Traffic emissions are a significant source of airborne particulate matter (PM) in ambient environments. These emissions contain an abundance of toxic metals and thus pose adverse effects on human ...health. Size-fractionated aerosol samples were collected from May to September 2013 by using micro-orifice uniform deposited impactors (MOUDIs). Sample collection was conducted simultaneously at the inlet and outlet sites of Hsuehshan Tunnel in northern Taiwan, which is the second-longest freeway tunnel (12.9 km) in Asia. This endeavor aims to characterize the chemical constituents and size distributions, as well as fingerprinting ratios of particulate metals emitted by vehicle fleets. A total of 36 metals in size-resolved aerosols were determined through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Three major groups – namely, tailpipe emissions (Zn, Pb, and V in fine mode), wear debris (Cu, Cd, Fe, Ga, Mn, Mo, Sb, and Sn), and resuspended dust (Ca, Mg, K, and Rb) – of airborne PM metals were categorized on the basis of the results of enrichment factor, correlation matrix, and principal component analysis. Size distributions of wear-originated metals resembled the pattern of crustal elements, which were predominated by super-micron particulates (PM1–10). By contrast, tailpipe exhaust elements such as Zn, Pb, and V were distributed mainly in submicron particles. By employing Cu as a tracer of wear abrasion, several inter-metal ratios – including Fe / Cu (14), Ba / Cu (1.05), Sb / Cu (0.16), Sn / Cu (0.10), and Ga / Cu (0.03) – served as fingerprints for wear debris. However, the data set collected in this work is useful for further studies on traffic emission inventory and human health effects of traffic-related PM.
Wound healing is a complex process and has been the subject of intense research for a long time. The recent emergence of nanotechnology has provided a new therapeutic modality in silver nanoparticles ...for use in burn wounds. Nonetheless, the beneficial effects of silver nanoparticles on wound healing remain unknown. We investigated the wound‐healing properties of silver nanoparticles in an animal model and found that rapid healing and improved cosmetic appearance occur in a dose‐dependent manner. Furthermore, through quantitative PCR, immunohistochemistry, and proteomic studies, we showed that silver nanoparticles exert positive effects through their antimicrobial properties, reduction in wound inflammation, and modulation of fibrogenic cytokines. These results have given insight into the actions of silver and have provided a novel therapeutic direction for wound treatment in clinical practice.
A healing touch: The ability to produce silver nanoparticles has enabled us to elucidate the effects of silver on wound healing. We demonstrate that silver nanoparticles significantly decrease the time of burn wound healing in an animal model. The results provide a novel therapeutic direction for wound treatment in clinical practice.
Infection by hepatitis B virus (HBV) accounts for 50-80% of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development worldwide, in which the HBV-encoded X protein (HBx) has critical role in the induction of ...carcinogenesis. Several studies have shown that thyroid hormone (TH) suppresses HCC development and protects hepatocytes from HBx-induced damage, thus it is of interest to examine whether TH can protect hepatocytes from HBx-induced carcinogenesis. By treating HBx- transgenic mice with or without TH, we confirmed the protective effects of TH on HBx-induced hepatocarcinogenesis, which was achieved via reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) inflicted DNA damage. We further found that TH induced biogenesis of mitochondria (MITO) and autophagy of HBx-targeted MITO simultaneously, consequently leading to suppression of HBx-promoted ROS and carcinogenesis. Using microarray data analysis, this protective effect of TH was found to be mediated via activation of PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) in hepatocytes. PINK1, in turn, activated and recruited Parkin, an E3 ligase, to ubiquitinate MITO-associated HBx protein and trigger selective mitophagy. The pathological significance of the TH/PINK1 pathway in liver protection was confirmed by the concomitant decrease in expression of both TR and PINK1 in matched HCC tumor tissues and negatively correlated with aggressive progression of cancer and poor prognosis. Our data indicate that TH/PINK1/Parkin pathway has a critical role in protecting hepatocytes from HBx-induced carcinogenesis. Notably, several liver-targeting therapeutic derivatives of TH facilitating prevention or therapy of steatosis have been identified. Furthermore, our proof-of-concept experiments suggest that application of T
constitutes an effective novel therapeutic or preventive option for HCC. Thus, the utilization of the agonists of TRs could be the meaningful strategy in liver relative diseases, ranging from simple hepatic steatosis to HCC.
