A comparative randomized clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus versus hydrocortisone as a topical treatment of atopic dermatitis in children

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) aetiology is not exactly identified, but it is characterized by pruritic skin reactions with elevation in the levels of inflammatory markers. Despite the fact that Corticosteroids are the mainstay therapy in the management of AD, they have many local and systemic adverse effects.Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical tacrolimus ointment in comparison to topical hydrocortisone cream in the management of the AD of children diagnosed with AD.Patients and Methods: This study was conducted on 200 children with AD. They were simply randomized into two groups, the tacrolimus group treated with 0.03% topical tacrolimus ointment and the hydrocortisone group treated with 1% hydrocortisone cream twice daily during the 3 weeks study period.Results: At the end of the study, both the tacrolimus and hydrocortisone groups showed a significant decline in the mean serum level of IL-10, IL-17, and IL-23 (p < 0.05) when compared to their baseline levels. However, the tacrolimus group showed a more significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the mean serum level of IL-10, IL-17, and IL-23 as compared to the hydrocortisone group [Mean differences = 1.600, 95% CI: 0.9858–2.214; 1.300, 95% CI: 1.086–1.514 and 4.200, 95% CI: 3.321–5.079]. Moreover, the median mEASI decreased similarly from 32 to 21 in the tacrolimus group and from 30 to 22 in the hydrocortisone group (p > 0.05) [Median difference = −2.000, 95% CI: −2.651 to −1.349; Median difference = 1.000, 95% CI: 0.3489–1.651]. Mild to moderate transient stinging and erythema were the main adverse effects that showed higher incidence in the tacrolimus group than in the hydrocortisone group (p < 0.05). In most cases, they resolved within 3–4 days. Besides, tacrolimus ointment did not cause skin atrophy as compared to the hydrocortisone group (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Tacrolimus ointment is more beneficial than hydrocortisone cream in managing AD in children in terms of lowering the inflammatory markers, however, there is no difference on the dermatitis severity scale. Moreover, tacrolimus is safer with a better side effect profile compared to hydrocortisone.Trial Registration: The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (CT.gov identifier: NCT05324618

Juvenile survival and development in three Phytoseiid species (Acari: Phytoseiidae) feeding on con- and heterospecific immatures

Juvenile survival and development in Typhlodromus negevi Swirski andAmitai, Typhlodromips swirskii (Athias Henriot) and Phytoseius finitimus Ribaga feeding on con- and heterospecific phytoseiid immatures were studied in the laboratory at 28±1 °C and 70±5% RH and 16 h photoperiod. Larvae of all phytoseiids studied do not feed at all to reach the subsequent life stage. The majority (approximately 90%) of P. finitimus protonymphs cannibalizing larvae died before reaching the deutonymphal stage. Only two individuals completed juvenile development.All P. finitimus protonymphs failed to reach the subsequent stage and reach the adulthood when offered interspecificaly prey. Cannibalizing immature individuals of T. negevi and T. swirskii were able to reach adulthood. The mean developmental times of cannibalizing T. swirskii and when feeding on T. negevi larvae were similar and significantly shorter than that the former fed on larvae of P. finitimus . Cannibalizing T. negevi led to a significantly longer developmental period than the former fed interspecifically. Protonymphs and deutonymphs of T. negevi and T. swirskii ate nearly twice more of P. finitimus larvae than when fed con- or heterospecifically prey. The present study indicates that P. finitimus showed from a very low tendency to feed on conspecific prey to nontendency to feed heterospecific prey. Results show also that phytoseiid immatures are suitable prey for developing stages of some polyphagous phytoseiids. Since all 3 phytoseiids inhabiting fig trees, their immatures can be regarded as potential prey for competitive phytoseiids ( T. negevi and T. swirskii ) in time of food scarcity (eriophyid mites)

Morphological and biological studies on Typhlodromus talbii Athias-Henriot (Gamasida: Phytoseiidae)

The immature stages of the predaceous mite Typhlodromus talbii Athias-Henriot are described. The mite was reared on different prey species and pollen in the laboratory, and its developmental parameters calculated. Tydeus californicus (Banks) was found to be the most suitable and nourishing diet, giving a shorter life cycle and higher female fecundity (8.8 days and 33.4 eggs respectively), than the scale insect Coccus acuminatum (Gennadius) (10.0 days and 24.8 eggs respectively) at 25 °C. Other associates of Typ. talbii, the eriophyid Cesaberoptus kenyae Keifer, the tetranychid Oligonychus mangiferus (R. & S.) as well as date palm and castor oil pollen, were unsuitable diet. When reared on moving stages of Tyd. californicus (Banks) at 70 ± 5 % RH, 16:8 (L:D) h photoperiod and temperatures of 15, 20, 25, 28, 30, 32 and 35 °C, the total developmental time of Typ. talbii averaged 21.3, 12.4, 8.8, 7.6, 7.1, 5.8 and 11.6 days respectively. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) and the net reproduction (Ro) reached maximum values of 0.299 individuals per female per day and 28.06 times respectively, at 32 °C. RÉSUMÉ Les stades juvéniles de l'acarien prédateur Typhlodromus talbii Athias-Henriot sont décrits. L'acarien a été élevé au laboratoire sur différentes espèces de proies et différents pollens, et ses paramètres de développement calculés. Tydeus californicus (Banks) a été la proie la mieux adaptée et la plus nourrissante ayant donné à 25°C un cycle de vie plus court et une plus forte fécondité (8.8 jours et 33.4 oeufs respectivement), que la cochenille Coccus acuminatum (Gennadius) (10.0 jours et 24.8 oeufs respectivement). Les autres régimes alimentaires de T. talbii, l'Eriophyide Cesaberoptus kenyae Keifer, le tétranyche Olygonychus mangifera (R. & S.), de même que les pollens du palmier dattier et du ricin sont des nourritures inapropriées. Lorsqu'il a été élevé sur des stades mobiles de T. californicus à 70 ± 5% HR, 16/8 (J:N) de photopériode et à des températures de 15, 20, 25, 30, 32 et 35 °C, la durée totale du développement de T. talbii est en moyenne de 21.3, 12.4, 8.8, 7.6, 7.1, 5.8 et 11.6 jours respectivement. Le taux intrinsèque d'accroissement naturel (rm) et le taux net de reproduction (Ro) ont des valeurs maxima de 0.299 individus par femelle et par jour et 28.06 respectivement, à 32 °C

