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Biosensors Apr 2024Carbon nanotube (CNT)-based nanocomposites have found applications in making sensors for various types of physiological sensing. However, the sensors' fabrication...
Carbon nanotube (CNT)-based nanocomposites have found applications in making sensors for various types of physiological sensing. However, the sensors' fabrication process is usually complex, multistep, and requires longtime mixing and hazardous solvents that can be harmful to the environment. Here, we report a flexible dry silver (Ag)/CNT/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) nanocomposite-based sensor made by a solvent-free, low-temperature, time-effective, and simple approach for electrophysiological recording. By mechanical compression and thermal treatment of Ag/CNT, a connected conductive network of the fillers was formed, after which the PDMS was added as a polymer matrix. The CNTs make a continuous network for electrons transport, endowing the nanocomposite with high electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, and durability. This process is solvent-free and does not require a high temperature or complex mixing procedure. The sensor shows high flexibility and good conductivity. High-quality electroencephalography (EEG) and electrooculography (EOG) were performed using fabricated dry sensors. Our results show that the Ag/CNT/PDMS sensor has comparable skin-sensor interface impedance with commercial Ag/AgCl-coated dry electrodes, better performance for noninvasive electrophysiological signal recording, and a higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) even after 8 months of storage. The SNR of electrophysiological signal recording was measured to be 26.83 dB for our developed sensors versus 25.23 dB for commercial Ag/AgCl-coated dry electrodes. Our process of compress-heating the functional fillers provides a universal approach to fabricate various types of nanocomposites with different nanofillers and desired electrical and mechanical properties.
Topics: Nanocomposites; Nanotubes, Carbon; Silver; Dimethylpolysiloxanes; Electroencephalography; Electric Conductivity; Biosensing Techniques; Humans; Electrooculography; Electrodes; Signal-To-Noise Ratio
PubMed: 38667181
DOI: 10.3390/bios14040188 -
International Journal of Exercise... 2024Dry cupping is a therapeutic modality proposed to produce a negative pressure, stretching the skin and underlying tissue. This mechanism is said to promote regional...
Dry cupping is a therapeutic modality proposed to produce a negative pressure, stretching the skin and underlying tissue. This mechanism is said to promote regional blood flow of oxygenated blood and causing a physiological stretch in the tissue, allowing it to elongate and potentially changing skin temperature. The possible effects of the application to the lumbar spine paraspinal muscles, however, has not been thoroughly examined. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the immediate effects of dry cupping the lumbar paraspinals on lumbar spine range of motion (ROM) and overlying skin temperature. 30 healthy individuals aged 18-30 years completed the study. The dry cupping was placed on the lumbar paraspinal muscles for 10-minutes. Two plastic cups were placed on the bilateral paraspinals muscles at L1 and L5. Lumbar spine flexion ROM and skin temperature were measured pre- and post-intervention. Descriptive statistics and paired sample -tests were used to analyze the data ( < .05). There was a statistically significant increase in lumbar spine flexion ROM measured with the Sit and Reach Test, (29) = 12.62 = 0.001; = 2.34, and inclinometry, (29) = 11.10, = 0.001; = 3.86, with a large effect size. There was also a statistically significant decrease in the skin temperature of the lumbar spine paraspinals, (29) = -2.23, 0.034; = 0.75, with a medium effect size, post-intervention. Dry cupping may be an effective strategy to increase lumbar spine ROM and decrease stiffness, promote recovery, and reduce functional limitations. Future research may examine the difference in effectiveness of static compared to dynamic cupping in a symptomatic population.
PubMed: 38665683
DOI: No ID Found -
Dialogues in Health Jun 2024Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is an illness among workers linked to time spent in a building. This study aimed to investigate the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and symptoms of...
Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is an illness among workers linked to time spent in a building. This study aimed to investigate the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) among administrative office workers. The IAQ parameters consist of ventilation performance indicators, and physical and chemical parameters were measured using specified instruments for three days during weekdays. The SBS symptoms were assessed by a questionnaire adopted from the Industry Code of Practice of Indoor Air Quality (ICOP-IAQ) 2010 among 19 employees from the office in East Coast Malaysia. Relationship between past symptoms and present symptoms which are draught (past symptoms) with feeling heavy headed (present symptoms) ( = 0.559, < 0.05), room temperature too high (past symptoms) was highly correlated with feeling heavy headed (present symptoms) ( = 0.598, < 0.01) and cough (present symptoms) ( = 0.596, p < 0.01). Room temperature (past symptoms) has a positive medium relationship with cough (present symptoms) ( = 0.477, < 0.05) and scaling itching scalp or ears (present symptoms) has a relationship between stuffy bad air ( = 0.475, < 0.05) and dry air ( = 0.536, p < 0.05). There was a significant association between RH with drowsiness (χ2 = 7.090, = 0.049) and dizziness (χ2 = 7.090, p = 0.049). The association was found between temperature and SBS symptoms between temperature with headache (χ2 = 7.574, = 0.051), feeling heavy-headed (χ2 = 8.090, = 0.046), and skin rash itchiness (χ2 = 7.451, = 0.044). Air movement also showed a positive association with symptoms of feeling heavy-headed (x2 = 8.726, = 0.021). PM has positive significance with SBSS which are feeling heavy-headed (χ2 = 7.980, = 0.023), and eyer's irritation (χ2 = 7.419, = 0.038). The conclusion of this study showed that there were positive significant between temperature and relative humidity toward SBSS.
PubMed: 38665133
DOI: 10.1016/j.dialog.2024.100178 -
Nature Communications Apr 2024Commercial wearable piezoelectric sensors possess excellent anti-interference stability due to their electronic packaging. However, this packaging renders them barely...
Commercial wearable piezoelectric sensors possess excellent anti-interference stability due to their electronic packaging. However, this packaging renders them barely breathable and compromises human comfort. To address this issue, we develop a PVDF piezoelectric nanoyarns with an ultrahigh strength of 313.3 MPa, weaving them with different yarns to form three-dimensional piezoelectric fabric (3DPF) sensor using the advanced 3D textile technology. The tensile strength (46.0 MPa) of 3DPF exhibits the highest among the reported flexible piezoelectric sensors. The 3DPF features anti-gravity unidirectional liquid transport that allows sweat to move from the inner layer near to the skin to the outer layer in 4 s, resulting in a comfortable and dry environment for the user. It should be noted that sweating does not weaken the piezoelectric properties of 3DPF, but rather enhances. Additionally, the durability and comfortability of 3DPF are similar to those of the commercial cotton T-shirts. This work provides a strategy for developing comfortable flexible wearable electronic devices.
PubMed: 38664454
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47810-7 -
BMJ Open Apr 2024Hand-foot syndrome, also known as palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE), is a complication caused by chemotherapy. Clinically, it manifests as erythema and oedema on...
INTRODUCTION
Hand-foot syndrome, also known as palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE), is a complication caused by chemotherapy. Clinically, it manifests as erythema and oedema on the palms of the hands and feet, dry and scaly skin, accompanied by a sensation of tightness and pain. Extreme cases have blisters and ulcerations that may require hospitalisation and/or pause in cancer treatment. It can also be accompanied by paraesthesia. Considering the characteristics, photobiomodulation (PBM) may reduce the PPE effects. The objective of this protocol will be to evaluate the efficacy of PBM in reducing PPE induced by capecitabine and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
This will be a randomised controlled, double-blind, double-centre clinical trial (Centro Asistencial del Sindicato Médico del Uruguay and Instituto Nacional del Cáncer from Uruguay). The sample population (40 individuals) will be divided into two groups: group 1 will receive moisturising cream plus PBM treatment and group 2 moisturising cream plus PBM sham treatment, at the ratio of 1:1. PBM will be performed at 630 nm two times per week in palmoplantar areas of the hands and feet (4 J/cm), for 4 weeks. The PPE degree and the data referring to the chemotherapy treatment plan will be measured, prior to the start of treatment in the middle and at the end of it. Quality of life questionnaires will be applied at the beginning of the trial and at the end of treatment. The data will be analysed based on the intention-to-treat analysis and α<0.05 will be considered statistically significant.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
The protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Universidad Católica del Uruguay (220316b), of Centro Asistencial del Sindicato Médico del Uruguay (221989) and of Instituto Nacional del Cáncer (2023-04). The recruitment has already started (March 2023).
PROTOCOL VERSION
V.2, 27 October 2023.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT05337423).
