Australasian Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.
Τρίτη 19 Ιουνίου 2018
Recurrent orogenital erythema multiforme and vulval neutrophilic dermatosis
Lichenoid drug eruption in a child with Turner syndrome: A rare adverse reaction of recombinant human growth hormone
Australasian Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.
Eczematous reactions mimicking psoriasiform dermatitis induced by nivolumab for advanced lung cancer
Australasian Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.
Dermal duct tumour with ductal and sebaceous differentiation
Australasian Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.
Botulinum toxin type A for the first‐line treatment of Hailey–Hailey disease
Australasian Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.
Frontal fibrosing alopecia: Regrowth following cessation of sunscreen on the forehead
Australasian Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.
Measurement of healthcare quality in atopic dermatitis – development and application of a set of quality indicators
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.
High volume of polysorbate‐containing (Tween® 80) solutions induces false‐positive results in intradermal test
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.
The PERIOPTER syndrome (periorificial and ptychotropic erythrokeratoderma): a new Mendelian disorder of cornification
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.
Reply to the commentary on ‘Oral melanoma and other pigmentations: when to biopsy?’
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.
A rare case with prominent features of both discoid lupus erythematosus and pemphigus foliaceus
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.
Response to newer therapeutic modalities for actinomycetoma by Nocardia species
International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.
Newer therapeutic modalities for Actinomycetoma by Nocardia species
International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.
Recurrent pyoderma gangrenosum developed after a cesarean section with a 10‐year interval
International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.
An alternative in the treatment of notalgia paresthetica: neural therapy
International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.
Evaluation of intralesional injection of bleomycin in the treatment of plantar warts: clinical and dermoscopic evaluation
International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.
Varicella in a patient with drug‐induced hypersensitivity syndrome developed after autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation
International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.
Pseudoxanthoma elasticum‐like papillary dermal elastolysis: a case report and review of literature
International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.
Postpartum polymorphic eruption of pregnancy: an unusual presentation
International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.
Safety and efficacy of topical cantharidin for the treatment of pediatric molluscum contagiosum: a prospective, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled pilot trial
International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.
Identification of a novel substitution mutation (R103C) in the rod domain of the keratin 17 gene associated with pachyonychia congenita type 2
International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.
A cross‐sectional study of sweat‐induced dermatitis during a South Indian summer: a glimpse of sweat gland‐mediated cutaneous inflammation
International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.
Comparative study between: Carboxytherapy, platelet‐rich plasma, and tripolar radiofrequency, their efficacy and tolerability in striae distensae
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, EarlyView.
Comparison of tissue loss by different punches: A new A‐design
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, EarlyView.
Intense pulsed light and laser treatment regimen improves scar evolution after cleft lip repair surgery
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, EarlyView.
Dual functional bioactive‐peptide, AIMP1‐derived peptide (AdP), for anti‐aging
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, EarlyView.
Platelet rich plasma for the management of hair loss: Better alone or in combination?
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, EarlyView.
Five novel RECQL4 mutations in four Chinese patients with Rothmund-Thomson syndrome and analysis of RECQL4 mRNA expression level in one typical patient
Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS; OMIM # 268400), also known as poikiloderma congenitale, is a rare autosomal recessive genodermatosis characterized by poikiloderma (skin atrophy, telangiectasia, hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation) associated with photosensitivity, short stature resulting from growth delay, sparse scalp hair, sparse or absent eyelashes and/or eyebrows, juvenile cataracts, skeletal abnormalities, premature aging and a predisposition to neoplasia (osteosarcoma and spinocellular carcinoma) [1,2].
Cosmetic and structural outcomes of two different techniques of medial epicanthoplasty according to epicanthal fold classification and severity: a cohort study
This study aimed to compare the cosmetic and structural outcomes of two techniques for medial epicanthoplasty of the epicanthal fold, which varied in classification and severity.
Auricular Reconstruction of Congenital Microtia Using Modified Nagata Method: Personal 10-Year Experience with 1350 Cases
Total auricular reconstruction is currently one of the most challenging plastic procedures. Herein, we present our 10-year experience with 1350 cases of ear reconstruction using Nagata method with necessary improvement.
Assessment of MRI Safety Issues for Stainless Steel Sutures used for Microtia Reconstruction
Potential magnetic resonance imaging issues for stainless steel sutures used for microtia reconstruction could be clinically significant from safety and diagnostic yield considerations. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to assess magnetic resonance issues (magnetic field interactions, heating, and artifacts) for different types of stainless steel sutures used for microtia reconstruction.
Risk of basal cell carcinoma in a randomized clinical trial of aspirin and folic acid for the prevention of colorectal adenomas
British Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.
Two cases of generalized pustular psoriasis complicated by IgG4‐related disease
British Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.
Dual efficacy of dupilumab in a patient with concomitant atopic dermatitis and alopecia areata
British Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.
The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale is a screening measure of general distress
British Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.
Angiosarcoma of the scalp responding to nivolumab: a case report
British Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.
British Society for Investigative Dermatology Annual Meeting 2018 26–28 March 2018 Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry
British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 178, Issue 6, Page e397-e435, June 2018.
A new deletion mutation sheds light on laminin‐332 biology
British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 178, Issue 6, Page 1245-1245, June 2018.
Psoriasis has a huge impact on teenagers
British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 178, Issue 6, Page 1243-1243, June 2018.
The walking dead: sequential nuclear and organelle destruction during hair development
British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 178, Issue 6, Page e440-e440, June 2018.
青少年银屑病患者的健康相关生活质量:一项基于访谈的研究
British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 178, Issue 6, Page e459-e459, June 2018.
Developing a protocol to identify and prioritize research questions for psoriasis: a James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership
British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 178, Issue 6, Page e439-e439, June 2018.
