Reduction Of Pigmentation Research Articles

The Effect of a Mask Pack Using Sprout Oats on Female Facial Skin

This study applied mask packs to the facial skin nine times and measured pores, pigmentation, wrinkles, and elasticity of the skin for about three weeks from June 12 through July 3, 2021, to verify the effect of sprout oats, a natural ingredient, on enhancing the facial skin of women. As a result of a clinical trial, there were effects on skin enhancement, including decreased pores, decreased pigmentation, decreased wrinkles, and increased elasticity after the use of a mask pack containing sprout oats, and statistically significant results were also identified. As for pore reduction, there was a decrease of 6.32% two weeks after the trial compared to before that in the experimental group while 36.21% three weeks after that. Regarding pigmentation reduction, there was a decrease of 2.86% two weeks after the trial compared to before that in the experimental group and 28.57% three weeks after that. Regarding wrinkle decrease, there was a decrease of 9.09% two weeks after the trial compared to before that in the experimental group and 30.30% three weeks after that. As for the increase of elasticity, it increased by 24.44% two weeks after the trial compared to before that in the experimental group while it increased by 175.56% three weeks after the trial. In conclusion, it was confirmed that sprout oats, a natural material, have an effect on skin improvement and provided clinical data for development in the cosmetic industry. Therefore, it is judged that sprout oats have industrial value as a raw material for natural functional cosmetics.

Evolutionary loss of shell pigmentation, pattern, and eye structure in deep-sea snails in the dysphotic zone.

Adaptations to habitats lacking light, such as the reduction or loss of eyes and pigmentation, have fascinated biologists for centuries, yet have rarely been studied in the deep sea, the earth's oldest and largest light-limited habitat. Here, we investigate the evolutionary loss of shell pigmentation, pattern, and eye structure across a family of deep-sea gastropods (Solariellidae). We show that within our phylogenetic framework, loss of these traits evolves without reversal, at different rates (faster for shell traits than eye structure), and over different depth ranges. Using a Bayesian approach, we find support for correlated evolution of trait loss with increasing depth within the dysphotic region. A transition to trait loss occurs for pattern and eye structure at 400-500m and for pigmentation at 600-700m. We also show that one of the sighted, shallow-water species, Ilanga navakaensis, which may represent the "best-case" scenario for vision for the family, likely has poor spatial acuity and contrast sensitivity. We therefore propose that pigmentation and pattern are not used for intraspecific communication but are important for camouflage from visual predators, and that the low-resolution vision of solariellids is likely to require high light intensity for basic visual tasks, such as detecting predators.

Clinical evaluation of the efficacy of fractional radiofrequency for the treatment and reduction of stretch marks: Aprospective study.

Skin resurfacing with fractional radiofrequency results in reepithelization, collagen shrinkage, fibroblast stimulation, and neocollagenesis which may be beneficial for the improvement of various skin lesions. This clinical study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of fractional radiofrequency device (FRF) for the treatment of striae. Seventeen subjects, totaling 67 treatment zones were evaluated. Subjects had 4 FRF treatment sessions to the striae areas, at 4-weeks interval. 3D-standardized photographs of the treatment area with a 3D camera were used to evaluate striae volumetric improvement from baseline to follow up (FU) visits at 12 and 16 weeks post-final treatment. A satisfaction questionnaire was completed by subjects at each of the follow-up visits. Additionally, the mean scores of the live investigator assessments of Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), Subject Satisfaction Scale, Pain Visual Analog Scale and Tolerability Score were calculated. A total of 15 subjects completed the study (Fitzpatrick skin type I-III, average age 36.2 years) received 4 FRF treatments on multiple different body zones with multiple passes over stretch marks on the abdomen, inner arms, lower buttocks, inner thighs, and/or flanks. Analysis of 3D photographs of the striae affected zones at 16-week FU revealed an average reduction in the striae volume of 19.1%, a reduction of redness of 14.3%, a reduction of pigmentation of 11.2%, and a reduction of striae color of 8.82%. The GAIS improved by 1.7-points when compared to baseline. Treatments were well tolerated with subjects reporting a mean score of 3.8 out of 10 for pain and 3.1 out of 4 for tolerability (indicating the treatment was "tolerable"), with no occurrences of serious adverse events. The average subject satisfaction at 16-week follow-up was 3.1, out of a total of 4, which signified subjects were "satisfied" with their treatment. 3D Image analysis of the treated zones presented overall reductions in the color and texture of striae after four treatments with FRF. A combination of ablation and coagulation introduced by FRF treatment resulted in improvement to the appearance of the treated striae.

