Back Hair Research Articles

α-Arbutin ameliorates UVA-induced photoaging through regulation of the SIRT3/PGC-1α pathway.

Owing to its tyrosinase inhibitory activity, α-arbutin has been added to several skin care products as a skin-lightening agent. However, the protective effect of α-arbutin against ultraviolet A (UVA)-induced photoaging has not been well investigated. The present study was designed to investigate the photoprotective effect and mechanism of α-arbutin against UVA-induced photoaging. In vitro experiments, HaCaT cells were treated with UVA at a dose of 3J/cm2 to evaluate the anti-photoaging effect of α-arbutin. α-Arbutin was found to exhibit a strong antioxidant effect by increasing glutathione (GSH) level and inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Meanwhile, α-arbutin markedly improved the expression of sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1 α (PGC-1α) proteins, initiating downstream signaling to increase mitochondrial membrane potential and mediate mitochondrial biogenesis, and improve mitochondrial structure significantly. In vivo analysis, the mice with shaved back hair were irradiated with a cumulative UVA dose of 10J/cm2 and a cumulative ultraviolet B (UVB) dose of 0.63J/cm2. The animal experiments demonstrated that α-arbutin increased the expression of SIRT3 and PGC-1α proteins in the back skin of mice, thereby reducing UV-induced skin damage. In conclusion, α-arbutin protects HaCaT cells and mice from UVA damage by regulating SIRT3/PGC-1α signaling pathway.

Establishment of a promising vitiligo mouse model for pathogenesis and treatment studies

AimsVitiligo is a chronic dermatological condition characterized by the progressive loss of melanocytes, for which traditional therapy has shown limited efficacy. This study aimed to establish a vitiligo model with easy operability, high repeatability, and stable depigmentation to provide a foundation for studying the pathogenesis and developing novel therapies for vitiligo.Methods(1) Establishing vitiligo model: Firstly, deliver B16F10 cells to the back skin of C57BL/6 J via intradermal injection (day 0), and the CD4 depletion antibody was injected intraperitoneally on day 4 and 10. Secondly, the melanoma was surgically removed on day 12. Thirdly, CD8 antibody was administered intraperitoneally every fourth day till day 30. (2) Identification of vitiligo model: H&E staining, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence were used to detect the melanocytes. The melanin was detected by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Lillie ferrous sulfate staining and L-DOPA staining.Results(1) The back skin and hair began to appear white on day 30. Melanin loss reached peak on day 60; (2) Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence results showed melanocytes were reduced. L-DOPA staining, Lillie ferrous sulfate staining and TEM results showed that melanin decreased in the epidermis.ConclusionWe successfully establishment a vitiligo mouse model which can be more capable to simulate the pathogenesis of human vitiligo and provide an important basis for the study of pathogenesis and therapy of vitiligo.

Ginsenoside CK inhibits androgenetic alopecia by regulating Wnt/β‐catenin and p53 signaling pathways in AGA mice

AbstractAndrogenetic alopecia (AGA) is one of the most common chronic skin diseases caused by the destruction of androgens in the body. It is caused by the excessive deposition of dihydrotestosterone around the hair follicle, resulting in hair follicle atrophy and hair cell apoptosis. It causes great anxiety and psychological distress to patients and affects sexual function in severe cases. As traditional Chinese herbs, ginsenosides have been proven to possess various pharmacological activities. Ginsenoside CK is one of the main ginsenosides, but its role and molecular mechanism in treating AGA remain unclear. Here, we found that ginsenoside CK intervention significantly reduced back hair loss in AGA mice, improved sexual organ damage and hair follicle cell apoptosis, and promoted hair growth in AGA mice. Ginsenoside CK treatment inhibited p53 expression, reduced the apoptosis of hair follicle cells induced by hormone deposition, activated the Wnt/β‐catenin cell proliferation signaling pathway, increased the level of vascular endothelial growth factor, promoted cell proliferation, and improved the atrophy of hair follicle tissue. Ginsenoside CK treatment also reduced testosterone levels in AGA mice, improved testicular tissue inflammation, and restored normal hormone metabolism in AGA mice. Our results indicated that ginsenoside CK reduced hair follicle cell apoptosis, promoted proliferation and development, and prolonged the hair growth cycle by regulating the Wnt and p53 signaling pathways, indicating the potential value of ginsenoside CK as a natural therapeutic agent for AGA.

