Views on unwanted effects of leave-on emollients and experiences msurrounding their incidence

Background: The mainstay treatment for eczema is leave-on emollients. The aim of this study was to find out more about unwanted effects that have been reported with their use, as little is known due to a lack of formal reporting. Aims: To gain a greater understanding of eczema patients’ experiences of unwanted effects such as stinging, what influence unwanted effects had on their therapy, why subsequent variations in leave-on emollient adherence followed and what patients desire in their emollients. Methods: An anonymous online survey was conducted among eczema patients and their carers in March 2016 (using SurveyMonkeyTM). Results: 210 respondents, including adults and young people with eczema plus carers of children with eczema, which included family and friends. 68% (n=126/185) reported a wide range of 38 unwanted effects. Accounts highlighted the impact on quality of life of these unwanted effects and variations to eczema management that followed. 71% (90/126) of respondents stopped a leave-on emollient due to unwanted effects. Desired characteristics in emollients related to the absence of unwanted effects and product improvements. Conclusion: Eczema patients and their carers all reported high levels of unwanted effects from leave-on emollient use. Experiences of unwanted effects were multifactorial but common themes arose as did the desire for emollient improvements. Unwanted effects need to be considered when optimising therapy

Views on unwanted effects of leave-on emollients and experiences msurrounding their incidence

Background: The mainstay treatment for eczema is leave-on emollients. The aim of this study was to find out more about unwanted effects that have been reported with their use, as little is known due to a lack of formal reporting. Aims: To gain a greater understanding of eczema patients’ experiences of unwanted effects such as stinging, what influence unwanted effects had on their therapy, why subsequent variations in leave-on emollient adherence followed and what patients desire in their emollients. Methods: An anonymous online survey was conducted among eczema patients and their carers in March 2016 (using SurveyMonkeyTM). Results: 210 respondents, including adults and young people with eczema plus carers of children with eczema, which included family and friends. 68% (n=126/185) reported a wide range of 38 unwanted effects. Accounts highlighted the impact on quality of life of these unwanted effects and variations to eczema management that followed. 71% (90/126) of respondents stopped a leave-on emollient due to unwanted effects. Desired characteristics in emollients related to the absence of unwanted effects and product improvements. Conclusion: Eczema patients and their carers all reported high levels of unwanted effects from leave-on emollient use. Experiences of unwanted effects were multifactorial but common themes arose as did the desire for emollient improvements. Unwanted effects need to be considered when optimising therapy

Cestrum yellow leaf curling virus (CmYLCV) promoter: a new strong constitutive promoter for heterologous gene expression in a wide variety of crops

Appropriately regulated gene expression requires a suitable promoter. A number of promoters have been isolated and shown to be functional in plants, but only a few of them activate transcription of transgenes at high levels constitutively. We report here the cloning and characterization of a novel, constitutively expressed promoter isolated from Cestrum yellow leaf curling virus (CmYLCV), a double-stranded DNA plant pararetrovirus belonging to the Caulimoviridae family. The CmYLCV promoter is highly active in callus, meristems and vegetative and reproductive tissues in Arabidopsis thaliana, Nicotiana tabacum, Lycopersicon esculentum,Zea mays and Oryza sativa. Furthermore, the level of expression is comparable to, or higher than, that from the CaMV 35S, the 'ssuper-promoter' or the maize ubiquitin 1 promoters, three frequently used promoters in agricultural biotechnology. The heritable, strong and constitutive activity in both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants, combined with the extremely narrow CmYLCV host range, makes the CmYLCV promoter an attractive tool for regulating transgene expression in a wide variety of plant specie

Degradation of multiple peptides by microcystin-degrader Paucibacter toxinivorans (2C20).

