Removal of lead and cadmium from aqueous solutions by using 4-amino-3-hydroxynaphthalene sulfonic acid-doped polypyrrole films

Abstract

Water pollution by heavy metals is a great health concern worldwide. Lead and cadmium are among the most toxic heavy metals because they are dangerous for the human and aquatic lives. In this work, the removal of lead and cadmium from aqueous solutions has been studied using electrosynthesized 4-amino-3-hydroxynaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid-doped polypyrrole (AHNSA-PPy) films as a new adsorbent. Two distinct methods, including the immersion method, based on the Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ spontaneous removal by impregnation of the polymer in the solution, and the electro-elimination method, consisting of removal of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions from the solution by applying a small electrical current (5 mA) to the polymer film, were developed: the evolution of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ concentrations with time was monitored by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The effect of pH on the adsorption and electro-elimination of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ using the AHNSA-PPy film was investigated and optimized, showing that the ionic adsorption and electro-elimination processes were highly pH-dependent. The kinetics of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ adsorption and electro-elimination were found to follow second-order curves. The maximum adsorption capacity values of the AHNSA-PPy film were 64.0 and 50.4 mg/g, respectively, for Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺. The removal efficiency values were, respectively, for Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺, 80 and 63% by the immersion method, and 93 and 85% by the electro-elimination method. Application of both methods to Senegal natural waters, fortified with Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺, led to removal efficiency values of, respectively for Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺, 76–77 and 58–59% by the immersion method, and of 82–90 and 80–83%, by the electro-elimination method.

Exogenous Cushing syndrome due to misuse of potent topical steroid

Abstract

We report an infant with exogenous Cushing syndrome after being treated for 2 months with a potent topical corticosteroid via the mother's application of topical clobetasol for diaper rash without a prescription. We emphasize that potent topical steroids should be used with great caution, especially when used under occlusion (e.g., diaper area) and that parents should be warned about potential side effects of these medications, particularly when used in infants.

Doing the math: A simple approach to topical timolol dosing for infantile hemangiomas

Abstract

Topical timolol maleate has recently gained popularity as a treatment for superficial infantile hemangiomas, but calculating a safe dose of timolol can be time consuming, which may limit the medication's use in fast-paced clinical environments. This report offers a simplified calculation of the maximum daily safe dosage as 1 drop of medication per kilogram of body weight.

Mood changes with methotrexate therapy for dermatologic disease

Abstract

Neurotoxicity and cognitive effects of low-dose methotrexate for rheumatologic disease have often been described, but the neuropsychiatric effects of low-dose methotrexate for cutaneous disease have been underreported in the dermatology literature. We describe two children who experienced mood changes with methotrexate treatment for lichen sclerosus with morphea overlap and psoriasis, with rapid resolution of these symptoms after methotrexate cessation. We also detail possible mechanisms underlying psychiatric changes with methotrexate therapy.

Pityriasis lichenoides: Long-term follow-up study

Abstract

Background/Objectives

Pityriasis lichenoides is an uncommon papulosquamous disorder of unknown etiology. The objective of this study was to review the clinical features and treatment responses of individuals with pityriasis lichenoides seen at a tertiary referral center.

Methods

Seventy-five patients diagnosed with pityriasis lichenoides between 1997 and 2013 were reviewed, and 46 had long-term follow-up via telephone interviews.

Results

Fifty (67%) patients were diagnosed with pityriasis lichenoides chronica, 22 (29%) with pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta, and 3 (4%) with mixed pityriasis lichenoides chronica and pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta features. Mean ± standard deviation age at onset was 12 ± 13 years (median 8 years). Disease duration was significantly shorter for patients with pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (35 ± 35 months) than for those with pityriasis lichenoides chronica (at least 78 ± 48 months). At long-term follow-up, 23 of 28 (82%) patients with pityriasis lichenoides chronica and 3 of 16 (19%) with pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta had active disease. None progressed to lymphomatoid papulosis or cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Ten of 23 active pityriasis lichenoides chronica cases had residual pigmentary change independent of race and lasted at least 35 ± 20 months. The most effective treatments were phototherapy (47% response rate), heliotherapy (33%), topical corticosteroids (27%), and antibiotics (25%).

Conclusion

Pityriasis lichenoides is a predominantly pediatric disorder. The time course of pityriasis lichenoides chronica is significantly longer than that of pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta. Pityriasis lichenoides chronica may persist with pigmentary alterations in the absence of other signs of active inflammation. Treatment response is often limited, particularly for patients with pityriasis lichenoides chronica.

Advances in Parasitology – Echinococcus and Echinococcosis

Advances in Parasitology – Echinococcus and Echinococcosis, Part A Edited by Thompson, Deplazes and Lymbery

Should we be testing for baseline integrase resistance in patients newly diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus?

Incidence, outcomes, and resource use in children with Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis

Abstract

Background/Objectives

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are life-threatening cutaneous reactions, typically to drugs or infection. The incidence and outcomes of these conditions in children are unknown. The objective of this study was to report the overall burden of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis in children in the United States.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of children and adolescents younger than 18 years of age using the 2009 and 2012 Kids' Inpatient Database.

