Decorin‐expressing adenovirus decreases collagen synthesis and upregulates MMP expression in keloid fibroblasts and keloid spheroids

Decorin is a natural transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) antagonist. Reduced decorin synthesis is associated with dermal scarring, and increased decorin expression appears to reduce scar tissue formation. To investigate the therapeutic potential of decorin for keloids, human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and keloid‐derived fibroblasts (KFs) were transduced with decorin‐expressing adenovirus (dE1‐RGD/GFP/DCN), and we examined the therapeutic potential of decorin‐expressing Ad for treating pathologic skin fibrosis. Decorin expression was examined by immunofluorescence assay on keloid tissues. HDFs and KFs were transduced with dE1‐RGD/GFP/DCN or control virus, and protein levels of decorin, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and secreted TGF‐β1 were assessed by Western blotting and ELISA. And type I and III collagen, and matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP‐1) and matrix metalloproteinase‐3 (MMP‐3) mRNA levels were measured by real‐time RT‐PCR. Additionally, we immunohistochemically investigated the expression levels of the major extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in keloid spheroids transduced with dE1‐RGD/GFP/DCN. Lower decorin expression was observed in the keloid region compared to adjacent normal tissues. After treatment with dE1‐RGD/GFP/DCN, secreted TGF‐β1 and EGFR protein expressions were decreased in TGF‐β1‐treated HDFs and KFs. Also, type I and III collagen mRNA levels were decreased, and the expression of MMP‐1 and MMP‐3 mRNA was strongly upregulated. In addition, the expression of type I and III collagen, fibronectin and elastin was significantly reduced in dE1‐RGD/GFP/DCN‐transduced keloid spheroids. These results support the utility of decorin‐expressing adenovirus to reduce collagen synthesis in KFs and keloid spheroid, which may be highly beneficial in treating keloids.     

Changes in iodine status among US adults, 2001–2012

Urinary iodine concentrations (UICs) in the US have been reported to be stable since 1988–1994, although those in selected subgroups remained low. We aimed to investigate iodine status among adults (≥20 years) by two different criteria of assessing iodine deficiency in population. Utilizing National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2001–2012, we conducted linear logistic regressions adjusting for covariates. The prevalence of <50?μg/L UIC was higher in women than in men; increased from 11.6% (2001–2004) to 13.2% (2009–2012) at the national level and in young adults, non-Hispanic blacks (NHBs) and non-users of iodine-containing supplements (all, p?<0.05); the adjusted odds ratios (95%CI) in young adults (1.54 [1.11–2.15], p =?0.0007) and NHBs (1.70 [1.15–2.52], p =?0.0078). Median UICs confirm women and NHBs being in borderline iodine status. Recognizing the critical consequence of iodine deficiency particularly in women and NHBs, regular monitoring of iodine status is important for public health in the US.     

Quantitative anatomical analysis of facial expression using a 3D motion capture system: Application to cosmetic surgery and facial recognition technology

The topography of the facial muscles differs between males and females and among individuals of the same gender. To explain the unique expressions that people can make, it is important to define the shapes of the muscle, their associations with the skin, and their relative functions. Three‐dimensional (3D) motion‐capture analysis, often used to study facial expression, was used in this study to identify characteristic skin movements in males and females when they made six representative basic expressions. The movements of 44 reflective markers (RMs) positioned on anatomical landmarks were measured. Their mean displacement was large in males [ranging from 14.31 mm (fear) to 41.15 mm (anger)], and 3.35–4.76 mm smaller in females [ranging from 9.55 mm (fear) to 37.80 mm (anger)]. The percentages of RMs involved in the ten highest mean maximum displacement values in making at least one expression were 47.6% in males and 61.9% in females. The movements of the RMs were larger in males than females but were more limited. Expanding our understanding of facial expression requires morphological studies of facial muscles and studies of related complex functionality. Conducting these together with quantitative analyses, as in the present study, will yield data valuable for medicine, dentistry, and engineering, for example, for surgical operations on facial regions, software for predicting changes in facial features and expressions after corrective surgery, and the development of face‐mimicking robots. Clin. Anat. 28:735–744, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.