Calcinosis cutis: a rock and a hard place
British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 178, Issue 6, Page 1243-1245, June 2018.
成人依恋取向和心理调适应对策略对皮肤病患者生活的 影响
British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 178, Issue 6, Page e461-e461, June 2018.
Neural control of sweat secretion: a review of the neurology and current treatment options for hyperhidrosis
British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 178, Issue 6, Page 1233-1234, June 2018.
Building the evidence base for current systemic treatments for severe, chronic atopic dermatitis: methotrexate vs. azathioprine
British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 178, Issue 6, Page 1236-1237, June 2018.
Image Gallery: Concomitant eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis and granuloma faciale
British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 178, Issue 6, Page e395-e395, June 2018.
Langerhans cells in psoriasis: getting to the core of the disease
British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 178, Issue 6, Page 1240-1240, June 2018.
Admitting a Sense of Superiority: Aggrandized Higher Education Status as an Objection to Educational Inequality
Abstract
Recalling the landmark US Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education (1954), the advancement of educational equality is often associated with the reduction of stigmatizing differences in status or "sense of inferiority" engendered by separately and differentially educated citizens. This essay takes up the obverse concern, the sense of superiority sustained by educational inequality, with particular focus on the inequality signaled by higher education status (HES). I contend that the presence of aggrandized HES in a democratic society provides reasons to object to educational inequality for which institutions of higher education ought to be held responsible. Aggrandized HES not only demands a questionable deference from citizens in a democratic society; it also weakens HES's signaling of epistemic authority and equality of educational opportunity, which harms the public's motivation to learn by distorting beliefs about education. To address this problem, I argue that the best policy solution for curbing aggrandized uses of HES is to transform the positional aspect of higher education using an admissions policy originally suggested by Elizabeth Anderson, which I term the elite culture strategy. Beyond admissions policies, this essay addresses the larger concern of educating citizens to perceive and assess educational status according to democratic norms and not solely in terms of self-interested gain.
Organic micropollutants paracetamol and ibuprofen—toxicity, biodegradation, and genetic background of their utilization by bacteria
Abstract
Currently, analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are classified as one of the most emerging group of xenobiotics and have been detected in various natural matrices. Among them, monocyclic paracetamol and ibuprofen, widely used to treat mild and moderate pain are the most popular. Since long-term adverse effects of these xenobiotics and their biological and pharmacokinetic activity especially at environmentally relevant concentrations are better understood, degradation of such contaminants has become a major concern. Moreover, to date, conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are not fully adapted to remove that kind of micropollutants. Bioremediation processes, which utilize bacterial strains with increased degradation abilities, seem to be a promising alternative to the chemical methods used so far. Nevertheless, despite the wide prevalence of paracetamol and ibuprofen in the environment, toxicity and mechanism of their microbial degradation as well as genetic background of these processes remain not fully characterized. In this review, we described the current state of knowledge about toxicity and biodegradation mechanisms of paracetamol and ibuprofen and provided bioinformatics analysis concerning the genetic bases of these xenobiotics decomposition.
An Infant with Suppurative Adenitis, Nonhealing Wound, and Perianal Sinus
Publication date: Available online 19 June 2018
Source:The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice
Author(s): Pandiarajan Vignesh, Amit Rawat, Anju Gupta
Shaping Escherichia coli for recombinant membrane protein production
Abstract
The bacterium Escherichia coli has been widely used for the production of both pro- and eukaryotic membrane proteins. Usually, a set of standard strains as well as different culture setups and induction regimes are screened for to enhance production yields. However, on a limited scale, E. coli strains have been isolated for recombinant helical bundle membrane protein production using both selection- and engineering-based approaches. Here, we discuss how such approaches have been used so far to shape E. coli for the production of these recombinant membrane proteins and may be used in the future to further enhance production yields.SCO5351 is a pleiotropic factor that impacts secondary metabolism and morphological development in Streptomyces coelicolor
Abstract
The genome of Streptomyces coelicolor encodes hundreds of putative regulatory proteins, most of which are of unknown function, including SCO5351. In this study, we determined that deletion of sco5351 largely abrogates production of actinorhodin (ACT) and reduces production of the calcium-dependent antibiotic (CDA). Comprehensive transcriptional analyses indicated that transcription of genes of the ACT pathway, including the pathway-specific regulator actII-orf4 and those involved in building of the chemical compound, was markedly lower in Δsco5351 at the late growth phase. However, transcription of genes in the CDA cluster was notably reduced in Δsco5351 only at the early growth phase, suggesting that SCO5351 has a regulatory role throughout growth. Similar to the observations with Δsco5351, ACT production was blocked by mutagenesis of three conserved amino acids potentially involved in dimerization of SCO5351, indicating that protein dimerization is critical for the function of SCO5351. In addition, disruption of sco5351 delayed the formation of aerial mycelium and spores under the conditions tested, and consistent with this, transcription of developmental genes associated with spore formation was reduced in Δsco5351, implying that SCO5351 is involved in developmental control. Our findings reveal SCO5351 as a pleiotropic regulator with roles in both secondary metabolism and morphological development in S. coelicolor.How persistent identifiers can save scientists time
Abstract
