Lignite was used to prepare activated carbon (T3K618) by chemical activation with KOH. Pore properties of the activated carbon such as BET surface area, pore volume, pore size distribution, and pore ...diameter were characterized by
t-plot based on N
2 adsorption isotherm. BET surface area of activated carbon is determined as 1000
m
2/g. Adsorption capacity of malachite green (MG) onto T3K618 activated carbon was investigated in a batch system by considering the effects of various parameters like initial concentration (100, 150 and 200
mg/L) and temperature (25, 40 and 50
°C). The adsorption process was relatively fast and equilibrium was reached after about 20
min for 100, 150
mg/L at all adsorption temperature. Equilibrium time for 200
mg/L was determined as 20
min and 40
min at 298, 313 and 323
K, respectively. Simple mass and kinetic models were applied to the experimental data to examine the mechanisms of adsorption and potential rate controlling steps such as external mass transfer, intraparticle diffusion. Pseudo second-order model was found to explain the kinetics of MG adsorption most effectively. It was found that both mass transfer and pore diffusion are important in determining the adsorption rates. The intraparticle diffusion rate constant, external mass transfer coefficient, film and pore diffusion coefficient at various temperatures were evaluated. The activation energy (
E
a) was determined as 48.56, 63.16, 67.93
kJ/mol for 100, 150, 200
mg/L, respectively. The Langmiur and Freundlich isotherm were used to describe the adsorption equilibrium studies at different temperatures. Langmiur isotherm shows better fit than Freundlich isotherm in the temperature range studied. The thermodynamic parameters, such as Δ
G°, Δ
S and Δ
H° were calculated. The thermodynamics of dyes–T3K618 system indicates endothermic process.
Summary
Background
In children, the clinical efficacy and immunological mechanisms of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) compared with subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is still to be elucidated.
...Objectives
To compare SLIT, SCIT and pharmacotherapy in relation to clinical efficacy and immunological mechanisms that govern its effect in asthmatic/rhinitis children who were sensitized to house dust mite (HDM).
Methods
In this single centre, prospective, randomized, controlled, open labelled, three parallel group trial, 48 patients mono‐sensitized to HDM were randomized to receive either SLIT (n=16), SCIT (n=16) or pharmacotherapy alone (n=16). Symptom, medication and visual analogue score (VAS) were collected and bronchial‐nasal hyper‐reactivity, skin prick tests, total‐specific IgE were performed at baseline and 12 months after treatment. In addition, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured with recombinant Der p 1 and Bet v 1 extracts and allergen‐specific IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐13, IFN‐γ, IL‐10, and TGF‐β secretions were measured.
Results
SLIT and SCIT demonstrated a significant reduction of total rhinitis and asthma symptom score, total medication score, VAS and skin reactivity to HDM (P<0.05) when compared with pharmacotherapy. A significant reduction of serum‐specific HDM‐IgE in SCIT and SLIT were observed. Moreover, titrated nasal provocative dose significantly increased in both immunotherapy groups when compared with the pharmacotherapy group. No adverse effects were reported in SLIT, while two patients demonstrated serious adverse events in SCIT. After 1 year of treatment, Der p 1‐driven IL‐10 significantly increased in SLIT compared with pharmacotherapy, whereas Bet v 1‐driven TGF‐β (negative control) increased significantly in SLIT only. No changes were observed for Th1–Th2 cytokines.
Conclusion
Both SLIT and SCIT demonstrated clinical improvement compared with pharmacotherapy in asthma/rhinitis children sensitized to HDM.
The aging-associated increase of cancer risk is linked with stromal fibroblast senescence and concomitant cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) activation. Surprisingly little is known about the role of ...androgen receptor (AR) signaling in this context. We have found downmodulated AR expression in dermal fibroblasts underlying premalignant skin cancer lesions (actinic keratoses and dysplastic nevi) as well as in CAFs from the 3 major skin cancer types, squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), basal cell carcinomas, and melanomas. Functionally, decreased AR expression in primary human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) from multiple individuals induced early steps of CAF activation, and in an orthotopic skin cancer model, AR loss in HDFs enhanced tumorigenicity of SCC and melanoma cells. Forming a complex, AR converged with CSL/RBP-Jκ in transcriptional repression of key CAF effector genes. AR and CSL were positive determinants of each other's expression, with BET inhibitors, which counteract the effects of decreased CSL, restoring AR expression and activity in CAFs. Increased AR expression in these cells overcame the consequences of CSL loss and was by itself sufficient to block the growth and tumor-enhancing effects of CAFs on neighboring cancer cells. As such, the findings establish AR as a target for stroma-focused cancer chemoprevention and treatment.
