Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wei Cao, Haochuan Mao, Naneki C. McCallum, Xuhao Zhou, Hao Sun, Christopher Sharpe, Joanna Korpanty, Ziying Hu, Qing Zhe Ni, Michael D. Burkart, Matthew D. Shawkey, Michael R. Wasielewski, Nathan C. Gianneschi
Summary: In this study, we explored different synthetic routes to create a mimic of natural pheomelanin. Among the three attempted oxidative polymerization routes, the one using 5-cysteinyl-dihydroxyphenylalanine (5-CD) as a monomer proved to be the closest analogue to extracted pheomelanin from humans and birds. The resulting synthetic pheomelanin was compared to natural pheomelanin using various techniques, showing a close resemblance in structure. This research contributes to our understanding of the important biological pigment by revealing the role of cation-pi interactions in pheomelanogenesis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Denisse Fuentes-Lopez, Daniel Ortega-Zambrano, Maria Antonieta Fernandez-Herrera, Hilda Mercado-Uribe
Summary: Photodynamic inactivation is a promising method that utilizes photosensitizers to generate reactive oxygen species and inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, pheomelanin nanoparticles were used as sensitizers to successfully inhibit the growth of E. coli. The results suggest that this method is effective against E. coli and could potentially be applied to other bacteria.
Review
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Wen Song, Haoyue Yang, Song Liu, Huahua Yu, Dan Li, Pengcheng Li, Ronge Xing
Summary: This review provides an overview of the structure and composition of melanin, as well as the spectroscopic identification methods and extraction methods used. It also summarizes the biological activities and research progress of melanin, and offers valuable insights and references for future research. Overall, it aims to provide a thorough understanding of melanin and its various applications in biology.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Helen B. Chin, Erica E. Marsh, Janet E. Hall, Donna D. Baird
Summary: The study found that the prevalence of hirsutism in African American women was 10%, and it was associated with PCOS, severe acne, and irregular menstrual cycles. More ethnically diverse, population-based studies are needed to better understand the relationship between mFG score and androgen levels as a clinical marker of hyperandrogenism.
JOURNAL OF WOMENS HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Taryn Henning, Mel Holman, Layla Ismael, Kimberly Y. Yu, Lesley Williams, Stacie J. Shelton, Marisol Perez
Summary: Negative hair experiences can have an impact on psychological well-being, especially during childhood and adolescence. This study found that many girls experience bullying and pressure related to their hair in their daily lives, which affects their satisfaction with their hair. Comparing hair with models/celebrities and peers is also associated with lower hair satisfaction among girls, while having friends who appreciate natural hair is associated with higher satisfaction.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Diana-Lyn Baptiste, Ruth-Alma Turkson-Ocran, Oluwabunmi Ogungbe, Binu Koirala, Lucine Francis, Erin M. Spaulding, Cheryl Dennison Himmelfarb, Yvonne Commodore-Mensah
Summary: This study found significant heterogeneity in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among Black ethnic subgroups compared to White adults, with disparities and advantages in prevalence and trends among African Americans, African immigrants, and Afro-Caribbeans. Race alone does not account for the disparities in CVD risk factors.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Aremu M. Smith, Marisha L. Humphries, Afiya M. Mbilishaka, Evan E. Auguste
Summary: This study explores how African American men illustrate racial socialization through recollected hair stories. Three themes of racial socialization emerged: cultural socialization, negative messages, and self-worth messages, associated with barbershop traditions, good hair comments, and stories of hair autonomies, respectively. The findings support existing literature on gendered racial socialization and aim to identify hair messages as necessary variables in examining race and gender identity development in African American boys and men.
JOURNAL OF BLACK PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Surgery
Elysa Margiotta, Sean Ramras, Aleksandr Shteynberg
Summary: Keloid formation is more prevalent in African American and Afro-Caribbean populations. Combination of surgical excision with intraoperative triamcinolone injection has shown to have lower recurrence rates in treating keloids in this population compared to other treatment protocols.
ANNALS OF PLASTIC SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Marie Aline Sillice, Tamara Nelson, Ernestine Jennings, Curtis C. Holland, Beth C. Bock
Summary: This study aimed to examine the association between hair concerns and physical activity constructs among African American women. Quantitative methods were used to assess demographic differences in hair concerns and their relationship with physical activity. Qualitative interviews revealed African American women's perspectives on their hair and engagement in physical activity. The findings suggest that hair concerns are not a significant barrier to physical activity among some African American women, highlighting the need for tailored physical activity intervention approaches for this population.
JOURNAL OF RACIAL AND ETHNIC HEALTH DISPARITIES
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Harvey L. Nicholson, Paris B. Wheeler
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence and correlates of lifetime prescription drug misuse among African Americans and Afro Caribbeans, finding no significant differences in misuse rates between the two groups. It also revealed differences in correlates of misuse between African American and Afro-Caribbean respondents, highlighting the importance of considering ethnicity when tailoring prevention and intervention programs.
SUBSTANCE USE & MISUSE
(2021)
Article
Substance Abuse
Delvon T. Mattingly, Nancy L. Fleischer, David C. Colston, Briana Mezuk
Summary: This study found a relationship between perceived racial discrimination and patterns of substance use, with differential associations by ethnicity and sex.
JOURNAL OF ETHNICITY IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE
(2022)
Article
Area Studies
Livio Sansone
Summary: This exploratory article discusses the interconnected history of African-American, Afro-Brazilian, and African studies conducted in the United States and Brazil from 1940 to 1970. It focuses on two significant figures, Melville J. Herskovits and Eduardo Chivambo Mondlane, and argues that emphasizing both institutional history and individual biographies can provide new and interesting insights.
CAHIERS DES AMERIQUES LATINES
(2022)
Article
Ethnic Studies
Lakindra Mitchell Dove
Summary: This article explores the prevalence of colorism in the hair care narratives of African American female adolescents, highlighting its impact on their psychosocial and emotional well-being. Participants have a clear understanding of the colorist experiences, perceptions of good hair, and the influence of White beauty standards.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Sarin A. Soyemi, Joanne Sheu, Emily Hahm, Dominique Noriega, Eva Kristoferson, Jiamin Li, Luanna Chan, Dong Zhen, Rose Calixte, Patricia Gil
Summary: This study aimed to assess the knowledge of urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) among self-identified African American and Afro-Caribbean adult female patients seeking medical care. The results showed that African American patients had significantly higher knowledge of POP compared to Afro-Caribbean patients. These findings emphasize the need for provider-initiated education on pelvic floor dysfunction and suggest the presence of differences within subgroups that may be influenced by structural racism and other social determinants of health.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Ericka L. Richards, Kathy D. Wright, Ingrid K. Richards Adams, Maryanna D. Klatt, Todd B. Monroe, Christopher M. Nguyen, Karen M. Rose
Summary: This study investigates the relationships among psychological stress, mental well-being, and cardiovascular health. The results indicate significant associations between mental well-being and perceived stress, as well as mental well-being and diastolic blood pressure. However, there is no significant relationship between hair cortisol concentration and the aforementioned indicators.
