Search Results (47)

Biotin (vitamin B7) is a common, naturally occurring water-soluble vitamin. It belongs to the broad group of B vitamins. It is a common ingredient in dietary supplements, cosmetics, medicines, and parapharmaceutical preparations administered orally or applied topically (to the skin, hair, nails). The problem of the relationship between vitamin B supplementation and sensitivity seems to be multi-threaded. There is little literature data that would confirm that oral vitamin B supplementation or local exposure to biotin is a significant sensitizing factor. Moreover, it seems that allergy to vitamin B7 is very rare. It is possible, however, that the relationship between biotin and hypersensitivity is not limited to its direct action, but results from its essential metabolic function. Vitamin B7, as a cofactor of five carboxylases, affects the main pathways of cellular metabolism. Both deficiency and excess of biotin can result in metabolic disorders, which can have a significant impact on the homeostasis of the entire organism, including the efficient functioning of the immune system. Dysregulation of immune systems leads to its dysfunctional functioning, which can also lead to sensitization to various environmental antigens (allergens). Biotin is also used as an element of some methodological models in immunochemical tests (in vitro diagnostics), including methods used to measure the concentration of immunoglobulin E (IgE), both total (tIgE) and allergen-specific (sIgE). For this reason, vitamin B7 supplementation can be a significant interfering factor in some immunochemical tests, which can lead to false laboratory test results, both false positive and false negative, depending on the test format. This situation can have a direct impact on the quality and effectiveness of diagnostics in various clinical situations, including allergy diagnostics. This review focuses on the role of biotin in allergic reactions, both as a causative factor (allergen/hapten), a factor predisposing to the development of sensitization to various allergens, and an interfering factor in immunochemical methods used in laboratory diagnosis of hypersensitivity reactions and how it can be prevented. Full article

New ways of ensuring sustainable development in various areas of life are being intensively researched. One of the key priorities is to maximize the use of invaluable natural ingredients in cosmetic products while minimizing the negative impact on the environment. In this study, a three-component natural composite based on amber, diatomite, and Phytokeratin^TM (hydrolyzed plant protein) was developed using mechanochemical synthesis. The goal was to maximize the release of biologically active substances, such as succinic acid and Phytokeratin^TM, in aqueous solution. The physicochemical properties of the materials were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermogravimetric (DTG) analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Ultraviolet–Visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry. Additionally, Density Functional Theory (DFT) was used to perform quantum chemical calculations and characterize molecular interactions in the composite. The optimized composite demonstrated favorable release characteristics and structural properties, confirming its suitability for cosmetic applications. DFT calculations revealed the potential molecular-level interactions between the organic components, indicating the stability and functional integration of the composite. The resulting innovative composite was successfully incorporated into eco-friendly cosmetic formulations, including a solid shampoo bar and a nail conditioner. Full article

Collagen is the main protein found in skin, bone, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and connective tissue, and it can exhibit properties ranging from compliant to rigid or form gradients between these states. The collagen family comprises 28 members, each containing at least one triple-helical domain. These proteins play critical roles in maintaining mechanical characteristics, tissue organization, and structural integrity. Collagens regulate cellular processes such as proliferation, migration, and differentiation through interactions with cell surface receptors. Fibrillar collagens, the most abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, provide organs and tissues with structural stability and connectivity. In the mammalian myocardial interstitium, types I and III collagens are predominant: collagen I is found in organs, tendons, and bones; collagen II is found in cartilage; collagen III is found in reticular fibers; collagen IV is found in basement membranes; and collagen V is found in nails and hair. Recombinant human collagens, particularly in sponge-like porous formats combined with bone morphogenetic proteins, serve as effective scaffolds for bone repair. Due to their biocompatibility and low immunogenicity, collagens are pivotal in tissue engineering applications for skin, bone, and wound regeneration. Recombinant technology enables the production of triple-helical collagens with amino acid sequences identical to human tissue-derived collagens. This review summarizes recent advances in the molecular functions and recombinant expression of human collagens, with a focus on their biomedical applications. Full article

