Visible Hair Research Articles

Trichology to predict efficacy of scalp cooling: New pathologic insights besides encouraging clinical results.

12093 Background: Chemotherapy continues to be an essential element of tumour-specific systemic therapy. The associated hair loss impacts patients ‘quality of life in addition. Sensor-controlled scalp cooling has proven itself as a method of preventing alopecia. This study evaluates the grade of hair preservation as well as predictive factors, including (ultra)structural changes of the hair follicle during treatment, offering potential for enhanced therapeutic strategies. Methods: Scalp cooling, was evaluated in 81 patients (79 women, 2 men, median age 56 years) undergoing breast carcinoma treatment (4x EC 90/600 mg/m² BSA followed by 12x PAC w). Key outcomes included hair preservation (Hair Mass Index = HMI), avoidance of visible hair loss (HMI ≥ 50), and prevention of severe hair loss (all measured by Cross Section Trichometer). Parameters such as hair density (HMI), trichologic parameters like hair shaft and bulb diameter, anagen rate, shaft surface damage and melanosomes changes were measured through (ultrastructural) microscopy. Results: Over the half (53%) of patients avoided successfully noticeable hair loss (HMI post ≥ 50). Most important predictors of successful hair preservation in different analyses included lower post-therapeutic shaft surface damage (via scanning electron microscopy) (β = -.30, p = .034), larger pre-treatment shaft diameter (via light microscopy) (OR = 1.11, p = .011), and stable melanosome density (via transmission electron microscopy) (β = .35, p = .013). Higher anagen ratio (β = .30, p = 0.009) and larger hair shaft diameter (β = .29, p=0,023) plays a crucial role in hair prevention, considering only light-microspcopic parameters. Comorbidity (OR = 0.12, p = .024) and alopecia causing medication (e.g. antihypertensiva) (β = -.31, p = .017) led to increased hair loss. Patients with fewer hair loss over the course reported higher quality of life (r = .25, p = .042) and lower psychological burden (r = -.42, p < .001). Data indicate that optimal pre-therapeutic hair density (HMI =/> 69), coupled with the absence of comorbidities and alopecia-inducing medications, substantially enhances the efficacy of scalp cooling, elevating the probability of preventing severe hair loss (HMI ≥ 50) by nearly sevenfold (OR = 6.98, CI95% [1.01;48.33]. Conclusions: Scalp cooling proves effective in preventing visible hair loss in 53% of patients, with mini-organ (hair follicle) characteristics influencing outcomes. It does not only prevent hair loss but also enhances quality of life, underscoring the need for personalized approaches in managing chemotherapy-induced alopecia. The study confirms the method's safety and effectiveness without increasing scalp metastasis risk.

Exploring pharmacological treatment for trichotillomania: do we need better education?

Trichotillomania, also known as hair-pulling disorder, is a chronic psychiatric condition with a fluctuating course in which an individual pulls out their hair, leading to visible hair loss and psychosocial sequelae. Due to the unknown pathogenesis, the treatment of this disorder is complex and remains a challenge for dermatologists and psychiatrists. Since guidelines for treating trichotillomania are lacking and, consequently, no common treatment strategy exists, we decided to perform a large-scale, global retrospective cohort study to assess the characterized real-world prescription patterns in treating trichotillomania. The research used the TrinetX database for patients with trichotillomania (ICD 10 - F63.3) within the European and the United States Collaborative Network (EC and UC, respectively). After consulting with a psychodermatology expert, a list of 25 medications was investigated. Data on the prescription drugs of 1,275 patients from the EC and 109,741 patients from the UC were collected. In both the EC and UC cohorts, benzodiazepine derivatives, particularly lorazepam and midazolam, were the most commonly prescribed sedatives/hypnotics. Antipsychotic prescriptions, primarily haloperidol, followed benzodiazepines. After the trichotillomania diagnosis, notable changes in drug prescriptions for the EC cohort, including an increased likelihood of receiving acetylcysteine, haloperidol, quetiapine, sertraline, olanzapine, and risperidone were observed. The UC cohort showed minimal changes. Overall, both cohorts leaned toward benzodiazepine prescriptions (37% UC, 21% EC) and had limited antidepressant usage. Haloperidol (19.3%) and quetiapine (15.1%) were commonly prescribed in both cohorts. The results of our study indicate that the real-world prescription patterns for trichotillomania differ significantly from the expert-proposed therapeutic approach and point toward the necessity of creating standards of pharmacological care and better education.