Since conventional drinking water treatments applied in different countries are inefficient at eliminating potentially toxic cyanobacterial peptides, a number of bacteria have been studied as an alternative to biological filters for the removal of microcystins (MCs). Here, we evaluated the degradation of not only MCs variants (-LR/DM-LR/-RR/-LF/-YR), but also non-MCs peptides (anabaenopeptins A/B, aerucyclamides A/D) by Paucibactertoxinivorans over 7 days. We also evaluated the degradation rate of MC-LR in a peptide mix, with all peptides tested, and in the presence of M. aeruginosa crude extract. Furthermore, biodegradation was assessed for non-cyanobacterial peptides with different chemical structures, such as cyclosporin A, (Glu1)-fibrinopeptide-B, leucine-enkephalin, and oxytocin. When cyanopeptides were individually added, P. toxinivorans degraded them (99%) over 7 days, except for MC-LR and -RR, which decreased by about 85 and 90%, respectively. The degradation rate of MC-LR decreased in the peptide mix compared to an individual compound, however, in the presence of the Microcystis extract, it was degraded considerably faster (3 days). It was noted that biodegradation rates decreased in the mix for all MCs while non-MCs peptides were immediately degraded. UPLC–QTOF–MS/MS allowed us to identify two linear biodegradation products for MC-LR and MC-YR, and one for MC-LF. Furthermore, P. toxinivorans demonstrated complete degradation of non-cyanobacterial peptides, with the exception of oxytocin, where around 50% remained after 7 days. Thus, although P. toxinivorans was previously identified as a MC-degrader, it also degrades a wide range of peptides under a range of conditions, which could be optimized as a potential biological tool for water treatment

Potent selective inhibitors of protein kinase C

AbstractA series of potent, selective inhibitors of protein kinase C has been derived from the structural lead provided by the microbial broth products, staurosporine and K252a. Our inhibitors block PCK in intact cells (platelets and T cells), and prevent the proliferation of mononuclear cells in response to interleukin 2 (IL2)

A paradigm-shift in water treatment: in-reservoir UV-LED-driven TiO2 photocatalysis for the removal of cyanobacteria: a mesocosm study.

Potentially harmful cyanobacteria challenge potable water treatment globally, with high biomass events, and dissolved toxic and nuisance metabolites. Retrofitting existing water treatment infrastructure is often impractical (if not impossible) and often prohibitively expensive. In a paradigm-shifting move, we propose in-reservoir pre-treatment of cyanobacteria-contaminated raw waters to ease the burden on existing water treatment infrastructure. In an iterative design approach over three years, treatment modules have been designed, refined and optimised, in bench and pilot-scale studies for in-reservoir deployment. TiO2-coated beads made from recycled glass are employed in conjunction with UV-light emitting diodes (LEDs), to create highly reactive hydroxyl radicals that preferably remove cyanobacteria and subsequently released cyanotoxins from raw water. In a mesocosm study using a drinking water reservoir in Brazil, water quality parameters were markedly improved within 72h of deployment and cyanobacterial presence was decreased by over 90% without affecting other phytoplankton communities. The treatment system is virtually plastic-free, low cost, utilises recycled materials and could ultimately be powered by renewable energies, thus providing a true green treatment option. We have conclusively demonstrated that a paradigm-shift towards in-reservoir treatment is not only possible but feasible and can provide a valuable addition to conventional water treatment methods

Safety of topical corticosteroids in atopic eczema:an umbrella review

Objective: An umbrella review summarising all safety data from systematic reviews of topical corticosteroids (TCS) in adults and children with atopic eczema .Methods: Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology map of eczema systematic reviews searched until 7th November 2018 and Epistemonikos until 2nd March 2021. Reviews were included if they assessed safety of TCS in atopic eczema and searched >1 database using a reproducible search strategy. Review quality assessed using AMSTAR-2. PROSPERO registration: CRD42018079409. Results: 38 systematic reviews included, 34 low/critically low quality. Treatment and follow-up usually short (2-4 weeks). Key findings: TCS versus emollient/vehicle: No meta-analyses identified for skin-thinning. Two 2-week randomised controlled trials (RCTs) found no significant increased risk with very potent TCS (0/196 TCS vs 0/33 vehicle in children and 6/109 TCS vs 2/50 vehicle, age unknown). Biochemical adrenal suppression (cortisol) was 3.8% (95% CI 2.4%-5.8%) in a meta-analysis of 11 uncontrolled observational studies (any potency TCS, 522 children). Effects reversed when treatment ceased. TCS versus topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs): Meta-analysis showed higher relative risk of skin-thinning with TCS (RR 4.86, 95% CI 1.06-22.28, n=4128, four RCTs, including one 5-year RCT). Eight cases in 2068 participants, 7 using potent TCS. No evidence of growth suppression.Once daily versus more frequent TCS: No meta-analyses identified. No skin-thinning in one RCT (3 weeks potent TCS, n=94) or biochemical adrenal suppression in two RCTs (up to 2 weeks very potent/moderate TCS, n=129).TCS twice/week to prevent flares (‘weekend therapy’) versus vehicle: No meta-analyses identified. No evidence of skin-thinning in five RCTs. One RCT found biochemical adrenal suppression (2/44 children, potent TCS).Conclusions: We found no evidence of harm when TCS used intermittently “as required” to treat flares or “weekend therapy” to prevent flares. However, long-term safety data was limited

