Ultraviolet Research Articles

Hydroxyurea Pharmacokinetic Evaluation in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

Background: Hydroxyurea (HU), also known as hydroxycarbamide, is an oral ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor. In 1999, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved HU for the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD). Since then, it has become the cornerstone in the management of SCD patients, helping to reduce vaso-occlusive crises, acute chest syndrome, the need for blood transfusions, hospitalizations and mortality. There is considerable variability among individuals in HU pharmacokinetic (Pk) parameters that can influence treatment efficacy and toxicity. The objective of this work is part of a clinical study aimed at investigating HU Pk and determining the optimal sampling time to estimate the Area Under the Curve (AUC) in SCD patients. Methods: HU plasma concentration in 80 patients at various time points (2, 4, 6, 24 h) following a 48-h drug washout was quantified using High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) coupled with an ultraviolet (UV) detection method previously described in the literature and adapted to new conditions with partial modifications. Results: The mean HU administered dose was 19.5 ± 5.1 mg/kg (range: 7.7–37.5 mg/kg). The median AUC quantified in plasma patients was 101.3 mg/L/h (Interquartile Range (IQR): 72.5–355.9) and it was not influenced by the weight-based dose. However, there was a strong positive correlation between AUC and Body Mass Index (BMI) as well as dose per Body Surface Area (BSA). Along with a three-point approach for AUC determination present in the literature, we show results obtained from a four-point sampling strategy, which is more useful and effective for better optimizing dose escalation to the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Moreover, we observed that most patients achieved the maximum HU plasma concentration two hours after drug administration, regardless of age differences. Conclusions: HU treatment, which represents a milestone in the treatment of SCD due to its ability to reduce disease complications and improve patients’ quality of life, requires careful monitoring to optimize the individual dose for saving potential side effects and/or adverse events.

Surface acoustic wave platform integrated with ultraviolet activated rGO-SnS2 nanocomposites to achieve ppb-level dimethyl methylphosphonate detection at room-temperature

Dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) is commonly used as an alternative for demonstrating to detect sarin, which is one of the most toxic but odorless chemical nerve agents. Among various types of DMMP sensors, those utilizing surface acoustic wave (SAW) technology provide notable advantages such as wireless/passive monitoring, digital output, and a compact, portable design. However, key challenges for SAW-based DMMP sensors operated at room temperature lies in simultaneous enhancement of sensitivities and reduction of detection limits. In this study, we developed a binary material strategy by combining reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and tin disulfide (SnS2) with (100)-facets orientation as sensing layers of SAW device for DMMP detection utilized at room temperature. Ultraviolet (UV) light was applied to activate the sensitive film and reduce the sensor's response time. The developed SAW DMMP sensor demonstrated a superior sensitivity (−1298.82 Hz/ppm), a low detection limit of 50 ppb, and a hysteresis below 1.5%, along with fast response/recovery time (39.2 s/28.4 s), excellent selectivity, long-term stability and repeatability. The formation of shrub-like rGO-SnS2 heterojunctions with abundant surface defects and large specific surface areas, high-energy (100) crystalline surfaces of SnS2, and photogenerated carriers generated by UV irradiation were pinpointed as the crucial sensing mechanisms. These factors collectively enhanced adsorption and reaction dynamics of DMMP molecules.

A Holistic View of Asphalt Binder Aging under Ultraviolet Conditions: Chemical, Structural, and Rheological Characterization

Asphalt, as a key binder material in road construction, is susceptible to ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced aging, leading to embrittlement and reduced durability. Despite the significance of UV aging, research in this area remains limited compared to that on thermal aging. This paper comprehensively reviews the current state of research on UV aging in asphalt, focusing on its mechanism, evaluation indicators, and methods to delay or avoid UV aging. The structural components, rheological properties, and aging mechanisms of asphalt are discussed. Various UV aging simulation methods, including the use of UV chambers and accelerated aging tests, are presented along with their evaluation tests such as dynamic shear rheometry, rutting tests, Fourier infrared spectroscopy, and bending beam rheology. Key indicators used to assess UV aging, including physical properties, rheological parameters, and chemical composition changes, are summarized. The mechanisms underlying UV aging, particularly the changes in asphalt’s structural components and rheological properties, are examined. The impact of factors like radiation intensity, temperature, chemical composition, and asphalt film thickness on UV aging is discussed. Additionally, various additives and modifiers, including modified bitumen, UV shielding agents, UV absorbers, antioxidants, and nanomodifiers, are reviewed for their potential to mitigate UV aging. This paper concludes by highlighting the challenges in developing standardized test equipment and evaluation criteria, the limitations of organic modifiers, and the need for further research on nanomaterials to improve asphalt’s UV aging resistance.

