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Introduction: Hyperpigmentation disorders are very frequent, affect the quality of life and may become a psychological burden for afflicted patients. Many anti‐pigmenting or depigmenting agents are available with various efficacy and almost no comparative data. 2‐mercaptonicotinoyl glycine (2‐MNG) was recently proposed as a viable candidate showing safe and effective results on hyperpigmentation control in vitro and in vivo. Objectives: A Bayesian network meta‐analysis (BNMA) was conducted to map and rank the anti‐pigmenting and depigmenting efficacy of 2‐MNG 0.5% on UV daylight (UVDL)‐induced pigmentation together with 13 other reference molecules. A comparison in the kinetics of 2‐MNG 0.5% was also performed. Methodology: Fourteen studies were conducted, for each, on 15–30 women of skin phototype III in Shanghai, China and Paris, France. The products were applied on mini zone, in randomized and blinded protocol, on the back, 5 days a week during 6 weeks, at a dose of 4 mg/cm2. During the second week, volunteers were exposed under to varying minimum erythemal dose of UVDL during 4 consecutive days—adapted to obtain a similar induction of skin pigmentation regardless of the population. Assessments were performed instrumentally using Chromameter®. Ascorbic acid 7% was used as a positive control for all experiments. A Bayesian network meta‐analysis was then established to map and follow the kinetics of 2‐MNG 0.5% performance with 13 reference molecules (glutathione 2%, kojic acid 1%, hydroquinone 4%, ascorbyl glucoside 2%, niacinamide 4%, etc.). Results: 2‐MNG 0.5% dominated the ranking at all time points with a significant high probability of strong efficacy against UVDL‐induced pigmentation. Ascorbic acid 7% ranks second after 4 days of irradiations (D12) whereas hydroquinone 4% ranks second 1 month after irradiations (D40). In the kinetics, 2‐MNG at 0.5% was effective as from the end of irradiations (D12) to the study endpoint (D40). This suggested an immediate and persistent efficacy across all timepoints evaluated. Conclusion: The BNMA revealed a rapid and lasting efficacy of 2‐MNG 0.5% on the anti‐pigmenting and depigmenting phases of the clinical protocol. 2‐MNG 0.5% ranked first, with immediate and lasting effect compared to 13 other references. This study is the first allowing comparison between reference anti‐pigmenting and depigmenting agents and will help clinicians for proposing the most effective approach for their patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explored the influence of unemployment perceptions on attitudes towards an EU‐wide social policy that guarantees a minimum standard of living for the poor across 18 European countries. The article relied on a theoretical framework that highlights the interaction among economic self‐interest, ideology, and perceptions. Using data from Eurostat and the European Social Survey, the results show that Europeans with more negative perceptions of national unemployment or the living conditions of the unemployed were more likely to support an EU minimum income scheme. This association was particularly strong among individuals with non‐egalitarian values or right‐leaning ideology and remained relatively consistent across different national contexts. Additionally, support was stronger in countries with poor economic and welfare conditions. Overall, the findings reveal a high perceived legitimacy among Europeans for implementing a policy measure that aims to tackle poverty in the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Living a happy life is an essential issue for old adults. However, how eating with others contributes to happiness and whether this association is different by living arrangements or not is unknown. The current study examined the relationship between the frequency of eating with others and happiness among older adults according to their living arrangements using 3‐year longitudinal data. Methods: The analyzed sample comprised 18,727 people (10,920 males and 7807 females) with low happiness (0–7 points on score of 0–10 points) from Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES) in 2016. Our exposure was the frequency of eating with others: rarely, a few times a year, a few times a month, and a few times a week or more. We performed Modified Poisson Regression to examine the association between the frequency of eating with others and high happiness (8–10 points) in 2019 stratified by living arrangement (living alone/with others). Results: A total of 4352 (23.2%) people showed high happiness in 2019. After adjusting for age, sex, marital status, education, household income, social participation, illnesses under treatment, and depressive symptoms in 2016, the cumulative incidence ratio (CIR) for high happiness in 2019 among people living alone was more significant, that is, 1.28 (95% confidence intervals: 0.88–1.87), 1.50 (1.05–2.14), and 1.82 (1.26–2.63), than 1.28 (1.11–1.48), 1.30 (1.12–1.50), and 1.33 (1.16–1.52) among people living with others for those who ate with others a few times a year, a few times a month, and a few times a week or more compared to those who rarely ate with others, respectively. The interaction between the frequency of eating with others and living arrangements was statistically significant. The trend test showed that higher frequency of eating with others was significantly associated with high happiness. Conclusions: Eating with others was associated with improved happiness among older adults, with such an association being stronger among people living alone. Key points: Eating with others may improve happiness levels for older adults with low happiness.Eating with others more frequently was associated with improved happiness.This association was stronger among people living alone.Depressive symptoms may partially explain this association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inflammatory and non‐inflammatory acne lesions constitute a significant clinical challenge in acne subjects. