Skin Painting Research Articles

Coriandrum sativum and Aloysia triphylla can Protect the Development of Cancer: An in Vivo Study using Mouse Painting Assay.

The aim of this study is to examine the protective properties of Coriandrum sativum and Aloysia triphylla against the development of skin cancer. The skin cancer balb/c mouse model was utilized in the study. Plant extracts were administered to animals using oral gavage. In addition, skin cancer was induced using 7,12-dimethylbenz( a) anthracene (DMBA). The study found that A. triphylla extract reduced both tumor incidence (P&#60;0.01) and papilloma frequency (P&#60;0.001) and delayed the onset of tumor development (P&#60;0.001). The A. triphylla extract did not affect tumor size in animals. C. sativum leaf extract reduced the number of tumors per animal, the incidence of tumors, and the frequency of papilloma (P&#60;0.05). In addition, it delayed (P&#60;0.01) the onset of tumors. Treatment of animals with C. sativum seed extract reduced the frequency of papilloma (P<0.05) and delayed the onset of tumors (P&#60;0.05). However, the examined plant extracts did not impact the size of tumors induced by DMBA (P>0.05). The findings of this study revealed that C. sativum and A. triphylla could protect against cancer development as indicated using the animal model of skin painting assay.

Research on online monitoring of aircraft skin laser paint removal thickness using standard curve method and PCA-SVR based on LIBS.

High-frequency pulse lasers, applied in the form of rapid scanning, act upon the surface of aircraft skin paint layers, thereby removing the paint layers, exhibiting characteristics of efficiency and eco-friendliness. Real-time monitoring of the paint removal effect and prevention of substrate damage necessitates the continuous monitoring of paint removal thickness. Combining Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) online monitoring technology enables laser-controlled paint removal under multiple effects coupling, meeting the requirements of airworthiness maintenance. This paper, based on a high-frequency nanosecond infrared pulse laser paint removal LIBS monitoring platform, conducts research on laser paint removal thickness LIBS online monitoring of aluminum alloy plates coated with dual-layer paint. Spectra corresponding to the removal thickness of each group are collected and, respectively, paint removal thickness monitoring models based on LIBS spectra are established using the standard curve method and Principal Component Analysis-Support Vector Regression (PCA-SVR) algorithm. When monitoring paint removal thickness using the standard curve method, the intensity of five Ti element characteristic spectral lines selected is correlated with the paint removal thickness, and segmented curve fitting according to the paint layer structure satisfies the segmented curve fitting of topcoat and topcoat + primer. Among them, the average coefficient of the curve fitting of the Ti II 589.088 nm characteristic spectral line is 0.89, and the root mean square error (RMSE) is 12.28 μm. Its performance is superior in the five standard curves; thus, its fitting equation is used as the criterion for paint removal thickness monitoring. To further improve monitoring accuracy, research on paint removal thickness monitoring models based on PCA-SVR is conducted. Compared to the traditional univariate standard curve method, the PCA-SVR model does not require segmented monitoring. After parameter optimization, the average fitting coefficient reaches 0.97, and the RMSE is 2.92 μm. The results indicate that the PCA-SVR-based paint removal thickness monitoring model has higher accuracy, thereby forming the basis for paint removal thickness monitoring. Through comparative research on paint removal thickness monitoring models, two types of paint removal thickness monitoring criteria are obtained, providing model solutions for high-precision monitoring and automation of aircraft skin laser paint removal thickness.

Clinical profile of paraphenylenediamine intoxication

Hair dyes are widely used for decorative skin paint, nail coloring, and hair dye. Hair dye toxicity has been attributed to adding a synthetic dye paraphenylenediamine (PPD). PPD is added to natural henna to accentuate the dark color and shorten the duration of application. PPD self-harm or accidental toxicity is well-known in developing countries and extensively reported in the medical literature. Acute intoxication with PPD causes characteristic severe angioedema of the pharynx and larynx which usually necessitates tracheostomy, and it is associated with facial and tongue edema. PPD poisoning results in multisystem disorders and can cause rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury, aggressive gastrointestinal manifestations, pancarditis, and arrhythmias. This form of severe poisoning is fatal if not treated early and properly. There is no specific antidote and treatment is mainly supportive and helpful only if initiated early.

