Proper postharvest storage preserves horticultural products, including tea, until they can be processed. However, few studies have focused on the physiology of ripening and senescence during ...postharvest storage, which affects the flavor and quality of tea. In this study, physiological and biochemical indexes of the leaves of tea cultivar 'Yinghong 9' preserved at a low temperature and high relative humidity (15-18 °C and 85-95%, PTL) were compared to those of leaves stored at ambient conditions (24 ± 2 °C and relative humidity of 65% ± 5%, UTL). Water content, chromatism, chlorophyll fluorescence, and key metabolites (caffeine, theanine, and catechins) were analyzed over a period of 24 h, and volatilized compounds were determined after 24 h. In addition, the expression of key biosynthesis genes for catechin, caffeine, theanine, and terpene were quantified. The results showed that water content, chromatism, and chlorophyll fluorescence of preserved leaves were more similar to fresh tea leaves than unpreserved tea leaves. After 24 h, the content of aroma volatiles and caffeine significantly increased, while theanine decreased in both groups. Multiple catechin monomers showed distinct changes within 24 h, and EGCG was significantly higher in preserved tea. The expression levels of
and
were consistent with the content of farnesene and theanine, respectively, but
and
expression did not correlate with caffeine content. Principal component analysis considered results from multiple indexes and suggested that the freshness of PTL was superior to that of UTL. Taken together, preservation conditions in postharvest storage caused a series of physiological and metabolic variations of tea leaves, which were different from those of unpreserved tea leaves. Comprehensive evaluation showed that the preservation conditions used in this study were effective at maintaining the freshness of tea leaves for 2-6 h. This study illustrates the metabolic changes that occur in postharvest tea leaves, which will provide a foundation for improvements to postharvest practices for tea leaves.
Background
A growing proportion of cancer survivors experience financial toxicity. However, the psychological burden of cancer costs and associated mental health outcomes require further ...investigation. We assessed prevalence and predictors of self-reported financial worry and mental health outcomes among cancer survivors.
Patients and methods
Data from the 2013–2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) for adults reporting a cancer diagnosis were used. Multivariable ordinal logistic regressions defined adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of reporting financial worry by relevant sociodemographic variables, and sample weight-adjusted prevalence of financial worry was estimated. The association between financial worry and psychological distress, as defined by the six-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale was also assessed.
Results
Among 13,361 survey participants (median age 67; 60.0% female), 9567 (71.6%) self-reported financial worry, including worries regarding costs of paying for children’s college education (62.7%), maintaining one’s standard of living (59.7%), and medical costs due to illness or accident (58.3%). Female sex, younger age, and Asian American race were associated with increased odds of financial worry (
P
< 0.05 for all). Of 13,218 participants with complete responses to K6 questions, 701 (5.3%) met the threshold for severe psychological distress. Participants endorsing financial worry were more likely to have psychological distress (6.6 vs. 1.2%, AOR 2.89, 95% CI 2.03–4.13,
P
< 0.001) with each additional worry conferring 23.9% increased likelihood of psychological distress.
Conclusions
A majority of cancer survivors reported financial worry, which was associated with greater odds of reporting psychological distress. Policies and guidelines are needed to identify and mitigate financial worries and psychologic distress among patients with cancer, with the goal of improving psychological well-being and overall cancer survivorship care.
Evidence suggests that distinct splenic dendritic cell (DC) subsets activate either CD4+ or CD8+ T cells in vivo. This bias has been partially ascribed to differential antigen presentation; however, ...all DC subsets can activate both T cell lineages in vitro. Therefore, we tested whether the organization of DC and T cell subsets in the spleen dictated this preference. We discovered that CD4+ and CD8+ T cells segregated within splenic T cell zones prior to immunization. After intravenous immunization, the two major conventional DC populations, distinguished by 33D1 and XCR1 staining, migrated into separate regions of the T cell zone: 33D1+ DCs migrated into the CD4+ T cell area, whereas XCR1+ DCs migrated into the CD8+ T cell area. Thus, the post-immunization location of each DC subset correlated with the T cell lineage it preferentially primes. Preventing this co-localization selectively impaired either CD4+ or CD8+ T cell immunity to blood-borne antigens.
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•CD4+ and CD8+ T cells preferentially occupy separate areas of the splenic T cell zone•DC-intrinsic CCR7 is required for migration within the spleen after i.v. immunization•33D1+ and XCR1+ DCs migrate into CD4+ and CD8+ T cell areas, respectively•Loss of DC subset and T-cell-lineage pairing abrogates either CD4+ or CD8+ T cell immunity
Calabro et al. demonstrate that, upon immunization, dendritic cell subsets in the spleen migrate into non-overlapping zones that correspond to regions enriched for CD4+ or CD8+ T cells. This differential migration results in the selective induction of either CD4+ or CD8+ T cell responses.
Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) is a small-vessel vasculitis that most commonly affects the postcapillary venules in the skin. It classically presents with purpuric macules that progress to ...palpable purpura on the bilateral shins 7–10 days after an inciting medication or infection, or in the setting of connective tissue disease, malignancy, or inflammatory bowel disease. Up to 50% of cases have no identifiable cause. Lesions on the buttocks, abdomen, upper extremities, and face are uncommon, as are bullae and ulcers. We present a rare case of bullous LCV manifesting as grouped vesicles on the face and body mimicking varicella-zoster infection.
The importance of adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with close margin resections for mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland remains unclear.
Patients who underwent parotidectomy for ...mucoepidermoid carcinoma with or without adjuvant radiotherapy at a single academic tertiary care center from 2000 to 2014 were identified. Included patients had negative but close (≤2 mm) surgical margins without other high-risk histopathological factors including advanced T-stage, positive nodal disease, lymphovascular or perineural invasion, or high-grade histology.