THE PRESENCE OF ANTIOXIDANTS IN THE HAIR INFUNDIBULUM IMPLICATIONS IN HAIR DISEASES SUCH AS ALOPECIA

Anatomically, as a rule the hairs in mammals consists of an unseen follicle or root anchored into the skin with a shaft or visible hair exiting exteriorly. As a note of interest, the hair follicle has been described as a miniorgan having its own cells division, metabolism and aging stages (1). As previously stated “metabolism entails electron transfers in both plants (photosynthesis) and animals (cellular respiration) involving movement of electrons from donor to acceptor along the electron transfer chain thus inducing a current within each cell and from cell to cell” (2,3). This continuity of energy transfer in living organisms is at the very essence of life; and is ubiquitously present in all living matter and the generator of Bioelectricity (a.k.a. electromagnetic radiation), the protein enzyme catalase having an essential pivotal role in energy production in the breakdown of toxic materials such as H2O2 into H2O and O2 molecules. During the breakdown of O2 molecules energy is generated. When catalase is depleted life ends and regional death occurs (4,5). We could then theorize that if cell respiration ceases throughout the entire organism (organs) death ensues (6). Only in living tissue is that elimination of toxic material such as H2O2 has any relevance.

A multi-state occupancy model to non-invasively monitor visible signs of wildlife health with camera traps that accounts for image quality.

Camera traps are an increasingly popular tool to monitor wildlife distributions. However, traditional analytical approaches to camera trap data are difficult to apply to visible wildlife characteristics in single images, such as infection status. Several parasites produce visible signs of infection that could be sampled via camera traps. Sarcoptic mange Sarcoptes scabiei is an ideal disease to study using cameras because it results in visible hair loss and affects a broad host range. Here, we developed a multi-state occupancy model to estimate the occurrence of mange in coyotes Canis latrans across an urban gradient. This model incorporates a secondary detection function for apparent by-image infection status to provide detection-corrected estimates of mange occurrence. We analysed a multi-year camera trap dataset in Chicago, Illinois, United States, to test whether the apparent occurrence of sarcoptic mange in coyotes Canis latrans increases with urbanization or varies through time. We documented visible signs consistent with current or recovering mange infection and variables we hypothesized would improve mange detection: The proportion of the coyote in frame, image blur and whether the image was in colour. We were more likely to detect coyotes with mange in images that were less blurry, in colour, and if a greater proportion of the coyote was visible. Mangy coyote occupancy was significantly higher in urban developed areas with low housing density and higher canopy cover whereas coyote occupancy, mangy or otherwise, decreased with urbanization. By incorporating image quality into our by-image detection function, we provide a robust method to non-invasively survey visible aspects of wildlife health with camera traps. Apparently mangy coyotes were associated with low-density forested neighbourhoods, which may offer vegetated areas while containing sources of anthropogenic resources. This association may contribute to human-wildlife conflict and reinforces posited relationships between infection risk and habitat use. More generally, our model could provide detection-corrected occupancy estimates of visible characteristics that vary by image such as body condition or injuries.

The Presentation and Surgical Treatment of Peribulbar Dermolipomas.

