Single Hair Research Articles

The application of electrolysis of depigmented hair using a trichiasis electrolyzer combined with single hair follicle transplantation for the treatment of vitiligo-associated leukotrichia.

Leukotrichia is one of the difficulties of vitiligo treatment. Hair follicle transplantation is an efficient method to treat vitiligo-associated leukotrichia. A trichiasis electrolyzer, commonly used for treating trichiasis, can be used to damage and remove the depigmented hair follicles. To evaluate the efficacy of the electrolysis of depigmented hair using a trichiasis electrolyzer combined with single hair follicle transplantation for the treatment of vitiligo-associated leukotrichia. A total of 15 patients with stable vitiligo-associated eyebrow and eyelash leukotrichia were enrolled from Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People's Hospital between January 2020 and January 2021. All patients were treated using a trichiasis electrolyzer combined with single hair follicle transplantation. The patients were followed up at the first week, the first month, the third month, and the sixth month after surgery. The texture and growth state of the transplanted hair were observed, and the number of surviving transplanted follicles and regenerating depigmented follicles were recorded. The transplanted hair grew as expected with natural shape. No local infection or obvious scar was observed. Most of the depigmented hair in the lesion area re-pigmented and only a few depigmented hairs regenerated. The average survival rate of the transplanted hair follicles was 71.6%, and the average regeneration rate of the depigmented hair was 11.6%. The electrolysis of depigmented hair using a trichiasis electrolyzer combined with single hair follicle transplantation was an effective and safe method to treat vitiligo-associated leukotrichia.

Study of Morphological Features of Sea Buckthorn Leaves by Luminescent and Stereomicroscopy Methods

Introduction. Sea buckthorn – Hippophaё rhamnoides is a perennial shrub, the fruits of which are a source of carotenoids and are harvested on an industrial scale to obtain a number of drugs. Recently, not only fruits, but also other parts of the plant, such as buds, leaves, shoots and bark, are of increasing interest. It is known that sea buckthorn leaves are rich in compounds such as tannins, polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamins (C and E). The rich composition of biologically active substances with a sufficient content of components allows us to consider leaves as a new type of medicinal plant material for the further development of various preparations based on them. In addition, the leaves are an annually renewable raw material and it is possible to harvest them on an industrial scale, since this valuable medicinal plant is cultivated everywhere in Russia. Data on the microscopic characteristics of the fruits of sea buckthorn are described in detail in the scientific literature, which cannot be said about the leaves. The scientific literature also does not describe the features of the luminescence of the tissues of the leaves of the sea buckthorn.Aim. The aim of this work was to study the possibility of using the luminescent and stereomicroscopic methods of analysis to determine the main morphological features of the leaves of the sea buckthorn.Materials and methods. Dried whole leaves of a plant of the genus Hippophaës collected in the Voronezh region were used as the object of the study. The study of microdiagnostic signs was carried out according to the State Pharmacopoeia of the XIV RF GPA.1.5.3.0003.15 «Technique of microscopic and microchemical examination of medicinal plants and herbal medicinal products». A stereomicroscopic study was carried out using a Biomed 2 microscope. The luminescence of the tissues of the sea buckthorn leaves was investigated using a luminescent microscope of the Miсromed 3 LUM brand.Results and discussion. Stereomicroscopic analysis of sea buckthorn leaves was carried out. High-resolution volumetric images were obtained in a short period of time. It was found that the characteristic microscopic features of the leaves are the presence of a large number of corymbose hairs along the upper and corymbose-stellate along the lower surfaces, including the vein and petiole (from colorless to white, yellow and dark brown). Single simple stellate hairs are rare. When removing the layer of hairs, the spongy structure of the epidermis of the leaf is visible. The carried out luminescent analysis made it possible to reveal the features of the luminescence of the tissues of the leaves of the sea buckthorn. Diagnostic luminescent features include: the most pronounced yellow glow is observed for the cells of the base of the corymbose hair; the plates that make up the corymbose hairs do not have bright fluorescence; stellate hairs do not have a glow; pronounced yellow-green fluorescence is characteristic of the leaf vein.Conclusion. For the first time, stereomicroscopic and luminescent analyzes of sea buckthorn leaves were carried out and the main morphological features of this type of medicinal plant material and their biometric characteristics were established. The carried out luminescent analysis made it possible to reveal the features of the luminescence of the tissues of the leaves of the sea buckthorn.

