Polarization-sensitive optical coherence elastography (PS-OCE) is developed for improved tissue discrimination. It integrates Jones matrix-based PS-optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) with compression OCE. The method simultaneously measures the OCT intensity, attenuation coefficient, birefringence, and microstructural deformation (MSD) induced by tissue compression. Ex vivo porcine aorta and esophagus tissues were investigated by PS-OCE and histological imaging. The tissue properties measured by PS-OCE are shown as cross-sectional images and a three-dimensional (3-D) depth-trajectory plot. In this trajectory plot, the average attenuation coefficient, birefringence, and MSD were computed at each depth, and the trajectory in the depth direction was plotted in a 3-D feature space of these three properties. The tissue boundaries in a histological image corresponded with the depth-trajectory inflection points. Histogram analysis and t-distributed stochastic neighbour embedding (t-SNE) visualization of the three tissue properties indicated that the PS-OCE measurements provide sufficient information to discriminate porcine esophagus tissues.

These results suggest that the theaflavins as well as catechins contribute to the anti-allergic effects of black tea.

HighlightsAQP9 is expressed in the upper layer of the stratum granulosum of human epidermis.AQP9 expressed in keratinocytes facilitates glycerol and urea transportation.Retinoic acid down-regulates AQP9 mRNA expression in differentiated keratinocytes.

Background Multi‐contrast Jones matrix optical coherence tomography (JM‐OCT) can provide quantitative depth‐resolved local optical properties by improving the measurement algorithm. Materials and methods We examined the relationship between depth‐resolved local optical properties of eye‐corner skin measured by JM‐OCT and corresponding wrinkle morphology of aged women (n = 21; age range, 71.7 ± 1.7 years). Wrinkle morphology was analyzed by measuring the surface topography of three‐dimensional replicas. The same regions were measured three‐dimensionally by JM‐OCT, and the local optical properties at each depth were computed. Results Birefringence (BR) and mean wrinkle depth correlated significantly at a depth of 88.2‐138.6 µm from the skin surface, and attenuation coefficient (AC) and mean wrinkle depth correlated significantly at a depth of 12.6‐18.9 µm and 189‐459.9 μm from the skin surface, although a degree of polarization uniformity (DOPU) did not. Stepwise multiple regression analysis demonstrated that a significant regression equation (R2 = 0.649, P < .001) for predicting mean wrinkle depth was determined by BR at 107.1 µm depth (BR 107.1 µm), DOPU at 170.1 µm (DOPU 170.1µm), and AC at 252 µm (AC 252 µm) as independent variables and that these standardized beta regression coefficients were −0.860, −0.593, and −0.440, respectively, suggesting that BR, DOPU, and AC sufficiently explained mean wrinkle depth. Conclusion These results suggest that BR 107.1 µm, DOPU 170.1 µm, and AC 252 µm may indicate collagen‐related structure in the papillary, upper‐reticular dermis, and microstructure or tissue density in reticular dermis, respectively, and may be involved in wrinkle formation.

OBJECTIVES: Hyaluronan (HA), an important constituent of extracellular matrix in the skin, has many biological activities such as hydration that contributes to firmness and bounciness of the skin. We have reported that reduction in HA in the papillary dermis and over-expression of HYBID (HYaluronan Binding protein Involved in hyaluronan Depolymerization, alias KIAA1199 or CEMIP), a key molecule for HA degradation in skin fibroblasts, are implicated in facial skin wrinkling in Japanese and Caucasian women. However, little or no information is available for substances which inhibit the HYBID-mediated HA degradation. METHODS: Inhibition of Sanguisorba officinalis root extract and ziyuglycoside I, one of the components of Sanguisorba officinalis root extract, to the HYBID-mediated HA degradation was assessed by size-exclusion chromatography of HA depolymerized by stable transfectants of HYBID in HEK293 cells (HYBID/HEK293 cells) or normal human skin fibroblasts (Detroit 551 cells and NHDF-Ad cells). The HYBID mRNA and protein expression was examined by quantitative real-time PCR and immunoblotting in the skin fibroblasts treated with Sanguisorba officinalis root extract, and size distribution of newly produced HA was evaluated by preparing metabolically radiolabelled HA. A double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled study was carried out in the 21 healthy Japanese women, who were topically treated with the formulation containing Sanguisorba officinalis root extract or the placebo on each side of the face including crow's foot area. RESULTS: Sanguisorba officinalis root extract, but not ziyuglycoside I, abolished HYBID-mediated HA degradation by HYBID/HEK293 cells. Sanguisorba officinalis root extract also inhibited HYBIDmediated HA degradation in skin fibroblasts by down-regulating HYBID mRNA and protein expression. Although control untreated skin fibroblasts produced polydispersed HA, the cells treated with Sanguisorba officinalis root extract produced only high-molecularweight HA. Treatment with Sanguisorba officinalis root extract-formulated lotion significantly improved skin elasticity, and reduced