Targeted muscle reinnervation: advances and opportunities

It is with interest, and some concern, that we read the recent letter from Messrs Nikkhah et al. (1). Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) is a surgical development for the rehabilitation community with enormous potential to improve the quality of life for amputees. However, their letter fails to clarify exactly what TMR is, and how it can benefit amputees. There are two aspects to TMR. Kuiken's first aim was to improve the control of a myoelectric prostheses and secondly to strive for "intuitive" manipulation of a prosthesis (2,3).

The split hypoglossal nerve versus the cross-face nerve graft to supply the free functional muscle transfer for facial reanimation: a comparative study

Long-standing cases of facial paralysis are currently treated with free functional muscle transfer. Several nerves are mentioned in the literature to supply the free muscle transfer. The aim of this study is to compare the split hypoglossal nerve and the cross-face nerve graft to supply the free functional muscle transfer in facial reanimation.Of 94 patients with long-standing, unilateral facial palsy, 49 were treated using the latissimus dorsi muscle supplied by the split hypoglossal nerve, and 45 patients were treated using the healthy contralateral buccal branch of the facial nerve.

Biochar alleviates the toxicity of imidacloprid and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to Enchytraeus albidus (Oligochaeta)

Abstract

The present study investigated the use of biochar for the alleviation of the toxic effects of a nanosilver colloidal dispersion and a chloronicotinyl insecticide. The survival and reproduction of the potworm Enchytraeus albidus were assessed after exposure to imidacloprid and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). E. albidus was exposed to 0, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg imidacloprid/kg and 0, 5, 25, 125, and 625 mg Ag/kg for 21 days in 10% biochar amended and non-biochar amended OECD artificial soil. In both exposure substrates, the effects of imidacloprid on survival were significant in the two highest treatments (p < 0.01). No biochar effect was observed as survival was statistically similar in both soils after exposure to imidacloprid. In the case of AgNPs, significant mortality was only observed in the highest AgNP treatments in both the amended and non-amended soils (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, statistically greater survival occurred in the biochar-amended treatment (p < 0.05). Reproduction results showed a more pronounced biochar effect with an EC₅₀ = 22.27 mg imidacloprid/kg in the non-amended soil and a higher EC₅₀ = 46.23 mg imidacloprid/kg in the biochar-amended soil. This indicated a 2-fold decrease in imidacloprid toxicity due to biochar amendment. A similar observation was made in the case of AgNPs where a reproduction EC₅₀ = 166.70 mg Ag/kg soil in the non-amended soil increased to an EC₅₀ > 625 mg Ag/kg soil (the highest AgNP treatment) in the amended soil. This indicated at least a 3.7-fold decrease in AgNPs toxicity due to biochar amendment. Although more studies may be needed to optimize the easing effects of biochar on the toxicity of these chemicals, the present results show that biochar could be useful for the alleviation of the toxic effects of imidacloprid and silver nanoparticles in the soil.

Toxicity comparison of the shoreline cleaners Accell Clean® and PES-51® in two life stages of the grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio

Abstract

Oil spills are a significant source of coastal pollution. Shoreline cleaners, used to remove oil from surfaces during spill response and remediation, may also act as toxins. Adult and larval grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio, were tested for lethal and sublethal impacts from two shoreline cleaners, Accell Clean SWA® and PES-51®, alone and in combination with crude oil using Chemically Enhanced Water Accommodated Fractions (CEWAFs). Median lethal toxicity values determined for the individual cleaners were similar. However, when tested in mixture with oil as CEWAFs, Accell Clean SWA resulted in greater hydrocarbon concentrations in the water column and greater toxicity than PES-51. Increased glutathione levels were observed for adult shrimp exposed to Accell Clean SWA, and glutathione was elevated in shrimp exposed to both CEWAFs. Larval shrimp development was delayed after exposure to both CEWAFs. These findings may have implications for managing and mitigating oil spills.

Sleeping Beauty Goes to the Lab: The Psychology of Self-Locating Evidence

Abstract

Analyses of the Sleeping Beauty Problem are polarised between those advocating the "1/2 view" ("halfers") and those endorsing the "1/3 view" ("thirders"). The disagreement concerns the evidential relevance of self-locating information. Unlike halfers, thirders regard self-locating information as evidentially relevant in the Sleeping Beauty Problem. In the present study, we systematically manipulate the kind of information available in different formulations of the Sleeping Beauty Problem. Our findings indicate that patterns of judgment on different formulations of the Sleeping Beauty Problem do not fit either the "1/2 view" or the "1/3 view." Human reasoners tend to acknowledge self-locating evidence as relevant, but discount its weight significantly. Accordingly, self-locating information may trigger more cautious judgments of confirmation than familiar kinds of statistical evidence. We also discuss how these results can advance the debate by providing a more nuanced and empirically grounded account or explication of the evidential impact of self-locating information.

