Direct Skin Research Articles

"Shedding the status"-a meta-analysis on the individual propensity to shed skin material in the context of forensic trace analysis.

The so-called "shedder status", which can more precisely be referred to as "individual shedding propensity" (ISP), has been the subject of forensic genetic research for more than two decades. Numerous studies have been published on this topic many of which report contradictory and/or insufficiently documented results regarding the existence, influencing factors, classifications of and test methodologies for the ISP of skin material. To date, there is no scientific consensus on the best way to register and conceptualize this variable, that is essential for the assessment of DNA transfer events. Here, we present the results of a systematic review and meta-analysis to give an account of the current state of research on the ISP (including data up to end of December 2023). To this end, 50 publications on the topic of "shedder status" were systematically surveyed and the combined data was statistically analysed regarding the comprehensibility and test methodology for determining the ISP as well as key influencing factors (including sex and age) and classifications. Despite difficulties in the analysis due to missing or incomplete information in individual publications, the following insights and recommendations are established, also considering current dermatological and histological research: the tendency to shed (mostly) skin material upon physical contact with surfaces is a genuine and meaningfully ascertainable, person-specific i.e. individual variable, which is apparently influenced by male sex and young age. In contrast, time since handwashing and the choice of hand do not appear to have any relevant influence. When testing an individual's tendency to deposit DNA containing material, it is preferable to set a standardised contact time and use plastic tubes as the contact surface or perform direct skin abrasion. The body region from which the sample is taken also appears to be relevant. Overall, however, the results confirm the difficulty to compare and interpret the results from many available studies, and we advocate to harmonise and standardise study designs and experiments and to apply a quality control before publishing such data.

Cutaneous Larva Migrans: A comprehensive review of pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment

Cutaneous Larva Migrans (CLM) is a skin disorder that develops due to infection by hookworms, causing linear or serpentine skin inflammation. Cutaneous larva migrans is often found in tropical and subtropical environments such as Southeast America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and Africa. The types of hookworms that can cause CLM are Ancylostoma braziliense, Ancylostoma caninum, and Ancylostoma ceylanicum. CLM can be caused by a variety of factors, one of which is the presence of dogs and cats. These hookworms can infect humans by entering dogs or cats first. The disease is most commonly spread through animal feces, then spreads to soil and enters the human body through direct skin contact. Infective larvae that enter the skin will cause itching and heat in the area they enter. The itching usually appears at night. CLM is usually found on parts of the body that are in direct contact with soil or sand.

Bioassay-guided isolation of insect repellent compounds from Ligusticum porteri root extract.

In our program of screening natural products against the pests of medical and veterinary importance, ethanolic extract of the roots of Ligusticum porteri J.M.Coult. & Rose showed significant repellency against mosquitoes. The extract was then fractionated to test different fractions to identify the active repellent compounds. This testing resulted in the isolation of different compounds including (Z)-3-butylidenephthalide, (E)-3-butylidenephthalide, and a mixture of (E/Z)-3-butylidenephthalide. Biting deterrence of all these compounds was similar to N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET) against Aedes aegypti (L.) in Klun and Debboun (K & D) bioassay. (E/Z)-3-butylidenephthalide which is a mixture of the two compounds was further tested in Ali & Khan (A & K) bioassay. Based on these data repellency of this compound was similar whereas the MED values of the mixtures of (E/Z)-3-butylidenephthalide with carotol were lower (6.25 + 6.25 = 12.5 µg/cm2) than individual treatments (25 µg/cm2). In in vivo (direct skin application bioassay), (E/Z)-3-butylidenephthalide showed excellent repellency. The residual repellency of (E/Z)-3-butylidenephthalide at 8 and 16% application rates was 4.5 and 10-h respectively which was equal to or better than DEET with the residual time of 5 and 9-h, respectively. The mixture of (E/Z)-3-butylidenephthalide with carotol (8 + 8%) increased the residual repellency by 2-h (44%) as compared to (E/Z)-3-butylidenephthalide alone at a dose of 8%. These data indicated that (E/Z)-3-butylidenephthalide is an effective mosquito repellent that is stable and has a long shelf life. The activity of this compound is extraordinary and residual time is comparable to DEET. In vivo data demonstrated an enormous potential of (E/Z)-3-butylidenephthalide as a repellent that can be developed for commercial use. However, (E/Z)-3-butylidenephthalate was found in lower amounts of the L. porteri essential oil.