Precise paint stripping based on photochemical effect by UV laser on honeycomb sandwich panel

As an environmentally friendly new method for coating removal, laser cleaning has been widely used in aircraft skin paint removal recently. However, due to the thermal damage sensitivity of composite materials, current laser cleaning is still mainly used in aluminum alloy skins. In this work, we demonstrate a method for cleaning the surface paint of honeycomb sandwich structures by ultraviolet picosecond laser. The method achieves layer-by-layer and non-destructive removal of paint from composite surfaces. The results show that the top coat is selectively removed when the laser power is 8 W and the scanning speed is 1750 mm/s. When the laser power is 8 W and the scanning speed is 750 mm/s, both top coat and primer are completely removed without any morphological damage for the glass fiber. The temperature monitoring results show that the UV picosecond laser exhibits low-temperature paint removal. The paint removal mechanism of UV picoseconds is dominated by photochemical effects.

Controllability of Laser Removal of Aircraft Skin Paint Layer Based on Response Surface Analysis

Controllability of Laser Removal of Aircraft Skin Paint Layer Based on Response Surface Analysis

Contact Hypersensitivity as a Murine Model of Allergic Contact Dermatitis.

Contact hypersensitivity (CHS) is an experimental model of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) that can be studied in mice. This study aims to present an objective laboratory method that may help to study the CHS reaction in mice, which can be measured and quantified by various tests. To induce CHS, on day "0", mice were sensitized on a previously shaved spot by abdominal skin painting with the hapten 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB) in an acetone-ethanol mixture, whereas negative control mice were sham sensitized with vehicle alone-acetone-ethanol mixture. On day "4", the baseline ear thickness was measured with a micrometer prior to the elicitation of CHS (challenge) by painting both ears with diluted TNCB both in the test and control groups. After 24 h, the ear swelling was measured with a micrometer. CHS is an example of a T cell-mediated immune response that causes swelling in inflamed tissue, peaking 24 h after the skin challenge with the same hapten. An increase in ear edema correlated with augmented ear weight, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, pro-inflammatory cytokine concentration in the ear extracts, increased thickening of the edematous dermis in the histological examination, and ear vascular permeability. There was also an increase in the concentration of TNP-specific IgG1 antibodies in the sera of the test group when compared with the control mice. Additionally, CHS can be successfully transferred with the CHS-effector cells obtained from donors previously sensitized with TNCB. The CHS-effector cells were administered intravenously into naïve recipient mice, which were subsequently challenged with the same diluted hapten. Ear swelling was measured with a micrometer 24 h later.

The Long Goodbye: Finally Moving on from the Relative Potency Approach to a Mixtures Approach for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs).

For the past several decades, a relative potency approach has been used to estimate the human health risks from exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) mixtures. Risk estimates are derived using potency equivalence factors (PEFs; also called relative potency factors [RPFs]), based on the ratio of selected PAHs to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), expressed qualitatively by orders of magnitude. To quantify PEFs for 18 selected carcinogenic PAHs, a systematic approach with a priori and dose response criteria was developed, building on draft work by the US EPA in 2010 and its review by US EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) in 2011. An exhaustive search for carcinogenicity studies that included both target PAHs and BaP with environmentally relevant exposure routes found only 48 animal bioassay datasets (mostly pre-1992 based on skin painting). Only eight datasets provided adequate low-response data, and of these only four datasets were appropriate for modeling to estimate PEFs; only benzo[b]fluoranthene and cyclopenta[c,d]pyrene had a PEF that could be quantified. Thus, current knowledge of PAH carcinogenicity is insufficient to support quantitative PEFs for PAH mixtures. This highlights the long-acknowledged need for an interdisciplinary approach to estimate risks from PAH mixtures. Use of alternative and short-term toxicity testing methods, improved mixture characterization, understanding the fate and bioavailability of PAH mixtures, and understanding exposure route-related differences in carcinogenicity are discussed as ways to improve the understanding of the risks of PAHs.

