Skin Color Research Articles

Total resection via right mini-thoracotomy for left atrial myxoma in juvenile Carney complex: a case report

Abstract Background Carney complex is a rare syndrome characterized by skin pigmentation, endocrine disorders, and myxomas. It is particularly notorious for its tendency to exhibit aggressive cardiac myxomas. Herein, we present a case of a juvenile female patient diagnosed with Carney complex who underwent a right lateral mini-thoracotomy. Case presentation A 13-year-old girl presented with sudden-onset left hemiplegia and dysarthria. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple areas of restricted diffusion. Echocardiography identified a tumor in the left atrium, suspected to be related to Carney complex based on her medical history and physical examination findings. Surgery was performed via right lateral mini-thoracotomy, which minimized the risk of embolism and ensured a cosmetically favorable outcome. The left atrial wall defect was repaired with autologous pericardium. At 3 years postoperatively, follow-up echocardiography indicated no tumor recurrence and normal cardiac function. Conclusions Ongoing follow-ups are essential due to the aggressive nature of the Carney complex and its high recurrence rates. Right lateral mini-thoracotomy offers the advantage of avoiding re-sternotomy and minimizing adhesion dissection, making it the optimal choice for this case.

Automated cardiac arrest detection using a photoplethysmography wristband: algorithm performance in relation to sex, skin color type and arm hair density

Abstract Background While survival from witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has improved, this is not the case for unwitnessed cardiac arrest as the event goes unnoticed. Automated cardiac arrest detection and alerting through a wristband is considered a promising technique also facilitating early assistance for this large group. In the DETECT-1 study, a photoplethysmography(PPG) algorithm for circulatory arrest detection was developed in patients with induced circulatory arrest. However, patient characteristics, such as skin color and arm hair density, can influence the accuracy of the PPG signal. Thus, we performed further analyses to study the effect of patient characteristics on the algorithm’s performance. Purpose To assess the performance of the developed PPG algorithm for cardiac arrest detection in relation to sex, skin color type and arm hair density. Methods Patients who underwent short-lasting circulatory arrest induction during transcatheter aortic valve implantation, ventricular tachycardia ablation or subcutaneous ICD implantation wore a PPG wristband during the procedure. Continuous ECG and invasive blood pressure recordings served as reference standards. A PPG algorithm for circulatory arrest detection was developed. The algorithm’s performance was assessed in subgroups based on sex, skin color type (according to the Fitzpatrick scale), and arm hair density. The sensitivity for the detection of circulatory arrest and false positive alarms were compared between the different subgroups. Results In total, 151 patients were included in the current analysis. Analyzed data consisted of 159 hours of PPG data including 176 induced circulatory arrest events. The population consisted of 57 (38%) females and 94 (62%) males. The sensitivity for circulatory arrest detection was 100% in the female group vs. 98% in the male group (p=ns); false positive alarms occurred in 4 females and 9 males, resulting in a positive predictive value (PPV) of 94% and 92% (p=ns), respectively. Within the skin color subgroup analysis, 114 (75%) patients had skin color type I or II, and 37 (25%) patients had a skin color type III, IV, V or VI. There were no differences in sensitivity (p=ns) and PPV (p=ns) in the skin color subgroup (table 1). The population consisted of 106 (71%) patients with nil or sparse arm hair density, 43 (29%) patients with moderate or dense arm hair density, and 2 not reported. There were no differences in sensitivity (p=ns) and PPV (p=ns) within the arm hair density subgroup (table 1). Conclusions Automated cardiac arrest detection using a smartwatch is feasible and its accuracy is not affected by sex, skin color type or arm hair density in this study. Further study is needed to assess performance of the algorithm in a larger sample size and a more diverse study population. If proven to be effective, automated cardiac arrest detection has the potential to improve survival from OHCA.Sensitivity/PPV for arrest detection

Poly-D,L-Lactic Acid Filler Attenuates Ultraviolet B-Induced Skin Pigmentation by Reducing Destruction of the Basement Membrane

