Feature-Based Molecular Networks Identification of Bioactive Metabolites from Three Plants of the Polynesian Cosmetopoeia Targeting the Dermal Papilla Cells of the Hair Cycle

The term cosmetopoeia refers to the use of plants in folks’ cosmetics. The aerial parts of Bidens pilosa L., the leaves of Calophyllum inophyllum L. and the fruits of Fagraea berteroana A.Gray ex Benth are traditionally used in French Polynesia for hair and skin care. During the hair cycle, dermal papilla cells and their interaction with epithelial cells are essential to promote hair follicle elongation. The aim of our investigations was the identification of metabolites from these three plants and chemical families responsible for their hair growth activity. A bioactivity-based molecular network was produced by mapping the correlation between features obtained from LC-MS/MS data and dermal papilla cell proliferation, using the Pearson correlation coefficient. The analyses pointed out glycosylated flavonols and phenolic acids from B. pilosa and C. inophyllum, along with C-flavonoids, iridoids and secoiridoids from F. berteroana, as potential bioactive molecules involved in the proliferation of hair follicle dermal papilla cells. Our results highlight the metabolites of the plant species potentially involved in the induction of hair follicle growth and support the traditional uses of these plants in hair care.

Newborn infant skin gene expression: Remarkable differences versus adults

At birth, human infants are poised to survive in harsh, hostile conditions. An understanding of the state of newborn skin development and maturation is key to the maintenance of health, optimum response to injury, healing and disease. The observational study collected full-thickness newborn skin samples from 27 infants at surgery and compared them to skin samples from 43 adult sites protected from ultraviolet radiation exposure, as the standard for stable, mature skin. Transcriptomics profiling and gene set enrichment analysis were performed. Statistical analysis established over 25,000 differentially regulated probe sets, representing 10,647 distinct genes, in infant skin compared to adult skin. Gene set enrichment analysis showed a significant increase in 143 biological processes (adjusted p < 0.01) in infant skin, versus adult skin samples, including extracellular matrix (ECM) organization, cell adhesion, collagen fibril organization and fatty acid metabolic process. ECM organization and ECM structure organization were the biological processes in infant skin with the lowest adjusted P-value. Genes involving epidermal development, immune function, cell differentiation, and hair cycle were overexpressed in adults, representing 101 significantly enriched biological processes (adjusted p < 0.01). The processes with the highest significant difference were skin and epidermal development, e.g., keratinocyte differentiation, keratinization and cornification intermediate filament cytoskeleton organization and hair cycle. Enriched Gene Ontology (GO) biological processes also involved immune function, including antigen processing and presentation. When compared to ultraviolet radiation-protected adult skin, our results provide essential insight into infant skin and its ability to support the newborn’s preparedness to survive and flourish, despite the infant’s new environment laden with microbes, high oxygen tension and potential irritants. This fundamental knowledge is expected to guide strategies to protect and preserve the features of unperturbed, young skin.

Variation of Hair Follicle Counts among Different Scalp Areas: A Quantitative Histopathological Study

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Scalp biopsy is a standard method for the definitive diagnosis of alopecia. The hair count parameters of each scalp area remain unclear. This study aimed to determine hair count values at different scalp locations from histopathology and to establish reference values for each part of the scalp. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We obtained biopsy specimens from the frontal, vertex, temporoparietal, and occipital areas of the scalps of normal deceased subjects. All specimens were evaluated for the number of follicular units, hair counts, hair types, and stages of the hair cycle. <b><i>Results:</i></b> In total, 240 specimens were collected from 60 cadavers. Across all scalp sites, the temporoparietal area showed the lowest mean hair count, number of follicular units, terminal and vellus hairs, and terminal-to-vellus hair ratio. The average anagen-to-telogen hair ratio was comparable across all scalp sites. This study did not observe a significant association of hair parameters with gender differences or increasing age in all scalp areas. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The present study revealed the diversity of the hair index among different scalp areas and suggested that normal hair count values should be separately standardized on each scalp region. Our findings may provide useful reference values for the histopathological evaluation of hair disorders in Asians.

Dog colour patterns explained by modular promoters of ancient canid origin

Distinctive colour patterns in dogs are an integral component of canine diversity. Colour pattern differences are thought to have arisen from mutation and artificial selection during and after domestication from wolves but important gaps remain in understanding how these patterns evolved and are genetically controlled. In other mammals, variation at the ASIP gene controls both the temporal and spatial distribution of yellow and black pigments. Here, we identify independent regulatory modules for ventral and hair cycle ASIP expression, and we characterize their action and evolutionary origin. Structural variants define multiple alleles for each regulatory module and are combined in different ways to explain five distinctive dog colour patterns. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that the haplotype combination for one of these patterns is shared with Arctic white wolves and that its hair cycle-specific module probably originated from an extinct canid that diverged from grey wolves more than 2 million years ago. Natural selection for a lighter coat during the Pleistocene provided the genetic framework for widespread colour variation in dogs and wolves.

