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Chemosphere 2018 Nov 26;219:510-516. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Key Laboratory of Soil Contamination Bioremediation of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang A & F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311300, PR China.

Pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of wood biochar (5%), bamboo biochar (5%), rice straw biochar (5%) and Chinese walnut shell biochar (5%) on growth, accumulation of heavy metals in moso bamboo, soil physical properties, and solubility of heavy metals in soil. The results revealed that dry weight of moso bamboo was significantly increased in treatments of wood biochar (5%), rice straw biochar (5%) and Chinese walnut shell biochar (5%) except bamboo biochar (5%). Application of straw biochar (5%) was most effective in enhancing plants biomass, with increase of 157%, 113% and 111% in leaves, roots and stems of moso bamboo. Read More

Plant Physiol Biochem 2018 Dec 10;135:160-166. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Horticultural Sciences and Center for Coffee Research & Education, Texas A&M University, TAMU 2133, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.

A greenhouse study comparing the physiological responses and uptake of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) plants to foliar applications of zinc sulfate (ZnSO) and zinc nano-fertilizer (ZnO NPs) was conducted with the aim to understand their effects on plant physiology. One-year old coffee plants were grown in greenhouse conditions and treated with two foliar applications of 10 mg/L of Zn as either zinc sulfate monohydrate (ZnSO ‧ HO) or zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnO NPs 20% w/t) and compared to untreated control plants over the course of 45 days. Read More

Ocul Surf 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Ophthalmology, Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Hamilton Eye Institute, 930 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA. Electronic address:

Purpose: Sphingolipids (SPL) play roles in cell signaling, inflammation, and apoptosis. Changes in SPL composition have been reported in individuals with MGD, but associations between clinical signs of MGD and compositional changes in meibum SPLs have not been examined.

Methods: Forty-three individuals underwent a tear film assessment. Read More

Ocul Surf 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.

NMR spectroscopy was used to measure hydrocarbon chain branching variability in meibum with age, gender and Meibomian gland dysfuction (MGD). A cohort of 65 meibum donors without dry eye and 31 donors with MGD was studied. Heteronuclear 2D NMR was used to confirm CH resonance assignments allowing us to positively identify 23 of the 27 proton resonances of cholesteryl ester and H resonances due to straight chain, iso-branched and anteiso-branched hydrocarbons. Read More

Am J Ophthalmol 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China. Electronic address:

Purpose: To enhance the understanding of dry eye (DE) in diabetes by evaluating the ocular surface characteristics and the levels of tear inflammatory cytokines.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: Subjects were divided into four groups: 32 patients in diabetes with DE group; 24 patients in diabetes without DE group; 28 patients in non-diabetes with DE group and 29 volunteers in normal group. Read More

Biol Trace Elem Res 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Plastic, Aesthetic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.

Wound healing is a complex orchestration of processes involving cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, anabolism, and catabolism in order to restore skin continuity. Within these processes, elements such as metallic ions are involved due to their implications in cell behavior and enzymatic activity regulation. This study analyzed the kinetics of zinc, iron, copper and magnesium concentrations in a full thickness open wound rat model over 14 days. Read More

Ecotoxicology 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada.

It has been demonstrated that a number of metals including mercury (Hg), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and nickel (Ni) decrease seed germination rates and plant growth. The threshold levels of metal toxicity on seed germination, plant development, and gene regulation have not been studied in detail. The main objective of this study was to assess in vitro and in vivo the effects of different doses of nickel on Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) seed germination and regulation of the high affinity nickel transporter family protein (AT2G16800) gene. Read More

Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Ophthalmology, Chung-Ang University Hospital, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.

Purpose: To determine the effects of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection on dry eye signs, symptoms, and tear cytokine levels in patients with intractable dry eye disease (DED).

Methods: In this prospective study, patients with intractable DED were randomized to a BTX-A (group A) or control group (group B). Patients were injected with BTX-A or normal saline in the medial part of the upper and lower eyelids. Read More

Waste Manag 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Research Center for Material Cycles and Waste Management, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan.

