What is a stem cell? What is a stem cell?

An illustration showing a stem cell giving rise to more stem cells or specialised cells.Image credit: Genome Research Limited

An illustration showing different types of stem cell in the body.Image credit: Genome Research Limited

A scientist here at the Wellcome Genome Campus working on induced pluripotant stem cells.Image credit: Genome Research Limited

These heart cells were grown from stem cells in a petri dish and can be used to study the beating rhythm of the heart.Image credit: The McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University Health Network

An illustration showing how stem cells can be used to produce retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells that can be used to treat patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Image credit: Genome Research Limited

This page was last updated on 2021-07-21

How has the site influenced you (or others)?

Thankyou, we value your feedback!

If you have any other comments or suggestions, please let us know at comment@yourgenome.org

Can you spare 5-8 minutes to tell us what you think of this website? Open survey

Read the original post:
What is a stem cell? YourGenome

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on What is a stem cell? YourGenome | October 29th, 2022

Skin cells are the basic building blocks of the skin; a large, complex organ forms a protective barrier between our insides and the external environment. The most common type of skin cell is the keratinocyte, whose primary function is to form a tough, waterproof layer against UV radiation, harmful chemicals, and infectious agents.

However, the skin also contains highly specialized cells with important immunological, photoprotective, and sensory functions. The term skin cell, therefore, may refer to any of the four major types of cells found in the epidermis (or outer layer) of the skin.

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and has a range of vital functions in supporting survival. The primary function of the skin is to form a physical barrier between the internal environment of an organism and the outside world. This protects internal organs and structures from injury and infection.

The skin also helps to maintain homeostasis by preventing water loss and regulating body temperature. It protects organisms from the damaging effects of UV light and helps to produce vitamin D when exposed to the sun. Finally, the skin functions as a sensory organ, allowing us to perceive touch, temperature changes, and pain.

The skin can perform all of these functions thanks to the highly specialized cells that make up the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin).

The skin consists of three major layers; the epidermis, the dermis, and the hypodermis (AKA the subcutaneous layer).

The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin. This waterproof barrier protects the underlying skin layers and other internal structures from injury, UV damage, harmful chemicals, and infections by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The thickness of the epidermis varies between different parts of the body. In the thin, delicate skin of the eyelids, the epidermis is only around 0.5 mm thick, whereas the more resilient skin of the palms and feet is about 1.5 mm thick.

The dermis is found directly beneath the epidermis and is the thickest of the three skin layers. This layer contains a complex network of specialized structures, including blood vessels, lymph vessels, sweat glands, hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and nerve endings. It also contains collagen and elastin, which are structural proteins that make skin strong and flexible. The main functions of the dermis are to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the epidermis and to help regulate body temperature.

The hypodermis (or subcutaneous layer) is the fatty, innermost layer of the skin. It consists mainly of fat cells and functions as an insulating layer that helps to regulate internal body temperature. The hypodermis also acts as a shock absorber that protects the internal organs from injury.

The term skin cell may refer to any of the four main types of cells found in the epidermis. These are keratinocytes, melanocytes, Langerhans cells, and Merkel cells. Each type of skin cell has a unique role that contributes to the overall structure and function of the skin.

Keratinocytes are the most abundant type of skin cell found in the epidermis and account for around 90-95% of the epidermal cells.

They produce and store a protein called keratin, a structural protein that makes skin, hair, and nails tough and waterproof. The main function of the keratinocytes is to form a strong barrier against pathogens, UV radiation, and harmful chemicals, while also minimizing the loss of water and heat from the body.

Keratinocytes originate from stem cells in the deepest layer of the epidermis (the basal layer) and are pushed up through the layers of the epidermis as new cells are produced. As they migrate upwards, keratinocytes differentiate and undergo structural and functional changes.

The stratum basal (or basal layer) is where keratinocytes are produced by mitosis. Cells in this layer of the epidermis may also be referred to as basal cells. As new cells are continually produced, older cells are pushed up into the next layer of the epidermis; the stratum spinosum.

In the stratum spinosum (or squamous cell layer), keratinocytes take on a spiky appearance and are known as spinous cells or prickle cells. The main function of this epidermal layer is to maintain the strength and flexibility of the skin.

Next, the keratinocytes migrate to the stratum granulosum. Cells in this layer are highly keratinized and have a granular appearance. As they move closer to the surface of the skin, keratinocytes begin to flatten and dry out.

By the time keratinocytes enter the stratum lucidum (AKA the clear layer), they have flattened and died, thanks to their increasing distance from the nutrient-rich blood supply of the stratum basal. The stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the epidermis) is composed of 10 30 layers of dead keratinocytes that are constantly shed from the skin. Keratinocytes of the stratum corneum may also be referred to as corneocytes.

Melanocytes are another major type of skin cell and comprise 5-10% of skin cells in the basal layer of the epidermis.

The main function of melanocytes is to produce melanin, which is the pigment that gives skin and hair its color. Melanin protects skin cells against harmful UV radiation and is produced as a response to sun exposure. In cases of continuous sun exposure, melanin will accumulate in the skin and cause it to become darker i.e., a suntan develops.

Langerhans cells are immune cells of the epidermis and play an essential role in protecting the skin against pathogens. They are found throughout the epidermis but are most concentrated in the stratum spinosum.

Langerhans cells are antigen-presenting cells and, upon encountering a foreign pathogen, will engulf and digest it into protein fragments. Some of these fragments are displayed on the surface of the Langerhans cell as part of its MHCI complex and are presented to nave T cells in the lymph nodes. The T cells are activated to launch an adaptive immune response, and effector T cells are deployed to find and destroy the invading pathogen.

Merkel cells are found in the basal layer of the epidermis and are especially concentrated in the palms, finger pads, feet, and undersides of the toes. They are positioned very close to sensory nerve endings and are thought to function as touch-sensitive cells. Merkel cells allow us to perceive sensory information (such as touch, pressure, and texture) from our external environment.

Continued here:
Skin Cell - The Definitive Guide | Biology Dictionary

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Skin Cell – The Definitive Guide | Biology Dictionary | October 29th, 2022

Explora Journeys Plans Extensive Fitness And Well-Being Initiatives At Sea, Right On Trend  Forbes

Go here to read the rest:
Explora Journeys Plans Extensive Fitness And Well-Being Initiatives At Sea, Right On Trend - Forbes

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Explora Journeys Plans Extensive Fitness And Well-Being Initiatives At Sea, Right On Trend – Forbes | October 29th, 2022

Ahead of the holiday shopping season, Amazon kicks off second annual Holiday Beauty Haul on Oct. 24  KXAN.com

Follow this link:
Ahead of the holiday shopping season, Amazon kicks off second annual Holiday Beauty Haul on Oct. 24 - KXAN.com

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Ahead of the holiday shopping season, Amazon kicks off second annual Holiday Beauty Haul on Oct. 24 – KXAN.com | October 21st, 2022

Factors affecting skin color in humans

Human skin color ranges from the darkest brown to the lightest hues. Differences in skin color among individuals is caused by variation in pigmentation, which is the result of genetics (inherited from one's biological parents and or individual gene alleles), exposure to the sun, natural and sexual selection, or all of these. Differences across populations evolved through natural or sexual selection, because of social norms and differences in environment, as well as regulations of the biochemical effects of ultraviolet radiation penetrating the skin.[1]

The actual skin color of different humans is affected by many substances, although the single most important substance is the pigment melanin. Melanin is produced within the skin in cells called melanocytes and it is the main determinant of the skin color of darker-skin humans. The skin color of people with light skin is determined mainly by the bluish-white connective tissue under the dermis and by the hemoglobin circulating in the veins of the dermis. The red color underlying the skin becomes more visible, especially in the face, when, as consequence of physical exercise or sexual arousal, or the stimulation of the nervous system (anger, embarrassment), arterioles dilate.[2] Color is not entirely uniform across an individual's skin; for example, the skin of the palm and the sole is lighter than most other skin, and this is especially noticeable in darker-skinned people.[3]

There is a direct correlation between the geographic distribution of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and the distribution of indigenous skin pigmentation around the world. Areas that receive higher amounts of UVR, generally located closer to the equator, tend to have darker-skinned populations. Areas that are far from the tropics and closer to the poles have lower intensity of UVR, which is reflected in lighter-skinned populations.[4] Some researchers suggest that human populations over the past 50,000 years have changed from dark-skinned to light-skinned and vice versa as they migrated to different UV zones,[5] and that such major changes in pigmentation may have happened in as little as 100 generations (2,500 years) through selective sweeps.[5][6][7] Natural skin color can also darken as a result of tanning due to exposure to sunlight. The leading theory is that skin color adapts to intense sunlight irradiation to provide partial protection against the ultraviolet fraction that produces damage and thus mutations in the DNA of the skin cells.[8][9] In addition, it has been observed that females on average are significantly lighter in skin pigmentation than males. Females need more calcium during pregnancy and lactation. The body synthesizes vitamin D from sunlight, which helps it absorb calcium. Females evolved to have lighter skin so their bodies absorb more calcium.[10]

The social significance of differences in skin color has varied across cultures and over time, as demonstrated with regard to social status and discrimination.

Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes in a process called melanogenesis. Melanin is made within small membranebound packages called melanosomes. As they become full of melanin, they move into the slender arms of melanocytes, from where they are transferred to the keratinocytes. Under normal conditions, melanosomes cover the upper part of the keratinocytes and protect them from genetic damage. One melanocyte supplies melanin to thirty-six keratinocytes according to signals from the keratinocytes. They also regulate melanin production and replication of melanocytes.[7] People have different skin colors mainly because their melanocytes produce different amount and kinds of melanin.

The genetic mechanism behind human skin color is mainly regulated by the enzyme tyrosinase, which creates the color of the skin, eyes, and hair shades.[11][12] Differences in skin color are also attributed to differences in size and distribution of melanosomes in the skin.[7] Melanocytes produce two types of melanin. The most common form of biological melanin is eumelanin, a brown-black polymer of dihydroxyindole carboxylic acids, and their reduced forms. Most are derived from the amino acid tyrosine. Eumelanin is found in hair, areola, and skin, and the hair colors gray, black, blond, and brown. In humans, it is more abundant in people with dark skin. Pheomelanin, a pink to red hue is found in particularly large quantities in red hair,[13] the lips, nipples, glans of the penis, and vagina.[14]

Both the amount and type of melanin produced is controlled by a number of genes that operate under incomplete dominance.[15] One copy of each of the various genes is inherited from each parent. Each gene can come in several alleles, resulting in the great variety of human skin tones. Melanin controls the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun that penetrates the skin by absorption. While UV radiation can assist in the production of vitamin D, excessive exposure to UV can damage health.

Loss of body hair in Hominini species is assumed to be related to the emergence of bipedalism some 5 to 7 million years ago.[16] Bipedal hominin body hair may have disappeared gradually to allow better heat dissipation through sweating.[10][17]The emergence of skin pigmentation dates to about 1.2 million years ago,[18] under conditions of a megadrought that drove early humans into arid, open landscapes. Such conditions likely caused excess UV-B radiation. This favored the emergence of skin pigmentation in order to protect from folate depletion due to the increased exposure to sunlight.[8][9] A theory that the pigmentation helped counter xeric stress by increasing the epidermal permeability barrier[19] has been disproved.[8]

With the evolution of hairless skin, abundant sweat glands, and skin rich in melanin, early humans could walk, run, and forage for food for long periods of time under the hot sun without brain damage due to overheating, giving them an evolutionary advantage over other species.[7] By 1.2 million years ago, around the time of Homo ergaster, archaic humans (including the ancestors of Homo sapiens) had exactly the same receptor protein as modern sub-Saharan Africans.[17]

This was the genotype inherited by anatomically modern humans, but retained only by part of the extant populations, thus forming an aspect of human genetic variation. About 100,00070,000 years ago, some anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens) began to migrate away from the tropics to the north where they were exposed to less intense sunlight. This was possibly in part due to the need for greater use of clothing to protect against the colder climate. Under these conditions there was less photodestruction of folate and so the evolutionary pressure working against the survival of lighter-skinned gene variants was reduced. In addition, lighter skin is able to generate more vitamin D (cholecalciferol) than darker skin, so it would have represented a health benefit in reduced sunlight if there were limited sources of vitamin D.[10] Hence the leading hypothesis for the evolution of human skin color proposes that:

The genetic mutations leading to light skin, though partially different among East Asians and Western Europeans,[20] suggest the two groups experienced a similar selective pressure after settlement in northern latitudes.[21]

The theory is partially supported by a study into the SLC24A5 gene which found that the allele associated with light skin in Europe "determined [] that 18,000 years had passed since the light-skin allele was fixed in Europeans" but may have originated as recently as 12,0006,000 years ago "given the imprecision of method" ,[22] which is in line with the earliest evidence of farming.[23]

Research by Nina Jablonski suggests that an estimated time of about 10,000 to 20,000 years is enough for human populations to achieve optimal skin pigmentation in a particular geographic area but that development of ideal skin coloration may happen faster if the evolutionary pressure is stronger, even in as little as 100 generations.[5] The length of time is also affected by cultural practices such as food intake, clothing, body coverings, and shelter usage which can alter the ways in which the environment affects populations.[7]

