Trampas diagnósticas: nidos seudomelanocíticos en el contexto de la inflamación liquenoide

Publication date: Available online 8 May 2018
Source:Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas
Author(s): D. McClanahan, S. Choudhary, J. Zahniser, J. Ho

Adjusting oral oxybutynin medication for hyperhidrosis to reflect seasonal temperature variations

Dermatologic Therapy, EarlyView.

Assessment of vestibular function in patients with chronic middle ear disease using the VHIT and VEMP test

Clinical Otolaryngology, EarlyView.

Blood-Based Biomarkers for the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Gliomas

Effect of calcium lignosulfonate supplementation on metabolic profiles of confined lambs

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of calcium lignosulfonate associated with whole cottonseed in high-concentrate diets for sheep. Eight Dorper crossbred sheep with an average live weight of 42.5 ± 1.70 kg were assigned to two 4 × 4 Latin squares. The following experimental diets were evaluated: control diet (without calcium lignosulfonate) and diets with inclusion of 50, 100, and 150 g of calcium lignosulfonate/kg fresh matter. Diets were composed of soybean meal, ground corn, and whole cottonseed. Feed intake, digestibility, metabolic characteristics, and feeding behavior were evaluated. The intake of nutritional components did not show significant differences as a function of the lignosulfonate levels in the diet; however, the increase in calcium lignosulfonate levels linearly decreased the dry matter digestibility. Rumen ammonia nitrogen concentrations decreased linearly as the lignosulfonate levels in the diets were increased. There was no effect of lignosulfonate levels on blood parameters or feeding behavior of the animals. The use of lignosulfonate associated with cottonseed decreases the digestibility of dry matter and the concentration of rumen ammonia nitrogen, but does not change the intake of nutritional components, the blood parameters, or the feeding behavior of sheep.

Production of palm kernel shell-based activated carbon by direct physical activation for carbon dioxide adsorption

Abstract

The feasibility of biomass-based activated carbons has received a huge attention due to their excellent characteristics such as inexpensiveness, good adsorption behaviour and potential to reduce a strong dependency towards non-renewable precursors. Therefore, in this research work, eco-friendly activated carbon from palm kernel shell that has been produced from one-stage physical activation by using the Box-Behnken design of Response Surface Methodology is highlighted. The effect of three input parameters—temperature, dwell time and gas flow rate—towards product yield and carbon dioxide (CO₂) uptake at room temperature and atmospheric pressure are studied. Model accuracy has been evaluated through the ANOVA analysis and lack-of-fit test. Accordingly, the optimum condition in synthesising the activated carbon with adequate CO₂ adsorption capacity of 2.13 mmol/g and product yield of 25.15 wt% is found at a temperature of 850 °C, holding time of 60 min and CO₂ flow rate of 450 cm³/min. The synthesised activated carbon has been characterised by diverse analytical instruments including thermogravimetric analyser, scanning electron microscope, as well as N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherm. The characterisation analysis indicates that the synthesised activated carbon has higher textural characteristics and porosity, together with better thermal stability and carbon content as compared to pristine palm kernel shell. Activated carbon production via one-step activation approach is economical since its carbon yield is within the industrial target, whereas CO₂ uptake is comparable to the synthesised activated carbon from conventional dual-stage activation, commercial activated carbon and other published data from literature.

A laboratory study investigating the effects of dilution by precipitation on dissolved inorganic carbon and stable isotope evolution in surface waters

Abstract

Surface waters are a major pathway of carbon cycling between the atmosphere and the earth's surface. Yet studies describing water column processes that affect carbon cycling do not consider the effects of dilution by precipitation. In this study, we conducted a laboratory experiment in which we prepared undiluted (100%) and snowmelt diluted 25, 50, and 75% by volume of samples of NaHCO₃ solution and lake and river water and then exposed them to the laboratory atmosphere for up to 1000 h. We aim to determine how dilution by precipitation followed by water-atmosphere CO_2(g) interaction affects DIC and δ¹³C_DIC evolution. Dilution resulted in decreased pH, solutes, and DIC concentrations according to the dilution proportion. The decreased pH perturbed the carbonate equilibrium resulting in CO_2(g) outgassing. In all the samples, there was continuous enrichment in the δ¹³C_DIC composition. Isotopic evolution by CO_2(g) loss in the > 50% snowmelt-diluted samples lasted for about 10 h, while it took about 400 h for the diluted samples to evolve to a similar isotopic composition as the undiluted samples. Our laboratory results suggest that the effects of precipitation dilution should not be ignored in studying DIC evolution in surface waters during periods where precipitation dilution exceeds 50% by volume.

