Transcriptome Profile Analysis Identifies Candidate Genes for the Melanin Pigmentation of Skin in Tengchong Snow Chickens.

Tengchong Snow chickens are one of the most precious, black-boned chickens in Yunnan province and usually produce black meat. However, we found a small number of white meat traits in the chicken population during feeding. In order to determine the pattern of melanin deposition and the molecular mechanism of formation in the Tengchong Snow chicken, we measured the luminance value (L value) and melanin content in the skin of black meat chickens (Bc) and white meat chickens (Wc) using a color colorimeter, ELISA kit, and enzyme marker. The results showed that the L value of skin tissues in black meat chickens was significantly lower than that of white meat chickens, and the L value of skin tissues gradually increased with an increase in age. The melanin content of skin tissues in black meat chickens was higher than that of white meat chickens, and melanin content in the skin tissues gradually decreased with an increase in age, but this difference was not significant (p > 0.05); the L value of skin tissues in black meat chickens was negatively correlated with melanin content, and the correlation coefficient was mostly above -0.6. In addition, based on the phenotypic results, we chose to perform the comparative transcriptome profiling of skin tissues at 90 days of age. We screened a total of 44 differential genes, of which 32 were upregulated and 12 were downregulated. These DEGs were mainly involved in melanogenesis, tyrosine metabolism and RNA transport. We identified TYR, DCT, and EDNRB2 as possible master effector genes for skin pigmentation in Tengchong Snow black meat chickens through DEGs analysis. Finally, we measured the mRNA of TYR, DCT, MC1R, EDNRB2, GPR143, MITF, and TYRP1 genes through a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and found that the mRNA of all the above seven genes decreased with increasing age. In conclusion, our study initially constructed an evaluation system for the black-boned traits of Tengchong Snow chickens and found key candidate genes regulating melanin deposition, which could provide an important theoretical basis for the selection and breeding of black-boned chickens.

Novel quantitative structure activity relationship models for predicting hexadecane/air partition coefficients of organic compounds.

Predicting the logarithm of hexadecane/air partition coefficient (L) for organic compounds is crucial for understanding the environmental behavior and fate of organic compounds and developing prediction models with polyparameter linear free energy relationships. Herein, two quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) models were developed with 1272 L values for the organic compounds by using multiple linear regression (MLR) and support vector machine (SVM) algorithms. On the basis of the OECD principles, the goodness of fit, robustness and predictive ability for the developed models were evaluated. The SVM model was first developed, and the predictive capability for the SVM model is slightly better than that for the MLR model. The applicability domain (AD) of these two models has been extended to include more kinds of emerging pollutants, i.e., oraganosilicon compounds. The developed QSAR models can be used for predicting L values of various organic compounds. The van der Waals interactions between the organic compound and the hexadecane have a significant effect on the L value of the compound. These in silico models developed in current study can provide an alternative to experimental method for high-throughput obtaining L values of organic compounds.

Chromium-mediated hyperpigmentation of skin in male tannery workers in Bangladesh.

Since tannery workers in developing countries are chronically exposed to high levels of chromium (Cr), there are serious concerns about health problems. However, there has been limited study in which Cr levels were measured in tannery workers, who are chronically exposed to Cr. Our preliminary inspection showed that there was hyperpigmented skin in tannery workers. We therefore investigated the correlation between skin pigmentation levels digitally evaluated as L* values by using a reflectance spectrophotometer and Cr levels in skin appendages in 100 male tannery workers and in 49 male non-tannery workers in Bangladesh. Digitalized skin pigmentation levels of the face and feet in addition to Cr levels in hair and toenails in tannery workers were significantly higher than those in non-tannery workers in our univariate analysis. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient analysis showed significant correlation between duration of tannery work (years) and Cr levels in hair (r = 0.62) and toenails (r = 0.61). Our multivariate analysis also showed that Cr levels in hair and toenails were significantly correlated with digitalized skin pigmentation levels of the face and feet in addition to duration of tannery work in all participants. Thus, our results showed the development of hyperpigmented skin in tannery workers. Our results also suggested that hyperpigmented skin could be a useful diagnostic marker for chronic exposure to Cr. Furthermore, cutaneous L* value might be a convenient marker for detection of chronic Cr poisoning, since the digitalized values enable objective evaluation of skin pigmented levels by general people as well as dermatologists.

Whitening effect of L-ascorbate-2-phosphate trisodium salt on solar lentigos.

