The dental community has a broad understanding of how traditional combustible cigarettes affect the oral cavity of the dental patient but there is little research available on the effects that e-cigarettes have on the patient’s dental health. Vaping products have been marketed as a healthier option over traditional combustible cigarettes. Since they were first introduced in 2003, very little research has been performed to understand their dental implications. This project was executed to investigate the chemicals associated with these vaping products and how they possibly contribute to the progression of periodontal disease. This research project was conducted with the contribution of 23 participants who confirmed the usage of vaping products via an anonymous online survey. Participants were dental patients of record at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry. The data collected was analyzed and it was determined that there is a positive correlation between the use of e-cigarettes and the prevalence of periodontal disease.

Foram produzidas dispersões aquosas não-poluentes e inovadoras de poli(uretano-uréia) à base de poli(glicol propilênico) (PPG) e de copolímeros em bloco, poli(glicol etilênicob-glicol propilênico), (EG-b-PG) com teor de 7% de unidades de glicol etilênico. Os poli(uretano-uréia)s foram preparados, em duas etapas, pelo método do prepolímero. Na primeira etapa, foram obtidos anionômeros, sintetizados em massa, à base do copolímero EG-bPG, PPG, ácido dimetilol propiônico (DMPA) (gerador dos sítios aniônicos) e diisocianato de isoforona (IPDI). Ainda na primeira etapa, os grupos carboxílicos do DMPA foram submetidos à neutralização com trietilamina (TEA). Na segunda etapa, foi realizada a dispersão do prepolímero anionômero e, em seguida, foi conduzida a reação de extensão de cadeia com a hidrazina (HYD). Nas diferentes formulações, foram variadas a razão NCO/OH e as proporções de PPG e do copolímero em bloco EG-b-PG. Além disso, foram obtidas dispersões aquosas programadas para teores de sólidos de 40 e 50%. As dispersões foram avaliadas quanto ao teor de sólidos totais, tamanho médio de partícula e viscosidade. Os filmes, obtidos por vazamento das dispersões, foram avaliados quanto à absorção de água, termogravimetria (TG) e propriedades mecânicas (ensaio de tração). Os filmes vazados e os monômeros foram caracterizados por espectrometria na região de infravermelho (FTIR) As dispersões obtidas se mostraram adequadas para serem aplicadas como revestimento para madeira, metais e vidro / Non-polluting and poly(urethane-urea) aqueous dispersions based on poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) and block copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol-b-propylene glycol) (EG-b-PG) containing 7% of ethylene glycol repeating units, were produced in an innovative way. The poly(urethane-urea)s were prepared, in two steps, by the prepolymer method. In the first step, anionomers, synthesized in bulk, based on EG-b-PG, PPG, dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA) (anionomer sites generator) and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) were obtained. Still in the first step, the DMPA carboxylic groups were neutralized with triethylamine (TEA), generating the anionomer groups. In the second step, the anionomer prepolymer was dispersed in water under vigorous stirring and afterwards was chain extended with hydrazine. Different formulations were obtained by varying the NCO/OH ratio, and the proportions of PPG and EG-b-PG. Besides, poly(urethane-urea) aqueous dispersions with 40% and 50% of solid contents were obtained. The dispersions were evaluated in terms of their solid-contents, particle size and viscosity. The cast films, obtained from the dispersions concernig of water absorption, thermogravimetry (TG) and mechanical properties (stress and elongation at break). The films and monomers were characterized by infrared spectrometry (FTIR). The obtained dispersions were suitable when applied as for wood, metals and glass surfaces