Characteristics and batch experiments of acid- and alkali-modified corncob biomass for nitrate removal from aqueous solution

Abstract

In this study, modified biochar was adopted as an adsorbent for the nitrate removal in aqueous solutions. Raw material was impregnated in sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄, 1 mol/L) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH, 2 mol/L) separately and then prepared at 600 °C. After treated with acid, the BET specific surface area was much higher than that of unmodified and alkali-modified biochars. The low adsorption capacity and specific surface area of alkali-modified biochar may be due to the precipitate on the surface according to the results of XRD. In addition, the C–OH and C–H functional groups played a major part during adsorption progress. The batch experiments demonstrated that the acid-modified biochar exhibited a more excellent absorbability (12.75 mg/g) under the circumstance of neutral solution and room temperature. The maximum adsorption capacity of MSA-CC was 34.20 mg/g, which was about 2.4 times higher than that of the unmodified. Low pH value can provide positive charge conditions to enhance the adsorption capacity. Overall, the biochar with excellent pore structure and chargeable functional group can be a potential application for nitrate removal which was low cost and effective. After treated with acid, biochar could adsorb negative charge species like nitrate due to electrostatic interaction.

Graphical abstract

Degradation of carbendazim in water via photo-Fenton in Raceway Pond Reactor: assessment of acute toxicity and transformation products

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the degradation of fungicide carbendazim (CBZ) via photo-Fenton reactions in artificially and solar irradiated photoreactors at laboratory scale and in a semi-pilot scale Raceway Pond Reactor (RPR), respectively. Acute toxicity was monitored by assessing the sensibility of bioluminescent bacteria (Aliivibrio fischeri) to samples taken during reactions. In addition, by-products formed during solar photo-Fenton were identified by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (UFLC-MS). For tests performed in lab-scale, two artificial irradiation sources were compared (UV_{λ > 254nm} and UV-Vis_{λ > 320nm}). A complete design of experiments was performed in the semi-pilot scale RPR in order to optimize reaction conditions (Fe²⁺ and H₂O₂ concentrations, and water depth). Efficient degradation of carbendazim (> 96%) and toxicity removal were achieved via artificially irradiated photo-Fenton under both irradiation sources. Control experiments (UV photolysis and UV-Vis peroxidation) were also efficient but led to increased acute toxicity. In addition, H₂O₂/UV_{λ > 254nm} required longer reaction time (60 minutes) when compared to the photo-Fenton process (less than 1 min). While Fenton's reagent achieved high CBZ and acute toxicity removal, its efficiency demands higher concentration of reagents in comparison to irradiated processes. Solar photo-Fenton removed carbendazim within 15 min of reaction (96%, 0.75 kJ L⁻¹), and monocarbomethoxyguanidine, benzimidazole isocyanate, and 2-aminobenzimidazole were identified as transformation products. Results suggest that both solar photo-Fenton and artificially irradiated systems are promising routes for carbendazim degradation.

Influence of composted poultry manure and irrigation regimes on some morpho-physiology parameters of maize under semiarid environments

Abstract

Poultry manure (PM), a rich source for crop nutrients, is produced in ample quantities worldwide. It provides necessary nutrient to soil and has a potential to improve plant water holding availability under semiarid environment. The effect of composted poultry manure (CPM) and irrigation regimes on morpho-physiology of selective maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids (H₁ = drought tolerant, H₂ = drought sensitive) was investigated in this study. Two field experiments were conducted during 2010 and 2011 under randomized complete block design with split split-plot arrangements and three replications of each treatment. Irrigation regimes (I₁ = 300, I₂ = 450, I₃ = 600 mm) were kept in main plots; the two maize hybrids (H₁ and H₂) in sub-plots and nutrient levels (L₁ = recommended rate of NPK (control), L₂ = 8 t ha⁻¹ CPM, L₃ = 10 t ha⁻¹ CPM, and L₄ = 12 t ha⁻¹ CPM) were arranged in sub sub-plots. The drought tolerant hybrid showed best growth under all treatments. Results revealed that maximum leaf area index (LAI) was recorded with the application of the recommended dose of NPK. Low irrigation regimes (I₁ and I₂) highly significantly (P < 0.01) reduced the photosynthesis and transpiration rate in both hybrids while application of 12 t ha⁻¹ CPM was able to partially alleviate the effect of water stress on these parameters. Resultantly, the application of 12 t ha⁻¹ CPM enhanced the plant growth and increased grain yield (21%; 4.17 vs 5.27) under limited water availability (I₂L₄) as compared to the recommended dose of NPK (I₂L₁). However, the nutrient application under control treatment had maximum grain yield. Therefore, shortage of water for maize production might be partially alleviated by the application of 12 t ha⁻¹ CPM.