Topics: Humans; Double-Blind Method; Hand-Foot Syndrome; Low-Level Light Therapy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Fluorouracil; Quality of Life; Capecitabine; Multicenter Studies as Topic
PubMed: 38657999
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081459 -
Scientific Reports Apr 2024The mammalian epidermis has evolved to protect the body in a dry environment. Genes of the epidermal differentiation complex (EDC), such as FLG (filaggrin), are... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
The mammalian epidermis has evolved to protect the body in a dry environment. Genes of the epidermal differentiation complex (EDC), such as FLG (filaggrin), are implicated in the barrier function of the epidermis. Here, we investigated the molecular evolution of the EDC in sirenians (manatees and dugong), which have adapted to fully aquatic life, in comparison to the EDC of terrestrial mammals and aquatic mammals of the clade Cetacea (whales and dolphins). We show that the main subtypes of EDC genes are conserved or even duplicated, like late cornified envelope (LCE) genes of the dugong, whereas specific EDC genes have undergone inactivating mutations in sirenians. FLG contains premature stop codons in the dugong, and the ortholog of human CASP14 (caspase-14), which proteolytically processes filaggrin, is pseudogenized in the same species. As FLG and CASP14 have also been lost in whales, these mutations represent convergent evolution of skin barrier genes in different lineages of aquatic mammals. In contrast to the dugong, the manatee has retained functional FLG and CASP14 genes. FLG2 (filaggrin 2) is truncated in both species of sirenians investigated. We conclude that the land-to-water transition of sirenians was associated with modifications of the epidermal barrier at the molecular level.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Adaptation, Physiological; Caspase 14; Epidermis; Evolution, Molecular; Filaggrin Proteins; Genomics; Phylogeny
PubMed: 38653760
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60099-2 -
Cureus Mar 2024Overlap syndrome is a clinical challenge and brings together a wide range of treatment options for the treating physician. Addressing each and every complaint of the...
Overlap syndrome is a clinical challenge and brings together a wide range of treatment options for the treating physician. Addressing each and every complaint of the patient is crucial. A 50-year-old female patient presented with skin thickening, blackening, and hyperkeratosis; dysphagia; joint pain; features of myopathy; Raynaud's phenomenon; and dry mouth. Inflammatory markers were raised along with a positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) with Golgi apparatus pattern, anti-Sjögren's-syndrome-related antigen A (anti-SSA)/Ro60 3+, anti-SSA/Ro52 3+, and anti-PM/Scl 2+ antibodies that suggested overlap syndrome. Although the patient had no respiratory complaints, a unique interstitial lung disease (ILD) pattern was noted during the evaluation. Skin manifestations were puzzling, but the histopathology analyses of skin biopsies taken from two different sites revealed distinguishing features of cutaneous lupus and dermatomyositis. Treatment with hydroxychloroquine, pilocarpine, nifedipine, methotrexate, and topical tacrolimus produced a dramatic improvement in the clinical features. This case highlights subtle and florid features of different autoimmune diseases. The hyperkeratotic skin changes were the most striking feature, but the whole evaluation process unveiled many rare presentations of known autoimmune conditions that can open doors to new areas of our understanding toward connective tissue diseases (CTDs). Our case report demonstrates significant heterogeneity in the ANA patterns, ILD patterns, clinical manifestations, and treatment approaches.
PubMed: 38646215
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.56531 -
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology Apr 2024The identification of monogenic causes for cornification disorders has enhanced our understanding of epidermal differentiation and skin barrier function. Autosomal...
The identification of monogenic causes for cornification disorders has enhanced our understanding of epidermal differentiation and skin barrier function. Autosomal dominant lamellar ichthyosis is a rare condition, and ASPRV1 was the only gene linked to autosomal dominant lamellar ichthyosis to date. We identified a heterozygous variant (ENST00000686631.1:c.1372G>T, p.[Val458Phe]) in the NKPD1 gene in 7 individuals from a 4-generation German pedigree with generalized lamellar ichthyosis by whole-exome sequencing. Segregation analysis confirmed its presence in affected individuals, resulting in a logarithm of the odds score of 3.31. NKPD1 encodes the NKPD1 protein, implicated in the plasma membrane; its role in human disease is as yet unknown. Skin histology showed moderate acanthosis and compact orthohyperkeratosis, and the ultrastructure differed clearly from that in ASPRV1-autosomal dominant lamellar ichthyosis. Although NKPD1 mRNA expression increased during keratinocyte differentiation, stratum corneum ceramides exhibited no significant changes. However, affected individuals showed an elevated ratio of protein-bound ceramides to omega-esterified ceramides. This highlights NKPD1's role in autosomal dominant lamellar ichthyosis, impacting ceramide metabolism and skin lipid barrier formation, as demonstrated through functional characterization.
PubMed: 38642798
DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2024.03.041 -
Journal of Dairy Science Apr 2024In countries with pasture-based dairy systems and relatively cold winters, such as New Zealand, it is common to manage pregnant, nonlactating cows on forage crop...
