Nitinol Release of Nickel under Physiological Conditions: Effects of Surface Oxide, pH, Hydrogen Peroxide, and Sodium Hypochlorite.

Nitinol is a nickel-titanium alloy widely used in medical devices for its unique pseudoelastic and shape-memory properties. However, nitinol can release potentially hazardous amounts of nickel, depending on surface manufacturing yielding different oxide thicknesses and compositions. Furthermore, nitinol medical devices can be implanted throughout the body and exposed to extremes in pH and reactive oxygen species (ROS), but few tools exist for evaluating nickel release under such physiological conditions.

UV and Reactive Oxygen Species Activate Human Papillomaviruses Causing Skin Cancers.

Cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) and nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSC), squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas, have been increasing at exponential rates for as long as the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have been collecting data starting from 1955 in some northern European countries and 1960 in most other European countries. Different strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV) have been found in CMM and NMSC biopsies and implicated in the carcinogenic process as a "hit-and-run" mechanism and can spread at exponential rates, especially since the 1960s' sexual revolution. This chapter covers only IARC data for CMM in the European countries from 1960 to 2018, plotted by regions (northern, middle, and southern latitudes and eastern versus western longitudes), countries latitudes, and each country over time, which shows that about half have linear and the other half have exponential increases in CMM.

3D Bioprinting with UVA1 Radiation and Photoinitiator Irgacure 2959: Can the ASTM Standard L929 Cells Predict Human Stem Cell Cytotoxicity?

3D bioprinting often involves human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) that are differentiated into the desired cells to replace body parts like ears. Scaffolds of crosslinked hydrogels offer structural support during differentiation. Different photoinitiators are used to make free radicals that photocrosslink these hydrogels; the more penetrating ultraviolet A1 (UVA1) (340-400 nm) wavelengths can be used because Irgacure 2959 only absorbs in the UV (100-400 nm) region.

Untangling the most probable role for vitamin D in autism.

Recent studies indicate an important role for vitamin D in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), although its mechanism is not completely understood. The most puzzling aspect of ASD is that identical twins, who share identical DNA, do not have 100% concordance rates (∼88% for identical and ∼31% for fraternal twins). These findings provide major clues into the etiology: ASD must involve an environmental factor present in the prenatal milieu that both identical twins are not always exposed to because they do not always share it (i.

Cutaneous malignant melanoma incidences analyzed worldwide by sex, age, and skin type over personal Ultraviolet-B dose shows no role for sunburn but implies one for Vitamin D.

Because the incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) was reported to increase with increasing terrestrial UVR (290-400 nm) doses in the US back in 1975 and a recent publication showed no association exists with UVR exposure at all, we set out to fully elucidate the role of UVR in CMM. To achieve this goal, we analyzed the CMM incidences over latitude and estimated the average personal UVR dose in the US and numerous countries (> 50) on 5 continents around the world. Using data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2005, we performed worldwide analysis of CMM over UVR dose by sex, age group (0-14, 15-29, 30-49, 50-69, 70-85+) and Fitzpatrick skin types I-VI.

Worldwide cutaneous malignant melanoma incidences analyzed by sex, age, and skin type over time (1955-2007): Is HPV infection of androgenic hair follicular melanocytes a risk factor for developing melanoma exclusively in people of European-ancestry?

The cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) incidence has been increasing in an exponential manner in certain populations around the world for over 7 decades. To help illuminate the etiology, we performed worldwide temporal (1955-2007) CMM incidence analysis by sex, age (0-14, 15-29, 30-49, 50-69, 70-85+), and skin type on 6 continents using data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer. We observe an exponential increase in the CMM incidence over time and an increase of about 2 orders of magnitude between age groups 0-14 and 15-29 exclusively in European-ancestry populations around the world independent of skin type (I-III or III-IV).

Exponentially increasing incidences of cutaneous malignant melanoma in Europe correlate with low personal annual UV doses and suggests 2 major risk factors.

