 14 days of induction. Despite this, on day 14, histological analysis of cicatricial tissue from the animals treated with isoorientin showed reduced epidermal thickness (p < 0.001) and increased collagen deposition (p < 0.001). These effects were accompanied by decreased myeloperoxidase activity and interleukin-1β concentration on the third day of induction, without alteration in TNF-α and interleukin-6. Conclusions: The treatment with isoorientin promoted better tissue repair in excisional wounds in mice, which may be linked to the modulation of the early inflammatory response. Full article

Background: Malignant eyelid tumours present a considerable challenge in the field of ophthalmic oncology, necessitating a combination of precision oncological care and meticulous reconstruction to ensure the preservation of eyelid functionality and the maintenance of facial aesthetics. Method: This study presents a review of the outcomes of 167 patients who underwent eyelid reconstruction following the excision of primary non-melanocytic malignant tumours. The choice of reconstruction technique was dependent on a number of factors, including the stage of the tumour, its location, and the characteristics of the patient. The most commonly used techniques included regional flaps, local flaps, and skin grafts. The most frequently employed reconstruction techniques were forehead flaps (59 cases), simple excisions (38 cases), and Mustarde cheek flaps (16 cases). Result: The postoperative complications, including ectropion, epiphora, and flap necrosis, were recorded. However, no significant correlation was found between the risk of complications and either the location of the tumour or the reconstruction method employed. Despite the complexity of medial canthal and lower eyelid reconstruction, satisfactory aesthetic and functional outcomes were generally achieved. Conclusions: This study emphasises the importance of individualised surgical planning, highlighting the advantages and limitations of various techniques to optimise both the functional and aesthetic results. Full article

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of blue light and its brightness on long-term memory. Blue light was tested under four distinct illuminance conditions ranging from 400 to 1000 lux, and the results were compared with those of red light as a comparison group. A total of 25 individuals, including 16 men and 9 women with a mean age of 22.04 ± 1.74 years, participated in these tests based on a within-subject research design. Initially, each participant was exposed to individual light conditions for 30 min in the morning. Subsequently, they were asked to complete learning memory tasks, which involved memorizing specific words composed of randomly chosen English consonants. Exactly 20 min after these memory tasks, their long-term memory retention was measured through recall. It was found that blue light was superior to red light in terms of long-term memory enhancement; the difference was statistically significant, with a confidence level of 95%. Moreover, brighter light environments were found to affect long-term memory performance more significantly compared to darker light environments. That said, there was no significant difference in interaction effects between light color and brightness. These findings confirm the results of previous studies highlighting the effectiveness of blue light in enhancing memory retention while also demonstrating that the degree of enhancement may vary depending on light brightness. Full article

Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can lead to photoaging, which contributes to skin damage. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an antioxidant peptide (SHP2) purified from seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis) alcalase hydrolysate on UVB-irradiated skin damage in human keratinocyte (HaCaT) and human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells and a zebrafish model. The data revealed that SHP2 significantly enhanced cell viability by attenuating apoptosis through the reduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in UVB-stimulated HaCaT cells. Moreover, SHP2 effectively inhibited ROS, improved collagen synthesis, and suppressed the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in UVB-irradiated HDF cells. SHP2 restored the protein levels of HO-1, Nrf2, and SOD, while decreasing Keap1 expression in UVB-treated HDF, indicating stimulation of the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, an in vivo study conducted in zebrafish confirmed that SHP2 inhibited photoaging by reducing cell death through the suppression of ROS generation and lipid peroxidation. Particularly, 200 µg/mL of SHP2 exerted a remarkable anti-photoaging effect on both in vitro and in vivo models. These results demonstrate that SHP2 possesses antioxidant properties and regulates skin photoaging activities, suggesting that SHP2 may have the potential for use in the development of cosmetic products. Full article

Reservoirs serve functional purposes such as irrigation and power generation. However, concerns are raised due to the alterations of the connected riverine ecosystems. Chironomidae (Diptera), a diverse aquatic macroinvertebrate group, are vital to the functioning of ecosystems and serve as water quality indicators. Their holometabolous development includes the pupal stage after four larval stages. The chironomid pupal skin (exuvia) is used in environmental assessments, where the Chironomid Pupal Exuvial Technique (CPET) is a recognized standard. The CPET method is adaptable to different freshwater environments and here was applied in the study of 28 man-made lakes in the Pannonian Lowlands and Dinaric Western Balkan Ecoregion in Croatia to obtain information on chironomid diversity and analyze the potential influence of environmental factors on the chironomid community. The lake surface was skimmed with an exuvial hand net (mesh size of 300 µm) along the lake edge with a transect length of 10 m in the area of accumulated debris of organic and inorganic matter. Individual exuviae were mounted in a Berlese mounting medium and identified by morphological characteristics to the lowest taxonomic level. During the study, 5698 chironomid pupal skins were collected, and 141 taxa (including 97 species) belonging to five subfamilies were identified. The tribe Tanytarsini comprised 40% of the identified taxa, with Paratanytarsus spp. being the most abundant. In the Dinaric ecoregion, Paratanytarsus bituberculatus dominated, while Microchironomus tener and the genus Cricotopus were the dominant taxa in the Pannonian ecoregion. Community structure in the Pannonian ecoregion was influenced by total organic carbon (TOC) and orthophosphates (PO₄³⁻), indicating higher anthropogenic pressure compared to the Dinaric ecoregion, where water conductivity influenced Chironomidae assemblages. The research has provided valuable and useful information on the chironomid diversity in man-made and highly altered water bodies, as some of the most vulnerable aquatic habitats to anthropogenic influence. The CPET method could be a useful tool for the ecological studies and bioassessment of water quality in Croatia. Full article

The global incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), a prevalent and aggressive skin cancer, has risen significantly, posing a substantial public health challenge. This study investigates the tumor microenvironment (TME) of cSCC by focusing on the spatial distribution patterns of immune and vascular markers (CD31, CD20, CD4, and CD8) using fractal dimension (FD) analysis. Our analysis encompassed 141 cases, including 100 invasive cSCCs and 41 specimens with pre-invasive lesions exclusively, and the rest were peripheral pre-invasive lesions from the invasive cSCC class. The FD values for each marker were computed and compared between pre-invasive and invasive lesion classes. The results revealed significant differences in FD values between the two classes for CD20 and CD31 markers, suggesting distinct alterations in B cell distribution and angiogenic activity during cSCC progression. However, CD4 and CD8 markers did not exhibit significant changes individually. Still, the CD4/CD8 ratio showed a significant difference, suggesting a potential shift in the balance between T helper and cytotoxic T cell responses, impacting the immune landscape as lesions progressed from pre-invasive to invasive stages. These findings underscore the complexity and heterogeneity of the TME in cSCC and highlight the potential of FD analysis as a quantitative tool for characterizing tumor progression. Further research is needed to elucidate the implications of these differences in the clinical management of cSCC. Full article