Foram produzidas dispersões aquosas não-poluentes e inovadoras de poli(uretano-uréia) à base de poli(glicol propilênico) (PPG) e de copolímeros em bloco, poli(glicol etilênicob-glicol propilênico), (EG-b-PG) com teor de 7% de unidades de glicol etilênico. Os poli(uretano-uréia)s foram preparados, em duas etapas, pelo método do prepolímero. Na primeira etapa, foram obtidos anionômeros, sintetizados em massa, à base do copolímero EG-bPG, PPG, ácido dimetilol propiônico (DMPA) (gerador dos sítios aniônicos) e diisocianato de isoforona (IPDI). Ainda na primeira etapa, os grupos carboxílicos do DMPA foram submetidos à neutralização com trietilamina (TEA). Na segunda etapa, foi realizada a dispersão do prepolímero anionômero e, em seguida, foi conduzida a reação de extensão de cadeia com a hidrazina (HYD). Nas diferentes formulações, foram variadas a razão NCO/OH e as proporções de PPG e do copolímero em bloco EG-b-PG. Além disso, foram obtidas dispersões aquosas programadas para teores de sólidos de 40 e 50%. As dispersões foram avaliadas quanto ao teor de sólidos totais, tamanho médio de partícula e viscosidade. Os filmes, obtidos por vazamento das dispersões, foram avaliados quanto à absorção de água, termogravimetria (TG) e propriedades mecânicas (ensaio de tração). Os filmes vazados e os monômeros foram caracterizados por espectrometria na região de infravermelho (FTIR) As dispersões obtidas se mostraram adequadas para serem aplicadas como revestimento para madeira, metais e vidro / Non-polluting and poly(urethane-urea) aqueous dispersions based on poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) and block copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol-b-propylene glycol) (EG-b-PG) containing 7% of ethylene glycol repeating units, were produced in an innovative way. The poly(urethane-urea)s were prepared, in two steps, by the prepolymer method. In the first step, anionomers, synthesized in bulk, based on EG-b-PG, PPG, dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA) (anionomer sites generator) and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) were obtained. Still in the first step, the DMPA carboxylic groups were neutralized with triethylamine (TEA), generating the anionomer groups. In the second step, the anionomer prepolymer was dispersed in water under vigorous stirring and afterwards was chain extended with hydrazine. Different formulations were obtained by varying the NCO/OH ratio, and the proportions of PPG and EG-b-PG. Besides, poly(urethane-urea) aqueous dispersions with 40% and 50% of solid contents were obtained. The dispersions were evaluated in terms of their solid-contents, particle size and viscosity. The cast films, obtained from the dispersions concernig of water absorption, thermogravimetry (TG) and mechanical properties (stress and elongation at break). The films and monomers were characterized by infrared spectrometry (FTIR). The obtained dispersions were suitable when applied as for wood, metals and glass surfaces

Einleitung: Bei Milchkühen häufen sich Erkrankungen in der Frühlaktation. Sie gehören zu den wichtigsten Ursachen frühzeitiger Merzung und damit der aktuell unbefriedigenden Nutzungsdauer. Ziele der Untersuchungen: Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, den Stoffwechsel von Milchkühen in der kritischen Übergangszeit vom Trockenstehen zur Laktation (Transitphase) durch drei verschiedene prophylaktische Maßnahmen zu stabilisieren: mittels Huminsäuren Belastungen aus dem Darm einschließlich Endotoxinen zu mindern, mit einem Ammoniumpropionat-Propylenglykol- Gemisch die Energieversorgung zu verbessern sowie mit Dexamethason-21-isonicotinat die Stoffwechselfunktion der Leber zu fördern sowie gleichzeitig Entzündungsprozesse infolge der Kalbung zu hemmen. Materialien und Methoden: Die Untersuchungen wurden in einem sächsischen Bestand an 312 Kühen der Rasse „Holstein Friesian“ randomisiert innerhalb eines Jahres durchgeführt. An jeweils 78 Kühe wurden 300 ml Ammoniumpropionat-Propylenglykol-Gemisch(C3) täglich vom 14. Tag ante partum (a.p.) bis zum 14. Tag post partum (p.p.) oral verabreicht; ebenfalls oral wurden 100 g Huminsäure-Fertigpräparat (HS-FP) bzw. 50 g Huminsäuren-Rohstoff (HS-RS) im selben Zeitraum appliziert, und Dexamethason-21-isonicotinat (DEXA21) wurde einmalig am 1. Tag p.p. intramuskulär in der Dosierung 0,02 mg/kg Körpermasse verabreicht. 78 unbehandelte Kühe dienten als Kontrollgruppe. Die Auswirkungen dieser Maßnahmen auf Gesundheit, Leistung und Stoffwechsel wurden durch klinische Untersuchungen, durch Blutkontrollen am 14. Tag a.p., am 3. und 28. Tag p.p. (Leukozyten, freie Fettsäuren [FFS], Bilirubin, ß-0H-Butyrat[BHB], Glucose, Cholesterol, Creatinkinase [CK], Aspartat-Amino-Transferase [ASAT], Glutamat-Dehydrogenase [GLDH], gamma-Glutaryl-Transferase [GGT], Protein, Albumin, Mg, Fe, Ca, anorganisches Phosphat [Pi], Na, K) sowie durch die Erfassung von Gesundheitsstatus, Milchleistung und Fruchtbarkeit zu bestimmten Zeitpunkten geprüft. Ergebnisse: Die verschiedenen prophylaktischen Maßnahmen hatten keinen signifikanten Einfluss auf Fruchtbarkeits- und Gesundheitsparameter. Bei den absoluten und fettkorrigierten Milchmengen konnten ebenfalls keine statistisch gesicherten Unterschiede zwischen den Versuchsgruppen und der Kontrollgruppe festgestellt werden. Der