Genetically Proxied Autoimmune Diseases and the Risk of Facial Aging.

Purpose: Previous studies have suggested a relationship between autoimmune diseases and the risk of facial skin aging. However, evidence from population-based studies on this topic is limited, leaving the causal association between these factors unknown. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the causal effects of 18 autoimmune diseases on the risk of facial skin aging, aim of providing strategies to mitigate early facial aging in patients with autoimmune diseases. Patients and Methods: We conducted univariate Mendelian randomization (UVMR) analyses to examine the causal relationship between 18 autoimmune diseases and facial aging using publicly available summary data from genome-wide association studies (GWASs). We also conducted multivariate Mendelian randomization (MVMR) analyses to adjust for confounding factors, including smoking, alcohol consumption, and body mass index (BMI). Results: The main inverse variance weighted (IVW) method revealed that genetically proxied ankylosing spondylitis (AS) (OR 1.017; 95% CI: 1.003-1.031; P=0.018), sicca syndrome (SS) (OR 1.008; 95% CI: 1.005-1.011; P= 2.66×10-6), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (OR 1.006; 95% 1.001-1.011; P=0.014), multiple sclerosis (MS) (OR 1.004; 95% CI: 1.001-1.007; P=0.021), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) (OR 1.002; 95% CI: 1.000-1.004; P=0.023), and celiac disease (CeD) (OR 1.002; 95% CI: 1.001-1.004; P=0.009) were significantly associated with higher risk of facial aging. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the association persisted between AS, SLE, and CeD. Conclusion: These findings indicated that autoimmune diseases play a causal role in facial skin aging. Therefore, patients with autoimmune diseases should take appropriate measures to prevent early facial aging.

A Metastructure Based on Amorphous Carbon for High Efficiency and Selective Solar Absorption.

Efficient solar thermal conversion is crucial for renewable clean energy technologies such as solar thermal power generation, solar thermophotovoltaic and seawater desalination. To maximize solar energy conversion efficiency, a solar selective absorber with tailored absorption properties designed for solar applications is indispensable. In this study, we propose a broadband selective absorber based on amorphous carbon (a-C) metamaterials that achieves high absorption in the ultraviolet (UV), visible (Vis) and near-infrared (NIR) spectral ranges. Additionally, through metal doping, the optical properties of carbon matrix materials can be modulated. We introduce Ti@a-C thin film into the nanostructure to enhance light absorption across most of the solar spectrum, particularly in the NIR wavelength band, which is essential for improving energy utilization. The impressive solar absorptivity and photothermal conversion efficiency reach 97.8% and 95.6%, respectively. Notably, these superior performances are well-maintained even at large incident angles with different polarized states. These findings open new avenues for the application of a-C matrix materials, especially in fields related to solar energy harvesting.