Study of dietary‑induced progression of psoriasis‑like mice based on gut macrophage polarization.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of stimulating food (SF), a Traditional Chinese Medicine term for a high protein, high fat diet, on psoriasis exacerbation. It was hypothesized that SF disposed psoriasis-like aggravation might be related to inflammatory pathways induction via gut dysbiosis. In the present study, mice were fed either an SF or normal diet for 4 weeks. In the last week, their back hair was removed to establish psoriasis-like dermatitis by imiquimod. After sacrifice, blood samples, alimentary tissues and skin lesions were collected and tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blotting, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Compared with normal diet groups, body weight and blood glucose of SF diet mice were not increased, but they exhibited higher modified Psoriasis Area and Severity Index scores and corresponding epithelial hyperproliferation. Unexpectedly, skin lesions showed abnormal lower protein expressions of Notch and TLR-2/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway, which was attributable to severe skin damage. No difference was observed in the structure and inflammatory cell infiltration of the gut between groups. Instead, macrophage polarization (M1/M2) in the gut of the SF diet group marked by high expression of CD11b (a marker of macrophage, M1) and mild low expression of MRC1 (a marker of macrophage, M2), which resulted in increased TNF-α, decreased IL-10, IL-35, and unchanged IL-17 in serum. Furthermore, serum derived from SF diet mice promoted translocation of NF-κB p65 in HaCaT cells, which indirectly suggested a systemic inflammation. These results suggested that mice fed a continuous SF diet for a time could change gut macrophage polarization, which secretes proinflammatory cytokines into blood circulation. Once transported to skin lesions, these cytokines activate psoriasis tissue resident immune cells and present as psoriasis exacerbation.

A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase 10 (ADAM10) Is Essential for Oligodendrocyte Precursor Development and Myelination in the Mouse Brain

A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 (ADAM10) plays an essential role in the regulation of survival, proliferation, migration, and differentiation of various neural cells. Nevertheless, the role of ADAM10 in oligodendrocyte precursors (OPCs) and myelination in the central nervous system (CNS) of developing and adult mouse brains is still unknown. We generated ADAM10 conditional knockout (ADAM10 cKO) mice lacking the ADAM10 gene primarily in OPCs by crossing NG2-Cre mice with ADAM10 loxp/loxp mice. We found that OPCs expressed ADAM10 in the mouse corpus callosum and the hippocampus. ADAM10 cKO mice showed significant loss of back hair and reduction in weight and length on postnatal (30 ± 2.1) day, died at (65 ± 5) days after birth, and exhibited the “anxiety and depression-like” performances. Conditional knockout of ADAM10 in OPCs resulted in a prominent increase in myelination and a decrease in the number of OPCs in the corpus callosum at P30 owing to premyelination and lack of proliferation of OPCs. Moreover, the number of proliferating OPCs and mature oligodendrocytes (OLs) also decreased with age in the corpus callosum of ADAM10 cKO mice from P30 to P60. Western blot and RT-PCR results showed that the activation of Notch-1 and its four target genes, Hes1, Hes5, Hey1, and Hey2, was inhibited in the corpus callosum tissue of ADAM10 knockout mice. In our study, we provided experimental evidence to demonstrate that ADAM10 is essential for modulating CNS myelination and OPC development by activating Notch-1 signaling in the developing and adult mouse brain.

Effects of Baicalin on Alopecia and the Associated Mechanism.

