PeerJ Preprints: Dermatologyhttps://peerj.com/preprints/index.atom?journal=peerj&subject=3800Dermatology articles published in PeerJ PreprintsGene/environment interaction and autoimmune diseasehttps://peerj.com/preprints/279392019-09-052019-09-05Tamia A HarrisShai Bel
Autoimmune diseases are complex illnesses in which the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy tissues. These diseases, which can be fatal, gravely impact the quality of life of those afflicted by them with no cure currently available. The exact etiology of autoimmune diseases is not completely clear. Biomedical research has revealed that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development and progression of these diseases. Nevertheless, genetic and environmental factors alone cannot explain a large proportion of cases, leading to the possibility that the two factors interact in driving disease onset. Understanding how genetic and environmental factor influence host physiology in a manner that leads to the development of autoimmune diseases can reveal the mechanisms by which these diseases manifest, and bring us closer to finding a cure for them. In this chapter, we will review the current research of genetic/environmental interactions that contribute to development of autoimmune diseases, with an emphasis on interactions between the host and the multitudes of microbes that inhabit it, the microbiota.
Autoimmune diseases are complex illnesses in which the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy tissues. These diseases, which can be fatal, gravely impact the quality of life of those afflicted by them with no cure currently available. The exact etiology of autoimmune diseases is not completely clear. Biomedical research has revealed that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development and progression of these diseases. Nevertheless, genetic and environmental factors alone cannot explain a large proportion of cases, leading to the possibility that the two factors interact in driving disease onset. Understanding how genetic and environmental factor influence host physiology in a manner that leads to the development of autoimmune diseases can reveal the mechanisms by which these diseases manifest, and bring us closer to finding a cure for them. In this chapter, we will review the current research of genetic/environmental interactions that contribute to development of autoimmune diseases, with an emphasis on interactions between the host and the multitudes of microbes that inhabit it, the microbiota.Seasonality of cellulitis: evidence from Google Trendshttps://peerj.com/preprints/31242017-08-032017-08-03Xin ZhangShuangsuo DangFanpu JiXiongxiong BaoWenjun Wang
According to our clinical experience, cellulitis is common in summer; however, very few studies have mentioned this trend. Using Google Trends, we analyzed the monthly data of Google searches for ‘cellulitis’ from 31 countries on six continents. Seasonality explained 34%-92% of the variability in search volume, with peaks occurring in summer months. The analyses offered new insights into the epidemiology of cellulitis on national and international scales. Clinical data are needed to validate the Internet search data.
According to our clinical experience, cellulitis is common in summer; however, very few studies have mentioned this trend. Using Google Trends, we analyzed the monthly data of Google searches for ‘cellulitis’ from 31 countries on six continents. Seasonality explained 34%-92% of the variability in search volume, with peaks occurring in summer months. The analyses offered new insights into the epidemiology of cellulitis on national and international scales. Clinical data are needed to validate the Internet search data.Differential effect of Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (PECAM-1) on leukocyte infiltration during contact hypersensitivity responseshttps://peerj.com/preprints/29472017-06-012017-06-01Merideth EarlyWilliam G SchroederRanajana UnnithanJohn M GilchristWilliam A MullerAlan Schenkel
BACKGROUND: 2’-4’ Dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) induced contact hypersensitivity is an established model of contact sensitivity and leukocyte migration. Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (PECAM-1) deficient mice were used to examine the role of PECAM-1 in the migration capacity of several different leukocyte populations after primary and secondary application. RESULTS: γδ T lymphocytes, granulocytes, and Natural Killer cells were most affected by PECAM-1 deficiency at the primary site of application. γδ T lymphocytes, granulocytes, DX5+ Natural Killer cells, and, interestingly, effector CD4+ T lymphocytes were most affected by the loss of PECAM-1 at the secondary site of application. CONCLUSIONS: PECAM-1 is used by many leukocyte populations for migration, but there are clearly differential effects on the usage by each subset. Further, the overall kinetics of each population varied between primary and secondary application, with large relative increases in γδ T lymphocytes during the secondary response.
