Recurrent fevers, progressive lipodystrophy and annular plaques in a child

Response to the Letter to the Editor entitled, “Use of immortal time within survival analysis”: JAAD-D-18-01157

Antibiotic exposure is associated with cutaneous adverse events in hairy cell leukemia patients treated with purine analogs

An autologous protein gel for soft tissue augmentation: in vitro characterization and clinical evaluation

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, EarlyView.

Antinociceptive action of Achillea biebersteinii methanolic flower extract is mediated by interaction with cholinergic receptor in mouse pain models

Abstract

Achillea biebersteinii is a perennial aromatic herb that grows in the Mediterranean area. The leaves of this plant are used in foods as bittering and appetizing agents. In folk medicine, it is used for the treatment of stomachache and abdominal pain. In this study, the analgesic effect of A. biebersteinii methanolic flower extract was tested in three pain models, namely: writhing, tail-flick and paw-licking (formalin) tests. A. biebersteinii extract inhibited abdominal cramps produced by acetic acid. The effect of A. biebersteinii was better than that of 70 mg/kg indomethacin. In tail flick, A. biebersteinii extract increased latency at 30 min and was as effective as 100 mg/kg diclofenac sodium. In formalin test, A. biebersteinii extracts decreased paw-licking and flinching response in early and late phases. Atropine blocked the action of A. biebersteinii extract (300 mg/kg) in the late phase of formalin test as well as in writhing and tail-flick tests. GC–MS analysis revealed that ascaridole and iso-ascaridole were the main constituents of A. biebersteinii flower extract. In conclusion, this study shows for the first time that the antinociceptive effect of A. biebersteinii is mediated by the cholinergic receptor.

Tragedy and the constancy of norms: towards an Anscombian conception of ‘ought’

Abstract

This paper presents an Anscombian alternative to the traditional deontic conception of ought. According to the Anscombian conception of ought developed here, ought is general as opposed to 'peculiarly moral', norm-referring instead of law- or obligation-referring, and 'heroic' in the sense that it does not presuppose that individuals can do or be as they ought. Its connection to matters of fact can, moreover, be clearly stated. In the first part of the paper, I describe some significant logical characteristics of this conception, and argue that it provides a more suitable account of the oughts of ethics as compared to the deontic conception. One particular strength of the Anscombian conception of ought is that it does justice to the possibility of tragedy in human life, where tragedy is understood as the possibility that a thoroughly well-intentioned individual might sometimes ensure her own moral imperfection, precisely by doing what is morally right or best at every step along the way. To motivate this feature of the view, I sketch a corresponding picture of responsibility for actions in terms of ownership of one's deeds. This conception of responsibility allows that what one ought to do is not always constrained by what one can do, while saving the intuitions about fairness and the practical scope of moral norms that principally motivate 'ought implies can'. To illustrate and motivate the overall account I discuss a number of cases, including the character Winston from George Orwell's 1984.

Effects of coal blending in electrostatic precipitation efficiency—Inner Mongolia, China

Abstract

Based on this study, the Al₂O₃ content of Jungar coal ash is over 45%, and the resistivity of high-Al₂O₃ ash in Jungar reaches up to 10¹² Ω​·cm. These results seriously influenced the electric characteristics of fly ash, and the collection efficiency of electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) evidently decreased. To facilitate the effective collection of fine particle in the flue gas generated before and after coal blending via ESP, the fly ash obtained from a power plant electrostatic precipitation was analyzed in terms of resistivity, size distribution, and cohesive force through a portable dust electrical resistivity test instrument, Bahco centrifuge, and a cohesive force test apparatus invented by the researchers. The mixed ratio of else coal is higher than 50%, the resistivity of the fly ash in the flue gas was lowered to approximately two orders of magnitude, and the size distribution showed an evident decrease in the PM2.5 and PM10 content in fly ash. In addition, the adhesive force and efficiency increase from 95.9 to 99.5% in the electrostatic precipitation. Therefore, the combustion of blending coal is an effective approach to improve the efficiency of ESP used to collect high-Al₂O₃ fly ash.

