Assessment of skin barrier function using skin images with topological data analysis

AbstractRecent developments of molecular biology have revealed diverse mechanisms of skin diseases, and precision medicine considering these mechanisms requires the frequent objective evaluation of skin phenotypes. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) is commonly used for evaluating skin barrier function; however, direct measurement of TEWL is time-consuming and is not convenient for daily clinical practice. Here, we propose a new skin barrier assessment method using skin images with topological data analysis (TDA). TDA enabled efficient identification of structural features from a skin image taken by a microscope. These features reflected the regularity of the skin texture. We found a significant correlation between the topological features and TEWL. Moreover, using the features as input, we trained machine-learning models to predict TEWL and obtained good accuracy (R2 = 0.524). Our results suggest that assessment of skin barrier function by topological image analysis is promising.

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360 Assessment of skin barrier function from skin images with topological data analysis

Journal of Investigative Dermatology ◽

10.1016/j.jid.2019.03.436 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 139 (5) ◽

pp. S62

Author(s):

K. Koseki ◽

E. Kawakami ◽

H. Kawasaki ◽

T. Atsugi ◽

M. Nakanishi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Data Analysis ◽

Barrier Function ◽

Skin Barrier ◽

Topological Data Analysis ◽

Skin Barrier Function ◽

Topological Data

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Noninvasive Skin Barrier Assessment: Multiparametric Approach and Pilot Study

Cosmetics ◽

10.3390/cosmetics6010020 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 20 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jade Logger ◽

Jill Olydam ◽

Wietske Woliner-van der Weg ◽

Piet van Erp

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Water Content ◽

Barrier Function ◽

Skin Diseases ◽

Skin Barrier ◽

Transepidermal Water Loss ◽

Future Research ◽

Skin Barrier Function ◽

Epidermal Thickness ◽

Inflammatory Skin Diseases

The epidermal barrier function is disrupted in various inflammatory skin diseases. Accurate methods to measure skin barrier function are needed to assess the effect of therapeutic agents. Therefore, we developed a noninvasive multiparametric approach to measure four different parameters regarding the skin barrier. In the current pilot study, we evaluate this method in 14 healthy volunteers. We assessed erythema, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), water content, and epidermal thickness at both cheeks before and 30 min after application of Lanette and Vaseline-Lanette cream. For this, we used spectrophotometry, the Aquaflux device, the Epsilon device, and reflection confocal microscopy, respectively. Stratum corneum (SC) thickness was significantly increased after application of both creams (p < 0.05), and this increase was larger after Lanette cream compared to after Vaseline-Lanette cream (p = 0.035). Erythema, TEWL, and water content did not significantly change after cream application. Our multiparametric approach is promising and offers a feasible and practical way to quickly obtain multifaceted information about skin barrier function. Further exploration of this approach after prolonged use of cream and in conditions of disrupted skin barrier are recommended areas for future research.

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NATURAL COSMETICS IN THE CARE OF YOUNG CHILDREN

PEDIATRIA Journal named after G N SPERANSKY ◽

10.24110/0031-403x-2020-99-6-155-162 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 99 (6) ◽

pp. 155-162

Author(s):

O.B. Tamrazova ◽

◽

S.P. Seleznev ◽

A.V. Tamrazova ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skin Barrier ◽

Structural Features ◽

Transepidermal Water Loss ◽

General Information ◽

Skin Barrier Function ◽

Skin Physiology ◽

Main Emphasis ◽

Antimicrobial Protection ◽

Irritant Dermatitis ◽

Adaptive Shifts

The article provides general information about the skin physiology of newborns and infants. Structural features of the skin and main adaptive shifts in newborns, are described. Тhe child has an increase in the skin barrier function of the skin, which prevents transepidermal water loss; active synthesis of natural moisturizing factor (NMF) components that control skin hydration; shift of pH to acidic environment; normalization of thermoregulatory functions; enhancement of the photoprotective function; immune restructuring for antimicrobial protection; formation of a normal microbiome. The article describes the consequences of improper skin care of a newborn, using the example of diaper dermatitis, irritant dermatitis, prickly heat and vesiculopustulosis. The importance of using specialized children's cosmetics in caring for an infant is assessed. The basic recommendations for the choice of these products are presented, where the main emphasis is on the choice of products consisting of natural ingredients. Giving preference to natural cosmetics, everyone should carefully study the composition of these products and trust the manufacturers who can guarantee safety of care products for the youngest children.

