Hair

Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) is a minor and direct metabolite of ethanol. EtG is incorporated into the growing hair allowing retrospective investigation of chronic alcohol abuse. In this study, we report the development and the validation of a method using gas chromatography–negative chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry (GC–NCI-MS/MS) for the quantification of EtG in hair. EtG was extracted from about 30mg

We present results from a genome-wide association study for variants associated with human pigmentation characteristics among 5,130 Icelanders, with follow-up analyses in 2,116 Icelanders and 1,214 Dutch individuals. Two coding variants in TPCN2 are associated with hair color, and a variant at the ASIP locus shows strong association with skin sensitivity to sun, freckling and red hair, phenotypic characteristics similar to those affected by well-known mutations in MC1R.

Women’s hair has been a prominent feature of many paintings, folktales, films and literary works over the centuries. Its representation aligns it with symbolic notions of femininity, female sexuality and all the ambivalent associations that various societies have with these notions. Subject to the rigorous policing of religions, schools and prisons across diverse countries, women’s hair has been imbued with great power. In this essay, I address the historic, symbolic associations of women’s hair, with particular reference to the Victorian era and re-imaginings of similar notions in the contemporary. My emphasis is on long, red hair.
I examine Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s painting, La Ghirlandata (1873) as an example of the idealised and sexualised depiction of red-haired women during the Victorian era and then compare this to later depictions of women’s hair in stills and the poster from the film, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (Tykwer, 2006). In so doing, I examine the ways in which these various representations of women’s hair are comparable, in terms of their associations with youthful and beautiful femininity, the idea of the beautiful woman as a part of nature, and, most notably, the sexual connotations ascribed to women’s hair. I also highlight the divergences in representations of power instilled in these images. Women’s hair has been attributed qualities of immense sexual power, which is often considered as both a threat and an allure – most often an alluring threat. Contextualising these ideas through a broader examination of the tradition of representation of the “femme fatale” through biblical and mythical figures, as well as the obsessive representation of hair in the Victorian era, I find many connections between Rossetti’s painting and Tykwer’s more contemporary film. By conducting a cross-disciplinary analysis, I expose the interrelated ways in which cultures function and in which ideas around femininity and female sexuality are transmitted through artistic representations across time and space.

Senescence marker protein-30/gluconolactonase knockout mice (SMP-30/GNL-KO) are a very useful model for clarifying the involvement of vitamin C (VC) in aging-related diseases. In this study, the effects of VC deficiency on skin and hair growth were investigated using SMP-30/GNL-KO mice by RNA sequencing. SMP-30/GNL-KO mice were given water containing 1.5 g/l VC until up to 8 weeks after birth to maintain a VC concentration in their organs and plasma equivalent to that in wild-type mice. The mice were then divided into two groups: a VC(+) group, where VC was administered, and a VC(-) group, where VC was not administered. Skin samples were collected at 4 and 8 weeks after the treatment. RNA was extracted from each skin sample, followed by cDNA synthesis and RNA-seq. In addition, hair growth was compared between the VC(-) and VC(+) groups after shaving. Skin samples were collected from the shaved area for histological examination by hematoxylin & eosin (HE) staining. RNA-seq revealed t...

There is accumulating evidence that the metabolism of several trace elements is altered in diabetes mellitus and that these nutrients might have specific roles in the pathogenesis and progress of this disease. The aim of present study was to compare the level of essential ...

Abstract: The purpose of this work was to correlate the amount of the food mutagen 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) determined in mouse fur with the number of intestinal tumours induced by PhIP, to further evaluate incorporation of PhIP into hair as ...

Human head lice, Pediculus (humanus) capitis, infest people worldwide and are most prevalent in children. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of head lice, in relation to socioeconomic status of the family and hygienic practices in the home. The prevalence rate was determined in 27 primary schools that had 810 students in Sanandaj city who were selected by multistage, systematic random sampling. A total of 38 students from all grades were infested with different rates of infestations. In addition, standard questionnaire recorded information about demographic features of each student were fulfilled. Children aged 10-11 years were the most frequently affected, there was a significant relationship between head louse infestation, family income and parents education level (α=5%). Pediculosis is a public health problem in many parts of the world. Pediculosis was found to be more prevalent among children of fathers with lower level of education and socioeconomic status, i...

