To understand the full extent of the impact of a trial, it is important to consider the long-term consequences of outcomes beyond the trial follow-up period, especially for early year's interventions. A system...
Πέμπτη 25 Ιανουαρίου 2018
The impact of pre and perinatal lifestyle factors on child long term health and social outcomes: a systematic review
Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of the hydroalcoholic fractions from the leaves of Annona crassiflora Mart. in mice
Abstract
Background
Annona crassiflora Mart., popularly known as "Araticum", is a native tree of the Brazilian Cerrado used in folk medicine for treatment of pain and inflammatory diseases. We proposed to analyze analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of the filtrate (F1) and the precipitate (F2) of the hydroalcoholic fraction from the leaves of Annona crassiflora Mart. in mice.
Materials and methods
Swiss mice were submitted to formalin-induced nociception test and tail-flick reflex test, to assess antinociceptive properties, and to the rota-rod test, for motor performance analyses. To evaluate anti-inflammatory properties, F1 and F2 were orally administered 1 h prior to the intrathoracic injection of carrageenan, zymosan, LPS, CXCL8, or vehicle in Balb/c mice and neutrophil infiltration was evaluated 4 h after injection.
Results
F1 and F2 reduced the licking time in the second phase of formalin-induced nociception test, but only F2 showed a dose-dependent response. Neither F1 nor F2 reduced the latency time in the tail-flick reflex test. In addition, motor performance alteration was not observed in F1- or F2-treated mice. F2 treatment significantly inhibited the neutrophilia induced by carrageenan, LPS, or CXCL8, but not zymosan.
Conclusions
The experimental data demonstrated that hydroalcoholic fractions of Annona crassiflora Mart. leaves have remarkable anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities.
Photocatalytic removal of SO 2 using natural zeolite modified by TiO 2 and polyoxypropylene surfactant
Abstract
Air pollution due to emission of various hazardous gases such as SO2 into the atmosphere and its control is an important environmental issue. Application of photocatalysts is considered as a suitable process to control the gaseous pollutants. In this study, the efficiency of clinoptilolite as a natural zeolite (Ze) modified by TiO2 (Ze-Ti) and a polymeric surfactant polyoxypropylene (Ze-Ti-POP) for removal of SO2 was investigated. The nanocomposites were characterized by SEM, EDX, and BET analyses. The photocatalytic oxidation experiments of SO2 by the nanocomposites and natural zeolite were done under UV irradiation with initial SO2 concentration of 500 ppm in a photoreactor. The effects of different factors including reaction time, catalyst dose, UV irradiation intensity, humidity content, and calcination temperature and dose of TiO2 were studied. The modification of clinoptilolite by TiO2 and POP increased considerably the BET specific surface area of the nanocomposites. The results showed that maximum removal efficiencies of SO2 by Ze-Ti and Ze-Ti-POP under the optimum experimental conditions were 82.1 and 87.4%, respectively. Adsorption kinetics data well fitted with the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model. Moreover, reusing of nanocomposites after three regeneration cycles indicated that application of Ze-Ti and Ze-Ti-POP nanocomposites could be a promising approach for SO2 removal.
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MiR-760 suppresses non-small cell lung cancer proliferation and metastasis by targeting ROS1
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to be critical regulators in many types of tumors. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of miR-760 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We demonstrated that the expression of miR-760 was downregulated in NSCLC tissues compared with the adjacent normal tissues. We also demonstrated that the expression of miR-760 was downregulated in the NSCLC cell lines. Overexpression of miR-760 suppressed the NSCLC cell proliferation, cell cycle, and migration. Moreover, we identified that ROS1 was a direct target of miR-760 in the NSCLC cell. Elevated expression of miR-760 suppressed ROS1 expression in the NSCLC cell. We also demonstrated that the expression of ROS1 was higher in the NSCLC tissues than in the adjacent lung tissues. MiR-760 expression level was reversely associated with the expression level of ROS1 in the NSCLC tissues. In summary, we showed that miR-760 suppressed the NSCLC cell proliferation, cell cycle, and migration through regulating the ROS1 expression. These data suggested that miR-760 may act as a tumor suppressor gene in the NSCLC partly through regulating ROS1 expression.
