Adenovirus and rotavirus recovery from a treated effluent through an optimized skimmed-milk flocculation method

Abstract

Sewage treatment may be insufficient for the complete removal of enteric viruses, such as human adenoviruses (HAdV) and group A rotavirus (RVA). The differences in the efficiency of the treatment methodologies used may interfere with the detection of these viruses. The objective of this study was to optimize a skimmed-milk flocculation technique for the recovery of HAdV and RVA in the samples of treated effluent. The treated effluent collected at the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) was processed via four protocols including modifications in the initial centrifugation step and the final concentration of skimmed-milk. The viral load and recovery rate were determined by quantitative PCR TaqMan® System. The highest recovery rates of HAdV, RVA, and bacteriophage PP7 (internal control process) were obtained when the concentration of skimmed-milk was doubled and no centrifugation step was used for the sample clarification. The optimized protocol was assessed in a field study conducted with 24 treated effluent samples collected bi-monthly during 2015. HAdV and RVA were detected in 50.0% (12/24) and 33.3% (08/24) of the samples tested, respectively, throughout the year, without seasonal variation (p > 0.05). This study corroborates the use of the organic flocculation method for virus recovery in environmental samples with the adaptation of the protocols to different aquatic matrices.

Photobiomodulation mechanisms in the kinetics of the wound healing process in rats

Publication date: Available online 8 April 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology
Author(s): A.N. Otterço, A.L. Andrade, P. Brassolatti, K.N.Z. Pinto, H.S.S. Araújo, N.A. Parizotto
ObjectivesThe healing process of cutaneous lesions is considered a complex event divided into distinct and overlapping phases, which responds satisfactorily to photobiomodulation (PBM). PBM is indicated as a therapeutic resource capable of assisting tissue repair. The present study aimed to analyze the kinetics of cutaneous wounds healing process after application of the GaAlAs laser for treating wounds on the dorsum of rats.Materials and MethodsThis study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of UFSCar. The animals were divided into 2 groups (n = 10); control group (CG) used 0.9% saline solution and the laser group (LG) used GaAlAs, 670 nm continuous pulse, 30 mW power, 14.28 J/cm² energy density, irradiating 1 point per wound for 30s, totaling 15 consecutive days of treatment. Samples were collected on the 4th, 11th and 16th days for histological analysis of HE, Picrosirius-Red, immunohistochemistry (Collagen1, TNF-α, VEGF). Statistical analyzes used the one-way ANOVA test for intra and inter group evaluations, and the Tukey post-test. Level of significance was set at p < 0.05.ResultsThe histopathological analysis (HE) showed a statistically significant difference for lower values of inflammatory infiltrate in LG versus CG on the 16th day; and for the increase of collagen in the 11th and 16th days of treatment. There was a statistically significant difference in the increase of VEGF on the 11th day for LG; decrease of TNF-α on the 4th and 11th day for LG, and increase of collagen type 1 on the 4th and 16th days for LG. The birefringence analysis of the percentage of collagen fibers presented on the 11th day of treatment revealed a greater quantity and significant statistical difference. Collagen fibers showed improved organization and arrangement on the 11th day for LG.ConclusionOur results show that PBM is effective in helping the kinetics of the cutaneous wound healing process in rats and promotes the necessary stimuli for the satisfactory evolution of healing process, ultimately leading to structurally desirable tissue.

Reversal of the hair loss phenotype by modulating the estradiol-ANGPT2 axis in the mouse model of female pattern hair loss

Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is characterized by diffuse hair thinning mainly at the vertex and upper parietal scalp [1]. Unlike male androgenetic alopecia, the frontal hairline is infrequently affected in FPHL. FPHL is not a life-threatening disease; however, there is a great demand for treatment, as this condition reduces body image and causes psychologically stress in affected individuals [2]. However, available treatment options for FPHL are very limited [3]. Male pattern hair loss can be mainly explained by androgen-dependent acceleration of the hair cycle with resultant hair follicle miniaturization, while FPHL is considered to be heterogeneous, and the pathophysiology of FPHL is more complicated than that of male pattern hair loss.

Resident and monocyte-derived Langerhans cells are required for imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis model

Langerhans cells (LCs) are dendritic cells that reside in the epidermis and local inflammation results in an increased differentiation of monocyte-derived LCs. Only few studies have investigated on the role of LCs in psoriasis-like dermatitis model, but the results are variable and the exact role of LCs in psoriasis model remains to be elucidated.

Influence of epidermal basement membrane integrity on cutaneous permeability barrier function

Maintenance of epithelial homeostasis and barrier function depends upon the balance between proliferation and differentiation of basal keratinocytes. Basement membrane (BM) plays a role in regulating epithelial proliferation and differentiation by modulating dermal-epidermal interactions. Exposure of skin to the ultraviolet B (UVB) component of sunlight induces expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and heparanase, which degrade BM structure [1,2] (Fig. S1), and UVB exposure also induces changes of epithelial differentiation markers and formation of an abnormal horny layer, concomitantly with increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) [3] (Fig.

