Mosquito oviposition deterrents

Abstract

Mosquitoes are well-known vectors of disease and threaten the health of millions of people annually. While synthetic insecticides have been relied on to combat these diseases, insecticide resistance and environmental concerns have directed attention towards novel and more targeted mosquitocides derived from botanicals. Research on the activity of botanical derivatives has focused on mosquito larvae and adults with little attention given to their potential as oviposition deterrents against gravid female mosquitoes. This review explores the influence of chemical and biological factors on deterrence and examines issues relating to environmental persistence and non-target effects. With very few discoveries of new insecticide pathways, the answer to effective mosquito control may well reside within other ancient plant-based organisms that have co-resided and evolved with this ubiquitous pest.

Kinetics of imidazolium-based ionic liquids degradation in aqueous solution by Fenton oxidation

Abstract

In the last few years, several works dealing with Fenton oxidation of ionic liquids (ILs) have proved the capability of this technology for their degradation, achieving complete ILs removal and non-toxic effluents. Nevertheless, very little is known about the kinetics of this process, crucial for its potential application. In this work, the effect of several operating conditions, including reaction temperature (50–90 °C), catalyst load (10–50 mg L⁻¹ Fe³⁺), initial IL concentration (100–2000 mg L⁻¹), and hydrogen peroxide dose (10–200% of the stoichiometric amount for the complete IL mineralization) on 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C₄mim]Cl) oxidation has been investigated. Under the optimum operating conditions (T = 90 °C; [Fe³⁺]₀ = 50 mg L⁻¹; [H₂O₂]₀ = 100% of the stoichiometric amount), the complete removal of [C₄mim]Cl (1000 mg L⁻¹) was achieved at 1.5-min reaction time. From the experimental results, a potential kinetic model capable to describe the removal of imidazolium-based ILs by Fenton oxidation has been developed. By fitting the proposed model to the experimental data, the orders of the reaction with respect to IL initial concentration, Fe³⁺ amount and H₂O₂ dose were found to be close to 1, with an apparent activation energy of 43.3 kJ mol⁻¹. The model resulted in a reasonable fit within the wide range of operating conditions tested in this work.

Heterogeneous electro-Fenton catalyst for 1-butylpyridinium chloride degradation

Abstract

The application of the electro-Fenton process for organic compound mineralisation has been widely reported over the past years. However, operational problems related to the use of soluble iron salt as a homogeneous catalyst involve the development of novel catalysts that are able to operate in a wide pH range. For this purpose, polyvinyl alcohol-alginate beads, containing goethite as iron, were synthesised and evaluated as heterogeneous electro-Fenton catalyst for 1-butylpyridinium chloride mineralisation. The influence of catalyst dosage and pH solution on ionic liquid degradation was analysed, achieving almost total oxidation after 60 min under optimal conditions (2 g/L catalyst concentration and pH 3). The results showed good catalyst stability and reusability, although its effectiveness decreases slightly after three successive cycles. Furthermore, a plausible mineralisation pathway was proposed based on the oxidation byproducts determined by chromatographic techniques. Finally, the Microtox® test revealed notable detoxification after treatment which demonstrates high catalyst ability for pyridinium-based ionic liquid degradation by the electro-Fenton process.

Effect and mechanism of microwave-activated ultraviolet-advanced oxidation technology for adsorbent regeneration

Abstract

To decrease the secondary pollution of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during adsorbent regeneration by microwave, electrodeless lamp was added in the microwave field to oxidize VOCs in the gas phase. Ultraviolet has a significant improvement on mineralization of VOCs generated from adsorbate during adsorbent regeneration. However, the mechanism and main influence factors on the degradation of VOCs are not clear. The effect of microwave power, regeneration time, airflow rate, and humidity content on the mineralization of adsorbed tetracycline during adsorbent regeneration was studied. Ozone concentration and ultraviolet irradiation intensity were also measured to analyze the mechanism of the microwave-ultraviolet adsorbent regeneration method. Although the electrodeless lamp adsorbed microwave and competed with the regenerated adsorbent, the mineralization percentage of tetracycline increased about 10% with the presence of electrodeless lamp at the same microwave power supply. Besides, humidity content also takes an important role on enhancing the mineralization of tetracycline. The mineralization of tetracycline in the microwave-ultraviolet field consists of three major parts: pyrolysis, ozone oxidation, and free radical oxidation. More than 50% adsorbed tetracycline can be oxidized into H₂O and CO₂ during regeneration in 5 min. These results support the potential use of electrodeless lamp to treat VOCs in the gas phase to decrease the risk of secondary pollution during adsorbent regeneration.

