High-efficient capture and degradation of formaldehyde based on the electric-field-enhanced catalytic effect.

Enhancing the generation of active groups is of great significance for alleviating the catalyst deactivation of formaldehyde (HCHO) by accelerating the decomposition of intermediate products. Herein, an electric-field-enhanced catalytic effect was proposed for the efficient capture and degradation of HCHO base on carbon cloth loaded manganese oxide catalyst (MnOx-CC). Under the action of electric field, MnOx can generate more hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and superoxide radicals (•O2-), thus accelerating the degradation of HCHO and intermediates at room temperature. After the introduction electric field (∼1 ×104 V/m), •O2- and •OH radical on the surface of MnOx-CC catalyst can be increased by 8 times and 23 times, respectively. At weight hourly space velocity of 300,000 mL/(gcat h) for ∼15 ppm HCHO, MnOx-CC-Electric Field catalyst reached the removal efficiency of 99.4%, and the CO2 conversion efficiency of 81.2%, without decrease significantly within 80 h. Theoretical calculation shows that the electric field can increase the electron state density of Mn atom at the Fermi level and reduce the adsorption energy of HCHO, O2 and H2O, thus promoting the generation of active groups and degradation of intermediate products. The electric-field-enhancement catalytic effect provides a new approach for the degradation of Volatile Organic Compounds.

A narrative review of research progress on the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in acne vulgaris.

Background and Objective: Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease around the world which affects the appearance of patients, as well as their physical and mental health. Cutibacterium acnes plays a vital role in the occurrence and development of acne vulgaris. Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are the first line of defense against external pathogens. The nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor family pyrin containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has recently been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. The purpose of this review is to clarify the underlying mechanisms of NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris, and its potential as a therapeutic target for the condition. Methods: The PubMed database was searched for relevant articles published in English between January 2003 to December 2021 using keywords "acne vulgaris", "NLRP3 inflammasome", and "Cutibacterium acnes". The reference lists of retrieved articles were also reviewed to identify relevant articles. Key Content and Findings: Cutibacterium acnes infection can lead to a series of inflammatory reactions and the production of inflammatory factors such as interleukin (IL)-1ß. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that the NLRP3 inflammasome plays essential roles in acne vulgaris. Further, innate immunity and adaptive immunity pervade the entire pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. Conclusions: The NLRP3 inflammasome may be a potential therapeutic target for acne vulgaris. Future studies are needed to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of NLRP3 inhibitors on acne vulgaris.

The relationship between short-term PM2.5 exposure and outpatient visits for acne vulgaris in Chongqing, China: a time-series study.

Many researches have reported the air pollution impacts, either long term or short term, on inflammatory skin diseases, but there are few studies on the relation between PM2.5 and acne vulgaris. To determine the correlation between short-term PM2.5 exposure and acne outpatient visits, data for 120,842 acne vulgaris outpatient visits between December 2013 and December 2019 were obtained from three large hospitals in Chongqing, China. Both single-pollutant models and two-pollutant models were established to explore the relationship between PM2.5 exposure and acne outpatient visits. The stratified analyses were conducted through two-sample z-tests to investigate the possible gender (male or female) and age (< 25 years or ≥ 25 years) differences in PM2.5 effects. The results demonstrated positive correlations between PM2.5 concentrations and acne outpatient visits. A 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 concentration was associated with a 1.71% (95% CI: 1.06-2.36%) increase in acne outpatient visits at lag 0-7 day. Stratified analyses showed that PM2.5 effects were greater in individuals aged ≥ 25 years than those aged < 25 years, but no gender difference was found. In conclusion, short-term PM2.5 exposure was positively associated with the risk of acne outpatient visits, especially for people ≥ 25 years old.

The association between short-term ambient air pollution and acne vulgaris outpatient visits: a hospital-based time-series analysis in Xi'an.

