Strategy for esophageal non-epithelial tumors based on a retrospective analysis of a single facility

Abstract

Background

Although most esophageal non-epithelial tumors are benign tumors, such as leiomyomas, they also include gastrointestinal tumors (GISTs); thus, a histopathological diagnosis is indispensable to determine the optimal treatment strategy. However, no consensus has been reached as to the diagnostic methods and treatments for esophageal non-epithelial tumors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the diagnostic methods and treatments for esophageal non-epithelial tumors in our hospital.

Methods

All 28 cases of esophageal non-epithelial tumors at Kobe University Hospital from 2008 to 2016 were analyzed retrospectively with respect to the diagnostic methods, histopathological diagnosis, and treatments.

Results

Three diagnostic methods, endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA), endoscopic incisional biopsy, and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD)/endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), were performed in our hospital. All GIST cases could be correctly diagnosed by EUS-FNA. Tumors less than approximately 20 mm in diameter and located in the superficial layer are good indications for ESD/EMR, which both play roles in diagnosis and treatment. The final diagnoses by these methods consisted of the following: 13 leiomyomas, 5 GISTs, 3 schwannomas, 2 liposarcomas, 3 cysts, 1 reactive lymphoid hyperplasia, and 1 granulosa cell tumor. Fifteen cases underwent surgery. Enucleation or partial resection was performed for leiomyomas, schwannomas and liposarcomas, while esophagectomy was performed for GISTs. Thus, sufficient management of non-epithelial tumors is achieved.

Conclusions

Improved endoscopic procedures, including EUS-FNA and ESD/EMR, enabled the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of esophageal non-epithelial tumors.

Photoelectrocatalytic degradation of atrazine by boron-fluorine co-doped TiO 2 nanotube arrays

Abstract

Atrazine, one of the most widespread herbicides in the world, is considered as an environmental estrogen and has potential carcinogenicity. In this study, atrazine was degraded on boron-fluorine co-doped TiO₂ nanotube arrays (B, F-TiO₂ NTAs), which had similar morphology with the pristine TiO₂ NTAs. The structure and morphology of TiO₂ nanotube samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). It showed that the decoration of fluorine and boron made both the absorption in the visible region enhanced and the band edge absorption shifted. The efficiency of atrazine degradation by B, F-TiO₂ NTAs through photoelectrocatalysis was investigated by current, solution pH, and electrolyte concentration, respectively. The atrazine removal rate reached 76% through photoelectrocatalytic reaction by B, F-TiO₂ NTAs, which was 46% higher than that under the photocatalysis process. Moreover, the maximum degradation rate was achieved at pH of 6 in 0.01 M of Na₂SO₄ electrolyte solution under a current of 0.02 A and visible light for 2 h in the presence of B, F-TiO₂ NTAs. These results showed that B, F-TiO₂ NTAs exhibit remarkable photoelectrocatalytic activity in degradation of atrazine.

Effectivity–ecosphere–economics in nZEB retrofit procedures

Abstract

Sustainable development has by now become an element deeply integrated in the everyday design. It has many shades and may be found under many names. We speak about resiliency in design and procurement of passive, ecologic, plus energy, or nZEB buildings. Nevertheless, if we look closely, we may distinguish certain characteristic ideas. First, sustainable development of societies and urbanization processes should be consistent on a deeper level than presently, and be included within design processes, organization, and planning, as well as modernization and redevelopment procedures of existing urban tissue. Secondly, urbanization should be perceived holistically, as an interaction and harmonious development of both natural and manmade environments, with solutions based on the best technical and technological standards available. Lastly, described ideas are achievable only, if we include continuous cooperation between urban planners, architects, specialist consultants, as well as energy-efficient interdisciplinary solutions to achieve high standard energy measures. One of the thresholds is economic feasibility; the other is health and well-being of the users which should always be discussed as a priority. This paper—outside a brief theoretical approach to initial procedures in design management—will dwell on transformation and modernization of an existing building belonging to the Warsaw University of Technology, one of the oldest universities in Poland, its founding dating back to the beginning of the twentieth century. In 2015, a Nordic Finance Mechanism grant dedicated to the nZEB technology transfer from Norway to Poland was awarded to a group of researchers from Warsaw University of Technology and NTNU Trondheim. The main aim of the project is implementation of nZEB knowledge in Poland, as well as preparation of two integrated concept designs for public (University) buildings as exemplary case studies which could act as the benchmarks for other public buildings.