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a facial serum and a mask containing salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid for improving skin conditions. Methods: This randomized controlled trial included adults with comedones, post‐inflammatory erythema (PIE) and/or hyperpigmentation (PIH) in Shanghai, China in July 2021. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive the study Serum + Mask or serum alone for 8 weeks. Acne severity, comedones, papules, pustules, PIE, PIH, skin pores, skin tone evenness, sebum secretion, skin hydration, and trans‐epidermal water loss were evaluated at T0d, T1d, T7d, T14d, T28d, and T56d. Results: Eighty‐three participants were included, including 41 and 42 in the Serum + Mask and Serum groups, respectively. Acne severity, density of skin pores, skin tone evenness, PIH foci on face, PIE foci on nose, intensity of PIE and PIH, closed comedones on face, open comedones on nose, sebum secretion, and skin hydration were significantly improved from baseline after 8 weeks of treatment in both groups (all p < 0.05). Addition of the mask improved the number of closed comedones (−6.56 ± 0.39 vs. −5.19 ± 0.44, p = 0.022) and acne severity (−0.39 ± 0.08 vs. −0.12 ± 0.09, p = 0.026) substantially more than using the serum alone. No adverse reaction was reported in either group. Conclusions: The study serum improved skin conditions by regulating skin barrier function and achieving a balance of skin hydration and sebum secretion, removing comedones and improving PIE and PIH. Addition of the mask accelerated the effects without compromising safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene has been shown to act as an efficient sieve for hydrogen isotope separation since the perfect monolayer graphene is impermeable to almost all atoms and molecules but permeable to protons. Large-area graphene films can be produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and exhibit a considerably high proton–deuteron separation factor of ∼8. However, the performance of the graphene-based membrane is often limited by the presence of cracks and imperfections introduced mainly during the transfer process. Here, we report a simple but effective method to transfer large-area CVD graphene onto commercial Nafion membranes with the aid of palladium thin films and thus fabricate the Pd/Graphene/Nafion composite membranes, which allow a proton–deuteron separation factor up to ∼10. This transfer method avoids the mechanical damage of graphene caused by deformation of the Nafion membrane. There is no need to remove the palladium thin film, and it will act as a catalyst for the reduction of hydrons during electrochemical pumping. The large-area transfer of graphene and fabrication of composite membranes for efficient separation of hydrogen isotopes will promote the development of graphene-based separation technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

History is an important but often overlooked content area for all students in this current era of accountability. Yet instruction in history can help students become problem solvers and learn to make interpretations from multiple perspectives. This article reports the results of a pilot study examining history learning across three groups of students (i.e., students with disabilities, students without disabilities, and students enrolled in an honors class) as they studied history (a unit on Andrew Jackson) through a Web-based history learning environment--the Virtual History Museum. The results indicate students in all three ability groups made gains from pretest to posttest in factual knowledge and reasoning about key concepts of the unit. The results provide preliminary support that a Web-based learning environment that includes features to assist students with mild disabilities can improve learning for all students at about the same rate. (Contains 3 tables.)

This study examined the professional development opportunities that about eighty mathematics teachers of junior high schools were provided with in the national curriculum reform of China and explored how their beliefs in mathematics instruction and instructional practice were affected by the professional development opportunities available to them. A questionnaire was administered to collect data. The results showed that the length of time the participants spent on attending school-based learning activities had a significant effect on their attitudes toward the effectiveness of the professional development and on their instructional practice. The content of the training programs that focused on studying textbooks and observing and reflecting upon model lessons was highly correlated to the implementation of conventional mathematics instruction. Another factor that related to the implementation of conventional mathematics instruction was the collegial support the teachers received at their schools. (Contains 8 notes and 4 tables.)