BACKGROUND: 2’-4’ Dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) induced contact hypersensitivity is an established model of contact sensitivity and leukocyte migration. Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (PECAM-1) deficient mice were used to examine the role of PECAM-1 in the migration capacity of several different leukocyte populations after primary and secondary application. RESULTS: γδ T lymphocytes, granulocytes, and Natural Killer cells were most affected by PECAM-1 deficiency at the primary site of application. γδ T lymphocytes, granulocytes, DX5+ Natural Killer cells, and, interestingly, effector CD4+ T lymphocytes were most affected by the loss of PECAM-1 at the secondary site of application. CONCLUSIONS: PECAM-1 is used by many leukocyte populations for migration, but there are clearly differential effects on the usage by each subset. Further, the overall kinetics of each population varied between primary and secondary application, with large relative increases in γδ T lymphocytes during the secondary response.An integrative computational framework for personalized detection of tumor epitopes in melanoma immunotherapyhttps://peerj.com/preprints/23852016-08-222016-08-22Tanushree JaitlyNiels SchaftJan DoerrieStefanie GrossBeatrice Schuler-ThurnerOlaf WolkenhauerGerold SchulerLeila TaherShailendra GuptaJulio Vera
In aggressive solid tumors like melanoma, a strategy for therapy personalization can be achieved by combining high-throughput data on the patient’s specific tumor mutation and expression profiles. A remarkable case is dendritic cell-based immunotherapy, where tumor epitopes identified from the patient’s specific mutation profiles are loaded on patient-derived mature dendritic cells to stimulate cytotoxic T cell mediated anticancer immunity. Here we present a personalized computational pipeline for the selection of tumor-specific epitopes based on 1) patient specific haplotype; 2) cancer associated mutations; and 3) expression profiles of mutation carrying genes. We applied our workflow to one melanoma patient. Specifically, we analyzed tumor whole exome sequencing and RNA sequencing data to first detect tumor-specific mutations followed by epitope prediction based on the patient’s HLA haplotype and filtering of epitopes using expression profile and binding affinity. We performed docking studies to predict the best set of epitopes targeting the patient’s alleles. The proposed workflow enables us to find personalized tumor-specific epitopes for stimulating cytotoxic T-cell responses.
In aggressive solid tumors like melanoma, a strategy for therapy personalization can be achieved by combining high-throughput data on the patient’s specific tumor mutation and expression profiles. A remarkable case is dendritic cell-based immunotherapy, where tumor epitopes identified from the patient’s specific mutation profiles are loaded on patient-derived mature dendritic cells to stimulate cytotoxic T cell mediated anticancer immunity. Here we present a personalized computational pipeline for the selection of tumor-specific epitopes based on 1) patient specific haplotype; 2) cancer associated mutations; and 3) expression profiles of mutation carrying genes. We applied our workflow to one melanoma patient. Specifically, we analyzed tumor whole exome sequencing and RNA sequencing data to first detect tumor-specific mutations followed by epitope prediction based on the patient’s HLA haplotype and filtering of epitopes using expression profile and binding affinity. We performed docking studies to predict the best set of epitopes targeting the patient’s alleles. The proposed workflow enables us to find personalized tumor-specific epitopes for stimulating cytotoxic T-cell responses.RNA-seq reveals more consistent reference genes for gene expression studies in human non-melanoma skin cancershttps://peerj.com/preprints/23312016-08-022016-08-02Van LT HoangLisa N TomXiu-Cheng QuekJean-Marie TanElizabeth J PayneLynlee L LinSudipta SinnyaAnthony P RaphaelDuncan LambieIan H FrazerMarcel E DingerH. Peter SoyerTarl W Prow
Identification of appropriate reference genes (RGs) is critical to accurate data interpretation in quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) experiments. In this study, we have utilised next generation RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) to analyse the transcriptome of a panel of non-melanoma skin cancer lesions, identifying genes, which are consistently expressed across all samples. Genes encoding ribosomal proteins were amongst the most stable in this dataset. Validation of this RNA-seq data was examined using qPCR to confirm the suitability of a set of highly stable genes for use as RGs. These genes will provide a valuable resource for the normalisation of qPCR data for the analysis of non-melanoma skin cancer.