Macrophytes as potential biomonitors in peri-urban wetlands of the Middle Parana River (Argentina)

Abstract

The aims of this study were to measure the concentrations of nutrients and pollutants in peri-urban wetlands, to analyze the plant morphology of the most representative macrophyte species, and to determine their potential use as biomonitors. Four wetlands in the Middle Paraná River floodplain evidencing contamination or anthropogenic impact were studied. The studied species were Typha domingensis Pers., Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms., Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb., and Pistia stratiotes L. Besides, the same plant species from an uncontaminated wetland considered as control were studied. A. philoxeroides showed the highest total phosphorus (TP) concentration in leaves throughout the study, while the other species showed a higher TP concentration in roots than in leaves. Since metal concentration in A. philoxeroides tissues was always higher than in sediment, further studies focused on its phytoremediation capacity should be carried out. T. domingensis exhibited the highest Zn concentrations in roots followed by Pb, and E. crassipes presented the highest values of Pb concentrations in roots. The aerial part height of the plants from peri-urban wetlands was significantly higher than that of the plants from the control, while the root length was significantly lower. The root length of P. stratiotes showed a negative correlation with soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) concentration in water. All the root anatomical parameters of T. domingensis and E. crassipes showed a positive correlation with nitrate and ammonium concentrations in water. The studied macrophytes evidenced a high tolerance, enabling them to grow and survive in peri-urban wetlands that receive pollution from different sources. The use of aquatic and wetland plants as contaminant bioindicators and bioaccumulators in the Middle Paraná River floodplain is completely feasible.

A bibliometric analysis of research on haze during 2000–2016

Abstract

As one of the bibliometric analysis tools, CiteSpace software was applied to quantitatively and visually evaluate global scientific documents of research on haze from 2000 to 2016. Five thousand six hundred six documents from the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-Expanded) and Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) of the Web of Science database were statistically analyzed and examined. The distributions on authorship, countries/territories, institutes, and keywords were generated. The amount of publications has increased nearly for the past 17 years. The most productive author was Li J. with 46 articles. The publications on haze research were primarily originated from the USA, China, Germany, and France. By synthetically analyzing the keywords, the dominant hot spots of haze research could be concluded as "aerosol," "atmosphere," "particle," "PM_2.5,"and "air quality."

Interaction mechanisms between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organic soil washing agents

Abstract

Understanding interaction mechanisms between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and soil-washing agents can help in choosing efficient agents which are able to desorb and solubilize PAHs. This study investigated interaction mechanisms between pyrene and four washing agents including: two dissolved organic matters (DOM) F-DOM and CRC-DOM, and two commercial bio-based surfactants BBE-1000 and Supersolv using fluorescence spectroscopy combined with multivariate curve resolution alternating regression (MCR-AR). The efficiencies of these washing agents in removing PAHs from the soil were tested in a soil washing experiment. Pyrene showed π-π interactions with F-DOM and no interaction with CRC-DOM. This could be attributed to the more aromatic structures in F-DOM compared to CRC-DOM. The two DOMs were inefficient in soil washing which might be attributed to the relatively weak effect of π-π interactions in releasing PAHs from the soil. Interaction mechanisms between pyrene and the bio-based surfactants were elucidated with MCR-AR, which resolved three spectroscopically active species from pyrene emission spectra as a function of pyrene and bio-based surfactants concentrations. These species resembled pyrene emission in a polar and nonpolar microenvironment, respectively and of an excimer. Concentration profiles retrieved by the model for the three species showed that, below the critical micelle concentration (CMC), Supersolv created more nonpolar interactions with pyrene compared to BBE-1000. In soil washing, Supersolv showed the highest efficiency in extracting PAHs from the soil. This highlighted the importance of nonpolar interactions in desorbing PAHs from soils, which could then be solubilized in micelles. This study demonstrated the potential of fluorescence spectroscopy combined with the MCR-AR model for selecting efficient soil-washing agents.