Poly-D,L-lactic acid (PDLLA) filler, which increases volume and collagen synthesis, is used for skin rejuvenation. PDLLA filler also increases M2 macrophages and IL-10. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation induces dermal hyperpigmentation by disrupting the basement membrane (BM), allowing melanin to move into the dermis. Therefore, using UV-irradiated macrophages and animal skin, we determined whether PDLLA filler decreased M1 macrophages and skin inflammation, thereby reducing BM destruction and dermal hyperpigmentation. UV radiation increased the M1 macrophage marker CD86 and TNF-α expression, which was inhibited by the treatment of macrophages with PDLLA. In fibroblasts treated with conditioned medium from UV-irradiated macrophages, NF-κB activity, NLRP3 inflammasome components (NLRP3, ASC, and pro-caspase-1), IL-18, MMP2, and MMP9 increased, but all decreased after PDLLA treatment. Similar to the in vitro study, UV-irradiated mouse skin showed increased CD86, NLRP3, ASC, pro-caspase-1, MMP2, and MMP9, which decreased after PDLLA injection. Disruption of the lamina densa of the BM and dermal pigmentation increased after UV irradiation and decreased after PDLLA injection. In conclusion, PDLLA reduced dermal pigmentation by decreasing BM destruction in UV-irradiated skin. PDLLA has the potential to reduce dermal pigmentation by regenerating the BM.

Exploring Barriers to Attending Zhengzhou University from the International Nursing Students’ Viewpoints in China: A Qualitative Study

Background: Developing nursing capacity worldwide includes training nurses to the doctorate level. Due to a global shortage of PhD nursing programs, many nurses are pursuing their doctorates abroad. International nurse students frequently face some barriers because of socio-cultural and other differences. As far as we are concerned, there is limited research on the barriers experienced by international nursing students. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the barriers to attending Zhengzhou University from the viewpoint of international nursing students in China. Methods: The study employed a qualitative approach among international nursing students at Zhengzhou University, China. Participants were selected using purposeful sampling, and the sample size was determined by information saturation. A semi-structured interview guide and a conventional content analysis method were used. Results: In this study, ten international nursing students were interviewed. All participants expressed their concerns regarding the barriers experienced in China. Two major categories were identified from the student data: (1) situations outside the school/university (skin color, language, and socio-cultural differences); and (2) those inside the school/university (expectations and realities of learning experiences, supervisory concerns, and lack of support). Conclusions: This study indicated that international nursing students experienced different barriers than international students at Zhengzhou University. A secure learning environment is required to adapt and flourish in an educational teaching society. The university/school should create a culturally competent and suitable environment for international nursing students.

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Vitamin D Deficiency Among Female Adolescents in Sulaimaniyah, Iraq: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives: This study aims to examine the prevalence and risk factors related to VD deficiency among female adolescents. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in secondary and preparatory schools in Sulaimaniyah, Iraq, from May 2022 to July 2023. A total of 120 schools were included in the study, with a calculated sample size of 340 female adolescents using a probability multistage random sampling method. Data was collected through a validated questionnaire, and blood samples were analyzed for VD levels. Results: In a study of 340 female adolescents aged 14-18 years, the findings showed that 39.4% of participants had severe VD deficiency, 42.6% were deficient, and 17.9% had insufficiency. The mean VD level was 13.29±6.45 ng/mL. Seasonal variation significantly impacted VD level (p=0.001), with the highest levels seen in summer and the lowest in winter. Skin colour also significantly influenced VD level (p=0.020), as individuals with lighter skin have higher levels. There were positive correlations between VD levels, milk intake (r=0.138, p=0.011), and cheese consumption (r = 0.135, p=0.013). The use of sunscreen had mixed effects. Interestingly, there was a positive correlation between SPF 15 and VD level (r=0.132, p=0.015), while higher SPF values were associated with lower levels. Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of seasonal adjustments, improved dietary habits, and lifestyle changes to address VD deficiency in the population effectively.