One of the most recently proposed drivers of the evolution of skin pigmentation in humans is based on research that shows a superior barrier function in darkly pigmented skin. Most protective functions of the skin, including the permeability barrier and the antimicrobial barrier, reside in the stratum corneum (SC) and the researchers surmise that the SC has undergone the most genetic change since the loss of human body hair. Natural selection would have favored mutations that protect this essential barrier; one such protective adaptation is the pigmentation of interfollicular epidermis, because it improves barrier function as compared to non-pigmented skin. In lush rainforests, however, where UV-B radiation and xeric stress were not in excess, light pigmentation would not have been nearly as detrimental. This explains the side-by-side residence of lightly pigmented and darkly pigmented peoples.[19]

Population and admixture studies suggest a three-way model for the evolution of human skin color, with dark skin evolving in early hominids in Africa and light skin evolving partly separately at least two times after modern humans had expanded out of Africa.[20][24][25][26][27][28]

For the most part, the evolution of light skin has followed different genetic paths in Western and Eastern Eurasian populations. Two genes however, KITLG and ASIP, have mutations associated with lighter skin that have high frequencies in Eurasian populations and have estimated origin dates after humans spread out of Africa but before the divergence of the two lineages.[26]

The understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying human skin color variation is still incomplete; however, genetic studies have discovered a number of genes that affect human skin color in specific populations, and have shown that this happens independently of other physical features such as eye and hair color. Different populations have different allele frequencies of these genes, and it is the combination of these allele variations that bring about the complex, continuous variation in skin coloration we can observe today in modern humans. Population and admixture studies suggest a 3-way model for the evolution of human skin color, with dark skin evolving in early hominids in sub-Saharan Africa and light skin evolving independently in Europe and East Asia after modern humans had expanded out of Africa.[20][24][25][26][27][28]

For skin color, the broad sense heritability (defined as the overall effect of genetic vs. nongenetic factors) is very high, provided one is able to control for the most important nongenetic factor, exposure to sunlight. Many aspects of the evolution of human skin and skin color can be reconstructed using comparative anatomy, physiology, and genomics. Enhancement of thermal sweating was a key innovation in human evolution that allowed maintenance of homeostasis (including constant brain temperature) during sustained physical activity in hot environments. Dark skin evolved pari passu with the loss of body hair and was the original state for the genus Homo. Melanin pigmentation is adaptive and has been maintained by natural selection. In recent prehistory, humans became adept at protecting themselves from the environment through clothing and shelter, thus reducing the scope for the action of natural selection on human skin.[31] Credit for describing the relationship between latitude and skin color in modern humans is usually ascribed to an Italian geographer, Renato Basutti, whose widely reproduced "skin color maps" illustrate the correlation of darker skin with equatorial proximity. More recent studies by physical anthropologists have substantiated and extended these observations; a recent review and analysis of data from more than 100 populations (Relethford 1997) found that skin reflectance is lowest at the equator, then gradually increases, about 8% per 10 of latitude in the Northern Hemisphere and about 4% per 10 of latitude in the Southern Hemisphere. This pattern is inversely correlated with levels of UV irradiation, which are greater in the Southern than in the Northern Hemisphere. An important caveat is that we do not know how patterns of UV irradiation have changed over time; more importantly, we do not know when skin color is likely to have evolved, with multiple migrations out of Africa and extensive genetic interchange over the last 500,000 years (Templeton 2002).Regardless, most anthropologists accept the notion that differences in UV irradiation have driven selection for dark human skin at the equator and for light human skin at greater latitudes. What remains controversial are the exact mechanisms of selection. The most popular theory posits that protection offered by dark skin from UV irradiation becomes a liability in more polar latitudes due to vitamin D deficiency (Murray 1934). UVB (short-wavelength UV) converts 7-dehydrocholesterol into an essential precursor of cholecaliferol (vitamin D3); when not otherwise provided by dietary supplements, deficiency for vitamin D causes rickets, a characteristic pattern of growth abnormalities and bony deformities. An oft-cited anecdote in support of the vitamin D hypothesis is that Arctic populations whose skin is relatively dark given their latitude, such as the Inuit and the Lapp, have had a diet that is historically rich in vitamin D. Sensitivity of modern humans to vitamin D deficiency is evident from the widespread occurrence of rickets in 19th-century industrial Europe, but whether dark-skinned humans migrating to polar latitudes tens or hundreds of thousands of years ago experienced similar problems is open to question. In any case, a risk for vitamin D deficiency can only explain selection for light skin. Among several mechanisms suggested to provide a selective advantage for dark skin in conditions of high UV irradiation (Loomis 1967; Robins 1991; Jablonski and Chaplin 2000), the most tenable are protection from sunburn and skin cancer due to the physical barrier imposed by epidermal melanin.[32]

All modern humans share a common ancestor who lived around 200,000 years ago in Africa.[33] Comparisons between known skin pigmentation genes in chimpanzees and modern Africans show that dark skin evolved along with the loss of body hair about 1.2 million years ago and that this common ancestor had dark skin.[34] Investigations into dark-skinned populations in South Asia and Melanesia indicate that skin pigmentation in these populations is due to the preservation of this ancestral state and not due to new variations on a previously lightened population.[10][35]

For the most part, the evolution of light skin has followed different genetic paths in European and East Asian populations. Two genes, however, KITLG and ASIP, have mutations associated with lighter skin that have high frequencies in both European and East Asian populations. They are thought to have originated after humans spread out of Africa but before the divergence of the European and Asian lineages around 30,000 years ago.[26] Two subsequent genome-wide association studies found no significant correlation between these genes and skin color, and suggest that the earlier findings may have been the result of incorrect correction methods and small panel sizes, or that the genes have an effect too small to be detected by the larger studies.[37][38]

A number of genes have been positively associated with the skin pigmentation difference between European and non-European populations. Mutations in SLC24A5 and SLC45A2 are believed to account for the bulk of this variation and show very strong signs of selection. A variation in TYR has also been identified as a contributor.

Research indicates the selection for the light-skin alleles of these genes in Europeans is comparatively recent, having occurred later than 20,000 years ago and perhaps as recently as 12,000 to 6,000 years ago.[26] In the 1970s, Luca Cavalli-Sforza suggested that the selective sweep that rendered light skin ubiquitous in Europe might be correlated with the advent of farming and thus have taken place only around 6,000 years ago;[22] This scenario found support in a 2014 analysis of mesolithic (7,000 years old) hunter-gatherer DNA from La Braa, Spain, which showed a version of these genes not corresponding with light skin color.[49] In 2015 researchers analysed for light skin genes in the DNA of 94 ancient skeletons ranging from 8,000 to 3,000 years old from Europe and Russia. They found c. 8,000-year-old hunter-gatherers in Spain, Luxembourg, and Hungary were dark skinned while similarly aged hunter gatherers in Sweden were light skinned (having predominately derived alleles of SLC24A5, SLC45A2 and also HERC2/OCA2). Neolithic farmers entering Europe at around the same time were intermediate, being nearly fixed for the derived SLC24A5 variant but only having the derived SLC45A2 allele in low frequencies. The SLC24A5 variant spread very rapidly throughout central and southern Europe from about 8,000 years ago, whereas the light skin variant of SLC45A2 spread throughout Europe after 5,800 years ago.[50][51]

A number of genes known to affect skin color have alleles that show signs of positive selection in East Asian populations. Of these, only OCA2 has been directly related to skin color measurements, while DCT, MC1R and ATRN are marked as candidate genes for future study.

Tanning response in humans is controlled by a variety of genes. MC1R variants Arg151Sys (rs1805007[71]), Arg160Trp (rs1805008[72]), Asp294Sys (rs1805009[73]), Val60Leu (rs1805005[74]) and Val92Met (rs2228479[75]) have been associated with reduced tanning response in European and/or East Asian populations. These alleles show no signs of positive selection and only occur in relatively small numbers, reaching a peak in Europe with around 28% of the population having at least one allele of one of the variations.[35][76] A study of self-reported tanning ability and skin type in American non-Hispanic Caucasians found that SLC24A5 Phe374Leu is significantly associated with reduced tanning ability and also associated TYR Arg402Gln (rs1126809[77]), OCA2 Arg305Trp (rs1800401[78]) and a 2-SNP haplotype in ASIP (rs4911414[79] and rs1015362[80]) to skin type variation within a "fair/medium/olive" context.[81]

Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is a lack of pigment in the eyes, skin and sometimes hair that occurs in a very small fraction of the population. The four known types of OCA are caused by mutations in the TYR, OCA2, TYRP1, and SLC45A2 genes.[82]

In hominids, the parts of the body not covered with hair, like the face and the back of the hands, start out pale in infants and turn darker as the skin is exposed to more sun. All human babies are born pale, regardless of what their adult color will be. In humans, melanin production does not peak until after puberty.[7]

The skin of children becomes darker as they go through puberty and experience the effects of sex hormones.[83] This darkening is especially noticeable in the skin of the nipples, the areola of the nipples, the labia majora in females, and the scrotum in males. In some people, the armpits become slightly darker during puberty. The interaction of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors on skin coloration with age is still not adequately understood, but it is known that men are at their darkest baseline skin color around the age of 30, without considering the effects of tanning. Around the same age, women experience darkening of some areas of their skin.[7]

Human skin color fades with age. Humans over the age of thirty experience a decrease in melanin-producing cells by about 10% to 20% per decade as melanocyte stem cells gradually die.[84] The skin of face and hands has about twice the amount of pigment cells as unexposed areas of the body, as chronic exposure to the sun continues to stimulate melanocytes. The blotchy appearance of skin color in the face and hands of older people is due to the uneven distribution of pigment cells and to changes in the interaction between melanocytes and keratinocytes.[7]

It has been observed that females are found to have lighter skin pigmentation than males in some studied populations.[10] This may be a form of sexual dimorphism due to the requirement in women for high amounts of calcium during pregnancy and lactation. Breastfeeding newborns, whose skeletons are growing, require high amounts of calcium intake from the mother's milk (about 4 times more than during prenatal development),[85] part of which comes from reserves in the mother's skeleton. Adequate vitamin D resources are needed to absorb calcium from the diet, and it has been shown that deficiencies of vitamin D and calcium increase the likelihood of various birth defects such as spina bifida and rickets. Natural selection may have led to females with lighter skin than males in some indigenous populations because women must get enough vitamin D and calcium to support the development of fetus and nursing infants and to maintain their own health.[7] However, in some populations such as in Italy, Poland, Ireland, Spain and Portugal men are found to have fairer complexions, and this has been ascribed as a cause to increased melanoma risk in men.[86][87] Similarly, studies done in the late 19th Century/early 20th Century in Europe also conflicted with the notion at least in regards to Northern Europeans. The studies found that in England women tend to have darker hair, eyes, and skin complexation than men, and in particular women darken in relation to men during puberty.[88] A study in Germany during this period showed that German men were more likely to have lighter skin, blond hair, and lighter eyes, while German women had darker hair, eyes and skin tone on average.[89]

The sexes also differ in how they change their skin color with age. Men and women are not born with different skin color, they begin to diverge during puberty with the influence of sex hormones. Women can also change pigmentation in certain parts of their body, such as the areola, during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy and between 50 and 70% of pregnant women will develop the "mask of pregnancy" (melasma or chloasma) in the cheeks, upper lips, forehead, and chin.[7] This is caused by increases in the female hormones estrogen and progesterone and it can develop in women who take birth control pills or participate in hormone replacement therapy.[90]

Uneven pigmentation of some sort affects most people, regardless of bioethnic background or skin color. Skin may either appear lighter, or darker than normal, or lack pigmentation at all; there may be blotchy, uneven areas, patches of brown to gray discoloration or freckling. Apart from blood-related conditions such as jaundice, carotenosis, or argyria, skin pigmentation disorders generally occur because the body produces either too much or too little melanin.

Some types of albinism affect only the skin and hair, while other types affect the skin, hair and eyes, and in rare cases only the eyes. All of them are caused by different genetic mutations. Albinism is a recessively inherited trait in humans where both pigmented parents may be carriers of the gene and pass it down to their children. Each child has a 25% chance of being albino and a 75% chance of having normally pigmented skin.[91] One common type of albinism is oculocutaneous albinism or OCA, which has many subtypes caused by different genetic mutations.Albinism is a serious problem in areas of high sunlight intensity, leading to extreme sun sensitivity, skin cancer, and eye damage.[7]

Albinism is more common in some parts of the world than in others, but it is estimated that 1 in 70 humans carry the gene for OCA.The most severe type of albinism is OCA1A, which is characterized by complete, lifelong loss of melanin production, other forms of OCA1B, OCA2, OCA3, OCA4, show some form of melanin accumulation and are less severe.[7] The four known types of OCA are caused by mutations in the TYR, OCA2, TYRP1, and SLC45A2 genes.[82]

Albinos often face social and cultural challenges (even threats), as the condition is often a source of ridicule, racism, fear, and violence. Many cultures around the world have developed beliefs regarding people with albinism. Albinos are persecuted in Tanzania by witchdoctors, who use the body parts of albinos as ingredients in rituals and potions, as they are thought to possess magical power.[92]

Vitiligo is a condition that causes depigmentation of sections of skin. It occurs when melanocytes die or are unable to function. The cause of vitiligo is unknown, but research suggests that it may arise from autoimmune, genetic, oxidative stress, neural, or viral causes.[93] The incidence worldwide is less than 1%.[94] Individuals affected by vitiligo sometimes suffer psychological discomfort because of their appearance.[7]

Increased melanin production, also known as hyperpigmentation, can be a few different phenomena:

Aside from sun exposure and hormones, hyperpigmentation can be caused by skin damage, such as remnants of blemishes, wounds or rashes.[95] This is especially true for those with darker skin tones.