Efficiency and mechanisms of action of pelletized compost loaded with Bacillus velezensis CE 100 for controlling tomato Fusarium wilt

The objective of this study was to determine the control efficacy of pelletized compost containing high number of the biocontrol agent, Bacillus velezensis CE 100, for tomato Fusarium wilt. Pelletizing had no serious effects on the cell numbers and quality of strain CE 100 in producing lytic enzymes although antifungal activities of reisolated strain CE 100 from pellet against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici was slightly reduced compared to the original strain. However, culture filtrates of two B. velezensis CE 100 strains not only induced abnormal mycelial development with pigment reduction but also caused hyphal deformations with swelling and bugling of the fungal pathogen. Moreover, cyclo(prolyl-valyl), an antifungal dipeptide, was isolated from B. velezensis CE 100 culture and identified by HR-ESI-MS and 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments. The dipeptide limited conidial germination of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici in a concentration-dependent pattern. Long incubation period triggered irregular hyphal morphologies with swollen septa and disorganized cell contents in treatments with the dipeptide. Under in vivo conditions, supplementation of soil with strain CE 100-pelletized compost significantly controlled Fusarium wilt and resulted in the lowest disease incidence rate, consequently promoting tomato growth. The soil amendment with strain CE 100-pelletized compost could be used as a potential approach for a better fungal disease control, promoting sustainable agriculture.

Impact of silver nanoparticles on the nutritional properties of Arthrospira platensis.

BackgroundArthrospira platensis is farmed worldwide due to its nutrient-rich properties and provides multiple benefits to human health. However, the wide usage of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) causes pollution which may affect the nutritional quality of A. platensis. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the interaction and accumulation of Ag NPs on A. platensis, and determine the changes in biomass and nutritional value of A. platensis due to the exposure to Ag NPs.MethodsThe interaction and accumulation of Ag NPs on A. platensis were examined through Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The loss in biomass together with the macromolecules, pigments, and phenolic compounds of A. platensis was investigated upon treating with various concentrations of Ag NPs (5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 µg/mL) for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h.ResultsThe results showed that the treatment of A. platensis with Ag NPs caused a dose and time-dependent reduction in biomass, macronutrients, pigments and phenolic compounds. The highest detrimental effects were found at 96 h with the reported values of 65.71 ± 2.79%, 67.21 ± 3.98%, 48.99 ± 4.39% and 59.62 ± 3.96% reduction in biomass, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, respectively, along with 82.99 ± 7.81%, 67.55 ± 2.63%, 75.03 ± 1.55%, and 63.43 ± 2.89% loss in chlorophyll-a, carotenoids, C-phycocyanin, and total phenolic compounds of A. platensis for 100 µg/mL of Ag NPs. The EDX analysis confirmed the surface accumulation of Ag NPs on Arthrospira cells, while SEM images evidenced the surface alterations and damage of the treated cells. The functional groups such as hydroxyl, amine, methyl, amide I, amide II, carboxyl, carbonyl and phosphate groups from the cell wall of the A. platensis were identified to be possibly involved in the interaction of Ag NPs with A. platensis.ConclusionThe study confirmed that the exposure of Ag NPs is detrimental to A. platensis where the interaction and accumulation of Ag NPs on A. platensis caused reduction in biomass, macromolecules, pigments, and total phenolic compounds.

