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Acta Parasitologica Sep 2023The aim of this study was to identify Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp. in fecal samples of HIV + /AIDS and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy,...
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to identify Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp. in fecal samples of HIV + /AIDS and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and comparing the results to healthy individuals in Mazandaran province, north of Iran.
METHODS
Stool samples were collected from 50 HIV + /AIDS patients, 50 cancer patients, and 50 healthy samples referred to medical centers in north of Iran. Stool samples were kept in 2.5% potassium dichromate at 4 °C, and stained by modified trichrome for light microscopy examination. The multiplex/nested-PCR targeted the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. To characterize genotypes, the nested PCR products sequenced by Bioneer Company and was subjected to phylogenetic analyses.
RESULTS
Ten of 50 samples (20%) of HIV + /AIDS patients, 5 of 50 samples (10%) of cancer patients, and 1 of healthy individuals (2%) were microscopically positive. From 50 HIV + / AIDS patients, E. bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp. were detected in 10 (20%) and 6 (12%) cases, respectively. Furthermore, among cancer patients, 7 (14%) and 2 (4%) cases were E. bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp., respectively. Out of 50 samples of healthy individuals, only 3 (6%) cases of E. bieneusi were observed. The genotypes D and M were detected among positive samples of E. bieneusi.
CONCLUSIONS
E. bieneusi and then Encephalitozoon spp. are common intestinal microsporidia in HIV + /AIDS patients and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in Mazandaran province. E. bieneusi genotype D seems to be the predominant genotype in Mazandaran province. Due to the considerable prevalence of intestinal microsporidia, physicians are advised to pay more attention to this opportunistic infection in high-risk groups.
Topics: Humans; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Microsporidiosis; Iran; Phylogeny; Encephalitozoon; Genotype; Enterocytozoon; Neoplasms; Feces; Microsporidia
PubMed: 37566357
DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00704-y -
Contact Dermatitis Nov 2023Cheilitis is an inflammatory condition of the lips. Its causes can be exogenous (irritants, allergens), endogenous (atopic dermatitis, systemic disorders) or unknown.
BACKGROUND
Cheilitis is an inflammatory condition of the lips. Its causes can be exogenous (irritants, allergens), endogenous (atopic dermatitis, systemic disorders) or unknown.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the prevalence of allergic contact cheilitis (ACC), its risk factors, and common allergens in patients with cheilitis at a Thai university-based tertiary care hospital.
METHODS
A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients with cheilitis referred for patch testing between January 2007 and December 2021.
RESULTS
Among 5366 patients referred for patch testing, 410 (7.6%) had cheilitis. ACC was diagnosed in 32% of the cheilitis patients. Compared to non-ACC cases, the patients with ACC were more likely to be young and female and have a disease duration of <3 months, no underlying disease and a white-collar job (p-value <0.05). The most common contact allergens were patient's products (73.3%), nickel sulfate (29.8%), potassium dichromate (14.5%), castor oil (14.3%) and benzalkonium chloride (13.0%). Lip cosmetics and toothpastes were major ACC sources.
CONCLUSIONS
ACC should be considered in cheilitis patients, especially in patients with specific risk factors. Castor oil is an emerging allergen. Patch testing using commercial allergen series and patients' own products is crucial for identifying causative agents. The development of a specific cheilitis series is warranted.
Topics: Humans; Female; Allergens; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Cheilitis; Castor Oil; Prevalence; Retrospective Studies; Thailand; Patch Tests
PubMed: 37607557
DOI: 10.1111/cod.14403 -
Ecotoxicology (London, England) Aug 2023Macroalgae are one of the main producers in marine environments. However, only a few toxicity test methods have been established that use reference strains of macroalgae...
