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Dermatitis : Contact, Atopic,... 2020: Cutaneous exposure to aluminum may occur via contact with metal items, medications, and personal care products. Despite the widespread use of aluminum, allergic... (Review)
Review
: Cutaneous exposure to aluminum may occur via contact with metal items, medications, and personal care products. Despite the widespread use of aluminum, allergic contact dermatitis is relatively rare. Sensitization is often incidentally identified during patch testing with aluminum-based chambers. This article presents several cases along with a literature review summarizing prevalence and clinical manifestations of cutaneous reactions to aluminum, recommendations for patch testing, sources of aluminum, and reproducibility of aluminum allergy over time.
Topics: Aluminum; Antacids; Antiperspirants; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Desensitization, Immunologic; Humans; Tattooing; Toothpastes; Vaccines
PubMed: 33186331
DOI: 10.1097/DER.0000000000000633 -
The New England Journal of Medicine Dec 2022
Topics: Humans; Bismuth; Salicylates; Organometallic Compounds
PubMed: 36449423
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMicm2027922 -
Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao = Chinese... Feb 2022Microbial induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) refers to the natural biological process of calcium carbonate precipitation induced by microbial metabolism in... (Review)
Review
Microbial induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) refers to the natural biological process of calcium carbonate precipitation induced by microbial metabolism in its surrounding environment. Based on the principles of MICP, microbial cement has been developed and has received widespread attention in the field of biology, civil engineering, and environment owing to the merits of environmental friendliness and economic competence. Urease and carbonic anhydrase are the key enzymes closely related to microbial cement. This review summarizes the genes, protein structures, regulatory mechanisms, engineering strains and mutual synergistic relationship of these two enzymes. The application of bioinformatics and synthetic biology is expected to develop biocement with a wide range of environmental adaptability and high performance, and will bring the MICP research to a new height.
Topics: Calcium Carbonate; Chemical Precipitation; Urease
PubMed: 35234378
DOI: 10.13345/j.cjb.210127 -
Annals of the American Thoracic Society May 2022Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fibrosing interstitial pneumonia with impaired survival. Previous guidelines recommend antacid medication to improve... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fibrosing interstitial pneumonia with impaired survival. Previous guidelines recommend antacid medication to improve respiratory outcomes in patients with IPF. This systematic review was undertaken during the development of an American Thoracic Society, European Respiratory Society, Japanese Respiratory Society, and Asociación Latinoamericana del Tórax guideline. The clinical question was, "Should patients with IPF who have documented abnormal gastroesophageal reflux (GER) with or without symptoms of GER disease ) be treated with antacid medication or ) undergo antireflux surgery to improve respiratory outcomes?" Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the gray literature were searched through June 30, 2020. Studies that enrolled patients with IPF and ) compared antacid medication to placebo or no medication or ) compared antireflux surgery to no surgery were selected. Meta-analyses were performed when possible. Outcomes included disease progression, mortality, exacerbations, hospitalizations, lung function, respiratory symptoms, GER severity, and adverse effects/complications. For antacid medication, when two studies were aggregated, there was no statistically significant effect on disease progression, defined as a 10% or more decline in FVC, more than 50-m decline in 6-minute walking distance, or death (risk ratio [RR], 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76-1.03). A separate study that could not be included in the meta-analysis found no statistically significant effect on disease progression when defined as a 5% or more decline in FVC or death (RR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.00-1.21) and an increase in disease progression when defined as a 10% or more decline in FVC or death (RR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.08-1.51). For antireflux surgery, there was also no statistically significant effect on disease progression (RR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.06-1.26). Neither antacid medications nor antireflux surgery was associated with improvements in the other outcomes. There is insufficient evidence to conclude that antacid medication or antireflux surgery improves respiratory outcomes in patients with IPF, most of whom had not had abnormal GER confirmed. Well-designed and adequately powered prospective studies with objective evaluation for GER are critical to elucidate the role of antacid medication and antireflux surgery for respiratory outcomes in patients with IPF.
Topics: Antacids; Disease Progression; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Humans; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 35486080
DOI: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.202102-172OC -
Anaerobe Feb 2023Data from the past decade indicates that Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is not only a nosocomial infection but is also increasingly recognized as a disease in...
BACKGROUND
Data from the past decade indicates that Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is not only a nosocomial infection but is also increasingly recognized as a disease in the community.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to study community-onset (CO) CDI in the various age groups in south Serbia with its clinical characteristics, risk factors and microbiological characterization.
