Fibers In Skin Research Articles

Lemon-derived nanoparticle-functionalized hydrogels regulate macrophage reprogramming to promote diabetic wound healing

The orderly regulation of immune inflammation and promotion of the regeneration of skin vessels and fibers are key to the treatment of diabetic skin injury (DSI). Although various traditional polypeptide biological dressings continue to be developed, their efficacy is not satisfactory. In recent years, plant-to-mammal regulation has provided an effective approach for chronic wound management, but the development of effective plant-based treatments remains challenging. The development of exosomes from Chinese herbs is promising for wound healing. In this study, plant exosomes derived from lemons (Citrus limon) were extracted, and their biological efficacy was verified. Lemon exosomes regulated the polarization reprogramming of macrophages, promoted the proliferation and migration of vascular endothelial cells and fibroblasts, and thus promoted the healing of diabetic wounds. To solve the problems of continuous drug delivery and penetration depth, Lemon Exosomes were loaded into a hydrogel constructed of Gelatin Methacryloyl (GelMA) and Dialdehyde Starch (DAS) that closely fits to the skin, absorbs water, swells, and is moist and breathable, effectively promoting the sustained and slow release of exosomes and resulting in excellent performance for diabetic wound healing. Our GelMA-DAS-Lemon Exosomes hydrogel (GelMA/DAS/Exo hydrogel) patch represents a potentially valuable option for repairing diabetic wounds in clinical applications.Graphical s

Gut Microbiome and Tissue Morphology Modulatory Effects of Hazelnut (Natural, Roasted, and Skin) Fibers in Different Colonic Segments of Mice

Gut Microbiome and Tissue Morphology Modulatory Effects of Hazelnut (Natural, Roasted, and Skin) Fibers in Different Colonic Segments of Mice

Analysis of skin and corneal fiber electrodes for electroretinogram assessments in patients with major depressive disorder.

Electroretinograms (ERG) are usually recorded with non-invasive corneal electrodes, requiring direct contact with the ocular surface. However, corneal electrode application is not tolerated by some individuals. The advent of handheld ERG devices has facilitated the use of skin electrodes for ERG measurements. Skin electrodes do not require corneal contact and thus enhance patient comfort, simplify the attachment process, and reduce preparation time, which is particularly beneficial for clinical psychiatric research. Nevertheless, due to the different attachment methods, ERG amplitudes recorded with skin compared to corneal electrodes are considerably smaller. However, comparative data on ERGs recorded with skin vs. corneal electrodes in psychiatric populations are currently lacking. We recorded flash electroretinograms of 57 healthy controls (HC) and 30 patients with a major depressive disorder (MDD) using both sensor strip skin and corneal electrodes with the handheld RETeval® device. The significant reduction in both the amplitude and peak time of the a-wave in MDD when using sensor strip skin electrodes could not be replicated with corneal electrodes. Comparing both electrode types in HC revealed a fair correlation between sensor strip and corneal electrodes for a- and b-wave amplitudes and a moderate correlation for a- and b-wave peak times. In addition to being better tolerated, sensor strip skin electrodes appear to be more effective than corneal electrodes in detecting ERG alterations in patients with MDD when using the RETeval® device, making them a promising alternative to traditional corneal electrodes.

Structural changes in the nociceptive system induced by long-term conventional spinal cord stimulation in experimental painful diabetic polyneuropathy

BackgroundClinical studies suggest that long-term conventional spinal cord stimulation (LT-SCS) for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN) is initially effective but may decline in efficacy over time. Preclinical studies indicate that...

Iron Age Fur Skin Tanning – a Sustainable Practice?

