Oxidative Skin Research Articles

Health Promoting Chemical Components of Orange Juice

Abstract Citrus fruit or juice can be an excellent source of health-promoting substances at breakfast. A 150-200 ml glass of orange juice daily provides many nutrients required for good human health. As has been reported, vitamin C, thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, folate are present in oranges. Citrus juices also provide minerals - calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium, copper, and phosphorous, which are part of the vital enzyme system of the human body. In addition, several compounds - flavonoids and other health-promoting substances are present in citrus fruit. There are hundreds of useful products and substances with properties, which have origin in citrus products. There are also many patents for helpful products to be made from citrus substances. Treatment of major inflammation-related ailments target on phytochemicals involved in oxidative stress, metabolic syndrome (diabetes), cardiovascular diseases, bone health (osteoporosis), skin aging, cognitive function and brain diseases, aging, allergy and immune function and cancer. A clinical study published shows that orange juice and hesperidin increase nitric oxide production in human. Orange juices have been shown to provide several important health benefits, particularly for the cardiovascular system, bone and skin health, brain health, cognitive functions, aging, and also cancer. However, the number of clinical studies available remains limited and significant efforts are necessary to provide irrefutable proof of these benefits in human

Oxidative Stress-mediated Chemical Modifications to Biomacromolecules: Mechanism and Implication of Modifications to Human Skin Keratins and Angiotensin II

Dysregulated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during oxidative stress has been associated with a number of inflammatory and age-related degenerative diseases. ROS can directly react with DNA to form oxidized DNA bases. Direct protein oxidation and carbonylation occur on certain amino acid residues resulting in various post-translational modifications. ROS can also initiate the formation of lipid hydroperoxides, which undergo homolytic decomposition to the α,β-unsaturated aldehydic bifunctional electrophiles such as 4-oxo-2(E)-nonenal (ONE) and 4-hydroxy-2(E)-nonenal (HNE). Intracellular generation of highly reactive aldehydes can then result in the formation of DNA and protein adducts. ONE-derived heptanone-etheno and HNE-derived propano DNA adducts have been detected and shown to be mutagenic in a variety of biological systems. In addition, ONE and HNE are involved in protein dysfunctions and altered gene regulations through the modification of amino acid residues and crosslinking of proteins. Our recent study on human skin keratins has identified specific K1 methionine residues as the most susceptible sites to oxidation with hydrogen peroxide, which can be potential biomarkers of oxidative skin damage. The reactions of angiotensin (Ang) II with ONE or HNE produced several modified Ang IIs including a novel pyruvamide-Ang II that formed via oxidative decarboxylation of N-terminal aspartic acid. Subsequently, it has been revealed that the oxidative modifications on the N-terminus of Ang II disrupt interactions with Ang II type 1 receptor and aminopeptidase A, which could affect the regulation of cardiovascular function.

Fast Position and Accurate Segmentation Algorithms for Detecting Surface Defects of the Thermal-State Heavy Rail Based on Machine Vision

Color imaging in the hot rolled condition provides the better reaction of heavy rail on surface defects. In this paper, it proposes a series of novel algorithms of accurate position and segmentation of surface defects of heavy rail. An image acquisition device is designed on the adjustable camera bracket with the linear array CCD, and based on the correlation among pixels at the image level, a fast positioning method is developed for searching the Region Of Interesting (ROI) of the surface defects. Using the Mean-Shift image filtering algorithm which features multi-parameter kernel function, amendments to the sampling point weights and regional search with the nearest neighbor sampling points, accurate segmentation of the identification character is easily achieved by K-means clustering. Experiments show that this algorithm for the identification of the heavy rail surface defects is proven to be more rapid in testing the inclusions, cracks and oxide skin defects with a good promotional value.