Contamination of estuaries from failing septic tank systems: difficulties in scaling up from monitored individual systems to cumulative impact

Abstract

Aquaculture in many coastal estuaries is threatened by diffuse sources of runoff from different land use activities. The poor performance of septic tank systems (STS), as well as runoff from agriculture, may contribute to the movement of contaminants through ground and surface waters to estuaries resulting in oyster contamination, and following their consumption, impacts to human health. In monitoring individual STS in sensitive locations, it is possible to show that nutrients and faecal contaminants are transported through the subsurface in sandy soils off-site with little attenuation. At the catchment scale however, there are always difficulties in discerning direct linkages between failing STS and water contamination due to processes such as effluent dilution, adsorption, precipitation and vegetative uptake. There is often substantial complexity in detecting and tracing effluent pathways from diffuse sources to water bodies in field studies. While source tracking as well as monitoring using tracers may assist in identifying potential pathways from STS to surface waters and estuaries, there are difficulties in scaling up from monitored individual systems to identify their contribution to the cumulative impact which may be apparent at the catchment scale. The processes which may be obvious through monitoring and dominate at the individual scale may be masked and not readily discernible at the catchment scale due to impacts from other land use activities.

Different calcification responses of two hermatypic corals to CO 2 -driven ocean acidification

Abstract

Understanding how calcification is influenced by the enhanced dissolution of CO₂ in the oceans is the key to evaluating the effects of ocean acidification (OA) on coral reefs. In this study, two branching hermatypic corals widely distributed in the South China Sea, Pocillopora damicornis and Seriatopora caliendrum, were used to study the calcification responses to CO₂-driven OA (7.77 ± 0.07 vs. 8.15 ± 0.12). Our results showed that the calcification rate (0.17 ± 0.04%/day to 0.21 ± 0.12%/day) in P. damicornis remained unchanged in the acidified seawaters, but that in S. caliendrum decreased significantly (0.62 ± 0.21%/day to 0.44 ± 0.11%/day). Our results suggested that reef corals with high calcification rates may be more susceptible to the enhanced dissolution of CO₂. Differential calcified response to elevated CO₂ may be closely attributed to coralline capacity of the upregulation at their site of calcification in acidified seawater.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Predictors of internal mammary vessel diameter: A computed tomographic angiography-assisted anatomic analysis. J Plast Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery 2016: 69:1340-8. Cook JA, Tholpady SS, Momeni A, Chu MW

We would like to congratulate Dr Cook and colleagues on their publication entitled "Predictors of internal mammary vessel diameter: A computed tomographic angiography-assisted anatomic analysis" 1 and take this opportunity to contrast their experience with ours. Our comments are based on a prospectively collected database of consecutive abdominal microvascular breast reconstructions performed by a single surgeon (CMM) using the total rib preservation technique of internal mammary vessel exposure.

Using the internal mammary artery as recipient artery in cervicofacial reconstruction by fibular flap

This study was designed to investigate the anatomy of the internal mammary to its use for mandibular reconstruction using a fibula free flap for patients without other recipient vessels in the neck. This technique could be an alternative to venous grafts in vascular desert cases.We dissected the internal mammary artery in 6 cadavers from the clavicle down to the 5th rib.The length of the artery once released was 11 to 13 cm, its distal diameter of 2 to 3 mm.We measured the distance separating the distal end of the liberated artery with the hyoid anatomical landmark for the vascular anastomoses of the mandibular fibula flap reconstructions, this distance varies from 0 to 15 mm, theoretically allowing the use of the internal mammary artery for complexes mandibular reconstructions.

Liposuction-assisted four pedicle based breast reduction (LAFPBR): A new safer technique of breast reduction for elderly patients

As older people increasingly care for their body image and remain active longer, the demand for reduction mammaplasty is increasing in this population. Only a few studies of reduction mammaplasty have specifically focussed on the outcomes in elderly women. We developed a new breast reduction technique: the Liposuction-Assisted Four Pedicles - Based Breast Reduction (LAFPBR) that is especially indicated for elderly patients.The aim of this paper was to describe the LAFPBR technique and to determine whether it could be considered a safer option for elderly patients compared to the superomedial pedicle (SMP) technique.

Influence of dressing application time after breast augmentation on cutaneous colonization: a randomized clinical trial

Concepts regarding the best way to treat a surgical wound vary, in literature, ranging from no dressing use to dressing maintenance for 24 to 48 hours or until suture removal. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the length of dressing maintenance after breast augmentation with implants on cutaneous colonization and surgical site infection. This is a two-arm parallel group randomized clinical trial. Eighty patients who were candidates for augmentation mammoplasty with silicone implants were randomly allocated to two groups, in which the dressing was removed on postoperative day 1 (group A, n=40) or postoperative day 6 (group B, n=40).

