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Biomedicines Jun 2024Hypothyroidism is a frequently diagnosed endocrine disorder. Common signs and symptoms include fatigue, cold intolerance, hoarseness, dry skin, constipation, a slow...
Hypothyroidism is a frequently diagnosed endocrine disorder. Common signs and symptoms include fatigue, cold intolerance, hoarseness, dry skin, constipation, a slow relaxation phase of deep tendon reflexes, and bradycardia. However, some patients may exhibit atypical signs and symptoms, which can result in diagnostic confusion. Pituitary hyperplasia resulting from longstanding primary hypothyroidism was first described by Niepce in 1851. It is usually asymptomatic, but sometimes, in addition to symptoms of overt hypothyroidism, patients may complain of headaches, hypopituitarism, visual field impairment, and hyperprolactinemia. Furthermore, on imaging, pituitary hyperplasia can be mistaken for a pituitary adenoma. Distinguishing between the two is crucial, as their management differs; the former often responds to thyroid hormone replacement therapy, while the latter might need treatment with surgery and/or radiotherapy. Here we describe a patient who developed pituitary hyperplasia in the setting of longstanding uncompensated primary hypothyroidism due to a lack of compliance with levothyroxine replacement therapy. We also review the clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings of the case reports available in the literature up to now in order to improve the knowledge and the care of the disease.
PubMed: 38927575
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061368 -
American Journal of Medical Genetics.... Jun 2024A heterozygous gain-of-function variant in the acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (ACOX1) gene, c.710A>G (p.Asn237Ser), is known to cause Mitchell syndrome, a very rare progressive...
A heterozygous gain-of-function variant in the acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (ACOX1) gene, c.710A>G (p.Asn237Ser), is known to cause Mitchell syndrome, a very rare progressive disorder characterized by episodic demyelination, sensory polyneuropathy, and hearing loss. Only eight patients have been described so far. A single patient has been treated with intravenous immunoglobulin administration, indicating clinical improvement. In this study, we describe a 10-year-old girl carrying the identical mutation, who presented with progressive sensorineural deafness, visual abnormalities, skin ichthyosis, and gait ataxia from infantile age with progressive worsening and loss of walking ability by the age of 10 years. Antioxidant therapies and monthly intravenous immunoglobulin infusions showed excellent clinical results: after 1 year of treatment, the child is now able to walk, run, and jump. We emphasize the importance of early genetic diagnosis since an effective treatment is available for this rare condition.
PubMed: 38923841
DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63796 -
Marine Drugs Jun 2024The growing demand for phycobiliproteins from microalgae generates a significant volume of by-products, such as extraction cakes. These cakes are enriched with products...
The growing demand for phycobiliproteins from microalgae generates a significant volume of by-products, such as extraction cakes. These cakes are enriched with products of interest for the cosmetics market, namely free fatty acids, particularly polyunsaturated (PUFA). In this work, two cakes, one of spirulina and one of , were valorized using innovative natural hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (NaDES) based on alkanediols. The most promising NaDES, as determined by physicochemical properties and screening, are mixtures of alkanediols and fatty acids. These include the mixtures of 1,3-propanediol and octanoic acid (1:5, mol/mol) and 1,3-propanediol and octanoic and decanoic acid (1:3:1, mol/mol). Two extractive processes were implemented: ultrasound-assisted extraction and an innovative mechanical process involving dual asymmetric centrifugation. The second process resulted in the production of extracts significantly enriched in PUFA, ranging from 65 to 220 mg/g dry matter with the two cakes. The extracts and NaDES demonstrated good safety with respect to epidermal keratinocyte viability (>80% at 200 µg/mL). The study of their impact on commensal and pathogenic cutaneous bacteria demonstrated significant effects on the viability of and (>50% decrease at 200 µg/mL) while preserving and . These results highlight the potential of valorizing these co-products using alkanediol-based NaDES, in a strategy combining an active vector (NaDES) and a growth regulator extract, for the management of cutaneous dysbiosis involving staphylococci.
Topics: Spirulina; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; Humans; Deep Eutectic Solvents; Microalgae; Keratinocytes; Cosmetics; Dermatologic Agents; Aquatic Organisms
PubMed: 38921592
DOI: 10.3390/md22060281 -
Iranian Journal of Public Health May 2024An important route of microbial transmission is the shared use of these products in beauty salons. We aimed to investigate level of contamination with microorganisms and...
BACKGROUND
An important route of microbial transmission is the shared use of these products in beauty salons. We aimed to investigate level of contamination with microorganisms and their metabolites in shared-use cosmetics in several women's beauty salons.