A pilot study of the photoprotective effect of almond phytochemicals in a 3D human skin equivalent

UV exposure causes oxidative stress, inflammation, erythema, and skin cancer. α-Tocopherol (AT) and polyphenols (AP) present in almonds may serve as photoprotectants. Our objectives were to assess the feasibility of using a 3D human skin equivalent (HSE) in photoprotectant research and to determine photoprotection of AT and AP against UVA radiation. AT or AP was applied to medium (25 and 5μmol/L, respectively) or topically (1mg/cm2 and 14μg/cm2), followed by UVA. Photodamage assessed 96h post UVA included HSE morphology, keratinocyte proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. UVA induced disorganization of basal layer, alteration of epidermal development, and fibroblast loss which were alleviated by all nutrient pretreatments. UVA significantly decreased keratinocyte proliferation compared to controls, and all pretreatments tended to negate the reduction though only the medium AT effect was statistically significant (p⩽0.05). UVA led to a significant 16-fold increase in apoptosis of fibroblasts compared to the control which was alleviated by topical AP pretreatment and completely negated by topical AT (p⩽0.05). In conclusion, we validated the feasibility of using HSE in evaluation of photoprotectants and found that AT and AP, applied to medium or topically, provided some degree of photoprotection against UVA.

Antioxidant activity, lipophilicity and extractability of polyphenols from pig skin – development of analytical methods for skin permeation studies

Permeation of polyphenols through the stratum corneum barrier is a precondition for the protective action of polyphenols against oxidative skin damage. Prior to in vitro skin permeation experiments, we developed a method for the quantification of polyphenols in pig skin, including organic solvent extraction and HPLC analysis. Catechine hydrate, epigallocatechin gallate, trans-resveratrol, quercetin, rutin and protocatechuic acid were chosen for this study as representatives of phenolics with different lipophilicity and molecular weight. The antioxidative activities of polyphenols as well as their octanol-water partition coefficients at different pH values were determined. Extraction of polyphenols from pig skin was optimized by variation of solvent composition, homogenization intensity and time, as well as partial exclusion of oxygen during extraction. The highest recovery rates could be reached by extraction with the methanol-water mixture (90:10, v/v), containing 0.2 g/L l-ascorbic acid, after the cryo-milling for 4 min. Recoveries of 72% for total phenolics, 96% for quercetin and protocatechuic acid, 90% for rutin and 74% for trans-resveratrol, were achieved. These extraction parameters will be selected for the polyphenol extraction from pig skin for further in vitro drug permeation studies.

Liquid-Phase Gallium–Indium Alloy Electronics with Microcontact Printing

Liquid-phase electronic circuits are patterned on an elastomer substrate with a microcontact printer. The printer head dips into a pool of a liquid-phase gallium-indium alloy, e.g., eutectic gallium-indium (EGaIn) or gallium-indium-tin (Galinstan), and deposits a single drop on a silicone elastomer substrate. After patterned deposition, the liquid-phase circuit is sealed with an additional layer of silicone elastomer. We also demonstrate patterned deposition of the liquid-phase GaIn alloy with a molded polydimethylsiloxane stamp that is manually inked and pressed into an elastomer substrate. As with other liquid-phase electronics produced through needle injection or masked deposition, the circuit is elastically deformable and can be stretched to several times its natural length without losing electronic functionality. In contrast to existing fabrication techniques, microcontact printing and stamp lithography can be used to produce circuits with any planar geometric feature, including electrodes with large planar area, intersecting and closed-loop wires, and combs with multiple terminal electrodes. In air, the surface of the coalesced droplets oxidize to form a thin oxide skin that preserves the shape of the circuit during sealing. This first demonstration of soft-lithography fabrication with liquid-phase GaIn alloy expands the space of allowable circuit geometries and eliminates the need for mold or mask fabrication.

