Residential exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation and risk of childhood hematological malignancies in Switzerland: A census-based cohort study.

Still little is known about possible environmental risk factors of childhood hematological malignancies (CHM). Previous studies suggest that ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure is associated with a lower risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children. We investigated the association between solar UVR exposure and risk of CHM in Switzerland, a country with greatly varying topography and weather conditions. We included all resident children aged 0-15 years from the Swiss National Cohort during 1990-2016 and identified incident cancer cases through probabilistic record linkage with the Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry. We estimated the overall annual mean UV level and the mean level for the month of July during 2004-2018 at children's homes using a climatological model of the midday (11 am-3 pm) UV-index (UVI) with a spatial resolution of 1.5-2 km. Using risk-set sampling, we obtained a nested case-control data set matched by birth year and fitted conditional logistic regression models (virtually equivalent to analyzing full cohort data using proportional hazards models) adjusting for sex, neighborhood socio-economic position, urbanization, air pollution, and background ionizing radiation. Our analyses included 1446 cases of CHM. Estimated adjusted hazard ratios (HR) per unit increase in UVI in July were 0.76 (95% CI 0.59-0.98) for leukemia and 0.74 (0.55-0.98) for ALL. Results for annual exposure were similar but confidence intervals were wider and included one. We found no evidence for an association for lymphoma overall (HR 1.14, 95% CI 0.59-2.19 for annual exposure) or diagnostic subgroups. Our study provides further support for an inverse association between exposure to ambient solar UVR and childhood ALL.

Ultraviolet radiation inhibits mitochondrial bioenergetics activity.

Mitochondria play an important role in cellular function, not only as a major site of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production but also by regulating energy expenditure, apoptosis signaling, control of the cell cycle, cellular growth, cell differentiation, transportation of metabolites, and production of reactive oxygen species. Interaction with electromagnetic waves can lead to dysregulation or alterations in the patterns of energy activities in the mitochondria. Ultraviolet light (UV) can be found in sunlight and artificial sources, such as lamps. UV radiation can cause damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids. Besides that, UV radiation is largely used in microorganism disinfection. To establish possible alterations in mitochondrial bioenergetics, this study proposes to investigate the UV (at two distinct intervals) effects on isolated mitochondria from mice liver to obtain direct responses and selective permeability of the internal membrane information. UVA-371 and UVC-255 nm lamps were used to irradiate, at different doses varying from 22.5 to 756 mJ/cm2, isolated mitochondria samples. Mitochondrial respiration pathways were investigated by high-resolution respirometry, and possible mitochondrial membrane damages were evaluated by mitochondrial swelling by spectrophotometer analysis. UVC irradiation results (in the higher dose) indicate decrease in 75% of mitochondrial bioenergetics capacity, such as limitation of oxidative phosphorylation in 60% and increased energy dissipation in 30%. Mitochondrial swelling experiments (spectrophotometer) indicated inner membrane damage, and consequently a loss of selective permeability. Direct correlation between irradiation and effect responses was observed, mitochondrial bioenergetics is severely affected by UVC radiation, but (UVA) radiation did not present bioenergetic alterations. These alterations can contribute to improving the knowledge behind the cell death mechanism in disinfection UV light and UV therapy such as phototherapy.

Photodegradation in terrestrial ecosystems.

The first step in carbon (C) turnover, where senesced plant biomass is converted through various pathways into compounds that are released to the atmosphere or incorporated into the soil, is termed litter decomposition. This review is focused on recent advances of how solar radiation can affect this important process in terrestrial ecosystems. We explore the photochemical degradation of plant litter and its consequences for biotic decomposition and C cycling. The ubiquitous presence of lignin in plant tissues poses an important challenge for enzymatic litter decomposition due to its biological recalcitrance, creating a substantial bottleneck for decomposer organisms. The recognition that lignin is also photolabile and can be rapidly altered by natural doses of sunlight to increase access to cell wall carbohydrates and even bolster the activity of cell wall degrading enzymes highlights a novel role for lignin in modulating rates of litter decomposition. Lignin represents a key functional connector between photochemistry and biochemistry with important consequences for our understanding of how sunlight exposure may affect litter decomposition in a wide range of terrestrial ecosystems. A mechanistic understanding of how sunlight controls litter decomposition and C turnover can help inform management and other decisions related to mitigating human impact on the planet.

