Search Results (8,275)

Background and objectives: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects not only physical health but also psychological well-being. While the emotional and social burden of AD is well documented, there is still limited research on how AD affects sexual health. The study aimed to evaluate quality of life (QoL), mental health, and risk factors for impaired sexual life, as well as their relationships. Materials and Methods: A total of 201 participants (96 patients with AD and 105 healthy controls) were enrolled in the study. Socio-demographic and clinical data were obtained using a specifically developed questionnaire. In addition, participants completed validated scales, including the DLQI, HADS, FSFI, IIEF-5, and SRSLQ. AD severity was assessed using the SCORAD questionnaire. Results: Our study found that patients with AD had statistically significantly higher mean anxiety (6.8 ± 3.6 vs. 5.0 ± 3.2; p < 0.001), depression (5.2 ± 3.4 vs. 3.9 ± 2.9, p < 0.01), and skin-related sexual dysfunction scores (15.0 ± 4.5 vs. 4.4 ± 4.7, p < 0.001), as well as QoL scores (12.3 ± 6.1 vs. 1.8 ± 3.1, p < 0.001), than healthy controls. Female AD patients reported higher values of depression and anxiety compared to male patients (5.9 ± 3.1 vs. 4.4 ± 3.5, p = 0.03, 7.6 ± 2.9 vs. 6.0 ± 4.1, p = 0.03, respectively) and lower FSFI scores compared to healthy women (24.8 ± 8.0 vs. 31.3 ± 3.0, p < 0.001). Deterioration in sexual health, assessed by the SRSLQ score, was strongly correlated with QoL impairment (R = 0.5, p < 0.001), anxiety (R = 0.51, p < 0.001), and depression (R = 0.5, p < 0.001). Finally, we found that sex life negatively correlates with AD severity (p=0.001), involvement of a genital area (p = 0.005), intensity of pruritus (r = 0.284, p = 0.005), and insomnia (r = 0.366, p < 0.001). Conclusions: AD significantly affects patients’ quality of life, including their sex life. Many factors associated with the disease also contribute to the deterioration of patients’ sexual health. Routine assessment of sexual life in dermatological practice, using validated tools, could facilitate early identification and support for affected patients. Significance: This study highlights the often-overlooked impact of atopic dermatitis on patients’ sexual health. Our findings demonstrate that sexual function is significantly impaired in individuals with atopic dermatitis—particularly among women—and that such dysfunction is closely associated with disease-related symptoms. These results have important implications for improving the quality of care provided to individuals affected by the condition. Full article

Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8)-associated multicentric Castleman disease (MCD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder with systemic and cutaneous manifestations that can be diagnostically challenging, especially in immunocompromised patients. We report the case of a 68-year-old man with HIV and biopsy-proven Kaposi sarcoma (KS), who developed progressive fevers, night sweats, weight loss, and fatigue, accompanied by diffuse lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and new erythematous and hyperpigmented lesions shortly after intravenous immunoglobulin therapy for Guillain–Barré syndrome. A laboratory evaluation revealed that the patient had elevated total protein and polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia, without monoclonality. Imaging demonstrated widespread lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. A core lymph node biopsy showed polytypic plasmacytosis, but was non-diagnostic. Given the ongoing symptoms, an excisional biopsy was performed, revealing regressed germinal centers with increased interfollicular vascularity, mantle zone “onion skinning,” and HHV-8 LANA-1 nuclear positivity, establishing the diagnosis of HHV-8-associated MCD. Rituximab monotherapy was initiated, resulting in clinical improvement, resolution of the constitutional symptoms, and stabilization of ascites. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for MCD in patients with KS who develop new systemic or cutaneous findings, the limitations of a core biopsy, and the value of a timely excisional biopsy in guiding diagnosis and treatment. Full article