Development of a rapid and sensitive LC-MS/MS assay for the quantification of commonly abused drugs in Asia in a micro-segment of a single hair using microwave-assisted extraction and dansyl chloride derivatization

A high-throughput method using microwave-assisted extraction, chemical derivatization and liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) was developed for the simultaneous analysis of illicit drugs and their metabolites, including amphetamine (AMP), methamphetamine (MA), methylenedioxy- amphetamine (MDA), methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), morphine (MOR), 6-acetylmorphine (6-AM), ketamine (K), and norketamine (NK) in a micro-segment of a single hair (0.4 mm). In order to elevate the throughput and sensitivities of selected compounds, 3 min microwave-assisted extraction and 10 min derivatization with dansyl chloride (DC) were employed. After derivatization, all compounds except ketamine and norketamine were derivatized and enhanced the sensitivities significantly. Derivatives showed intense fragment ions and low background noise on DC-MOR, DC-6-AM, and four DC-amphetamine-type stimulants. The total sample preparation and analysis time was 50 min. The calibration range was from LOQ to 5000 pg/mg, the coefficient of determination was better than 0.997. Intra-assay precision and accuracy were generally less than 15%. Limits of detection ranged from 15 to 50 pg/mg, limits of quantitation ranged between 45 and 125 pg/mg. The matrix effect was better than 90%. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of actual hair samples collected from multi-drug abusers. This advanced method showed practicality in hair analysis and was suitable for the extremely insufficient sample.

Method development to characterise elephant tail hairs by LA-ICP-MS to reflect changes in elemental chemistry

This paper evaluated analytical methods used to generate time-series data from elephant tail hairs, which can be used to reflect changing exposure to environmental geochemistry. Elephant tail hairs were analysed by three methods sequentially, each providing data to inform subsequent analysis. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Microanalysis visually showed the structure of the hair, specific structures such as tubules, and the mineral crusting around the edge of the hair, informing targeting of subsequent analysis by Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). LA-ICP-MS generated time-series data which informed sectioning of the tail hairs for subsequent quantitative analysis for potentially toxic elements and micronutrients using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) of dissolved tail hairs. This novel approach to characterise the tail hair enabled time-series analysis to reflect changes in environmental exposure which may result from seasonal or geochemical spatial variation and could inform elephant movement patterns. The seasonal change between wet and dry seasons was reflected down the length of the hair. Correlations were seen between LA-ICP-MS data and ICP-MS data in several elements including Mg, P, Ca, Fe, Na, Mn and U. This study provided time-series data for the analysis of elephant tail hairs by evaluating analytical challenges to obtaining quantitative data, such as improving protocols to ensure removal of extraneous material, determining where to section the tail hairs to best reflect environmental changes/exposure and ensuring representative analyses. A protocol was established to determine mineral status across a 12–18 month time period utilizing single elephant tail hairs.

Improved DNA Extraction and Illumina Sequencing of DNA Recovered from Aged Rootless Hair Shafts Found in Relics Associated with the Romanov Family.

This study describes an optimized DNA extraction protocol targeting ultrashort DNA molecules from single rootless hairs. It was applied to the oldest samples available to us: locks of hairs that were found in relics associated with the Romanov family. Published mitochondrial DNA genome sequences of Tsar Nicholas II and his wife, Tsarina Alexandra, made these samples ideal to assess this DNA extraction protocol and evaluate the types of genetic information that can be recovered by sequencing ultrashort fragments. Using this method, the mtGenome of the Tsarina’s lineage was identified in hairs that were concealed in a pendant made by Karl Fabergé for Alexandra Feodorovna Romanov. In addition, to determine if the lock originated from more than one individual, two hairs from the locket were extracted independently and converted into Illumina libraries for shotgun sequencing on a NextSeq 500 platform. From these data, autosomal SNPs were analyzed to assess relatedness. The results indicated that the two hairs came from a single individual. Genetic testing of hairs that were found in the second artifact, a framed photograph of Louise of Hesse-Kassel, Queen of Denmark and maternal grandmother of Tsar Nicholas II, revealed that the hair belonged to a woman who shared Tsar Nicholas’ maternal lineage, including the well-known point heteroplasmy at position 16169.