Two landfill test cells, with and without gas vents, were used to investigate the effectiveness of passive aeration, through basal leachate pipes, in mitigating methane emissions from municipal solid waste disposal in the tropical climate of Thailand. Surface methane emission rate, as well as methane content in the landfill gas, were determined for a period of three years. The results indicate that the average methane emission rate from the test cell with passive gas vents (42. Read More

Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Faculty of Chemistry, VNU University of Science, 19 Le Thanh Tong, Ha Noi, Viet Nam; Thai Nguyen College of Education, Quang Trung, Thinh Dan, Thai Nguyen, Viet Nam.

Some heterocycles, namely 2-amino-4H-pyran-3-carbonitriles, were synthesized in a three-component reaction from substituted benzaldehydes, malononitrile, and ethyl acetoacetate. These heterocycles have been converted subsequently into 4H-pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidine ring by ring-closing reaction with acetic anhydride in the presence of the concentrated sulfuric acid as catalyst. The successive alkylation reaction of lactam NH bond on pyrimidine-4-one ring was carried out using propargylic bromide in dry acetone in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate. Read More

Toxins (Basel) 2018 Dec 13;10(12). Epub 2018 Dec 13.

National Research & Development Institute for Food Bioresources-IBA Bucharest, 5 Baneasa Ancuta Street, 2nd district, Bucharest 020323, Romania.

This study aimed to assess post-harvest contamination with mycotoxins in the context of the geographic and agroclimatic conditions in Romania in 2012⁻2015, a period that was characterized by extreme meteorological events and the effects of climate change. The samples were randomly sampled from five agricultural regions of Romania and analyzed for mycotoxins by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. An SPSS analysis was done to explore correlations between mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol-DON, aflatoxins-AF, ochratoxin A-OTA, zearalenone-ZEA), product types (raw cereal, processed cereal, cereal-based food), geographic coordinates (latitude, longitude, agricultural region), and agroclimatic factors (air temperature, precipitation, soil moisture reserve, aridity index, soil type). Read More

Biomed Pharmacother 2019 Jan 26;109:2078-2083. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Huaian First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Huaian 223000, China. Electronic address:

The aim of present study was to evaluate the effects of the pilose antler peptide (PAP) on bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung fibrosis. The lung wet-to-dry weight (W/D) ratio and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were measured. The serum levels of super-oxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) were examined. Read More

Biomed Pharmacother 2019 Jan 7;109:1233-1239. Epub 2018 Nov 7.

Center of Emergency & Intensive Care Unit, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China; Medical Center of Chemical Injury, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China; Medical Research Center for Chemical Injury, Emergency and Critical Care of Chemical Injury, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China. Electronic address:

Phosgene exposure may result in acute lung injury (ALI) with high mortality. Emerging evidence suggests that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have a therapeutic potential against ALI. CXC chemokine receptor 7 (CXCR7) has been identified as a receptor of stromal-cell-derived factor 1 (SDF1) involved in MSC migration and may be an important mediator of the therapeutic effects of MSCs on ALI. Read More

Nat Prod Commun 2017 Mar;12(3):417-421

In the present study, hydrogels containing the dried extract of tormentil (Potentilla erecta (L.) Raeusch., Rosaceae) were designed and qualitatively evaluated regarding their viscosity, thixotropy, and texture properties. Read More

Nat Prod Commun 2017 Mar;12(3):363-366

The content of two groups of compounds with biological activity (non-hallucinogenic indole compounds and free phenolic acids) were analyzed in extracts of fruiting bodies of four species of Phellinus: P. igniarius, P. pini, P. Read More

Nat Prod Commun 2017 Jan;12(1):115-118

Detailed GC and GC/MS analyses of essential-oil samples obtained by hydrodistillation of Morus alba L. and M nigra L. leaves (four samples) allowed the identification of 131 constituents representing 95. Read More

Nat Prod Commun 2017 Jan;12(1):7-10

Asparagus racemosus Willd. or Shatavari (Asparagaccae family) is an important medicinal plant in Ayurvedic medicine as a rejuvenate for women A method - for quantitative analysis of saponin glycosides bioactive constituents in A. racemosus is reported. Read More

Tree Physiol 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation, Ministry of Education, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China.

