Search Results (2,215)

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with children representing a particularly vulnerable population in whom diagnosis is often challenging. Pediatric TB is typically paucibacillary and presents with non-specific clinical manifestations, limiting the sensitivity of microbiological confirmation and increasing reliance on immunological tests. The Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) and Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs) are the most widely used tools for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, yet both have important limitations, especially in young children and in Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG)-vaccinated populations. TST lacks specificity due to cross-reactivity with BCG and environmental mycobacteria, while IGRAs, although more specific, require laboratory infrastructure and may have reduced sensitivity in early childhood. The Tuberculosis Skin Test (TBST), based on M. tuberculosis-specific antigens such as ESAT-6 and CFP-10, has emerged as a promising alternative that combines the operational simplicity of TST with the antigenic specificity of IGRA. This paper reviews the immunological principles, diagnostic performance, and practical considerations of TBST in pediatric populations, with direct comparison to TST and IGRA. Evidence from recent studies suggests that TBST may offer improved specificity over TST, with broadly comparable diagnostic accuracy to IGRA in some settings, although findings are not fully consistent across studies. Particular attention is given to its performance in BCG-vaccinated children and, based on emerging evidence, in those under five years of age. The potential role of TBST in clinical algorithms and public health strategies is discussed, along with current evidence gaps and future research priorities. Full article

The present work aimed to obtain antibacterial wound dressings using bacterial cellulose (BC) as a support, to improve wound treatment and reduce the incidence of infections. To enhance the antibacterial activity of the synthesized dressings, the introduction of ZnO nanoparticles into the BC network by precipitation was pursued. The method chosen to develop ZnO NPs was green synthesis, an ecological and sustainable method for obtaining nanomaterials using plant extracts as reducing agents or stabilizers. Thus, the chosen plants were Ginger rhizomes, Bay leaves, and Rose hips, in both fresh and dry form, due to the natural benefits they possess, and the Soxhlet method was used to obtain the plant extracts desired to be used in the synthesis. The composite dressings were developed in two distinct sample series, differentiated by the immersion time of BC in the precursor Zn²⁺ solution. The samples in the first series were obtained by precipitation in a mixture of Zn²⁺ solution and natural extract, whereas the samples in the second series were obtained by successive immersion in Zn²⁺ solution and then in natural extract, which demonstrated a considerable difference. The best antimicrobial activity tested against Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli was recorded for the composite material obtained in the presence of fresh rose hip extract, an aspect most likely related to the morphological and crystalline features of the ZnO phase, but also to the phytochemical profile of the extract used. Such eco-friendly materials represent valuable candidates for wound dressing applications due to their ability to support wound healing, relief burns, and skin irritation, provide antimicrobial protection, promote skin regeneration and reduce scarring, protect sensitive skin, and act as a barrier against external contaminants. Full article

Hair loss, particularly androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and alopecia areata (AA), is a prevalent condition with widespread psychosocial impact. Recently, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has emerged as a promising non-invasive therapeutic alternative due to its bioregulatory effects and favorable safety profile compared to conventional pharmacological treatments. In this study, we employed fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) to investigate the effects of red-light irradiation on hair follicle dynamics and the cutaneous microenvironment in a C57BL/6 mouse model. A hair regeneration model was established to evaluate the efficacy of 650 nm red-light irradiation (bandwidth ± 20 nm). Then, the skin tissue was stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and followed by FLIM analysis to provide a multidimensional assessment of tissue morphology and metabolic status. Results showed that red-light irradiation significantly increased hair follicle numbers and enhanced adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels in the skin tissue. FLIM analysis further revealed prolonged fluorescence lifetime values across different epidermal and dermal layers in the irradiated group, indicating significant alterations in the skin metabolic microenvironment. Furthermore, phasor plot analysis enabled precise differentiation between hair follicles and their surrounding skin structures, highlighting FLIM’s high sensitivity and accuracy in evaluating hair growth. In conclusion, this study has provided novel imaging-based insights into the mechanisms of LLLT-induced hair regeneration, highlighting the potential of FLIM as a powerful tool for characterizing the cutaneous microenvironment and quantitatively evaluating phototherapeutic efficacy in future translational applications. Full article

