Effect of glove occlusion on human skin (II)

Gloves are indispensable in many occupations. Irritant skin reactions from gloves have, however, been reported. In the present study, the effect of long-term glove occlusion on normal skin (6 h/day for 14 days) was studied and, in addition, the effect of a cotton glove worn under the occlusive glove was also studied. 2 studies were performed (studies A and B). Study A: 19 volunteers wore an occlusive glove on normal skin 6 h/day for 14 days. They wore the glove on one hand only, while the other hand served as control. Study B: 18 volunteers wore occlusive gloves on both hands on normal skin. A cotton glove was worn under the occlusive glove on either the left or the right hand. Skin barrier function was evaluated by measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) (Evaporimeter) skin hydration by electrical capacitance (Corneometer) and inflammation by erythema index (Derma-Spectrometer). The gloves used were hypoallergenic non-latex gloves. Results Study A: glove occlusion on normal skin 6 h/day for 14 days had a significant negative effect on skin barrier function, as measured by TEWL. Study B: the negative effect on skin barrier function from occlusive gloves was prevented by the use of a cotton glove. It is concluded that gloves may be a substantial factor in the pathogenesis of cumulative irritant contact dermatitis, and that recommendations as to their use are important.     

Engineering of cotton fabrics for maximizing in vitro ultraviolet radiation protection

Introduction: Cotton fabrics used in summer do not often provide good protection against solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Heavy cotton fabrics can provide good protection against UV radiation. However, heavy fabrics are not good from a comfort point of view as the air permeability and moisture vapour transmission rate is very low. Objectives: To engineer cotton fabrics which will provide maximum UV protection without sacrificing the minimum requirement of air permeability and thermal resistance for a particular climatic condition. Methods: Sixteen plain and sixteen twill woven fabrics were manufactured using different cotton yarn count and picks per cm. Nonlinear regression models were developed to relate the fabric parameters with the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF), air permeability and thermal resistance. Optimization problems were formulated for UPF maximization keeping air permeability and thermal resistance as constraints. Optimization problems were solved to find out the values of yarn count and picks per cm. New fabrics were then woven using optimized combinations of yarn count and picks per cm, and error assessment between the target and the achieved fabric properties was performed. Results: The target, optimized and achieved fabric properties are showing good association. When air permeability requirement is high, the engineered cotton fabric can provide good UV protection (UPF>15). When the air permeability requirement is low, the engineered cotton fabric can provide excellent UV protection (UPF>40). Conclusions: It is possible to engineer cotton fabrics to maximize the UV protection without compromising with the comfort properties.     

Evaluation of Hemorrheologic Parameters and Biliary Secretion in Ligaria cuneifolia (Argentine mistletoe) Extract-Treated Rats

Abstract

The anti-inflammatory effect of seed powder [SPP I (100 mg/kg) and II (200 mg/kg) p.o.] and aqueous extract [SPE I (100 mg/kg) and II (200 mg/kg) p.o.] of Strychnos potatorum. Linn (Loganiaceae) seeds was studied in carrageenin-induced hind paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma models. In carrageenin-induced rat paw edema model, both SPP (I and II) and SPE (I and II) exhibited mild inhibition at 1 h and maximum inhibition at 2.5 h in a dose-dependent manner. In the cotton pellet granuloma model, both wet and dry weights of the cotton pellets were significantly (p < 0.001) inhibited by SPP and SPE at both dose levels, whereas a maximum (p < 0.001) inhibition of wet and dry weights was found at 200 mg/kg, p.o. Both SPP and SPE were found to normalize the increased alkaline, acid phosphatases, and lipid peroxide levels indicating their membrane stabilization and free radical scavenging properties, respectively. In conclusion, both SPP (I and II) and SPE (I and II) exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in acute and subacute inflammatory models, whereas SPE-II was found to possess maximum activity and its effect was also comparable with the standard drug diclofenac sodium (5 mg/kg, p.o.).     

Anti-inflammatory effect of petroleum ether extract of Vitex negundo leaves in rat models of acute and subacute inflammation

The anti-inflammatory effect of a petroleum ether extract of Vitex negundo Linn (Verbenaceae) leaves, (PEVNL) (250 and 500?mg/kg, p.o.), was evaluated in carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma models. Diclofenac sodium was used as a standard drug. The biochemical parameters were estimated in serum. In carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model PEVNL exhibited significant (p?<?0.01) inhibition of edema volume at 4?h in a dose-dependent manner. In the cotton pellet granuloma model, dry weight of cotton pellets was significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner with maximum effect noticed at 500?mg/kg, p.o. Both doses of PEVNL were found to normalize the increased alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, alanine amino transferase (ALT) and aspartate amino transferase (AST) and reversed the decreased serum albumin. In conclusion, PEVNL exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in acute and subacute models. At a dose of 500?mg/kg, p.o., PEVNL was found to possess maximum activity, and this effect was comparable with reference drug diclofenac sodium (5?mg/kg, p.o.).     

The antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Salvia officinalis leaf aqueous and butanol extracts

Context: The leaf of sage Salvia officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) is reputed in the folk medicine of Arabia, and Jordan in particular, to relieve pain associated with gastrointestinal disturbance.

Objectives: Evaluation of the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of aqueous and butanol extracts of S. officinalis leaf.

Materials and methods: The analgesic effects of the aqueous extract (10, 31.6, 100, 316, 1000?mg/kg) and butanol extract (10, 31.6, 100, 316?mg/kg) were studied using the hot-plate test for mice and the formalin-induced paw licking in rats. The effects were compared to those of morphine and the influence of naloxone on these effects was also evaluated. The same concentrations of both extracts were used to evaluate their anti-inflammatory effects using the cotton pellet granuloma and carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats.