Research information is useful only if it can be shared – with other researchers, with research organizations (institutions, laboratories, funders, and others), and with the wider community. In our digital age, that means sharing information between data systems. Persistent identifiers (PIDs) provide unique keys for people, places, and things, which enable accurate mapping of information between these systems and supports the research process by facilitating search, discovery, recognition, and collaboration. This article reviews the main PIDs used in research – DOIs for publications, ORCID iDs for researchers, and a proposed new identifier for research organizations – as well as demonstrating how they are being used, and how, in combination, they can increase trust in research and the research infrastructure.Identification of novel genes to assign enhanced tolerance to osmotic stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Abstract
Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains tolerant to osmotic stress are important for ethanol production during very high gravity (VHG) fermentation. We aimed to identify novel genes that confer enhanced tolerance to osmotic stress in S. cerevisiae. Two strains tolerant to up to 30% (w/v) glucose were isolated by screening a transposon-mediated mutant library. Two genes were identified: TIS11 and SDS23. In addition, the ability of these genes to confer osmotic stress tolerance was demonstrated by disrupting and overexpressing the open reading frame of each gene. The two transposon mutants grew faster than the control strain in YPD rich medium containing 30% (w/v) glucose and showed activation of Hog1p in response to VHG glucose. The disruption of genes identified in this study, TIS11 and SDS23, provide a basis for improved tolerance to osmotic stress under VHG fermentation condition.Rapid and sensitive detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa using multiple cross displacement amplification and gold Nanoparticle-based lateral flow biosensor visualization
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes nosocomial infections of burn patients and other immunocompromised individuals, but the conventional diagnosis of P. aeruginosa infection depends on time-consuming culture-based methods. Hence, a simple, fast, sensitive technique for detection of P. aeruginosa using multiple cross displacement amplification (MCDA) and gold nanoparticle-based lateral flow biosensors (LFB) was developed. By using this technique, the reaction could be completed at an optimized constant temperature (67°C) within only 40 min. The reaction product could be detected visually using a LFB, eliminating the need for special equipment. The P. aeruginosa-MCDA-LFB method was highly specific, and accurately distinguished P. aeruginosa from other pathogens. Just 10 fg of genomic DNA template (from pure culture) could be detected. The assay could also detect P. aeruginosa in clinical sputum samples and showed the same sensitivity and specificity as the reference (culture-biochemical) method. In the future, this rapid, simple and accurate P. aeruginosa-MCDA-LFB technique might be applied in clinical practice.RuBisCO large-subunit gene primers for assessing the CO2-assimilating planktonic community structure in Jiaozhou Bay, China
Abstract
The protein coding genes (rbcL/cbbL/cbbM) for RuBisCO large subunit, the most abundant protein on earth that drives biological CO2 fixation, were considered as useful marker genes in characterizing CO2-assimilating plankton. However, their community specificity has hindered comprehensive screening of genetic diversity. In this study, six different rbcL/cbbL/cbbM primers were employed to screen clone libraries to identify CO2-assimilating plankton in Jiaozhou Bay. The following community compositions were observed: the community components in Form I A/B rbcL/cbbL clone library mainly comprised Chlorophyta and Proteobacteria, Form ID2 and ID3 libraries consisted of Bacillariophyta, Form II cbbM library consisted of Proteobacteria and Alveolata, and both Form I green and red libraries included Proteobacteria, respectively. At the genus taxonomic level, no overlaps among these clone libraries were observed, except for ID2 and ID3. Overall, the phytoplankton in Jiaozhou Bay mainly consists of Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, Cryptophyta, Haptophyceae, and Alveolata. The CO2-assimilating prokaryotes mainly consist of Proteobacteria. Considering the high sequence specificities of these marker genes, we propose that the joint use of multiple primers may be utilized in unveiling the diversity of CO2-assimilating organisms. In addition, designing novel RuBisCO gene primers that generate longer amplicons and have broader phylogenetic coverage may be necessary in the future.Molecular cloning, expression and biochemical characterization of periplasmic nitrate reductase from Campylobacter jejuni
Abstract
Campylobacter jejuni, a human gastrointestinal pathogen, uses nitrate for growth under microaerophilic conditions using periplasmic nitrate reductase (Nap). The catalytic subunit, NapA, contains two prosthetic groups, an iron sulfur cluster and a molybdenum cofactor. Here we describe the cloning, expression, purification, Michaelis-Menten kinetics (kcat of 5.91 ± 0.18 s−1 and a KM (nitrate) of 3.40 ± 0.44 μM) in solution using methyl viologen as an electron donor. The data suggest that the high affinity of NapA for nitrate could support growth of C. jejuni on nitrate in the gastrointestinal tract. Site-directed mutagenesis was used and the codon for the molybdenum coordinating residue, cysteine has been exchanged for serine. The resulting variant NapA is four fold less active than the native enzyme confirming the importance of this residue. The properties of the C. jejuni enzyme reported here represents the first isolation and characterization of an Epsilonproteobacterial NapA. Therefore, the fundamental knowledge of Nap has been expanded.Improvement of activated carbon characteristics by sonication and its application for pharmaceutical contaminant adsorption
Abstract
Sonicated activated carbon (SAC) was developed and used to remove ibuprofen and ketoprofen from aqueous media by adsorption. A standard activated carbon sample (AC) was used as comparison. Both adsorbents were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), N2 adsorption isotherms (Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET)), helium gas pycnometry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In the adsorption study, kinetics, equilibrium, and thermodynamics were evaluated. SAC presented better characteristics than AC. Pseudo-second-order model was adequate to predict the kinetic curves. The isotherm data obeyed the Sips model. Thermodynamic results revealed a spontaneous and endothermic process, where physisorption was involved. The maximum adsorption capacities of SAC were 134.5 and 89.2 mg g−1 for ibuprofen and ketoprofen, respectively. For AC, the maximum adsorption capacities were 115.1 and 79.1 mg g−1 for ibuprofen and ketoprofen, respectively. The sonication technique presented great potential to improve the AC characteristics, generating a promising material (SAC) for ibuprofen and ketoprofen adsorption.