Little is known about the anti-pigmenting effects of whitening agents on solar lentigos (SLs), which comprise ~ 60% of hyperpigmented facial lesions of Asian subjects. Lotions with or without 6% L-ascorbate-2-phosphate trisodium salt (APS) [test lotion (TL) and placebo lotion (PL), respectively] were applied twice daily for 24 weeks in a double-blind half-face study of 27 Japanese females with SLs on both sides of their faces. Pigmentation scores were evaluated using a photo-scale and the skin colors were assessed using a color difference meter and a mexameter for SLs and the non-lesional surrounding skin (NLS). Although the pigmentation scores were not significantly different between the TL and PL-treated SLs after 24 weeks, the L values of TL-treated SLs and NLS increased significantly with a significantly higher △L value in SLs than in NLS. In contrast, the L values of PL-treated SLs and NLS remained unchanged after the treatment. The number of subjects with > 2.0 △L was 7 of 27 (TL) and 0 of 27 (PL) in SLs and 3 of 27 (TL) and 0 of 27 (PS) in NLS. In contrast, the melanin index in TL-treated SLs and NLS significantly decreased with a significantly higher △melanin index in SLs than in NLS. Similarly, the melanin index of PL-treated SLs and NLS were significantly decreased with a significantly higher △melanin index in SLs than in NLS. These findings strongly indicate that APS has a weak but significant anti-pigmenting effect on SLs and a significant whitening effect even on normally pigmented healthy skin.

Combining Investigation of Imaging Markers (Island Sign and Blend Sign) and Clinical Factors in Predicting Hematoma Expansion of Intracerebral Hemorrhage in the Basal Ganglia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the most difficult-to-treat form of stroke and accounts for about 10%-30% of all strokes worldwide. Hematoma expansion (HE), which occurs in one third of patients with ICH, is strongly predictive of worse prognosis and potentially preventable if high-risk patients are identified in the early phase of ICH. We summarized data from recent studies on HE prediction and classified those potential indicators into 2 categories: 1) clinical and laboratory and 2) radiographic. Therefore, we aimed to identify the accuracy of L, that is, the value of combining predictors in predicting HE of ICH in basal ganglia. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated the clinical database of Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital for patients with ICH aged >18 years between January 2015 and January 2018. As inclusion criteria, we defined 1) ICH diagnosed on noncontrast computed tomography (CT); 2) noncontrast CT performed on enrollment within 6 hours after onset of symptoms; 3) follow-up CT scan performed within 24 hours after the baseline CT scan; and 4) all of the primary hematoma was located in the basal ganglia. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the potential HE predictors, and then receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the L (the value of combining predictors) of imaging markers and clinical factors in predicting HE. RESULTS: Of the 99 patients with HE, island sign was present in 48.48% (48/99) of patients and blend sign was present in 34.34% (34/99) of patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified time to baseline CT scan (odds ratio [OR] 1.574; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.205-2.054; P = 0.001), baseline hematoma volume (P = 0.001), presence of island sign (OR 11.247; 95% CI 4.701-26.909; P = 0.000), presence of blend sign (OR 3.104; 95% CI 1.425-6.765; P = 0.004), anticoagulants use or international normalized ratio >1.5 (OR 2.755; 95% CI 1.072-7.082; P = 0.035), and intraventricular hemorrhage (OR 2.351; 95% CI 1.066-5.187; P = 0.034) as independent predictors of HE. The sensitivity and specificity of L (value of combining predictors) were 88.89% and 80.84%, respectively; the area under the curve was 0.918. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicated that the ability of L to predict HE was much more excellent than these 6 predictors alone. L showed a high association with HE, with an accuracy of 91.8%, and was a reliable value of combining predictors in terms of predicting HE. L may serve as a promising, noninvasive tool for clinical therapeutic strategy.

Study on the Quality of Life of Chinese Residents from Different Countries' Perspective: Based on the EQ-5D Value Set of China, Britain, Japan and Korea / 中国卫生经济

Objective:To study the characteristics of EQ-5D-3L value set in China,UK,Japan and Korea,and conduct the evaluation of health-related quality of life in China from multiple perspectives.Methods:Based on the 5th national health service survey data,Pearson correlation coefficient was used to study the relationship between health quality of life of residents in China based on different utility value system.Results:The upper limit of utility values in China,Britain,Japan and South Korea were 1,the lower limit were-0.149,-0.594,-0.171 and-0.106.From the perspectives of the four countries,the average values of China's residents were 0.9588,0.9130,0.9499 and 0.9643.Conclusion:China,Japan and South Korea were more consistent in their preferences for health assessment and more concerned about the health effects of general problems and self-care,while the UK was more concerned about extreme problems and the impact of pain.From the perspective of China and South Korea,the attitude towards the quality of life of Chinese residents was optimistic.UK and Japan were relatively pessimistic about the health status of the elderly and low-income people aged 65 and above.

