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Frontiers in Aging 2023The skin microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining epidermal homeostasis. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and other environmental challenges can impact the skin...
The skin microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining epidermal homeostasis. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and other environmental challenges can impact the skin microbiota through direct and indirect mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the effects of sun exposure on the skin microbiota and its relationship with individual skin phototypes. Healthy volunteers ( = 21 [4M, 17 F], mean age 33.2 years) holidayed in a sunny destination for a minimum of 7 days with swabs taken pre-holiday and up to 84 days post-holiday. Participant group was categorised by individual typology angle (ITA) classification and the composition of the skin microbiota was examined using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In the entire cohort and at all time points, the major bacterial phyla were Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. There was a significant change in microbial beta diversity at day 28 post-holiday, compared to baseline, for all participants. However, when participants were segregated into three cohorts dependent on the degree of skin tanning response between baseline (pre-holiday) and immediately one-day post-holiday, there was a reduction in Proteobacteria in the sun-seeking participants 1 day after the holiday, which recovered over time. These findings suggest that sun exposure can affect the diversity and composition of the skin microbiota, which may have downstream effects on skin health.
PubMed: 37614517
DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2023.1217635 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023
Topics: Humans; Environmental Exposure; Air Pollution; Metabolic Diseases
PubMed: 37867520
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1298687 -
Diabetologia Sep 2023The classical modifiable factors associated with the onset and progression of diabetic retinopathy are the suboptimal control of blood glucose levels and hypertension,...
The classical modifiable factors associated with the onset and progression of diabetic retinopathy are the suboptimal control of blood glucose levels and hypertension, as well as dyslipidaemia. However, there are other less recognised modifiable factors that can play a relevant role, such as the presence of obesity or the abnormal distribution of adipose tissue, and others related to lifestyle such as the type of diet, vitamin intake, exercise, smoking and sunlight exposure. In this article we revisit the prevention of diabetic retinopathy based on modulating the modifiable risk factors, as well as commenting on the potential impact of glucose-lowering drugs on the condition. The emerging concept that neurodegeneration is an early event in the development of diabetic retinopathy points to neuroprotection as a potential therapeutic strategy to prevent the advanced stages of the disease. In this regard, the better phenotyping of very early stages of diabetic retinopathy and the opportunity of arresting its progression using treatments targeting the neurovascular unit (NVU) are discussed.
Topics: Humans; Diabetic Retinopathy; Risk Factors; Hypertension; Obesity; Smoking; Diabetes Mellitus
PubMed: 37277664
DOI: 10.1007/s00125-023-05940-5 -
Toxics Aug 2023Manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) have toxic effects on the immune system. However, their independent and combined effects on immune-inflammation responses are...
Manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) have toxic effects on the immune system. However, their independent and combined effects on immune-inflammation responses are unclear. In recent years, the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) has been developed as an integrated and novel inflammatory indicator. A retrospective cross-sectional study of 2174 adults ≥20 years old from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2015-2016 was conducted. Generalized linear models were used to evaluate the independent and combined associations of SII with blood Mn, Cd and Pb levels. As continuous variables, both blood Cd and Mn showed dose-dependent relationships with the SII before and after adjusting for all potential confounding factors. Metal concentrations were then converted into categorical variables. Compared with the adults in the lowest Cd or Mn tertile, those in the highest tertile had higher risks of elevated SII. Furthermore, co-exposure to Mn and Cd also showed a positive relationship with the SII after adjusting for all confounding factors. However, the single effect of Pb exposure and the joint effect of Pb and other metal exposures on the SII were not observed. This study provides important epidemiological evidence of the associations of SII with single and co-exposure effects of blood Mn, Cd, and Pb.
PubMed: 37624164
DOI: 10.3390/toxics11080659 -
Molecular Genetics & Genomic Medicine Oct 2023The risk of skin cancer is determined by environmental factors like ultraviolet radiation (UVR), personal habits like time spent outdoors and genetic factors. This... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The risk of skin cancer is determined by environmental factors like ultraviolet radiation (UVR), personal habits like time spent outdoors and genetic factors. This review aimed to survey existing studies in gene-environment (GxE) interaction on skin cancer risk, and report on GxE effect estimates.
METHODS
We searched Embase, Medline (Ovid) and Web of Science (Core Collection) and included only primary research that reported on GxE on the risk of the three most common types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma. Quality assessment followed the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Meta-analysis was not possible because no two studies examined the same interaction. This review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021238064).