Investigating the Skin Health Benefits of Rosa roxburghii, Punica granatum and Rose: A Randomized Single‐Blind Controlled Clinical Trial

ABSTRACTRecent studies underscore the beneficial impacts of oral natural plant extracts on human skin health, though clinical evidence of their efficacy and safety is limited. This study evaluates the skin health effects of a novel oral supplement containing Rosa roxburghii, Punica granatum, and rose extracts (RPR) 0.70 healthy female participants were randomly assigned to either a control group or an RPR group, with the latter ingesting 20 mL of the RPR supplement daily on an empty stomach over 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, the RPR group exhibited significant enhancements (p < 0.001) in skin hydration, glossiness, elasticity, and skin tone, with increases of 69.02%, 30.48%, 25.97%, and 7.52%, respectively. Concurrently, decreases in skin firmness and melanin levels were observed at 21.17% (p = 0.007) and 25.06% (p < 0.001), respectively. Statistical analysis confirmed that these changes were significantly greater than those in the control group. Image analysis indicated no significant changes in mean optical density of hyperpigmented spots within the RPR group (p = 0.367), but a significant reduction in the areas of hyperpigmented spots, under‐eye fine lines, and crow's feet by 41.50%, 37.55%, and 29.36%, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas no significant changes were detected in the control group. Importantly, no adverse effects were observed. These findings suggest that the combined intake of Rosa roxburghii, Punica granatum, and rose extracts can improve skin health, offering a promising natural alternative for dermatological care.

INTERNAÇÃO POR FRATURA DE FÊMUR NO BRASIL NO PERÍODO DE 2012 A 2022: ANÁLISE DE ACORDO COM A COR DA PELE

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analyze the total number of hospitalizations for femoral fractures in the elderly according to regions in Brazil and skin color, from 2012 to 2022. METHODS: Ecological and retrospective time series study that evaluated data on femoral fractures in the elderly, based on data available on the Ministry of Health websites. The following variables were evaluated: Total hospitalizations according to skin color, age group and type of service used. RESULTS: The number of white people was much higher in the private health service. Regarding brown skin color, the north and southeast had more people hospitalized in the public sector. Regarding hospitalization according to age group, all categories had the same behavior, with an increase in the number of hospitalizations as there is an increase in age magnitude. There was an increase in the number of hospitalizations over the years, only between 2019 and 2020, there was a slight decrease, observed especially in people with brown skin. CONCLUSION: There is a discrepancy in the number of hospitalizations for femur fractures in the elderly between Brazilian regions. This study shows that femoral fractures continue to be a health problem present in the Brazilian population, regardless of skin color and that their increasing behavior over the years reflects the aging of the population.

Genome-wide association study of pineapple breeding population

Pineapples (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) are one of the most important tropical fruits. Although pineapple breeding program has been conducted in Japan, sufficient genomic information has not been adopted for breeding. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for pineapple breeding-related traits that can be applied to different populations. Here, we performed a genome-wide association study using seven breeding populations, including 703 individuals with genome-wide 9574 SNPs. Eleven QTLs were detected for nine traits (flesh color, flesh color values (a*, b*), bolting days, days from bolting to harvest, fruit shell color, soluble solid content, acidity, ascorbic acid content, and fruit cracking). Phenotypic value of each genotype in each population was confirmed for each QTL. Six QTLs (acidity QTL ACID-1, ascorbic acid QTL AsA-1 and AsA-2, flesh color QTL FCOL-1 and FCOLb-1, and fruit-cracking QTL CRACK-1) showed significant intergenotypic variance among all populations with genotype segregation. The obtained QTLs and their genotype information will contribute to the selection of cross-breeding parents and marker-assisted selection in pineapple breeding programs.

Cutaneous melanoma in situ: a review.

Cutaneous melanoma in situ (MIS), also known as 'stage 0 melanoma', is a collection of malignant melanocytes in the epidermis and epithelial adnexa, without evidence of microinvasion to the papillary dermis. Distinct histologic subtypes include lentigo maligna (LM), superficial spreading (SS) MIS and acral lentiginous (AL) MIS. LM is the most common subtype, usually diagnosed later in life (median age at diagnosis of 66-72 years) and associated with cumulative ultraviolet radiation exposure. SS MIS is associated with intense episodes of sun exposure and is more common on the trunk and extremities. AL MIS is seen in non-hair-bearing skin. Although rare (0.6% of MIS in England), AL MIS is found in higher proportion in more pigmented skin types compared to other MIS subtypes. Most international studies between 1990-2019 report rising incidence for MIS. US data support a deceleration in the rising incidence of LM between 2016-2019. For 2013-2019 in England, the recorded incidence of LM is plateauing, while that of other MIS is rising. Definitive diagnosis of MIS is by histological examination of biopsied skin with immunohistochemistry but can be supported with dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy. Surgical treatment (excision or Mohs micrographic surgery) is the gold standard. Depending on MIS subtype, other options such as cryotherapy, topical imiquimod, radiotherapy, or watchful waiting may be appropriate. The latest 5-year net survival rates in England between 2013-2015 are 98.6% for AL MIS and exceed 100% for all other MIS. This review summarises the aetiology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis and management of MIS.