Intraoperative imaging of lymphatic vessel using ultra high-frequency ultrasound

Lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) is effective and minimally invasive treatment for refractory lymphedema.1-4 The lymphatic vessels become sclerotic over time after lymph flow obstruction, and lose their function to drain lymph fluid in peripheral lymphedema patient.2 Anastomosing the severely sclerotic lymphatic vessels leads to minimum therapeutic effect in LVA. Therefore, identification of functional lymphatic vessels is important for LVA.3,4 Hayashi et al. reported non-invasive ultrasound visualization of lymphatic vessels in a region masked by dermal backflow pattern of indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography.

Invited commentary on jpras-d-17-00269

This article describes the development of a breast reduction guideline. This is a major achievement, which represents the culmination of a large body of work: multiple systematic reviews, consensus building, and recommendation generation. It has the potential to provide considerable benefit if developed appropriately, and if it gains traction with its target audience.

Routine closure of the donor site with a second dorsal metacarpal artery flap to avoid the use of a skin graft after harvest of a first dorsal metacarpal artery flap

Closure of the donor site on the index finger after raising a first dorsal metacarpal artery (DMA) flap harvest is challenging. The conventional choice is to use a full-thickness skin graft. However, this procedure is associated with several complications and a second donor site to harvest the skin graft is inevitable. The aim of this study was to design a modified incision to allow harvest of a first DMA flap without skin graft.

USB Dermatoscope as an Oculoscopy tool

Demographics and Outcomes of Stage I-II Merkel Cell Carcinoma Treated with Mohs Micrographic Surgery Compared with Wide Local Excision in the National Cancer Data Base

The optimal surgical approach (wide local excision (WLE) vs. Mohs micrographic surgery (MOHS)) for treating Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is yet to be determined.

Use of Sterile Urine Cups as Sharps Containers During Mohs Stages

Using smooth forceps for assisting incision and drainage of an infected epidermoid cyst

Autoinflammatory keratinization diseases: an emerging concept encompassing various inflammatory keratinization disorders of the skin

Among the myriad diseases affecting the skin are a subset of disorders whose main pathobiology is inflammation, predominantly in the epidermis and the superficial dermis, that leads to hyperkeratosis, manifesting clinically as thickened scaly skin. These are designated as "inflammatory keratinization disorders". The category includes many conditions that are poorly defined, although some, including psoriasis and lichen planus, are better categorized.

A prospective study comparing patients with early and late relapsing pemphigus treated with rituximab

Rituximab (RTX) is an effective therapy for patients with pemphigus. However it does not prevent relapse.

Efficacy and Safety of Oxymetazoline Cream 1.0% for Treatment of Persistent Facial Erythema Associated With Rosacea: Findings From the 52-Week Open Label REVEAL Trial

Limited treatments are available for persistent erythema of rosacea.

Prognostic value of sentinel lymph node biopsy according to Breslow thickness for cutaneous melanoma

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is widely performed for melanoma of certain histologic parameters and offers important prognostic and staging information. Breslow thickness (BT) by itself also provides meaningful prognostic information.

Psoriasis and cardiovascular disease risk factors. The HUNT Study, Norway

Abstract

Background

Studies have examined the associations between psoriasis and cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors, but the results are conflicting, especially in the general population.

Objectives

To investigate the association of psoriasis, and in particular psoriasis severity, with objectively measured cardiovascular disease risk factors and cardiovascular morbidity in a large population-based cross-sectional study.

Methods

We linked data on 50 245 persons in the HUNT3 Study, Norway with information from the National Prescription Database to obtain information on use of psoriasis medication. A total of 2 894 persons reported to have psoriasis; 2 643 were classified as mild and 251 as moderate/severe psoriasis. We used linear and logistic regression to estimate adjusted associations with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between psoriasis and cardiovascular disease risk factors and morbidity.

Results

We observed a positive association between psoriasis and objective measures of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), but no clear association with blood pressure and blood lipids. People with moderate/severe psoriasis had an odds ratio for being overweight of 1.94 (95% CI 1.42, 2.67), whereas the odds ratio for metabolic syndrome was 1.91 (95% CI 1.47, 2.49). Psoriasis was also positively associated with self-reported diabetes, myocardial infarction and angina pectoris.

Conclusions

In this population-based study we found that psoriasis was positively associated with measures of adiposity, as well as with a clustering of cardiovascular disease risk factors. Overall, these associations were strongest for people with moderate/severe psoriasis.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Sensitive skin in france: a study on prevalence, relationship with age and skin type and impact on quality of life

Abstract

Background

Many epidemiological studies have been performed, but a potential increase in the prevalence of sensitive skin as well as its relationship with age and skin type and the impact of sensitive skin on quality of life are still debated.

