Evaluation of nanoparticle emissions from a laser printer in an experimental chamber and estimation of the human particle dose

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the nanoparticle emissions from a laser printer in a chamber in conjunction with emissions from printers in a print room (PR) and to characterize the processes that lead to increased nanoparticle concentrations, as well as to estimate the human particle dose of the printers' users. Measurements were conducted in a small stainless steel environmental chamber under controlled conditions, where the evolution of particle size distributions (PSDs) with time and printed pages was studied in detail. Printer was generating nanoparticles (vast majority ˂ 50 nm with mode on ~ 15 nm) primarily during cold startup. Previously, 1-week sampling was also done in a PR at the Technical University of Crete, where the tested laser printer is installed along with three other printers. Similarly, as it was observed in the chamber study, printers' startup on any given day was characterized by a sharp increase in particle number (PN) concentrations. Average measured PN concentrations during printing hours in PR (5.4 × 10³ #/cm³) is similar to the one observed in chamber measurements (6.7 × 10³ #/cm³). The ExDoM2 dosimetry model was further applied to calculate the deposition of particles in the human respiratory tract. More precisely, the increase in particle dose for an adult Caucasian male was 14.6- and 24.1-fold at printers' startup, and 1.2- and 5.2-fold during printing in the PR and experimental chamber, respectively, compared to the exposure dose at background concentrations (BCs).

The influencing factors of CO 2 emission intensity of Chinese agriculture from 1997 to 2014

Abstract

In China, agriculture produces the greatest chemical oxygen demand (COD) emissions in wastewater and the most methane (CH₄) emissions. It is imperative that agricultural pollution in China be reduced. This study investigated the influencing factors of the CO₂ emission intensity of Chinese agriculture from 1997 to 2014. We analyzed the influencing factors of the CO₂ emission intensity through the first-stage least-square regression. We also analyzed determinants of innovation through the second-stage least-square regression. We found that innovation negatively affected the CO₂ emission intensity in the model of the nation. FDI positively affected innovation in China. It is important to enhance indigenous innovation for green agriculture through labor training and collaboration between agriculture and academia.

Depth treatment of coal-chemical engineering wastewater by a cost-effective sequential heterogeneous Fenton and biodegradation process

Abstract

In this study, a sequential Fe⁰/H₂O₂ reaction and biological process was employed as a low-cost depth treatment method to remove recalcitrant compounds from coal-chemical engineering wastewater after regular biological treatment. First of all, a chemical oxygen demand (COD) and color removal efficiency of 66 and 63% was achieved at initial pH of 6.8, 25 mmol L⁻¹ of H₂O₂, and 2 g L⁻¹ of Fe⁰ in the Fe⁰/H₂O₂ reaction. According to the gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) analysis, the recalcitrant compounds were effectively decomposed into short-chain organic acids such as acetic, propionic, and butyric acids. Although these acids were resistant to the Fe⁰/H₂O₂ reaction, they were effectively eliminated in the sequential air lift reactor (ALR) at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 2 h, resulting in a further decrease of COD and color from 120 to 51 mg L⁻¹ and from 70 to 38 times, respectively. A low operational cost of 0.35 $ m⁻³ was achieved because pH adjustment and iron-containing sludge disposal could be avoided since a total COD and color removal efficiency of 85 and 79% could be achieved at an original pH of 6.8 by the above sequential process with a ferric ion concentration below 0.8 mg L⁻¹ after the Fe⁰/H₂O₂ reaction. It indicated that the above sequential process is a promising and cost-effective method for the depth treatment of coal-chemical engineering wastewaters to satisfy discharge requirements.

Intravesicular taxane-induced dermatotoxicity in a 78-year-old man with urothelial carcinoma and primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma

Patients treated with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy for urothelial carcinoma often become refractory and experience recurrent disease, thus necessitating alternative intravesical treatment modalities if the patient is to be spared the morbidities associated with radical cystectomy. Intravesical treatment with taxane-based chemotherapy, such as docetaxel, has gained traction in urologic oncology, proving to be an effective salvage therapy in such patients. Systemic taxane-based chemotherapeutic regimens have long been used in several advanced malignancies, and their systemic side effects and associated histologic correlates have been extensively documented. In contrast to adverse effects associated with systemic administration, intravesical taxane administration has thus far proven to be well-tolerated, with little to no systemic absorption. To our knowledge, features of taxane-induced systemic effects have not been reported in this setting. Herein, we report a case of a patient with recurrent urothelial carcinoma treated with intravesical docetaxel, along with primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma, who developed characteristic dermatotoxic histologic findings associated with intravenous taxane administration. As such histopathologic findings often represent close mimickers of neoplastic and infectious etiologies, knowledge of the potential for systemic manifestations of taxane therapy in patients treated topically may prevent potentially costly diagnostic pitfalls.

