Skin Surface Research Articles

Boundary sources of velocity gradient tensor and its invariants

The present work elucidates the boundary behaviors of the velocity gradient tensor (A≡∇u) and its principal invariants (P, Q, R) for compressible flow interacting with a stationary rigid wall. First, it is found that the boundary value of A exhibits an inherent physical structure being compatible with the normal-nilpotent decomposition, where both the strain-rate and rotation-rate tensors contain the physical contributions from the spin component of the vorticity. Second, we derive the kinematic and dynamical forms of the boundary A flux from which the known boundary fluxes can be recovered by applying the symmetric–antisymmetric decomposition. Then, we obtain the explicit expression of the boundary Q flux as a result of the competition among the boundary fluxes of squared dilatation, enstrophy and squared strain-rate. Importantly, we find that both the coupling between the spin and surface pressure gradient, and the spin-curvature quadratic interaction (sw·K·sw), are not responsible for the generation of the boundary Q flux, although they contribute to both the boundary fluxes of enstrophy and squared strain-rate. Moreover, we prove that the boundary R flux must vanish on a stationary rigid wall. Finally, the boundary fluxes of the principal invariants of the strain-rate and rotation-rate tensors are also discussed. It is revealed that the boundary flux of the third invariant of the strain-rate tensor is proportional to the wall-normal derivative of the vortex stretching term (ω·D·ω), which serves as a source term accounting for the spatiotemporal evolution rate of the wall-normal enstrophy flux. As an example, several relevant surface quantities to the surface curvature are calculated based on global skin friction and surface pressure measurements in a flow over a National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics Fundamental Aeronautics Investigates The Hill model. These theoretical results provide a unified description of boundary vorticity and vortex dynamics, which could be valuable in understanding the formation mechanisms of complex near-wall coherent structures and the boundary sources of flow noise.

Apocrine Gland Damage and the Release of Specific Keratins in Early Stage Indicate the Crucial Involvement of Apocrine Glands in Hidradenitis Suppurativa

The apocrine glands (AGs) are not considered to be primarily involved in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). This study investigated the potential role of AGs in HS pathogenesis using immunohistochemistry and single-cell sequencing of nonlesional skin (NLS) and early lesional skin (LS) from patients with HS (n = 12) and healthy controls (HC, n = 8). AG cell destruction was more frequent and AG size was significantly reduced in the NLS and LS. Barrier-related genes (e.g., claudin 1 and E-cadherin) were downregulated in the AGs of the NLS and LS. Damaged AGs in the LS primarily recruit and activate neutrophils via the CXCL-CXCR and SAA1-FPR2 pathways. Elevated levels of specific keratins (KRT18 and KRT19) released from damaged AGs were observed on the skin surface of patients and were associated with disease severity. KRT19 was also detected in the dermis of the NLS and LS and was surrounded by neutrophils and macrophages. Moreover, serum KRT19 levels in patients (n = 20) were significantly negatively correlated with the age at HS onset. Collectively, our findings provide previously unreported evidence that the AGs are damaged and release specific keratins in early HS lesions, indicating a crucial role of the AGs in HS pathogenesis.

Fish Skin Inspired Scale Armored Sliding Surfaces

Hard scales in scaly fish species ensure the structural and functional integrity of the inner skin and body, even when subjected to various types of external forces. Mucus and oil secreted from the inner layer of the fish skin to the surface exhibit resistance to a wide range of liquids, maintaining the antifouling properties of the fish skin surface. Inspired by these biological structures, ultra-sturdy and durable scale-armored-sliding surfaces (SASS) were fabricated in this study using femtosecond laser electrodeposition (FED). In the FED method, a scaly structure is grown from the substrate across a sliding layer to form an SASS. The unique scale-armored structure offers protection against impact and abrasion while maintaining the performance and integrity of the structure. The mechanical sturdiness of the SASS improved by four orders of magnitude compared to that of the conventional antifouling surface. In addition, the SASS exhibited remarkable chemical durability, excellent hydraulic pressure resistance, liquid repellency, and good corrosion resistance based on characterization using various methods. FED enables the preparation of SASS on several materials, including Cu and Al and more. SASS fabricated using FED has great potential for the application of antifouling surfaces in extremely harsh environments.