Tufted hairs: A bouquet of flowers in different hair diseases.

Tufted hairs, an unusual hair follicle dysplasia, are characterized by several hair shafts grouped together, emerging from a single hair follicle-like "doll's hair". This clinical picture is considered characteristic of folliculitis decalvans (FD). However, the emergence of grouped hair shafts from a single follicle can also be observed in other hair disorders, even if not as a distinctive diagnostic sign. This paper aims to collect and analyze all clinical and trichoscopic features of different hair diseases with tufted hairs to find distinctive features, helping the clinician with the diagnosis.

Rapid characterization of drugs in a single hair using thermal desorption ionization mass spectrometry.

Hair remains the most common type of physical evidence found in most crime scenes. However, the amount of hair found at a crime scene is limited and analysis of drugs in hair by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is laborious and time-consuming. In this study, a rapid and simple method is developed using thermal desorption ionization mass spectrometry (TDI-MS) to analyze drugs directly in a single hair. A single hair is put onto a heated metal ceramic heater (MCH) and then a high voltage direct current and solvent are applied to the single hair. The drugs in the hair are thermally desorbed and ionized, and subsequently transferred to the MS inlet and detected. A typical hair analysis can be completed in a few minutes. This novel technique provides a new orientation for forensic scientists to study drugs in a single hair that is found at a crime scene, on a suspect, or on a victim.

The Comparison of Trichoscopic Findings in Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL) and Chronic Telogen Effluvium (CTE) in Female Patients

Background: Chronic hair loss is a major complaint in middle-aged females. It is sometime difficult to differentiate between female pattern hair loss (FPHL) and chronic telogen effluvium (CTE) in female patients. Trichoscopy is a non-invasive technique that can help to distinguish between FPHL and CTE.
 Aims: To compare the trichoscopic findings in female pattern hair loss (FPHL) and chronic telogen effluvium (CTE) in female patients.
 Materials and Methods: It is a cross sectional prospective comparative study carried out in the department of dermatology, Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital affiliated to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Wardha, Maharashtra. Adult female patients with ages ranging from 30 to 60 years old complaining of diffuse hair loss were included in the study. Patients with scarring alopecia were excluded from the study. Patients were divided into two groups consisting of 20 patients in each group. Group A and B included patients with FPHL and CTE respectively. Trichoscan (SIF hair analysis system) was performed on frontal region of the scalp.
 Results: Hair diameter variability was significantly seen in FPHL. Hair diameter was reduced in FPHL (0.045) as compared to chronic telogen effluvium (0.063) with statistical difference between them. Hair density was significantly reduced in FPHL (32 ± 12.24) as compared to CTE (60.66 ± 18.12). Vellus hair density was significantly more in FPHL (22.4 ± 14.3) as compared to chronic telogen effluvium (7.73 ± 6.71). Single hair unit was more in FPHL (65 ± 17.08) as compared to chronic telogen effluvium. Density of yellow dots is more significantly observed in female pattern hair loss as compared to chronic telogen effluvium.
 Conclusion: Trichoscopic features based on hair shaft diameter, hair follicular density, vellus hairs, yellow dots and variability in hair shaft diameter can easily help to distinguish female pattern hair loss from chronic telogen effluvium. This differentiation can help dermatologists to plan better and specific management of hair loss in female patients.

Validation of the Alopecia Areata Patient Priority Outcomes (AAPPO) Questionnaire in Adults and Adolescents with Alopecia Areata

