Toxic potential assessment of hair dye developer 2,4,5,6-tetraaminopyrimidine sulfate exposed under ambient UVB radiation.

Synthetic cosmetics, particularly hair dyes, are becoming increasingly popular among people of all ages and genders. 2,4,5,6-tetraaminopyrimidine sulfate (TAPS) is a key component of oxidative hair dyes and is used as a developer in several hair dyes. TAPS has previously been shown to absorb UVB strongly and degrade in a time-dependent manner, causing phototoxicity in human skin cells. However, the toxic effects of UVB-degraded TAPS are not explored in comparison to parent TAPS. Therefore, this research work aims to assess the toxicity of UVB-degraded TAPS than TAPS on two different test systems, that is, HaCaT (mammalian cell) and Staphylococcus aureus (a bacterial cell). Our result on HaCaT has illustrated that UVB-degraded TAPS is less toxic than parent TAPS. Additionally, UVB-exposed TAPS and parent TAPS were given to S. aureus, and the bacterial growth and their metabolic activity were assessed via CFU and phenotype microarray. The findings demonstrated that parent TAPS reduced bacterial growth via decreased metabolic activity; however, bacteria easily utilized the degraded TAPS. Thus, this study suggests that the products generated after UVB irradiation of TAPS is considered to be safer than their parent TAPS.

A cognitive behavioral therapy-based intervention to address body image in patients with facial cancers: Results from a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Body image adjustment is a crucial issue for patients with facial cancer, but body image-specific interventions are scarce. We report results of a novel psychotherapeutic intervention to address body image concerns during acute postoperative recovery following facial reconstructive surgery. Our primary aims were to evaluate the intervention's feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy on body image concerns, psychological distress, and quality of life (QOL). METHODS: Adults with facial cancers who endorsed body image concerns were recruited to participate in a randomized controlled trial. The intervention group participated in 4 in-person counseling sessions. The control group received an educational booklet and a brief phone call. Participants completed measures of body image, distress, and QOL at baseline and at the 4-week follow-up to assess the impact of the intervention. Intervention outcomes were assessed with 2 sample t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests as appropriate. RESULTS: Twenty-nine participants completed both the baseline and follow-up assessments. The intervention demonstrated good feasibility with a high retention rate (79%), visit completion rate (81%), and high satisfaction scores (75% reported mean satisfaction score of >3). Intervention did not result in an observed statistically significant difference in reduction in body image dissatisfaction and disturbance, psychological distress, or improvement in QOL compared with the control group. However, intervention resulted in statistically significant difference in perceived social impact (-1 vs. -8.3, p = 0.033) compared to control group. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Our study highlights the potential clinical benefits of a novel psychotherapeutic intervention that targets body image concerns and suggests the need for further evaluation.

Tattoo inks are toxicological risks to human health: A systematic review of their ingredients, fate inside skin, toxicity due to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, primary aromatic amines, metals, and overview of regulatory frameworks.

Today, tattooing has become very popular among people all over the world. Tattooists, with the help of tiny needles, place tattoo ink inside the skin surface and unintentionally introduce a large number of unknown ingredients. These ingredients include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals, and primary aromatic amines (PAAs), which are either unintentionally introduced along with the ink or produced inside the skin by different types of processes for example cleavage, metabolism and photodecomposition. These could pose toxicological risks to human health, if present beyond permissible limits. PAH such as Benzo(a)pyrene is present in carbon black ink. PAAs could be formed inside the skin as a result of reductive cleavage of organic azo dyes. They are reported to be highly carcinogenic by environmental protection agencies. Heavy metals, namely, cadmium, lead, mercury, antimony, beryllium, and arsenic are responsible for cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, lungs, kidneys, liver, endocrine, and bone diseases. Mercury, cobalt sulphate, other soluble cobalt salts, and carbon black are in Group 2B, which means they may cause cancer in humans. Cadmium and compounds of cadmium, on the other hand, are in Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans). The present article addresses the various ingredients of tattoo inks, their metabolic fate inside human skin and unintentionally added impurities that could pose toxicological risk to human health. Public awareness and regulations that are warranted to be implemented globally for improving the safety of tattooing.