Grape pomace represents a widely available agro-industrial by-product in Chile with considerable potential for valorization within circular economy frameworks; however, its functionality as a cosmetic ingredient depends on both grape cultivar and processing strategy. In this study, the direct incorporation of solid grape pomace residues into cream formulations was first evaluated, revealing limitations related to color control, homogeneity, and sensory performance. Subsequently, the influence of varietal origin (Malbec, Merlot, Syrah, and Grenache) on the extraction, stability, color behavior, and functional performance of anthocyanin-rich extracts was investigated for cosmetic applications. pH-standardized color analysis revealed statistically significant (p < 0.05) varietal differences, with Malbec extracts showing superior chromatic stability under acidic and near-neutral conditions, exhibiting lower reduction in a* values across the pH range compared to other varieties. In contrast, Syrah, Grenache, and Merlot showed a more pronounced decrease in red chromaticity, indicating higher sensitivity to pH-induced structural transformations. Although Merlot and Syrah exhibited higher ABTS antioxidant activity, Malbec presented the highest total phenolic content and the most balanced functional profile when considering both stability and color retention. Incorporation of anthocyanin-rich extracts into cosmetic cream formulations demonstrated that a 4.5% (m/v) loading ensured a skin-compatible pH (4.5–5.5), with Malbec-based creams exhibiting superior color stability and formulation performance over time. These findings demonstrate that grape pomace valorization requires variety-specific evaluation and identify extraction as a key enabling step for the development of sustainable, bio-based color-functional cosmetic ingredients. Full article

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been widely used for acne image classification due to their effectiveness in capturing local texture of skin lesions. However, the locality of convolution operations limits their ability to model long-range dependencies. Vision Transformer (ViT) methods address this issue to some extent but their high computational complexity and reliance on large-scale pre-training present challenges. Although CNN–Transformer architecture alleviates this conflict to some extent, acne images present task-specific challenges, including indistinct lesion boundaries, subtle inter-class variations, and various facial interference factors. In this paper, we propose AcneFormer, a lesion-aware and noise-robust CNN–Transformer architecture for acne image classification. We introduce three modules especially for acne tasks: a Lesion Cue Enhancement (LCE) module to highlight discriminative multi-scale spatial patterns, a Cross-Layer Feature Transmission (CLFT) module to enhance cross-layer information flow in Transformers, and a Differential Semantic Denoising (DSD) module to suppress irrelevant responses during deep feature interaction. Extensive experiments show that AcneFormer outperforms several strong baselines. Ablation and external lesion-annotated analyses further show a consistent pattern: LCE mainly improves lesion-sensitive localization and class-balanced recognition, CLFT expands valid cross-depth lesion evidence, and DSD suppresses off-lesion semantic responses. Full article

Microelectromechanical systems are being increasingly deployed in nuclear industry robotics, where their great sensitivity and mechanically stable silicon structures enable reliable sensing in radiation-exposed environments. An ultra-thin silicon strain gauge without an oxide substrate layer designed for robotic electronic skin is evaluated under Co-60 γ irradiation, representative of nuclear decommissioning conditions. The sensor performance is evaluated based on electrical measurements conducted before and after irradiation, focusing on cumulative radiation-induced effects. The results show that silicon strain gauge signal maintains a high linearity (R² > 0.99) under strain. Across an accumulated dose range up to approximately 15 Gy, only minor variations are observed, including a resistance increase within 1.3% and a reduction in gauge factor within 5% for most specimens. The radiation-induced resistance increases and sensitivity degradation results in a maximum strain estimation error of approximately 22.5 με (≈3.5%) within the tested operating range below 700 με. Full article

Nanosomes—lipid vesicles at the nanoscale—enable the encapsulation of both hydrophilic and lipophilic actives and are increasingly used as skin delivery systems in cosmetic products. Alongside nanoemulsions, polymer nanocapsules, and inorganic nanoparticles (e.g., TiO₂, ZnO, Ag), they can enhance solubility, stability, residence time, and local bioavailability while enabling controlled release. This review summarizes nanocarrier structures, preparation concepts, and skin penetration pathways (transepidermal intercellular/transcellular and transappendageal), and discusses formulation factors that modulate delivery. We highlight applications in UV protection, anti-aging, and fragrance retention, focusing on lipid-based systems (liposomes/nanosomes, ethosomes, niosomes). Safety considerations are critically appraised with reference to EU and FDA frameworks, including physicochemical characterization, dermal penetration, irritation/sensitization, and genotoxicity testing. While most data indicate limited penetration through intact skin for particles ≥20 nm, enhanced uptake may occur under specific conditions (very small size, barrier impairment, mechanical stress), warranting careful risk assessment. We conclude with regulatory and sustainability perspectives and outline research priorities for long-term toxicology, in-use exposure, and standardization of methods. Full article

