Skin Protection Research Articles

ALLERGIC CONTACT CHEILITIS OF BOTH LIPS CAUSED BY WHITE PETROLEUM JELLY

White petroleum jelly is commonly used as a skin protectant for dry skin and dry lips. The active ingredient of white petroleum jelly is "petrolatum". Petroleum jelly very rarely causes hypersensitivity reactions. Even though it is a very rare case, allergic reaction to petroleum jelly is a potential problem of its common use of petroleum jelly for cosmetic and medical purposes. We report a case of a 25years old male patient with allergic contact cheilitis of both lips. The patient presented with complaints of cheilitis of both lips due to the white petroleum jelly application, which was treated with topical and oral steroids. Rechallenge was not done in the interest of the patient and due to ethical constraints. Due to the emerging adverse events related to white petroleum jelly, All health care providers should create awareness about the adverse events related to white petroleum jelly among the public. White petroleum jelly is used worldwide in most of cosmetic products, it should be used with caution. We can use natural cocoa butter kind of products as moisturizers instead of petroleum jelly.

Evaluating bottoming-out of bariatric sized wheelchair cushions

ABSTRACT In the United States, wheelchair cushions are classified using HCPCS codes. Cushions classified as Skin Protection cushions are provided for wheelchair users who are at risk of tissue damage. Cushions designed for bariatric users fall into a category of cushions with width of 22 inches or greater. Current coding procedures require tests that are designed for 41–43-cm-wide cushion so cannot evaluate wider cushions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of heavy-duty or bariatric wheelchair cushions using an anthropometrically appropriate buttock model and loading profile. A rigid buttock model, designed to reflect the anthropometry of persons using cushions over 55 cm in width was loaded onto six bariatric-sized wheelchair cushions. Two applied loads, 75 and 88 kg, represented the 50th and 80th percentile of persons who would be expected to use a 55-cm-wide cushion. None of the cushions indicated a bottomed-out state at the 88 kg load, suggesting that they could adequately support users weighing 135 kg. However, when evaluating cushions at their maximum rated loads, two of the six cushions were approaching or had bottomed-out. This study indicates that a more valid approach to classify Skin Protection bariatric cushions is needed.

Preventive effects of skin protectants on the development of medical device-related pressure wounds in endoscopic sinonasal surgery

ObjectivesMedical device-related pressure ulcer (MDRPU) is a skin or subcutaneous tissue injury caused by medical devices. Skin protectants have been used to prevent MDRPU in other fields. In endoscopic sinonasal surgery (ESNS), rigid endoscopes and forceps can cause MDRPU; however, detailed investigations have not been conducted. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of MDRPU in ESNS and the preventive effects of skin protectants MethodsThirty-nine patients who received ESNS and consented to study participation were randomly assigned to the “protective agent” (n = 18) or “control” (n = 21) group. MDRPU presence around the nostril was evaluated for up to 7 days post-surgically based on physical findings and subjective symptoms. The occurrence ratio and severity of MDRPU were statistically compared between the groups to evaluate the efficacy of skin protective agents. ResultsStage 1 MDRPU, according to the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel classification, was seen in 20.5% (8/39) of the patients, and no patient had more high-grade ulceration. On postoperative days 2 and 3, skin erythema was predominantly observed on the nasal floor, with a comparatively lower incidence in the protective agent group. Significant pain reduction was observed in the nostril's floor on postoperative days 2 and 3 in the protective agent group. ConclusionsMDRPU occurred with a relatively high frequency around the nostrils after ESNS. Protective agent use in the external nostrils was effective especially in reducing post-operative pain on the nasal floor, where tissue damage can easily occur due to device-related friction.

Association of hydrochlorothiazide treatment compared with alternative diuretics with overall and skin cancer risk: a propensity-matched cohort study.

Hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) has been suggested to induce photosensitivity, thereby increasing the incidence of skin cancers. After a pharmacovigilance alert, HCT was frequently withdrawn or substituted by other diuretics. The aim of this study was to compare the association of exposure to HCT with cancer risk versus alternative diuretics. A retrospective cohort study was conducted based on data from the AOK PLUS, a large German statutory health insurance fund. Patients with HCT treatment were propensity score matching to patients using non-HCT diuretics. Incidence of cancer of any kind and, specifically, skin cancer was assessed in both groups. Time-to-incident cancer diagnosis was evaluated and compared between the groups. A total of 199 708 patients were included in the final analysis ( n = 76 855 in the HCT group; n = 122 853 in the non-HCT-diuretics group). After propensity score matching, 122 554 patients remained in the sample ( n = 61 277 for both groups, of which >96% had hypertension, mean age 73 years, 61% female). HCT treatment was associated with a lower incidence of cancer of any kind compared with non-HCT diuretics (incidence rate ratio per 100 patient years 0.84 95% confidence interval: 0.82-0.87). HCT treatment was associated with a small albeit significantly higher incidence rate ratio of skin cancer (1.15 95% confidence interval: 1.06-1.24) with significant variances over time. Although numerically higher, the difference accounts to only 0.05 more skin cancer diagnoses in 100 patient-years. HCT treatment compared with alternative diuretics was associated with a lower all-cancer risk and a numerically small increased skin cancer risk in a large German population. Risk-benefit evaluation should be executed in patients with increased skin cancer risk and treatment with HCT. Furthermore, advice for skin protection is warranted in all patients taking thiazide or thiazide-like diuretics.

Recommendations From a Chinese-Language Survey of Knowledge and Prevention of Skin Cancer Among Chinese Populations Internationally: Cross-sectional Questionnaire Study.

There is a paucity of studies assessing awareness and prevention of skin cancer among Chinese populations. The aim of the study is to compare attitudes and practices regarding skin cancer risks and prevention between Chinese Asian and North American Chinese populations and between Fitzpatrick scores. A cross-sectional, internet-based, 74-question survey in Chinese was conducted focusing on Han Chinese participants internationally. The survey included Likert-type scales and multiple-choice questions. All participants were required to read Chinese and self-identify as being 18 years or older and Chinese by ethnicity, nationality, or descent. Participants were recruited on the internet over a 6-month period from July 2017 through January 2018 via advertisements in Chinese on popular social media platforms: WeChat, QQ, Weibo, Facebook, and Twitter. Of the 113 completed responses collected (participation rate of 65.7%), 95 (84.1%) were ethnically Han Chinese, of which 93 (96.9%) were born in China and 59 (62.1%) were female. The mean age of these 95 participants was 35.8 (SD 13.3) years; 72 (75.8%) participants were born after 1975. Few but more North American Chinese reported that Chinese Asian populations received annual skin checks (4/30, 4.2% vs 0/65, 0%; P=.009) and believed that their clinician provided adequate sun safety education (13/30, 43.3% vs 15/65, 23.1%; P=.04). Participants with higher Fitzpatrick scores less frequently received sun safety education from a clinician (4/34, 11.8% vs 22/61, 36.1%; P=.02). More participants with lower Fitzpatrick scores used sunscreen (41/61, 67.2% vs 16/34, 47.1%; P=.05), but alternative sun protection use rates are similar across groups. Cultural differences and Fitzpatrick scores can affect knowledge and practices with respect to sun protection and skin cancer among social media-using Chinese Asian and North American Chinese communities based on respondent demographics. Most participants in all groups understood that people of color have some risk of skin cancer, but >30% of all groups across regions and Fitzpatrick scores are unaware of current skin protection recommendations, receive insufficient sun safety education, and do not use sunscreen. Outreach efforts may begin broadly with concerted public and private efforts to train and fund dermatologists to perform annual total body skin exams and provide more patient education. They should spark community interest through mass media and empower Chinese people to perform self-examinations and recognize risks and risk mitigation methods.