Recent studies have suggested that exposure to ambient airborne pollutants is associated with inflammatory skin diseases, but the epidemiological evidence regarding the association between air pollution and acne vulgaris is limited. To address that, a hospital-based time-series analysis was conducted in Xi'an, a metropolitan in northwest China. A total of 71,625 outpatient visits for acne from 2010 to 2013 were identified. The mean daily concentrations of PM10, SO2, and NO2 were 142.6 µg/m3, 44.7 µg/m3, and 48.5 µg/m3, and all were higher than WHO air quality guidelines. A generalized additive model was used to analyze the relationship between short-term ambient air pollution exposure and outpatient visits for acne. The gender- and age-specific analyses were conducted as well. The results showed that the increase of SO2 and NO2 concentrations corresponded to a significant rise in the number of outpatient visits for acne at lag 0 in both single-lag and cumulative exposure models. Both SO2 and NO2 were positively associated with acne outpatient visits for both males and females. In age-specific analyses, the effect estimate of PM10 was only significant for adults over 30 years old; SO2 was significantly associated with acne visits in children and adolescents (<21 years) and young adults (21-30 years); and NO2 was significantly associated with acne visits in all age subgroups. In conclusion, short-term exposure to ambient air pollutants (PM10, SO2, or NO2) with the average levels above WHO limits was associated with increased risk of outpatient visits for both teenage acne and adult acne. Moreover, the effects of air pollutants may vary with age.

The Association Between Short-Term Air Pollution Exposure and Post-Adolescent Acne: The Evidence from a Time Series Analysis in Xi'an, China.

BACKGROUND: Post-adolescent acne is a common skin disease faced by adults. However, whether air pollution (AP) serves as a risk factor for post-adolescent acne remains elusive. AIM: To determine the relationship between short-term AP exposure (within 7 days) and outpatient visits for post-adolescent acne. METHODS: Daily outpatient visit data for post-adolescent acne and routinely AP data between 2010 and 2013 were collected from Xi'an, China. A generalized additive regression model was used to analyze the relationship between outpatient visits for post-adolescent acne and short-term ambient AP exposure. The gender-specific analyses were conducted as well. RESULTS: Totally, 27,190 outpatient visits for post-adolescent acne were included. The results revealed that a 10 µg/m3 increase in PM10, SO2, and NO2 at lag 0-7 day was associated with the increase of outpatient visits for post-adolescent acne at 0.84% (95% CI: 0.53%, 1.16%), 1.61% (95% CI: 0.12%, 3.10%), and 3.50% (95% CI: 1.60%, 5.40%), respectively. The significant positive associations of PM10, SO2, and NO2 were found at both single-lag models and moving average models. The gender-specific analyses showed that the effect estimates of PM10 was stronger for females than for males, while there was no observed gender difference in the effects of SO2 and NO2. CONCLUSION: Short-term exposure to AP was associated with increased outpatient visits for post-adolescent acne, especially for females in the effects of PM10.

Susceptibility and Resistance Mechanisms During Photodynamic Therapy of Melanoma.

Melanoma is the most aggressive malignant skin tumor and arises from melanocytes. The resistance of melanoma cells to various treatments results in rapid tumor growth and high mortality. As a local therapeutic modality, photodynamic therapy has been successfully applied for clinical treatment of skin diseases. Photodynamic therapy is a relatively new treatment method for various types of malignant tumors in humans and, compared to conventional treatment methods, has fewer side effects, and is more accurate and non-invasive. Although several in vivo and in vitro studies have shown encouraging results regarding the potential benefits of photodynamic therapy as an adjuvant treatment for melanoma, its clinical application remains limited owing to its relative inefficiency. This review article discusses the use of photodynamic therapy in melanoma treatment as well as the latest progress made in deciphering the mechanism of tolerance. Lastly, potential targets are identified that may improve photodynamic therapy against melanoma cells.

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infection After Autologous Fat Grafting for Cosmetic Breast Augmentation.