Nabumetone induced photogenotoxicity mechanism mediated by ROS generation under environmental UV radiation in human keratinocytes (HaCaT) cell line.

Nabumetone (NB) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), prescribed for managing pain associated with acute/chronic rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders. Though some incidences of photosensitivity have been reported, there is limited information available on its phototoxicity potential. In this study, NB photodegraded in a time-dependant manner (0-4 h) under UVA (1.5 mW/cm2), UVB (0.6 mW/cm2) and natural sunlight as observed through UV-vis spectrophotometer and the results were further confirmed with Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC). Photosensitized NB generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) as observed by lipid peroxidation, suggesting oxidative degradation of lipids in cell membrane, thereby resulting in cell damage. MTT and NRU (neutral red uptake) assays revealed that NB induced phototoxicity in concentration-dependent manner (0.5, 1, 5, 10 µg/ml) under UVA, UVB and sunlight exposure (30 min) in human keratinocytes cell line (HaCaT), with significant phototoxicity at the concentration of 5 µg/ml. Photosensitized NB generated intracellular ROS, disrupted mitochondrial and lysosomal membrane integrity, resulting in cell death. UV-induced genotoxicity by NB was confirmed through micronuclei generation, γ-H2AX induction and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer formation. This is the first study which showed the phototoxicity and photogenotoxicity potential of NB in HaCaT cell line. We also observed that photosensitized NB upregulated inflammatory markers, such as COX-2 and TNFα. This study proposes that sunlight exposure should be avoided by patients using nabumetone and proper guidance should be provided by clinicians regarding photosensitivity of drugs for better safety and efficacy.

Clinical relevance of a Body Image Scale cut point of 10 as an indicator of psychological distress in cancer patients: results from a psychiatric oncology clinic.

PURPOSE: Adequate adjustment to bodily changes during various phases of cancer treatment is important to patients' emotional well-being. The Body Image Scale (BIS) is a widely used tool for assessment of body image concerns in different cancer types. However, a cut point score indicative of clinically relevant body image concerns has not been established. The purpose of our study was to evaluate whether the previously suggested, but not validated, BIS cut point score of ≥ 10 is an adequate indicator of psychological distress. METHODS: In a prospective cross-sectional study, 590 adult patients were recruited from a psychiatric oncology clinic (November 2017-March 2018). Patient-reported body image concerns, depression, anxiety, and emotional distress were assessed with the BIS, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7, and National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer, respectively. RESULTS: Almost half of the patients had a BIS score ≥ 10; these were more likely to be younger, female, Hispanic, and to have breast cancer than patients with a score < 10. BIS scores were positively associated with depression, anxiety, and distress scores. A BIS score ≥ 10 was a significant predictor of moderate depression and anxiety (odds ratios = 3.555 [95% CI 2.478-5.102] and 3.655 [2.493-5.358]; p < 0.001 for both). CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study to have assessed the validity of the previously suggested clinically relevant BIS cut point score of ≥ 10 as an indicator of psychological distress. Our results suggest that a BIS score of ≥ 10 or higher should lead to follow-up on body image concerns and/or appropriate referral.

Oxidative stress-mediated photoactivation of carbazole inhibits human skin cell physiology.

Prolonged exposure of the earth's surface to the sun's ultraviolet radiation may result in various skin diseases and cataract. Carbazole (CBZ), as a polycyclic-aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), is blended with a five-member nitrogen-containing ring. It is found in cigarette smoke, coal, eye kohl, tattoo ink, and wood combustion and affects various types of flora and fauna. Our findings suggest that CBZ generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) like O2•- through type-I photodynamic reaction and causes phototoxicity in the human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT), which has been proved by mitochondrial dehydrogenase and neutral red uptake assays. CBZ induces single strand DNA damage. We have investigated the involvement of the apoptotic pattern of cell death and confirmed it by cytochrome C release from mitochondria and caspase-9 activation. Similarly, photo-micronuclei formation was associated to CBZ-induced phototoxicity. The results of this study strongly support that the upregulation of bax, cyto-C, apaf-1, casp-9 and down regulation of bcl2, keap-1, nrf-2, and hmox-1 genes cause apoptopic cell death. Downregulation of antioxidant genes showed a significant amount of ROS generation by photosensitized CBZ. Therefore, the current study will be a step forward to safeguard human beings from sunlight-induced photosensitive CBZ prolonged exposure.