The copepod Acartia spinicauda feeds less and dies more under the influences of solar ultraviolet radiation and elevated pCO2.

While solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is known to impact zooplankton, little has been documented on its impacts under elevated pCO2. Here, we show that exposure to UVR decreased the feeding and survival rates of the copepod Acartia spinicauda, that artificial UV-B of 2.25 W·m-2 for 4 h resulted in a 52 % inhibition of its grazing rates and a 45 % reduction in survival rates compared to visible light alone. On the other hand, an increase in pCO2 to 1000 µatm (pH drop of 0.4) immediately and significantly increased the UVR-induced inhibition of feeding. Subsequently, the combination of the high pCO2 (1000 µatm) and UVR resulted in about 65 % lethal impact, with UV-A contributing 21 % and UV-B 44 % compared to the visible light alone and ambient pCO2 conditions. While the copepod was shown to be able to sense and escape from UV-exposed areas, these findings suggest that UVR impacts on the copepod can be exacerbated with progressive ocean acidification or in high CO2 waters, including upwelled regions.

Dangerous liaisons: Loss of keratinocyte control over melanocytes in melanomagenesis.

Melanomas arise from transformed melanocytes, positioned at the dermal-epidermal junction in the basal layer of the epidermis. Melanocytes are completely surrounded by keratinocyte neighbors, with which they communicate through direct contact and paracrine signaling to maintain normal growth control and homeostasis. UV radiation from sunlight reshapes this communication network to drive a protective tanning response. However, repeated rounds of sun exposure result in accumulation of mutations in melanocytes that have been considered as primary drivers of melanoma initiation and progression. It is now clear that mutations in melanocytes are not sufficient to drive tumor formation-the tumor environment plays a critical role. This review focuses on changes in melanocyte-keratinocyte communication that contribute to melanoma initiation and progression, with a particular focus on recent mechanistic insights that lay a foundation for developing new ways to intercept melanoma development.

The National Cancer Aid monitoring (NCAM-online) of ultraviolet radiation risk and protection behavior: a population-based observational trend study with four annual online survey waves.

BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the most important risk factor for skin cancer development. Sunlight is the main source of UV radiation in the general population. In addition, tanning beds are a source of artificial UV radiation. Since the incidence of skin cancer is increasing worldwide, it is necessary to monitor UV-related risk behaviors such as intentional indoor and outdoor tanning, as well as sun protection behavior in the general population and specific subgroups and settings. This is the aim of the National Cancer Aid Monitoring online (NCAM-online), a continuation and further development of the NCAM. METHODS: The NCAM-online is a longitudinal trend study consisting of four annual survey waves. Each year, 4,000 individuals aged 16-65 years living in Germany will be surveyed using online questionnaires. Each year, intentional indoor and outdoor tanning will be assessed. In addition, varying specific topics regarding skin cancer prevention, such as the utilization of skin cancer screening, will be addressed in the questionnaires. DISCUSSION: The findings of the NCAM-online will provide an important basis for the German Cancer Aid and Working Group on Dermatologic Prevention (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Dermatologische Prävention, ADP) to develop targeted prevention campaigns and projects aimed at preventing skin cancer. The explorative nature of the NCAM-online allows for the identification of new potential starting points for prevention and education. In addition, the longitudinal design allows for a description of the trend in the prevalence of intentional tanning. For tanning bed use, representative trend data from 2012 are available for Germany, to which NCAM-online will add annual data until 2027.

Nanopatterns on silica scales of Mallomonas (Chrysophyceae, Stramenopiles): Unraveling UV resistance potential and diverse response to UVA and UVB radiation.

