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Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common pattern of hair loss resulting from the effects of androgen on hair follicles. MicroRNAs (miRs) serve imperative roles in the regulation of many biological processes of hair follicles. However, the exact molecular mechanism of AGA remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we found miR‐122, which is mainly recognized as a tumor suppressor, was highly overexpressed in the bulb of balding hair follicles in comparison with nonbalding ones in AGA. Moreover, miR‐122 induces apoptosis of human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) with miR‐122 mimics in vitro, and the expression of insulin‐like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) in hDPCs was reduced following upregulation of miR‐122. Mechanistically, dual‐luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR‐122 directly targeted the 3′‐untranslated region of IGF1R. These findings suggested that upregulation of miR‐122 induces apoptosis, potentially via the repression of IGF1R in hDPCs of AGA, providing a novel insight into the potential pathological mechanism of miR‐122 in AGA DPCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Solidification end reduction is a novel technique that can effectively refine the microstructure and improve the homogeneity in continuously cast steel. Herein, the static recrystallization (SRX) behaviors and microstructure evolution of microalloyed continuous casting slabs during the heavy reduction (HR) process are simulated and analyzed by means of high‐temperature laser scanning confocal microscopy (HT‐LSCM). According to the statistical results of microstructure, the insulation temperature has a more significant effect on the SRX fraction and recrystallization grain size compared with the strain rate, initial austenite grain size, and prestrain, and a modified SRX kinetic model is proposed. Furthermore, a deforming microstructure is observed at different strains and holding times with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and it is found that the reduction of high‐angle boundaries (HAGBs, θ > 15°) of 25°–35° is related to strain‐induced boundary migration (SIBM). The stored deformation energy of HAGBs is higher than that of very low‐angle boundaries (VLAGBs, θ < 5°) by the detailed misinterpretation profile analysis of the block and lath boundaries. Finally, the combination of in situ observation and EBSD analysis shows that the stored deformation energy provides the driving force for the SRX process, which, in turn, consumes dislocations to stabilize the microstructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an improved method to identify the soil strata using the interval type-2 fuzzy C-means (IT2FCM) clustering algorithm representing the uncertainty in CPTu data. Representative parameters (i.e., cone resistance qt and pore pressure ratio Bq) chosen from CPTu data obtained from two engineering sites were normalized and thereafter processed by the self-written IT2FCM subprogram in MATLAB. The cluster analysis results indicated that the IT2FCM method can identify similar groups of data in the soil profile, detect different layer boundaries and transitions, and delineate the lenses and outliers within a sub-layer. Compared with the exiting cluster method, the method proposed in this study uses fewer clustering numbers, and the cluster results can discover more drastic changes within the soil strata. Combined with the validity index, the cluster results are more reasonable in identifying the soil stratigraphy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted in order to compare the safety and efficacy of LLLT, 5% minoxidil, and combination therapy in the treatment of FPHL. A randomized controlled trial was developed to study the effect of LLLT on FPHL using a device called iHelmet®, which is equipped with 200 5mW laser diode source (650 nm) arrays. Ninety Ludwig's types II–III FPHL patients were randomly divided into 3 groups: LLLT group (A), 5% minoxidil group (B), and combination group(C). Hair density, hair diameter, and scalp oil-secretion were detected to evaluate the treatment effect. Significant improvement of hair density and hair diameter was observed in all stages of FPHL after treatment. Oil-secretion of the three groups was decreased after treatment. The effectiveness of reducing oil-secretion in LLLT group and combination group was higher than minoxidil group (P < 0.05). For improving hair diameter and hair density, combination group was better than LLLT and minoxidil groups. No side effects were reported. Our study illustrated that LLLT is a safe and effective treatment for FPHL. Besides, LLLT can significantly improve its efficacy when used in combination with 5% minoxidil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a global challenge, affecting a large number of people worldwide. Efficacy of the existed treatments can barely meet the demands of patients. Patients who are poorly responding to those treatments are seeking for a more effective and suitable technique to treat their disease. Low-level light therapy (LLLT) is a newly developed technique, which has been proved to stimulate hair growth. Based on the function principle of LLLT in other domains and refer to the published literatures, we write this review to neaten and elucidate the possible mechanism of LLLT in the treatment of AGA. A review of published literature which is associated with keywords LLLT, photobiomodulation, AGA, treatment, hair growth, and mechanism was performed to elucidate the proposed mechanism of LLLT in the treatment of AGA. The present study shows that LLLT can accelerate hair growth in AGA patients. The proposed mechanism of LLLT in treating AGA may vary among different specialists. But we can summarize the consensual mechanisms as follows; low-level light absorbed by chromophores can lead to the production of nitric oxide (NO) and the modulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These mobilized molecules subsequently activate redox-related signaling pathways in hair follicle cells and perifollicular cells. Finally, these activated cells participate in the regrowth of hair follicle. Even though the efficacy of LLLT in the treatment of AGA in both men and women has already been confirmed, the present studies focusing on discovering LLLT are still inadequate and unsystematic. More studies are needed to standardize the optimum treatment parameters applied in promoting hair growth and determine the long-term safety and efficacy of LLLT. Current recognitions about the mechanisms of LLLT, mainly focused on the molecules that may take effect, neglected different cellular components that are functional in the hair follicle macro-environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]