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Adult-onset urticaria pigmentosa/mastocytosis in the skin almost always persists throughout life. The prevalence of systemic mastocytosis in such patients is not precisely known. Bone marrow biopsies from 59 patients with mastocytosis in the skin and all available skin biopsies (n=27) were subjected to a meticulous cytological, histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular analysis for the presence of WHO-defined diagnostic criteria for systemic mastocytosis: compact mast cell infiltrates (major criterion); atypical mast cell morphology, KIT D816V, abnormal expression of CD25 by mast cells, and serum tryptase levels >20 ng/ml (minor criteria). Systemic mastocytosis is diagnosed when the major diagnostic criterion plus one minor criterion or at least three minor criteria are fulfilled. Systemic mastocytosis was confirmed in 57 patients (97%) by the diagnosis of compact mast cell infiltrates plus at least one minor diagnostic criterion (n=42, 71%) or at least three minor diagnostic criteria (n=15, 25%). In two patients, only two minor diagnostic criteria were detectable, insufficient for the diagnosis of systemic mastocytosis. By the use of highly sensitive molecular methods, including the analysis of microdissected mast cells, KIT D816V was found in all 58 bone marrow biopsies investigated for it but only in 74% (20/27) of the skin biopsies. It is important to state that even in cases with insufficient diagnostic criteria for systemic mastocytosis, KIT D816V-positive mast cells were detected in the bone marrow. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that almost all patients with adult-onset mastocytosis in the skin, in fact, have systemic mastocytosis with cutaneous involvement.

The impact of silver-threaded material on human skin chemistry and microbiome is largely unknown. Although the most abundant taxa remained unaffected, silver caused an increase in diversity and richness of low-abundant bacteria and a decrease in chemical diversity. With growing awareness that what we put in and on our bodies affects our health and wellbeing, little is still known about the impact of textiles on the human skin. Athletic wear often uses silver threading to improve hygiene, but little is known about its effect on the body’s largest organ. In this study, we investigated the impact of such clothing on the skin’s chemistry and microbiome. Samples were collected from different body sites of a dozen volunteers over the course of 12 weeks. The changes induced by the antibacterial clothing were specific for individuals, but more so defined by gender and body site. Unexpectedly, the microbial biomass on skin increased in the majority of the volunteers when wearing silver-threaded T-shirts. Although the most abundant taxa remained unaffected, silver caused an increase in diversity and richness of low-abundant bacteria and a decrease in chemical diversity. Both effects were mainly observed for women. The hallmark of the induced changes was an increase in the abundance of various monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), especially in the upper back. Several microbe-metabolite associations were uncovered, including Cutibacterium , detected in the upper back area, which was correlated with the distribution of MUFAs, and Anaerococcus spp. found in the underarms, which were associated with a series of different bile acids. Overall, these findings point to a notable impact of the silver-threaded material on the skin microbiome and chemistry. We observed that relatively subtle changes in the microbiome result in pronounced shifts in molecular composition. IMPORTANCE The impact of silver-threaded material on human skin chemistry and microbiome is largely unknown. Although the most abundant taxa remained unaffected, silver caused an increase in diversity and richness of low-abundant bacteria and a decrease in chemical diversity. The major change was an increase in the abundance of various monounsaturated fatty acids that were also correlated with Cutibacterium . Additionally, Anaerococcus spp., found in the underarms, were associated with different bile acids in the armpit samples. Overall, the impact of the silver-threaded clothing was gender and body site specific.