Mallomonas thrive primarily in freshwaters and dominate plankton communities, especially in oligotrophic waters. The cells have a siliceous cell covering of regularly arranged scales. Despite their ecological importance, the intricate structure and evolutionary significance of their silica scales are still unexplored. We investigated the nanopatterns on the scales and hypothesized that they may play a role in UV shielding. UVA and UVB exposure experiments were performed with 20 Mallomonas species, categorized into four groups based on the nanopattern of the scales (plain-scaled, meshed, striated, and papilliferous group); a fifth group consisted of the species that have extremely thick, robust scales regardless of the nanopattern. We revealed that thick scales were associated with enhanced UVB resistance, suggesting a protective role. No significant differences in UVA response were observed among the groups, except for the meshed group, which showed lower resistance, likely due to the less regular pattern on the shield. In conclusion, the scale case, composed of sufficiently silicified scales, provides effective UV protection in freshwater environments, regardless of the particular nanopattern. In increased UVB radiation, the thickness of the scales plays role. Contrary to expectations, cell size and phylogeny do not strongly predict UV resistance. The study highlights the diverse UV responses of Mallomonas, but further studies are needed to understand the role of scales/nanopatterns in the ecological adaptations of the species.

Ambient ultraviolet radiation as a cardioprotective factor: A global and regional analysis.

Background: Ambient ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has been found to have a greater cardioprotective effect than previously believed. This study aimed to quantitatively measure the role of UVR in protecting against the progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in general on a global and regional scale. Methods: Population-level data on UVR, CVD incidence, aging, economic affluence, CVD genetic background (indexed with the Biological State Index, Ibs), obesity prevalence, and urbanization were collected and analysed. The correlation between UVR and CVD was examined using bivariate correlations, partial correlation, and stepwise multiple linear regression. Countries were grouped to investigate regional correlations between UVR and CVD, and Fisher's r-to-z transformation was used to compare correlation coefficients. Results: UVR showed a significant inverse correlation with CVD incidence rates in bivariate correlation analyses globally (r = - 0.775 and r = - 0.760, p < 0.001), as well as within high-income (r = -0.704, p < 0.001) and low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) (r = -0.851, p < 0.001). These correlations remained significant even after controlling for confounding variables (r = -0.689 to -0.812, p < 0.001). In stepwise regression models, UVR was found to be the most significant predictor of CVD incidence. The inverse correlation between UVR and CVD was stronger in LMICs compared to high-income countries (z = -1.96, p < 0.050). Conclusions: Low ambient UVR may be a significant risk factor for the progression of CVD worldwide. The protective effect of UVR appears to be stronger in LMICs than in high-income countries, suggesting a greater impact of UVR on CVD prevention in these regions. These findings emphasize the need for further research into the mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective effects of UVR and the development of public health strategies to mitigate CVD risk associated with low UVR exposure.

Effectiveness of Ultraviolet Radiation and Disinfectant Wipes in Reducing the Microbial Contamination of Mobile Phones in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Background As mobile phones act as a potential source of microbial contamination, particularly in a hospital environment, the effectiveness of two most debated interventions namely ultraviolet radiation and disinfectant wipes in reducing the microbial contamination of mobile phones is compared. Objective To screen the mobile phones of healthcare personnel for the presence of microorganisms and to compare the effectiveness of ultraviolet radiation and disinfectant wipes in reducing microbial contamination. Methods and materials Pre-intervention and post-intervention swabs were collected before and after the use of each intervention respectively using 56 samples and cultured for growth in nutrient agar. Agar plates are subjected to quantitative analysis using bacterial colony count to reflect the efficacy of the specific intervention used. The data collected was entered in Microsoft Excel (Microsoft® Corp., Redmond, WA, USA) and analysis was done using standard statistical packages. Results While comparing the pre-intervention bacterial load with the post-intervention load, post-intervention bacterial contamination in terms of colony-forming units/CFU has drastically reduced after both interventions, which is validated by statistical significance. However, it was observed participants using disinfectant wipes as intervention had 2.07 times higher chance of having a low bacterial load which wasn't statistically significant. Conclusion Our study shows that with the use of any intervention from the above-mentioned interventions, bacterial load or bacterial contamination can be reduced significantly, thus pointing out that both ultraviolet radiation and disinfectant wipes are effective in reducing contamination of mobile phones. It was also found that male doctors have more bacterial load than females, which can be minimized by effectively changing behavioral habits.