Is Blood Urea Concentration an Independent Predictor of Positive Endoscopic Findings in Presumed Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding?

BACKGROUND: The test characteristics of blood urea concentration in the identification of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) or high-risk endoscopic lesions have not been clearly determined. This study aimed to elucidate if urea independently correlates with the presence of positive endoscopic findings in cases of presumed UGIB and understand the diagnostic value of this parameter when assessing a patient with potential UGIB. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Hamilton Health Sciences hospitals examining patients who had upper endoscopy for presumed UGIB. Contingency tables were generated to determine the test characteristics of urea at different thresholds for prediction of UGIB. A crude OR was calculated for odds of bleeding being identified on endoscopy based on varying thresholds of urea, and adjusted ORs were calculated using logistic regression modelling. RESULTS: Variables significantly associated with detecting a source of GI bleeding at endoscopy included increase in urea (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01-1.09), male gender (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.08-3.77), presence of melena (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.06-5.33), and hematemesis (OR 3.88, 95% CI 1.70-8.83), when adjusted for other covariates. The odds of identifying UGIB at endoscopy in patients with urea ≥10 mmol/L was 3.73 (95% CI 1.90-7.31) times higher than for patients with urea <10 mmol/L. CONCLUSION: Urea level is an independent predictor of positive endoscopic findings in presumed UGIB, and urea ≥10 mmol/L may be a useful threshold to help guide clinicians towards clinically significant bleeding that could warrant early endoscopic evaluation.

Undergarment needs after breast cancer surgery: a key survivorship consideration.

An important aspect of breast cancer survivorship is finding comfortable undergarments that work for women's post-treatment bodies. Patients who undergo mastectomy, including both those who do and do not receive reconstruction, need bras that can accommodate new breast shape, size, and feel, as well as scarring and skin sensitivity. Our research with breast cancer patients and the literature reveal that ready-to-wear bras are inadequate for the variety of patients' needs, and many women lack support and guidance to make decisions about undergarments after cancer. This commentary describes a major quality-of-life challenge for breast cancer survivors and makes recommendations for future research. Healthcare providers need more guidance and resources to be able to help their patients prepare for this aspect of survivorship. New technologies, such as biomechanical modeling, 3D body scanning, and manufacturing techniques, should be pursued in collaboration with patients, healthcare providers, and clothing designers to ease this burden for breast cancer patients.

Self-directed learning: assessment of students' abilities and their perspective.

The introduction of Competency-Based Medical Education Curriculum in India has endorsed many new concepts, like foundation course, self-directed learning (SDL), early clinical exposure, etc. Emphasis is being given to active teaching-learning approaches. One such approach is SDL. SDL is an active learning approach in which the students are responsible for their own learning outcome, with teacher acting as a facilitator of learning. A medical graduate, being a lifelong learner, should inculcate the habit of SDL. In the present study, the SDL abilities of first year Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery students were assessed using a questionnaire. Based on their experience, students were also asked about the prerequisites of SDL, how it can be promoted, and their expectations from the teachers. Students scored high in most of the SDL skills. However, they felt they need improvement in time management. Furthermore, the students are required to develop their interpersonal communication skills, and they also find it difficult to express messages effectively in oral presentations. Most of the students felt they need help in finding the correct learning resources. According to them, the students should be focused, motivated and stress-free, have time management skills, and be able to search learning resources for successful implementation of SDL. They felt that events that encourage active participation by students, if organized at regular intervals, could promote SDL. Some felt that evaluation of SDL would motivate them to take it seriously. According to the students, teacher should act as a facilitator, a mentor, as well as an evaluator.

Reference letters for subspecialty medicine residency positions: are they valuable for decision-making? Results from a Canadian study.

