Sensitive skin: correlation with skin surface microrelief appearance

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Sensitive skin is a condition associated with reduced tolerance to environmental factors and/or the application of topical products, such as cosmetics. Its pathophysiology has not been fully elucidated and few data are available on its prevalence. The aim of this study was to investigate possible correlation between objective sensitivity and skin surface microrelief. METHODS: During an epidemiological survey conducted for a campaign promoted by International Society of Plastic Dermatology in Italy, 243 adult healthy subjects of both sexes with no evident dermatological disorder but positive to the lactic acid stinging test, were submitted to cyanoacrylate stratum corneum stripping from the volar forearm for the determination of the irregularity of the skin surface microrelief (irregularity skin index (ISI)). RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between intensity of symptoms in stingers and ISI (r(s)=-0.47; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Sensitive skin is common in the healthy population. ISI can contribute towards the identification of subjects with sensitive skin and the development of more specific skin treatments for this prevalent condition.     

Mutations in SOX2 cause anophthalmia-esophageal-genital (AEG) syndrome

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Infrared analysis of the mineral and matrix in bones of osteonectin-null mice and their wildtype controls.

Osteonectin function in bone was investigated by infrared analysis of bones from osteonectin-null (KO) and wildtype mice (four each at 11, 17, and 36 weeks). An increase in mineral content and crystallinity in newly formed KO bone and collagen maturity at all sites was found using FTIR microspectroscopy and imaging; consistent with osteonectin's postulated role in regulating bone formation and remodeling. Mineral and matrix properties of tibias of osteonectin-null mice and their age- and background-matched wildtype controls were compared using Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy (FTIRM) and infrared imaging (FTIRI) at 10- and 7-mm spatial resolution, respectively. The bones came from animals that were 11, 17, and 36 weeks of age. Individual FTIRM spectra were acquired from 20 x 20 microm areas, whereas 4096 simultaneous FTIRI spectra were acquired from 400 x 400 microm areas. The FTIRM data for mineral-to-matrix, mineral crystallinity, and collagen maturity were highly correlated with the FTIRI data in similar regions. In general, the osteonectin-null mice bones had higher mineral contents and greater crystallinity (crystal size and perfection) than the age-matched wildtype controls. Specifically, the mineral content of the newly forming periosteal bone was increased in the osteonectin-null mice; the crystallinity of the cortical bone was decreased in all but the oldest animals, relative to the wildtype. The most significant finding, however, was increased collagen maturity in both the cortical and trabecular bone of the osteonectin-null mice. These spectroscopic data are consistent with a mechanism of decreased bone formation and remodeling.     

Effect of Various Antidotes on Biliary Excretion of Arsenic in Isolated Perfused Livers of Guinea Pigs after Acute Experimental Poisoning with As2O3*

Abstract: The effect of the dithiols British Anti-Lewisite (BAL), dimercaptopropanesulfonic acid (DMPS), dimercaptosuc-cinic acid (DMSA) and a new metal binding agent 2, 3–bis-(acetylthio)-propanesulfonamide (BAPSA) on the biliary excretion of arsenic in perfused livers of guinea pigs after acute experimental poisoning with As₂O₃ was investigated. Guinea pigs received As₂O₃, 10.0 mg/kg subcutaneously at 9 a. m. as a single injection. One hour after the injection the livers were perfused (2.5 mix min.^–1 x g^–1 liver) with Krebs-Henseleit buffer and glucose for 80 min. After 40 min. of saline perfusion (control) 0.1 or 0.7 mmol/1 BAL, DMSA, DMPS, or BAPSA were added to the perfusate and arsenic elimination in the bile and effluent perfusate was measured. The biliary excretion of arsenic in control livers between 40 and 80 min. was 0.7% of the total arsenic liver content before perfusion (= arsenic liver content after perfusion + portion excreted in the bile + perfusate). After antidote addition (0.1 mmol/l) the excretion was 0.2% for livers perfused with BAL, 6.8% for DMSA, 10.6% for DMPS, and 11.1% for BAPSA, respectively. After 0.7 mmol/l antidote the excretion of arsenic was 0.1% in livers perfused with BAL, 9.6% for DMSA, 12.3% for DMPS, and 13.3% for BAPSA, respectively. Except BAL, all compounds and most effectively BAPSA increased biliary excretion of arsenic. This indicates that excretion of arsenic which normally is mainly renal is shifted towards faecal excretion by the dithiols.     

How do genes exert their role? Period 3 gene variants and possible influences on mood disorder phenotypes

The action of multiple liability genes is responsible for complex phenotypes at the same time, a single gene, could control several phenotypic features. This is the case of human period 3 gene (hper3), mainly involved in the setting of the biologic clock. Some variants of this gene, besides being associated with the Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome, showed a key role in determining evening preference rather than morning one. According to this rationale, we hypothesized that this gene could influence circadian mood fluctuations, in mood disorders. Our study demonstrated that rare genetic variants of hper3 are significantly associated to a number of mood disorders features, such as age of onset, response to SSRIs treatment, circadian mood oscillations and characteristics of temperament. These preliminary results could shed further light on the involvement of circadian genes in various aspects of physiological and psychopathological mechanisms of the brain.