Identification of appropriate reference genes (RGs) is critical to accurate data interpretation in quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) experiments. In this study, we have utilised next generation RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) to analyse the transcriptome of a panel of non-melanoma skin cancer lesions, identifying genes, which are consistently expressed across all samples. Genes encoding ribosomal proteins were amongst the most stable in this dataset. Validation of this RNA-seq data was examined using qPCR to confirm the suitability of a set of highly stable genes for use as RGs. These genes will provide a valuable resource for the normalisation of qPCR data for the analysis of non-melanoma skin cancer.The potential of bacteriocin AS-48 in the control of Propionibacterium acneshttps://peerj.com/preprints/21072016-06-072016-06-07Rubén CebriánSergio ArévaloSamir AnanouSalvador Arias-SantiagoCristina RiazzoMaria Dolores RojoMaria Pilar Bermudez-RuizEva ValdiviaManuel Martinez-BuenoMercedes Maqueda
Background Global reports show that the antimicrobial-resistance of Propionibacterium acnes isolated from patients with acne vulgaris is becoming a large problem, making it necessary to find new therapeutic drugs.
Methods In this study, 23 clinical isolates of P. acnes have been identified by MaldiToff and specific PCR. The susceptibility of theses strains to antibiotics (clindamicin, erytromycin and tetracicline) and to bacteriocin (AS-48) has been established, using the CECT 5684 strain as reference. Moreover, we have investigated the potential of several chemical compounds to bolster the activity of AS-48. Finally, the effectivity of four different formulations containing AS-48 and lysozyme have been evaluated on the surface of swine-ear skin previously inoculated with P. acnes CECT5684 strain.
Results. The results presented in this work probe that AS-48 has a significant bactericidal activity against the 23 clinical isolates of P. acnes, including isolates resistant to one or more common antibiotics used in the treatment of acne. Antibacterial synergy of AS-48 with other chemical compounds has been demonstrated, as was the effect of lysozyme and to a lesser extent with palmitic acid. Likewise, the use of a combination therapy into a cream formulation, resulted in large decrease in the number of viable P. acnes counts in an experiemental model.
Conclusion. Once more these studios support that compositions comprising bacteriocins displaying antibacterial activity, must be considered an approach for medical and pharmaceutical purposes. These applications are particularly promising in light of emerging antibiotic resistance across bacteria involved in treatment of dermatological disease as acne vulgaris.
Background Global reports show that the antimicrobial-resistance of Propionibacterium acnes isolated from patients with acne vulgaris is becoming a large problem, making it necessary to find new therapeutic drugs.Methods In this study, 23 clinical isolates of P. acnes have been identified by MaldiToff and specific PCR. The susceptibility of theses strains to antibiotics (clindamicin, erytromycin and tetracicline) and to bacteriocin (AS-48) has been established, using the CECT 5684 strain as reference. Moreover, we have investigated the potential of several chemical compounds to bolster the activity of AS-48. Finally, the effectivity of four different formulations containing AS-48 and lysozyme have been evaluated on the surface of swine-ear skin previously inoculated with P. acnes CECT5684 strain.Results. The results presented in this work probe that AS-48 has a significant bactericidal activity against the 23 clinical isolates of P. acnes, including isolates resistant to one or more common antibiotics used in the treatment of acne. Antibacterial synergy of AS-48 with other chemical compounds has been demonstrated, as was the effect of lysozyme and to a lesser extent with palmitic acid. Likewise, the use of a combination therapy into a cream formulation, resulted in large decrease in the number of viable P. acnes counts in an experiemental model.Conclusion. Once more these studios support that compositions comprising bacteriocins displaying antibacterial activity, must be considered an approach for medical and pharmaceutical purposes. These applications are particularly promising in light of emerging antibiotic resistance across bacteria involved in treatment of dermatological disease as acne vulgaris.Mitochondrial aerobic respiration is activated during hair follicle stem cells differentiation and its dysfunction retards hair regenerationhttps://peerj.com/preprints/17692016-02-222016-02-22Yan TangBinping LuoZhili DengBen WangFangfen L LiuJinmao LiWei ShiHongfu XieJi Li
Background. Emerging researches revealed the essential role of mitochondria in regulating stem/progenitor cell differentiation of neural progenitor cells, mesenchymal stem cells and other stem cells through reactive oxygen species (ROS), Notch or other signaling pathway. And inhibition of mitochondrial synthesis protein resulted in extension of hair loss upon injury. However, alteration of mitochondrial morphology and metabolic function during hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) differentiation and how it affects hair regeneration has not been elaborated. Methods. We compared the difference between telogen bulge cells and anagen matrix cells in mitochondrial morphology and activity. Expression levels of mitochondrial ROS and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) were measured for evaluating redox balance. Besides, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK) and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) were detected to present the change in energetic metabolism during differentiation. To explore the effect of the mitochondrial metabolism on regulating hair regeneration, hair growth was observed after application of a mitochondrial respiratory inhibitor upon hair plucking. Results. During HFSCs differentiation, mitochondria became elongated with more abundant organized cristae and showed higher activity in differentiated cells. SOD2 was enhanced for redox balance with relatively poised ROS expression levels in differentiated cells. PDK increased in HFSCs while differentiated cells showed enhanced PDH, indicating that respiration converted from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation during differentiation. Inhibiting mitochondrial respiration in differentiated hair follicle cells upon hair plucking held back hair regeneration in vivo. Conclusions. Upon HFSCs differentiation, mitochondria was elongated with more abundant cristae and showed higher activity, accompanied with activated aerobic respiration in differentiated cells for higher energy supply. And dysfunction of mitochondrial respiration delays hair regeneration upon injury.