The human papillomavirus (HPV) has been associated with the carcinogenesis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), especially in immunosuppressed patients. This article reviews the microbiology of HPV and its role in tissue tropism, invasion, and oncogenesis. It also describes possible HPV oncogenic ability due to the inactivation of the host p53 and retinoblastoma protein (pRb) by HPV oncoproteins E6 and E7, producing a suppression of cell cycle checkpoints and uncontrolled cell proliferation that may eventually result in invasive carcinoma. We will focus on β-HPV types and their role in epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV), as well as α types and their ability to cause cutaneous and mucosal pathology. We also intend to examine the clinical characteristics of cSCC related to HPV and host immunosuppression conditions such as solid organ transplant in order to provide management guidelines for patients with cSCC associated with HPV based on available data. Other topics addressed in this article include particular locations of cSCC, such as nails; the prognosis; the recurrence; therapeutic modalities; and the role of HPV vaccines. Full article

Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in nail salons poses risks of acute and chronic health effects for nail technicians. The objectives of this study were to investigate differences in VOC exposure and self-reported symptoms among formal and informal nail technicians and assess the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks using a probabilistic approach. A questionnaire was administered to 54 formal and 60 informal nail technicians to elicit information on sociodemographic characteristics, work conditions, and self-reported symptoms. Passive sampling was employed to measure 60 personal breathing zone concentrations of VOCs among 20 nail technicians (both formal and informal) over three consecutive days, along with 29 passive samples for formaldehyde in the informal sector. All VOC concentrations, except formaldehyde, were below occupational exposure limits. Sixty percent of the informal nail technicians and fifty-two percent of the formal nail technicians reported health-related symptoms; however, the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The median and 95th percentile non-cancer risks exceeded the hazard coefficient for 2-propanol in all technicians and MMA among informal technicians. The benzene and formaldehyde cancer risk estimates (medians and 95th percentiles) exceeded the US Environmental Protection Agency cancer risk threshold of 1 × 10⁻⁶. These findings indicate that nail technicians are at risk of developing acute and chronic health effects from long-term low-level exposure to VOCs. Full article

Background/Objectives: In an 18- to 24-month Treatment Phase with once-daily efinaconazole 10% solution, subjects with onychomycosis showed an increased rate of cure at Month 24 versus the phase III trials. In order to further improve efficacy, we initiated an extended intermittent efinaconazole Maintenance Phase with use 2–3 times weekly for an additional 24 months from Month 24 to Month 48. These are the first data presented for a 48-month efinaconazole use period. Methods: For patients completing 18–24 months of once-daily efinaconazole, the target great toenail from the Treatment Phase was graded as ‘Clinical Cure’ (≤10% affected area) or ‘No Clinical Cure’ (>10% affected area) at Month 24. Mycological and clinical outcomes were assessed every 4 months from Month 24 to Month 48. There were 35 patients who enrolled in the extension and continued intermittent efinaconazole use to Month 48. Patients with ‘Clinical Cure’ at M24 were reviewed for sustained cure at M48; patients with ‘No Clinical Cure’ were reviewed for development of ‘Cure’ at M48. All patients were reviewed at all visits for adverse events that may be related to efinaconazole use. Results: ‘Clinical Cure’ was found in 6 of 35 enrolled patients at Month 24, and clinical cure status was sustained to Month 48 with intermittent efinaconazole maintenance use. For 29 patients with ‘No Clinical Cure’, 3/29 achieved ‘Clinical Cure’ status at Month 48 with intermittent efinaconazole. Effective Cure and Complete Cure rates improved over the maintenance period to Month 48 in subjects without clinical cure at Month 24. Younger patients showed higher cure rates over the maintenance period, but age group cure differences did not reach statistical significance in this dataset, and 49% of the ≥70-year population had at least a 20% reduction in nail area with maintenance therapy to Month 48. There was only 1 case of possible efinaconazole application site reaction in the Intermittent Maintenance Period to Month 48; prolonged efinaconazole use to Month 48 does not appear to increase the risk of reaction. Efinaconazole use periods are associated with very low positive culture rates in this dataset, including typical contaminant organisms, suggesting efinaconazole presence in the nail plate is providing prophylactic therapy. Conclusions: Intermittent efinaconazole may provide suitable prophylaxis of onychomycosis relapse. Prolonged efinaconazole therapy to Month 48 appears to be safe for all ages and can continue to provide prophylaxis of onychomycosis with Intermittent Maintenance use beyond Month 24 to Month 48. Full article