IntroductionIndividuals with alopecia areata (AA) may experience significant impacts on their health-related quality of life. The novel Alopecia Areata Patient Priority Outcomes (AAPPO) questionnaire has been developed to assess hair loss signs, emotional symptoms, and activity limitations associated with AA. The objective of this study was to evaluate psychometric properties and establish scoring of the AAPPO in adults and adolescents with AA.MethodsScoring and measurement properties of the AAPPO were examined using baseline and 2-week follow-up data from a prospective, noninterventional, web-based study of 121 patients with AA (85 adults aged ≥ 18 years, 36 adolescents aged 12–17 years) with Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) ≥ 25% scalp hair loss.ResultsExploratory and confirmatory factor analysis supported four single Hair Loss (HL) items, an Emotional Symptoms domain (ES; 4 items), and an Activity Limitations domain (AL; 3 items). Among all patients, the multi-item ES and AL domains had strong internal consistency (α ≥ 0.87); all HL items and domain scores had strong test-retest reliability (weighted kappa or intraclass correlation coefficients ≥ 0.78). All HL item scores demonstrated strong construct validity (r ≥ 0.52) compared with the patient-reported Alopecia Areata Symptom and Impact Scale (AASIS) hair loss subscale score; ES and AL domain scores exhibited strong construct validity (r ≥ 0.66) compared with the SF-36 Mental Component Summary (MCS) score. Using SALT scores, HL mean item scores were better (lower) in the 25–49% SALT subgroup versus those with highest SALT scores (76–100%); however, ES mean domain scores were better in the SALT 76–100% subgroup in the same comparison (p < 0.0001). Using AASIS and MCS score–created subgroups, ES and AL mean domain scores demonstrated hypothesized differences across subgroups (all p values < 0.0001).ConclusionThe AAPPO questionnaire is a reliable, valid disease-specific measure of hair loss severity and impact in individuals with AA.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13555-021-00648-z.

Dimensions of a Living Cochlear Hair Bundle.

The hair bundle is the mechanosensory organelle of hair cells that detects mechanical stimuli caused by sounds, head motions, and fluid flows. Each hair bundle is an assembly of cellular-protrusions called stereocilia, which differ in height to form a staircase. Stereocilia have different heights, widths, and separations in different species, sensory organs, positions within an organ, hair-cell types, and even within a single hair bundle. The dimensions of the stereociliary assembly dictate how the hair bundle responds to stimuli. These hair-bundle properties have been measured previously only to a limited degree. In particular, mammalian data are either incomplete, lack control for age or position within an organ, or have artifacts owing to fixation or dehydration. Here, we provide a complete set of measurements for postnatal day (P) 11 C57BL/6J mouse apical inner hair cells (IHCs) obtained from living tissue, tissue mildly-fixed for fluorescent imaging, or tissue strongly fixed and dehydrated for scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). We found that hair bundles mildly-fixed for fluorescence had the same dimensions as living hair bundles, whereas SEM-prepared hair bundles shrank uniformly in stereociliary heights, widths, and separations. By determining the shrinkage factors, we imputed live dimensions from SEM that were too small to observe optically. Accordingly, we created the first complete blueprint of a living IHC hair bundle. We show that SEM-prepared measurements strongly affect calculations of a bundle’s mechanical properties – overestimating stereociliary deflection stiffness and underestimating the fluid coupling between stereocilia. The methods of measurement, the data, and the consequences we describe illustrate the high levels of accuracy and precision required to understand hair-bundle mechanotransduction.

Rab11a Regulates the Development of Cilia and Establishment of Planar Cell Polarity in Mammalian Vestibular Hair Cells.