Focused ultrasonic transducer for aircraft icing detection

Ultrasonic detection technique (UDT) serves as a pivotal method for monitoring aircraft icing conditions. However, the inherently porous and irregular shape of atmospheric ice leads to a pronounced attenuation of ultrasonic wave energy during propagation. Current ultrasonic transducers (UTs) fall short of meeting the requisite sensitivity and depth parameters for effective detection. This study proposes an innovative focused ultrasonic transducer (FUT) designed to extend the range of ice detection capabilities. Constructed using a 1–3 piezoelectric composite configuration, this FUT is characterized by its flexibility and slender profile. The focusing effect was accomplished through a deliberate bending mechanism. The FUT demonstrates its efficacy in detecting ice on aluminium skin surfaces. Furthermore, we validated the focusing effect and conducted a thorough optimization process. A comparative analysis between the FUT and traditional planar UTs revealed that the FUT enhances detection energy by approximately 30%, while also nearly doubling the detection range for glaze ice. These findings underscore the FUT’s promising potential for applications in the detection of substantial ice.

Investigation of surface thermal characteristics induced by the acceleration of a submerged vehicle

Surface thermal characteristics are significant targets for non-acoustic detection technologies of underwater vehicles. This study aims to investigate the thermal characteristics induced by underwater vehicles during acceleration. The acceleration process of the self-propelled vehicle was obtained by simulation. Experimental and simulation studies were conducted using the temperature stratification measured in an outdoor pool as the background, while also considering the presence of a cool surface skin layer of the water. A comparative analysis between experimental and simulation results shows that the position and morphology of the surface thermal characteristics are consistent, and the area error of the thermal characteristics is within 15%. The findings reveal that, during the acceleration process of the underwater vehicle, the wake can still be divided into two stages despite the increasing speed. In the initial stage, the wake is relatively weak, making it difficult to form noticeable thermal characteristics on the water surface. Additionally, the study shows that at shallower depths, the acceleration state of the vehicle can be directly inferred from the thermal characteristics on the water surface, allowing for rough localization of the acceleration position. In contrast, at greater depths, direct determination becomes more challenging.

Non-invasive SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection and human transcriptome analysis using skin surface lipids

There have been several reports of skin manifestations in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, it is unclear whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA can be detected on the skin surface, including the sebum, of these patients. In this study, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay of skin surface lipids (SSLs) collected using an oil-blotting film from the faces of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Human transcriptome analysis was also performed using the same samples. In facial SSLs of patients with COVID-19, the RT-PCR positivity rate was 84.6% (11/13 samples) within 5 days and 30.4% (7/23 samples) by 6–10 days of symptom onset. In the transcriptome analysis, the most characteristic SSL-RNA profile was the upregulation of interferon-stimulated gene (ISG)-related genes, such as ISG15, IFITM1, and MX1. This study presents an alternative technique using SSLs for non-invasive SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection and simultaneous analysis of human molecular pathogenesis in patients with COVID-19.

Dual-Action Psoriasis Therapy: Antiproliferative and Immunomodulatory Effects via Self-Locking Microneedles.

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated disorder characterized by immune regulation disorders and abnormal keratinocyte proliferation. Deucravacitinib (Deu), a selective oral Tyrosine Kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor, shows promise in treating psoriasis but may cause systemic side effects and fail to address persistent localized thickened lesions. Herein, a self-locking microneedle (MN) patch with a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) inner ring loaded with Deu is developed, designed to penetrate the transdermal barriers and dissolve rapidly, downregulating the IL-23/IL-17 pathway and serve as the first line of defense against the spread of skin-originated inflammation. Additionally, Calcipotriol (Cal), a vitamin D derivative, is incorporated into a methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HAMA) backing layer and outer ring that mimics occlusive administration, maintaining localized skin surface retention for prolonged anti-proliferative therapy. The Deu@Cal MN demonstrates satisfactory adhesiveness due to swelling-mediated mechanical interlocking via the outer ring, ensuring targeted drug release at lesion site. Besides its effectiveness in alleviating both skin inflammation and proliferation, it inhibits the differentiation of Th17 cells in the spleen, suggesting potential to reduce systemic inflammation. These findings offer a new therapeutic approach for treating psoriasis and other autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.