Impact dynamics of oxidized liquid metal drops

With exposure to air, many liquid metals spontaneously generate an oxide layer on their surface. In oscillatory rheological tests, this skin is found to introduce a yield stress that typically dominates the elastic response but can be tuned by exposing the metal to hydrochloric acid solutions of different concentration. We systematically studied the normal impact of eutectic gallium-indium (eGaIn) drops under different oxidation conditions and show how this leads to two different dynamical regimes. At low impact velocity (or low Weber number), eGaIn droplets display strong recoil and rebound from the impacted surface when the oxide layer is removed. In addition, the degree of drop deformation or spreading during impact is controlled by the oxide skin. We show that the scaling law known from ordinary liquids for the maximum spreading radius as a function of impact velocity can still be applied to the case of oxidized eGaIn if an effective Weber number We* is employed that uses an effective surface tension factoring in the yield stress. In contrast, no influence on spreading from different oxidations conditions is observed for high impact velocity. This suggests that the initial kinetic energy is mostly damped by bulk viscous dissipation. Results from both regimes can be collapsed in an impact phase diagram controlled by two variables, the maximum spreading factor P(m)=R(0)/R(m), given by the ratio of initial to maximum drop radius, and the impact number K=We*/Re(4/5), which scales with the effective Weber number We* as well as the Reynolds number Re. The data exhibit a transition from capillary to viscous behavior at a critical impact number K(c)≈0.1.

Protective effect of Codium fragile against UVB-induced pro-inflammatory and oxidative damages in HaCaT cells and BALB/c mice

Acute exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes pro-inflammatory responses via diverse mechanisms including oxidative stress. Codium fragile is a green alga of Codiales family and has been reported to exhibit anti-edema, anti-allergic, anti-protozoal and anti-mycobacterial activities. In this study, we have investigated a novel anti-inflammatory potential of C. fragile using in vitro cell culture as well as in vivo animal models. In HaCaT cells, buthanol and ethylacetate fractions of 80% methanol C. fragile extract (CFB or CFE) and a single compound, clerosterol (CLS) isolated from CFE attenuated UVB (60mJ/cm2)-induced cytotoxicity and reduced expression of pro-inflammatory proteins including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF- α). Moreover, CFB, CFE and CLS effectively suppressed UVB-induced production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and nitric oxide (NO). In another experiment, topical application of CFB, CFE or CLS prior to UVB irradiation (200mJ/cm2) on BALB/c mice, inhibited the UVB-elevated protein levels of COX-2, iNOS, and TNF-α. Furthermore, CFB, CFE and CLS suppressed oxidative damages caused by UVB irradiation for example lipid peroxidation and/or protein carbonylation, which seemed to be mediated by up-regulation of antioxidant defense enzymes. These results suggest that C. fragile could be an effective therapeutic agent providing protection against UVB-induced inflammatory and oxidative skin damages.

The Property Comparison of Coating Prepared by Oxygen-Acetylene Spray Welding Technology and High-Frequency Induction Remelting Technology

Ni60A coating is obtained by oxygen-acetylene spray welding and high-frequency induction remelting process. Coating Surface, interface between matrix and coating, microhardness and wear resistance are investigated. The results show that both of the processes can achieve coating metallurgically bonded to matrix. But microhardness and wear resistance of Ni60A coating obtained by high-frequency induction remelting process are superior to those of Ni60A coating obtained by oxygen-acetylene spray welding process. At the same time, coating surface by high-frequency induction remelting process is of more brightness owing to less oxide skin. In order to more effectively prevent the hard phase from oxidation, the quartz glass pipe and inert gas should be considered to use in high-frequency induction remelting process.

Protective effect of hochuekkito, a Kampo prescription, against ultraviolet B irradiation‐induced skin damage in hairless mice

A Kampo prescriptions, hochuekkito (HET) has been utilized for treating functional conditions such as general fatigue, compromised state and gastrointestinal motility disorder. Recently, HET has attracted the attention of dermatologists because of its clinically positive effects in atopic dermatitis (AD) treatment. To explain this positive effect of HET, we examined its protective ability against oxidative skin stress using a murine model. The dorsal region of 8-week-old male HR-1 hairless mice, which were raised on a HET (0%, 2% and 10%) mixed diet, was irradiated once with 70mJ/cm(2) of ultraviolet (UV)-B light. After 4days, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum water content (SCWC), were determined as a measure of degree of skin dysfunction. To estimate the amount of active oxygen generated, the stratum corneum catalase activity (SCCA) and stratum corneum carbonylated protein (SCCP) content in the tape-stripped stratum corneum samples were measured. We also measured the H(2) O(2) scavenging ability of HET, and analyzed the changes in the expression levels of several inflammation and oxidative stress-related genes in the skin of HET-fed mice. In control mice, exposure to UV-B led to significant increases in TEWL and SCCP and significant decreases in SCWC and SCCA. These UV-B-induced changes were reduced in mice administrated HET, and the reduction was HET dose-dependent. Our results suggested that HET offered a protective effect against UV-B-induced skin damage. We also found that HET had relatively low ability to scavenge H(2) O(2) , and expression level of cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA decreased in HET-fed mouse.