Macroalgae are one of the main producers in marine environments. However, only a few toxicity test methods have been established that use reference strains of macroalgae to evaluate the effects of chemicals on the growth and reproduction of macroalgae to monitor water quality. We selected reference strains of Chlorophyta, Ulva aragoënsis; Phaeophyceae, Ectocarpus siliculosus; and wakame, Undaria pinnatifida, as test species to establish a microplate-based method to investigate the toxicity of potassium dichromate, 3,5-dichlorophenol, and two common herbicides (diuron and simazine). We determined the growth of the three macroalgae in their early life stages and during the sporangia formation stage in E. siliculosus under laboratory conditions. We observed that the growth and sporangia formation in these algae were impaired in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, we investigated the sensitivity of these macroalgae by comparing the toxicity values of toxicants used in this study with those obtained from a database. Compared to other microalgae and plant species, macroalgae showed a relatively high sensitivity to organic compounds, including herbicides. Growth tests using U. aragoënsis and E. siliculosus produced reliable results at 0-32 and 25-32 practical salinity units (PSU), respectively. The tests established in this study could test the toxicity of chemical substances in macroalgae and are thus expected to contribute to a better understanding of the environmental risks of chemical substances on aquatic biota. The tests could be applied to all effluent toxicity tests used for the management of seawater and brackish water quality.
Topics: Seaweed; Chlorophyta; Phaeophyceae; Undaria; Herbicides; Biological Assay
PubMed: 37592026
DOI: 10.1007/s10646-023-02692-1 -
Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2023Converting more CO absorbed by plant photosynthesis into biomass-activated carbon effectively reduces carbon emissions. In this study, we used a one-step preparation of...
Converting more CO absorbed by plant photosynthesis into biomass-activated carbon effectively reduces carbon emissions. In this study, we used a one-step preparation of biomass-activated carbon loaded with MgO nanoparticles to investigate the effect of Mg loading on the catalytic pyrolysis process. The influences of magnesium loading on biochar yield and fixed carbon production were assessed. The addition of 1% Mg weakened the carbonyl C=O, inhibited the dehydroxylation reaction, enhanced the C-H signal strength, and the formation of MgO inhibited the weaker- bound substituent breakage. Additionally, the addition of magnesium altered the morphological features and chemical composition of the biochar material. It also increased the activated carbon mesoporosity by 3.94%, biochar yield by 5.55%, and fixed carbon yield by 12.14%. The addition of 1% Mg increased the adsorption capacity of the activated carbon to potassium dichromate, acid magenta, methylene blue, and tetracycline effluents by 8.71 mg, 37.15 mg, 117.68 mg, and 3.53 mg, respectively. The results showed that MgCl played a significant role in promoting the thermal degradation of biomass and improving the solid yield and adsorption performance of activated carbon.
PubMed: 37508863
DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10070836 -
Biometals : An International Journal on... Feb 2024The binding process between three species of chromium and serum albumin (SA) was investigated, as well as the interaction between KCrO and bovine serum albumin (BSA)...
The binding process between three species of chromium and serum albumin (SA) was investigated, as well as the interaction between KCrO and bovine serum albumin (BSA) under coexistence of different chromium forms. CrCl, KCrO and Crpic bound to SA spontaneously through Van der Waals force, and their binding constants were 10-10 M at 298 K, respectively. KCrO and Crpic both had strong binding affinity for BSA, and significantly affected the secondary structure of BSA and the microenvironment surrounding amino acid residues. Chromium exhibited a greater fluorescence quenching constant towards HSA than toward BSA, and KCrO induced greater conformational changes in human serum albumin (HSA) than in BSA. A weak binding of CrCl to BSA had no significant effect on the binding affinity of KCrO to BSA. KCrO and BSA have a greater binding affinity when coexisting with Crpic, and KCrO induces a greater conformational change in BSA.
Topics: Humans; Serum Albumin; Chromium; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Thermodynamics; Serum Albumin, Bovine; Serum Albumin, Human; Protein Binding; Binding Sites; Molecular Docking Simulation
PubMed: 37610601
DOI: 10.1007/s10534-023-00531-8 -
JAMA Dermatology Sep 2023Patients are frequently copositive for multiple allergens simultaneously, either due to chemical similarity or simultaneous sensitization. A better understanding of...
IMPORTANCE
Patients are frequently copositive for multiple allergens simultaneously, either due to chemical similarity or simultaneous sensitization. A better understanding of copositivity groups would help guide contact avoidance.
OBJECTIVE
To use patient data to systematically determine copositivity groups in the Mayo Clinic Standard Series.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
In this retrospective cross-sectional analysis, the Mayo Clinic patch test database was queried for pairwise copositivity rates in the 80 allergen Mayo Clinic Standard Series between 2012 and 2021. Data were collected from 3 tertiary care sites of the Mayo Clinic Contact Dermatitis Group and a total of 5943 patients were included, comprising all patients undergoing patch testing to the Mayo Clinic Standard Series allergens.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Copositivity rates between every 2 allergens in the 80-allergen Mayo Clinic Standard Series were estimated. After background correction, copositivity rates were analyzed using unsupervised hierarchical clustering to systematically identify copositivity groups in an unbiased manner.