Summary
Hymenoptera venoms are important allergens that can elicit both local and systemic allergic reactions, including life‐threatening anaphylaxis. Venom immunotherapy (VIT) remains the most ...effective treatment, reducing the risk of systemic reactions in individuals with Hymenoptera venom allergy. VIT can restore normal immunity against venom allergens and provide patients with a lifetime of tolerance to venoms. During VIT, peripheral tolerance is induced by the generation of allergen‐specific regulatory T (Treg) cells, which suppress proliferative and cytokine responses against the venom allergens. Treg cells are characterized by IL‐10 secretion that directly or indirectly influence effector cells of allergic inflammation, such as mast cells, basophils and eosinophils. Treg cells also have influence on B cells, suppressing IgE production and inducing the production of blocking type IgG4 antibodies against venom allergens. An accumulating body of evidence suggests that Treg cells may affect allergen sensitization and methods for enhancing this cell population may eventually improve the efficacy of VIT. In this article, immune mechanisms enrolled in bee and wasp VIT are reviewed.
Cite this as: C. Ozdemir, U. C. Kucuksezer, M. Akdis and C. A. Akdis, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2011 (41) 1226–1234.
The importance of sex and gender as modulators of disease biology and treatment outcomes is well known in other disciplines of medicine, such as cardiology, but remains an undervalued issue in ...oncology. Considering the increasing evidence for their relevance, European Society for Medical Oncology decided to address this topic and organized a multidisciplinary workshop in Lausanne, Switzerland, on 30 November and 1 December 2018.
Twenty invited faculty members and 40 selected physicians/scientists participated. Relevant content was presented by faculty members on the basis of a literature review conducted by each speaker. Following a moderated consensus session, the final consensus statements are reported here.
Clinically relevant sex differences include tumour biology, immune system activity, body composition and drug disposition and effects. The main differences between male and female cells are sex chromosomes and the level of sexual hormones they are exposed to. They influence both local and systemic determinants of carcinogenesis. Their effect on carcinogenesis in non-reproductive organs is largely unknown. Recent evidence also suggests differences in tumour biology and molecular markers. Regarding body composition, the difference in metabolically active, fat-free body mass is one of the most prominent: in a man and a woman of equal weight and height, it accounts for 80% of the man’s and 65% of the woman’s body mass, and is not taken into account in body-surface area based dosing of chemotherapy.
Sex differences in cancer biology and treatment deserve more attention and systematic investigation. Interventional clinical trials evaluating sex-specific dosing regimens are necessary to improve the balance between efficacy and toxicity for drugs with significant pharmacokinetic differences. Especially in diseases or disease subgroups with significant differences in epidemiology or outcomes, men and women with non-sex-related cancers should be considered as biologically distinct groups of patients, for whom specific treatment approaches merit consideration.
Solubility of systems involving four different molecular weights of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) in tetrahydrofuran (THF), chloroform, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), methanol and water have been ...investigated by different algorithmic approaches as the mathematical application of the “like dissolves like” principle. In this study, the solubility parameters and their components for PEG and solvents have been evaluated by using of atomic group contribution methods; Small, van Krevelen–Hoftyzer (VKH), Hoy and Breitkreutz methods, respectively. Then their 2-dimensional graphs (Bagley, Henry and Hoernschemeyer diagrams) and 3-dimensional graph (Hansen diagram) have been drawn by creating the solubility profiles of the polymer in selected solvents. The dissolving capability of these solvents has been discussed. In addition the solubility parameters have been calculated by use of the van der Waals volume in the selected molecule or repeating unit of the polymer instead of the molar volume which is used in atomic group contribution methods (Askadskii approach). Surface tensions of the polymer and solvent systems have been calculated with this method and solubility criteria of PEG have been explained after a serial calculation steps. In addition, influence of molecular weight of PEG on solubility has been also analyzed. As a consequence of algorithmic calculations, THF has been determined as the best solvent whereas water is found to be the weakest solvent for polymer/solvent systems.
