Dietary Lycopene Protects SKH-1 Mice Against Ultraviolet B-Induced Photocarcinogenesis

Lycopene, an acyclic hydrocarbon, non-provitamin A carotenoid, is a potent antioxidant with well-documented anticancer properties. In this study, we investigated the effects of dietary lycopene on sub-acute and chronic ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced skin carcinogenesis in SKH-1 mice. Groups of three mice were fed with a nonsupplemented or 1% lycopene diet for two weeks before and throughout two weeks of UVB irradiation (30 mJ/cm2 UVB, thrice weekly). The lycopene diet significantly reduced the formation of pyrimidine dimers (PDs) and the expression of proliferative cellular nuclear antigen (PCNA) in UVB-irradiated skin. Then groups of eighteen mice were each fed with control diet or with a 0.25% or 1% (w/w) lycopene-supplemented diet for 40 weeks, beginning one week before UVB irradiation (30 mJ/cm2 UVB, thrice weekly for 23 weeks) and continuing after termination of UVB. Lycopene significantly inhibited the onset and decreased the incidence, multiplicity, and tumor weights of UVB-induced skin tumors. UVB-induced epidermal hyperplasia and PCNA expression were still remarkably inhibited by dietary lycopene, even up to 40 weeks. No significant difference in protection was detected between the low and high concentrations of lycopene. These results demonstrate that dietary lycopene does protect against UVB-induced epidermal hyperplasia and carcinogenesis. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(12):1244-1254.

Writing Assignments in Epidemiology Courses: How Many and How Good?

OBJECTIVES: Schools and programs of public health are concerned about poor student writing. We determined the proportion of epidemiology courses that required writing assignments and the presence of 6 characteristics of these assignments. METHODS: We requested syllabi, writing assignments, and grading criteria from instructors of graduate and undergraduate epidemiology courses taught during 2016 or 2017. We assessed the extent to which these assignments incorporated 6 characteristics of effective writing assignments: (1) a description of the purpose of the writing or learning goals of the assignment, (2) a document type (eg, article, grant) used in public health, (3) an identified target audience, (4) incorporation of tasks that support the writing process (eg, revision), (5) a topic related to a public health problem that requires critical thinking (1-5 scale, 5 = most authentic), and (6) clear assignment expectations (1-5 scale, 5 = clearest). RESULTS: We contacted 594 instructors from 58 institutions and received at least some evaluable materials from 59 courses at 28 institutions. Of these, 47 of 53 (89%) courses required some writing. The purpose was adequately described in 11 of 36 assignments, the required document type was appropriate in 19 of 43 assignments, an audience was identified in 6 of 37 assignments, and tasks that supported a writing process were incorporated in 19 of 40 assignments. Median (interquartile range) scores were 5 (1-5) for an authentic problem that required critical thinking and 4 (2-5) for clarity of expectations. CONCLUSIONS: The characteristics of writing assignments in public health programs do not reflect best practices in writing instruction and should be improved.

Protection From Environmental Skin Damage With Topical Antioxidants.

Skin is an efficient protective barrier armed with an intricate network of antioxidants. External environmental stress diminishes and sometimes overwhelms these innate protective mechanisms; aging slows their efficacy. Topical antioxidants enhance natural endogenous defenses to create an indwelling reservoir for sustained protection with far higher concentrations than possible with oral intake. The challenge is creating formulations of these labile molecules that are stable, active, and can be effectively absorbed transdermally to deliver high concentrations.

Inception of a Peer-Run Wellness Center at a State Psychiatric Hospital.

Peer-run wellness centers provide safe places in the community for individuals with psychiatric disorders to develop personal and community supports, feel needed, and be accepted and grow. Until now, these centers have existed only in the community, not in the state hospital setting. The current article chronicles the development of what the authors believe is the first peer-run wellness center on the grounds of a state psychiatric hospital. After 8 years of operation, the center has served hundreds of visitors. In that time, centers have opened in the state's other state hospitals and contributed to peer presence in the hospitals' units and treatment malls. The benefits of peer-run wellness centers are important in the hospital setting as well as the community. Despite institutional barriers, the center was able to address the needs of hospitalized individuals while informing a more recovery-oriented inpatient culture. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 56(12), 31-35.].