Numerical simulation of rotating flow of CNT nanofluids with thermal radiation, ohmic heating, and autocatalytic chemical reactions

The dispersion of carbon nanotubes in conventional fluids provides a variety of applications, using their unique features to develop efficiency, performance, and functionality in many industrial and scientific processes. Some of the applications are energy conversion, fluid stirring, aligned nanocomposites, heat exchangers, electronics cooling, etc. Considering the aforementioned applications, this communication presents a comparative examination of the rotating flow of CNTs past a stretchable sheet with suction and velocity slip. This study is unique because it looks at the non-linear radiative, Darcy–Forchheimer, and rotational flow of CNTs past a stretchable sheet with considering ohmic heating and homogeneous/heterogeneous reactions. These type of issues have not been previously discussed. Suitable conversions are adopted to alter the governing nonlinear PDEs into nonlinear ODEs. The reduced ODEs are numerically reckoned by adopting the bvp4c scheme in MATLAB. The repercussions of flow factors on velocity, temperature, nanoparticle concentration, skin friction coefficients, and local Nusselt number are provided via tables and graphs. It is revealed that the primary velocity profile dwindles when augmenting the values of suction/injection, porosity, rotational, and magnetic field parameters. The temperature ratio and radiation parameters contribute to the thermal profile’s development. The magnetic field parameter and the Forchheimer number play a dual role in both directional skin friction coefficients. The larger values of radiation and temperature ratio parameters improve the heat transfer rate.

Printed Nanomaterials for All-in-One Integrated Flexible Wearables and Bioelectronics.

Recent advancements in printing technologies allow for fabricating various wearable sensors, circuits, and integrated electronics. However, most printing tools have limited ranges of handling ink viscosity, a short working distance, and a limited feature size for developing sophisticated electronics. Here, this paper introduces an all-in-one integrated wearable electronic system via multilayer, multinanomaterial printing. Versatile, high-resolution aerosol-jet printing could successfully print Cu nanoparticles, Ag nanoparticles, PEDOT:PSS, and polyimide (PI) to manufacture nanomembrane composite structures, including skin-contact electrodes and wireless circuits. The printed polymer, PEDOT:PSS deposited on the Cu, ensures biocompatibility when making direct skin contact while enhancing electrical conductivity for electrodes. A self-assembled monolayer facilitates better adhesion of Cu nanoparticles on the PI. Also, using intensive pulsed light, a photonic sintering method minimizes Cu-oxidation while avoiding thermal damage. The combined experimental and computational study shows the mechanical flexibility and reliability of the printed integrated device. With human subjects, the flexible wireless bioelectronic system demonstrates superior performance in detecting high-fidelity physiological signals on the skin, including electromyograms, electrooculograms, electrocardiograms, and motions, proving its potential applications in portable human healthcare and persistent human-machine interfaces.

Dual Detection of Urea and Glucose in Sweat Using a Portable Microfluidic SERS Sensor with Silver Nano-Tripods and 1D-CNN Model Analysis.

Sweat, a noninvasive metabolic product of normal physiological responses, offers valuable clinical insights into body conditions without causing harm. Key components in sweat, such as urea and glucose, are closely linked to kidney function and blood glucose levels. Portable sweat sensors, equipped with diverse sensing systems, can monitor fluctuations in urea and glucose concentrations, thus providing methods for assessing kidney function and monitoring diabetes. This study presents a flexible, portable microfluidic surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensor designed to detect the unique fingerprint of target biomarkers. This flexible, self-adhesive microfluidic chip, constructed from modified polydimethylsiloxane, features silver nanotripods (AgNTs) with densely distributed "hotspots" created via the oblique angle deposition technique. These AgNTs act as active substrates for SERS within the microfluidic platform, enabling direct skin contact to collect, transport, store, and analyze sweat. The chip functions as a quantitative urea sensor with a limit of detection (LOD) of 10-7 M. For enhanced sensitivity for glucose detection, the SERS substrate is modified with 4-mercaptophenylboronic acid, achieving a LOD of 10-7 M. This satisfies the measurement requirements for both urea and glucose in sweat under physiological conditions. Furthermore, the one-dimensional convolutional neural network model significantly enhances the accuracy of biomarker detection, facilitating the quantitative analysis of urea and glucose. This advancement contributes to the development of a controlled, convenient, and dynamic biosensing system for personalized point-of-care testing and supports the creation of intelligent wearable and nondestructive devices.