An endogenous tryptophan photo-product, FICZ, is potentially involved in photo-aging by reducing TGF-β-regulated collagen homeostasis

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has major adverse effects on the outermost layer of the body, namely, the skin. The mechanisms by which UV causes photocarcinogenesis and photo-aging are well established. UV-mediated responses directly induce deleterious cell damage by generating DNA photo-products in the nucleus, namely, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and organic free radicals [1–4]. A variety of chromophores and photosensitizers have been reported to be produced in the skin in response to UV exposure [5,6].

Crowdsourcing dermatology: DataDerm, big data analytics, and machine learning technology

"There is art in 'big data'… in the seductive potential of its exponential, uncontrolled, ungraspable growth to improve our lives… and, ultimately, truly personal medicine."1

Gender Differences in Indoor Tanning Habits and Location

Beyond the triad: inheritance, mucocutaneous phenotype, and mortality in a cohort of patients with dyskeratosis congenita

Risk of Melanoma in Patients With Multiple Myeloma: A SEER Population-based Study

The NPF/Corrona Psoriasis Registry: A New Collaborative Approach to Post-approval Registries

“Allergen of the Year” alkyl glucoside is an ingredient in top-selling sunscreens and facial moisturizers

Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy for chronic recalcitrant interdigital candidiasis of toe-spaces – an uncontrolled pilot study

Pathogenetic insights from quantification of the cerebriform connective tissue nevus in Proteus syndrome

Plantar cerebriform connective tissue nevus (CCTN) size increases in children with Proteus syndrome, but not in adults.The presence and growth of a plantar CCTN are affected by age of the patient and extent of the precursor lesion.Knowledge of CCTN growth patterns may be useful for predicting the rate of expansion and eventual extent of sole involvement.

Economic and sustainable management of wastes from rice industry: combating the potential threats

Abstract

Rice is one of the imperative staple foods, particularly in the developing countries. The exponential boom in human population has resulted in the continuous expansion in the rice industry in order to meet the food demands. The various stages of paddy processing release huge quantity of solid wastes, mainly rice husk, rice husk ash and liquid wastes in the form of rice industry wastewater. The discharge of the rice industry wastewater imparts a substantial threat to the aquatic bodies and the nearby surrounding and, thus, consequently demands eco-benign treatment plan. As a result, different strategies are needed to enhance the effluent quality and minimize the operational cost of the treatment process. Therefore, efficient technological approach targeting the minimization of pollution as well as assuring the economic prosperity should be implemented. In this review article, several aspects related to the rice industry discussing the significant challenges involved in the generation of both solid and liquid wastes, mitigation experiments and future prospects have been meticulously elaborated. Furthermore, the article also focuses on the various processes utilized for reducing the pollution load and promoting the practice of reuse and recycle of waste rather than the discharge action for the sake of sustainability and the emergence of novel techniques for the generation of energy and value-added products.

Biological and analytical techniques used for detection of polyaromatic hydrocarbons

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contain two or more fused benzene rings that are considered as cosmo-pollutants ubiquitously found in the environment. The identification and monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of great interests for rapid and on-site detection. Therefore, many analytical and biological techniques have been proposed for the qualitative and quantitative assessments of PAHs. Non-biological analytical techniques such as infrared, Raman, and fluorescence spectroscopies are commonly exploited as non-destructive techniques while gas chromatography (GC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with multiple detectors are extensively employed for the separation and detection of an analyte. Even though spectroscopy and chromatography are more accurate, convenient, and feasible techniques, often, these methods are expensive and sophisticated which require high maintenance cost. On the other hand, biological approaches, i.e., immunoassay, PCR, and microarray, offer comprehensive high-throughput specificity and sensitivity for a similar analyte. Biosensor- and immunoassay-mediated detections of PAHs have opened up new avenues in terms of low cost, rapid determination, and higher sensitivity. In this review, we have discussed the strengths and limitations of biological and analytical techniques that were explored for precise evaluation and were trusted at both the legislation and research levels.