Background. Emerging researches revealed the essential role of mitochondria in regulating stem/progenitor cell differentiation of neural progenitor cells, mesenchymal stem cells and other stem cells through reactive oxygen species (ROS), Notch or other signaling pathway. And inhibition of mitochondrial synthesis protein resulted in extension of hair loss upon injury. However, alteration of mitochondrial morphology and metabolic function during hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) differentiation and how it affects hair regeneration has not been elaborated. Methods. We compared the difference between telogen bulge cells and anagen matrix cells in mitochondrial morphology and activity. Expression levels of mitochondrial ROS and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) were measured for evaluating redox balance. Besides, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK) and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) were detected to present the change in energetic metabolism during differentiation. To explore the effect of the mitochondrial metabolism on regulating hair regeneration, hair growth was observed after application of a mitochondrial respiratory inhibitor upon hair plucking. Results. During HFSCs differentiation, mitochondria became elongated with more abundant organized cristae and showed higher activity in differentiated cells. SOD2 was enhanced for redox balance with relatively poised ROS expression levels in differentiated cells. PDK increased in HFSCs while differentiated cells showed enhanced PDH, indicating that respiration converted from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation during differentiation. Inhibiting mitochondrial respiration in differentiated hair follicle cells upon hair plucking held back hair regeneration in vivo. Conclusions. Upon HFSCs differentiation, mitochondria was elongated with more abundant cristae and showed higher activity, accompanied with activated aerobic respiration in differentiated cells for higher energy supply. And dysfunction of mitochondrial respiration delays hair regeneration upon injury.Prevalence of yeast fungal infections in intensive care unit in Polandhttps://peerj.com/preprints/785v12015-01-112015-01-11Wojciech FrancuzikAleksandra SkłodowskaKinga AdamskaZygmunt AdamskiBarbara TamowiczAdam MikstackiCan head louse repellents really work? Field studies of piperonal 2% sprayhttps://peerj.com/preprints/214v12014-01-212014-01-21Ian F BurgessChristine M BrownNazma A BurgessJudith Kaufman
Background: Many families find regular checking of children’s heads for head louse infestation too onerous and would prefer to be able to prevent infestation by use of a topical application that deters lice from infesting the head. Identification in the laboratory of a repellent activity for piperonal provided the basis for developing a spray product to repel lice.
Methods: A proof of principle field study in Dhaka, Bangladesh, compared the effect of using 2% piperonal spray with that of a placebo in 105 children and adults from three communities with infestation levels close to 100%. All participants were treated for infestation and subsequent incidence of reinfestation monitored daily by investigators. A second randomised, controlled, double blind, study in North London, UK, evaluated the effect of the product in normal use. One hundred and sixty-three children from schools with a high level (20-25%) of infestation were treated and confirmed louse free and randomly divided between 2% piperonal, a placebo spray, and a control group for up to 22 weeks. Parents applied the spray and monitored for infestation. Regular investigator visits confirmed the parental monitoring and replenished supplies of spray.
Results: In Dhaka, over 18 days there were only 4 infestations in the piperonal group and 8 in the placebo group. This difference was not significant (p = 0.312). In North London, there were 41 cases of infestation over the course of the study. Analysis of time to first infestation showed a non-significant (p = 0.4368) trend in favour of piperonal.