Background/Objectives: The skin is a protective barrier against pathogens such as herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which causes recurrent and highly prevalent skin infections worldwide. The increasing resistance of HSV-1 to conventional treatments has driven the search for new therapeutic alternatives. In this context, the essential oil of Lippia graveolens (EOL) has demonstrated promising antiviral activity; however, its high volatility limits direct skin application. To overcome this, polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with EOL were developed to improve its availability and antiviral efficacy. Methods: Nanoformulations were prepared by nanoprecipitation, and their antiviral activity against HSV-1 was evaluated using the plaque reduction assay. The effect of the nanoformulations on skin barrier integrity was assessed using an ex vivo porcine skin model and non-invasive techniques. Results: The NP-EOL exhibited physicochemical properties favorable for skin deposition, including a particle size around 200 nm, a polydispersity index of ≤ 0.2, and negative zeta potential. Moreover, NP-EOL showed 1.85-fold higher antiviral activity against HSV-1 compared with free EOL, while also reducing cytotoxicity in Vero cells. Conclusions: Results demonstrated that the NPs promoted skin hydration without altering pH or transepidermal water loss, suggesting they do not disrupt skin homeostasis. This study supports the potential of NP-based systems as effective topical delivery vehicles for EOL, representing a promising therapeutic alternative against HSV-1 skin infections. Full article

Ovine gammaherpesvirus 2 (OvGHV2) is a Macavirus and the cause of sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever (SA-MCF) in susceptible mammalian hosts worldwide. OvGHV2 may produce typical clinical manifestations of SA-MCF or subclinical infections. Additionally, OvGHV2 is associated with cutaneous lesions in ruminants, with few documented reports of this unusual manifestation worldwide. This paper presents the pathological, immunohistochemical (IHC), and molecular findings observed in outbreaks of OvGHV2-related skin infections in dairy cattle from Southern Brazil. Cutaneous scrapings (n = 35) and biopsies (n = 6) were obtained from dairy cows derived from three farms. All cows (n = 35) developed widespread, ulcerative to scaly and erythematous skin lesions, and had no contact with sheep or goats. The biopsies were evaluated for histopathological diagnosis and then used in IHC analyses designed to detect malignant catarrhal fever virus (MCFV) antigens and to evaluate the inflammatory response. All scrapings and biopsies were used in PCR assays to amplify OvGHV2. Additionally, all biopsies were used in PCR assays to detect bovine gammaherpesvirus 6 (BoGHV6), bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BoAHV1), and poxvirus. Histopathology revealed chronic folliculitis in all biopsies. IHC detected intralesional, intracytoplasmic MCFV antigens in most (83.3%; 5/6) of the cutaneous lesions with folliculitis. These skin lesions showed a strong T-cell response, macrophage clusters, and caspase-positive follicular keratinocytes. OvGHV2 DNA was detected in 66.7% (4/6) of the cutaneous biopsies that contained MCFV antigens and in 8.6% (3/35) of the cutaneous scrapings. The DNA of BoGHV6, BoAHV1, and Poxvirus was not amplified from any of the cutaneous biopsies. These findings demonstrated that OvGHV2 was associated with the cutaneous lesions in dairy cows at these farms and represent the first description of OvGHV2-related skin disease in ruminants from Brazil and the entire Latin America. A review of previous cases of skin lesions associated with infections by OvGHV2 revealed that most cases had a histological diagnosis of folliculitis, suggesting that folliculitis may be associated with OvGHV2-related skin infections. Additionally, this investigation contrasts all previous reports of OvGHV2-related skin disease in ruminants, since the infected cows herein identified were not reared concomitantly or within proximity of the asymptomatic reservoir host. Furthermore, the possible form of OvGHV2 dissemination to the susceptible cows during this study is discussed. Full article