METHODS
Bacterial and fungal strains from 320 opened/used cosmetic samples were identified according to the Iranian standards for microbial quality of cosmetic products in Golestan Province (North of Iran) during Jul-Sep 2021. In order to assess production of toxins and protease by the predominant bacterial and fungal isolates, multiplex-polymerase chain reaction and the Lowry protein assay were performed, respectively.
RESULTS
Microbial contamination was detected in 180 samples (56.5%), and the highest and lowest rates of microbial contamination were related to skin products (63.88%) and eye beauty products (20%), respectively. The highest level of contamination (> 4,000 colony-forming units/g) was found in toner and face wash samples, and the highest level of contamination was seen in lipstick samples (>20,000 colony-forming units/g). Only one (2%) isolate produced staphylococcal enterotoxin B, while 3 out of 12 (25%) isolates were able to produce protease.
CONCLUSION
The shared-used health and beauty products, face products, in the study area are heavily contaminated. Therefore, it is essential to store used cosmetics in dry and cool places, establish strict inspection regulations for cosmetic products before and after entering the market, and increase awareness of beauty salon workers regarding the appropriate use, sanitary control, and maintenance of health and beauty products.
PubMed: 38912148
DOI: 10.18502/ijph.v53i5.15599 -
International Ophthalmology Clinics Jul 2024Intense pulsed light has a growing body of research supporting its use in skin rejuvenation, dermatologic conditions, as well as ocular rosacea, dry eyes and meibomian... (Review)
Review
Intense pulsed light has a growing body of research supporting its use in skin rejuvenation, dermatologic conditions, as well as ocular rosacea, dry eyes and meibomian gland dysfunction. This paper will start with the conception of one protocol for treating dry eyes, blepharitis and styes using broad band light, a version of intense pulsed light, and its evolution into a life-changing in-office procedure for many patients. The approach for optimizing the settings, considerations during the consultation, the procedure in detail, after treatment care, and potential complications to avoid are all explained. Periocular and facial rejuvenation treatment protocols are discussed as well. This should be a useful guide for clinicians looking to add intense pulsed light to their in-office treatment armamentarium to significantly improve the lives of their patients.
Topics: Humans; Dry Eye Syndromes; Blepharitis; Rejuvenation; Intense Pulsed Light Therapy; Phototherapy; Face
PubMed: 38910500
DOI: 10.1097/IIO.0000000000000527 -
International Journal of Pharmaceutics Jun 2024Free amino acids (FAAs) constitute the largest component (∼40 %) of the so-called natural moisturizing factors of the skin. Their level declines in dry skin...
Free amino acids (FAAs) constitute the largest component (∼40 %) of the so-called natural moisturizing factors of the skin. Their level declines in dry skin conditions and one strategy to overcome this problem may involve the topical delivery of FAAs through appropriate strategy. The objective of the present study was therefore to identify alternative skin models and study the corneocyte-water partition coefficients (K) and permeation coefficient (K) of 18 FAAs. The K was studied using standard protocols and the permeation studies were conducted using Franz diffusion cell. The results indicate that the FAAs have high partitioning behavior to the corneocytes. The K values of the human COR and that of pig ear skin were better correlated with each other than that of keratin isolated from chicken feathers. The presence of lipid in the stratum corneum (SC), initial concentration of the FAAs, and permeation enhancers affect the K. The FAAs have low permeation into the SC which suggests the need for permeation enhancers in designing dosage form containing these compounds. Even though the investigated mathematical models show good prediction of the Kp values, better prediction could be obtained by considering factors such as the possible entrapment of the FAAs by the CORs.
PubMed: 38909923
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124372 -
European Journal of Dermatology : EJD Apr 2024
Topics: Humans; Drug Eruptions; Imidazoles; Pyridazines; Ichthyosis, Lamellar; Female; Antineoplastic Agents; Male
PubMed: 38907571
DOI: 10.1684/ejd.2024.4670 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Jun 2024To explore the characteristics and evaluate the risk of heavy metals in groundwater at a typical smelter-contaminated site, this study focuses on a representative a...