The aim of the present study was to explore the potential pharmacological mechanism of baicalin by combining network pharmacology prediction and the experimental verification of alopecia. Networks of baicalin-associated targets and alopecia-related genes were constructed using the STRING database. Potential targets and pathways associated with the therapeutic efficacy of baicalin were identified via enrichment analysis using Cytoscape and the database for annotation, visualization and integrated discovery (Metascape). The back hair of C57BL/6J mice was removed with depilatory cream to verify the therapeutic effect of baicalin. Human hair dermal papilla cells (HHDPCs) were used to explore the mechanism of action of baicalin. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that the potential targets of baicalin mainly include protein serine/threonine kinase, Src protein, epidermal growth factor receptor, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), which were indicated to mediate neutrophil degranulation and regulation of cell-cell adhesion, vesicle lumen, cytoplasmic vesicle, membrane raft, and endopeptidase activity. Multiple pathways were identified, such as proteoglycans in cancer, PI3K/AKT, and forkhead box O signaling pathways. Following baicalin treatment for the experimental mice, the coverage, length, and weight of the hair increased in a baicalin dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the histological evaluation showed that the number of hair follicles increased after baicalin treatment and melanin formation were pronounced. In addition, baicalin induced an increase in the phosphorylated p-AKT, p-glycogen synthase kinase-3β, p-PI3K, TGF-β1, and vascular endothelial growth factor levels. Furthermore, the activation levels of key protein p-AKT were increased. Baicalin induced the proliferation of HHDPCs in vitro and significantly upregulated p-AKT, IGF1, and alkaline phosphatase. In conclusion, the present study revealed that the pharmacological mechanisms of baicalin in alopecia therapy were associated with the proliferation of DPCs, the activation of the AKT pathway, and the transmission of downstream signals, indicating that baicalin is a potential drug candidate for the clinical treatment of hair loss.

PMON319 A Pure Androgen Secreting Adrenal - Cortical Tumor in a 13 Year Old Female

Abstract Background Adrenal cortical adenomas are exceedingly rare representing 0.2% of pediatric malignancies and often present with signs of Cushing syndrome, virilization and mixed elevated hormones.[1] We present a rare case of a virilizing androgen only secreting adrenal cortical adenoma with resolution after surgical removal. Clinical Case A 13-year-old female was referred to endocrine clinic for 1 year history of deep masculine voice, hirsutism and elevated DHEA-S levels. She also reported facial hair requiring removal every 3 to 4 days, back hair, acne, and dull aching back pain. Pubertal changes began at age 9 with breast development and menarche at age 11 followed by amenorrhea. On physical exam, she had a significantly deep masculine voice, axillary hair, female genitalia with prominent clitoris, Tanner Stage IV pubic hair and Stage III breast development. Blood pressure was within normal limits and weight was historically consistent in the 90th percentile. Initial labs were significant for elevated 17-Hydroxypregnenolone 353 ng/dL (ref: 44-235), Androstenedione LCMS 903 ng/dL (ref: 50-170), Testosterone 100 ng/dL (ref: 15-35), DHEA 5460 ng/dL (ref: <202) and DHEA-S >1000 ug/dL (ref: 67.8–328.6). LH, FSH, Estradiol, Cortisol LCMS, and Chromogranin A were within normal limits for her sex and age. Further work up ruled out pheochromocytoma, paraganglioma, Cushing's syndrome and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-circumscribed 5.5×5.8×6.4 cm cystic and solid left adrenal mass and displacement of the left kidney. She was referred to endocrine oncology and surgery specialists. Genetic testing showed absence of TP53 involvement. Patient underwent open left adrenalectomy, and remained hospitalized for 3 days in recovery. The surgical pathology identified an adrenal cortical adenoma Stage II (pT2, pN0, cM0) measuring 8.7×6.0×3.3cm with slight increase of ki67 index at 3.7% (average 8044 nuclei counted) and hot spot with 4.6% (1266 nuclei counted). Follow up revealed resumption of regular periods, improvement in acne and male-pattern hair growth, and voice becoming less deep beginning 3 months post-operatively. DHEA-S returned to normal ranges at 220 ug/dL (ref: 67.8–328.6). Patient did well post-operatively except for occasional sharp back pain. Discussion Rare amongst adrenal tumors are isolated androgen-secreting sub types. To our knowledge, this is one of the first documented cases of a pure androgen secreting adrenal cortical tumor without symptoms of Cushing's syndrome in the pediatric population.