A Novel Wearable Sensor for Measuring Respiration Continuously and in Real Time.

In this work, a flexible textile-based capacitive respiratory sensor, based on a capacitive sensor structure, that does not require direct skin contact is designed, optimised, and evaluated using both computational modelling and empirical measurements. In the computational study, the geometry of the sensor was examined. This analysis involved observing the capacitance and frequency variations using a cylindrical model that mimicked the human body. Four designs were selected which were then manufactured by screen printing multiple functional layers on top of a polyester/cotton fabric. The printed sensors were characterised to detect the performance against phantoms and impacts from artefacts, normally present whilst wearing the device. A sensor that has an electrode ratio of 1:3:1 (sensor, reflector, and ground) was shown to be the most sensitive design, as it exhibits the highest sensitivity of 6.2% frequency change when exposed to phantoms. To ensure the replicability of the sensors, several batches of identical sensors were developed and tested using the same physical parameters, which resulted in the same percentage frequency change. The sensor was further tested on volunteers, showing that the sensor measures respiration with 98.68% accuracy compared to manual breath counting.

“She mimicked the manipulations on my hand”: fostering embodied care among children with recurrent acute respiratory tract infections in Southern China

IntroductionWhen young children experience recurrent respiratory infections, caregivers face the challenge of preventing new episodes whilst maintaining close rapport with their children. Pediatric massage, such as pediatric Tuina, entails soft massage of the skin, administered by trained providers. This non-pharmaceutical measure is used to prevent new respiratory infections in China. The aim of this study is to deepen our understanding of caregivers’ experiences and perceptions of providing pediatric Tuina treatment to their children with recurrent respiratory tract infections.MethodsA qualitative study, based on semi-structured interviews, was conducted in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist. Sixteen mothers from Southern China, whose children had received pediatric Tuina for recurrent respiratory tract infections, participated online. Analysis was conducted according to the principles of reflexive thematic analysis, using the NVivo qualitative research software.ResultsThe overarching theme was “Fostering embodied care with children”. Caregivers assessed pediatric Tuina by hearing others’ experiences of pediatric Tuina, as well as observing the manipulations on their child’s body and their bodily reactions during pediatric Tuina sessions. Caregivers also closely observed children’s bodily changes after pediatric Tuina sessions. Embodied attachment between children and adults was nurtured through the pediatric Tuina. Compared to other treatments or medical consultations, children were more relaxed and more involved in embodied care, which involved direct skin touching and verbal communication from the pediatric Tuina provider. Children also took the initiative to bring pediatric Tuina into their family life, by asking caregivers to perform it on them and mimicking the manipulations on the caregivers’ hand.ConclusionsPediatric Tuina served as a means of interaction between children and adults, fostering an embodied care on both a physical and emotional level. Beyond its potentially preventive effect on recurrent respiratory tract infections, pediatric Tuina could be a support for parents of children with recurrent or chronic disease at home.

Empowering Pediatricians With Direct Penicillin Challenges: A Promising Delabeling Strategy.

Current literature supports a multidisciplinary approach to penicillin allergy delabeling. Our study aims to review the success rate of penicillin challenges performed at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Allergy Clinic and assess the reaction rate associated with a direct oral challenge in low-risk patients. We conducted a retrospective review of the outcomes of pediatric penicillin challenges at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Allergy and Immunology clinic from June 2019 to May 2023. A total of 74 challenges were included in this study. Patients were initially screened to assess the date of reaction, nature of reaction, if the reaction was life-threatening, and if the patient was hospitalized or sought emergency medical care for the reported reaction. After completion of the screening questionnaire, a direct graded challenge was performed (without skin testing) if a patient's history was deemed low risk. Patients with a recent reaction or a history of multiple drug allergies were more likely to be directed to skin prick testing and intra-dermal testing with Pre-pen and Penicillin-G prior to challenge. All patients passed all challenges. Thus, there was a 100% pass rate for both direct challenges and skin test with oral challenges. Given the low rate of adverse events in this study, expansion of penicillin delabeling in the primary care setting should be considered in patients deemed to be at low risk. It is important for allergists to empower and educate their peers and push forward a movement to create a multidisciplinary approach to penicillin delabeling.