Fabry Disease (FD) is a systemic disorder that can result in cardiovascular, renal, and neurovascular disease leading to reduced life expectancy. FD should be considered in the differential of all ...patients with unexplained left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). We therefore performed a prospective screening study in Edmonton and Hong Kong using Dried Blood Spot (DBS) testing on patients with undiagnosed LVH. Participants found to have unexplained LVH on echocardiography were invited to participate and subsequently subjected to DBS testing. DBS testing was used to measure α-galactosidase (α-GAL) enzyme activity and for mutation analysis of the α-galactosidase (GLA) gene, both of which are required to make a diagnosis of FD. DBS testing was performed as a screening tool on patients (n = 266) in Edmonton and Hong Kong, allowing for detection of five patients with FD (2% prevalence of FD) and one patient with hydroxychloroquine-induced phenocopy. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) by GLA genotype showed a higher LVMI in patients with IVS4 + 919G > A mutations compared to those without the mutation. Two patients were initiated on ERT and hydroxychloroquine was discontinued in the patient with a phenocopy of FD. Overall, we detected FD in 2% of our screening cohort using DBS testing as an effective and easy to administer screening tool in patients with unexplained LVH. Utilizing DBS testing to screen for FD in patients with otherwise undiagnosed LVH is clinically important due to the availability of effective therapies and the value of cascade screening in extended families.
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Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
With advances in nanotechnology, pure silver has been recently engineered into nanometer‐sized particles (diameter <100 nm) for use in the treatment of wounds. In conjunction with other studies, we ...previously demonstrated that the topical application of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can promote wound healing through the modulation of cytokines. Nonetheless, the question as to whether AgNPs can affect various skin cell types—keratinocytes and fibroblasts—during the wound‐healing process still remains. Therefore, the aim of this study was to focus on the cellular response and events of dermal contraction and epidermal re‐epithelialization during wound healing under the influence of AgNPs; for this we used a full‐thickness excisional wound model in mice. The wounds were treated with either AgNPs or control with silver sulfadiazine, and the proliferation and biological events of keratinocytes and fibroblasts during healing were studied. Our results confirm that AgNPs can increase the rate of wound closure. On one hand, this was achieved through the promotion of proliferation and migration of keratinocytes. On the other hand, AgNPs can drive the differentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, thereby promoting wound contraction. These findings further extend our current knowledge of AgNPs in biological and cellular events and also have significant implications for the treatment of wounds in the clinical setting.
Silver nanoparticles accelerate wound healing by mediating various effects on skin cells. The use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for the treatment of skin wounds has gained popularity. In this study, we show that when applied to a skin wound, AgNPs can produce differential effects on keratinocytes and fibroblasts to have an overall positive outcome. This new finding provides further insight into the biological action of AgNPs.
IMPORTANCE: Early onset of myopia is associated with high myopia later in life, and myopia is irreversible once developed. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of low-concentration atropine eyedrops ...at 0.05% and 0.01% concentration for delaying the onset of myopia. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked trial conducted at the Chinese University of Hong Kong Eye Centre enrolled 474 nonmyopic children aged 4 through 9 years with cycloplegic spherical equivalent between +1.00 D to 0.00 D and astigmatism less than −1.00 D. The first recruited participant started treatment on July 11, 2017, and the last participant was enrolled on June 4, 2020; the date of the final follow-up session was June 4, 2022. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were assigned at random to the 0.05% atropine (n = 160), 0.01% atropine (n = 159), and placebo (n = 155) groups and had eyedrops applied once nightly in both eyes over 2 years. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcomes were the 2-year cumulative incidence rate of myopia (cycloplegic spherical equivalent of at least −0.50 D in either eye) and the percentage of participants with fast myopic shift (spherical equivalent myopic shift of at least 1.00 D). RESULTS: Of the 474 randomized patients (mean age, 6.8 years; 50% female), 353 (74.5%) completed the trial. The 2-year cumulative incidence of myopia in the 0.05% atropine, 0.01% atropine, and placebo groups were 28.4% (33/116), 45.9% (56/122), and 53.0% (61/115), respectively, and the percentages of participants with fast myopic shift at 2 years were 25.0%, 45.1%, and 53.9%. Compared with the placebo group, the 0.05% atropine group had significantly lower 2-year cumulative myopia incidence (difference, 24.6% 95% CI, 12.0%-36.4%) and percentage of patients with fast myopic shift (difference, 28.9% 95% CI, 16.5%-40.5%). Compared with the 0.01% atropine group, the 0.05% atropine group had significantly lower 2-year cumulative myopia incidence (difference, 17.5% 95% CI, 5.2%-29.2%) and percentage of patients with fast myopic shift (difference, 20.1% 95% CI, 8.0%-31.6%). The 0.01% atropine and placebo groups were not significantly different in 2-year cumulative myopia incidence or percentage of patients with fast myopic shift. Photophobia was the most common adverse event and was reported by 12.9% of participants in the 0.05% atropine group, 18.9% in the 0.01% atropine group, and 12.2% in the placebo group in the second year. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among children aged 4 to 9 years without myopia, nightly use of 0.05% atropine eyedrops compared with placebo resulted in a significantly lower incidence of myopia and lower percentage of participants with fast myopic shift at 2 years. There was no significant difference between 0.01% atropine and placebo. Further research is needed to replicate the findings, to understand whether this represents a delay or prevention of myopia, and to assess longer-term safety. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-IPR-15006883
The association between vitiligo and hearing loss has been noted but the specific frequencies and degrees of hearing impairment remain unclear. The objective of this systematic review was to ...investigate the relationship between vitiligo and hearing thresholds at various specific frequencies. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched MEDLINE and Embase for relevant studies from inception to 10th April 2021. Case‐control studies, cross‐sectional, or cohort studies that compared the frequency‐specific hearing thresholds between vitiligo patients and age‐matched non‐vitiligo controls were included. There were neither language nor geographic limitations. We used the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale to assess the risk of bias of included studies. The DerSimonian and Laird random‐effects model was utilized in meta‐analyses due to expected clinical heterogeneity. We included 9 case‐control studies with 371 vitiligo patients and 349 controls, which were rated with low or unclear risk. We found neither relevant cross‐sectional nor cohort studies. The meta‐analysis showed that when compared with controls, vitiligo patients had significantly higher pure‐tone hearing thresholds at 2000, 4000, and 8000 Hz. In conclusions, vitiligo patients are prone to high‐frequency sensorineural hearing loss.