Meeting constitutivists halfway

Abstract

Constitutivism is best understood as a strategy for meeting a set of related metanormative challenges, rather than a fully comprehensive metanormative theory in its own right, or so many have plausibly argued. Whether this strategy succeeds may depend, in part, on which broader metanormative theory it is combined with. In this paper I argue that combining constitutivism with expressivism somewhat surprisingly provides constitutivists with their best chances for success, and that this combination of views has some surprising benefits for both parties.

Aesthetic Surgical Procedures in Men: Major Complications and Associated Risk Factors

Abstract

Background

The number of men undergoing cosmetic surgery is increasing in North America.

Objectives

To determine the incidence and risk factors of major complications in males undergoing cosmetic surgery, compare the complication profiles between men and women, and identify specific procedures that are associated with higher risk of complications in males.

Methods

A prospective cohort of patients undergoing cosmetic surgery between 2008 and 2013 was identified from the CosmetAssure database. Gender specific procedures were excluded. Primary outcome was occurrence of a major complication in males requiring emergency room visit, hospital admission, or reoperation within 30 days of the index operation. Univariate and multivariate analysis evaluated potential risk factors for major complications including age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, diabetes, type of surgical facility, type of procedure, and combined procedures.

Results

Of the 129,007 patients, 54,927 underwent gender nonspecific procedures, of which 5801 (10.6%) were males. Women showed a higher mean age (46.4 ± 14.1 vs 45.2 ± 16.7 years, P < 0.01). Men had a higher BMI (27.2 ± 4.7 vs 25.7 ± 4.9 kg/m², P < 0.01), and were more likely to be smokers (7.1% vs 5.7%, P < 0.01) when compared to women. Men demonstrated similar overall major complication rates compared to women (2.1% vs 2.1%, P = 0.97). When specific complications were analyzed further, men had higher hematoma rates, but lower incidence of surgical site infection. Additionally, major complications after abdominoplasty, facelift surgery, and buttock augmentation were noted to preferentially affect males. On multivariate analysis, independent predictors of major complications in males included BMI (RR 1.05), hospital or ambulatory surgery center procedures (RR 3.47), and combined procedures (RR 2.56).

Conclusions

Aesthetic surgery in men is safe with low major complication rates. Modifiable predictors of complications included BMI and combined procedures.

Level of Evidence: 2

Radiation-induced cognitive toxicity: Pathophysiology and interventions to reduce toxicity in adults

Abstract

Radiotherapy is ubiquitous in the treatment of patients with both primary brain tumors as well as disease which is metastatic to the brain. This therapy is not without cost, however, as cognitive decline is frequently associated with cranial radiation, particularly with whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT). The precise mechanisms responsible for radiation-induced morbidity remain incompletely understood and continue to be an active area of ongoing research. In this article, we review the hypothetical means by which cranial radiation induces cognitive decline as well as potential therapeutic approaches to prevent, minimize or reverse treatment-induced cognitive deterioration. We additionally review advances in imaging modalities that can potentially be used to identify site-specific radiation-induced anatomic or functional changes in the brain and their correlation with clinical outcomes.

Excrescent tumor on the left sole in a middle-aged man

Anti-desmoglein 1 IgG/IgA pemphigus associated with thymoma

Computer-based radiological longitudinal evaluation of meningiomas following stereotactic radiosurgery

Abstract

Purpose

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a common treatment for intracranial meningiomas. SRS is planned on a pre-therapy gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted MRI scan (Gd-T1w MRI) in which the meningioma contours have been delineated. Post-SRS therapy serial Gd-T1w MRI scans are then acquired for longitudinal treatment evaluation. Accurate tumor volume change quantification is required for treatment efficacy evaluation and for treatment continuation.

Method

We present a new algorithm for the automatic segmentation and volumetric assessment of meningioma in post-therapy Gd-T1w MRI scans. The inputs are the pre- and post-therapy Gd-T1w MRI scans and the meningioma delineation in the pre-therapy scan. The output is the meningioma delineations and volumes in the post-therapy scan. The algorithm uses the pre-therapy scan and its meningioma delineation to initialize an extended Chan–Vese active contour method and as a strong patient-specific intensity and shape prior for the post-therapy scan meningioma segmentation. The algorithm is automatic, obviates the need for independent tumor localization and segmentation initialization, and incorporates the same tumor delineation criteria in both the pre- and post-therapy scans.