Background: Limb-lengthening surgeries via nail distraction osteogenesis (DO) have become more popular lately. This provides an opportunity to study human bone that has grown longer. Case details: We present a case of a 22-year-old male who underwent internal upper and lower leg lengthening by 12 cm and 6 cm, respectively, under full weight bearing. He requested bilateral femoral shortening by 4 cm using a shortening nail, 24 months after the index surgery. The regenerated bones were harvested and analyzed. Results: Good bone quality and well-organized structure were observed in the regenerated bones compared with the native human adult bony architecture. Conclusions: This case demonstrates that bilateral bone regeneration during DO with a nail can result in a bone morphology that is comparable to that of native adult human bony macro- and micro-anatomy. This supports the effectiveness and potential of this surgical approach for limb lengthening and shortening procedures, although more investigations are necessary in this regard. Full article

Iron microparticles were coated with polypyrrole in situ during the chemical oxidation of pyrrole with ammonium peroxydisulfate in aqueous medium. A series of hybrid organic/inorganic core–shell materials were prepared with 30–76 wt% iron content. Polypyrrole coating was revealed by scanning electron microscopy, and its molecular structure and completeness were proved by FTIR and Raman spectroscopies. The composites of polypyrrole/carbonyl iron were obtained as powders and characterized with respect to their electrical properties. Their resistivity was monitored by the four-point van der Pauw method under 0.01–10 MPa pressure. In an apparent paradox, the resistivity of composites increased from the units Ω cm for neat polypyrrole to thousands Ω cm for the highest iron content despite the high conductivity of iron. This means that composite conductivity is controlled by the electrical properties of the polypyrrole matrix. The change of sample size during the compression was also recorded and provides a parameter reflecting the mechanical properties of composites. In addition to conductivity, the composites displayed magnetic properties afforded by the presence of iron. The study also illustrates the feasibility of the polypyrrole coating on macroscopic objects, demonstrated by an iron nail, and offers potential application in the corrosion protection of iron. The differences in the morphology of micro- and macroscopic polypyrrole objects are described. Full article

Acremonium and the recently separated acremonium-like genera, such as Sarocladium, are emerging causes of opportunistic disease in humans, mainly post-traumatic infections in immunocompetent hosts, but also invasive infections in immunocompromised patients, such as those undergoing transplantation. Acremonium egyptiacum has emerged as the major pathogenic Acremonium species in humans, implicated mainly in nail but also in disseminated and organ specific infections. In this first study of acremonium-like clinical isolates in Greece, 34 isolates were identified and typed by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer, and their antifungal susceptibility was determined by a modified CLSI standard M38 3rd Edition method for filamentous fungi. A. egyptiacum was the primary species (18 isolates) followed by Sarocladium kiliense (8), Acremonium charticola, Gliomastix polychroma, Proxiovicillium blochii, Sarocladium terricola, Sarocladium zeae, and Stanjemonium dichromosporum (all with one isolate). Two isolates, each with a novel ITS sequence, possibly represent undescribed species with an affinity to Emericellopsis. All three A. egyptiacum ITS barcode types described to date were identified, with 3 being the major type. Flutrimazole, lanoconazole, and luliconazole presented the lower minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values against A. egyptiacum, with a geometric mean (GM) MIC of 2.50, 1.92, and 1.57 μg/mL, respectively. Amphotericin B, itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, terbinafine, amorolfine, and griseofulvin MICs were overall high (GM 12.79–29.49 μg/mL). An analysis of variance performed on absolute values showed that flutrimazole, lanoconazole, and luliconazole were equivalent and notably lower than those of all the other drugs tested against A. egyptiacum. Antifungal susceptibility of the three different A. egyptiacum genotypes was homogeneous. Overall, the high MICs recorded for all systemically administered drugs, and for some topical antifungals against the tested A. egyptiacum and other acremonium-like clinical isolates, justify the routine susceptibility testing of clinical isolates. Full article

