: We report a case of fatal primary herpes simplex virus type‐2 (HSV‐2) infection following liver transplantation, which manifested with fever and liver failure in the absence of muco‐cutaneous ...disease. The infection was characterized by high levels of HSV DNA in blood and the patient's inability to mount HSV‐specific T‐cell responses while showing preserved T‐cell responses against cytomegalovirus. The donor was HSV‐1 immunoglobulin G (IgG) seronegative and HSV‐2 IgG seropositive, whereas the recipient was HSV‐1 and HSV‐2 IgG seronegative, suggesting that the graft may have been the source of the infection. In HSV‐seronegative recipients of grafts from HSV‐seropositive donors, HSV infection should be included in the differential diagnosis of a febrile illness, regardless of the absence of muco‐cutaneous disease. In this setting, real‐time polymerase chain reaction applied to blood samples provides a sensitive, rapid, and quantitative diagnostic tool.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
OBJECTIVE
To assess prospectively the effects of low dose oestradiol on arterial endothelial and smooth muscle function in healthy men. Oestrogen use is associated with reduced cardiovascular disease ...in oestrogen‐deficient women, however, the vascular effects of low‐dose oestradiol in healthy men have not been investigated previously.
PATIENTS and DESIGN
Twenty‐three men (aged 32 ± 8 years) were randomized to receive depot implants of testosterone (T) alone (group 1, n = 10), or T with either 10 mg (group 2, n = 7) or 20 mg (group 3, n = 6) of oestradiol (E).
MEASUREMENTS
Hormone levels, lipids and vascu‐lar reactivity were measured before, 1 month and 6 months after hormone implantation. Using high‐resolution ultrasound, brachial artery diameter was measured at rest, during reactive hyperaemia (leading to flow‐mediated dilatation, FMD, which is endothelium‐dependent) and after sublingual nitroglycerin (GTN, an endothelium‐independent dilator).
RESULTS
Oestradiol produced a dose‐dependent increase in plasma oestradiol (at 1 month 96 ± 7, 149 ± 6, 192 ± 23 pmol/l in the 3 groups, respec‐tively, P < 0·001 by anova for trend). Minor side‐effects (gynaecomastia, nipple tenderness) indicated that 20 mg oestradiol was the maximum tolerated dose. There was also a dose‐dependent increase in FMD with oestradiol dose: at 1 month, − 0·2, + 0·2 and + 1·8% for groups 1–3, respectively (P = 0·31 by anova for trend); and at 6 months, − 0·8, + 0·4 and + 2·2% (P = 0·02). The rise in oestradiol levels following treatment correlated with the improvement in FMD (P = 0·01). GTN responses were similar in the 3 groups throughout the study.
CONCLUSION
In healthy young men, oestradiol supplementation is associated with enhanced arterial endothelial function, a key marker of vascular health.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS), a global, not-for-profit organization representing 157 dermatological societies worldwide, has identified the consequences of skin aging ...as one of the most important grand challenges in global skin health. Reduced functional capacity and increased susceptibility of the skin with development of dermatoses such as dry skin, itching, ulcers, dyspigmentation, wrinkles, fungal infections, as well as benign and malignant tumors are the most common skin conditions in aged populations worldwide. Environmental (e.g., pollution) and lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking, sunbed use) negatively affect skin health. In turn altered appearance, dry skin, chronic wounds, and other conditions decrease general health and reduce the likelihood for healthy and active aging. Preventive skin care includes primary, secondary, and tertiary interventions. Continuous sun protection from early childhood onward is most important, to avoid extrinsic skin damage and skin cancer. Exposure to irritants, allergens, or other molecules damaging the skin must be avoided or reduced to a minimum. Public health approaches are needed to implement preventive and basic skin care worldwide to reach high numbers of dermatological patients and care receivers. Education of primary caregivers and implementation of community dermatology are successful strategies in resource-poor countries. Besides specialist physicians, nurses and other health care professionals play important roles in preventing and managing age-related skin conditions in developing as well as in developed countries. Healthy skin across the life course leads to better mental and emotional health, positive impact on social engagement, and healthier, more active, and productive lives.
