Skin Color Research Articles

Therapeutic Recommendations for the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris in the US

Introduction: Acne vulgaris and related sequelae negatively impact quality of life and are associated with increased rates of anxiety and depression. However, treatment of acne can be difficult due to its long time course, chronicity, and low patient adherence. While national acne guidelines have been recently updated, there is a need for practical, easy-to-use guidance for healthcare practitioners who treat patients with acne. Methods: A roundtable discussion with a panel of eight clinicians and dermatologists was held to provide recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of acne, including appropriate pharmaceutical treatments based on clinical presentation and patient population, patient discussion points, and advice for clinicians regarding acne treatment. Results: The consensus was that successful acne treatment is contingent upon meeting three core goals: 1) correct diagnosis; 2) proper treatment regimen; and 3) patient adherence and education. 1: Acne should be diagnosed using both quantitative and qualitative assessments, taking into consideration the patient’s lived experience with acne. Quantitative assessments include acne duration; lesion type and location; inflammation; acne-related sequelae; and family history of scarring. Qualitative assessments determine how bothersome acne and/or sequelae are to patients and how much they impact quality of life. Differential diagnoses should be performed to rule out acneiform lesions, genetic disorders, infections, and certain types of medications. 2: For most patients, a combination topical treatment containing benzoyl peroxide and a retinoid and/or an antibiotic is recommended to address the multiple acne pathological processes, though sequelae and patient characteristics should be considered (eg, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in patients with skin of color). Fixed-dose combinations are preferred to ensure proper skin coverage, simplify treatment complexity, and improve adherence. 3: For optimal outcomes, patients should be educated about their treatments and consequences of non-adherence; realistic treatment goals should be established to manage patient expectations. A patient handout on skin care best practices can be used to detail their overall skin care regimen, treatments, and subsequent visits. Conclusions: This practical guidance aims to assist clinicians in the successful diagnosis and treatment of acne as well as patient management/education.

Successful Tralokinumab Treatment for Hand and Foot Atopic Dermatitis in a Patient with Skin of Color: A Case Report

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition that disproportionately affects skin of color patients. New targeted biological therapies such as tralokinumab are available for the management of AD, but real-world evidence of their clinical effectiveness in skin of color patients is limited, particularly in patients with difficult-to-treat hand and foot involvement. In this report, we present a case of recalcitrant atopic dermatitis with hand-foot involvement in a skin of color patient successfully treated with tralokinumab.

Representation of Skin Color, Disease Severity, and Anatomic Location in Hidradenitis Suppurativa Images

Introduction: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory dermatosis disproportionately affecting patients of color. We evaluated characteristics of HS images in dermatology online image resources and textbooks. Methods: Images of HS were collected in December 2021 from online and textbook sources. Data regarding anatomic region, Hurley stage, and Fitzpatrick skin tone (FST) were collected and analyzed. Results: 318 images remained after exclusion criteria. VisualDx contained the highest number of dark skin (FST V-VI) images (59%, 47/79), followed by Google (4%, 2/52) and DermNetNZ (4%, 4/100). In textbook sources, dark skin represented 25% (4/16) of images. Across sources, 47% (151/318) of images represented Hurley stage 2, followed by 32% (101/318) stage 3, and 21% (66/318) stage 1. The axilla (49%, 156/318) was the most common anatomic location featured, followed by the groin (18%, 58/318) and breast/chest (9%, 28/318). Involvement of non-classic locations was represented in 3% (8/318) of images. There was a positive correlation between higher Hurley stage and darker skin (r=0.26, p<0.05). Discussion/Conclusion: Overall there is underrepresentation of dark skin tones, “non-classic” anatomic locations, and mild HS which may lead to missed opportunities for patient education and dermatology training. Dermatologists should take the lead to improve image diversity across educational resources.