New Insights Concerning Phytophotodermatitis Induced by Phototoxic Plants.

The present review explores the underlying mechanisms of phytophotodermatitis, a non-immunologic skin reaction triggered by certain plants followed by exposure to ultraviolet radiation emitted by sunlight. Recent research has advanced our understanding of the pathophysiology of phytophotodermatitis, highlighting the interaction between plant-derived photosensitizing compounds (e.g., furanocoumarins and psoralens) and ultraviolet light leading to skin damage (e.g., erythema, fluid blisters, edema, and hyperpigmentation), identifying these compounds as key contributors to the phototoxic reactions causing phytophotodermatitis. Progress in understanding the molecular pathways involved in the skin's response to these compounds has opened avenues for identifying potential therapeutic targets suitable for the management and prevention of this condition. The review emphasizes the importance of identifying the most common phototoxic plant families (e.g., Apiaceae, Rutaceae, and Moraceae) and plant species (e.g., Heracleum mantegazzianum, Ruta graveolens, Ficus carica, and Pastinaca sativa), as well as the specific phytochemical compounds responsible for inducing phytophototoxicity (e.g., limes containing furocoumarin have been linked to lime-induced photodermatitis), underscoring the significance of recognizing the dangerous plant sources. Moreover, the most used approaches and tests for accurate diagnosis such as patch testing, Wood's lamp examination, or skin biopsy are presented. Additionally, preventive measures such as adequate clothing (e.g., long-sleeved garments and gloves) and treatment strategies based on the current knowledge of phytophotodermatitis including topical and systemic therapies are discussed. Overall, the review consolidates recent findings in the field, covering a diverse array of phototoxic compounds in plants, the mechanisms by which they trigger skin reactions, and the implications for clinical management. By synthesizing these insights, we provide a comprehensive understanding of phytophotodermatitis, providing valuable information for both healthcare professionals and researchers working to address this condition.

The Antibacterial Efficacy of Far-UVC Light: A Combined-Method Study Exploring the Effects of Experimental and Bacterial Variables on Dose-Response.

Far-ultraviolet C light, with a wavelength of 200-230 nm, has demonstrated broad-spectrum germicidal efficacy. However, due to increased interest in its use as an alternative antimicrobial, further knowledge about its fundamental bactericidal efficacy is required. This study had two objectives. Firstly, it investigated experimentally the Far-UVC dose-response of common bacteria suspended at various cell densities in transparent buffer, ensuring no influence from photosensitive suspending media. Increasing doses of Far-UVC were delivered to Enterococcus faecium, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus in PBS at 101, 102, 103, 105 and 107 CFU·mL-1, with surviving colony-forming units enumerated (n ≥ 3). Secondly, through a systematised literature review, this work sought to explore the impact of genus/species, Gram type, cell form, cell density and irradiance on dose-response. The screening of 483 publications was performed with 25 included in the study. Data for 30 species were collated, analysed and compared with the experimental results. Overall, Gram-positive species showed greater resilience to Far-UVC than Gram-negative; some inter-species and inter-genera differences in resilience were identified; endospores were more resilient than vegetative cells; the results suggested that inactivation efficiency may decrease as cell density increases; and no significant correlation was identified between irradiance and bactericidal dose effect. In conclusion, this study has shown Far-UVC light to be an effective decontamination tool against a vast range of bacterial vegetative cells and endospores.

