Summary
Background
Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a chronic cicatricial alopecia with an increasing incidence and unknown aetiology.
Aim
To identify possible environmental and hormonal factors ...related to FFA.
Methods
We conducted a multicentre case–control study paired by sex and age, and recruited 664 women (335 cases and 329 controls) and 106 men (20 cases and 86 controls). Study subjects completed an exhaustive questionnaire enquiring about pharmacological, environmental, hormonal, social, job exposure, lifestyle, drugs and diet factors to which they were exposed at least 5 years prior to the onset of the disease.
Results
For women, there was a statistical association between alopecia and history of pregnancy (OR = 1.6; 95% CI 1.06–2.41), use of facial sunscreen (OR = 1.6; 95% CI 1.06–2.41) and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (OR = 1.76; 95% CI 1.11–2.8) or raloxifene (no controls exposed therefore OR was not calculated), exposure to alkylphenolic compounds (OR = 1.48; 95% CI 1.05–2.08), and presence of rosacea (OR = 1.91; 95% CI 1.07–3.39), lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP) (OR = 5.14; 95% CI 1.11–23.6) or hypothyroidism (OR = 1.73; 95% CI 1.11–2.69). For men, there was a statistical association between alopecia and use of facial sunscreens (OR = 11.6; 95% CI 1.7–80.9) or antiageing creams (OR = 1.84; 95% CI 1.04–3.23).
Conclusions
FFA seems to be associated with hormonal exposure (pregnancy, HRT and raloxifene), comorbidities (hypothyroidism, LPP and rosacea) and environmental factors (facial sunscreens, antiageing creams and occupational exposure). Further research is required to analyse the exact mechanism in which these environmental factors participate in the development of this alopecia.
In recent decades the sustainability of economic growth has become a critical objective for most world economies. To achieve this objective it is necessary to stabilize or reduce Green House Gas ...emissions, which involves making a transition to a low or zero carbon production system. Within this framework, innovation has emerged as a key factor in achieving an efficient energy market and, at the same time, ensuring the sustainable development of any economy.
The main objective of this work is to empirically verify that efforts in innovation have a positive effect on reducing CO2 emissions. To this end, an econometric model has been estimated. The scope of this work includes the European Union (15), the United States and China between 1990 and 2013. The estimate is performed using a linear regression by ordinary least squares using as independent variables the expenditure on R&D and the energy consumption.
The results of the model support the hypothesis that spending on research and development contributes positively to the reduction of CO2 emissions for developed countries. Regarding the regions, the corrective effect in the European Unión (15) compared to the figures in the United States is highlighted.
With regard to energy consumption, the results show that this variable is linked to the growth of CO2 emissions so that increases in energy consumption translate into an increase in emissions. Again, European Union (15) is where the effect of this variable is the lowest, followed by the United States where energy consumption is more polluting. The results obtained for China are quite different, due to its economic and environmental performance.
The results obtained provide additional arguments for public policy makers to promote research and development expenditure, both public and private. Since the net effects of innovation translate into a reduction of emissions, this appears as a suitable tool in the fight against climate change. In addition, our study highlights the need to reinforce measures to achieve a decoupling between energy consumption and emissions.
In conclusion, this work shows that R&D spending can be recommended, not only as an engine of economic growth of any economy, but as a driver of sustainable development, where growth can be reconciled with lower CO2 emissions.
The JAK-STAT pathway has a substantial role in lymphoid precursor cell proliferation, survival and differentiation. Nonetheless, the contribution of JAK2 to T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) ...development remains poorly understood. We have identified one activating TEL-JAK2 translocation and four missense mutations accumulated in 2 out of 16 T-LBL samples. Two of them are novel JAK2 mutations and the other two are reported for the first time in T-LBL. Notably, R683G and I682T might have arisen owing to RNA editing. Mutated samples showed different mutated transcripts suggesting sub-clonal heterogeneity. Functional approaches revealed that two JAK2 mutations (H574R and R683G) constitutively activate JAK-STAT signaling in γ2A cells and can drive the proliferation of BaF3-EpoR cytokine-dependent cell line. In addition, aberrant hypermethylation of SOCS3 might contribute to enhance the activation of JAK-STAT signaling. Of utmost interest is that primary T-LBL samples harboring JAK2 mutations exhibited increased expression of LMO2, suggesting a mechanistic link between JAK2 mutations and the expression of LMO2, which was confirmed for the four missense mutations in transfected γ2A cells. We therefore propose that active JAK2 contribute to T-LBL development by two different mechanisms, and that the use of pan-JAK inhibitors in combination with epigenetic drugs should be considered in future treatments.