Frequency‐Aware Facial Image Shadow Removal through Skin Color and Texture Learning

AbstractExisting facial image shadow removal methods predominantly rely on pre‐extracted facial features. However, these methods often fail to capitalize on the full potential of these features, resorting to simplified utilization. Furthermore, they tend to overlook the importance of low‐frequency information during the extraction of prior features, which can be easily compromised by noises. In our work, we propose a frequency‐aware shadow removal network (FSRNet) for facial image shadow removal, which utilizes the skin color and texture information in the face to help recover illumination in shadow regions. Our FSRNet uses a frequency‐domain image decomposition network to extract the low‐frequency skin color map and high‐frequency texture map from the face images, and applies a color‐texture guided shadow removal network to produce final shadow removal result. Concretely, the designed fourier sparse attention block (FSABlock) can transform images from the spatial domain to the frequency domain and help the network focus on the key information. We also introduce a skin color fusion module (CFModule) and a texture fusion module (TFModule) to enhance the understanding and utilization of color and texture features, promoting high‐quality result without color distortion and detail blurring. Extensive experiments demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method. The code is available at https://github.com/laoxie521/FSRNet.

Facial dyschromias: A review of clinical and dermoscopic features

Facial dyschromias are a common complaint among individuals with skin of color. Until the advent of dermoscopy, clinical examination and histopathology were used to arrive at a definitive diagnosis. Dermoscopy is an emerging tool used to diagnose various pigmentary conditions. It may be used to diagnose various facial dyschromias, including melasma, lichen planus pigmentosus, facial acanthosis nigricans, post-inflammatory pigmentation, maturational dyschromia, vitiligo, and salt and pepper pigmentation, to name a few. Some of these conditions show characteristic dermoscopic features, thereby obviating the need for a skin biopsy for confirmation of diagnosis. Dermoscopy is, therefore, a reliable, non-invasive tool which can be used to diagnose various facial dyschromias.

Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy: A Tool for Determining the Harvesting Time of Olive Fruit

The harvesting time of olive (Olea europaea L.) fruit, which significantly affects the characteristics of virgin olive oil, is mainly determined empirically based on the fruit’s skin color. Developing objective methods such as electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) for assessing ripeness is essential. This study aimed to explore the potential of EIS as a rapid and objective technique for detecting the harvesting time of olives. Olive fruits from two varieties, ‘Picholine’ and ‘Buža momjanska’, were harvested in two periods and sorted into four color groups. EIS was applied to each color group to establish a relationship between fruit color and electrochemical properties. The distance of the coordinate at the top of the circular arc of the Cole–Cole plot from the origin (LTO) indicated tissue degradation. The LTO values varied depending on the olive variety, fruit color, and harvest date. The LTO values decreased from green to black fruits in both varieties, indicating textural changes in the olive fruit tissue. This study contributes to the knowledge and understanding of the electrical properties of olive fruit tissue during ripening. EIS shows potential as an innovative tool for determining the harvesting time of olives and for ‘in-field’ olive ripeness assessment.

Towards equitable reporting of Indigenous status, ethnicity, language and country of birth in Australian paediatric clinical studies: A scoping review.