Objective

To answer these unresolved questions

Methods

An opinion poll was conducted on a representative French 5000-person sample.

Results

Fifty-nine percent of the people declared very sensitive or fairly sensitive skin (together: sensitive skin), and women (66%) declared sensitive skin more frequently than men (51.9%). The results also showed that sensitive skin is more common (more than 60%) in younger people (<35 years old), and there was a decrease in the following age groups. The univariate analysis demonstrated that sensitive skin was more likely to be reported by people with fair skin (OR=1.83) and by people with an atopic predisposition (OR=2.51). The risk of sensitive skin is higher for people with dry skin (OR= 6.18 compared with normal skin), but sensitive skin can occur in other skin types (OR=2.45 for mixed skin and OR=2.16 for greasy skin). Quality of life was clearly altered in patients with sensitive skin, as assessed by SF-12 and DLQI.

Conclusion

This large study demonstrates that sensitive skin can alter quality of life and is more common in young people and in women as well as patients with dry skin or fair skin or an atopic predisposition. It also suggests that there is an increase in the prevalence of sensitive skin.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Hereditary palmoplantar keratodermas. Part II. Syndromic palmoplantar keratodermas. Diagnostic algorithm and principles of therapy

Abstract

Hereditary palmoplantar keratodermas (PPKs) comprise a large and heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by persistent thickening of the epidermis at palmar and plantar surfaces. Clinical and genetic features of isolated and complex PPKs have been reviewed in part I of this 2-part review. Here we focus on clinical and molecular classification of syndromic PPKs which are recognized by additional extracutaneous manifestations, in particular deafness, specific mucosal lesions, cardiomyopathy, inborn errors of metabolism, involvement of internal organs or disorders of sexual development. Other genetic diseases which may show palmoplantar involvement, such as selected subtypes of hereditary epidermolysis bullosa, various hereditary ichthyoses and other keratinization disorders, several ectodermal dysplasias and some multisystem genetic disorders, are also briefly summarized. PPK diagnosis is based on inheritance pattern, age at onset, morphology, distribution and severity of hyperkeratosis, pattern of additional dermatological and systemic manifestations and laboratory findings. Molecular analysis is at present the gold standard to confirm the diagnosis in PPK forms due to mutations in known causative genes. No specific and curative therapy is currently available for PPKs which highly impair patients' quality of life. Topical treatments are symptomatic and offer only temporary relief. Among systemic treatments, retinoids improve disease symptoms in the majority of patients.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Sorption and recovery of platinum from simulated spent catalyst solution and refinery wastewater using chemically modified biomass as a novel sorbent

Abstract

In this study, Lagerstroemia speciosa biomass modified by polyethylenimine (PEI-LS) was developed as a potential biosorbent for sorption and recovery of platinum(II) from platinum bearing waste solutions. Batch experiments were conducted to study the effect of various parameters on the sorption and recovery of platinum(II) using PEI-LS. The equilibrium time for platinum(II) sorption process was found to be 6 h. Both the sorption kinetics and sorption isotherm data fits pseudo second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm, respectively. The maximum sorption capacity of platinum(II) onto PEI-LS at pH 2 for the studied temperature range (25–45 °C) is in the range of 122–154 mg/g. Evaluation of thermodynamic parameters suggests that the platinum(II) sorption is spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The regeneration of PEI-LS can be achieved using acidic thiourea as an eluent for recovery of platinum from the biosorbent. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis suggests many functional groups were involved in platinum(II) sorption onto PEI-LS. Both the scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis suggest a successful modification of raw biomass with PEI. The XPS analysis further concludes that platinum(II) sorption is governed by ion-exchange and co-ordination reaction. Finally, the PEI-LS was shown to recover ≥ 90% of platinum from two simulated solutions: the acid-leached spent catalyst solution and refinery wastewater. The biosorbent developed in this study is a low-cost and eco-friendly media that can be effectively used for platinum recovery from industrial wastewater.

Need of life cycle thinking for effective utilisation of resources based on developed and developing countries: a scenario for future generation

Alteration of adaptive behaviors of progeny after maternal mobile phone exposure

Abstract

Exposure of pregnant women to radiofrequency (RF) devices raises questions on their possible health consequences for their progeny. We examined the hazard threshold of gestational RF on the progeny's glial homeostasis, sensory-motor gating, emotionality, and novelty seeking and tested whether maternal immune activation would increase RF toxicity. Pregnant dams were daily restrained with loop antennas adjoining the abdomen (fetus body specific absorption rates (SAR): 0, 0.7, or 2.6 W/kg) and received three lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intra-peritoneal injections (0 or 80 μg/kg). Scores in the prepulse startle inhibition, fear conditioning, open field, and elevated plus maze were assessed at adolescence and adulthood. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and interleukines-1β (ILs) were quantified. LPS induced a SAR-dependent reduction of the prepulse startle inhibition in adults. Activity in the open field was reduced at 2.6 W/kg at adolescence. GFAP and ILs, emotional memory, and anxiety-related behaviors were not modified. These data support the hypothesis that maternal immune activation increased the developmental RF exposure-induced long-term neurobiological impairments. These data support the fact that fetuses who receive combined environmental exposures with RF need special attention for protection.

