Human surface anatomy terminology for dermatology: a Delphi consensus from the International Skin Imaging Collaboration.

BACKGROUND: There is no internationally vetted set of anatomic terms to describe human surface anatomy. OBJECTIVE: To establish expert consensus on a standardized set of terms that describe clinically relevant human surface anatomy. METHODS: We conducted a Delphi consensus on surface anatomy terminology between July 2017 and July 2019. The initial survey included 385 anatomic terms, organized in seven levels of hierarchy. If agreement exceeded the 75% established threshold, the term was considered 'accepted' and included in the final list. Terms added by the participants were passed on to the next round of consensus. Terms with <75% agreement were included in subsequent surveys along with alternative terms proposed by participants until agreement was reached on all terms. RESULTS: The Delphi included 21 participants. We found consensus (≥75% agreement) on 361/385 (93.8%) terms and eliminated one term in the first round. Of 49 new terms suggested by participants, 45 were added via consensus. To adjust for a recently published International Classification of Diseases-Surface Topography list of terms, a third survey including 111 discrepant terms was sent to participants. Finally, a total of 513 terms reached agreement via the Delphi method. CONCLUSIONS: We have established a set of 513 clinically relevant terms for denoting human surface anatomy, towards the use of standardized terminology in dermatologic documentation.

Evaluation of the use of anti-TNF-alpha in an LPS-induced murine model.

OBJECTIVE: Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) may play a critical role in inflammatory-mediated preterm labor. Medications blocking the activity of TNF-alpha have been shown to be effective in the treatment of conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis; however, the use of these medications for an event like preterm birth or fetal death is unknown. We hypothesized that treatment with anti-TNF-alpha may decrease the rate of fetal death and preterm birth in a LPS-induced murine model. METHODS: Pregnant C57BL/6J mice received intraperitoneal (IP) injections of either vehicle or 2mg anti-TNF-alpha. After 24h, 10 microg of LPS was administered IP. Mice were sacrificed 24h later and outcomes between groups were assessed. A second set of experiments utilizing RT-PCR was performed to determine the influence of anti-TNF-alpha on production of inflammatory cytokines in response to LPS. RESULTS: There were 72 resultant pups in the LPS+saline group, and 91 in the group receiving LPS+anti-TNF-alpha. Pretreatment with anti-TNF-alpha reduced the rate of fetal death and preterm birth after LPS administration (p<0.01). Expression of IL-6, IL-1beta, TLR-2, CD14 and COX-1 were found to be significantly reduced in mice treated with anti-TNF-alpha and LPS compared to LPS alone. CONCLUSION: The use of anti-TNF-alpha decreased fetal deaths and preterm deliveries in an LPS-induced model of preterm birth. In addition, there were critical gene expression alterations in the group receiving anti-TNF-alpha. Further evaluation of TNF-alpha blockade as a potential treatment for preterm labor is warranted.

Uptake of Cu2+ by starch granules as affected by counterions.

Potato and wheat starch granules were soaked in 1% aqueous solutions of copper(II) salts: acetate, chloride, and sulfate. Such treatment caused sorption of Cu(2+) ions at the granule surface and their penetration into the granule interior as was proven, for sectioned granules of investigated starch, by scanning electron microscopy combined with an X-ray microanalysis system (energy dispersive spectroscopy). Copper ions incorporated into the granules influenced the starch thermal stability. Uptake of Cu(2+) by potato, determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry, was much higher than obtained for the wheat starch. Moreover, it was dependent on copper counteranions present in the solution. In all investigated granules, the most effective sorption occurred in the acetate solution. Starch dehydration or/and freezing and thawing, affecting the water-dependent inner structure of the granules, also influenced the amount of Cu(2+) taken from the solutions. Thus, compared to that in native starch, this value was considerably higher in Cu(CH 3COO)2, almost unchanged in CuSO4, and significantly lower in the case of CuCl2 solution. The influence of chloride and sulfate anions seemed to correlate with their water structure-making and structure-breaking ability, affecting the migration of Cu(2+) in the amorphous parts of the granules. However, high Cu uptake observed for acetate solution could be explained on the basis of acetate anion hydrolysis activating the polysaccharide matrix for cation binding. The obtained results provide new information about interactions of starch granules with salt solution and therefore support our understanding of starch properties.

[Evaluation of health hazards of workers of the textile industry working in contact with latex substances on the acrylic compound base]. / Próba oceny narazania zawodowego pracownikow wydzialu wlóknin, majacych kontakt z lateksami na bazie zwiazków akrylowych.

The paper is aimed at quantitative and qualitative determination of acrylic compounds that may occur in air at the "Lentex" Plant in Lubliniec, along with microclimate parameters measurements. The initial method was that of the Polish Standard PN-78/z-04113, which was subsequently modified. Pursuant to this standard, acrylic compounds were determined by gas chromatography with new column pack and changed parameters of gas chromatograph. The conditions of acrylic esters and acrylonitrile separation on column with LAC-1R-296 phase were considered the best and were used for quantitative and qualitative estimation. The investigations were carried out at workstations, basing on the production stage. The obtained results of identified acrylates concentrations are indicative of a very little content of those compounds in workstations air, implying that those workstations are safe in respect of chemical risk to workers. Certain deviations from mandatory standards were exhibited by almost all microclimatic parameters which might result in workers' worse general feeling.