Tanning is among the most polluting industries in the world. Industrial-produced hides and skins are fully or pre-tanned with highly polluting chromium salts. The purpose of the study was to gain new knowledge about Iron Age tanning methods to clarify whether sustainable tanning methods can be developed based on this. Fur skin capes, uncovered in Jutland bogs, from Baunsø Mose (20-220 AD), Borremose I (365-116 BC), Huldremose I (1-174 AD) and Vindum Mose (386-203 BC) were analysed by Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and morphological assessment of the skin fibres to identify tanning substances and material condition. Analyses were supplemented with source studies of previous visual assessment of the capes and measured shrinkage temperature of leather and skins excavated from bogs. Our results show that only the samples from Baunsø Mose, Borremose I and Huldremose I contain vegetable tannins. Furthermore, Baunsø Mose contains cow fat and Borremose I, Huldremose I and Vindum sheep fat. All contain indications of the presence of aluminum and iron compounds. The samples are decomposed to varying extents. Remnants from conservation were detected on Huldremose I, Baunsø Mose and Vindum Mose.

Development of pectin/chitosan-based electrospun biomimetic nanofiber membranes loaded with dihydromyricetin inclusion complexes for wound healing application

Accidents and surgical procedures inevitably lead to wounds, presenting clinical challenges such as inflammation and microbial infections that impede the wound-healing process. This study aimed to address these challenges by developing a series of novel wound dressings known as electrospun biomimetic nanofiber membranes. These membranes were prepared using electrostatic spinning technique, incorporating hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin/dihydromyricetin inclusion complexes. The prepared electrospun biomimetic nanofiber membranes exhibited randomly arranged fiber morphology with average fiber diameters ranging from 200 to 400 nm, resembling the collagen fibers in the native skin. These membranes demonstrated excellent biocompatibility, hemocompatibility, surface hydrophilicity, and wettability, while also releasing dihydromyricetin in a sustained manner. In vitro testing revealed that these membranes, loaded with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin/dihydromyricetin inclusion complexes, displayed higher antioxidant potential and inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Furthermore, these membranes significantly reduced the M1 phenotypic transition in RAW264.7 cells, even when stimulated by lipopolysaccharides, effectively restoring M2 polarization, thereby shortening the inflammatory period. Additionally, the in vivo wound healing effects of these membranes were validated. In conclusion, this study introduces a promising nanofiber membrane with diverse biological properties that holds promise for addressing various crucial aspects of the wound-healing process.

Multifunctional, High-Strength Electronic Skin Based on the Natural Sheepskin Fiber Network for Multifaceted Human Health Monitoring and Management.

Inspired by the animal skin fiber network, we developed an electronic skin (e-skin) utilizing natural sheepskin as the primary substrate. This innovative design addresses the limitations of conventional e-skins, including inadequate mechanical strength, overly complex artificial network construction, and limited health monitoring capabilities. This e-skin successfully retains the structure and properties of natural sheepskin while exhibiting exceptional mechanical strength (with a breaking strength of 4.01 MPa) and high elongation (with an elongation at a break of 304.8%). Moreover, it possesses various desirable attributes such as electrical conductivity, antibacterial properties, biocompatibility, and environmental stability. In addition, this e-skin has the advantage of diverse data collection (joint movement, bioelectricity, foot health detection, and speech disorder communication systems). Therefore, this e-skin breaks the traditional construction strategy and single-mode application and is expected to become an ideal material for building smart sensor devices.

The Effect of H2SO4 Variations on the Synthesis and Characterization of Nanocellulose Using Pineapple Peel Fiber

Manufacturing nanocellulose made from pineapple peel fiber has been carried out using acid hydrolysis. This study aims to determine the effect of variations in H2SO4 on the synthesis of nanocellulose in pineapple peel fibers and on the crystal structure, surface morphology, and constituent elements of pineapple skin fiber nanocellulose. The variations of H2SO4 used were 5, 10, 15 and 20%. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM) are characterizations used. The results of XRD characterization showed that the size of the resulting crystallite had met the appropriate size in the range of values from 2.03 – 2.21 nm. The results of SEM characterization show that the image is not porous and lumpy.