BACKGROUND: The letter of recommendation is currently an integral part of applicant selection for residency programs. Internal medicine residents will spend much time and expense completing sub-specialty away electives to obtain a letter of recommendation. The purpose of this study was 1) to examine a large sample of reference letters in order to define essential components of a high-quality letter, and 2) to elucidate the relationship between quality of reference letter and the letter writer. METHODS: We conducted a two-phase study. In phase one, a large sample of letters of recommendation was examined using an audit tool as a coding framework. A 5-point composite endpoint of high-quality letter components was subsequently developed. In phase two, program director letters were compared to non-program director home institution and non-home institution elective letters based on inclusion of components of the 5-point composite endpoint using Chi square testing. RESULTS: 715 letters were examined (398 non-program director home institution letters, 201 program director letters, and 116 non-home institution elective letters). High-quality letter components were: nature of relationship, duration of relationship, In Training Evaluation Report information, research involvement and comments on areas for improvement. Program director letters had a significantly higher proportion (10.4%) of all 5 high-quality components, compared to 0% in both non-program director home institution letters and elective letters (p < 0.001). A significantly higher proportion of program director letters had 4-5 high-quality components (62.5%) compared to 2% of non-program director home institution letters and 0% of elective letters (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Letters of recommendation from elective rotations are of the poorest quality and such rotations should not be pursued for the sole purpose of obtaining a letter. The low quality of elective letters leads to the recommendation that writers should decline to write them, programs should not require them and trainees should not request them. Program directors write the highest quality letters and should be a resource for faculty development. Clinical supervisors can use the 5-point composite endpoint as a guide when writing letters for applicants.

Thiamine deficiency in the outpatient psychiatric oncology setting: A case series.

OBJECTIVE: B vitamins are essential for the functioning of the nervous system. Vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency is associated with neuropsychiatric syndromes such as Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE), which, if untreated, has an estimated mortality of 17-20%. Although the prevalence of thiamine deficiency in the general population is difficult to estimate, it is being increasingly recognized in oncology, especially in the inpatient setting. We describe three cases of thiamine deficiency (TD) in the outpatient psychiatric oncology setting. METHOD: Retrospective chart review of three adult patients, who were seen in the psychiatric oncology clinic and found to have TD on laboratory testing, was done. Patient, disease, and thiamine treatment-related information were obtained, and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The average age was 59 years, mean body mass index (BMI) was 22.00 ± 4.58 (mean ± SD), and mean thiamine level was 59.10 ± 7.69 that ranged from 45 to 68 nmol/L (normal thiamine level reference: 70-180 nmol/L). None of the patients had brain imaging nor cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Risk factors such as unbalanced nutrition, prior GI surgery, renal disease, and chemotherapy were noted. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: TD can have a multifactorial etiology in oncology. Identification of TD in both inpatient and outpatient setting is important. Our report highlights how early identification of TD in the outpatient setting can help prevent further clinical progression.

Photoexcited triclosan induced DNA damage and oxidative stress via p38 MAP kinase signaling involving type I radicals under sunlight/UVB exposure.

Triclosan (TCS) is an antimicrobial preservative used in personal care products. Here, we have studied the phototoxicity, photogenotoxicity of TCS and its molecular mechanism involving p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway under UVB/sunlight exposure. We found that TCS showed photodegradation and photoproducts formation under UVB/sunlight. In silico study suggests that photosensitized TCS loses its preservative property due to the formation of its photoproducts. Photosensitized TCS induces significant O2•-, •OH generation and lipid peroxidation via type-I photochemical reaction mechanism under UVB/sunlight exposure. We performed intracellular study of TCS on human skin keratinocytes (HaCaT cell-line) under the ambient intensity of UVB (0.6 mW/cm2) and sunlight exposure. Significant intracellular ROS generation was observed through DCFH2-DA/DHE assays along with a significant reduction in cell viability through MTT and NRU assays in photosensitized TCS. Photosensitized TCS also induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress as shown through ER-tracker/DAPI staining and Ca2+ release. It further induced cell cycle arrest through the sub-G1 phase augmentation and caused lysosomal/mitochondrial destabilization. Photogenotoxicity was shown through significant tail DNA, micronuclei and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) formations. Cell signaling mechanism implicated upregulated expression of cleaved Caspase-3, Bax, phospho-p38, phospho-JNK and cytochrome C, thereby downregulated Bcl-2 expressions. Results advocate that TCS induces phototoxic effects via type I mediated photodynamic mechanism and activation of MAPK pathway. We conclude that photoexcited TCS may be deleterious to human health at the ambient environmental intensities of sunlight reaching at the earth's surface. Therefore, it may be replaced by alternative safe preservative.

