Investigation of occupational risk factors for the development of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in adults: A hospital-based case-control study.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) is a malignancy of the lymphoid lineage of the hematopoietic system has worldwide, especially in developed countries. Better diagnostic and recording techniques, longer life expectancy, and greater exposure to risk factors are hypotheses for this growing incidence curve. Occupational exposures to chemical, biological, and physical agents have also been associated with NHL development, but the results are still controversial. We have investigated the occupational and lifestyle case-control study design with 214 adult patients and 452 population controls. Socio-demographic, clinical, and occupational exposure data were obtained through individual interviews with a standardized questionnaire. Clinical, laboratory, and histopathological data were obtained through medical records. Risk of NHL (any subtype), B-cell lymphoma, DLBCL, Follicular lymphoma and T-cell lymphoma was elevated among the those who had ever been exposed to any solvents, hydrocarbon solvents, pesticides, meat and meat products, and sunlight and tended to increase by years of exposure. A significant upward trend with years of exposure was detected for any solvents and hydrocarbon solvents (NHL (any subtype) p-value for trend<0.001), B-cell lymphoma (p-value for trend<0.001), and T-cell lymphoma (p-value for trend<0.023), pesticides (NHL (any subtype), p for trend<0.001) and T-cell lymphoma (p for trend<0.002), meat and meat products (NHL (any subtype) (p for trend<0.001) and DLBCL (p for trend<0.001), and sunlight (B-cell lymphoma (p for trend<0.001). The results of this study agree line with other international studies, can be extrapolated to other countries that have the same socio-demographic and occupational characteristics as Brazil and support strategies for surveillance and control of work-related cancer.

Encapsulation and release of hydrocortisone from proliposomes govern vaginal delivery.

Topical preparations of hydrocortisone can be used for the anti-inflammatory treatment of the female genital area. Although the drug is a low-strength corticosteroid, systemic absorption and distribution of the drug are the most common safety risks associated with this therapy. In the current investigation, we elucidate the physicochemical properties of lipid-based drug carrier systems that govern the local bioavailability of hydrocortisone for intravaginal administration. For this purpose, we compared various proliposome formulations with a commercial cream. Depending on the availability of physiological acceptors, encapsulation and drug release from the lipid phase were found to be the most important drivers of drug bioavailability. The high permeability of hydrocortisone leads to rapid transport of the drug across the mucosal cell layer as indicated by experiments using HEC-1-A and CaSki cell monolayer models. Under sink conditions, differences in the release from the liposomes as determined in the Dispersion Releaser were almost negligible. However, under non-sink conditions, the drug release plateaued at levels corresponding to the encapsulation efficiency. After redispersion, all liposomal formulations performed better than the commercial drug product indicating that the encapsulation into the lipid phase is the main driver sustaining the release.

Sequential injection method for bi-parametric determination of iron and manganese in soil leachates.

The aim of this work was to develop a sequential injection (SI) method for the determination of the micronutrients iron and manganese, in soil leachates, as a tool to assess potential groundwater contamination. The described sequential injection method was based on the reaction of iron with chelator MRB12, a greener alternative chromogenic reagent, and the reaction of manganese with zincon, within a single manifold. The developed SI method enabled the determination of iron in the range 0.10-1.00 mg L-1, and manganese in the range 0.25-2.5 mg L-1 with a limit of detection of 0.08 mg L-1 for iron and 0.24 mg L-1 for manganese. The determination of both parameters was made in 6 minutes, in triplicate. The application to monitor laboratory scale soil core columns (LSSCs), as a simulation of the soil leaching process, proved its efficiency to assess potential contamination of ground waters. Iron and manganese contents were effectively analysed in two different scenarios to mimic the leaching process with rainwater and fertilizer.