To evaluate the presentation, treatment, and outcome for patients with peribulbar dermolipomas and describe a reliable technique for excision of large lesions. Retrospective chart review for patients seen at Moorfields Eye Hospital between 1976 and 2019. Patient demographics, clinical features, imaging (CT or MRI, where available), histopathology, and surgical outcomes were reviewed. One hundred and ninety-six eyes of 187 patients (117 females; 63%) were identified as having dermolipoma, the patients presenting at an average age of 21.5 years and-where recorded in 163 patients-had first symptoms at an average age of 12.9 years. Although 8/187 (4%) patients were asymptomatic, the commonest symptom was increasing size of a longstanding peribulbar lump (136 patients; 73%); other symptoms included ocular irritation (24%), episodic localized conjunctival injection (12%), and mucoid discharge (12%). One-third of dermolipomas had visible hairs (some with localized giant papillary conjunctivitis), lateral canthal widening was present in 44 patients, aberrant lacrimal gland ductules opening onto skin in 8, and a complex lateral canthal anomaly-with both an external dermoid and an internal dermolipoma-was present in 9 patients. Complete management details were available for 120 patients (those treated after 1990) and 40 (33%) electing for observation, 71 (59%) had excision for long-term irritation and discharge and 9 (8%) for cosmesis: together with the integral subdermal fat lobule, in all cases the abnormal, nonwetting squamous epithelium was delineated and excised under microscopic control, and the conjunctival defect closed directly (59/80 eyes) or with a "V-to-Y" closure (21 eyes; 26%). The presenting symptoms were cured in all except 1 patient, who required excision of residual abnormal epithelium causing persistent symptoms. Two patients developed symblepharon to the lateral canthus after direct conjunctival closure, this having no functional effect, and 2 other patients had slight restriction of extreme horizontal gaze. Dermolipomas may require surgery when they become more prominent with age, or start causing ocular irritation and discharge. Complications are few with meticulous removal of the nonwetting squamous epithelium and direct conjunctival closure, or when using a "V-to-Y" conjunctivoplasty for larger defects.

Dermoscopy Features of Trichofolliculoma: A Case Report

Abstract Introduction: Trichofolliculoma characterized clinically by the presence of acentral dilated pore with tufted hairs and corresponds histologically to a central primary follicle and many secondary vellus hair follicles originating from it. Thus far, dermoscopy description of trichofolliculoma has been lacking. Here, we describe a typical case of trichofolliculoma, particularly the special manifestation under the dermoscopy. Case presentation: A 29-year-old man complained a five-year history of a nodule containing a central whitish hair plug on his left tempus. Dermoscopic examination revealed a well-defined, yellow macule with a central whitish hair plug surrounded by dilated capillaries, and histopathological analysis was consistent with trichofolliculoma. Discussion: The findings of dermoscopy were also vary, which may be affected by the origin of the disease, various phases of the hair cycle, depth of the lesion, and even external stimulus. Conclusion: Diagnosis of trichofolliculoma is sometimes difficult because the presence of the central crater and visible hairs is low, and dermoscopy examination may be a potentially useful diagnostic tool.

Simple and fast diagnosis of osteoporosis based on UV-visible hair fluorescence spectroscopy.

The aim of this work is to propose a new analytical technique based on UV-visible fluorescence as an alternative to x-ray absorptiometry for diagnosing osteoporosis, as well as its early stage by identifying osteopenia. The equipment used consists of very cheap equipment compared to x-ray scanners with an LED as the excitation source. In this work, we analyzed 90 hair samples taken from volunteers of different ages at Habib Thameur Hospital in Tunis. These samples were previously analyzed by bone mineral density (BMD) and correspond to people suffering from osteoporosis and osteopenia, as well as healthy people. The main idea of this study is to show the correlation between the deficiency of bone density given by BMD and the variations of the relative concentrations of molecules present in the hair causing the changes observed in the fluorescence spectra. The results extracted from the spectra show a clear discrimination between healthy and sick patients and a very good correlation, in a Spearman sense, between the spectral measurements and the BMD's data for the patients with osteoporosis. In addition, we have isolated the main spectral region responsible for this correlation, which facilitates the identification of the molecule concentrations related to the decrease in BMD.

Trichoadénome : description anatomoclinique et dermatoscopique

Trichoadenoma is a very rare follicular tumour with a remarkable histopathological appearance. In this article we present a series of 12 cases of trichoadenoma, as well as the anatomoclinical and dermatoscopic findings in a typical case. We discuss these findings in the light of an extensive literature research. We collated 12 cases of trichoadenoma of indisputable diagnosis made at the dermatopathology laboratory of the Dermatological Clinic of the University Hospitals of Strasbourg over a 30-year period (1989-2018). The 12 cases comprised 7 women and 5 men, of average age 58.9 years, the majority having lesions on the cephalic extremity followed by the buttocks and thighs. Histopathological examination, which was similar in all 12 cases, showed multiple epidermal cysts containing an eosinophil lamellar keratin with a stratified wall without any visible hair, located in the superficial and mid dermis and appearing to be stacked on top of one another. In immunohistochemistry, broad spectrum keratin markers were still positive, the follicular marker Ber-EP4 weakly expressed and PHLDA1 was negative. For the case examined using polarized-light dermatoscopy, small rounded white-yellow areas were observed corresponding to cystic structures surrounded by irregular linear vessels. Trichoadenoma is a rare tumour seen in middle-aged adults of mean age 45 years, and has no sexual predominance. It is asymptomatic, slow-growing, variable in colour, measures less than one centimeter and is most often located on the face or buttocks. In terms of histology, the juxtaposition of multiple small cystic structures suggests a follicular origin. Differential diagnosis is made with trichoblastomas, which always intensely express PHLDA1 and/or Ber-EP4, desmoplastic trichoepithelioma, which consists of multiple much thinner spans in a highly fibrous stroma with clearly visible arborescent vessels over a white-yellow ivory background at dermatoscopy, microcystic carcinoma, which has a deeper extension, and plaque milium, in which the cysts are larger.

