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Τρίτη 12 Ιουνίου 2018

PCBs risk evaluation, environmental protection, and management: 50-year research and counting for elimination by 2028



Histological study of the thin membranous structure made of dense connective tissue around the esophagus in the upper mediastinum

Abstract

Background

The structure of the fascia in upper mediastinum has already been reported from gross anatomical viewpoints by Sarrazin. But it is necessary to understand meticulous anatomy for thoracoscopic or mediastinoscopic surgery. So herein, we investigate histologically the thin membranous structure made of dense connective tissues.

Methods

Semi-sequential transverse sections of the mediastinum were obtained from three cadavers. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, Elastica van Gieson staining, and Masson trichrome staining were performed to identify the presence and location of the thin membranous structure made of dense connective tissues.

Results

The "visceral sheath" and "vascular sheath," as previously described by Sarrazin, were observed histologically. These two thin membranous structures do not surround the esophagus and trachea cylindrically. In addition, the "visceral sheath" on the right side of the upper mediastinum was unclear in comparison to the left side. The "visceral sheath" (on the left side) gradually became unclear, and seemed to almost disappear; the esophagus was found to be very close to the thoracic duct on the caudal side of the bifurcation of the trachea. Although the left recurrent nerve was located inside the "visceral sheath" in all cadavers, the left recurrent nerve lymph nodes were located inside the "visceral sheath" in cadaver 1 and between the "visceral sheath" and "vascular sheath" in cadaver 3.

Conclusion

The "visceral sheath" around the esophagus in the upper mediastinum was histologically demonstrated; however, the findings were not constant.



Biological floating bed and bio-contact oxidation processes for landscape water treatment: simultaneous removal of Microcystis aeruginosa , TOC, nitrogen and phosphorus

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify algicidal bacteria J25 against the Microcystis aeruginosa (90.14%), Chlorella (78.75%), Scenedesmus (not inhibited), and Oscillatoria (90.12%). Meanwhile, we evaluate the SOD activity and efficiency of denitrification characteristics with Acinetobacter sp. J25. A novel hybrid bioreactor combined biological floating bed with bio-contact oxidation (BFBO) was designed for treating the landscape water, and the average removal efficiencies of nitrate-N, ammonia-N, nitrite-N, TN, TP, TOC, and algal cells were 91.14, 50, 87.86, 88.83, 33.07, 53.95, and 53.43%, respectively. A 454-pyrosequencing technology was employed to investigate the microbial communities of the BFBO reactor samples. The results showed that Acinetobacter sp. J25 was the dominant contributor for effective removal of N, algal cells, and TOC in the BFBO reactor. And the relative abundance of Acinetobacter showed increase trend with the delay of reaction time.

Graphical abstract

Biological floating bed and bio-contact oxidation (BFBO) as a novel hybrid bioreactor designed for simultaneous removal Microcystis aeruginosa, TOC, nitrogen, and phosphorus. And high-throughput sequencing data demonstrated that Acinetobacter sp. J25 was the dominate species in the reactor and played key roles in the removal of N, TOC, and M. aeruginosa. Proposed reaction mechanism of the BFBO.


(R)-(+)-pulegone suppresses allergic and inflammation responses on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis in mice model

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a type of inflammatory skin disease, which affects from infants and adolescents to adults in developed countries [1]. Although AD is not a life-threatening disease, it remains a serious health problem and the incidence rates of AD is still increasing worldwide [2]. AD patients exhibit the eczematous lesions, itching, destruction of epidermal barrier, and inflammatory cell infiltration of the dermis [3]. The pathology of AD has not been fully defined, it has been implicated to involve in complex interactions of genetic, immune and environmental factors [4].

“High Risk Device Registries: Global Value, Costs, and Sustainable Funding.”

Well-designed implant registries have been shown to be a worthwhile investment, from both a health and economic perspective. However, many registries do not attain desirable capture rates or lack sufficient funding, potentially leading to premature termination. This study aims to provide information about rarely discussed, yet pivotal topics regarding the long-term survival of implant registries, focusing on costs, funding models, and the role of stakeholders.

Use of Dual skin paddles Anterolateral Thigh Perforator flaps in Reconstruction of complex defect of the foot and ankle

Complex soft tissue defect around the ankle and foot still was a difficult reconstructive problem for orthopedic and plastic surgeons. This study describes our clinical experience with the application of dual skin paddles anterolateral thigh perforator (ALTP) flap for reconstruction of complex defects around the ankle and foot.

The ethical issue of “cherry picking” patients



Circulating anti-bullous pemphigoid 180 autoantibody can be detected in a wide clinical spectrum: A cross-sectional study



Hair cross sectioning in uncombable hair syndrome: an easy tool for a complex diagnosis



Reply to comment on “Drug survival of apremilast for psoriasis in a real-world setting”



Health-related quality of life in patients with malignant melanoma by stage and treatment status



Antibiotic resistance genes in China: occurrence, risk, and correlation among different parameters

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance has become a widely concerned issue due to the huge risk on the ecological environment and human health. China has the highest production and consumption of antibiotics than other countries. Thus, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have been detected in various environmental settings (e.g., surface water, wastewater, sediment) in China. The occurrence of ARGs in these matrixes was summarized and discussed in this review. Sulfonamide resistance genes and tetracycline resistance genes were the most frequently detected ARGs in China. According to the abundance of these two classes of ARGs in the natural environment, sulfonamide resistance genes seem to be more stable than tetracycline resistance genes. Furthermore, the relationships between ARGs and antibiotics, antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARB), heavy metals, and environmental parameters (e.g., pH, organics) were also investigated. Specifically, relative abundance of total ARGs was found to correlate well with concentration of total antibiotics in aqueous phase but not in the solid phase (soil, sediment, sludge, and manure). As for relationship between ARGs and ARB, metals, and environmental parameters in different media, due to complex and variable environment, some exhibit positive correlation, some negative, while others no correlation at all. Three potential risks are discussed in the text: transmission to human, synergistic effect of different ARGs, and variability of ARGs. However, due to the complexity of the environment, more work is needed to establish a quantitative approach of ARG risk assessment, which can provide a theoretical support for the management of antibiotics and the protection of human health.



Socio-economic factors influencing farmers’ willingness to undertake environmental responsibility

Abstract

Acknowledging the importance of water resources protection and sustainable management, the European Parliament enacted directives based on the "polluter-pays" principle aiming for "environmental damage" protection and restoration of water resources. The main aim of this paper is to examine, for the first time in Greece, the possibility of achieving environmental goals, such as reduction of agrochemical pollution and irrigation water use, alongside with the farmers' willingness to undertake the environmental costs arising from their activity. In a questionnaire survey, conducted using a "state preference" method, participants were asked to respond on whether they are willing to absorb an "environmental charge" for the protection and restoration of surface and ground water. It is an essential precondition to understand the factors that affect taxpayers' willingness to participate in the Water Framework Directive, as they are expected to cover the cost of its implementation. The identification of the driving forces that affect stakeholders' environmental decisions can emerge as an important and useful tool in extending public participation in the Water Framework Directive.



Spatial distribution and ecological risk assessment of sediment metals in a highly industrialized coastal zone southwestern Taiwan

Abstract

Spatial variations of Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the surface sediments from 34 stations of the Kaohsiung coastal zone southwestern Taiwan were studied to address the current pollution status, sediment quality, and potential ecological risk. The study revealed that the concentrations of sediment metals in Kaohsiung Harbor were alarmingly high compared to the other region of Kaohsiung coast. The concentrations of Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the harbor sediments were as high as 351, 247, 1.93, 61.8, 60.9, and 940 mg kg−1, respectively. The current situation of metal pollution was assessed by different pollution indices and results showed moderate to severe enrichment of Cu, Hg, and Zn in the harbor sediments. According to the degree of contamination, pollution load index, and contamination severity index, the sediments from the inner Kaohsiung Harbor show high degree and high severity of metal contamination, while the rest of Kaohsiung coastal areas show uncontaminated or low-level pollution. Results of mean ERM quotient and potential ecological risk index also indicated that the harbor sediments posed a 49% probability of biological toxicity and very high ecological risk. The toxic units indicated that the negative biological effects of the six metals in the harbor sediments were Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni > Hg > Pb. In contrast to Kaohsiung Harbor as a trap where considerable amount of anthropogenic metal loadings accumulated in sediments, low metal concentrations were observed in most Kaohsiung coastal sediments. It probably resulted from the limited fine-grained sediment deposition. In the wave-dominated Kaohsiung coastal zone, fine-grained sediments associated with polluted metals tend to be easily resuspended and transported offshore via waves and wave-induced currents. The results of this study can provide valuable information for river and coastal zone management.



The effect of light intensity on image quality in endoscopic ear surgery

Clinical Otolaryngology, EarlyView.


Circulating human papillomavirus DNA as a surveillance tool in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Clinical Otolaryngology, EarlyView.


Cochlear implantation using a custom guide catheter in 14 patients with incomplete partition type III

Clinical Otolaryngology, EarlyView.


Intralesional steroid injection as an alternative treatment for 57 patients of vocal fold mucus retention cysts

Clinical Otolaryngology, EarlyView.


Biofilm in voice prosthesis: A prospective cohort study and laboratory tests using sonication and SEM analysis

Clinical Otolaryngology, EarlyView.


Scleroderma‐like skin changes induced by checkpoint inhibitor therapy

Journal of Cutaneous Pathology, EarlyView.