Public health risk management case concerning the city of Isfahan according to a hypothetical release of HF from a chemical plant
Abstract
Accidents have happened in the chemical industries all over the world with serious consequences for the adjacent heavily populated areas. In this study, the impact of the probable hypothetical event, releasing considerable amounts of hydrogen fluoride (HF) as a strong irritant into the atmosphere over the city of Isfahan from a strategic chemical plant, was simulated by computational fluid dynamics (CFD). In this model, the meteorological parameters were integrated into time and space, and dispersion of the pollutants was estimated based on a probable accidental release of HF. According to the hypothetical results of the simulation model in this study, HF clouds reached Isfahan in 20 min and exposed 80% of the general public to HF concentration in the range of 0–34 ppm. Then, they dissipated 240 min after the time of the incident. Supposing the uniform population density within the proximity of the city of Isfahan with the population of 1.75 million, 5% of the population (87,500 people) could be exposed for a few minutes to a HF concentration as high as 34 ppm. This concentration is higher than a very hazardous concentration described as the Immediate Danger to Life and Health (30 ppm). This hypothetical risk evaluation of environmental exposure to HF with the potential of health risks was very instrumental for the general public of Isfahan in terms of risk management. Similar studies based on probable accidental scenarios along with the application of a simulation model for computation of dispersed pollutants are recommended for risk evaluation and management of cities in the developing countries with a fast pace of urbanization around the industrial sites.
ESMO Consensus Conference on malignant lymphoma: management of ‘ultra-high-risk’ patients
Abstract
The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) consensus conference on malignant lymphoma was held on 20 June 2015 in Lugano, Switzerland, and included a multidisciplinary panel of 25 leading experts. The aim of the conference was to develop recommendations on critical subjects difficult to consider in detail in the ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines. The following areas were identified: (1) the elderly patient, (2) prognostic factors suitable for clinical use and (3) the 'ultra-high-risk' group. Before the conference, the expert panel was divided into three working groups; each group focused on one of these areas in order to address clinically relevant questions relating to that topic. All relevant scientific literature, as identified by the experts, was reviewed in advance. During the consensus conference, each working group developed recommendations to address each of the questions devised by their group. These recommendations were then presented to the entire multidisciplinary panel and a consensus was reached. This manuscript presents recommendations regarding the management of the following 'ultra-high-risk' situations: (1) early central nervous system relapse of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, (2) primary refractory Hodgkin lymphoma and (3) plasmablastic lymphoma. Results, including a summary of evidence supporting each recommendation, are detailed in this manuscript. All expert panel members approved this final article.Democratizing Health Research Through Data Cooperatives
Abstract
Massive amounts of data are collected and stored on a routine basis in virtually all domains of human activities. Such data are potentially useful to biomedicine. Yet, access to data for research purposes is hindered by the fact that different kinds of individual-patient data reside in disparate, unlinked silos. We propose that data cooperatives can promote much needed data aggregation and consequently accelerate research and its clinical translation. Data cooperatives enable direct control over personal data, as well as more democratic governance of data pools. This model can realize a specific kind of data economy whereby citizens and communities are empowered to steer data use according to their motivations, preferences, and concerns. Policy makers can promote this model by recognizing citizens' rights to access and to obtain a copy of their own data, and by funding distributed data infrastructures piloting new data aggregation models.
Newly developed magnifying endoscopic classification of the Japan Esophageal Society to identify superficial Barrett’s esophagus-related neoplasms
Abstract
Aim and methods
The Japan Esophageal Society created a working committee group consisting of 11 expert endoscopists and 2 pathologists with expertise in Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma. The group developed a consensus-based classification for the diagnosis of superficial BE-related neoplasms using magnifying endoscopy.
Results
The classification has three characteristics: simplified, an easily understood classification by incorporating the diagnostic criteria for the early gastric cancer, including the white zone and demarcation line, and the presence of a modified flat pattern corresponding to non-dysplastic histology by adding novel diagnostic criteria. Magnifying endoscopic findings are composed of mucosal and vascular patterns, and are initially classified as "visible" or "invisible." Morphologic features were evaluated for "visible" patterns, and were subsequently rated as "regular" or "irregular," and the histology, non-dysplastic or dysplastic, was predicted.
Conclusion
We introduce the process and outline of the magnifying endoscopic classification.
Technique de prélèvement du lambeau fessier pour la reconstruction mammaire
Source:Annales de Chirurgie Plastique Esthétique
Author(s): V. Duquennoy-Martinot, C. Depoortère, C. Calibre, P. Guerreschi, P. Patenotre
Le lambeau fessier inférieur est une technique de reconstruction mammaire autologue microchirurgicale utilisant les parties molles de la région du sillon sous-fessier. Le prolongement périnéal permet d'augmenter le volume prélevé. Le pédicule comportant un artère et deux grosses veine remonte dans l'échancrure ischiatique et peut atteindre 8 à 12cm. Le changement de position en peropératoire, la relative brièveté du pédicule et la fermeté des tissus transférés sont contrebalancés par la discrétion des séquelles du site donneur et le volume toujours suffisant même chez la femme mince. La meilleure indication de cette technique est la reconstruction mammaire bilatérale mais il est aussi une solution en cas de contre-indication des autres lambeaux autologues, notamment le DIEP.The lower gluteal flap is an autologous microsurgical breast reconstruction procedure using the soft tissue of the region of the gluteal sulcus. The perineal extension increases the volume of the sample. The pedicle with one artery and two large veins extends up the ischial notch and can reach 8 to 12cm. The two operative positions, the relative shortness of the pedicle and the firm tissues transferred are balanced by the discretion of the sequelae of the donor site and the volume which is always enough even in the slim woman. The best indication of this technique is two-sided breast reconstruction but it also provides a solution in case of contraindication of other autologous flaps, especially DIEP.