We optimized a mercury (Hg) speciation extraction method for human hair in combination with speciesspecific isotope-dilution analysis by gas chromatographyinductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (GC-ICP-MS). The method was validated on human hair reference material RM (IAEA-086), which is recommended for analysis of monomethylmercury (MMHg) and inorganic mercury (IHg). Three reagents, hydrochloric acid (HCl), nitric acid (HNO 3 ), and tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH), and three extraction procedures, at ambient temperature for 12 h, microwave-assisted at 75°C for 6 min, and oven heated at 80°C for 2 h were tested. Extraction efficiency, recovery, and potential species transformations were evaluated for each method. The most efficient procedures, with recovery of~90 % for each species with limited demethylation (<5 %) and methylation (0 %), were HNO 3 digestion, irrespective of temperature, and microwave-assisted TMAH extraction. Acidic extraction with HCl induces significant demethylation, with production of artifacts. To correct for potential demethylation artifacts we recommend spiking with isotopically enriched standards before the extraction step.

IBIDS is a syndrome characterized by ichthyosis, brittle hair, impaired intelligence, decreased fertility, and short stature, but unassociated with skeletal lesions. This condition is considered a form of trichothiodystrophy because hair from several cases has been found to have a low sulfur content. We describe a 9-year and 10-month-old white boy whose clinical features resemble the IBIDS syndrome (ichthyosis, brittle hair, cataracts, and short stature), but who also has marked axial osteosclerosis and peripheral osteopenia. No abnormalities of mineral homeostasis were noted. Histopathologic assessment of nondecalcified bone specimens excluded osteopetrosis, but suggested slow skeletal remodeling. When subjected to polarized light microscopy, his hair exhibited the band-like pattern of birefringence described in trichothiodystrophy. Literature review disclosed 8 patients, 2 of whom had been diagnosed as trichothiodystrophy, with like clinical features including osteosclerosis. These skeletal abnormalities together with clinical features of the IBIDS/trichiodystrophy syndrome, we believe, reflect the prototype of a disorder that seems best described as central osteosclerosis with ectodermal dysplasia.

The advice on hair washing during brain irradiation is aimed at minimizing radiation induced skin toxicity. We performed a prospective randomized trial to assess the effect of advice on scalp care on the local skin reaction in patients undergoing cranial radiotherapy. One hundred and nine patients undergoing cranial radiotherapy were randomized into two groups. Patients in group 1 were advised not to wash hair during treatment and patients in group 2 to maintain normal pattern of hair washing. They were assessed weekly over a period of 10 weeks from the start of treatment. Symptoms of pain and itching were recorded using a modified RTOG/EORTC acute skin reaction scoring system and skin reaction was assessed clinically using erythema/desquamation score. The frequency of hair washing and the distress of changing the practice of normal hygiene were recorded on a diary card. Skin reaction scores were compared as a summary measure using area under the curve per week (AUC/week) and median scores, and the differences between groups were assessed by means of the t-test. One hundred and nine patients commencing cranial radiotherapy according to standard protocol were randomized into the trial (group 1, 55 patients; group 2, 54 patients). Patients asked to restrict hair washing, washed at a lower average frequency. There were no significant differences between scores of skin reaction in the two groups for each of the variables measured. The practice of normal hair washing is not associated with increased severity of adverse skin reaction. As a request to change the pattern of normal hygiene may cause distress, the current advice should be to maintain normal hair washing during cranial radiotherapy.

The effects of melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) and related analogs on follicular melanogenesis in the mouse (C57BL/6JA gamma) were studied. [Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH and the related fragment analogues Ac-[Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH4-11-NH2 and Ac-[Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH4-10-NH2, stimulated the conversion of pheomelanogenesis to eumelanogenesis when subcutaneously injected at concentrations 100-fold lower than the native hormone, alpha-MSH. In addition, the melanotropin analogs stimulated follicular eumelanogenesis when applied topically to the skin of mice. The melanotropins were transdermally delivered to the systemic circulation as evidenced by the fact that eumelanogenesis was stimulated in hair follicles in areas distant from the site of topical application. These results demonstrate that peptide hormone analogs can be transported across the skin. The unique actions of the melanotropin analogs may relate to the fact that these peptides are nonbiodegradable and thus exert prolonged actions on melanocytes. These compounds may prove important for studies on normal integumental melanogenesis and for the treatment of hypopigmentary disorders in humans.