Lupus erythematosus (LE) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease with complex etiology. LE may present as a systemic disorder affecting multiple organs or be limited solely to the skin. Cutaneous LE (CLE) manifests with a wide range of skin lesions divided into acute, subacute and chronic subtypes. Despite classic forms of CLE, such as malar rash or discoid LE, little-known variants may occur, for instance hypertrophic LE, chilblain LE and lupus panniculitis. There are also numerous non-specific manifestations including vascular abnormalities, alopecia, pigmentation and nail abnormalities or rheumatoid nodules. Particular cutaneous manifestations correlate with disease activity and thus have great diagnostic value. However, diversity of the clinical picture and resemblance to certain entities delay making an accurate diagnosis The aim of this review is to discuss the variety of cutaneous manifestations and indicate the clinical features of particular CLE types which facilitate differential diagnosis with other dermatoses. Although in diagnostically difficult cases histopathological examination plays a key role in the differential diagnosis of LE, quick and accurate diagnosis ensures adequate therapy implementation and high quality of life for patients. Cooperation between physicians of various specialties is therefore crucial in the management of patients with uncommon and photosensitive skin lesions. Full article

Sterile inflammation is a natural response of the organism in the absence of microorganisms, which is triggered in correspondence with the degree of tissue damage sustained after a surgical procedure. The objective of this study was to explore the values of postoperative hematological-derived biomarkers in assessing the sterile inflammatory response magnitude related to the invasiveness of the surgical reduction technique used for subtrochanteric fractures (STFs) treatment. A retrospective, observational cohort research was conducted between January 2021 and October 2023 that included a total of 143 patients diagnosed with acute subtrochanteric fractures who underwent long Gamma Nail (LGN) fixation. According to the surgical reduction technique used, they were divided into two groups: group 1, which consisted of those with a closed reduction and internal fixation (CRIF); and group 2, which consisted of those with an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF). Between groups, statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in relation to days to surgery, length of hospital stay (LOHS), duration of surgery, postoperative hemoglobin (HGB) levels, neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte–lymphocyte ratio (MLR), systemic inflammation index (SII), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), and aggregate inflammation systemic index (AISI). The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis revealed that all ratios presented a high diagnostic ability (p < 0.0001) with NLR > 6.95 being the most reliable (sensitivity 94.8% and specificity 70.6%). Moreover, the multivariate regression model confirmed that sterile immune response after orthopedic interventions can be assessed in an almost equal and non-dependent manner using these biomarkers. Postoperative NLR, PLR, MLR, SII, SIRI, and AISI ratios are closely correlated to the sterile inflammatory response magnitude, due to the extent of surgical dissection performed during internal fixation procedures of subtrochanteric femur fractures. Full article

Mucormycosis is known to be a rare opportunistic infection caused by fungal organisms belonging to the Mucorales order, which includes the Syncephalastrum species. These moulds are rarely involved in clinical diseases and are generally seen as contaminants in clinical laboratories. However, in recent years, case reports of human infections due to Syncephalastrum have increased, especially in immunocompromised hosts. In this study, we described two new Syncephalastrum species, which were isolated from human nails and sputum samples from two different patients. We used several methods for genomic and phenotypic characterisation. The phenotypic analysis relied on the morphological features, analysed both by optical and scanning electron microscopy. We used matrix-assisted laser desorption–ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and BiologTM technology to characterise the proteomic, chemical mapping, and carbon source assimilation profiles, respectively. The genomic analysis relied on a multilocus DNA sequence analysis of the rRNA internal transcribed spacers and D1/D2 large subunit domains, fragments of the translation elongation factor-1 alpha, and the β-tubulin genes. The two novel species in the genus Syncephalastrum, namely S. massiliense PMMF0073 and S. timoneanum PMMF0107, presented a similar morphology: irregular branched and aseptate hyphae with ribbon-like aspects and terminal vesicles at the apices all surrounded by cylindrical merosporangia. However, each species displayed distinct phenotypic and genotypic features. For example, S. timoneanum PMMF0107 was able to assimilate more carbon sources than S. massiliense PMMF0073, such as adonitol, α-methyl-D-glucoside, trehalose, turanose, succinic acid mono-methyl ester, and alaninamide. The polyphasic approach, combining the results of complementary phenotypic and genomic assays, was instrumental for describing and characterising these two new Syncephalastrum species. Full article