Dermatological manifestations, and drug-induced reactions in COVID-19 patients: an observational study from İstanbul, Turkiye

Aims: The systemic and respiratory clinical manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) include fever, cough, sneezing, sore throat, rhinitis, dyspnoea, chest pain, malaise, fatigue, anorexia, and headache. Moreover, cutaneous manifestations have been observed in 0.2% to 20.4% of cases. This investigation further explores the dermatological manifestations associated with COVID-19 and reactions induced by its pharmacological treatments. Conducted at a university hospital, the study examined 841 patients and identified skin manifestations in 1.5% of cases. It differentiates between symptoms directly attributed to the viral infection and those arising from treatment, highlighting the need for clinical vigilance and adaptability in managing these manifestations. COVID-19 has been linked to a wide range of clinical symptoms, extending beyond the well-known respiratory effects to include various dermatological manifestations. These manifestations, which range from mild rashes to severe conditions like vasculitis, may complicate diagnosis and management, particularly when similar symptoms are induced by therapeutic drugs used in COVID-19 treatment. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 841 patients treated in the COVID-19 outpatient and inpatient units of the university hospital between March and May 2020. The assessment involved clinical examinations and telemedicine consultations, focusing on differentiating between viral and drug-induced dermatological reactions. Results: Dermatological manifestations were observed in 1.5% of the 841 patients. Direct virus-related skin changes were noted in 1% (n=8) of patients, including maculopapular eruptions (50%, n=4) on the face and trunk, trunk-localized urticaria (25%, n=2), and purpuric lesions (12.5%, n=1) on the lower extremities. Drug-induced dermatological reactions were identified in 0.5% (n=5) of patients, featuring conditions such as bullous drug reactions, psoriasiform drug eruptions, hypertrichosis, and urticaria. Conclusion: These findings highlight the complex interplay between COVID-19 and its treatment, where both the virus and pharmacological agents can trigger significant dermatological reactions. The need for healthcare providers to consider both viral and drug-induced factors in the diagnosis and management of skin manifestations in COVID-19 patients is underscored. Further studies are essential to refine treatment protocols and reduce adverse dermatological outcomes.

Photobiomodulation Mitigates PM2.5-Exacerbated Pathologies in a Mouse Model of Allergic Asthma.

Exposure to particulate matter (PM), especially PM2.5, is known to exacerbate asthma, posing a significant public health risk. This study investigated the asthma-reducing effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) in a mice model mimicking allergic airway inflammation exacerbated by PM2.5 exposure. The mice received sensitization with ovalbumin (OVA) and were subsequently treated with PM2.5 at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg every 3 days, for 9 times over 3 weeks during the challenge. PBM, using a 610 nm wavelength LED, was applied at 1.7 mW/cm2 to the respiratory tract via direct skin contact for 20 min daily for 19 days. Results showed that PBM significantly reduced airway hyperresponsiveness, plasma immunoglobulin E (IgE) and OVA-specific IgE, airway inflammation, T-helper type 2 cytokine, histamine and tryptase in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and goblet cell hyperplasia in PM2.5-exposed asthmatic mice. Moreover, PBM alleviated subepithelial fibrosis by reducing collagen deposition, airway smooth muscle mass, and expression of fibrosis-related genes. It mitigated reactive oxygen species generation, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptotic cell death, ferroptosis, and modulated autophagic signals in the asthmatic mice exposed to PM2.5. These findings suggest that PBM could be a promising intervention for PM2.5-induced respiratory complications in patients with allergic asthma.

The National Health Service 2-week-wait skin cancer referral pathway: analysis and recommendations for process improvement.