Agricultural and industrial wastes applied on the high performance energy storage devices

Driven by population growth, the destruction of the environment and the energy demand continue to increase dramatically. This study uses garlic skin and carbon fiber from agricultural and industrial wastes to prepare energy storage devices. Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were obtained from garlic skin using high-temperature pyrolysis. The specific capacitance of the gel electrolyte could be effectively increased with a small number of CQDs doping. A methylcellulose-based carbon fiber-electrode was prepared by grinding and depositing the industrial recycled carbon fiber onto a biodegradable methylcellulose substrate. The methylcellulose-based recycled carbon fiber-electrode has the highest specific capacitance, energy density, and power density, which are 155 F/g, 10 Wh/kg, and 4047 W/kg, respectively, at a scan rate of 0.02 V/s, and demonstrates excellent performance, such like high specific capacitance, low internal resistance as well as rapid charge and discharge characteristics, which may have potential to replace the expensive carbon nanotubes and graphenes. The electrodes were made from recycled carbon fiber, the gel electrolyte with garlic CQDs, and a separator assembled into a sandwich structure to form supercapacitors. The capacity retention rate of the supercapacitor still retained 96 % of its initial value after 2000 cycles of charge and discharge testing at a constant current of 0.20 mA. This demonstrates the supercapacitor prepared in this study with competitive power density, energy density, high rate capability, and excellent life cycle stability by combining the garlic skin and carbon fiber from agricultural and industrial wastes, highlighting the enormous potential of agricultural and industrial wastes for energy storage applications.

Titanium/FRP hybrid sandwich: in-plane flexural behaviour of short beam specimens

Adopting novel sandwich structures with FRP (Fibre Reinforced Polymer) skins and a metallic lattice core, both of which have high specific strength and stiffness, is one way to achieve better mechanical performance while remaining lightweight. Flexural stress is a load pattern that frequently occurs in the structural frame components of automobiles; nonetheless, while the in-plane load scheme has scarcely been examined, the out-of-plane load one has. As a result, the former configuration received consideration in this work. Moreover, short beam specimens were taken into account. The mechanical response of specimens with three different kinds of composite materials as skin material was analysed. The skins were made of CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer), with two different weaving styles, and AFRP (Aramid Fiber Reinforced Polymer). All-titanium specimens were studied, too. Similar maximum loads and maximum displacement at break were recorded for both CFRP and AFRP specimens, while the all-titanium one resulted stronger. In terms of the load-displacement curves, the first section featured an initial linear phase, followed by a minor load drop, likely attributed to the breakage of fibres. The CFRP specimens showed a sharp fracture of the skin fibres, while for the AFRP, a fraying was observed.

Ketotifen directly modifies the fibrotic response of human skin fibroblasts

Fibrosis is a destructive, end-stage disease process. In the skin, it is associated with systemic sclerosis and scarring with considerable health burden. Ketotifen is a clinical antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer. Studies have demonstrated mast cell-dependent anti-fibrotic effects of ketotifen but direct effects on fibroblasts have not been determined. Human dermal fibroblasts were treated with pro-fibrotic transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ) followed by ketotifen or control treatments to determine direct effects on fibrotic fibroblasts. Ketotifen impaired TGFβ-induced α-smooth muscle actin gene and protein responses and decreased cytoskeletal- and contractility-associated gene responses associated with fibrosis. Ketotifen reduced Yes-associated protein phosphorylation, transcriptional coactivator with PDZ binding motif transcript and protein levels, and phosphorylation of protein kinase B. In a fibroblast-populated collagen gel contraction assay, ketotifen reduced the contractile activity of TGFβ-activated fibroblasts. In a murine model of bleomycin-induced skin fibrosis, collagen density and dermal thickness were significantly decreased in ketotifen-treated mice supporting in vitro findings. These results support a novel, direct anti-fibrotic activity of ketotifen, reducing pro-fibrotic phenotypic changes in fibroblasts and reducing collagen fibres in fibrotic mouse skin. Together, these findings suggest novel therapeutic potential and a novel mechanism of action for ketotifen in the context of fibrosis.