Colliding, Colonizing, or Combining?: Four Cases Illustrating the Unique Challenges of Melanoma arising in conjunction with Basal Cell Carcinoma

Biphasic lesions comprised of melanocytic and epithelial components are rare entities believed to arise either as a collision of two histologically distinct lesions in the same anatomic location or as a singular progenitor tumor differentiating along two differing lineages. Regardless of mechanism of origin, these tumors present unique challenges in pathologic interpretation and in determining appropriate measurements, which assigns subsequent prognosis to the patient.

We present 4 tumors of melanoma co-existing with basal cell carcinoma and discuss relevant literature regarding these biphasic entities. Patients consisted of 3 males and 1 female, ranging in age from 62–93, with lesions located on the shoulder, frontal scalp, forearm, and nose. Three of four lesions demonstrated melanoma cells limited to basal cell carcinoma tumor lobules, without evidence of direct dermal invasion by melanoma cells, raising question of whether or not these tumors should be classified as in situ or invasive melanoma.

These cases highlight the complexity that such lesions pose to dermatopathologists, in terms of their uncertain origin and variable microscopic appearance. In the absence of data regarding outcomes for these tumors (given their rarity), it is important to utilize a case-by-case approach with careful clinical correlation and appropriate use of ancillary techniques.

How to take better photomicrographs: a step-wise approach

Digital photomicrographs are often used to illustrate cutaneous diseases; however, there exists no formal protocol on how to best capture these images. We present a nine-step photomicrographing protocol for dermatopathologists, using standard overhead cameras or smartphones alongside image editing packages. A notable difference in image quality is observed when using our detailed photomicrographing protocol compared to routinely procured photomicrographs.

Correction to: Behaviour and risk assessment of fluopyram and its metabolite in cucumber ( Cucumis sativus ) fruit and in soil

Abstract

Unfortunately, the original publication of this paper contains a mistake. The correct name of the 3rd Author is Sunny H. Patel. The original article has been corrected.

Fluorinated waste and firefighting activities: biodegradation of hydrocarbons from petrochemical refinery soil co-contaminated with halogenated foams

Abstract

Perfluorinated compounds, including fluorotelomers, are important constituents of firefighting foams to extinguish fuel fires in the petrochemical industry, airports, and at fire-training sites. In this study, we monitored the biodegradation process in a co-contamination scenario with monoaromatic hydrocarbons commonly found in fuels (benzene, toluene) and fluorotelomers. The CO₂ production rates were evaluated by a factorial design taking into account the effect of seasonality at in situ natural attenuation processes. Headspace analysis by gas chromatography with a thermal conductivity detector (GC-TCD) was applied to detect CO₂ production, whereas monoaromatics were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS). According to our results, seasonality had a detectable effect during summer, yielding different CO₂ production rates. Higher temperatures increased CO₂ production rate, while higher concentrations of fluorotelomer inhibited the biodegradation process. On average, benzene and toluene were depleted 17.5 days earlier in control assays without fluorotelomers. Toluene removal efficiency was also notably higher than benzene. The noticeable decrease in degradation rates of monoaromatics was caused by perfluorinated compounds that are possibly linked to metabolic inhibition mechanisms. Fluorotelomer diminished catabolism in all of our batch cultures. In addition to this, an alternative production of by-products could be detected. Thus, we propose that transient components of the benzene and toluene degradation may be differentially formed, causing the benzene, toluene, and perfluorinated co-contaminations to go through switched metabolic stages under the presence of fluoride in a contamination scenario.

Enhancing denitrification with waste sludge carbon source: the substrate metabolism process and mechanisms

Abstract

Using waste sludge internal carbon source for nitrogen removal in wastewater has drawn much attention, due to its economic advantages and sludge reduction. In this study, the performance of enhanced denitrification with waste sludge thermal hydrolysate and fermentation liquid as carbon sources at different SCOD/N (soluble chemical oxygen demand/NO₃^--N) was investigated. The optimum SCOD/N was 8 for sludge thermal hydrolysate and 7 for fermentation liquid, with NO₃^--N removal efficiency of 92.3 and 98.9%, respectively, and no NO₂^--N accumulation. To further understand the fate of sludge carbon source during denitrification, the changes of SCOD, proteins, carbohydrates, and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) were analyzed, and three-dimensional fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (EEM) spectroscopy with fluorescence regional integration (FRI) analysis was introduced. The utilization of SCOD was consistent with NO₃^--N reduction, and the utilization efficiency of different organic matter was as follows: VFAs > proteins > carbohydrates. The soluble organic-like materials (region IV) were the most readily utilized organic matter according to three-dimensional fluorescence EEM spectroscopy. Regarding denitrification mechanisms, the denitrification rate (V_DN), denitrification potential (P_DN), heterotroph anoxic yield (Y_H), and the most readily biodegradable COD (S_S) were also investigated.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a bakery indoor air: trends, dynamics, and dispersion