IFNγ Causes Keratinocyte Necroptosis in Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease

Epidermal keratinocytes form the first-line cellular barrier of the skin for protection against external injuries and maintenance of local tissue homeostasis. Expression of ZBP1 was shown to cause necroptotic keratinocyte cell death and skin inflammation in mice. We sought to characterize the relevance of ZBP1 and necroptosis in human keratinocytes and type 1-driven cutaneous acute graft-versus-host disease. in this study, we identify ZBP1 expression, necroptosis, and interface dermatitis as being the hallmarks of acute graft-versus-host disease. ZBP1 expression was dependent on leukocyte-derived IFNγ, and interference with IFNγ signaling by Jak inhibition prevented cell death. In predominantly IL-17-driven psoriasis, both ZBP1 expression and necroptosis could not be detected. Of note, in contrast to the signaling in mice, ZBP1 signaling in human keratinocytes was not affected by RIPK1's presence. These findings show that ZBP1 drives inflammation in IFNγ-dominant type 1 immune responses in human skin and may further point to a general role of ZBP1-mediated necroptosis.

Analysis of Skin Protection from the Dangers of Sun Exposure Using Color Variations and Types of Cotton Fabrics

Cotton fabric is a comfortable clothing material to wear in tropical climates. In addition to the comfort aspect, cotton cloth is expected to be able to protect the skin from the dangers of sun exposure. This research was conducted with the aim of knowing the optimum amount of protection produced by cotton cloth, determining the type and color of cotton cloth that is most effectively used as a protector, and knowing the SPF (sun protection factor) value category based on the type and color of cotton cloth. This study used three types of cotton cloth, each consisting of four colors, as well as a Digital Environment Multimeter which was used to measure the intensity of sunlight in units of lux. The protection value is obtained by comparing the intensity of sunlight without a cotton cloth protector (lux) with the intensity of sunlight using a cotton cloth protector (lux). The results obtained show that the most optimum protection value is found in black toyobo cotton cloth with an SPF value of 54.4 and a transmittance of 1.8%. The cotton fabrics that provided the most effective protection based on type and color were black and blue toyobo, medina and Japanese cotton fabrics. Based on the SPF value obtained, it can be seen that black and blue toyobo cotton fabrics, and black madinah cotton fabrics have a very good protection category. The black and blue Japanese cotton fabrics, as well as the blue medina type, have a good protection category, while the orange Toyobo cotton fabrics have a sufficient protection category.

Recent Advances in Centrifugal Spinning and Their Applications in Tissue Engineering.

Over the last decade, researchers have investigated the potential of nano and microfiber scaffolds to promote wound healing, tissue regeneration, and skin protection. The centrifugal spinning technique is favored over others due to its relatively straightforward mechanism for producing large quantities of fiber. Many polymeric materials have yet to be investigated in search of those with multifunctional properties that would make them attractive in tissue applications. This literature presents the fundamental process of fiber generation, and the effects of fabrication parameters (machine, solution) on the morphologies such as fiber diameter, distribution, alignment, porous features, and mechanical properties. Additionally, a brief discussion is presented on the underlying physics of beaded morphology and continuous fiber formation. Consequently, the study provides an overview of the current advancements in centrifugally spun polymeric fiber-based materials and their morphological features, performance, and characteristics for tissue engineering applications.

Гигиенические аспекты противодействия COVID-19

The aim of this analytical review was to hygienically assess non-specific prevention of the COVID-19 infection. Such measures have been examined profoundly both by Russian and foreign researchers all over the world. The pandemic of this new coronavirus infection has shown that sanitary and preventive measures are among the most significant components in fighting against it, along with anti-epidemic activities and treatment measures, development of new vaccines and medications. All over the world, many countries introduce several sanitary-epidemiological and social measures to prevent spreading of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. The review dwells on the results obtained by investigating effectiveness of non-specific prevention of the new coronavirus infection in different countries. As illustrated in the review, it was important to introduce restrictive measures with their major aim being to prevent (or limit) the infection transmission by airborne droplets or through household contacts. Researchers performed hygienic assessment of personal protective equipment used for protection of respiratory organs and hand skin and developed recommendations on its safe and effective use and utilization. Self-isolation as a restrictive measure to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic from spreading was a temporary one. Nevertheless, during the pandemic peak billions of people all over the world had to remain at home after the strict self-isolation had been introduced. The review provides some data on estimating the level of commitment among population to follow recommendations on limiting the infection spread in Russia and abroad. In Russia, there is a reliable and effective state infra-structure of public healthcare. It made it possible to keep the pandemic situation under control starting from the early days when cases of pneumonia with unspecified etiology were reported in December 2019 and the first COVID-19 cases were registered in the country. Several measures were introduced including administrative, organizational, technical and sanitary-hygienic ones. However, it was a challenging task to create a relevant response to the COVID-19 pandemic that the public healthcare system in Russia had to tackle.