NTCU induced pre-malignant and malignant stages of lung squamous cell carcinoma in mice model

Mice have served as an excellent model to understand the etiology of lung cancer for years. However, data regarding dual-stage carcinogenesis of lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) remain elusive. Therefore, we aim to develop pre-malignant (PM) and malignant (M) lung SCC in vivo using N-nitroso-tris-chloroethylurea (NTCU). BALB/C mice were allotted into two main groups; PM and M groups which received treatment for 15 and 30 weeks, respectively. Then, the mice in each main group were allotted into three groups; control, vehicle, and cancer (n = 6), which received normal saline, 70% acetone, and 0.04 M NTCU by skin painting, respectively. Histopathologically, we discovered a mix of hyperplasia, metaplasia, and dysplasia lesions in the PM group and intracellular bridge; an SCC feature in the M group. The M group was positive for cytokeratin 5/6 protein which confirmed the lung SCC subtype. We also found significantly higher (P < 0.05) epithelium thickness in the cancer groups as compared to the vehicle and control groups at both the PM and M. Overall, this study discovered that NTCU is capable of developing PM and M lung SCC in mice model at appropriate weeks and the vehicle group was suggested to be adequate as control group for future research.

FP16.01 Development and Characterization of Two Novel Squamous Cell Lung Cancer Mouse Cell Lines

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The incidence and mortality associated with lung cancer is a major Public Health challenge in advanced societies. About 20-30% of all lung cancers are classified as lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), also known as squamous cell carcinoma (SSC or SqCC) or epidermoid carcinoma. The absence of preclinical models makes LUSC disease analysis and research more challenging. The development of well-characterized cellular and molecular tools is essential for the advance in lung cancer research. In the present work, we have performed an exhaustive molecular and functional characterization of a new LUSC research model, recently developed in our laboratory. This model consists of two novel A/J mouse-derived syngeneic cell lines from NTCU-induced LUSC.In our opinion, these cell lines may become a robust tool for the study of squamous cell lung cancer in a reliable and reproducible manner. Carcinogenesis and cell line generation: LUSC tumors were induced by N-nitroso-tris-chloroethylurea (NTCU) (Toronto Research Chemicals) treatment applying 0.04 M NTCU by skin painting twice a week for 20 weeks to 8-week-old A/J mice. Immunohistochemical staining: Dissected tumors were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and embedded in paraffin. Three-micrometer-thick sections were used for tumors immunohistochemical phenotypic characterization. Exome sequencing: Whole exome sequencing was performed on extracted DNA from the tumor-derived cell lines. RNA sequencing analysis: Samples were prepared with the Illumina TruSeq Stranded mRNA kit and sequenced as reverse paired-end (50 bp) runs on the Nextseq sequencer. Tumor immunotherapy experiments: 2x106 cells were subcutaneously inoculated in one flank of 8-week-old female A/J mice. When the tumors reached a volume of 75 mm3, mice were randomized and treated intraperitoneally with 3 doses of 100 μg of anti-PD1 or anti-CTLA4. Tumor immune landscape analysis: 2x106 cells were subcutaneously inoculated in one flank of 6 8-week-old female A/J mice . Thirteen days after cell inoculation, tumors were collected and processed for flow cytometry analysis. Metastasis in vivo model: Cells were transduced with a triple modality construct containing a triple fusion protein GFP, luciferase and thymidine kinase. Eight-week old female mice were inoculated in the left cardiac ventricle with 1 × 105 cells. Cells were followed by bioluminescence. We have generated two transplantable LUSC cell lines (UN-SCC679 and UN-SCC680) derived from an N-nitroso-tris-chloroethylurea (NTCU) chemically-induced mouse model in A/J mice. Both cells lines expressed cytokeratins and p40, and lacked thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF1) expression. Furthermore, we genetically characterized the LUSC cell lines by performing whole exome and RNA sequencing. In addition, we characterized the immune landscape of both tumors in vivo and assessed their response to immunotherapy studies combining the gold-standard checkpoint inhibitors in clinic. Finally, we studied the metastatic potential of each of these two models and confirmed that they reflect the human LUSC organotropism to the brain, bones, liver and adrenal glands. We have generated a very valuable tool for LUSC research that recapitulates the complexity of the human disease.

Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Efficacy and Cost Effectiveness of a Ready-to-Use Applicator Containing Iodine Povacrylex and Isopropyl Alcohol Compared with Conventional Skin Scrubbing and Painting in Patients Undergoing Colorectal Surgery

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a ready-to-use applicatorcontaining iodine povacrylex and isopropyl alcohol (IPIA) for the prevention of surgical site infection (SSI) followingintra-abdominal surgery.Materials and Methods: The IPIA was randomly used in patients who underwent colorectal surgical procedures.The control group for comparison was a group of patients who underwent colorectal surgical procedures usingconventional skin scrubbing and painting with antiseptic solutions without IPIA. In total, 100 patients were includedin the study, randomized into 2 groups: one was applied IPIA and another group a conventional skin preparation.The outcome measurements included ease-of-use as assessed by a questionnaire, preparation time comparison,estimated skin preparation expense, adverse reactions, and rate of SSI. All the patients were visited daily up to 7 dayspostoperation or until discharge, and then 14 and 30 days postoperatively for monitoring the occurrence of SSI.Results: Of the 100 patients undergoing elective intra-abdominal surgery enrolled in the study, 51 were males and49 females, with the mean age of 63.5 ± 11.3 years. The majority of the patients had undergone colorectal cancercolectomies or rectal resections. There was no mortality. Seven patients (7%) had postoperative SSI (4 patients inthe control group and 3 patients in the IPIA group, 4% vs. 3%, p = 0.45). The bacterial cultures revealed Gramnegative-bacilli in all of the patients with SSI. The preparation time for the skin preparation was 5.48 ± 2.49 min inthe control group and 2.65 ± 1.55 min in the IPIA group (p = 0.002), without statistical significance of expenses.Conclusion: IPIA was demonstrated to be as safe and effective as conventional antiseptic solutions as a skinpreparation to prevent SSI following colorectal surgery. With good ease of use, IPIA proved more convenient thana scrubbing preparation as well as offered better cost effectiveness by significantly reducing the time and cost ofthe skin preparation.

Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Efficacy and Cost Effectiveness of a Ready-to-Use Applicator Containing Iodine Povacrylex and Isopropyl Alcohol Compared with Conventional Skin Scrubbing and Painting in Patients Undergoing Colorectal Surgery

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a ready-to-use applicatorcontaining iodine povacrylex and isopropyl alcohol (IPIA) for the prevention of surgical site infection (SSI) followingintra-abdominal surgery.Materials and Methods: The IPIA was randomly used in patients who underwent colorectal surgical procedures.The control group for comparison was a group of patients who underwent colorectal surgical procedures usingconventional skin scrubbing and painting with antiseptic solutions without IPIA. In total, 100 patients were includedin the study, randomized into 2 groups: one was applied IPIA and another group a conventional skin preparation.The outcome measurements included ease-of-use as assessed by a questionnaire, preparation time comparison,estimated skin preparation expense, adverse reactions, and rate of SSI. All the patients were visited daily up to 7 dayspostoperation or until discharge, and then 14 and 30 days postoperatively for monitoring the occurrence of SSI.Results: Of the 100 patients undergoing elective intra-abdominal surgery enrolled in the study, 51 were males and49 females, with the mean age of 63.5 ± 11.3 years. The majority of the patients had undergone colorectal cancercolectomies or rectal resections. There was no mortality. Seven patients (7%) had postoperative SSI (4 patients inthe control group and 3 patients in the IPIA group, 4% vs. 3%, p = 0.45). The bacterial cultures revealed Gramnegative-bacilli in all of the patients with SSI. The preparation time for the skin preparation was 5.48 ± 2.49 min inthe control group and 2.65 ± 1.55 min in the IPIA group (p = 0.002), without statistical significance of expenses.Conclusion: IPIA was demonstrated to be as safe and effective as conventional antiseptic solutions as a skinpreparation to prevent SSI following colorectal surgery. With good ease of use, IPIA proved more convenient thana scrubbing preparation as well as offered better cost effectiveness by significantly reducing the time and cost ofthe skin preparation.