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; welfare attitudes; social policy responsibility; Germany; panel data EN COVID-19 pandemic welfare attitudes social policy responsibility Germany panel data 118 149 32 05/20/22 20220101 NES 220101 1 Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has changed people's living conditions and life patterns. By June/July, respondents tend to be less willing to pay higher taxes and social insurance contributions, less in favour of the EU taking more responsibility over the national government and more supportive of an EU-wide minimum wage. This may suggest that citizens hold their national government responsible for coping with the pandemic, rather than a supranational government like the EU. How did welfare attitudes change during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany?. [Extracted from the article]

Objective Methods Results Conclusion The objective of this study is to assess the correspondence, in live conditions, between clinical gradings of facial aging signs by three dermatologists and those afforded by an automatic AI‐based algorithm that analyses smartphones' selfie images of Chinese subjects.In total, 125 Chinese subjects of both genders, aged 18–62y, took a selfie using their own smartphones and were immediately viewed by three dermatologists. The latter graded the severity of 15 facial signs in women and 9 in men, using the standardized values afforded by a Skin Aging Atlas referential dedicated to Asian skin. The data issued by both methodologies were then statistically compared.The absolute gradings of the automatic system were found highly correlated with clinical assessments, with lower values in most cases. In women, large differences in absolute values were found on the gradings for size of isolated spot, cheek fold, spread macules, and texture of mouth contour women. Analysis of the Mean Absolute Errors (M.A.E) revealed that these rarely exceed 0.6 grading units in women and to a lesser extent in men.The present study confirmed the value of the automatic system towards an extended use towards large human cohorts as a surrogate of clinical evaluations and allowed to detect the points where improvements must be brought to the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Skin hydration is essential for maintaining stratum corneum (SC) flexibility and facilitating maturation events. Moisturizers contain multiple ingredients to maintain and improve skin hydration although a complete understanding of hydration mechanisms is lacking. The ability to differentiate the source of the hydration (water from the environment or deeper skin regions) upon application of product will aid in designing more efficacious formulations. Materials and Methods: Novel confocal Raman microscopy (CRM) experiments allow us to investigate mechanisms and levels of hydration in the SC. Using deuterium oxide (D2O) as a probe permits the differentiation of endogenous water (H2O) from exogenous D2O. Following topical application of D2O, we first compare in vivo skin depth profiles with those obtained using ex vivo skin. Additional ex vivo experiments are conducted to quantify the kinetics of D2O diffusion in the epidermis by introducing D2O under the dermis. Results: Relative D2O depth profiles from in vivo and ex vivo measurements compare well considering procedural and instrumental differences. Additional in vivo experiments where D2O was applied following topical glycerin application increased the longevity of D2O in the SC. Reproducible rates of D2O diffusion as a function of depth have been established for experiments where D2O is introduced under ex vivo skin. Conclusion: Unique information regarding hydration mechanisms are obtained from CRM experiments using D2O as a probe. The source and relative rates of hydration can be delineated using ex vivo skin with D2O underneath. One can envision comparing these depth‐dependent rates in the presence and absence of topically applied hydrating agents to obtain mechanistic information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vasculature response is a hallmark for most inflammatory skin disorders. Tape stripping on human skin causes a minor inflammation which leads to changes in microvasculature. In this study, optical microangiography (OMAG), noninvasive volumetric microvasculature in vivo imaging method, has been used to track the vascular responses after tape stripping. Vessel density has been quantified and used to correlate with the degree of skin irritation. The