Di-n-butyl phthalate promotes the neural differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells through neurogenic differentiation 1.

An understanding of the risk of gene deletion and mutation posed by endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is necessary for the identification of etiological reagents for many human diseases. Therefore, the characterization of the genetic traits caused by developmental exposure to EDCs is an important research subject. A new regenerative approach using embryonic stem cells (ESCs) holds promise for the development of stem-cell-based therapies and the identification of novel therapeutic agents against human diseases.

Melanocyte transplantation to skin prepared by controlled PUVA-induced sunburn-like blistering for vitiligo treatment - A pilot clinical trial.

Vitiligo is a common acquired disease of pigment loss. In lesions recalcitrant to non-invasive treatment, transplantation of cultured autologous melanocytes is an emerging choice. Conventionally, the recipient site is often prepared by laser-mediated or mechanical dermabrasion.

Genetics of Generalized Pustular Psoriasis: Current Understanding and Implications for Future Therapeutics.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by the appearance of clearly demarcated erythematous and scaly plaques. It can be divided into various types, including plaque, nail, guttate, inverse, and pustular psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis is the most commonly occurring type, though there is another rare but severe pustular autoinflammatory skin disease called generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP), which manifests with acute episodes of pustulation and systemic symptoms.

Early detection of the initial stages of LED light-triggered non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by wax physisorption kinetics-Fourier transform infrared imaging.

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs), particularly in the blue waveform range, are regarded as a major source of circadian rhythm dysregulation. A circadian rhythm dysregulation induced by blue LEDs is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Hepatocellular accumulation of lipids is a key event in the early stages of NAFLD.

Cutaneous Adverse Events Associated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Review Article.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged as novel options that are effective in treating various cancers. They are monoclonal antibodies that target cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), and programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). However, activation of the immune systems through ICIs may concomitantly trigger a constellation of immunologic symptoms and signs, termed immune-related adverse events (irAEs), with the skin being the most commonly involved organ.

Abnormalities in Cutaneous Microcirculation in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Chronic Insomnia Disorder.

Impaired sympathetic response is frequently observed in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). On the other hand, chronic insomnia disorder (CID) is also often accompanied by activation of sympathetic nerves. Considering that cutaneous microcirculation reflects sympathetic tone, we hypothesized that baseline cutaneous microcirculation in fingers, as detected by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF), differs among patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), AD, and CID.

2-Aminoethyl diphenylborinate inhibits bleomycin-induced skin and pulmonary fibrosis via interrupting intracellular Ca regulation.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) causes progressive fibrosis of multiple organs with the low efficacy of immunosuppressive therapies. Our previous study indicated the SSc pathological pathways are closely correlated with Ca signals, and blockage of the intracellular Ca elevation facilitates inhibition of SSc pathogenesis.

Objective: Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-modulated SMAD signaling is crucial in regulating SSc pathogenesis.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects Induced by Near-Infrared Light Irradiation through M2 Macrophage Polarization.

Near-infrared (NIR) can penetrate the dermis. NIR is able to regulate cutaneous component cells and immune cells and shows significant anti-inflammatory therapeutic effects. However, the mechanisms of these effects are largely unknown.

Red LED light treatment promotes cognitive learning through up-regulation of trpm4 in zebrafish.

Although light emitting diodes (LEDs) are widely used in our daily lives, there is little research regarding LED light's possible effects on biological functions. We used a zebrafish animal model to investigate the long-term effects of white, blue and red LED lights on cognitive learning and memory recall. Our data suggest that these treatments had not only an impact on learning but also surprisingly long-lasting effects, particularly with regard to individuals treated with red light.

Charge density waves and degenerate modes in exfoliated monolayer 2H-TaS.

Charge density waves spontaneously breaking lattice symmetry through periodic lattice distortion, and electron-electron and electron-phonon inter-actions, can lead to a new type of electronic band structure. Bulk 2H-TaS is an archetypal transition metal dichalcogenide supporting charge density waves with a phase transition at 75 K. Here, it is shown that charge density waves can exist in exfoliated monolayer 2H-TaS and the transition temperature can reach 140 K, which is much higher than that in the bulk.

Nociceptive transient receptor potential canonical 7 (TRPC7) mediates aging-associated tumorigenesis induced by ultraviolet B.