Impact of surface ultraviolet radiation intensity on hospital admissions for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke: A large-scale database study using distributed lag nonlinear analysis, 2015-2022, in Harbin, China.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim is to evaluate the impact of surface ultraviolet radiation intensity on hospital admissions for stroke and to compare the correlation and differences among different subtypes of strokes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected daily data on surface ultraviolet radiation intensity, temperature, air pollution, and hospital admissions for stroke in Harbin from 2015 to 2022. Using a distributed lag non-linear model, we determined the correlation between daily surface ultraviolet radiation intensity and the stroke admission rate. Relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and attributable fractions (AF) with 95% CI were calculated based on stroke subtypes, gender, and age groups. RESULTS: A total of 132,952 hospitalized stroke cases (including hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes) were included in the study. We assessed the non-linear effects of ultraviolet intensity on hospitalized patients with ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Compared to the maximum morbidity benchmark ultraviolet intensity (19.2 × 10^5 for ischemic stroke and 20.25 for hemorrhagic stroke), over the 0-10 day lag period, the RR for extreme low radiation (1st percentile) was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.77, 0.96), and the RR for extreme high radiation (99th percentile) was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.77, 0.96). In summary, -4.842% (95% CI: -7.721%, -2.167%) and -1.668% (95% CI: -3.061%, -0.33%) of ischemic strokes were attributed to extreme low radiation intensity with a lag of 0 to 10 days and extreme high radiation intensity with a lag of 0 to 5 days, respectively. The reduction in stroke hospitalization rates due to low or high ultraviolet intensity was more pronounced in females and younger individuals compared to males and older individuals. None of the mentioned ultraviolet intensity intensities and lag days had a statistically significant impact on hemorrhagic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Our study fundamentally suggests that both lower and higher levels of surface ultraviolet radiation intensity in Harbin, China, contribute to a reduced incidence of ischemic stroke, with this effect lasting approximately 10 days. This finding holds significant potential for public health and clinical relevance.

Loss of Lkb1 cooperates with BrafV600E and ultraviolet radiation, increasing melanoma multiplicity and neural-like dedifferentiation.

The mechanisms that work alongside BRAFV600E oncogene in melanoma development, in addition to ultraviolet (UV) radiation (UVR), are of great interest. Analysis of human melanoma tumors [data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)] revealed that 50% or more of the samples expressed no or low amounts of serine/threonine protein kinase STK11 (also known as LKB1) protein. Here, we report that, in a mouse model, concomitant neonatal BrafV600E activation and Lkb1 tumor suppressor ablation in melanocytes led to full melanoma development. A single postnatal dose of UVB radiation had no effect on melanoma onset in Lkb1-depleted mice compared with BrafV600E-irradiated mice, but increased tumor multiplicity. In concordance with these findings and previous reports, Lkb1-null irradiated mice exhibited deficient DNA damage repair (DDR). Histologically, tumors lacking Lkb1 were enriched in neural-like tumor morphology. Genetic profiling and gene set enrichment analyses of tumor sample mutated genes indicated that loss of Lkb1 promoted the selection of altered genes associated with neural differentiation processes. Thus, these results suggest that the loss of Lkb1 cooperates with BrafV600E and UVR, impairing the DDR and increasing melanoma multiplicity and neural-like dedifferentiation.

Room-Temperature, Solution-Processed, Robust, Transparent, and Conductive SiOx/AgNW Nanocomposite Coating.

AgNW networks show high promise as a conductive material due to excellent flexibility, low resistance, high transparency, and ease of large-scale preparation. However, the application of AgNW networks has been hindered by their inherent characteristics, such as easy oxidation degradation, chemical corrosion, and structural instability at high temperatures. In this study, a dense SiOx protective layer derived from perhydropolysilazane was introduced to fabricate a robust SiOx/AgNW nanocomposite coating through an all-solution process at room temperature. The achieved nanocomposite coating shows outstanding thermal stability up to 450 °C, resistance to ultraviolet radiation, and excellent mechanical performance by maintaining stability after 10,000 cycles of bending at a radius of 2.5 mm, 1000 cycles of peeling, and 1200 cycles of wearing. Meanwhile, the nanocomposite coating demonstrates exceptional chemical tolerance against HCl, Na2S, and organic solvents. A transparent heater based on the nanocomposite coating achieves a remarkable benchmark with a maximum temperature of 400 °C at 20 V. These features highlight the potential of the nanocomposite coating in flexible electronics, optoelectronics, touch screens, and high-performance heaters.

Development of an active agar aerogel with dual antioxidant and UV-blocking activities using chlorine-doped graphene quantum dots.