Hygienic aspects of anti COVID-19 measures

The aim of this analytical review was to hygienically assess non-specific prevention of the COVID-19 infection. Such measures have been examined profoundly both by Russian and foreign researchers all over the world. The pandemic of this new coronavirus infection has shown that sanitary and preventive measures are among the most significant components in fighting against it, along with anti-epidemic activities and treatment measures, development of new vaccines and medications. All over the world, many countries introduce several sanitary-epidemiological and social measures to prevent spreading of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. The review dwells on the results obtained by investigating effectiveness of non-specific prevention of the new coronavirus infection in different countries. As illustrated in the review, it was important to introduce restrictive measures with their major aim being to prevent (or limit) the infection transmission by airborne droplets or through household contacts. Researchers performed hygienic assessment of personal protective equipment used for protection of respiratory organs and hand skin and developed recommendations on its safe and effective use and utilization. Self-isolation as a restrictive measure to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic from spreading was a temporary one. Nevertheless, during the pandemic peak billions of people all over the world had to remain at home after the strict self-isolation had been introduced. The review provides some data on estimating the level of commitment among population to follow recommendations on limiting the infection spread in Russia and abroad. In Russia, there is a reliable and effective state infra-structure of public healthcare. It made it possible to keep the pandemic situation under control starting from the early days when cases of pneumonia with unspecified etiology were reported in December 2019 and the first COVID-19 cases were registered in the country. Several measures were introduced including administrative, organizational, technical and sanitary-hygienic ones. However, it was a challenging task to create a relevant response to the COVID-19 pandemic that the public healthcare system in Russia had to tackle.

Smartly Packaged

Smartly Packaged

Curcumin provides skin Protection against UV radiation

Curcumin provides skin Protection against UV radiation

In Situ Fabrication of Robust Polyphenolic Hydrogels for Skin Protection and Repair

Robust and multifunctional polyphenolic hydrogels have been well acknowledged as promising biomaterial candidates due to their various fascinating properties in regulating cell biology. However, the construction of these hydrogels commonly needs multistep fabrication and a sophisticated gelation process. The typical phenol-aldehyde condensation is a facial and in situ reaction for industrial resin construction; however, its application in hydrogel fabrication is seldom reported. In this study, we reported the feasibility and modularity of this strategy for in situ fabricating various kinds of robust and multifunctional natural polyphenolic hydrogels using natural polyphenol (extracts) and formaldehyde. The physicochemical characterization results demonstrated that the chemical structure (e.g., phenolic hydroxyl groups) of polyphenol molecules could be well maintained after the gelation process, allowing as-prepared hydrogels to inherit the merits of polyphenol molecules, such as good UV shielding, radical scavenging, antibacterial properties, and so forth, as demonstrated by in vitro data. The in vitro and in vivo cellular and animal results further confirmed that the as-prepared hydrogels were able to perform a skin protection and repair role, as demonstrated in UV protection and wound healing models. Collectively, this strategy could allow natural polyphenols as both structural and functional synthons toward more types of robust hydrogels for a wide range of biomedical applications.

Solid SiO2-Sealed Mesoporous Silica for Synergistically Combined Use of Inorganic and Organic Filters to Achieve Safe and Effective Skin Protection from All-Band UV Radiation.

