Skin Surface Research Articles

Non-invasive infrared thermography for screening, diagnosis and monitoring of skin cancer.

The incidence of skin cancer is rising continuously. The time of diagnosis is decisive for the morbidity and mortality risk of patients. An optimal screening procedure has yet to be established. Non-contact imaging methods are of great interest but have not yet been sufficiently developed and investigated for large-scale use. Compared to digital photography, infrared thermography offers the additional information of heat radiation from the skin surface, which correlates strongly with malignant changes. Literature on the current scientific status of screening, diagnosis and monitoring of skin cancer using thermographic procedures was identified in PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar. From a technical and information technology point of view, infrared thermography is very well suited for use as a non-invasive, cost-effective, time-saving, and easy-to-use screening instrument. However, there is still a lack of reliable evidence and practical implementation in 3D systems suitable for mass use. Research in this area should be intensified in order to develop, test and establish applicable systems on a large scale.

Wearable System for Continuous Estimation of Transepidermal Water Loss

To maintain skin moisture, we need to maintain good stratum corneum barrier function, which prevents moisture evaporation from the inside of the skin. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), the amount of water that evaporates from the skin, indicates the state of barrier function. The barrier function of facial skin is easily damaged in daily life, and the condition of the skin becomes worse without us noticing. We should constantly monitor TEWL to prevent worsening skin conditions. In this paper, we propose a wearable device that continuously measures TEWL. We estimate TEWL using machine learning from temperature and humidity values of water evaporation from the skin and parameters that affect TEWL, such as skin surface temperature and galvanic skin response. We experimented with the prototype device in a controlled environment. We confirmed that the prototype device could estimate TEWL accurately enough to judge the skin’s condition in stationary and conversational situations. Then, we experimented to verify the environmental conditions for estimating TEWL using the prototype device. The prototype device could estimate TEWL with sufficient precision in an office without airflow. However, we could not estimate TEWL in the office with airflow and outdoor.

Preliminary safety and in vivo efficacy of Acmella oleracea extract‐loaded glycolipid emulsion serum—Effects on ocular irritation, dermal absorption, and facial skin biophysical and microrelief properties

AbstractObjectiveSubstantial efforts have been progressively devoted to developing innovative, safe, and effective topical anti‐aging products that not only improve the appearance of aged skin but also prioritize environmental sustainability and the responsible use of natural resources. Thus, the current study targeted to evaluate novel, natural emulsion/serum comprising new glycolipid emulsifier (lauryl glucoside/myristyl glucoside/polyglyceryl‐6 laurate) and Acmella oleracea plant extract as a model active.MethodsThe developed serum was assessed concerning its stability (freeze–thaw test, accelerated study), safety (in vitro screening of eye irritation potential, dermal absorption study) and efficacy (randomized, active/reference‐controlled, half‐face, in vivo study). Changes in skin biophysical properties, microrelief, roughness, texture, surface, and volume parameters were assessed in the periocular and perioral areas of human volunteers after 2 weeks of product application, utilizing several bioengineering and topography techniques.ResultsThe stability study demonstrated favourable stability profile of the developed serum, with practically unaffected stability‐indicating parameters (apparent viscosity, yield, flow point, storage and loss moduli, loss factor, pH, electrical conductivity) during freeze–thaw cycling and after 3 months of storage at 45°C. The hen's egg test on the chorioallantoic membrane of fertilized chicken eggs confirmed the absence of ocular irritation potential of investigated serum; no effects of haemorrhage, lysis or coagulation were occurred. Skin permeation study using diffusion cells revealed no permeation of spilanthol from the tested A. oleracea extract‐loaded serum through the pig ear skin into the receptor medium, thus suggesting no absorption into systemic circulation. In vivo efficacy study corroborated beneficial effects of evaluated serum on the condition/appearance of facial skin, at both periocular and perioral areas—significant (p < 0.05) increase in skin hydration (10%–40%) and smoothness (~15%); significant (p < 0.05) decrease in roughness (20%–30%), scaliness (~30%), and wrinkles (~15%)—implying more hydrated, smoother, visibly milder skin.ConclusionThe present findings confirmed the stability, preliminary safety (no ocular irritation, no dermal absorption, and good skin tolerability), and efficacy (improved skin hydration and microrelief) of the A. oleracea extract‐loaded, glycolipid‐based serum, supporting its potential as a safe and effective topical anti‐aging product.