RESULTS
In total 260 records were identified after exclusion of duplicates. Fifteen studies were included in the final synthesis-12 used candidate gene approach. We found some evidence of GxE interactions with sun exposure, notably, with MC1R, CAT and NOS1 genes in melanoma, HAL and IL23A in BCC and HAL and XRCC1 in SCC.
CONCLUSION
Sun exposure seems to interact with genes involved in pigmentation, oxidative stress and immunosuppression, indicating that excessive UV exposure might exhaust oxidative defence and repair systems differentially, dependent on genetic make-up. Further research is warranted to better understand skin cancer epidemiology and develop sun exposure recommendations. A genome-wide approach is recommended as it might uncover unknown disease pathways dependent on UV radiation.
PubMed: 37537768
DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.2259 -
Neoplasia (New York, N.Y.) Dec 2023Acral melanoma is a rare subtype of melanoma that arises on the non-hair bearing skin of the nail bed, palms of the hand and soles of the feet. It is unique among... (Review)
Review
Acral melanoma is a rare subtype of melanoma that arises on the non-hair bearing skin of the nail bed, palms of the hand and soles of the feet. It is unique among melanomas in not being linked to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure from the sun, and, as such, its incidence is similar across populations who are of Asian, Hispanic, African and European origin. Although research into acral melanoma has lagged behind that of sun-exposed cutaneous melanoma, recent studies have begun to address the unique genetics and immune features of acral melanoma. In this review we will discuss the latest progress in understanding the biology of acral melanoma across different ethnic populations and will outline how these new discoveries can help to guide the therapeutic management of this rare tumor.
Topics: Humans; Melanoma; Skin Neoplasms; Ultraviolet Rays; Genomics; Melanoma, Cutaneous Malignant
PubMed: 37913653
DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2023.100947 -
JAMA Network Open Sep 2023The rate of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) is continuously increasing in the US. Evidence regarding the associations of climate-related exposure, such as environmental...
IMPORTANCE
The rate of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) is continuously increasing in the US. Evidence regarding the associations of climate-related exposure, such as environmental heat, with SMM is lacking.
OBJECTIVE
To examine associations between long- and short-term maternal heat exposure and SMM.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This retrospective population-based epidemiological cohort study took place at a large integrated health care organization, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2018. Data were analyzed from February to April 2023. Singleton pregnancies with data on SMM diagnosis status were included.
EXPOSURES
Moderate, high, and extreme heat days, defined as daily maximum temperatures exceeding the 75th, 90th, and 95th percentiles of the time series data from May through September 2007 to 2018 in Southern California, respectively. Long-term exposures were measured by the proportions of different heat days during pregnancy and by trimester. Short-term exposures were represented by binary variables of heatwaves with 9 different definitions (combining percentile thresholds with 3 durations; ie, ≥2, ≥3, and ≥4 consecutive days) during the last gestational week.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The primary outcome was SMM during delivery hospitalization, measured by 20 subconditions excluding blood transfusion. Discrete-time logistic regression was used to estimate associations with long- and short-term heat exposure. Effect modification by maternal characteristics and green space exposure was examined using interaction terms.
RESULTS
There were 3446 SMM cases (0.9%) among 403 602 pregnancies (mean [SD] age, 30.3 [5.7] years). Significant associations were observed with long-term heat exposure during pregnancy and during the third trimester. High exposure (≥80th percentile of the proportions) to extreme heat days during pregnancy and during the third trimester were associated with a 27% (95% CI, 17%-37%; P < .001) and 28% (95% CI, 17%-41%; P < .001) increase in risk of SMM, respectively. Elevated SMM risks were significantly associated with short-term heatwave exposure under all heatwave definitions. The magnitude of associations generally increased from the least severe (HWD1: daily maximum temperature >75th percentile lasting for ≥2 days; odds ratio [OR], 1.32; 95% CI, 1.17-1.48; P < .001) to the most severe heatwave exposure (HWD9: daily maximum temperature >95th percentile lasting for ≥4 days; OR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.62-3.54; P < .001). Greater associations were observed among mothers with lower educational attainment (OR for high exposure to extreme heat days during pregnancy, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.26-1.63; P < .001) or whose pregnancies started in the cold season (November through April; OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.24-1.53; P < .001).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this retrospective cohort study, long- and short-term heat exposure during pregnancy was associated with higher risk of SMM. These results might have important implications for SMM prevention, particularly in a changing climate.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Adult; Hot Temperature; Cohort Studies; Retrospective Studies; Temperature; Mothers
PubMed: 37676659
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.32780 -
Nature Communications Oct 2023Male-pattern baldness (MPB) is related to dysregulation of androgens such as testosterone. A previously observed relationship between MPB and skin cancer may be due to...