Medical and Scientific Bases of Wet Cupping Therapy (Al-hijamah): in Light of Modern Medicine and Prophetic Medicine

Wet cupping therapy (WCT) is a simple and economic treatment that still needs scientific interpretation. It treated effectively diseases with different etiologies and pathogeneses e.g. rheumatoid arthritis (RA), hypertension, migraine, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), fibromyalgia, cellulitis and others. Here, we review medical and scientific bases underlying cupping therapy and introduce Taibah theory as a novel evidence-based scientific mechanism to explain it. Briefly, in Taibah theory, WCT is a minor surgical excretory procedure related scientifically to the principles of renal glomerular filtration and abscess evacuation, where a pressure-dependent excretion of causative pathological substances (CPS) occurs. CPS include disease-causing substances and disease-related substances (that result during disease pathogenesis). Negative pressure applied to skin surface causes local collection of filtered and interstitial fluids containing CPS at skin upliftings inside cups. Scarifying skin upliftings followed by cupping causes a pressure gradient and a traction force across the skin and capillaries to excrete collected fluids with CPS and cause bleeding at puncture sites. This increases filtration at both capillary ends and causes clearance of blood and interstitial spaces from CPS. WCT benefits from the suction pressure, phenomenon of reactive hyperemia, nitric oxide production and skin scarifications (openings in skin barrier) in enhancing natural excretory skin functions, improving lymphatic and capillary circulations and restoring homeostasis. Reported CPS of RA include autoantibodies, immune complexes, soluble interleukin-2 receptors, inflammatory mediators, certain cytokines, prostaglandins, toxic cellular products and rheumatoid factor, while CPS of CTS include malondialdehyde, interleukin 6, prostaglandin PGE- 2 and progressive edema (causing pain). WCT-induced filtration pressure may excrete those CPS in cupped blood. Prophetic medicine (related to Prophet Mohammad peace be upon him) recommends WCT: “The best among what you use in therapy is Al-hijamah (prophetic method of WCT)”. In conclusion, WCT has scientific bases in treating different diseases being the only treatment that clears blood and interstitial fluid from CPS.Therapeutic benefits of WCT is related to the amount of excreted CPS not the amount of letted blood.

Dimensional and Chemical Characterization of Airborne Particles in Schools: Respiratory Effects in Children

This work reports the detailed characterization of child exposure to particles in three naturally-ventilated Italian schools. Two polluted urban schools and a rural one are considered in this study. Dimensional and chemical analyses of particles were performed by measuring particle number concentrations, particle size distributions, OC/BC concentrations and relative inorganic and organic fractions, both indoors and outdoors.Respiratory function, exhaled Nitric Oxide (eNO) and Prick Skin tests were also performed on 75 children attending the three schools in order to evaluate the effects of such exposure on the children’s respiratory systems. Exposure to particles at the urban schools was found higher than at the rural one, from both dimensional and chemical perspectives. Indoor particle number concentrations ranged from 1.95 × 104 to 3.49 × 104 part./cm3, whereas indoor black carbon concentrations varied between 1.9–13.9 μg/m3, with the lowest levels of both measured at the rural school.In contrast to the dimensional and chemical results, the respiratory function and eNO test results were statistically similar among children attending all the three schools: the lung function values were within 20% of the European Community for Steel and Coal predicted ones, with the eNO data for healthy children ranging from 10.1 to 11.5 ppm. Medical outcomes indicate that these levels of school exposure did not significantly affect the children’s respiratory outcomes.