Although pressures on the National Health Service skin cancer services pre-dated the COVID pandemic, the 2-week-wait (2WW) skin cancer standards that require hospitals to provide an appointment with a specialist within 2 weeks for anyone with symptoms that may indicate cancer have deteriorated post the pandemic. To undertake process mapping of the current 2WW skin cancer pathways and provide recommendations to streamline and improve the pathway to meet the 2WW standards. The 2WW skin cancer pathway is analysed in this report utilizing 4 V typology encompassing the four dimensions of operations: volume, variety, variation and visibility, and a volume-variety matrix. A performance matrix of the 2WW skin cancer pathway and SIPOC (suppliers, inputs, processes, outputs and customers) analysis are also examined. Process analysis enabled the identification of some of the limitations of the 2WW skin cancer pathway. Following analysis and redesign of the process map of the pathway, recommendations, including lesion assessment using artificial intelligence, single-lesion assessment clinics and direct access skin surgery, all of which aim to expedite patient care and increase capacity in 2WW clinics, are provided. The process analysis of the 2WW skin cancer pathway provides useful insights and helps identify bottlenecks in the system. Recommendations following remapping the process offer potential solutions to help reduce time to referral and to increase capacity. These recommendations should help reduce waiting times for patients receiving an initial diagnosis and subsequent definitive treatment for suspected skin cancers.

Dynamic Responses of Human Skin and Fascia to an Innovative Stimulation Device-Shear Wave Stimulation.

Exposure to mechanical stimuli such as pressure and stretching prompts the skin to undergo physiological adaptations to accommodate and distribute applied forces, a process known as mechanotransduction. Mechanotherapy, which leverages mechanotransduction, shows significant promise across various medical disciplines. Traditional methods, such as massage and compression therapy, effectively promote skin healing by utilizing this mechanism, although they require direct skin contact. This study introduces a novel contactless modality, Shear Wave Stimulation (SWS), and evaluates its efficacy compared to traditional massage in eliciting responses from human skin and fascia. Fifteen healthy volunteers received SWS, while another fifteen volunteers received massage. Tests of skin mechanical properties revealed significant enhancements in skin shear modulus for both methods, showing an increase of approximately 20%. Additionally, deformation analysis of ultrasound images showed distinct responses of the skin and fascia to the two stimuli. SWS induced extension in the dermis (∼18%), hypodermis (∼16%), and fascia (∼22%) along the X and Y axes. In contrast, massage compressed the skin layers, reducing the dermis by around 15% and the hypodermis by about 8%, while simultaneously stretching the superficial fascia by approximately 8%. The observed extension across the entire skin with SWS highlights its potential as a groundbreaking contactless approach for promoting skin healing. Furthermore, the differing responses in blood flow reaffirm the distinct stimulation modes of SWS and massage. These findings establish a foundation for future innovative skin therapy modalities.

Straightforward Production Methods for Diverse Porous PEDOT:PSS Structures and Their Characterization.

Porous conductive polymer structures, in particular Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) structures, are gaining in importance due to their versatile fields of application as sensors, hydrogels, or supercapacitors, to name just a few. Moreover, (porous) conducting polymers have become of interest for wearable and smart textile applications due to their biocompatibility, which enables applications with direct skin contact. Therefore, there is a huge need to investigate distinct, straightforward, and textile-compatible production methods for the fabrication of porous PEDOT:PSS structures. Here, we present novel and uncomplicated approaches to producing diverse porous PEDOT:PSS structures and characterize them thoroughly in terms of porosity, electrical resistance, and their overall appearance. Production methods comprise the incorporation of micro cellulose, the usage of a blowing agent, creating a sponge-like structure, and spraying onto a porous base substrate. This results in the fabrication of various porous structures, ranging from thin and slightly porous to thick and highly porous. Depending on the application, these structures can be modified and integrated into electronic components or wearables to serve as porous electrodes, sensors, or other functional devices.

Determination of dialkyl phthalate esters in indoor air of PVC industry: Risk assessment for human health using Monte-Carlo simulations

Dialkyl phthalate esters are incorporated to enhance the pliability and prevent brittleness in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubing. Exposure to these compounds occurs throughout human lifetimes via ingestion, inhalation, and direct skin contact. A study was conducted to evaluate concentrations of four specific phthalates—dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)—in the indoor air of both industrial and administrative sectors within the PVC manufacturing facilities. Air sampling was conducted in the spring season at two polyethylene factories in Zahedan Industrial Park (Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran). The outcomes demonstrated that mean concentrations of these substances in industrial along with administrative departments 485.7 μg/m3 and 49.83 μg/m3for DMP, 807.38 μg/m3 and 30.17 μg/m3 for DEP, 849.62 μg/m3 and 37.50 μg/m3 for DBP along with 1268.08 μg/m3 and 45.50 μg/m3 for DEHP respectively. The probabilistic lifetime cancer risk (LTCR) of DEHP in the indoor air of Zahedan PVC factories for men and women was determined using the Monte Carlo simulation technique. The computed mean LTCRs of DEHP for men and women in the indoor air of industrial and administrative departments in Zahedan PVC were 1.3 × 10−3, 1.2 × 10−3and 4.7 × 10−5,4.2 × 10−5respectively. Data showed that DEHP was a potential risk to human health.