A comparative study of 30% Trichloroacetic acid chemical peel with Q switched Nd-YAG laser 1064nm in the treatment of Macular amyloidosis

Macular amyloidosis (MA) is the subtlest of the cutaneous varieties of amyloidosis. In general, the treatment of MA is disappointing. Hence, this study was aimed at comparing the two treatment modalities for the same. To compare the efficacy of 30% TCA chemical peel with Q switched Nd-YAG laser 1064nm in the treatment of macular amyloidosis. 50 patients of MA attending our Dermatology outpatient department were enrolled in the study. The study involved application of 30% TCA in 25 patients at an interval of 2 weeks for 10 sittings and Q switched Nd-YAG laser 1064 in 25 patients at an interval of 1 month for 5 sittings. Digital photographs were taken before treatment and then periodically. The response was graded percentage of reduction in pigmentation both by the patient and the observer. The patients were followed up for 5 months post treatment for recurrence. Both TCA peel and Q switched Nd-Yag laser 1064nm were effective in the treatment of macular amyloidosis. switched Nd-Yag laser 1064nm showed better response compared to TCA peel at the end of the treatment, both by subjective and objective methods and in terms of less number of sittings and fewer side effects. The difference was statistically significant (P <0.05).No permanent side effects were seen in any of the treated patients and the improvement was sustained without any relapse at 5 months except in one patient in the peel group. Both these treatment modalities are effective and safe in the treatment of MA. Q switched Nd-Yag laser 1064nm was found to be marginally superior to TCA peel.

Deois flexuosa (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) in Perennial Forage Species (Poaceae): Quali-quantitative Impacts and Tolerance Expression.

This study aimed to characterize the quantitative and qualitative damage caused by Deois flexuosa (Walker) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) adults in Axonopus catharinensis cv. SCS 315 Catarina and Cynodon dactylon (Tifton 85 and Jiggs cultivars) under different infestation densities and, consequently, the expression of tolerance-type resistance. For this purpose, potted plants were infested with different insect densities (0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 adults m-2). The impact of the infestation levels was assessed in the first growth cycle (10-day coexistence period) and in the regrowth (40days after the first cut, without infestation) based on crop yield and chemical-bromatological composition as well as on photosynthetic pigments and hydrogen peroxide content. The principal component analysis relating infestation density and chemical-bromatological parameters showed a positive correlation between infestation density of D. flexuosa and the contents of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and the dry matter (DM). On the other hand, infestation density inversely correlated with the tillering rate, photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids), and iron content. In general, the impacts on DM production and chemical-bromatological composition were lower in A. catharinensis cv. SCS 315 Catarina when compared to the Cynodon species, possibly because A. catharinensis has higher tillering capacity and does not show a reduction in the photosynthetic pigments, which may act as compensating factors to D. flexuosa damage. Our results demonstrate that the A. catharinensis cultivar expresses tolerance-type resistance to D. flexuosa and constitutes an interesting option for pasturelands formation and diversification where this spittlebug species is an emerging pest.

Phenotypic variation from waterlogging in multiple perennial ryegrass varieties under climate change conditions.

Identifying how various components of climate change will influence ecosystems and vegetation subsistence will be fundamental to mitigate negative effects. Climate change-induced waterlogging is understudied in comparison to temperature and CO2. Grasslands are especially vulnerable through the connection with global food security, with perennial ryegrass dominating many flood-prone pasturelands in North-western Europe. We investigated the effect of long-term waterlogging on phenotypic responses of perennial ryegrass using four common varieties (one diploid and three tetraploid) grown in atmospherically controlled growth chambers during two months of peak growth. The climate treatments compare ambient climatological conditions in North-western Europe to the RCP8.5 climate change scenario in 2050 (+2°C and 550 ppm CO2). At the end of each month multiple phenotypic plant measurements were made, the plants were harvested and then allowed to grow back. Using image analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) methodologies, we assessed how multiple predictors (phenotypic, environmental, genotypic, and temporal) influenced overall plant performance, productivity and phenotypic responses. Long-term waterlogging was found to reduce leaf-color intensity, with younger plants having purple hues indicative of anthocyanins. Plant performance and yield was lower in waterlogged plants, with tetraploid varieties coping better than the diploid one. The climate change treatment was found to reduce color intensities further. Flooding was found to reduce plant productivity via reductions in color pigments and root proliferation. These effects will have negative consequences for global food security brought on by increased frequency of extreme weather events and flooding. Our imaging analysis approach to estimate effects of waterlogging can be incorporated into plant health diagnostics tools via remote sensing and drone-technology.