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of debilitating, genetic skin disorders characterized by excessive skin fragility, blistering, and ulcerations that cause a cyclical wound healing process. EB presents itself in various subtypes, such as EB simplex (EBS), junctional EB (JEB), dystrophic (DEB), and Kindler Syndrome (KS), which all differ in their genetic cause, severity, and harbor different causes of mortality. Of these variants, JEB and DEB are the most severe, with EBS being the mildest form of the disease and KS presenting in extremely rare cases. The JEB variant tends to cause mortality early on in children less than two years of age due to failure to thrive, sepsis from wound infections, and airway obstruction. In the recessive form of DEB (RDEB), cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the major cause of death in patients, with one study reporting a mere 4-year survival after the first EB-cSCC diagnosis. Cutaneous SCCs in the setting of RDEB are particularly concerning because they are often more aggressive and show greater metastatic potential, as compared to ultraviolet-induced SCCs. This review aims to explore the pathophysiology of these EB variants as well as their implications for developing cSCCs. It will also discuss elements of the clinical presentation of such lesions in EB patients and the challenges associated with making a definitive diagnosis. Additionally, we will illuminate various diagnostic techniques, current and future management and treatment strategies for both cSCC and EB, and the importance of early screening and education for patients with EB to maximize patient lifespan and quality of life. Full article

Burns represent a significant medical challenge, and the development of theoretical models has the potential to contribute to the advancement of new diagnostic tools. This study aimed to perform numerical simulations of the Pennes bioheat transfer equation, incorporating heat generation terms due to the body’s immunological response to thermal injury, as well as changes in skin thermal parameters and blood perfusion for each burn type. We propose the incorporation of specific parameters and boundary conditions related to multilayer perfusion into the Pennes bioheat model. Using the proposed layered skin model, we evaluate temperature differences to establish correlations for determining burn depth. In this investigation, 1D and 3D algorithms based on the finite volume method were applied to capture transient and spatial thermal variations, with the resulting temperature distributions demonstrating the ability of the proposed models to describe the expected thermal variations in healthy and burned tissue. This work demonstrates the potential of the finite volume method to approximate the solution of the Pennes biothermal equation. Overall, this study provides a computational framework for analyzing heat transfer in burn injuries and highlights the relevance of mathematical simulations as a tool for future research on infrared thermography in medicine. Full article

The aim of this study was to treat sheep oocytes with resveratrol during in vitro maturation (IVM) and use them as cytoplasts in ISCNT via handmade cloning (HMC), evaluating the effect of resveratrol on the in vitro development of cloned Mexican bighorn sheep embryos. Post mortem skin fibroblasts from an adult male specimen were frozen for 8 years, thawed, and reseeded for eight cell passages. For IVM, Ovis aries oocytes were treated with 0, 0.5, or 1.0 µM resveratrol. Matured oocytes were manually enucleated, and triplets (O. aries cytoplast–Ovis canadensis mexicana karyoplast–O. aries cytoplast) were formed and electrically fused. The reconstructed embryos were chemically activated and cultured for in vitro development (IVD). The IVM rate was 81.8 ± 10.4% for CG, 81.9 ± 6.7% for EG1, and 76.3 ± 7.7% for EG2, with no significant differences between groups. For IVD, EG1 showed a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) in the blastocyst rate (31 ± 12.0%) and a statistically significant decrease in the fragmented embryo rate (25 ± 10.4) when compared with the other groups. It was concluded that better rates of cloned bighorn sheep blastocysts could be obtained in ISCNT via HMC when fusing O. aries oocytes supplemented with resveratrol during IVM with post mortem adult male O. c. mexicana fibroblasts that had been cryopreserved for 8 years. Full article