Results: The aqueous extract (10, 31.6, 100, 316, 1000?mg/kg) and butanol extract (10, 31.6, 100, 316?mg/kg) caused analgesic effect in the hot-plate latency assay as well as in early and late phases of formalin-induced paw licking in rats. These effects were reduced by the opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone (5?mg/kg). The same range of doses of both extracts caused dose-dependent inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats as well as inhibition of cotton pellet granuloma.

Discussion and conclusion: These observations suggest that the sage leaf aqueous and butanol extracts have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, confirming the traditional use of this plant for pain alleviation.     

无菌棉签蘸服糖水在极低出生体质量儿早期喂养中的应用

目的:探讨无菌棉签蘸服糖水对极低出生体质量儿吸吮吞咽及胃肠功能的影响.方法:将36例极低出生体质量儿随机分为观察组(17例)和对照组(19例).在常规治疗的基础上,观察组生后12小时内开始给予间歇鼻胃管喂养,每3小时1次,在每次鼻胃管喂养前用无菌棉签蘸服微量糖水,持续10天;对照组仅单纯给予间歇鼻胃管喂养.观察两组吸吮吞咽功能协调建立时间、恢复出生体质量时间、达足量肠内营养时间、发生喂养不耐受、高胆红素血症、呼吸暂停例次.结果:与对照组比较,观察组吸吮吞咽功能协调建立时间早(P<0.05),恢复出生体质量时间及达足量肠内营养时间快(P<0.05),发生喂养不耐受及高胆红素血症的人数减少(P<0.05).两组发生呼吸暂停例次数差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论:极低出生体质量儿在生后早期每次鼻胃管喂养前给予无菌棉签蘸服微量糖水能锻炼吸吮吞咽能力,促进胃肠道功能成熟,改善喂养不耐受,让患儿更易恢复出生体质量与达足量肠内营养,较少发生高胆红素血症.     

Early Warning of Resistance to Bt Toxin Vip3Aa in Helicoverpa zea

Evolution of resistance by pests can reduce the benefits of crops genetically engineered to produce insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Because of the widespread resistance of Helicoverpa zea to crystalline (Cry) Bt toxins in the United States, the vegetative insecticidal protein Vip3Aa is the only Bt toxin produced by Bt corn and cotton that remains effective against some populations of this polyphagous lepidopteran pest. Here we evaluated H. zea resistance to Vip3Aa using diet bioassays to test 42,218 larvae from three lab strains and 71 strains derived from the field during 2016 to 2020 in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas. Relative to the least susceptible of the three lab strains tested (BZ), susceptibility to Vip3Aa of the field-derived strains decreased significantly from 2016 to 2020. Relative to another lab strain (TM), 7 of 16 strains derived from the field in 2019 were significantly resistant to Vip3Aa, with up to 13-fold resistance. Susceptibility to Vip3Aa was significantly lower for strains derived from Vip3Aa plants than non-Vip3Aa plants, providing direct evidence of resistance evolving in response to selection by Vip3Aa plants in the field. Together with previously reported data, the results here convey an early warning of field-evolved resistance to Vip3Aa in H. zea that supports calls for urgent action to preserve the efficacy of this toxin.     

Chikungunya Virus Infection Associated with Encephalitis and Anterior Uveitis

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an RNA virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. The clinical manifestations include fever, arthralgia, rash, and other atypical clinical findings including ocular lesions. We report the case of a 57-year-old man with meningoencephalitis and anterior uveitis due to CHIKV. The patient had developed bilateral anterior uveitis with iris atrophy and a cotton wool spot on the left eye, and his serum, urine, saliva, and cerebrospinal fluid were positive for CHIKV by RT-PCR. The spectrum of the ophthalmologic manifestations and its pathophysiology in cases of CHIKV infections needs to be better understood. Additional studies examining the ocular lesions caused by CHIKV could improve the therapeutic goals of reducing the morbidity and sequels.     

Extraction of Natural Dye from Aerial Parts of Argy Wormwood Based on Optimized Taguchi Approach and Functional Finishing of Cotton Fabric

The aerial parts of the Argy Worm Wood (AWW) plant have been used in different Chinese foods as a colorant and a taste enhancer for a long time. Despite its application as a food colorant, it has rarely been considered for the coloration of textiles. Keeping in mind the variation in color strength due to the change in phytochemical contents by seasonal change and other variables, the extraction of AWW aerial parts was optimized using the Taguchi method. Optimization was performed on the basis of total phytochemical contents (phenols, flavonoids, and tannins) in the extracted solutions. For this purpose, two different solvent systems, namely sodium hydroxide/water (NaOH/water) and ethanol/water (EtOH/water), were applied through a simple aqueous extraction method at varying levels of solvent concentration, and extraction temperature and duration. Maximum phytochemicals yield of 21.96% was obtained using NaOH/water system with 9 g/L NaOH/water at 85 °C for 20 min and 25.5% with 75% aqueous ethanol at 85 °C for 40 min. Optimized extracts were characterized by UV-Vis and FTIR spectrophotometry, which showed the presence of multiple phytochemicals in the extracts. The dyeing temperature and time were also optimized. Dyed cotton fabrics showed medium to high colorfastness to washing and excellent antibacterial and UV radiation absorption properties. The effect of pre-mordanting with salts of iron and copper was also studied on the color fastness properties. Cotton fabrics dyed with two different solvent system extracts displayed various shades of brown with NaOH/water, and green with aqueous ethanol with and without pre-mordanting. The present study provides the textile industry with a promising source of functional bio-colorant and a value-adding approach for the AWW plant industry.