Vestibular organs have unique planar cell polarity (Figure 1A), and their normal development and function are dependent on the regular polarity of cilia (Figure 1B) requires. Rab11a is a small G protein that participates in the transportation of intracellular and extracellular materials required for polarity formation; however, our understanding of the mechanisms of the actions of Rab11a in vestibular organs is limited. Here, we showed that the general shape of the utricle was abnormal in Rab11aCKO/CKO mice. These mice also showed abnormal morphology of the stereocilia bundles, which were reduced in both length and number, as well as disturbed tissue-level polarity. Rab11a affected the distribution of polarity proteins in the vestibular organs, indicating that the normal development of cilia requires Rab11a and intraflagellar transportation. Furthermore, small G protein migration works together with intraflagellar transportation in the normal development of cilia. FIGURE 1Morphological changes of stereocilia in the extrastriolar hair cells from Rab11a single or Rab11a/IFT88 double-mutant utricles. (A) Medial view of a mouse left inner ear with its five vestibular sensory organs (gray). Enlarged are the utricle showing their subdivisions, LPR (yellow line), and striola (blue). LES, lateral extrastriola; MES, medial extrastriola; LPR, line of polarity reversal. (B) Schematic view of vestibular hair cell. Kinocilium is marked with ace-tubulin. Basal body is marked with γ-tubulin. (C,C1,D,D1) Normal appearance of the stereocilia of extrastriolar hair cells of wild-type controls. (E,E1,F,F1) Altered morphology in Rab11aCKO/CKO animals. (G,G1,H,H1) The changes in the stereocilia morphology were more severe in Rab11aCKO/CKO/IFT 88CKO/+ mice. (I–L) Higher magnification of confocal images of hair cells. (M–P) Scanning electron microscopy images of hair cells from wild-type controls and Rab11a mutants. (I,M) Morphology of normal. hair cells of wild-type controls. (J,N) The number of stereocilia on a single hair cell was deceased in the Rab11a mutant. (K,O) Stereocilia were shorter in mutants compared to the wild-type controls. (L,P) The staircase-like hair bundle architecture of hair cells was lost in Rab11a mutant mice. (Q) The percentage of hair cells with abnormal development of static cilia bundles in the extrastriola region was counted as a percentage of the total (n = 5). The percentage of abnormal hair cells was higher in Rab11aCKO/CKO, IFT88CKO/+ mice compared to Rab11aCKO/CKO. The abnormal ratios of single and double knockout hair cells were 42.1 ± 5.7 and 71.5 ± 10.4, respectively. In (A–J), for all primary panels, hair cell stereociliary bundles were marked with phalloidin (green), the actin-rich cuticular plate of hair cells was labeled with β-spectrin (red), while the basal body of the hair cell was labeled with γ-tubulin (blue). Scale bars: 10 μm (C–H1), 5 μm (J–N). *P < 0.05.

Detection of deletion/insertion polymorphism profiles from single human hair shafts.

Hair is a frequently encountered biological evidence in personal identification. The amount of nuclear DNA that can be extracted from a single strand of rootless hair is most limited, making the detection of short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphisms difficult. To overcome these limitations, deletion/insertion polymorphisms (DIP) as a new type of genetic marker have shown their benefits in detecting low-copy-number DNA. The Investigator DIPplex kit contains 30 biallelic autosomal DIP and amelogenin. The analysis of DIPs combines the advantages of both STR and single nucleotide polymorphism analyses. Thus, this study aimed to detect the DIP distribution of individual hair shafts from individuals. DNA was extracted from the shaft of fresh, aged, and shed hair. After DNA was evaluated, the DIP profiles were detected by capillary electrophoresis. The results indicated that the amount of DNA extracted from hair roots was much higher than that from the hair shafts in the same individual for all samples. The degradation index values of DNA from the aged hair shafts were highest. It is classified to be "mildly degraded." Compared with their hair roots, the full DIP profiles were detected for fresh hair, 70% for aged hair, and 92% for shed hair. Contrarily, except for fresh hair shafts, only three STR loci of the aged and shed strands of hair could be genotyped using AmpFlSTR MiniFiler PCR Amplification Kit. These results indicate that the detection of DIP profile is an effective tool for personal identification from hair shafts, including aged hair.

Direct Ultratrace Detection of Lead in a Single Hair Using Portable Electromagnetic Heating Vaporization-Atmospheric Pressure Glow Discharge-Atomic Emission Spectrometry.

In this paper, the first demonstration of direct ultratrace determination of lead in a single human hair by direct current-atmospheric pressure glow discharge-atomic emission spectrometry (DC-APGD-AES) coupled with electromagnetic heating vaporization (EMV) was described. Only the ultramicro mass of a human hair sample (about 0.15 mg, often a single human hair) was required during the analysis, and fast detection was implemented without tedious pretreatment processes, such as grinding and digestion. A limit of detection (LOD) of 30.8 μg kg-1 (4.8 pg) for Pb was obtained under optimized conditions, which was even equivalent to that of conventional LA-ICP-MS/ETV-ICP-MS/GFAAS. EMV-APGD-AES, meanwhile, can facilitate miniaturization and portability with low power and small size. The accuracy and practicality of the method were verified by the analysis of certified reference materials (CRMs) GBW09101b (human hair) and human hair samples from three volunteers. A simple, efficient, and low-cost method for detecting Pb in human hair has been developed.