Background: Dermatological conditions represent a leading cause of global nonfatal disease burden, accounting for approximately 42.9 million disability-adjusted life years annually. Their complex pathogenesis is increasingly understood through the skin–brain–exposome axis, a bidirectional neuroimmunological and environmental communication network. The study aims to synthesize the neurobiological mechanisms of the skin–brain–exposome axis with macroscopic sociodemographic modifiers, clinical manifestations, and evidence-based psychodermatological interventions. Methods: A narrative review was conducted, following a structured search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (from inception to February 2026), yielding 54 sources. Mechanistic and interventional data (including randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses) were integrated with large-scale population-based epidemiological findings, anchored by a recent cross-sectional Polish cohort of 27,000 adults. Results: Psychological distress is associated with hyperactivation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and peripheral neurogenic inflammation (e.g., Substance P, corticotropin-releasing hormone), exacerbating stress-sensitive conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, and chronic pruritus. External exposome factors (urbanization, pollution) and sociodemographic variables (education, gender) may modify biological risk and diagnostic capture rates, frequently generating an epidemiological diagnostic paradox. Randomized trials support that psychotherapeutic interventions, particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), effectively disrupt the physical itch–scratch–stress cycle and improve disease-specific quality of life, serving as evidence-based adjunctive strategies in comprehensive care. Conclusions: Effective dermatological management requires targeting both the cutaneous barrier and the psychological exposome. Integrating routine psychosocial screening and stratified behavioral interventions into standard clinical care is essential for addressing the neuroimmune chronicity of inflammatory skin diseases. Full article

Background: The aim of this study was to estimate the economic burden of radiotherapy (RT) from the perspectives of payers, the healthcare system, patients, and society, and to assess associated quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes. The analysis examined direct medical and non-medical costs, as well as QoL, before, during, and up to six months after RT. Given the inclusion of multiple cancer types, the study reflects a heterogeneous real-world population. An exploratory comparison across RT techniques was also conducted to provide contextual economic insight. Methods: This analysis included data from 301 cancer patients undergoing RT using various techniques, including two-dimensional radiotherapy (2D), 3D conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT), volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT), and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), at the University General Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece. Clinical and cost data were collected retrospectively, while QoL data were collected prospectively using validated instruments at baseline, end of treatment, and six months post-treatment. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were estimated. The primary analysis compared RT with a hypothetical “no RT” comparator derived from published evidence, while comparisons across RT techniques were conducted as exploratory analyses. Costs and QALYs were evaluated over a 6-month time horizon; therefore, discounting was not applied. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated, and probabilistic sensitivity analysis was performed to account for parameter uncertainty. Results: The cost per QALY gained with RT compared with the hypothetical “no RT” comparator varied substantially across techniques and cancer types. In the primary analysis, 2D radiotherapy yielded the lowest ICER (€13,043.27/QALY), while VMAT demonstrated an ICER of €29,945.12/QALY. In contrast, IMRT was associated with a substantially higher ICER (€135,529.51/QALY), suggesting limited cost-effectiveness under commonly accepted willingness-to-pay thresholds, whereas 3D-CRT was found to be dominant. Subgroup analyses revealed marked heterogeneity, with ICERs ranging from €3234.45 to €30,232.50 per QALY gained across cancer types. In certain subgroups, RT was either cost-saving or dominant, particularly in breast cancer (cost-saving with similar QALYs) and in skin cancer and sarcoma (dominant strategies). Sensitivity analyses highlighted considerable uncertainty, especially for 2D radiotherapy, primarily driven by small sample sizes and variability in QALY estimates. Conclusions: This study provides short-term, real-world evidence on the cost-effectiveness and quality-of-life outcomes of radiotherapy in a Greek healthcare setting. While simpler techniques such as 2D radiotherapy may appear economically favorable, their limited effectiveness and substantial uncertainty may reduce their overall value. In contrast, advanced techniques—particularly VMAT—demonstrate a more consistent balance between cost and clinical outcomes, supporting their role within value-based, patient-centered oncology care. However, the findings should be interpreted with caution due to population heterogeneity, small subgroup sizes, the short (6-month) time horizon, and the use of a hypothetical comparator. Further research with longer follow-up and disease-specific analyses is warranted. Full article