‘Very Full of Details and Excellently Executed’: Materiality and Medicine in Hans Rottenhammer’s Painted Bodies

Abstract This article explores the relationship between skin, materiality and medicine in the early modern German-speaking lands. It focuses on the understudied artwork of the Munich-born artist Johann Rottenhammer (1564–1625), demonstrating that his painted bodies were related to medical understandings of skin. Skin was a mediating boundary between inside and outside: the colour and texture of skin carried meanings about the internal state of the body. In this period, ‘exploration’ beyond Europe was destabilizing the definition of ‘good’ or ‘normative’ skin. The appearance of healthy or unhealthy skin was expressed in contemporary northern European artistic theory, for example in Karel van Mander’s Book on Painting. This article contributes to the growing literature on materiality and medicine by demonstrating their indelible impact on the artist’s project. Medical histories of the sixteenth century have traditionally positioned the Galenic and Paracelsian medical traditions as diametrically opposed. This article observes, however, key areas of similarity—the origin of curative materials, and the relationship between the internal body and the external natural world—and considers how they were present in early modern German understandings of skin.

Brief Teaching Intervention Improves Medical Students' Dermatology Diagnostic Skills and Comfort in Performing Dermatology Exams.

Skin disease is a significant contributor to the global disease burden, with dermatologic health disparities adding to this burden. Internists, general practitioners, and other medical professionals often manage skin disease with limited exposure to dermatologic education in medical school. This study evaluated a brief educational intervention for medical students to improve dermatologic knowledge, diagnostic and communication skills, and comfort in performing dermatology-focused physical exams. A secondary focus of the intervention was to promote awareness of skin disease, detection, and prevention for patients with a variety of skin tones. Sixty-five first through fourth-year students at Rutgers RWJMS participated in a pre-test-post-test within-subject study. Students described images using open-ended responses followed by multiple-choice identification questions. Students watched a one-hour self-paced module created by a licensed dermatologist and completed a follow-up assessment. At pre-test, descriptions were brief and often inaccurate but significantly improved post-intervention to include descriptors such as primary morphology and demarcation. Accuracy on diagnostic and management questions significantly improved and comfort in advising patients and performing dermatologic exams significantly increased. A low-cost, brief, self-paced module can augment dermatologic education for medical students while increasing exposure to multiple skin tone presentations of lesions.

Deep Learning Algorithms for the Detection of Suspicious Pigmented Skin Lesions in Primary Care Settings: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Early detection of suspicious pigmented skin lesions is crucial for improving the outcomes and survival rates of skin cancers. However, the accuracy of clinical diagnosis by primary care physicians (PCPs) is suboptimal, leading to unnecessary referrals and biopsies. In recent years, deep learning (DL)algorithms have shown promising results in the automated detection and classification of skin lesions. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of DL algorithms for the detection of suspicious pigmented skin lesions in primary care settings. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Science. Data from eligible studies were extracted, including study characteristics, sample size, algorithm type, sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), positivelikelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio(NLR), and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Three studies were included. The results showed that DL algorithms had a high sensitivity (90%, 95% CI: 90-91%) and specificity (85%, 95% CI: 84-86%) for detecting suspicious pigmented skin lesions in primary care settings. Significant heterogeneity was observed in both sensitivity (p = 0.0062, I2 = 80.3%) and specificity (p < 0.001, I2 = 98.8%). The analysis of DOR and PLR further demonstrated the strong diagnostic performance of DL algorithms. The DOR was 26.39, indicating a strong overall diagnostic performance of DL algorithms. The PLR was 4.30, highlighting the ability of these algorithms to influence diagnostic outcomes positively. The NLR was 0.16, indicating that a negative test result decreased the odds of misdiagnosis. The area under the curve of DL algorithms was 0.95, indicating excellent discriminative ability in distinguishing between benign and malignant pigmented skin lesions. DL algorithms have the potential to significantly improve the detection of suspicious pigmented skin lesions in primary care settings. Our analysis showed that DL exhibited promising performance in the early detection of suspicious pigmented skin lesions. However, further studies are needed.

Syringaresinol Attenuates α-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone-Induced Reactive Oxygen Species Generation and Melanogenesis.

Ginseng has been utilized for centuries in both the medicinal and cosmetic realms. Recent studies have actively investigated the biological activity of ginseng berry and its constituents. (+)-Syringaresinol [(+)-SYR], an active component of ginseng berry, has been demonstrated to have beneficial effects on the skin, but its potential impact on skin pigmentation has not been fully explored. Here, the antioxidant and anti-pigmentary activity of (+)-SYR were evaluated in B16F10 murine melanoma cells and in an artificial human pigmented skin model, Melanoderm™. A real-time PCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, and histochemistry staining were conducted to confirm the effects of (+)-SYR on pigmentation. (+)-SYR reduced melanogenesis and dendrite elongation in α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-primed B16F10 cells with low cytotoxicity. (+)-SYR suppressed the expression of melanogenic genes, namely tyrosinase (TYR), tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP-2). Notably, (+)-SYR attenuated α-MSH-induced cytosolic and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which was attributable at least in part to the suppression of NADPH oxidase-4 (NOX 4) expression. Finally, the brightening activities of (+)-SYR were verified using Melanoderm™, underscoring the potential of ginseng berry and (+)-SYR as functional ingredients in skin-brightening cosmetics.