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Topological Data Analysis Approaches to Uncovering the Timing of Ring Structure Onset in Filamentous Networks

Bulletin of Mathematical Biology ◽

10.1007/s11538-020-00847-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 83 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Maria-Veronica Ciocanel ◽

Riley Juenemann ◽

Adriana T. Dawes ◽

Scott A. McKinley

Keyword(s):

Time Series ◽

Data Analysis ◽

Actin Filaments ◽

Time Series Data ◽

Polymer Networks ◽

Topological Data Analysis ◽

Series Data ◽

Topological Features ◽

Topological Data

AbstractIn developmental biology as well as in other biological systems, emerging structure and organization can be captured using time-series data of protein locations. In analyzing this time-dependent data, it is a common challenge not only to determine whether topological features emerge, but also to identify the timing of their formation. For instance, in most cells, actin filaments interact with myosin motor proteins and organize into polymer networks and higher-order structures. Ring channels are examples of such structures that maintain constant diameters over time and play key roles in processes such as cell division, development, and wound healing. Given the limitations in studying interactions of actin with myosin in vivo, we generate time-series data of protein polymer interactions in cells using complex agent-based models. Since the data has a filamentous structure, we propose sampling along the actin filaments and analyzing the topological structure of the resulting point cloud at each time. Building on existing tools from persistent homology, we develop a topological data analysis (TDA) method that assesses effective ring generation in this dynamic data. This method connects topological features through time in a path that corresponds to emergence of organization in the data. In this work, we also propose methods for assessing whether the topological features of interest are significant and thus whether they contribute to the formation of an emerging hole (ring channel) in the simulated protein interactions. In particular, we use the MEDYAN simulation platform to show that this technique can distinguish between the actin cytoskeleton organization resulting from distinct motor protein binding parameters.

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Skin Barrier Function in Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis: Transepidermal Water Loss and Temperature as Useful Tools to Assess Disease Severity

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10020359 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 359 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Trinidad Montero-Vilchez ◽

María-Victoria Segura-Fernández-Nogueras ◽

Isabel Pérez-Rodríguez ◽

Miguel Soler-Gongora ◽

Antonio Martinez-Lopez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atopic Dermatitis ◽

Disease Severity ◽

Water Loss ◽

Barrier Function ◽

Skin Barrier ◽

Transepidermal Water Loss ◽

Diagnostic Tools ◽

Psoriatic Skin ◽

Skin Barrier Function ◽

Healthy Controls

Multiple diagnostic tools are used to evaluate psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (AD) severity, but most of them are based on subjective components. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and temperature are skin barrier function parameters that can be objectively measured and could help clinicians to evaluate disease severity accurately. Thus, the aims of this study are: (1) to compare skin barrier function between healthy skin, psoriatic skin and AD skin; and (2) to assess if skin barrier function parameters could predict disease severity. A cross-sectional study was designed, and epidermal barrier function parameters were measured. The study included 314 participants: 157 healthy individuals, 92 psoriatic patients, and 65 atopic dermatitis patients. TEWL was significantly higher, while stratum corneum hydration (SCH) (8.71 vs. 38.43 vs. 44.39 Arbitrary Units (AU)) was lower at psoriatic plaques than at uninvolved psoriatic skin and healthy controls. Patients with both TEWL > 13.85 g·m−2h−1 and temperature > 30.85 °C presented a moderate/severe psoriasis (psoriasis area severity index (PASI) ≥ 7), with a specificity of 76.3%. TEWL (28.68 vs. 13.15 vs. 11.60 g·m−2 h−1) and temperature were significantly higher, while SCH (25.20 vs. 40.95 vs. 50.73 AU) was lower at AD eczematous lesions than uninvolved AD skin and healthy controls. Patients with a temperature > 31.75 °C presented a moderate/severe AD (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) ≥ 37) with a sensitivity of 81.8%. In conclusion, temperature and TEWL values may help clinicians to determine disease severity and select patients who need intensive treatment.

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Empowering Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems from Topological Data Analysis

Mathematics ◽

10.3390/math9060634 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 634

Author(s):

Tarek Frahi ◽

Francisco Chinesta ◽

Antonio Falcó ◽

Alberto Badias ◽

Elias Cueto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Data Analysis ◽

The State ◽

Sensor Data ◽

Topological Data Analysis ◽

Motion Sensors ◽

Driver Assistance Systems ◽

The Road ◽

Topological Features ◽

Recent Developments ◽

Topological Data

We are interested in evaluating the state of drivers to determine whether they are attentive to the road or not by using motion sensor data collected from car driving experiments. That is, our goal is to design a predictive model that can estimate the state of drivers given the data collected from motion sensors. For that purpose, we leverage recent developments in topological data analysis (TDA) to analyze and transform the data coming from sensor time series and build a machine learning model based on the topological features extracted with the TDA. We provide some experiments showing that our model proves to be accurate in the identification of the state of the user, predicting whether they are relaxed or tense.