METHODS
The study group included 93 patients with CO-CDI (median age 62). The control group consisted of 186 patients with community-onset diarrhea and stool samples negative tested for CDI.
RESULTS
Of all CDI cases diagnosed with a community onset, 74.19% had a previous contact with a healthcare facility in the previous 12 weeks, but 34.40% have no record on hospitalization in the previous 12 months. Using a multivariate statistical regression model, the following risk factors for CO-CDI development were found; antacid usage (OR = 0.267, 95%C.I.:0.10-0.291, p < 0.01), chronic kidney disease (OR = 0.234, 95%C.I.:0.10-0.51, p < 0.01) and antibiotic use during the prior 2 months (OR = 0.061, 95%C.I.:0.02-0.17, p < 0.01), especially tetracycline's (OR = 0.146, 95% C.I.:0.07-0.22, p < 0.01) and cephalosporin's (OR = 0.110, 95%C.I.:0.14-0.42, p < 0.01). The most common ribotypes (RTs) detected in patients with CO-CDI were RT001 (32.3%) and RT027 (24.7%). All tested toxin producing C. difficile isolates were sensitive to metronidazole, vancomycin and tigecycline. A high rate of resistance to moxifloxacin (73.11%) and rifampicin (23.65%) was found.
CONCLUSION
Patients with CO-CDI had frequently contact with healthcare facility in the previous 12 weeks. Restriction of antacid usage and of high-risk antibiotics in the community may help reduce the incidence of CO-CDI.
Topics: Humans; Middle Aged; Clostridioides difficile; Serbia; Antacids; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cross Infection; Clostridium Infections; Ribotyping
PubMed: 36455757
DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2022.102669 -
Biomedical Materials (Bristol, England) Aug 2021CaCOparticles, due to their unique properties such as biodegradation, pH-sensitivity, and porous surface, have been widely used as carrier materials for delivering...
CaCOparticles, due to their unique properties such as biodegradation, pH-sensitivity, and porous surface, have been widely used as carrier materials for delivering drugs, genes, vaccines, and other bioactive molecules. In these applications, CaCOparticles are often administered intravenously. In this sense, the interaction between CaCOparticles and blood components plays a key role in their delivery efficacy and biosafety, though the hemocompatibility of CaCOparticles has not been evaluated until now. Deficiency in the biosafety information has delayed the clinical use of CaCOparticles in delivery systems. In this work, we investigated the biosafety of CaCOparticles, focusing on theirandeffects on key blood components (red blood cells, platelets, etc) and coagulation functions. We foundthat high concentrations of CaCOparticles can cause the aggregation and hemolysis of red blood cells, with platelet activation and coagulation prolongation., we found that intravenously injected CaCOparticles at 50 mg kgsignificantly disturbed the red blood cells, and platelet-related blood routine indexes, but did not induce visible abnormalities in the tissue structures of the key organs. Overall, these effects may be due to the enormous adsorption capability of the porous surface of CaCOparticles. 0.1 mg mlof the CaCOparticles exhibit excellent compatibility for their practical applications. These results would be expected to greatly promote theapplications and clinical use of CaCOparticles in biomedicine.
Topics: Animals; Biocompatible Materials; Blood Coagulation; Blood Coagulation Tests; Blood Platelets; Calcium Carbonate; Erythrocytes; Hemolysis; Humans; Materials Testing; Nanoparticles; Platelet Activation; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley
PubMed: 34340221
DOI: 10.1088/1748-605X/ac19bf -
Journal of Clinical GastroenterologyThe last decade has seen the rise of multiple novel endoscopic techniques to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, many of which are efficacious when compared with... (Review)
Review
The last decade has seen the rise of multiple novel endoscopic techniques to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, many of which are efficacious when compared with traditional surgical options and allow relief from long-term dependence on antacid medications. This review will explore the latest endoscopic treatment options for gastroesophageal reflux disease including a description of the technique, review of efficacy and safety, and future directions.
Topics: Antacids; Anti-Ulcer Agents; Esophagitis, Peptic; Esophagoscopy; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Humans
PubMed: 36040930
DOI: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000001757 -
American Journal of Pharmaceutical... Mar 2022Nostalgia is characterized by feelings of sentimentality and wistfulness. Once considered pathologic, nostalgia is now recognized as a normal and perhaps essential part...