Distinguishing between irritated seborrheic keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma in situ using BCL‐2 and IMP3 immunohistochemistry

Journal of Cutaneous Pathology, EarlyView.


Atypical cellular neurothekeoma: A potential diagnostic pitfall for benign and malignant spindle cell lesions in skin

Journal of Cutaneous Pathology, EarlyView.


The difficulty in interpreting gene expression profiling in BAP‐negative melanocytic tumors

Journal of Cutaneous Pathology, EarlyView.


A first for dermatopathology and pathology in general: Appropriate use criteria in dermatopathology from the American Society of Dermatopathology

Journal of Cutaneous Pathology, EarlyView.


Adenodermatofibroma possessing dilated glandular structures with eccrine features: A case study

Journal of Cutaneous Pathology, EarlyView.


Primary cutaneous vascular leiomyosarcoma: A rare subtype of leiomyosarcoma of the skin

Journal of Cutaneous Pathology, EarlyView.


Appropriate use criteria in dermatopathology: Initial recommendations from the American Society of Dermatopathology

Journal of Cutaneous Pathology, EarlyView.


Gingival melanoacanthoma associated with pseudomelanocytic nests: Expanding the clinicopathological spectrum of a recently described oral lesion

Journal of Cutaneous Pathology, EarlyView.


Deceptively bland cutaneous angiosarcoma on the nose mimicking hemangioma—A clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis

Journal of Cutaneous Pathology, EarlyView.


The wound‐healing effects of a next‐generation anti‐biofilm silver Hydrofiber wound dressing on deep partial‐thickness wounds using a porcine model

International Wound Journal, EarlyView.


Silver absorption in patients with Stevens‐Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis treated with silver‐impregnated dressings. A case series

International Wound Journal, EarlyView.


Wound carers around the world

International Wound Journal, Volume 15, Issue 3, Page 321-321, June 2018.


Calendar

International Wound Journal, Volume 15, Issue 3, Page 495-495, June 2018.


Issue Information

International Wound Journal, Volume 15, Issue 3, Page 317-320, June 2018.


Society news

International Wound Journal, Volume 15, Issue 3, Page 322-323, June 2018.


News and views

International Wound Journal, Volume 15, Issue 3, Page 324-326, June 2018.


Exercise fidelity and progression in a supervised exercise programme for adults with venous leg ulcers

International Wound Journal, EarlyView.


Influence of digestive enzymes on development of incontinence‐associated dermatitis: Inner tissue damage and skin barrier impairment caused by lipidolytic enzymes and proteases in rat macerated skin

International Wound Journal, EarlyView.


Epidemiology of pyoderma gangrenosum: Results from an Italian prospective multicentre study

International Wound Journal, EarlyView.


Reply to comment on “Drug survival of apremilast for psoriasis in a real-world setting”

Publication date: Available online 12 June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Author(s): Erica B. Lee, Mina Amin, Jashin J. Wu




Circulating anti-bullous pemphigoid 180 autoantibody can be detected in a wide clinical spectrum: A cross-sectional study

Publication date: Available online 12 June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Author(s): Ziqi Liu, Li Chen, Chengfeng Zhang, Leihong Flora Xiang




Health-related quality of life in patients with malignant melanoma by stage and treatment status

Publication date: Available online 12 June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Author(s): Abby R. Rosenberg, Sara J. Weston, Teresa Deshields, Ryan C. Fields, Gerald P. Linette, Lynn A. Cornelius, Yevgeniy R. Semenov




Review: Surgical Smoke: Risks Assessment and Mitigation Strategies

Publication date: Available online 11 June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Author(s): Corey Georgesen, Shari R. Lipner
BackgroundAlthough many dermatologic surgeons are aware of the risks of surgical smoke, many do not employ hazard reduction strategies.ObjectiveTo identify the infectious, inhalational, chemical, and mutagenic risks of surgical smoke in dermatologic procedures and suggest evidence based hazard reduction strategies.MethodsA review of articles indexed for MEDLINE on PubMed using keywords "surgical smoke", "dermatology", "surgical mask", "respirator", "smoke evacuator", and "guidelines" was performed in 13 combinations using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocols. This review includes data from 45 manuscripts from the dermatology, surgery, infectious disease, obstetrics, and cancer biology literature.ResultsThere are risks associated with surgical smoke, and although some dermatologists are aware of these risks, many are not using hazard reduction strategies such as smoke evacuators and surgical masks.LimitationsMost of the data regarding surgical smoke hazards and methods for smoke safety is derived from in vitro and non-human in vivo studies, in addition to resources outside of the dermatology literature.ConclusionStandardized guidelines for surgical smoke safety should be implemented in the dermatology community and residency curriculum.

Teaser

Dermatologists are repeatedly exposed to surgical smoke from lasers and electrosurgery.; There are relevant infectious, direct physical, chemical, and mutagenic risks of surgical smoke.; These risks can be minimized by use of respirator masks and smoke evacuation systems.


The ethical issue of “cherry picking” patients

Publication date: Available online 12 June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Author(s): Travis J. Morrell, Sailesh Konda, Jane M. Grant-Kels




Epidemiology of Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome in United States Adults

Publication date: Available online 11 June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Author(s): Alanna Staiman, Derek Y. Hsu, Jonathan I. Silverberg




Low drug survival of apremilast for psoriasis in a real-word-setting

Publication date: Available online 11 June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Author(s): Jorge Santos-Juanes, Lucía Velasco, Pablo Munguía-Calzada, Ana Lozano, Santiago Gómez-Díez




Systematic Review of the Therapeutic Roles of Adipose Tissue in Dermatology

Publication date: Available online 11 June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Author(s): Frances M. Walocko, Ariel E. Eber, Robert S. Kirsner, Evangelos Badiavas, Keyvan Nouri
BackgroundAdipose tissue has classically functioned as a filler in restoring facial volume. Adipose tissue is also rich in stem cells, which may have a role in regenerative medicine.ObjectiveTo summarize the literature on the clinical uses of adipose tissue in scarring, wound healing, and hair growth and determine if evidence exists for clinical practice changes in dermatology.MethodsWe utilized the Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) to conduct the review. The PubMed search engine was used to assess the available literature on adipose tissue in scarring, wound healing, and hair growth.ResultsThirteen studies matched our inclusion criteria. Six of seven studies on scar treatment, all three studies on wound healing, and all three studies on hair growth demonstrated improved outcomes with adipose tissue treatments.LimitationsThe literature supporting the use of adipose tissue is limited to case series, cohort studies, and small randomized controlled trials, which have an overall low level of evidence.ConclusionThe existing evidence for adipose tissue as a treatment option in scarring, wound healing, and hair growth is not strong enough to justify changes to current clinical practice. The literature does provide evidence for future large randomized clinical trials.

Teaser

Adipose tissue is rich in stem cells that secrete trophic factors; Several studies have demonstrated improved outcomes in scarring, wound healing, and hair growth with adipose tissue treatments; The evidence on using adipose tissue to treat complex dermatologic conditions is not strong enough to justify changes to current clinical practice.


12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) levels are increased in Actinic Keratoses (AK) and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Publication date: Available online 11 June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Author(s): Vivian Laquer, Ryan W. Dellinger, Irene Mannering, Angela Gomez Garcia, Vivek Abraham, Janelle Pavlis, Feng Liu-Smith, Sebastien De Feraudy, Frank L. Meyskens, Kristen M. Kelly






Rapid progression to gummatous tertiary syphilis in a patient with HIV

Australasian Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Postoperative wound infection rates following diagnostic skin biopsies in dermatology patients at an Australian tertiary hospital

Australasian Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


Validation of an in vitro sun protection factor (SPF) method in blinded ring‐testing

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, EarlyView.


Human skin‐depigmenting effects of resveratryl triglycolate, a hybrid compound of resveratrol and glycolic acid

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, EarlyView.


Colour differences in Caucasian and Oriental women's faces illuminated by white light‐emitting diode sources

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, EarlyView.


The in vitro antimicrobial evaluation of commercially essential oils and their combinations against acne

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, EarlyView.


The treatment of hyaluronic acid aesthetic interventional induced visual loss (AIIVL): A consensus on practical guidance

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, EarlyView.


Cutibacterium acnes (Propionibacterium acnes) and acne vulgaris: a brief look at the latest updates

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, Volume 32, Issue S2, Page 5-14, June 2018.


Two important novelties in etiopathogenesis and therapy of acne

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, Volume 32, Issue S2, Page 3-4, June 2018.


Characterisation of Cutibacterium acnes phylotypes in acne and in vivo exploratory evaluation of Myrtacine®

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, Volume 32, Issue S2, Page 15-23, June 2018.


Issue Information

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, Volume 32, Issue S2, Page 1-2, June 2018.


Dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria with chilblains due to a novel two‐amino‐acid deletion in the double‐stranded RNA‐binding domain of ADAR1

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.


Mucosal melanoma: clinical and genetic profile

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.


A review of non‐invasive imaging in extramammary Paget's disease

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.


Inflammatory cytokines and peripheral mediators in the pathophysiology of pruritus in cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.


The Jarisch–Herxheimer reaction in syphilis: could molecular typing help to understand it better?

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.


Which acne treatment has the best influence on health‐related quality of life? Literature review by the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Task Force on Quality of Life and Patient Oriented Outcomes

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.


Response: field cancerization and koebnerized skin tumours

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.


