Advancements in microfluidics for skin cosmetic screening.

With the global penetration of skin care awareness and upgrading of personal care awareness, the use rate of cosmetics and personal skin care products has been increasing worldwide. It is particularly important to monitor the quality and safety of skin cosmetics. In accordance with the requirements of the 7th Amendment of the European Cosmetics Directive 1223/2009, in vitro test methods have been developed to replace animal experiments, such as the 2D test, 3D test, microfluidic skin chip test, etc. The microfluidic skin chip overcomes the shortcomings of the 2D test and the 3D test that lack the complexity of human skin through fine control of the human skin microenvironment and induction of relevant mechanical stimulation. High similarity to real human skin through simulation of the vascular system and immune response. Therefore, the microfluidic skin chip is considered as a valuable and effective tool for the in vitro screening of cosmetics. In this paper, we reviewed the detection methods and technologies of common chemical substances, toxic elements, active substances and adverse reactions in vitro in quality monitoring of cosmetics. The most advantageous microfluidic skin chip technology is also introduced. The material and technology progress of skin chips used in cosmetic screening is reviewed and discussed. Then the application of microfluidic design in cosmetic screening in vitro is summarized.

Irritant contact dermatitis, multiple pyogenic granulomas and vitiligo following topical application of tretinoin.

A 65-year-old women presented with sharply demarcated macules and small nodules on her face and neck for 2.5 years. They first appeared on her left face and gradually spread to her whole face and neck. The lesions were slightly pruritic. Her history was remarkable only for a high dose of topical tretinoin cream 0.025% dosage. On the basis of distribution and history, we made the diagnosis of contact dermatitis for the macules. A biopsy of a red papule from her neck revealed characteristics of pyogenic granuloma. However, white patches appear on his face at the third month follow-up after suspension of the tretinoin cream; Wood's lamp examination was consistent with vitiligo. It is the first report of a dose-response variant of this adverse reaction (Contact dermatitis combined with Pyogenic granulomas).

Histamine H2-receptor antagonists for urticaria.

BACKGROUND: Urticaria is a common skin disease characterised by itching weals or hives, which can occur almost anywhere on the body. There are a number of different subtypes and a range of available treatment options. There is lack of agreement on the efficacy of H2-receptor antagonists used in the treatment of urticaria. OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety and effectiveness of H2-receptor antagonists in the treatment of urticaria. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the following databases up to 7 October 2011: the Cochrane Skin Group Specialised Register, CENTRAL in The Cochrane Library (2011, Issue 4), MEDLINE (from 2005), EMBASE (from 2007), and LILACS (from 1982). We also searched online trials registries for ongoing trials. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials of H2-receptor antagonists in people with a clinical diagnosis of urticaria of any duration or of any subtype. Studies including H1-antihistamines for chronic urticaria are the topic of a separate Cochrane review; thus, they were not included in this review. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently assessed trial quality and extracted and analysed data. MAIN RESULTS: Four studies of a relatively small size, involving 144 participants, were included in this review. A combination of ranitidine with diphenhydramine was more effective at improving the resolution of urticaria than diphenhydramine administered alone (risk ratio (RR) 1.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07 to 2.36). Although there was a similar improvement in itching, weal size, and intensity, cimetidine provided no statistically significant greater overall improvement in symptoms of urticaria when compared to diphenhydramine. However, a combination of these medications was more effective than diphenhydramine alone (RR 2.02, 95% CI 1.03 to 3.94). Adverse events were reported with several of the interventions, i.e. ranitidine and diphenhydramine, causing drowsiness and sedation, but there was no significant difference in the level of sedation from baseline with either famotidine or diphenhydramine. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The very limited evidence provided by this review was based on a few old studies of a relatively small size, which we categorised as having high to unclear risk of bias. Thus, at present, the review does not allow confident decision-making about the use of H2-receptor antagonists for urticaria. Although some of these studies have reported a measure of relief of symptoms of urticaria and rather minimal clinical improvement in some of the participants, the evidence was weak and unreliable. We have emphasised the lack of precision and limitations in the reported data where appropriate in this review.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for people with ß-thalassaemia major.

BACKGROUND: Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder, caused by mutations in regulatory genes and transmitted as an autosomal recessive disorder, which results in a reduced rate of synthesis of one of the globin chains that make up haemoglobin. In ß-thalassaemia major there is an underproduction of ß-globin chains combined with excess of free α-globin chains. The excess free α-globin chains damage the red blood cell membranes, leading to their destruction and a phenomenon termed ineffective erythropoiesis. The conventional approach to treatment is based on the correction of haemoglobin status through regular blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy for iron overload. Although conventional treatment has the capacity to improve the quality of life of people with ß-thalassaemia major, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the only currently available procedure which has the potential to definitively cure the disease. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of different types of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, in people with severe transfusion-dependant ß-thalassaemia major, ß-thalassaemia intermedia or ß0/+- thalassaemia variants requiring chronic blood transfusion. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Haemoglobinopathies Trials Register comprising references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches and handsearches of relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings.Date of the most recent search: 27 May 2011. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials and quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with each other or with standard therapy (regular transfusion and chelation regimen). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently screened studies and had planned to extract data and assess risk of bias using standard Cochrane Collaboration methodologies but no studies were identified for inclusion. MAIN RESULTS: No relevant studies were retrieved after a comprehensive search of the literature. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We were unable to identify any randomised controlled trials or quasi-randomised controlled trials on the effectiveness and safety of different types of allogeneic stem cell transplantation in people with severe transfusion-dependant ß-thalassaemia major or ß0/+- thalassaemia variants requiring chronic blood transfusion. The absence of high-level evidence for the effectiveness of these interventions emphasises the need for well-designed, adequately-powered, randomised controlled clinical trials.

A novel promising therapy for skin aging: dermal multipotent stem cells against photoaged skin by activation of TGF-ß/Smad and p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Skin photoaging, the most common skin damage, is caused by chronic UV irradiation. It is involved in the reduction, aging and apoptosis of fibroblasts (FBs) as well as the blockage of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß)/Smad and p38 mitogen-actived protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. Dermal multipotent stem cells (dMSCs) are a population of adult stem cells derived from dermis in recent years. It has been confirmed that dMSCs can activate or differentiate into FBs to participate in wound healing by producing and expressing TGF-ß and other cytokines. Considering the mechanism of skin photoaging and the role of dMSCs, we hold a hypothesis that dMSCs may be applied in skin photoaging by activating TGF-ß/Smad and p38 MAPK signaling pathways, and then stimulating FBs to secrete and synthesize collagen or elastin, heightening the extracellular matrix, finally eliminating wrinkles and strengthening skin elasticity. These would provide a novel approach for anti-skin photoaging.