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The COVID-19 pandemic's mental health impact is well-established. While early evidence suggested suicide deaths remained stable or declined, suicidal ideation (SI) became more prevalent than before the pandemic. Our study: (1) examined the prevalence and distribution of SI among Canadian adults, (2) compared SI among those with and without pre-existing mental illnesses, and (3) evaluated associations between pandemic-related stressors (i.e., unemployment, insecure employment, loss of income, medical vulnerability, COVID-19 exposure) with SI, and whether such associations were mediated by depression, thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, or perceived discrimination.The sample was comprised of data gathered at three timepoints (Wave 1 08/18/2020-10/01/2020, n = 6629; Wave 2 12/21/2020-03/31/2021, n = 5920; Wave 3 09/07/2021-12/07/2021, n = 7354). Quota-based responses from survey research panels which matched the geographic, age, and sex distribution of the Canadian population were supplemented with convenience-sampled responses.The prevalence of SI was 4.1 % (Wave 1), 5.3 % (Wave 2), and 5.8 % (Wave 3). Odds of SI were higher for respondents under the age of 35 years and with pre-existing mental illnesses. SI was associated with quarantining due to suspected or confirmed COVID-19 exposure, potential COVID-19 exposure at work, medical vulnerability toward COVID-19, insecure employment or unemployment, and income loss. These associations were mediated by psychological experiences, particularly depression and thwarted belongingness.This cross-sectional, observational study cannot establish temporality or causality.Results highlight groups who may benefit from enhanced screening for depression and suicide risk. Reducing depression and increasing sense of belonging should be prioritized.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had profound consequences on collective mental health and well-being, and yet, older adults appear better off than younger adults. The current study examined mental health impacts of the pandemic across adult age groups in a large sample (n = 5,320) of Canadians using multiple hierarchical regression analyses. Results suggest older adults are experiencing better mental health and more social connectedness relative to younger adults. Loneliness predicted negative mental health outcomes across all age groups, while the negative association between social support and mental health was only significant at average and high levels of loneliness in the 65–69 age group. Results point towards differential mental health impacts of the pandemic across adult age groups and indicate that loneliness and social support may be key intervention targets during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research should further examine mechanisms of resiliency among older Canadian adults during the pandemic.

Mean cognitive performance is worse in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) compared to control groups. However, studies on variability of cognitive performance in aMCI have yielded inconclusive results, with many differences in variability measures and samples from one study to another.We examined variability in aMCI using an existing older adult sample (Between-groupThe current study demonstrates that self-administered online tests can be used to remotely assess different types of variability in people at risk of Alzheimer`s. Our findings show small but significantly more interindividual differences in people with aMCI. This diversity is considered as "noise" in standard assessments of mean performance, but offers an interesting and cognitively informative "signal" in itself.

Objectives:Many older adults experience memory changes that can have a meaningful impact on their everyday lives, such as restrictions to lifestyle activities and negative emotions. Older adults also report a variety of positive coping responses that help them manage these changes. The purpose of this study was to determine how objective cognitive performance and self-reported memory are related to the everyday impact of memory change.Methods:We examined these associations in a sample of 94 older adults (age 60–89, 52% female) along a cognitive ability continuum from normal cognition to mild cognitive impairment.Results:Correlational analyses revealed that greater restrictions to lifestyle activities (|rs| = .36–.66), more negative emotion associated with memory change (|rs| = .27–.76), and an overall greater burden of memory change on everyday living (|rs| = .28–.61) were associated with poorer objective memory performance and lower self-reported memory ability and satisfaction. Performance on objective measures of executive attention was unrelated to the impact of memory change. Self-reported strategy use was positively related to positive coping with memory change (|r| = .26), but self-reported strategy use was associated with more negative emotions regarding memory change (|r| = .23).Conclusions:Given the prevalence of memory complaints among older adults, it is important to understand the experience of memory change and its impact on everyday functioning in order to develop services that target the specific needs of this population.