Physiological Strain in French Vineyard Workers Wearing Protective Equipment to Conduct Re-Entry Tasks in Humid Conditions
Abstract
The proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) plays an important role in reducing exposure to pesticides in vineyard farming activities, including re-entry tasks. However, discomfort from clothing systems may increase the physiological burden on workers. We compared the physiological burdens of vineyard workers wearing three different types of PPE during canopy management in field humid conditions while accounting for occupational, climatic, and geographical environments. The study was conducted in the Bordeaux vineyards of southern France during June 2012. A total of 42 workers from seven vineyards consented to field observations. The following PPE garments were randomly allocated: HF Estufa polyamide (Brisa®), Tyvek® Classic Plus, and Tychem® C Standard. Participant sociodemographic characteristics were collected using a structured questionnaire. Skin temperature and heart rate were monitored continuously using portable devices. Multivariate multilevel linear regression models were performed to account for the hierarchical structure of data. No significant difference was found for mean skin temperature during work. Regardless of the cardiac strain parameter considered, the Tyvek® Classic Plus garment produced the poorest results (P ≤ 0.03). Under the very humid conditions encountered during the field study, the thinness and breathability of the Tyvek® Classic Plus garment resulted in undergarment humidity, imposing additional physiological burden on vineyard workers. These results confirm that the idea of using generic coveralls in any farming activity is unsuitable. Compromises should be created between physiological costs and protection, depending on the agricultural task performed, the crop grown, and the environmental conditions encountered.Δευτέρα 18 Ιουνίου 2018
Recovery of ilmenite mud as an additive in commercial Portland cements
Abstract
This work is focused on the manufacture of commercial cement using as additive ilmenite mud, a waste generated during TiO2 pigment production. The cements were produced by adding different proportions of mud (2.5, 5 and 10 wt%) to ordinary Portland cement (OPC). The ilmenite mud and the ilmenite mud cements (IMCs) were characterised physico-chemically by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Moreover, the technological properties of the IMCs were evaluated and compared with a reference material (OPC). Since waste from the TiO2 industry is classified as a NORM (naturally occurring radioactive material), the concentrations of radionuclides were measured by high-resolution low-background gamma and alpha spectrometry techniques. Finally, the TCLP leaching test (Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure, USEPA), the radiological index ("I") and the Ra equivalent concentration were also calculated to evaluate the environmental risks. As a final conclusion, it can be pointed out that the addition of ilmenite mud to OPC plays a beneficial role since it reduces the heat of hydration, the final setting time, the expansion and the linear retraction compared to standard OPC. The compression strength improves with the addition of up to 5 wt% mud. Moreover, the environmental impact of IMC2.5 and IMC5 can be considered negligible.
Novel capsaicin-induced parameters of microcirculation in migraine patients revealed by imaging photoplethysmography
The non-invasive biomarkers of migraine can help to develop the personalized medication of this disorder. In testing of the antimigraine drugs the capsaicin-induced skin redness with activated TRPV1 receptors ...
Effects of sildenafil and calcitonin gene-related peptide on brainstem glutamate levels: a pharmacological proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study at 3.0 T
Studies involving human pharmacological migraine models have predominantly focused on the vasoactive effects of headache-inducing drugs, including sildenafil and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). However...
An investigation of the effects of capping on internal phosphorus release from sediments under rooted macrophytes ( Phragmites australis ) revegetation
Abstract
In eutrophic lake restorations, in situ capping is an often considered method to control sediment internal phosphorus (P) pollution for mitigating eutrophication status. Subsequent aquatic macrophyte revegetation can directly derive P from the sediment for growth. However, the effects of capping with clean soils on internal P release from sediments under rooted aquatic macrophyte revegetation are still unclear. In the present study, the influences of sediment P remobilization by P. australis revegetation on P inactivation by capping were investigated based on an entire growth simulation study. Our findings showed during the growth of P. australis, tests conducted on total phosphorous (TP), calcium-bound P (Ca-P), loosely bound P (loose-P), organic P (Org-P), and iron-adsorbed P (Fe-P) found significant changes (p < 0.001). Specifically, the mean contents of TP and Ca-P decreased by 291.1 and 224.2 mg kg−1, respectively, while those of Fe-P increased from 26.4 to 124.8 mg kg−1. In addition, sediment mobile-P contents increased coincidentally with the growth of P. australis during the whole course of experiment. Further analysis indicated calculated diffusion fluxes of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) generally increased with incubation time, although capping effectively induced the reduction of SRP concentration in pore water and its release to waters. Therefore, sediment P remobilization by P. australis revegetation was able to enhance P lability in lake sediments, with intermediate activation ability compared to other correlated water bodies. This phenomenon was most likely attributed to solubilization of sediment P by organic acids secreted from P. australis rhizosphere. Overall, sediment P remobilization by rooted macrophytes is unfavorable for capping to control internal P release to water column during eutrophic lake restorations.
CADM1 is a diagnostic marker in early-stage mycosis fungoides: Multicenter study of 58 cases
Cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1) has been reported as a diagnostic marker for Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). Our study suggests that CADM1 is expressed not only in ATLL but also in mycosis fungoides (MF). CADM1 can be useful for differentiating MF from inflammatory skin disorders.
Prevalence of psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational and clinical studies
Wide-ranging estimates have been reported for the occurrence of psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis. We found an overall pooled prevalence of 19.7% for psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis and 24.6% in patients with moderate-to-severe disease.Screening psoriasis patients for psoriatic arthritis may be warranted, especially for those with moderate-to-severe disease..