Background: The global health burden of mosquito-borne viruses, including dengue, yellow fever, Zika, and chikungunya, is rising due to climate change and globalisation, which favour mosquito habitat expansion. The genetic diversity of these viruses complicates the development of virus-specific vaccines or antivirals, highlighting the need for pan-viral strategies. As the common vector for these pathogens, mosquitoes and specifically their salivary proteins represent a promising target for such interventions. Mosquito saliva, secreted into the skin during biting, has immunomodulatory effects that can enhance host susceptibility to infection, but these mechanisms are not well defined in humans. Methods: The objective of this study was to determine whether AGS-v PLUS, a vaccine targeting mosquito salivary antigens, could modulate the human skin immune response to mosquito biting and potentially promote antiviral bystander immunity. In a Phase I trial, healthy volunteers were vaccinated with AGS-v PLUS (with or without adjuvant) or placebo, and three weeks later, they were exposed to bites from Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Skin biopsies from bitten and unbitten sites were analysed by transcriptomic profiling. Results: In placebo recipients, mosquito biting elicited a marked adaptive immune response at 48 h, characterised by CD4⁺ Th1 and CD8⁺ T cell signatures and leukocyte recruitment. While responses to Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus bites were broadly similar, those to Ae. albopictus were stronger. Vaccination with AGS-v PLUS, particularly with adjuvant, enhanced Th1 and CD8⁺ T cell-associated gene expression while suppressing pathways linked to neutrophilic inflammation and epithelial stress, which together may provide enhanced antiviral capacity. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that targeting the host response to mosquito saliva via vaccination can reprogram the skin’s immune response to mosquito bites, supporting a novel and broadly applicable pan-viral strategy to mitigate the impact of arboviral diseases. Full article

Background/Objectives: Assessing the hydration status (HS) in geriatric patients remains challenging due to multimorbidity, polypharmacy, and cognitive impairment. Common indicators like reduced skin turgor and dry mucous membranes are unreliable. The Hydr-Age-Study is a prospective observational pilot study with a post hoc analysis to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of clinical, laboratory, and instrumental methods to assess HS in hospitalised older adults. Methods: Upon admission, patients underwent an assessment including their medical history, a clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, ultrasound examination, and bioimpedance analysis. These data were collected and independently reviewed by two experts who diagnosed each patient’s current HS. This diagnosis served as the clinical reference standard for evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of each method. Results: Twenty-six methods were examined, of which four achieved an AUC > 0.8. Axillary dryness showed a high diagnostic accuracy for hypohydration (AUC = 0.854), with a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 82.8%. Inferior vena cava (IVC) ultrasound effectively detected both hypo- and hyperhydration. A subxiphoid IVC diameter ≤1.95 cm identified hypohydration with 90.9% sensitivity and 50.6% specificity. For hyperhydration, a diameter of ≥2.15 cm provided strong diagnostic performance in both subxiphoid and transcostal views. Conclusions: Axillary dryness and IVC sonography demonstrated the highest diagnostic accuracy. No other methods exceeded an AUC of 0.80. In the absence of a gold standard, a structured clinical consensus provides a feasible and reproducible approach to establish a clinical reference standard. These findings may contribute to the development of a standardised assessment protocol in geriatric medicine. Full article

This work presents the development of a Z-depth system for Confocal Raman Spectroscopy (CRS), which allows for the acquisition of Raman spectra both at the surface and at depth profile in heterogeneous samples. The proposed CRS system consists of the coupling of a commercial 785 nm Raman Probe Bifurcated (RPB) with a 20x/0.40 infinity plan achromatic polarizing microscope objective, a Long Working Distance (LWD) of 1.2 cm, and a 50 $\mathsf{\mu }$m core-multimode optical fiber used as a pinhole filter. With this implementation, it is possible to achieve both a high spatial resolution of approximately 16.2 $\mathsf{\mu }$m and a spectral resolution of ∼14 cm${}^{-1}$, which is determined by the FWHM of the thin 1004 cm${}^{-1}$ Raman profile band. The system is configured to operate within 400–1800 cm${}^{-1}$ spectral windows. The implementation of a system of this nature offers a favorable cost–benefit ratio, as commercial CRS is typically found in high-cost environments such as cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and biological laboratories. The proposed system is low-cost and employs a minimal set of optical components to achieve functionality comparable to that of a confocal Raman microscope. High signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) Raman spectra (∼660.05 at 1447 cm${}^{-1}$) can be obtained with short integration times (∼25 s) and low laser power (30–35 mW) when analyzing biological samples such as in vivo human fingernails and fingertips. This power level is significantly lower than the exposure limits established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for human laser experiments. Raman spectra were recorded from the surface of both the nails and fingertips of three volunteers, in order to characterize their biological samples at different depths. The measurements were performed in 50 $\mathsf{\mu }$m steps to obtain molecular structural information from both surface and subsurface tissue layers. The proposed CRS enables the identification of differences between two closely spaced, centered, and narrow Raman bands. Additionally, broad Raman bands observed at the skin surface can be deconvolved into at least three sub-bands, which can be quantitatively characterized in terms of intensity, peak position, and bandwidth, as the confocal plane advances in depth. Moreover, the CRS system enables the detection of subtle, low-intensity features that appear at the surface but disappear beyond specific depth layers. Full article