► Controlled atmosphere (CA) is an appropriate postharvest methodology to preserve broccoli outer quality. ► CA is an appropriate postharvest methodology to preserve broccoli functional quality. ► ...1-MCP is effective in maintaining greenish aspect of broccoli heads during storage.
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) is a vegetable that requires the application of postharvest techniques to extend its marketability. Controlled atmosphere and 1-MCP treatments are most used to extend the shelf life of broccoli and reduce post-harvest deterioration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the visual, physicochemical and functional changes of broccoli head samples stored at 1–2°C and 85–90% relative humidity (RH) in air (Control samples), under controlled atmospheres (10% O2 and 5% CO2) (CA samples) and treated with 1-MCP (0.6μL/L). After storage all samples were maintained at 20°C for 2 and 4days, in order to assess their shelf life. The most suitable postharvest treatment to extend broccoli quality during storage and shelf life, in terms of maintaining the visual quality and reducing loss of health-promoting compounds, was achieved by storage under controlled atmosphere conditions. The use of 1-MCP reduced the loss of green colour and chlorophyll pigments, but only during cold storage not during shelf life at 20°C.
The hyperarid core of the Atacama Desert, the driest and oldest desert on Earth, has experienced a number of highly unusual rain events over the past three years, resulting in the formation of ...previously unrecorded hypersaline lagoons, which have lasted several months. We have systematically analyzed the evolution of the lagoons to provide quantitative field constraints of large-scale impacts of the rains on the local microbial communities. Here we show that the sudden and massive input of water in regions that have remained hyperarid for millions of years is harmful for most of the surface soil microbial species, which are exquisitely adapted to survive with meager amounts of liquid water, and quickly perish from osmotic shock when water becomes suddenly abundant. We found that only a handful of bacteria, remarkably a newly identified species of Halomonas, remain metabolically active and are still able to reproduce in the lagoons, while no archaea or eukaryotes were identified. Our results show that the already low microbial biodiversity of extreme arid regions greatly diminishes when water is supplied quickly and in great volumes. We conclude placing our findings in the context of the astrobiological exploration of Mars, a hyperarid planet that experienced catastrophic floodings in ancient times.
Merlin (Moesin-ezrin-radixin-like protein, also known as schwannomin) is a tumor suppressor protein encoded by the neurofibromatosis type 2 gene NF2. Loss of function mutations or deletions in NF2 ...cause neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), a multiple tumor forming disease of the nervous system. NF2 is characterized by the development of bilateral vestibular schwannomas. Patients with NF2 can also develop schwannomas on other cranial and peripheral nerves, as well as meningiomas and ependymomas. The only potential treatment is surgery/radiosurgery, which often results in loss of function of the involved nerve. There is an urgent need for chemotherapies that slow or eliminate tumors and prevent their formation in NF2 patients. Interestingly NF2 mutations and merlin inactivation also occur in spontaneous schwannomas and meningiomas, as well as other types of cancer including mesothelioma, glioma multiforme, breast, colorectal, skin, clear cell renal cell carcinoma, hepatic and prostate cancer. Except for malignant mesotheliomas, the role of NF2 mutation or inactivation has not received much attention in cancer, and NF2 might be relevant for prognosis and future chemotherapeutic approaches. This review discusses the influence of merlin loss of function in NF2-related tumors and common human cancers. We also discuss the NF2 gene status and merlin signaling pathways affected in the different tumor types and the molecular mechanisms that lead to tumorigenesis, progression and pharmacological resistance.
