Loss of expression of TGF-βs and their receptors in chronic skin lesions induced by sulfur mustard as compared with chronic contact dermatitis patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sulfur mustard (SM) is a blister-forming agent that has been used as a chemical weapon. Sulfur mustard can cause damage in various organs, especially the skin, respiratory system, and eyes. Generally, the multiple complications of mustard gas result from its alkalizing potency; it reacts with cellular components like DNA, RNA, proteins, and lipid membranes.</p> <p>TGF-β is a multi-functional cytokine with multiple biological effects ranging from cell differentiation and growth inhibition to extracellular matrix stimulation, immunosuppression, and immunomodulation. TGF-β has 3 isoforms (TGF-β 1, 2, 3) and its signaling is mediated by its receptors: R1, R2 and intracellular Smads molecules.</p> <p>TGF-β has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. TGF-βs and their receptors also have an important role in modulation of skin inflammation, proliferation of epidermal cells, and wound healing, and they have been implicated in different types of skin inflammatory disorders.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Seventeen exposed SM individuals (48.47 ± 9.3 years), 17 chronic dermatitis patients (46.52 ± 14.6 years), and 5 normal controls (44.00 ± 14.6 years) were enrolled in this study.</p> <p>Evaluation of TGF-βs and their receptors expressions was performed by semiquantitative RT-PCR. Only TGF1was analyzed immunohistochemically.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our results showed significant decreases in the expression percentages of TGF-β 1, 2 and R1, R2 in chemical victims in comparison with chronic dermatitis and normal subjects and significant decreases in the intensity of R1 and R2 expressions in chemical victims in comparison with chronic dermatitis and normal controls. (P value < 0.05)</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>TGF-βs and their receptors appear to have a noticeable role in chronic inflammatory skin lesions caused by sulfur mustard.</p

Testing the suitability for coastal green areas of three ornamental shrub species through physiological responses to the saline nebulization

Besides abiotic constraints, plants along the coastal urban areas must face additional cues such as saline aerosol, which impact net plant CO₂ assimilation (Pn), reducing biomass and influencing their aesthetic features. In this study, three species (Photinia × fraseri, P; Escallonia rubra, E; and Feijoa sellowiana, F) were subjected to saline nebulization (SN) with a 100 mM NaCl solution. Analyses were performed at 0, 10, and 20 days by monitoring the ion accumulation in plant organs, leaf osmotic potentials, gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters, and chlorophyll contents. Overall, E-SN plants absorbed more Na⁺ and Cl⁻ in leaves than P-SN and FSN ones. This phenomenon was influenced by leaf ‘wettability’ features such as the contact angle of water droplets, droplet retention, and water storage capacity, and the effectiveness of translocating these ions on twig tissues. SN increased the leaf osmotic potential (regardless of species). At 10 days (i.e., moderate stress conditions), Pn declined in all SN species, but more severely (-82 %) in E-SN plants. The observed Pn reductions were due to different limiting factors according to the plant species: Pn was reduced by non-stomatal limitations in PSN plants, stomatal closure in F-SN, and a combination of both in E-SN individuals. At 20 days (i.e., severe stress conditions), in all SN-plants, lower values in all the physiological parameters than controls were observed, indicating a low tolerance to prolonged SN. The work shows that non-destructive physiological measurements provide a reliable assessment of plant tolerance to SN, which can help growers to select ornamental species suitable for coastal green areas

High prevalence of skin symptoms among bakery workers

Background Occupational skin disease is common and bakery workers are at increased risk of hand dermatitis. Aims To explore the frequency of, and to identify risk factors for, skin symptoms in a small bakery. Methods A cross-sectional survey of workers in a small bakery in Scotland, using a self-completed questionnaire regarding skin symptoms over the last 12 months. Additionally, data on self-reported atopy status, glove use and daily hand washing frequencies were obtained. Workers were classed as being at low, medium or high risk of occupational skin disease based on their job titles. Results The overall response rate was 85% (52 women, 41 men) with a mean age of 41 (range 17–72). Eleven per cent of bakers, confectioners and packers and 31% of cleaners, cooks and food production workers reported at least one skin symptom. Thirty-three per cent of symptomatic low-risk workers, 50% of symptomatic medium-risk workers and 75% of symptomatic high-risk workers stated their symptoms usually improved away from work. While washing hands more frequently than 20 times a day had an increased risk of skin symptoms, this was not significant [OR 3.5 (95% CI 0.9–13.2)]. Conclusions There was a high prevalence of skin symptoms among these bakery workers which was more than double that previously reported in UK bakeries. Frequent washing of hands as a risk factor for skin symptoms may warrant further investigation in bakery workers

Climate change and financial adaptation in Africa. Investigating the impact of climate change on the robustness of index-based microinsurance in Malawi

Adaptation, Drought, Agricultural risks, Risk management, Microinsurance, Climate insurance, Catastrophe modeling,