Mission Critical: Caremark, Blue Bell, and Director Responsibility for Cybersecurity Governance

If the potential for Caremark liability hangs like the sword of Damocles over corporate directors of Delaware corporations, then that sword has been considerably more secure than that of the original myth. For decades, Chancellor Allen’s description of a Caremark claim as “possibly the most difficult theory in corporation law upon which a plaintiff might hope to win a judgment” held true. Caremark claims that survived a motion to dismiss were for decades few and far between. That changed in 2019. In the space of little over a year, Delaware courts have allowed five Caremark claims to survive in the corporation context and one claim to survive in the limited partnership context. The thread holding that sword is beginning to look more like the single horse hair of myth. The scope and likelihood of Caremark liability are matters of considerable interest and concern for directors. Under most circumstances, a board simply doing its job poorly is relevant only to the directors’ duty of care and protected by the business judgment rule, exculpatory provisions under Section 102(b)(7), and advancement and indemnification. Failure to monitor under Caremark, however, is a breach of the duty of loyalty. A breach of the duty of loyalty is not protected by the business judgment rule. It cannot be exculpated. And it cannot be covered by indemnification. 2019 marked an abrupt shift in Caremark in application, if not in theory. In June of that year the Supreme Court of Delaware (“Delaware Supreme Court”) reversed a decision by the Delaware Court of Chancery (“Chancery Court”) dismissing a claim against the directors of Blue Bell Creameries, Inc. (“Blue Bell”) under Caremark. Within a little over a year, the Chancery Court would sustain Caremark claims in four cases. In Clovis, the Chancery Court sustained a Caremark claim against directors of a pharmaceutical company who allowed the company to misrepresent the clinical trial success of one of its three drugs. In Hughes, the Chancery Court sustained a Caremark claim against directors of a Chinese company incorporated in Delaware that suffered from severe and pervasive accounting issues. In Teamsters Local, the Chancery Court sustained a Caremark claim against directors of a large pharmaceutical company who allowed an indirect subsidiary to essentially operate a criminal enterprise. And in Boeing, the Chancery Court sustained a Caremark claim against directors of an airplane manufacturer who did not pay attention to safety issues. Cybersecurity has become just such a mission critical risk for large corporations. This Article makes four key arguments. Black letter Caremark doctrine has not changed, but it is newly reinvigorated and the risks of Caremark liability for directors is greater than just a few years ago. Future Caremark liability will be centered on failure to provide board-level oversight of mission critical risks. Cybersecurity is mission critical to effectively all large companies today. The risk of Caremark liability can be mitigated by taking a few simple steps to ensure that the board is addressing cybersecurity. This Article is the first to make these arguments together and the first to make the final argument.

Hair Transplant for Eyebrow Restoration.

Eyebrow restoration can be best done with individual single hair follicles grafts harvested by FUE. Understanding the male and female eyebrow allows us to plan an aesthetic reconstruction, requiring 70 to 120 grafts. Selection of donor hair, angle of placement, alignment and direction within the rows influences the results, as does scarring and perfusion of the skin. Details of planning, technique, anesthesia and postoperative care, as well as drawbacks of older methods, are discussed in the article.

Alternative LC-MS/MS Platforms and Data Acquisition Strategies for Proteomic Genotyping of Human Hair Shafts.

Protein is a major component of all biological evidence. Proteomic genotyping is the use of genetically variant peptides (GVPs) that contain single-amino-acid polymorphisms to infer the genotype of matching nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms for the individual from whom the protein sample originated. This can be used to statistically associate an individual to evidence found at a crime scene. The utility of the inferred genotype increases as the detection of GVPs increases, which is the direct result of technology transfer to mass spectrometry platforms typically available. Digests of single (2 cm) human hair shafts from three European and two African subjects were analyzed using data-dependent acquisition on a Q-Exactive Plus Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap system, data-independent acquisition and a variant of parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) on an Orbitrap Fusion Lumos Tribrid system, and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) on an Agilent 6495 triple quadrupole system. In our hands, average GVP detection from a selected panel of 24 GVPs increased from 6.5 ± 1.1 and 3.1 ± 0.8 using data-dependent and -independent acquisition to 9.5 ± 0.7 and 11.7 ± 1.7 using PRM and MRM (p < 0.05), respectively. PRM resulted in a 1.3-fold increase in detection sensitivity, and MRM resulted in a 1.6-fold increase in detection sensitivity. This increase in biomarker detection has a functional impact on the statistical association of a protein sample and an individual. Increased biomarker sensitivity, using Markov Chain Monte Carlo modeling, produced a median-estimated random match probability of over 1 in 10 trillion from a single hair using targeted proteomics. For PRM and MRM, detected GVPs were validated by the inclusion of stable isotope-labeled peptides in each sample, which served also as a detection trigger. This research accomplishes two aims: the demonstration of utility for alternative analytical platforms in proteomic genotyping and the establishment of validation methods for the evaluation of inferred genotypes.