To effectively shield the full band of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and provide desirable protection, the combination of inorganic and organic filters was often used to protect human skin from the serious harm of UV exposure. However, the incompatibility of different filters and their mutual negative effect limit the production of multifilter sunscreen. In addition, the hazard of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by inorganic filters after UV exposure and the skin permeability of organic filters remain unresolved problems. In this study, titanium dioxide (TiO2) and diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate (DHHB), two kinds of common filters with complementary UV shielding range, were first encapsulated into large mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN, ∼300 nm) to obtain MSN-TiO2 and MSN-DHHB. Also, a SiO2 coating was then made to seal and stabilize the MSN-TiO2 and MSN-DHHB. The structure, UV screen function, and safety of the SiO2-coated filters, MSN-TiO2@SiO2 and MSN-DHHB@SiO2, were evaluated. The good mechanical stability exhibited by the solid SiO2 layer prevented the release and skin penetration of the sealed DHHB and the photocatalysis of TiO2. Furthermore, the combination of MSN-TiO2@SiO2 and MSN-DHHB@SiO2 in sunscreen cream showed excellent UV shielding performance on covering the whole UV radiation range without mutual interference. Therefore, coating SiO2 over MSN is a feasible strategy for entrapping various filters to improve their photostability, preventing skin penetration and ROS generation, and enhancing their compatibility with different sunscreen formulations.

Solid-in-oil nanodispersion as a novel topical transdermal delivery to enhance stability and skin permeation and retention of hydrophilic drugs l-ascorbic acid

l-ascorbic acid （Vitamin C, VC） is the most abundant antioxidant in human skin. But its poor penetration into the skin and unstability limit the application. The aim of the study was to promote the topical skin permeation and retention of VC, increase the stability as well as effectiveness by a novel solid in oil nanodispersion. In the nanodispersions system, nano-sized particles of hydrophilic molecules are dispersed in an oil vehicle with the assistance of hydrophobic surfactants. The optimized formula composed of O170 and S1570 (12.5:1, w/w) showed high EE% of 98% and good stability. FTIR analysis confirmed that there may be hydrogen bond between VC and surfactants. The results of DSC, and XRD revealed that the drug was successfully encapsulated in the surfactants, which maintained the stability of drug. By analyzing and fitting the release data in vitro, the drug release mechanism of SONDs was predicted as a multi-dynamic model. Skin permeation of VC was improved 3.43-fold for SONDs compared with VC aqueous solution, highlighting that the lipophilicity and nano size of the carrier more easily penetrated into the skin. Finally, the photoaging study revealed that topical application of VC-SONDs provided the highest skin protection compared UV and VC aqueous solution treated group which was evident by the normal thick epidermal morphology, no obvious melanocytes and the densely arranged dermal elastic fibers. These results demonstrated that the solid-in-oil nanodispersions may be a potential transdermal delivery system for hydrophilic bioactive ingredients.

Dual-effects of caffeinated hyalurosomes as a nano-cosmeceutical gel counteracting UV-induced skin ageing

Caffeine (CAF) is a challenging natural bioactive compound with proven antiaging efficacy. However, being hydrophilic hampers its permeation through the skin. Our aim is to develop a novel CAF-loaded nano-cosmeceutical tool counteracting skin photoaging via improving CAF skin permeation using a bioactive nanocarrier. Caffeinated hyalurosomes are novel biocompatible antiaging nanoplatforms designed by immobilization of phospholipid vesicles with a hyaluronan polymer. Physicochemical properties of the selected hyalurosomes formulation showed nano-sized vesicles (210.10 ± 1.87 nm), with high zeta potential (−31.30 ± 1.19 mv), and high encapsulation efficiency (84.60 ± 1.05%). In vitro release results showed outstanding sustained release profile from caffeinated hyalurosomes compared to the CAF-loaded in conventional gel over 24 h. The in-vivo study revealed a photoprotective effect of caffeinated hyalurosomes, reflected from the intact and wrinkling-free skin. Results of biochemical analyses of oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory mediators, and anti-wrinkling markers further confirmed the efficacy of the prepared hyalurosomes compared to the CAF conventional gel. Finally, histopathological examination demonstrated normal histological structures of epidermal layers with minimal inflammatory cell infiltrates in the caffeinated hyalurosomes group compared to the positive control group. Conclusively, caffeinated hyalurosomes successfully achieved enhanced CAF loading and penetration into the skin besides the hydration effect of hyaluronan. Consequently, the developed delivery system presents a promising skin protection nano-platforms via the double effects of both hyaluronan and CAF, hence it guards against skin photodamage.

Engineered NF-κB siRNA-encapsulating exosomes as a modality for therapy of skin lesions.

