Beach soccer players are exposed to prolonged ultraviolet radiation (UVR) due to the outdoor nature of the sport, minimal clothing coverage, and frequent participation in coastal environments with highly reflective surfaces. This study aimed to evaluate sun exposure habits, photoprotection practices, attitudes, knowledge related to skin cancer prevention, and the prevalence of sunburn episodes among elite beach soccer players. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted during the European Beach Soccer Qualifying Championship held in October 2025. A total of 257 elite male players from 21 European countries completed a standardized questionnaire assessing UVR exposure, photoprotection behaviors, sun-related attitudes, knowledge, and skin surveillance practices. Overall, 76% of athletes reported at least one sunburn during the previous sports season, and 35% experienced three or more episodes. Although 84% reported regular sunscreen use and 93% used products with a sun protection factor (SPF) ≥30, only 31% reported reapplying sunscreen every 2 h as recommended. Positive attitudes toward tanning remained common, while the overall knowledge score regarding skin cancer prevention was moderate (6.7 ± 1.6 points out of 10). In addition, 72% of players did not regularly perform skin self-examinations. These findings indicate that elite beach soccer players represent a high-risk population for UVR-related skin damage and highlight the need for targeted photoprotection and skin cancer prevention strategies.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation exerts a strong influence on skin homeostasis and directly affects communication between keratinocytes and melanocytes. This study investigated how exposure of keratinocytes to UVA and UVB radiation alters cellular signaling with melanocytes using conditioned medium, that is, culture medium collected from keratinocytes after irradiation, to evaluate its effects on mitochondrial activity, proliferation, viability, and cell cycle progression of melanocytes. Keratinocytes were irradiated with UVA (4 J.cm-2) or UVB (20 mJ.cm-2), and the conditioned medium was collected 24 h after irradiation. Subsequently, irradiated or non-irradiated melanocytes were treated with the medium. The results showed that the conditioned medium from keratinocytes, especially those exposed to UVA radiation, significantly increased mitochondrial activity and melanocyte proliferation. Although direct UVA exposure reduced melanocyte viability, treatment with conditioned medium promoted cellular recovery over time. The conditioned medium obtained from UVB-irradiated keratinocytes also stimulated proliferation, although to a lesser extent than the medium from non-irradiated keratinocytes. Additionally, it was observed that the conditioned medium from UVA-irradiated keratinocytes induced cell cycle progression, increasing the proportion of melanocytes in the S and G2/M phases. These findings indicate that soluble factors secreted by irradiated keratinocytes play an important role in modulating the functional responses of melanocytes, potentially contributing to adaptive mechanisms related to UV radiation exposure.
The purpose of this study is to examine irradiation conditions of 222 nm Far-UVC that do not cause ocular discomfort to participants, considering both the irradiation intensity (ODF-IT; ocular-discomfort-free irradiance threshold) and irradiation dose (ODF-DT; ocular-discomfort-free dose threshold). A prospective, single-blind interventional study was conducted with 36 healthy adults exposed to 222 nm Far-UVC under five different irradiation conditions varying in intensity and total dose, along with a visible-light control condition. The irradiation device, placed under the TV monitor, delivered 222 nm Far-UVC or visible light to participants viewing the video. Ocular discomforts were recorded at multiple time points up to 24 h. Ophthalmic examinations-including slit lamp assessment, corneal fluorescein staining, and corneal endothelial cell density-were performed before and after irradiation. No adverse changes were observed in spherical equivalent refractive error, or corneal endothelial cell density under any condition. Corneal fluorescein staining occurred in some cases but showed no consistent correlation with ocular discomfort. Discomfort was significantly associated with radiant exposure dose, video viewing time and time after video viewing. The ODF-IT and ODF-DT values of 222 nm Far-UVC determined by the present study were around ≤1.0 μW/cm2 and approximately 5.5 mJ/cm2 respectively.