Essential oils from Foeniculum vulgare Miller as a safe environmental insecticide against the aphid Myzus persicae Sulzer

Abstract

Aphids are an important agricultural pest that not only damage plants by suction, but can also transmit a number of economically important plant viruses. Protection against aphids is based on the use of synthetic insecticides. However, these products can be dangerous for non-target organisms. Therefore, it is important to develop new, environmentally safe plant protection methods.

In this study, we have tested an essential oil (EO) obtained from Foeniculum vulgare for the mortality of Myzus persicae, an important polyphagous pest, its natural predator Harmonia axyridis, and Eisenia fetida as a representative of soil organisms. The EO, with its major compounds trans-anethole (67.9%) and fenchone (25.5%), was found to provide excellent efficacy against M. persicae (LC₅₀ = 0.6 and LC₉₀ = 2.4 mL L⁻¹) while not causing any significant mortality of the tested non-target organisms. On the contrary, application of an insecticide based on the active substance alpha-cypermethrin not only caused mortality in the aphids, but also had a fatal negative effect on both the non-target organisms we tested, resulting in their high mortality.

Our results indicate very high prospects for using the essential oil from F. vulgare in the development of environmentally safe botanical insecticides designed for plant protection against aphids.

Evaluating the Risk of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Using Different Noise Measurement Criteria

Abstract

Objectives

This article examines whether the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) average noise level (L_AVG) or the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) equivalent continuous average (L_EQ) noise measurement criteria better predict hearing loss.

Methods

A cohort of construction workers was followed for 10 years (2000–2010), during which time their noise exposures and hearing threshold levels (HTLs) were repeatedly assessed. Linear mixed models were constructed with HTLs as the outcome, either the OSHA (L_AVG) or NIOSH (L_EQ) measurement criteria as the measure of exposure, and controlling for age, gender, duration of participation, and baseline HTLs (as both a covariate or an additional repeated measure). Model fit was compared between models for HTLs at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 kHz using the Akaike information criterion (AIC). The 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles of hearing outcomes predicted by these models were then compared with the hearing outcomes predicted using the ISO 1999:2013 model.

Results

The mixed models using the L_EQ were found to have smaller AIC values than the corresponding L_AVG models. However, only the 0.5, 3, and 4 kHz models were found to have an AIC difference greater than 2. When comparing the distribution of predicted hearing outcomes between the mixed models and their corresponding ISO outcomes, it was found that L_EQ generally produced the smallest difference in predicted hearing outcomes.

Conclusions

Despite the small difference and high correlation between the L_EQ and L_AVG, the L_EQ was consistently found to better predict hearing levels in this cohort and, based on this finding, is recommended for the assessment of noise exposure in populations with similar exposure characteristics.

Characterization of the Selective Recording of Workplace Exposure Measurements into OSHA’s IMIS Databank

Abstract

Objectives

The Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) is the largest multi-industry source of exposure results available in North America. In 2010, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released the Chemical Exposure Health Data (CEHD) that contains analytical results of samples collected by OSHA inspectors. However, the two databanks only partially overlap, raising suspicion of bias in IMIS data. We investigated the factors associated with selective recording of CEHD results into the IMIS databank.

Methods

This analysis was based on personal exposure measurements of 24 agents from 1984 to 2009. The association between nine variables (level of exposure coded as detected versus non-detected (ND), whether a sampling result was part of a panel of chemicals, duration of sampling, issuance of a citation, presence of other detected levels during the same inspection, year, OSHA region, amount of penalty, and establishment size) and a CEHD sampling result being reported in IMIS was analyzed using modified Poisson regression.

Results

A total of 461900 CEHD sampling results were examined. The proportion of CEHD sampling results recorded into IMIS was 38% (51% for detected and 28% for ND measurements). In the models, the detected sampling results were associated with a higher probability of recording into IMIS than ND sampling results, and this difference was similar for panel versus non-panel samples. Probability of recording remained constant from 1984 to 2009 for sampling results measured on panels but increased for sampling results of single determinations of an agent. Some OSHA regions had probability of recording two times higher than others. No other variables that we examined were associated with a CEHD sampling result being reported in IMIS.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that the under-reporting of sampling results in IMIS is differential: ND results (especially those determined from the panels) seem less likely to be recorded in IMIS than other results. It is important to consider both IMIS and CEHD data in order to reduce bias in evaluation of exposures in workplaces inspected by OSHA.