Određivanje elemenata u kosi metodom ICP-MS

Human hair is a biological sample that is, unlike blood, noninvasively collected and can be used in the assessment of element intake. Before analysis, hair samples need to be washed to eliminate external contamination, for which no standard procedure exists. The present study evaluated the efficiency of different processes for washing hair samples (by non-ionic detergent, acids, solvents, and their mixtures), including ultrasonication before ICP-MS element (As, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Mo, Pb, Se, and Zn) analysis. All tested washing procedures using detergent or solvents were satisfactory, while nitric and hydrochloric acid solutions yielded to “released” and lost elements due to damaged hair (visible discolouration and hair impairment). The application of ultrasonication improved washing efficiency up to 10 %, depending on the tested element and washing procedure.

Hierarchy of hair loss stigma: media portrayals of cancer, alopecia areata, and ringworm in Israeli newspapers

BackgroundOver 300,000 people in Israel cope with temporary or permanent hair loss (alopecia) that results from diseases and medical treatments. For women, hair loss can be a highly traumatic event that may lead to adverse psychosocial consequences and health outcomes. Nevertheless, this phenomenon has been mostly ignored by health professionals as it is primarily considered an aesthetic—rather than as a health-related issue. Only recently the Healthcare Basket Committee approved financial assistance for the purchase of wigs by patients coping with hair loss. Given the important role that the media plays in shaping health policies related to diagnoses, treatment and support services, the current study sought to enrich our understanding of how the media portrays disease-related hair-loss.MethodsUsing framing and agenda-setting theories, this study examined the media portrayals of hair loss associated with three diseases—cancer, alopecia areata, and ringworm, depicted in Israeli newspapers in 1994–2016. The sample consisted of 470 articles about the three diseases: 306 on cancer, 36 on AA, and 128 on ringworm.ResultsTextual and visual analysis revealed the ways media marginalize this physical flaw. Cancer was framed in medical terms, and patients were portrayed as older Israeli-born people whose hair loss was absent from their experience. Ringworm was framed as a fear-inducing disease; patients were portrayed as faceless, unidentified immigrants that coped with visible hair loss. Articles on AA provided the greatest focus on the patient’s experience of hair loss, but patients were portrayed as young foreign people.ConclusionsOur results revealed a hierarchy of stigmas against hair loss, in which the media coverage marginalized this experience. The omission of hair loss by the media may explain, at least in part, why health professionals often ignore the psychosocial needs of these patients. Health insurance funding of wigs is a helpful but nevertheless insufficient solution to coping with feminine hair loss. Our findings may encourage media leaders to conduct planned media interventions to increase awareness of clinicians and health policymakers about the unique challenges faced by women coping with hair loss and promote health policy-making aimed at the well-being of these women.