Active packaging is of great interest in the modern food industry due to increasing shelf life and enhancing food quality. The importance of this technology increases when natural polymers are used in the construction of active packages. Development of a natural, biodegradable, and dual-active film was aimed in this study. So, agar aerogel containing different amounts of chlorine-doped graphene quantum dots (Cl-GQDs) was prepared. Cl-GQDs had excitation-dependent fluorimetry behavior due to the zigzag edges of graphene. The mean diameter of spherical nanoparticles of Cl-GQDs was about 12 nm, according to HR-TEM images. The results of Raman and ATR-FTIR confirmed that chlorine was well-doped on the GQD structure. Cl-GQDs showed high UV-absorption capability and very strong antioxidant activity (94.31 %), which maintained these activities after incorporation into the agar aerogel. The doped chlorine was responsible for the capacity to charge transfer of GQDs. BET and SEM results showed that adding Cl-GQDs to agar caused a porous structure. Finally, different types of agar aerogels containing Cl-GQDs can be used considering the intended application of aerogel. Agar aerogel containing 20 % Cl-GQDs is suggested if a porous aerogel with good thermal insulation properties is considered. However, agar aerogel containing 1 % Cl-GQDs is suitable as an active film. In conclusion, while Cl-GQDs hold promise as sustainable and multifunctional food packaging materials, their potential toxic effects must be thoroughly evaluated. Future studies should explore migration, potential interactions with specific food matrices, and long-term safety to ensure consumer protection.

The protective effect of Artemisia Capillaris Thunb. Extract against UVB-induced apoptosis and inflammation through inhibiting the cGAS/STING pathway.

Exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation represents a significant environmental threat to human skin. This study investigates the protective mechanism of Artemisia Capillaris Thunb. (AC) extract against UVB-induced apoptosis and inflammation in HaCaT keratinocytes. AC extract demonstrated a significant protective effect, as evidenced by reduced early apoptosis, late apoptosis, and necrosis, as well as decreased apoptotic cell status upon UVB exposure. Additionally, AC extract effectively inhibited UVB-induced DNA damage, as indicated by diminished γ-H2AX foci formation. Restoration of mitochondrial damage and normalization of mitochondrial membrane potential, along with the reduction of intracellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, were observed with AC extract pre-treatment. The extract also exhibited anti-inflammatory properties, evidenced by the decreased release of IL-1α, IL-6, and PGE2 from keratinocytes. Additional research on the molecular mechanisms uncovered that the AC extract alters the cGAS/STING pathway, suppressing the mRNA (cGAS, STING, IRF3, IRF7 and TBK1) and protein levels (cGAS, STING, IRF3, IRF7 and NF-κB) linked to this particular pathway. The HPLC analysis identified chlorogenic acid and its derivatives as the major components in AC, constituting up to 16.44% of the total chlorogenic acid content. The cGAS/STING signaling pathway was found to be suppressed by chlorogenic acid and its derivatives, as indicated by molecular docking studies and RT-qPCR analysis. This suppression contributes to the protective effects against cell apoptosis and inflammation induced by UVB. To summarize, AC extract, which is abundant in chlorogenic acid and its derivatives, shows potential in protecting keratinocytes from damage caused by UVB by regulating the cGAS/STING signaling pathway.

Protective Action of Curcumin and Alpha-lipoic Acid, Against Experimental Ultraviolet-A/B Induced Dermal-injury in Rats.

The objective of this study was to examine the therapeutic efficacy of curcumin (CUR) and α-lipoic acid (ALA) in mitigating UV-A and UV-B-induced damage (UVAB) in rat dorsal skin. This was achieved through the utilisation of immunohistochemical (TUNEL), biochemical and stereological techniques. The rats in the UVAB, UVAB + CUR, and UVAB + ALA groups were subjected to UVAB irradiation for a period of two hours per day over the course of one month. The UVAB + CUR and UVAB + ALA groups were administered 100 mg/kg/day of curcumin and 100 mg/kg/day of α-lipoic acid via gavage 30 min prior to UVAB irradiation. The CUR group was administered 100 mg/kg/day of curcumin via gavage, while the ALA group received the same dose of α-lipoic acid. A significant change in the volume ratio of the dorsal skin epidermis and dermis was observed in the stereological findings of the rats in the UVAB group. These changes exhibited a favourable progression as a consequence of the CUR and ALA applications. In the UVAB group, TOS and OSI were significantly elevated as a consequence of the rise in oxidative stress. Conversely, the treatment groups demonstrated a notable reduction in TOS and OSI levels. The study also revealed a substantial increase in the number of apoptotic cells within the UVAB group. However, the treatment groups exhibited a significant decline in apoptotic cells. In conclusion, the findings suggest that CUR and ALA possess a protective effect against UVAB-induced skin damage.