Yb-doped WO3 photocatalysts were prepared by co-sputtering WO3 and Yb, followed by annealing in air for water oxidation with visible light. All the obtained photocatalysts were monoclinic with ...sputtering power of Yb up to 10 W and displayed no optical absorption red shift. In photoelectrochemical (PEC) studies, the photocurrent densities were improved with up to 0.34 at.% Yb in WO3, with the highest photocurrent of 1.3 mA/cm2 (1.2 V vs. Ag/AgCl) achieved with <0.1 at.% Yb. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements showed that optimized Yb doping reduced charge transfer resistance and increased donor density of WO3 photocatalyst. The improvement in photocurrent density was attributed to enhanced conductive carrier path, increased oxygen vacancies and 4f13 orbital configuration due to Yb3+ substitution of W6+.
•Yb-doped WO3 photocatalysts were prepared by co-sputtering WO3 and Yb.•The annealed photocatalysts were used for water oxidation under visible light.•Photocurrent densities were improved with up to 0.34 at.% Yb in WO3.•Highest photocurrent of 1.3 mA/cm2 (1.2 V vs. Ag/AgCl) achieved with <0.1 at.% Yb.•Optimized Yb doping reduced charge transfer resistance and increased donor density.
•Co-benefits for energy saving and healthy indoor environment from HVAC retrofit.•The retrofitted HVAC system achieved 50% energy saving.•Generally acceptable thermal comfort in both winter and ...summer.•Outdoor ingress reduced by up to 90%, 80% and 60% for PM10, PM2.5 and PM1.•Upgraded pleated filter reduce PM ingress substantially.
Retrofit on existing buildings for better energy performance is widely desired due to large share of building energy consumption. Meanwhile, the importance of thermal comfort and air pollution exposure has attracted increasing attention for occupant health, productivity and sustainable development. Heat, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are responsible for a substantial proportion of energy use in buildings and are closely related to indoor environment quality. This study examined the energy consumption and indoor environment in a commercial office building with a retrofitted HVAC system. The retrofitting measures included a sensor-based building management system, dehumidification of outdoor air, and a two-stage particle filtration system. Energy data were collected before and after the retrofit. Field measurements were conducted in both winter and summer to evaluate the thermal comfort and indoor exposure to air pollutants in the retrofitted area. An experiment was designed to assess the benefits of upgraded filters on exposure to ambient particles during summer. By combining all of these measures, the retrofitted HVAC system was able to reduce energy use by 50% while maintaining generally acceptable indoor thermal comfort. Most of the time, the indoor particle levels complied with the World Health Organization's guidelines. The upgraded filtration system with a pleated filter reduced outdoor PM ingress by 30% to 60% more than the aluminum filter used before the retrofit. Co-benefit assessment provides insights into sustainability in building development during a retrofit by holistically examining energy use and the environment.
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Clinical impact of imatinib was evaluated in 20 patients (median age, 37 years; range, 15-67 years) with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL), who ...were administered with induction chemotherapy of daunorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone, and L-asparaginase, along with imatinib 600 mg/day during remission induction and 400 mg/day during consolidation courses. One patient died on day 14 from septic shock, while the remaining 19 achieved complete remission (CR). In total, 15 patients underwent allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) during first CR. After median follow-up period of 799 days, six patients experienced recurrence; two with early recurrence within 100 days, one with leptomeningeal recurrence at 11 month, and three with post-HCT recurrence. Eight patients died. Median CR duration (821 days) and median patient survival (894 days) in the study were significantly longer by 2.9- and 2.3-fold, respectively, when compared to those of 18 historical patients treated with same regimen of combination chemotherapy without imatinib. Toxicities of the combined treatment were manageable and included grade 4 myelosuppression (n = 20) and reversible > or = grade 3 hyperbilirubinemia (n = 4). Beneficial clinical effects were observed when imatinib was added to combination chemotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed Ph+ ALL. Further studies with larger number of patients are necessary.
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