103 A study on epidermal aging: new insights from skin surface lipidomics profile changes and skin barrier development across age groups

103 A study on epidermal aging: new insights from skin surface lipidomics profile changes and skin barrier development across age groups

Impact of boundary layer parameterizations on simulated seasonal meteorology over North-East India

This study evaluated the accuracy of six planetary boundary layer (PBL) parameterization schemes in simulating two different seasons of pre-monsoon and monsoon in India's North-East region through the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. Twelve one-month simulations were conducted with the PBL schemes, six each for April (pre-monsoon) and July (monsoon), and the model outputs were compared against observations. Three non-local schemes, Asymmetric Convective Model (ACM2), Yonsei University (YSU), Shin-Hong (HONG), and three local schemes, Quasi Normal Scale Elimination (QNSE), Mellor Yamada Janjic (MYJ) and Mellor Yamada Nakanishi Nino (MYNN3), were tested. The meteorological variables of temperature, relative humidity (RH), wind speed, wind direction, and rainfall were evaluated, and the performance of each scheme for each meteorological variable is reported. The 2m temperature (T2) variable was well simulated by ACM2, MYJ in April, and YSU in July, while MYNN3 best simulated the 2m RH (RH2) during both seasons. 10m wind speed (WS10) and directions (WD10) were better simulated by MYNN3, HONG and YSU. HONG also best-simulated rainfall in April and MYJ in July. April and July being rainfall periods, an analysis of the schemes’ simulated rainfall frequency was also carried out. Moreover, the PBL schemes were also ranked, considering their combined performance with all the above meteorological parameters. While considering both the seasons and all meteorological variables, the scale-aware scheme, HONG, was the best scheme and can be used to simulate both seasons. Additionally, an in-depth analysis of surface and atmospheric parameters was also carried out to reason the simulated meteorology. QNSE expends the highest amount of its surface energy through surface evaporation, leading to the lowest surface skin temperature and T2 predictions. In contrast, MYNN3 produced the lowest mixing, which caused the moistest boundary layer, highest RH, cloud cover, and highly overestimated rainfall. Besides evaluation, which will help to choose a suitable PBL scheme for weather predictions in this region, this study also identifies the characteristics and deficiencies of PBL and surface layer schemes for improvement.

Three-dimensional heat and moisture transfer analysis for thermal protection of firefighters’ gloves with phase change materials

Transient three-dimensional (3D) heat and moisture transfer simulations were conducted to analyze the thermal performances of the entire phase change material (PCM) integrated into firefighters’ gloves. PCM was broken down into several segments to cover the back and palm of the hand but to avoid finger joints to keep hand functions. Parametric studies were performed to explore the effects of PCM melting temperatures, PCM locations in the glove and PCM layer thicknesses on the overall thermal performance improvement of firefighters’ gloves. The study found that PCM segments could extend the time for hand skin surfaces (areas covered or not covered by PCM) to reach second-degree burn injury (60 °C) by 1.5–2 times compared to conventional firefighters’ gloves without PCM. Moreover, PCM segments could help mitigate the temperature increase on hand skin and glove surface after fire exposure.