Abstract

Indoor air pollution assessment in work environments remains challenging due to a combination of logistic reasons and availability of costly instrumentation for data acquisition and post-processing. Existing literature focuses on energy production environments, hospitals, and less so on food production spaces. Studies on indoor air quality in bakeries are scarce or even absent. Motivated by this, the present study investigates indoor air quality in a bakery located in Bari province in South Italy, using a combination of approaches including analytical chemistry analyses and computational fluid dynamics to reconstruct the air ventilation in response to air temperature gradients within the working environment. PM_2.5 indoor samplings were collected every 6 h from 7 to 19 April 2013 in the proximity of two bakery ovens powered by gas and wood, respectively. For each sampling day, 4 PM_2.5 samples were collected: from 3:00 to 9:00 h (first), from 9:00 to 13:30 h (second), from 14:00 to 21:00 h (third), and from 21:00 to 3:00 h (fourth). In total, 40 samples were collected. On each sample, several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined such as benzo[a]anthracene (228), benzo[b]fluoranthene (252), benzo[k]fluoranthene (252), benzo[a]pyrene (252), benzo[g,h,i]perylene (276), indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (276), and dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (278), the main compounds of 16 priority US Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) PAHs in particulate phase. The PAH mean concentrations showed higher values during the first (from 3:00 to 9:00 h) and fourth (from 21:00 to 3:00 h) sampling intervals than the other two with benzo[a]pyrene mean values exceeding the Italian law limit of 1 ng/m³. Taking into account benzo[a]pyrene mean concentration for the first interval and the first plus the second one, which are the hours with the largest working activity, we have estimated that the baker and co-workers are exposed to a cancer risk of 4.3 × 10⁻⁷ and 5.8 × 10⁻⁷, respectively (these values are lower than US-EPA recommended guideline of 10⁻⁶). Our study was complemented by numerical analyses using state-of-the-art computational fluid dynamics to reconstruct at high resolution air movement from the various working places, i.e., the bakery and the selling area which were connected via a door. The numerical simulations were possible given that surface temperature using infrared thermography as well as air temperature was continuously recorded throughout the sampling acquisition. The use of this approach allowed us to estimate the transport and diffusion of benzo[a]pyrene from one area to the other thus complementing the point sampling information. Computational fluid dynamic simulation results confirm the presence of benzo[a]pyrene in the laboratory as obtained from the measurements and suggests its presence in the sales' area of the bakery with concentrations similar those found in the laboratory.

Undifferentiated headache: broadening the approach to headache in children and adolescents, with supporting evidence from a nationwide school-based cross-sectional survey in Turkey

Headache is a leading disabler in adults worldwide. In children and adolescents, the same may be true but the evidence is much poorer. It is notable that published epidemiological studies of these age groups h...

Exposure of human melanocytes to UVB twice and subsequent incubation leads to cellular senescence and senescence-associated pigmentation through the prolonged p53 expression

Skin aging is induced both intrinsically and extrinsically, with intrinsic aging reflecting the genetic background and dependent upon the passage of time, whereas extrinsic aging is caused by environmental factors, such as ultraviolet radiation (UVR), smoking, alcohol abuse, and poor nutrition [1,2]. Among these environmental factors, UVR contributes to up to 80% of the acceleration of skin aging by inducing DNA damage (photoaging) or by activation of diverse oncogenes [3]. To prevent DNA damage by UVR, skin cells harbor well-coordinated systems, including those associated with cell cycle checkpoints, DNA repair, apoptosis, and premature senescence.

Efficacy and safety of topical SR-T100 gel in treating actinic keratosis in Taiwan: A Phase III randomized double-blind vehicle-controlled parallel trial

Actinic keratosis (AK) is the precursor lesion of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and displays squamous cell dysplasia confined to the epidermis [1]. AK is exceedingly common in the skin of elderly Caucasians who have chronic exposure to sunlight [2–4]. The actual risk regarding progression from AK to invasive SCC for specific individual lesions is not known, but is estimated to be approximately 0.25–20% per year [5]. Remarkably, up to 60% of invasive SCC was derived from AK [6]. Therefore, the current treatment consensus recommends eradication of all AK when detected clinically [5,7,8].

IL-33 down-regulates CLDN1 expression through the ERK/STAT3 pathway in keratinocytes

A skin barrier defect is a well-known distinctive feature of atopic dermatitis (AD). Stratum corneum (SC) and tight junction (TJ) molecules play important roles in the barrier function of keratinocytes [1]. TJs are major barrier structures of the skin, tightly connecting neighboring cells and restricting the paracellular passage of substances [2]. TJs are composed of numerous proteins such as occludin (OCLN), junctional adhesion molecule A, zonula occludens (ZO)-1 and, −2, cingulin, symplekin, and claudin (CLDN) [2].

