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Applied Immunohistochemistry &... Aug 2023Immunohistochemistry (IHC), also referred to as immunocytochemistry in cytology literature, has revolutionized the practice of cytopathology. Because of the complexity... (Review)
Review
Immunohistochemistry (IHC), also referred to as immunocytochemistry in cytology literature, has revolutionized the practice of cytopathology. Because of the complexity of cytology preparation and limited diagnostic material, performing IHC remains a challenge. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) cell block (CB) is the optimal choice for IHC. In this review, the approaches for improving CB preparation will be discussed. When CB material is not available, various cytology specimens can also be used for IHC. With the utilization of Antigen Retrieval (AR) technique, these nonformalin-fixed cytology specimens can achieve successful IHC staining, comparable with the results from FFPE tissue sections. In the last part of this review, we will discuss the use of positive controls and the important role of AR in standardization of IHC in cytology.
Topics: Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Paraffin Embedding
PubMed: 36730366
DOI: 10.1097/PAI.0000000000001086 -
Pediatric Dermatology 2023Moisturizers are first-line therapy for treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). Although there are multiple types of moisturizers available, head-to-head trials between... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Moisturizers are first-line therapy for treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). Although there are multiple types of moisturizers available, head-to-head trials between different moisturizers are limited.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate if a paraffin-based moisturizer is as effective as ceramide-based moisturizer in children with AD.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In this double-blind, randomized comparative trial of pediatric patients with mild to moderate AD, subjects applied either a paraffin-based or ceramide-based moisturizer twice daily. Clinical disease activity using SCOring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD), quality of life using Children/Infants Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI/IDLQI), and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured at baseline and at follow-up at 1, 3, and 6 months.
RESULTS
Fifty-three patients were recruited (27 ceramide group and 26 paraffin group) with a mean age of 8.2 years and mean disease duration of 60 months. The mean change in SCORAD at 3 months in the ceramide-based and paraffin-based moisturizer groups was 22.1 and 21.4, respectively (p = .37). The change in CDLQI/IDLQI, TEWL over forearm and back, amount and days of topical corticosteroid required, median time to remission and disease-free days at 3 months were similar in both groups. As the 95% confidence interval (CI) of mean change in SCORAD at 3 months in both groups (0.78, 95% CI: -7.21 to 7.52) was not within the predefined margin of equivalence (-4 to +4), the conclusion of equivalence could not be proven.
CONCLUSION
Both the paraffin-based and ceramide-based moisturizers were comparable in improving the disease activity in children with mild to moderate AD.
Topics: Infant; Child; Humans; Dermatitis, Atopic; Emollients; Paraffin; Ceramides; Quality of Life; Treatment Outcome; Double-Blind Method; Severity of Illness Index
PubMed: 37269189
DOI: 10.1111/pde.15355 -
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in... Dec 2023The development of energy-saving technology for the efficient separation of olefin and paraffin is highly important for the chemical industry. Herein, we report a...
The development of energy-saving technology for the efficient separation of olefin and paraffin is highly important for the chemical industry. Herein, we report a self-assembled Fe L capsule containing a hydrophobic cavity, which can be used to encapsulate and separate propylene/propane. The successful encapsulation of propylene and propane by the Fe L cage in a water solution was documented by NMR spectroscopy. The binding constants K for the Fe L cage toward propylene and propane were determined to be (5.0±0.1)×10 M and (2.1±0.7)×10 M in D O at 25 °C, respectively. Experiments and theoretical studies revealed that the cage exhibited multiple weak interactions with propylene and propane. The polymer-grade propylene (>99.5 %) can be obtained from a mixture of propylene and propane by using the Fe L cage as a separation material in a U-shaped glass tube. This work provides a new strategy for the separation of olefin/paraffin.