Sensitization to Lanolin in North-Eastern Italy, 1997-2021: Prevalence, Risk Factors and the Impact of Occupation.

Background: Direct skin contact with items containing lanolin can induce sensitization and development of contact dermatitis (CD). This multi-centric study investigated prevalence of lanolin sensitization among 30,269 outpatients from North-Eastern Italy patch tested during 1997-2021. Methods: European baseline and extended Triveneto series were applied on the upper part of patients' back and removed after 48 h. Risk factors for lanolin sensitization were investigated by multiple logistic regression analysis, reporting adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Results. Overall lanolin patch test positive ratio (PTPR) was 1.64% (=501/30,629), with variability over time and by research center. The body area most frequently affected by CD were hands (36.32%), followed by face (19.52%) and legs (8.09%), with a lanolin PTPR of 1.68%, 1.37% and 3.07%, respectively. Prevalence of occupational CD was 8.24%, and 1.83% patients with occupational CD patch tested positive against lanolin. Lanolin sensitization was significantly higher in males (aOR = 1.34; 95%CI: 1.08; 1.65) and among patients with leg CD aged 49-60 years (aOR = 2.34; 95%CI: 1.20; 4.57) or older than 60 (aOR = 4.21; 95%CI: 2.59; 6.85). Sub-group analysis confirmed the significantly higher sensitization rate of older patients with leg CD, with much stronger effect size in females 61+ years old (aOR = 5.33; 95%CI 2.87; 9.89) than males in the same age group (aOR = 2.92; 95%CI: 1.34; 6.39). Moreover, female house painters were more likely to test positive to lanolin. Conclusions: The variability of lanolin PTPR over time and by research center endorsed the ongoing debate on the relevance of the respective skin reaction. Clinicians assessing patients with dermatitis should collect information on potential risk factors for lanolin sensitization, particularly use of skin care products containing the hapten. Occupational exposure to lanolin-containing varnishes should also be considered.

Thermal Degradation and Chemical Analysis of Flame-Retardant-Treated Jute Fabrics.

Jute is an inherent lignocellulosic fiber, consisting of hemicellulose, α-cellulose, and lignin. Industrial ventilation, automotive composites, upholstery, carpets, military uniforms, hospital furnishings, and curtains necessitate the integration of flame-retardance properties into jute fibers. In this investigation, seven weave-structured jute fabrics were treated using an organophosphorus-based flame-retardant (FR) chemical (ITOFLAM CPN) and a crosslinking agent (KNITTEX CHN) by the pad-dry-cure method. The thermal stability, degradation and pyrolysis behavior of jute was measured using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). Surface morphology and element distribution were scrutinized utilizing a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The ATR-FTIR (Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer) technique has been employed for analyzing the composition of chemicals in the jute fabrics. According to the protocols specified in ISO 14184-1, free formaldehyde detection was carried out on the jute fabrics. The flame-retardance property was significantly improved on all of the jute fabrics after FR treatment. FTIR and SEM-EDS studies revealed the presence of FR chemical deposition on the surface of the jute fabrics. TGA analysis indicated that the fabrics treated with FR exhibited premature degradation, leading to the generation of more char compared to untreated samples. The jute fabrics specifically demonstrated a notable enhancement in residual mass, exceeding 50% after FR treatment. However, it is noteworthy that the FR-treated fabrics exhibited an elevated level of free formaldehyde content, surpassing the permissible limit of formaldehyde in textiles intended for direct skin contact. The residual mass loss percentage after ten washes of FR-treated fabrics remained in a range from 32% to 36%. Twill weave designed fabrics (FRD4 and FRD5) clearly showed a lower thermal degradation temperature than the other weaves used in this study.