How collider bias affects the relationship between skin color and heart attack using directed acyclic graphs, propensity scores, and stepwise approaches

BackgroundStatistical methods are essential in epidemiology research, but they can generate erroneous estimates when selecting variables based only on statistical criteria. The use of directed acyclic graphs (DAG) helps to understand the causal relationships between variables and to avoid biases.ObjectiveCompare the estimate of the effect of skin color on heart attack obtained from three data analysis techniques: a stepwise approach based on statistical criteria, a propensity score technique, and a graphical approach based on causal criteria.MethodsPopulation-based cross-sectional study using data from the second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The exposure variable was skin color (black or non-black) and the outcome was heart attack (yes or no). Multivariable logistic regressions were carried out using the stepwise, propensity score techniques and the DAG-based approach to identify the association between the variables. In the stepwise technique, all variables potentially related to the outcome were included in the model and a forward or backward algorithm was used. The propensity score was applied, estimating the probability of exposure based on the covariates and helping to create balanced groups for comparison. Different possible causal models were developed between the variables in the DAG-based approach, identifying confounding, mediation, and collision factors. The models were created considering self-rated health as a confounding or collider variable, and the modeling results were verified.ResultsA total of 10,351 adults were evaluated, the majority female (52.1%), aged 20 to 39 years (48.5%), and with non-black skin color (90.4%). The prevalence of heart attacks was 3.0%, and 17% rated their health as fair or poor. Using different modeling techniques, no association was found between skin color and heart attack (p > 0.05), except when self-rated health, a collider variable, was included in the stepwise models. In this case, there was an inverse and biased association between the two variables, indicating a collision bias (stepwise-backward-OR 0.48; 95%CI 0.33–0.70; stepwise-forward-OR 0.64; 95%CI 0.44–0.94).ConclusionSkin color was not associated with heart attack when controlling for appropriate confounding factors. However, when adjusting for self-rated health in stepwise techniques, a colliding variable, there was an inverse and distorted association between the two variables, indicating a collider bias. The DAG-based approach and propensity score can avoid this bias by correctly identifying confounding factors and colliders.

Evaluating Soluble Solids in White Strawberries: A Comparative Analysis of Vis-NIR and NIR Spectroscopy.

In recent years, due to breeding improvements, strawberries with low anthocyanin content and a white rind are now available, and they are highly valued in the market. Strawberries with white skin color do not turn red when ripe, making it difficult to judge ripeness. The soluble solids content (SSC) is an indicator of fruit quality and is closely related to ripeness. In this study, visible-near-infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy are used for non-destructive evaluation of the SSC. Vis-NIR (500-978 nm) and NIR (908-1676 nm) data collected from 180 samples of "Tochigi iW1 go" white strawberries and 150 samples of "Tochigi i27 go" red strawberries are investigated. The white strawberry SSC model developed by partial least squares regression (PLSR) in Vis-NIR had a determination coefficient R2p of 0.89 and a root mean square error prediction (RMSEP) of 0.40%; the model developed in NIR showed satisfactory estimation accuracy with an R2p of 0.85 and an RMSEP of 0.43%. These estimation accuracies were comparable to the results of the red strawberry model. Absorption derived from anthocyanin and chlorophyll pigments in white strawberries was observed in the Vis-NIR region. In addition, a dataset consisting of red and white strawberries can be used to predict the pigment-independent SSC. These results contribute to the development of methods for a rapid fruit sorting system and the development of an on-site ripeness determination system.

Ethnicity and Observed Oxygen Saturations, Fraction of Inspired Oxygen, and Clinical Outcomes: A Post Hoc Analysis of the Oxy-PICU Trial of Conservative Oxygenation.