Commentary on the paper: “efficacy of a novel strategy for poststernotomy deep sternal infection after thoracic aorta replacement using a prosthetic graft”

Deep sternal wound infections and especially sternal osteomyelitis and mediastinitis in post cardiac surgery still remains a plastic surgical challenge because the reconstructive procedure is extremely intertwined with human physiology. This is in part due to the typically existing multiple co-morbidities in patients afflicted with this complication in addition to the thoracic defect. Since in most cases the thoracic vessels on either one or both sides have been harvested for cardiac revascularization there is the problem of a diminished local peristernal microcirculation 1 .

Risk of thromboembolic events in patients treated with thalidomide for cutaneous lupus erythematosus: a multicenter-retrospective study

Air pollution from industrial waste gas emissions is associated with cancer incidences in Shanghai, China

Abstract

Outdoor air pollution may be associated with cancer risk at different sites. This study sought to investigate outdoor air pollution from waste gas emission effects on multiple cancer incidences in a retrospective population-based study in Shanghai, China. Trends in cancer incidence for males and females and trends in waste gas emissions for the total waste gas, industrial waste gas, other waste gas, SO₂, and soot were investigated between 1983 and 2010 in Shanghai, China. Regression models after adjusting for confounding variables were constructed to estimate associations between waste gas emissions and multiple cancer incidences in the whole group and stratified by sex, Engel coefficient, life expectancy, and number of doctors per 10,000 populations to further explore whether changes of waste gas emissions were associated with multiple cancer incidences. More than 550,000 new cancer patients were enrolled and reviewed. Upward trends in multiple cancer incidences for males and females and in waste gas emissions were observed from 1983 to 2010 in Shanghai, China. Waste gas emissions came mainly from industrial waste gas. Waste gas emissions was significantly positively associated with cancer incidence of salivary gland, small intestine, colorectal, anus, gallbladder, thoracic organs, connective and soft tissue, prostate, kidney, bladder, thyroid, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, lymphatic leukemia, myeloid leukemia, and other unspecified sites (all p < 0.05). Negative association between waste gas emissions and the esophagus cancer incidence was observed (p < 0.05). The results of the whole group were basically consistent with the results of the stratified analysis. The results from this retrospective population-based study suggest ambient air pollution from waste gas emissions was associated with multiple cancer incidences.

Fate of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in sewage sludge during microwave-assisted persulfate oxidation treatment

Abstract

The fate of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) has been investigated for an emerging sludge treatment technique using microwave heating-assisted persulfate (PS) oxidation. The effect of heating temperature (20, 50, and 70 °C) and PS dose (PS1: 0.01; PS2: 0.1; PS3: 0.2 g/g wet sludge) was studied in sludge spiked with PFOA at an environmentally relevant concentration (200 ng/g wet weight). Control degradation experiments using spiked sludge without PS addition and background sludge (no PFOA spike) with PS addition were also conducted at each temperature. Sludge samples were analyzed for eight perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) (C4 – C11) using LC-MS/MS. At 20 °C (PS2 dose), minimal (~ 5%) removal of the spiked PFOA was observed after 72 h, suggesting the need for elevated treatment temperature. For the same PS dose (0.1 g /g sludge), treatment at 50 and 70 °C showed a decrease in PFOA concentration with increasing temperature, with ~ 28 and ~ 42% removal following 4 h of treatment. No significant increase in degradation was observed for the highest dose (PS3) after 2 h, possibly indicating self-scavenging of PS at high dosage. Due to the low initial spiking concentration of PFOA and low extraction recovery, all shorter-chain PFCAs (< C8), the degradation products of PFOA, were below quantification limits in all sludge samples.

Pyrolysis of wastewater sludge and composted organic fines from municipal solid waste: laboratory reactor characterisation and product distribution

Abstract

Sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants and organic fines from mechanical sorting of municipal solid waste (MSW) are two common widespread waste streams that are becoming increasingly difficult to utilise. Changing perceptions of risk in food production has limited the appeal of sludge use on agricultural land, and outlets via landfilling are diminishing rapidly. These factors have led to interest in thermal conversion technologies whose aim is to recover energy and nutrients from waste while reducing health and environmental risks associated with material re-use. Pyrolysis yields three output products: solid char, liquid oils and gas. Their relative distribution depends on process parameters which can be somewhat optimised depending on the end use of product. The potential of pyrolysis for the conversion of wastewater sludge (SS) and organic fines of MSW (OF) to a combustion gas and a carbon-rich char has been investigated. Pyrolysis of SS and OF was done using a laboratory fixed-bed reactor. Herein, the physical characterisation of the reactor is described, and results on pyrolysis yields are presented. Feedstock and chars have been characterised using standard laboratory methods, and the composition of pyrolysis gases was analysed using micro gas chromatography. Product distribution (char/liquid/gas) from the pyrolysis of sewage sludge and composted MSW fines at 700°C for 10 min were 45/26/29 and 53/14/33%, respectively. The combustible fractions of pyrolysis gases range from 36 to 54% for SS feedstock and 62 to 72% from OF. The corresponding lower heating value range of sampled gases were 11.8–19.1 and 18.2–21.0 MJ m⁻³, respectively.