All existing sea otter, Enhydra lutris, populations have suffered at least one historic population bottleneck stemming from the fur trade extirpations of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. We examined genetic variation, gene flow, and population structure at five microsatellite loci in samples from five pre-fur trade populations throughout the sea otter's historical range: California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Russia. We then compared those values to genetic diversity and population structure found within five modern sea otter populations throughout their current range: California, Prince William Sound, Amchitka Island, Southeast Alaska and Washington. We found twice the genetic diversity in the pre-fur trade populations when compared to modern sea otters, a level of diversity that was similar to levels that are found in other mammal populations that have not experienced population bottlenecks. Even with the significant loss in genetic diversity modern sea otters have retained historical structure. There was greater gene flow before extirpation than that found among modern sea otter populations but the difference was not statistically significant. The most dramatic effect of pre fur trade population extirpation was the loss of genetic diversity. For long term conservation of these populations increasing gene flow and the maintenance of remnant genetic diversity should be encouraged.

The zoophilic dermatophyte Microsporum canis has cats as natural reservoir, but it is able to infect a wide range of hosts, including humans, where different clinical features of the so-called ringworm dermatophytosis have been described. Human infections are increasingly been reported in Mediterranean countries. A reliable control program against M. canis infection in cats should include an antifungal treatment of both the infected animals and their living environment. In this article, a herbal mixture composed of chemically defined essential oils (EOs) of Litsea cubeba (1%), Illicium verum, Foeniculum vulgare, and Pelargonium graveolens (0.5% each) was formulated and its antifungal activity assessed against M. canis arthrospores which represent the infective environmental stage of M. canis. Single compounds present in higher amounts in the mixture were also separately tested in vitro. Litsea cubeba and P. graveolens EOs were most effective (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) 0...

The termite is an insect which is a weak flier, has a large wing area in relation to its body mass, and many species typically fly during rain or storm periods. Water droplets placed on these insects' wings will spontaneously roll off the surface. Here we show how the intricate hierarchical array design of these insect wings achieves anti-wetting properties with water bodies of various sizes by reducing contact area and thus adhesion.

Although unwanted facial hair often leads to anxiety and avoidance of social situations, evaluation of treatment outcomes in clinical trials has relied largely on measures external to the patient such as the extent of hair growth or an expert physician's assessment, neglecting to include patient reported outcomes (PRO). To assess the level of bother caused by a dermatological condition (hirsutism) and changes brought on by treatment, the instrument ESTEEM was developed by expanding the Bother Assessment in Skin Conditions (BASC) scale to six questions to cover the discomfort felt in four social situations and bother due to removing facial hair. Each question elicits responses on a visual analog scale. Women participating in two randomized clinical trials evaluated a new treatment (eflornithine 13.9% cream). Analyses examined the level of bother at each visit, the changes with treatment, the correlations with the Physician's Global Assessment, and the effect size. Hirsutism bothers patients considerably. The mean for overall bother was 89% and the mean discomfort in social situations exceeded 80% in nearly all cases. Treatment led to significant reductions in bother on all six items with effect sizes ranging from 0.46 to 1.62. Eflornithine is an effective treatment for unwanted facial hair in women, as reported by the patients. ESTEEM addresses the specific concerns of women with hirsutism.

Background: Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), the primary component of household bleach, has been shown to alter the purified mouse allergen Mus m 1, such that antibody recognition, or immunogenicity, is lost. Results of initial experiments suggest that antibody recognition is lost at lower concentrations of NaOCl than those required to fragment Mus m 1. Objective: We sought to determine whether NaOCl had similar effects on recombinant (r)Fel d 1 and whether the loss of antibody recognition correlated with the loss of biologic activity, as measured with a basophil histamine release assay. Methods: Recombinant Fel d 1 was treated with increasing amounts of NaOCl, and the product of the reaction was analyzed by using SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, and ELISA. The biologic activity of NaOCl-treated rFel d 1 was analyzed with a basophil histamine release assay. Results: The protein fragmented at an NaOCl/rFel d 1 molar ratio of 7000, whereas cat-specific IgG recognition was lost at a lower molar ratio of 560. Basophil histamine release assays were performed to determine the effect of NaOCl on the biologic activity of rFel d 1. An NaOCl/protein molar ratio of 70 caused a significant reduction in histamine release from basophils of subjects with cat allergy. A molar ratio of 140 further inhibited histamine release by rFel d 1, suggesting a doseresponse relationship between NaOCl and loss of biologic activity. Conclusions: NaOCl modifies rFel d 1, resulting in loss of immunogenicity and attenuation of biologic activity, as measured by its ability to stimulate basophil histamine release. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2003;111:396-401.)