The emergence in recent years of potentially dangerous new psychoactive substances (NPS) that are not under international control has led to the development of multi-analyte procedures for their ...unequivocal quantification. A fast ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method (UPLC-MS/MS), in combination with a sample pretreatment based on microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS), was for the first time used in this work for the simultaneous determination of NPS in oral fluid. This matrix is an effective alternative to typical biological samples for drug control in substitution therapy programs, and also for the prevention and reduction of traffic accidents. The proposed method allowed the separation and quantification of eleven synthetic cathinones, six opiates, scopolamine, cocaine and two metabolites in less than 3.0min by using appropriate isotope-labelled internal standards. The MEPS procedure, which is a miniaturized version of the SPE technique, is completed within 15min. The influence of variables such as the washing solution and eluent volumes, phase type, number of aspirate–dispense cycles and pH was investigated by using a 3441//16 asymmetric screening design and a response surface methodology based on a Doehlert design. The MEPS process performed optimally with a mixed-mode C8/SCX sorbent and a sample pH of 9. The proposed method was validated according to major guidelines and found to span the linear concentration range 0.5–500ngmL–1 (R2 ≥ 0.9903), and to be selective and precise (within- and between-day precision as %RSD were both lower than 13.7%). The accuracy, in terms of analyte extraction recovery, ranged from 75% to 125% for most of the analytes. The MEPS-UPLC–MS/MS method was successfully used to analyse twelve real samples from patients on a drug detoxification programme and proved an effective tool for drug monitoring.
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•Novel MEPS-UPLC-MS/MS method was developed for bioanalysis of oral fluid.•Some MEPS parameters were optimized by Response Surface Methodology (RSM).•A rapid, selective and precise method following international validation guidelines.•Suitability of the method in analytical toxicology due to application to samples.
Drugs of abuse and new psychoactive substances (NPS) for recreational purposes are in constant evolution, and their consumption constitutes a significant risk to public health and road safety. The ...development of an analytical methodology to confirm the intake of illicit drugs in biological fluids is required for an effective control of these substances. An ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method (UPLC-MS/MS) was developed for simultaneous determination of 10 synthetic cathinones and 10 illicit drugs in oral fluid easily sampled through non-invasive maneuvers. The UPLC-MS/MS method was coupled to an ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (US-DLLME), which is a miniaturized and inexpensive technique that uses reduced volumes of solvents and samples. The US-DLLME was optimized by using a 2
1
3
4
4
1
//18 asymmetric screening design and a Doehlert design. Sample volume, dispersion and extraction solvent volumes, pH, US time, and amount of sodium chloride were evaluated. The US-DLLME-UPLC-MS/MS method was validated according to international guidelines. Limits of quantitation (LOQs) ranged from 0.25 to 5 ng mL
−1
, and the linear range spanned from LOQ to 500 ng mL
−1
with
R
2
higher than 0.9907, for most of the target drugs. Precision ranged from 1.7 to 14.8 %RSD. Accuracy, i.e., extraction recovery, ranged from 74 to 129%. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of 15 samples from patients on a drug detoxification program.
Different pilot-scale outdoor photobioreactors using medium recycling were operated in a greenhouse under different environmental conditions and the growth rates (0.1 to 0.5 day⁻¹) obtained evaluated ...in order to compare them with traditional systems used in aquaculture. The annualized volumetric growth rate for Nannochloropsis gaditana was 0.26 g l⁻¹ day⁻¹ (peak 0.4 g l⁻¹ day⁻¹) at 0.4 day⁻¹ in a 5-cm wide flat-panel bioreactor (FP-PBR). The biomass productivity achieved in this reactor was 10-fold higher than in traditional reactors, reaching values of 28 % and 45 % dry weight (d.w.) of lipids and proteins, respectively, with a 4.3 % (d.w.) content of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). A model for predicting EPA productivity from N. gaditana cultures that takes into account the existence of photolimitation and photoinhibition of growth under outdoor conditions is presented. The effect of temperature and average irradiance on EPA content is also studied. The maximum EPA productivity attained is 30 mg l⁻¹ day⁻¹.
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