Betula alba Bark Extract and Empetrum nigrum Fruit Juice,a Natural Alternative to Niacinamide for Skin Barrier Benefits

The Scandinavian region is home to a unique biome with endemic plant species. The aim of this study was to explore this natural diversity and identify plant extracts providing positive skin barrier effects. Six plant extracts were identified as starting material. Following biochemical screening, two candidates outperformed the rest: Betula alba (BA) and Empetrum nigrum (EN). Quantitative PCR analysis showed that BA and EN upregulated barrier genes, when used individually and in combination. Betula alba increased AQP3 and OCLN protein expression, something niacinamide was incapable of. Additionally, the skin barrier was strengthened, evidenced by inhibition of KLK5 and hyaluronidase and showed strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity through DPPH and COX2 inhibition, respectively. A first split-face clinical study was conducted using the combination of extracts versus placebo. There was a significantly better skin restructuring effect and corneocyte cohesion on the side treated with combined extracts. A second split-face clinical study assessed the combined extracts versus 3% niacinamide. Significant variations in skin hydration and TEWL were observed in favor of the extract treated side. In conclusion, we identified a natural alternative to niacinamide for improving skin barrier health, in Scandinavian plant extracts, which yield strong performance, but at a lower concentration.     

The Effects of Genistein at Different Concentrations on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells and BJ Dermal Fibroblasts

This study aimed to evaluate the safety and potential use of soy isoflavones in the treatment of skin problems, difficult-to-heal wounds and postoperative scars in women after the oncological treatment of breast cancer. The effects of different concentrations of genistein as a representative of soy isoflavonoids on MCF-7 tumor cells and BJ skin fibroblasts cultured in vitro were assessed. Genistein affects both healthy dermal BJ fibroblasts and cancerous MCF-7 cells. The effect of the tested isoflavonoid is closely related to its concentration. High concentrations of genistein destroy MCF-7 cancer cells, regardless of the exposure time, with a much greater effect on reducing cancer cell numbers at longer times (48 h). Lower concentrations of genistein (10 and 20 μM) increase the abundance of dermal fibroblasts. However, higher concentrations of genistein (50 μM and higher) are detrimental to fibroblasts at longer exposure times (48 h). Our studies indicate that although genistein shows high potential for use in the treatment of skin problems, wounds and surgical scars in women during and after breast cancer treatment, it is not completely safe. Introducing isoflavonoids to treatment requires further research into their mechanisms of action at the molecular level, taking into account genetic and immunological aspects. It is also necessary to conduct research in in vivo models, which will allow for eliminating adverse side effects of therapy.     

Current Knowledge on Interactions of Plant Materials Traditionally Used in Skin Diseases in Poland and Ukraine with Human Skin Microbiota

Skin disorders of different etiology, such as dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, wounds, burns, and others, are widely spread in the population. In severe cases, they require the topical application of drugs, such as antibiotics, steroids, and calcineurin inhibitors. With milder symptoms, which do not require acute pharmacological interventions, medications, dietary supplements, and cosmetic products of plant material origin are gaining greater popularity among professionals and patients. They are applied in various pharmaceutical forms, such as raw infusions, tinctures, creams, and ointments. Although plant-based formulations have been used by humankind since ancient times, it is often unclear what the mechanisms of the observed beneficial effects are. Recent advances in the contribution of the skin microbiota in maintaining skin homeostasis can shed new light on understanding the activity of topically applied plant-based products. Although the influence of various plants on skin-related ailments are well documented in vivo and in vitro, little is known about the interaction with the network of the skin microbial ecosystem. The review aims to summarize the hitherto scientific data on plant-based topical preparations used in Poland and Ukraine and indicate future directions of the studies respecting recent developments in understanding the etiology of skin diseases. The current knowledge on investigations of interactions of plant materials/extracts with skin microbiome was reviewed for the first time.     

Mystery(n) Phenotypic Presentation in Europeans: Report of Three Further Novel Missense RNF213 Variants Leading to Severe Syndromic Forms of Moyamoya Angiopathy and Literature Review

Moyamoya angiopathy (MMA) is a rare cerebral vasculopathy in some cases occurring in children. Incidence is higher in East Asia, where the heterozygous p.Arg4810Lys variant in RNF213 (Mysterin) represents the major susceptibility factor. Rare variants in RNF213 have also been found in European MMA patients with incomplete penetrance and are today a recognized susceptibility factor for other cardiovascular disorders, from extracerebral artery stenosis to hypertension. By whole exome sequencing, we identified three rare and previously unreported missense variants of RNF213 in three children with early onset of bilateral MMA, and subsequently extended clinical and radiological investigations to their carrier relatives. Substitutions all involved highly conserved residues clustered in the C-terminal region of RNF213, mainly in the E3 ligase domain. Probands showed a de novo occurring variant, p.Phe4120Leu (family A), a maternally inherited heterozygous variant, p.Ser4118Cys (family B), and a novel heterozygous variant, p.Glu4867Lys, inherited from the mother, in whom it occurred de novo (family C). Patients from families A and C experienced transient hypertransaminasemia and stenosis of extracerebral arteries. Bilateral MMA was present in the proband’s carrier grandfather from family B. The proband from family C and her carrier mother both exhibited annular figurate erythema. Our data confirm that rare heterozygous variants in RNF213 cause MMA in Europeans as well as in East Asian populations, suggesting that substitutions close to positions 4118–4122 and 4867 of RNF213 could lead to a syndromic form of MMA showing elevated aminotransferases and extracerebral vascular involvement, with the possible association of peculiar skin manifestations.     