Comparative efficacy of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection during early and static stage of pathological scarring

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, EarlyView.

Personal observations of Achenbach syndrome

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.

Evolution of Kaposi sarcoma in the past 30 years in a tertiary hospital of the European Mediterranean basin

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.

How useful are geochemical and mineralogical indicators in assessing trace metal contamination and bioavailability in a post-restoration Mediterranean lagoon?

Abstract

Tunis's Lake North (LNT), located on the Mediterranean Sea, and Tunisia's most important lagoon due to its economic value and its strategic position within the city, has recently undergone a vast sanitation project. To study the lagoon's level of metal pollution, three sediment cores were taken and the sediments were analyzed for trace and major elements, acid volatile sulfides (AVS), total organic carbon (TOC), and minerals. Results showed that TOC concentrations (0.2–3.1%) decreased following the lagoon's restoration. In addition, in comparison to historical data, concentrations of Cu (16–69.5 μg g⁻¹), Zn (60.6–191.4 μg g⁻¹), and Pb (13–100.9 μg g⁻1) also decreased. Enrichment factor calculation with respect to the crust and local background showed that the sediment had long been contaminated by human pollution and especially by Pb, Zn, and Cu. The AVS to simultaneously extracted metal (SEM) ratio revealed values generally less than 1 indicating no sediment toxicity risks. Statistics revealed a detrital origin for certain metals and a diagenetic origin for FeS₂ and carbonate minerals.

Ground‐ and Excited‐State Acidity of Analogs of Red Wine Pyranoanthocyanins,

Photochemistry and Photobiology, EarlyView.

Development of homologous enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to quantify two forms of vitellogenin in guppy ( Poecilia reticulata )

Abstract

Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is a promising model organism in toxicological studies, and vitellogenin (Vtg) is a commonly used biomarker for environmental estrogens. Although an ELISA for guppy Vtg has been developed previously, we found that guppy had two forms of Vtgs. In this study, two Vtgs were characterized and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for each Vtg were developed. Two Vtgs purified from 17β-estradiol (E₂)-exposed guppy were characterized as phospholipoglycoproteins with molecular weights of ~ 520 and ~ 480 kDa, respectively. In SDS-PAGE, one purified Vtg appeared as three major bands of ~ 210, ~ 126, and ~ 102 kDa, and the other revealed a clear band of ~ 68 kDa. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time of flight/time of flight mass spectrometry analysis showed that they were VtgAb and VtgC. Using purified Vtgs and their corresponding antibodies, two sandwich ELISAs with working ranges of 7.8~1000 and 15.6~500 ng/mL were developed. Precision tests showed that intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variations of both ELISAs were below 10%. Parallelism between Vtg standard curves and serial dilutions of whole body homogenate from E₂-exposed guppy confirmed that two ELISAs could quantify guppy Vtgs. Furthermore, two ELISAs were used to measure Vtg inductions in liver, caudal fin and whole body of male guppy exposed to 17a-ethinylestradiol to validate their use for detecting estrogenic effects of exogenous chemicals. These homologous Vtg ELISAs will promote the use of guppy as a model organism to study estrogenic chemicals.