Photoaging is the major type of exogenous aging caused by chronic ultraviolet (UV) radiation, whose pathogenesis is complex and not fully understood. Recently, the involvement of ubiquitination in aging and aging-related disorders has aroused extensive attention. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between ubiquitination and photoaging with bioinformatics. We utilized the GSE38308 dataset to screen the differentially expressed ubiquitination-related genes (UbR-DEGs), as well as immune infiltration and function, in the sun-exposed skin samples versus sun-protected controls. Based on the 46 UbR-DEGs, we performed enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Subsequently, the top five hub genes including UCHL1, HSP90AA1, YWHAQ, CTNNB1, and SNCA were identified and exhibited associations with immunological characteristics related to photoaging. Furthermore, the expression levels of hub genes were validated in clinical skin samples using qRT-PCR. Additionally, candidate therapeutic agents targeting the UbR-DEGs, such as myricetin and valproic acid, were predicted through gene-drug and protein-chemical interaction analysis. In conclusion, this study uncovered the intricate correlation between ubiquitination and photoaging, providing novel directions for investigations into photoaging pathogenesis and intervention strate gies.
Hydroxycinnamic acid (HCA)-containing molecules such as chlorogenic acids undergo trans/cis isomerization under UV light, a process expected to intensify with increasing sunlight exposure under climate change. Advanced analytical and data visualization methods to capture such dynamic transformations in nutraceutical compounds are urgently required. To investigate this transformation, methanolic extracts of a hemi-parasitic plant Viscum combreticola were exposed to UV light and profiled using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-qTOF-MS). Multivariate analysis (PCA and biplots) revealed that UV-sensitive metabolites predominantly contained HCA moieties, with clearer separation between treated and untreated samples emerging at longer chromatographic run times. Molecular networking was also used to show that robust chromatographic separation is critical in isomer differentiation and visualizing metabolomic changes in samples. Findings of this study demonstrate that UV irradiation enhances metabolite diversity by driving HCA photoisomerization. DFT modeling of selected cinnamic acid-containing molecules showed that successful isomerization depends on the co-localization of the HOMO and LUMO within the same structural moiety, particularly around the olefinic functional group of the cinnamic acid unit. Most importantly, this study demonstrates that HCAs are versatile molecules that exhibit structural plasticity under UV light by producing cis isomers whose biological consequences remain unexplored.
In recent years, a distinct class of prokaryotic DNA photolyases containing a ribolumazine and an iron-sulfur cluster in addition to the catalytically active flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) cofactor has been identified: FeS-BCP. Previous studies of the structural, photochemical, enzymatic, and signaling properties have revealed photocatalytic and photoreceptor activities for the FeS-BCP subclade. These findings imply that FeS-BCP functions are coupled to the flavin redox state and modulated by the surrounding micro environment. Here, we employ various spectroscopic techniques to investigate the photochemistry of CryB from Rhodobacter sphaeroides. A combination of time-resolved and steady-state techniques allowed elucidation of the photocycle following light excitation on the nanosecond to minute timescale. An accelerated (<5 ns) deprotonation reaction of the terminal electron donor, tryptophan-338, in comparison to other photolyases and cryptochromes has been found with implications for both biological electron transfer and structure-function relationships while no direct involvement of the aforementioned secondary cofactors could be revealed. The obtained results are substantial for future studies of this distinct subclass and advance our understanding of flavoprotein photochemistry in general.
Artemisitene (ARE) is a highly oxidized sesquiterpene isolated from Artemisia annua L., differing structurally from the antimalarial drug artemisinin (ART) only by the presence of a double bond between C11 and C13. ART is derived from the photooxidation of dihydroartemisinic acid, while the formation of ARE is unknown. In this study, arteannuin B (ART-B) was oxidized using a UVA-assisted Fenton reaction under optimized conditions: methanol/water = 1:3 (v/v) and H2O2 concentration = 100 mM, and ARE as well as other ART-B derivatives, including a novel compound 13-homo-artemanin A, were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), respectively. Furthermore, the structure of the new compound was identified by HRMS, 1D NMR, and 2D NMR spectra. Quantitative analysis revealed that ART-B consumption reached 93.3%, accompanied by a formation yield of ARE at 4.8%. These results indicate that ART-B is highly likely the precursor of ARE in a UVA-dependent manner, which provides preliminary evidence for identifying the precursor of ARE/ART and expands the application of photo-Fenton systems in oxidation and structural diversification of natural sesquiterpenes.
The oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes is a key transformation in industrial chemistry, as aldehydes are vital intermediates in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. Conventional oxidation routes typically employ stoichiometric and corrosive oxidants, generating significant environmental concerns. Greener oxidants such as molecular oxygen (O 2 ) offer a more sustainable alternative to stoichiometric oxidants; however, their efficient utilization requires activation by catalysts (e.g., Cu‐, Pd‐, Au‐, or Ti‐based systems). Homogeneous photocatalysts such as CuCl 2 exhibit promising activity under light irradiation but are limited by challenges in separation and recycling. This study investigates the immobilization of CuCl 2 and TiO 2 (P25) within sodium alginate beads to facilitate photocatalyst recovery and minimize metal leaching. Under UV irradiation for 4 h, benzyl alcohol conversions of 54% (P25) and 49% (CuCl 2 ) were achieved. Catalyst encapsulation markedly reduced activity due to internal mass transport limitations, as restricted diffusion of O 2 and benzyl alcohol within the bead matrix limited access to active sites and suppressed overall reaction rates. Co‐immobilization of P25 and CuCl 2 partially restored conversion (22%), while maintaining high benzaldehyde selectivity (≈1 after 4 h) across all systems. These findings highlight oxygen depletion and mass transfer resistance as key constraints in bead‐based photocatalysts. To guide further optimization, a MATLAB‐based reactor model incorporating species transport, interfacial mass transfer, and kinetics was developed.
Skin cancer remains one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, with increasing incidence rates for both melanoma and non-melanoma subtypes. In this context, nanotechnology-based phototherapies have emerged as promising therapeutic strategies. This systematic review aimed to analyze the therapeutic potential of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) for photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) in skin cancer treatment. Three databases were consulted-Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed; the studies were transferred to the Zotero software, where they were analyzed by the authors according to the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Most of the studies found focus on melanoma. In vitro findings demonstrated significant reductions in cell viability following combined MNPs and near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, predominantly mediated by apoptosis and associated with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and temperature elevation (△T). In vivo studies confirmed enhanced tumor suppression with combined therapy compared to isolated treatments. Although temperature increments were lower in vivo than in vitro, therapeutic efficacy remained significant. Safety assessments indicated no relevant changes in body weight or histopathological alterations in major organs, suggesting low systemic toxicity. Collectively, ROS generation and photothermally induced hyperthermia represent key mechanisms driving tumor regression. Therefore, MNPs thus emerge as promising and biocompatible photoactive agents for skin cancer treatment with NIR association.
Candida albicans surface alterations following photodynamic therapy using Raman spectroscopy were studied. Previously effective photosensitizers were tested: 200 μM erythrosine, 100 mM KI, 200 μM erythrosine+100 mM KI irradiated with a 530 ± 10 nm LED (250 mW/cm2, 20 J/cm2 per session for two sessions (total fluence: 40 J/cm2)), 60 M bisdemethoxycurcumin irradiated with a 430-480 nm LED (950 mW/cm2, 75 J/cm2), 100 μM melatonin irradiated with a 630 ± 10 nm LED (250 mW/cm2, 75 J/cm2), and 60 μM bisdemethoxycurcumin+100 μM melatonin with dual light. Treatments were applied to mature C. albicans biofilms. Negative and positive controls were phosphate-buffered saline and nystatin, respectively. Raman spectroscopy used a 50× objective lens, 600 lines/mm grating, and 785 nm laser. Data were analyzed using principal component analysis. Erythrosine and erythrosine+KI induced specific surface alterations with Raman peaks similar to nystatin and differing from the negative control at 625, 1159, 1270, 1336, 1491, and 1603 cm-1.Raman peaks at 625 cm-1 correspond to phenylalanine, 1159 cm-1 to carbohydrate, 1270 cm-1 to amide III, 1336 cm-1 to proteins and carbohydrate, 1491 cm-1 to nucleic acid bases, and 1603 cm-1 to ergosterol. Other treatment groups showed no differences from the negative control. Erythrosine and erythrosine+KI exhibited similar mechanistic cell surface alterations to nystatin.