proved capability of OMAG technique in visualizing the microvasculature network under inflamed skin condition can play an important role in clinical trials of treatment and diagnosis of inflammatory skin disorders. (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-photon absorption based traditional laser treatment may not necessarily be selective at the microscopic level, thus could result in un-intended tissue damage. Our objective is to test whether two-photon absorption (TPA) could provide highly targeted tissue alteration of specific region of interest without damaging surrounding tissues. TPA based laser treatments (785 nm, 140 fs pulse width, 90 MHz) were performed on ex vivo mouse skin using different average power levels and irradiation times. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) and combined second-harmonic-generation (SHG) and two-photon fluorescence (TPF) imaging channels were used to image before, during, and after each laser treatment. The skin was fixed, sectioned and H & E stained after each experiment for histological assessment of tissue alterations and for comparison with the non-invasive imaging assessments. Localized destruction of dermal fibers was observed without discernible epidermal damage on both RCM and SHG + TPF images for all the experiments. RCM and SHG + TPF images correlated well with conventional histological examination. This work demonstrated that TPA-based light treatment provides highly localized intradermal tissue alteration. With further studies on optimizing laser treatment parameters, this two-photon absorption photothermolysis method could potentially be applied in clinical dermatology. (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer with a yearly global incidence over 232,000 patients. Individuals with fair skin and red hair exhibit the highest risk for developing melanoma, with evidence suggesting the red/blond pigment known as pheomelanin may elevate melanoma risk through both UV radiation-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Although the ability to identify, characterize, and monitor pheomelanin within skin is vital for improving our understanding of the underlying biology of these lesions, no tools exist for real-time, in vivo detection of the pigment. Here we show that the distribution of pheomelanin in cells and tissues can be visually characterized non-destructively and noninvasively in vivo with coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy, a label-free vibrational imaging technique. We validated our CARS imaging strategy in vitro to in vivo with synthetic pheomelanin, isolated melanocytes, and the Mc1re/e, red-haired mouse model. Nests of pheomelanotic melanocytes were observed in the red-haired animals, but not in the genetically matched Mc1re/e; Tyrc/c (“albino-red-haired”) mice. Importantly, samples from human amelanotic melanomas subjected to CARS imaging exhibited strong pheomelanotic signals. This is the first time, to our knowledge, that pheomelanin has been visualized and spatially localized in melanocytes, skin, and human amelanotic melanomas.

Three-dimensional in vitro tumor models are highly useful tools for studying tumor growth and treatment response of malignancies such as ovarian cancer. Existing viability and treatment assessment assays, however, face shortcomings when applied to these large, complex, and heterogeneous culture systems. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive, label-free, optical imaging technique that can visualize live cells and tissues over time with subcellular resolution and millimeters of optical penetration depth. Here, we show that OCT is capable of carrying out high-content, longitudinal assays of 3D culture treatment response. We demonstrate the usage and capability of OCT for the dynamic monitoring of individual and combination therapeutic regimens in vitro, including both chemotherapy drugs and photodynamic therapy (PDT) for ovarian cancer. OCT was validated against the standard LIVE/DEAD Viability/Cytotoxicity Assay in small tumor spheroid cultures, showing excellent correlation with existing standards. Importantly, OCT was shown to be capable of evaluating 3D spheroid treatment response even when traditional viability assays failed. OCT 3D viability imaging revealed synergy between PDT and the standard-of-care chemotherapeutic carboplatin that evolved over time. We believe the efficacy and accuracy of OCT in vitro drug screening will greatly contribute to the field of cancer treatment and therapy evaluation.