This survey aimed to inform graduate-level training in clinical psychological assessment by identifying strategies, barriers, and needs of psychologists in managing assessment training activities in the COVID-19 era A national online survey in English and French was advertised to registered psychologists involved in teaching, training, and/or supervision of clinical psychological assessment in Canada Quantitative items were summarised, and qualitative data from the survey underwent thematic analysis Of 164 respondents, 36% endorsed teaching clinical psychology or cognitive assessment courses, and 54% of them said they would adapt teaching to be entirely remote in the context of COVID-19 restrictions The biggest teaching barriers were perceived as insufficient knowledge of remote clinical assessment methods and inadequate guidance from institutional authorities, while the most significant concerns were perceived ability to effectively meet course objectives and to prepare students for practica Over three quarters (77%) of respondents indicated being involved in assessment training/supervision in practica or residencies, with 57% of these indicating their activities will be carried out in a blended format The biggest barriers were clinic closures, on-site training restrictions, and inadequate resources, while concerns were related to threats to assessment validity and to health and safety Results of this survey provide a snapshot of the state of the field, and the authors offer key considerations for moving forward as psychologists prepare to adapt teaching, training, and supervision activities The impacts of COVID-19 on clinical psychological assessment training are broad and, although disruptive, present an opportunity for a paradigm shift (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved) Abstract (French) Ce sondage visait a eclairer la formation de niveau superieur en matiere d'evaluation psychologique clinique en identifiant les strategies, les obstacles et les besoins des psychologues dans la gestion des activites de formation en evaluation a l'ere COVID-19 Un sondage national en ligne en anglais et en francais a ete propose a des psychologues autorises qui ont participe a l'enseignement, a la formation ou a la supervision de l'evaluation psychologique clinique au Canada Les elements quantitatifs ont ete resumes, et les donnees qualitatives du sondage ont fait l'objet d'une analyse thematique Sur les 164 repondants, 36 % ont appuye l'enseignement des cours de psychologie clinique ou d'evaluation cognitive et 54 % d'entre eux ont indique qu'ils adapteraient l'enseignement pour qu'il soit entierement donne a distance dans le contexte des restrictions de la COVID-19 Les plus grands obstacles a l'enseignement ont ete percus comme etant une connaissance insuffisante des methodes d'evaluation clinique a distance et une orientation inadequate des autorites institutionnelles, tandis que les preoccupations les plus importantes concernaient la capacite d'atteindre efficacement les objectifs du cours et de preparer les etudiants a la pratique Plus des trois quarts (77 %) des repondants ont indique participer a la formation et a la supervision dans le cadre de stages ou de residences, 57 % d'entre eux indiquant que leurs activites seront menees dans un format mixte Les plus grands obstacles etaient les fermetures de cliniques, les restrictions de formation sur place et les ressources inadequates, tandis que les preoccupations etaient liees aux menaces pesant sur la validite de l'evaluation et sur la sante et la securite Les resultats de ce sondage fournissent un apercu de l'etat du terrain, et les auteurs offrent des considerations cles pour aller de l'avant alors que les psychologues se preparent a adapter les activites d'enseignement, de formation et de supervision Les repercussions de la COVID-19 sur la formation en evaluation psychologique clinique sont vastes et, bien que perturbatrices, elles offrent l'occasion d'un changement de paradigme (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement Public Significance Statement: COVID-19 has significantly disrupted psychologists' ability to effectively teach and train students in clinical assessment A survey of Canadian psychologists who are involved in these activities revealed that they do not have enough funding, equipment, or guidance to rapidly adapt their teaching and training in light of COVID-19 public health restrictions Moving forward, psychologists must consider the ways in which professional training can be redefined to keep up with evolving technologies and demand for virtual assessments (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)

Objectives Our aim was to validate the online Brain Health Assessment (BHA) for detection of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) compared to gold-standard neuropsychological assessment. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of the BHA to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Methods Using a cross-sectional design, community-dwelling older adults completed a neuropsychological assessment, were diagnosed as normal cognition (NC) or aMCI, and completed the BHA and MoCA. Both logistic regression (LR) and penalized logistic regression (PLR) analyses determined BHA and demographic variables predicting aMCI; MoCA variables were similarly modeled. Diagnostic accuracy was compared using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC AUC) analyses. Results Ninety-one participants met inclusion criteria (51 aMCI, 40 NC). PLR modeling for the BHA indicated Face–Name Association, Spatial Working Memory, and age-predicted aMCI (ROC AUC = 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.66–0.86). Optimal cut-points resulted in 21% classified as aMCI (positive), 23% negative, and 56% inconclusive. For the MoCA, digits, abstraction, delayed recall, orientation, and age predicted aMCI (ROC AUC = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.61–0.82). Optimal cut-points resulted in 22% classified positive, 8% negative, and 70% inconclusive (LR results presented within). The BHA model classified fewer participants into the inconclusive category and more as negative for aMCI, compared to the MoCA model (Stuart–Maxwell p = .004). Discussion The self-administered BHA provides similar detection of aMCI as a clinician-administered screener (MoCA), with fewer participants classified inconclusively. The BHA has the potential to save practitioners time and decrease unnecessary referrals for a comprehensive assessment to determine the presence of aMCI.