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Effects of Cast Immobilisation on Skin Barrier Function

Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore ◽

10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2019170 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 49 (6) ◽

pp. 354-359

Author(s):

Chin Yee Woo ◽

Mark JA Koh ◽

Winnie KY Fung ◽

Cheri SH Chan ◽

Chong Bing Chua ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stratum Corneum ◽

Water Loss ◽

Barrier Function ◽

Skin Irritation ◽

Skin Barrier ◽

Transepidermal Water Loss ◽

Skin Barrier Function ◽

Hair Density ◽

Cast Immobilisation ◽

Volar Surface

Introduction: Cast immobilisation remains the mainstay of treatment for various fractures in paediatric patients, yet patients commonly complain of skin irritation and discomfort. This study aimed to perform a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the effects of cast immobilisation on the skin of children and adolescents. Materials and Methods: Patients aged 6–17 years of age with a fracture treated in a fiberglass short-arm or short-leg cast were recruited. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum (SC) hydration, hair density and presence of any skin signs were assessed before and after cast. Patients were required to complete a weekly questionnaire to rate itch, malodour, warmth, and dampness of the skin under the cast. Results: A total of 60 subjects completed the study. Thirty-six patients received a short-arm cast; 24 received a short-leg cast. Upon cast removal, TEWL was significantly increased on the volar surface of the arms and legs (P <0.05), and the dorsal surface of the arm (P <0.05). Likewise, SC hydration was significantly increased at most sites (P <0.05), except the volar surface of the leg (P = 0.513). There was no change in hair density. Throughout the duration of casting, there was an increase in itch and malodour scores. Conclusions: Moderate but significant changes in TEWL, SC hydration and subjective symptoms were observed during the duration of cast immobilisation, demonstrating that cast immobilisation for up to 4 weeks exerts moderate adverse impact on patients’ skin. Further studies to explore the use of better materials for cast immobilisation to improve skin barrier function and overall patient satisfaction are warranted. Ann Acad Med Singapore 2020;49:285–93 Ann Acad Med Singapore 2020;49:354–59 Key words: Cast immobilisation, Transepidermal water loss, Stratum corneum hydration

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Using Topological Data Analysis (TDA) and Persistent Homology to Analyze the Stock Markets in Singapore and Taiwan

Frontiers in Physics ◽

10.3389/fphy.2021.572216 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Peter Tsung-Wen Yen ◽

Siew Ann Cheong

Keyword(s):

Data Analysis ◽

Stock Markets ◽

Persistent Homology ◽

Betti Numbers ◽

Stock Index ◽

Topological Data Analysis ◽

Series Data ◽

Topological Features ◽

Market Crashes ◽

Topological Data

In recent years, persistent homology (PH) and topological data analysis (TDA) have gained increasing attention in the fields of shape recognition, image analysis, data analysis, machine learning, computer vision, computational biology, brain functional networks, financial networks, haze detection, etc. In this article, we will focus on stock markets and demonstrate how TDA can be useful in this regard. We first explain signatures that can be detected using TDA, for three toy models of topological changes. We then showed how to go beyond network concepts like nodes (0-simplex) and links (1-simplex), and the standard minimal spanning tree or planar maximally filtered graph picture of the cross correlations in stock markets, to work with faces (2-simplex) or any k-dim simplex in TDA. By scanning through a full range of correlation thresholds in a procedure called filtration, we were able to examine robust topological features (i.e. less susceptible to random noise) in higher dimensions. To demonstrate the advantages of TDA, we collected time-series data from the Straits Times Index and Taiwan Capitalization Weighted Stock Index (TAIEX), and then computed barcodes, persistence diagrams, persistent entropy, the bottleneck distance, Betti numbers, and Euler characteristic. We found that during the periods of market crashes, the homology groups become less persistent as we vary the characteristic correlation. For both markets, we found consistent signatures associated with market crashes in the Betti numbers, Euler characteristics, and persistent entropy, in agreement with our theoretical expectations.

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