Nostalgia is characterized by feelings of sentimentality and wistfulness. Once considered pathologic, nostalgia is now recognized as a normal and perhaps essential part of the human condition. Closely related to but distinct from nostalgia is a phenomenon known as "rosy retrospection." Rosy retrospection is a bias where individuals judge the past as being disproportionally superior to the present. Nostalgia plays a role in helping individuals and society gauge its progress and accomplishments. It also serves to offer comfort in difficult times. Individuals should be careful to understand the differences between nostalgia and rosy retrospection and make efforts to build nostalgic moments with colleagues and family members both inside and outside of the classroom.
Topics: Calcium Carbonate; Education, Pharmacy; Emotions; Humans; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 34301590
DOI: 10.5688/ajpe8785 -
Journal of Biomedical Materials... May 2024During intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration, microenvironmental challenges such as decreasing levels of glucose, oxygen, and pH play crucial roles in cell survival and...
During intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration, microenvironmental challenges such as decreasing levels of glucose, oxygen, and pH play crucial roles in cell survival and matrix turnover. Antacids, such as Mg(OH) and CaCO, entrapped in microcapsules are capable of neutralizing acidic microenvironments in a controlled fashion and therefore may offer the potential to improve the acidic niche of the degenerated IVD and enhance cell-based regeneration strategies. The objectives of this work were, first, to develop and characterize antacid microcapsules and assess their neutralization capacity in an acidic microenvironment and, second, to combine antacid microcapsules with cellular microcapsules in a hybrid gel system to investigate their neutralization effect as a potential therapeutic in a disc explant model. To achieve this, we screened five different pH- neutralizing agents (Al(OH), Mg(OH), CaCO, and HEPES) in terms of their pH neutralization capacities, with Mg(OH) or CaCO being carried forward for further investigation. Antacid-alginate microcapsules were formed at different concentrations using the electrohydrodynamic spraying process and assessed in terms of size, buffering kinetics, cell compatibility, and cytotoxicity. Finally, the combination of cellular microcapsules and antacid capsules was examined in a bovine disc explant model under physiological degenerative conditions. Overall, CaCO was found to be superior in terms of neutralization capacities, release kinetics, and cellular response. Specifically, CaCO elevated the acidic pH to neutral levels and is estimated to be maintained for several weeks based on Ca release. Using a disc explant model, it was demonstrated that CaCO microcapsules were capable of increasing the local pH within the core of a hybrid cellular gel system. This work highlights the potential of antacid microcapsules to positively alter the challenging acidic microenvironment conditions typically observed in degenerative disc disease, which may be used in conjunction with cell therapies to augment regeneration.
PubMed: 38817021
DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37755 -
Digestive Diseases and Sciences Jan 2022There are few reports about reflux esophagitis (RE) as a cause of severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB).
BACKGROUND
There are few reports about reflux esophagitis (RE) as a cause of severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB).
AIMS
This study aims to evaluate (1) changes in its prevalence over the last three decades and (2) clinical and endoscopic characteristics and 30-day outcomes among RE patients with and without focal esophageal ulcers (EUs) and stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH).
METHODS
A retrospective study of prospectively collected data of esophagitis patients hospitalized with severe UGIB between 1992 and 2020. Descriptive analysis and statistical comparisons were performed.
RESULTS
Of 114 RE patients, the mean age was 61.1 years and 76.3% were males. 38.6% had prior gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms; overall 36% were on acid suppressants. Over three consecutive decades, the prevalence of RE as a cause of severe UGIB increased significantly from 3.8 to 16.7%. 30-day rebleeding and all-cause mortality rates were 11.4% and 6.1%. RE patients with focal EUs and SRH (n = 23) had worse esophagitis than those with diffuse RE (n = 91) (p = 0.012). There were no differences in 30-day outcomes between RE patients with and without EUs and SRH.
CONCLUSIONS
For patients with severe UGIB caused by RE, (1) the prevalence has increased significantly over the past three decades, (2) the reasons for this increase and preventive strategies warrant further study, (3) most patients lacked GERD symptoms and did not take acid suppressants, and (4) those with focal ulcers and SRH had more severe esophagitis and were treated endoscopically.
Topics: Antacids; Endoscopy, Digestive System; Esophageal and Gastric Varices; Esophagitis, Peptic; Female; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Hospitalization; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Peptic Ulcer; Prevalence; Recurrence; Retrospective Studies; Severity of Illness Index
PubMed: 33590404
DOI: 10.1007/s10620-021-06828-3