Spectroscopic Analysis of Tryptophan as a Potential Optical Biomarker for Estimating the Time of Death

The estimation of the time of death represents a highly complex and challenging task within the field of forensic medicine and science. It is essential to approach this matter with the utmost respect for human rights while acknowledging the inherent limitations of the current methods, which require continuous refinement and expansion. Forensic science recognizes the necessity to improve existing techniques and develop new, more accurate, and non-invasive procedures, such as physicochemical approaches, to enhance the precision and reliability of time of death determinations. This article proposes a novel, non-invasive method for estimating the time of death using a spectroscopic analysis of tryptophan. The initial phase of the study concerns the presentation of the spectroscopic properties of tryptophan at varying pH levels, with consideration given to the pH fluctuations that occur during the decomposition of cadavers. The findings confirm the stability of the spectroscopic properties at different environmental pH levels. Subsequently, preliminary trials were conducted on 15 healthy human volunteers, which demonstrated that tryptophan concentrations in fingerprint samples were within the detection limits using molecular spectroscopy techniques. The final objective was to ascertain whether the composition of the substance present on the skin surface of a deceased individual up to 48 h postmortem is comparable to that of the sweat–fatty substance in living individuals. This was confirmed by the absorption and emission spectral profiles, which showed overlapping patterns with those obtained from living volunteers. The most significant outcome at this stage was the demonstration of a considerable increase in emission intensity in the spectra for samples obtained approximately 48 h after death in comparison to that obtained from a sample taken approximately 24 h after death. This indicates a rise in the concentration of tryptophan on the skin surface as the postmortem interval (PMI) increases, which could serve as a basis for developing a tool to estimate the time of death.

Behavioral, haematological, and physiological effects of oxygen-rich spray after simulated catch and release in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

This study investigated the impact of an oxygen-rich spray on rainbow trout subjected to short-term air exposure episodes. These episodes can be due to sampling procedures or catch-and-release (C&R) practices, focusing on behavioral, haematological, and physiological responses. For this, 12 rainbow trout were divided into two groups: control and oxygen-rich sprayed fish. The fish were chased for 3 min and exposed to air for 6 s, and blood and behavior parameters were assessed. Simulated C&R resulted in partial physiological reflex impairment across groups. However, sprayed fish exhibited significant differences during recovery in head complex reflex and faster tendencies to regain orientation compared to control. Haematological analyses revealed that the treated group displayed reduced erythrocyte swelling and maintenance of red blood cell (RBC) counts, indicating reduced need for compensatory responses to hypoxia. Meanwhile, stress-related indicators, including cortisol, glucose, and lactate, remained unaffected by the treatment, suggesting no interference of spraying with the fish ability to launch a healthy stress response. No adverse effects were observed on skin surfaces or gills after an exploratory analysis. Overall, the oxygen-rich spray exhibited favorable effects, indicating potential benefits in protecting rainbow trout during C&R practices or sampling episodes. Moreover, there is a possible wider application of this methodology to benefit other species of fish subjected to stressors such as aquaculture, research, and fisheries management.

The effect of female breast surface area on cutaneous thermal sensation, wetness perception and epidermal properties.

Female development includes significant size changes across the breast. Yet, whether differences in breast surface area (BrSA) modify breast sensitivity to warm, cold and wetness, and the associated epidermal properties (skin thickness and surface roughness) remain unclear. We investigated the relationship between BrSA and thermal and wetness perception, as well as epidermal properties, in 21 females (28 10 years) of varying breast sizes (BrSA range: 147-502cm2), at multiple breast sites (i.e., nipple, above and below the nipple, and bra triangle). Associations between BrSA and the perceptual and epidermal variables were determined via correlation analyses. Differences across test sites were assessed by repeated-measures ANOVA. Our results did not support the hypothesis that larger breasts present reduced thermal and wetness sensitivity, except for the above nipple site, which presented reduced warm sensitivity with increasing BrSA (r=-0.61, P=0.003). We also found a heterogeneous distribution of cold, but not warm or wetness, sensitivity across the breast, with the above nipple site presenting lower cold sensitivity than any other site (P<0.015). Our findings did not indicate any association between BrSA and epidermal properties (thickness and roughness), nor any site-dependent variation in these anatomical parameters (P>0.15). We conclude that, while some skin-site (i.e., above the nipple) and perceptual modality-dependent (i.e., warm sensitivity) differences were observed, BrSA-dependent variations in thermal and wetness sensitivity were not a generalised feature of the skin covering the breast. These observations advance our fundamental understanding of breast sensory function, and they could inform the design of user-centred clothing such as bras.