Degradation kinetics of chlorpyrifos and diazinon in volcanic and non-volcanic soils: influence of cyclodextrins

Abstract

The intensive use of insecticides such as chlorpyrifos (CPF) and diazinon (DZN) in the agricultural activities worldwide has produced contamination of soils and/or transport to non-target areas including their distribution to surface and groundwaters. Cyclodextrins (CDs) have been proposed as an alternative in remediation technologies based on the separation of contaminants from soils because they could allow a higher bioavailability for their degradation with a low environmental impact. In this work, the degradation pattern of CPF and DZN and the formation and dissipation of the major degradation products 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP) and 2-isopropyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinol (IMPH) was established in four agricultural volcanic and non-volcanic soils belonging to Andisol, Ultisol, and Mollisol orders. Both pesticides were highly adsorbed in these soils, consequently, with a greater probability of contaminating them. In contrast, the adsorption of their two main metabolites was low or null; therefore, they are potential groundwater contaminants. The degradation processes were studied in the natural and amended soils with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and methyl-β-cyclodextrin (Mβ-CD) for CPF and DZN, respectively. A slow degradation of CPF and DZN was obtained for volcanic soils with observable residues until the end of the incubation time (150–180 days). In Mollisols, the higher degradation rate of CPF was favored by the neutral to basic pH, and for DZN it was related to the lower adsorption and higher bioavailability. The amendment of soils with CDs produced slower degradation rates which led to a greater concentration of the compounds at the end of the incubation time. This effect was more pronounced for DZN. The exception was the Andisol, with no significant changes for both compounds regarding the unamended soil. No residues of TCP were observed for this soil in both conditions during the whole incubation time; nevertheless, the accumulation of TCP was significant in the Ultisol and Mollisols, but the concentrations were lower for the amended soils. The accumulation of IMPH was important in Mollisol amended soils; however, their residues were observed in the volcanic soils during the whole incubation period in the natural and amended soils. An important enhancement of the microbial activity occurred in the system β-CD/CPF in Mollisols, without a more effective degradation of the insecticide. The opposite effect was observed in the system Mβ-CD/DZN mainly in the oxidative activity in all soils. The higher degradation of DZN and IMPH in natural Mollisols was related to the higher hydrolytic and oxidative activities. The stability of the inclusion complexes formed could play an important role for explaining the results obtained with the amendments.

Paper-based electrochemical sensor for on-site detection of the sulphur mustard

Abstract

Herein, we report a novel paper-based electrochemical sensor for on-site detection of sulphur mustards. This sensor was conceived combining office paper-based electrochemical sensor with choline oxidase enzyme to deliver a sustainable sensing tool. The mustard agent detection relies on the evaluation of inhibition degree of choline oxidase, which is reversibly inhibited by sulphur mustards, by measuring the enzymatic by-product H₂O₂ in chronoamperometric mode. A nanocomposite constituted of Prussian Blue nanoparticles and Carbon Black was used as working electrode modifier to improve the electroanalytical performances. This bioassay was successfully applied for the measurement of a sulphur mustard, Yprite, obtaining a detection limit in the millimolar range (LOD = 0.9 mM). The developed sensor, combined with a portable and easy-to-use instrumentation, can be applied for a fast and cost-effective detection of sulphur mustards.

Letter to the editor: Evaluation of anatomical and round breast implant aesthetics and preferences in Dutch young lay and plastic surgeon cohort

We had the great pleasure of reading the interesting article entitled "Evaluation of anatomical and round breast implant aesthetics and preferences in Dutch young lay and plastic surgeon cohort" by van der Lei et al.1 We would like to congratulate the authors on their thorough work investigating the aesthetic results and preferences of anatomical and round breast implant.

Abnormal brain white matter in patients with right trigeminal neuralgia: a diffusion tensor imaging study

Idiopathic or classical trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a chronic painful condition characterized by intermittent pain attacks. Enough evidence demonstrates classical TN is related to neurovascular compression (N...