Clotrimazole-loaded N-(2-hydroxy)-propyl-3-trimethylammonium, O-palmitoyl chitosan nanoparticles for topical treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) represents a considerable health burden for women. Despite the availability of a significant array of antifungal drugs and topical products, the management of the infection is not always effective, and new approaches are needed. Here, we explored cationic N-(2-hydroxy)-propyl-3-trimethylammonium, O-palmitoyl chitosan nanoparticles (NPs) as carriers of clotrimazole (CLT) for the topical treatment of VVC. CLT-NPs with approximately 280 nm in diameter were obtained by self-assembly in water and subsequent stabilization by ionic crosslinking with tripolyphosphate. The nanosystem featured pH-independent sustained drug release up to 24 h, which affected both in vitro anti-Candida activity and cytotoxicity. The CLT-loaded nanostructured platform yielded favorable selectivity index values for a panel of standard strains and clinical isolates of Candida spp. and female genital tract cell lines (HEC-1-A, Ca Ski and HeLa), as compared to the free drug. CLT-NPs also improved in vitro drug permeability across HEC-1-A and Ca Ski cell monolayers, thus suggesting that the nanocarrier may provide higher mucosal tissue levels of the active compound. Overall, data support that CLT-NPs may be a valuable asset for the topical treatment of VVC. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Topical azoles such as clotrimazole (CLT) are first line antifungal drugs for the management of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), but their action may be limited by issues such as toxicity and poor capacity to penetrate the genital mucosa. Herein, we report on the ability of a new cationic N-(2­hydroxy)-propyl-3-trimethylammonium, O-dipalmitoyl chitosan derivative (DPCat35) to yield tripolyphosphate-reinforced micelle-like nanostructures that are suitable carriers for CLT. In particular, these nanosystems were able to improve the in vitro selectivity index of the drug and to provide enhanced epithelial drug permeability when tested in cell monolayer models. These data support that CLT-loaded DPCat35 nanoparticles feature favorable properties for the development of new nanomedicines for the topical management of VVC.

Pharmaceutical Vehicles for Vaginal and Rectal Administration of Anti-HIV Microbicide Nanosystems.

Prevention strategies play a key role in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Vaginal and rectal microbicides hold great promise in tackling sexual transmission of HIV-1, but effective and safe products are yet to be approved and made available to those in need. While most efforts have been placed in finding and testing suitable active drug candidates to be used in microbicide development, the last decade also saw considerable advances in the design of adequate carrier systems and formulations that could lead to products presenting enhanced performance in protecting from infection. One strategy demonstrating great potential encompasses the use of nanosystems, either with intrinsic antiviral activity or acting as carriers for promising microbicide drug candidates. Polymeric nanoparticles, in particular, have been shown to be able to enhance mucosal distribution and retention of promising antiretroviral compounds. One important aspect in the development of nanotechnology-based microbicides relates to the design of pharmaceutical vehicles that allow not only convenient vaginal and/or rectal administration, but also preserve or even enhance the performance of nanosystems. In this manuscript, we revise relevant work concerning the selection of vaginal/rectal dosage forms and vehicle formulation development for the administration of microbicide nanosystems. We also pinpoint major gaps in the field and provide pertinent hints for future work.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis with nail changes and multisystem disease: a case report.

Nail involvement in Langerhans cell histiocytosis is uncommon and is said to indicate a poor prognosis. We describe a 2-year-old boy with onycholysis, subungual hyperkeratosis, and hemorrhages on his fingernails. He also had hepatosplenomegaly and pulmonary involvement. The diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis was made by histopathologic examination of skin and liver.The role of nail involvement as an unfavorable prognostic sign is still unclear and this paper concludes that nail involvement in Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a possible sign of multisystemic involvement.

Polymorphisms in host immune response associated genes and risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma development in Portugal.