The most typical cause of darkened areas of skin, brown spots or areas of discoloration is unprotected sun exposure. Once incorrectly referred to as liver spots, these pigment problems are not connected with the liver.

On lighter to medium skin tones, solar lentigenes emerge as small- to medium-sized brown patches of freckling that can grow and accumulate over time on areas of the body that receive the most unprotected sun exposure, such as the back of the hands, forearms, chest, and face. For those with darker skin colors, these discolorations can appear as patches or areas of ashen-gray skin.

Melanin in the skin protects the body by absorbing solar radiation. In general, the more melanin there is in the skin the more solar radiation can be absorbed. Excessive solar radiation causes direct and indirect DNA damage to the skin and the body naturally combats and seeks to repair the damage and protect the skin by creating and releasing further melanin into the skin's cells. With the production of the melanin, the skin color darkens, but can also cause sunburn. The tanning process can also be created by artificial UV radiation.

There are two different mechanisms involved. Firstly, the UVA-radiation creates oxidative stress, which in turn oxidizes existing melanin and leads to rapid darkening of the melanin, also known as IPD (immediate pigment darkening). Secondly, there is an increase in production of melanin known as melanogenesis.[96] Melanogenesis leads to delayed tanning and first becomes visible about 72 hours after exposure. The tan that is created by an increased melanogenesis lasts much longer than the one that is caused by oxidation of existing melanin. Tanning involves not just the increased melanin production in response to UV radiation but the thickening of the top layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum.[7]

A person's natural skin color affects their reaction to exposure to the sun. Generally, those who start out with darker skin color and more melanin have better abilities to tan. Individuals with very light skin and albinos have no ability to tan.[97] The biggest differences resulting from sun exposure are visible in individuals who start out with moderately pigmented brown skin: the change is dramatically visible as tan lines, where parts of the skin which tanned are delineated from unexposed skin.[7]

Modern lifestyles and mobility have created mismatch between skin color and environment for many individuals. Vitamin D deficiencies and UVR overexposure are concerns for many. It is important for these people individually to adjust their diet and lifestyle according to their skin color, the environment they live in, and the time of year.[7] For practical purposes, such as exposure time for sun tanning, six skin types are distinguished following Fitzpatrick (1975), listed in order of decreasing lightness:

The following list shows the six categories of the Fitzpatrick scale in relation to the 36 categories of the older von Luschan scale:[98][99]

Dark skin with large concentrations of melanin protects against ultraviolet light and skin cancers; light-skinned people have about a tenfold greater risk of dying from skin cancer, compared with dark-skinned persons, under equal sunlight exposure. Furthermore, UV-A rays from sunlight are believed to interact with folic acid in ways that may damage health.[100] In a number of traditional societies the sun was avoided as much as possible, especially around noon when the ultraviolet radiation in sunlight is at its most intense. Midday was a time when people stayed in the shade and had the main meal followed by a nap, a practice similar to the modern siesta.

Approximately 10% of the variance in skin color occurs within regions, and approximately 90% occurs between regions.[101] Because skin color has been under strong selective pressure, similar skin colors can result from convergent adaptation rather than from genetic relatedness; populations with similar pigmentation may be genetically no more similar than other widely separated groups. Furthermore, in some parts of the world where people from different regions have mixed extensively, the connection between skin color and ancestry has substantially weakened.[102] In Brazil, for example, skin color is not closely associated with the percentage of recent African ancestors a person has, as estimated from an analysis of genetic variants differing in frequency among continent groups.[103]

In general, people living close to the equator are highly darkly pigmented, and those living near the poles are generally very lightly pigmented. The rest of humanity shows a high degree of skin color variation between these two extremes, generally correlating with UV exposure. The main exception to this rule is in the New World, where people have only lived for about 10,000 to 15,000 years and show a less pronounced degree of skin pigmentation.[7]

In recent times, humans have become increasingly mobile as a consequence of improved technology, domestication, environmental change, strong curiosity, and risk-taking. Migrations over the last 4000 years, and especially the last 400 years, have been the fastest in human history and have led to many people settling in places far away from their ancestral homelands. This means that skin colors today are not as confined to geographical location as they were previously.[7]

According to classical scholar Frank Snowden, skin color did not determine social status in ancient Egypt, Greece or Rome. These ancient civilizations viewed relations between the major power and the subordinate state as more significant in a person's status than their skin colors.[104][pageneeded]

Nevertheless, some social groups favor specific skin coloring. The preferred skin tone varies by culture and has varied over time. A number of indigenous African groups, such as the Maasai, associated pale skin with being cursed or caused by evil spirits associated with witchcraft. They would abandon their children born with conditions such as albinism and showed a sexual preference for darker skin.[105]

Many cultures have historically favored lighter skin for women. Before the Industrial Revolution, inhabitants of the continent of Europe preferred pale skin, which they interpreted as a sign of high social status. The poorer classes worked outdoors and got darker skin from exposure to the sun, while the upper class stayed indoors and had light skin. Hence light skin became associated with wealth and high position.[106] Women would put lead-based cosmetics on their skin to whiten their skin tone artificially.[107] However, when not strictly monitored, these cosmetics caused lead poisoning. Other methods also aimed at achieving a light-skinned appearance, including the use of arsenic to whiten skin, and powders. Women would wear full-length clothes when outdoors, and would use gloves and parasols to provide shade from the sun.

Colonization and enslavement as carried out by European countries became involved with colorism and racism, associated with the belief that people with dark skin were uncivilized, inferior, and should be subordinate to lighter-skinned invaders. This belief exists to an extent in modern times as well.[108] Institutionalized slavery in North America led people to perceive lighter-skinned African-Americans as more intelligent, cooperative, and beautiful.[109] Such lighter-skinned individuals had a greater likelihood of working as house slaves and of receiving preferential treatment from plantation owners and from overseers. For example, they had a chance to get an education.[110] The preference for fair skin remained prominent until the end of the Gilded Age, but racial stereotypes about worth and beauty persisted in the last half of the 20th century and continue in the present day. African-American journalist Jill Nelson wrote that, "To be both prettiest and black was impossible,"[111] and elaborated:

We learn as girls that in ways both subtle and obvious, personal and political, our value as females is largely determined by how we look. ... For black women, the domination of physical aspects of beauty in women's definition and value render us invisible, partially erased, or obsessed, sometimes for a lifetime, since most of us lack the major talismans of Western beauty. Black women find themselves involved in a lifelong effort to self-define in a culture that provides them no positive reflection.[111]

A preference for fair or lighter skin continues in some countries, including Latin American countries where whites form a minority.[112] In Brazil, a dark-skinned person is more likely to experience discrimination.[113] Many actors and actresses in Latin America have European featuresblond hair, blue eyes, and pale skin.[114][115] A light-skinned person is more privileged and has a higher social status;[115] a person with light skin is considered more beautiful[115] and lighter skin suggests that the person has more wealth.[115] Skin color is such an obsession in some countries that specific words describe distinct skin tones - from (for example) "jincha", Puerto Rican slang for "glass of milk" to "morena", literally "brown".[115]

In South Asia, society regards pale skin as more attractive and associates dark skin with lower class status; this results in a massive market for skin-whitening creams.[116] Fairer skin-tones also correlate to higher caste-status in the Hindu social orderalthough the system is not based on skin tone.[117] Actors and actresses in Indian cinema tend to have light skin tones, and Indian cinematographers have used graphics and intense lighting to achieve more "desirable" skin tones.[118] Fair skin tones are advertised as an asset in Indian marketing.[119]

Skin-whitening products have remained popular over time, often due to historical beliefs and perceptions about fair skin. Sales of skin-whitening products across the world grew from $40 billion to $43 billion in 2008.[120] In South and East Asian countries, people have traditionally seen light skin as more attractive, and a preference for lighter skin remains prevalent. In ancient China and Japan, for example, pale skin can be traced back to ancient drawings depicting women and goddesses with fair skin tones.[citation needed] In ancient China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, pale skin was seen as a sign of wealth. Thus skin-whitening cosmetic products are popular in East Asia.[121] Four out of ten women surveyed in Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines and South Korea used a skin-whitening cream, and more than 60 companies globally compete for Asia's estimated $18 billion market.[122] Changes in regulations in the cosmetic industry led to skin-care companies introducing harm-free skin lighteners. In Japan, the geisha have a reputation for their white-painted faces, and the appeal of the bihaku (), or "beautiful white", ideal leads many Japanese women to avoid any form of tanning.[123] There are exceptions to this, with Japanese fashion trends such as ganguro emphasizing tanned skin. Skin whitening is also not uncommon in Africa,[124][125] and several research projects have suggested a general preference for lighter skin in the African-American community.[126] In contrast, one study on men of the Bikosso tribe in Cameroon found no preference for attractiveness of females based on lighter skin color, bringing into question the universality of earlier studies that had exclusively focused on skin-color preferences among non-African populations.[127]

Significant exceptions to a preference for lighter skin started to appear in Western culture in the mid-20th century.[128] However a 2010 study found a preference for lighter-skinned women in New Zealand and California.[129] Though sun-tanned skin was once associated with the sun-exposed manual labor of the lower class, the associations became dramatically reversed during this timea change usually credited to the trendsetting Frenchwoman Coco Chanel (18831971) presenting tanned skin as fashionable, healthy, and luxurious.[130] As of 2017[update], though an overall preference for lighter skin remains prevalent in the United States, many within the country regard tanned skin as both more attractive and healthier than pale or very dark skin.[131][132][133] Western mass media and popular culture continued[when?] to reinforce negative stereotypes about dark skin,[134] but in some circles pale skin has become associated with indoor office-work while tanned skin has become associated with increased leisure time, sportiness and good health that comes with wealth and higher social status.[106] Studies have also emerged indicating that the degree of tanning is directly related to how attractive a young woman is.[135][136]

Continue reading here:
Human skin color - Wikipedia

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Human skin color – Wikipedia | October 13th, 2022

Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Stem cells are the basic building blocks of tissues and organs in the body. It is important to note that there is no single stem cell that gives rise to them, but in fact, a variety of them coming from different locations in the body and formed at different time periods.

One of the most common type of stem cells is the mesenchymal stem cells (aka MSCs). But what exactly is it? Lets take a closer look.

By definition, mesenchymal stem cells are multipotent cells that can differentiate and mature into different types of cells. Mesenchymal cells are characterized by having long and thin bodies and a very prominent nucleus.

In terms of size, they are relatively smaller than fibrocytes and are quite difficult to observe in histological sections. And overall morphologically speaking, they appear to have no difference from fibroblasts.

A group of mesenchymal stem cells is called a mesenchyme and together, they form the undifferentiated filling of the embryo. Mesenchymal stem cells (or tissue) have a wide distribution in the body.

Like most stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells are capable of self-renewal and differentiation.

Despite its size, the mesenchymal stem cell plays a lot of significant roles within an organism. The following are just some of them.Functions of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (Image Source: frontiersin.org)

1.Suppression of immune cells activation

Aside from being the progenitor of most cells in the body, mesenchymal cells also control the activities of immune cells (i.e. T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, macrophages, mast cells, and neutrophils) during an organ transplant. This is important because it prevents further inflammation and eventual rejection of the transplanted organ.

2. Increase the number of nerve cells

3. Reduction of Cell Death

4. Secretion of neurotrophic and angiogenic factors

Mesenchymal stem cells secrete both neurotrophic and angiogenic factors which are responsible for stabilizing the extracellular matrix (ECM).

5. Increase synaptic connections

When transplanted into the brain, mesenchymal stem cells promote the reduction of free radical levels and enhance the synaptic connections of damaged neurons. In addition to that, they also increase the number of astrocytes (star-shaped cells associated with the formation of functional synapses). As a result, impulses (messages) are being passed on at a faster speed, hence, reactions are also immediate.

6. Increase the myelination of axons

Myelin sheath is the insulating layer that covers the axons of nerve cells. By further enhancing the myelination of axons, mesenchymal cells (similar with above) further increase the speed at which impulses are passed along.

7. Increase the number of blood vessels and astrocytes in the brain

According to a recent study published in the World Journal of Stem Cells, mesenchymal cells are also able to replace and repair any damaged blood vessel in the cerebrum part of the brain. Hence, mesenchymal cells are being viewed as potential therapeutic remedy for stroke patients.

Mesenchymal cells undergo mesengenic process in order to transform into different cell types such as osteocytes (bone cells), chondrocytes (cartilage cells), muscle cells, and others.The Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells into different types of cells (Image Source: frontiersin.org)

Present-day studies are now paving the way for the further applications of mesenchymal stem cells into numerous clinical measures and techniques. In addition to the natural functions of mesenchymal cells mentioned above, several commercialized products from these cells have already been approved.