Evolution Characterization and Pathogenicity of a Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Isolate from a Pig Farm in Shandong Province, China.

In recent years, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) strains have been experiencing extensive recombination in Chinese swine farms. This recombination usually happens in NADC30/34 strains and highly pathogenic (HP) PRRSV strains. This study identified a new PRRSV isolate that shared 99% and 99.1% nucleotide identity with CH-1a and CH-1R at the genomic level, respectively. After purification by viral plaque assay, this isolate was named PRRSV CSR1801. The isolate did not experience any recombination with other PRRSV strains common in swine herd epidemics in China, which means it still maintains the stable features of the classical PRRSV strain and did not easily recombine with other PRRSV strains. Further analysis of the pathogenicity of the PRRSV isolate CSR1801 was performed in piglets. The results indicated that none of the inoculated piglets showed the typical clinical manifestations of PRRS, which presented with runny noses, rough back hair, rectal temperatures always below 40.5 °C, and no deaths. Additionally, no obvious histopathological lesions such as severe interstitial pneumonia could be observed in the lungs of the piglets. Hence, the PRRSV isolate CSR1801 should be classified as a classical-like PRRSV strain. This classical PRRSV strain showed genetic stability and maintained low pathogenicity. This study may provide new clues for further understanding the genetic evolution and pathogenicity of PRRSV and may also be an important reference for the prevention and control of PRRS in swine farms.

Effect of Lifestyle Pattern and Cultural Practices on Vitamin D Status of Muslim Women in Coimbatore City

Muslim women follow unique lifestyle pattern influenced by cultural practices. Studies in Middle East countries showed high rate of vitamin D deficiency among Muslim women1. Hence, the present study aims to find the effect of lifestyle pattern and cultural practices on vitamin D status of Muslim women. Two hundred Muslim women between the age of 25 to 45 years were selected in Coimbatore city. Details regarding education, occupation, cultural dress, sunlight exposure, sunscreen usage and physical activity patterns were collected using a designed interview schedule. Clinical examination was conducted for signs and symptoms of vitamin D and calcium deficiency. Nineteen per cent of the women were between 25-30 years, 44 per cent were between 31-40 years and 37 per cent were between 41-45 years of age. Eighty eight per cent were house wives and 91.5 per cent of them wore cultural dress, among which 59 percentage wore chaddar in black colour. Sunlight exposure was less than 30 mins in 39.5 percentage of women. Seventy five per cent of them did not exercise. Back pain, bone loss, body pain and hair loss were prominent symptoms among the women. There was a significant association (P = 0.008) between sunlight exposure, type and colour of the cultural dress, back pain, pain in bone and bone loss. Hence, it may be concluded that exposure to sunlight at home may be recommended to improve vitamin D status of Muslim women.

Hair Growth Promoting Activity of Cedrol Nanoemulsion in C57BL/6 Mice and Its Bioavailability.

As the main component of Platycladus orientalis, cedrol has known germinal activity. A range of cedrol formulations have been developed to prevent hair-loss, but compliance remains key issues. In this study, we prepared cedrol nanoemulsion (CE-NE) and determined the particle size and PDI (polydispersion coefficient), investigated the hair growth activity and studied the bioavailability in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that the average particle size of CE-NE is 14.26 ± 0.16 nm, and the PDI value is 0.086 ± 0.019. In vitro drug release investigation and drug release kinetics analysis showed release profile of CE from nanoparticles demonstrates the preferred partition of CE in buffer pH 4.0, the release profile of CE-NE showed a first-order kinetics reaching around 36.7% after 6 h at 37 °C. We artificially depilated the back hair of C57BL/6 mice and compared the efficacy of a designed cedrol nanoemulsion to an existing ointment group. The hair follicles were imaged and quantified using a digital photomicrograph. The results showed that compared with the ointment, CE-NE had positive effects on hair growth, improved drug solubility. Compared with the ointment and 2% minoxidil groups, 50 mg/mL CE-NE led to more robust hair growth. Pharmacokinetics analysis showed that the AUC0–t of CE-NE was 4-fold higher than that of the ointment group, confirming that the bioavailability of the nanoemulsion was greater than that of the ointment. CE-NE also significantly reduced the hair growth time of model mice and significantly increased the growth rate of hair follicles. In conclusion, these data suggest that the nanoemulsion significantly improved the pharmacokinetic properties and hair growth effects cedrol, enhancing its efficacy in vitro and in vivo.

