No / Background Hair is degraded by the action of both dermatophytic and nondermatophytic microorganisms. The importance of understanding hair sample condition in archaeological and forensic investigation highlights the need for a detailed knowledge of the sequence of degradation in samples that have been either buried or left exposed at the ground surface. Objectives To investigate the sequence of biodegradative change to human terminal scalp hair from archaeological and forensic contexts. Methods Cut modern scalp hair from three individuals with caucasoid-type hair was inoculated with soil microorganisms through soil burial in the field and under laboratory conditions to produce experimentally degraded samples. The degraded hair fibres were subjected to detailed histological examination using a combination of high-resolution light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy to investigate the nature and sequence of degradative change to hair structural components. Results/discussion Degradation was found to occur first within the least structurally robust components that afford the least resistance to microbial/chemical attack. The sequence of degradation (most to least-reflecting degree of vulnerability) in the hair cuticle was as follows: (1) intercellular 6-layer (cell membrane complex); (2) endocuticle; (3) cell membrane ß-layers; (4) exocuticle; (5) epicuticle; and (6) A-layer. In the hair cortex this was as follows: (I) intercellular 6-layer (cell membrane complex); (II) cell membrane ß-layers; (III) intermacrofibrillar matrix/nuclear remnants; (IV) microfibrils; (V) intermicrofibrillar matrix; and (VI) pigment granules (the hair fibre component that was the least vulnerable to degradation). Conclusions The selective progress of degradation in the hair shaft has been charted and this provides a basis for further histological work in better understanding the condition of hair fibres derived from archaeological or forensic contexts as well as being relevant to investigation of diseased hair, in particular hair infected by dermatophytes and hair weakened by genetic hair shaft abnormalities.

No / Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling is involved in the regulation of a large variety of developmental programs, including those controlling organ sizes. Here, we show that transgenic (TG) mice overexpressing the BMP antagonist noggin (promoter, K5) are characterized by a marked increase in size of anagen hair follicles (HFs) and by the replacement of zig-zag and auchen hairs by awl-like hairs, compared with the age-matched WT controls. Markedly enlarged anagen HFs of TG mice show increased proliferation in the matrix and an increased number of hair cortex and medulla cells compared with WT HFs. Microarray and real-time PCR analyses of the laser-captured hair matrix cells show a strong decrease in expression of Cdk inhibitor p27(Kip1) and increased expression of selected cyclins in TG vs. WT mice. Similar to TG mice, p27(Kip1) knockout mice also show an increased size of anagen HFs associated with increased cell proliferation in the hair bulb. Primary epidermal keratinocytes (KC) from TG mice exhibit significantly increased proliferation and decreased p27(Kip1) expression, compared with WT KC. Alternatively, activation of BMP signaling in HaCaT KC induces growth arrest, stimulates p27(Kip1) expression, and positively regulates p27(Kip1) promoter activity, thus further supporting a role of p27(Kip1) in mediating the effects of BMP signaling on HF size. These data suggest that BMP signaling plays an important role in regulating cell proliferation and controls the size of anagen HFs by modulating the expression of cell-cycle-associated genes in hair matrix KC.

No / Until now, the oldest known human hair was from a 9000-year-old South American mummy. Here we report fossil hairs of probable human origin that exceed that age by about 200,000 years. The hairs have been discovered in a brown hyaena (Parahyaena brunnea) coprolite from Gladysvale cave in South Africa. The coprolite is part of a hyaena latrine preserved in calcified cave sediment dated between 195,000 and 257,000 years ago. This find supports the hypothesis that hyaenas accumulated some of the early hominin remains found in cave sites, and provides a new source of information on Pleistocene mammals in the Sterkfontein Valley.

No / Here, we studied how epithelial energy metabolism impacts overall skin development by selectively deleting intraepithelial mtDNA in mice by ablating a key maintenance factor (TfamEKO), which induces loss of function of the electron transport chain (ETC). Quantitative (immuno)histomorphometry demonstrated that TfamEKO mice showed significantly reduced hair follicle (HF) density and morphogenesis, fewer intrafollicular keratin15+ epithelial progenitor cells, increased apoptosis, and reduced proliferation. TfamEKO mice also displayed premature entry into (aborted) HF cycling by apoptosis-driven HF regression (catagen). Ultrastructurally, TfamEKO mice exhibited severe HF dystrophy, pigmentary abnormalities, and telogen-like condensed dermal papillae. Epithelial HF progenitor cell differentiation (Plet1, Lrig1 Lef1, and β-catenin), sebaceous gland development (adipophilin, Scd1, and oil red), and key mediators/markers of epithelial–mesenchymal interactions during skin morphogenesis (NCAM, versican, and alkaline phosphatase) were all severely altered in TfamEKO mice. Moreover, the number of mast cells, major histocompatibility complex class II+, or CD11b+ immunocytes in the skin mesenchyme was increased, and essentially no subcutis developed. Therefore, in contrast to their epidermal counterparts, pilosebaceous unit stem cells depend on a functional ETC. Most importantly, our findings point toward a frontier in skin biology: the coupling of HF keratinocyte mitochondrial function with the epithelial–mesenchymal interactions that drive overall development of the skin and its appendages.