Emerging Applications of Eye-Tracking Technology in Dermatology

Eye-tracking technology has been used within a multitude of disciplines to provide data linking eye movements to visual processing of various stimuli (i.e., x-rays, situational positioning, printed information, and warnings). Despite the benefits provided by eye-tracking in allowing for the identification and quantification of visual attention, the discipline of dermatology has yet to see broad application of the technology. Notwithstanding dermatologists' heavy reliance upon visual patterns and cues to discriminate between benign and atypical nevi, literature that applies eye-tracking to the study of dermatology is sparse; and literature specific to patient-initiated behaviors, such as skin self-examination (SSE), is largely non-existent.

Corrigendum to “Genetically defined variants of toll-like receptors 3, 7 and 9 as phenotype and risk modifier factors for psoriasis” [89 (March (3)) (2018) 301–304]

The authors regret <changing the ninth author's name from "R. Romaní" to "J. Romaní" >.

Agerarin inhibits α-MSH–induced TYR gene transcription via STAT3 suppression independent of CREB-MITF pathway

Skin pigmentation occurs through melanogenesis in melanocytes [1]. Melanin synthesis is regulated by many enzymes, including tyrosinase [2], TYR-related protein 1 (TRP-1), and TRP-2, located in melanosomes [3]. TYR is a rate-limiting enzyme that converts tyrosine to 3,4-hydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) and oxidize DOPA to DOPA quinone, leading to the progression of melanin formation [4]. Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is a tridecapeptide derived from pro-opiomelanocortin. In the skin, α-MSH is produced from keratinocytes in response to solar ultraviolet radiation [5] and stimulates melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) on the melanocytes.

Allergic contact dermatitis caused by hypersensitivity to gold – description of a clinical case

Contact Dermatitis, Volume 78, Issue 5, Page 363-365, May 2018.

Delayed‐type drug hypersensitivity caused by paracetamol in a 2‐year‐old boy, confirmed by a positive patch test reaction and oral provocation

Contact Dermatitis, Volume 78, Issue 5, Page 362-363, May 2018.

Contact sensitization to lanolin alcohols and Amerchol® L101 – analysis of IVDK data

Contact Dermatitis, Volume 78, Issue 5, Page 367-369, May 2018.

Issue Information

Contact Dermatitis, Volume 78, Issue 5, Page i-i, May 2018.

Allergic contact dermatitis secondary to the use of aluminium Finn Chambers®

Contact Dermatitis, Volume 78, Issue 5, Page 365-366, May 2018.

Allergic contact dermatitis from formaldehyde mimicking impetigo and initiating rosacea

Contact Dermatitis, Volume 78, Issue 5, Page 359-361, May 2018.

Nickel and cobalt release from fidget spinners on the Danish market

Contact Dermatitis, Volume 78, Issue 5, Page 357-359, May 2018.

Cobalt not detected in contemporary US consumer paint colorants by cobalt indicator solution or X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy

Contact Dermatitis, Volume 78, Issue 5, Page 355-356, May 2018.

Specific barrier response profiles after experimentally induced skin irritation in vivo

Contact Dermatitis, EarlyView.

The secret sensitizer gets out of the bag

Contact Dermatitis, EarlyView.

Presenteeism in a Dutch hand eczema population—a cross‐sectional survey

Contact Dermatitis, EarlyView.

An improved green synthesis method and Escherichia coli antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles

Publication date: Available online 7 April 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology
Author(s): Pham Van Viet, Truong Tan Sang, Nguyen Ho Ngoc Bich, Cao Minh Thi
Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were synthesized by an improved green synthesis method via a photo-reduction process using low-power UV light in the presence of poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) as the surface stabilizer. The effective synthesis process was achieved by optimized synthesis parameters such as C2H5OH: H2O ratio, AgNO3: PVP ratio, pH value, and reducing time. The formation of Ag NPs was identified by Ultraviolet-visible (UV–vis) absorption spectra, X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra. Ag NPs were crystallized according to (111), (200), and (220) planes of the face-centered cubic. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image showed that the morphology of Ag NPs was uniform spherical with the average particle size of 16 ± 2 nm. The results of XRD pattern, TEM image, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis proved that Ag crystals with uniform size were formed after the reduction process. The mechanism of the formation of Ag NPs was proposed and confirmed by FTIR spectra. The antibacterial activity of Ag NPs against Escherichia coli (E. coli) was tested and approximately 100% of E. coli was eliminated by Ag NPs 35 ppm. In the future, this study can become a new process for the application of Ag NPs as an antibiotic in the industrial scale.

Graphical abstract