Research to reduce pain and increase comfort using skin cleaning materials

During her nursing career, Professor Emeritus Hiroko Shimizu focused on the need for nursing care to promote and support patient recovery and found that the use of steam cloths helped relax patients and reduce their physical and mental pain. Shimizu is affiliated with Kagawa University and has been working to investigate the impact of skin cleaning materials on the brain waves of patients. Shimizu and her collaborators set out to create something that could warm people affected by disasters and relieve the pain of cancer patients. The researchers were the first to employ a method invented by Professor Ichirou Ishimaru to measure moisture using near-infrared two-dimensional Fourier spectrometry. They measured moisture smearing on the skin and found a softening and smoothing effect on the skin. This led them to develop a steam-generating cleaning tool that induces relaxation without a towel or cloth. Part of Shimizu’s work concentrates on developing new techniques and measurement methods needed to verify her findings. The researchers also used text analysis of the subjects’ statements and psychological images to project their thoughts and attitudes towards the care provided, as well as an electroencephalogram analysis by a neurologist, Visiting Professor Tetsuo Toge, to correlate the results. Shimizu plans to incorporate an analysis of steam volume and moisture or images with temperature and humidity into her considerations. In one study, Professor Hidekuni Takao, who shared Professor Shimizu's research, is working as the representative of a Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)-CREST project to develop a rare device to measure the shape of the skin surface. The goal is that the integrated semiconductor tactile sensor the researchers are developing will have equal or even greater sensitivity and performance than that of a human fingerprint.

A clinical comparison of a digital versus conventional design methodology for transtibial prosthetic interfaces

A transtibial prosthetic interface typically comprises a compliant liner and an outer rigid socket. The preponderance of today’s conventional liners are mass produced in standard sizes, and conventional socket design is labor-intensive and artisanal, lacking clear scientific rationale. This work tests the clinical efficacy of a novel, physics-based digital design framework to create custom prosthetic liner-socket interfaces. In this investigation, we hypothesize that the novel digital approach will improve comfort outcomes compared to a conventional method of liner-socket design. The digital design framework generates custom transtibial prosthetic interfaces starting from MRI or CT image scans of the residual limb. The interface design employs FEA to simulate limb deformation under load. Interfaces are fabricated for 9 limbs from 8 amputees (1 bilateral). Testing compares novel and conventional interfaces across four assessments: 5-min walking trial, thermal imaging, 90-s standing pressure trial, and an evaluation questionnaire. Outcome measures include antalgic gait criterion, skin surface pressures, skin temperature changes, and direct questionnaire feedback. Antalgic gait is compared via a repeated measures linear mixed model while the other assessments are compared via a non-parametric Wilcoxon sign-rank test. A statistically significant (\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$P=0.032$$\\end{document}) decrease in pain is demonstrated when walking on the novel interfaces compared to the conventional. Standing pressure data show a significant decrease in pressure on novel interfaces at the anterior distal tibia (\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$P = 0.012$$\\end{document}), with no significant difference at other measured locations. Thermal results show no statistically significant difference related to skin temperature. Questionnaire feedback shows improved comfort on novel interfaces on posterior and medial sides while standing and the medial side while walking. Study results support the hypothesis that the novel digital approach improves comfort outcomes compared to the evaluated conventional method. The digital interface design methodology also has the potential to provide benefits in design time, repeatability, and cost.

Sporadic hypertrophic and nodular port-wine stain: a study of 27 cases with emphasis on histological features and novel mutation type

AimsTo investigate the clinicopathological features and molecular characteristics of sporadic hypertrophic and nodular port-wine stains (PWS).MethodsWe analysed the clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of 27 sporadic hypertrophic and nodular PWS retrieved...

Characterization of brass mesh bolus for electron beam therapy

Purpose. Bolus is often required for targets close to or on skin surface, however, standard bolus on complex surfaces can result in air gaps that compromise dosimetry. Brass mesh boluses (RPD, Inc., Albertville, MN) are designed to conform to the patient's surface and reduce air gaps. While they have been well characterized for their use with photons, minimal characterization exists in literature for their use with electrons.Methods and materials.Dosimetric characteristics of brass mesh bolus was investigated for use with 6, 9 and 12 MeV electrons using a 10×10 cm2applicator on standard multi-energy LINAC. Measurements for bolus equivalence and percentage depth doses (PDDs) under brass mesh, as well as surface dose measurements were performed on solid water and a 3D printed resin breast phantom (Anycubic Photon MonoX, Shenzhen, China) using Markus®parallel-plate ionization chamber (Model 34045, PTW Freiburg, Germany), thermoluminescent detectors (TLD) and EBRT film. After obtaining surface dose measurements, these were compared to dose calculated on the Pinnacle3 treatment planning system (TPS, 16.2, Koninklijke Philips N.V.).Results. Measurements of surface dose under brass mesh showed consistently higher dose than without bolus, confirming that brass mesh can increase the PDD at surface up to ∼ 94% of dose at dmax, depending on incident electron energy. This increase is equivalent to using ∼ 7.2 mm water equivalent bolus for 6 MeV, ∼ 3.6 mm for 9 MeV and ∼ 2.2 mm bolus for 12 MeV electrons. TPS results showed close agreement within-vivomeasurements, confirming the potential for brass mesh as bolus for electron irradiation, provided blousing effect is correctly modelled.Conclusions. To increase electron surface dose, a brass mesh can be used with equivalent effect of water-density bolus varying with electron energy. Proper implementation could allow for ease of treatment, as well as increase bolus conformality in electron-only plans.