Protective Properties Analysis of Oxide Skin by WOT in Supercritical Unit

This paper studied the different formation mechanism and the corrosion protection mechanism of oxide skin in the conditions of WOT and OT in the supercritical units. The WOT tube and OT tube of the high temperature superheater were detected by visual macro inspection, their microscopic structures were analyzed by electron microscopy and their elemental compositions were detected by EDS. The authors put forward steam oxidation mechanism of WOT and peroxide-chromium evaporation mechanism of OT. The test results were analyzed by chemical thermodynamics and chemical kinetics. The experiment and analysis proved that: the oxide skin of WOT’s tube retained the alloying elements and the design of protective structures, but the oxide skin of OT’s tube lost the alloying elements and it had not good protective properties. The studies had shown that: in compared of the WOT and OT, the WOT had a good corrosion protection and a significant advantage of preventing abnormal rapid growth of oxide skin, so WOT was the best choice for feed-water treatment.

Oxidative Stress and Skin Cancer: An Overview

Skin is the largest body organ that serves as an important environmental interface providing a protective envelope that is crucial for homeostasis. On the other hand, it is a major target for toxic insult by a broad spectrum of physical and chemical agents that are capable of altering its structure and function. There are a large number of dietary contaminants and drugs can manifest their toxicity in skin. These environmental toxicants or their metabolites are inherent oxidants and/or directly or indirectly drive the production of a variety of reactive oxidants also known as reactive oxygen species. These are short-lived entities that are continuously generated at low levels during the course of normal aerobic metabolism. These are believed to activate proliferative and cell survival signaling that can alter apoptotic pathways that may be involved in the pathogenesis of a number of skin disorders. The skin possesses an array of antioxidant defense mechanisms that interact with toxicants to obviate their deleterious effect. The "antioxidant power" of a food is an expression of its capability both to defend the human organism from the action of the free radicals and to prevent degenerative disorders. Plants like olive trees have their own built-in protection against the oxidative damage of the sun, and these built-in protectors function as cell protectors in our own body. Although many antioxidants have shown substantive efficacy in cell culture systems and in animal models of oxidant injury, unequivocal confirmation of their beneficial effects in human populations has proven elusive.

UVB로 손상이 유도된 피부세포에 해양소재 추출물의 항노화 효능

피부는 끊임없이 외부환경에 노출되며 가장 주요한 스트레스 요인 중 하나는 자외선방사이다. 자외선 방사로 인하여 피부에 염증, 착색, 광노화 및 피부암을 포함하는 생물학적 영향을 끼치게 된다. 본 연구에서는 해양천연소재 (김, 다시마, 모려, 모자반, 미역, 석결명, 우뭇가사리, 청각, 톳, 파래)로부터 피부보호 항산화제를 조사하기 위해 자외선으로부터 기인된 세포보호 효과를 증명하였으며 세포독성, 산화에 의한 세포사멸, 항노화 효과에 대하여 평가를 실시하였다. 그 결과, 모자반, 한천, 석결명, 청각 에탄올 추출물을 처리한 군이 자외선으로 유도된 세포독성 및 세포사멸을 효과적으로 억제하는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 다른 실험에서 자외선에서 인한 세포사멸은 세포내 축적이나 ROS로부터 매개되지만 해양추출물을 처리함으로써 현저하게 감소되었다. 이러한 해양추출물의 보호효과 증가는 Type I collagen과 Type I procollagen에 의해 매개하는 것과 연관되는 것으로 사료된다. 이들의 결과는 해양추출물이 노화예방 및 항산화제로서의 우수한 특성으로 피부손상에 의한 산화적 스트레스에 대응하는 새로운 기능성 소재로서의 가능성을 가지는 것으로 평가된다. The skin is continuously exposed to environmental stresses. One of the most important stress factor is UV radiation. UV radiation causes a variety of biological effects on the skin, including inflammation, pigmentation, photoaging and cancer. Therefore in this study, we tried to search for skin-protective antioxidant materials from marine natural products (Porphyra Thalli, Laminariae japonicae thallus, Ostreae Concha, Sargassum Thallus, Undaria thallus, Haliotidis Concha, Agar, Codium thalli, Hizikia fusiforme thalli; HFE, Thalli) which exhibit protective activities against UVB-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative cell death and antiaging effects. As a results, UVB-induced cytotoxicity and cell death were effectively suppressed by treatment of Sargassum Thallus, Agar, Haliotidis Concha, Codium thalli, Thalli ethanol extracts. UVB-induced cell death was mediated by intracellular accumulation or ROS, which was significantly inhibited by treatment with marine natural products extracts. Also, The protective effect of these marine natural products seemed to be mediated by increased expression of type I collagen and Type I procollagen. These results suggest that marine natural products may have anti-aging effects new functional materials against oxidative stress-mediated skin damages.