A conservative oxygenation strategy, targeting peripheral oxygen saturations (Spo2) between 88% and 92% in mechanically ventilated children in PICU, was associated with a shorter duration of organ support and greater survival compared with Spo2 greater than 94% in our recent Oxy-PICU trial. Spo2 monitors may overestimate arterial oxygen saturation (Sao2) in patients with higher levels of skin pigmentation compared with those with less skin pigmentation. We investigated if ethnicity was associated with changes in distributions of Spo2 and Fio2 and outcome. Post hoc analysis of a pragmatic, open-label, multicenter randomized controlled trial. Fifteen PICUs across the United Kingdom and Scotland. Children aged 38 weeks corrected gestational age to 15 years accepted to a participating PICU as an unplanned admission and receiving invasive mechanical ventilation with supplemental oxygen for abnormal gas exchange. Hierarchical regression models for Spo2 and Fio2, and ordinal models for the primary trial outcome of a composite of the duration of organ support at 30 days and death, were used to examine the effects of ethnicity, accounting for baseline Spo2, Fio2, and mean airway pressure and trial allocation. Ethnicity data were available for 1577 of 1986 eligible children, 1408 (89.3%) of which were White, Asian, or Black. Spo2 and Fio2 distributions did not vary according to Black or Asian ethnicity compared with White children. The trial primary outcome measure also did not vary significantly with ethnicity. The point estimate for the treatment effect of conservative oxygenation in Black children was 0.64 (95% CI, 0.33-1.25) compared with 0.84 (0.68-1.04) in the overall trial population. These data do not suggest that the association between improved outcomes and conservative oxygenation strategy in mechanically ventilated children in PICU is modified by ethnicity.

Karakteristik Durian Lokal Sinapeul di Dusun Sinapeul Kecamatan Ujungberung, Majalengka

Durian (Durio spp.) is a tropical fruit with high economic and cultural value in Indonesia. As a member of the genus Durio, there are nine consumable species of durian, with D. zibethinus being the most widely cultivated. Indonesia boasts various types of durian, differing in taste, aroma, and flesh color, which are crucial assets for increasing the number of superior parent plants. Durian is renowned for its unique taste and offers numerous benefits, including consumption as fresh or processed fruit, use in anti-aging treatments, and blood pressure improvement. Morphological identification of durian is essential for determining fruit quality, which is vital in plant breeding. The Sinapeul durian, a local variety from Majalengka, has unique characteristics and significant economic value, but knowledge about its distribution remains limited. This research aims to analyze the distribution and characteristics of the Sinapeul durian around the area of PT. Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa Tbk Unit Palimanan Cirebon, to support conservation and sustainable utilization efforts, and to provide a basis for the propagation of the increasingly rare Sinapeul durian

Interleukin-24: A molecular mediator of particulate matter’s impact on skin aging

Air pollution, a global health concern, has been associated with adverse effects on human health. In particular, particulate matter (PM), which is a major contributor to air pollution, impacts various organ systems including the skins. In fact, PM has been suggested as a culprit for accelerating skin aging and pigmentation. In this study, using single-cell RNA sequencing, IL-24 was found to be highly upregulated among the differentially expressed genes commonly altered in keratinocytes and fibroblasts of ex vivo skins exposed to PM. It was verified that PM exposure triggered the expression of IL-24 in keratinocytes, which subsequently led to a decrease in type I procollagen expression and an increase in MMP1 expression in fibroblasts. Furthermore, long-term treatment of IL-24 induced cellular senescence in fibroblasts. Through high-throughput screening, we identified chemical compounds that inhibit the IL-24-STAT3 signaling pathway, with lovastatin being the chosen candidate. Lovastatin not only effectively reduced the expression of IL24 induced by PM in keratinocytes but also exhibited a capacity to restore the decrease in type I procollagen and the increase in MMP1 caused by IL-24 in fibroblasts. This study provides insights into the significance of IL-24, illuminating mechanisms behind PM-induced skin aging, and proposes IL-24 as a promising target to mitigate PM-associated skin aging.

