The potential cutaneous effects of stratospheric ozone depletion

1996 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
John H. Epstein

Recent evidence indicates that there has been a reduction in the stratospheric ozone over the northern hemisphere, as well as the Antarctic and Arctic latitudes. This has resulted in an increased penetration of ultraviolet B (UVB) at least as measured at Toronto, Canada, since 1989. If no precautions are observed by the human population, this could eventually result in an increase in the skin cancer incidence. This would be especially true for the most common cancers, that is, the nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. In addition it has been predicted that the third most common skin cancer, the malignant melanoma, would also increase in incidence. However, the relationship between UVB radiation and melanoma formation is much less clear than it is for NMSCs. Clinically people with a loss or lack of melanin protection such as those with occulocutaneous albinism and vitiligo, or much more commonly, people with light skin, eyes, and hair would be at greatest risk. Also increased UVB penetration could exacerbate certain infections such as herpes simplex. People with UVB-sensitive diseases including solar urticaria, polymorphous light eruptions, lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, pemphigus, pemphigoid, Darier's disease, familial benign chronic pemphigus, and certain recessive degenerative genodermatoses would also be potentially more vulnerable.Key words: ozone, ultraviolet B (UVB), skin cancer, photosensitive skin diseases.

2016 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Piotrowska ◽  
Justyna Wierzbicka ◽  
Michał A Żmijewski

Vitamin D plays important, pleiotropic role in the maintenance of global homeostasis. Its influence goes far beyond the regulation of calcium and phosphorus balance, as diverse activities of vitamin D and its natural metabolites assure proper functioning of major human organs, including skin. Recently, we reviewed the current understanding of vitamin D impact on human health from historical perspective (Wierzbicka et al. (2014) The renaissance of vitamin D. Acta Biochim Pol 61: 679-686). This article focuses on its functions in the skin. The skin and its appendages, creates a platform connecting and protecting internal organs against, usually harmful, external environment. It uppermost layer - epidermis in order to maintain a protective barrier undergoes a constant exchange of cornified keratinocytes layer. Its disturbance leads to development of serious skin disorders including psoriasis, vitiligo, atopic dermatitis and skin cancer. All of those dermatopathologies have a huge impact on modern societies, affecting not only the physical, but also mental state of patients as well as their social status. Furthermore, multiple human systemic diseases (autoimmune, blood and digestive diseases) have skin manifestation, thus "condition of the skin" often reflects the condition and pathological changes within the internal organs. In humans, the skin is the natural source of vitamin D, which is produced locally from 7-dehydrocholesterol in photoreaction induced by ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from the sun. It is also well established, that the process of proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes is tightly regulated by calcium and the active form of vitamin D (1,25(OH)2D3). Thus, the skin physiology is inseparably connected with vitamin D production and activity. Unfortunately, UVB, which is required for vitamin D production, is also known as the main cause of a skin cancer, including melanoma. Here, we are going to review benefits of vitamin D and its analogues in the maintenance of epidermal barrier and its potential use in the treatment of common skin diseases.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 20170497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Vitt ◽  
Janina E. Zierul ◽  
Theo C. M. Bakker ◽  
Ingolf P. Rick

Ultraviolet-B radiation (UVB) reaching the earth's surface has increased due to human-caused stratospheric ozone depletion. Whereas the harmful effects of UVB on aquatic organisms are well studied at the molecular and cellular level, recent studies have also begun to address behavioural changes caused by sublethal amounts of UVB. However, the behavioural consequences of long-term exposure to ecologically relevant UVB levels over several life stages are virtually unknown, particularly with regard to predator–prey behaviour. We found increased predator-inspection behaviour together with a smaller body length in three-spined sticklebacks ( Gasterosteus aculeatus ) after fish were exposed for about seven months to natural sunlight conditions with enhanced UVB, compared with full siblings exposed to natural sunlight only. The observed change in antipredator behaviour may reflect a direct behavioural response mediated through UVB-induced oxidative stress during development. Alternatively, the smaller body size in UVB-exposed fish may result in an increased inspection effort allowing them to spend more time foraging. Our findings suggest that, within the scope of environmental change, UVB radiation constitutes an important stress factor by eliciting behavioural responses that influence crucial ecological processes, such as predator–prey interactions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wybke Klatt ◽  
Susanne Wallner ◽  
Christoph Brochhausen ◽  
Judith A. Stolwijk ◽  
Stephan Schreml