Experiential investigation on the effect of heavy fuel oil substitution by high sulfur petcoke on the physico-mechanical features and microstructure of white cement composites

The current research paper study the effects of producing white cement using high sulfur petroleum coke (WCPC) instead of using HFO (WCHFO). White Cement production needs huge amounts of thermal units from HFO and it the most consumed energy all over the world. There are many interest to burn alternative energy sources aiming to decrease in combustion cost and secure the surround environment. Current combustion technologies allow the burning of fuel With a high percentage of sulfur such as PC, to have the least environmental damage and generate the least amount of fly ash. HFO contains one third or less of sulfur (S) than high sulfur PC. High concentration of sulfur in white cement/clinker granules cause a series of adverse effects on its applications due to formation of big amounts of anhydrite (CaSO4-insoluble) & aphthitalite (3K2SO4·Na2SO4) and reduce the formation of thenardite (Na2SO4) leaves cracks, endearments and yellowish color for skin coat, painting and decoration applications. High sulfur content in white cement (WCPC) comes from high sulfur in fuel and accordingly increases the setting time, compressive strength, workability and sodium equivalent (Na2OEq) content, while it reduce cement whiteness reflection (Ry) degree. XR, XRD and physical properties of fuels are performed reflected high sulfur and alkali concentration. SEM morphology analysis has been tested showing improving in WCpC microstructure.

Sinking Colour/Colouring Skin: Thinking through Race in Bruce Nauman’s Body Painting

This essay reframes two of Bruce Nauman's early moving-image exercises in which the artist applies paint and cosmetics to his own torso, arms and face – Art Make-Up (1967–1968) and Flesh to White to Black to Flesh (1968) – in terms of their racialised logics, which unfold in complicated and circuitous ways. In both works, racial complexes organise Nauman's exercise and animate the space of his studio, enabling an array of contradictory images, affects and meanings to accrue therein. By focusing on time and process in both works, in addition to issues of representation, Nauman's skin painting exercises help elaborate a lineage of racialism within American modernism that mobilises spectacles of racial identification to drive formal experimentation. This creative legacy, which seeks to marshal the multiple registers at which we encounter race's operations, provides a new lens from which to understand both Nauman's early work as well as his continuing relevance to contemporary art and art criticism.

Enchancing Tens Capability For Cotless Biomedical Consumer Appliance Control And Reduce Confinement Pain 1st Stage

TENS is one of non pharmacological device to handle the first stage of childbirth pain. TENS channel an electric current laid on the back mother furnished with electrodes to stimulate nerve on regions that experienced pain. Electrodes it causes think mirth under the skin and muscle paint felt mother reduced in the signal from TENS who nerve pain. That style produce oscillations submerged at the frequency of about 2,5 KHz with a repetition 100 Hz. To produce pulses short so used a circuit simple with timer CMOS 555 who energize a transformer miniature 1:10.a transformer withcapacitor 4,7 nf make a circuit produce resonance an output voltage is high. Pulses that produced can be a adjusted to use potensiomer with furnished sakelar on-off. The top voltage 200v, so that a transformer must have the isolation that sufficient and provide connections that can be relied on to wiring electrodes. 1st pain management following the completion of childbirth when the TENS is still not effective making it necessary to try out an instrument back so that it can be effectively to properly manage their pain childbirth.

Effect of skin tone on the accuracy of hybrid and passive stereophotogrammetry

Three-dimensional (3D) surface images acquired from stereophotogrammetry are increasingly being used to plan or evaluate treatment by plastic surgeons. Stereophotogrammetry exists in active, passive, and hybrid forms. Active and hybrid stereophotogrammetry are believed to capture darker surfaces more accurately than passive stereophotogrammetry. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether skin tone has a clinically relevant effect on the accuracy of hybrid and passive stereophotogrammetry. Seven subjects with different skin tones were recruited. 3D-printed face and breast were spray-painted in six different colors, ranging from white to black. The skin tones and paint colors were objectified by measuring their melanin index. 3D photos of the subjects and 3D prints were acquired with hybrid and passive stereophotogrammetry. These 3D photos were matched with specialized software, and their geometric differences were calculated. None of the 3D photos showed a clinically relevant mean inaccuracy. On the 3D prints, hybrid stereophotogrammetry resulted in a smaller standard deviation of the inaccuracies than passive stereophotogrammetry (0.20 ± 0.06mm vs. 0.35 ± 0.07mm, p < 0.001). Passive stereophotogrammetry yielded a correlation between the melanin index of the spray paint colors and the standard deviation of the inaccuracy (Pearson's R=0.60, p=0.04). On human subjects, no correlation or difference in standard deviation of the accuracy was found. Skin tone does not influence the accuracy of hybrid and passive 3D stereophotogrammetry in a clinically relevant way.