Enhancing Spatial Resolution of Three-Dimensional Pulse Waves Through Advanced Photometric Stereo Techniques.

Three-dimensional pulse wave's morphologies are essential biomarkers for assessing cardiovascular functionality. However, existing methods only provide sparse amplitude representations, limiting their diagnostic potential. This study employs a photometric stereo approach to enhance the spatial resolution of pulse waves by capturing video footage of skin surface micro-vibrations induced by blood volume fluctuations in underlying arteries. This non-invasive imaging modality enables the reconstruction of three-dimensional pulse waves and enriches our understanding of their spatial and temporal characteristics. By visualizing and analyzing the captured data, we gained new insights into the physiological origins of the optical signals reflected from the skin surface and their dynamic features, which are critical for evaluating cardiovascular health. This study has potential to advance new biomarkers for cardiovascular function assessment and improve the accuracy of diagnostic tools.

Retinol and Hydroxyasiaticoside Synergistically Relieve Histamine-Induced Atopic Dermatitis Activity by Repressing TRPV1, L1R1, and CD130 Targets

Background: Retinol, an important bioactive substance with multiple physiological functions such as promoting collagen synthesis, inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase activity, alleviating oxidative stress, regulating gene expression, and promoting epidermal cell proliferation, has a significant effect on skin damage recovery. Hydroxyasiaticoside, a triterpenoid saponin derived from Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., is closely related to the secretion of collagen types I and III, and possesses multiple biological activities, including moisturizing, antioxidants, anti-apoptosis, neuroprotection, anti-inflammation, and the promotion of wound healing. It plays a particularly prominent role in reducing oxidative stress in wounds and inducing vasodilatation. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of retinol combined with hydroxyasiaticoside in histamine-induced atopic dermatitis. Materials and Methods: The experiment was carried out using three different concentrations of a retinol and hydroxyasiaticoside mixed solution: low, medium, and high concentrations. After inducing atopic dermatitis in mice through histamine administration, these solutions were applied to the skin surface of the mice, and a comparative analysis was conducted with both the control group and the model group. The effect of combination therapy on atopic dermatitis was evaluated through histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and transcriptomic analysis. Results: The combination of retinol and hydroxyasiaticoside significantly attenuated histamine-induced scratching behaviors, alleviated the phenomenon of epidermal hyperplasia, and effectively reduced the proliferation, infiltration, and degranulation of mast cells. In addition, the combination inhibited the expression of relevant pro-inflammatory cytokines. Quantitative RNA-seq analysis revealed that the gene expression patterns were similar in different concentration groups. However, the medium dose group may be able to regulate skin inflammation by regulating upstream genes to inhibit autophagy-related pathways. Further GO analysis revealed that the low-dose group mainly affected metabolism-related genes, the medium-dose group affected more genes related to body systems, and the high-dose group was dominated by genes related to human diseases.

Flexible self-adhesive high-performance electromagnetic shielding film

Electromagnetic shielding materials are those that can mitigate electromagnetic interference (EMI) by absorbing, reflecting, or scattering electromagnetic waves. With the advancement of research, electromagnetic shielding materials are not only expected to have high EMI shielding effectiveness but also to integrate other functional properties. In this study, a flexible self-adhesive electromagnetic shielding film with high shielding effectiveness (SET), named rGO@DTPP, has been developed. Leveraging multiple loss mechanisms, the SET of rGO@DTPP can peak at up to 55 dB. Additionally, it possesses excellent self-adhesive properties, enabling it to adhere to a variety of material surfaces. Notably, it exhibits a high adhesive strength of 0.21 N/cm on the skin surface. The composite film also has breaking elongation of up to 40 %, and it features a highly conductive thin film when in contact with the skin, thus adhering well to the skin's surface. This makes it an outstanding material for flexible, wearable applications.

Quantifying the Time-course of Changes in Maximal Skin Wettedness with 7 days of Heat Acclimation.