In recent years, the security of containers has become a crucial aspect of modern software applications’ security and integrity. Containers are extensively used due to their lightweight and portable nature, allowing swift and agile deployment across different environments. However, the increasing popularity of containers has led to unique security risks, including vulnerabilities in container images, misconfigured containers, and insecure runtime environments. Containers are often built using public repository images and base image vulnerability is inherited by containers. Container images may contain outdated components or services, including system libraries and dependencies and known vulnerabilities from these components can be exploited. Images downloaded from untrusted sources may include malicious code that compromises other containers running in the same network or the host system. Base images may include unnecessary software or services that increase the attack surface and potential vulnerabilities. Several security measures have been implemented to address these risks, such as container image scanning, container orchestration security, and runtime security monitoring. Implementing a solid security policy and updating containers with the latest patches can significantly improve container security. Given the increasing adoption of containers, organizations must prioritize container security to protect their applications and data. This work presents automated, robust security techniques for continuous integration and continuous development pipelines, and the added overhead is empirically analyzed. Then, we nail down specific research and technological problems the DevSecOps community encounters and appropriate initial fixes. Our results will make it possible to make judgments that are enforced when using DevSecOps techniques in enterprise security and cloud-native applications. Full article

Lifestyles, genetic predispositions, environmental factors, and geographical regions are considered key factors of heavy metals initiatives related to health issues. Heavy metals enter the body via the environment, daily lifestyle, foods, beverages, cosmetics, and other products. The accumulation of heavy metals in the human body leads to neurological issues, carcinogenesis, failure of multiple organs in the body, and a reduction in sensitivity to treatment. We screened for Cr, Al, Pb, and Cd in selected foods, beverages, and cosmetics products depending on questionnaire outcomes from female volunteers. We also screened for Cr, Al, Pb, and Cd on hair, nails, and serum samples using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) from the same volunteers, and we analyzed the serum cholinesterase and complete blood picture (CBC). We performed an AutoDock study on Cr, Al, Pb, and Cd as potential ligands. Our results indicate that the most elevated heavy metal in the cosmetic sample was Al. In addition, in the food and beverages samples, it was Pb and Al, respectively. The results of the questionnaire showed that 71 percent of the female volunteers used the studied cosmetics, food, and beverages, which were contaminated with Cr, Al, Pb, and Cd, reflecting the high concentration of Cr, Al, Cd, and Pb in the three different types of biological samples of sera, nails, and hair of the same females, with 29 percent of the female volunteers not using the products in the studied samples. Our results also show an elevated level of cholinesterase in the serum of group 1 that was greater than group 2, and this result was confirmed by AutoDock. Moreover, the negative variation in the CBC result was compared with the reference ranges. Future studies should concentrate on the actions of these heavy metal contaminations and their potential health consequences for various human organs individually. Full article

Infections caused by biofilm-forming agents have important implications for world health. Mixed infections, caused by more than one etiological agent, are also an emerging problem, especially regarding the standardization of effective diagnosis and treatment methods. Cases of mixed onychomycosis (OM) have been reported; however, studies on the microbial interactions between the different fungi in biofilms formed on nails are still scarce. We describe a case of mixed OM caused by the dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum and the black yeast-like fungus Rhinocladiella similis. Identical growths of both fungi were observed in more than 50 cultures from different nail samples. Additionally, both species were able to form organized single and mixed biofilms, reinforcing the participation of both fungi in the etiology of this OM case. R. similis seemed to grow faster during the process, suggesting that T. rubrum benefits from biofilm development when in combination. Moreover, the biofilm of the Rhinocladiella isolate exhibited exacerbated production of the extracellular matrix, which was not observed with that of a Rhinocladiella reference strain, suggesting that the isolate had natural abilities that were possibly perfected during development in the nail of the patient. Full article