Despite their promising effect on overall organism health, the knowledge about mesenchymal stem cells is still incomplete. Hence, further research is still needed to ensure the safety of patients and improve quality control.

Key References

Read this article:
Mesenchymal Stem Cells | Properties, Process, Functions, & Therapies

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Mesenchymal Stem Cells | Properties, Process, Functions, & Therapies | October 13th, 2022

The skin is a crucial part of the body and serves as a defense against external environmental elements such as exposure to sunlight, extreme heator cold, dust, and bacterial infection. Oxidative activity occurs during the metabolism of human tissues and is a natural and inevitable part of the aging process of the skin. Free radicals with one or more unpaired electrons and a reactive state are produced as a result of the oxidative process. The skin has its antioxidant defense against this oxidation process in the extracellular space, organelles, and subcellular compartments [1]. The use of donated skin from healthy homozygotic twins may help avoid these problems. Bauer published the first successful case of skin transplantation between homozygotic twins in 1927 [2]. One of the primary health problems that significantly affect many different groups of people and varies in age and intensity is burns. Despite improvements in nonsurgical and surgical burn treatments, the patient's look continues to be a public health concern. Skin transplantation is still regarded as the gold standard for surgical burn therapy. The availability of skin for grafting is one of the main challenges in burn surgery. Regarding nonsurgical treatment, a variety of skin dressings or alternatives are still an option [3].

Additionally, biologics have been used to treat kids with allergic skin conditions. Benralizumab and dupilumab are authorized for patients older than 12 years, whereas omalizumab and mepolizumab are authorized for youngsters as old as six years. Reslizumab is only permitted for patients older than 18 years. In eligible people, these identicalantibodies may be introduced if asthma or reactive skin conditions are not effectively controlled [4]. The expression of genes capable of immunoregulatory function may lessen allograft rejection. Recent research suggests that viral interleukin (IL)-10 is one of the most effective ways to prevent rejection since it can lower the immune response during allotransplantation[5].

Tissue donation is protected by the Medical (Therapy, Educational, and Research) Act in Singapore. Reviewing the demographic and psychosocial characteristics that may generate hesitancy or unwillingness among healthcare providers is the goal of this study. A questionnaire-based survey with 18 items was carried out at the National Heart Centre of Singapore and the Singapore General Hospital. A total of 521 people took part in the survey. There were descriptive statistics run for the participant's demographics, the motivating elements behind tissue donation, motivating factors for discussing tissue donation, and causes for doubt or reluctance to donate tissue to a close relative. Fisher's exact testand Pearson's chi-square testwere used to analyze any connections that may exist among various factors and the support for tissue donation [6].

The disease known as bacteremia, or the infection of bacteria in the blood, has a high mortality rate. High rates of morbidity are linked to it. The patient's age, underlying health, and aggressiveness of the infective organism all influence the prognosis. Transfusion-transmitted infections are a rare cause of bacteremia, notwithstanding how challenging it can be to pinpoint the origin of the condition. Between one per 100,000 and one per 1,000,000 pack red blood cells or between one per 900,000 and one per 100,000platelets are the expected incidences of bacterial spreading through donated blood. One in eight million red blood cells and one in 50,000 to 500,000 white blood cells result in fatalities. Because frozen platelets are thawed and kept at room temperature before being infused, there is a chance for any pathogens that may be present to grow before the substance is transfused, which is assumed to be the source of the greater rates of platelet transfusion. Making sure that blood used for transfusions is free of toxins is essential for further lowering infection rates. One method for accomplishing this is by meticulously preparing and washing a donor's skin at the location of the collection [7].

Across the world, skin allografts are used to temporarily replace missing or damaged skin. Skin contamination that occurs naturally might also be introduced during recovery or processing. The recipients of allografts may be at risk due to this contamination. Allografts must be cultured for bacteria and disinfected, although the specific procedures and methods are not required by standards. Twelve research publications that examined the bioburden reduction techniques of skin grafts were found in a comprehensive evaluation of the literature from three databases. The most commonly mentioned disinfection technique that demonstrated lower contamination rates was the utilization of broad-range antibiotics and antifungal medicines. It was found that using 0.1% peracetic acidor 25 kGy of mid-infraredirradiation at cooler temperatures resulted in the largest decrease in skin transplant contamination rates [8].

Skin, the uppermost organ that protects the human body, is the surface upon which different environmental signals have the most immediate impact [9]. The number, quality, and distribution of melanin pigments produced by melanocytes determine the color of human skin, eyes, and hair, as well as how well they shield the skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and oxidative stress caused by numerous environmental pollutants. Melanocyte stem cells in the region of the follicular bulge replace melanocytes, which are located in the skin's layer of the interfollicular epidermis. Skin inflammation is brought on by a variety of stressors, including eczema, microbial infection, UV light exposure, mechanical injury, and aging [10]. Skin surface lipid(SSL) composition primarily reflects sebaceous secretion in the skin regions with the highest intensity of sebum (forehead, chest, and dorsum), which also flows from those sites to regions with lower concentrations, where the participation of cellular molecules rich in linoleic and oleic acid becomes more important [11]. Surgically removed skin from individuals who underwent a body contouring procedure was combined with discarded skin from excess belt lipectomies, breast reductions, and body lifts. After applying traction to both ends of the excised section, meshing by 3:1 plates, and covering with Vaseline gauze coated in an antiseptic solution prepared for burn covering, it can be removed by a dermatome. All patients in group III received a skin allograft from a living first-degree family (father, mother, brother, or sister), as they share about 50% of their DNA [12].

The principal goal is to evaluate the results of skin care therapies, like emollients, for the primary prevention of food allergy and eczema in babies. A secondary goal is to determine whether characteristics of study populations, such as age, inherited risks, and adherence to interventions, are connected to the most beneficial or harmful treatment outcomes for both eczema and food allergies [13].

Vitamin C supports the skin's ability to scavenge free radicals and act as an infection barrier, possibly protecting against environmental oxidative stress. In phagocytic cells, such as neutrophils, an accumulation of vitamin C can encourage chemotaxis, phagocytosis, the generation of reactive oxygen species, and ultimately the death of microbes. Neutrophils eventually undergo apoptosis and are cleared by macrophages, resulting in the resolution of the inflammatory response. However, in chronic, non-healing wounds, such as those observed in diabetics, the neutrophils persist and instead undergo necrotic cell death, which can perpetuate the inflammatory response and hinder wound healing. Vitamin C's function in lymphocytes is less apparent; however, studies have indicated that it promotes B- and T-cell differentiation and proliferation, perhaps as a result of its gene-regulating properties. A lack of vitamin C lowers immunity and increases illness susceptibility [14]. The skin's distinctive form reflects the fact that its main purpose is to protect the body from the environment's irritants. The inner dermal layer, which ensures strength and suppleness, feeds the epidermis the nutrients, and also the outer epidermal layer, which is incredibly cellular and acts as a barrier, are the two layers that make up the skin. Normal skin contains high levels of vitamin C, which supports a variety of well-known and important activities, such as boosting collagen synthesis and helping the body's defense mechanisms against UV-induced photodamage. This information is occasionally used as support for introducing vitamin C to therapies; however, there is no evidence that doing so is more beneficial than just increasing dietary vitamin C intake [15].

Allograft donor selection has been affected by the worry that HIV could be transmitted through the skin of an allograft. To establish the potential presence of HIV at the period of donation, there is, however, no conclusive diagnostic test available. We examine the prevalence of HIV in human tissue, consider the potential for HIV transmission through the transplant of humanallograft skin, and talk about the validity of current HIV testing to uncover solutions to enhance skin banks' HIV donor screening procedures. The risk of HIV transmission to severely burned patients could be reduced by using the polymerase chain reactionsas a fast detection methodfor HIV, with skin biopsies in conjunction with standard regular HIV blood screening tests [16].

A total of 262 dead donor skin allograft contributions were made during the past 10 years. The response revealed a considerable improvement after the community received counseling. Most of the donors were over 70 years, and most of the recruitment was done at home. In 10 years, 165 patients received tissue allografts from 249 donors. With seven deaths out of 151 recipients who had burn injuries, the outcome was good [17]. An injury to the tissue caused by electrical, thermal,chemical, cold, or radiation stress is referred to as a "burn." The skin's ability to repair and regenerate itself is hampered by deep wounds that produce dermal damage. Skin autografting is currently the gold standard of care for burn excision, but if the patient lacks donor skin or the wound is not suitable for autografting, the use of temporary bandages or skin substitutes may be absolutely necessary to hasten wound healing, lessen discomfort, avoid infection, and minimize aberrant scarring. Among the options are xenografts, cultured epithelial cells, allografts from deceased donors, and bioartificial skin replacements [18].

In the "developed" world's burn units, "early closure" in burn wounds means removing the burned tissues and replacing them within the first "five" post-burn days with graft or their substitutes. Acceptability of this method, however, may be hampered by a general lack of education and a lack of health education among the citizens in "developing" countries. A lack of dedicated and well-trained burns surgeons might make things worse. One of the growing Gulf nations in the Middle East is the Sultanate of Oman, where in November 1997, the National Burns Center at Khoula Hospital debuted "early" surgery, which quickly became a standard technique for managing burn wounds [19]. Major burn wounds that are promptly excised heal faster, are less infectious, and have a higher chance of survival. The best way to permanently heal these wounds is with the immediate application of autograft skin. However, temporary closure using a number of treatments can assist lower evaporative loss, ward off infection, alleviate discomfort, and minimize metabolic stress when donor skin harvesting is not possible or wounds are not yet suitable for autografting. The gold for such closure is fresh cadaver allograft, although alternative materials are now available, including frozen cadaver tissue, xenografts, and a number of synthetic goods. This study examines the physiology, product categories, and applications [20].

Large burn wounds are challenging to treat and heal. To help with this procedure, several engineered skin replacements have been created. These alternatives were created with specific goals in mind, which define the situations in which they may and should be used to enhance healing or get the burn site ready for autograft closure in the end. This article analyses some of the current skin replacements in use and explores some of the justifications for their usage. According to current viewpoints, the usage of skin substitutes is still in the early stages, and it will take some time before it is evident how they should be used in therapeutic settings [21].

Each skin layer has a different width based on where in the body it is located due to differences within the thicknesses of the dermal and epidermal layers. The stratum lucidum, a second layer, is what gives the palms of the hand and the soles of the feet their thickest epidermis. Although it is thought that the upper back has the thickest dermis, histologically speaking, the upper back is regarded to just have "thin skin" since that lacks thestratum lucidum layer and has a thinner epidermis as hairless skin [22].

We provide a rare instance of an individual who underwent satisfactory allogeneic split-thickness skin graft (STSG) transplanting and had previously undergone a bone marrow stem cell transplant. Hodgkin's bone marrow transplant (BMT) had already been done on the patient because of the myelodysplasia and non-lymphoma. Human leukocyte antigen(HLA) typing performed prior to BMT allowed for the identification of the donor and recipient, who were siblings (not twins). We achieved complete donor chimerism. Scleroderma, ichthyosis-like dryness, and severe chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD) were all present in the recipient. Scalp ulceration with full thickness resulted from folliculitis. An STSG was removed under local anesthesia from the donor sister's femoral area and then transplanted into the recipient's prepared scalp ulcer without any additional anesthesia [23]. We conducted an allogeneic donor skin transplant in seven adult patients following allogeneic hematopoietic stem transplant surgery for cGvHD-associated refractory skin ulcers. Serious cGvHD-related refractory skin ulcers continue to be linked with significant morbidity and mortality. While split skin grafts (SSG) were performed on four patients, a full-thickness skin transplant was performed on one patient for two tiny, refractory ankle ulcers, and one patient got in vitro extended donor keratinocyte grafts made from the original unrelated donor's hair roots. An extensive deep fascial defect of the lower leg was first filled with an autologous larger omentum-free graft in one more patient before being filled with an allogeneic SSG (Figure 1) [24].

Three skin grafting innovations led to significant improvements in the care for burn injuries. Firstly, it was discovered that the dermal layeris the most crucial component of graft in creating a new, durable, resilient surface. Secondly, it was shown that deep islands of hair follicles and sebaceous gland epithelium regrow at the donor site following the excision of a partial-thickness graft, allowing grafts to be cut thicker rather than as thin as feasible. The dermis might be transplanted without having to be as thin as feasible disrupting the areas of healing. When the grafts were thicker, it was possible to build tools for cutting bigger grafts. The split-thickness graftwas the name given to these bigger grafts, and for the first in terms of square feet, it took a long time to effectively resurface big regions instead of millimeters square [25]. Skin banking was introduced in 1994 by the Melbourne-based Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria (DTBV). It is still the only skin bank in operation in Australia, processing cadaveric skin that has been cryopreserved for use in treating burns. Since the program's creation, there has been a steady rise in the demand for transplanted skin in Australia. Several major incidents or calamities, in both Australia and overseas, required the bank to provide aid. Demand is always greater than supply, thus the DTBV had to come up with measures to enhance the availability of allograft skin on a national level since there were no other local skin banks [26]. The treatment of individuals with severe burns may benefit greatly from cadaveric allograft skin. Estimating the present popularity and levels of usage of transplant skin in the US, however, is challenging. In the American Burn Association's Directory of Burn Care Resources for North America 1991-1992, which lists 140 medical directors of US burn centers and 40 skin banks, a poll of these individuals was conducted. For skin bank and burn directors, respectively, the number of responses was 45% and 38%. At the participating burn centers, 12% of patients who were hospitalized received treatment with allograft skin. Although just 47% of skin banks could provide fresh cadaver skin, 69%of burn center directors opted to utilize fresh skin. This study, which was presented to a Tissue Bank Special Interest group at the American Burns Association annual meeting in 1993, tabulated survey results as well as a review and discussion of potential future directions of replacement andskin banking research [27].