Results

We identified 1486 children and adolescents hospitalized with a diagnosis of Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis. The national incidence per 100 000 was 6.3 for Stevens-Johnson syndrome, 0.7 for Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis overlap syndrome, and 0.5 for toxic epidermal necrolysis. The highest incidence in children was in those aged 11-15 years (38.4 per 100 000). Toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis overlap syndrome were associated with longer stay, greater mortality, and higher hospital charges than those with Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Hospital mortality was highest in children with toxic epidermal necrolysis and in children aged 0-5 years.

Conclusions

The incidence of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis in children is higher than reported in adults, and there are significant age-based variations in incidence and outcomes across the pediatric population. Further study is needed to determine the most effective treatment strategies to reduce costs and improve outcomes in children hospitalized with severe cutaneous reactions.

Towards an international language for Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis (IAD): design and evaluation of psychometric properties of the Ghent Global IAD Categorisation Tool (GLOBIAD) in 30 countries

Summary

Background

Incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) is a specific type of irritant contact dermatitis with different levels of severity. An internationally accepted instrument to assess the severity of IAD in adults with established diagnostic accuracy, agreement, and reliability is needed to support clinical practice and research.

Objectives

To design and psychometrically evaluate the Ghent Global IAD Categorisation Tool (GLOBIAD).

Methods

The design was based on expert consultation using a three-round Delphi procedure with 34 experts from 13 countries. The instrument was tested using IAD photographs reflecting different severity levels in a sample of 823 health professionals in 30 countries. Measures for diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity and specificity), agreement, inter-rater reliability (multi-rater Fleiss kappa), and intra-rater reliability (Cohen's Kappa) were assessed.

Results

The GLOBIAD consists of two categories according to the presence of persistent redness (Cat.1) and skin loss (Cat.2), both subdivided based on the presence of clinical signs of infection. The agreement for differentiating between Cat.1 and Cat.2 was 0.86 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.86-0.87], with a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 84%. The overall agreement was 0.55 (95%CI 0.55-0.56). The Fleiss Kappa for differentiating between Cat.1 and Cat.2 was 0.65 (95%CI 0.65-0.65). The overall Fleiss Kappa was 0.41 (95%CI 0.41-0.41). The Cohen's Kappa for differentiating between Cat.1 and Cat.2 was 0.76 (95%CI 0.75-0.77). The overall Cohen's Kappa was 0.61 (95%CI 0.59-0.62).

Conclusions

The development of the GLOBIAD is a major step forward towards a better systematic assessment of IAD in clinical practice and research worldwide. Further validation is however needed.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Imatinib-induced pseudoporphyria

Analytical determination of the reducing and stabilization agents present in different Zostera noltii extracts used for the biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles

Publication date: February 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 179
Author(s): Rafael Zarzuela, Manuel Jesús Luna, María Luisa Almoraima Gil, María Jesús Ortega, José María Palacios-Santander, Ignacio Naranjo-Rodríguez, Juan José Delgado, Laura María Cubillana-Aguilera
The objective of this work was to ascertain the nature of the components responsible for the reducing and stabilizing properties of Zostera noltii extracts that lead to gold nanoparticle formation using chemical techniques of analysis. In order to achieve this aim, we try the synthesis of AuNPs with three different extracts from plants collected in the Bay of Cádiz (Spain). The n-butanol extract produced the best results. Taking this into account, four fractions were isolated by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography from this extract and we studied their activity. The chemical study of these fractions led to the isolation of several flavone sulfates and these were identified as the species' responsible for the formation and stabilization of the AuNPs. Flavone sulfates were purified by high performance liquid chromatography and the structures were established by means of spectroscopic methods nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy. AuNPs have an average lifetime of about 16weeks. Additionally, the morphology and crystalline phase of the gold nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The composition of the nanoparticles was evaluated by electron diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. An 88% of the gold nanoparticles has a diameter in the range 20–35nm, with an average size of 26±2nm.

Graphical abstract

Schöpf-Schulz-Passarge syndrome associated with two new missense mutations in WNT10A

ÖGDV Jahrestagung Salzburg 30. November bis 2. Dezember 2017, Congress Salzburg

Mastozytose – Pathogenese, Klinik und Therapie

Zusammenfassung

Mastozytosen sind seltene Erkrankungen. Aufgrund der charakteristischen Hautveränderungen, der teils assoziiert auftretenden Anaphylaxien sowie der Mediatorsymptomatik werden sie oft im dermatologisch-allergologischen Tätigkeitsbereich primär diagnostiziert. Zugrunde liegt eine klonale Mastzellvermehrung, meist in der Haut oder dem Knochenmark, seltener im Gastrointestinaltrakt oder anderen Organen. In der Regel haben Mastozytosen eine gute Prognose quoad vitam. Seltene Formen, wie die Mastzellleukämie, die aggressive Mastozytose und das extrem rare Mastzellsarkom erfordern eine zytoreduktive Therapie. Bei Mastozytosen mit assoziierter hämatologischer Neoplasie ist die Prognose abhängig von der begleitenden hämatologischen Grunderkrankung.

Blasen, Ulzera, Krusten und Atrophien an Handrücken und Unterarmstreckseiten

Journal-Club

DDG Aktuell

Rezidivierende Ohrschwellung

Technik für den Menschen – kaltes Atmosphärendruckplasma

Amyopathische Dermatomyositis mit Anti-TIF1-gamma-Antikörpern