scholarly journals Melanin Transfer in the Epidermis: The Pursuit of Skin Pigmentation Control Mechanisms

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4466
Author(s):  
Hugo Moreiras ◽  
Miguel C. Seabra ◽  
Duarte C. Barral
Keyword(s):  
Transfer Process ◽  
Economic Burden ◽  
Skin Pigmentation ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
The Past ◽  
Pigmentary Disorders ◽  
Shed Vesicles ◽  
Skin Epidermis ◽  
New Strategies

The mechanisms by which the pigment melanin is transferred from melanocytes and processed within keratinocytes to achieve skin pigmentation remain ill-characterized. Nevertheless, several models have emerged in the past decades to explain the transfer process. Here, we review the proposed models for melanin transfer in the skin epidermis, the available evidence supporting each one, and the recent observations in favor of the exo/phagocytosis and shed vesicles models. In order to reconcile the transfer models, we propose that different mechanisms could co-exist to sustain skin pigmentation under different conditions. We also discuss the limited knowledge about melanin processing within keratinocytes. Finally, we pinpoint new questions that ought to be addressed to solve the long-lasting quest for the understanding of how basal skin pigmentation is controlled. This knowledge will allow the emergence of new strategies to treat pigmentary disorders that cause a significant socio-economic burden to patients and healthcare systems worldwide and could also have relevant cosmetic applications.

scholarly journals Melanin Transfer in the Epidermis: The Pursuit of Skin Pigmentation Control Mechanisms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Moreiras ◽  
Miguel C. Seabra ◽  
Duarte C. Barral
Keyword(s):  
Transfer Process ◽  
Economic Burden ◽  
Skin Pigmentation ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
The Past ◽  
Pigmentary Disorders ◽  
Shed Vesicles ◽  
Skin Epidermis ◽  
New Strategies

The mechanism by which the pigment melanin is transferred from melanocytes to keratinocytes to achieve skin pigmentation remains controversial. Several models emerged in the past decades to explain the transfer process. Here, we review the proposed models for melanin transfer in the skin epidermis, the available evidence supporting each one, and the recent observations made by ours and other groups in favor of the exo/phagocytosis and shed vesicles models. Moreover, we propose that different models could coexist to sustain skin pigmentation under different conditions. Finally, we discuss new questions that ought to be addressed to solve the long-lasting quest for the understanding of how basal skin pigmentation is controlled. This knowledge will allow the emergence of new strategies to treat pigmentary disorders that cause a significant socio-economic burden to patients and healthcare systems worldwide and could also have relevant cosmetic applications.

scholarly journals Melanogenesis Connection with Innate Immunity and Toll-Like Receptors

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (24) ◽  
pp. 9769
Author(s):  
Saaya Koike ◽  
Kenshi Yamasaki
Keyword(s):  
Skin Pigmentation ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Ultraviolet Rays ◽  
Toll Like Receptors ◽  
Pigment Formation ◽  
Living Body ◽  
Pigmentary Disorders ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Griscelli Syndrome

The epidermis is located in the outermost layer of the living body and is the place where external stimuli such as ultraviolet rays and microorganisms first come into contact. Melanocytes and melanin play a wide range of roles such as adsorption of metals, thermoregulation, and protection from foreign enemies by camouflage. Pigmentary disorders are observed in diseases associated with immunodeficiency such as Griscelli syndrome, indicating molecular sharing between immune systems and the machineries of pigment formation. Melanocytes express functional toll-like receptors (TLRs), and innate immune stimulation via TLRs affects melanin synthesis and melanosome transport to modulate skin pigmentation. TLR2 enhances melanogenetic gene expression to augment melanogenesis. In contrast, TLR3 increases melanosome transport to transfer to keratinocytes through Rab27A, the responsible molecule of Griscelli syndrome. TLR4 and TLR9 enhance tyrosinase expression and melanogenesis through p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) and NFκB signaling pathway, respectively. TLR7 suppresses microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), and MITF reduction leads to melanocyte apoptosis. Accumulating knowledge of the TLRs function of melanocytes has enlightened the link between melanogenesis and innate immune system.

scholarly journals Mesenchymal stem cells and oncolytic viruses: joining forces against cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. e001684
Author(s):  
Rafael Moreno
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Oncolytic Viruses ◽  
Immunogenic Cell Death ◽  
The Past ◽  
Physical Barriers ◽  
Immunogenic Properties ◽  
New Strategies