Exogenously applied ZnO nanoparticles induced salt tolerance in potentially high yielding modern wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars

Salinity stress is one of the potential threats that adversely affect the productivity of many cereal crops worldwide. Spraying plants with nano-Zn particles may lessen effectively such negative impacts on plants; yet its mode of action is still not well explored. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of spraying nano-Zn particles with varying concentrations (0, 20, 50 and 80 mg L−1) on two wheat cultivars irrigated with saline water (EC = 6.3 dS m−1) versus a non-saline one. The key results revealed that root and shoot weights decreased significantly under salinity stress conditions, while improved considerably with nano-Zn-particles foliar application up to 50 mg nano-Zn L−1; thereafter significant reductions occurred. Also, shoot and root lengths as well as plant leaf area index improved considerably owing to this foliar application. Clearly, roots and shoots weights of wheat plants sprayed with nano-Zn particles under salinity stress conditions exhibited higher values than the corresponding ones that was grown under non-saline conditions without nano-Zn-particles applications. Unexpectedly, this foliar spray led to significant reductions in plant pigments and also in enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in plants. Yet, this foliar spray enhanced formation of total soluble sugars and proline, and raised significantly Ca contents in wheat roots and shoots, and to some extent K contents. In conclusion, the foliar application of nano-Zn particles increased plant growth under salty stress conditions via two parallel processes, i.e., stimulating formation of osmolytes and stimulating nutrient uptake which may, in turn, increase plant metabolism.

Phylogenomic insights into the evolution of subterranean Coleoptera

Subterranean specialization is often accompanied by dramatic phenotypic changes epitomized by regressive evolution (e.g. loss or reduction of eyes and pigmentation). Nevertheless, the genetic underpinnings underlying these changes have been largely unexplored. The beetle tribes Leptodirini (Leiodidae), Hydroporini and Bidessini (Dytiscidae) represent ideal systems for exploring the genomic basis of adaptation to life in subterranean habitats, as both are represented by epigean and hypogean species including numerous lineages that independently colonized terrestrial and freshwater underground habitats respectively (Cooper et al. 2002, Ribera et al. 2010). We investigated gene repertoire evolutionary dynamics in both surface-dwelling and subterranean Coleoptera in lineages that underwent six independent underground colonization events. We generated highly complete transcriptomes for eight aquatic and fourteen terrestrial beetles including epigean and hypogean species and explored the evolution of their gene repertoire through a phylogenomic approach. Our results indicated that gene loss was a major force facilitating adaptation to an underground lifestyle. In contrast, we also observed that gene gain and duplication were also remarkable drivers for subterranean adaptation. Gene families experiencing contractions were involved in carbohydrate metabolism, response to starvation, wing disk development, rhodopsin and ommochrome biosynthetic processes and response to hypoxia, among many other examples. Conversely, gene families significantly expanded in subterranean lineages including those related to the regulation of apoptosis, alcohol metabolism, cell redox homeostasis, chitin-based cuticle development, larval instar development, oogenesis, and negative regulation of TORC1 signaling. Moreover we found that some gene families had experienced a more complex evolutionary dynamic encompassed by both expansion and contraction events, such as those involved in regulation of transcription, nervous system development, lipid metabolism, eye development, DNA repair and chemosensation, indicating that these gene families underwent an in-depth reshaping throughout the evolutionary time. At a lineage-specific level, we did not observe many differences between the gene repertoire of the hypogean and epigean Leptodirini species in terms of gene gain and loss. Nonetheless, Hydroporini and Bidessini stygobitic species showed more disparity in their gene repertoire compared to their surface-dwelling relatives. Our results thus indicate that genomic exaptation may have facilitated underground colonization in Leptodirini prior to the diversification of the tribe, while in Hydroporini and Bidessini recent gene family turnover (dominated by gene loss) may have been guiding the surface-to-groundwater transition. These findings shed light towards understanding how the genomic toolkit has been reshaped in hypogean fauna from a macroevolutionary perspective.