Aggravation of mild axillary hidradenitis suppurativa by microwave ablation: results of a randomized intra-patient controlled trial

Mobility and natural attenuation of metals and arsenic in acidic waters of the drainage system of Timok River from Bor copper mines (Serbia) to Danube River

Abstract

Bor, Krivelj, and Bela Rivers belong to the watershed of Timok River, which is a tributary of transboundary Danube River. These rivers receive metal-rich acidic wastewater from metallurgical facilities and acid mine drainage (AMD) from mine wastes around Bor copper mines. The aim of this study was to determine the mobility and natural attenuation of metals and arsenic in rivers from Bor copper mines to Danube River during the year 2015. The results showed that metallurgical facilities had the largest impact on Bor River by discharging about 400 t of Cu per year through highly acidic wastewater (pH = 2.6). The highest measured concentrations of Cu in river water and sediments were 40 mg L⁻¹ and 1.6%, respectively. Dissolution of calcite from limestone bedrock and a high concentration of bicarbonate ions in natural river water (about 250 mg L⁻¹) enhanced the neutralization of acidic river water and subsequent chemical precipitation of metals and arsenic. Decreases in the concentrations of Al, Fe, Cu, As, and Pb in river water were mainly due to precipitation on the river bed. On the other hand, dilution played an important role in the decreases in concentrations of Mn, Ni, Zn, and Cd. Chemically precipitated materials and flotation tailings containing Fe-rich minerals (fayalite, magnetite, and pyrite) were transported toward Danube River during the periods of high discharge. This study showed that processes of natural attenuation in catchments with limestone bedrock play an important role in reducing concentrations of metals and arsenic in AMD-bearing river water.

Reconsidering the Inverse Gambler’s Fallacy Charge Against the Fine-Tuning Argument for the Multiverse

Abstract

Does the claimed fine-tuning of the constants of nature for life give reason to think that there are many other universes in which the constants have different values (a "multiverse")? Or does the inference from fine-tuning to a multiverse commit what Hacking calls the inverse gambler's fallacy? The present paper considers two fine-tuning problems that seem promising to consider because they are in many respects analogous to the problem of the fine-tuned constants. Reasoning that parallels the inference from fine-tuning to a multiverse seems prima facie adequate in these problems. However, it turns out that in both cases there are independent empirical reasons to believe the hypotheses that are analogous to the multiverse hypothesis. In the absence of such evidence, it would be coherent to raise the inverse gambler's fallacy charge against the inference from fine-tuning to these multiverse-type hypotheses. In response to this finding, I suggest taking the possibility seriously that established standards of rationality may not allow us to decide whether the inference from fine-tuning to a multiverse is fallacious or not. The paper concludes by sceptically assessing the prospects for obtaining independent empirical evidence for concrete multiverse theories.

Eccema de contacto por extracto de pimienta negra como tratamiento de vitíligo

Publication date: Available online 22 June 2018
Source:Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas
Author(s): E. García-Zamora, E. Gómez de la Fuente, R. Miñano-Medrano, M. Gutiérrez-Pascual, J.L. López-Estebaranz

Goals and Motivations of Families Pursuing Oral Immunotherapy for Food Allergy

Publication date: Available online 21 June 2018
Source:The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice
Author(s): Joan H. Dunlop, Corinne A. Keet

Development and validation of personalised prediction to estimate future risk of severe exacerbations and uncontrolled asthma in patients with asthma, using clinical parameters and early treatment response