Sunscreen-induced expression and identification of photosensitive marker proteins in human keratinocytes under UV radiation.

Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the main factor of photocarcinogenesis, photoaging, and photosensitivity; thus protection from biological damaging UV radiation is a concern. Sunscreens containing UV filters are the most preferred means of photoprotection but the safety and efficacy of UV filters are in question. Benzophenone (BP) and its derivatives, namely, benzophenone 1 (BP1), is commonly used in sunscreens as a UV blocker. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of BP and BP1 on the differential expression of proteins in human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) under exposure to ultraviolet A radiation. Photosensitive proteins were screened from HaCaT cells by two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis, and identification of these differentially expressed proteins was performed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF)/TOF mass spectrometry. Protein identification was performed using the search program MASCOT and a database made of SUMO and GhJMJ12 amino acid sequences. Our results showed that the proteins involved directly or indirectly in apoptosis are 70 kDa heat shock protein, long-chain specific acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, serine/threonine-protein kinase, and FAM78A protein, which were upregulated in comparison to control HaCaT cells. The expressions of binding immunoglobulin protein, podocalyxin-like protein, actin, cytoplasmic, and calreticulin precursors were downregulated. The altered protein expression indicated that cell growth arrest and apoptosis were potential mechanisms of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of BPs. The results of 2-D gel electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry showed expression of novel proteins involved in promoting or initiating apoptotic pathways. Hence, we conclude that BPs should be avoided as a UV blocker from sunscreens because of its potential to promote apoptotic proteins in human skin keratinocytes.

Depressive, anxiety, and distress symptoms among cancer patients who endorse appearance problems.

OBJECTIVE: Body image is a vital and complex issue in cancer patients, but not well recognized. In the ambulatory psychiatric-oncology clinic, we assessed what portion of cancer patients endorsed appearance problems and if they differed in terms of depression, anxiety, or distress scores when compared with those who did not endorse appearance problems. METHOD: All adult patients with active cancer diagnosis seen in the outpatient psychiatry oncology clinic (June 2014-January 2016) who provided informed consent were included (N = 1,939) in the cross-sectional study design. "Appearance problems" were assessed as a categorical, binomial variable (yes/no) using the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer checklist. Other assessments included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Patient Health Questionnaire-2, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Distress Thermometer, and Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale.ResultThe overall prevalence rate of individuals who endorsed appearance problems was approximately 36%; they were more likely to be younger, female, Black or Hispanic, and not in a committed relationship (all results for demographic variables were statistically significant; all p < .001). Importantly, those patients who endorsed appearance problems exhibited higher scores for depression (p < .0001), anxiety (p < .0001), and distress (p < .0001), and these differences were of medium effect size (Cohen's d = 0.5-0.6).Significance of resultsThe current results underscore the need to identify patients with body image problems early given that they are likely to exhibit higher magnitude of anxiety, depression and distress symptoms while undergoing cancer care. The results highlight the importance of body image issues and the need to evaluate them in cancer patients.

Combined effect of Benzophenone-2 and ultraviolet radiation promote photogenotoxicity and photocytotoxicity in human keratinocytes.

Benzophenone-2 (BP2), a common ingredient of sunscreens formulation is widely used as UV filter. We have assessed the photogenotoxic and photocytotoxic potential of BP2. Photostability test showed that BP2 is unstable under UV exposure. Cell proliferation assay revealed that viability of HaCaT cells significantly reduced under UVA, UVB and sunlight exposure. DCF fluorescence intensity proved intracellular ROS generation capacity of BP2 under sunlight, UVA and UVB irradiation. Photodynamic degradation of guanine base of DNA is promoted by BP2 under UV treatment. Genotoxicity assessed by comet assay, showed that photosensitized BP2 enhanced DNA damage, which is measured in term of % tail DNA and olive tail moment. Genotoxic potential of BP2 was further validated with photomicronuclei assay. Photogenotoxicity of BP2 was lastly confirmed by formation of CPDs (Cyclo butane pyrimidine dimmers). DNA damage induced by BP2 was irreversible and extended incubation periods (6-12 h) not favored the recovery from damaged DNA. JC 1 staining showed significant reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential. Membrane integrity compromisation of HaCaT cells was established by AO (Acridine orange), EtBr (Ethidium bromide) staining and confirmed with sub G1 population of cell cycle. Thus, results suggest that BP2 should be avoided in topical application for safe sunscreen practices.

