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Nutrients Sep 2023Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by dry and itchy skin. Recently, it has been reported that oxidative stress is involved in skin...
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by dry and itchy skin. Recently, it has been reported that oxidative stress is involved in skin diseases, possibly including AD. Vitamin C, also referred to as ascorbic acid, is a vital water-soluble compound that functions as an essential nutrient. It plays a significant role as both an antioxidant and an additive in various pharmaceutical and food products. Despite the fact that vitamin C is easily oxidized, we have developed NXP081, a single-stranded DNA aptamer that selectively binds to vitamin C, thereby inhibiting its oxidation. The objective of the current research was to examine the impact of NXP081, an animal model of AD induced by 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). The experimental drug NXP081, when taken orally, showed promising results in reducing inflammation and improving the skin conditions caused by DNFB. The administration of NXP081 resulted in a significant reduction in ear swelling and a noticeable improvement in the appearance of skin lesions. In addition, the administration of NXP081 resulted in a significant decrease in the migration of mast cells in the skin lesions induced by DNFB. Moreover, NXP081 inhibited the production of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in CD4 T cells that were activated and derived from the lymph nodes. Our findings provide useful information about the anti-inflammatory effect of NXP081 on AD.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Dermatitis, Atopic; Dinitrofluorobenzene; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Aptamers, Nucleotide; Ascorbic Acid; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Skin Diseases; Vitamins; Skin; Cytokines
PubMed: 37836456
DOI: 10.3390/nu15194172 -
Biosensors & Bioelectronics Sep 2023Biopotential signals, like electrocardiography (ECG), electromyography (EMG), and electroencephalography (EEG), can help diagnose cardiological, musculoskeletal and...
Biopotential signals, like electrocardiography (ECG), electromyography (EMG), and electroencephalography (EEG), can help diagnose cardiological, musculoskeletal and neurological disorders. Dry silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) electrodes are commonly used to obtain these signals. While a conductive hydrogel can be added to Ag/AgCl electrodes to improve the contact and adhesion between the electrode and the skin, dry electrodes are prone to movement. Considering that the conductive hydrogel dries over time, the use of these electrodes often creates an imbalanced skin-electrode impedance and a number of sensing issues in the front-end analogue circuit. This issue can be extended to several other electrode types that are commonly in use, in particular, for applications with a need for long-term wearable monitoring such as ambulatory epilepsy monitoring. Liquid metal alloys, such as eutectic gallium indium (EGaIn), can address key critical requirements around consistency and reliability but present challenges on low viscosity and the risk of leakage. To solve these problems, here, we demonstrate the use of a non-eutectic Ga-In alloy as a shear-thinning non-Newtonian fluid to offer superior performance to commercial hydrogel electrodes, dry electrodes, and conventional liquid metals for electrography measurements. This material has high viscosity when still and can flow like a liquid metal when sheared, preventing leakage while allowing the effective fabrication of electrodes. Moreover, the Ga-In alloy not only has good biocompatibility but also offers an outstanding skin-electrode interface, allowing for the long-term acquisition of high-quality biosignals. The presented Ga-In alloy is a superior alternative to conventional electrode materials for real-world electrography or bioimpedance measurement.
Topics: Reproducibility of Results; Biosensing Techniques; Electrodes; Electric Impedance; Alloys; Indium; Electrocardiography; Hydrogels
PubMed: 37236012
DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115414 -
Human Genetics Oct 2023DBR1 encodes the only known human lariat debranching enzyme and its deficiency has been found to cause an autosomal recessive inborn error of immunity characterized by...
DBR1 encodes the only known human lariat debranching enzyme and its deficiency has been found to cause an autosomal recessive inborn error of immunity characterized by pediatric brainstem viral-induced encephalitis (MIM 619441). We describe a distinct allelic disorder caused by a founder recessive DBR1 variant in four families (DBR1(NM_016216.4):c.200A > G (p.Tyr67Cys)). Consistent features include prematurity, severe intrauterine growth deficiency, congenital ichthyosis-like presentation (collodion membrane, severe skin peeling and xerosis), and death before the first year of life. Patient-derived fibroblasts displayed the characteristic accumulation of intron lariats in their RNA as revealed by targeted and untargeted analysis, in addition to a marked reduction of DBR1 on immunoblot analysis. We propose a novel DBR1-related developmental disorder that is distinct from DBR1-related encephalitis susceptibility and highlight the apparent lack of correlation with the degree of DBR1 deficiency.
