Advancements in acne detection: application of the CenterNet network in smart dermatology.

Introduction: Acne detection is critical in dermatology, focusing on quality control of acne imagery, precise segmentation, and grading. Traditional research has been limited, typically concentrating on singular aspects of acne detection. Methods: We propose a multi-task acne detection method, employing a CenterNet-based training paradigm to develop an advanced detection system. This system collects acne images via smartphones and features multi-task capabilities for detecting image quality and identifying various acne types. It differentiates between noninflammatory acne, papules, pustules, nodules, and provides detailed delineation for cysts and post-acne scars. Results: The implementation of this multi-task learning-based framework in clinical diagnostics demonstrated an 83% accuracy in lesion categorization, surpassing ResNet18 models by 12%. Furthermore, it achieved a 76% precision in lesion stratification, outperforming dermatologists by 16%. Discussion: Our framework represents a advancement in acne detection, offering a comprehensive tool for classification, localization, counting, and precise segmentation. It not only enhances the accuracy of remote acne lesion identification by doctors but also clarifies grading logic and criteria, facilitating easier grading judgments.

Deep skin diseases diagnostic system with Dual-channel Image and Extracted Text.

Background: Due to the lower reliability of laboratory tests, skin diseases are more suitable for diagnosis with AI models. There are limited AI dermatology diagnostic models combining images and text; few of these are for Asian populations, and few cover the most common types of diseases. Methods: Leveraging a dataset sourced from Asia comprising over 200,000 images and 220,000 medical records, we explored a deep learning-based system for Dual-channel images and extracted text for the diagnosis of skin diseases model DIET-AI to diagnose 31 skin diseases, which covers the majority of common skin diseases. From 1 September to 1 December 2021, we prospectively collected images from 6,043 cases and medical records from 15 hospitals in seven provinces in China. Then the performance of DIET-AI was compared with that of six doctors of different seniorities in the clinical dataset. Results: The average performance of DIET-AI in 31 diseases was not less than that of all the doctors of different seniorities. By comparing the area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity, we demonstrate that the DIET-AI model is effective in clinical scenarios. In addition, medical records affect the performance of DIET-AI and physicians to varying degrees. Conclusion: This is the largest dermatological dataset for the Chinese demographic. For the first time, we built a Dual-channel image classification model on a non-cancer dermatitis dataset with both images and medical records and achieved comparable diagnostic performance to senior doctors about common skin diseases. It provides references for exploring the feasibility and performance evaluation of DIET-AI in clinical use afterward.

Adjusting zinc deposition behaviors by a modified separator to acquire zinc anodes for aqueous rechargeable zinc-ion batteries.

Aqueous rechargeable zinc ion batteries (ARZIBs) are ideal for massive and longstanding energy storage applications because of their excellent security and low operation cost. Nevertheless, ARZIBs are subject to the severe corrosion reaction of zinc metal anodes that is derived from the thermodynamic unsteadiness of the zinc anodes in aqueous solution, as well as zinc dendrite growth originating from uncontrolled zinc deposition. Herein, we created a separator by coating a thin piece of polypropylene (PP) with a compound consisting of zinc trifluoromethanesulfonate [Zn(OTf)2] and poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP). Consequently, the severe corrosion reaction of the zinc metal anodes and the profuse formation of zinc dendrites were effectively mitigated by the novel PP separator, which prolonged the lifetime of the zinc metal anodes. When a zinc metal plating layer was used with preferential (002) crystallographic orientation, the cyclic performance over 1100 h of the symmetrical Zn∥Zn battery based on the novel separator was steady. Additionally, the Zn∥MnO2 batteries exhibited an impressive specific capacity and competitive long durability of 75.5% over 500 cycles at a current density of 0.1 A g-1. With this work, we intend to set the standard for designing novel separators in the construction of advanced zinc anodes for high-performance ARZIBs.

The abscopal effect of anti-CD95 and radiotherapy in melanoma.

BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy (RT) is frequently adopted to control cancer cell proliferation, which is achieved by altering the tumor microenvironment (TME) and immunogenicity. Apoptosis of cancer cells is the major effect of radiation on tumor tissues. Fas/APO-1(CD95) receptors on the cell membrane are death receptors that can be activated by diverse factors, including radiation and integration with CD95L on CD8+ T cells. The abscopal effect is defined as tumor regression out of the local RT field, and it is produced through anti-tumor immunity. The immune response against the radiated tumor is characterized by the cross-presentation between antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which includes cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) and dendritic cells (DCs). METHODS: The effect of activation and radiation of CD95 receptors on melanoma cell lines was examined in vivo and in vitro. In vivo, bilateral lower limbs were given a subcutaneous injection of a dual-tumor. Tumors in the right limb were radiated with a single dose of 10 Gy (primary tumor), while tumors in the left limb (secondary tumor) were spared. RESULTS: The anti-CD95 treatment plus radiation (combination treatment) reduced growth rates of both primary and secondary tumors relative to the control or radiation groups. In addition, higher degrees of infiltrating CTLs and DCs were detected in the combination treatment compared to the other groups, but the immune response responsible for secondary tumor rejection was not proven to be tumor specific. In vitro, combination treatment combined with radiation resulted in further apoptosis of melanoma cells relative to controls or cells treated with radiation. CONCLUSIONS: Targeting CD95 on cancer cells will induce tumor control and the abscopal effect.