Skin Lesion Prediction and Classification Using Innovative Modified Long Short-Term Memory-Based Hybrid Optimization Algorithm

Identification of pigmented skin lesions is necessary for the detection of severe diseases associated with the skin organ, notably malignancy. Accurate skin cancer diagnosis can be improved with the use of image detection approaches and computer classification skills. Therefore, this research work plans to perform skin lesion prediction and classification using a novel deep learning methodology. Initially, the data related to the skin lesion are gathered from the ISIC dataset. After collecting the images, the pre-processing is performed using hair removal and filtering hair removed images via median filtering. These pre-processed images undergo segmentation process accomplished using the U-Net method. Next, the features are extracted from these segmented images with the help of color features, and texture features by GLCM and RGB histogram features. These extracted features undergo the prediction phase that is accomplished using the MLSTM model, in which the parameter optimization is done by the nature inspired novel hybrid metaheuristic algorithm referred as SC-STBO algorithm with the consideration of accuracy maximization and RMSE minimization as the major fitness for the objective function. If the predicted output is returned as the presence of skin lesion, the same novel MLSTM model classifies the final skin lesion output into seven types, such as Vascular Lesions, Melanocytic Nevi, Melanoma, Dermatofibroma, Benign Keratosis-like Lesions, BCC, and Actinic Keratoses, respectively. Seven groups of skin diseases can be identified early thanks to the suggested effort, which can then be tested and properly handled by medical professionals. With an accuracy of 0.9931, the recommended methodology clearly outperforms traditional techniques. Similarly, the suggested methodology clearly beats the conventional methods, with a recall of 0.9825.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Occult Hypoxemia Prevalence and Clinical Outcomes Among Hospitalized Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

There is growing concern that pulse oximeters are routinely less accurate in hospitalized patients with darker skin pigmentation, in turn increasing risk of undetected (occult) hypoxemia and adverse clinical outcomes. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to synthesize evidence on racial and ethnic disparities in occult hypoxemia prevalence and clinical impacts of undetected hypoxemia. Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL databases were searched for relevant articles published through January 2024. Eligible studies must have been conducted among adults in inpatient or outpatient settings and report occult hypoxemia prevalence stratified by patient race or ethnicity, or clinical outcomes stratified by patient race or ethnicity and occult hypoxemia status. Screening for inclusion was conducted independently by two investigators. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were conducted by one investigator then checked by a second. Outcome data were synthesized using random-effects meta-analyses. Fifteen primary studies met eligibility criteria and reported occult hypoxemia prevalence in 732,505 paired oximetry measurements from 207,464 hospitalized patients. Compared with White patients, occult hypoxemia is likely more common among Black patients (pooled prevalence ratio = 1.67, 95% CI 1.47 to 1.90) and among patients identifying as Asian, Latinx, Indigenous, multiracial, or other race or ethnicity (pooled prevalence ratio = 1.39, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.64). Findings from studies reporting clinical outcomes suggest that Black patients with undetected hypoxemia may experience poorer treatment delivery outcomes than White patients with undetected hypoxemia.No evidence was found from outpatient settings. This review and included primary studies rely on self-identified race or ethnicity, which may obscure variability in occult hypoxemia risk. Findings underscore that clinicians should be aware of the risk of occult hypoxemia in hospitalized patients with darker skin pigmentation. Moreover, oximetry data from included studies suggests that the accuracy of pulse oximeters could vary substantially from patient to patient and even within individual patients. PROSPERO ( CRD42023402152 ).

Assessing the readability and quality of online patient information for laser tattoo removal

Just as tattoos continue to increase in popularity, many people with tattoos also seek removal, often due to career concerns. Prospective clients interested in laser tattoo removal may do research about the procedure online, as the internet increasingly becomes a resource to get preliminary health information. However, it is important that the online health information on the topic be of high quality and be accessible to all patients. We analyzed 77 websites from a Google search query using the terms “Laser tattoo removal patient Information” and “Laser tattoo removal patient Instructions” to assess this. The websites were evaluated for their readability using multiple validated indices and comprehensiveness. We found that websites had a broad readability range, from elementary to college, though most were above the recommended eighth-grade reading level. Less than half of the websites adequately discussed the increased risk of pigmentary complications in the skin of color clients or emphasized the importance of consulting with a board-certified dermatologist/plastic surgeon before the procedure. Over 90% of the websites noted that multiple laser treatments are likely needed for complete clearance of tattoos. The findings from our study underscore a significant gap in the accessibility and quality of online information for patients considering laser tattoo removal, particularly in addressing specific risks for patients with darker skin tones and emphasizing the need for consulting a board-certified physician before undergoing the procedure. It is important that online resources for laser tattoo removal be appropriately written to allow better decision-making, expectations, and future satisfaction for potential clients interested in the procedure.