Induction of different reactive oxygen species in the skin during various laser therapies and their inhibition by fullerene

The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is one of the mechanisms of laser irradiation in the skin, and there are beneficial and detrimental aspects to this reaction. Detrimental side effects after laser treatments, such as redness and pigmentation, can be reduced by using anti-oxidants. Electron spin resonance (ESR) analysis using a free radical trapping agent revealed that different free radicals, including hydroxyl ((·) OH) and superoxide anion (O 2-) radicals, were generated in the skin of hairless mice by irradiation with intense pulsed light (IPL), plasma, and radio frequency lasers. Generation of O 2- and (·) OH radicals was significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion by fullerene and fullerene did not have any pro-oxidant effects as no radical adduct signal was detected. Although ROS can increase expression of COX-2 mRNA, an inflammatory marker, laser-induced COX-2 expression was significantly suppressed by the antioxidant activity of fullerene. In addition, imaging analysis of human skin has shown that erythema-associated redness caused by laser-induced inflammation is inhibited by fullerene gel. These data suggest that laser-induced inflammation is suppressed by the ROS-scavenging activity of fullerene and that application of fullerene is effective against oxidative skin damage caused by laser irradiation. Thus, fullerene has potential as an after-care therapy following laser irradiation of the skin.

B16 멜라닌 세포에서 해양소재 추출물의 멜라닌 생성 저해 효과

Objectives : Under normal condition melanin protects the skin from extracellular stimuli including ultraviolet (UV)-induced oxidative skin damages, but excess production and accumulation of melanin can induce hyperpigmentation causing esthetic problems. Therefore, in this study we tried to search for natural skin whitening materials from marine natural resources. Methods : Water and ethanol extracts of marine natural resources were prepared from Porphyra thalli (PT), Laminariae thallus (LT), Ostreae concha (OC), Sargassum thallus (ST), Undaria thallus (UT), Codium thalli (CT), Enteromorpha thalli (ET), Syngnathoides biaculeatus (SB), and Hippocampus coronatus (Hc). Their effects against UVB and <TEX>${\alpha}$</TEX>-melanocyte stimulating hormone (<TEX>${\alpha}$</TEX>-MSH)-induced melanogenesis were investigated based on melanin formation in B16 mouse melanoma cells. The mRNA and protein expression of enzymes involved in the melanogenic process were further examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis, respectively. Results : Water extract of Ostreae concha (OCW/E) effectively inhibited UVB and <TEX>${\alpha}$</TEX>-MSH-induced melanin production in B16 melanocytes, which seemed to be mediated by inhibition of mRNA expression of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1). In another experiment, ethanol extracts from Porphyra thalli (PTE/E), Laminariae thallus (LTE/E), Sargassum thallus (STE/E), Undaria thallus (UTE/E), Codium thalli (CTE/E), Syngnathoides biaculeatus (SBE/E), and Hippocampus coronatus (HcE/E) significantly suppressed UVB and <TEX>${\alpha}$</TEX>-MSH-induced melanin formation. Furthermore, ethylacetate fraction isolated form LTE/E (LTE/EEt) decreased UVB and <TEX>${\alpha}$</TEX>-MSH-elevated extracellular melanin levels via inhibition of tyrosinase protein expression. Conclutions : These results suggest that marine natural resources such as Porphyra thalli, Laminariae thallus, Ostreae concha, Sargassum thallus, Undaria thallus, Codium thalli, Syngnathoides biaculeatus and Hippocampus coronatus have anti-melanogenic effects, thereby exhibiting high potentials to be utilized as one of the ingredients for the development of new whitening functional cosmetics.