A possible substitute for human cadaveric allografts (HCA)in the treatment of severely burned patients is pig xenografts that have undergone genetic engineering. However, if preservation and lengthy storage, without cellular viability loss, were possible, their therapeutic utility would be greatly increased. This study's goal was to determine the direct effects of cryopreservation and storage time on vital in vivo and in vitro characteristics that are required for an effective, perhaps equal replacement for HCA. In this study, viable porcine skin grafts that had been constantly frozen for more than seven years were contrasted with similarly prepared skin grafts that had been kept frozen for only 15 minutes [28]. When freshly collected allogeneic skin grafts are not available, it is thought that frozen humanallogeneic skin grafts are a viable substitute. However, there is little functional and histological knowledge on how cryopreservation affects allogeneic skin transplants, particularly those that overcome mismatched histocompatibility barriers. To compare fresh and frozen skin grafts across major and minor histocompatibility barriers, we used a small-scale pig model. Our findings are relevant to the existing clinical procedures requiring allogeneic grafting and they may enable future, transient wound treatments using frozen xenografts made of genetically engineered pig skin since porcine skin and human skin share several physical and immunological characteristics [29].

Peeling Skin Syndrome

The two types of peeling skin syndrome (PSS), i.e., acral PSS and generalized PSS, are uncommon autosomal recessive cutaneous genodermatoses. The general form now includes type A non-inflammatory, type B inflammatory, and type C. A single missense mutation in CHST8, the gene that codes for Golgi transmembrane N-acetylgalactosamine 4-O-sulphotransferase, results in PSS type A. As seen in our example, this mutation leads to the intracellular breakage of corneocytes, which results in asymptomatic skin peeling. Congenital ichthyosis or erythematous patches that migrate and have a peeling border are to blame for the clinical similarity between PSS type B and Netherton syndrome[30].

Chromhidrosis

Yonge described chromhidrosis for the first time in 1709. It is an uncommon disorder characterized by the discharge of colored sweat. There are three subtypes of chromhidrosis: apocrine, eccrine, and pseudochromhidrosis [31].

Necrobiosis Lipoidica

Necrobiosis lipoidica is a granulomaillness that frequently affects the lower limbs and manifests as indolent atrophic plaques. Several case studies detail various therapy options with varying degrees of effectiveness and propose potential correlations. Squamous cell carcinoma growth and ulceration are significant side effects. Despite therapy, the disease's course is frequently indolent and recurring [32].

Morgellons Disease

It is a stressful and debilitating illness to have Morgellons disease. Multiple cutaneous wounds that are not healing are a frequent presentation for patients. Patients frequently give samples to the doctor and blame the problem on protruding fibers or other things. The initial theories for the origin of this disorder ranged widely and were hotly contested, from infectious to mental [33].

Erythropoietic Protoporphyria

The final enzyme in the heme biosynthetic pathways and the cause of erythropoietic protoporphyria is ferrochelatase partial deficiency. After the first exposure to sunlight in early infancy or youth, photosensitivity develops inerythropoietic protoporphyria. There have been reports of erythropoietic protoporphyria all around the world; however, its epidemiology varies by locale. After age 10, it was discovered that 20% of the Japanese patients had erythropoietic protoporphyria symptoms [34].

Eruptive Xanthomas

Localized lipid deposits known as xanthomas are linked to lipid abnormalities and can be seen in the skin, tendons, and subcutaneous tissue. This disorder's hyperlipidemia may be brought on by a basic genetic flaw, a secondary condition, or perhaps both. Such a skin exanthem may be the initial indication of cardiovascular risk [35].

Go here to see the original:
Skin Grafting, Cryopreservation, and Diseases: A Review Article - Cureus

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Skin Grafting, Cryopreservation, and Diseases: A Review Article – Cureus | October 13th, 2022

No other organ of the body manifests the signs of ageing the way the skin does. Some skins age prematurely, while others preserve their youthful properties for a longer time. Generally speaking, with age, tell-tale signs, like lines, wrinkles and sagging skin become visible. A great deal of research has been done to determine if anti-ageing treatments actually help delay ageing signs. Whether they regenerate new cells, stimulate the immune system, or involve surgical intervention, they all promise to remove age-related changes. For the past years, for instance, treatments like Botox, plumpers and fillers have been in demand. However, there is a certain amount of risk in invasive treatments.First of all, stop to think if the anti-ageing creams and treatments are effective, or not. Or, are we wasting our money in search of the fountain of youth? Research shows that most ingredients in anti-ageing products seem safe. But, more research is required. Various ingredients are used. For example, protein is used in the form of peptides, in order to strengthen collagen and elastin, the supportive tissues of the skin.Some treatments contain Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), which occur naturally in milk and fruits, like lactic acid, glycolic acid and citric acid. Peels with AHAs in anti-ageing treatments, make the skin smoother and minimize age-spots. However, skin treated with AHAs can become photosensitive and react on sun-exposure. Retinol is another ingredient that may be present in anti-ageing products. Although it is a natural form of Vitamin A, it is contra-indicated in some instances, like in pregnancy. Therefore, it is imperative to know the ingredients in the products and the reputation of the company.We have been following Ayurvedic beauty care, which makes use of plant ingredients and natural substances, known for their powerful rejuvenation properties. While chemicals have been known to gradually lead to toxic build-up in the body, Ayurvedic ingredients are not only safe, but have a long-term effect. One of the greatest breakthroughs in natural beauty care is Plant Stem Cells, which are said to influence the skin at the cellular level and also boost both repair of damaged cells and the regeneration of healthy new cells. Lines and wrinkles reduce gradually and thus, ageing signs are reversed. The skin looks tighter, firmer and younger. Plant stem cells are able to perform the same functions as skin cells. In fact, they are better at repairing and replacing dead and damaged skin cells. If our skin cells are damaged or dead and the skin shows signs of ageing, the plant stem cells can form new cells, repair damaged cells and thus reduce ageing signs. The ageing skin begins to look younger and smoother. There is no doubt that plant stem cells point to a new horizon in cosmetic care.I am also of the opinion that the person who is physically fit and has followed a healthy lifestyle is better able to keep age related changes at bay. Regular exercise helps to delay ageing changes and has a beneficial effect on both body and mind. Along with exercise, adopt a healthy eating pattern, with an emphasis on fresh fruits, unrefined cereals, salads, sprouts, lightly cooked vegetables, yogurt and skimmed milk, clear soups, fresh fruit juices. The diet should be low in fats, sugar and starch, but high in vitamins and minerals. This kind of diet will raise your level of fitness and also help the skin to look youthful and radiant.The ancient sages of India advocated Yoga for preserving the youthful qualities of the body. Indeed, exercise and a healthy lifestyle take years off and make you look and feel more youthful.

View original post here:
Anti-ageing cosmetics: Can they turn back the hands of the clock? - The Sunday Guardian Live - The Sunday Guardian

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Anti-ageing cosmetics: Can they turn back the hands of the clock? – The Sunday Guardian Live – The Sunday Guardian | October 13th, 2022

Kristen Brennand

Kristen Brennand, who in her research integrates expertise in genetics, neuroscience, and stem cells to identify the mechanisms that underlie brain disease, was recently appointed the Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor of Psychiatry.

She is also co-director of the Yale Science Fellows Program, a Yale School of Medicine initiative aimed at recruiting, supporting, and promoting outstanding young scientists from groups traditionally underrepresented in science and medicine.

Brennand completed her Ph.D. at Harvard University in the laboratory of the noted stem cell biologist Dr. Douglas Melton. During her postdoctoral fellowship at the Salk Institute, she drew international notice for publishing the first cellular model for schizophrenia. She developed a new method for reprogramming skin samples from patients into human induced pluripotent stem cells and then she differentiated these stem cells into neurons. Her initial report demonstrated that neurons derived from schizophrenia patients had profound deficits in synaptic connectivity, i.e., were less well connected to each other.

While on the faculty at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Brennand developed a highly productive laboratory and a network of collaborations. By combining stem cell biology, psychiatric genetics, and neurobiology, she pioneered a new approach to studying brain disease. She and her collaborators shed light on the genetics and biology of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other conditions. She was interim director of the Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics and then director of the Alper Stem Cell Center.

Although Brennand arrived at Yale during the pandemic, she rapidly established a productive laboratory, created new interdepartmental collaborations, and distinguished herself as a valued teacher and mentor. Her laboratory also is quite well funded with competitive grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

She also has received numerous honors. The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation awarded her the Maltz Prize for Schizophrenia Research and elected her to its Scientific Council. This year, she was elected to the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering and named as a finalist for the 2022 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists. She also has developed a reputation as a mentor to her trainees and other young scientists. In 2019, she received the Friedman Brain Institute Neuroscience Mentorship Distinction Award. She serves as a standing member of NIH study section and the editorial boards of seven journals in psychiatry, stem cell biology, and neuroscience.

Go here to see the original:
Brennand named Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor of Psychiatry - Yale News

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Brennand named Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor of Psychiatry – Yale News | October 13th, 2022

As the 3rd presenter during the morning session of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Meeting, Emerging Concepts, Saranya Wyles, MD, PhD, assistant professor of dermatology, pharmacology, and regenerative medicine in the department of dermatology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, explored the hallmarks of skin aging, the root cause of aging and why it occurs, and regenerative medicine. Wyles first began with an explanation of how health care is evolving. In 21st-century health care, there has been a shift in how medical professionals think about medicine. Traditionally,the first approach was to fight diseases, such as cancer, inflammatory conditions, or autoimmune disorders. Now, the thought process is changing to a root cause approach with a curative option and how to rebuild health. Considering how to overcome the sequence of the different medications and treatments given to patients is rooted in regenerative medicine principles.

For skin aging, there is a molecular clock that bodies follow. Within the clock are periods of genomic instability, telomere attrition, and epigenetic alterations, and Wyles lab focuses on cellular senescence.

We've heard a lot atthis conference about bio stimulators, aesthetics, and how we can stimulate our internal mechanisms of regeneration. Now, the opposite force of regeneration isthe inhibitory aging hallmarks which include cellular senescence. So, what is cell senescence? This isa state that the cell goes into, similar to apoptosis or proliferation, where the cell goesinto a cell cycle arrest so instead of dividing apoptosis, leading to cell death,the cell stays in this zombie state, said Wyles.

Senescence occurs when bodies require a mutation for cancers. When the body recognizes there is something wrong, it launches itself into the senescent state, which can be beneficial. Alternatively, chronic senescence seen with inflammageing, like different intrinsic markers, extrinsic markers, and UV damage, is a sign of late senescence. Senescence cells can be melanocytes, fibroblasts, and cells that contribute to the regeneration of the skin.

I think were in a very exciting time ofinnovation and advancements in medicine, which is the meeting of longevity science of aging and regenerative medicine, said Wyles.

Regenerative medicine is a new field of medicine that uses native and bioengineered cells, devices, and engineering platforms with the goal of healing tissues and organs byrestoring form and function through innate mechanisms of healing.Stem cell therapy and stem cell application are commonly referenced with regenerative medicine. Typically, first-in-class treatments include cells, autologous or allogeneic, different types of cells that areassociated with high-cost due to the manufacturing.

With regenerative medicine, there's a new class of manufacturing. Regenerative medicine is not like traditional drugs where every product is consistent. These are cells, so the idea of manufacturing, and minimally manipulating, all comes into play. Now, there's a new shift towards next-generation care. This is cell-free technology. So, this is the idea of exosomes, because these are now products from cells that can be directly applied, they can be shelf-stable, accessible, and more cost-effective, said Wyles.

Exosomes are the ways that the cells communicate with each other. Cells have intercellularcommunications and depending on the source of the exosomes, there can be different signals. Wyles focused specifically on a platelet product, which is a pooled platelet product that can be purified and used for different mechanisms including wound healing, fat grafting, degenerative joint disease, and more.In a cosmetic studyconducted by Mayo Clinic, a topical platelet exosome product was applied to the face in the morning and the evening. Application included a 3-step regimen, a gentle cleanser, a platelet exosomeproduct, and then a sunscreen.

After 6 weeks, there was a significant improvement in redness and a 92% improvement in the hemoglobin process. Vasculature also improved across age groups. The study enrolled 56patients, and the average age was 54. Patients in their 40s, 50s, and 60s saw consistent improvement in redness and skin aging.

Lastly, Wyles stressed that as dermatologists think through the science-driven practices of these innovative strategies for skin aging, wound healing, and other regenerative approaches, they must think about responsible conducts of research. Currently, there are no FDA indications for exosomes being injected.