The aim of the present study was to quantify the time-course of changes in maximum skin wettedness (ωmax) - i.e., the proportion of skin surface area covered in sweat at the point of uncompensable heat stress, throughout 7 consecutive days of heat acclimation. Nine adults (6M, 3F) completed a humidity-ramp protocol (RAMP) on days 1, 3, 5 and 7 of seven consecutive days of heat acclimation. In each RAMP trial, participants cycled continuously at 275 W·m-2 for 120 min at 37°C: 60-min at a vapour pressure of 2.05 kPa followed by 60-min with vapour pressure increased by 0.045 kPa·min-1. An upward inflection in esophageal temperature (Teso) signaled a transition to uncompensable heat stress with the critical water vapour pressure at that point used to calculate ωmax. In days between RAMP assessments participants cycled for 90-min at 75% HRmax at 37°C, 60% RH. Teso, whole-body sweat rate (WBSR), local sweat rate (LSRback, LSRarm) and activated sweat gland density (AGSD) were measured throughout. ωmax was progressively and significantly greater from Day 1 (0.68±0.10) to Day 3 (0.75±0.10;P=0.002), to Day 5 (0.79±0.10;P=0.004), to Day 7 (0.87±0.06;P=0.009). WBSR was higher on Day 5 (1.11±0.30 L·h-1;P=0.01) and Day 7 (1.12±0.19 L·h-1;P<0.001) compared to Day 1 (0.94±0.21 L·h-1). ASGD was higher on Day 5 (78±15 glands·cm-2;P<0.001), and Day 7 (81±17 glands·cm-2;P=0.001) compared to Day 1 (65±12 glands·cm-2). There were no observed differences in sweat gland output (P=0.21). In conclusion, ωmax significantly increased throughout 7 days of heat acclimation. These progressive increases in ωmax were predominantly mediated by an increase in the number of active sweat glands, not the output per gland.

Combined dual-channel fluorescence depth sensing of indocyanine green and protoporphyrin IX kinetics in subcutaneous murine tumors.

Fluorescence sensing within tissue is an effective tool for tissue characterization; however, the modality and geometry of the image acquisition can alter the observed signal. We introduce a novel optical fiber-based system capable of measuring two fluorescent contrast agents through 2cm of tissue with simple passive electronic switching between the excitation light, simultaneously acquiring fluorescence and excitation data. The goal was to quantify indocyanine green (ICG) and protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) within tissue, and the sampling method was compared with wide-field surface imaging to contrast the value of deep sensing versus surface imaging. This was achieved by choosing filters for specific wavelengths that were mutually exclusive between ICG and PpIX and coupling these filters to two separate detectors, which allows for direct swapping of the excitation and emission channels by switching the on-time of each excitation laser between 780- and 633-nm wavelengths. This system was compared with two non-contact surface imaging systems for both ICG and PpIX, which revealed that the fluorescence depth sensing system was superior in its ability to resolve kinetics differences in deeper tissues that would normally be dominated by strong signals from skin and other surface tissues. Specifically, the system was tested using pancreatic adenocarcinoma tumors injected into murine models, which were imaged at several time points throughout tumor growth to its diameter. This demonstrated the system's capability to track longitudinal changes in ICG and PpIX kinetics that result from tumor growth and development, with larger tumors showing sluggish uptake and clearance of ICG, which was not observable with surface imaging. Similarly, PpIX was quantified, which showed slower kinetics over different time points, and was further compared with the wide-filed imager. These results were further validated through depth measurements in tissue phantoms and model-based interpretation. This fluorescence depth sensing system can be used to sample the interior blood flow characteristics by ICG sensing of tissue as deep as 20mm into the tissue with sensitivity to kinetics that are superior to surface imaging and may be combined with other imaging modalities such as ultrasound to provide guided deep fluorescence measurements.