The selective determination of potentially carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic compounds in lubricant base oils by the DMSO extraction method IP346 and its correlation to mouse skin painting carcinogenicity assays

Mineral oils are produced by vacuum distillation of crude oil at temperatures from ∼300 °C to ∼600 °C. Subsequent refining processes to eliminate the carcinogenic potential of mineral oils (by extraction and/or hydrotreatment) are based on the principle of removing substances associated with carcinogenic activity; i.e. PAC (polycyclic aromatic compounds), which include PAH and N or S heterocycles. Traditionally, the carcinogenic potential of the refined product was tested in the mouse skin painting assay. This bioassay is considered the gold standard for petroleum derived products since it uses the most sensitive species and route of exposure, and because mice and humans develop the same type of skin tumors it is a relevant model to assess the carcinogenic potential of mineral oils.Mouse skin painting studies have also been important in distinguishing two types of aromatic compounds found in mineral oil. The first type includes the 3–7 ring PAC associated with potential carcinogenic effects found in the 340–535 °C boiling range, which are removed by refinement. The second type includes highly alkylated aromatic compounds (predominantly 1–2 rings) which are not bioactivated and non-carcinogenic, which are typical of a refined oil.Because mouse skin painting studies are time consuming, a DMSO based method was developed that is capable to distinguish these two types of aromatics. Although this industry method, known as the IP346, has been applied for more than 30 years, the background experimental data underlying its development has not yet been published.This paper presents and discusses the chemical and biological features of mineral oil PAC structures assessed by IP346, especially the crucial role of the DMSO extraction step which allows to discriminate between the two types of aromatics. The DMSO selectivity towards the toxicological relevant PAC is discussed by comparing the composition of the DMSO extract of a distillate aromatic extract and mineral oils of varying viscosities and refining conditions. PAC which have >3 rings (naked or partially alkylated) are preferentially encompassed by the DMSO extract, whereas those PAC which have relatively long alkyl side chains are not. Thus, according to the IP346, refined oils will have lower levels of DMSO extractable material compared to less refined oils.DMSO selectivity towards the potentially carcinogenic >3 ring PAC makes the IP346 method therefore highly correlated to the outcome of mouse skin painting studies, using a pass/fail dichotomy. The accuracy, including the false negative results of the IP346 in the prediction of mineral oil carcinogenicity is discussed.The DMSO based IP346 is thus a simple but clear reflection of refinement efficacy. It links manufacturing conditions to carcinogenic potential of an oil, supported by solid physical-chemical and toxicological associations. In Europe it is the only legally binding method to assess, classify and label lubricating base oils and inherently more reliable for hazard assessment than the determination of an arbitrary selection of PAH.

Formation of highly toxic hydrogen cyanide upon ruby laser irradiation of the tattoo pigment phthalocyanine blue.

Since laser treatment of tattoos is the favored method for the removing of no longer wanted permanent skin paintings, analytical, biokinetics and toxicological data on the fragmentation pattern of commonly used pigments are urgently required for health safety reasons. Applying dynamic headspace—gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (DHS—GC/MS) and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GCxGC—ToF-MS), we identified 1,2-benzene dicarbonitrile, benzonitrile, benzene, and the poisonous gas hydrogen cyanide (HCN) as main fragmentation products emerging dose-dependently upon ruby laser irradiation of the popular blue pigment copper phthalocyanine in suspension. Skin cell viability was found to be significantly compromised at cyanide levels of ≥1 mM liberated during ruby laser irradiation of >1.5 mg/ml phthalocyanine blue. Further, for the first time we introduce pyrolysis-GC/MS as method suitable to simulate pigment fragmentation that may occur spontaneously or during laser removal of organic pigments in the living skin of tattooed people. According to the literature such regular tattoos hold up to 9 mg pigment/cm2 skin.