Potato tubers undergo greening and accumulate steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs) upon light exposure, posing potential food safety risks. In this study, six potato cultivars (“Favorita”, “Lucinda”, “Jizhangshu 12”, “Longshu 10”, “Qingshu 9”, and “Purple Potato”) were subjected to six light treatments (dark, UVA, blue, green, red, and white), and peel color, pigment content, SGAs, and the expression of genes related to light signaling, chlorophyll biosynthesis, and SGA biosynthesis was evaluated. Under green light, the contents of α-solanine and α-chaconine were 76.22 and 171.84 mg/kg fresh weight (FW), respectively; by contrast, their levels under blue and white light were approximately 60% higher. These effects may be mediated by the upregulation of HY5 and COP1 expression, which in turn could regulate the biosynthesis of chlorophyll-related genes (CHID, CHLI1) and SGA-related genes (HMGR, SGT1). Yellow-skinned cultivars exhibited pronounced light sensitivity (chlorophyll 18.47–18.52 mg/kg FW; SGAs up to 290.41 mg/kg FW), whereas red- and purple-skinned cultivars delayed greening through anthocyanin-mediated light attenuation. Collectively, these findings provide a framework for postharvest management and breeding, suggesting that reducing blue light while enhancing green light in spectral illumination, together with the development of anthocyanin-enriched cultivars, may serve as effective strategies to extend shelf life, mitigate food safety risks, and reduce postharvest losses. Full article

This study presents the development of an advanced three-dimensional (3D) bioprinted skin scaffold integrating sodium alginate (SA), gelatin (Gel), human skin-derived decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM), and microbiota-derived postbiotics. To ensure a biocompatible and functional ECM source, human skin samples collected during elective aesthetic surgical procedures were utilized. Following enzymatic treatment, the dermal layer was carefully separated from the epidermis and subjected to four different decellularization protocols. Among them, Protocol IV emerged as the most suitable, achieving significant DNA removal while maintaining the structural and biochemical integrity of the ECM, as confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Building on this optimized dECM-4, microbiota-derived postbiotics from Limosilactobacillus reuteri EIR/Spx-2 were incorporated to further enhance the scaffold’s bioactivity. Hybrid scaffolds were then fabricated using 7% Gel, 2% SA, 1% dECM-4, and 40 mg/mL postbiotics in five-layered grid structures via 3D bioprinting technology. Although this composition resulted in reduced mechanical strength, it exhibited improved hydrophilicity and biodegradability. Moreover, antimicrobial assays demonstrated inhibition zones of 16 mm and 13 mm against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, ATCC 43300) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), respectively. Importantly, biocompatibility was confirmed through in vitro studies using human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells, which adhered, proliferated, and maintained normal morphology over a 7-day culture period. Taken together, these findings suggest that the engineered hybrid scaffold provides both regenerative support and antimicrobial protection, making it a strong candidate for clinical applications, particularly in the management of chronic wounds. Full article