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Improve Salt Tolerance in Rice Seedlings by Improving Physiological and Biochemical Indices

Understanding the salinity stress mechanisms is essential for crop improvement and sustainable agriculture. Salinity is prepotent abiotic stress compared with other abiotic stresses that decrease crop growth and development, reducing crop production and creating food security-related threats. Therefore, the input of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) such as zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) can improve salt tolerance in crop plants, especially in the early stage of growth. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of ZnO-NPs on inducing salt tolerance in two rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes of seedlings. An undocumented rice landrace (Kargi) and salinity tolerance basmati rice (CSR 30) seeds were grown in a hydroponic system for two weeks with and without 50 mg/L concentrations of ZnO-NPs in various doses of NaCl (0, 60, 80, and 100 mM). Both Kargi (15.95–42.49%) and CSR 30 (15.34–33.12%) genotypes showed a reduction in plant height and photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids, and total chlorophyll), Zn content, and K+ uptake under stress condition, compared with control seedlings. On the other hand, stress upregulated proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), Na+ content, and antioxidant enzyme activities—namely, those of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), and glutathione reductase (GR)—in both O. sativa genotypes over the control. However, ZnO-NP-treated genotypes (Kargi and CSR 30) restored the photosynthetic pigment accumulation and K+ level, reforming the stomata and trichome morphology, and also increased antioxidant enzymes SOD, APX, CAT, and GR activity, which alleviated the oxidative stress, while reducing the level of MDA, proline, and H2O2 under stress condition. The present findings suggest that adding ZnO-NPs could mitigate the salinity stress in O. sativa by upregulating the antioxidative system and enhancing the cultivation of undocumented landrace (Kargi) and basmati (CSR 30) genotypes of O. sativa in salinity-affected areas.

Allele-specific knockouts reveal a role for apontic-like in the evolutionary loss of larval melanin pigmentation in the domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori.

The domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori, and its wild progenitor, B. mandarina, are extensively studied as a model case of the evolutionary process of domestication. A conspicuous difference between these species is the dramatic reduction in melanin pigmentation in both larval and adult B. mori. Here we evaluate the efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9-targeted knockouts of pigment-related genes as a tool to understand their potential contributions to domestication-associated melanin pigmentation loss in B. mori. To demonstrate the efficacy of targeted knockouts in B. mandarina, we generated a homozygous CRISPR/Cas9-targeted knockout of yellow-y. In yellow-y knockout mutants, black body colour became lighter throughout the larval, pupal and adult stages, confirming a role for this gene in melanin pigment formation. Further, we performed allele-specific CRISPR/Cas9-targeted knockouts of the pigment-related transcription factor, apontic-like (apt-like) in B. mori × B. mandarina F1 hybrid individuals which exhibit B. mandarina-like larval pigmentation. Knockout of the B. mandarina allele of apt-like in F1 embryos results in white patches on the dorsal integument of larvae, whereas corresponding knockouts of the B. mori allele consistently exhibit normal F1 larval pigmentation. These results demonstrate a contribution of apt-like to the evolution of reduced melanin pigmentation in B. mori. Together, our results demonstrate the feasibility of CRISPR/Cas9-targeted knockouts as a tool for understanding the genetic basis of traits associated with B. mori domestication.

Prompt Response to Resin Infiltration with or Without Bleaching in the Treatment of Teeth Pigmentation and Teeth Discoloration