Parity, prospects, and predominance

Abstract

Let's say that you regard two things as on a par when you don't prefer one to other and aren't indifferent between them. What does rationality require of you when choosing between risky options whose outcomes you regard as on a par? According to Prospectism, you are required to choose the option with the best prospects, where an option's prospects is a probability-distribution over its potential outcomes. In this paper, I argue that Prospectism violates a dominance principle—which I call The Principle of Predominance—because it sometimes requires you to do something that's no better than the alternatives and might (or even likely) be worse. I argue that this undermines the strongest argument that's been given in favor of Prospectism.

Management of tannery wastewater for improving growth attributes and reducing chromium uptake in spinach through citric acid application

Abstract

The use of chromium (Cr)-contaminated tannery wastewater for irrigation is a common practice, especially in developing countries like Pakistan. This practice is due to the shortage of good quality irrigation water for crop growth as well as the issue of tannery wastewater disposal. The current study was done to evaluate the effect of citric acid (CA) (0, 1.0, and 2.0 mM) on the growth and Cr uptake by spinach irrigated with different mixtures of tap water and tannery wastewater (100:0, 50:50, and 0:100 tap water to wastewater ratio). Plants were grown for 8 weeks under ambient conditions. Results showed that 50:50% tap water and wastewater increased plant height, dry weights of shoots and roots, total chlorophyll contents, and gas exchange attributes than the plants treated with only tap water or only wastewater. Increasing wastewater ratio increased electrolyte leakage (EL) in plants and enhanced the leaf key antioxidant enzyme activities as well as increased Cr contents. Foliar application of CA increased the plant dry weights, photosynthesis, and enzyme activities, whereas reduced the EL and Cr concentrations in plants than respective treatments without CA application. It can be concluded that 50:50 tap water and wastewater irrigation along with foliar CA application might be an effective strategy for increasing vegetable growth with reduced metal concentrations.

Acute and single repeated dose effects of low concentrations of chlorpyrifos, diuron, and their combination on chicken

Abstract

This study investigated the acute and single repeated dose effects of low concentrations of chlorpyrifos, diuron, and their mixture to chicken. The effects were determined as biological response (chicken behavior); physiological response (body weight, gaining weight); and biochemical response such as reduction of acetylcholine esterase activity (ACHE), changes in liver biomarkers, such as (1) alkaline phosphatase (ALP), (2) aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and (3) alanine aminotransferase (ALP), and effects on kidney biomarkers such as total protein, creatinine, uric acid, and urea. Results showed abnormal behavior on chicken received 5 μg/g and above from the tested compounds. A reduction in growth weight was observed in chicken received a single repeated dose of diuron and mixture. Enlargements in the liver and heart were observed in chicken received a single repeated dose of diuron. Percentage of serum ACHE inhibition increased linearly as the concentration of the tested compounds increased. The tested low concentration showed tremendous effects on liver enzymes and kidney functions. Similarly, a single repeated dose of the tested compounds caused severe inhibition on serum ACHE and affected the liver enzyme activities and kidney functions. It can be concluded that the low concentrations are not safe and may cause severe damage to the liver, heart, or kidney and disturb the life.

Effects of Spirulina platensis on DNA damage and chromosomal aberration against cadmium chloride-induced genotoxicity in rats

Abstract

Todays, bioactive compounds extracted from Spirulina platensis have been intensively studied for their therapeutical values. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of S. platensis extract on DNA damage and chromosomal aberrations induced by cadmium in rats. Four groups of male albino rats (n = 7 rats) were used. The first group served as a control group and received distilled water. The second group was exposed intraperitoneally to cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) (3.5 mg/kg body weight dissolved in 2 ml distilled water). The third group included the rats that were orally treated with S. platensis extract (1 g/kg dissolved in 5 ml distilled water, every other day for 30 days). The fourth group included the rats that were intraperitoneally and orally exposed to cadmium chloride and S. platensis, respectively. The experiment in all groups was extended for 60 days. The results of cadmium-mediated toxicity revealed significant genetic effects (DNA fragmentation, deletion or disappearance of some base pairs of DNA, and appearance of few base pairs according to ISSR-PCR analysis). Moreover, chromosomes showed structural aberrations such as reduction of chromosomal number, chromosomal ring, chromatid deletions, chromosomal fragmentations, and dicentric chromosomes. Surprisingly, S. platensis extract plus CdCl₂-treated group showed less genetic effects compared with CdCl₂ alone. Further, S. platensis extract upon CdCl₂ toxicity was associated with less chromosomal aberration number and nearly normal appearance of DNA fragments as indicated by the bone marrow and ISSR-PCR analysis, respectively. In conclusion, the present novel study showed that co-treatment with S. platensis extract could reduce the genotoxic effects of CdCl₂ in rats.