Mechanisms of aging and development-A new understanding of environmental damage to the skin and prevention with topical antioxidants.

Recent research has given us new insights into the molecular biology of extrinsic aging of the skin. Not only does UV irradiation directly cause photoaging of the skin, but also environmental pollutants significantly damage exposed skin by several mechanisms. Exposure to the noxious gases of air pollution with simultaneous exposure to UVA can act synergistically to initiate skin cancer. Also ozone generated from pollutants reacting with UV induces oxidative stress of the skin's surface via formation of lipid peroxidation products, with cascading consequences to deeper layers. Furthermore, new studies have demonstrated that particulate matter (PM) pollutants can penetrate the skin transepidermally and through hair follicles to induce skin aging via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a recently discovered ligand-activated transcription factor that regulates and protects keratinocytes, melanocytes, and fibroblasts. With this understanding that extrinsic aging of the skin is not only due to photoaging, we realize the necessity of protection beyond sunscreen. Fortunately, correctly formulated topical antioxidants can prevent damage inflicted by both UV and environmental pollution.

Evaluation of a standardized sedation assessment for opioid administration in the post anesthesia care unit.

The impact of opioid-related sedation progressing to respiratory depression in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) can be extensive; however, there is a paucity of research on the subject of standardized assessment tools to prevent adverse events. The purposes of this study were: (1) to measure the efficacy of a standardized method of assessing sedation and administering opioids for pain management via the Pasero Opioid-Induced Sedation Scale (POSS) with interventions in the PACU; (2) to increase PACU nurses' confidence in assessing sedation associated with opioid administration for pain management and in the quality of care provided in their clinical area; and (3) to facilitate PACU and postoperative clinical unit nurses' communications during patient handoffs regarding safe opioid administration. A quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate the POSS protocol. Two PACUs and six nursing units receiving postsurgical patients in a Midwestern inner-city hospital served as the setting for this research. Medical records were surveyed for outcome data to evaluate the efficacy of the care protocol in two patient cohorts before and after implementation of the POSS protocol. Nurses completed a written survey to identify changes in satisfaction with nurse-to-nurse communication, perceptions of quality of care, and confidence with opioid administration. The final sample included 842 PACU patients and 67 nurses from the PACU and clinical units. The intervention did not significantly change PACU length of stay or amount of administered opioids and patients were noted to be more alert at time of discharge from the PACU. Nurses reported increased perceptions of quality of care and confidence in opioid administration. The findings from this study support the use of the POSS Scale with interventions in the PACU care protocols.

The effects of topical L-selenomethionine on protection against UVB-induced skin cancer when given before, during, and after UVB exposure.

Previous studies in mice have shown that topical L-selenomethionine (SeMet) can prevent UVB-induced skin cancer when applied continuously before, during, and after the radiation exposure. With topical application of SeMet, selenium levels were shown to increase in the skin and liver, as well as in tumor tissue. Thus, possibly, the timing of SeMet application could affect the degree of inhibition of UVB-tumorigenesis (or maybe even enhance tumorigenesis at some stage). The goal of this research was to determine whether topical SeMet best inhibits UV-induced skin cancer if (a) begun before and continued during and after UVB exposure, (b) if begun before UVB-exposure and discontinued when tumors are first clinically detected, or (c) if begun only after tumors are first detected and continued thereafter. Groups of ten Skh: 1 hairless, non-pigmented mice were treated topically with vehicle lotion, or with SeMet (0.05%) in that vehicle lotion applied either (a) before, during, and after UV exposure, (b) before UV radiation and continued only until the first tumor was detected, or (c) only after the first tumor was detected. In all cases, UV irradiation was discontinued at the time of detection of the first tumor. Optimal inhibition of skin cancer was achieved by application of topical SeMet before, during, and after exposure; significant protection was also attained with application only after the onset of tumors. Notably, statistically significant protection was not seen with SeMet application only prior to tumor detection. These results suggest that even beginning SeMet supplementation late in the process of tumorigenesis can help protect from UV-induced photodamage and skin cancer.

Cosmeceuticals for men.