Ascorbic acid protects male rat brain from oral potassium dichromate-induced oxdative DNA damage and apoptotic changes: the expression patterns of caspase-3, P 53, Bax, and Bcl-2 genes

Abstract

Our study designed to study the potential of potassium dichromate (K₂Cr₂O₇) oral exposure to induce damage in male rat brain and to compare the possible protective role of vitamin C (VC) either pre and/or concurrent supply against (K₂Cr₂O₇) induced changes. Thirty male rats were divided into five groups. First control group received distilled water (C), second received 120 mg/kg b.wt (VC), third received 25 mg/kg b.wt K₂Cr₂O₇ (Cr), fourth group received VC together with K₂Cr₂O₇ by the same former doses (VC + Cr), and the fifth group received the same oral doses of VC 2 weeks prior to and along with K₂Cr₂O₇ for 6 weeks (VC + Cr pro/co treated). The obtained results revealed that K₂Cr₂O₇ induced a significant decrease in cholinergic activity, glutathione reductase GR activity, reduced glutathione content GSH and ATP levels. Furthermore, K₂Cr₂O₇ induced a significant increase in oxidative DNA damage indicated by 8-hydroxy 2′-deoxyguanosine (8OH2′dG) and formation of apoptotic DNA ladders, significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl, and lactate dehydrogenase enzyme. Increased mRNA expression of pro-apoptotic genes, including caspase-3, p53, and Bax, unlike Bcl-2 expression, was decreased. K₂Cr₂O₇ increased caspase-3 and decreased Bcl-2 immuno-labeling. VC supply noticeably ameliorates K₂Cr₂O₇-induced changes which were more significantly in VC pro and concurrent supplement rather than VC concurrent supply only. Finally, it is concluded that K₂Cr₂O₇ oral administration induced oxidative apoptotic changes in rat brain and confirms the usefulness of VC pre and concurrent supply for the amelioration of K₂Cr₂O₇-induced events more significantly than VC concurrent supply only.

Surgical team proficiency in minimally invasive esophagectomy is related to case volume and improves patient outcomes

Abstract

Background

Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is being increasingly performed; however, it is still associated with high morbidity and mortality. The correlation between surgical team proficiency and patient load lacks clarity. This study evaluates surgical outcomes during the first 3-year period after establishment of a new surgical team.

Methods

A new surgical team was established in September 2013 by two expert surgeons having experience of performing more than 100 MIEs. We assessed 237 consecutive patients who underwent MIE for esophageal cancer and evaluated the impact of surgical team proficiency on postoperative outcomes, as well as the team learning curve.

Results

In the cumulative sum analysis, a point of downward inflection for operative time and blood loss was observed in case 175. After 175 cases, both operative time and blood loss significantly decreased (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively), and postoperative incidence of pneumonia significantly decreased from 18.9 to 6.5% (P = 0.024). Median postoperative hospital stay also decreased from 20 to 18 days (P = 0.022). Additionally, serum CRP levels on postoperative day 1 showed a significant, but weak inverse association with the number of cases (P = 0.024).

Conclusions

After 175 cases, both operative time and blood loss significantly decreased. In addition, the incidence of pneumonia decreased significantly. Additionally, surgical team proficiency may decrease serum CRP levels immediately after MIE. Surgical team proficiency based on team experience had beneficial effects on patients undergoing MIE.

ERAP1/ERAP2 and RUNX3 polymorphisms are not associated with AS susceptibility in Chinese Han

SUMMARY

Previous studies show that ERAP1/ERAP2 and RUNX3 gene polymorphisms are associated with AS (ankylosing spondylitis) in European Caucasians. However, contradictory results were reported in different Asian populations. Purpose of this study was to determine whether 11 candidate SNPs in ERAP1/ERAP2 and 6 in RUNX3 genes confer susceptibility to AS with or without AAU (AS⁺AAU⁺ or AS⁺AAU^-) in Chinese Han. Therefore, a case-control association study was performed in 882 AS⁺AAU^-, 884 AS⁺AAU⁺ and 1727 healthy controls. Genotyping was performed using iPLEXGold genotyping assay. A meta-analysis was performed to assess the association of polymorphisms of ERAP1 with AS susceptibility in Asian populations. No association was found between SNPs of ERAP1/ERAP2/RUNX3 and susceptibility of AS with or without AAU. A case-control study between patients with HLA-B27 positive and healthy controls also failed to demonstrate an association of the tested SNPs with AS with or without AAU. Moreover, a meta-analysis showed that there was no association of rs30187, rs27037, rs27980, rs27434 and rs27582 in ERAP1 with AS in Chinese Han. Taken together, 17 SNPs in ERAP1/ERAP2 and RUNX3 genes did not confer disease susceptibility to AS in Chinese Han. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Simultaneous operative use of both hands during laryngeal rigid endoscopic surgery

Abstract

MLS, FL, and exolaryngoscopy represent the traditional endoscopic technique to treat laryngeal disorders.

