scholarly journals Characterization of Cowhage-induced Pruritus in Sensitive Skin: An Observational Laboratory Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Zuo ◽  
Ping Jiang ◽  
Ruoyu Wan ◽  
Li Li ◽  
Qiyong Gong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Normal Skin ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Sensitive Skin ◽  
Prick Test ◽  
Clinical Assessments ◽  
Skin Physiology

Sensitive skin is a prevalent syndrome, characterized by discomfort in response to mild stimuli, which impacts life quality. Its pathomechanism remains insufficiently understood. Pruritus is one of the major symptoms. As one of the experimental models for pruritus, the cowhage skin prick test might provide an insight to the understanding of sensitive skin. This study aimed to specify the characteristics of cowhage-induced pruritus in sensitive skin. 20 female sensitive skin volunteers and 20 controls were recruited. Self-report questionnaires were distributed and their responses evaluated; moreover, alongside assessments by dermatologists, skin physiology assessments, lactic acid sting test, capsaicin test and cowhage skin challenge were performed. This study showed that pruritus in sensitive skin is perceived as more intense and longer-lasting, with different qualities of accompanying sensations than in normal skin. Test results of cowhage skin challenge showed moderate consistency with clinical assessments. The results suggest that cowhage skin challenge could be a new tool for sensitive skin assessment.

Epithelial Organotypic Cultures: A Viable Model to Address Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis by Epitheliotropic Viruses

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 246-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara Termini ◽  
Enrique Boccardo
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Organotypic Cultures ◽  
Skin Physiology

In vitro culture of primary or established cell lines is one of the leading techniques in many areas of basic biological research. The use of pure or highly enriched cultures of specific cell types obtained from different tissues and genetics backgrounds has greatly contributed to our current understanding of normal and pathological cellular processes. Cells in culture are easily propagated generating an almost endless source of material for experimentation. Besides, they can be manipulated to achieve gene silencing, gene overexpression and genome editing turning possible the dissection of specific gene functions and signaling pathways. However, monolayer and suspension cultures of cells do not reproduce the cell type diversity, cell-cell contacts, cell-matrix interactions and differentiation pathways typical of the three-dimensional environment of tissues and organs from where they were originated. Therefore, different experimental animal models have been developed and applied to address these and other complex issues in vivo. However, these systems are costly and time consuming. Most importantly the use of animals in scientific research poses moral and ethical concerns facing a steadily increasing opposition from different sectors of the society. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of alternative in vitro experimental models that accurately reproduce the events observed in vivo to reduce the use of animals. Organotypic cultures combine the flexibility of traditional culture systems with the possibility of culturing different cell types in a 3D environment that reproduces both the structure and the physiology of the parental organ. Here we present a summarized description of the use of epithelial organotypic for the study of skin physiology, human papillomavirus biology and associated tumorigenesis.

Optimization and characterization of flavonoids extracted from Cannabis sativa fibers

2021 ◽  
pp. 004051752110277
Author(s):  
Qilu Cui ◽  
Jiawei Li ◽  
Chongwen Yu
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Structure ◽  
Cannabis Sativa ◽  
Ethanol Concentration ◽  
Extraction Process ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Hemp Fiber ◽  
Hemp Fibers ◽  
Structure Surface ◽  
Degumming Process

In this paper, the extraction process of flavonoids from hemp fibers was studied. Response surface methodology (RSM) analysis of the extraction parameters indicated that optimized results would be ethanol concentration 76 vol.%, bath ratio 1:50, and reaction time 139 min; therefore, an optimal extraction rate of flavonoids of 0.2275% can be obtained. The chemical structure, surface morphology and element composition of flavonoid extracts were analyzed. The test results indicated that hemp extract contains flavonoids, which can be used to extract flavonoids from hemp fiber, so as to comprehensively develop hemp fiber and reduce the discharge of waste liquid in the traditional degumming process.

34 Rete Ridges are Decreased in Dyschromic Burn Hypertrophic Scar: A Histological Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S27-S27
Author(s):  
Bonnie C Carney ◽  
Taryn E Travis ◽  
Romina Deldar ◽  
Lauren T Moffatt ◽  
Laura S Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Basement Membrane ◽  
Hypertrophic Scar ◽  
Burn Injury ◽  
Histological Study ◽  
Normal Skin ◽  
Weak Correlation ◽  
Rete Ridge ◽  
Skin Physiology ◽  
Predominantly Female ◽  
Injured Skin