Discoloration and pigmentation of teeth are two common esthetic issues in dentistry that prompt patients to seek treatment as soon as possible. Overall, the etiology of discoloration and pigmentation is multifactorial, with different treatment options showing long-term effects. Such treatment options have been evaluated and shown to reduce tooth pigmentation and discoloration; however, the long-term effects of resin infiltration with or without bleaching at a 1-year follow-up are not investigated. Therefore, we presented a case report of two cases that were successfully treated using resin infiltration with or without bleaching, and both of these cases responded well by the end of 2 weeks, with lasting effects at 1-year follow-up. For the case report, the care checklist was used. Two females with discoloration and pigmentation of teeth presented to the King Khalid University postgraduate dentistry clinic who wanted to get treated for these conditions. After taking their personal, dietary, medical, and family history, performing oral examination, and tooth analysis, treatment plans were made for both cases. The first case was a 54-year-old female who presented with mild-to-moderate fluorosis, and she was successfully treated mainly with bleaching plus resin infiltration with positive findings. A faint line and discoloration were present before treatment that got disappeared after the treatment, and the smile of the patient also got improved. There was also a significant difference found in the frontal view of the teeth before and after treatment. In contrast, the other case was a 20-year-old young girl who presented with the chief complaint of white teeth pigmentation after finishing orthodontic treatment. She was mainly treated with resin infiltration with positive effects of treatment with improvements in the smile and favorable changes in the frontal view of teeth, reduction in pigmentation, and improvement in oral hygiene. The response to the treatment in both the cases was rapid, and it appeared at the end of 2 weeks. The findings of these two case reports reveal the significance of the persistent favorable effects of resin infiltration with or without bleaching at the follow-up of 1 year. However, more randomized clinical trials are required to confirm these findings in many patients.

Effect of exogenous jasmonic acid on physiology and steroidal saponin accumulation in Dioscorea zingiberensis

Dioscorea zingiberensis is a valuable medicinal herb rich in steroidal saponins. To reveal the role of jasmonic acid (JA) on physiology and steroidal saponins accumulation, D. zingiberensis were treated with different concentrations of JA. The antioxidant capacity, photosynthetic parameters, fatty acids and metabolites related to steroidal saponins biosynthesis (phytosterols, diosgenin and steroidal saponins) were examined under JA treatment. The results demonstrated that JA treatment caused a great reduction in MDA, stomatal width, photosynthetic rate and photosynthetic pigment, induced a considerable increase in proline, soluble sugar, soluble protein and antioxidant enzymes (CAT, POD and SOD), and leaded to a significant up-regulation in the expression of genes related to antioxidant system and chlorophyll degradation. Specialized metabolites displayed various changes under different concentrations of JA. The majority of fatty acids exhibited negative responses to JA treatment in leaf and rhizome. In leaf, JA treatment enhanced the accumulation of phytosterols and diosgenin, but decreased the accumulation of steroidal saponins. However, steroidal saponins were mainly accumulated in rhizome and were highly increased by JA treatment. Redundancy analysis illustrated that fatty acids were strongly associated with metabolites related to steroidal saponins. Among all fatty acids, C16:0, C18:1, C18:3, C22:0 and C24:0 contributed most to the variation in metabolites related to steroidal saponin biosynthesis. Overall, JA treatment leaded to an increase in steroidal saponins, but an inhibition of plant growth. Thus, the negative effects of JA application on plant physiology should be carefully assessed before being utilized to increase the production of steroidal saponins in D. zingiberensis.

English

Salinity is major abiotic stress limiting plant growth worldwide. Plant adaptation to salinity stress involves diverse physiological and metabolic pathways. In this study, we assessed the effects of foliar application of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and Moringa leaf extract (MLE) on salt tolerance in faba beans (cultivar, Sakha 4). Morphological, chemical, and biochemical parameters of plants grown under saline condition (50 and 100 mM NaCl) were assessed 60 days after sowing. Salt stress caused a remarkable reduction in growth traits, photosynthetic pigments, proline, minerals, total phenol, and enzyme activity of the faba bean variety. The results showed that foliar spraying of MLE and ZnONPs on faba bean grown under salt-stressed conditions promoted growth parameters (that is, shoot length, numbers of leaves, relative water content, shoot, roots fresh and dry weights), photosynthetic pigments (that is, chl a, b, total chlorophyll and carotenoids), proline, mineral elements (Na+, K+, Ca+2, and Zn+2), total phenol and enzyme activity (POX, PPO, APX, and CAT) compared to control plants. Based on these findings, the potential of foliar spraying application of MLE and ZnONPs may help alleviate the negative effect of salinity on growth, photosynthesis efficiency, and biochemical properties of faba bean.   Key words: Faba bean, Moringa oleifera, antioxidant enzyme activity, ZnO nanoparticles, salt stress, proline.