Despite the protection and management of skin has been paid more and more attention, effective countermeasures are still lacking for patients suffering from UV or chemotherapy with damaged skin. Recently, gene therapy by small interfering RNA (siRNA) has emerged as a new therapeutic strategy for skin lesions. However, siRNA therapy has not been applied to skin therapy due to lack of effective delivery vector. Here, we develop a synthetic biology strategy that integrates the exosomes with artificial genetic circuits to reprogram the adipose mesenchymal stem cell to express and assemble siRNAs into exosomes and facilitate in vivo delivery siRNAs for therapy of mouse models of skin lesions. Particularly, siRNA enriched exosomes (si-ADMSC-EXOs) could be directly taken up by the skin cells to inhibit the expression of skin injury related genes. When mice with skin lesions were smeared with si-ADMSC-EXOs, the repair of lesioned skin became faster and the expression of inflammatory cytokines were decreased. Overall, this study establishes a feasible therapeutic strategy for skin injury, which may offer an alternative to conventional biological therapies requiring two or more independent compounds.

Hand Eczema in Apprentice Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic after a Skin Prevention Program.

Healthcare workers, particularly nurses and apprentice nurses, are at high risk of the development of hand eczema due to daily exposure to wet work. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of hand eczema in a group of first-, second-, and third-year apprentice nurses at the University Hospitals of Trieste (northeastern Italy) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two hundred forty-two Nursing School students were recruited. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire based on the Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire, and all patients underwent a medical examination to evaluate their skin condition based on standard scores. Transepidermal water loss was also measured. The factors associated with hand eczema were investigated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The prevalence of hand eczema was low in students both before and after the traineeship (17.9 and 21.5%, respectively), but clinical signs of mild skin damage, mainly skin dryness, were present in 52.3 and 47.2%, respectively. The factor associated with hand eczema was a personal history of atopic eczema (odd ratios 2.61, 95% confidence intervals 1.18-5.80), while exposure to irritants and glove use did not reach statistical significance. Our findings might be explained by the preventive measures adopted for skin protection among healthcare workers in Trieste since the apprenticeship.

The importance of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in amphibian skin defense

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are produced for defense in nearly all taxa from simple bacteria to complex mammalian species. Some amphibian families have developed this defensive strategy to a high level of sophistication by loading the AMPs into specialized granular glands within the dermis. Enervated by the sympathetic nervous system, the granular glands are poised to deliver an array of AMPs to cleanse the wound and facilitate healing. There have been a number of excellent review publications in recent years that describe amphibian AMPs with an emphasis on their possible uses for human medicine. Instead, my aim here is to review what is known about the nature of amphibian AMPs, the diversity of amphibian AMPs, regulation of their production, and to provide the accumulated evidence that they do, indeed, play an important role in the protection of amphibian skin, vital for survival. While much has been learned about amphibian AMPs, there are still important gaps in our understanding of peptide synthesis, storage, and functions.

Pyruvate and lactate based hydrogel film inhibits UV radiation-induced skin inflammation and oxidative stress

Solar skin damage is one of the most common diseases among outdoor workers. An important cause for the damage is the ultraviolet and infrared rays in sunlight, which are absorbed by the skin in large amounts, leading to severe skin inflammation and oxidative stress. Therefore, physical prevention by shielding the light from harmful wavelengths can be an effective method of skin protection from radiation. However, for existing skin lesions, prompt treatment is essential to avoid the aggravation of the injury and promote repair. Therefore, to improve the therapeutic effect on sun-damaged skin, we attempted to design a system with a dual purpose of eliminating toxic free radicals and modulating tissue inflammatory response. Here, we designed and synthesized a poly-acryloyl lysine (P-Ac-Lys) and polyvinyl alcohol-dihydroxyphenylalanine (PVA-DOPA) composite hydrogel (PAL@PVA-DOPA Hydrogel) loaded with lactate and pyruvate, that exhibites a good free radical scavenging activity and an excellent ability to modulate the inflammatory response. Experimental results showe that this hydrogel film could effectively reduce the UV-induced skin inflammation response, alleviate pathological damage and promote the recovery of the damaged skin.