BACKGROUND: Autologous fat grafting has been widely applied in cosmetic breast augmentation in recent years. However, nontuberculous mycobacteria infection, as one of the multiple complications described in the literature, has been less well discussed. OBJECTIVE: The aims of the study were to report 5 cases of nontuberculous mycobacteria infection after autologous fat injection for the cosmetic breast augmentation and to explore its causes. METHODS: In this noncomparative, retrospective, and interventional case series, we identified 5 patients with nontuberculous mycobacteria infection. All patients had a history of previous autologous fat injection into the breast for cosmetic purpose, performed in different plastic facilities. RESULTS: Five patients developed nontuberculous mycobacteria infection after autologous fat injection for cosmetic breast augmentation and came to our group for treatment. Grafted fat removal through multiple debridement and long-term intravenous and oral antibiotic therapy were required in our cases. CONCLUSIONS: The number of nontuberculous mycobacteria infection after autologous fat injection into the breast is increasing. Surgeons should be aware of the complication, which rarely manifests during the procedure itself. Strict aseptic principles should be obeyed throughout the surgery.

Treatment of Epithelioid angiosarcoma with Topical ALA-PDT in the course of surgery.

BACKGROUND: Epithelioid angiosarcoma is a high grade malignancy sarcoma of soft tissue, which is hard to diagnose and completely excise without causing functional and cosmetic problems. Moreover, the high rate of recurrence is hard to salvage. Photodynamic therapy is a novel treatment protocol which can selectively destroy tumor cell with good functional and cosmetic outcomes. METHODS: This is a case about a 81 years old patient with Epithelioid angiosarcoma in the right medial angle of eye, which received surgery and ALA photodynamic therapy. RESULTS: There is no recurrence in one year after treatment of surgery and photodynamic therapy in the course of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Excision combined with photodynamic therapy during operation is a promising strategy towards tumors which are hard to resect thoroughly and have a high risk of recurrence.

Treatment of lip florid papillomatosis with topical ALA-PDT combined with curettage: Outcome and safety.

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a successful treatment in clinical practice. PDT is increasingly used to cure the patients with skin cancer, especially in the elder. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the treatment outcome and safety of PDT with aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) combined with surgical curettage for lip florid papillomatosis. METHODS: In this study, 4 cases of lip florid papillomatosis were treated with topical aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) combined with curettage. First, the warts were removed with the patient under local anesthesia. The depth of the ablation and curettage reached the dermal layer. Then, the first session of PDT was performed after 2days. Ten percent 5-ALA cream was applied to lesional skin with occlusive dressing for a 3-h incubation period and the lesions of warts were irradiated for 10min by using a 635-nm laser beam of 177mW/cm2 intensity. The ALA-PDT was repeated after 1 and 3 weeks and two other treatments applied if necessary. Follow-up evaluation was performed at our outpatient clinic at 3 and 6 months after completion of therapy. RESULTS: After three PDT sessions following surgical curettage, 3 patients were cured at 3 months off treatment, one cases relapsed, corresponding to a recurrent rate of 25%. There was no other recurrence at 6 months off treatment. The satisfaction rate of patients was 95% at 3 month and 100% at 6 months after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The combined treatment of topical ALA-PDT and curettage was proven to be safe and effective in lip florid papillomatosis.

Efficacy and safety of topical ALA-PDT in the treatment of EMPD.

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a successful treatment for non-melanoma skin cancers in clinical practice. More and more doctors use PDT to cure the patients with skin cancer, especially in the elder. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical PDT using aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) in the treatment of Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) and its role in surgical improvements. METHODS: A total of 38 cases were included in this study. Lesions were located in the scrotum and the penis. Thirty-one cases had surgical resection of the lesions followed by ALA-PDT (combination of PDT and surgery group). Seven cases received ALA-PDT without receiving surgical resection because the surgery is extremely difficult or the patients refused surgery (simple PDT group). Each tumor lesion was irradiated with 120J/cm(2) using a 635-nm laser for 15min. A total of 3 times of assisted ALA-PDT was applied after surgery. RESULTS: In the combination group, there was no recurrence in 6 months after treatment. In another group, recurrence occurred in 1 case in 6 months. All patients were able to complete the treatment protocol, with well cosmetic results and no moderate adverse reactions. CONCLUSIONS: As an assistive therapy after tumor resection, ALA-PDT can reduce the excision range of the tumor lesions and will play more important role in the treatment of EMPD.

Efficacy of topical ALA-PDT combined with excision in the treatment of skin malignant tumor.

