The Effect of a Novel Complex, Composed of Ceramide, Energizing Peptide and Camu Camu Extract, on Epidermal Barrier Function and Dermal Antiaging Properties in Ex Vivo Human Skin Small Live Cohort

The skin’s primary function is to protect the body against a spectrum of environmental stressors, including mechanical insults, microorganisms, chemicals, and allergens. Located in the outermost layers, the primary structures and components responsible for the skin’s barrier function are susceptible to environmental variables, dermatological conditions, and the aging process. The ensuing alterations to structure, composition, and organizational attributes of the epidermal barrier can impact its integrity and functionality. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a novel complex composed of a ceramide, energizing peptide, and Camu Camu extract (SUPCERATTM complex) on specific markers of epidermal barrier integrity, as well as epidermal and dermal function. All the experiments were conducted on fresh human abdominal skin explants. Intradermal production of hyaluronic acid, epidermal claudin-1, and ceramide synthase 3 expressions, as well as epidermal lipids content were assessed using specific fluorescent stainings on ex vivo skin after the application of the complex or placebo. Additionally, dermal elastase and collagenase activities were assessed using in tubo enzymatic assays. Lastly, the effect of a cosmetic cream containing SUPCERATTM complex was assessed using subjective Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) in a small cohort of patients after 60 days of use. The application of the SUPCERATTM complex on ex vivo skin led to significant increase in dermal hyaluronic acid content and epidermal activity of claudin-1, ceramide synthase 3 and epidermal ceramide content. Furthermore, in tubo enzymatic assays demonstrated inhibition of both dermal elastase and collagenase activities. In addition, the patient-reported results indicated significant improvements in skin quality and appearance. .

Real-time electrical detection of epidermal skin MoS2 biosensor for point-of-care diagnostics

Various approaches have been proposed for point-of-care diagnostics, and in particular, optical detection is preferred because it is relatively simple and fast. At the same time, field-effect transistor （FET）-based biosensors have attracted great attention because they can provide highly sensitive and label-free detection. In this work we present highly sensitive, epidermal skin-type point-of-care devices with system-level integration of flexible MOS2 FET biosensors, read-out circuits, and light-emitting diode （LEDs） that enable real-time detection of prostate cancer antigens （PSA）. Regardless of the physical forms or mechanical stress conditions, our proposed high-performance MoS2 biosensors can detect a PSA concentration of 1 pg.mL-1 without specific surface treatment for anti-PSA immobilization on the MoS2 surface on which we characterize and confirm physisorption of anti-PSA using Kelvin probe force microscopy （KPFM） and tapping-mode atomic force microscopy （tm-AFM）. Furthermore, current modulation induced by the binding process was stably maintained for longer than 2-3 min. The results indicate that flexible MoS2-based FET biosensors have great potential for point-of-care diagnostics for prostate cancer as well as other biomarkers.

Global output of research on epidermal parasitic skin diseases from 1967 to 2017

Background:Epidermal parasitic skin diseases(EPSD)occur in most countries and cause a considerable health and economic burden,particularly in the tropics and subtropics.The aim of this study was to assess and analyse peerreviewed literature on EPSD in humans.The results of this study serve as an indicator of the extent the scientific community,health authorities,and international health agencies interact with EPSD as a health problem that is commonly associated with poverty and poor hygiene.Methods:A bibliometric analysis methodology was used.The Scopus database was used to retrieve documents about EPSD for the study period(1967-2017).The study focused on scabies,tungiasis,pediculosis,hookwormrelated cutaneous larva migrans(HrCLM),myiasis,and cutaneous strongyloidiasis.Documents that specifically and explicitly discuss EPSD in animals,aquatic organisms,and birds were excluded.Results:In total,4186 documents were retrieved.A fluctuated growth of publications on EPSD in the past five decades was found.The retrieved documents received 43301 citations,an average of 10.3 citations per article and an h-index of 74.The keywords“scabies”and was the most commonly encountered keyword followed by the keywords“head lice”and“pediculosis”.The most active journal involved in publishing articles on EPSD was the International Journal of Dermatology(164;3.9%).Researchers from 93 different countries published the retrieved articles.The USA led with 735(17.6%)documents,followed by the UK(274;6.5%),and Germany(259;6.2%).In terms of institutions,the Charite-Universitätsmedizin Berlin in Germany was the most active in this field with 78(1.9%)publications,followed by the Universidade Federal do Cearáin Brazil with 52(1.2%)publications.Conclusions:Research on scabies and pediculosis dominated the field of EPSD research to the expense of tungiasis,HrCLM,myiasis,and cutaneous strongyloidiasis.There was an underrepresentation of literature from the tropics and subtropics despite EPSD being common in these areas.This could possibly be explained by the presence of limited number of non-English journals in the Scopus database.International research collaborations and research networking should be strengthened to help advance and prioritize research on EPSD.

Epithelial stem cell islands in the regenerated epidermis

Objective: The effects of growth factors on wound healing have been studied extensively, however, their molecular and genetic mechanisms that regulate epidermal regeneration are not fully understood. In this study, we explore the cell reversion characteristics and epithelial stem cell distribution in human regenerated epidermis treated with recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF). Methods:Tissue biospies from 8 regenerated skins treated with rhEGF were used to evaluate the cell reversion.