A New Method for Mild Blepharoptosis Correction using Orbital Septum
Blepharoptosis greatly affects the eyelid appearance. Moderate to severe ptosis is easily distinguished. However, mild ptosis is often overlooked or easily missed. The normal upper eyelid is located in the middle horizontal line between the upper edge of the pupil and the upper edge of the cornea while the patient looks straight ahead; that is, the upper eyelid covers 1.5 to 2.0 mm of the cornea. Mild blepharoptosis is diagnosed when the upper eyelid covers the cornea over the normal level to the upper edge of the pupil; the upper eyelid falls about 1 to 2 mm.
Anatomical Variability of the Infra-mammary Fold and its Dynamics in Relation to Lejour Mammoplasty
The IMF is a defining element in the shape and structure of the female breast. 1 The anatomy and tissue components of the IMF have been a matter of controversy among plastic surgeons and anatomists. Some have attributed formation of the fold to a distinct ligament, 2,3 while others described a superficial fascial system. 4,5 Despite this controversy; most of the plastic surgeons settled on a thought that the preservation of the integrity of the IMF is an important goal in enhancing the aesthetic result in all breast surgeries.
Arsenic contamination, subsequent water toxicity, and associated public health risks in the lower Indus plain, Sindh province, Pakistan
Abstract
Arsenic (As) contamination in drinking water is a global public health risk. The present study highlighted the geological and anthropogenic causes of As contamination in groundwater (GW) and surface water (SW) and assessment of their potential health risks in Sindh province of Pakistan. Upon analyzing 720 GW and SW samples from 18 different sites, the estimates of As in groundwater and surface water was observed in the range of 0 to 125 and 0 to 35 μg/L with mean values of 46.8 and 15.43 μg/L respectively. Majority of the samples exceeded WHO permissible limit of As (10 μg/L) with higher concentration detected in groundwater samples compared to surface water. Moreover, both of these sample sources were found not potable based on physicochemical characteristics. The results of statistical analysis (correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and hierarchy cluster analysis (HCA)) indicate that natural mobilization of As in groundwater is believed to be enhanced by the pH-based reductive dissolution of iron hydroxide (FeOH) and competitive sorption of bicarbonate minerals in the presence of microorganisms along with evaporative enrichment while water logging, coal mining, and excessive use of pesticides are believed to be the anthropogenic causes of As enrichment. Furthermore, enormous health risk was associated with As in terms of chronic daily intake (CRI), hazard quotient (HQ), and cancer risk probability (CR) in GW and SW. Mean HQ values in GW were 4.47 mg/kg/day in adults and 3.89 mg/kg/day in children (standard HQ ≤ 1) and was 1.43 and 1.28 mg/kg/day in SW. Mean CR value in both GW and SW was found higher than the safe limit (10−6) having a mean of 2 × 10−3 in GW and 7 × 10−4 (mg/kg/day) in SW. These findings suggest that majority of the sampling sites carry serious public health risk due to high As values and hence demands exigent remedial and management measures.
Different menopausal hormone regimens and risk of breast cancer
ABSTRACT
Background
There are considerable knowledge gaps concerning different estrogen and progestin formulations, regimens, and modes of administration of menopausal hormone therapy and the risk of breast cancer. Our objective was to assess the different treatment options for menopausal hormone therapy and the risk of breast cancer. Patients and methods
This Swedish prospective nationwide cohort study included all women who received ≥1 hormone therapy prescription during the study period 2005–2012 (290,186 ever–users), group–level matched (1:3) to 870,165 never–users; respectively 6,376 (2.2%) and 18,754 (2.2%) developed breast cancer. Hormone therapy, ascertained from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register, was subdivided by estrogen and progestogen formulation types, regimens (continuous vs. sequential) and modes of administration (oral vs. transdermal). The risk of invasive breast cancer was presented as adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results
Current use of estrogen-only therapy was associated with a slight excess breast cancer risk (odds ratio=1.08 (1.02–1.14)). The risk for current estrogen plus progestogen therapy was higher (odds ratio=1.77 (1.69–1.85)) and increased with higher age at initiation (odds ratio=3.59 (3.30–3.91) in women 70+ years). In contrast, past use was associated with reduced breast cancer risk. Current continuous estrogen/progestin use was associated with higher risk (odds ratio=2.18 (1.99–2.40) for progesterone-derived; odds ratio=2.66 (2.49–2.84) for testosterone-derived) than sequential use (odds ratio=1.37 (0.97–1.92)) for progesterone-derived; odds ratio=1.12 (0.96–1.30) for testosterone-derived). The odds ratio for current use was 1.12 (1.04–1.20) for estradiol, 0.76 (0.69–0.84) for estriol, 4.47 (2.67–7.48) for conjugated estrogens, and 1.68 (1.51–1.87) for tibolone. Oral and cutaneous hormone therapy showed similar associations. Conclusion
Different hormone therapy regimens have profoundly different effects on breast cancer risk. Because of registry limitations some confounders could not be assessed. This knowledge may guide clinical decision-making when hormone therapy is considered.Breast cancer brain metastases show increased levels of genomic aberration based homologous recombination deficiency scores relative to their corresponding primary tumors
Abstract
Background
Based on its mechanism of action, PARP inhibitor therapy is expected to benefit mainly tumor cases with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD). Therefore, identification of tumor types with increased HRD is important for the optimal use of this class of therapeutic agents. HRD levels can be estimated using various mutational signatures from next generation sequencing data and we used this approach to determine whether breast cancer brain metastases show altered levels of HRD scores relative to their corresponding primary tumor. Patients and methods
We used a previously published next generation sequencing dataset of twenty-one matched primary breast cancer/brain metastasis pairs to derive the various mutational signatures/HRD scores strongly associated with HRD. We also performed the myChoice HRD analysis on an independent cohort of seventeen breast cancer patients with matched primary/brain metastasis pairs. Results
All of the mutational signatures indicative of HRD showed a significant increase in the brain metastases relative to their matched primary tumor in the previously published whole exome sequencing dataset. In the independent validation cohort the myChoice HRD assay showed an increased level in 87.5% of the brain metastases relative to the primary tumor, with 56% of brain metastases being HRD positive according to the myChoice criteria. Conclusions
The consistent observation that brain metastases of breast cancer tend to have higher HRD measures may raise the possibility that brain metastases may be more sensitive to PARP inhibitor treatment. This observation warrants further investigation to assess whether this increase is common to other metastatic sites as well, and whether clinical trials should adjust their strategy in the application of HRD measures for the prioritization of patients for PARP inhibitor therapy.Sensory Hair Cells: An Introduction to Structure and Physiology