Nineteen patients were identified, of whom 15 (79%) were observed postoperatively, while 4 (21%) underwent adjuvant radiotherapy. There were no significant differences in extent of parotidectomy, elective neck dissection, T staging, or tumor size between patients who were observed and those undergoing adjuvant radiation. There were no locoregional or distant recurrences in any patients at a mean follow up 74.3 months. Patients undergoing adjuvant radiation, however, had significantly more intermediate-grade as compared to low-grade histology (75% vs. 13%, difference 62%, 95% CI 4% to 100%).
Patients with negative but close (≤2 mm) surgical margins without other high-risk histopathological factors have excellent long-term locoregional control with surgery alone. The effects of adjuvant radiotherapy for those who have intermediate-grade disease remain uncertain.
Mucormycosis is a rare and aggressive fungal infection, most often caused by species of the Mucor, Rhizomucor, Rhizopus, Absidia, and Cunninghamella genera. The condition most commonly affects ...patients with uncontrolled diabetes, HIV/AIDS, malignancy, and those receiving long-term immunosuppressive therapy. We report the case of a 39-year-old male with biopsy-proven cutaneous mucormycosis of the left axilla 4 months after an orthotopic heart transplant for congenital tricuspid atresia.
Abstract
Background
In response to supply shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs or “masks”), which are typically single-use devices in healthcare ...settings, are routinely being used for prolonged periods and in some cases decontaminated under “reuse” and “extended use” policies. However, the reusability of N95 masks is limited by degradation of fit. Possible substitutes, such as KN95 masks meeting Chinese standards, frequently fail fit testing even when new. The purpose of this study was to develop an inexpensive frame for damaged and poorly fitting masks using readily available materials and 3D printing.
Results
An iterative design process yielded a mask frame consisting of two 3D printed side pieces, malleable wire links that users press against their face, and cut lengths of elastic material that go around the head to hold the frame and mask in place. Volunteers (n = 45; average BMI = 25.4), underwent qualitative fit testing with and without mask frames wearing one or more of four different brands of FFRs conforming to US N95 or Chinese KN95 standards. Masks passed qualitative fit testing in the absence of a frame at rates varying from 48 to 94 % (depending on mask model). For individuals who underwent testing using respirators with broken or defective straps, 80–100 % (average 85 %) passed fit testing with mask frames. Among individuals who failed fit testing with a KN95, ~ 50 % passed testing by using a frame.
Conclusions
Our study suggests that mask frames can prolong the lifespan of N95 and KN95 masks by serving as a substitute for broken or defective bands without adversely affecting fit. Use of frames made it possible for ~ 73 % of the test population to achieve a good fit based on qualitative and quantitative testing criteria, approaching the 85–90 % success rate observed for intact N95 masks. Frames therefore represent a simple and inexpensive way of expanding access to PPE and extending their useful life. For clinicians and institutions interested in mask frames, designs and specifications are provided without restriction for use or modification. To ensure adequate performance in clinical settings, fit testing with user-specific masks and PanFab frames is required.
Up to 90% of patients treated with an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor (EGFRi) experience cutaneous toxic effects that are negatively associated with quality of life and lead to treatment ...interruptions. The Skin Toxicity Evaluation Protocol With Panitumumab trial found reduced incidence of skin toxicity and quality of life impairment with preemptive use of doxycycline hyclate, topical corticosteroids, moisturizers, and sunscreen, demonstrating the benefit of prophylactic treatment for skin toxicity.
To evaluate the association of a comprehensive skin toxicity program with adherence to prophylaxis guidelines for the prevention of EGFRi-associated cutaneous toxic effects.
A retrospective cohort study was conducted of all adult patients receiving at least 1 dose of cetuximab at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in the calendar year 2012 (2 years after publication of the Skin Toxicity Evaluation Protocol With Panitumumab) or the calendar year 2017 (2 years after full implementation of the Skin Toxicities from Anticancer Therapies program).
Primary outcomes were rate of preemptive rash treatment and selection of preemptive agents. Secondary outcomes were incidence of rash, rates of rescue treatments, rates of cetuximab dose changes or interruptions, and overall survival at 2 years.
There were 118 patients (85 men; median age, 62.4 years range, 23.5-91.7 years) treated with cetuximab in 2012 and 90 patients (70 men; median age, 62.5 years range, 30.7-90.5 years) treated with cetuximab in 2017; 11 patients (9%) in 2012 and 31 patients (34%) in 2017 were treated at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute affiliate sites. At cetuximab treatment initiation, 29 patients (25%) in 2012 and 42 patients (47%) in 2017 were prophylactically treated for skin toxicity (P < .001). From 2012 to 2017, preemptive tetracycline use (13 of 29 45% to 30 of 42 71%; P = .02) and topical corticosteroid use (2 of 29 7% to 24 of 42 57%; P < .001) increased and topical antibiotic use (23 of 29 79% to 18 of 42 43%; P = .002) decreased. There was no significant difference in incidence of rash by prophylaxis status. Patients prescribed prophylactic treatment were 94% less likely to require a first rescue treatment for rash (adjusted odds ratio, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.02-0.16; P < .001), 74% less likely to require a second rescue treatment for rash (adjusted odds ratio, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.08-0.83; P = .02), and 79% less likely to experience a cetuximab dose change or interruption (adjusted odds ratio, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.06-0.81; P = .02) than patients not prescribed prophylactic treatment, adjusting for treatment site and year.
Dermatologists can add value to oncology care by raising awareness of appropriate treatment options and increasing adherence to evidence-based prophylaxis protocols for EGFRi-associated rash, which is associated with decreased interventions and toxicity-associated chemotherapy interruptions.
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