This scoping review aims to expansively review the reporting of Indigenous status, ethnicity, culture, language and country of birth in Australian paediatric clinical studies. Scoping review of Australian clinical studies, including randomised controlled trials, non-randomised controlled trials, cluster randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies, with paediatric participants (<18 years) or mixed adult and paediatric participants. PubMed, Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and Embase databases were searched for clinical studies published 1 January 2018 to 28 November 2022. Of the 2717 studies identified in the search, 209 clinical studies were included. Overall, 131 (62.7%) clinical studies captured in this review did not report any of the variables of interest. When reported, terms used by study authors varied extensively and subsequently five study-defined categories emerged 'Indigenous status', 'race', 'race and ethnicity', 'ethnicity', or 'natural skin colour'. 'Indigenous status' was most reported (n = 37, 17.7%), followed by 'ethnicity and/or cultural background' (n = 15, 7.2%), 'race and ethnicity' (n = 4, 1.9%), race (n = 1, 0.5%) and 'natural skin colour' (n = 1, 0.5%). Furthermore, language used at home was reported in 27 studies (12.9%) and country of birth in 23 studies (11.0%). This review demonstrated very low reporting of Indigenous status, ethnicity, culture, language and country of birth in Australian paediatric clinical studies. Poor reporting has raised concerns surrounding generalisability of findings from these trials in addition to equity. The recent international shift encompassing improved clinical trial reporting requirements, for ethnicity and race, require prompt establishment in the Australian clinical trial domain.

Food consumption markers and sociodemographic factors associated with obesity among adult women registered in the Food and Nutrition Monitoring System (SISVAN) in Brazil: a cohort study, 2015–2019

IntroductionCarrying out studies using data from Food and Nutritional Monitoring is crucial given the current epidemiological scenario. This scenario reveals a coexistence of malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies alongside overweight and obesity, particularly among adult women in Brazil. Analyzing the microdata generated by the system is essential for accurately representing food and nutrition indicators in the country.ObjectiveTo analyze the association of food consumption markers and sociodemographic factors with changes in the Body Mass Index (BMI) among adult women.MethodologyA cohort study with a final sample of 30,354 women evaluated through individual records between the years 2015 and 2019. Nutritional status was assessed using body mass index (BMI). Food consumption markers used were the ones available in the system, which referred to foods consumed the previous day. Linear regression was used to evaluate factors associated with BMI and multiple Poisson regression was used to estimate the relative risk of obesity incidence.ResultsThere was an increase in BMI between 2015 and 2019. The average increase in BMI was lower in women who consumed, in the previous day, beans (β = −0,25; CI95%: −0.36; −0.13) and vegetables and/or legumes (β = −0.12; CI95%: −0.21; −0.04) and the increase was greater when they consumed hamburgers and/or sausages (β = 0.1; CI95%: 0.02; 0.19) adjusted by age, region and skin color. There was a 14% lower incidence of obesity in the group that consumed beans (RR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.79; 0.93), and a 9% lower incidence when they consumed filled cookies, candies or treats (RR = 0.91; 95% CI 0.86; 0.96). The incidence of obesity was 11% higher in the group that consumed sweetened drinks (RR = 1.11; 95% CI: 1.05; 1.18) and 9% higher in the group that consumed instant noodles, packaged snacks or savory biscuits on the day before the 2015 registration (RR = 1.09; 95% CI: 1.03; 1.15).ConclusionThere was an increase in BMI in the population of adult women, rising nationally between 2015 and 2019, with the notable influence of diet on this change.

Gender and Ethnicity Bias of Text-to-Image Generative Artificial Intelligence in Medical Imaging, Part 2: Analysis of DALL-E 3.

Disparity among gender and ethnicity remains an issue across medicine and health science. Only 26%-35% of trainee radiologists are female, despite more than 50% of medical students' being female. Similar gender disparities are evident across the medical imaging professions. Generative artificial intelligence text-to-image production could reinforce or amplify gender biases. Methods: In March 2024, DALL-E 3 was utilized via GPT-4 to generate a series of individual and group images of medical imaging professionals: radiologist, nuclear medicine physician, radiographer, nuclear medicine technologist, medical physicist, radiopharmacist, and medical imaging nurse. Multiple iterations of images were generated using a variety of prompts. Collectively, 120 images were produced for evaluation of 524 characters. All images were independently analyzed by 3 expert reviewers from medical imaging professions for apparent gender and skin tone. Results: Collectively (individual and group images), 57.4% (n = 301) of medical imaging professionals were depicted as male, 42.4% (n = 222) as female, and 91.2% (n = 478) as having a light skin tone. The male gender representation was 65% for radiologists, 62% for nuclear medicine physicians, 52% for radiographers, 56% for nuclear medicine technologists, 62% for medical physicists, 53% for radiopharmacists, and 26% for medical imaging nurses. For all professions, this overrepresents men compared with women. There was no representation of persons with a disability. Conclusion: This evaluation reveals a significant overrepresentation of the male gender associated with generative artificial intelligence text-to-image production using DALL-E 3 across the medical imaging professions. Generated images have a disproportionately high representation of white men, which is not representative of the diversity of the medical imaging professions.

