23 research outputs found
Bioengineered constructs combined with exercise enhance stem cell-mediated treatment of volumetric muscle loss
Volumetric muscle loss (VML) is associated with loss of skeletal muscle function, and current treatments show limited efficacy. Here we show that bioconstructs suffused with genetically-labelled muscle stem cells (MuSCs) and other muscle resident cells (MRCs) are effective to treat VML injuries in mice. Imaging of bioconstructs implanted in damaged muscles indicates MuSCs survival and growth, and ex vivo analyses show force restoration of treated muscles. Histological analysis highlights myofibre formation, neovascularisation, but insufficient innervation. Both innervation and in vivo force production are enhanced when implantation of bioconstructs is followed by an exercise regimen. Significant improvements are also observed when bioconstructs are used to treat chronic VML injury models. Finally, we demonstrate that bioconstructs made with human MuSCs and MRCs can generate functional muscle tissue in our VML model. These data suggest that stem cell-based therapies aimed to engineer tissue in vivo may be effective to treat acute and chronic VML
Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies identifies 8 novel loci involved in shape variation of human head hair
Shape variation of human head hair shows striking variation within and between human populations, while its genetic basis is far from being understood. We performed a series of genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and replication studies in a total of 28 964 subjects from 9 cohorts from multiple geographic origins. A meta-analysis of three European GWASs identified 8 novel loci (1p36.23
Genome-wide association study in 176,678 Europeans reveals genetic loci for tanning response to sun exposure
The skin's tendency to sunburn rather than tan is a major risk factor for skin cancer. Here we report a large genome-wide association study of ease of skin tanning in 176,678 subjects of European ancestry. We identify significant associa
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Risk factors for facial telangiectasia
BackgroundTelangiectasia or red veins are one of the main features of facial skin aging. To date there are few studies investigating risk factors for telangiectasia. We investigated environmental risk factors in a populationâbased cohort study, using a digital continuous outcome measure.MethodsTelangiectasia were quantified digitally from standardized 3âdimensional facial photographs of 2886 Northâ European participants (56.8% female, median age 66.9) from the Rotterdam Study, a prospective populationâbased cohort study. Ageâ and sex adjusted as well as fully adjusted multivariable linear regressions were performed to investigate associations between potential environmental factors and the amount of telangiectasia. Men and women were analyzed separately.ResultsThe mean facial area covered by telangiectasia was higher in women (median area 0.95%, interquartile range 0.62â 1.4) than in men (median area 0.76%, interquartile range 0.48â1.2). Besides age (men Ă=0.016, Pâvalue<0.001; women Ă=0.016, Pâvalue<0.001), smoking (men Ă=0.29, Pâvalue<0.001; women Ă=0.32, Pâvalue<0.001), a high susceptibility to sunburn (men Ă=0.082, Pâvalue<0.001; women Ă=0.076, Pâvalue<0.001) and light skin color (pale against oliveâcolored skin in men Ă=0.26, Pâvalue<0.001; in women Ă=0.23, Pâvalue<0.001) were independent significant factors contributing to telangiectasia for both sexes. Additionally in men, a lower education also showed an association (medium vs. high Ă=0.062, Pâvalue=0.008). Alcohol showed a negative association with telangiectasia (Ă=â0.028, Pâvalue<0.001). In women, a higher free androgen index was associated with less telangiectasia (Ă=â0.0053, Pâvalue<0.001).ConclusionIn this large cohort study of facial telangiectatic photoaging, environmental factors associated with telangiectasia are described, implicating possible new prevention strategies for this form of skin aging
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Risk factors for facial telangiectasia
BackgroundTelangiectasia or red veins are one of the main features of facial skin aging. To date there are few studies investigating risk factors for telangiectasia. We investigated environmental risk factors in a populationâbased cohort study, using a digital continuous outcome measure.MethodsTelangiectasia were quantified digitally from standardized 3âdimensional facial photographs of 2886 Northâ European participants (56.8% female, median age 66.9) from the Rotterdam Study, a prospective populationâbased cohort study. Ageâ and sex adjusted as well as fully adjusted multivariable linear regressions were performed to investigate associations between potential environmental factors and the amount of telangiectasia. Men and women were analyzed separately.ResultsThe mean facial area covered by telangiectasia was higher in women (median area 0.95%, interquartile range 0.62â 1.4) than in men (median area 0.76%, interquartile range 0.48â1.2). Besides age (men Ă=0.016, Pâvalue<0.001; women Ă=0.016, Pâvalue<0.001), smoking (men Ă=0.29, Pâvalue<0.001; women Ă=0.32, Pâvalue<0.001), a high susceptibility to sunburn (men Ă=0.082, Pâvalue<0.001; women Ă=0.076, Pâvalue<0.001) and light skin color (pale against oliveâcolored skin in men Ă=0.26, Pâvalue<0.001; in women Ă=0.23, Pâvalue<0.001) were independent significant factors contributing to telangiectasia for both sexes. Additionally in men, a lower education also showed an association (medium vs. high Ă=0.062, Pâvalue=0.008). Alcohol showed a negative association with telangiectasia (Ă=â0.028, Pâvalue<0.001). In women, a higher free androgen index was associated with less telangiectasia (Ă=â0.0053, Pâvalue<0.001).ConclusionIn this large cohort study of facial telangiectatic photoaging, environmental factors associated with telangiectasia are described, implicating possible new prevention strategies for this form of skin aging
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Vitamin D and skin aging
BackgroundThe relationship between 25âhydroxyvitamin D and different phenotypes of skin aging (e.g., wrinkles, pigmented spots, telangiectasia, perceived age) is unclear. We investigated the association between vitamin D levels and skin aging phenotypes in middleâaged participants from the Rotterdam Study (RS) and Leiden Longevity Study (LLS).MethodsStandardized facial photographs were taken of NorthâEuropean participants from the RS (N=3,831; 58.2% female, median age 66.5) and the LLS (N=661; 50.5% female, median age 63.1). Facial wrinkles, pigmented spots and telangiectasia (RS only) were quantified either digitally (RS) or by two independent dermatologists (LLS). Perceived age was graded by an average of 27 (range:20â30) and 60 (range:59â61) assessors in the RS and LLS respectively. The associations between vitamin D and these phenotypes (all standardized using Zâscores) were investigated using multivariable linear regression analyses, adjusted for chronological age, sex, selfâreported UVâexposure, season, smoking, body mass index and skin color, followed by metaâanalysis of the two cohorts.ResultsHigher circulating 25âhydroxyvitamin D was associated with more wrinkles (Pâvalue<0.0001) and a higher perceived age (Pâvalue<0.0001). However, there was no association between higher circulating 25âhydroxyvitamin D and pigmented spots or telangiectasia (pâvalues>0.05). Selfâreported UVâexposure was associated with all four phenotypes. In RS, a light skin color was associated with more pigmented spots (Pâvalue<0.0001) and telangiectasia (Pâvalue<0.0001), but with less wrinkles (Pâvalue<0.0001).ConclusionA higher circulating 25âhydroxyvitamin D is associated with more facial wrinkles and a higher perceived age in middleâaged and older individuals. However, although statistically adjusted for questionnaireâbased sun exposure, these two associations could be attributable to residual confounding