Progress in immune-targeted combination therapy for melanoma

Abstract. Melanoma is a type of skin cancerous tumor that develops from melanocytes and often appears on the skin's surface, however it can also spread to other areas like the eyes and mucous membranes. Research on it has made significant progress in recent years. Immunotherapy has become an important means of treating melanoma. The use of anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies has achieved significant success, so some patients have achieved long-term survival. benefit. Secondly, there have been breakthroughs in targeted therapeutic drugs targeting specific molecular targets such as BRAF and MEK. It has the ability to successfully stop melanoma cells from growing and spreading. Despite significant advances in immunotherapy and targeted therapies, drug resistance remains a serious problem; metastasis of melanoma is one of the main causes of its lethality, but little is known about how melanoma cells metastasize to other organs There are still many unanswered questions about the mechanism. This article compares the benefits of immune-targeted combination therapy with immunotherapy alone. It also immunotherapy and targeted therapy alone. It comes to the conclusion that combination therapy is the best course of action. The mechanism of action, effectiveness and drawbacks of drug resistance of the targeted therapy drug Vemurafenib were also introduced, further confirming the 1+1&gt;2 treatment plan. Combination therapy provides new ideas for future cancer medicine, but the drug resistance of some targets needs to be solved, and subsequent research can focus on the development of new targets.

Double-Layered Microneedle Patch Integrated with Multifunctional Nanoparticles and Live Bacteria for Long-Term Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a complex and prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disease that impacts a significant portion of the global population. Conventional treatments often focus on a singular pathogenic factor or suffer from limited skin penetration, resulting in unsatisfactory outcomes. Here, a multifunctional double-layered microneedle (MN) patch is proposed for long-term and effective treatment of AD by integrating therapeutic nanoparticles (NPs) and live bacteria. In the design, the MN tips are loaded with Prussian blue NPs encapsulating cetirizine hydrochloride (CET@PB NPs), while the patch backing incorporates Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis). Upon skin insertion, the MN patch efficiently delivers CET@PB NPs into the skin and deposits live B. subtilis on the skin surface after fast dissolution. The delivered NPs not only scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and improve oxidative stress microenvironments in the AD lesions, but also provide sustained release of the antihistamine CET in the skin for alleviating AD symptoms. Furthermore, B. subtilis survives on the skin for over 9 days and effectively inhibits the growth of the harmful bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. These features highlight the superior efficacy of the MN patch in long-term treatment of AD, offering a promising alternative for the management of skin disorders in clinics.

The Role of Vitamin D3 Deficiency and Colonization of the Oral Mucosa by Candida Yeast-like Fungi in the Pathomechanism of Psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with complex pathogenesis and variable severity. Performed studies have indicated the impact of vitamin D3 deficiency on the pathogenesis of psoriasis and its severity. However, there is no clear evidence of the influence of the mucosal microbiome on the onset and progression of psoriasis. This review aims to present the current evidence on the role of vitamin D3 and colonization of the oral mucosa by Candida yeast-like fungi in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Candida albicans is a common yeast that can colonize the skin and mucosal surfaces, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems or compromised skin barriers. In psoriasis, the skin's barrier function is disrupted, potentially making patients more susceptible to fungal infections such as Candida. Since patients with psoriasis are at increased risk of metabolic syndrome, they may experience the vicious circle effect in which chronic inflammation leads to obesity. Vitamin D3 deficiency is also associated with microbiological imbalance, which may promote excessive growth of Candida fungi. Under normal conditions, the intestinal and oral microflora support the immune system. Vitamin D3 deficiency, however, leads to disruption of this balance, which allows Candida to overgrow and develop infections.