Improved waste-sourced biocomposite for simultaneous removal of crude oil and heavy metals from synthetic and real oilfield-produced water

Abstract

Oil- and gas-produced water (PW) which contains various pollutants is an enormous threat to the environment. In this study, a novel low-cost bio-adsorbent was prepared from shrimp shell and acid-activated montmorillonite. The results of FT-IR spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, and SEM-EDX technique indicated that the chitosan-activated montmorillonite (CTS-A-MMT) was prepared successfully. The synthesized CTS-A-MMT was applied to remove simultaneously five cationic and anionic metal species and crude oil from synthetic and real oilfield PW. The adsorption data indicated that crude oil and all studied metals (except As) were adsorbed to CTS-A-MMT in a monolayer model (best fitted by Langmuir model), while As adsorption fits well with Freundlich model. Kinetic models' evaluation demonstrated that the adsorption kinetics of metals on CTS-A-MMT are initially controlled by the chemical reaction (film diffusion) followed by intra-particle diffusion. Application of the prepared CTS-A-MMT in real oilfield PW indicated removal efficiency of 65 to 93% for metals and 87% for crude oil in simultaneous removal experiments. Presence of additional ions in PW decreased the removal of studied metals and crude oil considerably; however, the concentration of the investigated pollutants in treated PW is less than the ocean discharge criteria. It is concluded that the prepared CTS-A-MMT composite is a low-cost and effective adsorbent for treating wastewater contaminated with crude oil and heavy metals (i.e., PW).

Physicochemical properties of acid- and pepsin-soluble collagens from the cartilage of Siberian sturgeon

Abstract

To look for the collagen alternatives of mammalian cartilages from aquatics and their by-products, acid-soluble collagen (ASC-SC) and pepsin-soluble collagen (PSC-SC) were extracted from cartilages of Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) with yields of 27.13 ± 1.15 and 14.69 ± 0.85% on dry weight basis. ASC-SC and PSC-SC had glycine as the major amino acid with the contents of 326.8 and 327.5 residues 1000 residues⁻¹, and their contents of proline and hydroxyproline were 205.9 and 208.0 residues 1000 residues⁻¹. ASC-SC and PSC-SC comprised type I collagen ([α1(I)]₂α2(I)) and type II collagen ([α1(II)]₃) on the literatures and results of amino acid composition, SDS-PAGE pattern, UV, and FTIR spectra. Meanwhile, FTIR spectra data indicated that there were more hydrogen bonds in ASC-SC and more intermolecular crosslinks in PSC-SC. The maximum transition temperature (T_max) of the ASC (28.3 °C) and PSC (30.5 °C) was lower than those of collagens from mammalian cartilages (> 37 °C). ASC-SC and PSC-SC showed high solubility in the acidic pH ranges and the solubility decreased in the presence of NaCl at concentrations above 3%. Zeta potential studies indicated that both ASC-SC and PSC-SC exhibited a net zero charge at pH 6.30 and 6.32. SEM results indicated that ASC-SC and PSC-SC presented irregular dense sheet-like film linked by random-coiled filaments. Therefore, collagens from Siberian sturgeon cartilages might be the suitable alternatives of the collagens of mammal cartilages as functional ingredient to treat some diseases.

Mycoplasma-Induced Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis with Severe Mucositis

Publication date: Available online 7 September 2018

Source: The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice

Author(s): Ze-Hu Liu, Hong Shen

Panniculite lipoatrophiante idiopathique de l’adulte traitée par hydroxychloroquine et autogreffe de cellules graisseuses

Publication date: Available online 7 September 2018

Source: Annales de Dermatologie et de Vénéréologie

Author(s): H. Cornille, L. Adelmand, R. Garmi, F. Comoz, L. Verneuil

Résumé

Introduction

La panniculite lipoatrophiante idiopathique est une pathologie rare. Plusieurs dénominations sont utilisées dans la littérature pour décrire des entités similaires : lipoatrophie annulaire des chevilles, panniculite lipophagique ou panniculite lipoatrophiante. Dans tous les cas, il s'agit d'un processus inflammatoire évoluant vers une atrophie du tissu graisseux.

Cas clinique Une femme de 37 ans avait des lésions hypodermiques annulaires, inflammatoires et douloureuses, symétriquement disposées sur les membres inférieurs, qui évoluaient vers des plages atrophiques avec un pourtour induré inflammatoire. La biopsie montrait une panniculite de type lobulaire avec un infiltrat inflammatoire à prédominance de lymphocytes et de macrophages. Le bilan étiologique permettait d'éliminer toutes les autres causes de panniculite lobulaire. La patiente était traitée efficacement par hydroxychloroquine 400 mg/j pendant 1 an, puis bénéficiait d'une autogreffe graisseuse sur les lésions atrophiques séquellaires.