Synopsis
Sensory hair cells are specialized secondary sensory cells that mediate our senses of hearing, balance, linear acceleration, and angular acceleration (head rotation). In addition, hair cells in fish and amphibians mediate sensitivity to water movement through the lateral line system, and closely related electroreceptive cells mediate sensitivity to low-voltage electric fields in the aquatic environment of many fish species and several species of amphibian.Sensory hair cells share many structural and functional features across all vertebrate groups, while at the same time they are specialized for employment in a wide variety of sensory tasks. The complexity of hair cell structure is large, and the diversity of hair cell applications in sensory systems exceeds that seen for most, if not all, sensory cell types. The intent of this review is to summarize the more significant structural features and some of the more interesting and important physiological mechanisms that have been elucidated thus far. Outside vertebrates, hair cells are only known to exist in the coronal organ of tunicates. Electrical resonance, electromotility, and their exquisite mechanical sensitivity all contribute to the attractiveness of hair cells as a research subject.Fins as mechanosensors for movement and touch-related behaviors
Abstract
Mechanosensation is a universal feature of animals that is essential for behavior, allowing detection of animals' own body movement and position as well as physical features of the environment. Fish fins provide a key vertebrate system for studying mechanosensation. The extraordinary morphological and behavioral diversity that exists across fish species provide rich opportunities for comparative mechanosensory studies in fins. The fins of fishes have been found to function as proprioceptors, by providing feedback on fin ray position and movement, and as tactile sensors, by encoding pressures applied to the fin surface. Across fish species, and among fins, the afferent response is remarkably consistent, suggesting that the ability of fin rays and membrane to sense deformation is a fundamental feature of fish fins. While fin mechanosensation has been known in select, often highly specialized, species for decades, only in the last decade have we explored mechanosensation in typical propulsive fins and considered its role in behavior, particularly locomotion. In this paper, we synthesize the current understanding of the anatomy and physiology of fin mechanosensation, looking toward key directions for research. We argue that a mechanosensory perspective informs studies of fin-based propulsion and other fin-driven behaviors and should be considered in the interpretation of fin morphology and behavior. In addition, we compare the mechanosensory system innervating the fins of fishes to the systems innervating the limbs of mammals and wings of insects in order to identify shared mechanosensory strategies and how different organisms have evolved to meet similar functional challenges. Finally, we discuss how understanding the biological organization and function of fin sensors can inform the design of control systems for engineered fins and fin-driven robotics.Specializations for fast signaling in the amniote vestibular inner ear
Synopsis
During rapid locomotion, the vestibular inner ear provides head-motion signals that stabilize posture, gaze, and heading. Afferent nerve fibers from central (striolar) and peripheral (extrastriolar) zones of vestibular sensory epithelia use temporal and rate encoding, respectively, to emphasize different aspects of head motion: central- and striolar-zone afferents adapt faster to sustained head position and favor higher stimulus frequencies, reflecting specializations at each stage from motion of the accessory structure to spike propagation to the brain. One specialization in amniotes is an unusual nonquantal synaptic mechanism by which type I hair cells transmit to large calyceal terminals of afferent neurons. Its reduced synaptic delay suggests that it may have evolved to serve reliable and fast input to reflex pathways that ensure stable locomotion on land.Inference of developmental gene regulatory networks beyond classical model systems: new approaches in the post-genomic era
Synopsis
The advent of high-throughput sequencing technologies has revolutionized the way we understand the transformation of genetic information into morphological traits. Elucidating the network of interactions between genes that govern cell differentiation through development is one of the core challenges in genome research. These networks are known as developmental gene regulatory networks (dGRNs) and consist largely of the functional linkage between developmental control genes, cis-regulatory modules and differentiation genes, which generate spatially and temporally refined patterns of gene expression. Over the last 20 years, great advances have been made in determining these gene interactions mainly in classical model systems, including human, mouse, sea urchin, fruit fly, and worm. This has brought about a radical transformation in the fields of developmental biology and evolutionary biology, allowing the generation of high-resolution gene regulatory maps to analyse cell differentiation during animal development. Such maps have enabled the identification of gene regulatory circuits and have led to the development of network inference methods that can recapitulate the differentiation of specific cell-types or developmental stages. In contrast, dGRN research in non-classical model systems has been limited to the identification of developmental control genes via the candidate gene approach and the characterization of their spatiotemporal expression patterns, as well as to the discovery of cis-regulatory modules via patterns of sequence conservation and/or predicted transcription-factor binding sites. However, thanks to the continuous advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies, this scenario is rapidly changing. Here, we give a historical overview on the architecture and elucidation of the dGRNs. Subsequently, we summarize the approaches available to unravel these regulatory networks, highlighting the vast range of possibilities of integrating multiple technical advances and theoretical approaches to expand our understanding on the global of gene regulation during animal development in non-classical model systems. Such new knowledge will not only lead to greater insights into the evolution of molecular mechanisms underlying cell identity and animal body plans, but also into the evolution of morphological key innovations in animals.Semantic self-knowledge and the vat argument
Abstract
Putnam's vat argument is intended to show that I am not a permanently envatted brain. The argument holds promise as a response to vat scepticism, which depends on the claim that I do not know that I am not a permanently envatted brain. However, there is a widespread idea that the vat argument cannot fulfil this promise, because to employ the argument as a response to vat scepticism I would have to make assumptions about the content of the premises and/or conclusion of the argument that beg the question against the sceptic. In this paper, I show that this idea is mistaken.