RESULTS
Overall, 394 921 total patches were applied to 5943 patients (4164 [70.1%] women, 1776 [29.9%] men, with a mean [SD] age of 52.3 [18.8] years ), comprising 9545 positive reactions. After background correction based on overall positivity rates, hierarchical clustering revealed distinct copositivity groups. Many were supported by prior literature, including formaldehyde releasers, cobalt-nickel-potassium dichromate, acrylates, 3-dimethylaminopropylamine-amidoamine-oleamidopropyl dimethylamine, alkyl glucosides, budesonide-hydrocortisone-17-butyrate, certain fragrances, compositae-sesquiterpene lactone mix, mercapto mix-mercaptobenzothiazole, carba mix-thiuram mix, and disperse orange-p-phenylenediamine. However, novel associations were also found, including glutaraldehyde-sorbitan sesquioleate, benzalkonium chloride-neomycin-bacitracin, bronopol-methylchloroisothiazolinone-methylisothiazolinone, and benzoic acid-iodopropynyl butylcarbamate.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
This retrospective cross-sectional analysis found that copositivity rates varied between allergens; allergens with extremely high positivity rates demonstrated nonspecific copositivity to multiple other allergens. Background correction based on positivity rates followed by hierarchical clustering confirmed prior known copositivity groups, contaminants and/or excipients leading to copositivity, and novel associations to guide contact avoidance.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Adolescent; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Patch Tests; Retrospective Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Allergens
PubMed: 37531132
DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2023.2352 -
Contact Dermatitis May 2024Gender-based differences in skin structure, physiology, and allergen exposure can influence contact dermatitis development.
BACKGROUND
Gender-based differences in skin structure, physiology, and allergen exposure can influence contact dermatitis development.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the differences and trends in contact sensitizers, focusing on the top 10 allergens and personal care product (PCP) contact allergies from a gender perspective.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective chart review of 5998 patients undergoing patch testing at an occupational and contact dermatitis clinic in a Thai, university-based, tertiary referral hospital from January 2001 to December 2021. Patients' characteristics and patch test results were collected.
RESULTS
Females had a higher positive patch test rate than males (71.8% vs. 65%, p < 0.001). However, males showed a greater prevalence of occupationally related allergic contact dermatitis (15.9%). Multivariate analysis revealed associations between being female and allergies to colophonium (aOR 1.46, 95% CI 1.07-1.99, p = 0.019), formaldehyde (aOR 1.97, 95% CI 1.17-13.31, p = 0.010), fragrance mix I (aOR 1.66, 95% CI 1.34-2.07, p < 0.001), MCI/MI (aOR 2.55, 95% CI 1.90-3.44, p < 0.001), neomycin (aOR 4.15, 95% CI 2.54-6.80, p < 0.001), and nickel (aOR 2.62, 95% CI 2.17-3.15, p < 0.001). Conversely, being male correlated with allergies to carba mix (aOR 0.51, 95% CI 0.41-0.64, p < 0.001), epoxy resin (aOR 0.26, 95% CI 0.14-0.47, p < 0.001), n-isopropyl-n-phenyl-4-phenylenediamine (aOR 0.41, 95% CI 0.20-0.83, p = 0.014), paraben mix (aOR 0.42, 95% CI 0.32-0.56, p < 0.001), and potassium dichromate (aOR 0.70, 95% CI 0.58-0.84, p < 0.001). Positive reactions to PCPs stood at 13% overall (males 17.1%, females 12.2%, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Gender plays a pivotal role in contact dermatitis. This work emphasises the importance of considering gender-specific factors when diagnosing and managing contact allergies.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Allergens; Sex Factors; Retrospective Studies; Nickel; Patch Tests
PubMed: 38109794
DOI: 10.1111/cod.14479 -
Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista... 2023Consumption of wild mushrooms has increased in recent years; however, not all of them are edible and there is no precise information on those that may cause poisoning....