Entropy Churn Metrics for Fault Prediction in Software Systems.

Fault prediction is an important research area that aids software development and the maintenance process. It is a field that has been continuously improving its approaches in order to reduce the fault resolution time and effort. With an aim to contribute towards building new approaches for fault prediction, this paper proposes Entropy Churn Metrics (ECM) based on History Complexity Metrics (HCM) and Churn of Source Code Metrics (CHU). The study also compares performance of ECM with that of HCM. The performance of both these metrics is compared for 14 subsystems of 5different software projects: Android, Eclipse, Apache Http Server, Eclipse C/C++ Development Tooling (CDT), and Mozilla Firefox. The study also analyses the software subsystems on three parameters: (i) distribution of faults, (ii) subsystem size, and (iii) programming language, to determine which characteristics of software systems make HCM or ECM more preferred over others.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of an Emerging Multidrug Resistant Nosocomial Pathogen: Acinetobacter baumannii.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) bacterium, a nosocomial pathogen associated with a high mortality rate and limited therapeutic options have emerged as a serious problem throughout the world. The present study aimed to assess the current levels of antibiotic susceptibility among the isolates of Acinetobacter species. The sensitivity patterns were analysed from various clinical specimens obtained from both in-patients and outpatients of a teaching hospital. Isolation was performed on 5% sheep blood agar and MacConkey agar. Urine samples were inoculated into CLED agar. Antibiotic susceptibility was performed by the disc diffusion method. A total of 16,452 samples were collected. The total number of samples positive for Acinetobacter species was 67 (0.4%). The highest number of isolates 26 (38.8%) were obtained from urine. Majority 80.3% of the isolates exhibited resistance to three or more classes of antibiotics. All isolates were susceptible to colistin (100%). The susceptibility rate of A. baumannii isolates was 80% for tigecycline and 53.3% for carbapenem. Combination therapies including colistin and tigecycline seem to be the rational treatment for MDR A. baumannii until new alternatives come forward.

Photosensitized 2-amino-3-hydroxypyridine-induced mitochondrial apoptosis via Smac/DIABLO in human skin cells.

The popularity of hair dyes use has been increasing regularly throughout the world as per the demand of hair coloring fashion trends and other cosmetic products. 2-Amino-3-hydroxypyridine (A132) is widely used as a hair dye ingredient around the world. We are reporting first time the phototoxicity mechanism of A132 under ambient environmental UV-B radiation. It showed maximum absorption in UV-B region (317 nm) and forms a photoproduct within an hour exposure of UV-B irradiation. Photocytotoxicity of A132 in human keratinocytes (HaCaT) was measured by mitochondrial (MTT), lysosomal (NRU) and LDH assays which illustrated the significant reduction in cell viability. The role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation for A132 phototoxicity was established photo- chemically as well as intracellularly. Noteworthy, formation of tail DNA (comet assay), micronuclei and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) (immunocytochemistry) formation confirmed the photogenotoxic potential of dye. Cell cycle study (sub-G1peak) and staining with EB/AO revealed the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Further, mitochondrial mediated apoptosis was corroborated by reduced MMP, release of cytochrome c and upregulation of caspase-3. Release of mitochondrial Smac/DIABLO in cytoplasm demonstrated the caspase dependent apoptotic cell death by photolabile A132 dye. In-addition increased Bax/Bcl2 ratio again proved the apoptosis. Thus, study suggests that A132 induces photogenotoxicity, phototoxicity and apoptotic cell death through the involvement of Smac/DIABLO in mitochondrial apoptosis via caspase dependent manner. Therefore, the long term use of A132 dye and sunlight exposure jointly increased the oxidative stress in skin which causes premature hair loss, damage to progenitor cells of hair follicles.