No / Canities or senile hair graying, a universally recognized sign of aging, remains unresolved in terms of physiological causes, although a strong genetic contribution is understood (Gunn et al., 2009). As the hair fiber continues to grow long after melanin production ceases, we suggest that melanocytes in the hair follicle may be more sensitive to the impact of chronological aging than are keratinocytes. Moreover, follicular melanocytes also age more markedly than those in the overlying epidermis. The hair follicle provides a unique opportunity to decouple the impact of age on two hair follicular tissue functions: hair formation and hair pigmentation. ... This study provides analysis of race, age, and anatomically matched cultures of adult human epidermal and hair follicle melanocytes (HFMs).

Yes / Photobiomodulation is reported to positively influence hair regrowth, wound healing, skin rejuvenation, and psoriasis. Despite rapid translation of this science to commercial therapeutic solutions, significant gaps in our understanding of the underlying processes remain. The aim of this review was to seek greater clarity and rationality specifically for the selection of optical parameters for studies on hair regrowth and wound healing. Our investigation of 90 reports published between 1985-2015 revealed major inconsistencies in optical parameters selected for clinical applications. Moreover, poorly understood photoreceptors expressed in skin such as cytochrome c oxidase, cryptochromes, opsins, may trigger different molecular mechanisms. All this could explain the plethora of reported physiological effects of light. To derive parameters for optimal clinical efficacy of photobiomodulation, we recommend a more rational approach, underpinning clinical studies with research of molecular targets and pathways using well-defined biological model systems enabling easy translation of optical parameters from in vitro to in vivo. Furthermore, special attention needs to be paid when conducting studies for hair regrowth, aiming for double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials as the gold standard for quantifying hair growth. / European Marie-Curie Actions Programme, Grant agreement no.: 607886

No / In mammals, hairs fulfil a number of important functions including thermoregulation, collecting sensory information, protection against environmental stressors, social communication and mimicry [1]. Hairs are produced by the pilosebaceous unit that consists of the hair follicle and associated structures such as sebaceous gland, perifollicular nerve fibres and arrector pili muscle [1, 2]. In humans, hair follicles are distributed throughout the body with exception of the soles, palm and part of the external genitalia and produce two major hair types (terminal and vellus hairs) that show distinct morphology and distribution patterns [3].

No

No / Although the application of sequencing-by-synthesis techniques to DNA extracted from bones has revolutionized the study of ancient DNA, it has been plagued by large fractions of contaminating environmental DNA. The genetic analyses of hair shafts could be a solution: We present 10 previously unexamined Siberian mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) mitochondrial genomes, sequenced with up to 48-fold coverage. The observed levels of damage-derived sequencing errors were lower than those observed in previously published frozen bone samples, even though one of the specimens was >50,000 14C years old and another had been stored for 200 years at room temperature. The method therefore sets the stage for molecular-genetic analysis of museum collections.

No / The Raman spectra of two historical specimens of human hair attributed to the engineer Robert Stephenson and scientist Sir Isaac Newton, preserved in private collections are reported. Comparisons are made with the Raman spectra of modern hair specimens and with hair from archaeological excavations. The hair spectra collected with a laser excitation of 785 nm are of a better quality than those collected using 1064 nm. The historical hair specimens are remarkably well-defined spectroscopically in terms of the amide I vibrational mode and the ν(SS), ascribed to a predominantly gauche–gauche–gauche CSSC conformation. The contrast with degraded hair specimens recovered from archaeological excavations is striking. The presence of a weak feature near 2590 cm−1 in the hair samples attributed to a ν(SH) vibration could be indicative of a reduction process operative on the CSSC cystine keratotic linkages and a possible origin of this is bacterial biodegradation identified histologically. This study demonstrates the molecular information available from non-destructive Raman spectroscopic analysis from single hair shafts or small bundles of fibres which complements information available from histological and destructive analytical techniques for rare biological specimens subjected to conservation or curation procedures in museums or private collections.