Sudden improvement of alopecia universalis and psoriatic arthritis while receiving upadacitinib: a case-based review.

Alopecia universalis (AU), an advanced form of alopecia areata (AA), is a condition characterized by the complete loss of hair over the entire skin surface. Recent progress has significantly enhanced our understanding of the pathogenesis of AU. In particular, interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin (IL)-15 seem to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Nonetheless, a variety of medications has been used to treat the disease with frequently inconsistent results. Given the broad modulation of the immune system and inhibition of key molecules, including IFN-γ and IL-15, oral janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors represent a treatment option for moderate to severe cases of AA, as demonstrated in case reports supporting their efficacy and tolerability. We present the case of a patient suffering from psoriatic arthritis and AU who experienced a sudden improvement in peripheral arthritis and AU while receiving JAK1 selective treatment with upadacitinib. So far, there are very limited case reports of successful upadacitinib treatment for patients with AA, mostly in patients also suffering from atopic dermatitis. Thus, we provide evidence for the efficacy of upadacitinib in managing AU in adults, also in the context of an inflammatory arthritis such as psoriatic arthritis.

Immunoglobulin M-based local production in skin-associated lymphoid tissue of flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) initiated by immersion with inactivated Edwardsiella tarda

Fish skin, the mucosal site most exposed to external antigens, requires protection by an efficient local mucosal immune system. The mucosal reserve of IgM is recognized as an immune strategy that blocks pathogen invasion to maintain homeostasis, whereas the mechanism of skin-associated local IgM production induced by mucosal antigens is not well know. In this study, we found that the skin of flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) was equipped with the immune cellular and molecular basis for processing mucosal antigens and triggering local specific responses, i.e., CD4+ Zap-70+ T cells, CD4− Zap-70+ T/NK cells, IgM+ MHCII+ B cells, PNA+ MHCII+ antigen-presenting cells, UEA-1+ WGA+ and UEA-1+ WGA− antigen-sampling cells, as well as secreted IgM and pIgR, as demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence assay using different antibodies and lectins. After immersion immunization with inactivated Edwardsiella tarda, qPCR assay displayed up-regulation of immune-related genes in flounder skin. Flow cytometry analysis and EdU labeling demonstrated that the mucosal inactivated vaccine induced local proliferation and increased amounts of cutaneous IgM+ B cells. Skin explant culture proved the local production of specific IgM in the skin, which could bind to the surface of E. tarda. ELISA, laser scanning confocal microscopy, and Western blot revealed that, in addition to the elevated IgM levels, pIgR protein level was significantly up-regulated in skin tissue and surface mucus containing the pIgR (secretory component, SC)-tetrameric IgM complex, indicating that mucosal vaccine stimulated up-regulation of IgM and pIgR, which were secreted as a complex into skin mucus to exert the protective effects as secretory IgM. These findings deepen the understanding of IgM-based local responses in the mucosal immunity of teleosts, which will be critical for subsequent investigation into the protective mechanism of mucosal vaccines for fish health.

Ultra-Thin Highly Sensitive Electronic Skin for Temperature Monitoring.

Electronic skin capable of reliable monitoring of human skin temperature is crucial for the advancement of non-invasive clinical biomonitoring, disease diagnosis, and health surveillance. Ultra-thin temperature sensors, with excellent mechanical flexibility and robustness, can conformably adhere to uneven skin surfaces, making them ideal candidates. However, achieving high sensitivity often demands sacrificing flexibility, rendering the development of temperature sensors combining both qualities a challenging task. In this study, we utilized a low-cost drop-casting technique to print ultra-thin and lightweight (thickness: approximately 3 µm, weight: 0.61 mg) temperature sensors based on a combination of vanadium dioxide and PEDOT:PSS at room temperature and atmospheric conditions. These sensors exhibit high sensitivity (temperature coefficient of resistance: -5.11%/°C), rapid response and recovery times (0.36 s), and high-temperature accuracy (0.031 °C). Furthermore, they showcased remarkable durability in extreme bending conditions (bending radius = 400 µm), along with stable electrical performance over approximately 2400 bending cycles. This work offers a low-cost, simple, and scalable method for manufacturing ultra-thin and lightweight electronic skins for temperature monitoring, which seamlessly integrate exceptional temperature-measuring capabilities with optimal flexibility.