The development of oncolytic viruses (OVs) has increased significantly in the past 20 years, with many candidates entering clinical trials and three of them receiving approval for some indications. Recently, OVs have also gathered interest as candidates to use in combination with immunotherapies for cancer due to their immunogenic properties, which include immunogenic cell death and the possibility to carry therapeutic transgenes in their genomes. OVs transform non-immunogenic ‘cold’ tumors into inflamed immunogenic ‘hot’ tumors, where immunotherapies show the highest efficacy. However, in monotherapy or in combination with immunotherapy, OVs face numerous challenges that limit their successful application, in particular upon systemic administration, such as liver sequestration, neutralizing interactions in blood, physical barriers to infection, and fast clearance by the immune system. In this regard, the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as cells carrier for OV delivery addresses many of these obstacles acting as virus carriers and factories, expressing additional transgenes, and modulating the immune system. Here, I review the current progress of OVs-loaded MSCs in cancer, focusing on their interaction with the immune system, and discuss new strategies to improve their therapeutic efficacy.

scholarly journals Genomic Analysis of Avian Infectious Bronchitis Viruses Recently Isolated in South Korea Reveals Multiple Introductions of GI-19 Lineage (QX Genotype)

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1045
Author(s):  
Hyuk-Chae Lee ◽  
Sol Jeong ◽  
Andrew Y. Cho ◽  
Kyu-Jik Kim ◽  
Jun-Young Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Infectious Bronchitis Virus ◽  
Economic Burden ◽  
Genomic Analysis ◽  
Multiple Introductions ◽  
Infectious Bronchitis ◽  
South Korean ◽  
Phylogeographic Analysis ◽  
The Past

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) was first identified in the 1930s and it imposes a major economic burden on the poultry industry. In particular, GI-19 lineage has spread globally and has evolved constantly since it was first detected in China. In this study, we analyzed S1 gene sequences from 60 IBVs isolated in South Korea. Two IBV lineages, GI-15 and GI-19, were identified in South Korea. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that there were six distinct subgroups (KM91-like, K40/09-like, and QX-like I to IV) of the South Korean GI-19 IBVs. Among them, QX-type III and IV subgroups, which are phylogenetically different from those reported in South Korea in the past, accounted for more than half of the total. Moreover, the phylogeographic analysis of the QX-like subgroups indicated at least four distinct introductions of GI-19 IBVs into South Korea during 2001–2020. The efficacy of commercialized vaccines against the recently introduced QX-like subgroups should be verified, and continuous international surveillance efforts and quarantine procedures should be enhanced to prevent the incursion of viruses.

Cases in Paediatric Critical Care Transfer and Retrieval Medicine

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Medicine ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Transfer Process ◽  
The Past ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
Paediatric Critical Care ◽  
Care Transfer ◽  
Case Based

Critically ill paediatric transfers have expanded rapidly over the past ten years and, as such, the need for transfer teams to recognise, understand and treat the various illnesses that they encounter is greater than ever. This highly illustrated book covers a multitude of clinical presentations in a case-based format to allow an authentic feel to the transfer process. Written by clinicians with experience in thousands of transfers, it brings together many years of experience from a world-renowned hospital. Following the case from initial presentation, to resuscitation and referral and finally with the transfer itself; the book explores the clinical stabilisation, human factors decisions and logistical challenges that are encountered every day by these teams. Following the entire journey, this is an ideal resource for all professionals who may be involved in critical care transfer and retrieval medicine, particularly those working in paediatrics, emergency medicine, anaesthesiology, intensive care, or pre-hospital settings.

Egyptology and Global History: Between Geocultural Power and the Crisis of Humanities

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 29-76
Author(s):  
Juan Carlos Moreno García
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Global History ◽  
Historical Perspectives ◽  
The Past ◽  
Gradual Loss ◽  
Dynamic Flows ◽  
Western Hegemony ◽  
Intellectual Environment ◽  
New Strategies ◽  
New Framework

Abstract Globalization, the decline of Western hegemony, and the rise of new political and economic actors, particularly in East Asia, are concomitant with the emergence of more encompassing historical perspectives, attentive to the achievements and historical trajectories of other regions of the world. Global history provides thus a new framework to understanding our past that challenges former views based on the cultural needs, values, and expectations of the West. This means that humanities and social sciences are subject to intense scrutiny and pressed to adapt themselves to a changing cultural, academic, and intellectual environment. However, this process is hindered by the gradual loss of their former prestige and by the increasing influence of economics in the reorganization of the educational, research, and cultural agenda according to market-oriented criteria. The result is that the mobilization of the past increasingly conforms to new strategies in which connectivity, trading, and diplomatic interests, as well as integration in dynamic flows of wealth, appear of paramount importance. Egyptology is not alien to these challenges, which will in all probability reshape its very foundations in the foreseeable future.

scholarly journals Antagonistic Activity of Pseudomonas Fluorescens Against Fusarium Oxysporum f. sp. Nievum Isolated from Soil Samples in Palestine

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mazen Salman ◽  
Nabil Shahin ◽  
Nawaf Abu-Khalaf ◽  
Mohammad Jawabrih ◽  
Basima Abu Rumaileh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fusarium Oxysporum ◽  
Pseudomonas Fluorescens ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Antagonistic Activity ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
The Past ◽  
Normal Seedling ◽  
Severe Infections