Longitudinal subungual acanthoma: one denomination for various clinical presentations

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.


Reply to mucosal melanoma: clinical and genetic profile

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.


Reply to Gambichler T et al.: Altered epigenetic pathways and cell cycle dysregulation in healthy appearing skin of patients with koebnerized squamous cell carcinomas following skin surgery

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.


Prurigo Activity Score (PAS): validity and reliability of a new instrument to monitor chronic prurigo

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.


Evaluation of the appropriate surgical margin for pigmented basal cell carcinoma according to the risk factors for recurrence: a single‐institute retrospective study in Japan

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.


Teledermatology‐driven topical therapy of actinic keratosis: a comparative study of clinical effectiveness and compliance

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.


Metastatic tubercular gummas and splenic tuberculoma secondary to tubercular lymphadenitis in an immunocompetent female

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


The global prevalence and correlates of skin bleaching: a meta‐analysis and meta‐regression analysis

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.


A large shagreen patch with overlying verrucous epidermal naevus: a curious case of colocalization

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.


Acquired reactive perforating collagenosis associated with mediastinal synovial sarcoma

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.


Borst–Jadassohn phenomenon arising from a seborrhoeic keratosis and its characteristic dermoscopic features

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.


Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in a patient with IgG4‐related disease

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.


Biologic therapy: a boon for hidradenitis suppurativa‐like lesions complicating naevus comedonicus in a prepubertal child

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.


A novel frameshift SERPINB7 mutation in a Chinese case with Nagashima‐type palmoplantar keratosis: case report and review of the literature

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.


Genetic association between the NLRP3 gene and acne vulgaris in a Chinese population

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.


A dog's life: an unfamiliar and lethal side effect of topical 5‐fluorouracil

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.


First case of chronic cutaneous chromoblastomycosis by Rhinocladiella similis aquired in Europe

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.


Utility of tissue elafin as an immunohistochemical marker for diagnosis of acute skin graft‐versus‐host disease: a pilot study

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.


Novel treatment of painful plantar keratoderma in pachyonychia congenita using topical sirolimus

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.


Confirmation of the role of a KRT5 mutation and successful management of skin lesions in a patient with Galli–Galli disease

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.


Axillary web syndrome following epidermal inclusion cyst: a case report and literature review

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.


Permanent alopecia as a manifestation of chronic graft‐versus‐host disease of the scalp: clinical, dermoscopic and histopathological observations

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.


A case of gamasoidosis caused by Dermanyssus gallinae, misdiagnosed as delusional parasitosis

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.


An unusual eruption following herpes zoster infection

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.


Benefit of electron beam therapy in combination with medium‐dose systemic corticosteroid as a palliative treatment for elderly patients with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: case report and review of the literature

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.


Dermoscopic patterns of early‐stage mycosis fungoides in a Chinese population

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.


Treatment of halo naevus with the topical Janus kinase inhibitor tofacitinib 1.5%

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.


Metal hypersensitivity in patients with orthopaedic implant complications—A retrospective clinical study

Contact Dermatitis, EarlyView.


Temperature and Term Low Birth Weight in California

Abstract
Few investigations have explored temperature and birth outcomes. In a retrospective cohort study, we examined apparent temperature, a combination of temperature and relative humidity, and term low birth weight (LBW) among 43,629 full-term LBW infants and 2,032,601 normal weight infants in California from 1999 to 2013. The California Department of Public Health provided birth certificate data, while meteorologic data came from the California Irrigation Management Information System, US Environmental Protection Agency, and National Centers for Environmental Information. After considering several temperature metrics, we observed the best model fit for term LBW over the full gestation (13.0% change, 95% confidence interval: 4.1, 22.7 per 10 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) increase in apparent temperature) above 55°F and the greatest association for third trimester exposure above 60°F (15.8%, 95% confidence interval: 5.0, 27.6). Apparent temperature during the first month of pregnancy exhibited no significant risk, while the first trimester had a significantly negative association, and second trimester, last month and last two weeks had slightly increased risks. Mothers who were Black, older, delivered male infants, or gave birth during the warm season conferred the highest risks. This study provides further evidence for adverse birth outcomes from heat exposure for vulnerable subgroups of pregnant women.

Temporal Trends in the Level and Decline of Cognition and Disability in an Elderly Population: the PAQUID Study

Abstract
In line with declining trends in dementia incidence, this work thus aimed to compare the cognitive and functional evolution of two "generations" separated by 10 years and to evaluate the impact of specific risk factors on this evolution. This study was conducted on two "generations" of elderly individuals aged 78−88 years, who were included 10 years apart in the Personnes Agées QUID (PAQUID) cohort (France) (n = 612 in 1991−92 and n = 628 in 2001−02) and followed−up for 12 years, with assessments of cognition and disability. Differences between the generations in baseline levels and decline over time were estimated using a joint model to account for differential attrition. Compared with the first generation, the second generation had higher performances at baseline on four cognitive tests (from p < 0.005). Differences in global cognition, verbal fluency, and processing speed, but not in working memory were mostly explained by improvement in educational level. The second generation also exhibited less cognitive decline in verbal fluency and working memory. Regarding disability, we evidenced a lower progression over the follow−up period for the second generation compared to the first one. The cognitive state of this elderly population improved, partially due to improvements in educational level.

Estimating an Individual's Probability of Revision Surgery After Knee Replacement: A Comparison of Modeling Approaches Using a National Dataset

Abstract
Tools that provide personalized risk prediction of the outcomes after surgical procedures help patients to make preference-based decisions amongst the available treatment options. However, it is unclear which modeling approach provides the most accurate risk estimation. We constructed and compared several parametric and non-parametric models for predicting prosthesis survivorship after knee replacement surgery for osteoarthritis. We used 430,455 patient-procedure episodes between April 2003 and September 2015 from the National Joint Registry for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. The flexible parametric survival and random survival forest models most accurately captured the observed probability of remaining event-free. The concordance index for the flexible parametric model was the highest (0.705; 95% confidence interval: 0.702, 0.707) for total knee replacement, 0.639 (95% confidence interval: 0.634, 0.643) for unicondylar knee replacement and 0.589 (95% confidence interval: 0.586, 0.592) for patellofemoral replacement. The observed-to-predicted ratios for both the flexible parametric and the random survival forest approaches indicated that models tended to underestimate the risks for most risk groups. Our results show that the flexible parametric model has a better overall performance compared to other tested parametric methods, and better discrimination compared to the random survival forest approach.

Deployment and preterm birth among US Army Soldiers



Associations of Tipped and Untipped Service Work with Poor Mental Health in a Nationally Representative Cohort of Adolescents Followed into Adulthood

Abstract
Precarious work is concentrated in the service industry in the United States and is a risk factor for poor mental health. Service occupations in which workers receive tips are potentially more precarious due to unstable schedule, income, and lack of benefits. We tested hypotheses that individuals working in tipped service occupations have greater odds of experiencing poor mental health (self-reported depression, sleep problems, and/or greater perceived stress) relative to individuals in untipped service and non-service occupations using cross-sectional data from the National Longitudinal study of Adolescent to Adult Health dataset (Wave IV:2007-2008; age 24-33 years). To improve comparability of occupation types, propensity-scores were computed as a function of childhood factors, then used to construct a sample of 2,815 women and 2,586 men. In gender-stratified multivariable regression, women in tipped service had greater odds of reporting depression diagnosis or symptoms relative to women in non-service work (Odds Ratio:1.61; 95% Confidence Interval:1.11,2.34). Associations of similar magnitude for sleep problems and perceived stress were observed among women, but were not significant; all associations were close to the null among men. Further research is necessary to understand the factors that underlie differences in poor mental health in tipped and untipped service versus non-service workers.

Kounis syndrome caused by anaphylaxis without skin manifestations after cefazolin administration

Publication date: Available online 11 June 2018
Source:The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice
Author(s): Madoka Ihara, Yuhei Nojima, Tetsuya Kurimoto, Sinsuke Nanto, Hidenori Adachi




Eosinophil-Related Disease and the Skin

Publication date: Available online 12 June 2018
Source:The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice
Author(s): Kristin M. Leiferman, Margot S. Peters
Eosinophils are bone marrow-derived cells that infiltrate skin and mucous membrane in a broad spectrum of primary and reactive inflammatory diseases and malignancies. The eosinophil has potent proinflammatory activities, particularly, through the effects of its toxic granule proteins. In addition, eosinophils have prothrombotic and profibrotic activities. Eosinophil participation in the pathogenesis of certain diseases without identifiable intact eosinophil infiltration may not be recognized because eosinophil degranulation is poorly visualized on hematoxylin-and-eosin stained histopathology sections. Eosinophil-related pathophysiology can involve virtually every component of skin. Commonly recognized dermatoses associated with eosinophils are arthropod bite and sting reactions and drug eruptions, "bugs and drugs." Skin involvement is common in eosinophil-related systemic diseases including the hypereosinophilic syndromes. Eosinophil-related pathophysiology may play a key role in numerous disorders that, therefore, may benefit from therapies targeted to reduce or eliminate eosinophils.



Diagnostic value of serum galactomannan, (1,3)‐β‐d‐glucan, and Aspergillus fumigatus‐specific IgA and IgG assays for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in non‐neutropenic patients

Mycoses, EarlyView.


Post‐influenzal triazole‐resistant aspergillosis following allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Mycoses, EarlyView.