Aging, cancer, and longevity have been linked to intracellular Ca signaling and nociceptive transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. We found that TRP canonical 7 (TRPC7) is a nociceptive mechanoreceptor and that TRPC7 channels specifically mediate the initiation of ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced skin aging and tumor development due to p53 gene family mutations. Within 30 min after UVB irradiation, TRPC7 mediated UVB-induced Ca influx and the subsequent production of reactive oxygen species in skin cells.

Dermoscopic assessment of xerosis severity, pigmentation pattern and vascular morphology in subjects with physiological aging and photoaging.

Background: Skin aging can be classified as either physiological or pathological aging. Pathological aging is most often due to chronic sunlight exposure (photoaging). Age-dependent changes in dermoscopic features of normal skin have not previously been well defined.

Arsenic-Induced Carcinogenesis and Immune Dysregulation.

Arsenic, a metal ubiquitously distributed in the environment, remains an important global health threat. Drinking arsenic-contaminated water is the major route of human exposure. Exposure to arsenic contributes to several malignancies, in the integumentary, respiratory, hepatobiliary, and urinary systems.

Increased ischemic stroke risk in patients with Behçet's disease: A nationwide population-based cohort study.

Background: Behçet's disease (BD) is a recurrent, multisystemic, inflammatory disorder that mainly affects blood vessels. Because recurrent inflammation of blood vessels in the brain plays a crucial role in the development of ischemic stroke, we hypothesized that patients with BD might have an elevated risk of ischemic stroke. This potential association has been suggested in a few case reports, but not epidemiological studies.

A potential new approach for treating systemic sclerosis: Dedifferentiation of SSc fibroblasts and change in the microenvironment by blocking store-operated Ca2+ entry.

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is an important target for treating systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, our study revealed three levels of TGF-β1 expression in SSc patients, indicating that inhibiting TGF-β is not sufficient to treat SSc. A previous clinical trial also displayed disappointing results.

Mechanisms of repigmentation induced by photobiomodulation therapy in vitiligo.

Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy is based on the exposure of biological tissues to low-level laser light (coherent light) or light-emitting diodes (LEDs; noncoherent light), leading to the modulation of cellular functions, such as proliferation and migration, which result in tissue regeneration. PBM therapy has important clinical applications in regenerative medicine. Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentary disorder resulting from disappearance of functional melanocytes in the involved skin.

Interactive Effects between Chronic Lead Exposure and the Homeostatic Iron Regulator Transport Polymorphism on the Human Red Blood Cell Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV).

Research has shown that long-term exposure to lead harms the hematological system. The homeostatic iron regulator (hemochromatosis) mutation, which has been shown to affect iron absorption and iron overload, is hypothesized to be related to lead intoxication in vulnerable individuals. The aim of our study was to investigate whether the genotype modifies the blood lead levels that affect the distributions of serum iron and other red blood cell indices.

Immunological dysfunction in chronic arsenic exposure: From subclinical condition to skin cancer.

Exposure to arsenic is a global health issue. Long-term arsenic exposure may associate with various cancers and many other pathological effects. Over 100 million people worldwide are exposed to arsenic particularly in countries such as Bangladesh, Chile, China, India, Mexico, Taiwan and the USA.

ΔNp63 promotes abnormal epidermal proliferation in arsenical skin cancers.

Arsenic is known to perturb epidermal homeostasis and induce abnormal keratinocyte proliferation, leading to skin carcinogenesis. P63 and its isoforms are essential to regulate epidermal homeostasis. This study aimed to investigate the role of p63 isoforms in abnormal epidermal proliferation induced by arsenic.

Early sign of microangiopathy in systemic sclerosis: The significance of cold stress test in dynamic laser Doppler flowmetry.

Background: Skin physiology measurement is receiving more attention for detecting vasculopathy in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) is a widely used physiological measurement to assess cutaneous microcirculation. However, findings of LDF may be subtle during early stage of microangiopathy in SSc.

Cyclin D1 promoter -56 and -54bp CpG un-methylation predicts invasive progression in arsenic-induced Bowen's disease.

Background: Patients with arsenic-induced Bowen's disease (As-BD) are at risk of developing invasive cancers in the skin, lung, and urinary bladder. However, a longitudinal follow-up study on the association between As-BD and invasive cancers is still lacking.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of this malignant progression in the skin and internal organs.