Predicting the evolution of clinical skin aging in a multi-ethnic population: Developing causal Bayesian networks using dermatological expertise.

INTRODUCTION: Software to predict the impact of aging on physical appearance is increasingly popular. But it does not consider the complex interplay of factors that contribute to skin aging. OBJECTIVES: To predict the +15-year progression of clinical signs of skin aging by developing Causal Bayesian Belief Networks (CBBNs) using expert knowledge from dermatologists. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Structures and conditional probability distributions were elicited worldwide from dermatologists with experience of at least 15 years in aesthetics. CBBN models were built for all phototypes and for ages ranging from 18 to 65 years, focusing on wrinkles, pigmentary heterogeneity and facial ptosis. Models were also evaluated by a group of independent dermatologists ensuring the quality of prediction of the cumulative effects of extrinsic and intrinsic skin aging factors, especially the distribution of scores for clinical signs 15 years after the initial assessment. RESULTS: For easiness, only models on African skins are presented in this paper. The forehead wrinkle evolution model has been detailed. Specific atlas and extrinsic factors of facial aging were used for this skin type. But the prediction method has been validated for all phototypes, and for all clinical signs of facial aging. CONCLUSION: This method proposes a skin aging model that predicts the aging process for each clinical sign, considering endogenous and exogenous factors. It simulates aging curves according to lifestyle. It can be used as a preventive tool and could be coupled with a generative AI algorithm to visualize aging and, potentially, other skin conditions, using appropriate images.

Astragaloside prevents UV-induced keratinocyte injury by regulating TLR4/NF-κB pathway.

BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a key risk factor of environment to contribute photoaging and skin cancer through production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory responses. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is an active component from Astragalus membranaceus, and shows various pharmacological effects on inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis. However, whether AS-IV shows protective effect on UVB-induced injury in epidermal keratinocytes remain unknown. AIMS: To explored the effects of AS-IV on UVB-induced oxidative injury and inflammatory response in human epidermal keratinocytes. METHODS: HaCaT keratinocytes were exposed to UVB irradiation, followed by AS-IV incubation. The cell viability, intracellular ROS level, oxidative stress, and apoptosis were determined. The regulatory effects of AS-IV on toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway in UVB-exposed HaCaT cells were also investigated. RESULTS: Astragaloside IV pretreatment (10, 25, 50, 100 and 150 µM) increased cell viability in UVB-exposed HaCaT cells. AS-IV (50 µM) significantly reduced intracellular ROS level and lipid oxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and increased a ROS-scavenging enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) in HaCaT cells with UVB irradiation. In addition, AS-IV pretreatment suppressed apoptosis, increased Bax protein, caspase-3 and 9, and decreased BCL-2 protein in contrast to HaCaT cells with UVB-irradiation. AS-IV suppressed proinflammatory cytokine production, inhibited TLR4 and its downstream signaling molecules NF-κB, iNOS and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression. We also found that the effects of AS-IV on cell viability and TLR4 expression was reversed by NAC. The protective of AS-IV on UVB-induced damage and TLR4 expression was dependent on ROS, as the increase in viability and decrease in TLR4 protein by AS-IV was significantly attenuated by ROS scavenger NAC (1 mM). CONCLUSION: Astragaloside IV prevent UVB-induced oxidative damage and inflammation by inhibiting TLR4 expression.

Salidroside Ameliorates Ultraviolet-Induced Keratinocyte Injury by Inducing SIRT1-Dependent Autophagy.

Introduction: Autophagy is an important process for maintaining intracellular homeostasis and is deregulated in ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced skin injury. Salidroside (SAL) is an active ingredient extracted from Rhodiola rosea, which is a herbal medicine that has shown protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Here, we investigated the functions and mechanisms of SAL on UVB-induced skin cell oxidative damage and autophagy. Methods: Human immortalized keratinocyte cell line HaCaT was used as a cell model of UV injury. HaCaT cells were exposed to UVB irradiation and then incubated with SAL to investigate cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LSD) in culture media, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, oxidative stress, autophagy, and regulatory effects on SIRT1 protein. Results: SAL pretreatment (25, 50 and 100 µM) increased cell viability and inhibited LDH release in UVB-challenged HaCaT cells. SAL (100 µM) significantly reduced intracellular ROS level and suppressed oxidative stress, with increased MDA content and increased SOD activity. In addition, SAL pretreatment enhanced autophagy in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells, increased protein expressions of Beclin-1 and ATG7, and decreased protein expression of P62. We also found that pretreatment with SAL increased the SIRT1 protein in irradiated HaCaT cells. SAL protected UVB-induced damage in a dependent manner on autophagy and SIRT1, as SAL-induced increase in viability was significantly attenuated by specific autophagy inhibitor Wortmannin (1 µM) or SIRT1 inhibitor EX-527 (100 nM). Discussion: The present study results speculate that SAL suppresses UVB-induced injury and autophagy by enhancing SIRT1 expression.