Discussion

Une revue de la littérature depuis 2006 a trouvé 23 cas de panniculite lipoatrophiante idiopathique, dont 10 cas de lipoatrophie annulaire des chevilles. Les principaux traitements essayés étaient les corticoïdes, l'hydroxychloroquine et le méthotrexate, avec une bonne efficacité sur la phase inflammatoire.

Conclusion

La panniculite lipoatrophiante, pathologie rare, entraîne des séquelles atrophiques importantes. Un traitement précoce permet une limitation des séquelles ; la balance bénéfice-risque de l'hydroxychloroquine semble favorable à son utilisation en première intention. Notre cas souligne aussi l'intérêt du comblement de l'atrophie séquellaire par autogreffe de tissu graisseux à distance de la période inflammatoire.

Summary

Background

Idiopathic lipoatrophic panniculitis is a rare disease. Various terms are used in the literature to describe similar entities: annular lipoatrophy of the ankles, lipophagic panniculitis and lipoatrophic panniculitis. In any event, it consists of an inflammatory process progressing to necrosis of the fatty tissue.

Patients and methods

Herein we report the case of a 37-year-old woman presenting characteristic signs: erythematous, annular, symmetrical, painful, inflammatory lesions of the lower extremities, progressing to areas of atrophy with an indurated inflammatory periphery. Histopathology showed lobular panniculitis composed primarily of lymphocytes and macrophages. The etiological investigations ruled out all other causes of lobular panniculitis. The patient was successfully treated with hydroxychloroquine 400 mg/day for 1 year and she subsequently underwent fat grafting on the secondary lesions.

Discussion

Our literature review identified 23 reported cases of idiopathic lipoatrophic panniculitis since 2006, including 10 cases of annular ankle lipoatrophy. The most commonly used treatments are corticosteroids, hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate, with good efficacy being seen on the inflammatory phase. This disease seems a good indication for fat grafting to limit aesthetic sequelae.

Conclusion

Lipoatrophic panniculitis, a rare disease, results in significant aesthetic sequelae which may be limited by early treatment initiation. The benefit-risk ratio of hydroxychloroquine suggests its value as first-line therapy in this pathology. Our case also demonstrates the value of filling of the secondary atrophy by fat grafting after the inflammatory period has ended.

Morfea en coup de sabre sobre el área cutánea de un herpes zóster oftálmico cicatrizado

Publication date: Available online 7 September 2018

Source: Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas

Author(s): T. Arif, M. Adil, S. Suhail Amin, M. Alam

Editorial Board

Publication date: October 2018

Source: Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 187

Author(s):

A systematic review about costing methodology in robotic surgery: evidence for low quality in most of the studies

The main objective of this review was to evaluate the methodological design in studies reporting resource use and costs related to robotic surgery in gynecology.

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

Publication date: Available online 7 September 2018

Source: Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery

Author(s): P.P. Bletsis, L.R. Bouwer, M Cromheecke, B van der Lei

Influence of phosphate amendment and zinc foliar application on heavy metal accumulation in wheat and on soil extractability impacted by a lead smelter near Jiyuan, China

Abstract

Higher concentrations of Pb and Cd in wheat grains harvested in several lead-smelting-polluted areas in northern China have been reported. This field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of phosphate amendment and Zn foliar application on the accumulation of Pb and Cd in wheat grains grown in a lead-smelting impacted area in Jiyuan in northern China. The soil (total Pb and Cd are 261 and 2.65 mg kg⁻¹, respectively) was amended with superphosphate at P:Pb ratios (mol:mol) of 1.90 or 2.57 either during wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) planting or a split of 60% of the phosphate applied at planting, with remaining 40% applied at the jointing stage. Zn was sprayed on the canopy of the wheat plants at the jointing stage. The phosphate amendment resulted in lower DTPA (diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid)-extractable Pb (1.39–10.7% lower than the control) and Cd (0.040–7.12%) in the soil. No significant effect of split application of phosphate was found on Pb and Cd availability in soil; however, higher rates of P resulted in lower Pb and Cd availabilities in the soil. Grain Pb (5.41–21.5% lower than the control), Cd (3.62–6.76%), and Zn (4.29–9.02%) concentrations were negatively affected by the phosphate application, with higher rates of phosphate resulting in lower grain heavy metal concentrations. Foliar application had no statistically significant influence on Pb and Cd concentrations in the grain (p > 0.05). Although Pb and Cd concentrations in wheat grains were reduced by the phosphate application, their concentrations were still much higher than the maximum permissible concentrations for wheat in the national standards of China. The results suggest that it is feasible to reduce wheat grain concentrations of Pb and Cd in Pb-smelting-polluted areas in northern China by soil application of superphosphate; however, the split application of the phosphate and the foliar application of Zn compounds do not have substantial impact on reducing accumulation of Pb and Cd in the wheat grains.