Candida utilis fungaemia following endoscopic intervention on ureteral stent in a kidney transplant recipient: Case report and a review of the literature

Mycoses, EarlyView.


Susceptibility of A. fumigatus‐specific T‐cell assays to pre‐analytic blood storage and PBMC cryopreservation greatly depends on readout platform and analytes

Mycoses, EarlyView.


An outbreak due to Candida auris with prolonged colonisation and candidaemia in a tertiary care European hospital

Mycoses, EarlyView.


Issue Information

Dermatologic Therapy, Volume 31, Issue 3, May/June 2018.


Depresión de las venas frontales en la alopecia frontal fibrosante

Publication date: Available online 11 June 2018
Source:Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas
Author(s): E. González-Guerra




Reacciones paradójicas de los tratamientos biológicos utilizados en psoriasis: revisión de la literatura

Publication date: Available online 11 June 2018
Source:Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas
Author(s): M. Munera-Campos, F. Ballesca, J.M. Carrascosa
Los fármacos biológicos son moléculas dirigidas frente a dianas específicas del sistema inmune que han demostrado una gran efectividad en diversas enfermedades dermatológicas, reumatológicas y sistémicas. A pesar de que en su conjunto presentan un perfil de seguridad adecuado, su uso se ha asociado al desarrollo de enfermedades inflamatorias, limitadas a un órgano o sistémicas. Hablamos de verdaderas reacciones paradójicas cuando estas patologías inmunomediadas normalmente responderían a ese mismo agente biológico que las induce, mientras que el resto de reacciones son aún controvertidas. Las hipótesis patogénicas propuestas para estos procesos incluyen un desbalance de citoquinas, con una sobreproducción de IFN-α y una alteración en el reclutamiento y la migración linfocitaria, mediada en parte por CXCR3, así como la producción de autoanticuerpos. Además, algunos de estos fármacos favorecerían la aparición de reacciones granulomatosas. Aunque las reacciones paradójicas se han descrito en la mayoría de casos para los fármacos anti-TNF-α, cada vez son más frecuentes aquellos asociados con terapias biológicas de más reciente aparición, como ustekinumab, secukinumab o ixekizumab. El estudio de estas reacciones no solo favorece un mejor manejo de los pacientes susceptibles de recibir tratamiento biológico, sino que permite mejorar el conocimiento patogénico de las enfermedades inflamatorias crónicas y de sus posibles dianas terapéuticas.Biologic drugs, which are molecules designed to act on specific immune system targets, have been shown to be very effective in treating various dermatological, rheumatological, and systemic diseases. As a group, they have an acceptable safety profile, but their use has been associated with the onset of both systemic and organ-specific inflammatory conditions. True paradoxical reactions are immune-mediated disorders that would usually respond to the biologic agent that causes them. There is still debate about whether certain other adverse reactions can be said to be paradoxical. The hypotheses proposed to explain the pathogenesis of such reactions include an imbalance in cytokine production, with an overproduction of IFN-α and altered lymphocyte recruitment and migration (mediated in part by CXCR3), and the production of autoantibodies. Some biologic therapies favor granulomatous reactions. While most of the paradoxical reactions reported have been associated with the use of TNF-α inhibitors, cases associated with more recently introduced biologic therapies —such as ustekinumab, secukinumab, and ixekizumab— are increasingly common. The study of paradoxical adverse events not only favors better management of these reactions in patients receiving biologic therapy, but also improves our knowledge of the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases and helps to identify potential therapeutic targets.

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Vesículas perimenstruales recurrentes en el interior de la oreja. Una presentación inusual

Publication date: Available online 11 June 2018
Source:Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas
Author(s): V. Zawar, M. Pawar, S. Kumavat




Correction to: Comprehensive Registry of Esophageal Cancer in Japan, 2011

In the original publication of the article, the below name of institutions were not included in the table of Institution-registered cases in 2011.



Development of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles based formulation for treating wounds during nursing care in hospitals

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 183
Author(s): Cui-Ping Gong, Shou-Cun Li, Rong-Ye Wang
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been emerged as significant wound healing agents because of their improved mechanical properties. However, the green synthesized silver nanoparticleshave reported significant wound healing action in Albino rats which was validated by the measurement of wound closure rate. Silver nanoparticles were efficiently synthesized using Euphorbia milii leaf extract. The UV–visible spectra recorded the effect of the reaction time on AgNPs synthesis and was indentified that the peak became shaper with an increase in time, which corresponds to increase in the number of nanoparticles formed from the reduction of silver ions present in the aqueous solution. X-ray diffraction technique and corresponding XRD patterns confirmed the biphasic nature of the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles. However, low magnification TEM images presented monodispersed AgNPs with their size ranging from 20 to 30 nm while SAED diffraction pattern disclosed their crystalline nature. Furthermore, the wound healing activity of AgNPs was examined through the excision wound model by measuring the rate of wound closure and Group II (treated with 10% Ointment base with biosynthesized AgNPs) revealed significant wound healing activity over Control group and Group I (treated with Standard Nitrofurazone ointment) in Albino rats.

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Neuroendocrine mechanism of food intake and energy regulation in Japanese quail under differential simulated photoperiodic conditions: Involvement of hypothalamic neuropeptides, AMPK, insulin and adiponectin receptors

Publication date: August 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 185
Author(s): Somanshu Banerjee, Chandra Mohini Chaturvedi
Neuroendocrine coordination between the reproductive and energy regulatory hypothalamic circuitries not only tightly regulates food intake and energy expenditure but also maintains the body weight and reproduction. The effect of different simulated photoperiodic conditions on food intake and neuroendocrine mechanism of energy homeostasis in Japanese quail is not investigated till date. Hence, our present study is designed to elucidate the effect of different simulated photoperiodic conditions on food consumption and neuroendocrine mechanism(s) of energy regulation in this poultry species. The alterations in hypothalamic energy balancing neuropeptides (NPY/AgRP/CART), polypeptide hormone precursor (POMC), protein kinase (AMPK-p-AMPK) as well as receptors of insulin and adiponectin [Insulin Receptor (IR), Adiponectin Receptor 1 & 2] have been investigated in photosensitive (PS), scotorefractory (SR),photorefractory (PR) and scotosensitive (SS) quail. Immunofluorescence and western blotting were used to quantify the expression of these peptides and proteins. Results showed increased food consumption and body weight gain, along with increased expression of NPY, AgRP, IR, adiponectin receptors and p-AMPK, decreased CART and POMC in the hypothalamus of photosensitive and scotorefractory quail. While, opposite findings were observed in photorefractory and scotosensitive quail. Hence, this study may suggest the hypothalamic energy channelization towards reproductive axis in photosensitive and scotorefractory quail to support the full breeding conditions, while hypothalamic energy deprivation in photorefractory and scotosensitive quail leads to reproductive quiescence.



Degradation of macrolide antibiotics via sono or photo coupled with Fenton methods in the presence of ZnS quantum dots decorated SnO2 nanosheets

Publication date: August 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 185
Author(s): Mojgan Hosseini, Mohammad Reza Rezaei Kahkha, Ali Fakhri, Shiva Tahami, Milad Janghorban Lariche
The ZnS quantum dots decorated SnO2 nanosheets were prepared by a hydrothermal synthesis method. The characteristic structure of ZnS QDs/SnO2 nanocomposites was analyzed using several instruments such as X-ray diffraction, transmittance electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron and UV–vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The average diameters of SnO2 nanosheets and ZnS QDs/SnO2 nanocomposites were 12.5 and 3.6 nm, respectively. The merits of sono–photo–Fenton treatment process were investigated using degradation of Roxithromycin. The process involved ultrasound and UV irradiation, and hydrogen peroxide generated in situ. The treatment performance of the US/UV/catalyst process was superior to the constituent processes and synergistic mechanisms in the US/UV/catalyst process were the result of the promotion of hydroxyl radical generation. For the constituent processes, the US/catalyst system showed to the best efficiency with used catalyst compared to the conventional Fenton reaction. It was also observed that the addition of catalyst to the test solution undergoing UV irradiation substantially improved Roxithromycin and clarithromycin degradation. The best experimental conditions for efficient CLA and RXM degradation in the US/UV/catalyst/H2O2 system were pH0 3, hydrogen peroxide concentration of 6 mmol L−1, ZnS QDs/SnO2 nanocomposites dose of 0.3 g L−1 and ultrasonic power of 75 W. The antibacterial experiment was investigated under visible light illumination and the ZnS QDs/SnO2 nanocomposite showed good efficiency as antibacterial.



The interplay between light, plant growth regulators and elicitors on growth and secondary metabolism in cell cultures of Fagonia indica

Publication date: Available online 9 June 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology
Author(s): Tariq Khan, Bilal Haider Abbasi, Mubarak Ali Khan
Manipulation in the light regimes combined with the effects of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and elicitors through plant cell culture technology is a promising strategy for enhancing the yield of medicinally important secondary metabolites. In this study, the effects of interplay between PGRs, elicitors and light regimes on cell cultures of F. indica have been investigated. The results showed that callus cultures resulted in maximum biomass formation (13.2 g/L) when incubated on solid MS (Murashige and Skoog) medium containing 1.0 mg/L BA under continuous light for 4 weeks. Among the other PGRs, compared with the auxins such as 2,4-D, and IBA, TDZ resulted in higher biomass accumulation (12.1 g/L). Elicitors (Me-J and PAA) resulted in a lower growth response, when compared with cytokinins and a higher response than auxins under all the light regimes on solid MS media. However, in liquid media no significant increase in biomass was observed in response to the combined effects of PGRs and photoperiod regimes. Further, the highest phenolic content (TPC = 6.8 mg) and flavonoid content (TFC = 5.2 mg) were detected in the dark-grown cell cultures raised in vitro at 0.5 mg/L Me-J treated. The highest antioxidant activity (88%) was recorded in the dark-grown cell cultures harvested from LOG phase of the growth cycle supplemented with 0.5 mg/L Me-J. Furthermore, BA resulted in considerable flavonoids production (TFC = 4.7 mg) in the cell cultures grown under continuous light. However, overall dark treatment and elicitation with Me-J resulted in the optimum metabolic response in terms of secondary metabolites accumulation in cell suspension cultures of F. indica.