Reference:

See the rest here:
The Switch to Regenerative Medicine - Dermatology Times

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on The Switch to Regenerative Medicine – Dermatology Times | October 13th, 2022

While we love our bodies, its nice to treat ourselves to some luxurious products. This time around, our eyes are set on this massage oil that not only nourishes the skin but helps diminish the appearance of cellulite. Now we love every cranny of our bodies, but for those that dont like it as much, heres a more affordable way of going about it.

Now for October Prime Day 2022, this Amazon-beloved massage oil is an impressive 61 percent off for Prime Members. Thats right, the M3 Naturals Anti Cellulite Massage Oil is on sale, and were obsessed with it right now.

Provided by SheKnows Courtesy of M3 Naturals - Credit: M3 Naturals.M3 Naturals.

Infused with collagen and stem cells, this natural massage oil contains rich ingredients like grapefruit, grapeseed, eucalyptus, and lemon citrus essential oils. Why so many ingredients? Well, not only does it fight cellulite, but it moisturizes and tones the skin. Good for any skin type, this oil makes skin look healthier and more toned.

With nearly 58,000 reviews at 4.3 stars, this oil has grown a cult following and the before and after photos are insane. Not only are the photos are insane, but the reviews are glowing. One Amazon reviewer whos a proud twin mama said, I was very skeptical at first, but seeing the difference in these photos is proof that it does wonders. I would definitely recommend this product!

Another reviewer added, Im SO glad I decided to take a chance on all the great reviews and try this product, the picture speaks for itselfI used it every day once a day for 2 months and I still have about 1/3 of the bottle remaining. I HIGHLY recommend!

Click here to read the full article.

Follow this link:
Last Chance to Get The Collagen-Infused Massage Oil That Moisturizes Skin & Diminishes Cellulite For Less Than $20 - msnNOW

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Last Chance to Get The Collagen-Infused Massage Oil That Moisturizes Skin & Diminishes Cellulite For Less Than $20 – msnNOW | October 13th, 2022

As described by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), symptoms of Addison's disease progress slowly. Additionally, some of them are shared by other conditions, making the disease difficult to diagnose.Since the onset of symptoms can occur during potentially fatal adrenal crisis, early detection of signs and symptoms followed by treatment is critical.

People with Addison's disease predominantly experience long-lasting fatigue, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Per WebMD, other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, moodiness, irritability, depression, heat or cold intolerance, salt cravings, and poor stress management. Some people have low blood sugar while others experience low blood pressure when standing (postural hypotension), potentially causing dizziness or fainting.

Darkening or freckling of the skin, particularly visible in sun exposed skin, is also seen in people with Addison's disease. This blotchy, darkened skin has a greater tendency to occur on the forehead, knees, and elbows, as well as on scars, gums, skin folds, and creases (e.g., palms).

Visit link:
Addison's Disease Explained: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatments - Health Digest

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Addison’s Disease Explained: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatments – Health Digest | October 13th, 2022

Most of us are familiar with the scientific fact that any living, breathing animal, insect etc. is made up of cells. These cells form tissues and organs that support the existence of the host. Many of us have also heard of stem cells therapy for autism but are unsure about its validity.

Scientists have studied the underlying mechanism of cells, as well as their functioning, and have discovered ways of using the cells to improve the lives of humans and treat diseases. To do so, scientists have discovered stem cells; think of it as the building blocks of a fully differentiated cell.

Stem cells are human cells that can be developed and differentiated into other cell types. These cells can be derived from any part of the body, for example, stem cells from the brain, muscle, bone marrow, etc. Stem cells are versatile in that they can be used to fix damaged tissues. The two essential characteristics of stem cells include: Firstly, the ability to self-renew to create successors identical to the original cell. Secondly, stem cells, unlike cancer cells, are controlled and highly regulated, therefore, stem cells need to be able to give rise to specialized cell types that become part of the healthy body.

Download your FREE guide onAutism Therapies and Solutions

The purpose of stem cell therapy is to regenerate and repair damaged tissues and cells in the body. There are two main classes of stem cells. Pluripotent stem cells have the potential to become any cell in the adult body and multipotent stem cells are much more restricted to a specific population or lineage of cells. Other stem cell types include totipotent and unipotent.

Lets look at pluripotent and multipotent stem cells in detail.

Pluripotent stem cells are generated from somatic cells. These mainly come from embryos and, as such, theyre often referred to as embryonic stem cells.

Lets discuss three types of embryonic stem cells that are used to generate pluripotent cells. These include true embryonic stem cells (ES), nuclear transfer of somatic cells (ntES), and parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells (these are stem cells from unfertilized eggs).

The true embryonic stem cells are made from unused embryos, such as those that undergo IVF (in vitro fertilization). The process of IVF is such that the eggs and sperm are fertilized in a lab dish. What then happens is that, through this process, more embryos are generated, usually more than the couple actually need. Those that arent used can be donated to science.

Pluripotent cells made from these unused embryos are not genetically matched to the original hosts. These are mainly used in science for studies to learn how stem cells regenerate.

Every cell contains an organelle called a nucleus. The nucleus contains all the cells genetic information essential to its function. The word somatic refers to any cell in the body.

The process of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) extracts the nucleus from a somatic cell and transfers it into another cell that has had its own nucleus removed; i.e. the nucleus from the previous cell is being transferred to an egg cell that does not contain a nucleus (unnucleated).

When the nucleus is transferred to another cell, it activates the process of pluripotent cell generation that reprograms the generation of genes in that cell. The egg then becomes a zygote nucleus or a fertilized egg, the cell then replicates and through it embryonic stem cells are created.

Imagine being able to fertilize an egg without fertilization by sperm. Unusual, but science makes crazy things happen.

Parthenogenesis is the process whereby an unfertilized egg develops an embryo without fertilization. This can be achieved through chemical, physical or combined activation methods.

The parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells have the capacity for infinite proliferation and self-renewal, and maintain the ability to differentiate into one or more specialized types of cell or tissue.

pESCs are especially useful for regenerative medicine, and therefore allow the generation of functional cells that could potentially be used as treatment for many incurable diseases in the future.

Multipotent stem cells are unspecialized cell types that have the ability to self-renew and differentiate into specialized cell types. However, these cells are specific to the type of tissue or organ. For example, a multipotent adult stem cell from the bone marrow can become specialized to produce all blood cell types; and cells in the stem cells from neural networks in the brain can specialize to glial and neuronal cells.

When we talk about all blood cell types, we have to get a little scientific, but for the curious mind, all blood cell types refers to platelets, B and T lymphocytes, natural killer cells, dendritic cells.the list goes on.

In addition, for the curious mind, various types of stem cells include hematopoietic stem cells (the ones that make blood cell types), mesenchymal stem cells (differentiate into bone, fat, cartilage, muscle, and skin), and neural stem cells (from neural networks).

Now that weve covered the types of stem cells, the question remains, can stem cell therapy cure autism? Lets have a look.

To answer this question, I refer to the review by Price (2020) as it is the latest up-date data on this subject. It is important to note however, that at the time of reading this article there may be other research data published on this topic.

Several research studies cite immune dysfunction as the cause and effect of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By virtue of this analogy, it has informed the basis of the stem cell therapy approach for treating autism. This is founded on the properties that regulate the immune system (immuno-regulatory properties).

From the review, it was also found that when exposed to inflammatory stimuli, this may lead to the development of postnatal diagnosis of ASD. Inflammation to the cell describes the process that occurs when the cell is exposed to harmful stimuli such as bacteria, trauma, toxins, heat, and pathogens. The affected cells then release chemicals that cause blood vessels to leak fluid into the tissues, causing swelling.

Therefore, an inflammatory stimuli is that which influences the occurrence of an inflammatory response.

Other bodies of research found an altered level of proteins called cytokines which are essential for interaction and communication between cells in ASD. These may also be the cause of the development of autism spectrum disorder. Some genetic studies propose an association between a genetic loci (a specific point on the genome of the autistic individual) and ASD whose function is related to immune function. While others suggest a possible anomaly in the neuronal signaling pathway that directs communication and information transfer between neurons

All these are proposed reasons that hypothesize the use of stem cell therapy to treat autism biologically. However, all these propositions do not lead to one voice, there are too many hypotheses that make it difficult to narrow down the target area that would potentially treat autism or autism symptoms. Keeping in mind that autism traits are diverse, therefore, narrowing this information down to one plausible pathology is an even greater challenge.

So, is stem cell therapy effective? The answer to this is unknown.

Is ASD caused by genetic, immune dysfunction, or inflammatory stimuli? The answer to this is not clear and theres a vast number of studies that argue different theories.

It is even more disturbing to consider these hypotheses because, for example, each person can experience bacterial or viral infections, or stress that can impact immune functioning and/or lead to inflammation but were not all on the spectrum. Therefore, we cant say that factors which alter our immune functioning lead to the development of neurodevelopmental conditions.

Download your FREE guide onAutism Therapies and Solutions

However, according to Price, the study by Riordan et al. (2019) proposes the influence of cytokines for the treatment of autism.The data proposed could be a point in a positive direction to answering whether stem cell therapy could potentially treat autism symptoms.

Unfortunately, there is no data to positively state the effectiveness of stem cell therapy for treating autism. As more research is developed in this field, theres hope that more understanding of autism will arise, and perhaps an alternative form of treatment of autism symptoms can be developed. It is also worth noting the possibility of genetic markers that could help diagnose autism during pregnancy or during the prenatal development stage.

The studies highlighted in this article are simply preliminary assessments. Further research needs to be conducted in order to understand the potential of cell therapies for treating autism.

The findings of these studies vary in hypothesis and this makes generalization hard. Science has developed greatly over years, therefore, for those that believe in the potential of science and all that it could offer, theres a reason to hope that stem cell therapy could potentially be used as treatment for autism in the near future.

Biehl, J. K., & Russell, B. (2009). Introduction to stem cell therapy. The Journal of cardiovascular nursing, 24(2), 98105. https://doi.org/10.1097/JCN.0b013e318197a6a5

Price, J.(2020). Cell therapy approaches to autism: a review of clinical trial data. Molecular Autism, 11, 37 . https://doi.org/10.1186/s13229-020-00348-z

http://stemcell.childrenshospital.org/about-stem-cells/adult-somatic-stem-cells-101/where-do-we-get-adult-stem-cells/

Thermo Fisher Scientific. An Overview of Pluripotent and Multipotent Stem Cell Targets. https://www.thermofisher.com/za/en/home/life-science/antibodies/antibodies-learning-center/antibodies-resource-library/antibody-methods/pluripotent-multipotent-stem-cell-targets.html

Yu, Z., Han, B. (2016). Advantages and limitations of the parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells in cell therapy. Journal of Reproduction and Contraception, 27 (2), Issue 2, 118-124. https://doi.org/10.7669/j.issn.1001-7844.2016.02.0118

View post:
Stem Cells Therapy for Autism: Does it Work?

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Stem Cells Therapy for Autism: Does it Work? | October 5th, 2022

Figure 2.. CD39 - CD69 - CD8 + TILs in infusion product are in a

(A) t-SNE plot of all CD8+ TILs from CR and NR I.P. (5 CRs, 5 NRs). (B) Frequency distribution of each cluster (1 through 8) expressed as a % of total CD8+ T cells in the I.P. for each patient. (C) Data points representing % of S.Cluster.A (top) and % of S.Cluster.B (bottom) per each patient I.P. between CRs and NRs. S.Cluster.A encompasses clusters C0, C2, C5, C6, and C7; S.Cluster.B comprises clusters C1, C3, C4, and C8. P-values by two-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum test are shown. (D) Heatmap of top 15 discriminating genes between S.Cluster.A and S.Cluster.B displayed for each cell. All discriminating genes are listed in Table S4. (E) t-SNE plot of clustered cells displayed by the top two quartiles of CD39-CD69- (DN) gene signature expression, and top two quartiles of CD39+CD69+ (DP) gene signature expression. (F) Each patient I.P. was scored by DN and DP gene signature scores and their mean scGSEA values are plotted. CRs are in red, and NRs are in black. P-values by two-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum test comparing the mean DN and DP signature scores between CRs and NRs are shown. (G) Flow cytometric analysis of inhibitory and memory markers within each subset (DN [CD39-CD69-], SP [CD39-CD69+, CD39+CD69-] and DP [CD39+CD69+] of patient I.P. in the validation set (n=38) expressed as % of each subset (parent gate). * P < 0.05 **P < 0.01 ***P < 0.001 ****P < 0.0001 by Tukeys multiple comparison test. (H) Flow cytometry of intracellular TCF7 expression for DN and DP subsets showing representative patient I.P. sample (top) and quantitation for 18 I.P. (bottom). P-value by two-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum test is shown. (I) Phenotypes of DN, SP, and DP states before and after CD3/CD28 stimulation at 48 hours showing flow cytometry plot in a representative patient sample (left) and summary of daughter cells in each state after stimulation of 6 patient I.P. (right). ***P < 0.001 by two-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum test. (J) t-SNE clusters of CD8+ TILs from Melanoma ICB cohort (15) (K) t-SNE plot colored by top two quartiles of DN and DP gene signatures, DN: red, DP: black (L) TILs from pre ICB therapy were scored by the top DN and DP gene signature scores and mean scGSEA scores are plotted. Cells from responding lesions are in red, and cells from progressing lesions are in black. Cell numbers and P-values by two-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum test are shown. (M) Clustered correlation matrix of gene signatures from other studies (Table S5) along with DN and DP scGSEA scores on pre-ICB cells from the cohort.