We present a multimodal in vivo skin imaging instrument that is capable of simultaneously acquiring multiphoton and reflectance confocal images at up to 27 frames per second with 256 × 256 pixel resolution without the use of exogenous contrast agents. A single femtosecond laser excitation source is used for all channels ensuring perfect image registration between the two-photon fluorescence (TPF), second harmonic generation (SHG), and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) images. Images and videos acquired with the system show that the three imaging channels provide complementary information in in vivo human skin measurements. In the epidermis, cell boundaries are clearly seen in the RCM channel, while cytoplasm is better seen in the TPF imaging channel, whereas in the dermis, SHG and TPF channels show collagen bundles and elastin fibers, respectively. The demonstrated fast imaging speed and multimodal imaging capabilities of this MPM/RCM instrument are essential features for future clinical application of this technique. (© 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Methods Results Conclusion To investigate the repairing and anti‐wrinkle efficacy of the facial cream enriched with C‐xyloside, aiming at comprehensively evaluating its skin anti‐ aging effect and clarify its potential mechanism of action.The repairing efficacy was studied on 3D epidermis skin model and the antiaging efficacy was studied on ex‐vivo human skin. Two clinical studies were conducted with Chinese females. In the first study, 49 subjects aged between 30 and 50 with wrinkle concerns were recruited and instructed to apply the investigational cream containing C‐xyloside for 8 weeks. Wrinkles attributes were assessed by dermatologist. Instrumental measurements on skin hydration, trans‐epidermal water loss (TEWL), and skin elasticity were also conducted. In the second study, 30 subjects aged between 25 and 60 with self‐declared sensitive skin and facial redness were recruited and instructed to apply the cream for 4 weeks. Biomarker analysis of the stratum corneum was conducted through facial tape strips.The cream improved the histomorphology of the 3D epidermis skin model after SLS stimulation, and significantly increase the expression of LOR and FLG. On human skin, the cream improved the histopathology induced by UV, and significantly increased the protein content of COL I and COL III, collagen density and the number of Ki‐67 positive cell of skin compared with model group (n = 3, p < 0.01). The results from the first clinical study demonstrate a significant increased the skin hydration and elasticity by 21.90%, 13.08% (R2) and 12.30% (R5), respectively (n = 49, p < 0.05), and the TEWL values decreased by 33.94% (n = 49, p < 0.05), after 8 weeks application of the cream. In addition, the scores for nasolabial folds, glabellar wrinkle, underneath eye wrinkles, crow's feet wrinkle and forehead wrinkle in the volunteers exhibited a significant reduction of 34.02%, 43.34%, 50.03%, 33.64% and 55.81% respectively (n = 49, p < 0.05). The (rCE)/(fCE) ratio of volunteers based on tape stripping significant increased after using the sample cream (n = 30, p < 0.05).The cream containing C‐xyloside showed improvement of skin wrinkles and enhancement of skin barrier function. These efficacies may be attributed to the fact that the sample cream can increase the expression of skin barrier related proteins LOR and FLG, promote the maturation of cornified envelope, enhance collagen I and III protein expression and stimulate skin cell proliferation, to provide sufficient evidence supporting its antiaging efficacy of skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal complexes have received extensive attention in nonlinear optical (NLO) materials because of their advantages, such as shorter response times and more flexible structural properties. Density functional theory is used in investigating the geometric structures, electronic structures, charge centroid, and first hyperpolarizability (β tot ) of a series of selected 15 coordinated Ir(III) complexes. The substitute effect and one-electron redox process effects on the structures and properties of 15 coordinated Ir(III) complexes are considered. When the electron-withdrawing group is introduced into the ligand, the HOMO-LUMO energy gap decreases and the β tot value increases, positively correlating with the electron-withdrawing ability. The single electron redox process can also improve the NLO responses of complexes, especially the reduction process. The β tot value of complex 4 - is the largest, 2078 times higher than that of complex 4. The analysis shows that the variation of NLO responses of complexes is ascribed to the change of electronic structures and the charge transfer modes induced by the ligand modification and redox process, which are considered to be two effective methods in enhancing the NLO responses of 2-phenyl benzoquinoline Ir(III) complexes. This study aims to offer design insights into high-performance nonlinear optical materials.

Remote photoplethysmography (RPPG) can detect heart rate from facial videos in a non-contact way. However, head movement often affects its performance in the real world. In this paper, a novel anti-motion interference method named T-SNE-based signal separation (TSS) is proposed to solve this problem. TSS first decomposes the observed color traces into pulse-related vectors and noise vectors using the T-SNE algorithm. Then, it selects the vector with the most significant spectral peak as the pulse signal for heart rate measurement. The proposed method is tested on a self-collected dataset (17 males and 8 females) and two public datasets (UBFC-RPPG and VIPL-HR). Experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms state-of-the-art methods, especially on the videos containing head movements, improving the Pearson correlation coefficient by 5% compared with the best contrasting method. To summarize, this work significantly strengthens the motion robustness of RPPG, which makes a substantial contribution to the development of video-based heart rate detection., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest related to this article, (© 2022 Optica Publishing Group under the terms of the Optica Open Access Publishing Agreement.)