BRAF mutations might be more common than supposed in vulvar melanomas

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BRAF mutations might be more common than supposed in vulvar melanomas

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Ethanolic extract of fenugreek seeds moderates dimethoate-induced pancreatic damage in male rats

Abstract

Dimethoate is a widely used organophosphate insecticide known to be toxic to the pancreas. The aim of this study is to detect the possible protective effects of the fenugreek seed ethanolic extract on the biochemical, histological, and ultra-structural abnormalities induced by dimethoate chronic exposure in the pancreas of adult male rats. The study was conducted on 50 adult male albino rats that were divided equally into 5 groups: (group I) negative control, (group II) vehicle control group, (group III) fenugreek-treated group that was given 400 mg/kg ethanolic fenugreek seed extract once daily, (group IV) dimethoate group received 20 mg/kg/day dimethoate, and (group V) dimethoate- + fenugreek-treated group received a combination of dimethoate and fenugreek in the same previous doses. Dimethoate treatment caused a significant increase in serum glucose, amylase, and lipase levels and a significant decrease in serum insulin. A significant increase in lipid peroxidation and pro-fibrotic cytokine (TGF-β1) together with a significant reduction of the antioxidant {reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD)} activities and the anti-inflammatory (IL-4) in pancreatic tissues was also recorded. There was a histological and ultra-structural evidence of pancreatic acinar and islet cell injury. The recorded abnormalities were reversed in dimethoate+fenugreek treated group indicating that fenugreek ethanolic extract can serve as an antidote for dimethoate-induced pancreatic insult.

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Development of an efficient viral aerosol collector for higher sampling flow rate

Abstract

Viral aerosol infection through cough generates large amounts of viral aerosol and can result in many adverse health effects such as influenza flu and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). To characterize the coughed viral aerosol, the sampler needs to sample at higher flow rate and possess high physical collection efficiency as well as high viral preservation. However, most current inertia-based high flow bioaerosol samplers are not suited for viral aerosol sampling since the viability will be lost doing the sampling process. Current condensation growth methods only have good physical collection efficiency and viral preservation at low flow rate (< 10 LPM). In this study, we developed a viral aerosol sampling system using a cooler and steam-jet aerosol collector (SJAC) for bioaerosol collection for the first time. The system is based on mixing condensation growth method and has high viral preservation at a higher flow rate (12.5 LPM). We control the inlet aerosol flow temperature and the SJAC mixing reservoir temperature to improve the physical collection efficiency and viability preservation of the viral aerosol. Results indicate that the physical collection efficiency is 70–99% for aerosol 30–100 nm when the aerosol flow and mixing reservoir temperature was 19 and 50 °C, respectively. In addition, the system was 7 and 22 times more efficient for viability preservation of MS2 bacteriophage than the commonly used All Glass Impinger 30 (AGI-30) and BioSampler®, respectively. Finally, the system can be applied to sample at a lower concentration (10⁵ PFU/m³), and results shows the system was 4.7 times more efficient for viability preservation than using AGI-30 alone. The developed viral collection system will improve our understanding of the characteristics of coughed aerosol and can be used for future evaluation of respiratory protective equipment and environmental sampling.

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Successful treatment of chromoblastomycosis of 10-year duration due to Fonsecaea nubica

Abstract

We report a case of chromoblastomycosis due to presence of large plaque and verrucous hyperplasia lesions on the left upper limb, with elbow abnormal activities, in a 56-year-old male. The diagnosis of chromoblastomycosis was based on gross and microscopic morphologies, histopathological examination and clinical manifestation. Molecular tools were applied to identifying the causative agent: Fonsecaea nubica, which is rarely reported to be associated with chromoblastomycosis. The patient was initially treated orally with terbinafine (250 mg/day) and itraconazole (200 mg/day), subsequently patient received thermotherapy (45-50 °C, 3 hours/day) for one month. The patient was successfully cured. A literature review was performed to assess general features, treatment and outcome of chromoblastomycosis due to Fonsecaea nubica. All the five reviewed patients were male, over 30-years-old, and their lesions were occurred after traumatic inoculation.

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Isavuconazole shortens the QTc interval

Abstract

Background

Isavuconazole is a novel antifungal drug, approved for treatment of adults with invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis. While azoles as a class effect are known to prolong QTc interval, clinical trials have shown that isavuconazole administration may cause shortening in a dose-related manner. Here, we assessed the effects of isavuconazole on the length of QTc interval.

Objectives

To describe changes of the QTc interval induced by isavuconazole treatment.

Patients/Methods

A total of 26 adult patients from seven hospitals were included. Patients received isavuconazole for treatment of invasive fungal infection and, in one case, for prophylaxis due to QTc prolongation under fluconazole. 12-channel electrocardiograms were performed before and during treatment.

Results

24 out of 26 patients showed shortening of QTc interval. In patients with QTc shortening, QTc during isavuconazole treatment showed a mean decrease of 7.4 ± 5.8% [(36.5 ± 38.8 ms, range 7 to 202; p=0.004), compared to pre-isavuconazole ECG. One patient with available long-term follow-up showed further decrease in QTc on day 55 and 110.

Conclusion

Apart from one case report, these are the first data outside controlled clinical trials showing QTc shortening. Knowledge about cardiac effects of isavuconazole will serve to better manage the use of concomitant medications.

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Visualization of dendritic cells’ responses in atopic dermatitis: Preventing effect of emollient

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