Geomagnetic field impacts on cryptochrome and phytochrome signaling

Publication date: August 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 185
Author(s): Chiara Agliassa, Ravishankar Narayana, John M. Christie, Massimo E. Maffei
The geomagnetic field (GMF) is an environmental element whose instability affects plant growth and development. Despite known plant responses to GMF direction and intensity, the mechanism of magnetoreception in plants is still not known. Magnetic field variations affect many light-dependent plant processes, suggesting that the magnetoreception could require light. The objective of this work was to comprehensively investigate the influence of GMF on Arabidopsis thaliana (Col-0) photoreceptor signaling. Wild-type Arabidopsis seedlings and photoreceptor-deficient mutants (cry1cry2, phot1, phyA and phyAphyB) were exposed to near null magnetic field (NNMF, ≤40 nT) and GMF (~43 μT) under darkness and different light wavelengths. The GMF did not alter skotomorphogenic or photomorphogenic seedling development but had a significant impact on gene expression pathways downstream of cryptochrome and phytochrome photoactivation. GMF-induced changes in gene expression observed under blue light were partially associated with an alteration of cryptochrome activation. GMF impacts on phytochrome-regulated gene expression could be attributed to alterations in phytochrome protein abundance that were also dependent on the presence of cry1, cry2 and phot1. Moreover, the GMF was found to impact photomorphogenic-promoting gene expression in etiolated seedlings, indicating the existence of a light-independent magnetoreception mechanism. In conclusion, our data shows that magnetoreception alters photoreceptor signaling in Arabidopsis, but it does not necessarily depend on light.

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Bio-synthesis and antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles using anaerobically digested parthenium slurry

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 183
Author(s): Alaknanda J. Adur, N. Nandini, K. Shilpashree Mayachar, R. Ramya, N. Srinatha
Silver nanoparticles were prepared through eco-friendly, cost effective, bio-mediated technique using anaerobically digested Parthenium hysterophorous digested slurry (PDS) for the first time. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized through different techniques such as UV–Vis spectrophotometer for optical properties; X-ray diffractometer (XRD), high resolution transmission electron spectroscopy (HR-TEM) and Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) Spectroscopy for structural property investigations. It was observed that the prepared silver nanoparticles were crystallized in face centered cubic crystal structure with an average particle size of 19 nm as confirmed from XRD. Also HR-TEM studies reveal the formation of nano-sized silver particles with face centered cubic nano structure. In addition, absorption spectra exhibit Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) which suggests the formation of silver nanoparticles. FTIR results show the presence of different characteristic functional groups and their stretching / bending vibrations in turn responsible for the bioreduction of silver ions in Parthenium digested slurry. Further investigations on antimicrobial activity were done by subjecting the synthesized silver nanoparticles on E-coli and Pseudomonas as marker organisms for the group of gram negative bacteria by well plate method on enrichment media. The result obtained shows a clear zone of inhibition confirming the antibacterial activity. Overall, the investigated results confirm the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles are potential candidates for antimicrobial activity applications.

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Dental resin curing blue light induces vasoconstriction through release of hydrogen peroxide

Publication date: August 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 185
Author(s): Elif Aybala Oktay, Huseyin Tort, Oguzhan Yıldız, Kemal Gokhan Ulusoy, Fulya Toksoy Topcu, Cigdem Ozer
Dental resin curing blue light (BL) is frequently used during treatments in dental clinics. However, little is known about the influence of BL irradiation on pulpal blood vessels. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanism of effect of BL irradiation on vascular tone. Rat aorta (RA) rings were irradiated with a BL source in organ baths, and the responses were recorded isometrically. Effect of BL irradiation on phenylephrine (PE) -precontraction and acetylcholine (ACh) -induced relaxation after PE -precontraction were obtained and compared in BL -irradiated and control RA rings. Effect of 20 min preincubation with catalase (enzyme that breaks down hydrogene peroxide, 1200 u/ml) on PE -precontraced and BL-irradiated rings was also evaluated. Total oxidative stress (TOS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in BL-irradiated and control RA preparations were measured with special assay kits and spectrophotometry. BL slightly decreased ACh -induced endothelium -dependent relaxations in PE (1 μM) -precontracted RA rings (n = 6, p > 0.05 vs. control). BL induced marked contraction 23.88 + 3.10% of PE (maximum contraction) in isolated RA ring segments precontracted with PE (p < 0.05 vs. control). The contractile effect of BL was inhibited by 1200 u/ml catalase (n = 6, p < 0.05 vs. control). BL irradiation increased the level of TOS in RA rings (n = 6, p < 0.05 vs. control). TAC levels were similar in BL-irradiated and control preparations. These results suggest that BL induces contraction in RA, and the mechanism of this effect may to be through release of hydrogen peroxide.



In vitro photodynamic activity of lipid vesicles with zinc phthalocyanine derivative against Enterococcus faecalis

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 183
Author(s): Lukasz Sobotta, Jolanta Dlugaszewska, Piotr Kasprzycki, Sebastian Lijewski, Anna Teubert, Jadwiga Mielcarek, Maria Gdaniec, Tomasz Goslinski, Piotr Fita, Ewa Tykarska
Zinc(II) phthalocyanine bearing eight non-peripheral 2-propoxy substituents was subjected to physicochemical study and, after incorporation in lipid vesicles, assessed as a potential photosensitizer for antibacterial photodynamic therapy. The phthalocyanine derivative obtained in the macrocyclization reaction was characterized by MS and NMR techniques. Moreover, its chemical purity was confirmed by HPLC analysis. X-ray structural analysis revealed that overcrowding of the phthalocyanine derivative leads to a strong out-of-plane distortion of the π-system of the macrocycle core. In the UV–Vis absorption spectra of zinc(II) phthalocyanine two characteristic bands were found: the Soret (300–450 nm) and the Q band (600–800 nm). Photophysical properties of mono- and diprotonated forms of phthalocyanine derivative were studied with time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Its tri- and tetraprotonated forms could not be obtained, because compound decomposes in higher acid concentrations. The presented zinc(II) phthalocyanine showed values of singlet oxygen generation ΦΔ = 0.18 and 0.16, the quantum yield of the photodecomposition ΦP = 3.06∙10−4 and 1.23∙10−5 and the quantum yield of fluorescence ΦFL = 0.005 and 0.004, designated in DMF and DMSO, respectively. For biological studies, phthalocyanine has been incorporated into modified liposome vesicles containing ethanol. In vitro bacteria photoinactivation study revealed no activity against Escherichia coli and 5.7 log reduction of the Enterococcus faecalis growth.

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Ferulic acid photoprotective properties in association with UV filters: multifunctional sunscreen with improved SPF and UVA-PF

Publication date: August 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 185
Author(s): Daniela D'Almeida Peres, Fernanda Daud Sarruf, Camila Areias de Oliveira, Maria Valéria Robles Velasco, André Rolim Baby
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation stimulates several injurious biological effects on cutaneous tissue, causing, for instance, photocarcinogenesis. Sunscreens are topical products designed to protect the skin against these harmful effects and their use must be encouraged. The addition of antioxidants, as ferulic acid (FA), a phenolic compound from the class of the hydroxycinnamic acids, in sunscreens could improve their sun protection factor (SPF) and prevent inflammatory reactions. Here, the clinical safety and efficacy of an association of ethylhexyl triazone and bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine (UV filters) with ferulic acid were assessed. Samples had good skin biocompatibility and presented satisfactory safety profile, even in a sun-exposed condition. A synergic effect between the natural polyphenol and the UV filters was evidenced, as well as, FA increased in vivo SPF in 37% and the UVA protection factor (UVA-PF) in 26%. The in vivo data indicated that FA reinforced the broad-spectrum characteristic of the photoprotective formulations. Additionally, according to the results from the ex vivo antioxidant test, it is plausible to recommend adjustments on the ex vivo protocol to explicitly determine the positive effects of topical antioxidant ingredients applied over the skin. These results provided a new perspective for the development of multifunctional bioactive sunscreens using FA as a new platform.