Exposing the skin to low (non-burning) doses of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) can avoid vitamin D deficiency, but whether delivering these doses at naturally occurring UVR indices causes DNA damage in humans is unknown. Participants (Fitzpatrick skin type I-III; N = 58) received solar-simulated UVR (0.7 and 1.6 standard erythemal doses, SED) on the lower back on four consecutive days. Doses were delivered at either UVI 2.8 or UVI 8.0. Skin biopsies were collected at baseline, and from exposed sites at 15 min, 24, and 72 h. Immunofluorescent staining assessed the induction of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD), P53 expression, and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) damage in epidermal cells. Exposure to 1.6 SED caused a significantly greater increase in the percentage of CPD-positive cells compared with 0.7 SED (e.g., UVI 8: 15 min 3.67% vs. 0.89%, p < 0.0001). Similarly, exposure to the 1.6 SED dose caused greater P53 expression than the 0.7 SED dose; at 72 h there was a 2.5- to 3-fold higher P53 expression in the samples exposed to 1.6 SED. UVR irradiance did not affect CPD or P53 responses. 8-oxodG showed minimal, nonsignificant changes over time. UVR delivered at doses that can maintain adequate vitamin D status, and at naturally occurring irradiance, leads to measurable DNA damage.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive treatment that combines a photosensitizer, light, and oxygen to induce localized oxidative stress, resulting in tumor cell death, vascular damage, and immune modulation. This review aimed to summarize the effects of PDT on tumor progression in in vivo models of head and neck cancer. A systematic search was performed across PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, SciELO, and LILACS for studies published between 2015 and 2026, following PRISMA-ScR guidelines and the PICO framework. Eligible studies included animal models with head and neck tumors treated with PDT using non-conjugated photosensitizers. Extracted outcomes included tumor growth, survival rates, histological and molecular changes, immune activation, and adverse effects. Quality assessment was achieved by SYRCLE tools. Preliminary analysis indicates that PDT with different photosensitizers can reduce tumor growth, prolong survival, increase tumor cell death, decrease proliferation and angiogenesis, induce reactive oxygen species production, and modulate immune responses in preclinical models, without apparent toxicity. Despite these promising results, methodological heterogeneity and insufficient dosimetric reporting limit reproducibility. Overall, these findings highlight the therapeutic potential of PDT with different photosensitizers in head and neck preclinical studies and underscore the need for standardized protocols to improve reproducibility and support clinical translation.
In situ photo-vaccination (ISPV) is a promising cancer immunomodulation strategy that combines photodynamic therapy (PDT) with targeted release of chemotherapy to transform tumors into personalized vaccines. However, its efficacy in controlling established, larger distal tumors remains limited, reflecting a significant challenge among therapeutic cancer vaccines. To address this, we used a bilateral Colon 26 murine tumor model to systematically optimize ISPV parameters, including drug-light interval, paclitaxel prodrug dose, light dose, size of the illuminated tumor (related to antigen dose), and checkpoint blockade, and to link these to cellular mechanisms of immunogenic cell death. A low prodrug dose (0.5 μmol/kg compared to ~24 μmol/kg of Paclitaxel in mice) and a fluence rate of 75 mW/cm2 for 30 min with a 30-min drug-light interval produced the strongest systemic responses. Abscopal efficacy was strongly linked to antigen dose: treating larger primary tumors expedited control of distant tumors, allowing the suppression of untreated tumors to a size comparable to the primary tumor. Checkpoint inhibition with anti-CTLA-4 was essential, as its removal eliminated distant tumor control. Importantly, optimized ISPV reproducibly controlled distant tumors of a size equivalent to the treated primary, an outcome rarely achieved with other in situ vaccination approaches. These findings establish a mechanistically informed framework for PDT-driven ISPV and provide a strong rationale for translation of this strategy to the treatment of metastatic cancer.
Detailed comparative studies of spectral and fluorescent properties of curcumin in solutions at room temperature (293 K) and in rigid glass matrices of 2-methyltetrahydrofuran and ethanol at liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K) were carried out. It was shown that the transition to low temperature, accompanied by a decrease in the efficacy of non-radiative processes, manifests itself (depending on the solvent) in a 3- to 7-fold increase in the fluorescence quantum yield and fluorescence decay time, a sharp decrease in the Stokes shift, and the appearance of a vibrational structure in the fluorescence and fluorescence excitation spectra of curcumin. Rigid glass matrices were used to record phosphorescence, the attribution of which to curcumin was confirmed for the first time by the correspondence of its excitation spectrum to the fluorescence excitation spectrum at 77 K. The phosphorescence maximum of curcumin was shown to be located at λ fl max $$ {\lambda}_{\mathrm{fl}}^{\mathrm{max}} $$ = 635 nm, which differs significantly from the data ( λ fl max $$ {\lambda}_{\mathrm{fl}}^{\mathrm{max}} $$ = 730 nm) of the most cited work on curcumin photonics. The quantum yield of curcumin phosphorescence and its decay times were estimated for each solvent. By monitoring the luminescence of curcumin-sensitized singlet oxygen generation in the 1270 nm region, its quantum yield (φΔ) was determined in a number of organic solvents. The obtained values φΔ are 1.4-2.0 times higher than the literature data from 30 years ago.
Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a promising alternative in the microorganisms inactivation and infections caused by pathogenic fungi in planktonic and biofilm forms. The lack of development of resistance against this therapy makes it indicated even for the treatment of fungi resistant to antifungals. There are numerous in vitro studies that demonstrate the benefits of aPDT on pathogenic fungi with a high mortality rate, such as those of the genus Candida spp. However, studies show variations in the parameters used in their protocols, which makes it difficult to identify a more effective protocol for advancing studies in animal models. This review aimed to highlight the reported discrepancies between in vitro studies of aPDT as an antifungal therapy, making the translational protocol for in vivo studies a complex task.
The filamentous microalga Oedocladium carolinianum, capable of synthesizing high-value compounds like astaxanthin, represents a promising candidate for integrated carbon capture and biorefinery. This study investigated its physiological and molecular responses to a wide range of CO2 concentrations (0.04%-20%) at an aeration rate of 500 mL min-1, without CO2 addition during the night, to assess carbon fixation efficiency and application potential. Results demonstrated that O. carolinianum possesses remarkable tolerance to high CO2 levels. The optimal 5% CO2 treatment yielded the highest average carbon fixation rate of 243.51 mg L-1 d-1. Physiologically, CO2 enrichment markedly enhanced photosynthetic performance: it boosted the efficiency of Photosystem II, accelerated electron transport rates, and concurrently reduced respiratory energy loss. Furthermore, CO2 aeration stabilized the culture pH within a neutral range by counteracting photosynthetic alkalinization, thereby promoting algal growth. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that optimal CO2 concentrations (5%-10%) systematically upregulated genes encoding key components of the photosynthetic apparatus-including antenna proteins, both photosystems, and the Calvin cycle enzymes-thereby orchestrating a coordinated enhancement of carbon assimilation metabolism. This study elucidates the integrated physiological and molecular basis of efficient carbon fixation in O. carolinianum under elevated CO2, supporting its potential application in industrial flue gas remediation and sustainable natural astaxanthin coproduction.
The aim of the study was to test the applicability of the action spectrum of melatonin suppression (MS) based on monochromatic experimental data from Brainard et al. (Journal of Neuroscience, 2001, 21, 6405) and Thapan et al. (Journal of Physiology, 2001, 535, 261) to quantify MS using white light and to characterize its temporal course during the first hour of exposure. Using a within-subject design, 32 healthy adults (12 males/20 females) with free pupil adaptation were exposed to white light of 1904-6996 K in correlated color temperature (CCT), and to blue light (BL, 474 nm). Two "circadian effective" irradiances (Ec = 0.264 W m-2 and 0.528 W m-2) based on Gall's metric (Licht, 2002, 54, 1292) were applied for 60 min using ganzfeld devices. Melatonin concentrations were measured in blood plasma. For 25 participants with complete data sets at Ec = 0.264 W m-2, the r-ANOVA indicated a significant difference in MS between the five different light spectra, F(4,96) = 4.97, p = 0.011. The Bonferroni-corrected post hoc paired t-test (α = 0.005) showed significantly lower melatonin reduction by BL than white light of 2883 K and 1904 K, but not vs. 6997 K and 4663 K. This was due to an unexpectedly high proportion of 11 subjects (=44%) who did not respond to BL with MS ("BL non-responders"). For 14 subjects ("BL responders", =56%), r-ANOVA confirmed equivalent values of MS under all five lighting conditions at both irradiances. Additivity of spectral contributions to the circadian effectiveness of white light is limited, as is reciprocity only with respect to cold white light.