BACKGROUND: Host genetic susceptibility markers in immune response associated genes may contribute to identify individuals with high risk of developing viral infection and viral-associated cancers. We aimed to characterize different polymorphisms in immune response associated genes and evaluate its association with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) development. METHODS: We have developed a hospital-based case-control study selecting 134 patients with NPC (cases) and 732 healthy individuals (controls) from the Northern Region of Portugal. Eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were selected: -56C>T IFNGR1 (rs2234711), +4854G>T IL1A (rs17561), +3954C>T IL1B (rs1143634), +1902A>G IL4RA (rs1801275), -1082G>A IL10 (rs1800896), +2018T>C IL1RN (rs419598), HLA-A locus A>T (rs2530388), HCGA9 locus A>T (rs6457110). All polymorphisms were analysed by real-time methodology using TaqMan(®) SNP Genotyping Assays. RESULTS: The overall analysis revealed no statistical significant differences between genotypes distributions in all of studied polymorphisms (p>0.05). However, the results for HCGA9 rs6457110 polymorphism showed a tendency for an increased risk of NPC development among TT carriers with an almost of 2-fold increased risk (OR=1.86; 95%CI 1.00-3.65). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to characterize these polymorphisms in NPC patients in Portugal. Our study indicates that HCGA9 rs6457110 polymorphism might represent a risk marker for NPC development in our population and that other SNPs should be further studied in larger populations to clarify the evidences. This data reinforces the need for more studies, especially in NPC low-prevalent populations.

Avaliação da toxicidade em sedimento do rioCubatão-SP / Toxicity assessment into sediments from Cubatão River-SP

O presente trabalho visou avaliar efeitos agudos e crônicos em amostras de sedimento do rio Cubatão e dois de seusafluentes (Perequê e Pilões), por meio de ensaios ecotoxicológicos. Os organismos-teste foram a Hyalella azteca para avaliaçãode sedimento integral. A análise de crescimento corpóreo do organismo também foi realizada. As amostras foramcoletadas entre 2010 e 2011 (quatro campanhas), em nove pontos da Bacia do rio Cubatão. Os ensaios de toxicidade paraefeitos agudos do sedimento integral em H. azteca resultaram em toxicidade para as amostras de P2 e P5 (2ª e 4ª campanhas),com mortalidade superior a 50% dos organismos expostos. A análise de crescimento corpóreo identificou menorcrescimento nos organismos expostos ao sedimento proveniente dos locais P4 e P5, onde ocorreu a industrialização naregião estudada.

The present paper assessed acute and chronic biological effects at sediment samples from Cubatão River and two othercontributors (Perequê and Pilões Rivers), by using ecotoxicity assays. Hyalella azteca were exposed to integral sediments.Body growing size was also determined. The samples were collected in 2010 and 2011 (four data) and nine different siteswere included, representing the Cubatão River Basin. The acute effects for Hyalella azteca were obtained at P2 and P5 (2ªand 4ª samplings), with mortality higher than 50% of the total number of exposed organisms. Organisms body size analysisdetected lower growing rates at sites P4 and P5, places identified as pertaining to the mainly industrialized sites.

Dermatofibroma in a black tattoo: report of a case.

Tattooing has been associated with a variety of complications including inflammatory and granulomatous reactions, transmission of infections, and neoplasms. We report a case of a 24-year-old male who presented with a 2-month history of an erythematous nodule involving a newly made tattoo on the right leg. An excisional biopsy was performed and the histopathological evaluation was consistent with dermatofibroma. Only three cases of dermatofibroma associated with tatooing were reported in literature. We report an additional case and review the literature regarding cutaneous reactions to tattoos.

Dermatofibroma in a black tattoo: report of a case / Dermatofibroma sob pigmento preto de tatuagem: relato de um caso

Tattooing has been associated with a variety of complications including inflammatory and granulomatous reactions, transmission of infections, and neoplasms. We report a case of a 24-year-old male who presented with a 2-month history of an erythematous nodule involving a newly made tattoo on the right leg. An excisional biopsy was performed and the histopathological evaluation was consistent with dermatofibroma. Only three cases of dermatofibroma associated with tatooing were reported in litetature. We report an additional case and review the literature regarding cutaneous reactions to tattoos.

Tatuagens têm sido associadas com uma variedade de complicações incluindo reações inflamatórias e granulomatosas, transmissão de infecções e neoplasias. Relatamos um caso de homem com 24 anos de idade que apresentava há dois meses nódulo eritematoso sob pigmento preto de uma tatuagem na coxa direita. A biópsia excisional foi realizada e a avaliação histológica foi consistente com dermatofibroma. Apenas três casos da associação dermatofibroma e tatuagem foram relatados na literatura. Nós reportamos um caso adicional e revisamos a literatura sobre reações cutâneas em tatuagens.