Gender and Ethnicity Bias of Text-to-Image Generative Artificial Intelligence in Medical Imaging, Part 1: Preliminary Evaluation.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) text-to-image production could reinforce or amplify gender and ethnicity biases. Several text-to-image generative AI tools are used for producing images that represent the medical imaging professions. White male stereotyping and masculine cultures can dissuade women and ethnically divergent people from being drawn into a profession. Methods: In March 2024, DALL-E 3, Firefly 2, Stable Diffusion 2.1, and Midjourney 5.2 were utilized to generate a series of individual and group images of medical imaging professionals: radiologist, nuclear medicine physician, radiographer, and nuclear medicine technologist. Multiple iterations of images were generated using a variety of prompts. Collectively, 184 images were produced for evaluation of 391 characters. All images were independently analyzed by 3 reviewers for apparent gender and skin tone. Results: Collectively (individual and group characters) (n = 391), 60.6% were male and 87.7% were of a light skin tone. DALL-E 3 (65.6%), Midjourney 5.2 (76.7%), and Stable Diffusion 2.1 (56.2%) had a statistically higher representation of men than Firefly 2 (42.9%) (P < 0.0001). With Firefly 2, 70.3% of characters had light skin tones, which was statistically lower (P < 0.0001) than for Stable Diffusion 2.1 (84.8%), Midjourney 5.2 (100%), and DALL-E 3 (94.8%). Overall, image quality metrics were average or better in 87.2% for DALL-E 3 and 86.2% for Midjourney 5.2, whereas 50.9% were inadequate or poor for Firefly 2 and 86.0% for Stable Diffusion 2.1. Conclusion: Generative AI text-to-image generation using DALL-E 3 via GPT-4 has the best overall quality compared with Firefly 2, Midjourney 5.2, and Stable Diffusion 2.1. Nonetheless, DALL-E 3 includes inherent biases associated with gender and ethnicity that demand more critical evaluation.

A point mutation in the zinc-finger transcription factor CqLOL1 controls the green flesh color in chieh-qua (Benincasa hispida Cogn. var. Chieh-qua How)

IntroductionFlesh color is an essential trait in chieh-qua (Benincasa hispida Cogn. var. Chieh-qua How); however, the inheritance and molecular basis of green flesh trait remain unclear.MethodsIn the present study, two F2 populations, derived from 1742 (white flesh) × FJ3211 (green flesh) and J16 (white flesh) × FJ5 (green flesh), were used to identify the green flesh (Cqgf) locus.ResultsGenetic analysis revealed that the presence of green flesh was a quantitative trait that closely followed a normal distribution. Combining the results from QTL mapping and BSA-seq analysis, the Cqgf locus was preliminarily determined to be located on chromosome 05 and was narrowed down to a 2.55-Mb interval by linkage analysis. A large J16 × FJ5 F2 population comprising 3,180 individuals was subsequently used to screen the recombinants, and the Cqgf locus was fine-mapped to a region of 329.70 kb that harbors six genes. One of the candidate genes, Bch05G003700, the zinc-finger transcription factor LOL1 (lsd one like 1 protein; CqLOL1), was the strongest candidate gene for the Cqgf locus according to sequence variation and expression analysis. Additionally, a point mutation (A &amp;gt; C) in CqLOL1 resulted in the substitution of threonine (T) with proline (P) in the amino acid sequence, showing a complete relationship linked with flesh color in a panel of 45 germplasms.DiscussionThe study suggests that CqLOL1 promotes the accumulation of chlorophyll content in chieh-qua and lead to green flesh. Our findings establish a theoretical and technical foundation for breeding different flesh color lines and elucidating the underlying mechanisms of flesh color in chieh-qua.