A 10 km daily-level ultraviolet-radiation-predicting dataset based on machine learning models in China from 2005 to 2020

Abstract. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is closely related to health; however, limited measurements have hindered further investigation of its health effects in China. Machine learning algorithms have been widely used to predict environmental factors with high accuracy, but a limited number of studies have implemented it for UV radiation. The main aim of this study is to develop a UV radiation prediction model using the random forest approach and predict the UV radiation with a daily and 10 km resolution in mainland China from 2005 to 2020. The model was developed with multiple predictors, such as UV radiation data from satellites as independent variables and ground UV radiation measurements from monitoring stations as the dependent variable. Missing satellite-based UV radiation data were obtained using the 3 d moving average method. The model performance was evaluated using multiple cross-validation (CV) methods. The overall R2 and root mean square error between measured and predicted UV radiation from model development and model 10-fold CV were 0.97 and 15.64 W m−2 and 0.83 and 37.44 W m−2 at the daily level, respectively. The model that incorporated erythemal daily dose (EDD) retrieved from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) had a higher prediction accuracy than that without it. Based on predictions of UV radiation at the daily level, 10 km spatial resolution, and nearly 100 % spatiotemporal coverage, we found that UV radiation increased by 4.20 %, PM2.5 levels decreased by 48.51 %, and O3 levels increased by 22.70 % from 2013–2020, suggesting a potential correlation among these environmental factors. The uneven spatial distribution of UV radiation was associated with factors such as latitude, elevation, meteorological factors, and season. The eastern areas of China pose a higher risk due to both high population density and high UV radiation intensity. Using a machine learning algorithm, this study generated a gridded UV radiation dataset with extensive spatiotemporal coverage, which can be utilized for future health-related research. This dataset is freely available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10884591 (Jiang et al., 2024).

The effects of ultrasound-assisted glycation on the allergenicity and functional properties of peanut proteins

This study investigated the effects of ultrasound-assisted glycation on the allergenicity and functional properties of peanut proteins. Results showed that ultrasound-assisted glycation increased the degree of glycation reaction of peanut proteins significantly (P < 0.05). ELISA results indicated that the binding of peanut allergens with serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin E (IgE) was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Furthermore, secondary structure analysis revealed a significant increase in β-sheet content, alongside decreases in α-helix, β-turn, and random coil contents (P < 0.05). In addition, intrinsic fluorescence intensity, surface hydrophobicity, and ultraviolet (UV) spectra intensity were diminished (P < 0.05), indicating notable changes in both secondary and tertiary structures of peanut proteins. Moreover, emulsification property, antioxidant activity and in vitro digestibility of peanut proteins showed the most obvious improvements following ultrasound-assisted glycation, and the solubility was increased while turbidity was decreased significantly (P < 0.05). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that ultrasound-assisted glycation not only effectively reduced the allergenicity of peanut allergens, but also improved the overall functional properties of peanut proteins, and the changes in sensitization and functional properties might be closely related to structural changes. This study will provide a theoretical basis for the development of peanut products.

Characterization of adeno-associated virus capsid proteins using denaturing size-exclusion chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry

Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are a highly effective platform for gene delivery for the treatment of many human diseases. Characterization of AAV viral protein attributes (VP), such as serotype identity, VP stoichiometry, and VP post-translational modifications, is essential to ensure product and process consistency. While size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) is commonly used in the biopharmaceutical industry for analyzing protein therapeutics, its application to intact AAV VP components has not gained traction, presumably due to difficulties in achieving adequate resolution of VP(1−3) monomers. Herein, we describe the development of a denaturing SEC method and optimization of SEC parameters, including stationary phase pore size, column temperature, and mobile phase composition, to achieve effective chromatographic separation of VP(1−3). We demonstrate that an optimized dSEC-MS method featuring MS-compatible formic acid, can effectively separate VP(1−3) across AAV1, 2, 5, 6, 8, and 9 serotypes using a single column and mobile phase condition. A case study was included to showcase successful application of the dSEC-MS method in analyzing changes across different AAV production processes, yielding similar conclusions to an orthogonal approach, such as hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC)- MS. Additionally, dSEC integrated with fluorescence (FLR) and ultraviolet (UV) detection can be used to semi-quantitatively identify both AAV DNA and VP components from empty and full AAV samples. Overall, this robust and MS-friendly methodological advancement could greatly streamline the development and analytical quality control processes for AAV-based gene therapies, providing a highly sensitive method for intact VP characterization.

Recent Advances in DNA-Based Nanoprobes for In vivo MiRNA Imaging.

As a post transcriptional regulator of gene expression, microRNAs (miRNA) is closely related to many major human diseases, especially cancer. Therefore, its precise detection is very important for disease diagnosis and treatment. With the advancement of fluorescent dye and imaging technology, the focus has shifted from in vitro miRNA detection to in vivo miRNA imaging. This concept review summarizes signal amplification strategies including DNAzyme catalytic reaction, hybrid chain reaction (HCR), catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) to enhance detection signal of lowly expressed miRNAs; external stimuli of ultraviolet (UV) light or near-infrared region (NIR) light, and internal stimuli such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP), glutathione (GSH), protease and cell membrane protein to prevent nonspecific activation for the avoidance of false positive signal; and the development of fluorescent probes with emission in NIR for in vivo miRNA imaging; as well as rare earth nanoparticle based the second near-infrared window (NIR-II) nanoprobes with excellent tissue penetration and depth for in vivo miRNA imaging. The concept review also indicated current challenges for in vivo miRNA imaging including the dynamic monitoring of miRNA expression change and simultaneous in vivo imaging of multiple miRNAs.

Management biofouling of uranium extraction from seawater by ultraviolet technique: Effect of UV wavelength

Marine biofouling is one of the primary limiting factors in uptake of uranium (U(VI)) from seawater. The effects of ultraviolet (UV) wavelength on its elimination capacity for marine biofouling were investigated in detail. V. alginolyticus was used as the representative of marine microorganisms in this work. UV254 irradiation can well reduce the adhesion of V. alginolyticus on poly(amidoxime) (PAO) surface and enhance U(VI) adsorption. The adsorption capacity of PAO for U(VI) increases from 40.7 mg/g to 67.1 mg/g at pH 8.2 and 298 K under UV254 irradiation condition. UV254 irradiation can well damage the DNA structure of V. alginolyticus by photochemistry reaction, and further reduce its extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The increase of NO3- concentrations promote the yield of ˙OH by UV254 irradiation, and increase the inactivation of V. alginolyticus cells. Biological community results indicate that UV254 irradiation can intercept the reproduction and break the bottleneck of marine microorganisms, and would enhance the extraction of U(VI) from seawater.

Highly DUV to NIR-II responsive broadband quantum dots heterojunction photodetectors by integrating quantum cutting luminescent concentrators

Low-cost, high-performance, and uncooled broadband photodetectors (PDs) have potential applications in optical communication etc., but it still remains a huge challenge to realize deep UV (DUV) to the second near-infrared (NIR-II) detection for a single broadband PD. Herein, a single PD affording broadband spectral response from 200 to 1700 nm is achieved with a vertical configuration based on quantum dots (QDs) heterojunction and quantum cutting luminescent concentrators (QC–LC). A broadband quantum dots heterojunction as absorption layer was designed by integrating CsPbI3:Ho3+ perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) and PbS QDs to realize the spectral response from 400 to 1700 nm. The QC–LC by employing CsPbCl3:Cr3+, Ce3+, Yb3+, Er3+ PQDs as luminescent conversion layer to collect and concentrate photon energy for boosting the DUV–UV (200–400 nm) photons response of PDs by waveguide effect. Such broadband PD displays good stability, and outstanding sensitivity with the detectivity of 3.19 × 1012 Jones at 260 nm, 1.05 × 1013 Jones at 460 nm and 2.23 × 1012 Jones at 1550 nm, respectively. The findings provide a new strategy to construct broadband detector, offering more opportunities in future optoelectronic devices.