Publication date: Available online 21 June 2018
Source:The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice
Author(s): Suzanne Boer, Jacob K. Sont, Rik JB. Loijmans, Jiska B. Snoeck-Stroband, Gerben ter Riet, Tjard RJ. Schermer, Willem JJ. Assendelft, Persijn J. Honkoop
BackgroundCurrent level of asthma control can be easily assessed by validated instruments, but it's currently difficult to assess individuals' level of future risk.ObjectiveDevelop, and validate, a risk prediction score for level of future risk, including patient characteristics and information on early treatment response.MethodsWe used data of 304 adult asthmatics from a 12-month primary care RCT with three-monthly assessments. With logistic regression we modelled the association between level of future risk and patient characteristics including early treatment response. Future risk was defined as ACQ ≥ 1.5 at 12 months or the experience of at least one exacerbation during the final six months. We developed a risk prediction score based on the regression coefficients.ResultsPerformance of the risk prediction score improved taking into account data on early treatment response (AUROC 0.84) compared to a model containing only baseline characteristics (AUROC = 0.78). The score includes six easy to obtain predictors; sex, ACQ-score and exacerbations in the previous year at baseline and at 1st follow-up ACQ, smoking status and exacerbations in the previous three months (indicating early treatment response). External validation yielded an AUROC of 0.77. The risk prediction score classified patients into three risk groups, low (absolute risk 11.7%),  intermediate (47.0%) and high level of risk (72.7%).ConclusionWe developed and externally validated a risk prediction score, quantifying both level of current asthma control and the guideline-defined future risk. Patients' individual risk can now be estimated in an easy way, as proposed but not specified, by asthma management guidelines.

Differential expression of alarmins: Interleukin-33 as a candidate marker for early diagnosis of TEN

Publication date: Available online 21 June 2018
Source:The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice
Author(s): Akimasa Adachi, Mayumi Komine, Hidetoshi Tsuda, Saeko Nakajima, Kenji Kabashima, Mamitaro Ohtsuki

Hereditary Angioedema, Clinical Presentation and Socio-Economic Cost of 200 French Patients

Publication date: Available online 22 June 2018
Source:The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice
Author(s): Nicolas Javaud, Laurence Bouillet, Hasina Rabetrano, Alexandre Bitoun, David Launay, Frederic Lapostolle, Paul-Georges Reuter, Ludovic Martin, Eric Vicaut, Olivier Fain, Frederic Adnet, Isabelle Durand-zaleski, Bernard Floccard, Anne Gompel, Alain Sobel, Isabelle Boccon-Gibod, Brigitte Coppere, Gisele Kanny

Biogenic synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles using Agrewia optiva and Prunus persica phyto species: Characterization, antibacterial and antioxidant activity

Publication date: Available online 21 June 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology
Author(s): Azar Ullah Mirza, Abdul Kareem, Shahab A.A. Nami, Mohd Shoeb Khan, Sumbul Rehman, Shahnawaz Ahmad Bhat, Abdulrahman Mohammad, Nahid Nishat
A phytoextract mediated synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles using Agrewia optiva (Dhaman or Biul) and Prunus persica (Peach) leaf extract as capping and stabilizing agent without using hazardous toxic chemicals via biogenic route has been studied. The biogenic method of synthesis is convenient, rapid, cost effective and ecofriendly. The green synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering measurements. The antibacterial study was determined by agar well diffusion method to measure the efficiency of both phyto species extract and its mediated iron oxide nanoparticles against five gram positive bacterial stains such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), Streptococcus pyrogenes (S. pyrogenes), Corynebacterium diphtheriae (C. diphtheriae) and Corynebacterium xerosis (C. xerosis) and three gram negative bacterial stains such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), Klebsiella pneuomoniae (K. pneuomoniae) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). The antibiotic Ciprofloxacin and Gentamicin have been used as reference standard drugs for gram positive and gram negative bacterial stains, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the phyto extracts was also done using by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical assay employing l-ascorbic acid as a standard.