ObjectiveEstimates indicate that 20–70% of renal transplant recipients are medication non-adherent, significantly increasing the risk of organ rejection. Medication adherence is negatively impacted by lower everyday problem solving ability, and associations between depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, and adherence are reported in renal transplant recipients. Nonetheless, to date, these associations have not been examined concurrently. Given the relationship between non-adherence and organ rejection, it is critical to gain a better understanding of the predictors of adherence in renal transplant recipients. To this end, we modeled relationships among cognitive abilities, depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, and adherence in this group. MethodsParticipants (N = 211) underwent renal transplant at least one year prior to participation. Adherence was measured via self-report, medication possession ratio, and immunosuppressant blood-level. Traditionally-measured neurocognitive and everyday problem-solving abilities were assessed. Depressive symptoms were measured via self-report, as were general and medication adherence related self-efficacy. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the fit of the model to available data. ResultsEveryday problem solving and self-efficacy had direct positive associations with adherence. Depressive symptoms were negatively associated with self-efficacy, but not adherence. Traditionally-measured neurocognitive abilities were positively associated with self-efficacy, and negatively associated with depressive symptoms. ConclusionsWe present a comprehensive investigation of relationships between cognitive and psychosocial factors and adherence in medically stable renal transplant recipients. Findings confirm the importance of everyday problem solving and self-efficacy in predicting adherence and suggest that influences of depressive symptoms and neurocognitive abilities are indirect. Findings have important implications for future development of interventions to improve medication adherence in renal transplant recipients.

Reductions in everyday problem solving (EPS) are often reported in older age, although it has been suggested that problem context may modify this effect. We evaluated the impact of two aspects of problem context: age appropriateness (age-neutral vs. older-age content) and problem type (interpersonal vs. practical) on EPS performance in 175 adults aged 18–87. Older adults generated fewer solutions to ill-structured EPS vignettes than younger and middle-aged adults. Middle-aged adults demonstrated an advantage on practical problems. While all age groups demonstrated a relative performance advantage for interpersonal content on older age problems, older adults showed the least relative benefit in this condition. Thus older adults do not exhibit relative performance gains on EPS problems designed to be most salient and relevant to this age group.

Renal disease is an increasingly common illness among middle-aged and older adults, and is often associated with depression. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES–D) is a widely used self-report screening measure on which responses generally conform to a 4-factor structure, with each factor loading onto a higher-order Depression factor. The current study examines whether this structure is supported among individuals with renal disease (both predialysis and posttransplant kidney disease patients). Persons with renal disease (n 225) and healthy control participants (n 230) were recruited from Vancouver General Hospital and the community. Participants completed the CES–D as part of an extended assessment. Confirmatory factor analytic models were computed for the renal disease and healthy control groups. Results support a 4-factor structure for CES–D responses in persons with renal disease and healthy controls. The hierarchical structure of CES–D responses also appears invariant between groups. Factor structure was similar between groups; only for Depressive Affect was the strength of association with the second-order factor greater among the renal disease than healthy control participants. Findings support similarity of CES–D factor structures between patients with renal disease and healthy individuals. Results suggest that the CES–D’s 4 factors contribute to measurement of a higher-order Depression factor in both groups; furthermore, 3 of 4 factors appear invariant between groups. As such, this measure can be used confidently to quantify depressive symptoms in individuals with renal disease.

Shaving the axilla is a regular part of the personal care regime for many women in Europe, North and South America. To assess the impact of shaving on underarm skin, a series of investigations were carried out, in which the thickness of the axillary vault and fossa were measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT), and underarm shaving debris was collected for study. The response of the axilla to histamine iontophoresis was also investigated. Additionally, a study was carried out to investigate the impact of a novel anti-perspirant roll-on formulation on irritation and self-perceived sensory properties of the axilla. The results clearly demonstrate that shaving the underarm consistently removes skin (stratum corneum) as well as axillary hair (with a mean value of 36.1% of the debris being skin). OCT measurements demonstrated that in shaved areas of the axilla, epidermal thickness is higher than in unshaved areas. In response to histamine, wheal and flare were both found to be greater in the shaved axilla, when compared with an unshaved control, but flare in the fossa was greater than that in the vault. On the basis of these results, we propose that the axillary vault has adapted to frequent shaving, notably by the development of a thickened epidermis. However, this adaptation is often not sufficient to fully protect the axilla from damage and irritation resulting from hair removal (shaving). In these instances, we have demonstrated that use of a novel anti-perspirant roll-on formulation containing glycerol and sunflower seed oil was able to reduce the impact of shaving-induced irritation and improve self-assessment of axillary condition.