Tandem Acylation and Aromatization of Vinylogous Esters: A Regiospecific Approach to Resorcinyl Ketones.

This study demonstrates the direct conversion of vinylogous esters into selectively protected 6-acyl resorcinols (4-alkoxy/aryloxy-2-hydroxy arylketones) in a regiospecific manner. Resorcinyl ketones are first-time synthesized, diverging from their traditional roots, originating from non-benzenoid pool materials. Converting cyclohexenones into phenol- or resorcinol-based arylketones remains challenging due to the stability and reactivity issues of intermediate products. Addressing this critical gap, we introduce a novel strategy: sequential one-pot acylation and oxidative aromatization of vinylogous esters. This innovative approach aims to surmount the long-standing barrier, facilitating the synthesis of diverse resorcinyl ketones. Furthermore, this method proves valuable for the synthesis of functionalized diaryl ethers and in the total synthesis of bioactive natural products and drug molecules such as angolensin, isoliquiritigenin, demethylsorbicillin, ponganone VII, and ipriflavone. It is also useful for modifying bioactive acids and alcohols by introducing a resorcinol functionality in the late stage of synthesis. Synthetic analogues of oxybenzone demonstrated superior ultraviolet (UV) absorption properties, effectively covering the entire UV-A and UV-B regions, spanning from 230 to 410 nm.

Environmentally Friendly, Dual-Responsive Actuator Based on Nafion, Carboxylated Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes, and Polyethylene.

As a type of smart material, flexible stimulus-responsive actuators have become a hot research topic nowadays. However, flexible actuators responding to a single stimulus source are susceptible to external perturbations, which may lead to an unstable function or even failure. Therefore, in this paper, we proposed a bilayer actuator that can be driven by both humidity and light by combining the humidity-sensitive Nafion, carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (cMWCNT) with excellent photothermal conversion properties, and commercial polyethylene (PE) tape with good humidity insensitivity and thermal expansion. First, the cMWCNT-Nafion film was prepared by a solution casting method and bonded together with PE tape to obtain a bilayer actuator. Then, the effects of the cMWCNT mass fraction and film thickness on the humidity and light response performance of the bilayer actuator were investigated. The optimal ratios of raw materials were obtained for different stimulation sources, respectively. Furthermore, the performance of the bilayer actuator with the optimal ratios was tested; it was verified that the proposed dual-responsive actuator can realize different degrees of bending deformation under different relative humidity (RH) and ultraviolet (UV) light intensity with good stability. Finally, the application potential in multiple scenarios was further verified by applying the prepared cMWCNT-Nafion/PE bilayer actuator to a smart window, crawling robot, and flexible gripper. This paper will provide a meaningful reference for the development and performance optimization of high-performance dual-responsive actuators.

Artificial intelligence-driven skin aging simulation as a novel skin cancer prevention.

Skin cancer, a prevalent cancer type among fair-skinned patients globally, poses a relevant public health concern due to rising incidence rates. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation poses a major risk factor for skin cancer. However intentional tanning associated with sunburns remains a common practice, notably among female adults Appropriate prevention campaigns targeting children and adolescents are needed to improve sun-protection behavior particularly in these age groups. The aim of our study is to investigate if an AI-based simulation of facial skin aging can enhance sun-protection behavior in female adults. In this single-center prospective observational pilot study at Department of Dermatology at the University Hospital of Basel, we took photographs of healthy young females' faces with a VISIA-CR camera (Canfield Scientific Inc., Parsippany, New Jersey, Version 8.2) between February to March 2021. Digital images were performed in three angles (straight, left 45°, right 45°). All participants received an AI-based simulation of their facial skin with continuous aging to 80 years. A newly created anonymous questionnaire capturing participants' sociodemographic data and also tanning and sun-protection behavior was completed in pre- and post-aging simulation. To observe long-term effects, a 2-year follow-up was conducted between March to April 2023. The 60 participants (mean age 23.6±2.5 years) evaluated the importance of sun-protection significantly higher after skin aging simulation with VISIA-CR camera (p&lt;0.0001; 95%-CI:8.2-8.8). Post-intervention, 91.7% (55/60) of the females were motivated to reduce UV exposure and to intensify UV protection in the future since the individual UV-dependent risk was perceived significantly higher (p&lt;0.001; 95%-CI: 5.9-6.7). At two-year follow-up, 96% (24/25) indicated persistent effort reducing UV exposure. The preference for SPF50+ sunscreen increased to 46.7% (28/65) directly after the skin-aging simulation and continued to rise up to 60.0% (15/25) after two years. Our data emphasize the potential of AI-assisted photo-aging interventions to enhance motivation for UV protection in the short and the long term We encourage that different age and gender groups are addressed in a personalized, generation-specific manner with the appropriate media and by considering the Hawthorne effect. Campaigns with visual AI support can improve the intent of cancer-preventative behavior.

