Skin texture parameters of the dorsal hand in evaluating skin aging in China.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: There are various non-invasive methods in skin morphology for assessing skin aging. The use of digital photography will make it easier and more convenient. In this study, we explored some skin texture parameters for evaluating skin aging using digital image processing. METHODS: Two hundred and twenty-eight subjects who lived in Sanya, China, were involved. Individual sun exposure history and other factors influencing skin aging were collected by a questionnaire. Meanwhile, we took photos of their dorsal hands. Skin images were graded according to the Beagley-Gibson system. These skin images were also processed using image analysis software. Five skin texture parameters, Angle Num., Angle Max., Angle Diff., Distance and Grids, were produced in reference to the Beagley-Gibson system. RESULTS: All texture parameters were significantly associated with the Beagley-Gibson score. Among the parameters, the distance between primary lines (Distance) and the value of angle formed by intersection textures (Angle Max., Angle Diff.) were positively associated with the Beagley-Gibson score. However, there was a negative correlation between the number of grids (Grids), the number of angle (Angle Num.) and the Beagley-Gibson score. These texture parameters were also correlated with factors influencing skin aging such as sun exposure, age, smoking, drinking and body mass index. In multivariate analysis, Grids and Distance were mainly affected by age. But Angle Max. and Angle Diff. were mainly affected by sun exposure. CONCLUSION: It seemed that the skin surface morphologic parameters presented in our study reflect skin aging changes to some extent and could be used to describe skin aging using digital image processing.

[Study on water processing conditions of Realgar].

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the water processing (shui-fei) condition of Realgar. METHODS: The processing conditions were optimized by L9 (3)4 orthogonal design with three factors as water dose, process times and dryness temperature. The content of dissolved arsenic As(III) in Realgar was tested by High Performance Liquid Chromatography-hydride generation on-line coupled with atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HPLC-HG-AFS). RESULTS: The optimized conditions were 15 times quantity of water, 8 times for processing and dryness temperature of 40 degrees C. CONCLUSION: The method is accurate and effective,which can be used to evaluate the quality of processed products of Realgar.