Consumption of wild mushrooms has increased in recent years; however, not all of them are edible and there is no precise information on those that may cause poisoning. Therefore, studies to obtain data about their toxicity are needed. For this purpose, we used the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana, a crustacean employed in toxicity tests and with wide application in the toxin detection, including mycotoxins. Mushrooms were collected in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, with which aqueous extracts were prepared. Dilutions of the stock solution of each extract were made to final concentrations of 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 µg/mL. Potassium dichromate (PD) was used as positive control and artificial seawater as negative control. The median lethal dose (LD50) of extracts on nauplii of A. franciscana was calculated. The aqueous extracts obtained from Amanita amerivirosa, A. muscaria, Chlorophyllum molybdites, and Leucopaxillus amarus showed a LD50 < 70 µg/mL, similar to PD (LD50 = 37 µg/mL). This is the first indication of the probable toxicity of Leucopaxillus amarus in humans. Cantharellus cibarius and Scleroderma texense caused the lower toxicity to the nauplii. The brine shrimp bioassay was effective in evaluating the toxicity of Basidiomycota. Scleroderma texense has been reported to be toxic, but it was not for this crustacean nauplii, and probably not to humans either, as recent literature has reported.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Artemia; Agaricales; Basidiomycota
PubMed: 38126634
DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.275156 -
Annals of Dermatology Aug 2023There has been debate regarding whether patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) have an altered frequency of contact allergen sensitization. Increased exposure to topical...
BACKGROUND
There has been debate regarding whether patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) have an altered frequency of contact allergen sensitization. Increased exposure to topical medications and moisturizers as well as impaired skin barrier function increase the risk of contact sensitization, whereas the Th2-skewed inflammatory pathway of AD is associated with a reduced risk.
OBJECTIVE
This retrospective study was performed to determine the characteristics of contact sensitization in allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) patients with a current or past history of AD.
METHODS
A clinical record review was conducted for patients referred to Ewha Womans University Medical Center, for patch tests between March 2017 and March 2021. We compared the rates of contact sensitization between ACD patients with and without AD.
RESULTS
In total, 515 patch test results were reviewed and divided into the AD group (n=53) and non-AD group (n=462). The AD group showed decreased any-allergen positivity (1+, 2+, or 3+) (56.6%) compared to the non-AD group (72.9%) (=0.013). The positivity rate for budesonide was significantly higher in the AD group (=0.011), while the prevalence of a positive result for balsam of Peru was higher in the non-AD group (=0.036). Nickel sulfate, cobalt chloride, and potassium dichromate were the most common sensitized allergens in both groups.
CONCLUSION
Our study shows a decreased prevalence of contact sensitization in AD patients compared to non-AD patients. Clinicians should be aware of the risk of corticosteroid allergies in ACD patients with history of AD.
PubMed: 37550231
DOI: 10.5021/ad.23.001 -
Contact Dermatitis Jun 2024Tefillin are a religious article worn by Jewish men during daily prayer. Tefillin dermatitis secondary to potassium dichromate sensitivity is recognised, but data remain...
BACKGROUND
Tefillin are a religious article worn by Jewish men during daily prayer. Tefillin dermatitis secondary to potassium dichromate sensitivity is recognised, but data remain sparse.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of tefillin dermatitis.
METHODS
Patients who underwent patch testing with the European baseline series in a tertiary dermatology clinic in 2009-2023 and were diagnosed with tefillin dermatitis were identified by file review and their clinical data recorded.
RESULTS
Of 1679 consecutive male patients tested, 25 (1.49%) were diagnosed with tefillin dermatitis, accounting for 15.34% of all potassium-dichromate-positive patients (163/1679). Mean pre-symptomatic duration of tefillin use was 38 ± 16.9 years, and mean follow-up time, 3.1 ± 2.9 years. Patients presented with an eczematous rash on body areas in direct contact with the leather box or straps of the tefillin. An id reaction was noted in 32%, and sensitivity to other leather accessories, in 44%. Fourteen patients (56%) switched to chromate-free tefillin: symptoms resolved completely in 11 (79%) and partially in 2.
LIMITATIONS
Retrospective cohort design.
CONCLUSION
This is the largest study to date of tefillin dermatitis caused by sensitivity to potassium dichromate used in leather production. Prognosis after switching to chromate-free tefillin was good-to-excellent. Tefillin dermatitis may be more prevalent than previously thought.
PubMed: 38923529
DOI: 10.1111/cod.14627