Revealing the UV response of melanocytes in xeroderma pigmentosum group A using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells.

BACKGROUND: Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is characterized by photosensitivity that causes pigmentary disorder and predisposition to skin cancers on sunlight-exposed areas due to DNA repair deficiency. Patients with XP group A (XP-A) develop freckle-like pigmented maculae and depigmented maculae within a year unless strict sun-protection is enforced. Although it is crucial to study pigment cells (melanocytes: MCs) as disease target cells, establishing MCs in primary cultures is challenging. OBJECTIVE: Elucidation of the disease pathogenesis by comparison between MCs differentiated from XP-A induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and healthy control iPSCs on the response to UV irradiation. METHODS: iPSCs were established from a XP-A fibroblasts and differentiated into MCs. Differences in gene expression profiles between XP-A-iPSC-derived melanocytes (XP-A-iMCs) and Healthy control iPSC-derived MCs (HC-iMCs) were analyzed 4 and 12 h after irradiation with 30 or 150 J/m2 of UV-B using microarray analysis. RESULTS: XP-A-iMCs expressed SOX10, MITF, and TYR, and showed melanin synthesis. Further, XP-A-iMCs showed reduced DNA repair ability. Gene expression profile between XP-A-iMCs and HC-iMCs revealed that, numerous gene probes that were specifically upregulated or downregulated in XP-A-iMCs after 150-J/m2 of UV-B irradiation did not return to basal levels. Of note that apoptotic pathways were highly upregulated at 150 J/m2 UV exposure in XP-A-iMCs, and cytokine-related pathways were upregulated even at 30 J/m2 UV exposure. CONCLUSION: We revealed for the first time that cytokine-related pathways were upregulated even at low-dose UV exposure in XP-A-iMCs. Disease-specific iPSCs are useful to elucidate the disease pathogenesis and develop treatment strategies of XP.

Non-thermal technologies for broiler litter processing: Microbial safety, chemical composition, nutritional value, and fermentation parameters in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Annually, a massive amount of broiler litter (BL) is produced in the world, which causes soil and surface water pollution due to its high nitrogen content and microbial count. While ruminants can use this non-protein nitrogen (NPN) source for microbial protein synthesis. This issue becomes more critical when protein sources are unavailable or very expensive. One of the sources of NPN is BL which is produced at a considerable amount in the world yearly. OBJECTIVES: This aim of this research was to conduct a survey of non-thermal technologies such as electrocoagulation (EC), ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and ultrasound (US) waves on the microbial safety and nutritional value of BL samples as a protein source in ruminant diets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The methodology of this study was based on the use of an EC device with 24 V for 60 min, UV-C light radiation (249 nm) for 1 and 10 min, and US waves with a frequency of 28 kHz for 5, 10 and 15 min to process BL samples compared with shade-dried samples. Chemical composition and nutritional values of processed samples were determined by gas production technique and measurement of fermentation parameters in vitro. RESULTS: Based on the results, microbial safety increased in the samples processed with the US (15 min). The EC method had the best performance in reducing the number of fungi and mould. However, none of the methods could remove total bacteria and fungi. Digestibility of BL was similar in shade-dried, EC, and US (10 min) treatments. In general, the use of EC and US15 without having adverse effects on gas production caused a decrease in the concentration of ammonia nitrogen. In contrast, it caused a decrease in neutral detergent fibre (NDF) in the investigated substrate. CONCLUSIONS: In general, it can be concluded that the use of US5 and EC methods without having a negative effect on the parameters of gas production and fermentation in vitro, while reducing NDF, causes a significant reduction in the microbial load, pathogens, yeast, and mould. Therefore, it is suggested to use these two methods to improve feed digestibility for other protein and feed sources.