Results

Our experimental results on retrospective pre- and post-therapy scans with a total of 32 meningiomas with volume ranges 0.4–26.5 cm \(^{3}\) yield a Dice coefficient of \(87.0\, \pm \, 6.2\) % with respect to ground-truth delineations in post-therapy scans created by two clinicians. These results indicate a high correspondence to the ground-truth delineations.

Conclusion

Our algorithm yields more reliable and accurate tumor volume change measurements than other stand-alone segmentation methods. It may be a useful tool for quantitative meningioma prognosis evaluation after SRS.

Perception of High-Level Content and the Argument from Associative Agnosia

Abstract

Visual Associative agnosia is a rare perceptual impairment generally resulting from lesions in the infero temporal cortex. Patients suffering from associative agnosia are able to make accurate copies of line drawings, but they are unable to visually recognize objects - including those represented in line drawings - as belonging to familiar high-level kinds. The Rich Content View claims that visual experience can represent high-level kind properties. The phenomenon of associative agnosia appears to present us with a strong case for the Rich Content View. There are reasons for thinking that the experiences of an agnosic patient differ from those of a healthy subject. Given that there is a phenomenal contrast between the experiences of an associative agnosic and those of a healthy perceiver, one may argue that this contrast is due to differences in abilities to represent high-level kinds. I claim that there is indeed a phenomenal contrast between the visual experiences of an agnosic and those of a healthy perceiver. However, the explanation of this contrast that best fits the empirical data is compatible with the view that visual experience does not represent high-level kinds.

Burden of migraine in a Kuwaiti population: a door-to-door survey

Migraine prevalence and disability imprints on Kuwaiti population are underreported. We aimed to measure the prevalence of migraine and to assess its burden in Kuwait.

Regression and multivariate models for predicting particulate matter concentration level

Abstract

The devastating health effects of particulate matter (PM₁₀) exposure by susceptible populace has made it necessary to evaluate PM₁₀ pollution. Meteorological parameters and seasonal variation increases PM₁₀ concentration levels, especially in areas that have multiple anthropogenic activities. Hence, stepwise regression (SR), multiple linear regression (MLR) and principal component regression (PCR) analyses were used to analyse daily average PM₁₀ concentration levels. The analyses were carried out using daily average PM₁₀ concentration, temperature, humidity, wind speed and wind direction data from 2006 to 2010. The data was from an industrial air quality monitoring station in Malaysia. The SR analysis established that meteorological parameters had less influence on PM₁₀ concentration levels having coefficient of determination (R ²) result from 23 to 29% based on seasoned and unseasoned analysis. While, the result of the prediction analysis showed that PCR models had a better R ² result than MLR methods. The results for the analyses based on both seasoned and unseasoned data established that MLR models had R ² result from 0.50 to 0.60. While, PCR models had R ² result from 0.66 to 0.89. In addition, the validation analysis using 2016 data also recognised that the PCR model outperformed the MLR model, with the PCR model for the seasoned analysis having the best result. These analyses will aid in achieving sustainable air quality management strategies.

Complementary and Integrative Medicine in Hematologic Malignancies: Questions and Challenges

Abstract

Hematologic malignancies represent 9.7% of all cancers, making them the fourth most common type of cancer in the United States. The aggressive and complex treatments administered in hematologic malignancies result in a high burden of psychological needs. Complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) is becoming one of the options that patients use to address their distress during and after cancer treatments. It is not clear whether appropriate CIM can relieve distress in patients affected by these malignancies. This review covers the potential benefits of CIM as relates to nutrition, nutritional supplements, exercise, circadian rhythm, methods for reducing distress during bone marrow aspiration, massage therapy, and acupuncture, in treating patients with hematological malignancies. This review may provide a framework to enhance patient-doctor dialogue regarding CIM use in hematologic malignancies.

Phase IV head-to-head randomised controlled trial comparing ingenol mebutate 0.015% gel with diclofenac sodium 3% gel for the treatment of actinic keratosis on the face or scalp

Abstract

Background

Ingenol mebutate (IngMeb) and diclofenac sodium (DS) are approved treatments for actinic keratosis (AK).

Objectives

Compare efficacy and safety of IngMeb 0.015% gel with DS 3% gel.