Graphical abstract

Rubus idaeus L. (red raspberry) blocks UVB-induced MMP production and promotes type I procollagen synthesis via inhibition of MAPK/AP-1, NF-κβ and stimulation of TGF-β/Smad, Nrf2 in normal human dermal fibroblasts

Publication date: Available online 22 June 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology
Author(s): Wei Gao, Yushuai Wang, Eunson Hwang, Pei Lin, Jahyun Bae, Seul A. Seo, Zhengfei Yan, Tae-Hoo Yi
Chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes photo-oxidation, which in turn results in the upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and loss of collagen. Rubus idaeus L. (RI), also called red raspberry, is an important cash crop that contains abundant antioxidant compounds. Sanguiin H-6 and lambertianin C are the major ingredients presented in the extracts. Here, we studied the protective effect of RI on UVB-induced photoaging in normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs). We found that RI notably reduced UVB-induced MMPs secretion and pro-inflammatory mediators production, and significantly suppressed UVB-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor-κβ, as well as activator protein 1. Additionally, treatment of NHDFs with the ERK inhibitor (PD98059) and JNK inhibitor (SP600125) resulted in the reduction of UVB-induced MMP-1 and IL-6 expressions, which demonstrated that the inhibition of MMP-1 and IL-6 by RI is associated with the MAPK pathway. Furthermore, we also found that RI accelerated procollagen type I synthesis by activating the transforming growth factor-β/Smad pathway and enhanced the expression of cytoprotective antioxidants such as heme oxygenase-1 and NHD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 by promoting nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 nuclear transfer. Overall, these findings demonstrated that RI was potentially effective in preventing UVB induced skin photoaging.

Graphical abstract

Photosensitization of Chinese hamster V79 cells to photoactivated alpha-terthienyl involving membrane damage and oxidative stress

Publication date: Available online 21 June 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology
Author(s): Shaorong Luan, Solange Muhayimana, Jiuyong Xu, Xianfei Zhang, Ciying Xiao, Qingchun Huang
Photosensitization of V79 Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts was tested to investigate if the cells can fit the photoactive effect of alpha-terthienyl for safety application. Using 15-min photoirradiation of a black light (320–400 nm, 40 W), alpha-terthienyl was significantly photoactivated and caused V79 cells to be shrinkage, detachment and necrosis. The photoactivated alpha-terthienyl played a concentration-dependent stress to decrease cell survival and to induce cell death with median inhibitory concentration (IC50) as 4.78 μg/ml. Cell viability in MTT assays also fell down to 10.58% of the control in the treatment of 10.0 μg/ml photoactivated alpha-terthienyl. As the irradiation time prolonged and the concentration of photoactivated alpha-terthienyl increased, cell death increased significantly, the intracellular level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the content of extracellular malondialdehyde were gradually increased. The changes of peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in V79 cells were positively responsive to the oxidative stress caused by photoactivated alpha-terthienyl. Moreover, using non-photosensitizing condition, the increased cell death and oxidative stress in the treatment of alpha-terthienyl at >7.0 μg/ml were also observed. The results showed the maladjustment response of V79 cells with membrane damage and cell death, clearly demonstrating the photosensitization of animal cells to the photoactivated cytotoxic effect of alpha-terthienyl.

Zn-doped SiO2 nanoparticles preparation and characterization under the effect of various solvents: Antibacterial, antifungal and photocatlytic performance evaluation

Publication date: August 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 185
Author(s): Muhammad Arshad, Abdul Qayyum, Ghulam Abbas Shar, Gul Afshan Soomro, Arif Nazir, Bushra Munir, Munawar Iqbal
The biological profiling (antibacterial and antifungal) and photocatalytic activity (PCA) was evaluated of newly synthesized Zinc-doped SiO2 nanoparticles (Zn-d-SiO2 NPs) under the effect of different solvents (n-hexane, acetonitrile, isoamyl alchol). Antibacterial potential against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli, and antifungal activities against Candida parapsilosis and Aspergilus niger were investigated by the Disc diffusion method. The advanced techniques including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermo-gravimeteric Analysis (TGA), Atomic forced microscopy (AFM) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) were used for the characterization of Zn-d-SiO2 NPs. FT-IR characterization confirmed the presence of metal bond SiO2, while XRD showed the hexagonal structure with 7.93 nm average particle size of Zn-d-SiO2 NPs. SEM and TEM analysis revealed the variation in morphology of NPs prepared in different solvents. The Zn-d-SiO2 NPs prepared in the presence of acetonitrile showed highest antibacterial activities (6% and 4.5%) followed by isoamyl alchol (3% and 2.4%) and n-hexane (2%and 1%) against B. subtilis and E. coli, respectively. The antifungal activities were recorded in following order; n-hexane (0.34% and 0.43%) < isoamyl alchol (0.27% and 0.19%) < acetonitrle (0.21% and 0.17%) against C. parapsilosis and A. niger, respectively. The PCA of Zn-d-SiO2 NPs was evaluated by degrading Crystal Violet (CV) dye under solar light irradiation and up to 85.5% dye degradation was achived for 120 min irradiation. Results revealed that the solvents have a significant effect on physicochemical properties and Zinc-doped SiO2 NPs showed promising PCA and antimicrobial activities.