The Biorevitalization Effect of Serum Containing Rose Apple Leaf Extract on the Parameters of Premature Skin Aging

Rose apple (Syzygium jambos) is known for its antioxidants and could potentially be used as an anti-aging cosmetic. This study reported the potential of rose apple leaf extract as a skin serum for the biorevitalization- with improvement based on pigmentation, wrinkles, pore, and sensitivity parameters in the skin of women aged 30 to 40. The skin serum was formulated with various concentrations of 5%, 10%, and 15% of rose apple leaf extract. The Pretest-Posttest with Control Group Design were conducted by measuring skin condition with the API-100 Aram Huvis Innovation Skin Analysis System. Data analyses using the Kruskal-Wallis’s test and Mann-Whitney’s test. The phytochemical contents of rose apple leaf extracts showed alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, phenol as gallic acid, and tannic acid, which function as antioxidants that is comparable to vitamin C with IC50 of up to 7.29%. Experimental data showed that rose apple leaf extract affects skin biorevitalization based on reduction in pore size, skin pigmentation, and sensitivity parameters. This study strongly suggests the potential of rose apple leaf extract as an anti-aging ingredient to prevent premature skin aging.

Oral Supplementation with Z-Isomer-Rich Astaxanthin Inhibits Ultraviolet Light-Induced Skin Damage in Guinea Pigs

The effect of oral supplementation with astaxanthin of different Z-isomer ratios on ultraviolet (UV) light-induced skin damage in guinea pigs was investigated. Astaxanthin with a high Z-isomer content was prepared from the all-E-isomer via thermal isomerization. Intact (all-E)-astaxanthin and the prepared Z-isomer-rich astaxanthin were suspended in soybean oil and fed to guinea pigs for three weeks. The UV-light irradiation was applied to the dorsal skin on the seventh day after the start of the test diet supplementation, and skin parameters, such as elasticity, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and pigmentation (melanin and erythema values), were evaluated. The accumulation of astaxanthin in the dorsal skin was almost the same after consumption of the all-E-isomer-rich astaxanthin diet (E-AST-D; total Z-isomer ratio = 3.2%) and the Z-isomer-rich astaxanthin diet (Z-AST-D; total Z-isomer ratio = 84.4%); however, the total Z-isomer ratio of astaxanthin in the skin was higher in the case of the Z-AST-D supplementation. Both diets inhibited UV light-induced skin-damaging effects, such as the reduction in elasticity and the increase in TEWL level. Between E-AST-D and Z-AST-D, Z-AST-D showed better skin-protective ability against UV-light exposure than E-AST-D, which might be because of the greater UV-light-shielding ability of astaxanthin Z-isomers than the all-E-isomer. Furthermore, supplementation with Z-AST-D resulted in a greater reduction in skin pigmentation caused by astaxanthin accumulation compared to that of E-AST-D. This study indicates that dietary astaxanthin accumulates in the skin and appears to prevent UV light-induced skin damage, and the Z-isomers are more potent oral sunscreen agents than the all-E-isomer.

Haploid Helps Phaeocystis Globosa Distribute to Deeper Dim Water, as Evidenced by Growth and Photosynthetic Physiology

Phaeocystis globosa has a haplo-diplontic alternative life cycle and is an important causative species of harmful algal blooms. Diploid solitary cells of Phaeocystis can form colonies and bloom in the surface water. However, haploid cells are abundant in deep water rather than surface water. We hypothesize that the haploid cells of Phaeocystis globosa could better adapt to deep dim water than its diploid cells. Haploid and diploid solitary cells of P. globosa were cultured with eutrophic medium (f/2) under moderately low (15 µmol photons m-2 s-1), extremely low (5 µmol photons m-2 s-1) and normal (60 µmol photons m-2 s-1) irradiance conditions. The results showed that irradiances used in this study did not induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage in either haploid or diploid cells. Both haploid and diploid solitary cells grew faster at higher irradiance during the initial exponential growth phase. However, the haploid abundances under moderately and extremely low irradiances were higher than that under normal irradiance after the exponential growth phase, but diploid cells formed more colonies at higher irradiances. An increase in the photosynthetic pigments (PSC) ratio combined with a reduction in photoprotective pigments (PPC) ratio were found in both ploidies with decreasing irradiance, but the ratios of PSC and PPC and xanthophyll cycle pigments were significantly higher in haploid cells than in diploid cells. For haploids, the highest potential photochemistry efficiency of photosystems П was found under extremely low irradiance, but for diploids, it was observed under moderately low irradiance. The results suggest that both haploid and diploid solitary cells of P. globosa in eutrophic water can survive under low-light conditions, but haploid cells have an advantage in extremely low irradiance.