Remobilization of stored nitrogen (N) plays an important role in the early growth of deciduous trees in spring. Several environmental factors can modulate N remobilization, but whether water stress is one such factors is unknown. This study analyzes how the size of N storage in Quercus variabilis Blume seedlings interacts with water stress to affect N remobilization, uptake and new growth. Read More

Biosens Bioelectron 2018 Nov 25;126:707-724. Epub 2018 Nov 25.

Department of Zoology, M.D. University, Rohtak 124001, India.

Creatinine is a metabolic product of creatine phosphate in muscles, which provides energy to muscle tissues. Creatinine has been considered as indicator of renal function specifically after dialysis, thyroid malfunction and muscle damage. The normal level of creatinine in the serum and its excretion through urine in apparently healthy individuals is 45-140 μM and 0. Read More

Ophthalmology 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Japan.

This large-scale crowdsourced study using the iPhone application DryEyeRhythm identified the risk factors for severe dry eye disease-type symptoms, which included female sex, collagen disease, hay fever, depression, current contact-lens use, extended screen time, and smoking. Read More

Eye Contact Lens 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Departments of Innovative Visual Science (S.K., K.M.), and Ophthalmology (S.K., N.M., M.O., S.A., Y.T., K.M., K.N.), Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan; Research and Development Division (Y.T.), Rohto, Kyoto, Japan; and Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (S.D.K.), New York, NY.

Objectives: To evaluate corneal irregular astigmatism due to the anterior corneal surface using Fourier harmonic analysis with a Placido ring-based corneal topographer (Placido-based topographer) and three-dimensional anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) in dry eyes.

Methods: Forty-four eyes of 44 subjects with dry eye and 20 eyes of 20 normal control subjects were enrolled. Corneal topographic data were obtained using a Placido-based topographer and OCT. Read More

Lin Chung Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2018 Dec;32(23):1832-1833

A 41 year old female complained of left eyelid, cheek and face erythema, swelling with pain for 7 days. She was diagnosed with cervical squamous cell carcinoma, stage ⅢA a year ago. The anterior rhinoscopy examination showed that the dry scab adheres to the left nasal cavity, and a small amount of reddish mass were found, and the touch was brittle. Read More

Salud Publica Mex 2018 Sep-Oct;60(5):520-527

Departamento de Epidemiología Ocular y Salud Visual, Instituto de Oftalmología Conde de Valenciana. Mexico City, Mexico.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of dry eye symptoms (DES) and associated risk factors among adults in Tlaxcala, Mexico.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional population-based study that included 1 508 individuals aged ≥50 years who answered the Dry Eye Questionnaire (DEQ5), with a score ranging between 0 and 22; the following categories were defined: no DES (<6); mild-moderate DES (6 to 11) and severe DES (≥12).

Results: The prevalence of DES was 41. Read More

Adv Mater 2018 Dec 14:e1805656. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Physics, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.

2D atomic sheets of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have a tremendous potential for next-generation optoelectronics since they can be stacked layer-by-layer to form van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures. This allows not only bypassing difficulties in heteroepitaxy of lattice-mismatched semiconductors of desired functionalities but also providing a scheme to design new optoelectronics that can surpass the fundamental limitations on their conventional semiconductor counterparts. Herein, a novel 2D h-BN/p-MoTe /graphene/n-SnS /h-BN p-g-n junction, fabricated by a layer-by-layer dry transfer, demonstrates high-sensitivity, broadband photodetection at room temperature. Read More

Acta Ophthalmol 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Ophthalmology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.

Purpose: Non-invasive retinal markers of disease activity could pave the way for individualized treatment in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). We aimed to evaluate if retinal vascular oxygen saturation and calibres could predict the initial treatment response after a loading phase of intravitreal aflibercept in nAMD.