The authors describe a novel holder laryngeal system that allows performing rigid endoscopic laryngeal surgery simultaneously using both hands in operative way.

This surgical procedure is easy, less expensive and allows obtaining very good images of the surgical filed and operating under endoscopic control.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Transpalpebral approach for frontal sinus diseases: a camouflaged technique

Abstract

Endoscopic or transfacial external frontal sinus approaches do not provide good monitoring of the frontal sinus lateral extent. Moreover, endoscopic or transfacial external approaches remain associated with numerous complications or therapeutic failure, e.g. frontal sinus drainage pathway synechia, healing problems or residual hypoesthesia.

We propose a rapid, easy-to-perform, 5-step procedure called the transpalpebral approach which is indicated in case of sequestered disease within the lateral extent of the frontal sinus. We use this technique in the following indications (osteomas, mucoceles, inverted papillomas, fungus balls, foreign bodies).

Our transpalpebral approach avoids leaving a visible scar and entails no danger to the skull base, the frontal sinus drainage pathway or the supratrochlear and supraorbital pedicles. It provides wide access to the lateral extent of the frontal sinus and also reduces the number of transfacial external approaches required.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Diphencyclopropenone (DPCP) for alopecia areata: a UK survey

Abstract

Alopecia areata (AA) is a T-cell mediated autoimmune hair loss condition with an estimated lifetime risk of 1.7%. It is characterized clinically by sudden-onset non-inflammatory hair loss that may occur at any site. The disease course is unpredictable with many patients experiencing spontaneous re-growth along with episodes of further loss. Unfortunately, around a fifth of patients presenting with patchy alopecia will progress to complete scalp (alopecia totalis (AT)) or scalp & body (alopecia universalis (AU)) hair loss from which spontaneous regrowth is rare (<10%). The adverse psychological consequences of AA include high rates of anxiety and depression.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Safety and efficacy of biologic therapies in psoriatic patientswith alcoholic cirrhosis: a French retrospective study of 23 cases

Abstract

There are few studies specifically addressing the safety and efficacy of biologic treatments, especially anti TNF-alpha agents, in psoriatic patients with cirrhosis as such patients are usually excluded from prospective interventional studies. However, one should be aware that biologics are often prescribed in this particular population for several reasons. This is probably due to the fact that physicians are usually reluctant to prescribe conventional systemic treatment such as methotrexate or acitretine in psoriatic patients with liver abnormalities because of their liver toxicity. In addition, there is a general agreement that biologics have very few pharmacologic interaction with liver function and are not contraindicated in case of liver insufficiency.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Scientific Writing Between Tabloid Storytelling, Arcane Formulaic Hermetism, and Narrative Knowledge

Abstract

The present discussion contribution argues that O. Müller not only suppresses Goethe's declared intentions with regard to the latter's Theory of Colors and ignores his place in what in any case is a different scientific culture than his (Müller's) own or Newton's, namely a premodern culture of "narrative knowledge" in the sense specified by Lyotard. Moreover, Müller entangles himself in the paradox of wanting on the one hand to back up Goethe on the level of fact when the latter opposes the militant selfrighteousness of the Newtonian school, but doing so on the other hand by constructing an epic-heroic narrative of Newtonian militance, not to say eristic belligerence contradictory to Goethe's own "tolerant enlightenment" in Lakatos' sense. Thus, we are confronted with one of those cases where, as Paul de Man puts it, a multidimensional critical reading on the semiological as well as rhetorical levels shows "that the text does not practice what it preaches" (1979, 5).

A long-term follow-up study of the Hand Eczema Trial (HET): a randomized clinical trial of a secondary preventive programme introduced to Danish healthcare workers

Summary

Background

Preventive skin care programmes have shown beneficial effects on the prevalence and severity of hand eczema, but most trials only report short-term outcomes. One such trial was the randomized Hand Eczema Trial (HET, 2009) investigating the effects of a secondary prevention programme in healthcare workers. Positive results have been reported at 5-month follow-up.

Objectives

To examine the long-term (42–47 months) effects of the HET.

Methods

The present study was a follow-up questionnaire study on the effect of the intervention. Outcomes were the presence and severity of hand eczema, health-related quality of life (HR-QoL), skin protective behaviour, and knowledge of skin protection. A supplementary outcome was general improvement/worsening of hand eczema.