The analysis of Period1 gene expression in vivo and in vitro using a micro PMT system

To detect a small amount of Period1 (Per1) expression, we developed a micro-photomultiplier tube (μPMT) system which can be used both in vivo and in vitro. Using this system, we succeeded in detecting Per1 gene expression in the skin of freely moving mice over 240 times higher compared with that of the tissue contact optical sensor (TCS) as previously reported. For in vitro studies, we succeeded in detecting elevated Per1 expression by streptozotocin (STZ) treatment in the scalp hairs at an early stage of diabetes, when glucose content in the blood was still normal. In addition, we could detect elevated Per1 expression in a single whisker hair at the time of diabetes onset. These results show that our μPMT system responds to minute changes in gene expression in freely moving mice in vivo and in mice hair follicles in vitro. Furthermore, Per1 in the hair can be used for a marker of diabetic aggravation.

Ultrasonographic diagnosis of a hair foreign body in the urinary bladder of a dog

A 13-year-old male neutered mixed-breed dog with a history of gallbladder mucocele and urolithiasis was evaluated by ultrasound. Two hyperechoic, linear foreign bodies with no distal acoustic shadowing were detected in the urinary bladder and urethra. Following the ultrasound examination, the patient underwent cystoscopy, and two single hairs were found and successfully retrieved. Considering that urinary bladder foreign bodies may be a source for urinary tract infection and can act as a nidus for urocystolith formation, removal is recommended. This is the first published report describing ultrasonographic diagnosis of a hair foreign body in the canine urinary bladder and urethra.

Hair counting method based on image processing technology

The number of hair per unit area of scalp is an important indicator of hair growth. In order to realize the understanding of head fur growing condition, this paper designs a hair counting method based on image processing technology. The color characteristics of the high definition scalp hair images taken by light microscope were analyzed and the Wright test was used to eliminate the shadow and subtle hair interference. Then the original image was preprocessed and pieceby-linear transformation was enhanced, and then the threshold segmentation was performed to extract the hair root image, and a single scalp hair image was counted, and the scalp hair counting function model was constructed to realize the scalp hair counting in the whole region. Analysis shows that the experimental results accord with the physiological characteristics of hair growth, and the method can avoid most of the noise interference of hair image, and meet the actual requirements of scalp hair counting.

Ayurvedic management of Alopecia areata (Indralupta) with surgical procedure Kuttanam and internal medications

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder characterized by transient, nonscarring hair loss, especially on the scalp ranging from well-defined patches to diffuse or total hair loss with hair follicle preservation. It affects approximately 2% of the general population. This condition is described as Indralupta (~alopecia) in Ayurveda. The current presentation is a case report of 36-year-old female patient who visited the outpatient department with patchy hair loss of scalp over the vertex and occipital region and generalized hair loss for two years with no associated symptoms. The treatment was determined giving significance to systemic effects of disease along with localized pathology in the skin caused by the vitiation of Tridoshas (~three body humors). She was treated on outpatient level with Ayurvedic internal medications, external applications and Kuttanam (~a minor operative procedure) for four months. The uniqueness of this case is that transition of hairs from gray to black occurred over the course of a single hair follicle growth cycle. The phenomenon of natural reversal of depigmentation of hair in a single hair follicle growth cycle is not found in any of the scientific databases. The patient showed remarkable improvement including regeneration of black hair at the site of hair loss. During the follow-up period of two years, no recurrence was observed. This case report shows that holistic approach of Ayurvedic treatment can produce clinically significant results in Indralupta and shows possibility of application of these principles in repigmentation of hairs.