Non-Invasive Assessment of Skin Surface Proteins of Psoriasis Vulgaris Patients in Response to Biological Therapy.

Measurements of skin surface biomarkers have enormous value for the detailed assessment of skin conditions, both for clinical application and in skin care. The main goals of the current study were to assess whether expression patterns of skin surface hBD-1, hBD-2, IL-1α, CXCL-1, and CXCL-8, examples of proteins known to be involved in psoriasis pathology, are associated with disease severity and whether expression patterns of these proteins on the skin surface can be used to measure pharmacodynamic effects of biological therapy. In this observational study using transdermal analysis patch (TAP), levels of skin surface IL-1α, hBD-1, hBD-2, CXCL-1/2, and CXCL-8 of psoriasis vulgaris (PV) patients over biological therapy were assessed.

Assessment of soluble skin surface protein levels for monitoring in adult psoriasis patients using non-invasive transdermal analysis patch: A pilot study.

To improve the care of patients with chronic inflammatory skin conditions, such as psoriasis, there is a need for diagnostic methods that can facilitate personalized medicine. This exploratory pilot study aimed to determine whether non-invasive measurements of inflammation-related proteins from psoriatic skin can be sampled using the FibroTx Transdermal Analysis Patch (TAP) to assess disease severity and monitor pharmacodynamic changes. Ten healthy volunteers and 44 psoriasis vulgaris patients were enrolled in the exploratory pilot study.

Floating solar panels on reservoirs impact phytoplankton populations: A modelling experiment.

Floating solar photovoltaic (FPV) deployments are increasing globally as the switch to renewable energy intensifies, representing a considerable water surface transformation. FPV installations can potentially impact aquatic ecosystem function, either positively or negatively. However, these impacts are poorly resolved given the challenges of collecting empirical data for field or modelling experiments.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in river discharge: Modeling loads upstream and downstream of a PFAS manufacturing plant in the Cape Fear watershed, North Carolina.

The Cape Fear River is an important source of drinking water in North Carolina, and many drinking water intakes in the watershed are affected by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). We quantified PFAS concentrations and loads in river water upstream and downstream of a PFAS manufacturing plant that has been producing PFAS since 1980. River samples collected from September 2018 to February 2021 were analyzed for 13 PFAS at the upstream station and 43-57 PFAS downstream near Wilmington.

The role of policy in social-ecological interactions of nitrogen management in the Mississippi River basin.

Excess nitrogen (N) loading in the Mississippi River basin is a major water quality issue, encompassing large spatial scales and feedbacks between social and biophysical entities. Effective management depends on reductions in agricultural N loading, mainly from the Corn Belt region in the upper reaches of the basin. In this study, we evaluated the role of federal Nutrient Task Force policy on N management from 2000 to 2015.