Antimicrobial resistance is a menace to public health on a global scale. In this regard, nanomaterials exhibiting antimicrobial properties represent a promising solution. Both metal and metal oxide ...nanomaterials are suitable candidates, even though their mechanisms of action vary. Multiple antimicrobial mechanisms can occur simultaneously or independently; this includes either direct contact with the pathogens, nanomaterial uptake, oxidative stress, ion release, or any of their combinations. However, due to their specific properties and more particularly fast settling, existing methods to study the antimicrobial properties of nanoparticles have not been specifically adapted in some cases. The development of methodologies that can assess the antimicrobial properties of metallic nanomaterials accurately is necessary. A cost-effective methodology with a straightforward set-up that enables the easy and quick assessment of the antimicrobial properties of metal nanoparticles with high accuracy has been developed. The methodology is also capable of confirming whether the killing mechanism involves ionic diffusion. Finally, Aloe Vera gel showed good properties for use as a medium for the development of antimicrobial ointment.
Highlights • IFNα made ET with JAK2V617F+ have better hematologic response than JAK2V617F−. • For PV patients with JAK2V617F+ , IFN gained better molecular response than HU. • ET patients with ...JAK2V617F+ demonstrated a definite advantage in PFS. • For PV patients with JAK2V617F+ , IFN α-2b was superior to HU in PFS. • IFN improved vasomotor symptoms, especially distal paresthesias and erythromelalgia.
Objective: To define the clinicopathologic features, outcome, and prognostic indicators of myelofibrosis (MF) in Asian patients.
Methods: Two hundred and seventy consecutive Chinese patients (primary ...MF, n = 207; post-polycythemia vera MF, n = 27; and post-essential thrombocythemia MF, n = 36) from seven regional referral hospitals were analyzed.
Results: The median overall survival (OS) for primary MF was 66 months. Multivariate analysis showed that age >65 years (P = 0.02), platelet count <100 × 10
9
/l (P = 0.001), and leukemic transformation (P = 0.001) negatively impacted on OS. The median OS of 63 patients with secondary MF was 44 months. In primary MF, the 10-year cumulative risk of leukemic transformation was 28%. On multivariate analysis, unfavorable karyotypes significantly predicted inferior leukemia-free survival (LFS) (P = 0.03). In secondary MF, the 10-year cumulative risk of leukemic transformation was 31%. Circulating blasts ≥1% significantly predicted inferior LFS (P = 0.04). The international prognostic scoring system (IPSS) and dynamic IPSS were not significant survival predictors in our cohort. Eighteen patients underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The median OS post-transplantation was merely 19 months.
Discussion: Platelet count <100 × 10
9
/l, unfavorable karyotypes, and circulating blasts >1% were negative prognostic indicators.
Conclusion: Chinese MF patients were similar to Western patients in clinicopathologic features and outcome.
Major causes of morbidity and mortality in polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET) are represented by thrombosis and bleeding, progression to myelofibrosis and transformation to ...acute leukemia. Myelosuppressive therapy, preferentially with hydroxyurea, can reduce the rate of vascular complications, but there is some concern about an increased rate of leukemic transformation with this agent. Therefore, management of these disorders poses a significant challenge, and a risk-oriented therapeutic approach should be strictly followed to avoid inappropriate exposure to cytotoxic drugs on one side or suboptimal treatment on the other. Established risk factors for cardiovascular events are represented by older age and previous thrombosis, whereas impact of novel biological factors, including leukocytosis and JAK2V617F mutational status and/or mutational burden, is under active investigation. Low-risk PV patients should be managed only with phlebotomy and aspirin, whereas high-risk patients should also receive cytotoxic therapy. Regarding the management of ET, there is no clear indication for intervention in low-risk patients, whereas high-risk patients should be managed with chemotherapy. Other therapeutic options, such as interferon-alpha or anagrelide, may find place in selected patients including those who are resistant/intolerant to hydroxyurea. Finally, there is great expectation for novel drugs targeting the constitutively active JAK2/STAT pathway.
Polycythemia vera (PV) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm which is characterized by excessive production of erythrocytes as well as myeloid and megakaryocytic proliferation. PV associated with IgA ...nephropathy (IgAN) has rarely been reported in the literature. The long-term renal prognosis of these patients is unknown.
Clinical and pathological characteristics of 7 patients with renal biopsy-proven IgAN associated with PV were retrospectively analyzed.
The 7 patients were all males, with a mean age of 49.1 ± 18.8 years when admitted to our hospital. Systemic symptoms include: hypertension in case 2, 3, 5, and 6, splenomegaly in case 2, 4, and 5, and multiple lacunar infarction in case 6. Bone marrow biopsy test revealed relative erythroid hyperplasia and atypical megakaryocyte proliferation which consistent with a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm. All patients had JAK2V617F and BCR-ABL tested, and JAK2V617F positive in 2 patients. Mild mesangial proliferation was observed in 5 patients and moderate/severe mesangial proliferation in 2patients. Immunofluorescence mainly showed diffuse granular deposition of dominant IgA in mesangium. After follow-up of 56.7 ± 44.0 months, hemoglobin level was 144 ± 29 g/L and hematocrit lever was 0.470 ± 0.03, compared with 187 ± 29 g/L and 0.563 ± 0.087 respectively when admitted to our hospital. The urine protein was 0.85 ± 0.64 g/24 h compared with 3.97 ± 4.68 g/24 h. Case 3 progressed to end stage renal disease and had received hemodialysis for 5 years before renal transplantation.