Increased symptom endorsement on the short form of the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale has been previously associated with lower everyday problem-solving (EPS) ability in older adults. However, given the multifactorial and complex nature of depressive symptoms, it remains unclear whether certain symptoms/aspects of depression account for this relationship. We examined established factor scores on the full version of the CES-D to assess their utility as predictors of EPS in an older adult cohort.Community-dwelling older adults (n = 103; age: 51-91) were administered the CES-D along with a measure of EPS ability assessing both social and practical EPS. Regression analyses were used to determine the relationships between variables.Analyses revealed that increased CES-D scores predicted worse EPS ability in older adults (β = -.17, p.05) beyond the effects of age, gender, and education. Regression analyses examining each CES-D factor score revealed that decreased positive affect (loss of hope/enjoyment in life; β = -.21, p.01) remained the only significant predictor of decreased overall EPS scores beyond demographic variables, while depressed affect, interpersonal, and somatic factors were not significant predictors. Positive affect predicted both practical, as well as social EPS scores.Current results extend previous findings by showing that the relationship between increased depressive symptoms and decreased EPS ability in older age may be primarily driven by anhedonia as opposed to other depressive symptoms.

Three variants of the living skin equivalent cultures were compared in order to determine the most suitable to grow human differentiated epidermis to test beneficial properties of nutrients. Criteria of culture quality were mitotic index and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) assayed by means of a ServoMed Evaporimeter EP-2TM (ServoMed, Kinna, Sweden). Standards were donor skin mean mitotic index 11.1% and TEWL of living subjects mean 6.4 g/m(2)/h. Cultures (i) in 5% serum, 10 ng/ml of epidermal growth factor (EGF) at 37 degrees C and 95% relative humidity (RH); mitotic index on day 14, 19.2%, but on day 21, 1.8% and TEWL 9.5 g/m(2)/h on day 18. (ii) In 1% serum, no EGF, 33 degrees C and 95% RH, mitotic index on day 21, 9.1% and TEWL, 9.5% on day 18. (iii) Culture in same medium, 33 degrees C and 60% RH, mitotic index on day 28, 9.5% and TEWL 6.1 g/m(2)/h on day 18 as in vivo. Incubation in 60% RH was achieved using a novel chamber and dishes exposing only the corneum, sealing the medium. Vitamins C and E were used as model test nutrients. Culture conditions were 1% serum, no EGF at 33 degrees C and 95% RH. Vitamin C at 142 and 284 microM increased the mitotic index after 10- and 15-day treatment, but at 586 microM it was weakly toxic. Vitamin E at 20 and 40 microM did not. Both vitamins reduced TEWL providing functional data in support of previous reports on barrier properties. These are functional biomarkers of skin benefit relevant to skin in vivo.

Removal of underarm hair is an intrinsic part of the care regimen for the majority of female consumers, with most using a wet shave with a disposable razor. However, little is known of the impact of shaving on axillary skin, and it is a particularly neglected area of research. To investigate this, we have studied the acute and chronic effects of shaving ultrastructurally, biochemically and functionally. A forearm patch test protocol was devised for antiperspirant (AP) product screening, which involved a pre-shave of the test site with a dry razor just prior to patching. Comparison of the irritation caused by a series of AP products confirmed that shaving leads to increased irritation consistent with enhanced sensitivity. The effect of regular shaving in the axilla was assessed in a 4-week in-use study with shaving either once a week or once a day, both combined with the application of an AP. Expert visual assessment of skin condition showed that more frequent shaving promoted a higher level of visible irritation. However, indirect measurement using corneosurfametry indicated no significant changes to the lipid barrier over the study period irrespective of shaving frequency. Nevertheless, digital images of the axillary skin after dry shaving show distinct opaque lines because of uplifting skin flakes with a corresponding increase in scaliness parameter. Moreover, histamine iontophoresis to assess skin sensitivity demonstrated a significant enhancement of histamine-induced itch and neurogenic flare.