For several decades the incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) steadily increased in fair-skinned, indoor-working people around the world. Scientists think poor tanning ability resulting in sunburns initiate CMM, but they do not understand why the incidence continues to increase despite the increased use of sunscreens and formulations offering more protection. This paradox, along with lower incidences of CMM in outdoor workers, although they have significantly higher annual UV doses than indoor workers have, perplexes scientists.

Lyme disease update for the general dermatologist.

Lyme disease is an Ixodes tick-borne illness that may arise from different species of the Borrelia spirochete and may be propagated in various hosts. Humans are considered dead-end hosts in this propagation cycle but may have a range of Lyme disease characteristics as a result of borrelial infection. Lyme disease has varied cutaneous manifestations, and the approach to diagnosis and treatment is based on the patient, the region, and suspected coinfection with another tick-borne illness.

Pharyngeal and cervical cancer incidences significantly correlate with personal UV doses among whites in the United States.

Because we found UV-exposed oral tissue cells have reduced DNA repair and apoptotic cell death compared with skin tissue cells, we asked if a correlation existed between personal UV dose and the incidences of oral and pharyngeal cancer in the United States. We analyzed the International Agency for Research on Cancer's incidence data for oral and pharyngeal cancers by race (white and black) and sex using each state's average annual personal UV dose. We refer to our data as 'white' rather than 'Caucasian,' which is a specific subgroup of whites, and 'black' rather than African-American because blacks from other countries around the world reside in the U.

UV radiation increases carcinogenic risks for oral tissues compared to skin.

People can expose their oral cavities to UV (290-400 nm) by simply opening their mouths while outdoors. They can also have their oral cavities exposed to UV indoors to different UV-emitting devices used for diagnoses, treatments and procedures like teeth whitening. Because the World Health Organization declared UV radiation as a complete human carcinogen in 2009, we asked if oral tissues are at a similar or higher carcinogenic risk compared to skin tissue.

UVB-induced inflammatory cytokine release, DNA damage and apoptosis of human oral compared with skin tissue equivalents.

People can get oral cancers from UV (290-400 nm) exposures. Besides high outdoor UV exposures, high indoor UV exposures to oral tissues can occur when consumers use UV-emitting tanning devices to either tan or whiten their teeth. We compared the carcinogenic risks of skin to oral tissue cells after UVB (290-320 nm) exposures using commercially available 3D-engineered models for human skin (EpiDerm™), gingival (EpiGing™) and oral (EpiOral™) tissues.

Simultaneous detection and semiquantification of DNA damage in normal and apoptotic cells: triple-immunofluorescent labeling using DAPI, antibodies, and TUNEL.

We developed a triple-labeling immunofluorescence technique that simultaneously identifies total DNA (DAPI), DNA damage (antibodies), and dead cells [terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells] and a method that semiquantifies DNA damage in paraffin-embedded tissues. Using this technique in combination with our analysis method, scientists can now simultaneously detect and compare the relative amounts of DNA damage of almost any kind (except single-strand and double-strand breaks), using indirect fluorescent antibody labeling, in both normal and dying cells of different tissues. Simultaneous labeling of DNA damage and dead or TUNEL-positive cells can reduce processing costs and analysis time, and can lead to discoveries concerning how cells die from different DNA damages.

Nucleotide excision repair is reduced in oral epithelial tissues compared with skin.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure to internal tissues for diagnostic, therapeutic and cosmetic procedures has increased dramatically over the past decade. The greatest increase in UVR exposure of internal tissues occurs in the cosmetic industry where it is combined with oxidizing agents for teeth whitening, often in conjunction with indoor tanning. To address potential carcinogenic risks of these procedures, we analyzed the formation and repair of the DNA photoproducts associated with the signature mutations of UVR.

Solar UV doses of adult Americans and vitamin D(3) production.