Treatment of polyethylene microplastics degraded by ultraviolet light irradiation causes lysosome-deregulated cell death

BackgroundMicroplastics (MPs), plastic particles < 5 mm in size, are prevalent in the environment, and human exposure to them is inevitable. To assess the potential risk of MPs on human health, it is essential to consider the physicochemical properties of environmental MPs, including polymer types, size, shape, and surface chemical modifications. Notably, environmental MPs undergo degradation due to external factors such as ultraviolet (UV) rays and waves, leading to changes in their surface characteristics. However, limited knowledge exists regarding the health effects of MPs, with a specific focus on their surface degradation. This study concentrates on cytotoxic MPs with surface degradation through UV irradiation, aiming to identify the mechanisms underlying their cell toxicity.ResultsPolyethylene (PE) and surface-degraded PE achieved through UV light irradiation were employed as model MPs in this study. We explored the impact of PE and degraded PE on cell death in murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7 cells and human monocyte cell line THP-1 cells. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that degraded PE induced programmed cell death without activating caspase 3, while non-degraded PE did not trigger programmed cell death. These findings suggest that degraded PE might induce programmed cell death through mechanisms other than caspase-driven apoptosis. To understand the mechanisms of cell death, we investigated how cells responded to degraded PE-induced cellular stress. Immunofluorescence and western blotting analyses demonstrated that degraded PE induced autophagosome formation and increased p62 expression, indicating inhibited autophagy flux after exposure to degraded PE. Furthermore, degraded PE exposure led to a decrease in acidic lysosomes, indicating lysosomal dysregulation. These results imply that degraded PE induces lysosomal dysfunction, subsequently causing autophagy dysregulation and cell death.ConclusionsThis study unveils that UV-induced degradation of PE results in cell death attributed to lysosomal dysfunction. The findings presented herein provide novel insights into the effects of surface-degraded MPs on biological responses.

Ethanolamine ices: Experiments in simulated space conditions

Laboratory experiments on the interactions between complex organic molecules, interstellar dust, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation are crucial to understanding the physicochemical mechanisms that lead to the synthesis of the observed interstellar complex organic molecules (iCOMs), and to search for new molecular species not yet observed in the gas phase of the interstellar medium (ISM). We aim to study the role of a new, recently discovered interstellar molecule, ethanolamine (EtA, NH CH CH OH), in surface chemistry in the ISM. In the laboratory, thanks to a combination of temperature programmed desorption (TPD) experiments and electron ionization (EI) mass spectrometry analyses, we studied the thermal desorption of pure ethanolamine and its mixture with water from nanometric amorphous olivine grains cooled down to 10 K, with or without UV irradiation. Ethanolamine was found to be stable, even in the presence of water, when irradiated with UV light. The presence of olivine grains strongly modified the TPD curves, trapping the molecule up to about 295 K, meaning that the precursors of some biological molecules could be retained on the grains even in the innermost parts of protoplanetary disk. We then identified a series of products formed when the molecule was irradiated onto the dust substrate. Of particular interest is the fact that irradiation of ice containing ethanolamine, a molecule known to be present in the ISM, can produce more complex and astrobiologically interesting species. Furthermore, our results further our understanding of existing observational data.

Comprehensive analysis of Hibisci mutabilis Folium extract's mechanisms in alleviating UV-induced skin photoaging through enhanced network pharmacology and experimental validation.