The skin of the axilla is cosmetically important with millions of consumers daily applying antiperspirant/deodorant products. Despite this, we know virtually nothing about axillary skin or how antiperspirant (AP) use impacts upon it. To characterize the axillary stratum corneum and determine whether this is a unique skin type, we have looked at stratum corneum composition and function, particularly its barrier properties, and compared it with other body sites. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and corneosurfametry (CSM) revealed a reduced barrier function in the axilla. HPTLC analysis of the stratum corneum lipids demonstrated statistically elevated levels of fatty acids, ceramides, and particularly cholesterol in the axilla. Both ceramide and cholesterol did not appear to change with depth, indicating that they were predominantly of stratum corneum origin. On the other hand, at least some of the fatty acid had a sebaceous origin. We hypothesized that the reduced barrier function might be owing to the changes in the crucial ceramide : cholesterol ratio. To address this, we used a combination of attenuated total reflectance-Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) with cyanoacrylate sampling. These results demonstrated more ordered lipid-lamellae phase behaviour in the axilla, suggesting that the elevated cholesterol might form crystal microdomains within the lipid lamellae, allowing an increase in water flux. Since an exaggerated application of antiperspirant had no effect upon the axilla barrier properties, it is concluded that this region of skin physiologically has a reduced barrier function.

SynopsisOBJECTIVES: To study and characterize the stratum corneum (SC)of dandruff scalp using in vivo Raman spectroscopy, to study how itcompares with the non-dandruff scalp and to see the effect of treat-ment with a zinc pyrithione (ZnPTO)-based anti-dandruff shampoo.METHODS: The scalp skin was measured using a recently devel-oped in vivo Raman probe. This method allows the inherent molec-ular components of the SC to be measured in vivo and confocallywith depth, in particular the levels of natural moisturizing factors(NMF), lipids, lactic acid, urea and water.RESULTS: Depth-profile data for the skin components in dandruffSC in vivo are shown for the first time. The dandruff SC has lowerNMF than the non-dandruff SC (0.16 compared with 0.39 a.u.),lower hydration, elevated levels of urea and lower levels of lacticacid. Treatment with an anti-dandruff shampoo containing 1%ZnPTO substantially restores the levels of each of these componentsclose to the non-dandruff levels. Further to this, it is shown thatsebum penetrates deeper into dandruff SC and at higher levels com-pared with non-dandruff SC. The levels of sebum localized withinthe SC are also brought closer to those of the non-dandruff condi-tion after ZnPTO treatment.CONCLUSION: The in vivo Raman probe has allowed the directmeasurement of dandruff-affected skin in situ for the first time. Ithas been shown that the dandruff SC is different from that of thenon-dandruff scalp and that it is changed by treatment with sham-poo containing ZnPTO and brought towards the characteristics ofnon-dandruff scalp. It offers novel insights into how the nature of ahealthy scalp should be defined.ResumeOBJECTIFS: Etudier et caracteriser le stratum corneum (SC) despellicules du cuir chevelu a l’aide de la spectroscopie Raman invivo, pour etudier comment il se compare au cuir chevelu non -pel-liculaire et de voir l’effet du traitement avec un pyrithione de zinc(ZnPTO) a base d’anti- shampooing antipelliculaire.METHODES: La peau du cuir chevelu a ete mesuree en utilisantune sonde Raman in vivo recemment developpee. Ce procede per-met aux composants moleculaires intrinseques de la couche cornee(SC) d’^etre mesur es in vivo et ceci de maniere confocale, tel que laprofondeur, en particulier le niveau de natural moisturising factor(NMF), ceramide 3, le cholesterol, le sebum, l’acide lactique, l’uree,l’acide trans-urocanique (pH 4 et 8) et de l’eau.RESULTATS: Il a etedemontre pour la premiere fois in vivo com-ment un cuir chevelu a pellicules est distinct du cuir chevelunon -pelliculaire. Le SC pelliculaire revele un NMF inferieure au SCnon-pellicules (0.16 par rapport a 0.39 ua) etant ainsi plus sec, etayant des taux eleves d’uree et des taux inferieurs d’acide lactique.Le traitement avec un shampooing anti -pelliculaire contenantZnPTO restaure sensiblement les niveaux de chacun de ceselements proches des niveaux SC non -pelliculaires. Suite a cela, ilest demontre que le sebum penetre plus profondement dans les pell-icules SC et a des taux plus eleves par rapport aux SC non pellicul-aires. Les taux de sebum localise a l’interieur de la SC sontegalement rapproches de celles de l’ etat de non -pelliculaire apresle traitement au ZnPTO.CONCLUSION: La technique de la sonde Raman in vivo a permisune mesure directe de la peau de pellicules touches in situ pour lapremiere fois. Il a ete montre que le SC a pellicules est different decelui du cuir chevelu non-pelliculaire et qu’il est modifie par untraitement avec un shampooing contenant ZnPTO et entraineendirection des caracteristiques du cuir chevelu sans pellicules. Ellepropose egalement de nouvelles idees sur la fac on de definir lanature d’un cuir chevelu sain.IntroductionDandruff is a disorder of the scalp skin that is thought to affectaround half the world’s population at some point [1]. It is a condi-tion that can lead to loss of self-esteem and a negative social image.Its classical features are scaling and flaking in the surface layers ofthe skin, the stratum corneum (SC), often accompanied by itchingand skin tightness. Indeed the origin of the word dandruff is ‘itch-dirt’ [2]. Although the aetiology of dandruff is complex, multifacto-rial and not fully understood there is a general consensus that it ispredicated by three main factors: yeast of the genus Malassezia,principally M. restricta [3] and M. globosa [4], sebum productionand an individual predisposition that in dandruff-prone individualsis potentially linked to SC barrier weakness [1]. Malassez first sug-gested Malassezia (then named differently) as a cause a hundredyears ago and it has been much debated since [1, 5, 6]. This ispartly because the yeast is present on scalps of healthy individualsas well as those with dandruff. This has led to a large number ofstudies focussed on Malassezia, including whole-genome sequencing

