Status of pharmaceuticals in the Korle Lagoon and their toxicity to non-target organisms

Ecotoxicology - The availability of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) in surface waters and suspended solids/sediments presents an ecological hazard of chronic exposure to non-target...     

Aspergillus Iris Granuloma: A Case Report with Review of Literature

We report the case of a 25-year-old male patient who presented with complaints of redness, photophobia, and decreased vision in the right eye of a week's duration. Slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination revealed a cream-colored, irregular elevated inferior iris mass, extending on to the anterior lens surface. Differential diagnoses of a fungal granuloma, a medulloepithelioma, and an amelanotic melanoma were considered. An excisional biopsy of the mass was performed through a superior clear corneal incision. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of the aqueous humor showed a positive pan fungal genome. Histopathology of the biopsied mass showed a giant cell granuloma with surrounding numerous branching, septate hyphae. Culture growth revealed Aspergillus fumigatus We report this case because of the rarity of Aspergillus iris granuloma as a primary presentation of endogenous Aspergillosis and review the relevant literature. Absence of a significant systemic history compounded the diagnostic dilemma in our patient. Definitive differentiation of this rare entity from a foreign body, amelanotic melanoma, and other inflammatory conditions such as sarcoidosis and tuberculosis, may be possible only on microbiological and histo-pathological evaluation.     

Clinical Experience with Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Photomodulation

Background. Light-emitting diode (LED) photomodulation is a novel nonthermal technology used to modulate cellular activity with light.
Objective:. We describe our experience over the last 2 years using 590 nm LED photomodulation within a dermatologic surgery environment.
Methods. Practical use of nonthermal light energy and emerging applications in 3,500 treatments delivered to 900 patients is detailed.
Results. LED photomodulation has been used alone for skin rejuvenation in over 300 patients but has been effective in augmentation of results in 600 patients receiving concomitant nonablative thermal and vascular treatments such as intense pulsed light, pulsed dye laser, KTP and infrared lasers, radiofrequency energy, and ablative lasers.
Conclusion:. LED photomodulation reverses signs of photoaging using a new nonthermal mechanism. The anti-inflammatory component of LED in combination with the cell regulatory component helps improve the outcome of other thermal-based rejuvenation treatments.     

Improvement of Atrophic Acne Scars with a 1,320 nm Nd:YAG Laser: Retrospective Study

Background. Facial acne scarring has been treated with multiple methods with varying degrees of improvement. Although the 1,320 nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser has been widely used to improve photoaging, studies analyzing its effects on atrophic acne scarring are limited.
Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of a dynamic cryogen-cooled 1,320 nm Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of atrophic facial acne scars in a larger cohort of patients with long-term follow-up.
Methods. Twenty-nine patients (skin phototypes I–IV) with facial acne scarring received a mean of 5.5 (range 2–17) treatments with a 1,320 nm Nd:YAG laser. Objective physician assessment scores of improvement were determined by side-by-side comparison of preoperative and postoperative photographs at a range of 1 to 27 months (mean 10.4 months) postoperatively. Subjective patient self-assessment scores of improvement were also obtained.
Results. Acne scarring was significantly improved by both physician and patient assessment scores. Mean improvement was 2.8 (  p < .05  ) on a 0- to 4-point scale by physician assessment and 5.4 (  p < .05  ) on a 0- to 10-point scale by patient assessment. No significant complications were observed.
Conclusions. Nonablative laser skin resurfacing with a 1,320 nm Nd:YAG laser can effectively improve the appearance of facial acne scars with minimal adverse sequelae.     

Improvement of Dermatochalasis and Periorbital Rhytides With a High-Energy Pulsed CO2 Laser: A Retrospective Study

Background. Upper eyelid dermatochalasis is typically treated with excisional blepharoplasty. The role of the CO₂ laser previously had been confined to that of a vaporizing, incisional, or hemostatic tool. Over the past several years, however, ablative CO₂ laser skin resurfacing has been popularized as an adjunctive treatment to blepharoplasty to minimize periorbital rhytides through its vaporizing as well as skin-tightening action.
Objective. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a high-energy pulsed CO₂ laser as a stand-alone treatment for dermatochalasis and periorbital rhytides.
Methods. Sixty-seven patients (skin phototypes I–IV) with mild-to-severe upper eyelid dermatochalasis and periorbital rhytides received periocular CO₂ laser skin treatment. Global assessment scores of dermatochalasis and rhytides were determined by a side-by-side comparison of periocular photographs preoperatively and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. In addition, caliper measurements of upper eyelids before and 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment were obtained.
Results. Both dermatochalasis and periorbital rhytides were significantly improved after periocular CO₂ laser skin resurfacing. Patients with more severe dermatochalasis and rhytides showed greater improvement after CO₂ laser treatment than did those with mild or moderate involvement. Side effects were limited to erythema and transient hyperpigmentation. No scarring, hypopigmentation, or ectropion were observed.
Conclusions. Periocular skin resurfacing with a CO₂ laser can safely and effectively improve upper eyelid dermatochalasis and periorbital rhytides.     