Adsorptive removal of methylene blue dye using durian peel waste reinforced polyvinyl alcohol‐based composite membrane

AbstractA large amount of dye effluents with biodegradable and highly toxic nature from the dyeing and finishing processes has discharged into natural water bodies without adequate treatment, which adversely impacted on aquatic life and human health. Herein, polyvinyl alcohol/agarose/maltodextrin composite membrane (PAM)‐reinforced durian skin fiber is fabricated for methylene blue (MB) uptake from aqueous medium. Structural analyses of the as‐prepared composite membrane are conducted using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, water contact angle, and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm measurement. The important influence of experimental conditions including exposure time between adsorbates and adsorbents, initial MB concentration, solution temperature, and pH are also explored. Furthermore, thermodynamic behavior, nonlinear isotherms, and kinetics along with possible adsorption mechanism are provided to attain the insight into the adsorption nature. The results show that PAM‐reinforced durian peel waste possesses high MB adsorption capacity (105.54 mg g−1), which was controlled by diffusion and chemisorption mechanism. The thermodynamics of methyl blue removal on the composite membrane suggest that the adsorption is spontaneous, favorable, and endothermic in nature. This contribution is expected to inspire the efficient utilization of agriculture by‐products into eco‐friendly and biodegradable adsorbents to purify the dye‐contaminated water.

Skin Reinnervation by Collateral Sprouting Following Spared Nerve Injury in Mice.

Following peripheral nerve injury, denervated tissues can be reinnervated via regeneration of injured neurons or collateral sprouting of neighboring uninjured afferents into denervated territory. While there has been substantial focus on mechanisms underlying regeneration, collateral sprouting has received less attention. Here, we used immunohistochemistry and genetic neuronal labeling to define the subtype specificity of sprouting-mediated reinnervation of plantar hindpaw skin in the mouse spared nerve injury (SNI) model, in which productive regeneration cannot occur. Following initial loss of cutaneous afferents in the tibial nerve territory, we observed progressive centripetal reinnervation by multiple subtypes of neighboring uninjured fibers into denervated glabrous and hairy plantar skin of male mice. In addition to dermal reinnervation, CGRP-expressing peptidergic fibers slowly but continuously repopulated denervated epidermis, Interestingly, GFRα2-expressing nonpeptidergic fibers exhibited a transient burst of epidermal reinnervation, followed by a trend towards regression. Presumptive sympathetic nerve fibers also sprouted into denervated territory, as did a population of myelinated TrkC lineage fibers, though the latter did so inefficiently. Conversely, rapidly adapting Aβ fiber and C fiber low threshold mechanoreceptor (LTMR) subtypes failed to exhibit convincing sprouting up to 8 weeks after nerve injury in males or females. Optogenetics and behavioral assays in male mice further demonstrated the functionality of collaterally sprouted fibers in hairy plantar skin with restoration of punctate mechanosensation without hypersensitivity. Our findings advance understanding of differential collateral sprouting among sensory neuron subpopulations and may guide strategies to promote the progression of sensory recovery or limit maladaptive sensory phenomena after peripheral nerve injury.

Small fibre integrity and axonal pathology in the rat model of experimental autoimmune neuritis.

Experimental autoimmune neuritis is a common animal model for acute human immune-mediated polyneuropathies. Although already established in 1955, a number of pathophysiological mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, we extensively characterize experimental autoimmune neuritis progression in Lewis rats, including new insights into the integrity of small nerve fibres, neuropathic pain and macrophage activation. Acute experimental autoimmune neuritis was induced with P253-78 peptide and consequently investigated using the gait analysis system CatWalk XT, electrophysiological and histopathological analyses, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), dorsal root ganglia outgrowth studies, as well as the von Frey hair and Hargreaves tests. For the longitudinal setup, rats were sacrificed at Day (d) 10 (onset), d15 (peak), d26 (recovery) and d29 (late recovery). We confirmed the classical T-cell and macrophage-driven inflammation and the primarily demyelinating nature of the experimental autoimmune neuritis. The dual role of macrophages in experimental autoimmune neuritis is implicated by the high number of remaining macrophages throughout disease progression. Furthermore, different subpopulations of macrophages based on Cx3-motif chemokine receptor 1 (Cx3cr1), platelet factor 4 (Pf4) and macrophage galactose-type lectin-1 (Mgl1) expressions were identified. In addition, modulation of the sensory system in experimental autoimmune neuritis was detected. An outgrowth of small fibres in the plantar skin at the onset and peak of the experimental autoimmune neuritis was evident parallel to the development of acute hyperalgesia mediated through transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 modulation. Our data depict experimental autoimmune neuritis as a primary demyelinating disease with implicated axonal damage, a small unmyelinated fibre impairment throughout the disease progression course, and underline the pivotal role of macrophages in the effector and during the recovery stage.