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a successful treatment for non-melanoma skin cancers in clinical practice. In China, more and more doctors use PDT to cure the patients with skin cancer, especially in the elder. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of topical PDT using aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) combined with excision in the treatment of skin malignant tumor and its role in surgical improvements. METHODS: A total of 58 cases including 32 cases of BCC, 13 cases of Bowen's disease, 8 cases of Paget's disease and 5 cases of SCC were included in this study. All cases were treated with topical ALA-PDT after surgery. Each tumor region was irradiated with 120 J/cm(2) using a 635-nm laser for 15 min. A total of 3 times of assisted ALA-PDT was applied after surgery. RESULTS: There was no recurrence in 6 months after treatment. Only 5 cases of Paget's disease and 2 cases of SCC experienced disease recurrence in 1 year. All patients were able to complete the treatment protocol, with well cosmetic results and no moderate adverse reactions. CONCLUSIONS: As an assistive therapy after tumor resection, ALA-PDT can reduce the excision range of the tumor lesions. However, its role in the reduction of recurrence rate remains to be further investigated.

Treatment of perianal condyloma acuminate with topical ALA-PDT combined with curettage: outcome and safety.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the treatment outcome and safety of topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) with aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) combined with surgical curettage for perianal condyloma acuminata. BACKGROUND DATA: Condyloma acuminata is the most common sexually transmitted disease, with a high relapse rate, especially in the perianal area. The outcomes of many treatment methods for perianal genital warts are not satisfactory. METHODS: In this study, 40 cases of perianal condyloma acuminata were treated with topical aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) combined with curettage. First, the warts were removed with the patient under local anesthesia. The depth of the ablation and curettage reached the dermal layer. Then, the first session of PDT was performed after 2 days. Ten percent 5-ALA cream was applied to lesional skin with occlusive dressing for a 3-h incubation period and the lesions of warts were irradiated for 10 min by using a 635-nm laser beam of 177 mW/cm(2) intensity. The ALA-PDT was repeated after 1 and 3 weeks. Follow-up evaluation was performed at our outpatient clinic at 1 and 3 months after completion of therapy. Before treatment and at each follow-up visit, the lesions were photographed; the treatment outcome was evaluated as recurrence rate, and patient satisfaction was surveyed. RESULTS: After three PDT sessions following surgical curettage, all 40 patients were cured and there was no recurrence at 1 month off treatment. At 3 months off treatment, six cases relapsed, corresponding to a recurrent rate of 15%. The satisfaction rate of patients was 100% at 1 month and 95% at 3 months after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Combination of surgical curettage and topical PDT has been proven to be a safe and effective procedure, and may offer a wide clinical application for the treatment of perianal condyloma acuminata.

Treatment of oral florid papillomatosis with systemic administration of photocarcinorin: an effective photodynamic therapy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and effect of systemic administration of photosensitizer Photocarcinorin (PsD-007) in the treatment of oral florid papillomatosis (OFP). BACKGROUND: OFP is a rare and refractory disease characterized by multiple papillomatous lesions. The outcomes of many methods for OFP are not satisfactory. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Photosensitizer Photocarcinorin (5 mg/kg) was intravenously injected into a 59-year-old woman with widespread OFP, and the lesions were irradiated for 10 min by using a 635-nm laser beam of 177 mW/cm(2) intensity and 106.2 J/cm(2) energy density. The therapy was performed once a month for 3 months in total. RESULTS: After three courses, the small lesions disappeared, and the larger ones were reduced by ≥80%. The adverse effects were minimal. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic PDT is an effective and successful treatment modality for OFP, especially in elderly patients.