Effect of hydrogen peroxide on natural phytoplankton and bacterioplankton in a drinking water reservoir: mesocosm-scale study.

Cyanobacterial blooms are increasingly reported worldwide, presenting a challenge to water treatment plants and concerning risks to human health and aquatic ecosystems. Advanced oxidative processes comprise efficient and safe methods for water treatment. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has been proposed as a sustainable solution to mitigate bloom-forming cyanobacteria since this group presents a higher sensitivity compared to other phytoplankton, with no major risks to the environment at low concentrations. Here, we evaluated the effects of a single H2O2 addition (10 mg L−1) over 120 h in mesocosms introduced in a reservoir located in a semi-arid region presenting a Planktothrix-dominated cyanobacterial bloom. We followed changes in physical and chemical parameters and in the bacterioplankton composition. H2O2 efficiently suppressed cyanobacteria, green algae, and diatoms over 72 h, leading to an increase in transparency and dissolved organic carbon, and a decrease in dissolved oxygen and pH, while nutrient concentrations were not affected. After 120 h, cyanobacterial abundance remained low and green algae became dominant. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that the original cyanobacterial bloom was composed by Planktothrix, Cyanobium and Microcystis. Only Cyanobium increased in relative abundance at 120 h, suggesting regrowth. A prominent change in the composition of heterotrophic bacteria was observed with Exiguobacterium, Paracoccus and Deinococcus becoming the most abundant genera after the H2O2 treatment. Our results indicate that this approach is efficient in suppressing cyanobacterial blooms and improving water quality in tropical environments. Monitoring changes in abiotic parameters and the relative abundance of specific bacterial taxa could be used to anticipate the regrowth of cyanobacteria after H2O2 degradation and to indicate where in the reservoir H2O2 should be applied so the effects are still felt in the water treatment plant intake

Primary care-based intervention to reduce at-risk drinking in older adults: a randomized controlled trial

To examine whether a multi-faceted intervention among older at-risk drinking primary care patients reduced at-risk drinking and alcohol consumption at 3 and 12 months.Randomized controlled trial.Three primary care sites in southern California.Six hundred and thirty-one adults aged ≥ 55 years who were at-risk drinkers identified by the Comorbidity Alcohol Risk Evaluation Tool (CARET) were assigned randomly between October 2004 and April 2007 during an office visit to receive a booklet on healthy behaviors or an intervention including a personalized report, booklet on alcohol and aging, drinking diary, advice from the primary care provider and telephone counseling from a health educator at 2, 4 and 8 weeks.The primary outcome was the proportion of participants meeting at-risk criteria, and secondary outcomes were number of drinks in past 7 days, heavy drinking (four or more drinks in a day) in the past 7 days and risk score.At 3 months, relative to controls, fewer intervention group participants were at-risk drinkers [odds ratio (OR) 0.41; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22–0.75]; they reported drinking fewer drinks in the past 7 days [rate ratio (RR) 0.79; 95% CI 0.70–0.90], less heavy drinking (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.22–0.99) and had lower risk scores (RR 0.77 95% CI 0.63–0.94). At 12 months, only the difference in number of drinks remained statistically significant (RR 0.87; 95% CI 0.76–0.99).A multi-faceted intervention among older at-risk drinkers in primary care does not reduce the proportions of at-risk or heavy drinkers, but does reduce amount of drinking at 12 months.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/79363/1/j.1360-0443.2010.03229.x.pd

Different strategies for using topical corticosteroids in people with eczema

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: To establish the effectiveness and safety of different ways of using topical corticosteroids in people with eczema