Effect of urbanisation on the relationship between total serum IgE and asthma

It is unclear if the relationship of total serum IgE with asthma varies with degree of urbanisation. We hypothesised that the relationship of total serum IgE to asthma is more pronounced in an urban versus a rural environment. We enrolled 1441 children aged 13-15 years in a peri-urban shanty town in Lima, Peru (n=725) and 23 villages in rural Tumbes, Peru (n=716). We asked participants about asthma and allergy symptoms, environmental exposures and sociodemographics; and performed spirometry, and exhaled nitric oxide and allergy skin testing. We obtained blood for total serum IgE in 1143 (79%) participants. Geometric means for total serum IgE were higher in Lima versus Tumbes (262 versus 192 kU·L(-1); p<0.001). The odds of asthma increased by factors of 1.6 (95% CI 1.3-2.0) versus 1.4 (95% CI 0.9-2.1) per log unit increase in total serum IgE in Lima versus Tumbes, respectively. Atopy was an effect modifier of the relationship of total serum IgE on asthma. Among atopics and non-atopics, the odds of asthma increased by a factor of 2.0 (95% CI 1.5-2.7) and 1.0 (95% CI 0.7-1.4) per log unit increase in total serum IgE, respectively. Total serum IgE was associated with atopic asthma but not with non-atopic asthma. Urbanisation did not appear to be an effect modifier of this relationship.

Effect of oxidation on the mechanical properties of liquid gallium and eutectic gallium-indium

Liquid metals exhibit remarkable mechanical properties, in particular large surface tension and low viscosity. However, these properties are greatly affected by oxidation when exposed to air. We measure the viscosity, surface tension, and contact angle of gallium and a eutectic gallium-indium alloy while controlling such oxidation by surrounding the metals with an acid bath of variable concentration. Rheometry measurements reveal a yield stress directly attributable to an oxide skin that obscures the intrinsic behavior of the liquid metals. We demonstrate how the intrinsic viscosity can be obtained with precision through a scaling technique that collapses low- and high-Reynolds number data. Measuring surface tension with a pendant drop method, we show that the oxide skin generates a surface stress that mimics surface tension and develop a simple model to relate this to the yield stress obtained from rheometry. We find that yield stress, surface tension, and contact angle all transition from solid-like to liquid behavior at the same critical acid concentration, thereby quantitatively confirming that the wettability of these liquid metals is due to the oxide skin.

Nitric oxide is responsible for oxidative skin injury and modulation of cell proliferation after 24 hours of UVB exposures

Nitric oxide (NO) is produced by various mammalian cells and plays a variety of regulatory roles in normal physiology and in pathological processes. This article provides evidence regarding the participation of NO in UVB-induced skin lesions and in the modulation of skin cell proliferation following UVB skin irradiation. Hairless mice were subjected to UVB irradiation for 3 hours and the skin evaluated immediately, 6 and 24 hours postirradiation. The skin lipid peroxidation, and NO levels evaluated by chemiluminescence and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitrotyrosine immunolabelling increased significantly 24 hours after irradiation and decreased under the treatment with aminoguanidine (AG). On the other hand, cell proliferation markers, PCNA and VEGF showed a strong labelling index when AG was used. The data indicate that NO mediates, at least in part, the lipid peroxidation and protein nitration and also promotes the down regulation of factors involved in cell proliferation. This work shows that the NO plays an important role in the oxidative stress damage and on modulation of cell proliferation pathways in UVB irradiated skin.