Method: A total of 149 eyes were included (nAMD, n = 76; dry AMD, n = 30; normal eyes n = 43). Read More

J Dermatol 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Dermatology, No. 1 Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.

We report a 21-year-old man with recurrent bullous eruptions and severe itching on the lower legs and feet since 5 years of age. Dry, dirty brown, tile-like scales covered his lower legs with dystrophic toenails. Nodular prurigo-like lesions, scarring papules and milia remitted after the bullous eruptions. Read More

Int J Dermatol 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada.

Background: Pediculosis capitis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that receives little attention in countries where it continues to be endemic. This study aimed to understand the impact of Pediculus humanus capitis infestations in the lives of Honduran children living in extreme poverty.

Methods: A qualitative study on head lice infestation was conducted in June 2016 in a rural community in Honduras. Read More

Am J Bot 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Centro de Investigación en Biología Celular y Molecular, Universidad de Costa Rica, Ciudad Universitaria "Rodrigo Facio", San Pedro de Montes de Oca, San José, Costa Rica.

Premise Of The Study: Flowering initiation, duration and magnitude, and degree of flowering synchrony within a population can affect the reproductive fitness of individuals. We examined the flowering phenology within a population of the tropical dry forest Guanacaste tree (Enterolobium cyclocarpum) to gauge the impact of phenological variation among trees on fruit production and progeny vigor.

Methods: We monitored the flowering phenology of 93 trees weekly during 2005, 2006, and 2007, using a scale based on the percentage of the crown with open flowers. Read More

Int J Urol 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Astellas Pharma Inc., Tokyo, Japan.

Objectives: To evaluate the long-term safety (primary objective) and efficacy (secondary objective) of antimuscarinic add-on therapy in patients receiving mirabegron.

Methods: During a 2-week screening period, patients (aged ≥20 years, mirabegron treatment for ≥6 weeks, residual overactive bladder symptoms) received mirabegron 50 mg once daily. These patients were subsequently randomized to 52 weeks' treatment with mirabegron 50 mg/day plus an antimuscarinic (solifenacin 5 mg, propiverine 20 mg, imidafenacin 0. Read More

J Sci Food Agric 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department for Crop Sciences, Division Quality of Plant Products, Carl-Sprengel-Weg 1, 37075 Göttingen, University of Göttingen, Germany.

Background: Potato disorders lead to significant reductions in the yield and quality of marketable tubers. Thumbnail cracks are physiological tuber skin disorders that can significantly affect the tuber appearance and, hence, the overall quality. The aim of the study was to characterize fracture properties of the tuber skin. Read More

Physiol Plant 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

StateKey Laboratory of Crop Biology/key laboratory of crop biology and genetic improvement of horticultural crops in huanghuai region/College of Horticulture Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an Shandong, 271018, China.

Despite being a key enzyme of Cavin cycle, Transketolase (TK)s believed to be related to abiotic resistance in higher plants. However, how TK affects chilling tolerance still remains largely unknown. Here, we describe the effect of overexpression of the Cucumis sativa TK gene (CsTK) on growth, photosynthesis, ROS metabolismand cell ultrastructure under chilling stress. Read More

Small 2018 Dec 7:e1803088. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P. R. China.

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs), as an original kind of organic-inorganic porous material, are constructed with metal centers and organic linkers via a coordination complexation reaction. Among uncountable MOF materials, iron-containing metal organic frameworks (Fe-MOFs) have excellent potential in practical applications owing to their many fascinating properties, such as diverse structure types, low toxicity, preferable stability, and tailored functionality. Here, recent research progresses of Fe-MOFs in attractive features, synthesis, and multifunctional applications are described. Read More

Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Univ Savoie Mont Blanc - LCME, Chambéry, France.

Sonoluminescence (SL) spectra of a very dry [BEPip][NTf2] ionic liquid were measured in the first minutes of sonication under Ar. The intense sonoluminescence allowed us to monitor the time-evolution of the SL spectra. Several molecular emissions were observed. Read More

BMC Res Notes 2018 Dec 14;11(1):895. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Virus and Prion Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Ames, IA, 50010, USA.