Spectrophotometric measurement of minimal erythema dose sites after narrowband ultraviolet B phototesting: clinical implication of spetrophotometric values in phototherapy.

BACKGROUND: The spectrophotometer is well known to be a useful tool for estimating the objective minimal erythema dose (MED) during planning of phototherapy protocol. However, only a few spectrophotometric values are used to evaluate the erythema and pigmentation of the MED site during phototesting. OBJECTIVE: To determinea new meaning of the relationships among spectrophotometric values during phototesting. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with psoriasis and 23 patients with vitiligo were selected before undergoing narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy. We interpreted the gross findings of erythema and measured the L(*)a(*)b(*) values using a spectrophotometer at each phototest spot. We compared MEDs, basic spectrophotometric values (L(*)a(*)b(*)), and b(*)/L(*) values separately according to skin type, and determined the correlation of each spectrophotometric value and the correlation between a(*) and b(*)/L(*) values. RESULTS: Among L(*)a(*)b(*) values, only b(*) values showed a statistically significant difference between the type III and IV groups (p=0.003). There was a positive correlation only between MEDs and b(*) values (p<0.05). The average b(*)/L(*)value in the type IV group was significantly higher than the type III group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The higher b(*) values in type IV skin indicates that skin tanning develops more prominently than type III. The correlation between MEDs and b(*) values may signify that the skin pigmentation status is deepened with the higher MEDs. The difference in b(*)/L(*)values between type III and IV skin reflects that the b(*)/L(*)value is thought to be an index of tanning. The a(*) value, known as an index of erythema, does not influence the degree of tanning.

Spectrophotometric Measurement of Minimal Erythema Dose Sites after Narrowband Ultraviolet B Phototesting: Clinical Implication of Spetrophotometric Values in Phototherapy

BACKGROUND: The spectrophotometer is well known to be a useful tool for estimating the objective minimal erythema dose (MED) during planning of phototherapy protocol. However, only a few spectrophotometric values are used to evaluate the erythema and pigmentation of the MED site during phototesting. OBJECTIVE: To determinea new meaning of the relationships among spectrophotometric values during phototesting. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with psoriasis and 23 patients with vitiligo were selected before undergoing narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy. We interpreted the gross findings of erythema and measured the L*a*b* values using a spectrophotometer at each phototest spot. We compared MEDs, basic spectrophotometric values (L*a*b*), and b*/L* values separately according to skin type, and determined the correlation of each spectrophotometric value and the correlation between a* and b*/L* values. RESULTS: Among L*a*b* values, only b* values showed a statistically significant difference between the type III and IV groups (p=0.003). There was a positive correlation only between MEDs and b* values (p<0.05). The average b*/L*value in the type IV group was significantly higher than the type III group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The higher b* values in type IV skin indicates that skin tanning develops more prominently than type III. The correlation between MEDs and b* values may signify that the skin pigmentation status is deepened with the higher MEDs. The difference in b*/L*values between type III and IV skin reflects that the b*/L*value is thought to be an index of tanning. The a* value, known as an index of erythema, does not influence the degree of tanning.

Changes of skin complexion after ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To observe the alteration of skin complexion after UVA and UVB exposure.Methods The back skin of ten females with skin type Ⅲ was subjected to single exposure to solar-simulated UVA of double minimal persistent pigment darkening (MPPD) or UVB of double minimal erythema dose (MED). Skin reflectance was assessed with clinical grading, spectcolometer and Mexameter MX 18 before irra-diation, 6 hours, 1, 7 and 14 days after the irradiation. Results After UVB irradiation, a~* value and erythema index (EI) abruptly increased at 6 hours and peaked on day 2; L~* value sharply declined on day 1; ITA° markedly decreased on day 7; melanin index (MI) declined within the first 2 days, but notably increased on day 7. After UVA irradiation, a~* and El value experienced no apparent changes; L~* value obviously declined at 6 hours; ITA° reached its lowest value on day 14; MI increased only on day 1. Conclusions There is a significant difference in the kinetics and extent of skin complexion changes after UVA and UVB irradiation. EI and a~* value are sensitive and accurate indices for evaluating sunburn, and MI and ITA ° for analyzing tanning.