Reconstruction of Hourly Gap-Free Sea Surface Skin Temperature from Multi-Sensors

The sea surface skin temperature (SSTskin) is of critical importance with regard to air–sea interactions and marine carbon circulation. At present, no single remote sensor is capable of providing a gap-free SSTskin. The use of data fusion techniques is therefore essential for the purpose of filling these gaps. The extant fusion methodologies frequently fail to account for the influence of depth disparities and the diurnal variability of sea surface temperatures (SSTs) retrieved from multi-sensors. We have developed a novel approach that integrates depth and diurnal corrections and employs advanced data fusion techniques to generate hourly gap-free SST datasets. The General Ocean Turbulence Model (GOTM) is employed to model the diurnal variability of the SST profile, incorporating depth and diurnal corrections. Subsequently, the corrected SSTs at the same observed time and depth are blended using the Markov method and the remaining data gaps are filled with optimal interpolation. The overall precision of the hourly gap-free SSTskin generated demonstrates a mean bias of −0.14 °C and a root mean square error of 0.57 °C, which is comparable to the precision of satellite observations. The hourly gap-free SSTskin is vital for improving our comprehension of air–sea interactions and monitoring critical oceanographic processes with high-frequency variability.

Tissue Contraction With Helium-Based Plasma Radiofrequency Technology: A Preliminary Report of Initial Ultrasound Findings

Abstract Background Application of helium-based plasma radiofrequency (RF; Renuvion, Apyx Medical, Clearwater, Florida, USA) in the subcutaneous plane results in tissue coagulation and contraction. While traditionally, impact of thermal devices on skin laxity is assessed by measuring changes in skin surface area, this indirect measure does not permit intraoperative assessment or differentiation of effects from various treatments. Objectives To determine the amount of soft tissue contraction achieved by multiple passes of helium plasma RF energy to the subcutaneous connective tissues following power-assisted liposuction (PAL). Methods In this single-center study, 4 subjects were assessed using real-time ultrasound measurements at baseline and following both PAL and each pass with helium plasma RF. Results Based on changes in the distance from the skin (dermal basement membrane) to Scarpa’s fascia, PAL produced an average reduction of 36.7% (SD 14.6, range 24.7%-58.6%) due to the fat removal. Contraction observed with helium plasma RF was greatest for the first pass, with a mean decrease of 27.0% (SD 19.6, range 4.5%-52.1%) in distance relative to distance measured following liposuction. Subsequent passes resulted in additional incremental contraction relative to prior treatment pass: 17.0% (5.1) for pass 2, 7.7% (17.5) for pass 3, and 7.1% (5.5) for pass 4. Overall, helium plasma RF resulted in an average contraction of 44.0% (SD 17.2, range 27.1%-59.4%) in the skin-to-Scarpa-fascia measurement. Conclusions Helium plasma RF improved tissue contraction following PAL by an average of 44% and data suggest that the greatest increase in tissue contraction is obtained by the first treatment pass.

Interplay of human ABCC11 transporter gene variants with axillary skin microbiome functional genomics

The human armpit microbiome is metabolically entangled with skin cell physiology. This “meta-organism” symbiotic mutualism results in sweat either with or without odor (osmidrosis), depending on host ABCC11 gene haplotypes. Apocrine metabolism produces odorless S-glutathione conjugate that is transferred by ABCC11 transporters into secretory vesicles, deglutamylated to S-Cys-Gly-3M3SH thiol, and exuded to skin surface. An anthropogenic clade of skin bacteria then takes up the thiol and bioconverts it to malodorous 3-methyl-3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol (3M3SH). We hypothesized a familial meta-organism association of human ABCC11 gene non-synonymous SNP rs17822931 interplaying with skin microbiome 3M3SH biosynthesis. Subjects were genotyped for ABCC11 SNPs, and their haplotypes were correlated with axilla microbiome DNA sequencing profiles and predicted metagenome functions. A multigeneration family pedigree revealed a Mendelian autosomal recessive pattern: the C allele of ABCC11 correlated with bacterial Cys-S-conjugate β-lyase (PatB) gene known for Staphylococcus hominis biosynthesis of 3M3SH from human precursor; PatB was rescinded in hosts with homozygous TT alleles encoding ABCC11 loss-of-function mutation. We posit that a C allele encoding functional ABCC11 is key to delivering host conjugate precursors that shape heritable skin niche conditions favorable to harboring Staphylococcus having genomics of odor thiol production. This provides existential insights into human evolution and global regional population ancestries.