Combination Therapy to Treat Asian Female Pattern Hair Loss

Background: Hair loss in women has a various psychosocial impact and effective treatments have been required. Camouflaging products which cover exposed areas on the scalp and hide visible hair loss are common, but medical therapies for female pattern hair loss (FPHL) are not so common. We have treated patients with FPHL using our combination therapy that consists of oral spironolactone, oral and topical minoxidil, and an injectable treatment for six years. Methods: 4568 female patients were treated between the years 2013 and 2018. Our combination therapy consists of 25 mg oral spironolactone once daily, 2.5 mg oral and 5% solution topical minoxidil twice daily, and an injectable treatment once monthly for 6 - 12 months. Digital photographs were taken pre- and post-treatment, and patient assessments were recorded after 6 and 12 months post-treatment. Results: Significant improvement was observed compared to the pre-treatment for all patients in the digital photographs. 95% and 96% of patients reported satisfaction with the results of the treatment after 6 and 12 months post-treatment, respectively. Minor complications were observed in a total of 223 (4.9%) patients, characterized by slight pain and bleeding due to injection, slight palpitation, swelling, hair growth in undesirable areas, headache, dizziness, itching. The seminor complications resolved spontaneously. No treatment-related adverse events were observed. Conclusion: A combination of these therapeutic options offers rapid and highly efficacious treatment for FPHL with minimal complications, and is recommended as an effective treatment for FPHL.

Prolonging the duration of post-infusion scalp cooling in the prevention of anthracycline-induced alopecia: a randomised trial in patients with breast cancer treated with adjuvant chemotherapy.

Scalp cooling as a method to reduce the incidence of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) is increasingly used in daily practice worldwide. However, in patients treated with 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide (FEC), scalp cooling fails in 48-67% of patients. This study investigated the efficacy of extended duration of post-infusion scalp cooling in breast cancer patients treated with this regimen. In this prospective multi-centre randomised study, 102 patients with early breast cancer treated with adjuvant FEC chemotherapy were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to a post-infusion cooling time of 90 or 150min. The primary endpoint was the need to wear a wig or other head covering to mask visible hair loss. Sixteen out of 48 patients (33%) treated with 90min of post-infusion cooling did not need any head covering, compared with 21 out of 46 patients (45%) treated with 150min of post-infusion cooling (p= 0.2). WHO grades 2-3 (moderate-complete) alopecia were reported more often in patients treated with 90-min post-infusion cooling time (n= 25/51 (49%) versus n= 17/51 (33%); p= 0,02). Scalp cooling was well-tolerated (mean Visual Analogue Score 7.4) and only three patients (3%) stopped due to intolerance during treatment. Extending the duration of 90-min post-infusion scalp cooling to 150min in patients treated with adjuvant FEC chemotherapy was well-tolerated but did not significantly diminish the need for head covering. However, grades 2-3 alopecia was seen less often with prolonged post-infusion scalp cooling.

In vivo evaluation of insect wax for hair growth potential.

Insect wax is secreted by Ericerus pela Chavanness. It has been traditionally used to treat hair loss in China, but few reports have been published on the hair growth-promoting effect of insect wax. In this work, we examined the hair growth-promoting effects of insect wax on model animals. Different concentrations of insect wax were topically applied to the denuded backs of mice, and 5% minoxidil was applied topically as a positive control. We found that insect wax significantly promoted hair growth in a dose-dependent manner, 45% and 30% insect wax both induced hair to regrow, while less visible hair growth was observed in blank controls on the 16th day. The experimental areas treated with 45% and 30% insect wax exhibited significant differences in hair scores compared to blank controls, and hair lengths in the 45% and 30% insect wax group was significantly longer than in blank controls on the 16th and 20th days. There were no new hair follicles forming in the treated areas, and the hair follicles were prematurely converted to the anagen phase from the telogen phase in experimental areas treated with 45% and 30% insect wax. Both 45% and 30% insect wax upregulated vascular endothelial growth factor expression. The results indicated that 45% and 30% insect wax showed hair growth-promoting potential approximately as potent as 5% minoxidil by inducing the premature conversion of telogen-to-anagen and by prolonging the mature anagen phase rather than increasing the number of hair follicles, which was likely related to the upregulation of VEGF expression. The dissociative policosanol in insect wax was considered the key ingredient most likely responsible for the hair growth promoting potential.