Agricultural technologies and carbon emissions: evidence from Jordanian economy

Abstract

Theoretically, agriculture can be the victim and the cause of climate change. Using annual data for the period of 1970–2014, this study examines the interaction between agriculture technology factors and the environment in terms of carbon emissions in Jordan. The results provide evidence for unidirectional causality running from machinery, subsidies, and other transfers, rural access to an improved water source and fertilizers to carbon emissions. The results also reveal the existence of bidirectional causality between the real income and carbon emissions. The variance error decompositions highlight the importance of subsidies and machinery in explaining carbon emissions. They also show that fertilizers, the crop and livestock production, the land under cereal production, the water access, the agricultural value added, and the real income have an increasing effect on carbon emissions over the forecast period. These results are important so that policy-makers can build up strategies and take in considerations the indicators in order to reduce carbon emissions in Jordan.

Detoxification of textile effluent by fungal treatment and its performance in agronomic usages

Abstract

Globally, scarcity of contaminant free water usages is increasing gradually; it might be solved after generation of any sustainable technology to detoxify contaminated waters. An attempt was undertaken to detoxify textile effluent with fungal strains Trichoderma harzianum and Mucor hiemalis. Fungal detoxified effluent and its performance on three crops (wheat, mungbean, and mustard) seed germination in petri dishes and seedlings establishment of mustard in polythene bag were evaluated. Fungal strains significantly detoxified textile effluent by removal of 76% total solids, 91.35% COD, 77.34% absorbance against optical density, and increased 87.31% DO. Studied heavy metals were reduced significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in treated effluent by both fungal strains but superior performance was achieved by Mucor hiemalis. Maximum 92.5, 88.7, 83, and 100% removal of Mn, Zn, Cu, and Fe were monitored in fungal-treated effluent, respectively. Seeds germination and seedling growth by fungal treated effluents were similar and insignificant with the results achieved in tap water but which was significant over raw textile effluent. Eighty and above percent seed germination in petri dishes was recorded at 48 h by Mucor hiemalis-treated textile effluent but conversely at the same period it was below 10% in raw effluent. Significant achievement of seedling establishment was noticed in poly bag with fungal-treated effluent. The applied technique might be a prospective way to detoxify and recycle the industrial effluents for beneficial purpose in the future.

Temperature modulation of the health effects of particulate matter in Beijing, China

Abstract

Particulate matter (PM) has been proven to cause health risks and may result in hospital emergency room visits (ERVs), which might be complicated by extreme temperature events. However, it remains unclear how temperature modulates the effect of different-sized particles on ERVs. This study used three separate time series analyses (2009–2011) to explore such temperature modulation effect in Beijing, China. The analytical approaches included a bivariate response surface model, a non-stratification parametric model, and a stratification parametric model. Results showed that the average daily concentrations of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 in Beijing were 110.16 and 67.89 μg/m³, respectively, during the study period, which were higher than in most Western countries. Our findings indicated that the temperature modulation effects of PM_2.5 were more evident than that of PM₁₀. The effects of PM on morbidity depend on temperature. The effects were estimated for the increases in total, respiratory, and cardiovascular ERVs per 10 μg/m³ increase in PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ concentrations at high temperature level (> 28 °C). The estimated increases in the three types of ERVs for PM_2.5 were 0.15, 0.35, and 0.34%, respectively. For PM₁₀, the increases were 0.12, 0.08, and 0.14%, respectively. In addition, the results showed that the elderly (age ≥ 65) and women are more vulnerable to PM at high temperatures. These findings may have implications for the health impact associated with both air pollution and global climate change.

Removal of chlorpyrifos, thiamethoxam, and tebuconazole from water using green synthesized metal hexacyanoferrate nanoparticles