The effects of henna (hair dye) on the embryonic development of zebrafish (Danio rerio)

The powder of henna is extensively used as decorative skin paint for nail coloring and as a popular hair dye in Asian countries. Its human health risk is extensive, and it is frequently released as waste into the aquatic environment raising the concerns. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were employed to study the developmental effects of henna. Normal fertilized zebrafish embryos under standard water were selected for the control and test chambers. Three predetermined sublethal concentrations (100, 200, and 275 μM) of henna in 24-well cell culture plates were tested on 1-h postfertilized embryo (pfe) for 96 h. Observation for rates of survival and mortality was recorded; digital camera was used to image morphological anomalies of embryos with a stereomicroscope; and functional abnormalities at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h were performed. The hatching rates of embryos were reduced significantly when treated with 200 and 275 μM or higher concentrations of henna. Slow blood circulation in the whole body was observed with a median effect on hatching exposed to 200 and 275 μM of henna at 48-h pfe. At 72- and 96-h pfe, blood circulation was ceased in the whole body but still had a heartbeat. At 96-h pfe, pericardial sac edema, yolk sac edema, head deformation, spine crooked malformation, and tail malformation (bent tails or hook-like tails) were observed in the surviving larvae at 100 μM. In summary, exposure to henna at 100, 200, and 275 μM causes some altered morphological and physiological abnormalities including increased mortality, hatching delay, slow blood circulation, pericardial sac edema, yolk sac edema, abnormal body axes, twisted notochord, tail deformation, weak heartbeat, and growth retardation and was also detected in some treated embryos and groups having adverse effects on embryonic development of zebrafish provoking potential human developmental risk studies.

Hypomorphic mutation in the RAG2 gene affects dendritic cell distribution and migration

OS is a severe combined immunodeficiency characterized by erythrodermia and protracted diarrhea as a result of infiltration of oligoclonal-activated T cells, caused by hypomorphic mutations in RAGs. The RAG2(R229Q) mouse model fully recapitulates the clinical OS phenotype. We evaluated whether T and B cell defects, together with the abnormal lymphoid structure, could affect DC homeostasis and function. High density of LCs was observed in skin biopsies of Omenn patients and in the derma of RAG2(R229Q) mice, correlating with the presence of erythrodermia. In vivo models of cutaneous skin painting and CHS demonstrated a decreased migration of RAG2(R229Q) DCs-in particular, LCs-into draining LNs. Interestingly, at steady state, RAG2(R229Q) mice showed a reduction in DC number in all hematopoietic organs except LNs. Analysis of the MHCII marker revealed a diminished expression also upon the LPS-driven inflammatory condition. Despite the decreased number of peripheral DCs, BM pre-cDCs were present in normal number compared with RAG2(+/+) controls, whereas pDCs and monocytes were reduced significantly. Overall, these results point to a secondary defect in the DC compartment, which contributes to clinical manifestations and autoimmunity in OS.

Impact of Oxidation Process on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Content in Bitumen

This study investigated the impact of the oxidation process on the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in blown bitumen and identified some key contributing parameters. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's PAH list was used for this study. PAHs are considered a good toxicological marker, and measurement of PAHs in bitumen can be performed easily. The results of PAH content in blown bitumen and the corresponding feedstock was determined from the limit of detection up to 120 mg/kg for 24 samples. Compared to PAH levels in coal tar pitch, PAH levels in bitumen are very low. Measurements were performed by three laboratories using different methods to allow robust conclusions. The results highlight the difficulties in measuring PAHs in bitumen with accuracy for values below 30 mg/kg; therefore the discussion is based on summary statistics by adding concentrations of PAHs with common ring sizes. Incorporation of flux oil in the feed of the blowing bitumen unit tends to increase PAH content in feed stock and in blown bitumen, particularly the 4- to 6-ring PAHs, which are the most carcinogenic as identified by an animal skin painting test. The amount of PAH content from blown bitumen with flux oil can be at least three times higher than the amount in blown bitumen without flux oil, depending on the quality and quantity of the flux oil used. This study shows that the blowing process does not produce PAHs in bitumen. Conversely, it appears to reduce them in the final product. Close to 10 to 30% of PAHs are probably stripped from the liquid phase of bitumen during the blowing operation.