Background There is a growing trend of individuals wearing cosmetics while participating in physical activities. Nonetheless, there remains a need for further understanding regarding the effects of makeup on the facial epidermis during exercise, given the existing knowledge gaps. Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a cosmetic foundation cream on skin conditions during physical activity. Methods Forty‐three healthy college students, 20 males (26.3 ± 1.5 years) and 23 females (23.1 ± 1.0 years), were enrolled in this study. Foundation cream was applied to participants on half of the face in two different areas (MT: makeup T zone and MU: makeup U zone). The other half of the face served as internal control (T: non‐makeup T zone and U: non‐makeup U zones). Skin levels of moisture, elasticity, pore, sebum, and oil were measured using a skin analysis device (Aramhuvis, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea) before and after a 20‐min treadmill exercise. Paired t‐test and independent t‐test were performed for skin condition measurements at pre‐ and postexercise. Results The skin moisture levels in both the T and MT significantly increased after exercise (p < 0.05) (pre‐T: 24.5 ± 1.3, post‐T: 38.5 ± 3.5 and pre‐MT: 18.7 ± 0.7, post‐MT: 40.4 ± 4.8). Elasticity also significantly improved in both the T and MT (p < 0.05) (pre‐T: 25.6 ± 1.3, post‐T: 41.5 ± 3.5 and pre‐MT: 20.0 ± 0.9, post‐MT: 41.7 ± 3.7). The size of the pores in the T zone observed a significant increase after exercise (p < 0.05) (pre‐T: 41.7 ± 2.1, post‐T: 47.8 ± 2.4). The sebum levels in the T zone exhibited a reduction following physical activity, whereas there was a notable increase in sebum levels in the makeup zones (p < 0.05) (pre‐MT: 2.4 ± 0.7, post‐MT:4.2 ± 0.8 and pre MU 1.8 ± 0.34, post MU 4.9 ± 0.9). The oil level was increased in the non‐makeup zones (pre‐T: 6.1 ± 1.4, post‐T: 11.8 ± 2.0 and pre‐U: 7.3 ± 1.5, post‐U: 11.9 ± 1.9; p < 0.05) and decreased in the makeup zones (pre‐MT: 13.3 ± 1.9, post‐MT: 7.4 ± 2.3 and pre‐MU: 22.1 ± 2.4, post‐MU: 3.2 ± 1.0; p < 0.05). Conclusions The findings suggest that using foundation cream during aerobic exercise can reduce skin oil, causing dryness. Additionally, makeup can clog pores and increase sebum production. Therefore, wearing makeup may not be recommended for people with dry skin conditions based on the results of the current study. This research offers important insights to the public, encouraging them to consider the possible consequences of using makeup while exercising.

Biomimetic skin-like materials, capable of adapting shapes to variable environments and sensing external stimuli, are of great significance in a wide range of applications, including artificial intelligence, soft robotics, and smart wearable devices. However, such highly sophisticated intelligence has been mainly found in natural creatures while rarely realized in artificial materials. Herein, we fabricate a type of biomimetic iontronics to imitate natural skins using supramolecular polyelectrolyte hydrogels. The dynamic viscoelastic networks provide the biomimetic skin with a wide spectrum of mechanical properties, including flexible reconfiguration ability, robust elasticity, extremely large stretchability, autonomous self-healability, and recyclability. Meanwhile, polyelectrolytes’ ionic conductivity allows multiple sensory capabilities toward temperature, strain, and stress. This work provides not only insights into dynamic interactions and sensing mechanism of supramolecular iontronics, but may also promote the development of biomimetic skins with sophisticated intelligence similar to natural skins. Biomimetic skin finds wide application in robotics and smart wearable devices but materials mimicking mechanical properties of skin and responding at the same time to multiple stimuli are rarely realized. Here the authors demonstrate a biomimetic hydrogel with multiple sensory capabilities which imitates mechanical properties of natural skin.

Early detection of melanoma is of great importance to reduce mortality. Discovering new melanoma biomarkers would improve early detection and diagnosis. Here, we present a novel approach to detect volatile compounds from skin. We used Head Space Solid Phase Micro-Extraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to identify volatile signatures from melanoma, naevi and skin samples. We hypothesized that the metabolic state of tissue alters the profile of volatile compounds. Volatiles released from fresh biopsy tissue of melanoma and benign naevus were compared based on their difference in frequency distribution and their expression level. We also analyzed volatile profiles from frozen tissue, including skin and melanoma. Three volatiles, 4-methyl decane, dodecane and undecane were preferentially expressed in both fresh and frozen melanoma, indicating that they are candidate biomarkers. Twelve candidate biomarkers evaluated by fuzzy logic analysis of frozen samples distinguished melanoma from skin with 89% sensitivity and 90% specificity. Our results demonstrate proof-of-principle that there is differential expression of volatiles in melanoma. Our volatile metabolomic approach will lead to a better understanding of melanoma and can enable development of new diagnostic and treatment strategies based on altered metabolism.