Oral phenytoin protects against experimental cyclophosphamide-chemotherapy induced hair loss

In the current study, effects of oral phenytoin on hair growth in cyclophosphamide-treated rats were assessed with the goal of evaluating the ability of phenytoin to suppress chemotherapy-induced hair loss. Thirty-six rats were randomly assigned to six groups (1k6) of six each (n=6). In all groups, anagen was induced in flank skin of rats by depilation. On day 9 (anagen VI), rats were injected once with either distilled water (groups 1–3) or cyclophoshamide (groups 4–6). From day 10, rats in group 1 and 4 received oral vehicle (distilled water), groups 2 and 5 received oral phenytoin (50mg/kg), while groups 3 and 6 also received oral phenytoin (100mg/kg). Drug or vehicle was administered daily for a period of 28days. The flank area was serially photographed. At the end of the experimental period, rats were sacrificed to correlate visible hair growth with a histological profile of follicle response and recovery. Glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and lipid peroxidation status were assessed. Cyclophosphamide (CYP) treatment was associated with gross morphologic and histological evidence of hair loss in the flanks, microscopic evidence of hair-shaft thinning, increased skin lipid peroxidation, decreased GSH level, and reduction in GPX activities. Phenytoin co-administration was associated with evidence of improved hair growth, increased hair-shaft thickness, reduced skin lipid peroxidation, increased GSH level, and increased GPX activities. This study showed that oral phenytoin can suppress hair loss due to CYP therapy in rats; however, further studies are needed to evaluate its potential application in chemotherapy-induced alopecia.

The Follicular Skin Microbiome in Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Healthy Controls

Although the pathogenesis of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) remains enigmatic, several factors point to potential involvement of the cutaneous microbiome. Insight into the cutaneous microbiome in HS using next-generation sequencing may provide novel data on the microbiological diversity of the skin. To investigate the follicular skin microbiome in patients with HS and in healthy controls. This case-control study obtained punch biopsy specimens from patients with HS (lesional and nonlesional) and healthy controls between October 1, 2014, and August 1, 2016. Data were analyzed from March to November 2016. Patients with HS were recruited from the Department of Dermatology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark. Biopsy specimens were analyzed at the Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark. None of the participants received any antibiotics (systemic or topical therapy) within 1 month before the study. In patients with HS, biopsy specimens were obtained from lesional skin (axilla or groin) and nonlesional skin. Only nodules containing at least 1 visible hair follicle were biopsied. Biopsy specimens from healthy controls were obtained from the axilla only. The different microbiomes were investigated using next-generation sequencing targeting 16S and 18S ribosomal RNA. The skin microbiome was characterized in 30 patients with HS (mean [SD] age, 46.9 [14.0] years; 19 [63% female]) and 24 healthy controls (mean [SD] age, 32.2 [12.0] years; 13 [54% female]). The next-generation sequencing data provided a previously unreported (to our knowledge) characterization of the skin microbiome in HS. The study demonstrated that the microbiome in HS differs significantly from that in healthy controls in lesional and nonlesional skin. Overall, the following 5 microbiome types were identified: Corynebacterium species (type I), Acinetobacter and Moraxella species (type II), Staphylococcus epidermidis (type III), Porphyromonas and Peptoniphilus species (type IV), and Propionibacterium acnes (type V). In lesional skin, microbiome types consisted predominantly of type I or type IV. Microbiome type IV was not detected in healthy controls. Several taxa, including Propionibacterium, showed a significantly higher relative abundance in healthy controls vs HS skin, indicating that Propionibacterium may be part of the pathogenesis in HS. The study findings suggest a link between a dysbiotic cutaneous microbiome and HS.

Accelerated senescence in skin in a murine model of radiation-induced multi-organ injury.

Accidental high-dose radiation exposures can lead to multi-organ injuries, including radiation dermatitis. The types of cellular damage leading to radiation dermatitis are not completely understood. To identify the cellular mechanisms that underlie radiation-induced skin injury in vivo, we evaluated the time-course of cellular effects of radiation (14, 16 or 17 Gy X-rays; 0.5 Gy/min) in the skin of C57BL/6 mice. Irradiation of 14 Gy induced mild inflammation, observed histologically, but no visible hair loss or erythema. However, 16 or 17 Gy radiation induced dry desquamation, erythema and mild ulceration, detectable within 14 days post-irradiation. Histological evaluation revealed inflammation with mast cell infiltration within 14days. Fibrosis occurred 80 days following 17 Gy irradiation, with collagen deposition, admixed with neutrophilic dermatitis, and necrotic debris. We found that in cultures of normal human keratinocytes, exposure to 17.9 Gy irradiation caused the upregulation of p21/waf1, a marker of senescence. Using western blot analysis of 17.9 Gy-irradiated mice skin samples, we also detected a marker of accelerated senescence (p21/waf1) 7 days post-irradiation, and a marker of cellular apoptosis (activated caspase-3) at 30 days, both preceding histological evidence of inflammatory infiltrates. Immunohistochemistry revealed reduced epithelial stem cells from hair follicles 14-30 days post-irradiation. Furthermore, p21/waf1 expression was increased in the region of the hair follicle stem cells at 14 days post 17 Gy irradiation. These data indicate that radiation induces accelerated cellular senescence in the region of the stem cell population of the skin.

ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ АНАТОМІЧНОЇ БУДОВИ НАДЗЕМНИХ ОРГАНІВ PRIMULA JULIAE KUSN

Вперше здійснено дослідження особливостей анатомічної будови надземних органів первоцвіту (примули) Юлії родини первоцвіті, в результаті якого виявлено їх характерні мікроскопічні діагностичні ознаки. Встановлені мікродіагностичні ознаки дають можливість ідентифікувати лікарську рослинну сировину і можуть бути використані для розробки проекту АНД.

Lithocarpus dahuoaiensis (Fagaceae), a new species from Lam Dong Province, Vietnam.

Lithocarpus dahuoaiensis Ngoc & L. V. Dung, a new species from the Central highland of Vietnam, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to Lithocarpus macphailii (M. R. Hend.) Barnett or Lithocarpus encleisocarpus (Korth.) A. Camus in having completely entire leaf margin, solitary cupule, long stalks of fruits, deeply cup-shaped or turbinate cupules, with a number of horizontal filiform lines. The species differs in its nut enclosure ca. 1/2 – 2/3 of the nut, adaxially glabrous leaf blades, secondary veins 11–12 pairs and faintly to very faintly visible hairs on the outside of the cupule. A table showing the morphological comparison of Lithocarpus dahuoaiensis with Lithocarpus macphailii and Lithocarpus encleisocarpus is also provided.

Human Hair and the Impact of Cosmetic Procedures: A Review on Cleansing and Shape-Modulating Cosmetics

Hair can be strategically divided into two distinct parts: the hair follicle, deeply buried in the skin, and the visible hair fiber. The study of the hair follicle is mainly addressed by biological sciences while the hair fiber is mainly studied from a physicochemical perspective by cosmetic sciences. This paper reviews the key topics in hair follicle biology and hair fiber biochemistry, in particular the ones associated with the genetically determined cosmetic attributes: hair texture and shape. The traditional and widespread hair care procedures that transiently or permanently affect these hair fiber features are then described in detail. When hair is often exposed to some particularly aggressive cosmetic treatments, hair fibers become damaged. The future of hair cosmetics, which are continuously evolving based on ongoing research, will be the development of more efficient and safer procedures according to consumers’ needs and concerns.

Sebaceous Gland Atrophy in Psoriasis: An Explanation for Psoriatic Alopecia?

In a transcriptome study of lesional psoriatic skin (PP) versus normal skin, we found a coexpressed gene module (N5) enriched 11.5-fold for lipid biosynthetic genes. We also observed fewer visible hairs in PP skin, compared with uninvolved nonlesional psoriatic skin or normal skin (P < 0.0001). To ask whether these findings might be due to abnormalities of the pilosebaceous unit, we carried out three-dimensional morphometric analysis of paired PP and nonlesional psoriatic skin biopsies. Sebaceous glands were markedly atrophic in PP versus nonlesional psoriatic skin (91% average reduction in volume, P= 0.031). Module N5 genes were strongly downregulated in PP versus normal skin (fold change < 0.25, 44.4-fold) and strongly upregulated in sebaceous hyperplasia (fold change > 4, 54.1-fold). The intersection of PP-downregulated and sebaceous hyperplasia-upregulated gene lists generated a gene expression signature consisting solely of module N5 genes, whose expression in PP versus normal skin was inversely correlated with the signature of IL17-stimulated keratinocytes. Despite loss of visible hairs, morphometry identified elongated follicles in PP versus nonlesional psoriatic skin (average 1.7 vs. 1.2 μm, P= 0.020). These results document sebaceous gland atrophy in nonscalp psoriasis, identify a cytokine-regulated set of sebaceous gland signature genes, and suggest that loss of visible hair in PP skin may result from abnormal sebaceous gland function.