Comparisons of three plant species in accumulating polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the atmosphere: a review

Abstract

Plant leaves play a key role in the accumulation of PAHs, as they are able to capture PAHs from the air. In this paper, the mechanism, including absorption and adsorption, for plants to scavenge PAHs from the air was reviewed. Moreover, the differences of PAHs accumulating capability are mainly compared among three representative plant species, including pine needles, Holm oak leaves, and moss. On the whole, it is shown that oak leaves present the strongest PAHs accumulating capability for total PAHs among three plants species. Oak leaves and pine needles show higher accumulating tendency for light and medium molecular weight PAHs, whereas moss presents stronger accumulating tendency for heavy molecular weight PAHs. Environmental factors (i.e., temperature, seasonality, and photolysis) also account for the process of PAHs transferred from air to plants. With the temperature climbing, the concentration of PAHs in the air will increase. Due to the meteorological conditions and the human activities changed with seasons, it was shown that the PAHs were greatly accumulated in leaf surface in winter than in summer. Photolysis was also able to influence the PAHs on leaf surface, which are significant to this process. In conclusion, oak, pine, and moss can be used to filter PAHs when considering urban landscaping. Besides combining the traditional analytical methods with in situ determination, there might be able to provide a novel method to further study the specific absorption mechanisms. The accumulation of PAHs in crop leaf surface related to the application of surfactants is also worth studying.

Removal of urea from dilute streams using RVC/nano-NiO x -modified electrode

Abstract

Reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC), a high surface area electrode (40 cm²/cm³), has been modified with nickel oxide nanoparticles (nano-NiO_x ) and used for electrochemical oxidation of urea from alkaline solution. For the cyclic voltammetry measurements, the used dimensions are 0.8 cm × 0.8 cm × 0.3 cm. The purpose was to offer high specific surface area using a porous open network structure to accelerate the electrochemical conversion. NiO_x nanoparticles have been synthesized via an electrochemical route at some experimental conditions. The morphological, structural, and electrochemical properties of the RVC/nano-NiO_x are characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and potentiostatic measurements. The fabricated electrode, RVC/nano-NiO_x , demonstrates high electrocatalytic activity towards urea oxidation in an alkaline electrolyte. The onset potential of the RVC/nano-NiO_x compared to that of the planar GC/NiO_x is shifted to more negative value with higher specific activity. The different loadings of the NiO_x have a substantial influence on the conversion of urea which has been evaluated from concentration-time curves. The urea concentration decreases with time to a limit dependent on the loading extent. Maximum conversion is obtained at 0.86 mg of NiO_x per cm³ of the RVC matrix.

Screening optimal substrates from Erhai lakeside for Ottelia acuminata (Gagnep.) Dandy, an endangered submerged macrophyte in China

Abstract

Because of the unstable hydrodynamic conditions in the wild, the endangered aquatic plant should be cultivated first in constructed wetlands for the protection and expansion of germplasm resources. Ottelia acuminata (Gagnep.) Dandy has become extinct in Erhai Lake, Yunnan province, China. In order to optimize substrates for this species to artificial cultivation, the native substrate (sandy soils) and the other three representative ones (red paddy soils, alluvial paddy soils, and purple paddy soils) collected from Erhai lakeside were applied to cultivate O. acuminata for 50 days. Multi indicators, such as antioxidant enzymes activity, malondialdehyde and chlorophyll-α concentration, and relative growth rate of O. acuminata, were discussed and statistically analyzed to classify the substrates. The results suggested that even disregarding the physiology significance of these indicators, hierarchical clustering analysis had high efficiency on optimizing substrates. Although various single indexes suggested different optimal substrates for macrophyte growth, red paddy soil was never excluded out the optimal substrate classes. Further study is needed to assess the substrates optimization functionalities of these indicators. This study offers amounts of physiology data and an effective method to optimize substrates of O. acuminata. It is helpful for environmental scientists and ecological engineers to conduct the similar study on endangered species.

Second best epistemology: fallibility and normativity

Abstract

The Fallibility Norm—the claim that we ought to take our fallibility into account when managing our beliefs—appears to conflict with several other compelling epistemic norms. To shed light on these apparent conflicts, I distinguish two kinds of norms: norms of perfection and norms of compensation. Roughly, norms of perfection tell us how agents ought to behave if they're to be perfect; norms of compensation tell us how imperfect agents ought to behave in order to compensate for their imperfections. I argue that the Fallibility Norm is a norm of compensation, and that thinking of it like this helps us make progress in debates surrounding disagreement, higher-order evidence, and coherence.

Male Breast Glandular Liposculpture Challenges

Effectiveness and Safety of Hyaluronic Acid Gel with Lidocaine for the Treatment of Nasolabial Folds: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

Background

Hyaluronic acid (HA) gel is a widely used dermal filler for the correction facial volume loss. The incorporation of lidocaine with HA provides a pain-relieving alternative for individuals considering facial rejuvenation. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to compare the effectiveness and safety of HA with lidocaine (HAL) with that of HA without lidocaine for the treatment of nasolabial folds (NLFs).

