A balanced and diverse skin microbiome is pivotal for healthy skin. Dysregulation of the skin microbiome could disrupt the skin barrier function and result in the development of atopic dermatitis (AD), a common chronic and relapsing inflammatory skin disorder. Given the role that the skin microbiome plays in the initiation and maintenance of AD, maintaining a healthy skin microbiome is crucial for effective disease management. Specifically, current guidelines recommend emollients as the treatment mainstay in maintaining a functional skin barrier across disease severity. Emollient 'plus' or therapeutic moisturisers have recently emerged as the next-generation emollients that specifically aim to rebalance the skin microbiome and subsequently improve AD lesions. This article provides a quick overview of an emollient 'plus' or therapeutic moisturiser, discussing the clinical efficacy and tolerability of Lipikar Baume AP+M as a companion in AD management.
Due to increasing antibiotic pollution in the water environment, green and efficient adsorbents are urgently needed to solve this problem. Here we prepare magnetic bamboo-based activated carbon (MDBAC) through delignification and carbonization using ZnCl2 as activator, resulting in production of an activated carbon with large specific surface area (1388.83 m2 g-1). The influencing factors, such as solution pH, initial sulfadiazine (SD) concentration, temperature, and contact time, were assessed in batch adsorption experiments. The Langmuir isotherm model demonstrated that MDBAC adsorption capacity on SD was 645.08 mg g-1 at its maximum, being higher than majority of previously reported adsorbents. In SD adsorption, the kinetic adsorption process closely followed the pseudo-second kinetic model, and the thermodynamic adsorption process was discovered to be exothermic and spontaneous in nature. The MDBAC exhibited excellent physicochemical stability, facile magnetic recovery and acceptable recyclability properties. Moreover, the synergistic interactions between MDBAC and SD mainly involved electrostatic forces, hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking, and chelation. Within the benefits of low cost, ease of production and excellent adsorption performance, the MDBAC biosorbent shows promising utilization in removing antibiotic contaminants from wastewater.
This study was carried out to compare the rate of burn wound healing with the applications of the latex of Carica papaya Linn. (papaya) or of silver sulfadiazine cream (SSD). Partial and full thickness burn wound (2 cm x 2 cm) was induced on the dorsal part of anaesthetized rats by using heated metal plates. The rats were divided into three groups, i.e. untreated group and groups treated daily with SSD and papaya latex, respectively. A digital camera was used to take photographs of the burn wounds daily to monitor their healing. It was found that there was no significant difference in the healing time of papaya latex treated group compared to the SSD treated group. Papaya latex contained digestive enzymes which might clean burn wounds but might also cause wound bleeding in a few rats of the papaya latex group.
Tetracycline (TCC) and sulfadiazine (SDZ) are two of the most consumed antibiotics for human therapies and bacterial infection treatments in aquafarming fields, but their accumulative residues can result in negative effects on water and aquatic microorganisms. Removal techniques are therefore required to purify water before use. Herein, we concentrate on adsorptive removal of TCC and SDZ using cobalt@carbon nanotubes (Co@CNTs) derived from Co-ZIF-67. The presence of CNTs on the edge of nanocomposites was observed. Taguchi orthogonal array was designed with four variables including initial concentration (5-20 mg L-1), dosage (0.05-0.2 g L-1), time (60-240 min), and pH (2-10). Concentration and pH were found to be main contributors to adsorption of tetracycline and sulfadiazine, respectively. The optimum condition was found at concentration 5 mg L-1, dosage 0.2 g L-1, contact time 240 min, and pH 7 for both TCC and SDZ removals. Confirmation tests showed that Co@CNTs-700 removed 99.6% of TCC and 97.3% of SDZ with small errors (3-5.5%). Moreover, the kinetic and isotherm were studied, which kinetic and isotherm data were best fitted with pseudo second-order model and Langmuir. Maximum adsorption capacity values for TCC and SDZ were determined at 118.4-174.1 mg g-1 for 180 min. We also proposed the main role of interactions such as hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking, and electrostatic attraction in the adsorption of antibiotics. With high adsorption performance, Co@CNTs-700 is expected to remove antibiotics efficiently from wastewater.
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been extensively investigated as dose enhancement agent to increase the lethal dose to the tumours while minimizing dose to the normal tissue. Their intriguing properties and characteristics such as small size and shape provide favorable option in increasing radiotherapy therapeutic efficiency. In this study, the effects of AuNPs size on the dose enhancement effects irradiated under megavoltage photon beams were investigated. The study was conducted in-vitro on HeLa cells using AuNPs of 5 nm and 15 nm sizes. The cells samples were incubated with AuNPs and irradiated with photon beam of energy 6 MV and 10 MV at 100 cm SSD and 10 cm x 10 cm field size. Clonogenic assay were performed to observe the dose enhancement effects on cell survival. Dose enhancement factor (DEF) were extrapolated and evaluated from the cell survival curves. The results show that both sizes of AuNPs produce dose enhancement with the larger size AuNPs of 15 nm produce more dose enhancement compare to 5 nm AuNPs for 6 MV photon beam. Dose enhancements were observed for 10 MV photon beams but DEF for both sizes AuNPs shows no differences. In conclusion, larger size AuNPs produce higher dose enhancement compare to small size of AuNPs which conclude that nanoparticles size is important factor that need to be taken into account for AuNPs to be applied in radiotherapy.