The article analyzes innovative production technologies and the use of lining materials used for the production of insulated footwear. The study of the heat- conducting properties of natural, artificial and non-woven materials will make it possible to select heat-shielding materials in the design of insulated winter shoes in accordance with the requirements for the conditions for wearing shoes

The sorption of explosives (TNT, RDX, PETN, TATP, EGDN) to hair during exposure to their vapors is examined. Three colors of hair were simultaneously exposed to explosive vapor. Following exposure of hair, the sorbed explosive was removed by extraction with acetonitrile and quantified. Results show that sorption of explosives, via vapor diffusion, to black hair is significantly greater than to blond, brown or bleached hair. Furthermore, the rate of sorption is directly related to the vapor density of the explosive: EGDN > TATP ≫TNT PETN > RDX. In some cases, the explosive-containing hair was subject to repeated washings with sodium dodecylsulfate or simply left out in an open area to determine the persistence of the explosive contamination. While explosive is removed from hair with time or washing, some persists. These results indicate that hair can be a useful indicator of explosive exposure/handling.

In some laboratories hair testing may be the main method for the evaluation of individual's drug history, however, compelling evidence supports the possibility that the presence of a small amount of drug in hair can derive from external contamination.

Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) is a distinctive subtype of acute myeloid leukaemias. Even through this human disease can be treated by the intravenous administration of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), 25% of patients typically relapse after the first treatment. In this context, the intravenous administration of APL patients with an aqueous solution of arsenic trioxide has also been demonstrated to be successful despite the established mammalian toxicity of this arsenic compound. Accordingly, the administration of a therapeutic dose of arsenic trioxide has resulted in an improved patient survival in both relapsing as well newly diagnosed APL patients.

of the matched hair segment as measured by CV-AAS. Consecutive daily Hg deposition in single hairs of fish eaters was determined. Results showed that apparent daily changes in Hg concentrations within a hair segment that corresponds to 1 month of hair growth. In addition, a significant decreasing or increasing time-trend was observed. The difference between the minimum and maximum Hg concentration within each individual corresponded to a change of 26-40%. Our results showed that LA-ICP-MS can be used to reconstruct time-resolved Hg exposure in micrometer segments of a single hair strand.

Multi-proxy approach was used to reconstruct the environmental conditions of remote lakes in the High Tatra Mountains (Slovakia) over the past few centuries (approximately 500-1000 years). Short sediment cores (*30 cm) taken from three morphologically similar glacial lakes distributed along altitudinal gradient (subalpine to alpine conditions) were analysed for organic matter content (LOI), diatoms and chironomids. Both descriptive and correlative approaches were used for analysing stratigraphical data. Predictive canonical correspondence analysis and co-correspondence analysis were applied to directly relate physical and biological proxies to each other. The relationship between LOI and biotic proxies was inconsistent across groups and lakes. Concordant patterns in diatom and chironomid composition were found in two non-acidified lakes. Common trends in those assemblages indicated major past environmental events such as the Little Ice Age, air pollution and lake acidification. In contrast, no relationship between the composition of diatom and chironomid assemblages was found in the formerly acidified lake, suggesting different responses of assemblages to acidification. While chironomids showed shifts that are attributable to recovery, diatoms assemblage remained relatively stable throughout the uppermost layers of the sediment record. On the other hand, climatic-driven changes in assemblages detected in the deeper layers were more pronounced in diatoms than in chironomids.

Mycorrhizal fungi are among the most common symbioses found in terrestrial ecosystems, both natural and managed. They are important for many reasons, but most notably because of their positive effects on plant growth, which are mediated by their uptake of nutrients from the soil and transport of these to the roots. Moreover, many edible fungi are mycorrhizal. The study of mycorrhizal fungi has been hampered by the inability to identify species and individuals in the soil. This has been greatly aided by DNA-based methods, which first require the extraction of DNA. Herein, I discuss some general concerns that must be considered when extracting and purifying DNA from ecological samples and offer specific methods for soil, mycorrhizal roots, and fruiting bodies. These methods are rapid, safe, effective, relatively inexpensive, and convenient because they are based on commercially available kits. 58 comparing macromolecules [5]

A fast and efficient multi-residue extraction-purification procedure was developed for 12 corticosteroids in biological matrices (hair, urine and meat), in order to control their illegal use as growth promoters in cattle. Detection and identification of the analytes were achieved using a previously described LC-MS-MS method based on negative electrospray ionisation and a triple quadrupole analyser. The presented procedures included acid (hair) or enzymatic (urine and meat) hydrolysis, C reversed-phase SPE, Na CO liquid-liquid clean-up and SiOH normal-phase SPE. The detection limits of the developed 18 2 3 methods were between 2.9 and 9.3 pg / mg (ppb) for hair samples and in the 40 -70 pg / g (ppt) range for the urine or meat samples. The acid hydrolysis used for corticosteroid extraction in hair was optimised using an experimental design and response surface methodology. Achieved performances were linked to a physico-chemical approach based on the corticosteroids specific C side-chain. This original multi-residue and multi-matrices analytical methodology will be used 17 for further metabolism studies.