Watermelon is an important summer crop in Palestine, for several decades filling the needs of local market and some Arab countries. The yield of watermelon decreased dramatically in recent years due to severe infections with the soil borne fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (FON). Soil fumigation with methyl bromide was commonly applied by Palestinian farmers until it was recently legally banned. Different control mechanisms were not feasible to overcome problems caused by the disease resulting in decreased watermelon cultivation in Palestine for the past 30 years. In this work, we have experimentally shown that Pseudomonas fluorescens was efficient in controlling FON infection and allowing normal seedling growth of both the root and shoot systems. Field experiments are necessary to further confirm the efficacy of biocontrol application.

scholarly journals Impact of mental illness on in-patient hospital costs for somatic disorders and associated factors

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Michel ◽  
A J Hammami ◽  
K Chevreul
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Economic Burden ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Hospital Costs ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Interaction Terms

Abstract Background People suffering from mental disorders are in poorer somatic health that the general population. This is due in part to poor quality of care in primary care settings, which can in turn have a major impact on hospitals and healthcare systems, in particular in terms of costs. Our objective was to assess the economic burden of acute care admissions for somatic diseases in patients with a mental illness compared to other patients and analyse the factors associated with it. Methods An exhaustive study using French hospital discharge databases was carried out between 2009 and 2013. Total acute hospital costs were calculated from the all payer perspective (statutory health insurance, private health insurances and patient out-of pocket payments). A multivariate regression modelled the association between mental illness and hospital costs while adjusting for other explanatory variables, with and without interaction terms. Results 37,458,810 admissions were included in the analysis. 1,163,972 patients (6.54%) were identified as being mentally ill. Mean total hospital costs at five years per patient were €8,114. Costs per mentally ill patient were on average 34% higher than for a non-mentally patient (€10,637 vs. €7,949). A longitudinal analysis of costs showed a widening of the gap between the two groups as time went by, from 1.60% in 2009 to 10.51% in 2013. In the multivariate model, mental disorders were significantly associated with increased costs, and interaction terms found an increased impact of mental illness on costs in deprived patients. Conclusions Improving quality of primary care and health promotion in people with a mental illness both for their own sake and to decrease the economic burden on the healthcare system, is of vital importance. Key messages There is a significant increase in hospital costs for somatic care in patients with a mental illness compared to other patients, in particular in patients who are also deprived. It is necessary to improve primary care and health promotion in mentally ill patients, for their sake and for the sake of healthcare systems.

scholarly journals PEDIATRIC MANIFESTATION OF IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME AND AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT: A CASE REPORT

2021 ◽  
pp. 89-93
Author(s):  
Deepak S. Khawale ◽  
Sudha Singh ◽  
Varsha N. Sane
Keyword(s):  
Irritable Bowel Syndrome ◽  
Modern Science ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Therapeutic Agents ◽  
Complete Relief ◽  
The Past ◽  
Frequent Episodes ◽  
Significant Burden ◽  
Irritable Bowel ◽  
Combined Interventions

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common and bothersome disorder in children with an increasing prevalence noted during the past two decades. It has a significant effect on the lives of affected children and their parents and poses a significant burden on healthcare systems. As the patho-physiology of IBS is multifactorial It is difficult to overcome the therapeutic demand of childhood IBS using the same conventional therapeutic agents. The treatment trials are still going on to understand the paediatric IBS and currently focusing on multiple combined interventions in modern science. Background: A 14 years old male patient came to OPD (29/02/2020) having complaint of frequent abdominal pain with increased frequency of motion along with visible mucus discharge whole day since 15 days with frequent episodes since last 2 years. Methodology: In Ayurveda this problem comes under Jatharagni dusti and the present case has been successfully treated as per treatment regimen of Grahani chikitsa. Result: The complete relief has been seen in 6 weeks.

scholarly journals Impact of nanosystems in Staphylococcus aureus biofilms treatment

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita M Pinto ◽  
Daniela Lopes-de-Campos ◽  
M Cristina L Martins ◽  
Patrick Van Dijck ◽  
Cláudia Nunes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Antibiotic Therapy ◽  
Economic Burden ◽  
Surgical Procedure ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
World Health ◽  
Small Particles ◽  
The World ◽  
New Strategy ◽  
Health Organization

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is considered by the World Health Organization as a high priority pathogen for which new therapies are needed. This is particularly important for biofilm implant-associated infections once the only available treatment option implies a surgical procedure combined with antibiotic therapy. Consequently, these infections represent an economic burden for Healthcare Systems. A new strategy has emerged to tackle this problem: for small bugs, small particles. Here, we describe how nanotechnology-based systems have been studied to treat S. aureus biofilms. Their features, drawbacks and potentialities to impact the treatment of these infections are highlighted. Furthermore, we also outline biofilm models and assays required for preclinical validation of those nanosystems to smooth the process of clinical translation.

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