Effect of sequential versus standard Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy on the associated iron deficiency anemia in children

Objectives:

Helicobacter pylori infection may be associated with low iron stores and iron deficiency anemia. Eradication of infection by the standard 10-day therapy (a proton pump inhibitor [PPI], clarithromycin and amoxicillin; each given orally, twice daily) is decreasing. The sequential 10-day therapy (a PPI and amoxicillin; each given orally twice daily for 5 days; followed by a PPI, clarithromycin and tinidazole; each given orally twice daily for another 5 days) may achieve higher eradication rates. This study was designed to investigate, which eradication regimen; sequential or standard; more effectively improves the associated iron status and iron deficiency in children.

Materials and Methods:

Children (12-15 years) with H. pylori active infection (positive H. pylori immunoglobulin G and urea breath test [UBT]) were subjected to measurement of serum ferritin and then randomized into two groups to receive standard and sequential eradication therapy. Six weeks after completing therapy, UBT was performed to check eradication and serum ferritin was measured to estimate affection by therapy. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, IBM, NY, USA) was used for analysis.

Results:

H. pylori eradication rates of sequential versus standard therapy were non-significantly different. Serum ferritin non-significantly differed between the two therapy groups and in the same group before and after treatment.

Conclusions:

There is no significant difference in H. pylori eradication rates between sequential and standard therapies in children. Moreover, no significant relationship was found between eradication therapy and serum ferritin. Further studies enrolling more markers of iron deficiency are required to precisely assess this relationship.KEY WORDS: Children, eradication, Helicobacter pylori, serum ferritin     

Serum Fetuin-A: A Novel Potential Link Between Post-adolescent Acne and Insulin Resistance

BackgroundPost-adolescent acne is acne in patients aged older than 25 years. It is more common in women, suggesting an underlying hormonal imbalance. It has been postulated that insulin resistance (IR) may play a role in pathogenesis.ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between fetuin-A, IR, and post-adolescent acne.MethodsSerum fetuin-A levels were assessed using an ELISA technique in 50 female patients with post-adolescent acne and 50 healthy controls, and IR was calculated using the Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance Index (HOMA-IR).ResultsStudied patients had significantly higher HOMA-IR indices and serum fetuin-A levels than control subjects (P=0.001 and <0.001, respectively) and they were significantly increased in patients with severe lesions (P<0.001).ConclusionWe found that IR was more significantly prevalent among studied patients, especially those with more severe acne grades, and that could be attributed to higher serum fetuin-A levels. Fetuin -A might be a predictor for acne severity and associated metabolic comorbid conditions, such as IR. However, further large-scale studies will be needed.     

The Role of Mg Content and Aging Treatment on the Tensile and Fatigue Properties of Die-Cast 380 Alloy

The main objective of this contribution was to determine the impact of magnesium (Mg) concentration and solidification rate (about 800 °C/s) on the mechanical properties of commercial A380.1 die-cast alloy. Respective amounts of 0.10%, 0.30%, and 0.50% Mg were used to establish their influence on the main tensile properties, namely, the ultimate limit, the elastic limit, and the percentage of elongation to fracture. The study also focused on the effect of magnesium on the fatigue behavior of A380.1 alloy where the role of surface defects and internal defects (porosity, oxide films, and inclusions) on the alloy fatigue life was also determined. The tensile properties were analyzed in order to optimize the heat treatments of T6 (under-aging) and T7 (over-aging). Consequently, the influence of several parameters was evaluated using tensile testing and optical and scanning electron micrography. Fatigue strength was investigated by performing rotational bending tests. The results show that the alloy tensile strength parameters improve with up to 0.3% Mg. Further addition of Mg, i.e., 0.5%, does not produce any significant improvement with respect to either traction or fatigue. It is observed that the tensile properties fluctuate according to the Guinier–Preston zones which occur during heat treatment, while the fatigue properties decrease as the Mg content increases. In contrast to a mechanical fatigue failure mechanism, in the present study, cracks were initiated at the sample’s outer surface and then propagated toward the center.     

Viable production of hydrogen and methane from polluted water using eco-friendly plasmonic Pd–TiO2 nanocomposites

Solar-to-fuel conversion is a novel clean energy approach that has gained the interest of many researchers. Solar-driven photocatalysts have become essential to providing valuable fuel gases such as methane and hydrogen. Solar energy has emerged as a renewable, abundant energy source that can efficiently drive photochemical reactions through plasmonic photocatalysis. As a capping agent, orange peel extract was used in this study in a microwave-assisted green method to incorporate titanium dioxide with distinct amounts (3, 5, and 7 wt%) from Pd-plasmonic nanoparticles (2–5 nm). The leading role for plasmonic nanoparticles made from Pd-metal is enhancing the photocatalyst''s ability to capture visible light, improving its performance. X-Ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) surface area analysis, and UV-vis DRS analyses have investigated the obtained plasmonic photocatalysts'' crystallographic, morphological, and optical characteristics. The UV-vis absorption spectra demonstrated the visible light absorption capacity attributed to the localized surface plasmonic resonance (LSPR) behavior of the newly formed nanoplasmonic photocatalysts. The generated Pd–TiO₂ nanomaterials'' photocatalytic activity has been examined and evaluated for combustible gas production, including the formation of CH₄ and H₂ from the photocatalytic degradation of Reactive Yellow 15 (RY) during a deoxygenated photoreaction in a homemade solar photobiogas reactor.

A mechanistic schematic diagram of the occurred reactions in the photoreaction; the Pd–TiO₂ plasmonic photocatalysts demonstrate promising dual functional materials generation of helpful fuel gases from the destruction of organic matter.     

Abnormal nuclear expression of aquaporin-3 in lesional and perilesional skin of vitiligo patients: A novel immunohistochemical finding

Background

Vitiligo is a skin disease characterized by a complex etiopathogenesis. Keratinocyte apoptosis may play a role in vitiligo pathogenesis. Aquaporin-3 (AQP-3) is an aqua-glyceroporin that controls keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation.

Aim

To assess the immunohistochemical expression of AQP-3 in lesional and perilesional skin of vitiligo patients compared to healthy control skin.

Methods

A total of 20 patients with generalized non-segmental vitiligo and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included. Lesional and perilesional skin of vitiligo patients, as well as normal skin of control subjects, were biopsied. The immunohistochemical expression of AQP3 in the epidermis was examined.

Results

Compared to control skin, both lesional and perilesional skin showed a significant reduction in the intensity of membranous staining of AQP-3 (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, respectively). Moreover, the membrano-cytoplasmic pattern of AQP-3 staining was significantly detected in 80% of lesions and 85% of perilesional biopsies, while it was absent in control skin (p < 0.001). Additionally, nuclear AQP-3 expression was significantly detected in 35% of lesions and 55% of perilesional biopsies, while it was not detected in control skin (p = 0.012, p < 0.001, respectively). No statistically significant difference was detected between lesional and perilesional skin.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first immunohistochemical research to show a significant abnormal nuclear expression of AQP-3 in lesional and perilesional skin of vitiligo patients. This abnormality may reflect impaired functions of AQP-3, leading to keratinocyte apoptosis with subsequent melanocyte death and development of vitiligo.