Results

Comparison of the outcomes at follow-up showed no marked differences between the two groups. General improvement was reported by 70% in the intervention group and by 54% in the control group (p = 0.25). A small, statistically significant improvement was found regarding HR-QoL in the intervention group only (p = 0.015).

Conclusions

The impact of an intervention that is effective after 5 months is attenuated over time, with no long-term effect on the outcomes examined. We suggest that skin care education should be repeated at regular intervals.

A case of shiitake mushroom dermatitis

The optimization of microalgal culturing in liquid digestate after struvite precipitation using gray relational analysis

Abstract

Liquid digestate (LD) is highly turbid and contains ammonium (NH₄⁺–N), which negatively influences microalgal growth. Therefore, a method of reducing LD turbidity and NH₄⁺–N content is proposed, using struvite precipitation. To obtain struvite precipitation supernatant with an ideal UV transmittance, NH₄⁺–N concentration, and N/P ratio for microalgal growth, the effects of pH and the molar ratio of NH₄⁺/Mg²⁺/PO₄³⁻ were studied. Results show that the optimal NH₄⁺/Mg²⁺/PO₄³⁻ molar ratio was 1:1.5:1.5, with a pH value of 8.5, following NaOH addition. Gray relational analysis (GRA) was applied to obtain a relative gray scale for the evaluation of multiple outputs. Results show that Chlorella regularis FACHB-1068 was the optimal microalgae species to support growth in the struvite precipitation supernatant. Using struvite precipitation and treatment with cultured C. regularis FACHB-1068 for 7 days, the removal efficiencies of NH₄⁺–N, PO₄³⁻−P, and COD in LD were 96.52, 99.33, and 35.30%, respectively.

Insights into the redox components of dissolved organic matters during stabilization process

Abstract

The changes of dissolved organic matter (DOM) components during stabilization process play significant effects on its redox properties but are little reported. Composting is a stabilization process of DOM, during which both the components and electron transfer capacities (ETCs) of DOM change. The redox components within compost-derived DOM during the stabilization process are investigated in this study. The results show that compost-derived DOM contained protein-like, fulvic-like, and humic-like components. The protein-like component decreases during composting, whereas the fulvic- and humic-like components increase during the process. The electron-donating capacity (EDC), electron-accepting capacity (EAC), and ETC of compost-derived DOM all increase during composting but their correlations with the components presented significant difference. The humic-like components were the main functional component responsible for both EDC and ETC, whereas the protein- and fluvic-like components show negative effects with the EAC, EDC, and ETC, suggesting that the components within DOM have specific redox properties during the stabilization process. These findings are very meaningful for better understanding the geochemical behaviors of DOM in the environment.

Sediment evidence of industrial leakage-induced asynchronous changes in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and trace metals from a sub-trophic lake, southwest China

Abstract

It has been well established that regional patterns of atmosphere-borne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and trace metals were predominantly associated with the trajectory of socio-economic development; however, they could be potentially modulated by anthropogenic fingerprint of local sources such as industrial spill. Here, we established historical pollution data of both PAHs and trace metals from a well-dated sediment core from Yangzong Lake of Southwest China, which experienced a severe tailing leakage accident derived from a zinc concentrate smelting plant in 2007, aiming to evaluate the heterogeneity in their temporal trajectories and their sources of contamination in the context of regional deposition patterns. Sedimentary records show that the concentrations and fluxes of both PAHs and trace metals remained a consistently low level before the 1950s. An increasing trend and the synchronous changes of both PAHs and trace metals during ~ 1950–2002 were well consistent with the temporal pattern of socio-economic development in western China, with coal combustion and smelting industries as the main sources of contamination in this region. However, arsenic (As) and PAHs exhibited a concurrent spike for the period of ~ 2007–2013, contrasting strongly to the regional pattern of these contaminants. The modern concentrations of As revealed a 5- to 14-fold increase over the pre-1950 level, with the contemporary concentrations of PAHs rising by ~ 10–14 times. The sediment records reveal that local fingerprints of smelting activities in the catchment of Yangzong Lake have overridden the temporary pattern of regional atmosphere-borne As and PAHs over the last decade. This highlights the important role of local pollution sources in modulating or even overriding the regional pattern of anthropogenic contamination in highly impacted systems.