Flexible and wearable sensors have emerged as transformative technologies in the field of real-time health monitoring, offering non-invasive, continuous, and personalized healthcare solutions. These devices are designed to conform intimately to the human body, enabling seamless detection of vital physiological and biochemical signals under dynamic conditions. Recent advancements in material science and device engineering have led to the development of sensors with enhanced sensitivity, biocompatibility, and wearability, addressing the growing demand for preventive healthcare and remote patient monitoring. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the progress in flexible wearable sensors, including novel materials, sensor designs, and system integration strategies. It begins by surveying the latest advances in substrate and functional materials and hybrid structures that enable mechanical flexibility, skin conformability, and high sensitivity. The review then examines various sensor mechanisms and their implementation in monitoring vital signs, physical activity, and chronic diseases. Real-world applications are explored in depth, covering scenarios from cardiovascular and respiratory monitoring to motion tracking and rehabilitation support. Despite the significant strides made, challenges related to material robustness, sensor accuracy, and multi-modal integration remain, and this review discusses these challenges alongside potential future directions for enhancing the functionality and adoption of flexible wearable sensor systems. Full article

This study evaluates the tribological properties of poly-DL-lactic acid (PDLLA) nanosheets attached to shark-skin surfaces with varying textures. The main goal was to assess friction reduction in samples with different surface textures and investigate the influence of PDLLA nanosheets on tribological behaviors. Biomimetic shark skin was created using a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-embedded stamping method (PEES) that replicates shark skin’s unique texture, which reduces friction and drag in aquatic environments. PDLLA nanosheets, with a controlled thickness of several tens of nanometers, were fabricated and attached to the PDMS surfaces. The morphological characteristics of the materials were analyzed before and after attaching the PDLLA nanosheets using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), revealing the uniformity and adherence of the nanosheets to the PDMS surfaces. Friction tests were conducted using force transducers to measure the friction coefficients of biomimetic shark skin, biological models, and flat PDMS and silicon substrates, allowing a comprehensive comparison of frictional properties. Additionally, sliding tests with human fingers were performed to assess friction coefficients between various fingerprint shapes and sample surfaces. This aspect of the study is critical for understanding how human skin interacts with biomimetic materials in real-world applications, such as wearable devices. These findings clarify the relationship between surface texture, nanosheets, and their tribological performance against human skin, thereby contributing to the development of materials with enhanced friction-reducing properties for applications such as surface coatings, substrates for wearable devices, and wound dressings. Full article

Background/Objectives: Enhancement of cellular NAD⁺ mediated by NMN has emerged as a pivotal strategy in modulating the aging process. This study aimed to systematically investigate the anti-aging effects of NMN on human skin fibroblasts, focusing on how the former contributes to the improvement of cellular health and function. This study elucidated the molecular and functional mechanisms by which NMN contributes to the attenuation of skin aging. Methods: We performed extensive in vitro and transcriptomic analyses. Human skin fibroblasts were treated with NMN, and the induced biological responses were observed under oxidative stress/photo-aging models. Results: Transcriptome analysis revealed distinct gene expression patterns for NAD⁺ and its precursors (NMN, NR, and NAM), showing significant differences between NMN and other precursors (NR and NMN). NMN seemed to be significantly involved in cytokine and chemokine activity. It significantly elevated cellular NAD⁺ levels, activated sirtuin and autophagy pathways, and enhanced mitochondrial function, collectively maintaining cellular homeostasis under stress. Furthermore, it suppressed cellular senescence, promoted cell proliferation, supported extracellular matrix integrity, and accelerated wound healing. Conclusions: The study provided essential mechanistic evidence supporting the anti-aging effects of NMN in skin cells and addressed the current lack of scientific validation of NMN-based topical applications. The findings established a solid academic background for future translational research and the development of NMN-based therapeutics and cosmeceuticals. Full article