Effects of waste lime and Chinese medicinal herbal residue amendments on physical, chemical, and microbial properties during green waste composting

Abstract

Traditional composting is time-consuming and often results in a low-quality product. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of waste lime (WL; at 0, 2.5, and 3.5%) and/or Chinese medicinal herbal residues (CMHRs; at 0, 10, and 20%) as amendments on the two-stage composting of green waste (GW). The combination of WL and CMHRs improved compost particle-size distribution and pH, decreased nitrogen loss, and increased cation exchange capacity (CEC), nutrient content, and microbial numbers. The combination of WL and CMHRs also accelerated organic matter humification and lignocellulose degradation and therefore increased the germination index of the final compost. Relative to the non-amended compost, the optimal amendment (2.5% WL and 20% CMHRs) increased the percentage of particles of ideal size from 23.8 to 66.9%, the pH from 6.69 to 7.17, the CEC from 52 to 169 cmol/kg, the humic acid to fulvic acid ratio from 1.32 to 2.49, the hemicellulose degradation rate from 42 to 87%, and the cellulose degradation rate from 20 to 61%. The treatment with addition of 2.5% WL and 20% CMHRs to GW required only 21 days to generate the highest quality compost product.

Advances of magnetic nanoparticles in environmental application: environmental remediation and (bio)sensors as case studies

Abstract

Nanotechnology is an emerging technique drawing increasing attentions in biomedical, electronic, environmental, and industrial application. Nanoparticles (NPs) possess unique optical, electrical, catalytic, and thermal properties, among which magnetic NPs (MNPs) are one of the most important groups with excellent superparamagnetism property, large surface area, and biocompatibility. In this review, methods for synthesizing and functionalizing MNPs are summarized and linked to their applications in environmental science as either adsorbents or catalysts for removing contaminants from environmental matrices, illustrating stronger reactivity, higher removal capacity, and fast kinetics. Additionally, we also comprehensively discuss the application of MNPs as (bio)sensors to selectively and sensitively detect the presence of environmental contaminants or pathogenic bacteria. This work summarizes the recent progresses of using MNPs as powerful tools in environmental science and engineering, raising their state-of-art application from environmental perspectives and benefiting researchers interested in NPs and environmental studies.

Selenate tolerance and selenium hyperaccumulation in the monocot giant reed ( Arundo donax ), a biomass crop plant with phytoremediation potential

Abstract

The response of giant reed (Arundo donax L.) to selenium (Se), added as selenate, was studied. The development, stress response, uptake, translocation, and accumulation of Se were documented in three giant reed ecotypes STM (Hungary), BL (USA), and ESP (Spain), representing different climatic zones. Plantlets regenerated from sterile tissue cultures were grown under greenhouse conditions in sand supplemented with 0, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg Se kg⁻¹ added as sodium selenate. Total Se content was measured in different plant parts using hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectroscopy. All plants developed normally in the 0–5.0 mg Se kg⁻¹ concentration range regardless of ecotype, but no growth occurred at 10.0 mg Se kg⁻¹. There were no signs of chlorosis or necrosis, and the photosynthetic machinery was not affected as evidenced by no marked differences in the structure of thylakoid membranes. There was no change in the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (F_v/F_m ratio) in the three ecotypes under Se stress, except for a significant negative effect in the ESP ecotype in the 5.0 mg Se kg⁻¹ treatment. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity increased as the Se concentration increased in the growth medium. GPx activity was higher in the shoot system than the root system in all Se treatments. All ecotypes showed great capacity of take up, translocate and accumulate selenium in their stem and leaf. Relative Se accumulation is best described as leaf ˃˃ stem ˃ root. The ESP ecotype accumulated 1783 μg g⁻¹ in leaf, followed by BL with 1769 μg g⁻¹, and STM with 1606 μg g⁻¹ in the 5.0 mg Se kg⁻¹ treatment. All ecotypes showed high values of translocation and bioaccumulation factors, particularly the ESP ecotype (10.1 and 689, respectively, at the highest tolerated Se supplementation level). Based on these findings, Arundo donax has been identified as the first monocot hyperaccumulator of selenium, because Se concentration in the leaves of all three ecotypes, and also in the stem of the ESP ecotype, is higher than 0.1% (dry weight basis) under the conditions tested. Tolerance up to 5.0 mg Se kg⁻¹ and the Se hyperaccumulation capacity make giant reed a promising tool for Se phytoremediation.