Associations between skin lesion counts, hair cortisol concentrations and reproductive performance in group housed sows

The effects of acute stress on sow reproductive performance are well established, but we know less about the implications of chronic stress for sow performance. This study investigated associations between total skin lesion counts 24hr and 3 weeks post-mixing, hair cortisol concentrations at the end of pregnancy, and reproductive performance of sows. Sows (n = 264; parity 1-5) were artificially inseminated and locked into individual feeding stalls within 11 fully slatted gestation pens, immediately after service. Sows were released from the stalls at approximately 25 days post-service, allowed to mix, and thereafter had free access to the stalls. Skin lesions were counted 24hr post-mixing (i.e. one day after release from the stalls), and 3 weeks post-mixing on the anterior (head, neck, shoulders and front legs), middle (flanks and back), and posterior (rump, hind legs and tail). The sum of counts across all sites yielded a total skin lesion count for each sow. Back fat depth measurement and hair collection were carried out one week prior to farrowing. Sow reproductive performance measures included the number of piglets born alive, born dead, mummified, and total born. Piglets from 75 sows were tagged, weighed and scored for vitality (0 = least vital, to 4 = perfect) and intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR; 0 = none, to 3 = severe). There was a positive association between total skin lesion counts 3 weeks post-mixing and both the number of mummified piglets (P = 0.045), and IUGR scores (P = 0.018). There was no correlation between total skin lesion count either 24hr (Rho = 0.10; P > 0.05) or 3 weeks post-mixing (Rho = -0.02; P > 0.05) and hair cortisol concentrations. There was also no association between hair cortisol concentrations and measures of sow reproductive performance (P > 0.05). Higher skin lesion counts 3 weeks post-mixing were associated with aspects of sow reproductive performance. This suggests that chronic stress caused by sustained aggression had a negative impact on the reproductive system. Nevertheless, given the lack of significant associations between hair cortisol, skin lesion counts, and measures of reproductive performance, this was not supported by the findings for hair cortisol.

A Selectable Biomarker in Hair Follicle Cycles – Cathepsins: A Preliminary Study in Murine

Background/Objective: Hair cycle is regulated by many biological factors. Cathepsins are involved in various physiological processes in human skin. Here, we investigated the cathepsin expression and distribution changes in follicular growth cycles for better understanding the hair cycles and to explore new intervention measures. Methods: The 24 mice (C57BL/6, female, 7-week old) were selected and removed the back hair via rosin/paraffin method. At Day 8, Day 20, and Day 25, biopsy on post-plucking area was done. Immunohistochemical staining, Western blot, and Q-PCR were used to test the cathepsin B/D/L/E. Results: In anagen, cathepsins (B, D, L, and E) were distributed in the hair follicle matrix, inner hair root sheath, and hair. In catagen, cathepsins were mainly observed in un-apoptosis inner root sheath and outer root sheath. Expression of cathepsins B-mRNA and L-mRNA was decreased from anagen and catagen to telogen. Cathepsin D-mRNA was increased in catagen and then decreased in telogen. Cathepsin E-mRNA was decreased in catagen and slightly increased in telogen. Conclusions: The distribution and expression of cathepsins B, D, L, and E in hair follicle changed with hair growth process which indicated that cathepsins might act as selectable biomarkers of hair cycle in different stages.