AKTIVITAS ANTITUMOR KOMBINASIEKSTRAKTyphonium flagelliformeDENGANINTERFERON ALAMIANJING DAN KUCING PADA MENCITDENGAN TUMORKULIT YANG DIINDUKSIDMBA

Indonesia has various plants with potential activities and uses as antitumor agents, one of which is Typhonium flagelliforme. This study aimed to examine in vivo the effects of combination therapy of T. flagelliforme leaf-ethanolic extract and natural interferon of canine or feline as an antitumor agent. In this study, 18 female mice of ddY strain induced with 7.12-dimethyl-benz(?)anthracene (DMBA) carcinogenic substance were divided into six treatment groups. All tumor tissues formed were collected and made for histopathological slides. The slides were stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) procedure using antibodies for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Caspase-3. The macroscopic observations showed that the skin surface of the mice groups with tumors had alopecia with a reddish color. The microscopic observations showed three tumors types: anaplastic carcinoma, fibrosarcoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. The mitotic, angiogenesis, PCNA and Caspase-3 tests showed significant differences among the groups administered with the single and combination test materials. The combination therapy of T. flagelliforme leaf-ethanolic extract and natural interferon can stabilize mice’s body weight, inhibit tumor growth, reduce mitosis and angiogenesis, and reduce PCNA and Caspase-3 expression.

Preliminary study on the effects of boysenberry juice intake on brown adipose tissue activity in healthy adults

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays an important role in energy metabolism because it uses fatty acids for thermogenesis during cold exposure. Preclinical studies found that boysenberry anthocyanins (BoyACs) activate BAT. Therefore, the aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate how BoyAC intake affects BAT in humans. We performed an open-label single-arm nonrandomized study in healthy volunteers. Before and after 4 weeks of daily consumption of 100 ml boysenberry juice (BoyJ) containing 61 mg of BoyACs, participants were assessed at 24 °C and then after 1 h of mild cold exposure (18 °C). An infrared thermography camera was used to measure skin surface temperatures in the supraclavicular BAT region (Tscv) and the non-BAT region of the upper chest (Tch). Energy metabolism was measured by indirect calorimetry. For each endpoint, we calculated Δ as the difference between values before and after cold exposure and compared the values before and after BoyJ intake. 10 volunteers participated (age: 36.1 ± 4.1, body mass index (BMI): 20.9 ± 0.6). After BoyJ intake, ΔTscv-ch was significantly higher (p = 0.029), but Δ energy expenditure, Δ fat oxidation, and Δ carbohydrate oxidation were not significantly different. We found a significant positive correlation between BMI and Δfat oxidation with BoyJ intake. The results indicate that 4 weeks of BoyJ intake activates cold-induced thermogenesis in the scv-BAT but does not have a significant effect on energy metabolism. BoyJ intake may increase fat oxidation during cold exposure in individuals with higher BMI.Trial registry number: UMIN000043476, 05/03/2021.

Bioinspired Composite Fabrics with Nanoneedle Structures for High Wicking-Evaporation performance

Achieving ultrafast antigravity water transport and evaporation in high-performance moisture-wicking fabrics remains a significant challenge in textile engineering. In this study, we introduce two novel asymmetric composite fabrics, NN-TS/PET/BS and NS-TS/PET/BS, developed through a straightforward one-step method. These fabrics incorporate different hydrophilic nanostructures—nanoneedles (NN) and nanosheets (NS) of cobalt carbonate—to enhance wicking-evaporation capabilities. The NN-TS/PET/BS fabric exhibited superior unidirectional water transport and evaporation performance, achieving a one-way transport value (R) of up to 330 %, an outstanding overall moisture management capacity (OMMC) of 0.87, and a rapid water evaporation rate of 0.5 g h⁻¹, which is 2 and 2.3 times higher than that of NS-TS/PET/BS and Coolmax, respectively. Detailed analyses revealed that the curvature gradients in the nanoneedles significantly enhanced the wetting and evaporation stages, facilitating efficient antigravity water transport. Wear studies confirmed that the NN-TS/PET/BS fabric could swiftly remove sweat from the skin surface, enhancing comfort and performance. These findings offer new perspectives for developing high-performance unidirectional water transport fabrics with broad application potential, including smart textiles, fog harvesting, and wound dressings.