The results of this study showed that PV associated with IgAN mainly occurs in males and is often accompanied by hematuria and mild-to-moderate renal insufficiency. The long-term prognosis was good for most patients, and few progressed relatively quickly to end stage renal disease.
Purpose: The purpose of this research was to evaluate various coatings for preserving the quality attributes of “Malas-e Saveh” pomegranate arils during storage. Research method: A bi-factorial ...experiment in frame of completely randomized design was conducted to compare eight coating treatments at two storage times (two and four weeks) with three replications. Findings: The highest pH and acidity was observed in the ascorbic acid treatment after four and two weeks of storage, respectively. The control after two weeks had the highest TSS and the nanosilicate container after four weeks had the highest taste index. The zero-day control had the highest vitamin C, while Aloe vera gel + chitosan and nanosilicate container after four weeks had the lowest. The zero-day control had the lowest total phenols but the highest total flavonoids and anthocyanins. Aloe vera gel, ascorbic acid and nanosilicate container after two weeks had the highest antioxidant activity, which first increased and then decreased with storage. The coatings did not significantly affect maintaining the L index or brightness of pomegranate arils. However, Aloe vera gel better maintained the (redness) and b (yellowness) indices. Aloe vera gel + ascorbic acid best preserved the sensory values closest to the zero-day control. Research limitations: None were found to report. Originality/Value: After comparing conventional coating materials with emerging options, this study revealed that Aloe vera gel alone or in combination with other coating materials was effective in preserving the quality of pomegranate arils during storage.
Genomic regions of acquired uniparental disomy (UPD) are common in malignancy and frequently harbor mutated oncogenes. Homozygosity for such gain-of-function mutations is thought to modulate tumor ...phenotype, but direct evidence has been elusive. Polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET), 2 subtypes of myeloproliferative neoplasms, are associated with an identical acquired JAK2V617F mutation but the mechanisms responsible for distinct clinical phenotypes remain unclear. We provide direct genetic evidence and demonstrate that homozygosity for human JAK2V617F in knock-in mice results in a striking phenotypic switch from an ET-like to PV-like phenotype. The resultant erythrocytosis is driven by increased numbers of early erythroid progenitors and enhanced erythroblast proliferation, whereas reduced platelet numbers are associated with impaired platelet survival. JAK2V617F-homozygous mice developed a severe hematopoietic stem cell defect, suggesting that additional lesions are needed to sustain clonal expansion. Together, our results indicate that UPD for 9p plays a causal role in the PV phenotype in patients as a consequence of JAK2V617F homozygosity. The generation of a JAK2V617F allelic series of mice with a dose-dependent effect on hematopoiesis provides a powerful model for studying the consequences of mutant JAK2 homozygosity.
•JAK2V617F homozygosity drives a phenotypic switch between myeloproliferative neoplasms.•JAK2V617F homozygosity is insufficient to sustain clonal expansion.
Abstract
We analyzed 133 patients with polycythemia vera (PV) who were followed at our institution (median 7.5 years) and had adequate cytogenetics information. The 5-, 10- and 15-year survival rates ...were 93%, 79% and 64%, respectively, with a median projected overall survival of 24 years. Nineteen patients (14%) had abnormal cytogenetics at any time during the disease course (no survival difference). Sixteen patients (12%) underwent disease transformation during follow-up, after a median of 8.5 years, to myelofibrosis (n = 11), acute myeloid leukemia (n = 4) or myelodysplastic syndrome (n = 1); eight had cytogenetic abnormalities. Among 133 patients, 39 were newly diagnosed: 33 with normal and six with abnormal cytogenetics (no survival difference); nine underwent disease transformation (six with normal and three with abnormal cytogenetics at diagnosis). In keeping with other smaller series, the presence of chromosomal abnormalities may have had a role in disease transformation in patients with PV; survival was not affected likely due to short follow-up.
Aloe vera has been cultivated for many centuries for its beneficial properties, finding application in a wide range of medical and health products. Nowadays, the research has also focused on an ...alternative use of Aloe vera which is related to environmental applications such as clean water technology/wastewater treatment process. In recent years, biosorption has been shown to be a cost-effective and efficient alternative method for removing various pollutants from wastewater and water. This work provides a comprehensive review on using Aloe vera waste biomass-based sorbents, as well as modified counterparts, for the removal of heavy metals, dyes and other pollutants from aqueous media. The discussed biosorbents have been grouped in five categories based on the treatment of the Aloe vera leaves. Adsorption mechanisms, in addition to the significant factors influencing sorption capability like physical and chemical properties of the adsorbent, initial concentration, initial pH and temperature of the solution, dosage and contact time, have been discussed in detail. Furthermore, the applied equilibrium and kinetic models have been also summarized. The history, taxonomy, botany, and applications of Aloe vera are also presented in brief.
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•Aloe vera waste-biomass derived adsorbents efficiently remove organic and inorganic pollutants.•Detailed categorization of the tested materials based on the treatment.•Analysis of the Factors affecting the removal capability of the biosorbents.•Presentation of History, Taxonomy, and Botany of Aloe vera.•A survey of the Aloe vera applications.
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