Pharmacokinetic study of midazolam and α-hydroxymidazolam in guinea pig blood and hair roots after a single dose of midazolam

The appearance of midazolam (M) and its metabolites into the hair root following a single administration was examined by following the time course of M and α-hydroxymidazolam (αHM) in hair roots and blood from guinea pigs. The back hair of guinea pigs was shaved before drug administration and before each sampling, and hair roots (3–5 mm) were plucked at 5, 15, and 30 min, 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144 h, and 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. The kinetic parameters of M and αHM in guinea pig blood and hair roots were determined for three doses (5, 10, and 25 mg/kg). Comparisons of drug time course between hair roots and blood indicated an association between drug concentrations in the hair root and the blood. M and αHM entered the hair root within 5 min after a single exposure. The detection windows were also longer for the hair root than for the blood. Consequently, the hair root can be a valuable specimen in acute poisonings or drug-facilitated crime (DFC) cases, if other matrices are unavailable, or if blood and urine results are negative. Hair shafts (with hair roots) were plucked at 28 days and segmented. The concentrations of M and αHM were lower in the hair shafts than in the hair roots. The concentrations of the metabolite αHM in hair shafts were barely detectable. The concentrations of M and αHM in the hair root showed a moderate correlation with dose. Comparison of drug levels in hair roots between the washed group and the unwashed group indicated a generally stable percentage between the washed and unwashed groups of 40–60 % during the entire time course. This indicates that drugs are likely to be immobilized in the hair root at the beginning of the incorporation process.

Acute irritation of tetracyclic c-4-hydroxyphenylcalics [4] pyrogalolarene on skin of albino rabbits

C-4-hydroxyphenylcalix[4] pyrogalolarene (Pg4OH) is a synthetic chemical compound that shows strong antioxidant activity. It is potential to be developed as UV skin protector. For topical admission, an acute skin irritation test is being prerequisite to be fulfill. This study was conducted to investigate the irritation effect of Pg4OH on the skin. In vivo study by quasi experiment with posttest only design was carried out by employing 3 adult male albino rabbits. The back hair was shaved at 24 h before the treatment. The Pg4OH was smeared on the bare shaved-skin and left naturally within 4 h. The observation began at 24, 48 and 72 h after exposure. The erythema and edema scores were measured. Calculation by using primary irritation index (PII) was applied. Calculation was categorized with globally harmonized system (GHS) and international organization for standardization (ISO) parameters. As a result, among three rabbits, only one animal shown erythema and edema with very small size (score: 1), on 3 sites, at 72 h. Both the control site and the sample sites gained same score. Two other rabbits were obtained 0 value at each observation location. According to the PII, the observed data was obtained score 0.0093 (very light or negligible). It can be concluded that the tetracyclic compound of Pg4OH does not irritate the skin.

Weber Texture Local Descriptor for Identification of Group-Housed Pigs.

The individual identification of group-housed pigs plays an important role in breeding process management and individual behavior analysis. Recently, livestock identification methods based on the side view or face image have strict requirements on the position and posture of livestock, which poses a challenge for the application of the monitoring scene of group-housed pigs. To address the issue above, a Weber texture local descriptor (WTLD) is proposed for the identification of group-housed pigs by extracting the local features of back hair, skin texture, spots, and so on. By calculating the differential excitation and multi-directional information of pixels, the local structure features of the main direction are fused to enhance the description ability of features. The experimental results show that the proposed WTLD achieves higher recognition rates with a lower feature dimension. This method can identify pig individuals with different positions and postures in the pig house. Without limitations on pig movement, this method can facilitate the identification of individual pigs with greater convenience and universality.

Intravenous Injection of Muse Cells as a Potential Therapeutic Approach for Epidermolysis Bullosa

Intravenous Injection of Muse Cells as a Potential Therapeutic Approach for Epidermolysis Bullosa

Sustained release of dermal papilla-derived extracellular vesicles from injectable microgel promotes hair growth.