Topics: Child; Humans; Alleles; Causality; Encephalitis; Fibroblasts; Ichthyosis
PubMed: 37656279
DOI: 10.1007/s00439-023-02597-3 -
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces Sep 2023We present a reusable and porous skin patch (RPS patch) capable of controlling adhesion force with a thermal-pneumatic method for repetitive use as well as improving...
We present a reusable and porous skin patch (RPS patch) capable of controlling adhesion force with a thermal-pneumatic method for repetitive use as well as improving moisture permeability for long-term use without skin troubles. Previous skin patches cause skin troubles due to high adhesion force (∼30 kPa) and low moisture permeability (∼382 g/m/day), hindering them from repeatable and long-term use. We control the skin adhesion force of the RPS patch using thermopneumatic pressure generated by an embedded heater on multiple chamber arrays. The RPS patch controls the adhesion force ranging from 8 to 29 kPa on both dry and wet skin while keeping the stable adhesion force for 48 h. It shows repeatable adhesion up to 100 times, and the adhesion force is restored after the RPS patch is washed with water, thus enabling repetitive skin adhesion. We improve the moisture permeability of the RPS patch to 733 g/m/day while maintaining the adhesion force by making the RPS patch with porous materials. The RPS patch shows no skin troubles for 7 days of attachment, thereby being available for long-term skin attachment. The RPS patch, having adhesion control capability and high moisture permeability, shows potential for use in daily life in biomedical applications, including wearable sensors, medical adhesives, and rehabilitation robots.
Topics: Humans; Porosity; Steam; Physical Phenomena; Permeability; Tissue Adhesions
PubMed: 37655485
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c10603 -
The British Journal of Dermatology Jul 2023
Topics: Humans; Toll-Like Receptor 2; Ichthyosis; Ichthyosis, Lamellar; Phenotype; Health Services
PubMed: 37418647
DOI: 10.1093/bjd/ljad177 -
MMW Fortschritte Der Medizin Nov 2023
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Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Sep 2023Itching and pain are distinct unpleasant sensations. The transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 4 (TRPV4) pathway is regarded as a shared pathway...
Itching and pain are distinct unpleasant sensations. The transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 4 (TRPV4) pathway is regarded as a shared pathway that mediates pain and itching. Vitexin (Mujingsu, MJS), a C-glycosylflavonoid, is an effective analgesic. This study aimed to explore the antinociceptive and anti-pruritic effects of MJS and whether its effects are mediated via the TRPV4 pathway. Mice were treated with MJS (7.5 mg/kg) 0.5 h prior to the initiation of the pain or itch modeling process. The results showed that MJS suppressed pain-like behavior in hot plate, thermal infiltration, glacial acetic acid twisting, and formalin tests. Administration of MJS decreased the pruritus response induced by histamine, C48/80, chloroquine and BAM8-22 within 30 min. MJS reduced scratching bouts and lessened the wiping reaction of mice under TRPV4 activation by GSK101 (10 µg/5 μl). MJS inhibited scratching behavior in acetone-ether-water (AEW)-treated mice within 60 min. An H receptor antagonist-chlorpheniramine (CLP, 400 mg/kg)-and a TRPV4 antagonist-HC067047 (250 ng/kg), exhibited similar effects to those of MJS. Moreover, MJS ameliorated dry skin itch-associated cutaneous barrier disruption in mice. MJS did not inhibit the expression of TRPV4 in the dorsal root ganglion neurons at L2-L3 in AEW mice. These results indicate that the analgesic and anti-pruritic effects of MJS in acute and chronic pain and itching, as well as itching caused by TRPV4 activation, could be attributed to the TRPV4 pathway modulation.
Topics: Mice; Animals; TRPV Cation Channels; Pruritus; Pain; Ether; Water
PubMed: 37406508
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115101 -
Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and... 2024Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a complex chronic skin disease characterized by severe pruritic nodules. PN is often associated with mental health disorders and chronic...
BACKGROUND
Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a complex chronic skin disease characterized by severe pruritic nodules. PN is often associated with mental health disorders and chronic medical comorbidities. Until recently, PN treatment has been challenging and difficult.