Analysis of the Skin and Brain Transcriptome of Normally Pigmented and Pseudo-Albino Southern Flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) Juveniles to Study the Molecular Mechanisms of Hypopigmentation and Its Implications for Species Survival in the Natural Environment.

Southern flounder skin pigmentation is a critical phenotypic characteristic for this species' survival in the natural environment. Normal pigmentation allows rapid changes of color for concealment to capture prey and UV light protection. In contrast, highly visible hypopigmented pseudo-albinos exhibit a compromised immune system and are vulnerable to predation, sensitive to UV exposure, and likely have poor survival in the wild. Skin and brain tissue samples from normally pigmented and hypopigmented individuals were analyzed with next-generation RNA sequencing. A total of 1,589,613 transcripts were used to identify 952,825 genes to assemble a de novo transcriptome, with 99.43% of genes mapped to the assembly. Differential gene expression and gene enrichment analysis of contrasting tissues and phenotypes revealed that pseudo-albino individuals appeared more susceptible to environmental stress, UV light exposure, hypoxia, and osmotic stress. The pseudo-albinos' restricted immune response showed upregulated genes linked to cancer development, signaling and response, skin tissue formation, regeneration, and healing. The data indicate that a modified skin collagen structure likely affects melanocyte differentiation and distribution, generating the pseudo-albino phenotype. In addition, the comparison of the brain transcriptome revealed changes in myelination and melanocyte stem cell activity, which may indicate modified brain function, reduced melanocyte migration, and impaired vision.

Morphological characterization of shallot (Allium cepa L. var. aggregatum) segregating populations obtained from natural-outcrossing in Ethiopial-outcrossing in Ethiopia

Shallot is a vegetable and condiment crop widely used in Ethiopia and globally. However, absence of improved and adaptable varieties has been the major cause of low productivity. Narrow genetic base of local shallot germplasm owing to vegetative reproduction of the crop, among others, has been the root cause of low productivity. Nevertheless, some plants within the germplasm were observed bolting and producing viable seeds, presenting an opportunity for genetic diversification. Consequently, a germplasm enhancement program was initiated using these naturally outcrossing genotypes where about eighty-one genotypes were generated. The present study was thus undertaken with the objective of characterizing, classifying, and selecting the eighty-one genotypes for future breeding activities. The genotypes were planted in 9x9 simple lattice design with two replications at Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center (Ethiopia) during the dry (irrigated) season of 2021. The genotypes were evaluated for fifteen growth, yield, and quality traits. Significant variations were observed among the genotypes in terms of bulb yield, bulb height and diameter, total soluble solids, bolting percentage, and bulb skin color. Bulb yield of the genotypes ranged from 31.33 t/ha in DZSHT-79-1A to 9.63 t//ha in DZSHT-45-1A-1. DZSHT-51-2 (207.93 g) was the highest yielder per plant whereas DZSHT-065-6/90 (74.51 g) was the lowest yielder. DZSHT-14-2-1/90 had the thickest bulb (44.69 mm) significantly thicker than twenty two genotypes which had bulb diameter ranging from 28.92 mm to 20.29 mm. DZSHT-81-1/90 was a genotype with the longest bulb height (52.33 mm) while DZSHT-147-1C was a genotype with the shortest bulb (33.12 mm). DZSHT-307-1/90 had the highest TSS (16.78°Brix) significantly differing from DZSHT-002/07 which had the lowest TSS (11.17 °Brix). Dry matter of the genotypes ranged from 12.00% to 22.79%. DZSHT-004/07, DZSHT-111-2-1, DZSHT-41-2B and DZSHT-72-2 had DM% greater than 20% which coupled with greater than 14 °Brix could make them suitable for dehydrated shallots. Among the 81 genotypes characterized 4 (4.9%), 7 (8.6%), 13 (16.1%), 28 (34.6%) and 29 (35.8%) were yellow, golden, light red, red and dark red in colour, respectively. Fifteen of the genotypes had at least 50% bolting plants whereas twenty nine of the genotypes had less than 25% bolting. The results revealed that seven principal components explained approximately 76% of the observed variation. Cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into seven clusters, with the majority falling into three clusters. The study successfully identified genotypes with diverse and important traits and availed both the genotypes and the information for future breeding programs. These genotypes could be used for the development of improved hybrid and open pollinated shallot varieties with higher yield, quality and pest resistance/tolerance attributes.