Hair pigmentation is one of the most conspicuous phenotypes in humans. Melanocytes produce two distinct types of melanin pigment: brown to black, indolic eumelanin and yellow to reddish brown, sulfur-containing pheomelanin. Biochemically, the precursor tyrosine and the key enzyme tyrosinase and the tyrosinase-related proteins are involved in eumelanogenesis, while only the additional presence of cysteine is necessary for pheomelanogenesis. Other important proteins involved in melanogenesis include P protein, MATP protein, a-MSH, agouti signaling protein (ASIP), MC1R (the receptor for MSH and ASIP), and SLC7A11, a cystine transporter. Many studies have examined the effects of loss-of-function mutations of those proteins on mouse coat color pigmentation. In contrast, much less is known regarding the effects of mutations of the corresponding proteins on human hair pigmentation except for MC1R polymorphisms that lead to pheomelanogenesis. This perspective will discuss what we have ⁄ have not learned from mouse coat color pigmentation, with special emphasis on the significant roles of pH and the level of cysteine in melanosomes in controlling melanogenesis. Based on these data, a hypothesis is proposed to explain the diversity of human hair pigmentation.

Androgens are important in hair growth and patterning, whereas growth hormone substitution enhances their effect in growth hormone-deficient men. No previous study has jointly evaluated the function of sex steroids, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) in determining hair patterning in men. We assessed the relationship between circulating hormone measurements and both head and chest hair patterning in a sample of elderly men. Fifty-one apparently healthy men older than 65 years of age were studied cross-sectionally. Head and chest hair patterning was assessed by a trained interviewer. Morning blood samples from all subjects were used for measurements of testosterone, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, SHBG, and IGF-1. Results were obtained from logistic regression models, adjusting simultaneously for all the measured hormones and age. Men with higher levels of testosterone were more likely to have vertex baldness (odds ratio [OR] = 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI: 0.9 to 7.8] per 194 ng/dL increment of testosterone). In addition, for each 59 ng/mL increase in IGF-1, the odds of having vertex baldness doubled (95% CI [1.0 to 4.6]). Those who were found to have higher circulating levels of SHBG were less likely to have dense hair on their chest (OR = 0.4, 95% CI [0.1 to 0.9] per 24 nmol/L increment in SHBG]). Testosterone, SHBG, and IGF-1 may be important in determining hair patterning in men.

The Agusan River basin of eastern Mindanao, the Philippines, hosts several centres of artisanal gold mining, the most important of which, Diwalwal, is a significant gold producer in global terms. An investigation of the environmental impacts of artisanal mining in the Agusan system, with particular reference to mercury contamination, was initiated in 1995 following reports of several incidents of human Hg poisoning in the province of Davao del Norte. Results show drainage downstream of Diwalwal is characterised by extremely high levels of Hg both in Ž . Ž . solution maximum 2906 grl and in bottom sediments ) 20 mgrkg . Filtered surface water Hg levels exceed the WHO Drinking Water guideline and the US-EPA Water Quality Criteria for the Protection of Aquatic Life for a downstream distance of more than 14 km, including channel sections utilised for fishing and potable water supply. The Environment Canada sediment quality Hg Toxic Effect Threshold for the Protection of Aquatic Life is exceeded for a downstream distance of 20 km. Hair Hg data indicate that ballmill and CIP plant operators processing Hg contaminated tailings at eastern Mindanao's principal gold beneficiation centre, Apokon, may be subject to enhanced occupational Hg exposure. It appears that the wider population of this area has not been affected. U Corresponding author. 0048-9697r99r$ -see front matter ᮊ 1999 NERC. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. Ž . PII: S 0 0 4 8 -9 6 9 7 9 9 0 0 0 1 6 -9 ( ) J.D. Appleton et al. r The Science of the Total En¨ironment 228 1999 95᎐109 96