Skin photoaging induced by ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation manifests as skin roughness, desquamation, pigmentation, and wrinkle formation. Current treatments, such as sunscreen, hormones, and antioxidants, have limitations and side effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine Hibisci Mutabilis Folium (HMF), or Mu-Fu-Rong-Ye in Chinese name, refers to the dried leaves of the plant Hibiscus mutabilis L., which belongs to the Malvaceae family. It has been used traditionally to treat acute mastitis, parotitis, neurodermatitis, burns. The reported activities of HMF include anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. However, the therapeutic potential of HMF in preventing and treating UV-induced skin photoaging remains unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of HMF extract (EHMF) against UV-induced skin photoaging and the underlying mechanisms of action, by using network pharmacology and experimental verification. Network pharmacology was employed to identify the effective chemical components of EHMF. Potential targets were identified via PPI network analysis. Representative compounds were characterized using UPLC-MS/MS. In vitro validation involved assessing HaCaT cell viability, observing live/dead cell staining through fluorescence microscopy, and measuring inflammatory factors using ELISA. For in vivo validation, a UV-induced skin photoaging mice model was treated transdermally with EHMF or Methotrexate daily for 7 days. Dermatitis severity, skin morphology, and collagen fiber pathology were evaluated. Inflammatory cytokine and protein expression in dorsal skin lesions was confirmed using Elisa Kits, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. A total of 22 active ingredients of EHMF were identified. GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analyses revealed a focus on inflammatory signaling pathways. In vitro experiments showed that EHMF significantly reduced UV-induced inflammatory factors in HaCaT cells and improved cell survival rates. In vivo, EHMF alleviated back skin lesions in UV-exposed mice, reducing epidermal and dermal thickening and pathological inflammatory cell infiltration. It also decreased abnormal MMP-9 expression and collagen fiber proliferation, along with levels of inflammatory factors like TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17, and EGFR. Western blot and immunohistochemistry results indicated that the over-activation of the AKT-STAT3 signaling pathway was inhibited. EHMF effectively reduced UV-induced skin damage, inflammation, and wrinkles, providing strong support for its clinical application as a dermatological agent.

Dressing AgNWs with MXenes Nanosheets: Transparent Printed Electrodes Combining High-Conductivity and Tunable Work Function for High-Performance Opto-Electronics.

High-work function transparent electrodes (HWFTEs) are key for establishing Schottky and Ohmic contacts with n-type and p-type semiconductors, respectively. However, the development of printable materials that combine high transmittance, low sheet resistance, and tunable work function remains an outstanding challenge. This work reports a high-performance HWFTE composed of Ag nanowires enveloped conformally by Ti3C2Tx nanosheets (TA), forming a shell-core network structure. The printed TA HWFTEs display an ultrahigh transmittance (>94%) from the deep-ultraviolet (DUV) to the entire visible spectral region, a low sheet resistance (<15 Ωsq-1), and a tunable work function ranging from 4.7 to 6.0eV. The introduction of additional oxygen terminations on the Ti3C2Tx surface generates positive dipoles, which not only increases the work function of the TA HWFTEs but also elevates the TA/Ga2O3 Schottky barrier, resulting in a high self-powered responsivity of 18mAW-1 in Ga2O3 diode DUV photodetectors, as demonstrated via experimental characterizations and theoretical calculations. Furthermore, the TA HWFTEs-based organic light-emitting transistors exhibit exceptional emission brightness of 5020cd m-2, being four-fold greater than that in Au electrodes-based devices. The innovative nano-structure design, work function tuning, and the revealed mechanisms of electrode-semiconductor contact physics constitute a substantial advancement in high-performance optoelectronic technology.

Anti-Photoaging Effects of Antioxidant Peptide from Seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis) in In Vivo and In Vitro Models.

Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can lead to photoaging, which contributes to skin damage. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an antioxidant peptide (SHP2) purified from seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis) alcalase hydrolysate on UVB-irradiated skin damage in human keratinocyte (HaCaT) and human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells and a zebrafish model. The data revealed that SHP2 significantly enhanced cell viability by attenuating apoptosis through the reduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in UVB-stimulated HaCaT cells. Moreover, SHP2 effectively inhibited ROS, improved collagen synthesis, and suppressed the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in UVB-irradiated HDF cells. SHP2 restored the protein levels of HO-1, Nrf2, and SOD, while decreasing Keap1 expression in UVB-treated HDF, indicating stimulation of the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, an in vivo study conducted in zebrafish confirmed that SHP2 inhibited photoaging by reducing cell death through the suppression of ROS generation and lipid peroxidation. Particularly, 200 µg/mL of SHP2 exerted a remarkable anti-photoaging effect on both in vitro and in vivo models. These results demonstrate that SHP2 possesses antioxidant properties and regulates skin photoaging activities, suggesting that SHP2 may have the potential for use in the development of cosmetic products.