Abstract The proton-sensing GPCRs (pH-GPCRs) GPR4 (GPR19), TDAG8 (GPR65, T-cell death associated gene 8), OGR1 (GPR68, ovarian cancer GPCR1), and G2A (GPR132, G2 accumulation protein) are involved in sensing and transducing changes in extracellular pH (pHe). Extracellular acidification is a central hallmark of solid cancer. pH-GPCR function has been associated with cancer cell proliferation, adhesion, migration and metastasis, as well as with modulation of the immune system. Little is known about the expression levels and role of pH-GPCRs in skin cancer. To better understand the functions of pH-GPCRs in skin cancer in vivo, we examined the expression-profiles of GPR4, TDAG8, OGR1 and G2A in four common skin tumors, i.e. squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), malignant melanoma (MM), compound nevus cell nevi (NCN), basal cell carcinoma (BCC). We performed immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining on paraffin-embedded tissue samples acquired from patients suffering from SCC, MM, NCN or BCC. We show the expression of pH-GPCRs in four common skin cancers. Different expression patterns in the investigated skin cancer types indicate that the different pH-GPCRs may have distinct functions in tumor progression and serve as novel therapeutic targets.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 91-93
Author(s):  
Sandeep B V ◽  
Suniti Kumar Saha ◽  
Manpreet Singh Banga ◽  
Partha Ghosh

Among the common skin cancers, melanoma is the most lethal. Although, it comprises only 3% of all skin cancers diagnosed , it accounts for about  75% of all skin cancer-related deaths. Melanoma is a relatively uncommon skin cancer in geographical locations like India. Its highest incidence is seen in sixth decade . Head and neck melanomas constitute approximately 17% of all cutaneous melanomas .We present a 15 year old male patient who presented with a intracranial melanoma with osteolytic skull lesion.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.7(5) 2016 91-93


2004 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Perin ◽  
D RS Lean

Depletion of stratospheric ozone, the principal atmospheric attenuator of ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation, by man-made chemicals has raised scientific and public concern regarding the biological effects of increased UVB radiation on Earth. There is an increased awareness that existing levels of solar UV radiation have an important influence on biological and chemical processes in aquatic ecosystems. For aquatic organisms, numerous studies have shown direct detrimental effects of UVB radiation at each trophic level. Fortunately, many aquatic organisms also possess a range of photoprotective mechanisms against UV radiation toxicity. In addition to its direct impact, harmful effects of UVB radiation at a single-trophic level can cascade through the food web and indirectly affect organisms from other trophic levels. Because UV radiation photochemically reacts with humic substances and other photosensitive agents in the water, increases in solar UVB can also indirectly affect aquatic organisms through the production and (or) release of different photoproducts like biologically available nutrients and harmful reactive oxygen species. Polar aquatic ecosystems have been of particular concern, since stratospheric ozone-related UVB increases have been the greatest in these regions. With the influences of climate warming and the possibility of future volcanic eruptions, ozone losses are expected to get worse in the Arctic stratosphere, and the ozone layer recovery may not follow the slow decline of industrial ozone-depleting compounds in the atmosphere. Climate warming is also expected to bring important changes in underwater ultraviolet radiation (UVR) penetration in Arctic freshwaters that would be more significant to the aquatic biota than stratospheric ozone depletion.Key words: Arctic, UV radiation, UVB, ozone depletion, climate change, aquatic ecosystems.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chanisa Kiatsurayanon ◽  
Ge Peng ◽  
François Niyonsaba

: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), also known as host defense peptides, are ubiquitous naturally occurring molecules secreted by various cell types of the body. In the skin, AMPs serve as a first-line innate immune defense against exogenous microorganisms, and they orchestrate adaptive immune responses to exert several immunomodulatory functions. Emerging evidence indicates that AMPs not only contribute to certain inflammatory skin diseases but also play a role in skin tumor carcinogenesis. Available data support the hypothesis that AMPs possess both pro-tumor and anti-neoplastic properties. Although inconsistent observations reported by multiple studies make it challenging to summarize the precise roles of AMPs in cancer, the differential expression of AMPs in skin cancers, such as the increased expression of human beta-defensins in squamous cell carcinoma and the ability of cathelicidin LL-37 to induce malignant melanoma cell invasion, implies they have procancer activities. On the other hand, the observation that certain AMPs show cytotoxic activity against cancer cells of the colon and kidney suggests their inherent antitumor properties. In this review, we describe the roles and mechanisms of AMPs in skin cancer development. We believe that further research is needed to elucidate the impact of these AMPs in skin cancer biology and to explore their potential roles as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers and as novel therapeutic targets.


2020 ◽  
Vol 06 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhumika Kumar ◽  
Rohan Aggarwal ◽  
Udai Prakash ◽  
P. K. Sahoo

Abstract:: Curcumin is a natural polyphenol with bright yellow color, obtained from the spice turmeric (curcuma Longa) which is used since ancient times in various Asian countries including China and India for its anti‐inflammatory, antioxidative, and antibacterial properties. It possesses various other beneficial medicinal properties like anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic, antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial, antiulcer and hypocholesteremic which makes it an ideal multipurpose moiety for treating different diseases. Due to curcumin’s anti‐inflammatory, antioxidative, and antibacterial properties it is used in averting and treating several skin diseases like psoriasis, acne, skin inflammation, skin cancers and premature skin aging. Curcumin protects the skin against the damage caused by ultraviolet B radiations. Curcumin falls in the BCS class IV drug, with poor solubility and poor permeability which makes it very challenging in utilizing the maximum therapeutic potential of this moiety. The review aims at providing a broad updated view of curcumin and its efficacious role in treating various skin diseases.