Effects of trigeminal neurostimulation on heart rate variability: comparing cutaneous (Tragus) and tongue (Antero-Dorsal mucosa) stimulation

BackgroundTrigeminal neurostimulation of the dorsal anterior mucosal surface of the tongue has been proposed to treat a variety of pathologies and to promote neuro-muscular coordination and rehabilitation. Dental ULFTENS can also be considered a form of trigeminal neurostimulation applied to the skin surface bilaterally at the level of the tragus. It has been used for years in dentistry for practical and diagnostic purposes. Previous work has combined the two stimulation techniques showing an efficacy in improving HRV in healthy young women of dental ULFTENS applied to the mucosal surface of the tongue. This work sought to assess whether there is a difference in HRV in relation to the site of application of dental ULFTENS (tragus vs. tongue). If effective in reducing the activity of arousal circuits, this tongue-level stimulation technique could have new clinical applications.Material and methodA new intraoral device allowed electrical stimulation of the dorsal anterior mucosa of the tongue in 80 healthy young women divided into two groups: TUD group (ULFTENS stimulation on the mucosa of the tongue) and Tragus group (stimulation with ULFTENS bilaterally in the area of the tragus). The effects on HRV were monitored by photoplethysmographic wave (PPG). The HRV parameters studied were RMSSD, HF, LF, LF/HF.ResultsOnly the TUD group showed a significant change in selected HRV parameters that was maintained even in the epoch after the end of electrical stimulation. This effect can be considered as a vagal activation and an increased of HRV parameter. The Tragus group did not show significant change in the direction of increased HRV but showed an opposite trend. There were no undesirable or annoying effects of stimulation.ConclusionStimulation of the dorsal anterior (trigeminal) mucosal surface of the tongue with ULFTENS applied with an intraoral device was shown to be able to increase HRV while the same stimulation on tragus area, according to traditional dental ULFTENS procedure, did not show the same effects.Clinical implicationsThis stimulation technique could be an aid in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders characterized by autonomic disequilibrium such as, in the dental field, TMDs.Trial registration“Effects of Trigeminal Neurostimulation on Heart Rate Variability: Comparing Tragus and Tongue Stimulation”. ID number: NCT06549205. Date of first registration: August 1st 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06549205?id=%09NCT06549205&rank=1.

Method for determination of gamma oryzanol in dietary supplement by high performance liquid chromatography

Gamma oryzanol (GO), a phytosterol found most abundantly in rice bran oil as well as corn, barley, rye, vegetable oils and wheat bran. Thanks to its ability to slow down the development of melanin pigments, prevent the effects and spread of ultraviolet rays on the skin's surface, limiting freckles and darkening of the skin, in recent years, GO has been added to dietary supplements to help reduce melasma, brighten and smooth the skin. For the purpose of evaluating and controlling product quality, the GO analysis method was developed and validated. GO was analyzed by HPLC using a PDA detector with a C18 chromatography column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) and a mobile phase consisting of methanol and acetonitrile in isocratic mode 35: 65 (v/v). The test sample was extracted with a mixture of n-hexane and ethanol at a ratio of 2: 5 (v/v). The method was evaluated for system suitability, specificity, calibration curve, precision and accuracy with limit of detection and limit of quantification were 15.0 µg/g and 50.0 µg/g, respectively. The analysis results of 10 real samples including 03 pellet samples and 07 powder samples showed that the method is suitable for analyzing samples with different concentration ranges.

Resection of a Ruptured Epidermoid Cyst with Limberg Flap: Case Report

Epidermoid cysts, also known as epidermal cysts, keratin cysts, epithelial cysts, or sebaceous cysts (although this term is no longer widely used), are benign lesions frequently seen in clinical practice. These cysts arise from epidermal cells trapped beneath the skin's surface. The most common complication is cyst rupture, which can lead to significant inflammation and even a granulomatous response. This article presents the clinical case of a male patient with a ruptured epidermoid cyst that triggered a granulomatous reaction, treated with surgical excision and reconstruction using a Limberg flap. Proper surgical management is crucial in such cases to prevent long-term complications and ensure optimal healing.