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Characterization of fluoride inhibition in photosystem II lacking extrinsic PsbP and PsbQ subunits

Publication date: August 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 185
Author(s): Alice Haddy, Ia Lee, Karen Shin, Henry Tai
Photosynthetic oxygen evolution occurs through the oxidation of water at a catalytic Mn4CaO5 cluster in photosystem II and is promoted by chloride, which binds at two sites near the Mn4CaO5 cluster. Fluoride is a competitive inhibitor of chloride activation, but study of its effects is complicated by the possibility that it may form an insoluble CaF2 complex. In this study, the effects of fluoride were studied using PSII lacking the PsbP and PsbQ subunits, which help to regulate the requirements for the inorganic cofactors Ca2+ and Cl. In this preparation, which allows easy exchange of ions, it was found that F does not directly remove Ca2+ even when catalytic turnovers take place, suggesting that fluoride is not able to access the inner coordination sphere of Ca2+. By monitoring the loss in O2 evolution activity, the dissociation constant of F was estimated to be about 1 mM in intact PSII, consistent with previous studies, and about 77 mM in PSII lacking the extrinsic subunits. The significantly higher value for PSII lacking PsbP and PsbQ is consistent with results for other ions. The effects of F on electron transfer to Tyr Z was also studied and found to show similar trends in PSII with and without the two extrinsic subunits, but with a more pronounced effect in PSII lacking the extrinsic subunits. These results indicate that in PSII lacking PsbP and PsbQ, fluoride does not directly interact with or remove Ca2+ and inhibits O2 evolution in a manner comparable to PSII with the extrinsic subunits intact.



Bilirubin photoisomers in rhesus monkey serum

Publication date: August 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 185
Author(s): Hitoshi Okada, Susumu Itoh, Kohichiroh Nii, Masashiro Sugino, Noriko Fuke, Kosuke Koyano, Saneyuki Yasuda, Takashi Kusaka
As rhesus monkeys exhibit physiological jaundice during the neonatal period, we used rhesus monkey serum to examine changes in bilirubin photoisomers. Bilirubin-rhesus monkey serum solution was irradiated with blue light-emitting diode, and changes in the absorbance and bilirubin fraction were compared with those in bilirubin- human serum albumin (HSA) and bilirubin-rat albumin solutions. The λmax decreased with light irradiation. The mean production rate of cyclobilirubin IXα was 1.98, 199 and 0.76 × 10−2/min in rhesus monkey serum, HSA and rat albumin, respectively. There was no significant difference between rhesus monkey serum and HSA. The (ZE)-bilirubin IXα/(ZZ)-bilirubin IXα ratio was 0.33, 0.45, and 0.10, respectively, differing significantly among the groups. The (EZ)-bilirubin IXα/(ZZ)-bilirubin IXα ratio was 0.020, 0.010, and 0.062, respectively, with no significant difference between rhesus monkey serum and HSA. The production rate of (EZ)-cyclobilirubin XIIIα(= (ZE)-cyclobilirubin XIIIα) was 0.73, 1.60, and 0.51 × 10−2/min, respectively, with differing significantly among the groups. The (EZ)-bilirubin IIIα/(ZZ)-bilirubin IIIα ratio was significantly different among the groups at 0.20, 0.38, and 0.15, respectively.This is the first report demonstrating the photoisomerization of bilirubin in rhesus monkey serum and the animal with the same cyclobilirubin production rate as HSA.Rhesus monkeys may be used as an animal model for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in humans to evaluate the efficacy of phototherapy.



Eco-friendly green synthesis of Ag@Fe bimetallic nanoparticles: Antioxidant, antimicrobial and photocatalytic degradation of bromothymol blue

Publication date: Available online 6 June 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology
Author(s): Aisha Al-Asfar, Zoya Zaheer, Elham Shafik Aazam
Silver-iron bimetallic nanoparticles (BMNPs) were synthesized by using AgNO3 and Fe(NO3)3 as an Ag/Fe source in presence of Palm dates fruit. Upon addition of extract to a solution of Ag+ and Fe3+, a prefect transparent stable dark brown color appears with in a few minuets at room temperature. In order to conform the nature of resulting color, UV–visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) techniques were used. The absence of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peaks in the entire UV–visible region suggests the formation of silvercore-ironshell BMNPs. The obtained nanoparticles were used as a catalyst for the degradation of bromothymol blue (BTB) in absence and presence of sunlight. The degradation kinetics was studied in presence of electron acceptors and scavengers, such as hydrogen peroxide, ammonium oxalate, ammonium per sulphate, benzoquinone, isopropyl alcohol, n-butanol, potassium bromate and potassium iodide. Radical trapping experiments demonstrates that active holes (h+) and generated hydroxy radical are primary species involved in H2O2 assisted catalytic degradation process. The free-radical scavenging, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were determined for extract and BMNPs. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activities were found to increase with increasing the amounts of extract. The silver-iron showed good invitro antibacterial activities against human pathogens.



Exploring multi potential uses of marine bacteria; an integrated approach for PHB production, PAHs and polyethylene biodegradation

Publication date: August 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 185
Author(s): K. Mohanrasu, N. Premnath, G. Siva Prakash, Muniyasamy Sudhakar, T. Boobalan, A. Arun
There are copious of bacteria exist in marine environment and it is very important to screen the potential microbes that has the ability to produce biopolymer polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) degradation and conventional plastic high density polyethylene (HDPE) biodegradation. Numerous studies have been investigated individually on either one of characteristic feature like PHB production, PAHs and high density polyethylene (HDPE) degradation, but not all together. Hence, in this study, we tried to screen potential marine microbes that have the ability to perform all three features. We have isolated 203 phenotyphicaly different colonies from 19 different sites (marine soil sediments, marine water and oil spilled marine water) which cover the north east to down south seashore regions of Tamilnadu, India. Of the 203 microbial isolates, the best PHB producing (Micrococcus luteus), PAHs degradation (Klebsiella pneumonia) and HDPE degradation (Brevibacillus borstelensis) microorganisms were identified through 16S rRNA sequencing. Analytical studies confirmed PHB production by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H & 13C NMR); PAHs degradation by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM); HDPE degradation by CLSM, FT-IR and SEM which cover the spectroscopy studies on biological systems.

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Efficacy of photodynamic therapy against Streptococcus mutans biofilm: Role of singlet oxygen

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 183
Author(s): Lama Misba, Sahar Zaidi, Asad U. Khan
In photodynamic therapy (PDT), killing is entirely based on the ROS generation and among different types of ROS generated during PDT, singlet oxygen is considered as the most potential as illustrated in many studies and therefore it is predominantly responsible for photodamage and cytotoxic reactions. The aim of this study was to check whether singlet oxygen (Type II photochemistry) is more potential than free radicals (Type I photochemistry) against Streptococcus mutans biofilm. We have taken two phenothiazinium dyes i.e. toluidine blue O (TBO) and new methylene blue (NMB). TBO was found to have better antibacterial as well as antibiofilm effect than NMB. Antibacterial effect was evaluated by colony forming unit while antibiofilm action by crystal violet and congo red binding assays. We have also evaluated the disruption of preformed biofilm by biofilm reduction assay, confocal laser electron and scanning electron microscopy. More singlet oxygen production was detected in case of TBO than NMB while more Free radical (HO) was produced by NMB than TBO. TBO showed better antibacterial as well as antibiofilm effect than NMB so; we conclude that potency of a photosensitizer is correlated with the capability to produce singlet oxygen.



Fusion expression of bifunctional enzyme complex for luciferin-recycling to enhance the luminescence imaging

Publication date: August 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 185
Author(s): Xiaohui Sun, Xu Tang, Qinghua Wang, Pinghong Chen, Phil Hill, Baishan Fang, Chang'an Xu
Firefly luciferase (Fluc) has been widely used as a bioluminescent monitor. The ATP linear correlation and exogenous luciferin requirement make it useful in most of current imaging systems. However, the utility of this reporter was still limited by the intensity and decay of the luminescent signal, and the active site and structure of enzyme including the relevant substrate channeling region.This study demonstrated a novel construction of bifunctional enzyme system to improve the luminescence generation of firefly luciferase, by bringing in a luciferin-regenerating enzyme (LRE) fusion expressed to the C terminal of luciferase, between which were connected with peptide linker. The fusion protein constructed with typical type of linker, rigid linker (EAAAK) and flexible linker (GGGGS), were analyzed comparing with the unlinked free enzyme. In vivo and in vitro assessment of the bioluminescence intensity and decaying rate to the series of Fluc-LRE enzyme complex were assayed. The fInding demonstrated that the presence of LRE remarkably enhance the generation of luminescence and remained significant stronger signal than that of the control, and the peptide-linked dual enzyme present more stability and continuation on the signal generation and lower decaying rate on signal recession, especially at low dose of Fluc injection. With the advantage of luminescence intensity and reaction period, the peptide mediated fusion expressed LRE may expand the application of Firefly luciferase on bioluminescence imaging.



Docetaxel-decorated anticancer drug and gold nanoparticles encapsulated apatite carrier for the treatment of liver cancer

Publication date: August 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 185
Author(s): Jingjing Wan, Xinggang Ma, Dongsheng Xu, Bingyin Yang, Shiyan Yang, Shutang Han
Liver malignancy is one of serious sicknesses which undermine human life and wellbeing. Concentrates on the treatment of liver malignancy have attracted widespread consideration. Utilization of drug delivery system cannot just enhance particular medication conveyance to liver tissue and enhance the bioavailability of medication, yet additionally can lessen the reactions of medications when it is uniquely changed in the regards of structure adjustment or particular target particles improvement. Docetaxel (Dxtl) remains the favored decision of enhancing the survival of patients with hormone stubborn liver malignancy, however numerous patients experience the ill effects of humble medication reaction and huge lethality. In the present examination, we researched the productivity of novel Dtxl stacked gold doped apatite (Dtxl-GHANPs) and increase insights into the molecular mechanism of the apoptosis initiated by these novels Dxtl- stacked nanoparticles. In vitro anticancer tests demonstrated that Dtxl-GHANPs had a higher cytotoxicity against human liver cancer cells (HepG2). The dual staining and Hoechst measure uncovered the dynamic idea of Dtxl-GHANPs in the cell core of the HepG2 cells. The potential mitochondrial break by apoptosis in HepG2 cells enormously expanded cell passing. Our discoveries demonstrated that nanoparticles, more than basic medication carriers, may assume a dynamic part in intervening the organic impacts.