[Investigation on occupational hazards of ultraviolet light, sunscreen awareness and behaviors in Wuhan city traffic police].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the awareness of occupational hazards to ultraviolet (UV) and sunscreen awareness, protective measures in Wuhan City traffic police on duty outside. METHODS: The investigation included questionnaire survey in Wuhan City 367 traffic police on duty outside, talk with them face to face, fill in the questionnaires, and medical examine skin of exposed parts of body of them and 134 Wuhan City administration staffs. RESULTS: They understand UV harm to the human body and skin well (94.8% of them know that UV harm to skin), did not understand sun skin care and protective measures enough, and did not adopt enough sun skin care and protective measures (only 3.8% of them use sun skin care more than twice); but contrast to older persons, younger traffic police had better understanding of UV radiation damage on the human body and the skin, and sunscreen products and protective measures, paid more attention to sunscreen, and had less chance of sunburn (in the past 5 years, 18.3% of younger traffic police had sunburnt more than 3 times, but for older traffic police, the number is 30.3%). Traffic police had more skin problems than administration staffs in exposed parts of body (Traffic police face appears oily and large pores, facial pigmentation spots, face telangiectasia, deep wrinkles crude rates respectively were 73.7%, 40.4%, 36.5%, 10.4%, but for administration staffs, the numbers respectively were 26.1%, 15.7%, 15.7%, 1.5%). CONCLUSION: UV can induce skin problems in exposed parts of body. The traffic police should be enhanced the publicity and education on UV-related knowledge and occupational hazards, especially for older traffic police.

Effects of resveratrol on the proliferation, apoptosis and telomerase ability of human A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of resveratrol on cell apoptosis, ability of telomerase and the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) protein expression in human A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells. A431 cells were treated with different concentrations of resveratrol, and the cell appearance was then observed under a microscope. In addition, the cell proliferation was examined using an MTT assay, and the ability of telomerase was detected using telomeric repeat amplification protocol-polymerase chain reaction-ELISA. Resveratrol significantly inhibited the ability of telomerase and decreased the expression of hTERT protein in a concentration-dependent manner. In conclusion, resveratrol is capable of downregulating the expression of hTERT protein and inhibits the ability of telomerase of A431, which is an important mechanism of action of resveratrol with regard to inhibition of A431 cell proliferation.

Occupational skin diseases and prevention among sanitation workers in China.

BACKGROUND: Little research has been focused on the health status or the occupational protection awareness of sanitation workers. The policy recommendations on the occupational safety and health of sanitation workers based on the scientific research are also insufficient in developing countries like China. OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence of dermatoses and the relevance with occupational exposure, protection awareness and protective measures among sanitation workers for better management and protection of the sanitation workers. METHODS: 273 sanitation workers and 113 administrative staff from 11 streets of Wuhan were recruited. Dermatological problems were evaluated and recorded by physical examination. Occupational exposure, protection awareness, the use of protective equipments and personal history of skin disease were assessed by questionnaires. RESULTS: Compared with administrative staff, sanitation workers had much more occupational dermatological problems and had a much higher rate of harmful ultraviolet ray exposure. Young sanitation workers were more aware of occupational self-protection and a relatively higher rate of them using protective equipments compared with old ones. CONCLUSION: Exposure to multiple health hazards and the poor use of protective equipments are related to skin diseases in sanitation workers. Prejob training of self-protection and the use of protective equipments are recommended.

Erbium: YAG laser (2,940 nm) treatment stimulates hair growth through upregulating Wnt 10b and ß-catenin expression in C57BL/6 mice.