Methods

Studies were identified using the electronic databases PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science from inception up to January 2018. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected based on the inclusion criteria. Outcomes included 100-mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale score and adverse events.

Results

A total of 908 patients from 12 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. VAS score within 30 min after injection in the HAL group was much lower than that with just HA group (MD = − 28.83, 95% CI − 36.38 to − 21.28). There was no significant difference in effectiveness between the two products 24 months post-injection (MD = 0.13, 95% CI − 0.15 to 0.41). The main adverse events, such as swelling, erythema, bruising, itching and induration, also showed no significant difference.

Conclusions

HAL is more effective for pain relief than HA alone, but both display similar effectiveness and safety for the correction of NLFs.

Level of Evidence II

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Pituitary adenylate-cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP): another novel target for treatment of primary headaches?

Tomosynthesis implementation with adaptive online calibration on clinical C-arm systems

Abstract

Purpose

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) systems offer physicians crucial 3D and 2D imaging capabilities during interventions. However, certain medical applications only require very specific information from the CBCTs (e.g., determination of the position of high-contrast objects). In diagnostics, tomosynthesis techniques can be used in these cases to minimize dose exposure. Therefore, integrating such techniques on CBCT systems could also be beneficial for interventions. In this paper, we investigate the performance of our implementation of circular tomosynthesis on a CBCT device.

Methods

The tomosynthesis scan trajectory is realized with step-and-shoot on a clinical C-arm device. The online calibration algorithm uses conventionally acquired 3D CBCT of the scanned object as prior knowledge to correct the imaging geometries. The online calibration algorithm was compared to an offline calibration to test its performance. A ball bearing phantom was used to evaluate the reconstructions with respect to geometric distortions. The evaluation was done for three different scenarios to test the robustness of our tomosynthesis implementation against object deviations (e.g., pen) and different object positioning.

Results

The circular tomosynthesis was tested on a ball bearing and an anthropomorphic phantom. The results show that the calibration is robust against isocenter shifts and object deviations in the CBCT. All reconstructions used 100 projections and displayed limited angle artifacts. The accuracy of the positions and shapes of high-contrast objects were, however, determined precisely. (The maximal center position deviation is 0.31 mm.)

Conclusion

For medical procedures that primarily determine the precise position of high-contrast objects, circular tomosynthesis could offer an approach to reduce dose exposure.

Does the Size of a Company Make a Difference in the Prevalence of Exposure to Asthmagens and in the Use of Respiratory Protective Equipment?

Abstract

Introduction

About half of all workers in high-income countries work in small companies. However, regulatory bodies and researchers predominantly work with large companies because they are more convenient to study and easier to reach. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of exposure to asthmagens and the use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) by company size.

Methods

This analysis used data from the Australian Work Exposures Study-Asthma, a telephone survey which investigated exposure to 27 asthmagen groups.

Results

Among 4844 respondents, 18.8, 19.9, 31.9, and 29.4% of workers reported working in micro (<5 employees), small (5–19 employees), medium (20–200 employees), and large (>200 employees) companies, respectively. Compared to workers in large companies, workers in micro, small, or medium companies had higher prevalence of exposure to most asthmagens and lesser use of RPE.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that policy actions and regulatory measures should target micro/small companies in order to have the greatest effect.

Sampling and Analysis of Bitumen Fumes: Comparison of German and French Methods to Determine a Conversion Formula

Abstract

Bitumen is classed as possibly carcinogenic to humans according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Data on individual exposure to bitumen fumes is therefore required to highlight the exposing situations and develop methods to prevent them. The Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance (IFA) and the French National Research and Safety Institute for the Prevention of Occupational Accidents and Diseases (INRS) have both developed methods to measure individual exposure. The objective of this study was to determine a conversion factor to allow interconversion of data acquired by the two methods. To develop this conversion factor, comparative laboratory and workplace tests were performed according to both the IFA method (No. 6305) and the INRS method (MetroPol M-2). The amounts of organic material collected on the filters and XAD-2 beds were compared. The results revealed differences between the sampling and analytical methods that could be linked to sampler design, extraction solvent, and the detection method used. The total quantification returned by the two methods—the sum of the masses quantified on filter and XAD-2 bed for each sampler—were correlated in both controlled and real-life tests. A conversion equation was therefore determined, based on field tests: C_IFA = 1.76 C_INRS ± 0.39 (R² = 0.99) that is applicable to total quantification data. This formula can be applied to data acquired by the two institutes to increase the number of data points available on exposure to bitumen fumes in various conditions, and thus increase the statistical power of studies into occupational prevention.