Exosomes Derived from Fisetin-Treated Keratinocytes Mediate Hair Growth Promotion

Enhanced telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) levels in dermal keratinocytes can serve as a novel target for hair growth promotion. Previously, we identified fisetin using a system for screening food components that can activate the TERT promoter in HaCaT cells (keratinocytes). In the present study, we aimed to clarify the molecular basis of fisetin-induced hair growth promotion in mice. To this end, the dorsal skin of mice was treated with fisetin, and hair growth was evaluated 12 days after treatment. Histochemical analyses of fisetin-treated skin samples and HaCaT cells were performed to observe the effects of fisetin. The results showed that fisetin activated HaCaT cells by regulating the expression of various genes related to epidermogenesis, cell proliferation, hair follicle regulation, and hair cycle regulation. In addition, fisetin induced the secretion of exosomes from HaCaT cells, which activated β-catenin and mitochondria in hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) and induced their proliferation. Moreover, these results revealed the existence of exosomes as the molecular basis of keratinocyte-HFSC interaction and showed that fisetin, along with its effects on keratinocytes, caused exosome secretion, thereby activating HFSCs. This is the first study to show that keratinocyte-derived exosomes can activate HFSCs and consequently induce hair growth.

Co-Occurrence of Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidiasis with Woolly Hair

Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis is an immunodeficiency state, inherited or acquired, characterized by recurrent and/or persistent candidiasis of skin, nails, and mucous membranes. Woolly hair is a congenital structural anomaly of scalp hair, characterized by light-colored, short, extremely kinky, and thin hair due to premature termination of anagen phase of hair cycle. Both conditions are known to present in syndromic and non-syndromic forms. We report the co-occurrence of both these conditions in a 10-year-old female child. The diagnosis was confirmed with clinical, trichoscopic, microbiologic, histopathologic, and laboratory evaluation, though mutational analysis could not be done due to resource constraints. The occurrence of both these diseases in the same individual has not been previously reported to the best of our knowledge. It could be a result of an association with ectodermal dysplasia.

A Case of Alopecia and Its Homoeopathic Approach

Hair is an ornament & beauty of every person life. It is an outward filamentous growth made up of keratin protein. It has major cosmetic role along with other sensory & homeostatic function. Homoeopathy has wonderful role to reduce hair fall & re-growth of new hair. This article is an attempt to overview of hair cycle, why hair is fall, homoeopathic approach of hair fall or alopecia with different repertorial rubric analysis & a very interesting case history. Keywords Hair fall; Homoeopathy; Constitutional medicine; Miasm

Acute Telogen Effluvium in Patients Recently Infected with SARS-CoV-2

Introduction: The hair cycle is especially susceptible to endogenous and exogenous stimuli, including febrile states and emotional stress, which are a constant in this pandemic era. In this case series, we describe the clinical characteristics of patients recently diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection who developed acute telogen effluvium. Material and Methods: We performed a registry of patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who developed acute telogen effluvium and actively sought medical care at the Hair Unit of Dermatology Center of CUF Descobertas Hospital, from March 2020 to October 2020. Patient demographics, the month of SARS-CoV-2 infection diagnosis, COVID-19 associated symptoms, latency of telogen effluvium, duration of hair loss, and associated scalp symptoms were recorded. Results: Twenty-seven patients recently diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection presented with acute telogen effluvium. Of them, 5 (18.5%) patients mentioned trichodynia. The median time of latency of increased hair loss since SARS-CoV-2 infection diagnosis was 10 weeks. In a third of cases (n=9, 33.3%), hair loss occurred early (with a latency period of 3 weeks or less). The resolution of telogen effluvium was documented in 16 (59%) cases with a median duration of hair loss of 24.5 days. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 were fever (n=17, 63%), ageusia (n=8, 30%), cough (n=6, 22%), myalgia (n=5, 18.5%), anosmia (n=4, 15%), and thoracalgia (n=3, 11%). Four patients (15%) with SARS- -CoV-2 infection were asymptomatic for COVID-19. Discussion: Acute telogen effluvium corresponds to a delayed consequence of an abnormal shift in the hair cycle from anagen to telogen, which is responsible for premature hair shedding, occurring approximately two to three months after a triggering event. Viral illnesses and febrile states are known causes. Regarding SARS-CoV-2 infection, we hypothesize that viral cytopathic effects and inflammatory or immune responses may affect hair follicles and explain hair loss and trichodynia. Conclusion: Our case series presents the first comprehensive collection of patients with acute telogen effluvium following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Interestingly, in a third of our cases, telogen effluvium developed within the first 3 weeks of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Based on these data, we propose that this finding should be considered in COVID-19, especially at the convalescent phase.