Applying Spectroscopies, Imaging Analyses, and Other Non-Destructive Techniques to Olives and Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A Systematic Review of Current Knowledge and Future Applications

Given its huge economic, nutritional, and social value, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is an essential food. This flagship product of the countries bordering the Mediterranean basin is one of the most frauded products worldwide. Although traditional chemical analyses have demonstrated to be reliable tools for olive drupes and EVOO quality assessment, they present several drawbacks; the urgent need for fast and non-destructive techniques thus motivated this review. Given the lack of comprehensive reviews in the literature, our first aim was to summarize the current knowledge regarding applying spectroscopies, imaging analyses, and other non-destructive techniques to olives and EVOO. The second aim was to highlight the most innovative and futuristic applications and outline the future research prospects within this strategic production chain. With respect to olive drupes, the most interesting results were obtained using RGB imaging and NIR spectroscopy, particularly using portable NIR devices and specific digital cameras for in-field or in-mill monitoring. Nevertheless, it is important to highlight that RGB imaging and NIR spectroscopy need to be integrated with flesh hardness measurements, given the higher reliability of this parameter compared to olive skin color. Finally, with respect to EVOO, although several useful applications of visible imagining, UV–Visible, NIR, and Mid-Infrared spectroscopies have been found, the online monitoring of EVOO quality using NIR spectroscopy strikes us as being the most interesting technique for improving the EVOO production chain in the near future.

Nutritional Value of Coloured Flesh Potato Tubers in Terms of Their Micronutrient Content

The aim of this study was to compare Fe, Zn, Mn, Al and Li contents in table potato tubers, obtained from seven potato cultivars with different flesh colour, and one cultivar characterised by light-coloured flesh. The study material consisted of potato tubers produced in a one-factor field experiment carried out at the Agricultural Experimental Station in Zawady belonging to the University of Siedlce, Poland (52°03′ N, 22°33′ E) in 2021–2023. The following cultivars were tested: Eurostar (light yellow flesh), Rote Emmalie and Herbie 26 (red flesh), Provita, Salad Blue, Blaue Annelise, Vitelotte Noire and Bora Valley (purple and blue flesh). The study showed that the genetic characteristics of the cultivars determined the nutrient content and uptake with tuber yield. Of the tested minerals which are important for human nutrition (Fe, Zn, Mn), red and purple cultivars accumulated more Fe than the light yellow-fleshed Eurostar. Zn content was the highest in red-fleshed cultivars compared with light and purple-fleshed cultivars. Mn content was the highest in the tubers of the light yellow-fleshed Eurostar and lowest in red Rote Emmalie. Fe, Zn, Mn and Al contents and uptake with tuber yield were influenced by weather conditions during the growing season.

Integrative transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis provide insight into the formation of skin pigmentation diversity in Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis)

Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is an important freshwater breeding species in East and Southeast Asia. The most external differences among different strains are skin pigmentation and blotches, but the mechanism of their formation is unknown. To investigate the mechanism of skin pigmentation diversity in Chinese soft-shelled turtle, three unique phenotypes (Golden strain, Japanese strain and Qingxi black strain) were selected to observe the chromatophores, and the transcriptome and metabolome were compared. The results showed the presence of melanophores, xanthophores and iridophores in the skin of all three strains. However, there were differences in the composition and organelles of chromatophores. The upregulation of gene asip and elevated accumulation of glutathione and cysteine in Golden strain resulted in the production of pheomelanin, leading to yellow pigmentation in the skin. The upregulation of gene dct and elevated accumulation of indole-5, 6-quinone in Qingxi black strain resulted in the production of eumelanin, which made the skin appear black-brown. Japanese strain produced eumelanin and pheomelanin, however, the presence of melanosomes resulted in skin darkening and appeared dark green pigmentation. The white blotches of Gloden strain and Japanese strains were formed through increased production of iridophores, while the black blotches of Qingxi black strain were formed by inducing migration and apoptosis of melanophores within iridophores. In conclusion, the distinctive characteristics of the skin in three strains resulted from combination of melanin type, abundance of melanosomes and interaction between melanophores and iridophores. These results provided valuable reference for investigating the mechanisms underlying skin pigmentation diversity in Chinese soft-shelled turtle and other vertebrates.