Optimizing the vermicomposting of organic wastes amended with inorganic materials for production of nutrient-rich organic fertilizers: a review

Abstract

Vermicomposting is a bio-oxidative process that involves the action of mainly epigeic earthworm species and different micro-organisms to accelerate the biodegradation and stabilization of organic materials. There has been a growing realization that the process of vermicomposting can be used to greatly improve the fertilizer value of different organic materials, thus, creating an opportunity for their enhanced use as organic fertilizers in agriculture. The link between earthworms and micro-organisms creates a window of opportunity to optimize the vermi-degradation process for effective waste biodegradation, stabilization, and nutrient mineralization. In this review, we look at up-to-date research work that has been done on vermicomposting with the intention of highlighting research gaps on how further research can optimize vermi-degradation. Though several researchers have studied the vermicomposting process, critical parameters that drive this earthworm–microbe-driven process which are C/N and C/P ratios; substrate biodegradation fraction, earthworm species, and stocking density have yet to be adequately optimized. This review highlights that optimizing the vermicomposting process of composts amended with nutrient-rich inorganic materials such as fly ash and rock phosphate and inoculated with microbial inoculants can enable the development of commercially acceptable organic fertilizers, thus, improving their utilization in agriculture.

The contribution of feedback loops between miRNAs, cytokines and growth factors to the pathogenesis of psoriasis

Abstract

The present review describes in detail the existent data regarding feedback loops between miRNAs and cytokines or growth factors in the psoriatic inflammation. We have chosen to describe the roles of miR- 31, miR-21, miR-146a, miR-155, miR-197 and miR-99a in this process. This choice derives from the fact that among around 250 miRNAs being altered in the psoriatic lesion, the comprehensive functional role was described only in those detailed above. In addition, considering the molecular targets and the pathways, which may possibly be regulated by those miRNAs, it seems that they may be chosen as preferred targets for the therapy of psoriasis.

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Decrease in the annual emissions of CH 4 and N 2 O following the initial land management change from rice to vegetable production

Abstract

In recent years, rice paddies have been increasingly converted to vegetable production resulting from economic benefits and changes in demand of diets, potentially altering soil greenhouse gas (GHG) balance. Here, we implemented a parallel field experiment to simultaneously quantify the differences in emissions of CH₄ and N₂O among rice paddy (RP) and conventional vegetable field (CV) and greenhouse vegetable field (GV), both of which have been recently converted from rice paddy in subtropical China over a full year. The results revealed that CH₄ emission was reduced dramatically by nearly 100% following the initial land management change from rice to vegetable production, with annual emissions of 720.9, 0.9, and 0.2 kg CH₄-C ha⁻¹ for RP, CV, and GV, respectively. This conversion however substantially increased N₂O emissions, resulting in the transition from a minor sink of N₂O in RP (−0.1 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) to considerable N₂O sources in CV (31.8 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) and GV (52.2 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). Furthermore, annual N₂O emission from GV significantly exceeded that from CV due to lower soil pH and higher soil temperature facilitating N₂O production in GV relative to CV. Land management change significantly decreased the annual total emissions of CH₄ and N₂O from CV and GV by 19–51% as compared to RP, attributing to the reduced CH₄ emissions outweighing the increased N₂O emissions in CV and GV. These results indicate that expansion of vegetable production at the expense of rice paddies for higher economic benefits also helps mitigate the total emissions of CH₄ and N₂O.

Latitudinal distribution of OCPs in the open ocean atmosphere between the Argentinian coast and Antarctic Peninsula

Abstract

Long-range atmospheric transport is one of the most important ways in which persistent organic pollutants can be transported from their source to remote and pristine regions. Here, we report the results of the first Argentinian measurements of organochlorine pesticides in the Antarctic region. During a 9665-km track onboard OV ARA Puerto Deseado, within the framework of Argentinian Antarctic Expeditions, air samples were taken using high-volume samplers and analyzed using GC-μECD. HCB, HCHs, and endosulfans were the major organic pollutants found, and a north-south gradient in their concentrations was evident by comparing data from the Argentinian offshore zone to the South Scotia Sea.

Early life exposure of zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) to synthetic pyrethroids and their metabolites: a comparison of phenotypic and behavioral indicators and gene expression involved in the HPT axis and innate immune system

Abstract

Ecotoxicological studies have revealed the association between synthetic pyrethroid (SP) exposure and aquatic toxicity in fish; however, research on the toxic effects of SP metabolites is still limited. In this study, the toxicity of two SPs (permethrin (PM) and β-cypermethrin (β-CP)) and their three metabolites (3-phenoxybenzoic alcohol (PBCOH), 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde (PBCHO), and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (PBCOOH)) towards zebrafish embryos and larvae was evaluated. Both SPs and their metabolites exhibited significant developmental toxicities, caused abnormal vascular development, and changed locomotor activities in larvae. The alteration of gene expression involved in the thyroid system and the innate immune system indicated that SPs and their three metabolites have the potency to induce thyroid disruption and trigger an immune response. The results from the present study suggest that SP metabolites could induce multiple toxic responses similar to parent compounds, and their toxicity should be considered for improving the understanding of environmental risks of SPs.

Facial dermatitis caused by undeclared methylisothiazolinone in a gel mask: is the preservation of raw materials in cosmetics a cause of concern?