Morphological and Biological Studies on Typhlodromus Talbii Athias-Henriot (Gamasida: Phytoseiidae)

The immature stages of the predaceous mite Typhlodromus talbii Athias-Henriot are described. The mite was reared on different prey species and pollen in the laboratory, and its developmental parameters calculated. Tydeus californicus (Banks) was found to be the most suitable and nourishing diet, giving a shorter life cycle and higher female fecundity (8.8 days and 33.4 eggs respectively), than the scale insect Coccus acuminatum (Gennadius) (10.0 days and 24.8 eggs respectively) at 25 °C. Other associates of Typ. talbii, the eriophyid Cesaberoptus kenyae Keifer, the tetranychid Oligonychus mangiferus (R. & S.) as well as date palm and castor oil pollen, were unsuitable diet. When reared on moving stages of Tyd. californicus (Banks) at 70 ± 5 % RH, 16:8 (L:D) h photoperiod and temperatures of 15, 20, 25, 28, 30, 32 and 35 °C, the total developmental time of Typ. talbii averaged 21.3, 12.4, 8.8, 7.6, 7.1, 5.8 and 11.6 days respectively. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) and the net reproduction (Ro) reached maximum values of 0.299 individuals per female per day and 28.06 times respectively, at 32 °C. RÉSUMÉ Les stades juvéniles de l'acarien prédateur Typhlodromus talbii Athias-Henriot sont décrits. L'acarien a été élevé au laboratoire sur différentes espèces de proies et différents pollens, et ses paramètres de développement calculés. Tydeus californicus (Banks) a été la proie la mieux adaptée et la plus nourrissante ayant donné à 25°C un cycle de vie plus court et une plus forte fécondité (8.8 jours et 33.4 oeufs respectivement), que la cochenille Coccus acuminatum (Gennadius) (10.0 jours et 24.8 oeufs respectivement). Les autres régimes alimentaires de T. talbii, l'Eriophyide Cesaberoptus kenyae Keifer, le tétranyche Olygonychus mangifera (R. & S.), de même que les pollens du palmier dattier et du ricin sont des nourritures inapropriées. Lorsqu'il a été élevé sur des stades mobiles de T. californicus à 70 ± 5% HR, 16/8 (J:N) de photopériode et à des températures de 15, 20, 25, 30, 32 et 35 °C, la durée totale du développement de T. talbii est en moyenne de 21.3, 12.4, 8.8, 7.6, 7.1, 5.8 et 11.6 jours respectivement. Le taux intrinsèque d'accroissement naturel (rm) et le taux net de reproduction (Ro) ont des valeurs maxima de 0.299 individus par femelle et par jour et 28.06 respectivement, à 32 °C

The effect of high oral loading dose of cholecalciferol in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients. A randomized placebo controlled trial

Background and Aim: Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) is one of the most common progressive metabolic disorders worldwide. There are increasing scientific interests nowadays for the association between vitamin D status and Non-alcoholic fatty liver. Earlier studies have revealed that vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in Non-alcoholic fatty liver patients that contributes to poor outcomes. Hence, the present study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of oral cholecalciferol on Non-alcoholic fatty liver patients.Subjects and Methods: This study was conducted on 140 patients that were randomized either to group 1 that received the standard conventional therapy in addition to placebo or group 2 that received the standard conventional therapy in addition to cholecalciferol during the 4 months study period.Results: At the end of the study group 2 revealed significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the mean serum level of TG, LDL-C, TC, hsCRP as compared to their baseline results and group 1 results. Additionally, a significant improvement in the serum levels of ALT (p = 0.001) was seen in group 2 at the end of the study when compared to group 1. Whereas group 1 did not show any change in these parameters when compared to group 2 and their baseline results.Conclusion: Cholecalciferol was shown to have beneficial effects on serum ALT levels, hsCRP levels and lipid profile of NAFLD patients.Clinical Trial Registration:https://prsinfo.clinicaltrials.gov/prs-users-guide.html, identifier NCT0561319

Predation on heterospecific larvae by adult females of Kampimodromus aberrans, Amblyseius andersoni, Typhlodromus pyri and Phytoseius finitimus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

The predatory mites Kampimodromus aberrans (Oudemans), Amblyseius andersoni (Chant), Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten and Phytoseius finitimus Ribaga are important biological control agents in orchards and vineyards in Europe and elsewhere. They can coexist in the same habitat and engage in intraguild predation (IGP). In the laboratory we evaluated biological parameters of these predatory mites fed with heterospecific larvae considered as intraguild prey (IG-prey). Results suggest that A. andersoni should be considered the superior intraguild predator, while Phytoseius finitimus appeared to suffer from intraguild predation. The profiles of K. aberrans and T. pyri were less definite