OBJECTIVES
This study aims to describe the demographic, clinical characteristics, and comorbidities associated with PN. Also, we aim to describe the effectiveness of systemic therapies, including methotrexate, cyclosporine, and narrow band ultraviolet (NB-UVB) in adult patients with PN.
METHODS
This is a retrospective chart review of adult patients diagnosed with PN at Hamilton Health Science Center and/or McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, between 2015 and 2023.
RESULTS
The study included 81 patients (57% female). The mean age was 52.8 years, and the mean age of PN diagnosis was 50 years. Reported symptoms included: itching (100%), dry skin (53%), pain (17%), and burning sensation (5%). Lower and upper extremities were the most common areas involved in 93% and 69%, respectively. Mental health disorders were present in 79% of patients, with depression (58%) and anxiety (52%) being the most common. Atopic dermatitis was the most common skin comorbidity noted. Treatments used included cyclosporine, and NB-UVB, and MTX, which resulted in significant improvement of pruritus in 38%, 35%, and 31% of patients, respectively, at week 16.
CONCLUSIONS
PN is associated with increased risk of mental health disorders and other medical comorbidities. Cyclosporine, methotrexate, and NB-UVB therapy may be effective treatment options, however clinicians must consider the potential short- and long-term adverse effects of these treatments.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Female; Middle Aged; Male; Retrospective Studies; Prurigo; Methotrexate; Pruritus; Treatment Outcome; Cyclosporins
PubMed: 38281092
DOI: 10.1177/12034754241227808 -
Heliyon Nov 2023Cosmetics consumers need to be aware of their skin type before purchasing products. Identifying skin types can be challenging, especially when they vary from oily to dry...
Cosmetics consumers need to be aware of their skin type before purchasing products. Identifying skin types can be challenging, especially when they vary from oily to dry in different areas, with skin specialist providing more accurate results. In recent years, artificial intelligence and machine learning have been utilized across various fields, including medicine, to assist in identifying and predicting situations. This study developed a skin type classification model using a Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) deep learning algorithms. The dataset consisted of normal, oily, and dry skin images, with 112 images for normal skin, 120 images for oily skin, and 97 images for dry skin. Image quality was enhanced using the Contrast Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization (CLAHE) technique, with data augmentation by rotation applied to increase dataset variety, resulting in a total of 1,316 images. CNN architectures including MobileNet-V2, EfficientNet-V2, InceptionV2, and ResNet-V1 were optimized and evaluated. Findings showed that the EfficientNet-V2 architecture performed the best, achieving an accuracy of 91.55% with average loss of 22.74%. To further improve the model, hyperparameter tuning was conducted, resulting in an accuracy of 94.57% and a loss of 13.77%. The Model performance was validated using 10-fold cross-validation and tested on unseen data, achieving an accuracy of 89.70% with a loss of 21.68%.
PubMed: 38027689
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21176 -
ACS Sensors Nov 2023Early diagnosis of skin barrier dysfunction helps provide timely preventive care against diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, food allergies, and other atopic...
Early diagnosis of skin barrier dysfunction helps provide timely preventive care against diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, food allergies, and other atopic skin disorders. Skin barrier function is commonly evaluated by measuring the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) through stratum corneum due to its noninvasive characteristics. However, existing commercial TEWL devices are significantly affected by many factors, such as ambient temperature, humidity, air flow, water accumulation, initial water contents on the skin surface, bulky sizes, high costs, and requirements for well-controlled environments. Here, we developed a wearable closed-chamber hygrometer-based TEWL device (Wearable Analytical Skin Probe, WASP) and the related algorithm for accurate and continuous monitoring of skin water vapor flux. The WASP uses short dry air purges to dry the skin surface and chamber before each water vapor flux measurement. Its design ensures a highly controlled local environment, such as consistent initial dry conditions for the skin surface and the chamber. We further applied WASP to measure the water vapor flux from six different locations of a small group of human participants. It is found that the WASP can not only measure and distinguish between insensible sweating (., TEWL) and sensible sweating (., thermal sweating) but also track skin dehydration-rehydration cycles. Comparisons with a commercial TEWL device, AquaFlux, show that the results obtained by both devices agree well. The WASP will be broadly applicable to clinical, cosmetic, and biomedical research.
Topics: Humans; Steam; Water Loss, Insensible; Skin; Epidermis; Humidity
PubMed: 37953512
DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.3c01936