Severe cutaneous adverse reactions to drugs: A real-world pharmacovigilance study using the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database.

Background: Sound drug safety information is important to optimize patient management, but the widely recognized comprehensive landscape of culprit-drugs that cause severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs) is currently lacking. Objective: The main aim of the study is to provide a comprehensive landscape of culprit-drugs for SCARs to guide clinical practice. Methods: We analyzed reports associated with SCARs in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2021 and compiled a list of drugs with potentially serious skin toxicity. According to this list, we summarized the reporting proportions of different drugs and drug classes and conducted disproportionality analysis for all the drugs. In addition, the risk characteristic of SCARs due to different drugs and drug classes was summarized by the positive-negative distribution based on the results of the disproportionality analysis. Results: A total of 77,789 reports in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database were considered SCAR-related, of which lamotrigine (6.2%) was the most reported single drug followed by acetaminophen (5.8%) and allopurinol (5.8%) and antibacterials (20.6%) was the most reported drug class followed by antiepileptics (16.7%) and antineoplastics (11.3%). A total of 1,219 drugs were reported as culprit-drugs causing SCARs in those reports, and the largest number of drugs belonged to antineoplastics. In disproportionality analysis, 776 drugs showed at least one positive pharmacovigilance signal. Drugs with the most positive signals were lamotrigine, acetaminophen, furosemide, and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim. Conclusion: Our study provided a real-world overview of SCARs to drugs, and the investigation of SCAR positive-negative distribution across different drugs revealed its risk characteristics, which may help optimize patient management.

Synthesis of bimetallic nickel cobalt selenide particles for high-performance hybrid supercapacitors.

Supercapacitors are known as promising excellent electrochemical energy storage devices because of their attractive features, including quick charge and discharge, high power density, low cost and high security. In this work, a series of litchi-like Ni-Co selenide particles were synthesized via a simple solvothermal method, and the Ni-Co compositions were carefully optimized to tune the charge storage performance, charge storage kinetics, and conductivity for battery-like supercapacitors. Interestingly, the optimal sample Ni0.95Co2.05Se4 exhibits a high capacity of 1038.75 F g-1 at 1 A g-1 and superior rate performance (retains 97.8% of the original capacity at 4 A g-1). Moreover, an asymmetric supercapacitor device was assembled based on the Ni0.95Co2.05Se4 cathode and activated carbon anode. The device of Ni0.95Co2.05Se4//active carbon (AC) reveals a peak energy density of 37.22 W h kg-1, and the corresponding peak power density reaches 800.90 W kg-1. This work provides a facile and effective way to synthesize transition metal selenides as high-performance supercapacitor electrode materials.

Contact sensitization to cosmetic series of allergens in female patients with rosacea: A prospective controlled study in China.

BACKGROUND: Allergic contact dermatitis to cosmetics (ACDC) complicates the diagnosis and treatment of rosacea, and is increasingly observed in daily practice. AIMS: The present study aimed to identify the contact allergens responsible for ACDC in Chinese female rosacea patients with or without suspected ACDC (SACDC). METHODS: From a total of 1267 women with rosacea, 122 with SACDC, 145 without SACDC, and 100 age-matched healthy controls without rosacea or SACDC were examined on a voluntary basis. Skin patch tests with C-1000 cosmetic series (Chemotechnique Diagnostics, Malmo, Sweden) were conducted, including 20 selected allergens. RESULTS: Positive allergic reaction was found in 85.2% and 33.8% of SACDC and non-SACDC (P < .001), respectively, and 27.0% of healthy volunteers. Most reactions occurred at day 3, and the majority of all the examinees including normal controls reacted to more than 1 allergen. In SACDC patients, leading allergens were methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (28.7%), linalool hydroperoxide (27.1%), fragrance mix I (21.3%), methylisothiazolinone (17.2%), limonene hydroperoxides (16.4%), formaldehyde (14.8%), myroxylon pereirae (13.9%), and propolis (10.7%); the overall allergic reaction rate positively correlated with new onset of facial pruritus (P < .001). The occurrence of irritant contact reactions correlated with positive allergic reactions in rosacea patients with or without SACDC (P = .032 or P < .001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Preservatives and fragrances are primary culprits for ACDC in Chinese female rosacea patients. Patch testing should be considered in the suspected patients.

