Effects of petrolatum, a petrolatum depositing body wash and a regular body wash on biomarkers and biophysical properties of the stratum corneum.

Background: An important trend in the personal care industry involves the development of body wash products that not only clean the skin without damage but deposit conditioning ingredients to improve skin barrier function.

Objective: The objective of this study was to develop skin biomarker measures to quantify the treatment effects of body wash products.

Methods: We employed analysis of structural proteins (keratin 1,10,11 and involucrin), a natural moisturizing factor (pyrrolidone carboxylic acid) and an inflammatory mediator (IL-1ra/IL-1α) from adhesive discs with dry skin grading, TEWL and capacitance measurements to compare the effects of direct application of petrolatum, a high petrolatum depositing body wash, and a regular body wash on dry leg skin in a standard leg-wash treatment protocol.

Quantitation of 24-Hour Moisturization by Electrical Measurements of Skin Hydration.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of several moisturizers on hydration of the stratum corneum by measuring their effect on electrical conductance over a 24-hour period.

Design: Double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Subjects And Setting: Twenty-five healthy female volunteers aged 18 to 65 years with dry skin on the lower legs and no other known dermatologic pathology participated in the study.

Stability and solubility improvement of Sompoi ( Linn.) pod extract by topical microemulsion.

The aim of this study was to enhance the solubility and stability of extract by loading in a microemulsion for topical application. Both physical appearance and biological activities of the extract-loaded microemulsion were determined in comparison with the extract solution. Pseudoternary phase diagrams of three oil types including tea seed oil, grape seed oil, and sesame oil, together with polysorbate 85 or the mixture of polysorbate 85 and sorbitan oleate as surfactants, and absolute ethanol as a co-surfactant were constructed to optimize the microemulsion area.

Targeted deactivation of cancer-associated fibroblasts by β-catenin ablation suppresses melanoma growth.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the crucial components of the dynamic tumor microenvironment, which not only supports the growth and metastasis of melanoma but also contributes to drug resistance in melanoma treatment. We recently discovered that loss of β-catenin signaling deactivated stromal fibroblasts and reduced the production of paracrine factors and extracellular matrix proteins. Based on this finding, we aimed to determine whether melanoma growth could be suppressed by targeted deactivation of CAFs via β-catenin ablation using a combination of in vitro and in vivo approaches.

Activation of β-Catenin Signaling in CD133-Positive Dermal Papilla Cells Drives Postnatal Hair Growth.

The hair follicle dermal papilla (DP) contains a unique prominin-1/CD133-positive (CD133+) cell subpopulation, which has been shown to possess hair follicle-inducing capability. By assaying for endogenous CD133 expression and performing lineage tracing using CD133-CreERT2; ZsGreen1 reporter mice, we find that CD133 is expressed in a subpopulation of DP cells during the growth phase of the murine hair cycle (anagen), but is absent at anagen onset. However, how CD133+ DP cells interact with keratinocytes to induce hair regenerative growth remains unclear.

Effects of season stratum corneum barrier function and skin biomarkers.

The skin on the lower legs of 25 female subjects was evaluated first in the winter, and then again in the summer of the same subjects. Barrier function was determined by measuring transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and skin hydration and dryness were evaluated by electrical measurements (Corneometer ® CM825) and visual grading. Stratum corneum (SC) was sampled using 10 sequential D-Squame sampling discs and analyzed for 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid (PCA), keratin-1,10,11, interleukin 1α (IL-1α), interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), selected ceramides, cholesterol, cholesterol sulfate, and selected free fatty acids.

Infantile hemangioma status by dynamic infrared thermography: A preliminary study.

Background: Infantile hemangiomas (IH) are initially warm due to increased proliferation and perfusion then involute with apoptosis and reduced perfusion. Objective quantitative evaluation of IH treatment response is essential for improving outcomes. We applied a functional imaging method, dynamic infrared (IR) thermography, to investigate IH status versus control skin and over time.

Dermal fibroblasts induce cell cycle arrest and block epithelial-mesenchymal transition to inhibit the early stage melanoma development.

Stromal fibroblasts are an integral part of the tumor stroma and constantly interact with cancer cells to promote their initiation and progression. However, the role and function of dermal fibroblasts during the early stage of melanoma development remain poorly understood. We, therefore, designed a novel genetic approach to deactivate stromal fibroblasts at the onset of melanoma formation by targeted ablation of β-catenin.

Potential of native Thai aromatic plant extracts in antiwrinkle body creams.

Antioxidant activities of 10 essential oils and 10 absolutes extracted from Thai aromatic plants were evaluated and compared to thyme oil, trolox, quercetin, and kaempferol by two independent assays: the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH*) radical scavenging assay and the thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) assay for lipid peroxidation. We found that four essential oils including ginger oil (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), Wan-sao-long leaf oil (Amomum uliginosum Koen), lemongrass oil (Cymbopogon citratus), holy basil oil (Ocimum sanctum L.), and the absolute of dwarf ylang-ylang [Cananga odorata Hook.

Perspective of Targeting Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Melanoma.

Melanoma is known as an exceptionally aggressive and treatment-resistant human cancer. Although a great deal of progress has been made in the past decade, including the development of immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapy using BRAF, MEK or KIT inhibitors, treatment for unresectable stage III, stage IV, and recurrent melanoma is still challenging with limited response rate, severe side effects and poor prognosis, highlighting an urgent need for discovering and designing more effective approaches to conquer melanoma. Melanoma is not only driven by malignant melanocytes, but also by the altered communication between neoplastic cells and non-malignant cell populations, including fibroblasts, endothelial and inflammatory cells, in the tumor stroma.

DeoxyArbutin and its derivatives inhibit tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis without inducing reactive oxygen species or apoptosis.