AIM: To evaluate the role of 2,940 nm erbium: YAG laser in hair growth in C57BL/6 mice. METHODS: Anagen was experimentally induced by depilation. Healthy C57BL/6 mice (n=22) were randomly divided into four groups, with treatment of laser or minoxidil, or with combined laser and minoxidil treatments. The skin color of each mouse was observed each day. The time from telogen (pink skin color) to anagen (black coloration) phase and from anagen (black coloration) to catagen (all hairs grew out of the depilated skin) have been recorded. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) assay was done at fifteen days after the first treatment for each group to observe hair follicles and hair cycle score. Western blot analysis was utilized to detect the expression levels of Wnt 10-b and ß-catenin. RESULTS: Black pigmentation started significantly earlier both in the laser and combination group than in the control group. Moreover, the time from anagen to catagen in the laser, minoxidil and combination groups were all significantly shorter from the control group. Histopathology with H&E staining showed an obvious increase in the number of hair follicles in the anagen phase caused by the treatment of 2,940 nm erbium: YAG laser and minoxidil. Similarly, the percentage of hair follicles in anagen VI accounted for 19.5%, 37.5%, 41.5% and 44% in control, laser, minoxidil, and combination group, respectively. Western blot analysis showed that both the levels of Wnt 10b and ß-catenin were significantly increased by the treatment of 2,940 nm erbium: YAG laser. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that 2,940-nm Er: YAG laser could promote hair growth by inducing hair cycle transition from telogen to anagen phases in C57BL/6 mice through up regulating Wnt 10b and ß-catenin. These results suggest that 2,940-nm Er: YAG laser may be a potential therapy for hair loss.

[The influence of medicine to the expression of cell adhesion molecule in experimental otitis media with effusion].

OBJECTIVE: To study the influence of Cefaclor and Prednisonum to the expression of cell adhesion molecule in experimental otitis media with effusion (OME). METHOD: SD rats models of OME were made using formalin killed nontypeable Hemophilus influenzae and the expression of adhesion molecules Mac-1 and L-Selectin was analysed by flow cytometry using white blood cell obtained by cardiac puncture in control, bacterial and medicine groups. The pathology of middle ear mucosa was investigated to understand the relationship between the expression of adhesion molecules and the pathology. RESULT: It was found that the expression of adhesion molecules Mac-1 and L-Selection in bacteria group increased obviously with pathological change of the middle ear mucosa. Cefaclor and Prednisonum could decrease the expression of adhesion molecules and inhibited the leukocyte accumulation in the middle ear cavity though there was no significant differences except for the L-Selectin in the Cefaclor group between the bacteria group and the medicine group. CONCLUSION: Dead bacteria in the middle ear may act as an antigen to induce the inflammatory response and effusion of the middle ear. The expression of adhesion molecules Mac-1 and L-Selectin is highly related to the inflammatory response. Cefaclor and Prednisonum may improve otitis media with effusion, which may related to the decreasing expression of Mac-1 and L-Selectin.

[Clinical investigation on anacusis associated with chronic suppurative otitis media].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors and clinical features of anacusis or severe deafness associated with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM ). METHOD: A retrospective review of 62 ears consecutive cases of severe deafness (15 ears) and anacusis (47 ears) associated with CSOM were investigated . There were 5 ears severe deafness deteriorated to anacusis after procedures. This represented 6.42% of our total series of CSOM with or without cholesteatoma in adults and children (965 ears) in 1993-2000. The series with cholesteatoma or granuloma or tympanosclerosis were 46 (74.19%) ears 13 (20.97%) ears and 3 (4.84%) ears respectively. The symptoms and operative findings were analyzed. All patients underwent preoperative CT scans and preoperative audiometry. With respect to surgical technique, the canal-wall-down procedure was performed in(50/62) 80.6%, and classical modified mastoidectomy was performed in(12/62) 19.4%. RESULT: The results demonstrated that chronic otorrhea with bloody, ossicular chain destructive and erosion of the supraplate structure or disappear of footplate were helpful predicting indicators for anacusis or severe deafness. There was a high significant association (Chi-square Fisher exact test P < 0. 001) with these factors compared with CSOM without anacusis or severe deafness. Labyrinthine fistula was also correlated to anacusis or severe deafness (P < 0.05). There were no significant with the courses and facial paralysis and revision mastoidectomy. CONCLUSION: Anacusis or severe deafness intimately associated with chronic otorrhea with bloody, ossicular chain destructive, erosion of the supraplate structure or disappear of footplate and labyrinthine fistula. The surgical procedure should be performed earlier to eradicate the chronic or acute infection and to avoid anacusis or severe deafness.