Hyperglycemic crises in diabetes mellitus: diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) potentially are fatal but largely preventable acute metabolic conditions of uncontrolled diabetes, the incidence of which continues to increase. Mortality from DKA has declined remarkably over the years because of better understanding of its pathophysiology and treatment. The mortality rate of HHS remains alarmingly high, however, owing to older age and mode of presentation of patients and associated comorbid conditions. DKA and HHS also are economically burdensome; therefore, any resources invested in their prevention would be rewarding.     

Heroin-Induces Differential Protein Expression by Normal Human Astrocytes (NHA)

Heroin use is postulated to act as a cofactor in the neuropathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection. Astrocytes, integral components of the CNS, are reported to be susceptible to HIV-1 infection. Upon activation, astrocytes release a number of immunoregulatory products or modulate the expression of a number of proteins that foster the immunopathogenesis of HIV-1 infection. However, the role of heroin on HIV-1 infectivity and the expression of the proteome of normal human astrocytes (NHA) have not been elucidated. We hypothesize that heroin modulates the expression of a number of proteins by NHA that foster the neuoropathogenesis of HIV-1 infection. We utilized LTR amplification and the p24 antigen assay to quantitate the effect of heroin on HIV-1 infectivity while difference gel electrophoresis (DIGE) combined with protein identification through high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) to analyze the effects of heroin on the proteomic profile of NHA. Results demonstrate that heroin potentiates HIV-1 replication in NHA. Furthermore, heroin significantly increased protein expression levels for protein kinase C (PKC), reticulocalbin 1 precursor, reticulocalbin 1, tyrosine 3-monooxgenase/tryptophan 5-monooxgenase activation protein, chloride intracellular channel 1, cathepsin D preproprotein, galectin 1 and myosin light chain alkali. Heroin also significantly decreased protein expression for proliferating cell nuclear antigen, proteasome beta 6 subunit, tropomyosin 3, laminin receptor 1, tubulin alpha 6, vimentin, EF hand domain family member D2, Tumor protein D54 (hD54), ATP synthase, H+ transporting, mitochondrial F1 complex and ribosomal protein S14. Identification of unique, heroin-induced proteins may help to develop novel markers for diagnostic, preventative and therapeutic targeting in heroin using subjects.     

An eighth locus for autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa is linked to chromosome 17q

Retinitis pigmentosa is one of the most common causes of severevisual handicap in middle to late life. Prior to this report,seven loci had previously been mapped for the autosomal dominantform of this disorder (adRP). We now report the identificationof a novel adRP locus on chromosome 17q. To map the new locus,we performed linkage analysis with microsatellite markers ina large South African kindred. After exclusion of 13 RP candidategene loci (including rhodopsin and peripherin-RDS), we obtainedsignificant positive lod scores at zero recombination fraction(     

Inhibition of Prostate Cancer Cell Colony Formation by the Flavonoid Quercetin Correlates with Modulation of Specific Regulatory Genes

The natural product quercetin is a flavonoid found in many fruits and vegetables. Previous research has shown that quercetin has antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, and antiviral activities. In the present investigation we studied the effect of quercetin on the ability of prostate cancer cell lines with various degrees of aggressive potential to form colonies in vitro. Specifically, we examined the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect, including the expression of cell cycle and tumor suppressor genes as well as oncogenes. We observed that quercetin at concentrations of 25 and 50 μM significantly inhibited the growth of the highly aggressive PC-3 prostate cancer cell line and the moderately aggressive DU-145 prostate cancer cell line, whereas it did not affect colony formation by the poorly aggressive LNCaP prostate cancer cell line or the normal fibroblast cell line BG-9. Using the gene array methodology, we found that quercetin significantly inhibited the expression of specific oncogenes and genes controlling G₁, S, G₂, and M phases of the cell cycle. Moreover, quercetin reciprocally up-regulated the expression of several tumor suppressor genes. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the antitumor effects of quercetin directly correlate with the aggressive potential of prostate cancer cells and that the mechanism(s) of quercetin-mediated antitumor effects may involve up-regulation of tumor suppressor genes and reciprocal down-regulation of oncogenes and cell cycle genes. The results of these studies provide a scientific basis for the potential use of flavonoids as nutraceuticals in the chemoprevention of cancer.