Fourier transform-based method for quantifying the three-dimensional orientation distribution of fibrous units

Several materials and tissues are characterized by a microstructure composed of fibrous units embedded in a ground matrix. In this paper, a novel three-dimensional (3D) Fourier transform-based method for quantifying the distribution of fiber orientations is presented. The method allows for an accurate identification of individual fiber families, their in-plane and out-of-plane dispersion, and showed fast computation times. We validated the method using artificially generated 3D images, in terms of fiber dispersion by considering the error between the standard deviation of the reconstructed and the prescribed distributions of the artificial fibers. In addition, we considered the measured mean orientation angles of the fibers and validated the robustness using a measure of fiber density. Finally, the method is employed to reconstruct a full 3D view of the distribution of collagen fiber orientations based on in vitro second harmonic generation microscopy of collagen fibers in human and mouse skin. The dispersion parameters of the reconstructed fiber network can be used to inform mechanical models of soft fiber-reinforced materials and biological tissues that account for non-symmetrical fiber dispersion.

Characterization of new cellulose fiber extracted from second generation Bitter Albizia tree

The present work examines the physical, thermal tensile, and chemical properties of wood skin fibers obtained from second generation Bitter Albizia (BA) tree skin. Chemical characterization of BA fibers showed the presence of various chemical contents such as cellulose of 74.89 wt. %, hemicellulose of 14.50 wt. %, wax of 0.31 wt. %, lignin of 12.8 wt. %, moisture of 11.71 wt. %, and ash of 19.29 wt. %. The density of BA fibers (BAFs) was showed 1285 kg/m3. XRD analysis of BAFs showed a crystallinity index (CI) of 57.20% and size of crystallite of 1.68 nm. Tensile strength and strain to failure of BAFs examined through tensile test were 513–1226 MPa and 0.8–1.37% respectively. TGA portrayed the thermal steadiness of BAFs as 339 °C with 55.295 kJ/mol kinetic activation energy, its residual mass was 23.35% at 548 °C. BAFs with high CI, less wax content, and better tensile strength make more suitable for making polymer matrix composites. SEM images of the BAFs surface depicted that the fiber outer surface has more rough which shows that they can contribute to hige fiber-matrix adhesion during composites preparation.

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF BIOCOMPOSITES WITH UNSATURATED VINYL ESTER MATRIX REINFORCED WITH DURIAN SKIN FIBER AS A GREEN COMPOSITE APPLICATION


 
 
 In this study, a biocomposite based on vinylester fortchem 411 VE filled with durian skin fiber (DSF) was successfully synthesized using the casting method with the aid of a catalyst to accelerate the biocomposite fabrication process. DSF was treated with 7% NaOH. The biocomposite was loaded separately with treated DSF at 3 to 6% by weight, and its tensile properties were investigated. The tensile strength and elastic modulus of the biocomposite decreased with the addition of DSF particles, and lower values were found compared to the matrix. Additionally, alkali treatment on DSF reduced the strain and modulus of the biocomposite compared to the composite without DSF filler. The opposite trend was found in the case of elongation at break. However, biocomposites with treated DSF showed greater elongation compared to biocomposites without DSF filler. This was indicated by the presence of air voids and roughness on the fractured surface of the biocomposite treated with DSF.
 