Objective: Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are a group of fatal neurodegenerative diseases, often referred as prion diseases. TSEs result from the misfolding of the cellular prion protein (PrP) into a pathogenic form (PrP) that accumulates in the brain and lymphatic tissue. Amplification based assays such as real-time quaking induced conversion allow us to assess the conversion of PrP to PrP. Read More

BMC Plant Biol 2018 Dec 14;18(1):355. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Horticulture Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, People's Republic of China.

Background: Plant phospholipase D (PLD), which can hydrolyze membrane phospholipids to produce phosphatidic acid (PA), a secondary signaling molecule, has been proposed to function in diverse plant stress responses. Both PLD and PA play key roles in plant growth, development, and cellular processes. PLD was suggested to mediate the regulation of stomatal movements by abscisic acid (ABA) as a response to water deficit. Read More

Primates 2000 Jan;41(1):27-38

Department of Zoology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

We report on the diet and feeding behaviour of a group of Geoffroy's marmosets (Callithrix geoffroyi) in an Atlantic forest fragment in south-eastern Brazil, studied during the period February 1993 to Januaray 1994. Major food categories were gums (68.6%) fruits (15%), and small animal prey (invertebrates 14. Read More

J Health Pollut 2017 Sep 7;7(15):51-62. Epub 2017 Sep 7.

Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

Background: Lakes are a vital water resource, but are adversely affected by pollutants such as heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from urban, agricultural and industrial activities. This can give rise to potential pollution-related health problems such as cancer and infectious diseases. Risk assessments are necessary to determine the degree of pollution and its effects on human health and ecological systems. Read More

J Health Pollut 2017 Sep 7;7(15):40-50. Epub 2017 Sep 7.

School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.

Background: Elevated arsenic and trace metal contamination of the terrestrial food chain represents one of the most significant environmental risk exposures for human populations in developing countries. Metalloid and metal contamination in horticultural crop produce such as fruit is a public health concern in Nigeria. Local fruits are cheap sources of vitamins and minerals for the resident population and pose an important dietary threat of metal(loid) toxicity through consumption. Read More

J Health Pollut 2017 Jun 22;7(14):23-29. Epub 2017 Jun 22.

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Background: Extracts from medicinal plants have been widely used in the treatment of public health ailments, however, medicinal plants may be grown in polluted soil/water environments. Many of these plants are harvested and processed by local and illiterate natural healers and other vendors in an unhygienic manner. This results in the possibility of contamination with potentially toxic metals from the environment. Read More

J Health Pollut 2017 Mar 29;7(13):32-41. Epub 2017 Mar 29.

Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Background: Arsenic, antimony and selenium contamination of groundwater is of great concern due to the potential detrimental effects to human health.

Objectives: This study investigates the occurrence and distribution of arsenic, antimony and selenium in the shallow groundwater system of Ibadan metropolis, southwestern Nigeria.

Methods: A total of 210 groundwater samples were collected from 35 shallow wells (3. Read More

J Health Pollut 2016 Dec 22;6(12):43-49. Epub 2016 Dec 22.

CSIR-National Environmental Engineering and Research Institute, Nagpur, India.

Background: In spite of the availability of substitutes for lead and cadmium compounds in paints, manufacturers continue to produce paints with high levels of these metals. As the population continues to grow and there is a continued shift from oil-based to water-based paints, the sales and use of these paints will increase the exposure of humans and the environment to these metals.

Objectives: We measured the levels of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in 174 paint samples marketed in Lagos and Ibadan, Nigeria. Read More

J Health Pollut 2016 Jun 17;6(10):1-18. Epub 2016 Jun 17.

Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Background: Over the past 30 years, various studies in Nigeria have monitored atmospheric particulate matter loads and elemental composition of ambient air around diverse receptor sites.

Objectives: A comparative discussion of the different sampling techniques, pre-treatment and analytical methods employed between 1985 and 2015.