. Osteocalcin (Oc) and the collagen cross‐links pyridinoline (Pyr) and deoxypyridinoline (dPyr) arc used as markers of bone turnover in metabolic bone diseases. The aims of this study were: 1) to ...establish if Oc, Pyr and dPyr can be detected in GCF and 2) using the orthodontic tooth movement model of alveolar bone resorption to evaluate GCF levels of osteocalcin and these collagen cross‐links as markers of bone breakdown. Plaque, colour and bleeding indices, probing measurements and GCF samples were collected at two sites in each of 20 adolescents, during 4 stages of fixed appliance therapy: (1) prior to appliance lit. (2) post appliance fit, (3) during active retraction of the maxillary canines. (4) during retention. GCF was collected onto filter paper strips and the volume determined by weighing. An ELISA kit was used for the detection of osteocalcin, whereas Pyr and dPyr were assayed using high performance liquid chromotography (HPLC). Wilcoxon signed ranks test and Bonferroni correction revealed statistically significant increases in plaque (p= 0.012), GCF volume (p= 0.024) and osteocalcin concentration (p= 0.012). between stages 1 and 2. There were no statistically significant differences between the other variables at this stage or between any of the variables at stages 2 and 3, or between stages 3 and 4, All but 3 of the GCF samples yielded detectable osteocalcin, with large site and subject variation. The median values of osteocalcin and osteocalcin concentration of all the samples were 87.,5 pg and 66 pg/μl, with a range of 0–1,248 pg. 0–1,572 pg/μl. The detection of osteocalein in GCF during every stage, the wide variation between subjects, and the lack of a consistent pattern related to stages of orthodontic treatment, suggests that osteocalcin may merely be a constituent of GCF associated with the developing dentition, which would reduce its potential as a marker of bone turnover in this group. None of the 16 GCF samples analysed for Pyr and dPyr gave a positive result. This study confirms that fitting an orthodontic appliance results in plaque accumulation and increased gingival inflammation, and that GCF volume is the most sensitive indicator of that inflammation. Osteocalcin was detected in GCF collected from adolescents, whereas Pyr and dPyr could not be detected. Further work is required lo establish whether GCF osteocalcin levels can be used as a marker of bone turnover, and whether improvements in the sensitivity of detecting Pyr & dPyr make further study of these promising bone markers worthwhile.
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BFBNIB, CMK, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
It is vital to process breadfruit in order to develop new value-added products with improved sensory and physicochemical characteristics. In this research, dried breadfruit was extruded with a twin ...screw extruder and effects of barrel temperature, moisture content, feeding rate and screw speed on product physicochemical properties and process energy consumption were studied. Quadratic models were obtained to predict the product quality under various processing conditions. The best range of crispness of the extrudate was from 2.0 to 3.5N/s, hardness from 60 to 75 N and bulk density from 0.3 to 0.38 g/cm3. Corresponding operating conditions of feeding rate, temperature, screw speed and moisture content to obtain best results of crispness, hardness and bulk density were 16 kg/h, 130 °C, 160 rpm, 22 g/100 g; 22 kg/h, 150 °C, 160rpm, 22 g/kg; 19 kg/h, 140 °C, 115 rpm, 19 g/100 g; and 25 kg/h, 140 °C, 145 rpm, 19 g/100 g, respectively. The linear term of screw speed significantly effected all indexes (p < 0.001), especially water absorption and solubility indexes, sectional expansion ratio, bulk density, color and specific mechanical energy. The interaction term of feed rate and temperature, and square term of screw speed had no significant influences (p ≥ 0.1). The findings were useful for developing and optimizing extruded or value-added co products of breadfruit.
► Dried breadfruit was extruded to develop a value-added expanded fruit product. ► Four processing parameters, product quality and energy consumption were studied. ► Optimum processing conditions for producing crispy product were determined. ► Research results provided useful information for extruded breadfruit products.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Dermatologists are frequently presented with inflammatory dermatoses that are responsive to treatment with immunomodulating drugs. Corticosteroids, particularly when applied topically, have been the ...mainstay of treatment in the past. Their undoubted efficacy, however, has been undermined by problems with repeated use including tachyphylaxis and side effects such as skin atrophy and hypertension. Macrolide immunosuppressive drugs, originally used for prophylaxis of organ transplant rejection, have been shown to be effective in the treatment of inflammatory dermatoses. The original drugs used in dermatology in this class have their own limitations including poor absorption when used topically and their distinct side-effect profiles. A search for other immunosuppressive macrolide antibiotics has led to the development of new agents, which have enhanced profiles for the treatment of skin disease. This review discusses the main dermatoses that may be targeted by this class of drugs and summarises the topical and systemic macrolides either currently in use, in clinical trials or preclinical development.
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