Evidence from animal studies and trials suggests that honey may accelerate wound healing. The objective of this review was to assess the effects of honey compared with silver dressings on the healing of burn wounds. Relevant databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of honey compared with silver sulfadiazine (SSD) were searched. The quality of the selected trials was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool. The primary endpoints considered were wound healing time and the number of infected wounds rendered sterile. Nine RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Based on moderate quality evidence there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups, favoring honey in healing time (MD -5.76days, 95% CI -8.14 to -3.39) and the proportions of infected wounds rendered sterile (RR 2.59; 95% CI 1.58-2.88). The available evidence suggests that honey dressings promote better wound healing than silver sulfadiazine for burns.
A phylogenetic tree and median-joining network based on cytochrome b sequence data revealed clades consistent with morphological differences and geographical distribution of Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Southeast Asia. AMOVA analysis for variation was significant among populations (P<0.05) and was in agreement with morphological differences. Pairwise differences were significant between Java and Brunei/Borneo, Brunei/Borneo and west Malaysia, and Java and west Malaysia samples (P < 0.05). Closest relationships were found between samples from Brunei/Borneo and Java, and between west Malaysia and Laos-Sumatra. Nine haplotypes were unique to geographical regions. The Java species had high haplotype (1.000 ± 0.126) but low nucleotide (0.017) diversities, suggesting a population bottleneck followed by expansion. However, SSD and Hri (P=0.5) did not support demographic expansion. Instead, purifying selection where mutations occur and accumulate at silent sites is a more acceptable explanation.
Sulfonamides (SAs), synthetic antibiotics, are commonly used by veterinarians in chicken for therapeutic, prophylactic or as growth promoter and halt the growth of bacteria in animal production. Four common SAs, Sulfadiazine (SDZ), Sulfamethazine (SMZ), Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and Sulfaquinoxaline (SQX), were determined in chicken breast and liver samples using reverse phase HPLC using UV detector at 266nm. The concentration of SAs detected in samples from 11 states in Peninsular Malaysia ranged from 0.006-0.062 µg/g in breast meat samples and 0.08-0.193 µg/g in liver samples. Except for sample from Johor, concentration of SAs in all the samples were lower than MRLs established by Malaysia (0.1 µg/g). Exposure of sulfonamides in Malaysian consumers ranged from 0.002-0.088 µg/kg body wt. /day. The highest value of sulfonamides exposure was found in Johor with an estimated daily intake (EDA) of Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in Johor.
A Boer-Kajang cross male goat was presented to the Veterinary Hospital, University Malaysia Kelantan with a history of dysuria, hematuria and restlessness. The goat was intensively managed (confined to the pen) and fed with only palm kernel cake for the last three months. Physical examination revealed that the goat was dull, depressed, having an inflamed penis and prepuce with blood stained urine dripping from the penis. The differential diagnoses were obstructive urolithiasis, urinary tract infection and balanoposthitis. Based on the history, clinical signs, physical examination, urinalysis, ultrasonagraphy and feed analysis, the goat was diagnosed with obstructive urolithiasis and balanoposthitis. Treatment was instituted by amputation of the urethral process and retrograde urohydropulsion to relieve the blockade. Sulfadiazine-trimethoprim (Norodine(®)24) 15mg/kg, I.M; flunixin meglumine 2.2mg/kg, I.M; vitamin B complex 1ml/10kg, I.M and ammonium chloride 300mg/kg orally were administered. The goat responded well to treatment and was recovering well during a follow up visit.
Bone anchored hearing aid (Baha) implant is an option for patient with canal atresia, single sided deafness(SSD) and chronically discharging ears despite treatments. This retrospective study was conducted from 2001 to 2011 to evaluate the surgical outcome of Baha implant surgery. Thirty-three patients were identified during this study period. Their age at implantation ranged from 5 to 40 years. Of 33 patients, 29 (87.9 %) patients had bilateral microtia and canal atresia, 3 (9.1 %) patients had unilateral microtia and canal atresia and 1 (3.0 %) patients have SSD following labyrinthitis. One patient (3.2 %) had major complication which is lost of implant due to failure of osseointegration. Soft tissue reactions were seen 7 patients (21.1 %). Of these 7 patients, 4 patients required 3-4 procedures as day care operation for excision of the skin overgrowth surrounding the abutment. Recurrent antibiotic treatment was required in 3 patients (9.7 %). None of our patient had history of intraoperative or peri-operative complication following Baha surgery. The commonest complications are local infection and inflammation at the implant site. None of our patient had history of intraoperative or peri-operative complication following Baha implant surgery.
The in vivo antibacterial and burn wound healing potency of Persian shallot bulbs (Allium stipitatum) were explored in a mice burn model infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Hexane (ASHE) and dichloromethane (ASDE) extracts were tested. Female BALB/c mice were inflicted with third-degree thermal injury followed by infection with MRSA. ASHE and ASDE formulated with simple ointment base (SOB) at concentrations of 1%, 2%, and 5% (w/w) were topically applied to burn wounds twice a day for 20 days. Silver sulfadiazine (1%) served as drug positive control. Microbiological analysis was carried out on 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 days postwounding (dpw) and histopathological analysis at the end of the experiment (20 dpw). Both ointments demonstrated strong antibacterial activity with complete elimination of MRSA at 48-72 h after infection. The rate of wound contraction was higher (95-100%) in mice groups treated with ASHE and ASDE ointments after 15 dpw. Histological analysis revealed significant increase (p < 0.05) in epithelialization and collagenation in treated groups. The ASHE and ASDE were found to be relatively noncytotoxic and safe to Vero cell line (383.4 μg mL(-1); 390.6 μg mL(-1)), suggesting the extracts as safe topical antibacterial as well as promising alternatives in managing thermal injuries.