Rice drought risk assessment under climate change: Based on physical vulnerability a quantitative assessment method.

Drought is the most serious natural disaster causing severe damage to agriculture. Drought impacts on rice (Oryza sativa) production present a major threat to future global food security. In this paper, the Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (EPIC) model was used to simulate the growth of rice, in different periods (short-term (2019-2039), medium-term (2040-2069), long-term (2070-2099)), based on multiple Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) scenarios. Drought intensity and rice physical vulnerability curves were assessed, based on the output parameters of EPIC, to evaluate global rice yield risk, due to drought. The results show that the average expected loss rate of global rice yield may reach 13.1% (±0.4%) in the future. The high-risk area of rice drought is mainly located in the north of 30°N. The fluctuation of rice drought risk and the proportion of increased risk areas will increase significantly. About 77.6% of the changes in rice drought risk are explained by variations in shortwave radiation (r = 0.88). Projections show that the average value of daily shortwave radiation increases by 1 W/m2 during the rice growth period, accompanied by an expected rice yield loss rate of about 12.7%. The rice drought risk methods presented in this paper provide plausible estimates of forecasting future drought risk under climate change, and address challenges of sparse data; we believe these methods can be applied to decisions for reducing drought-related crop losses and ensuring global food security.

Patch test in Chinese in Shanghai with cosmetic allergy to cosmetic series and products.

BACKGROUND: There are increasing cosmetic adverse reactions in China, mostly cosmetic contact dermatitis, with the development of its cosmetics industry. AIMS: To identify the allergens and cosmetics products responsible for cosmetic allergic contact dermatitis (CACD) in Shanghai. METHODS: Five hundred and sixty patients, including 342 suspected CACD patients from dermatological clinic and 218 cosmetics consumers with an allergic history, were patch tested with a cosmetic series (C-1000 series). And 154 patients patched with possible culprit cosmetics. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty-six subjects showed positive reaction to C-1000 series. Clinic patients had much higher positive rate than that of cosmetics consumers. Leading allergens were methylisothiazolinone (MI), methylisothiazolinone + methylchloro-isothiazolinone (MCI/MI), thimerosal, and the positive rates were significantly higher in patients than in cosmetic consumers (P < .001 for all). MCI/MI elicited positive patch test reactions in 73.5% of MI-positive patients. Of those patched with cosmetic products, 19 patients had 31 positive reactions, including 22 skin care products and 5 color decorating. CONCLUSIONS: Preservatives, especially MI, MCI/MI, and thimerosal, were the most common cosmetic allergens, and skin care products occupied the most allergic reaction of CACD. Patch testing is highly recommended for suspected CACD patients. Future comparative investigation with large sample size should benefit cosmetovigilance surveillance.

Sensitive scalp is associated with excessive sebum and perturbed microbiome.

BACKGROUND: Sensitive scalp, one of the most frequent complaints among sensitive skin syndrome, has been described as abnormal and unpleasant sensory reactions of the scalp to environmental stimulus. However, the symptoms are usually objective and hard to diagnose. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to reveal the biophysical properties and etiology of sensitive scalp. METHODS: Sixty-two healthy female subjects were enrolled and divided into nonsensitive scalp (NS) and sensitive scalp (SS) groups according to questionnaires. Noninvasive instruments were used to measure biophysical properties. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and gas chromatography mass spectrometry were introduced to quantify skin lipids profiles, and 16S rRNA sequencing was used to detect the composition of bacteria. RESULTS: Sensitive scalp showed elevated pH level, more irritated skin, and more fluorescence of porphyrins. Increased sebum production was found in SS group at occiput, among which free fatty acids, cholesteryl ester, and squalene were significantly in higher amount compared with NS. SS also had significantly higher percentage of Propionibacterium, and lower bacterial diversity. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, sensitive scalp showed disrupted barrier function, abnormal sebum amount and composition, as well as perturbed microbiome, which might be the direct cause. Products targeting these features could be helpful for the treatment of sensitive scalp.

Dandruff is associated with the conjoined interactions between host and microorganisms.

Dandruff is an unpleasant scalp disorder common to human populations. In this study, we systematically investigated the intra- and inter-associations among dandruff, physiological conditions such as sebum of the scalp, host demographics such as gender, age and the region of the scalp, and the microorganisms on the scalp. We found that the physiological conditions were highly relevant to the host age and varied in different regions of the same scalp. The sebum quantity and water content were negatively correlated with the formation of dandruff and had significant relationships with the two dominant but reciprocally inhibited bacteria on the scalp (Propionibacterium and Staphylococcus). The dominant fungus (Malassezia species) displayed contrary roles in its contribution to the healthy scalp micro-environment. Bacteria and fungi didn't show a close association with each other, but the intramembers were tightly linked. Bacteria had a stronger relationship with the severity of dandruff than fungi. Our results indicated that the severity of dandruff was closely associated with the interactions between the host and microorganisms. This study suggests that adjusting the balance of the bacteria on the scalp, particularly by enhancing Propionibacterium and suppressing Staphylococcus, might be a potential solution to lessen dandruff.

Evaluation of the severity and triggering factors of sensitive scalp in Chinese females.

BACKGROUND: Sensitive scalp which has been recently proposed and assessed by several questionnaires is one of the most cosmetic concerns in sensitive skin syndrome by consumers. OBJECTIVE: This study is to investigate the prevalence and factors related to the scalp sensitivity in China. METHODS: Two well-known questionnaires including four-grade self-assessment and 3S, and a new questionnaire we proposed (10Q), were used to evaluate the severity and symptoms of sensitive scalp. RESULTS: The proportions of sensitive scalp according to self-assessment and 3S were 35.77% and 57.45%, respectively. Distributions of severity and tendency of proportion along ages were significantly different between the two methods. The 10Q questionnaire which we designed could discriminate different grade of severity of sensitive scalp with superior reliability. Moreover, triggering factors which have significant impacts on the symptoms of sensitive scalp were elucidated by logistic regression analysis, including air dryness, exercises, humidity, heat, and sun. CONCLUSION: Questionnaires with more dimensions and details such as 10Q and 3S should be used for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring on sensitive scalp in Chinese female.