A rare case of intravascular schwannoma

Journal of Cutaneous Pathology, Volume 45, Issue 10, Page 731-733, October 2018.

Issue Information

Journal of Cutaneous Pathology, Volume 45, Issue 10, October 2018.

Minocycline decreases Th2 chemokines from M2 macrophages: possible mechanisms for the suppression of bullous pemphigoid by traditional bullous disease drugs

Experimental Dermatology, Volume 0, Issue ja, -Not available-.

The association between ST18 gene polymorphism and severe Pemphigus disease among Iranian population

Experimental Dermatology, Volume 0, Issue ja, -Not available-.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Photobiological Studies of Ru(II) Dyads Derived from α‐Oligothiophene Derivatives of 1,10‐Phenanthroline

Photochemistry and Photobiology, Volume 0, Issue ja, -Not available-.

How Fast Can Thiols Bind to the Gold‐nanoparticle Surface?

Photochemistry and Photobiology, Volume 0, Issue ja, -Not available-.

A Pilot Observational Study of Environmental Summertime Health Risk Behaviour in Central Brisbane, Queensland: Opportunities to Raise Sun Protection Awareness in Australia's Sunshine State

Photochemistry and Photobiology, Volume 0, Issue ja, -Not available-.

Cross‐ European validation of the ItchyQoL in pruritic dermatoses

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, Volume 0, Issue ja, -Not available-.

Aggressive primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorder in an organ transplant recipient in sustained complete remission with brentuximab vedotin

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.

Sun Protection: A Risk Management Approach. B. Diffey, IOP Publishing Ltd, Institute of Physics Publishing, Bristol, UK (2017). ISBN 978‐0‐7503‐1377‐3 (ebook); ISBN 978‐0‐7503‐1378‐0 (print).

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, Volume 40, Issue 4, Page 317-318, August 2018.

Issue Information

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, Volume 40, Issue 4, Page i-iv, August 2018.

Visualization of zinc pyrithione particles deposited on the scalp from a shampoo by tape strip sampling and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy measurement

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, Volume 0, Issue ja, -Not available-.

Evaluating age‐related changes of some facial signs among men of four different ethnic groups

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, Volume 0, Issue ja, -Not available-.

Pyoderma gangrenosum triggered by switching from adalimumab to secukinumab

The Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.

Acral pseudolymphomatous angiokeratoma of children (APACHE): Dermoscopic features and successful treatment with CO2 laser

Dermatologic Therapy, EarlyView.

Performance of a kerb side inlet to irrigate street trees and to improve road runoff water quality: a comparison of four media types

Abstract

The TREENET inlet is an emerging water-sensitive urban design technology that consists of a novel kerb side inlet coupled with a leaky well infiltration system. The inlets have been retrofitted to existing roads since 2006; however, there is currently little information available on the effectiveness of these inlet and leaky well systems. This study investigated the performance of the kerb side inlets and leaky well system for water quality improvement prior to infiltration to native soil. The leaky wells included four filter media types, namely gravel, water treatment solids, sandy loam and clay. To compare the performance of the four filter media types, batch and column studies were performed in the laboratory. The best performance was observed using the sandy loam as a filter media, followed by clay, water treatment solids and then gravel. The selection of effective media for removal of heavy metals is important as each media type has different pollutant removal capacity, infiltration and clogging performance.

Cost‐savings of adalimumab in hidradenitis suppurativa: A retrospective analysis of a real‐world cohort

British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 0, Issue ja, -Not available-.

Photodynamic inactivation of bacteria to decolonize Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from human skin

British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 0, Issue ja, -Not available-.