The purpose of this paper is to present the development of an engineering level code for calculating hypersonic aerodynamics and convective heating, HI-Mach. Novel to this paper are the use of analytic methods for streamline tracing and the direct differentiation of geometric sensitivities for both forces and heat load. Independent panel inclination methods calculate the pressure distribution on the surface of a hypersonic vehicle. Normal shock relations provide the thermodynamic state on each panel. Streamlines are integrated using closed-form streamline equations. Flat plate formulas corrected for compressibility calculate the skin friction coefficient and acreage heat flux on each panel. Formulas for heating on stagnation points and lines, including effects of ellipticity and sweep, are used to calculate stagnation region heating. A method for obtaining the sensitivities of a quantity of interest with respect to the geometry in a hypersonic panel code is described. These are obtained using direct analytical derivatives. The approach is precise and has been thoroughly tested against finite differencing. HI-Mach provides results orders of magnitude faster than would be obtained by CFD. Results from HI-Mach are analyzed and compared to experimental results for the HL-20 lifting body geometry. For the aerodynamic characteristics, HI-Mach predicted force coefficients within 12% of experimental results at $M\infty =4.5$ and 21% at $M_{\infty }=1.6$. Heating results for the HL-20 match experimental and CFD results to within 20% over a wide range of operating conditions. Full article

Background: Phenotype prediction for eye, hair and skin color is used in a variety of forensic applications, such as trace analysis, the identification of unknown individuals, and analysis of historical DNA traces. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive accuracy of the HIrisPlex-S system in a homogeneous North German population. Methods: A cohort of 155 individuals from this population was sampled, and the 41 HIrisPlex-S SNPs were genotyped using the SNaPshot workflow. In addition, the participants assessed their own eye, hair, and skin color using a standardized questionnaire. The statistical analysis included the calculation of diagnostic indicators such as sensitivity (Sens), specificity (Spec), positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy (Acc). In addition, ROC analyses were performed. Results: The results indicated that predictions of skin and hair color were less accurate, whereas eye color could be determined more reliably. Brown and blue eye colors in particular were predicted accurately (brown: Sens = 94.7%, Spec = 87.7%, Acc = 89.5%; blue: Sens = 98.5%, Spec = 57.7%, Acc = 75.7%), while intermediate eye color (Sens = 0.0%, Spec = 100.0%, Acc = 69.1%), hair color and skin color were difficult to differentiate (e.g., blond hair color: Sens = 80.8%, Spec = 56.0%, Acc = 68.2% and pale skin color: Sens = 73.8%, Spec = 44.8%, Acc = 57.2%). Conclusions: In our study, the HIrisPlex-S system primarily provided rough directional information and could distinguish between very different phenotypes but reached its limits when it comes to similar characteristics. Full article

Cysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that plays a central role in skin physiology through thiol-mediated redox regulation and glutathione (GSH) synthesis. It critically influences melanogenesis, collagen homeostasis, and wound healing. However, its clinical application is limited by poor stability and bioavailability. In this review, we provide a mechanistic and comparative analysis of cysteine and its derivatives, including N-acetylcysteine (NAC), cysteinamide (C-NH₂), GSH, and related compounds. These derivatives regulate melanogenesis by modulating dopaquinone pathways and tyrosinase activity, maintain collagen balance by preserving redox-sensitive enzymatic processes, and enhance wound healing through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Importantly, chemical modifications such as acetylation, amidation, and esterification improve pharmacokinetic properties, enabling more effective intracellular delivery. Furthermore, different derivatives exhibit distinct advantages depending on biological context, highlighting the importance of compound selection. Overall, cysteine derivatives emerge as promising therapeutic candidates for dermatological applications, particularly in pigmentation disorders and impaired wound healing. Future studies should focus on in vivo validation and clinical translation. Full article