Safety is a major concern in developing commercial skin-lightening agents. Here, we report the modulating effects of deoxyArbutin (dA) and its second-generation derivatives - deoxyFuran (dF), 2-fluorodeoxyArbutin (fdA), and thiodeoxyArbutin (tdA) - on tyrosinase, and consequently, on melanization. Results demonstrate that dA and its derivatives inhibit tyrosine hydroxylase and dopa oxidase activity of tyrosinase.

Hydrolytic enzymes of the interfollicular epidermis differ in expression and correlate with the phenotypic difference observed between light and dark skin.

Degradation of melanosomes in light skin (LS, i.e. phototype I/II) appears to occur more rapidly than dark skin (DS, i.

Hand hygiene compliance and irritant dermatitis: a juxtaposition of healthcare issues.

Reduction and prevention of health care-associated infections is a worldwide priority with emphasis on increasing hand hygiene compliance. Repetitive exposure to hand hygiene products and procedures is a significant factor in the development of occupational irritant hand dermatitis. Compliance has been difficult to achieve often due to skin irritation.

Multimodal quantitative analysis of early pulsed-dye laser treatment of scars at a pediatric burn hospital.

Background: The pulsed-dye laser (PDL) is a potential adjunctive therapy for treatment of hyperemic and hypertrophic scars.

Objective: To compare the effects of early PDL treatment plus compression therapy (CT) with those of CT alone in patients undergoing burn scar reconstruction with split-thickness grafts on an extremity.

Methods: Laser treatments were applied to one half of the graft seam.

Epidermal keratinocytes from light vs. dark skin exhibit differential degradation of melanosomes.

Modification of skin complexion coloration has traditionally been accomplished by interruption or attenuation of melanogenesis and/or melanosome transfer. Post-transfer modification of pigmented melanosomes provides an attractive and distinct avenue of modulating skin pigmentation. The processing of melanosomes during keratinocyte (KC) terminal differentiation and the degradative variability observed between light and dark skin (LS and DS) remains enigmatic.

Amputee skin condition: occlusion, stratum corneum hydration and free amino acid levels.

Patients with a prosthetic limb report negative skin effects, including irritation, rash and chafing, which can lead to infection, discomfort and reduced wear time to significantly impact normal activities. The aims were to examine the epidermal integrity (transepidermal water loss, TEWL), stratum corneum (SC) hydration [moisture accumulation rate (MAT)], friction and biomechanical properties in active below the knee amputees and to determine the effects of an inert sock liner on skin condition. The liner reduced hydration, TEWL and friction and increased elasticity versus the amputee's conventional skin care methods.

Influence of tumour necrosis factor-α polymorphism-308 and atopy on irritant contact dermatitis in healthcare workers.

Background: Chronic irritant hand dermatitis is an issue for healthcare workers and may negatively impact infection control.

Objectives: We examined the effects of a G to A transition at position -308 on the tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) gene on chronically damaged skin of healthcare workers during exposure and recovery from repetitive hand hygiene, after intensive treatment, and on the irritant response in normal skin.

Patients/materials/methods: In 68 healthcare workers with irritant hand dermatitis, we genotyped TNF-α-308 and measured the epidermal response via quantitative digital imaging, erythema, dryness, and barrier integrity.

Regional variation in the free amino acids in the stratum corneum.

Regional differences in water-binding free amino acids (FAAs) in the stratum corneum (SC) may be expected, since differences in skin biophysical properties are well known. The objective was to determine whether differences in skin hydration as a function of body site may arise from differences in the chemical makeup of the skin, specifically the FAAs. Levels were quantified from serial SC samples collected from the forearm, calf, back, torso, and jaw in two studies using HPLC methods.

Mechanisms regulating skin pigmentation: the rise and fall of complexion coloration.

Skin pigmentary abnormalities are seen as aesthetically unfavorable and have led to the development of cosmetic and therapeutic treatment modalities of varying efficacy. Hence, several putative depigmenting agents aimed at modulating skin pigmentation are currently being researched or sold in commercially available products. In this review we will discuss the regulation of processes that control skin complexion coloration.

Comparative thermodynamic and spectroscopic properties of water interaction with human stratum corneum.

Background/purpose: The water content of skin has a significant impact on skin properties; sufficient hydration is necessary to keep the skin supple, flexible, and smooth. To understand more completely the water retention properties of the human skin barrier, physical macroscopic properties must be related to the structural organization of the stratum corneum (SC). Water, lipids, and natural moisturizing factor (NMF) influence the molecular structures that affect the properties of SC, including water sorption and binding enthalpy.

Water-handling properties of vernix caseosa and a synthetic analogue.

A naturally occurring barrier cream, vernix caseosa, is the viscous material synthesized by the sebaceous glands in the late gestational human fetus. Vernix functions as a moisturizer by increasing the skin hydration and water-holding capacity of treated skin. Vernix films are semi-permeable, i.

Equilibrium water content in native vernix and its cellular component.

Vernix caseosa is a naturally occurring substance coating the skin of newborn humans. Structurally, vernix contains fetal corneocytes embedded in a hydrophobic lipid matrix. Despite a relatively high water content approximating 80.

Effect of vernix caseosa on the penetration of chymotryptic enzyme: potential role in epidermal barrier development.

The fetal epidermal barrier undergoes rapid development during late gestation despite conditions injurious to the skin postnatally, i.e. prolonged exposure to water (urine) and noxious substances such as pancreatic chymotrypsin.

Comparative efficacy and safety of deoxyarbutin, a new tyrosinase-inhibiting agent.

Several tyrosinase inhibitors have been developed and utilized to ameliorate various cutaneous hyperpigmentary disorders and complexion discolorations. Deoxyarbutin (dA) (i.e.