The Identity-Enactment Account of associative duties
Abstract
Associative duties are agent-centered duties to give defeasible moral priority to our special ties. Our strongest associative duties are to close friends and family. According to reductionists, our associative duties are just special duties—i.e., duties arising from what I have done to others, or what others have done to me. These include duties to (a) abide by promises and contracts, (b) compensate our benefactors in ways expressing gratitude, and (c) aid those whom we have made especially vulnerable to our conduct. I argue, though, that reductionism faces a problem: special duties are not strong enough to account for the strength of our associative duties. At the bar of associative duties, we are required to do what no special duty can warrant. I then present an alternative reductionist analysis of associative duties—the 'Identity-Enactment Account'—which not only accounts for the peculiar strength of our associative duties, but also characterizes them in an intuitively compelling way. On this account, our strongest associative duties are special duties to protect or promote the welfare of the duty's beneficiary by adopting and enacting a practical identity in which the duty's beneficiary features prominently. There are persons who can legitimately demand a prominent place in our mental lives, for the protection and intimacy it affords. They can, in effect, legitimately demand to be among our nearest and dearest. The correlative of such a demand is, on our part, an associative duty we have toward them.
Combining a Food Frequency Questionnaire With 24-Hour Recalls to Increase the Precision of Estimating Usual Dietary Intakes – Evidence From the Validation Studies Pooling Project
Abstract
Improving estimates of individuals' dietary intakes is key to obtaining more reliable evidence for diet-health relationships from nutritional cohort studies. One approach to improvement is combining information from different self-report instruments. Previous work evaluated the gains obtained from combining information from a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and multiple 24-hour recalls (24HRs), based on assuming that 24HRs provide unbiased measures of individual intakes. Here, we evaluate the same approach of combining instruments, but based on the better assumption that recovery biomarkers provide unbiased measures of individual intakes. Our analysis uses data from the five large validation studies included in the Validation Studies Pooling Project: the Observing Protein and Energy study (1999–2000), Automated Multiple Pass Method validation study (2002–4), Energetics study (2006–9), Nutrition Biomarker Study (2004–5) and Nutrition and Physical Activity Assessment Study (2007–9). The data include intakes of energy, protein, potassium, and sodium. Under a time-varying usual intake model analysis, combining a FFQ with 4 24HRs improved correlations with true intake for predicted intakes of protein density, potassium density and sodium density (range 0.39–0.61), over a single FFQ (range 0.35–0.51). Absolute increases in correlation ranged from 0.02 to 0.26, depending on nutrient and sex, with an average increase of 0.14. Based on unbiased recovery biomarker evaluation for these nutrients, we confirm that combining a FFQ with multiple 24HRs modestly improves the accuracy of estimates of individual intakes.Diet Quality Indices and Leukocyte Telomere Length among Healthy US Adults: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 1999-2002
Abstract
Aging is the biggest risk factor for the development of chronic diseases. Telomere length may represent one important mechanism by which dietary intake influences age-related diseases; however, it is unknown which diet pattern is most strongly related to telomere length. We compared the relations between four evidence-based diet quality indices and leukocyte telomere length in a nationally representative sample of healthy adults, and the extent to which these associations differ between men and women. Data came from 4,758 adults, aged 20-65 years, with no prior diagnosis of major chronic disease, from the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). Diet was assessed using one 24-hour dietary recall. After adjusting for sociodemographic and health characteristics, comparing the top and bottom quintiles showed that higher Healthy Eating Index-2010 (β=0.065, 95% CI 0.018, 0.112, P-trend=0.007), AHEI-2010 scores (β=0.054, 95% CI 0.010, 0.097, P-trend=0.007), Mediterranean Diet scores (β=0.058, 95% CI 0.017, 0.098, P-trend=0.008), and Dietary Approaches to Stopping Hypertension (DASH) scores (β=0.052, 95% CI 0.014, 0.090, P-trend=0.007) were each associated with longer telomere length in women. These results may provide insight into the complex associations between optimal nutrition and longevity. Further investigation is needed to understand why associations were not observed in men.Κυριακή 17 Ιουνίου 2018
Accounting for water levels and black carbon-inclusive sediment-water partitioning of organochlorines in Lesser Himalaya, Pakistan using two-carbon model
Abstract
This study was designed to monitor organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in riverine water of Lesser Himalaya along the altitude. Further, the sediment-water partitioning employing organic carbon and black carbon models were assessed. Results revealed higher water levels of organochlorine pesticides (0.07–41.4 ng L−1) and polychlorinated biphenyls (0.671–84.5 ng L−1) in Lesser Himalayan Region (LHR) of Pakistan. Spatially, elevated levels were observed in the altitudinal zone (737–975 masl) which is influenced by anthropogenic and industrial activities. Sediment-water partitioning of OCPs and PCBs were deduced using field data by employing one-carbon (fOCKOC) and two-carbon Freundlich models (fOCKOC + fBCKBCCWnF−1). Results suggested improved measured vs predicted model concentrations when black carbon was induced in the model and suggested adsorption to be the dominant mechanism in phase partitioning of organochlorines in LHR.
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