High efficacy of ( Z )- γ -bisabolene from the essential oil of Galinsoga parviflora (Asteraceae) as larvicide and oviposition deterrent against six mosquito vectors
Abstract
The eco-friendly management of mosquitoes with novel and effective larvicides and oviposition deterrents is a crucial challenge to prevent outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases. However, most of the herbal formulations tested in these years showed LC50 values higher of 40 ppm, and significant oviposition deterrent activity only when tested at relatively higher doses (> 50 μg/ml). Herein, we studied the chemical composition of the Galinsoga parviflora essential oil (EO). This plant is an annual herb native to South America naturalized all over the world. We tested the EO larvicidal and oviposition deterrent action on 6 mosquito species. Totally 37 compounds were identified in the EO of G. parviflora by GC and GC-MS analyses. The major constituent was (Z)-γ-bisabolene (38.9%). The G. parviflora EO and (Z)-γ-bisabolene showed acute toxicity on An. stephensi (LC50 = 31.04 and 2.04 μg/ml, respectively), Ae. aegypti (LC50 = 34.22 and 2.26 μg/ml, respectively), Cx. quinquefasciatus (LC50 = 37.10 and 2.47 μg/ml, respectively), An. subpictus (LC50 = 40.97 and 4.09 μg/ml, respectively), Ae. albopictus (LC50 = 45.55 and 4.50 μg/ml, respectively) and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus (LC50 = 49.56 and 4.87 μg/ml, respectively) larvae. Furthermore, the oviposition deterrent potential of the G. parviflora EO and (Z)-γ-bisabolene was studied on six mosquito vectors, showing that 25 μg/ml of (Z)-γ-bisabolene led to an Oviposition Activity Index lower of − 0.79 in all tested mosquito vectors. Overall, all larvicidal LC50 values estimated for (Z)-γ-bisabolene were lower than 5 μg/ml. This result far encompasses current evidences of toxicity reported for the large majority of botanical products currently tested against mosquito young instars, allowing us to propose this compound as an highly effective mosquito larvicide and oviposition deterrent.
Proposal for MSW contaminant classification applied to a tropical aquifer
Abstract
Groundwater is a natural resource exploited worldwide causing danger due to the lixiviation of waste deposited, which presents high potential degradation. Internationally, regulation aims for the maintenance of the quality of this resource. But the local lithology, mainly in countries with tropical weather, was not considered. This paper has an objective to propose two methodologies of contaminant identification of municipal solid waste (MSW) considering the Brazilian regulation, the local lithology and the temporal aspect. The study site is located in the midwest of São Paulo, at the Marília Formation, Bauru Aquifer, which presents sandstone rich in calcite. At first, the historic monitoring data accumulated between 2002 and 2015 were statistically organized. Then, methodologies of classification of major constituents and contamination method were developed. After these analyses, the compounds that possibly cause anomaly in the local environment are Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, phosphatic, nitrogenous, and sulfated compounds, Fe, K, Mn, Ni, and Pb. Some of these have lithogenic genesis typical of tropical environment, and others come from the disposed waste. Despite different approaches, both methods demonstrate efficiency in identifying the pollutants presenting distinctions among themselves in conjunction with actual local regulation and the lithogenic source of certain compounds.
Estimation of oxygen effective diffusion coefficient in a non-steady-state biofilm based on response time
Abstract
In wastewater treatment, oxygen effective diffusion coefficient (Deff ) is a key parameter in the study of oxygen diffusion-reaction process and mechanism in biofilms. Almost all the reported methods for estimating the Deff rely on other biokinetic parameters, such as substrate consumption rate and reaction rate constant. Then, the estimation was complex. In this study, a method independent of other biokinetic parameters was proposed for estimating the dissolved oxygen (DO) Deff in biofilms. It was based on the dynamic DO microdistribution in a non-steady-state inactive biofilm, which was measured by the oxygen transfer modeling device (OTMD) combining with an oxygen microelectrode system. A pure DO diffusion model was employed, and the expression of the DO Deff was obtained by applying the analytical solution of the model to a selected critical DO concentration. DO Deff in the biofilm from the bioreactor was calculated as (1.054 ± 0.041) × 10−9 m2/s, and it was in the same order of magnitude with the reported results. Therefore, the method proposed in this study was effective and feasible. Without measurement of any other biokinetic parameters, this method was convenient and will benefit the study of oxygen transport-reaction process in biofilms and other biofouling deposits.