In this research, the effect of stevia addition on the physical, chemical and sensory properties of ice-creams were investigated. For this aim, four different ice- cream samples were produced using ...sucrose and stevia as sweetener (the plain + sucrose, cocoa + sucrose, plain + stevia and cocoa + stevia). The highest overrun ratio (20.17 %) was found in samples added cocoa and stevia. The viscosity of samples added cocoa and stevia (20.29 Pa .s) at 20 rpm were higher than that of other samples. The longest first melting time (3460 s) was found in samples added cocoa + stevia and the shortest time (1400s) was samples containing cocoa + sucrose. The last melting times were changed at around 8700 s and 9440 s. The pH degrees of samples were around 6.50 and 6.62. As samples containing stevia did not contain sucrose, sucrose amount of samples added sucrose were around 3.93 and 4.31 %. The fat destabilizations of samples were around 44.79 and 59.98 %. Panelists preferred the samples added stevia and cocoa as others.
Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is associated with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, which contributes to characteristic phenotypical manifestations including metabolic alterations. Extensive research has ...demonstrated important associations between androgens and liver function.
Investigation of the association between metabolic parameters, sex hormones and liver function in males with KS, both treated (T-KS) and untreated (U-KS) and healthy control males.
A total of 65 KS males were recruited, of which 32 received testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Also, 69 healthy controls were recruited. We used alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), alkaline phosphatase and PP (prothrombin-proconvertin time ratio) as the main liver markers. Multivariable regression was performed within the three groups. All statistics were calculated using STATA. Principal component analysis was utilized to demonstrate the interconnected patterns among all measured biomarkers, and to elucidate how the different groups were linked to these patterns.
Higher levels of main liver markers were observed in U-KS compared to controls, with no significant differences between U-KS and T-KS. T-KS had lower abdominal fat, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol than U-KS. Using multivariable models, variation in ALAT in U-KS was explained by HOMA2%S; in T-KS by BMI and SHBG; and in controls by hip circumference and estradiol. We found no multivariable models explaining variation in PP in U-KS; in T-KS, PP was explained by BMI and LDL cholesterol, and in controls by total cholesterol. Using principal component analysis U-KS was positively associated to D1 (an obese profile, which also included ALAT) and controls negatively associated with D1 (non-obese profile).
KS males have mild liver dysfunction reflected by a significant increase in the main liver markers and decrease in albumin. The presented data underscore a primary role of metabolic conditions including obesity, insulin resistance and unfavourable lipid profile, in the elevated liver function markers seen in males with KS. Whether TRT can improve liver function in KS warrants further studies. Our findings, highlight that an evaluation of the liver function should be part of the clinical care in males with KS.
Summary
The interaction of environmental and genetic factors with the immune system can lead to the development of allergic diseases. The essential step in this progress is the generation of ...allergen‐specific CD4+ T‐helper (Th) type 2 cells that mediate several effector functions. The influence of Th2 cytokines leads to the production of allergen‐specific IgE antibodies by B cells, development and recruitment of eosinophils, mucus production and bronchial hyperreactivity, as well as tissue homing of other Th2 cells and eosinophils. Meanwhile, Th1 cells may contribute to chronicity and the effector phases. T cells termed T regulatory (Treg) cells, which have immunosuppressive functions and cytokine profiles distinct from that of either Th1 or Th2 cells, have been intensely investigated during the last 13 years. Treg cell response is characterized by an abolished allergen‐specific T cell proliferation and the suppressed secretion of Th1 and Th2‐type cytokines. Treg cells are able to inhibit the development of allergen‐specific Th2 and Th1 cell responses and therefore play an important role in a healthy immune response to allergens. In addition, Treg cells potently suppress IgE production and directly or indirectly suppress the activity of effector cells of allergic inflammation, such as eosinophils, basophils and mast cells. Currently, Treg cells represent an exciting area of research, where understanding the mechanisms of peripheral tolerance to allergens may soon lead to more rational and safer approaches for the prevention and cure of allergic diseases.
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