To explore the characteristics and evaluate the risk of heavy metals in groundwater at a typical smelter-contaminated site, this study focuses on a representative a historical arsenic smelting plant in Southwest China, where the primary historical products were metallic arsenic (∼1000 tons/year) and arsenic trioxide (∼2000 ton/year). The results demonstrated As and Pb as the main pollutants in soil, and As and Cd as main pollutants in groundwater through soil profiling and quarterly groundwater analysis. The maximum As and Pb in the surface soil were 76800 and 2290 mg/kg, respectively, with As vertically infiltrating the deep gravel-sand layer (18-20 m). The groundwater pollution distribution progressively increased along flow direction, influenced by seasonal surface runoff and infiltration fluctuations. The groundwater pollutant concentrations during the dry season notably surpassed those during the wet season, with maximum As and Cd concentrations of 111.64 mg/L and 19.85 μg/L during the dry season, respectively. Furthermore, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was applied to evaluate the comprehensive risk of contaminated-site across pollution source load, regional groundwater intrinsic vulnerability, and evaluation of nearby sensitive receptors. The results revealed that the carcinogenic risk of lead in surface soil was moderate to high, while arsenic posed a high carcinogenic risk, contributing to an overall carcinogenic risk proportion of 89.6% in surface soil. Exposure through groundwater intake was identified as the primary pathway, with carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks exceeding those through skin contact. The final weights result demonstrated that the principal risk factors are the intrinsic arsenic load and protective target characteristics of regional groundwater at this site. This study provides a reference for comprehensive assessments of similarly contaminated industrial and smelting sites.
PubMed: 38906401
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124401 -
Journal of Thermal Biology Jun 2024Athletes with tetraplegia may experience marked hyperthermia while exercising under environmental heat stress due to their limited ability to dissipate heat through...
Athletes with tetraplegia may experience marked hyperthermia while exercising under environmental heat stress due to their limited ability to dissipate heat through evaporative means. This study investigated the effectiveness of two external cooling strategies (i.e., spraying water onto the body surface or using a cooling vest) on physiological and perceptual variables in tetraplegic athletes during and after an aerobic exercise session in a hot environment. Nine male wheelchair rugby players performed an incremental test to determine their maximum aerobic power output. After that, they were subjected to three experimental trials in a counter-balanced order: control (CON, no body cooling), cooling vest (CV), and water spraying (WS). During these trials, they performed 30 min of a submaximal exercise (at 65% of their maximum aerobic power) inside an environmental chamber set to maintain the dry-bulb temperature at 32 °C. The following variables were recorded at regular intervals during the exercise and for an additional 30 min following the exertion (i.e., post-exercise recovery) with the participants also exposed to 32 °C: body core temperature (T), skin temperature (T), heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), thermal comfort (TC), and thermal sensation (TS). While exercising in CON conditions, the tetraplegic athletes had the expected increases in T, T, HR, RPE, and TC and TS scores. HR, TC, and TS decreased gradually toward pre-exercise values after the exercise, whereas T and T remained stable at higher values. Using a cooling vest decreased the temperature measured only on the chest and reduced the scores of RPE, TC, and TS during and after exercise but did not influence the other physiological responses of the tetraplegic athletes. In contrast, spraying water onto the athletes' body surface attenuated the exercise-induced increase in T, led to lower HR values during recovery, and was also associated with better perception during and after exercise. We conclude that water spraying is more effective than the cooling vest in attenuating physiological strain induced by exercise-heat stress. However, although both external cooling strategies do not influence exercise hyperthermia, they improve the athletes' thermal perception and reduce perceived exertion.
PubMed: 38906048
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2024.103896 -
Veterinary Research Communications Jun 2024Characterization of microbiota structure on the skin of healthy horses is important for further development of modulation strategies to ensure optimal bacterial...
Characterization of microbiota structure on the skin of healthy horses is important for further development of modulation strategies to ensure optimal bacterial composition for physiological processes. This requirement is also supported by the relatively high incidence of dermatological diseases in horses and thus the need to manage them therapeutically. The taxonomic analysis of skin samples (n = 30) from five different body parts of clinically healthy Shetlands ponies females (neck, back, abdomen, pastern, muzzle) kept under homogeneous conditions (in open stalls with paddock, feed with dry hay, green grass ad libitum and granulated feed) was performed using amplification of V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Results indicate that bacteria associated with healthy equine skin represent 18 phyla, 29 classes and 119 families. The most abundant phyla were Proteobacteria (30.8 ± 9.1%) followed by Actinobacteriota (20.4 ± 7.6%), Firmicutes (19.5 ± 10.1%), Bacteroidota (8.5 ± 5.0%) and Deinococcota (7.2 ± 14.8%). Among 229 genera identified, Corynebacterium (7.4 ± 6.5%) was the most abundant genus in skin sites of horses, followed by Deinococcus (7.1 ± 14.9%) and Macrococcus (5.0 ± 8.2%). Indices for the richness and diversity of species within bacterial populations for five regions of horses skin revealed no significant variations observed for species richness (Chao1, p-value 0.2001) but significant result for species evenness (Shannon, p-value 0.0049) with maximum on the neck and minimum on the back skin site. The clustering was seen across samples from different skin sites but also across samples collected from individual horses.
PubMed: 38900396
DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10444-7