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On how (not) to define modality in terms of essence
Abstract
In his influential article 'Essence and Modality', Fine proposes a definition of (conceptual, logical and metaphysical) necessity in terms of the primitive essentialist notion 'true in virtue of the nature of'. Fine's proposal is suggestive, but it admits of different interpretations, leaving it unsettled what the precise formulation of an Essentialist definition of necessity should be. In this paper, four different versions of the definition are discussed: a singular, a plural reading, and an existential variant of Fine's original suggestion and an alternative version proposed by Correia which is not based on Fine's primitive essentialist notion. The first main point of the paper is that the singular reading is untenable. The second that given plausible background assumptions, the remaining three definitions are extensionally equivalent. The third is that, this equivalence notwithstanding, Essentialists should adopt Correia's version of the definition, since both the existential variant, which has de facto been adopted as the standard version of the definition in the literature, and the plural reading suffer from problems connected to Fine's primitive essentialist notion.
Filaggrin gene mutations may influence the persistence of food allergies in Japanese primary school children
Abstract
Mutations in FLG are the underlying cause of ichthyosis vulgaris and are an important predisposing factor for atopic dermatitis (AD).1 In 2011, FLG mutations were reported to increase the risk of peanut allergy2, and they have been proven to increase the risk of other food sensitizations and allergies.3,4 In this study, we comprehensively screened 411 children in Japan for 10 Japanese-population-specific FLG mutations and suggested that FLG mutations influence the persistence of food allergies (FAs).
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Confocal microscopy in adult women with acne
Abstract
Background
Acne is an inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous follicle, affecting 41–54% of adult women, with a particular form that involves the mandible.
Methods
We characterized infundibulum morphology in two groups of adult women using reflectance confocal microscopy. First, we investigated acne visually "healthy zones" on the forehead in 15 adult women with diffuse acne and compared with acne-free controls. We then compared healthy forehead and affected mandibular zone in 15 acne patients with mandibular involvement. Exposed results had a P < 0.05.
Results
Seven hundred and ninety-one follicles were observed on apparently healthy skin of 15 adult women with acne, with a larger diameter, thicker (68%), and hyper keratinized (65%) follicle border, and more keratin plugs (44%) than in controls. In the second group of 15 adult women with mandibular acne, we compared 569 follicles in the mandibular zone and 475 on forehead. In the mandibular area, follicles were significantly larger, thicker (76%), more hyper keratinized (72%), with more keratin plugs (47%) and increased inflammation (23%) compared with the forehead area. In the mandibular area, 0.2% of follicles showed isolated inflammation without hyper keratinization, and 15.3% had both thickened borders with an onion-like appearance and keratin plugs associated with inflammation.
Conclusions
Hyper keratinization was higher in healthy skin of adult women with acne compared with controls, confirming that microcomedo is crucial in the development of acne lesions. We also demonstrate that the repartition of comedones and microcomedones is inhomogeneous with a great number in the mandibular area where acne lesions are located.
Prevalence and predictors of depressive symptoms among attendees of a tertiary care dermatology clinic in Muscat, Oman
Abstract
Background
Various studies have suggested that depression is more prevalent among patients with skin disorders than in the general population. Most of the studies addressing this subject involve Euro-American populations.
Objectives
The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms among patients with dermatological disorders and, then, to decipher the clinical–demographic factors associated with depressive symptoms.
Methods
A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among a random sample of patients attending a dermatology clinic in Muscat. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to screen for depressive symptoms. A logistic regression model was used to find the adjusted and unadjusted odds ratios (ORs).
Results
A total of 260 patients participated in this study, with a response rate of 81%. The prevalence of depression symptoms was 24%. According to regression analysis, family history of depression, comorbid medical disorders, and treatment with topicals or isotretinoin were significant predictors of depression (OR = 9.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.27–39.05, P = 0.002; OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.2–3.21, P = 0.05; OR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.09–4.76, P = 0.028; and OR = 2.78; 95% CI: 1.08–7.19, P = 0.035, respectively).
Conclusion
This study indicates that depressive symptoms are common among patients with dermatological disorders in Oman, particularly in those with a family history of depression and medical comorbidities, and those who use a specific dermatological medication. Screening for depression in patients attending dermatology clinics is essential in order to detect and promptly treat patients suffering from depression.
Long-term pediatric skin eruption-related hospitalizations in offspring conceived via fertility treatment
Abstract
Background
Although concerns have been raised regarding the long-term health risks of offspring conceived following fertility treatments, limited information is available regarding their health status beyond the neonatal period. We aimed to evaluate the risk of long-term eruptive dermatological morbidity among children born following fertility treatments as compared to those conceived spontaneously.
Methods
A population-based cohort study was conducted, including all singleton deliveries occurring between the years 1991 and 2014 at a single tertiary medical center. Fetuses with congenital malformations and multiple gestations were excluded. Children delivered following fertility treatment pregnancies and spontaneous pregnancies were compared. Hospitalizations of the offspring up to the age of 18 years involving cutaneous eruptions were evaluated. A Kaplan–Meier survival curve was used to compare cumulative morbidity incidence and a Cox regression model to control for confounders.