Enhanced SIRT1 Activity by Galangin Mitigates UVB-Induced Senescence in Dermal Fibroblasts via p53 Acetylation Regulation and Activation.

Human skin aging, a complex process influenced by intrinsic aging and extrinsic photoaging, is marked by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause DNA damage, impaired dermal fibroblast function, and wrinkle formation. External stressors, such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation, can trigger cellular senescence. Sirtuin-1 (SIRT1), an NAD+-dependent enzyme in the sirtuin family, plays a crucial role in deacetylating p53, thereby inhibiting its nuclear translocation and reducing skin senescence. Galangin, a flavonoid found in honey and Alpinia officinarum root, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigates the protective mechanism of galangin against UVB-induced senescence in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) by examining its effects on SIRT1 and its target, acetylated-p53. An in vitro model of UVB-induced senescence using HDFs and an in vivo model using nude mice were employed to assess the dermal protective effects of galangin. The results demonstrate that while UVB exposure does not decrease SIRT1 protein levels, it impairs its enzymatic function. However, galangin treatment counteracts these adverse effects. Additionally, UVB exposure significantly reduces cell viability and upregulates senescence markers like p16, p21, and p53 nuclear transactivation. An increase in senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) positive cells was observed in UVB-exposed dermal fibroblasts. Galangin treatment mitigates UVB-induced cellular senescence by enhancing SIRT1-mediated p53 deacetylation, thereby inhibiting nuclear translocation and reducing dermal senescence. These findings suggest that galangin is a promising agent for alleviating UVB-induced skin aging and could be a potential component in antiaging cosmetic formulations.

Detrimental impact of solar and geomagnetic activity on plasma B-complex vitamins in the VA normative aging study cohort

It has been hypothesized that ultraviolet (UV) radiation can lead to depletion of plasma folate and B12 vitamin, but few studies have investigated effects of other parameters of solar and geomagnetic activity (SGA). We investigated the association between four SGA parameters—interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), sunspot number (SSN), Kp index, and ground shortwave solar radiation (SWR)—and three plasma B-complex vitamins—folate, B6, and B12—in 910 participants from the Normative Aging Study (NAS) between 1998 and 2017. Mixed-effects regression models were used for 1- to 28-moving day averages of SGA exposure, adjusted for covariates. We compared the impact of SGA in individuals under higher and lower B-complex supplementation (> or < 50th quartile). Our findings show that increases in solar activity variables IMF and SSN were found to be significantly associated with decreases in B12 vitamin. IMF and SSN were associated with decrease in folate levels, especially in individuals under higher levels of B-complex supplementation. No associations were found for SWR and Kp index. To our knowledge, this is the first study that demonstrated the detrimental impact of solar activity on plasma B12 and folate in a large cohort. These findings have clinical implications during periods of high solar activity.

The influence of spin-orbit coupling on the electronic structure and optical properties of α-BiB3O6 crystals: a first-principles investigation

The α-BiB3O6 (BIBO) crystal is highly regarded in the field of nonlinear optical (NLO) due to its excellent ultraviolet (UV) NLO properties, including a short ultraviolet cutoff edge (270 nm), appropriate birefringence (Δn = 0.175@546 nm), and strong second harmonic generation (deff = 3.20 pm V−1). In this study, the first-principles computational software PWmat was employed to conduct theoretical calculations on BIBO crystals, including the non-negligible spin-orbit coupling (SOC) effects induced by the presence of the heavy element bismuth (Bi). The results show that after the inclusion of the SOC, the calculated birefringence (0.173@546 nm) and effective second harmonic generation (SHG) coefficient (deff = 3.16 pm V−1) are in good agreement with experimental data. Furthermore, comparative analysis has demonstrated that the changes in the band structure induced by the SOC effect are significant factors influencing the optical properties of the material.