In countries with pasture-based dairy systems and relatively cold winters, such as New Zealand, it is common to manage pregnant, nonlactating cows on forage crop paddocks rather than pasture due to slow pasture growth rates. Wintering dairy cattle on grazed crops can compromise welfare if wet and muddy underfoot conditions occur, which can reduce lying. This study investigated behavioral and physiological indicators of welfare of cows under 2 wintering practices: cows managed on and grazed kale crop (Brassica oleracea), and cows managed on pasture with baled hay. Following dry-off (d 0), 80 cows were randomly assigned to one of the 2 wintering practices (40 cows/practice) and monitored between d 4 and d 32 (phase 1). During this period, lying and stepping behavior was continuously recorded using leg-based accelerometers. Blood samples were obtained at d 0 and 32 for measurements of thyroxine (T4), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), white blood cells (WBC), and red blood cells (RBC). All data for phase 1 were presented descriptively due to the lack of treatment replication. Daily mean air temperature during this period was 5.2°C (range: 0.0 to 10.7°C), and rainfall was 1.1mm/d (range: 0 to 5.6mm/d). Between d 4 and 32, cows in both groups spent similar amounts of time lying (pasture with hay cows: 8.9h/24h ± 2.57, kale crop cows: 8.7h/24h ± 3.06, mean ± SEM). Both groups reduced their lying on wet and cold days and there was evidence of rebound lying once unfavorable weather conditions stopped. Cows on kale crop had numerically higher NEFA and lower WBC compared with cows managed on pasture, although most physiological values were within normal ranges. In a second phase of the study (d 34 and 35), cows were managed under controlled, replicated conditions in the 2 wintering practices using typical on-farm stocking rates (2 or 4 cows per group in the pasture with hay and kale crop treatments, respectively; n = 10 groups/treatment). During this period, cow behavior, skin and surface temperatures, hygiene scores, feed intakes and ground conditions were measured. Weather conditions during the 48-h exposure were mostly cold and dry (mean air temperature: 7.8°C, range: -2.2 to 20.5°C). Cows managed on pasture with hay spent more time lying down on the first day of exposure, however, this was likely due to less space being available to kale cows on this day. Cows managed on pasture with hay ruminated more than cows on kale crop on both days of observations (Day 1: 37.9% vs 30.9% of observations, Day 2: 36.8% vs 28.7% of observations for pasture with hay and kale crop groups, respectively) and were lying more often in postures indicative of greater thermal comfort. Cows managed on pasture with hay had higher skin and surface temperatures compared with cows on kale crop, whereas cows on kale crop had dirtier coats. Results suggest that opportunities for thermal comfort were greater for cows managed on pasture with hay bales, which may be due to increased rumination activities and more insulated lying areas.
PubMed: 38642653
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-24441 -
Communications Medicine Apr 2024Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, inflammatory disease characterized by dry, pruritic skin. In the U.S., the prevalence of AD has increased over three-fold since the...
BACKGROUND
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, inflammatory disease characterized by dry, pruritic skin. In the U.S., the prevalence of AD has increased over three-fold since the 1970s. We previously reported a geographic association between isocyanate-containing air pollution and AD as well as mechanistic data demonstrating that isocyanates induce skin dysbiosis and activate the host itch receptor TRPA1. However, non-spatial models are susceptible to spatial confounding and may overlook other meaningful associations.
METHODS
We added spatial analysis to our prior model, contrasting pollution data with clinical visits. In addition, we conducted a retrospective case-control survey of childhood exposure to BTEX-related products. Finally, we assessed implicated compounds, in pure form and as part of synthetic fabric, for their effect on the growth and metabolism of skin commensal bacteria.
RESULTS
Spatial analysis implicate benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and, most significantly, xylene (BTEX) compounds. Survey odds ratios for AD were significant for xylene-derived polyester bed sheets (OR = 9.5; CI 2.2-40.1) and diisocyanate-containing wallpaper adhesive (OR = 6.5; CI 1.5-27.8). Staphylococcus aureus lives longer on synthetic textiles compared to natural textiles. Meanwhile, synthetic fabric exposure shifts the lipid metabolism of health-associated commensals (Roseomonas mucosa and S. epidermidis) away from therapeutic pathways.
CONCLUSIONS
We propose that BTEX chemicals in their raw forms and in synthetic products represent a unifying hypothesis for environmentally induced AD flares through their ability to create dysbiosis in the skin microbiota and directly activate TRPA1. Unequal distribution of these pollutants may also influence racial disparities in AD rates.
PubMed: 38637696
DOI: 10.1038/s43856-024-00500-3