Conclusion: Routine use of 2% piperonal spray in communities with a high prevalence of head louse infestation may provide some protection from infestation. However, the difference between use of the product and no active intervention was sufficiently small that regular checking for presence of lice is likely to be a more practical and cost effective approach to prevention of infestation.
Background: Many families find regular checking of children’s heads for head louse infestation too onerous and would prefer to be able to prevent infestation by use of a topical application that deters lice from infesting the head. Identification in the laboratory of a repellent activity for piperonal provided the basis for developing a spray product to repel lice.Methods: A proof of principle field study in Dhaka, Bangladesh, compared the effect of using 2% piperonal spray with that of a placebo in 105 children and adults from three communities with infestation levels close to 100%. All participants were treated for infestation and subsequent incidence of reinfestation monitored daily by investigators. A second randomised, controlled, double blind, study in North London, UK, evaluated the effect of the product in normal use. One hundred and sixty-three children from schools with a high level (20-25%) of infestation were treated and confirmed louse free and randomly divided between 2% piperonal, a placebo spray, and a control group for up to 22 weeks. Parents applied the spray and monitored for infestation. Regular investigator visits confirmed the parental monitoring and replenished supplies of spray.Results: In Dhaka, over 18 days there were only 4 infestations in the piperonal group and 8 in the placebo group. This difference was not significant (p = 0.312). In North London, there were 41 cases of infestation over the course of the study. Analysis of time to first infestation showed a non-significant (p = 0.4368) trend in favour of piperonal.Conclusion: Routine use of 2% piperonal spray in communities with a high prevalence of head louse infestation may provide some protection from infestation. However, the difference between use of the product and no active intervention was sufficiently small that regular checking for presence of lice is likely to be a more practical and cost effective approach to prevention of infestation.Free flow of sweat due to loss of surface tension at sweat droplets causes water-induced skin wrinklinghttps://peerj.com/preprints/57v42013-12-102013-12-10Soumya MarasakatlaKarunakar Marasakatla
Water immersion skin wrinkling has long been used as a test for sympathetic nerve function. However, the cause of underlying mechanism remained elusive. In this article, we theoretically investigate a possible cause of the phenomenon by taking various properties of sweating into consideration. The pressure exerted by the surface tension of sweat droplets counterbalances the secretory pressure of sweat glands at the pore. When a hand is immersed in water, sweat droplets easily merge with the water, causing the pressure to drop at the pore. Our calculations, using earlier measurements of secretory pressure, show that the water pressure at the sweat pore will be less than the secretory pressure of sweat glands when the hand is immersed at a shallow depth. The resulting pressure imbalance enables the sweat to flow freely into the water. We believe that there will be an initial vasodilation to feed the excess generation of sweat. Sweat flow continues as long as there is blood flow to the hand. To prevent excessive loss of sweat from the body and to maintain homeostasis, sympathetic nerves trigger vasoconstriction to reduce the blood flow to the hand. The overlying skin wrinkles due to loss of volume under the skin. It is possible that denerved fingers remain in the vasodilation state during immersion due to a lack of sympathetic nerve function.
Water immersion skin wrinkling has long been used as a test for sympathetic nerve function. However, the cause of underlying mechanism remained elusive. In this article, we theoretically investigate a possible cause of the phenomenon by taking various properties of sweating into consideration. The pressure exerted by the surface tension of sweat droplets counterbalances the secretory pressure of sweat glands at the pore. When a hand is immersed in water, sweat droplets easily merge with the water, causing the pressure to drop at the pore. Our calculations, using earlier measurements of secretory pressure, show that the water pressure at the sweat pore will be less than the secretory pressure of sweat glands when the hand is immersed at a shallow depth. The resulting pressure imbalance enables the sweat to flow freely into the water. We believe that there will be an initial vasodilation to feed the excess generation of sweat. Sweat flow continues as long as there is blood flow to the hand. To prevent excessive loss of sweat from the body and to maintain homeostasis, sympathetic nerves trigger vasoconstriction to reduce the blood flow to the hand. The overlying skin wrinkles due to loss of volume under the skin. It is possible that denerved fingers remain in the vasodilation state during immersion due to a lack of sympathetic nerve function.