Results
During the study period, 242,187 singleton deliveries met the inclusion criteria, 1.8% of which were following fertility treatments (n = 4324). Eruptive dermatological morbidity of the offspring up to the age of 18 years was significantly more common in the fertility treatment group (1.5%) as compared to spontaneous pregnancies (1.1%; P = 0.023). The Kaplan–Meier survival curve demonstrated a significantly higher cumulative incidence of eruptive dermatological morbidity following fertility treatments (log-rank P = 0.007). Using the Cox regression model, while controlling for multiple confounders, fertility treatment was noted as an independent risk factor for long-term pediatric eruptive dermatological morbidity (adjusted HR = 1.43, CI 1.12–1.83, P = 0.004).
Conclusion
Singletons conceived via fertility treatments appear to be at an increased risk for long-term eruptive dermatological morbidity.
Impact of a new simplified disability scoring system for adult patients with localized scleroderma
Abstract
Localized scleroderma (LoS) involves dermal but not internal inflammation and fibrosis. Cosmetic changes often impact quality of life (QOL), however, impairment of activities of daily living (ADL) in LoS patients has not been investigated. To determine what factor(s) are associated with ADL in adult patients with LoS, we performed a retrospective observational study in 177 Japanese adult LoS patients using a novel LoS disability score based on Barthel's indices of ADL: feeding, bathing, grooming, dressing, bowels, bladder, toilet use, transfers, mobility and stairs. LoS disability scores increased in proportion to the number of affected body parts but were not correlated to age and duration of illness. The presence of leg lesions significantly impaired ADL of LoS patients compared with lesions on other body parts. Patients treated with systemic medications, who tended to have multiple lesions, presented higher LoS disability scores than those without systemic treatments. Our study proposes that physicians evaluate ADL, not only QOL, in LoS patients. Our findings using LoS disability scoring indicate that multiple affected body parts and leg lesions are risk factors for ADL impairment.
Current developments in phototherapy for psoriasis
Abstract
Phototherapy utilizes the beneficial effects of ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths to affect immunoregulatory functions. UV light phototherapy using narrowband UV-B (NB-UVB) and bath-psoralen UV-A (bath-PUVA) therapy are well-established treatments for psoriasis. Dual-action mechanisms of UV phototherapy have been identified: apoptosis and immune suppression. NB-UVB depletes pathogenic T cells by inducing apoptosis and regulatory T cells. Other wavelengths are also utilized for phototherapy, namely 308-nm excimer light and 312-nm flat-typed NB-UVB. Excimer light (308-nm) therapy effectively targets the affected skin without unduly exposing other areas and increases the levels of regulatory T cells. Phototherapy improves impaired resting regulatory T cells and increases activated regulatory T cells in patients with psoriasis. Intensive studies of phototherapy effects have led to several improvements in the design, protocols, and light sources, such as UV light-emitting diodes, thereby providing several options for patients with refractory skin disease, such as psoriasis.
In vivo skin reactions from pulsed-type, bipolar, alternating current radiofrequency treatment using invasive noninsulated electrodes
Abstract
Background
Bipolar, alternating current radiofrequency (RF) conduction using invasive noninsulated electrodes consecutively generates independent tissue coagulation around each electrode and then, the converged coagulation columns.
Methods
Two pulsed-type RF models at the on-time pulse width/pulse pack of 30 and 40 milliseconds were designed to amplify the early stage of RF-induced tissue reaction using hairless mouse skin in vivo. Then, structural and ultrastructural changes were evaluated in hairless mouse skin samples at baseline and immediately 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, and 14 days after treatment.
Results
Immediately after pulsed-RF treatment, a few chrysanthemum-like zones of electrothermal coagulation and hypereosinophilic collagen fibers were found in the dermis and dermo-subcutaneous fat junction. Histochemical staining for periodic acid-Schiff and immunohistochemical staining for type IV collagen revealed marked thickening of basement membranes. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that pulsed-RF treatment resulted in higher electron-dense and remarkably thicker lamina densa, as well as increases in anchoring fibrils, compared with untreated control specimens. Furthermore, CD31-positive blood vessels were smaller in size with a slit-like luminal appearance, without excessive damage to endothelial cells.
Conclusion
Our data indicated that pulse-type, bipolar RF energy induces structural and ultrastructural changes in basement membranes and vascular components in hairless mouse skin.
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