Hybrid nanofluids possess exceptional thermal conductivity, but one of the major concerns with nanoparticles is agglomeration. While the usage of surfactants or dispersants can be used to mitigate this issue, numerical investigation and sensitivity analyses can be more affordable when attempting to optimize and design a thermal device. The consideration of thermal radiation with conductive and convective heat transfer and appropriate nanoparticles may provide a greater solution without compromising the efficacy of hybrid nanofluids. In the present work, the concept of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) is used to examine the impact of thermal radiation on a stable, two-dimensional, incompressible hybrid fluid consisting of nanoparticles (MWNCT)${\mathrm{-Fe}}_3{\mathrm{O}}_4$ and water flowing over a vertical surface. The flow is governed by established equations of fluid dynamics, which use the Rosseland diffusion model to incorporate radiation effects. The implicit finite difference (IFD) was used to solve the mathematical equations. Sensitivity analyses were conducted as functions of volume fraction, radiation and magnetic variables. This study also examines the streamlines and isotherm lines with respect to the volume fraction, radiation parameter and magnetic parameter of the heat source. The results indicate that for a fixed radiation parameter, increasing the nanoparticle volume fraction by up to $20\%$ leads to a reduction of approximately $37\%$ in the skin friction coefficient, while the corresponding Nusselt number increases by nearly $50\%$. Furthermore, the introduction of a magnetic field parameter significantly suppresses wall shear stress and modifies the thermal boundary layer thickness, demonstrating the competing interaction between Lorentz-force-induced momentum damping and radiation-enhanced thermal diffusion. These quantified trends highlight the sensitivity of coupled momentum and heat transport to combined magnetic and radiative effects in hybrid nanofluid systems. Full article

Background: High dietary salt intake has been implicated in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases; however, its impact on allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) remains unclear. This study examined whether dietary salt exposure during the sensitization phase influences the severity of DNFB-induced ACD in mice. Methods: Female C57BL/6N mice were fed a normal diet (ND) or an 8% high-salt diet (HSD). In a subset, salt intake was normalized prior to sensitization (HSD → ND). ACD was induced using a DNFB sensitization and challenge protocol. Ear swelling was quantified using incremental area under the curve (iAUC). Histological analyses and measurements of plasma and skin sodium were performed. Results: HSD-fed mice showed greater ear swelling and higher iAUC than ND controls, accompanied by enhanced inflammatory cell infiltration. Skin sodium concentration differed among groups, with a higher concentration in HSD-fed mice compared that in the HSD → ND group. Normalization of salt intake prior to sensitization attenuated disease severity. Spearman analyses indicated that total sodium intake and plasma potassium concentration were associated with inflammatory severity. Conclusions: Dietary salt exposure during immune sensitization exacerbated experimental ACD and was associated with systemic electrolyte alterations. These findings suggest that sodium exposure during immune activation may influence allergic skin inflammation. Full article

Background: Ceramide (Cer) dysregulation in content and composition is linked to various skin conditions, particularly sensitive and dry skin. Existing ceramide quantification methods often lack efficiency, sensitivity, or comprehensive analytical capabilities. This study aimed to adopt an optimized LC-MS/MS platform to ensure the acquisition of reliable and accurate ceramide quantitative data, thereby providing robust methodological support for an in-depth investigation of the differences in ceramide profiles among different dry skin subtypes. Methods: Stratum corneum samples were collected via tape stripping from 93 adult female volunteers, who were stratified into sensitive dry skin, non-sensitive dry skin, and normal skin groups based on clinical assessments. Cer metabolomics was analyzed via targeted metabolomics using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results: Quantitative analysis of ceramide content in different groups revealed significantly elevated levels of ultra-long-chain ceramides and the atypical Cer (d17:1/24:0) in the SD group, alongside relatively lower levels of shorter-chain ceramides. The NSD group, in contrast, was predominantly enriched in shorter-chain ceramides. Statistical analysis showed statistically significant differences in the levels of Cer (d18:1/24:0), Cer (d18:1/24:1), and Cer (d17:1/24:0) between the SD group and the N group. The UPLC-MS/MS method exhibits a wide linear range and high recovery. Conclusions: This method offers a reliable tool for the quantitative analysis of ceramides in dermatological, physiological, and pathological research. The findings not only underscore the profound heterogeneity in lipid metabolism underlying different dry skin subtypes but also provide a molecular rationale linking aberrant ceramide chain lengths to compromised barrier integrity and heightened inflammatory susceptibility. The partially validated analytical platform and the specific ceramide signatures revealed herein offer valuable tools and insights for advancing the mechanistic understanding, diagnosis, and targeted intervention of sensitive dry skin. Full article