This article uncovers the unchallenged subtle practices that create barriers to black women's access to generic hairdressing, arising from the hairdressing curriculum within a location. It contends that institutions pay lip service against racial discriminatory practices but de facto their practices demonstrate that they are far from being anti-discriminatory. The article uses the subject of hair as a window to view how social structures behave towards minorities. This way of looking is used to examine agency, institutional and structural practice. It takes a symbolic cross-cultural phenomenon, in this case hair, and uses it as discovery tool to examine barriers that affect minorities. The scrutiny of subtle practice is important because such practices are often overlooked by society and even accepted as the norm. This process can be transferred to challenge different issues, such as the beauty industry's provision for black skin, or the provision of diverse cultural diets for elderly ethnic minorities who live in homes for the elderly. This way of looking at the phenomenon could also be used to enlighten different discriminatory practices. Maintaining a philosophical, practical, collaborative approach and exploring human processes such as values and attitudes, helped determine the use of methods which were: interviews and questionnaires.

The causes of night blindness in children are multifactorial, and particular consideration has been given to childhood trace metals toxicity, which is the most common problem found in underdeveloped countries. This study was designed to compare the levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni) in scalp hair, blood, and urine of night blindness children age ranged 3–7 and 8–12 years of both genders, comparing them to sex- and age-matched controls. A microwave-assisted wet acid digestion procedure was developed as a sample pretreatment, for the determination of Cd, Pb, and Ni in biological samples of night blindness children. The proposed method was validated by using conventional wet digestion and certified reference samples of hair, blood, and urine. The digests of all biological samples were analyzed for Cd, Pb, and Ni by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The results indicated significantly higher levels of Cd, Pb, and Ni in the biological samples (blood, scalp hair, and urine) of male and female night blindness children, compared with control subjects of both genders. These data present guidance to clinicians and other professional investigating toxicity of trace metals in biological samples of night blindness children.

Maryborough, in central Victoria has an approximate population of 8000 and census data is well matched for Australia overall. Australia has compulsory voting and registration on the electoral roll. To determine the age-related prevalence of balding among men and women in Maryborough we conducted a postal survey of 5000 men and women aged 20 or older, and 427 were invited to attend for examination. Additional data was collected on dandruff, presence of gray hair. Supplementary questionnaires were sent to 340 children aged 5-9, attending a coeducational primary school. 1456 adults (34.1%) responded to the questionnaire. 396 attended for examination. The prevalence of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) increased with advancing age. 98.6% of men had bitemporal recession and severity was significantly associated with vertex and mid-frontal hair loss (p &lt;0.01) but not age (p = 0.06). In all, 64.4% of women had bitemporal hair loss, and similar to men there was a significant association with m...

Trace element analysis in biological samples has improved significantly over the last 40 years. Improvements in instrumentation such as inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and microwave digestion have resulted in improved precision, accuracy, reliability, and detection limits. The analysis of human scalp hair has benefited significantly from these improvements. A recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association found significant inter-laboratory variation amongst several laboratories performing trace metal hair testing. It concluded that standardization was necessary to improve inter-laboratory comparability, and an accompanying commentary described the characteristics of a laboratory that should be used in performing hair analysis. The objective of this study is to demonstrate that good laboratory practices will generate precise, accurate, and reliable results. A method for establishing reference ranges and specific data on an analytical method will also b...

The present methodology was developed to simultaneously assess chronic exposure to PAHs and to tobacco from the analysis of one hair specimen per examined individual. The method is a two step extraction of twelve mono-hydroxy-PAHs and of nicotine, and their separate analysis by optimized methods using gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization-mass spectrometry. After method validation and assessment of the hair decontamination procedure, 105 hair specimens from smokers and nonsmokers were analyzed. All the hair samples tested positive for nicotine. Median concentration was 10.7 ng/mg for smokers and 0.5 ng/mg for non-smokers. 70% of the samples tested positive for OH-PAHs. The most common one was 2-naphthol (61%) and its concentration was significantly higher in smokers than in non-smokers (median: 111 vs 70 pmol/g, p = 0.006). 2-OH-benzo(c)phenanthrene and 6-OH-chrysene were only detected once in a non-smoker's hair. The concentration of the sum of all PAHmetabolites ranged from 24 to 67190 pmol/g (median: 118 pmol/g). Only six samples tested positive for more than two different metabolites. The simultaneous detection of nicotine and OH-PAHs in hair is possible and provides reliable results. This represents a useful tool for the accurate biomonitoring of chronic exposure to PAH and correct identification of the sources of exposure.