The axillary skin is cosmetically important with millions of consumers daily applying antiperspirant/deodorant products. Despite this, we know virtually nothing about axillary skin or how antiperspirant use impacts upon it. To characterize axillary stratum corneum and determine whether this is a unique skin type, we have evaluated a range of skin parameters, comparing these with the volar forearm. Trans-epidermal water loss and corneosurfametry revealed a reduced barrier function in the axilla. However, application of antiperspirant had no effect upon these barrier properties. High performance thin layer chromatography analysis of stratum corneum lipids demonstrated statistically elevated levels of fatty acids, ceramide and particularly cholesterol in the axilla. This modification of barrier lipid ratios appeared to result in a more ordered lipid lamellae phase behaviour, as determined by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, with transition phase changes occurring at higher temperatures. Morphological differences were also seen in the cells of the axillary stratum corneum. Microscopic evaluation of axillary-cornified envelopes revealed them to be smaller, indicative of a shorter stratum corneum turnover. However, there appeared to be no significant difference corneocyte maturation. ‘Skin dryness’ squamometry measurements indicated that the axillary stratum corneum retained desquamated material on its surface more than on the forearm. This correlated with decreased levels of the desquamatory stratum corneum chymotryptic enzyme in the surface layers of the skin. These results indicate that the axilla has a distinct phenotype. Paper presented at the 22nd IFSCC Congress 2002, Edinburgh, Scotland

The following associations between rats and mites on Raoul and Meyer Islands, Kermadec group, are reported and discussed in relation to existing records from the South Pacific region. From Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhaut), the Norway rat, alone: Mesostigmata ‐ *Mesolaelaps australiensis (Hirst), *Parasitus sp.; Prostigmata ‐ an unidentified tetranychid and an unidentified tydeid; Astigmata ‐ Euroglyphus maynei (Cooreman); Cryptostigmata ‐ Nothrus biciliatus Koch, Tumerozetes sp. From the Norway rat and Rattus exulans (Peale), the Polynesian rat: Mesostigmata‐ *Gymnolaelaps annectans Womersley, *Laelaps nuttali Hirst, *Ornithonyssus bacoti (Hirst); Prostigmata ‐ *Radfordia ensifera (Poppe); Astigmata ‐ Tyro‐phagus palmarum Oudemans, T. putrescentiae (Schrank), T. similis Volgin, Glycyphagus domesticus (de Geer), feather‐mites. No species was found solely on the Polynesian rat. At least 19 species are represented: 6(*)—including 3 cosmopolitan species—are considered to be ectoparasitic on the rats; the remain...