PubMed: 37884445
DOI: 10.1002/anie.202315020 -
Nucleic Acids Research Aug 2023In the late 19th century, formalin fixation with paraffin-embedding (FFPE) of tissues was developed as a fixation and conservation method and is still used to this day... (Review)
Review
In the late 19th century, formalin fixation with paraffin-embedding (FFPE) of tissues was developed as a fixation and conservation method and is still used to this day in routine clinical and pathological practice. The implementation of state-of-the-art nucleic acid sequencing technologies has sparked much interest for using historical FFPE samples stored in biobanks as they hold promise in extracting new information from these valuable samples. However, formalin fixation chemically modifies DNA, which potentially leads to incorrect sequences or misinterpretations in downstream processing and data analysis. Many publications have concentrated on one type of DNA damage, but few have addressed the complete spectrum of FFPE-DNA damage. Here, we review mitigation strategies in (I) pre-analytical sample quality control, (II) DNA repair treatments, (III) analytical sample preparation and (IV) bioinformatic analysis of FFPE-DNA. We then provide recommendations that are tested and illustrated with DNA from 13-year-old liver specimens, one FFPE preserved and one fresh frozen, applying target-enriched sequencing. Thus, we show how DNA damage can be compensated, even when using low quantities (50 ng) of fragmented FFPE-DNA (DNA integrity number 2.0) that cannot be amplified well (Q129 bp/Q41 bp = 5%). Finally, we provide a checklist called 'ERROR-FFPE-DNA' that summarises recommendations for the minimal information in publications required for assessing fitness-for-purpose and inter-study comparison when using FFPE samples.
Topics: DNA; Formaldehyde; Paraffin Embedding; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Tissue Fixation
PubMed: 37351572
DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad519 -
Environmental Science & Technology Aug 2023Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are ubiquitous in the environment due to their large-scale usage, persistence, and long-range atmospheric transport. The oceans are a... (Review)
Review
Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are ubiquitous in the environment due to their large-scale usage, persistence, and long-range atmospheric transport. The oceans are a critical environment where CPs transformation occurs. However, the broad impacts of CPs on the marine environment remain unclear. This review describes the sources, occurrence and transport pathways, environmental processes, and ecological effects of CPs in the marine environment. CPs are distributed in the global marine environment by riverine input, ocean currents, and long-range atmospheric transport from industrial areas. Environmental processes, such as the deposition of particle-bound compounds, leaching of plastics, and microbial degradation of CPs, are the critical drivers for regulating CPs' fate in water columns or sediment. Bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of CPs in marine food webs may threaten marine ecosystem functions. To elucidate the biogeochemical processes and environmental impacts of CPs in marine environments, future work should clarify the burden and transformation process of CPs and reveal their ecological effects. The results would help readers clarify the current research status and future research directions of CPs in the marine environment and provide the scientific basis and theoretical foundations for the government to assess marine ecological risks of CPs and to make policies for pollution prevention and control.
Topics: Ecosystem; Paraffin; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; Environmental Pollution; Food Chain; Environmental Monitoring; China
PubMed: 37503949
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c02316 -
Revista Espanola de Enfermedades... Dec 2023An 83-year-old female, suffering from abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, was admitted to our hospital. Gas-liquid level and tumor was not seen on the abdominal...
An 83-year-old female, suffering from abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, was admitted to our hospital. Gas-liquid level and tumor was not seen on the abdominal computed tomography scan. Instead, two high density balloon which were 2.7cm(distal) and 3.3cm(proximal) in diameter separately were shown (Figure A) in small intestine. The balloons proved to be part of ileus tube and iohexol which was incorrectly injected into the balloons caused a blockage in the tube. During colonoscopy, we were surprised to find that the distal balloon had passed through the ileocecal valve and we punctured it easily (Figure B). However, affected by the broken distal balloon, we could not reach another one. Finally, we cut off the connector fixed to the face and instructed the patient to take some oral paraffin oil and exercise appropriately. The next day, the balloons were discharged with the symptoms alleviated. It is rare for iatrogenic foreign body to cause ileal obstruction).
Topics: Female; Humans; Aged, 80 and over; Intestinal Obstruction; Ileus; Intestine, Small; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Iatrogenic Disease
PubMed: 36263808
DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.9225/2022