Hair regeneration has long captured researchers' attention because alopecia is a common condition and current therapeutic approaches have significant limitations. Dermal papilla (DP) cells serve as a signaling center in hair follicles and regulate hair formation and cycling by paracrine secretion. Secreted EVs are important signaling mediators for intercellular communication, and DP-derived extracellular vesicles (DP-EVs) may play an important role in hair regeneration. However, the instability of EVs in vivo and their low long-term retention after transplantation hinder their use in clinical applications.Methods: Human DP-EVs were encapsulated in partially oxidized sodium alginate (OSA) hydrogels, yielding OSA-encapsulated EVs (OSA-EVs), which act as a sustained-release system to increase the potential therapeutic effect of DP-EVs. The ability of the OSA-EVs to protect protein was assessed. The hair regeneration capacity of OSA-EVs, as well as the underlying mechanism, was explored in hair organ culture and a mouse model of depilation.Results: The OSA-EVs were approximately 100 μm in diameter, and as the hydrogel degraded, DP-EVs were gradually released. In addition, the hydrogel markedly increased the stability of vesicular proteins and increased the retention of EVs in vitro and in vivo. The OSA-EVs significantly facilitated proliferation of hair matrix cells, prolonged anagen phase in cultured human hairs, and accelerated the regrowth of back hair in mice after depilation. These effects may be due to upregulation of hair growth-promoting signaling molecules such as Wnt3a and β-catenin, and downregulation of inhibitory molecule BMP2.Conclusion: This study demonstrated that OSA hydrogels promote the therapeutic effects of DP-EVs, and indicate that our novel OSA-EVs could be used to treat alopecia.

Let-7b regulates alpaca hair growth by downregulating ectodysplasin A

Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED), also known as anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, is characterized by the clinical manifestations of less sweat or no sweat, sparse or no hair, tooth agenesis and/or abnormal tooth morphology. The characteristics of alpaca ear hair differ from the back hair. The ectodysplasin A (EDA) signaling pathway has a regulatory effect on skin development and hair growth. The aim of the present study was to study the effects of EDA on alpaca hair growth by examining the mRNA and protein expression levels of EDA in alpaca ear and back skin by reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis, respectively. Results indicated that EDA expression was higher in the ear skin compared with the back skin. The expression levels of let‑7b in the skin of healthy alpacas varies; the difference between let‑7b expression levels of the ear and back have been reported to be >2‑fold, suggesting a role for let‑7b in the development of adult alpaca skin and hair follicles. A dual‑luciferase reporter vector was constructed to verify the targeting relationship between microRNA let‑7b and EDA, and the results revealed that EDA was a target gene of let‑7b. Alpaca skin fibroblasts were transfected with a let‑7b eukaryotic expression vector to investigate the regulatory relationship between let‑7b and EDA. The expression of EDA was decreased in the transfected group; immunocytochemical results demonstrated that the EDA protein was abundantly expressed in the fibroblast cytoplasm. EDA protein expression was weaker in the transfected cells than in the untransfected cells. These results suggested that EDA may serve a role in alpaca hair growth and is probably a target gene of let‑7b; let‑7b downregulated EDA mRNA and protein expressions, which suggested that let‑7b may regulate alpaca hair growth. These conclusions suggested that let‑7b may be associated with HED.

Aminoguanidine cream ameliorates skin tissue microenvironment in diabetic rats.

IntroductionThe aim of the study was to explore the effect of aminoguanidine cream on the skin tissue microenvironment in diabetic rats.Material and methodsA total of 51 healthy male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups: the diabetes group (n = 18), the aminoguanidine group (n = 18) and the control group (n = 15). Rats in the diabetes group and aminoguanidine group were injected with 65 mg/kg streptozotocin to induce the diabetes model, and in the control group with citrate buffer. After successful induction of diabetes, the back hair of all rats was stripped by barium sulfide, and the aminoguanidine group was treated with aminoguanidine cream using disinfected cotton swabs twice every day for 40 days, while the diabetes and control groups were treated with the cream matrix. The pathological changes of skin were observed by HE staining, while the content of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-8, ICAM and IL-1α) and the antioxidant indexes (T-AOC, GSH-PX, MPO MDA H2O2) were examined using commercial kits.ResultsAfter 40 days of treatment, the diabetes group manifested tissue lesions, whereas the aminoguanidine group seemed normal. Compared with the diabetes group, the content of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-8, ICAM and IL-1α was dramatically lower in the aminoguanidine group. T-AOC in all groups underwent dramatic changes and returned to normal finally. The activities of GSH-PX and MPO and content of H2O2 in the diabetes group were all higher than those in the aminoguanidine group.ConclusionsAminoguanidine may have a good systemic effect on alleviating the pathological changes of skin tissue in diabetic rats, which may be attributed to the regulation of GSH-PX, TNF-α, IL-8, ICAM and IL-1α.

