Effect of D-Limonene Nanoemulsion Edible Film on Banana (Musa sapientum Linn.) Post-Harvest Preservation.

D-limonene (4-isopropenyl-1-methylcyclohexene) is an important compound in several citrus essential oils (such as orange, lemon, tangerine, lime, and grapefruit). It has been used as a flavoring agent and as a food preservative agent, with generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status. D-limonene has been well-studied for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and antibacterial properties. The antibacterial activity of D-limonene against food-borne pathogens was investigated in this study by preparing a D-limonene nanoemulsion. The D-limonene solution and nanoemulsion have been prepared in six concentrations, 0.04%, 0.08%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.8% (v/v), respectively, and the antibacterial activity was tested against four food-borne pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica, and Escherichia coli). The results showed that the D-limonene nanoemulsion had good nanoscale and overall particle size uniformity, and its particle size was about 3~5 nm. It has been found that the D-limonene solution and nanoemulsion have a minimal inhibitory concentration of 0.336 mg/mL, and that they could inhibit the growth of microorganisms efficiently. The data indicate that the D-limonene nanoemulsion has more antibacterial ability against microorganisms than the D-limonene essential oil. After bananas are treated with 1.0% and 1.5% D-limonene nanoemulsion coatings, the water loss of the bananas during storage and the percentage of weight loss are reduced, which can inhibit the activity of pectinase. The application of a biocoating provides a good degree of antibacterial activity and air and moisture barrier properties, which help with extending the shelf life of bananas.

SLC35E1 promotes keratinocyte proliferation in psoriasis by regulating zinc homeostasis.

Keratinocyte hyperproliferation is a key pathogenic factor in psoriasis. However, the mechanisms that regulate keratinocyte hyperproliferation in this condition remain unclear. Here, we found that SLC35E1 was highly expressed in keratinocytes of patients with psoriasis and that Slc35e1-/- mice displayed a less severe imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like phenotype than their wild-type siblings. In addition, SLC35E1 deficiency inhibited keratinocyte proliferation in both mice and cultured cells. On a molecular level, SLC35E1 was found to regulate zinc ion concentrations and subcellular localization, while zinc ion chelation reversed the IMQ-induced psoriatic phenotype in Slc35e1-/- mice. Meanwhile, epidermal zinc ion levels were decreased in patients with psoriasis and zinc ion supplementation alleviated the psoriatic phenotype in an IMQ-induced mouse model of psoriasis. Our results indicated that SLC35E1 can promote keratinocyte proliferation by regulating zinc ion homeostasis and zinc ion supplementation has potential as a therapy for psoriasis.

Both Prevalence and Severity of Pruritus are Associated with Age in Chinese Patients with Skin Diseases.

BACKGROUND: Although the characteristics of pruritus in some skin diseases are documented, characteristics of pruritus related to gender-, age-, and skin disorder have not yet been well defined. OBJECTIVE: To characterize dermatosis-associated pruritus in Chinese patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a single center. The intensity of pruritus was evaluated using a 0-10 visual analog scale (VAS). Skin disorders were diagnosed by dermatologists. The prevalence and intensity of pruritus were compared among skin disorders, and between males and females. RESULTS: Valid questionnaires were obtained from 1,246 female and 864 male patients. Patients with acne, eczematous dermatitis, and urticaria accounted for 18%, 17%, and 14%, respectively. Both the prevalence and severity of pruritus varied greatly with skin disorders (p<0.0001). Patients with either urticaria or eczematous dermatitis displayed a higher prevalence of pruritus (92% and 82%, respectively), while subjects with urticaria exhibited the highest VAS in comparison to those with other skin disorders (p<0.05 to p<0.001 vs the others). Moreover, both the prevalence and severity of pruritus were positively associated with age in both males and females (p<0.0001). Furthermore, 60 out of 77 patients (78%) with topical glucocorticoid-induced dermatitis experienced pruritus, with a VAS of 2.03±0.21. Finally, a lower VAS was found in subjects with oily skin than those with either dry or normal skin. CONCLUSION: The prevalence and severity of pruritus vary with skin disorders, skin type, age, and gender in Chinese patients.

Prevalence and Severity of Dermatological Condition-Associated Skin Pain in the Chinese.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Although the characteristics of cutaneous sensory symptoms in the general population have been documented, dermatological condition-associated skin pain has not been characterized yet. In the present study, we aimed to characterize dermatological condition-associated skin pain in the Chinese. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was given to outpatients to identify self-proclaimed skin pain at our dermatology clinic. The severity of skin pain was assessed using pain scale 0-10. Prevalence and pain severity were compared between males and females. RESULTS: A total of 2144 patients, including 1254 females and 890 males aged 13-94 years, were included in this study. The overall prevalence of skin pain was 9.93% in this cohort. The prevalence of skin pain varied greatly with dermatological conditions (p<0.0001). Moreover, a higher prevalence of skin pain was observed in males than in females (p<0.05). Among the dermatological conditions reported, higher skin pain scales were found in subjects with either glucocorticoid-induced dermatitis (4.20 ± 0.73) or herpes zoster (4.00 ± 0.29). While the overall pain scales were comparable between males and females (2.38 ± 0.13 versus 2.68 ± 0.13), pain scales in patients with eczematous dermatitis were higher in females than in males (p<0.05). Furthermore, pain scales correlated positively with age. However, pain scales did not differ between subjects with versus without a family history of cutaneous sensory symptoms. These results demonstrate that the prevalence and severity of dermatological condition-associated skin pain vary with dermatological conditions and gender in the Chinese. CONCLUSION: Patients with some dermatological conditions may experience skin pain. Although the pain is moderate, it can negatively impact the quality of patients' lives. Alleviation of skin pain should be considered when treating patients with certain dermatological conditions.

Gender-related characterization of sensitive skin in normal young Chinese.

BACKGROUND: While clinical signs, symptoms, as well as etiology of sensitive skin in general populations have been extensively studied over the last decades, characteristics of sensitive skin in normal subjects, particularly gender-related characteristics, still remain unknown. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we characterize facial sensitive skin in normal young Chinese. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was given to each participant aged 10-30 years. Clinical signs, symptoms, and associated trigger factors of facial sensitive skin were compared in normal young Chinese males versus females. RESULTS: After excluding subjects with pre-existing skin disorders, 475 females and 429 males out of 954 responders were included in the analyzes. Prevalence of self-reported facial sensitive skin was significantly higher in females than in males. Yet, while more females experienced various symptoms, symptoms were more severe in males than in females. However, both the prevalence and severity of clinical signs were similar in females and males. Skin care products appeared to be the major contributors to facial sensitive skin in both genders. Moreover, it appeared that females were more sensitive to environmental factors such as low humidity and sun-exposure while males were more sensitive to emotional factors. Taken together, these results demonstrate that characteristics of sensitive skin are associated with gender, while the underlying mechanisms remain to be explored. CONCLUSIONS: There are gender differences in prevalence, symptoms, and trigger factors of facial sensitive skin in normal young Chinese.