Graphical abstract

Photocatalytic decomposition effect of erbium doped cerium oxide nanostructures driven by visible light irradiation: Investigation of cytotoxicity, antibacterial growth inhibition using catalyst

Publication date: Available online 21 June 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology
Author(s): C. Maria Magdalane, K. Kaviyarasu, A. Raja, M.V. Arularasu, Genene T. Mola, Abdulgalim B. Isaev, Naif Abdullah Al-Dhabi, Mariadhas Valan Arasu, B. Jeyaraj, J. Kennedy, M. Maaza
Cerium (IV) oxide (CeO2) is the most accessible noble rare earth metal oxide for the excitation of the excitons by light-harvesting performance. The present work is focused on Erbium doped ceria nanoparticles that were beneficially obtained by hydrothermal method from cerium nitrate and Erbium nitrate as precursors for decomposition of Rhodamine-B (RhB) dye in the polluted waste water removed from the industries. Dye removal efficiency of the catalyst was found to be nearly ~94%. The structural phases, functional groups and the transitions are identified with the help of various techniques. XRD pattern determines the development of cubic phase with the particle size is 20 nm. Highly crystalline nature of as-synthesized nanomaterials with an average diameter of 35 nm was investigated by HRSEM. The crystalline size, shape and textural morphology, of the Erbium doped ceria nanostructures were analysed by HRTEM. Our results suggest, that the concentration of OH– ion determines the lattice constants and oxygen vacancy in the nanostructures which stimulate the probability of photocatalytic decomposition effect of organic pollutants, due to synergistic approach. In this context, both unhydrolyzed things and their swiftly drip from deceased or scratched cells with conceded membranes, even when the cells embrace some are outstanding attention. Although, the loss of viable cells also depends on epithelial cell dynamically conceal of numerous molar matrix.

Graphical abstract

Corrigendum to ‘Immunomodulatory effect of new quinolone derivative against cisplatin/gamma radiation-induced renal and brain toxicity in mice’ [J. Photochem. Photobiol. B Biol., 184 (2018) 54–60]

Publication date: August 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 185
Author(s): Asmaa I. Nabeel, Fatma S.M. Moawed, Heba Hassan