The demand for topical products capable of preventing aging or delivering cosmetic improvement to the male skin is growing. Companies are marketing products that are labeled "for men." Nevertheless, there is no consensus on which properties these products should possess. This article aims to develop a rational approach to men's cosmeceuticals based on anatomic and physiologic features of the male skin without neglecting behavioral idiosyncrasies when relevant. A review of the literature for skin gender singularities was used to determine the needs of male skin and subsequently to postulate how cosmeceuticals could fulfill these needs. Cosmeceutical ingredients capable of reversing sun-induced alteration are of particular benefit for men. Adapting cosmetic treatment to male grooming routines increases compliance. Shaving presents an opportunity to deliver cosmeceuticals for men. The marketing of skin care products for men is evolving and becoming seemingly complex; further research is warranted.

Health screening dialouges.

Nurses can play an important role in community-based health screenings, which are a practical resource to empower people living with mental and substance use disorders to make positive lifestyle changes. The experiences, struggles, and strengths of screening participants provides insights for nurses to engage people in health and wellness dialogues.

Preparing for subsequent entry biologics in dermatology and rheumatology in Canada.

BACKGROUND: Patents on several biologics will expire in Canada in the coming years. As they expire, applications to market subsequent entry biologics (SEBs) may be filed in Canada. OBJECTIVE: To provide an understanding of the regulatory pathway and types of trials used for SEB authorization in Canada. METHODS: Health Canada's draft guidance on SEBs was reviewed in regards to key issues and challenges in the development and authorization of SEBs. RESULTS: Health Canada states that SEBs are not "generic biologics" and their authorization is not a declaration of pharmaceutical or therapeutic equivalence to the originator. The agency recommends that physicians make well-informed decisions regarding therapeutic interchange. CONCLUSIONS: Decisions on how to determine the place of SEBs in clinical practice for biologic-naive patients and those already receiving biologics should be made on a case-by-case basis, considering the patient's needs, the characteristics of the biologic required, and the clinical development programs of the applicable SEB.

A primer on the politics of partnership between education and regulation.

Too often there is a separation between education and regulation, as functions appear different, yet are truly complementary. Described is an exemplar of a successful education-regulation partnership that advanced the development of an innovation, the dedicated education unit. The work of building relationships, communication, mutual need and goal setting, and trust building are described in the context of innovation within a regulatory environment that can lead to empowerment and change.

Interaction of vitamins C and E as better cosmeceuticals.

Although many cosmeceutical formulations contain vitamin C and/or vitamin E, very few are actually effective in topical application. First because there is only a low concentration, second because the stability is compromised as soon as the product is opened and exposed to air and light, and third because the form of the molecule (an ester or a mixture of isomers) is not absorbed or metabolized effectively by the skin. However, when a stable formulation delivers a high concentration of the nonesterified, optimal isomer of the antioxidant, vitamins C and E do indeed inhibit the acute ultraviolet (UV) damage of erythema, sunburn, and tanning as well as chronic UV photoaging and skin cancer. Both are highly effective depigmenting agents. Topical vitamin C also increases collagen synthesis in both young and old fibroblasts. Because vitamin C regenerates oxidized vitamin E, the combination in a cosmeceutical formulation is synergistic - particularly in UV protection.

Effects of topical L-selenomethionine with topical and oral vitamin E on pigmentation and skin cancer induced by ultraviolet irradiation in Skh:2 hairless mice.

BACKGROUND: The antioxidants selenium and vitamin E can be effective in reducing acute and chronic ultraviolet (UV)-induced skin damage. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether topical L-selenomethionine with topical RRR-alpha-tocopherol (Eol) or oral RRR-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (Eac) can reduce the incidence of UV-induced skin damage more than treatment with each alone. METHODS: Skh:2 hairless pigmented mice were treated with lotion vehicle, L-selenomethionine lotion, Eol lotion, oral Eac, L-selenomethionine plus Eol lotion, or L-selenomethionine lotion plus oral Eac and exposed to UVB. Skin pigmentation was scored, and the number of skin tumors per animal was counted weekly. RESULTS: Mice treated with selenium and vitamin E had significantly less acute and chronic UV-induced skin damage. CONCLUSION: Topical L-selenomethionine alone and combined with vitamin E gave the best protection against UV-induced blistering and pigmentation. In protecting against skin cancer, topical Eol and topical L-selenomethionine plus oral Eac were best. Significant synergy of L-selenomethionine with vitamin E was not observed.