OBJECTIVETo show the distribution of facial exposure to non-melanoma biologically effective UV irradiance changes by rotation angles.

METHODSThis study selected the cheek, nose, and forehead as representative facial sites for UV irradiance measurements, which were performed using a rotating manikin and a spectroradiometer. The measured UV irradiance was weighted using action spectra to calculate the biologically effective UV irradiances that cause non-melanoma (UVBEnon-mel) skin cancer. The biologically effective UV radiant exposure (HBEnon-mel) was calculated by summing the UVBEnon-mel data collected over the exposure period.

RESULTSThis study revealed the following: (1) the maximum cheek, nose and forehead exposure UVA and UVB irradiance times and solar elevation angles (SEA) differed from those of the ambient UV irradiance and were influenced by the rotation angles; (2) the UV irradiance exposure increased in the following order: cheek < nose < forehead; (3) the distribution of UVBEnon-mel irradiance differed from that of unweighted UV radiation (UVR) and was influenced by the rotation angles and exposure times; and (4) the maximum percentage decreases in the UVBEnon-mel radiant exposure for the cheek, nose and forehead from 0°to 180°were 48.41%, 69.48% and 71.71%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONRotation angles relative to the sun influence the face's exposure to non-melanoma biologically effective UV.

Circadian Rhythm ; Face ; Humans ; Manikins ; Melanoma ; etiology ; Risk Assessment ; Skin Neoplasms ; etiology ; Sunlight ; adverse effects ; Ultraviolet Rays ; adverse effects

Equol, an isoflavonoid metabolite produced from the dietary isoflavone daidzein by the gut microflora in mammals, has been found to protect not only against ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced cutaneous inflammation and photoimmune suppression, but also have antiphotocarcinogenic properties in mice. Because the state of DNA damage has been correlated with suppression of the immune system and photocarcinogenesis, we have therefore examined the potential of equol to offer protection from solar-simulated UV (SSUV) radiation-induced DNA damage in hairless mice by the immunohistochemical approach using monoclonal antibody specific for cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs; H3 antibody). Topical application of 20 micrometer equol lotion, which was applied both before and after SSUV significantly reduced the number of CPDs. This reduction was evident immediately after SSUV exposure, at 1 h after exposure, and at 24 h after exposure, revealing 54%, 50%, and 26% reduction in CPDs, respectively. When the same concentration was applied for 5 consecutive days after SSUV exposure, there was no significant difference in the reduction of CPDs immediately after SSUV irradiation or at 1 hour afterwards, but there were significant reductions of 23% and 42% at 24 and 48 h after SSUV exposure, respectively. Despite apparently reducing the number of CPDs post-SSUV, topically applied equol did not appear to increase the rate of dimer removal. To conclude, equol applied topically prior to SSUV irradiation offers protection against CPD formation in hairless mice, possibly by acting as a suncreen and thus inhibiting DNA photodamage.
Administration, Topical ; Animals ; DNA/drug effects/radiation effects ; *DNA Damage ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Isoflavones/*pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred HRS ; Pyrimidine Dimers/metabolism ; Skin/drug effects/metabolism/*radiation effects ; Sunlight/adverse effects ; Ultraviolet Rays/*adverse effects

OBJECTIVEThe paper aims to evaluate the risk factors for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in elderly Chinese population in Shenyang, a northeast city of China.

METHODSA case-control study was conducted to investigate the risk factors for the prevalence of AMD. Ninety three AMD patients diagnosed by a complete ophthalmic examination were recruited as cases from the outpatient departments of two eye hospitals in Shenyang, while 108 normal subjects of similar age and sex were recruited as controls. A questionnaire was administered among both cases and controls.

RESULTSAMD patients aged 60 years and older accounted for 75.3%. There were significantly higher educational levels, shorter smoking history, less sunlight exposure and cataract, and higher proportion of antioxidants intake in controls than in AMD patients. The frequency of intake of fruits, legumes, fish and shrimps was significantly higher in controls than in AMD patients. In a binary logistic regression analysis, smoking and cataract were the risk factors for AMD (OR: 4.44, 95% CI: 2.27-8.69; OR: 4.47, 95% CI: 2.26-8.85 respectively). The high educational background was a protective factor for AMD (OR: 0.761, 95% CI: 0.51-0.98).

CONCLUSIONA low educational background, smoking and cataract are associated with a higher prevalence of AMD.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antioxidants ; Case-Control Studies ; Cataract ; complications ; China ; epidemiology ; Dietary Supplements ; utilization ; Educational Status ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Humans ; Macular Degeneration ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Sunlight ; adverse effects

UNLABELLEDTo investigate the expressions of fibrillin-1, elastin and matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -9 (MMP-1, 9) in chronic actinic dermatitis in elderly patients and explore the pathogenesis of the disease.

METHODSTwenty-three patients with chronic actinic dermatitis were examined for the expressions of fibrillin-1, elastin, MMP-1, and MMP-9 with immunohistochemistry in the skin lesions. Image analysis was carried out to measure MMP-1 and MMP-9 expressions semi-quantitatively.

RESULTSIn the skin lesions of patients with chronic actinic dermatitis, elastin expression was obviously reduced or absent in the papillary dermis. The elastic fibers were disorderly arranged in the reticular dermis with local aggregation in some regions. Obvious fibrillin-1 deposition was found in the reticular dermis. Increased expressions of MMP-1, but not that of MMP-9, was found in the skin lesions of the patients.

CONCLUSIONElastin and fibrillin-1 deposition can be found in the skin lesions in patients with chronic actinic dermatitis, suggesting the association of increased MMP-1 expression with the elastic tissue degeneration in the lesions. MMP-9 does not exhibit an obvious association with the pathogenesis of chronic actinic dermatitis in elderly patients.

Aged ; Elastin ; biosynthesis ; Female ; Fibrillin-1 ; Fibrillins ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 ; biosynthesis ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; biosynthesis ; Microfilament Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Middle Aged ; Photosensitivity Disorders ; etiology ; metabolism ; Sunlight ; adverse effects