Metabolic scaling of stress hormones in vertebrates

Abstract

Glucocorticoids are stress hormones that can strongly influence physiology, behavior and an organism's ability to cope with environmental change. Despite their importance, and the wealth of studies that have sought to understand how and why glucocorticoid (GC) concentrations vary within species, we do not have a clear understanding of how circulating glucocorticoid levels vary within and across the major vertebrate clades. New research has proposed that much interspecific variation in GC concentrations can be explained by variation in metabolism and body mass. Specifically, GC concentrations should vary proportionally with mass-specific metabolic rates and, given known scaling relationships between body mass and metabolic rate, GC concentrations should scale to the -1/4 power of body mass and to the power of 1 with mass-specific metabolic rate. Here, we use HormoneBase, the newly compiled database that includes data plasma GC concentrations from free-living and unmanipulated vertebrates, to evaluate this hypothesis. Specifically, we explored the relationships between body mass or mass-specific metabolic rate and either baseline or stress-induced GC (cortisol or corticosterone) concentrations in tetrapods. Our phylogenetically-informed models suggest that, whereas the relationship between GC concentrations and body mass across tetrapods and among mammals is close to -1/4 power, this relationship does not exist in amphibians, reptiles and birds. Moreover, with the exception of a positive association between stress-induced GC concentrations and mass-specific metabolic rate in birds, we found little evidence that GC concentrations are linked to metabolic rate, although the number of species sampled was quite limited for amphibians and somewhat so for reptiles and mammals. Nevertheless, these results stand in contrast to the generally accepted association between the two and suggests that our observed positive association between body mass and GC concentrations may not be due to the well-established link between mass and metabolism. Large-scale comparative approaches can come with drawbacks, such as pooling and pairing observations from separate sources. However, these broad analyses provide an important counterbalance to the vast majority of studies examining variation in GC concentrations at the population or species level, and can be a powerful approach to testing both long-standing and new questions in biology.

Blank Canvas: The Case for Descriptive Taxonomy

Synopsis

Describing species is fundamental to understanding the biosphere and the origins of biodiversity. Without descriptions, we miss many of the most improbable, interesting and informative aspects of species, higher taxa and evolutionary history. Further, descriptive taxonomy opens a treasure trove of nature-inspired solutions for creating a sustainable future.

The Comparative Biology of Mitochondrial Function and the Rate of Aging

Abstract

The mitochondrial hypothesis of aging evolved from the rate-of-living theory. That theory posited that the rate of aging was largely determined by the rate of energy expenditure. The mechanistic link between energy expenditure and aging was hypothesized to be oxidative stress. As both energy expenditure and reactive oxygen species (ROS) centered on the mitochondria that organelle became a central focus of aging research. Until about the turn of the 21^st century available evidence largely supported the efficiency of mitochondrial function as a key contributor to aging. However as methods for investigating mitochondrial oxidant production and tissue level oxidative damage improved, evidentiary support for the theory weakened. Recently, direct disruption of mitochondrial function has been shown not to shorten life or health as expected, but in many cases in multiple laboratory species disrupted mitochondrial function has lengthened life, sometimes without apparent tradeoffs. Does this mean that mitochondrial function plays no role in aging as had been posited for many years? One key consideration is that experiments under laboratory conditions can be misleading about physiological processes that occur in the uncertain conditions of nature. Before we discard the mitochondrial hypothesis of aging, more field experiments targeted at that hypothesis need to be performed. Fortunately, emerging technology is making such experiment more possible than ever before.

Sun protection behavior and knowledge of patients attending laser clinic to prevent adverse events of laser: A cross‐sectional, single‐center, tertiary care study

Photodermatology, Photoimmunology &Photomedicine, EarlyView.

Spontaneous hair regrowth in eight patients with severe alopecia areata

Australasian Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.

The trapezius perforator flap: Versatility for locoregional reconstruction

Publication date: Available online 22 June 2018
Source:Annales de Chirurgie Plastique Esthétique
Author(s): P. Frobert, F. Bekara, N. Bertheuil, E. Delay, C. Herlin, B. Chaput
Only a few surgical choices are available for cervical and thoracic spine coverage. The trapezius perforator flap is relatively unknown and only a few authors have published on this subject. In this article, we report on four clinical cases where a trapezius perforator flap was used either as a propeller flap, as a tunnelized island flap, or as a supercharged flap for cervical spine, thoracic spine and anterior cervical defects. Harvesting this flap is quite simple and enables high quality reconstruction with low donor-site morbidity in complex situations.

High‐risk human papillomavirus in a child with digital pigmented Bowen's disease: Case report and dermoscopic findings

Pediatric Dermatology, EarlyView.

Proportionate growth of congenital nevi: Blow a balloon to explain

Pediatric Dermatology, EarlyView.