Methods: Air pollution indices from studies covered in this review were compared to relevant guideline standards such as the World Health Organization (WHO) 24-hr guideline and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)'s National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) daily permissible limits for fine particles of less than 2. Read More

Orig Life Evol Biosph 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Chemical Evolution, Institute of Chemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.

In previous experiments that simulated conditions on primordial volcanic islands, we demonstrated the abiotic formation of hydrophobic porphyrins. The present study focused on the question whether such porphyrins can be metalated by prebiotically plausible metal ion sources. We used water-insoluble octaethylporphyrin (Hoep) as a model compound. Read More

Beilstein J Nanotechnol 2018 19;9:2893-2905. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Mechanical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-1021, USA.

Many organisms rely on densely packed, tilted and curved fibers of various dimensions to attach to surfaces. While the high elastic modulus of these fibers enables an extremely large number of fibers per unit area, where each fiber stands freely without sticking to its neighbors, the tilt/curvature provides them with the compliance and the directional adhesion properties to attach strongly and efficiently to a surface. Recent studies have revealed that many of such organisms also feature materials with a graded elastic modulus that is tailored towards improving the contact area without sacrificing the fiber density. Read More

Conserv Physiol 2018 10;6(1):coy066. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Ecology, Evolution and Development Group, Doñana Biological Station (CSIC), C/ Americo Vespucio 26, Sevilla, Spain.

Consequences of human actions like global warming, spread of exotic species or resource consumption are pushing species to extinction. Even species considered to be at low extinction risk often show signs of local declines. Here, we evaluate the impact of eucalypt plantations, the best-known exotic tree species worldwide and its interaction with temperature and predators on amphibian development, growth, antipredator responses and physiology. Read More

Natl J Maxillofac Surg 2018 Jul-Dec;9(2):129-133

Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Career Post Graduate Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Introduction: The lingula is used for identifying the site for injection of local anesthetics and for excision of nerve in facial neuralgia. The relationship between lingula and lingual nerves may aid in risk associated with an impacted third molar. Due to its connection to nerve and vascular structures, the study of the lingula provides important information related to oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures, such as the sagittal split ramus osteotomy and the intraoral vertico-sagittal ramus osteotomy carried out to correct dento facial deformities. Read More

Sci Rep 2018 Dec 13;8(1):17828. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi Province, China.

In this study, we explored the effects of particulate matter 2.5 (PM) eye drops on the ocular surface structure and tear function in mice and established a novel animal model for dry eye research. We found that, following treatment with PM, the tear volume and, the tear film break-up time showed statistical differences at each time point (P < 0. Read More

J Neurosci 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, 03550 San Juan de Alicante, Spain

TRPM8 is a polymodal, non-selective cation channel activated by cold temperature and cooling agents that plays a critical role in the detection of environmental cold. We found that TRPM8 is a pharmacological target of tacrolimus (FK506), a macrolide immunosuppressant with several clinical uses, including the treatment of organ rejection following transplants, treatment of atopic dermatitis and dry eye disease. Tacrolimus is an inhibitor of the phosphatase calcineurin, an action shared with cyclosporine. Read More

Consult Pharm 2018 Dec;33(12):691-701

: Review the clinical manifestations and treatment of primary Sjögren's syndrome. : Articles indexed in PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library in the past 10 years using the key words "Sjögren," "Sjögren's syndrome," "Sjögren's disease," and "Sjögren's syndrome AND treatment." Primary sources were used to locate additional resources. Read More

Lipids Health Dis 2018 Dec 13;17(1):282. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Background: Designer eggs (DEs) have gained positive importance in maintaining cholesterol level, triglyceride profile and protection towards cardiovascular diseases due to the presence of essential fatty acids (EFAs) such as omega-3 (or) n-3 fatty acids. However, extreme heat conditions effect the quality as well as quantity of EFAs during the production of designer egg dried powder (DEDP). Therefore, the main mandate of research was the development of DEDP and determination of spray drying conditions impact on fatty acids composition of DEDP samples. Read More