Adjunctive Diode Laser Therapy and Probiotic Lactobacillus Therapy in the Treatment of Periodontitis and Peri-Implant Disease.

Periodontal and peri-implant diseases are plaque-induced infections with a high prevalence, seriously impairing people's quality of life. The diode laser has long been recommended as adjunctive therapy in treating periodontitis. However, the optimal combination of usage mode (inside or outside periodontal pocket) and application regimen (single or multiple sessions of appointment) has not been described in detail. Meanwhile, probiotic Lactobacillus is regarded as a potential adjuvant in the management of the peri-implant disease. Nonetheless, a detailed protocol for an effective probiotic application is lacking. This article aims to summarize two clinical protocols. For periodontitis, the optimal collaboration of laser usage mode and application regimen was identified. Regarding peri-implant mucositis, a combined therapy containing professional topical use and home administration of probiotic Lactobacillus was established. This updated laser protocol clarifies the relationship between the treatment mode (inside or outside the periodontal pocket) and the number of laser appointments, further refining the existing diode laser therapy. For inside pocket irradiation, a single session of laser treatment is suggested whereas, for outside pocket irradiation, multiple sessions of laser treatment provide better effects. The improved probiotic Lactobacillus therapy resulted in the disappearance of swelling of the peri-implant mucosa, a reduced bleeding on probing (BOP), and an obvious reduction and good control of plaque and pigmentation; however, probing pocket depth (PPD) had limited improvement. The current protocol should be regarded as preliminary and could be further enhanced.

NGS-based targeted sequencing identified two novel variants in Southwestern Chinese families with oculocutaneous albinism

BackgroundOculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is a group of heterogeneous genetic diseases characterized by a reduction or complete lack of pigmentation in the hair, skin, and eyes. It is associated with reduced visual acuity, nystagmus, photophobia, and strabismus. OCA type 1 (OCA1) and type 2 (OCA2) are caused by mutations in the tyrosinase (TYR) and OCA2 genes, which are responsible for most cases of OCA. The present study aimed to identify the mutational spectra of 18 southwest Chinese probands with OCA.ResultsWe used a skin disease-targeted panel to sequence more than 400 genes, including 23 genes (TYR, OCA2, AP3B1, BLOC1S3, BLOC1S6, C10orf11, DTNBP1, FRMD7, GPR143, HPS1, HPS3, HPS4, HPS5, HPS6, LYST, MC1R, MITF, MLPH, MYO5A, RAB27A, SLC24A5, SLC45A2, TYRP1) associated with syndromic and non-syndromic albinism. The targeted panel was applied to 18 patients from southwest China, nine (50%) patients were diagnosed with OCA1, and nine (50%) were diagnosed with OCA2. Our data indicate that OCA1 and OCA2, the most common subtypes, probably have the same prevalence in southwest China. In total, we identified 26 variants in TYR and OCA2 from 18 OCA cases using the NGS technology, including 24 variants presented in the Human Gene Mutation Database Professional (HGMD) and two novel variants, c.559_560insCATTATTATGTGTCAAATTATCCCC in TYR and c.1514 T > C in OCA2, which have not been previously reported. According to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) classification, c.559_560insCATTATTATGTGTCAAATTATCCCC (p.G190Cfs*12) is classified as a pathogenic variant, and c.1514 T > C (p.F505S) is evaluated as a likely pathogenic variant.ConclusionsTwo novel variants were identified which will expand the mutational spectra of TYR and OCA2. The results of the present study may have implications for genetic counseling, carrier screening, and clinical management of the disease.