Background: Sunlight contains UV radiation that affects human health in both detrimental (skin cancers) and beneficial (vitamin D(3)) ways. An evaluation of the vitamin D status of adult Americans (22-40, 41-59, 60+ yr) show many have deficient or insufficient serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, indicating they are not getting enough from dietary sources or sunlight. Those findings are in conflict with calculated values from the American Academy of Dermatology who insist people make "ample" vitamin D(3) (≥1,000 IU/day) from their "casual," or everyday, outdoor UV exposures even if they use sunscreens with sun protection factor 15.

Worldwide increasing incidences of cutaneous malignant melanoma.

The incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) has been increasing at a steady rate in fair-skinned populations around the world for decades. Scientists are not certain why CMM has been steadily increasing, but strong, intermittent UVB (290-320 nm) exposures, especially sunburn episodes, probably initiate, CMM, while UVA (321-400 nm) passing through glass windows in offices and cars probably promotes it. The CMM incidence may be increasing at an exponential rate around the world, but it definitely decreases with increasing latitude up to ~50°N where it reverses and increases with the increasing latitude.

Solar UV doses of young Americans and vitamin D3 production.

Background: Sunlight contains ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation (290-315 nm) that affects human health in both detrimental (skin cancers) and beneficial (vitamin D3) ways. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations from young Americans (≤ 19 years) show that many have deficient (< 50 nmol/L, 20 ng/mL) or insufficient (< 75 nmol/L, 30 ng/mL) vitamin D levels, indicating that they are not getting enough sun exposure. Those findings are in conflict with some calculated, published values that suggest people make "ample" vitamin D3 (~ 1,000 IU/day) from their "casual," or everyday, outdoor exposures even if they diligently use sunscreens with sun protection factor (SPF) 15.

The impact of serum glucose on clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia.

Purpose: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common medical condition resulting in excess morbidity, mortality, and high rates of hospitalization. Despite high hospitalization rates for CAP, the relationship between abnormal glucose levels (hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia) and the seriousness of the illness as measured by length of stay (LOS) is not well established. We examined relationships of CAP to multiple factors that impact predictability and severity of the disease process.

The state of nano-sized titanium dioxide (TiO2) may affect sunscreen performance.

In the past several years, there has been a trend in the sunscreen/cosmetics industry to replace micron-sized titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) particles with nanoscale materials. The increased use of nanoscale TiO(2) has resulted in questions about these and other nanoproducts. This study examines the effects of using nanoscale TiO(2) on ultraviolet (UV) attenuation in simple to complex sunscreen formulations.

Solar UV geometric conversion factors: horizontal plane to cylinder model.

Most solar UV measurements are relative to the horizontal plane. However, problems arise when one uses those UV measurements to perform risk or benefit assessments because they do not yield the actual doses people get while they are outdoors. To better estimate the UV doses people actually get while outdoors, scientists need geometric conversion factors (GCF) that change horizontal plane irradiances to average irradiances on the human body.

Increased UVA exposures and decreased cutaneous Vitamin D(3) levels may be responsible for the increasing incidence of melanoma.

Cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) has been increasing at a steady exponential rate in fair-skinned, indoor workers since before 1940. A paradox exists between indoor and outdoor workers because indoor workers get three to nine times less solar UV (290-400 nm) exposure than outdoor workers get, yet only indoor workers have an increasing incidence of CMM. Thus, another "factor(s)" is/are involved that increases the CMM risk for indoor workers.

Action spectrum conversion factors that change erythemally weighted to previtamin D3-weighted UV doses.

Many solar UV measurements, either terrestrial or personal, weight the raw data by the erythemal action spectrum. However, a problem arises when one tries to estimate the benefit of vitamin D(3) production based on erythemally weighted outdoor doses, like those measured by calibrated R-B meters or polysulphone badges, because the differences between action spectra give dissimilar values. While both action spectra peak in the UVB region, the erythemal action spectrum continues throughout the UVA region while the previtamin D(3) action spectrum stops near that boundary.