Male-pattern baldness (MPB) is related to dysregulation of androgens such as testosterone. A previously observed relationship between MPB and skin cancer may be due to greater exposure to ultraviolet radiation or indicate a role for androgenic pathways in the pathogenesis of skin cancers. We dissected this relationship via Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses, using genetic data from recent male-only meta-analyses of cutaneous melanoma (12,232 cases; 20,566 controls) and keratinocyte cancers (KCs) (up to 17,512 cases; >100,000 controls), followed by stratified MR analysis by body-sites. We found strong associations between MPB and the risk of KC, but not with androgens, and multivariable models revealed that this relationship was heavily confounded by MPB single nucleotide polymorphisms involved in pigmentation pathways. Site-stratified MR analyses revealed strong associations between MPB with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, suggesting that sun exposure on the scalp, rather than androgens, is the main driver. Men with less hair covering likely explains, at least in part, the higher incidence of melanoma in men residing in countries with high ambient UV.
Topics: Humans; Male; Skin Neoplasms; Testosterone; Melanoma; Ultraviolet Rays; Alopecia; Androgens
PubMed: 37789011
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41231-8 -
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... May 2024The aims of this study were to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding sun exposure and sun protection among the population of Kazakhstan.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding sun exposure and sun protection among the population of Kazakhstan.
METHOD
A cross sectional study was conducted by administering an online questionnaire via social networking sites to residents of Kazakhstan. The questionnaire was designed to determine demographic information as well as knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding sun exposure and sun protection.
RESULT
The responses of 249 participants were analysed. Descriptive tests, bivariate analyses, and multiple linear regression were used to statistically analyse the data. The mean age of the participants was 31.7 ± 11.5 (SD) years. Most participants were of Kazakh nationality (88.7%), female (71.0 %), urban residents (93.9 %), and possessed higher education degrees (88.0 %). The level of knowledge and attitudes were found to be moderate amongst the population whilst practices were determined to be low. Knowledge (p=0.002), attitudes (p=0.002), female gender (p=0.002), and having children educated in school about sun safety (p=0.018) were significantly associated with improved sun-protective practices.
CONCLUSION
This study has demonstrated low adoption of sun protective practices in the Kazakhstan population, despite the identification of certain characteristics associated with higher rates of practice.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Cross-Sectional Studies; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Adult; Kazakhstan; Sunlight; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sunscreening Agents; Young Adult; Middle Aged; Skin Neoplasms; Sunburn; Follow-Up Studies; Health Behavior; Adolescent; Prognosis
PubMed: 38809640
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.5.1681 -
Health Services Insights 2023Since its outbreak in December 2019 in China, COVID-19 has spread like wild fire to affect many communities of the world. The high infectivity and case fatality rates of... (Review)
Review
Since its outbreak in December 2019 in China, COVID-19 has spread like wild fire to affect many communities of the world. The high infectivity and case fatality rates of the disease among the general population and the severely ill patients respectively drew the attention of the global community. Our review showed that socio-demographic and lifestyle-related risk factors and underlying comorbid diseases were directly and indirectly associated with increased susceptibility and severity of COVID-19. These factors included older age (⩾60 years), male gender, and ethnic minority groups (especially blacks), smoking, low serum level of vitamin D, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity (with poor exposure to sunlight), overweight/obesity, high blood pressure/hypertension, high blood cholesterol, cardiovascular diseases (like stroke and coronary heart disease), diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, and some cancers (like leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma). The literature further revealed that the clinical progression of the majority of these associated risk factors can be modified through effective and comprehensive risk reduction through healthy living and lifestyle modification. COVID-19 preventive and treatment guidelines that give adequate attention to risk reduction and healthy lifestyle among people-either in the pre-, peri-, or post-COVID-19 stage, should be developed by public health policymakers and clinicians. This will play a significant role in the global effort to combat the pandemic, and reduce its negative impact on the life expectancy and socio-economic development of the world particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
PubMed: 38046558
DOI: 10.1177/11786329231215049