Methods

Patients with 4–8 visible, discrete AK lesions on face/scalp in a 25 cm² contiguous area of skin were randomised 1:1 to IngMeb once-daily for 3 consecutive days, or DS twice-daily for 90 days, following label instruction. Patients presenting with AK lesions at Week 8 following IngMeb were offered a second IngMeb course. The primary endpoint was complete clearance of AK lesions (AKCLEAR 100) at end of first treatment course (Week 8, IngMeb; Week 17, DS). Secondary endpoints included AKCLEAR 100 at end of last treatment course and Week 17; adverse events (AEs) were assessed at these time points. Patients completed Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaires for Medication (TSQM; Week 17).

Results

AKCLEAR 100 at end of first treatment course was higher with IngMeb (34.5%) versus DS (23.5%; p=0.006). AKCLEAR 100 at end of last IngMeb course (53.3%) and Week 17 (45.1%) was higher than DS (both p<0.001). The most frequent AE was application-site erythema (IngMeb 19%; DS 12%). Treatment-related AE (TRAE) duration was shorter with IngMeb. TRAE withdrawals were lower for IngMeb (2%) versus DS (6%). TSQM scores for global satisfaction (p<0.001) and effectiveness (p=0.002) were higher with IngMeb, as was dosing instruction adherence (≥90% versus 70%).

Conclusion

AKCLEAR 100, patient treatment satisfaction and effectiveness were significantly higher with IngMeb versus DS, demonstrating superiority of IngMeb for AK treatment on face/scalp (NCT02406014).

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Nipple shields and antibiotic prophylaxis in skin and nipple sparing risk reducing mastectomies—a multi-centre study

Abstract

Background

Florid and sub-clinical infection in implant-based breast reconstruction can cause significant problems. There are a wide and varied range of methods utilised in an attempt to reduce infection. Nipple shields are well known to reduce the spread of infection during surgery as are prophylactic antibiotics.

Methods

Twenty patients, in two centres, had microbiological swabs taken from the nipple-areolar complex after preparation with povidone-iodine and post-operatively from the underside of nipple shields. These swabs were cultured in the local microbiology laboratory.

Results

No swabs after preparation grew organisms. Five (12.5%) swabs taken post-operatively were positive. Of these, three grew coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and two grew mixed skin commensals. All were sensitive to Flucloxacillin.

Conclusions

Nipple shields are essential to reduce the risk of infection. Povidone-iodine is satisfactory for preparation in our cohort. Prophylactic antibiotics are indicated on induction.

Level of Evidence: Level III, risk/prognostic study.

Preoperative methylprednisolone increases plasma Pentraxin PTX3 early after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Summary

Preoperative glucocorticoid administration reduces the systemic inflammatory response. Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) is a novel inflammatory marker belonging to the humoral arm of innate immunity exerting a potentially protective host response.

This study evaluated PTX3 and other complement marker changes after preoperative methylprednisolone (MP) early after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Seventy patients were randomized (1:1) to preoperative intravenous (IV) MP 125 mg (group MP) or isotonic saline IV (group C). The outcomes included change in plasma PTX3, Mannose-binding lectin (MBL), Ficolins (Ficolin-1, -2 and -3), Complement components (C4 and C3), Terminal complement complex (TCC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. Blood samples were analysed at baseline and 2, 6, 24 and 48 hours after surgery with complete sampling from 63 patients for analyses.

MP resulted in an increase in circulating PTX3 compared to saline from baseline to 24 hours postoperatively (p<0.001), while MP reduced the systemic inflammatory response (CRP) 24 and 48 hours postoperatively (p<0.001). However, the small postoperative changes in MBL, Ficolin-1, -2 and -3, C4, C3 and TCC concentrations did not differ between groups (p>0.05).

In conclusion, preoperative MP 125 mg increased circulating PTX3 and reduced the general inflammatory response (CRP) early after TKA, but did not affect other complement markers. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Survival and detection of Bacillus cereus in the presence of Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteriditis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans after rechallenge in makeup removers

Abstract

Objective

Pathogenic contamination of cosmetics intended to be applied on or around the eye area, including make-up removers, may lead to severe eye infections. To assess the efficacy of antimicrobial preservatives in these products we investigated the survival and detection of Bacillus cereus F 4227A spiked into make-up removers, alone and in the presence of other relevant microorganisms.