Go here to read the rest:
Stem-like CD8 T cells mediate response of adoptive cell ... - PubMed

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Stem-like CD8 T cells mediate response of adoptive cell … – PubMed | October 5th, 2022

Looking for that bright-eyed look? Here you go!

If there's one overlooked aspect of a persons skincare routine, it is moisturising the under eyes. The middle child of the skin care routine, oftentimes applying this product is overlooked for a full coverage concealer. Your deepening dark circles aren't thanking you for those sleepless nights spent binge watching your favourite comfort shows after a long, hard day at work. Eye creams are your best friend when it comes to wanting to look like you have your life together the next day at 9 am in the office. From depuffing to helping fade dark circles, fine line reduction and hydrating the delicate skin of your under eye, you name it, these products do it!

The Dear, Klairs Fundamental Nourishing Butter provides the essential moisture needed for the under eye and special antioxidant care for those battling dryness. So you can bid a happy adieu to fine lines and dark circles while also boosting the inherent elasticity of your skin. As its name rightfully suggests, its soft butter-like consistency easily absorbs into the skin to moisturise and brighten the under eyes. With the goodness of Vitamin A and E,quad peptide as well as sunflower seed oil to protect the delicate skin of our eyes, this nourishing eye butter goes well under your makeup giving you a smooth base like no other. Additionally, this cream can also be applied on the neck and nasolabial folds to reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Avocado in your smoothies, salads, face packs and now once again the glorious avocado in your eye cream. An eye cream with potent ingredients for skin that is dehydrated. The Kiehls Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado is an excellent choice to give your skin radiance and make your eyes appear more alert. Shea Butter, Avocado Oil, and Beta-Carotene, a naturally derived antioxidant that is found in carrots and oranges and is known to sharpen the eye sight ,are used in its formulation to keep your skin moisturised and hydrated all day. These substances' qualities also combat ageing symptoms including wrinkles and fine lines. Excellent for all skin types!

The Innisfree Black Tea Youth Enhancing Eye Serum is a powerful product that reduces fine lines and wrinkles and camouflages signs of fatigue around the eyes. The serum emulsifies active components into the skin to nourish it back to health. With a brownie point earned for no stickiness left, it is brightening and highly nourishing in its make up. The exclusive innisfree green tea ( formulated after intense research) is fermented to make the star ingredient of this product the black tea. The Black Tea is then steeped in mineral water for 12 hours to extract all of the potent antioxidants and anti-aging ingredients. Reset Concentrate, a powerful active component, was produced using this exclusive extraction technique.

The Daughter Earth microemulsion under eye serum is a power packed eye serum that incorporates the Ayurvedic Super Triad- amalaki, haritaki and bibhitaki, popularly known as Triphala. Using modern scientific breakthrough apple stem cell technology and probiotics, this under eye serum will moisturise and nourish the sensitive skin of your undereyes with 8 Super Fruits, 5 Peptides, 3 Ceramides and 8 Amino Acids in a lightweight and potent formula. Its ingredients are tailor made to give you the most benefit. Caffeine, Quinoa and the skin loving ingredient niacinamide work towards eradicating dark circles and depuffing the eyes. Plant stem cells reduce fine lines and peptides and wild roselle make your skin supple and firm.

Enriched with the power of Anise, the Forest Essentials Intensive Eye Cream incorporates an Innovative formulation created especially for the delicate eye area. Papaya and potato starch active extracts aid in minimising the appearance of dry and dehydrated lines. It reduces the stubborn appearance of dark circles, fine lines, and dull skin. Along with sweet, cold pressed almond oil that deeply moisturises and adds a glow to the skin, the cream also has properties of cucumber in it that leads to reduced pigmentation and blemish free skin. With consistent use, the eye area becomes more brilliant and clear thanks to anise and chakshushya.

The Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Eye Concentrate combats signs of ageing and drooping skin and defends your delicate under eyes against damage in one application. If you're guilty of scrubbing your eyes till you see all black like me this serum is made for you. It heals your skin against the harsh friction and other environmental factors and is the perfect pre-treatment before your eye serums to give that extra boost to your daily skincare.

See the original post:
6 Under Eye Products You Need To Have STAT - Grazia India

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on 6 Under Eye Products You Need To Have STAT – Grazia India | October 5th, 2022

A new approach is paving the way for improved stem cell therapies and regenerative applications using cells from pigs. Led by Wan-Ju Li, a SCRMC researcher and associate professor in the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation and the Department of Biomedical Engineering, this new study published in Scientific Reports offers a viable strategy to enhance the generation of induced pluripotent stem cellsfrom large animal cells and provides researchers with insight into the underlying mechanism controlling the reprogramming efficiency of cells. In turn, this approach will allow researchers to reprogram cells more efficiently into iPSCs which can be used to study regenerative therapies aimed at treating everything from osteoarthritis to heart disease.

While this approach can be applied to regenerative therapies targeting any organ or tissue, Li and his Musculoskeletal Biology and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory study cartilage, so he developed the model by deriving iPSCs from the fibroblast cells of three different breeds of miniature pigs including Wisconsin miniature swine, Yucatan miniature swineand Gttingen minipigs. Fibroblast cells are easily obtained for cellular reprogramming and Li is interested in using these cells to efficiently develop cartilage cells that can be used to help patients experiencing osteoarthritis. But, while his goal for the study was specific, the model has wide-reaching implications.

"This model we created can be used for many applications," says Li. "In successfully developing iPSCs from three different breeds of minipigs, we learned we can take somatic skin cells from these pigs that we programmed ourselves into iPSCs and then inject them back into the same animal to treat the disease. Or we can take the cell that carried the disease gene and put that into the culture dish and use that as a disease model to study disease formation."

Li explained that iPSCs can be created from nearly any type of somatic cell, such as skin or blood cells, that are reprogrammed back into an embryonic-like pluripotent cells. These pluripotent stem cells are the bodys master cells and are, therefore, able to become nearly any cell in the body. Harnessing the power of such a cell and being able to grow these versatile cells in the lab is invaluable to medicine as these cells can be used for the regeneration or repair of damaged tissue and in drug testing to see how medication will impact heart, liver, or other cells within the body.

Through this research, Li and his lab have provided researchers with insight into the underlying mechanism controlling the reprogramming efficiency of iPSCs, allowing researchers to harness to power of iPSCs and develop them more efficiently. Specifically, he discovered that the expression level of the switch/sucrose nonfermentable component BAF60A, which is essentially a protein that can remodel the way DNA is packaged, helps to determine the efficiency of iPSC generation. He also noted that the BAF60A is regulated by STAT3, a transcription factor protein that plays a role in cell growth and death. Through this, Li discovered that the efficiency of iPSC generation is based on the expression level of these proteins and that the expression levels vary among pig breeds.

"While we successfully developed iPSCs and programmed iPSCs from the three different strains of pig, we noticed that some pigs had a higher reprogramming efficiency,"says Li. "So, the second part of our findings, which is significant in biology, is understanding how these differences occur and why."

Li shared that understanding why different pig breeds have varying levels of reprogramming efficiency will directly translate to understanding differences in the effectiveness of iPSC generation between individual humans. In fact, a previous study by Mackey et al., has shown that a person's ethnicity may impact their cell's reprogramming efficiency. So, understanding what mechanisms control cellular reprogramming will be crucial to developing effective protocols of iPSC generation for individualized therapies.

"With this model, we can study musculoskeletal regeneration particularly cartilage regeneration for osteoarthritis patient,"says Li. "But we think the impact is way beyond the application of orthopedics because from now on, anybody on campus who is interested in using the technology we have developed for a minipig model, can reprogram their cells into iPSCs and then these cells and the animal can be used to investigate heart disease, kidney disease, neuronal diseaseor any type of a disease."

Translating this research to improve human health, is deeply important to Li. He has spent much of his career studying novel approaches to regenerate cartilage and bone for orthopedic applications and developing a translational model like this means that science is one step closer to healing more patients using stem cells.

"I feel really touched by the stories people share. You cannot imagine how many emails come in asking me if they can become the first human patient in our future clinical trial,"Li says. "People are in desperate need for something, especially when those people feel the current surgical procedure or intervention is not suitable for them. I have to keep saying, 'wait for another two, three years, maybe we'll be ready for a clinical trial,'but for me, it's time to move on and really do our larger animal studies to fulfill our promise. At least that way, I can fill the gap between the lab and clinical trials as the larger animals must be studied before you go into a clinical trial."

Li's development of a reliable and translational model for the generation of iPSCs in a large animal is critical as it has been a challenge to generate pig iPSCs with efficiency. The reprogramming efficiency of pig cells is relatively low compared to that of human or mouse cells, but large animal studies remain a crucial step in bringing treatments to clinical trials.

Interest in moving these treatments forward has grown and while this study was funded in part by NIH, Li also received support from the Plunkett Family Foundation in Milwaukee through their donation to the UW Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center. After hearing of Li's research, Gwen Plunkett and her daughter Karen visited Li and his lab in 2019 to learn more and were inspired to support research into stem cells for cartilage regeneration.

"Innovation in medicine sparks critical change, for the world and the survival of our species and the Plunkett Family mission is to be a catalyst in stem cell and regenerative medicine research,"says Karen Plunkett. "We supported Jamie Thomson's lab in the early days when federal funding for human stem cell research was restricted. More recently, we continued our commitment to this research by supporting Dr. Wan-Ju Li's stem-cell based approaches for regenerating skeletal tissues, cartilageand bone for orthopedic applications. Additionally, it is personally gratifying to be able to support the SCRMC while my son completes his senior year studying neurobiology at UWMadison.We are happy to be part of the University of Wisconsin family."

Li shared that the donation was profoundly impactful and allowed him to further his goal of using stem cells to help patients struggling with osteoarthritis as well as other joint diseases.

"I want to make sure that our findings in stem cell research can be used to help people,"says Li. "I just feel this internal drive to study this area and I feel good knowing this model carries significant weight in terms of its potential for translational stem cell research and the development of therapeutic treatments."

This research was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (R01 AR064803) and the Plunkett Family Foundation. The UW Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and UWCCC (P30 CA014520) and the Small Animal Imaging andRadiotherapy Facility and Flow Cytometry Laboratory, supported by UWCCC (P30 CA014520) also provided facilities and services.

Source: University of Wisconsin-Madison, whichis solely responsible for the information provided, and wholly owns the information. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsiblefor any of the contentcontained in this information asset.

Read the rest here:
Reprogramming pig cells leads way for new regenerative therapies - National Hog Farmer

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Reprogramming pig cells leads way for new regenerative therapies – National Hog Farmer | September 27th, 2022

- CRC data on cord lining media for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers has been accepted at the DFCon, with Dr Wong Keng Lin Francis, CRC's latest KOL, presenting his findings to world leaders in the field of DFU.- Similarly, the results of Corlicyte's Phase 1 study on the treatment of chronic diabetic foot has also been accepted with the presentation being given by Dr Cecilia Low-Wang, the trials Principal Investigator.- DFCon is a global specialist multi-disciplinary congress that attracts specialists in the field of the diabetic foot and is considered the most influential event in the industry. It is co-founded by Dr David Armstrong, a pre-eminent expert in diabetic foot.- Dr Armstrong, who also serves on CRC's scientific advisory board, will be giving the opening address for CRC's breakfast symposium on their lead products Sollagen and Corlicyte.- CorLiCyte is an umbilical cord lining stem cell therapy, for patients suffering with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), Sollagen is a brand targeting diabetic's skin.- Global diabetes patient population is set to grow from 537 million in 2021 to 783 million in 20451- DFU is a global health emergency that will affect close to 20% of the diabetic population in their lifetime

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CRC is delighted to announce attendance at DFCon, the global specialist multidisciplinary congress focused on the diabetic foot held in late September 2022 in Los Angeles, USA. The meeting is a gathering of a wide range of both generalists and specialists who diagnose and manage diabetic feet, to discuss best practice in diagnostics and interventions for both treatment and amputation prevention. It was co-founded and is co-chaired by Dr David Armstrong, a pre-eminent expert in diabetic foot who also serves on CRC's scientific advisory board.

Dr David Armstrong will be introducing CRC's headline symposium on Saturday morning where Dr Paul Kemp, the inventor of Apligraf and scientific advisory board member, and esteemed researchers Dr Brian Freed and Dr Wong Keng Lin Francis will present an overview of CRC's technology and data.

Furthermore, CRC have two scientific posters approved for presentation at DFCon on the data generated in Corlicyte and Sollagen:

The first poster "Results of the phase 1 open-label safety study of umbilical cord lining (Corlicyte) to heal chronic diabetic foot ulcers" details the Phase I study in Corlicyte and is authored by Cecilia Low Wang and the team from the University of Colorado who conducted the study.

The second poster by Dr Wong from Sengkang General Hospital/Duke NUS is titled "Early evaluation of Sollagen, a topical exosomal skin conditioner derived from Umbilical cord lining cell media, in treatment of persistent chronic DFU" and details the impressive early data generated with Sollagen in chronic diabetic foot ulcers.