2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samir Pereira ◽  
Maria Paula Curado ◽  
Ana Maria Quinteiro Ribeiro

OBJECTIVE To describe the trend for malignant skin neoplasms in subjects under 40 years of age in a region with high ultraviolet radiation indices.METHODS A descriptive epidemiological study on melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers that was conducted in Goiania, Midwest Brazil, with 1,688 people under 40 years of age, between 1988 and 2009. Cases were obtained fromRegistro de Câncer de Base Populacional de Goiânia(Goiania’s Population-Based Cancer File). Frequency, trends, and incidence of cases with single and multiple lesions were analyzed; transplants and genetic skin diseases were found in cases with multiple lesions.RESULTS Over the period, 1,995 skin cancer cases were observed to found, of which 1,524 (90.3%) cases had single lesions and 164 (9.7%) had multiple lesions. Regarding single lesions, incidence on men was observed to have risen from 2.4 to 3.1/100,000 inhabitants; it differed significantly for women, shifting from 2.3 to 5.3/100,000 (Annual percentage change – [APC] 3.0%, p = 0.006). Regarding multiple lesions, incidence on men was observed to have risen from 0.30 to 0.98/100,000 inhabitants; for women, it rose from 0.43 to 1.16/100,000 (APC 8.6%, p = 0.003). Genetic skin diseases or transplants were found to have been correlated with 10.0% of cases with multiple lesions – an average of 5.1 lesions per patient. The average was 2.5 in cases without that correlation.CONCLUSIONS Skin cancer on women under 40 years of age has been observed to be increasing for both cases with single and multiple lesions. It is not unusual to find multiple tumors in young people – in most cases, they are not associated with genetic skin diseases or transplants. It is necessary to avoid excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation from childhood.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip M. Stephens ◽  
Brian Martin ◽  
Ghazal Ghafari ◽  
James Luong ◽  
Vinayak K. Nahar ◽  
...  

Skin cancers are becoming a substantial public health problem in China. Fair skin and increased exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from the sun are among the most substantial risk factors for skin cancer development, thus making the Chinese people vulnerable to this group of diseases. The purpose of this article is to present a narrative review of the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to skin cancers within the Chinese population. A systematic electronic search of MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases yielded nine articles that met the inclusion criteria. The review found that although sunscreen application was a commonly used method of skin protection among the general Chinese population, educational interventions enhancing current knowledge and attitudes about the effects of UVB rays on skin from undue sun exposure were limited in many smaller communities of the country. Hence, there is an essential need to design effective, evidence-based educational programs promoting sun protection behaviors in both congregated and sparsely populated areas of China.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Mohammed Rakeibul Hasan ◽  
Mohammed Ishraaf Fatemi ◽  
Mohammad Monirujjaman Khan ◽  
Manjit Kaur ◽  
Atef Zaguia

We live in a world where people are suffering from many diseases. Cancer is the most threatening of them all. Among all the variants of cancer, skin cancer is spreading rapidly. It happens because of the abnormal growth of skin cells. The increase in ultraviolet radiation on the Earth’s surface is also helping skin cancer spread in every corner of the world. Benign and malignant types are the most common skin cancers people suffer from. People go through expensive and time-consuming treatments to cure skin cancer but yet fail to lower the mortality rate. To reduce the mortality rate, early detection of skin cancer in its incipient phase is helpful. In today’s world, deep learning is being used to detect diseases. The convolutional neural network (CNN) helps to find skin cancer through image classification more accurately. This research contains information about many CNN models and a comparison of their working processes for finding the best results. Pretrained models like VGG16, Support Vector Machine (SVM), ResNet50, and self-built models (sequential) are used to analyze the process of CNN models. These models work differently as there are variations in their layer numbers. Depending on their layers and work processes, some models work better than others. An image dataset of benign and malignant data has been taken from Kaggle. In this dataset, there are 6594 images of benign and malignant skin cancer. Using different approaches, we have gained accurate results for VGG16 (93.18%), SVM (83.48%), ResNet50 (84.39%), Sequential_Model_1 (74.24%), Sequential_Model_2 (77.00%), and Sequential_Model_3 (84.09%). This research compares these outcomes based on the model’s work process. Our comparison includes model layer numbers, working process, and precision. The VGG16 model has given us the highest accuracy of 93.18%.


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