Percutaneous Interstitial Nd:YAG Laser Therapy for Axillary Osmidrosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of percutaneous interstitial Nd:YAG laser irradiation on the apocrine glands and molecules involved in odor production (apolipoprotein [ApoD], androgen receptor [AR]) in the subcutaneous tissue of a pig. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Skin on the back of healthy adult miniature pigs was exposed to pulsed Nd:YAG laser irradiation at 5 or 10 W, or continuous Nd:YAG laser irradiation at 10 W. Samples were taken 1 hour, 1 week, and 1 month after treatment for histology, western blot, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. RESULTS: One week and 1 month after irradiation, the apocrine glands in pigskin became rounded, glandular cells were shorter, and the glandular cavities were larger compared with controls, but there were no obvious changes in fat cell distribution of collagen around the apocrine glands. One month after irradiation at 10 W in continuous mode, there was a significant decrease in ApoD expression in apocrine cells and ApoD and AR protein and expression levels in pigskin compared with controls. There were also significant differences in ApoD and AR protein and expression levels between treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous interstitial Nd:YAG laser irradiation has potential as a safe and efficacious treatment for axillary osmidrosis as it may decrease the production of volatile unsaturated fatty acids, steroids, and associated unpleasant odors in the axilla. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Clinical Experience in Emergency Management of Severe Facial Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Published reports describing management of complex facial lacerations in the emergency department are limited, and there is little guidance on the treatment of massive soft tissue avulsions of the head and face or severely contaminated head and face lacerations. Here, the authors report on the wealth of clinical experience they have gained in treating major head and facial injuries through an emergency trauma repair platform that was established in the department of orthopedic surgery at their hospital. METHODS: Six patients with massive soft tissue avulsions of the head and face caused by trauma were treated in our department between September 2017 and December 2018. Avulsion injuries occurred to the eyelids, ears, face, and part of the scalp. Defects extended from the skin to the surface of the bone. Emergency surgical repair involved reasonable debridement of the wound surface, accurate and meticulous suture, and use of local skin flaps. RESULTS: No patients experienced postoperative complications, such as necrosis, infection, or scar hyperplasia. Our postoperative satisfaction survey showed that 3 patients were very satisfied and 1 patient was relatively satisfied with their outcomes. Several patients (2/6) still had some degree of deformity in the soft tissue around the eyes, which required further surgery CONCLUSION:: Satisfactory functional and aesthetic outcomes can be achieved through reasonable debridement of the wound surface, accurate and meticulous suture, and use of local skin flaps in patients with massive soft tissue avulsions of the head and face caused by trauma.

[Application of thin-ribbed cartilage with the perichondrium in correction of secondary cleft lip nasal deformity as lateral crural onlay graft].

Objective: To explore the application and effectiveness of thin-ribbed cartilage with the perichondrium in the correction of secondary cleft lip nasal deformity as the lateral crural onlay graft. Methods: A retrospective study was performed based on the data of 28 patients with secondary nasal deformity of cleft lip between October 2015 and April 2017. There were 16 males and 12 females with an average age of 24 years (range, 18-31 years). There were 11 cases with secondary nasal deformities on the left side, 13 cases on the right side, and 4 cases on both sides. Three-dimensional stereotaxy of the nasolabial muscles was used to correct the deformity. The costal cartilage as the support was used to perform nasal columella and nasal dorsum while the thin-ribbed cartilage with the perichondrium was used as wing cartilage support. The photography of nasal position was taken before operation and at 6-8 months after operation. The midpoint of the junction between the nasal columella and the upper lip was marked point O; the lateral horizontal line passing through the point O was marked as X-line, and the longitudinal line (the midline) as Y-line. The distance of the highest point of the affected nostril to the X-line, the distance of the nostril's outermost point to the Y-line, the symmetries of both the most lateral and the highest point of the bilateral nostrils, and the distance of the highest point of the nasal tip to the X-line were measured. Results: All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6 to 24 months with an average of 12 months. The size and shape of the noses were stable, and no compli cation, such as cartilage exposure, hematoma, or infection occurred during the postoperative follow-up. There were 4 cases with obvious incision scars, 3 cases with nostril and alar asymmetry, and 1 case of lateral side of the nose without well positioned. The symmetry of the highest points of bilateral nostrils was 57.643%±27.491% before operation and 90.246%±18.769% after operation. The symmetry of the most lateral points of the bilateral nostrils was 77.391%±30.628% before operation and 92.373%±21.662% after operation. And there were significant differences between pre- and post-operation ( P<0.05). There were also significant differences in the distance of highest point of the affected nostril to the X-line, the distance of the nostril's outermost point to the Y-line, and the distance of the highest point of the nasal tip to the X-line ( P<0.05). No thoracic contour change occurred at the costal cartilage donor site. Conclusion: The thin-ribbed cartilage with the perichondrium has good support and long-term stability, and it can be used as one of the ideal materials for nasal alar cartilage transplantation for nasal deformity secondary to cleft lip.