Real-time evolution characteristics and potential reactions of contaminants in commuter bus cabin air

Despite the increasing use of motor vehicles, the impact of airborne pollutants and their health risks inside public transportation, such as commuter buses, is not well understood. This study assessed air quality inside an urban commuter bus by continuously monitoring PM10, PM2.5, and CO concentrations during both driving and parking periods. Our findings revealed that the ventilation system of the bus significantly reduced the infiltration of outdoor particulate matter and water vapor. However, CO concentrations were considerably higher inside the bus than outside, primarily due to vehicular self-emission. The ineffection of the ventilation system to remove CO potentially increases long-term exposure risks for passengers. The study identified ozone as a key oxidant in the cabin. Besides vehicle emissions, C3-C10 saturated aldehydes and carbonyl compounds were detected, including acetone, propanal, and hexanal. The presence of 6-MHO, an oxidation product of squalene, suggests that passengers contribute to VOCs load through direct emissions or skin surface reactions. Additionally, human respiration was found to significantly contribute to isoprene levels, estimated at 81.7 %. This research underscores the need for further investigation into the cumulative effects of stable compounds in cabin air and provides insights for developing healthier public transportation systems.

Polyphosphazene Microparticles with High Free Radical Scavenging Activity for Skin Photoprotection.

Ultraviolet (UV) filters are the core ingredients in sunscreens and protect against UV-induced skin damage. Nevertheless, their safety and effectiveness have been questioned in terms of their poor photostability, skin penetration, and UV-induced generation of deleterious reactive oxygen species (ROS). Herein, an organic UV filter self-framed microparticle sunblock was exploited, in which quercetin (QC) and hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCCP) were self-constructed into microparticles (HCCP-QC MPs) by facile precipitation polymerization without any carriers. HCCP-QC MPs could not only significantly extend the UV shielding range to the whole UV region but also remarkably reduce UV-induced ROS while avoiding direct skin contact and the resulting epidermal penetration of small-molecule QC. Meanwhile, HCCP-QC MPs possess a high QC-loading ability (697 mg g-1) by QC itself as the microparticles' building blocks. In addition, there is no leakage issue with small molecules due to its covalently cross-linked structure. In vitro and vivo experiments also demonstrated that the HCCP-QC MPs have excellent UV protection properties and effective ROS scavenging ability without toxicity. In summary, effective UV-shielding and ROS scavenging ability coupled with excellent biocompatibility and nonpenetration of small molecules make it a broad prospect in skin protection.

Skin anti-aging potential of Launaea procumbens extract: Antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activities supported by ADMET and molecular docking studies

Aging is a natural process that occurs in all living organisms. Particularly, the skin embodies aging since it serves as a barrier between the body and its surroundings. Previously, we reported the wound healing effect of Launaea procumbens and identified compounds therein. The study aims to explore the skin anti-aging properties of the plant extract. To that effect, the antioxidant potential of L. procumbens methanolic extract (LPM) was assessed using two complementary DPPH and FRAP assays. The enzyme inhibitory effect of the extract on collagenase, elastase, hyaluronidase, and tyrosinase was evaluated to assess the direct skin anti-aging effects. Similarly, the anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated to explore the indirect anti-aging effects via the assessment of extract inhibitory effects on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX). In addition, ADMET and molecular docking studies were performed to explore the interaction mechanisms of identified compounds in LPM with target enzymes. LPM demonstrated significant antioxidant activity in DPPH (IC50 = 29.08 µg/mL) and FRAP (1214.67 µM FeSO4/g extract) assays. Plant extract showed significant inhibition of collagenase, elastase, hyaluronidase, and tyrosinase (IC50 = 52.68, 43.76, 31.031, and 37.13 µg/mL, respectively). The extract demonstrated significant COX-2 and 5-LOX inhibition capacity with IC50 values of 8.635 and 10.851 µg/mL, respectively. The molecular docking study revealed the high potential of the identified compounds to bind to the active sites of enzymes crucially involved in the skin aging process. ADMET analysis of the compounds revealed their good absorption, distribution, and metabolism profiles, and they were found to be safe as well. Study findings suggest L. procumbens as a promising source for the development of natural skin anti-aging and antioxidant compounds. This, in turn, may facilitate its incorporation into cosmetic formulations after further investigation.