NEAT1/miR-23a-3p/KLF3: a novel regulatory axis in melanoma cancer progression.

BACKGROUND: Melanoma is an extremely aggressive malignant skin tumor with high mortality. Many types of long noncoding RNAs and microRNAs have been reported to be associated with the oncogenesis of melanoma. However, a novel lncRNA-NEAT has not been thoroughly investigated in melanoma cancer. The purposes of this study were to investigate the underlying molecular mechanism in a novel couple of lnc-NEAT1 and miR-23a-3p, as well as the function role of KLF3 in the regulation of melanoma cancer. METHODS: 28 groups of tumor tissues and normal tissues were obtained from melanoma cancer patients. We performed a series of experiments and analysis, including RT-qPCR, western blots, CCK-8 assay, and migration/invasion assay, to investigate the expressions of NEAT1, miR-23a-5p and KLF3, cell viabilities, and tumor growth in vivo. RESULTS: In this study, we observed that the expression of NEAT1 was significantly upregulated in melanoma tissues, which remarkedly promoted the cells' proliferation, cell migration, and invasion in melanoma cell lines. Besides, NEAT1 could directly bind to miR-23a-3p, which was found to reverse the effect caused by NEAT1. MiR-23a-3p was discovered to bind to 3'UTR of KLF3, which reduced KLF3 expression. In addition, the overexpression of KLF3 could lower the effects of miR-23a-3p caused on melanoma cancer cell development. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that NEAT1 could sponge miR-23a-3p and functions via the expression of KLF3. This axis of NEAT1/miR-23a-5p/KLF3 could together regulate melanoma cancer proliferation. This might provide a new therapeutic strategy for melanoma skin cancer.Trial registration HBTCM38574839, registered 12 October 2012.

Glassy carbon electrode modified with 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane and graphene oxide triggered a synergistic effect: Low-potential amperometric detection of reduced glutathione.

A sensitive electrochemical sensor based on the synergistic effect of 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) and graphene oxide (GO) for low-potential amperometric detection of reduced glutathione (GSH) in pH 7.2 phosphate buffer solution (PBS) has been reported. This is the first time that the combination of GO and TCNQ have been successfully employed to construct an electrochemical sensor for the detection of glutathione. The surface of the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified by a drop casting using TCNQ and GO. Cyclic voltammetric measurements showed that TCNQ and GO triggered a synergistic effect and exhibited an unexpected electrocatalytic activity towards GSH oxidation, compared to GCE modified with only GO, TCNQ or TCNQ/electrochemically reduced GO. Three oxidation waves for GSH were found at -0.05, 0.1 and 0.5V, respectively. Amperometric techniques were employed to detect GSH sensitively using a GCE modified with TCNQ/GO at -0.05V. The electrochemical sensor showed a wide linear range from 0.25 to 124.3µM and 124.3µM to 1.67mM with a limit of detection of 0.15µM. The electroanalytical sensor was successfully applied towards the detection of GSH in an eye drop solution.

[Investigation on the difference in HCHO metabolic mechanism between Arabidopsis and tobacco using FTIR].

In the present study, the model plants, arabidopsis and tobacco, were chosen for FTIR analysis to investigate the spectrum characters and the changes in their chemical component contents in the time course of HCHO treatment, providing clues to explain the difference in HCHO metabolic mechanism between the two plants. The FTIR data showed that all the chemical components of arabidopsis and tobacco varied under HCHO stress conditions. An interested peak near 1,376 cm(-1) which was assigned as the absorption of methyl group of cellulose was specially existed in the spectrum of arabidopsis. This peak showed a mild decrease compared with other peaks at the beginning (at 1 day) of HCHO stress. This indicated that the major part of HCHO metabolic flux was introduced towards its oxidation pathway to form HCOOH and CO2 subsequently and only small amount of HCHO entered the other pathways. The CO2 was assimilated in Calvin cycle to form sugars which might be used to synthesis of cellulose later. At 7 day of HCHO treatment, the height of the peak decreased whereas the height of the other peaks still increased. This might suggest that the gene expression of some enzymes in the HCHO oxidation pathway was inhibited under HCHO stress conditions and the inhibition might not happen to the gene expression of the enzymes in other pathways. In the case of tobacco, the contents of all chemical components showed the same variation on the FTIR spectrum in the time course of HCHO treatment, which indicated that there was no much difference in HCHO metabolism flux in each pathway. At 4 day of HCHO treatment, the decrease in the height of all peaks is the result of the poor ability of HCHO metabolism of tobacco, which also demonstrated the lower HCHO tolerance of tobacco compared with arabidopsis.