Decreased expression of CD200 on peripheral blood leukocytes in alcohol dependence.

Chronic alcohol use induces innate immune genes, which activate the innate immune system. Neuroimmune regulatory proteins [e.g., Cluster of Differentiation 200 (CD200)] are immune response regulators and are involved in balancing the immune response. This study aimed to investigate the expression of CD200 on the surface of peripheral blood leukocytes in patients with alcohol use disorder and compare them with controls. Fifty male patients with alcohol use disorder were included in the study. A baseline assessment was done, and alcohol use history, craving, and withdrawal scores were collected. A 2-mL venous blood sample was collected from cases and controls for immunophenotyping of CD200. The control group consisted of 50 participants with similar socio-economic backgrounds. The cellular expression of CD200 on total leukocytes (median ± IQR) [39.94 (28.85, 50.01)] in cases was significantly lower compared to controls [45.07 (37.70, 51.69)] (U = 896, p = 0.015). Expression of CD200 on lymphocytes in cases was negatively correlated with years of heavy drinking and this was statistically significant (r = -0.321, p = 0.023). The study indicates that cellular expression of CD200 on the surface of peripheral blood leukocytes is reduced in alcohol-dependent patients. This reduction can contribute to exaggerated immune activity, release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chronic microglial activation, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration in alcohol dependence.

Polystyrene and Polyethylene Microplastics Decrease Cell Viability and Dysregulate Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Markers of MDCK and L929 Cells In Vitro.

Microplastics are ubiquitous environmental pollutants that are a growing concern to many ecosystems, as well as human health. Many of the effects of microplastics on mammalian cells and tissues remain unknown. To address this, we treated L929 murine fibroblasts and Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cell lines with 1 µg/mL, 10 µg/mL, or 20 µg/mL of polyethylene (PE) or polystyrene (PS) microspheres in vitro for 6 and 24 h and measured the resulting changes in cell viability, metabolism, and transcriptional expression of inflammatory cytokines and antioxidant enzymes. We observed dose-dependent decreases in cell viability corresponding to increases in doses of both PE and PS. We conducted cell metabolism assays and observed dose-dependent increases in metabolism per cell with increasing doses of both PE and PS. Similarly, we also observed increased expression of the superoxide dismutase-3 gene (SOD3), indicating oxidative stress caused by the microplastics treatments. We also observed increased expression of TNFα, but decreased expression of IFNß, suggesting different mechanisms by which the microplastics regulate inflammatory responses in mammalian cells. Our results contribute new data to the growing understanding of the effects of microplastics on mammalian cells and indicate complex cellular stress responses to microplastics in the environment.

Preference of eyebrow apex positions on different facial shapes in Malaysian population: An inter-ethnic study.

BACKGROUND: Eyebrows are an important esthetic feature of the face. In cosmetic surgery, knowledge about the patient's preference of eyebrow apex position is important to achieve agreeable esthetic results. AIM: To study the preference of eyebrow apex positions on the different facial shapes in the Malaysian population. METHODS: A frontal view photograph of a female model was morphed into oval, square, round, and long facial shapes. Four types of brow apex were created on each facial shape, A. above the midpupil (A-MP), B. above the lateral limbus (A-LL), C. halfway between the lateral limbus and lateral canthus (A-HF) and D. above the lateral canthus (A-LC). Out of the four brow apexes, the respondent selected one esthetically appealing brow apex for each facial shape. A total of 441 Malaysians completed the survey questionnaire. Differences in preference between the ethnic groups were analyzed by the chi-square test. RESULTS: The majority of Malaysian Chinese (MC) and Malaysian Indians (MI) subjects found A-LL as attractive on the oval (MC-73%, MI-52%), square (MC-42%, MI-42%), round (MC-45%, MI-40%) and long (MC-39%, MI-44%) shape, but the Malaysian Malays preferred more the A-HF on long (42%) and round (42%) face. While the Malaysian Indians least preferred the A-MP on the oval (4%), square (5%), round (6%), and long (5%). A significant difference in preference of apex position was observed between MC versus MI and MC versus MM in both oval and square faces. On the round face, the difference was noted between all the ethnic groups. However, on the long face, a significant difference was noted only between MI and MM. CONCLUSIONS: Significant interethnic differences exist in the preference of eyebrow apex position on the facial shapes.

Photogrammetric Analysis of Eyebrow and Eyelid Dimensions in Indian American Adults.

In cosmetic surgery, knowledge of the average dimensions of periorbital features based on gender and ethnicity is essential to improve the patient appearance and maintain the ethnicity. The aim the study was to establish gender-specific periorbital anthropometric and anthroposcopic data for Indian Americans (IA) and to assess the statistically ethnic differences by comparing with published data of Malaysian Indians (MI). Evaluation of periorbital features was done on the standardized frontal photographs of 400 IA, aged 18 to 26 years. The measured values were evaluated by an independent t-test. Sexual dimorphism was found in all 15 measurements. The eyebrow height, combined height of the orbit and eyebrow, eyebrow apex inclination, apex to lateral canthus distance, medial end of brow to medial canthus distance, lateral end of brow to lateral canthus distance; pretarsal skin height, palpebral fissure height, palpebral fissure inclination (PFI), and medial canthus tilt were significantly greater in female than the males. In males, eyebrow apex hairline distance, apex to lateral limbus distance, eyebrow apex angle (EAA), lower eyelid height, and interpupillary distance was significantly greater than the females. Significant ethnic difference was found between IA and MI for eyebrow height, apex to lateral limbus distance, EAA, palpebral fissure height, and PFI in male group. In female group, EAA, medial canthus tilt, and PFI were significantly greater in MI. Four types of epicanthus were observed and the brow apex between lateral limbus and lateral canthus was the most common position. The generated normative data may be useful during diagnosis and treatment planning.

Vertical and horizontal facial proportions of Indian American men.

The importance of understanding all gender facial differences is critical in providing a successful cosmetic outcome. Men are a growing segment of the cosmetic industry. Understanding of the male face and its appropriate treatment with minimally invasive cosmetic procedures are essential. The aim was to investigate various facial ratios in Indian American men and to compare them with the Indian and Caucasian norms. Additionally, we wanted to evaluate whether these values satisfy golden and silver ratios. Direct facial anthropometric measurements were made using a digital caliper in 100 Indian American men students (18-30 years) at the American University of Antigua (AUA), Antigua. A set of facial ratios were calculated and compared with coefficients of variation (CV). Most of the facial ratios had small CV thus making them highly reliable due to reduced intra-sample variability. The upper face to face height and mandibulo upper face height indices were close to golden ratios whereas mandibulo lower face height, upper face height biocular width, and nasal indices were close to silver ratios. There was significant difference in most of the values when compared with previous studies. The present facial ratios data can be used as a reference value for Indian American men.