Methods

Four brands of make-up removers, A, B, C and D, were challenged three times (day 0, day 7, and day 14) using B. cereus, in pure and mixed cultures, at a final concentration of 5 log CFU/ml of Bacillus cereus or 6 log CFU/ml for other microorganisms. Inoculated samples were diluted and spiral-plated after 30 min and 24 hr of each challenge onto selective media for recovery of surviving microorganisms: BACARA (B. cereus), MacConkey (E. coli), ChromID (P. aeruginosa), XLT4 (S. enteritidis), Baird Parker agar (Staph aureus), and PDA+chlortetracycline HCL (C. albicans).

Results

The population of B. cereus spiked as a pure culture increased significantly from the first to the third challenge after 30 min exposure-time, going from 0.73 to 2.59 in A, from 0.80 to 2.69 in B, and from 0.80 to 1.67 log CFU/ml in C (P < 0.05). Likewise, the B. cereus population from the mixed cultures had a significantly higher survival count at the third challenge: from 0.12 log MPN/ml to 2.16 log CFU/ml in A, 0.57 to 2.27 log CFU/ml in B, and from undetected (LOD = 0.48 log MPN) to 0.98 log CFU/ml in C, respectively. After challenges, Staph aureus, C. albicans, and P. aeruginosa increased in B; Staph aureus and C. albicans in C; and E. coli and Staph aureus in D. The growth of other bacteria types were unaffected by the number of challenges, but B. cereus population was detected with the third challenge.

Conclusion

It is appropriate to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of preservatives using at least three challenges, especially for cosmetics that are subjected to repetitive contamination by users.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Determinants of serum organochlorine pesticide and polychlorinated biphenyl levels in middle-aged Korean adults

Abstract

The serum levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in a middle-aged Korean population and investigated associations with age, gender, body mass index (BMI), metabolic syndrome (MS), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and dietary habits. The median concentrations of 22 OCPs and 34 PCBs in the serum samples were 483 and 216 ng g⁻¹ lipid, respectively. The most abundant compound was p,p'-DDE, followed by PCB 153, β-HCH, PCB 118, and PCB 180. The results of multiple linear regression and other statistical analyses revealed that serum OCP and PCB levels were higher in women and were positively correlated with age. BMI was positively associated with serum OCP and PCB levels, reflecting the influence of food intake and the preserving effect of body fat. MS and T2DM were significantly associated with serum OCP and PCB levels. The intake of animal foods had positive associations with serum OCP and PCB levels, whereas the intake of phytogenic foods showed negative associations, presumably because of contamination levels in food items and food matrices that governs absorption and excretion of OCPs and PCBs in the body. The relationship between dietary habits and serum OCP and PCB levels were different in participants with MS compared to healthy participants, suggesting MS may alter the influence of food intake on serum OCP and PCB levels.

Micro-pollutants in sediment samples in the middle Danube region, Serbia: occurrence and risk assessment

Abstract

This is the first comprehensive study on the occurrence of 940 semi-volatile organic compounds including sterols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, plasticizers, and other emerging compounds in 10 river and canal sediments collected in northern Serbia. For quantification of investigated compounds GC-MS-MS (selected reaction monitoring) and GC-MS (using both selected ion monitoring and total ion monitoring) methods were used. The number of detected compounds was in the range of 85–117, while the sum of the concentrations varied from 959 μg/kg dry-wt to 84,445 μg/kg dry-wt. Sterols were quantified with high frequency in nearly 100% of investigated samples suggesting that the studied rivers and canals have been contaminated by sewage. Regarding persistent organic compounds, p,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDD, and o,p′-DDT were the dominant members of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). The concentration range of 11 quantified pesticides of 452 analyzed was from 0.564 to 61.6 μg/kg dry-wt, while the concentration range of 47 quantified PCBs of 90 analyzed was from 0.928 to 32.1 μg/kg dry-wt. OCPs (DDE, DDD, and γ-HCH) and several PAHs (fluoranthene, pyrene, phenanthrene, chrysene, benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene) exceeded the maximum values of the sediment quality guidelines. Contents of domestic compounds comprise a large proportion of the total contaminant concentration. Overall, the study reveals that river sediments in Vojvodina Province were moderately polluted mainly by domestic wastewater. The toxic equivalent quantity (TEQ) relative to benzo(a)pyrene and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin for seven carcinogenic PAHs and six quantified dioxin-like PCBs ranged from 3.59 to 103 μg TEQ/kg and from 0.001 × 10⁻³ to 2.10 × 10⁻³ μg TEQ/kg, respectively, and were in the range or lower than the literature published data.