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Induces Adipogenesis via Control of Cilia in Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue

During skin aging, the volume of subcutaneous adipose tissue (sWAT) and the adipogenesis potential of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) decrease. It is known that the shortening of cilia length by pro-inflammatory cytokines is related to the decreased adipogenic differentiation of ASCs via increase in Wnt5a/β-catenin. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is known to upregulate heat shock proteins (HSP), which decrease levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In this study, we evaluated whether HIFU modulates the cilia of ASCs by upregulating HSP70 and decreasing inflammatory cytokines. HIFU was applied at 0.2 J to rat skin, which was harvested at 1, 3, 7, and 28 days. All results for HIFU-applied animals were compared with control animals that were not treated. HIFU increased expression of HSP70 and decreased expression of NF-κB, IL-6, and TNF-α in sWAT. HIFU decreased the expression of cilia disassembly-related factors (AurA and HDAC9) in ASCs. Furthermore, HIFU increased the expression of cilia assembly-related factors (KIF3A and IFT88), decreased that of WNT5A/β-catenin, and increased that of the adipogenesis markers PPARγ and CEBPα in sWAT. HIFU increased the number of adipocytes in the sWAT and the thickness of sWAT. In conclusion, HIFU could selectively increase sWAT levels by modulating the cilia of ASCs and be used for skin rejuvenation.     

Effects of Non-Opioid Analgesics on the Cell Membrane of Skin and Gastrointestinal Cancers

Skin and gastrointestinal cancer cells are the target of research by many scientists due to the increasing morbidity and mortality rates around the world. New indications for drugs used in various conditions are being discovered. Non-opioid analgesics are worth noting as very popular, widely available, relatively cheap medications. They also have the ability to modulate the membrane components of tumor cells. The aim of this review is to analyze the impact of diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, acetylsalicylic acid and paracetamol on skin and gastrointestinal cancers cell membrane. These drugs may affect the membrane through topical application, at the in vitro and in vivo level after oral or parenteral administration. They can lead to up- or downregulated expression of receptors, transporters and other molecules associated with plasma membrane. Medications may also alter the lipid bilayer composition of membrane, resulting in changes in its integrity and fluidity. Described modulations can cause the visualization of cancer cells, enhanced response of the immune system and the initiation of cell death. The outcome of this is inhibition of progression or reduction of tumor mass and supports chemotherapy. In conclusion, non-opioid analgesics may be used in the future as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of these cancers.     

FEATURE EXTRACTION OF BONES AND SKIN BASED ON ULTRASONIC SCANNING

In the prosthetic socket design,aimed at the high cost and radiation deficiency caused by CT scanning which is a routine technique to obtain the cross-sectional image of the residual limb,a new ultrasonic scanning method is developed to acquire the bones and skin contours of the residual limb.Using a pig fore-leg as the scanning object,an overlapping algorithm is designed to reconstruct the 2D cross-sectional image,the contours of the bone and skin are extracted using edge detection algorithm and the 3D model of the pig fore-leg is reconstructed by using reverse engineering technology.The results of checking the accuracy of the image by scanning a cylinder work pieces show that the extracted contours of the cylinder are quite close to the standard circumference.So it is feasible to get the contours of bones and skin by ultrasonic scanning.The ultrasonic scanning system featuring no radiation and low cost is a kind of new means of cross section scanning for medical images.     

Lactobionic acid as antioxidant and moisturizing active in alkyl polyglucoside-based topical emulsions: the colloidal structure, stability and efficacy evaluation

Cosmeceutical antioxidants may protect the skin against oxidative injury, involved in the pathogenesis of many skin disorders. However, an unsuitable topical delivery system with compromising safety profile can affect the efficacy of an antioxidant active. This study investigated the antioxidant potential of lactobionic acid (LA), a newer cosmeceutical active, per se (in solution) and incorporated into natural alkyl polyglucoside (APG) emulsifier-based system using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays. The α-tocopherol was used as a reference compound. The physical stability (using rheology, polarization microscopy, pH and conductivity measurements) of an Alkyl glucoside-based emulsion was evaluated with and without the active (LA); colloidal structure was assessed using polarization and transmission electron microscopy, rheology, thermal and texture analysis. Additionally, the safety profile and moisturizing potential were investigated using the methods of skin bioengineering. Good physical stability and applicative characteristics were obtained although LA strongly influenced the colloidal structure of the vehicle. LA per se and in APG-based emulsion showed satisfying antioxidant activity that promotes it as mild multifunctional cosmeceutical efficient in the treatment and prevention of the photoaged skin. Employed assays were shown as suitable for the antioxidant activity evaluation of LA in APG-based emulsions, but not for α-tocopherol in the same vehicle.     

Tie-Over Bolster Pressure Dressing Improves Outcomes of Skin Substitutes Xenografts on Athymic Mice

The efficacy of skin substitutes is established for the treatment of burn injuries, but its use is not limited to this condition. This technology has the potential to improve the treatment of various conditions by offering highly advanced and personalized treatments. In vivo studies are challenging but essential to move to clinical use in humans. Mice are the most widely used species in preclinical studies, but the main drawback of this model is the limited surface area of the graft in long-term transplantation studies caused by the displacement and the contraction of the graft. We improved the conventional surgical procedures by stabilizing the chamber covering the graft with intramuscular sutures and by adding a tie-over bolster dressing. The current study was therefore performed to compare outcomes of skin grafts between the conventional and optimized skin graft model. Human self-assembled skin substitutes (SASSs) were prepared and grafted to athymic mice either by the conventional method or by the new grafting method. Graft healing and complications were assessed using digital photographs on postoperative days 7, 14, and 21. Similar structure and organization were observed by histological staining. The new grafting method reduced medium and large displacement events by 1.26-fold and medium and large contraction events by 1.8-fold, leading to a 1.6-fold increase in graft surface area compared to skin substitutes grafted with the usual method. This innovation ensures better reproducibility and consistency of skin substitute transplants on mice.