Both posters are a testament to the immense potential of Corlicyte and Sollagen for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer, a huge issue for patients and health care systems alike.

CRC's presence at such a specialized and well-regarded scientific and medical forum reflects the exciting data the company is generating. It is a strong indication of the academic and clinical network that the company is building to deliver products that can make a dramatic difference to patients with a large unmet medical need.

About CellResearch Corporation (CRC)

CellResearch Corporation was founded in 2002 as a contract research provider focusing on skin cells. In 2004, the company made the discovery that the umbilical cord lining of mammals was an abundant source of both mesenchymal and epithelial stem cells. Today, the company owns this technology through a family of patents and holds the rights to commercialize this technology in most major markets globally. While the closure of diabetic foot ulcers is the company's first allogeneic therapy to make it to the end of Phase 1 USFDA clinical trials, CellResearchCorp has a broad therapeutic pipeline at the pre-clinical stage. Further therapies include solid tumor therapy, inflammatory diseases, cardiac muscle repair, Parkinson's Disease, Age-related Macular Degeneration and Diabetes.

CellResearch Consumer Health, a wholly owned subsidiary of CellResearch Corp, is the commercialization vehicle for CALECIMProfessional and the newly launching Sollagen. It produces an innovative range of skincare and haircare products using cord lining stem cell media to power its products. It is used in clinics/hospitals and as part of an at-home anti-aging skincare regime. It is distributed globally through over 600 aesthetic physicians and online via their own website. It has a key distribution partnership with Menarini Group across Southeast Asia.

CellResearch Corp partner, Cordlife offers parents the opportunity to bank their child's umbilical cord tissue alongside their cord blood. Cordlife has what is believed to be the largest licensed bank of umbilical cord tissue globally. As cell therapies move into the clinic, Cordlife will have the ability to expand stem cells from a banked umbilical cord for autologous and donor-related uses.

http://www.cellresearchcorp.com

https://calecimprofessional.com

Business Development and Investor Relations:

Xavier Simpson

+65 8815 6139

xaviersimpson@cellresearchcorp.com

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cellresearch-corporation-crc-to-present-promising-new-stem-cell-products-for-the-treatment-of-chronic-diabetic-foot-ulcers-at-the-worlds-premier-diabetic-foot-conference-dfcon-in-los-angeles-301632771.html

SOURCE CellResearch Corporation

See the original post here:
CellResearch Corporation (CRC) to present promising new stem cell products for the treatment of chronic diabetic foot ulcers at the world's premier...

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on CellResearch Corporation (CRC) to present promising new stem cell products for the treatment of chronic diabetic foot ulcers at the world’s premier… | September 27th, 2022

By Dr Chytra V Anand

The fascination with beauty and skincare in India has grown leaps and bounds in recent times, and understandably so, given that the culture of beauty is deeply rooted in the country. The days when beauty was an aspect of social class and the cosmetic treatments and products you access gave away your economic status are long gone, as are the days when cosmetic treatments were considered a girl thing. With cosmetic treatments becoming more accessible and sought-after, the Indian skincare and derma cosmetics market generated an estimated revenue of a whopping USD 188.2 million in 2021. The same is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.2% between 2021 and 2030.

Today, with changing lifestyles, demographic growth, cutting-edge technology, and improving economic and social conditions thanks to rising per capita and disposable income, India is quickly heading towards becoming a leader in the global cosmetics industry. But for a bit of self-introspection, what are Indian consumers looking for when it comes to cosmetic treatments? What does their consumption tell industry players?

Body hair removal has become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures done across the world today. But compared to shaving, waxing, or using an epilator or a trimmer, laser hair removal is a more permanent hair removal method that has gained immense traction of late. Especially in urban India, laser hair removal has quickly gained popularity, with mothers even bringing their 16-year-olds for Laser hair removal.

In 2021, the global laser hair removal market was valued atUSD 798.6 million, with an estimated CAGR of 18.4% from 2022 to 2030. Given that laser hair removal is a one-time procedure, although one has to sit through multiple sessions, the results, when done by a reliable cosmetic professional, are impressive. The Asia Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing segment for laser hair removal, especially in countries like India and China.

A cosmetic procedure where a chemical solution is applied to your skin to remove the top layers, Chemical Peels ensure that the skin becomes smoother and clearer, making it radiant. On the other hand, a Medical Clean-up, in the simplest terms, is the procedure of cleaning your skin, ridding impurities like blackheads and white head spots to clear clogged pores. Besides, Medical Clean-ups are also beneficial for people struggling with acne scars, making it a popular procedure that an increasing number of people are choosing. For Chemical Peels, the market size is expected to touch USD 68.81 million between 2021 to 2025, making their popularity surge.

As we grow older, our skin begins to age too, and wrinkles and fine lines begin to appear on our face. Cosmetic procedures like Hydra Facials and skin maintenance with Laser Photofacials are a weekly must-do for 30-45-year-olds to ensure their skin is supple and glowing. Apart from this, the perception of Indian consumers when it comes to cosmetic treatments like Botox and Fillers has begun to change. These are no longer viewed as taboo as people now realise that they give your skin a lift.

Such treatments are also no longer only available for a certain section of society, like the wealthy. Botox and Fillers are now available to everyone, and consumers are looking at them from a skin maintenance standpoint rather than as a luxury, unnecessary treatment. Annually, the Botox segment is registering 20-25% growth in the country proof of evolving consumer preferences and the rising popularity of such treatments. Besides these, derma cosmetics and medical skin care have also gained a fair amount of traction, with skincare aficionados looking for effective and efficient skin care procedures that are non-surgical.

Alongside our skincare, taking care of our mane is equally important. For people struggling with hair fall, flaky and dry scalp, and other issues that affect your hair, stem cell therapy is the answer. Often done annually, stem cell therapy helps rejuvenate your hair cells to retain hair and repair damage. And with the global hair restoration market standing at over USD 4.2 billion in 2020, we can safely say its here to stay.

With consumerism changing face gradually and Indian consumers gaining access to world-class cosmetic treatments that are non-surgical, which still trump surgical procedures, the future of the Indian cosmetic treatments market shines bright. As long as the procedures are done by qualified and experienced professionals and are reliable and effective, the demand for such cosmetic procedures will continue to grow.

(The author isfounder ofKosmoderma Healthcare Pvt. Ltd.Views expressed are personal and do not reflect the official position or policy of the FinancialExpress.com.)

Originally posted here:
A glimpse into Indian consumers expectations for cosmetic treatments and consumption insights - The Financial Express

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on A glimpse into Indian consumers expectations for cosmetic treatments and consumption insights – The Financial Express | September 27th, 2022

You probably know what hormones are, and you may have at least heard about stem cells, but what is a growth factor? According to Britannica, it is a protein that stimulates growth in specific tissues. There are many types of growth factors, each with the job of repairing certain body parts. Some growth factors include epidermal growth factor (responsible for skin repair), platelet-derived growth factor (responsible for repairing muscles and connective tissues), and nerve growth factor (responsible for stimulating brain cell growth and repair).

According to a 2020 mini-review in Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, growth factors are critical for tissue repair and regeneration. In short, growth factors help maintain skin health and heal wounds. As you age and fewer growth factors are available to help with repair and regeneration, injuries take longer to heal. Stem cells factor in because they release growth factors to instigate wound healing, according to a 2010 study in theInternational Journal of Stem Cells.

And the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone play a part in wound healing too. Low estrogen levels or high amounts of testosterone can slow healing. For women, estrogen levels drop after menopause, resulting in slowed healing time (via Wounds).

See original here:
Here Is Why You Heal Slower As You Age - Health Digest

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Here Is Why You Heal Slower As You Age – Health Digest | September 27th, 2022

Highlights

Dr Giulia Svizzero, Plastic Surgeon, Tajmeel Clinic, emphasises the importance of patients having realistic expectations to ensure safety and get the best results for their specific needs

Tajmeel is a beauty clinic from Burjeel holdings. We offer an elegant environment supported by the commitment to excellence of our group. We have a team of board-certified specialists with over 15 years of experience in their field. Tajmeels main departments are dental, plastic surgery and dermatology. Tajmeel redefines beauty to give its patients the best results they are looking for.

* Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that impair healing.

* Individuals with realistic expectations and positive outlook.

* What do you recommend as the best strategy for youth preservation or anti-aging?

* Sleep is the best anti-aging tool we have, at least 7-8 hours per night.

* Eating a healthy diet. No smoking and no alcohol.

* Healthy dose of omegas in your diet, fish oil supplements of 1,000-2,000mg daily.

* Take vitamin C 1,000mg daily.

* Decrease your sugar intake, as high sugar is very damaging to the skin. Collagen and elastin are particularly susceptible to glycosylation. Damage to these proteins leads to sallow, wrinkled, and sagging skin.

* Consume marine collagen and hyaluronic acid powder.

* Keep yourself well hydrated with alkaline water.

* Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day.

* Try yoga and meditation, and also do what you love to do.

* Daily use of sunblock SPF 50.

* Early use of neurotoxins (Botox or Dysport).

* Non-invasive skin treatments can help maintain the integrity of the skin over time.

* Retin A or vitamin A derivative anti-aging topical therapies.

Dr Giulia Svizzero, Plastic Surgeon

Dr Giulia is a board-certified plastic surgeon with many years of experience. Dr. Giulia received training at several hospitals and specialised clinics in Italy, France and Singapore. She gained broad experience performing high-precision surgeries, microsurgery, plastic surgery, and reconstructive plastic surgery.

Dr Giulias areas of expertise include aesthetic breast surgery (breast lifts, breast reductions, and breast augmentation), liposuction, abdominoplasty, ear reconstruction, oncoplastic breast surgery, and head and neck reconstruction. She is committed to staying current with the latest techniques and procedures in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery, which is why she attends numerous specialised seminars and international conferences.

Can you prolong the length of time of the need to have a facelift by using new anti-wrinkle alternatives such as injectables?

Genetics play a role in how our face will age to some degree but our lifestyle choices and the way we care for our skin can actually delay the process. Liquid facelift, which uses an assortment of different injectables can help delay the need for surgery. You can go for Botox and fillers to smoothen dynamic wrinkles and restore the volume. Skin boosters can treat the skin superficially using new collagen stimulators or much better stem cells to tighten it to the underlying tissues before its too late, because the extra excess skin is the only thing we cant correct without surgery. However, be careful about not having an over injected look that can result after several liquid facelifts. When that starts happening its better to consider the pony tail lift or the complete face lift.

Body contouring, if done properly, can have wonderful results. What methods do you use for optimal results?

Yes, but again realistic expectations. We dont have a magic wand. We have to draw limits to ensure the safety of the patient and get the best results for the specific surgical indications. It also depends on the starting point, on the deposit of localised fat, and the skin laxity and quality.

With the introduction in the market of new technologies for skin tightening such as J-plasma and Bodytite, I always perform liposculpting with radio frequency that permits us to conduct heat on the skin and shrink it consequently. We can combine the treatment with fat transfer (sometimes enriched with stem cells) to specific areas to correct some depressions and to create more definition in the waistline. And eventually Brazilian butt lift, but again we need to have realistic expectations as not all the reinjected fat will survive long-term, but only about 60 per cent.

We cant ignore that when we have a severe skin laxity and extra excess of skin, we need the body lift or dermolipectomy (cutting the skin) as abdominoplasty, 360 belt abdominoplasty, thighs lift, and arms lift. However, this will result in permanent scarring, even though we position and suture the scar meticulously. Scar healing is a long, complicated and very individual process.

How much of your consultations and treatments are dedicated to assisting individuals who have had less than optimal results from previous procedures?

One of the most requested procedures is liposuction, which may require revisions. This is similar to what happened to the fake large breasts in the past. Breast implants are more popular than ever but now the augmentation has been moving towards a smaller size and natural shape. Patients wearing big and heavy implants are having unpleasant aesthetic consequences such as severe ptosis of the breast that requires a mastopexy or breast lift with implants exchange.

We need to need to be aware of the disaster caused due to the placement of permanent fillers in on the face and body that may lead to serious complications such as allergic reactions, infections, and necrosis (death of skin cells). So to conclude, lets say maybe around 70 per cent of all my procedures.

We see many plastic surgery clinics promoting patient education. How important is this aspect to patients?

It is very important. Patients need to understand perfectly what they will encounter and the realistic results that we can ensure. Besides, all the risks and benefits and the post-surgery or treatment care. The success and good results of plastic surgery is not only in the surgeons hands, but a well done post-operative care will definitely enhance the result.

The Tajmeel Royal Clinic is located on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. For appointments and enquiries call 800 825

Highlights

* Board-certified surgeon with over 15 years of experience

* Member of ISAPS, ASPS, SICPRE

List of treatments

* Breast surgeries (augmentation, reduction, and lifts)

* Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)

* Body lifts (arms lift, thighs lift, and belt lift)

* Eyebrows and eyelid lifts (ponytail lift)

* Oncoplastic breast surgery

* Head and neck reconstruction

More:
Tajmeel redefines beauty to give its patients the best results - Gulf News

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Tajmeel redefines beauty to give its patients the best results – Gulf News | September 27th, 2022