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The sequence specificity of UV-induced DNA damage in a systematically altered DNA sequence

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 183
Author(s): Clairine V. Khoe, Long H. Chung, Vincent Murray
The sequence specificity of UV-induced DNA damage was investigated in a specifically designed DNA plasmid using two procedures: end-labelling and linear amplification. Absorption of UV photons by DNA leads to dimerisation of pyrimidine bases and produces two major photoproducts, cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and pyrimidine(6-4)pyrimidone photoproducts (6-4PPs). A previous study had determined that two hexanucleotide sequences, 5′-GCTC*AC and 5′-TATT*AA, were high intensity UV-induced DNA damage sites. The UV clone plasmid was constructed by systematically altering each nucleotide of these two hexanucleotide sequences. One of the main goals of this study was to determine the influence of single nucleotide alterations on the intensity of UV-induced DNA damage. The sequence 5′-GCTC*AC was designed to examine the sequence specificity of 6-4PPs and the highest intensity 6-4PP damage sites were found at 5′-GTTC*CC nucleotides. The sequence 5′-TATT*AA was devised to investigate the sequence specificity of CPDs and the highest intensity CPD damage sites were found at 5′-TTTT*CG nucleotides. It was proposed that the tetranucleotide DNA sequence, 5'-YTC*Y (where Y is T or C), was the consensus sequence for the highest intensity UV-induced 6-4PP adduct sites; while it was 5′-YTT*C for the highest intensity UV-induced CPD damage sites. These consensus tetranucleotides are composed entirely of consecutive pyrimidines and must have a DNA conformation that is highly productive for the absorption of UV photons.



The protective effect of some Thai plants and their bioactive compounds in UV light-induced skin carcinogenesis

Publication date: August 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 185
Author(s): Madhura B. de Silva, Tewin Tencomnao
Skin cancer, represents a major public health concern. While the vast majority is non-melanoma skin cancers, melanomas are mostly responsible for mortality. Solar UVB radiation is mutagenic and carcinogenic. It is primarily responsible for both non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers via excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which mediate changes in inflammation and immunity, and have been implicated in all three stages of skin cancer development. Due to their regulatory role in numerous functions of cells, signaling pathways are targets for chemoprevention. The current standards in melanoma therapy are targeted and combination therapies, which, albeit prolong survival responses, are still prone to development of drug resistance. To this extent, drugs of natural origin continue to spark great interest. Thailand has a rich biodiversity of indigenous flora, which have traditionally been used to treat a variety of pathologies. The active components in plant extracts that have medicinal properties, termed 'bioactive compounds,' are efficient chemopreventive agents due to their antioxidant, antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic, and carcinogen detoxification properties. Thai plants and their bioactive compounds have shown protective effects on UV light-induced skin cancer in different experimental models. This warrants further in vivo investigations and translation to clinical studies to determine efficacy and safety, for use as lead compounds in targeted/combination therapy or adjuvant therapy with existing regimes. Coupled with a strategy for prevention, this offers a promising outlook for protection against photocarcinogenesis.



Electrocautery effects on fluorescence lifetime measurements: An in vivo study in the oral cavity

Publication date: August 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 185
Author(s): João L. Lagarto, Jennifer E. Phipps, Leta Faller, Dinglong Ma, Jakob Unger, Julien Bec, Stephen Griffey, Jonathan Sorger, D. Gregory Farwell, Laura Marcu




Target challenging-cancer drug delivery to gastric cancer tissues with a fucose graft epigallocatechin-3-gallate-gold particles nanocomposite approach

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 183
Author(s): Xiaoming Yuan, Yan He, Guangrong Zhou, Xiangwei Li, Aiwen Feng, Weiwei Zheng
Inhibiting component of therapy with (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is low bioavailability of fresh tea polyphenols that outcome from insecurity under stomach related circumstances, insufficient transcellular transport. As needs are, fucose- carboxymethyl chitosan (FU-CMC) graft EGCG with gold nanoparticles (GNPs) (FU-CMC-EGCG-GNPs) nanocomposites were prepared and managed peritumorally to assess their anticancer action. The physicochemical properties of as-prepared nanocomposite were evaluated by FTIR spectroscopy, UV–visible absorption spectra, XRD, FESEM-EDX and HRTEM-SAD. Additionally, the viability and cell uptake assays revealed that the as-prepared nanocomposite successfully repressed the propagation of gastric tumor cells. In vivo anticancer treatment of FU-CMC-EGCG-GNPs nanocomposites showed more anticancer action contrasted with pure EGCG. Immuno-histological investigations established a superior numeral of apoptotic tissues in the as-prepared FU-CMC-EGCG-GNPs nanocomposites contrasted with pure EGCG. Overall, the as-prepared FU-CMC-EGCG-GNPs nanocomposite affords a proficient medicine delivery stage for chemotherapy.

Graphical abstract

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Standing variation and the capacity for change: are endocrine phenotypes more variable than other traits?

Abstract
Circulating steroid hormone levels exhibit high variation both within and between individuals, leading some to hypothesize that these phenotypes are more variable than other morphological, physiological, and behavioral traits. This should have profound implications for the evolution of steroid signaling systems, but few studies have examined how endocrine variation compares to that of other traits or differs among populations. Here we provide such an analysis by first exploring how variation in three measures of corticosterone (CORT)— baseline, stress-induced, and post-dexamethasone injection— compares to key traits characterizing morphology (wing length, mass), physiology (reactive oxygen metabolite concentration [d-ROMs] and antioxidant capacity), and behavior (provisioning rate) in two populations of tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor). After controlling for measurement precision and within-individual variation, we found that only post-dex CORT was more variable than all other traits. Both baseline and stress-induced CORT exhibit higher variation than antioxidant capacity and provisioning rate, but not oxidative metabolite levels or wing length. Variation in post-dex CORT and d-ROMs was also elevated in the higher-latitude population in that inhabits a less predictable environment. We next studied how these patterns might play out on a macroevolutionary scale, assessing patterns of variation in baseline testosterone (T) and multiple non-endocrine traits (body length, mass, social display rate, and locomotion rate) across 17 species of Anolis lizards. At the macroevolutionary level, we found that circulating T levels and the rate of social display output are higher than other behavioral and morphological traits. Altogether, our results support the idea that within-population variability in steroid levels is substantial, but not exceptionally higher than many other traits that define animal phenotypes. As such, circulating steroid levels in free-living animals should be considered traits that exhibit similar levels of variability from individual to individual in a population.

A spatially explicit model shows how titin stiffness modulates muscle mechanics and energetics

Abstract
In striated muscle, the giant protein titin spans the entire length of a half-sarcomere and extends from the backbone of the thick filament, reversibly attaches to the thin filaments, and anchors to the dense protein network of the z-disk capping the end of the half-sarcomere. However, little is known about the relationship between the basic mechanical properties of titin and muscle contractility. Here, we build upon our previous multi-filament, spatially explicit computational model of the half-sarcomere by incorporating the nonlinear mechanics of titin filaments in the I-band. We vary parameters of the nonlinearity to understand the effects of titin stiffness on contraction dynamics and efficiency. We do so by simulating isometric contraction for a range of sarcomere lengths (SL; 1.6–3.25 μm). Intermediate values of titin stiffness accurately reproduce the passive force–SL relation for skeletal muscle. The maximum force–SL relation is not affected by titin for SL ≤ 2.5 μm. However, as titin stiffness increases, maximum force for the four thick filament system at SL = 3.0 μm significantly decreases from 103.2 ± 2 pN to 58.8 ± 1 pN. Additionally, by monitoring ATP consumption, we measure contraction efficiency as a function of titin stiffness. We find that at SL = 3.0 μm, efficiency significantly decreases from 13.9 ± 0.4 pN/ATP to 7.0 ± 0.3 pN/ATP when increasing titin stiffness, with little or no effect below 2.5 μm. Taken together, our results suggest that, despite an increase in the fraction of motors bound to actin along the descending limb when titin is stiffer, the force-generating capacity of the motors is reduced. These results suggest that titin stiffness has the potential to affect contractile efficiency.