Early Generation Selection of Potato Breeding Lines

Potato is the third most important food crop in the world in terms of adaptability, yield potential, and nutritional advantages. This study aimed to conduct potato breeding work for cultivation in Kazakhstan; potato breeding for further processing into chips with cultivation in the northern regions; and the selection of potatoes for processing into frozen French fries with cultivation in the southern and south-eastern regions. Potato varieties (Fontane, Santana, and Punchy) were used as reference varieties to check molecular markers linked to maturity, tuber shape, and flesh color. A total of 42 potato breeding lines crossed from Yagodnyi 19 and CIP clone 397079-6 were used in this study to identify prospective breeding lines. The research was carried out between 2023 and 2024 and under greenhouse conditions. According to the results of molecular analysis and phenotypic data, 21 breeding lines were identified as prospective potato breeding lines. The majority of these potato breeding lines had a round tuber shape and were recommended for chip processing. Three breeding lines had a long oval tuber shape, making them suitable for French fries. Six breeding lines with short-oval and oval tuber shapes were found for consumer potato processing. It is recommended that the breeding process and studies of biochemical properties are continued in all of these identified potato breeding lines.

Type I Branchial Cyst of the Sedunda Cleft Uncommon presentation: Case Report

Introduction: The cyst branchial is a rare tumor as well known as cysts lymphoepithelial, are dysembryological rare and benign second cleft tumors. Tumors cystic that HE develop in the part anterolateral of the neck; represent he 2% of the tumors laterocervical of the neck [1]. Clinical Case: We present he clinical case of a patient male of 37 years, does not report personal pathological history, with a clinical picture of approximately 8 months of evolution approximately characterized by a laterocervical tumor right with progressive growth in size, not accompanied by any other symptoms. Upon examination Physical: A mobile, fluctuating tumor of approximately 5 cm in diameter is observed in the right cervical region III, with no changes in skin color. No symptoms of a sinus or fistulous tract are observed. Discussion: The cyst branchial is a rare tumor and benign second cleft tumors. Tumors cystic that HE develop in the part anterolateral of the neck, represent he 2% of the tumors laterocervical of the neck, proper physical examination determines its prompt diagnosis and surgical treatment [6]. Conclusion: In conclusion, despite their low incidence, third branchial cleft cysts should be included in the differential diagnosis of laterocervical tumors. An adequate history and physical examination, complemented by the indicated imaging tests, will allow establishing a presumptive diagnosis that should be confirmed histologically after surgical resection.

Combining RNA tape stripping with dermoscopic features for melanoma identification

AbstractBackgroundA noninvasive, accurate diagnostic method for melanoma is needed to improve early detection and decrease number of excisions. Gene expression as measured by RNA levels uses tape strips to directly assesses genetic markers from skin lesions. Commercial RNA assays show varying diagnostic accuracy in melanoma detection. Combining dermoscopic features with RNA tape strips could reduce unnecessary removal of benign lesions by increasing specificity.ObjectivesTo test an RNA‐based rule‐out test and integrate dermoscopic features with RNA analysis to improve diagnostic accuracy of malignant melanoma (MM). Furthermore, we explore the association between RNA profiles and dermoscopic features.MethodsSeventy patients with pigmented skin lesions suspected of being melanoma were imaged with dermoscopy and tape stripped for RNA analysis before surgical excision. The images were evaluated for seven dermoscopic features, and RNA levels of 11 genes were analyzed. A combined test using both gene expression and dermoscopic features was developed. Associations between RNA profiles and dermoscopic features were explored.ResultsHistopathology revealed 19 malignant lesions (17 MM and two basal cell carcinomas) and 51 benign lesions. The combined dermoscopy and RNA test identified all malignant lesions (100% sensitivity) based on PRAME expression, blotch and regression structures and patient age. This combined model increased specificity to 35%, compared to 24% with the original RNA rule‐out test, without missing any malignant lesions. Significant differences in RNA profiles were observed for lesions expressing atypical network and regression structures.ConclusionsCombining RNA tape stripping with dermoscopic features can reduce the removal of benign lesions by over one‐third while maintaining 100% sensitivity. We found specific RNA profiles to be strongly associated with dermoscopic features, presenting a promising opportunity to integrate molecular and morphological information and provide valuable guidance for dermatologists managing atypical pigmented lesions.