Spatiotemporal distributions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons close to a typical medical waste incinerator

Abstract

Environmental contaminations by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) especially from incinerators occur subtly, and PAH contribution from this source is underestimated. However, as environmental PAH concentrations build up, this may be a serious concern around the incinerator vicinity due to the potential consequences of PAHs on ecosystems and human health. Thus, the contribution of selected (12) PAHs from the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital medical waste incinerator (or source, HWI_0) was determined by sampling stack gas and ambient air around incinerator vicinity from June 2014 to May 2015. Results showed that the 12 PAH source (HWI_0) concentrations were in the range of NA (for phenanthrene, pyrene, anthracene, benz[e]acephenanthrylene, and indeno[2,1-b]chromene) to 10.9 ng/m³ (pyrelene) and generally higher than the receptor points (hospital waste incinerators (HWIs)). The average total PAH concentrations per month at HWI_0 and the receptors—HWI_1, HWI_2, HWI_3, HWI_4 and HWI_5—were 73.0 ± 27.9, 60.4 ± 30.8, 42.5 ± 23.6, 38.7 ± 21.9, 35.0 ± 27.2, and 39.2 ± 22.9 ng/m³, respectively. These results and multivariate receptor model analysis indicated high correlations between source PAH contributions and the receptor points. The PAH concentrations in the dry season were higher than the wet season suggesting that hydrological condition affects ambient PAH concentrations. The average PAH concentrations in the HWIs as well as the cumulative exposure concentrations observed throughout the period are of major health concern because PAH concentrations detected are several times higher than both the European Union standard and the WHO guideline level.

Anatomy of lower eyelid and eyelid–cheek junction

Publication date: Available online 14 October 2017
Source:Annales de Chirurgie Plastique Esthétique
Author(s): A. Mojallal, S. Cotofana
BackgroundUnderstanding the anatomy of the lower eyelid and the lid–cheek junction is important for surgical and non-surgical approaches. It is important to understand the correlation between the clinical presentation and the individual anatomy to direct an adequate treatment.MethodsA review of the literature based on the authors experience combined with anatomical dissections was conducted to reveal the current concepts of the surgical and non-surgical anatomy. The various anatomical structures important for the understanding of the symptoms and the proposed treatment are described in this article.ResultsThe anatomy of the lower eyelid and the lid–cheek junction has to be understood as a unit. Structures are continuous from the eyelid to the cheek influencing each other during aging. The concept of superficial, i.e. superficial to the orbicularis oculi muscle and deep facial fat compartments, i.e. deep to the orbicularis oculi muscle has to be applied in order to understand the relevant anatomy regarding the ligaments, fat compartments, muscular and tarsal structures and the vascularization.ConclusionThe understanding of the layered arrangement of the lower eyelid and eyelid-cheek junction anatomy enables practitioners to perform safe and effective surgical and non-surgical procedures.

The Datafication of Learning: Data Technologies as Reflection Issue in the System of Education

Abstract

Like other parts of the social system, education is becoming an information-driven venture: data technologies pervade all levels of the system. This datafication of education seems to take place alongside a general turn to learning that Gert Biesta has called learnification: a progressively singular focus on the manipulable features of individual learning in education. Given rapidly rising levels of datafication, it seems timely to take up Luhmann and Schorr's contention that education entails a technology deficit and discuss datafication as reflection issue in the system of education. Against their argument that human learning is not amenable to a technology, I develop the counter-argument that data technologies are replacing human learning outright with data at the level of organisation. Data thus present a concretely digital form of what Raf Vanderstraeten has called education as an ersatz order. In a data-driven form of organising education, human dimensions of learning become secondary to a systemic dimension: making learning visible as data and so susceptible to databased manipulation. The text treats school-wide positive behaviour support interventions as an evidence-based exemplar of this trend towards datafication in the system of education.