Abstract Introduction Dyschromic hypertrophic scar (HTS) with areas of hyper- and hypo-pigmentation is a common sequelae of burn injury. The mechanism behind the development of dyschromia has not been elucidated. In this study, we provide a histological analysis of these scars with a focus on rete ridge presence. Rete ridges occur in epithelial tissues such as oral mucosa and skin and can be described as undulating “pegs” that are interdigitated with dermal papillae. Rete ridges enhance adhesion of the epidermis to the dermis. We hypothesize that rete ridge presence is important for normal skin physiology, and their absence or presence may hold mechanistic significance in post-burn HTS dyschromia. Methods Subjects with post-burn dyschromic HTS were consented and enrolled (n=27). Punch biopsies of hyper-, hypo-, and normally pigmented scar and skin were collected and stored in formalin. Biopsies were paraffin embedded, sectioned, stained with H&E, and imaged. The number of rete ridges were investigated by calculating a rete ridge ratio from the length of the basement membrane and the length of the epidermis. Results The patient population was predominantly female (55.5%), black (70.4%), and had Fitzpatrick skin Type V (51.9%). The injuries were primarily as a result of flame (37%) and scald (33.3%) and resulted in a median TBSA burn of 7%. The median age of the scar at the time of sample acquisition was 12.2 months. The rete ridge ratio of normally pigmented, un-injured skin was above 1 (1.31 ± 0.04), indicating that normal skin’s basement membrane is longer than its epidermal length due to the presence of rete ridges. HTSs resulting from burn wounds that healed without split thickness autografts were first investigated. The number of rete ridges was higher in normal skin compared to HTS that was either hypo- or hyperpigmented (1.31 ± 0.04 vs. 1.13 ± 0.05 and 1.14 ± 0.04 vs, p< 0.05). This difference was similar despite pigmentation phenotype. When hyper-pigmented scars resulting from wounds that were treated with split thickness autografts (Hyper(+)) were investigated, rete ridge number was significantly higher than in Hyper(-) (1.89 ± 0.23, p< 0.01). Patient age showed a weak correlation (R=-0.33) with rete ridge ratio where older patients had lower rete ridge ratios in normal, un-injured skin. Hyper(+) showed a weak correlation between rete ridge ratio and age of scar (R=-0.38). Conclusions Post-burn HTS that is dyschromic has fewer rete ridges than normal skin. This finding may explain the decreased epidermal barrier function that is associated with HTS.

scholarly journals Design and Experimental Characterization of L-CADEL v2, an Assistive Device for Elbow Motion

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (15) ◽  
pp. 5149
Author(s):  
Marco Ceccarelli ◽  
Mykhailo Riabtsev ◽  
Axel Fort ◽  
Matteo Russo ◽  
Med Amine Laribi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elderly People ◽  
Operating Performance ◽  
Assistive Device ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Experimental Characterization ◽  
Elbow Motion ◽  
Laboratory Prototype

An experimental characterization is presented for an improved version of a wearable assistive device for elbow motion. The design is revised with respect to requirements for elbow motion assistance, looking at applications both in rehabilitation therapies and exercising of elderly people. A laboratory prototype is built with lightweight, portable, easy-to-use features that are verified with test results, whose discussion is also provided as a characterization of operating performance.

scholarly journals Association of Pathogenic Th17 Cells with the Disease Severity and Its Potential Implication for Biological Treatment Selection in Psoriasis Patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Cristina Aguilar-Flores ◽  
Octavio Castro-Escamilla ◽  
Elizabeth M. Ortega-Rocha ◽  
César Maldonado-García ◽  
Fermín Jurado-Santa Cruz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Severity ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Th17 Cells ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Cutaneous Lesions ◽  
Potential Implication ◽  
Th17 Lymphocytes ◽  
Pasi Score

Psoriasis is an inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by cutaneous lesions in plaques. It has been proposed that the immune response has a key role in the disease progression. Particularly, the Th17 cells through IL-17 can contribute to maintain the inflammatory process. The pathogenic Th17 phenotype has been described in human diseases and associated with high severity in inflammatory experimental models. However, it is not clear if the pathogenic phenotype could be present in the skin and peripheral blood as well as its possible association to severity in psoriasis. In the lesional skin, we found high infiltration of Th17 cells and the pathogenic phenotype, finding a correlation between the frequency of Th17 cells and the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score. In peripheral blood, we observed a pool of Th17 lymphocytes with potential to acquire pathogenic features. Interestingly, the percentage of pathogenic Th17 cells (CD4+ RORγt+ IFN-γ+) correlates with disease severity. Moreover, we distinguished three groups of patients based on their IL-17/IFN-γ production by Th17 lymphocytes, which seems to be related with a dynamic or stable potential to express these cytokines. Remarkably, we evaluated the cytokine production by Th17 cells as an immunological marker for the adequate selection of biologic therapy. We found that patients analyzed by this immunological approach and treated with antibodies against IL-17 and TNFα showed great improvement depicted by reduction in PASI and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score as well as the percentage of Body Surface Area (BSA). Altogether, our results highlight the importance of the assessment of the pathogenic phenotype in Th17 cells as an immune personalized analysis with the potential to support the therapy choice in the clinical practice.

scholarly journals Skin prick test results in patients with atopic symptoms in Yozgat district

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emine Colgecen ◽  
Kemal Özyurt ◽  
Yavuz Selim İntepe ◽  
Zeliha Kapusuz Gencer ◽  
Mahmut Özkırış ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skin Prick Test ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Prick Test

scholarly journals An Experimental Characterization of TORVEastro, Cable-Driven Astronaut Robot

Robotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Francesco Samani ◽  
Marco Ceccarelli
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Vision System ◽  
Service Robot ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Operation Performance ◽  
Space Applications ◽  
Outdoor Space ◽  
Motion Characteristics ◽  
Three Degree Of Freedom

TORVEastro robot design is presented with a built prototype in LARM2 (Laboratory of Robot Mechatronics) for testing and characterizing its functionality for service in space stations. Several robot astronauts are designed with bulky human-like structures that cannot be convenient for outdoor space service in monitoring and maintenance of the external structures of orbital stations. The design features of TORVEastro robot are discussed with its peculiar mechanical design with 3 arm-legs as agile service robot astronaut. A lab prototype is used to test the operation performance and the feasibility of its peculiar design. The robot weighs 1 kg, and consists of a central torso, three identical three-degree of freedom (DoF) arm–legs and one vision system. Test results are reported to discuss the operation efficiency in terms of motion characteristics and power consumption during lab experiments that nevertheless show the feasibility of the robot for outdoor space applications.

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