Understanding the agility of running birds: Sensorimotor and mechanical factors in avian bipedal locomotion

Abstract
Birds are a diverse and agile lineage of vertebrates that all use bipedal locomotion for at least part of their life. Thus birds provide a valuable opportunity to investigate how biomechanics and sensorimotor control are integrated for agile bipedal locomotion. This review summarizes recent work using terrain perturbations to reveal neuromechanical control strategies used by ground birds to achieve robust, stable and agile running. Early experiments in running guinea fowl aimed to reveal the immediate intrinsic mechanical response to an unexpected drop ('pothole') in terrain. When navigating the pothole, guinea fowl experience large changes in leg posture in the perturbed step, which correlates strongly with leg loading and perturbation recovery. Analysis of simple theoretical models of running has further confirmed the crucial role of swing-leg trajectory control for regulating foot contact timing and leg loading in uneven terrain. Coupling between body and leg dynamics results in an inherent trade-off in swing leg retraction rate for fall avoidance versus injury avoidance. Fast leg retraction minimizes injury risk, but slow leg retraction minimizes fall risk. Subsequent experiments have investigated how birds optimize their control strategies depending on the type of perturbation (pothole, step, obstacle), visibility of terrain, and with ample practice negotiating terrain features. Birds use several control strategies consistently across terrain contexts: 1) independent control of leg angular cycling and leg length actuation, which facilitates dynamic stability through simple control mechanisms, 2) feedforward regulation of leg cycling rate, which tunes foot-contact timing to maintain consistent leg loading in uneven terrain (minimizing fall and injury risks), 3) load-dependent muscle actuation, which rapidly adjusts stance push-off and stabilizes body mechanical energy, and 4) multi-step recovery strategies that allow body dynamics to transiently vary while tightly regulating leg loading to minimize risks of fall and injury. In future work, it will be interesting to investigate the learning and adaptation processes that allow animals to adjust neuromechanical control mechanisms over short and long timescales.

The Influence of Visual, Vestibular and Hindlimb Proprioceptive Ablations on Landing Preparation in Cane Toads

Synopsis
Coordinated landing from a jump requires preparation, which must include appropriate positioning and configuration of the landing limbs and body to be successful. While well studied in mammals, our lab has been using the cane toad (Rhinella marinus) as a model for understanding the biomechanics of controlled landing in anurans, animals that use jumping or bounding as their dominant mode of locomotion. In this paper, we report new results from experiments designed to explore how different modes of sensory feedback contribute to previously identified features of coordinated landing in toads. More specifically, animals in which vision, hindlimb proprioception or vestibular feedback were removed, underwent a series of hopping trials while high-speed video was used to record and characterize limb movements and electromyographic activity was recorded from a major elbow extensor (m. anconeus). Results demonstrate that altering any sensory system impacts landing behavior, though loss of vision had the least effect. Blind animals showed significant differences in anconeus EMG timing relative to controls, but forelimb and hindlimb movements as well as the ability to successfully decelerate the body using the forelimbs were not affected. Compromising hindlimb proprioception led to distinctly different forelimb kinematics. Though EMG patterns were disrupted, animals in this condition were also able to decelerate after impact, though with less control, regularly allowing their trunks to make ground contact during landing. Animals with compromised vestibular systems showed the greatest deficits, both in takeoff and landing behavior, which were highly variable and rarely coordinated. Nevertheless, animals in this condition demonstrated EMG patterns and forelimb kinematics similar to those in control animals. The fact that no ablation entirely eliminates all aspects of landing preparation, suggests that its underpinnings are complex and that that there is no single sensory trigger for its initiation.

Anatomic approximation approach to correction of transverse facial clefts

Publication date: Available online 12 June 2018
Source:Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery
Author(s): Raymond W. Tse, Robert J. Knight, David M Fisher
Transverse clefts of the oral cavity have significant impacts on both form and function. Many methods of repair have been described but there is no consensus on optimal approach. In addition, dissatisfaction with scars, distortion of form, and recurrent deformity have led to complex surgical designs that are difficult to understand and to reproduce. We describe a simple approach to repair that is based upon anatomic approximation of lip components and accurate repair of muscle.Twenty patients have undergone repair by the senior author, who devised the approach, and the corresponding author, who adopted it. Eight (62%) had right-sided clefts, 3(23%) had left-sided clefts, and 2 (15%) had bilateral clefts. One had an associated branchial cleft remnant, 2 had multiple branchial cleft remnants and tragus deformities, 1 had craniofacial microsomia with microtia, and 1 had a contralateral Tessier 1 cleft. Mean age at repair was 23 months. All patients achieved normal oral competence, have favourable scars and commissure form, and have had no recurrent deformity. None have required revision.The described surgical approach is reproducible, easy to understand, and can produce favourable outcomes.



Differentiation of Different Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Types Using OCT

Background: Early detection of various types of nonmelanoma skin cancer has been a challenge in dermatology. Noninvasive examination procedures such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) play an increasingly important role, besides the established gold standard of histological tissue sample analysis. OCT is a noninvasive, cross-sectional, real-time technique that allows conclusions to be drawn with regard to the presence of pathologies. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate whether it is possible to distinguish between different types of nonmelanoma skin cancer using OCT or not. Methods: A study population of a total of 25 cases, comprising 5 cases, each, of 5 tumor entities (i.e., basal cell carcinoma, superficial basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis, squamous cell carcinoma, and Bowen disease) was examined. Relevant lesions were scanned both centrally and peripherally in the multislice mode. All OCT images were blinded, randomized, analyzed, and evaluated by 2 clinicians experienced in OCT. Results: This study demonstrated that it is possible to determine correlations between various types of tumors and recurring tumor characteristics. Conclusion: This study showed that it is possible to distinguish between the different nonmelanoma skin cancers by using OCT, but further prospective studies have to be conducted to validate the sensitivity and specificity of the criteria.
Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2018;31:238–245

Progression-Free Survival at 24 Months (PFS24) and Subsequent Outcome For Patients With Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) Enrolled On Randomized Clinical Trials

Abstract
Background
Patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with first-line anthracycline based immunochemotherapy and remaining in remission at two years have excellent outcomes. This study assessed overall survival (OS) stratified by progression-free survival at 24 months (PFS24) using individual patient data from patients with DLBCL enrolled in multi-center, international randomized clinical trials as part of the SEAL collaboration.
Patients and Methods
PFS24 was defined as being alive and progression-free 24 months after study entry. OS from PFS24 was defined as time from identified PFS24 status until death due to any cause. OS was compared to each patient's age-, sex-, and country-matched general population using expected survival and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs).
Results
5853 patients enrolled in trials in the SEAL database received rituximab as part of induction therapy and were included in this analysis. The median age was 62 years (range 18-92), and 56% were greater than 60 years of age. At a median follow-up of 4.4 years, 1337 patients (23%) had disease progression, 1489 (25%) had died, and 5101 had sufficient follow-up to evaluate PFS24. 1423 evaluable patients failed to achieve PFS24 with a median OS of 7.2 months (95% CI 6.8-8.1) after progression; 5-year OS after progression was 19% and SMR was 32.1 (95% CI: 30.0-34.4). 3678 patients achieved PFS24; SMR after achieving PFS24 was 1.22 (95% CI: 1.09-1.37). The observed OS versus expected OS at 3, 5, and 7 years after achieving PFS24 was 93.1% vs. 94.4%, 87.6% vs. 89.5%, and 80.0% vs. 83.7%, respectively.
Conclusion
Patients treated with rituximab containing anthracycline-based immunochemotherapy on clinical trials who are alive without progression at 24 months from the onset of initial therapy have excellent outcomes with survival that is marginally lower but clinically indistinguishable from the age-, sex-, and country-matched background population for seven years after achieving PFS24.

Un nouveau cas d’éruption de type pityriasis rubra pilaire associée à l’inhibiteur de tyrosine kinase ponatinib

Publication date: Available online 11 June 2018
Source:Annales de Dermatologie et de Vénéréologie
Author(s): J. Krygier, G. Leemans, R. Forsyth, A. de Becker, J. Gutermuth, M. Grosber
IntroductionLe pityriasis rubra pilaire (PRP) est un syndrome cutané d'étiologie inconnue dont la plupart des cas sont sporadiques et acquis. Nous rapportons un cinquième cas d'éruption de type PRP associée au ponatinib, un inhibiteur de tyrosine kinase (ITK).ObservationUne femme de 60ans se présentait à la consultation de dermatologie pour une éruption érythémato-squameuse évoluant depuis 2 semaines. La patiente était également suivie en hématologie pour une récidive de leucémie lymphoblastique aiguë. Un traitement par ponatinib avait été débuté 6 semaines plus tôt. Malgré l'aspect peu spécifique de l'histologie cutanée, le diagnostic d'éruption de type PRP induit était posé face à l'image clinique caractéristique. Le traitement par corticoïdes locaux permettait la résolution de l'éruption.DiscussionLa littérature rapporte six cas d'éruption de type PRP associés à la prise d'ITK, dont quatre avec le ponatinib. L'éruption survient dans un délai variant de 2 semaines à 3 mois après le début du traitement. Les corticoïdes locaux prescrits ont donné des résultats mitigés. Une meilleure compréhension de la physiopathologie de ces éruptions associées aux ITK pourrait éclairer les mécanismes pathogéniques du PRP idiopathique.BackgroundPityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is a cutaneous syndrome of unknown origin. Most cases are sporadic and acquired. Herein we report a fifth case of PRP-like eruption associated with ponatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI).Patients and methodsA 60-year-old woman presented at the dermatology department with an erythemato-squamous eruption present for 2weeks. The patient was also being treated in haematology for recurrence of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Treatment with ponatinib had been initiated 6weeks earlier. Despite the low specific cutaneous histology, a diagnosis of induced PRP-like eruption was made based on the characteristic clinical aspect. Treatment with local corticosteroids resolved the eruption.DiscussionThe literature contains 6 reported cases of PRP-like eruptions associated with TKI, including 4 with ponatinib. The eruption began from 2weeks to 2–3 months after treatment induction. Prescribed topical corticosteroids have yielded mixed results. A better understanding of the physiopathology of these eruptions associated with TKI could shed light on the pathogenic mechanisms in relation to idiopathic PRP.