Photodynamic therapy of port-wine stains.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to observe the improvements of port-wine stains (PWSs) under photodynamic therapy (PDT) and to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of PDT in the dermatology clinic for the treatment of PWSs. METHODS: Total of 75 PWS patients were treated with PDT. The PWS lesions were exposed to the copper vapor laser after intravenous injection of photosensitizer (Photocarcinorin, PsD-007). The lesions were photographed before each session and the therapeutic effects were evaluated by physicians based on the improvements in color, thickness and area of the photographed lesions. A follow-up visit was carried out after 2 months. The improvement rates were classified into 5 grades for quantitation of the therapeutic effects. A decision of termination or continuation of the treatment was then made according to lesion changes. RESULTS: Patients with PWSs responded remarkably to PDT. The complete clinical remission rate was 57.33% and the effective rate was up to 94.67% in no more than four courses of treatment. Among the completely responded patients, 20.93% were treated with no more than two courses. CONCLUSION: PDT is safe and highly effective for the treatment of PWSs in the dermatology clinic.

Efficacy of topical aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy for the treatment of verruca planae.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of topical aminolevulinic acid (ALA) photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of verruca planae. METHODS: A total of 18 patients with facial verruca planae was treated with ALA-PDT. A 10% ALA emulsion was applied on facial lesions for a 4-h incubation period after azone infiltrating for 30 min. Skin lesions of verruca planae were irradiated with 120 J/cm(2) using a 635-nm laser for 10 min. Each patient received at least two sessions at intervals of 15 days. Those with residual lesions after the first session were treated with a third PDT. Before treatment and at each return visit, the lesions were photographed. Patient satisfaction was investigated and therapeutic effect was evaluated at 6 months after termination of the therapy. RESULTS: Fifteen days after the first topical ALA-PDT, 10 patients achieved complete response and 7 patients showed improvement. Complete clinical response was observed in 17 patients after two sessions. At 6 months after termination, only one case relapsed among the complete clinical response patients, and the patient satisfaction rate was 88.89%. CONCLUSION: PDT, utilizing the topical application of 10% ALA, has a good result and excellent cosmetic effects for the treatment of verruca planae.

[Histologic characteristics of in vitro constructed skin basement membrane].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the histological characteristics of constructed basement membrane in tissue-engineered skin. METHODS: Forskins from circumcision in normal children were obtained with informed consent of the parents, and then the epidermal keratinocytes (KC) and dermal fibroblasts (Fb) were isolated with trypsin and collagenase D digestion in sequence. Tissue engineered skin with composite chitosan was maintained in a submerged state for 3 days, and then at the air-liquid interface. The tissue-engineered skins were fixed in neutral formalin and then embedded in paraffin after culture for 7, 10 and 15 days, respectively for immunohistological examination of the basement membrane component,including the condition of collagen type IV (COL-IV), collagen type VII (COL-VII), and laminin (LN). RESULTS: HE staining showed that the keratinocytes formed a fine stratified squamous epithelium with the presence of basal, spinous, granular and corneous cell layers, and there was various amount of cells in flat and fusiform shape in each layer. It was found that a regular red staining strip situated at the dermal epidermal junction. Positive staining of collagen IV, collagen VII as well as LN was observed by immunohistological examination. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the composite chitosan tissue engineered skin has a good prospect for clinical use because it presents a perfect reconstruction of basement membrane.

Hair follicle reformation induced by dermal papilla cells from human scalp skin.

To investigate the possibility of hair follicle reformation induced by dermal papilla cells in vivo and in vitro. Dermal papilla cells, dermal sheath cells obtained from human scalp skin by enzyme digestion were mixed with collagen to form mesenchymal cell-populated collagen gels. Superior and inferior epithelial cells and bulb matrical cells were then cultured on these gels by organotypic culture to recombine bilayer artificial skins. Dermal papilla cells and outer root sheath keratinocytes were mingled together and transplanted under subcutaneous tissue of the dorsal skin of nude mice. The results of histologic examination was observed with HE stain. These recombinants by organotypic culture all reformed bilayer structure like nature skin. Hair follicle-like structure reformation was found in dermal sheath cell-populated collagen gel when combined with superior or inferior epithelial cells. Dermal papilla cells also induced superior and inferior epithelial cells to form hair follicle on nude mice. Low passage dermal papilla cells mixed with hair follicle epithelial cells reformed many typical hair follicle structures and produced hair fibres after transplantation on nude mice. The dermal part of hair follicle, such as dermal papilla cells and dermal sheath cells, has the ability to induce hair follicle formation by interaction with the epithelial cells of hair follicle.