Abstract

The low-cost and highly efficient pesticides are largely used in residential, agricultural, and commercial applications. Their prevalent occurrence, bioaccumulation, and chronic toxicity to living beings have raised environmental concern and call for their whole eradication, especially from water. By virtue of semiconducting nature and high surface area, nanomaterials have become efficient adsorbent and photocatalyst in removal of toxins. To confirm this, the potential of highly crystalline metal hexacyanoferrates (MHCFs) of Zn, Cu, Co, and Ni was evaluated in deprivation of selected hazardous pesticides, viz., chlorpyrifos (CP), thiamethoxam (TH), and tebuconazole (TEB). Sharp nanocubes of ZnHCF (~ 100 nm), distorted nanocubes of CuHCF (~ 100 nm), and nanospheres of CoHCF and NiHCF (< 10 nm) were synthesized via green route using Sapindus mukorossi (raw ritha). At 50 mg L⁻¹ of pesticide, 15 mg of MHCF photocatalyst, neutral pH and sunlight irradiation, selected agrochemicals were degraded to maximum extent (91–98%) by ZnHCF followed by CuHCF (85–91%), NiHCF (73–85%), and CoHCF (70–83%). This might be because of highest zeta potential and BET surface area of ZnHCF. The highest adsorption of CP (83–98%) followed by TH (76–95%) and TEB (70–91%) on acidic surface of catalysts might be related to access of free electrons in their structures. On treatment with MHCF photocatalyst, targets underwent mineralization along with formation of some minor and non-toxic by-products such as (Z) but-2-enal, 3-aminopropanoic acid, and pyridin-3-ol, identified after mass spectrometric analysis of reaction mixture. Based on them, degradation pathways have been proposed to reveal the potential of MHCF for solar photocatalytic removal of organic pollutants in environment.

Adult-onset acne: prevalence, impact, and management challenges

PSII as an in vivo molecular catalyst for the production of energy rich hydroquinones - A new approach in renewable energy

Publication date: Available online 3 February 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology
Author(s): Sai Das, Soumen K. Maiti
One of the pertinent issues in the field of energy science today is the quest for an abundant source of hydrogen or hydrogen equivalents. In this study, phenyl-p-benzoquinone (pPBQ) has been used to generate a molecular store of hydrogen equivalents (phenyl-p-hydroquinone; pPBQH2) from thein vivo splitting of water by photosystem II of the marine cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus BDU 70,542. Using this technique, 10.8 μmol of pPBQH2 per mg chlorophyll a can be extracted per minute, an efficiency that is orders of magnitude higher when compared to the techniques present in the current literature. Moreover, the photo-reduction process was stable when tested over longer periods of time. Addition of phenyl-p-benzoquinone on an intermittent basis resulted in the precipitation of phenyl-p-hydroquinone, obviating the need for costly downstream processing units for product recovery. Phenyl-p-hydroquinone so obtained is a molecular store of free energy preserved through the light driven photolysis of water and can be used as a cheap and a renewable source of hydrogen equivalents by employing transition metal catalysts or fuel cells with the concomitant regeneration of phenyl-p-benzoquinone. The cyclic nature of this technique makes it an ideal candidate to be utilized in mankind's transition from fossil fuels to solar fuels.

Somatic NRAS mutation in patient with generalized lymphatic anomaly

Abstract

Generalized lymphatic anomaly (GLA or lymphangiomatosis) is a rare disease characterized by a diffuse proliferation of lymphatic vessels in skin and internal organs. It often leads to progressive respiratory failure and death, but its etiology is unknown. Here, we isolated lymphangiomatosis endothelial cells from GLA tissue. These cells were characterized by high proliferation and survival rates, but displayed impaired capacities for migration and tube formation. We employed whole exome sequencing to search for disease-causing genes and identified a somatic mutation in NRAS. We used mouse and zebrafish model systems to initially evaluate the role of this mutation in the development of the lymphatic system, and we studied the effect of drugs blocking the downstream effectors, mTOR and ERK, on this disease.

Glomerular endothelial cell maturation depends on ADAM10, a key regulator of Notch signaling

Abstract

The principal function of glomeruli is to filter blood through a highly specialized filtration barrier consisting of a fenestrated endothelium, the glomerular basement membrane and podocyte foot processes. Previous studies have uncovered a crucial role of endothelial a disintegrin and metalloprotease 10 (ADAM10) and Notch signaling in the development of glomeruli, yet the resulting defects have not been further characterized nor understood in the context of kidney development. Here, we used several different experimental approaches to analyze the kidneys and glomeruli from mice lacking ADAM10 in endothelial cells (A10ΔEC mice). Scanning electron microscopy of glomerular casts demonstrated enlarged vascular diameter and increased intussusceptive events in A10ΔEC glomeruli compared to controls. Consistent with these findings, genes known to regulate vessel caliber (Apln, AplnR and Vegfr3) are significantly upregulated in A10ΔEC glomeruli. Moreover, transmission electron microscopy revealed the persistence of diaphragms in the fenestrae of A10ΔEC glomerular endothelial cells, which was corroborated by the elevated expression of the protein PLVAP/PV-1, an integral component of fenestral diaphragms. Analysis of gross renal vasculature by light sheet microscopy showed no major alteration of the branching pattern, indicating a localized importance of ADAM10 in the glomerular endothelium. Since intussusceptions and fenestrae with diaphragms are normally found in developing, but not mature glomeruli, our results provide the first evidence for a crucial role of endothelial ADAM10, a key regulator of Notch signaling, in promoting the development and maturation of the glomerular vasculature.