To investigate the molecular structural disorders of cancerous skin. Human malignant melanoma and basal cell carcinoma biopsies were used for the investigation. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were utilized. Spectral differences between healthy, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma tissues were recorded. The FT-IR bands of v CH , v CH and Raman v CH of cell membrane lipids were increased in intensity in melanoma due to an increased lipophilic environment. The FT-IR band at 1,744 cm assigned to malondialdehyde can be used as a band diagnostic of cancer progression. The amide I bands at 1,654 cm and 1,650 cm for Raman and FT-IR, respectively were broader in spectra from melanoma, reflecting changes of protein secondary structure from α-helix to β-sheet and random coil. The intensity of the FT-IR band at 1,046 cm was increased in melanoma, suggesting glycosylation of the skin upon cancer development. Another band that might be considered as diagnostic was found at about 815 cm in melanoma and was attributed to Z-DNA configuration. As far as we know, this is the first time that scanning electron microscopy revealed that metal components of titanium alloys from tooth implants were transferred to melanoma tissue taken from the back of one patient. Vibrational spectroscopy highlighted increased glycosylation in melanoma.

Technologies that use stretchable materials are increasingly important, yet we are unable to control how they stretch with much more sophistication than inflating balloons. Nature, however, demonstrates remarkable control of stretchable surfaces; for example, cephalopods can project hierarchical structures from their skin in milliseconds for a wide range of textural camouflage. Inspired by cephalopod muscular morphology, we developed synthetic tissue groupings that allowed programmable transformation of two-dimensional (2D) stretchable surfaces into target 3D shapes. The synthetic tissue groupings consisted of elastomeric membranes embedded with inextensible textile mesh that inflated to within 10% of their target shapes by using a simple fabrication method and modeling approach. These stretchable surfaces transform from flat sheets to 3D textures that imitate natural stone and plant shapes and camouflage into their background environments.

The skin is a complex and dynamic ecosystem that is inhabited by bacteria, archaea, fungi and viruses. These microbes—collectively referred to as the skin microbiota—are fundamental to skin physiology and immunity. Interactions between skin microbes and the host can fall anywhere along the continuum between mutualism and pathogenicity. In this Review, we highlight how host–microbe interactions depend heavily on context, including the state of immune activation, host genetic predisposition, barrier status, microbe localization, and microbe–microbe interactions. We focus on how context shapes the complex dialogue between skin microbes and the host, and the consequences of this dialogue for health and disease.

Background Use of skin personal care products on a regular basis is nearly ubiquitous, but their effects on molecular and microbial diversity of the skin are unknown. We evaluated the impact of four beauty products (a facial lotion, a moisturizer, a foot powder, and a deodorant) on 11 volunteers over 9 weeks. Results Mass spectrometry and 16S rRNA inventories of the skin revealed decreases in chemical as well as in bacterial and archaeal diversity on halting deodorant use. Specific compounds from beauty products used before the study remain detectable with half-lives of 0.5–1.9 weeks. The deodorant and foot powder increased molecular, bacterial, and archaeal diversity, while arm and face lotions had little effect on bacterial and archaeal but increased chemical diversity. Personal care product effects last for weeks and produce highly individualized responses, including alterations in steroid and pheromone levels and in bacterial and archaeal ecosystem structure and dynamics. Conclusions These findings may lead to next-generation precision beauty products and therapies for skin disorders.

Currently, there is no available needle-free approach for diabetics to monitor glucose levels in the interstitial fluid. Here, we report a path-selective, non-invasive, transdermal glucose monitoring system based on a miniaturized pixel array platform (realized either by graphene-based thin-film technology, or screen-printing). The system samples glucose from the interstitial fluid via electroosmotic extraction through individual, privileged, follicular pathways in the skin, accessible via the pixels of the array. A proof of principle using mammalian skin ex vivo is demonstrated for specific and ‘quantized’ glucose extraction/detection via follicular pathways, and across the hypo- to hyper-glycaemic range in humans. Furthermore, the quantification of follicular and non-follicular glucose extraction fluxes is clearly shown. In vivo continuous monitoring of interstitial fluid-borne glucose with the pixel array was able to track blood sugar in healthy human subjects. This approach paves the way to clinically relevant glucose detection in diabetics without the need for invasive, finger-stick blood sampling.