The Author to the Dead, and: Luam & the Flies, and: Luam Mending Clothes, and: Luam to the Dead

The Author to the Dead, and: Luam & the Flies, and: Luam Mending Clothes, and: Luam to the Dead Aracelis Girmay (bio) Beloveds, beneath the surfaceof your last place, the tiny, oblivious fishes form wreaths above the sea grasses& their long reach— Some mornings, in my own city far away,I run to greet “you” come to me as sea, & carry myself out into your long, dark time like a child meetingits older cousins. I touch your teeth & give you the single word of my body. I am a woman again, at the side of Aboy Haile’s bed. Aboy who is 96.He is brushing my acacia hair. He is holding my arm. He says, moving his hand to mean “all around us,”that this is my home. He means Adi Sogdo, but he also means the world.Though I think, in “America,” that I am There &he is Here, that we are different, or far, really, we are each other. My bones areyour bones, he says. His teeth are my teeth [End Page 17] & my smiling is his smiling.He holds my arm tight, until it is a stone, a bone. He smoothes my hairwith force. I am a horse. The long, dark skin of the water,the talk, talking Aboy of the water, the brushing back, brushing back my acacia hair,washing my face. When we are done I cross the sea back into air& return to the traffic of the streets I know. I am marked by the dead, your sea-lettersof salt & weeping. Now I am ready to lay my self downon the earth, to listen to the instructions for how to talk of love & land, to singof home in the horrible years, & to fill my language, like the stars do,with the light, anyway, of a future tense. [End Page 18] luam & the flies umbertide, asmera, new york, october, 2013 It was the end of the world.The world was ending. I sat in my house with the flies. Thoughthe night was dense, was long, we tried to wait for light, to last.But the wind at the doors. & darkness knuckled, flashed its teeth.Outside, the other houses, outside, the solitaryfield, tall singularity of the mama tree. What wasstrong was razed, what was alone. I thought we would, plural, survive.But I saw the deaths of flies. I watched them clean their wings &faces, then die in the night, watching quietly out &,looking, facing it. Morning I saw them at the windowsas though remembering the green, last world. Their legs curled inthe syllable of struggle, [End Page 19] or sleep. I counted six aweswho died in the night, whose sounds died in degrees. Trying to learn,I picked them gently up by their wings & studied, then placedthe six onto one, white plate: six corpses or comas, sixI tried to see but took to the window & poured them outfor the dirt & rosemary. If I were moored to place, ifI had believed that this would always be my home, if Iwere to be lucky. One day their descendants would be mine,would handle my death, too, with their small legs, yellow mouths &wound-hungers. Powerless to brush them from my teeth & eyes,I’d be bright finally with their taking, a city ofeggs, a harvest, an “&”; the emerald signage of bodies.I would be a kind of port or harbor—Finally, themagain. [End Page 20] luam mending clothes umbertide, italy The life of my thread,as I pull it through the clothes I mend,is long. The life of the cypress rows& the roof of the housein a time of peacein a country that bledours dry for its peaceis also so long. But the life of my fliesat the windows, in the yard,covering the fruit,bringing messages, always,of the dead, their livesare not long. Every secondthey acquaint me & acquaint me withthe littleness of their deaths,the ticking we are, each, built with. It is true. For now, I live& must love everyone. Second I Borrow,Breath I...