 
 
 
 

PENGARUH SERAT BUAH PINANG TERHADAP KUAT TEKAN BETON

Concrete material innovations are no emerging more and more and are something that is really needed, one of which is material innovation with the addition of fiber. Fiber concrete is a mixture of concrete plus fiber. The fiber material can be asbestos fiber, plastic fiber (poly-propyline), or pieces of steel wire, plant fibers (hemp, coconut fiber, bamboo, palm fiber). The purpose of adding fiber is to improve or increase the mechanical properties of concrete in the form of tensile strength, compressive strength and flexural strength. This research uses areca nut skin fiber, the skin and seeds are separated, then the betel nut fiber is spread apart so that it does not clump when mixing, then the betel nut fiber is mixed little by little into the concrete mixture. This research aims to determine the effect of adding Areca nut fiber on the compressive strength of concrete aged 7, 14 and 28 days. The percentage of areca nut shell fiber used in this research as 1.6%, 2.4% and 4%. The research used test objects in the form of cubes measuring 15 x 15 x15 cm, with a sample of 12 pieces of concrete, including 9 pieces of concrete with a mixture of betel nut fiber according to each type of concrete aged 7, 14 and 28 days, and 3 pieces of concrete without mixed/normal. The test carried out on the concrete mixture is the compressive strength of the concrete. From the research results obtained, the results of testing the compressive strength of fiber concrete with a percentage of Areca fruit fiber of 1.6% at concrete ages of 7, 14, and 28 days obtained an average compressive strength result of 7.65 MPa, for testing the compressive strength of concrete with a percentage 2.4% for concrete ages of 7, 14 and 28 days experienced a decrease in average compressive strength of 5.88 MPa and for concrete compressive strength testing with a percentage of 4% for concrete ages of 7, 14 and 28 days there as an increase in average concrete compressive strength. The average is 11.43 MPa.

In situ hydrothermal growth of Zeolite-A membrane on polysulfone hollow fibers

Zeolite-A hollow-fiber membranes with a high surface area are explored to address the present demands of high-productivity bioethanol manufacturing. Herein, we prepared Zeolite-A membranes on polymeric hollow-fiber support via double hydrothermal crystallization. The first hydrothermal crystallization from the solution yielded zeolite A crystals anchored on the polysulfone support. This transformation of the hollow fiber's skin layer into an organic-inorganic interface layer, as observed through SEM-EDX elemental analysis. This interface layer with penetrated Zeolite-A provides nucleation sites for further Zeolite-A membrane formation during the second hydrothermal crystallization and simultaneously enhanced interphase adhesion of Zeolite-A with the polymer support. The duration of the first and second cycles of hydrothermal crystallization was systematically studied to obtain continuous, crack-free, and pure Zeolite-A membranes on polysulfone hollow-fiber support. The membrane exhibited fluxes of 3.8 and 9.75 kg m−2 h−1 at 25 °C and 75 °C, respectively, with >99.9 wt% water separated through pervaporation of the 90/10 wt % ethanol/water mixture.

Preparation of paeoniflorin-glycyrrhizic acid complex transethosome gel and its preventive and therapeutic effects on melasma

Paeoniflorin (PF) and glycyrrhizic acid (GL) have skin beautifying effects of anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, inhibition of melanin formation, and reduction of skin pigmentation. To improve the transdermal permeability of PF and GL in transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) and enhance their anti-melasma efficacy, PF-GL transethosome (PF-GL-TE) was prepared by ethanol injection method, and finally gelled with carbomer-940 to form PF-GL-TE gel. Consequently, the obtained PF-GL-TE is small and uniform, with an average particle size and a PDI value of about 167.9 nm and 0.102. PF-GL-TE gel showed sustained release behavior and high transdermal permeability in vitro release and transdermal tests. Meanwhile, PF-GL-TE gel played significant preventive effects on melasma induced by progesterone injection and ultraviolet radiation B (UVB) irradiation. According to the results of H&E staining and Masson staining of rat skin, PF-GL-TE gel can alleviate the skin inflammation of and reduce the loss of collagen fibers of back skin in the melasma model rats. Compared with the PF-GL mixture gel, PF-GL-TE gel significantly attenuated the oxidative damage of liver and skin by increasing the activity of SOD and reducing the content of MDA. The results of Western blot showed that PF-GL-TE gel might down-regulate melanin-related proteins expressions of MITF/TYR/TRP1 and TRP2 to prevent and treat melasma. These findings indicate that PF-GL-TE gel is an effective TDDS for delivering PF and GL into the skin, providing a promising preparation for effective prevention and treatment of melasma.