Milcheiweißgehalt von C3 28 d p.p. sowie der Milchfettgehalt von DEXA21 und C3 100 d p.p. waren signifikant erhöht. Die Ergebnisse der Blutuntersuchungen ergaben hauptsächlich am 3., aber auch am 28. Tag p.p. gesicherte Unterschiede bei wichtigen Stoffwechselparametern wie Glucose, Cholesterol, Bilirubin, Protein, Albumin, Ca, Fe und CK. Die einmalige Gabe von Dexamethason-21-isonicotinat am 1. Tag p.p. hatte den besten Einfluss auf den Leber- und Energiestoffwechsel. In dieser Gruppe waren am 3. Tag p.p. die Glucose-, Bilirubin-, Cholesterol-, Protein, Ca- und Fe-Konzentrationen sowohl gegenüber der KG wie auch gegenüber allen anderen Versuchsgruppen signifikant günstiger. Für die Albumin- und Na-Konzentrationen sowie die CK-Aktivität traf das gegenüber der Kontroll- sowie der C3-Gruppe zu. Der Einsatz der Wirkstoffe mit HS-RS, HS-FP sowie C3 führte ebenfalls zu positiven Effekten auf die Leistung und den Stoffwechsel gegenüber der Kontrollgruppe, jedoch ließen sich diese nur in wenigen Fällen statistisch sichern. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Applikation von Dexamethason-21-isonicotinat einen Tag p.p. stabilisiert signifikant den Stoffwechsel von Kühen nach dem Partus. Gleichartige Effekte auf Milch- und Fruchtbarkeitsleitung sowie die Morbidität konnten nicht gesichert nachgewiesen werden. Für Huminsäure-Rohstoff, Huminsäure-Fertigpräparat sowie Ammoniumpropionat-Propylenglykol-Gemisch waren solche Effekte tendenziell erkennbar, statistisch aber nicht zu sichern. Auch wenn besonders mit Dexamethason-21-isonicotinat der Stoffwechsel in Belastungssituationen kurzfristig stabilisiert werden kann, müssen generell Haltung und Fütterung analysiert sowie Mängel beseitigt werden. / Problem: In dairy cattle diseases are common in early lactation. They are among the main causes of early culling and the current unsatisfactory productive life. Objective: The aim of this work was to stabilize metabolism of dairy cows in the critical transition period from standing dry to lactation by three different prophylactic applications: using humic acids to minimize strain from the gut including endotoxins, using ammonium propionate mixed with propylene glycol to improve energy supply and dexamethasone-21-isonicotinate to promote metabolic function of the liver and at the same time to inhibit inflammatory processes following parturition. Experimental design: The studies were performed in a Saxon dairy farm on 312 cows of the „Holstein Friesian\" breed, randomly performed within one year. 78 cows were administered orally 300 ml ammonium propionate mixed with propylene glycol (C3) daily from 14 days before parturition (a.p.) to 14 days after parturition (p.p.), another 78 cows 100 g of a humic acid drug (HS-FP) or 50 g of humic acid raw material (HS-RS) were administered orally in the same period and dexamethasone-21-isonicotinate (DEXA21) was applied intramuscularly to another 78 cows on the first day p.p. in a dose of 0.02 mg/kg body weight. 78 untreated cows were used as control group. The impact of these administrations on health, performance and metabolism has been measured by clinical examinations and blood tests on 14. day a.p., on 3. and 28. day p.p. (Leukocytes, free fatty acids [ FFS ], bilirubin, beta-0H-butyrate [BHB] , glucose, cholesterol, creatine kinase [CK], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], glutamate dehydrogenase [GLDH], gamma glutaryl transferase [GGT], protein, albumin, Mg, Fe, Ca, inorganic phosphate [Pi] , Na, K) and was verified by detection of health status, milk yield and fertility. Results: The different prophylactic administrations had no significant effect on fertility and health parameters. The absolute and fat- corrected milk yields also showed no statistically reliable differences between experimental groups and control group. Milk protein content in C3 28 days p.p. and milk fat content in DEXA21 and C3 100 days p.p. were significantly increased. Blood control results showed mainly on 3. and 28. day p.p. important differences in metabolic parameters, such as glucose, cholesterol, bilirubin, protein, albumin, Ca, Fe and CK, which are statistically secured. A single dose of dexamethasone-21- isonicotinate on first day p.p. had the best effect on liver and energy metabolism. Three days p.p. glucose, bilirubin, cholesterol, protein, Ca and Fe concentrations performed significantly better in DEXA21 group compared both to control group and all other treatment groups. For albumin and Na concentrations and CK activity that was true with respect to control and C3 group. The use of a humic acid drug, humic acid raw material and ammonium propionate mixed with propylene glycol had positive impact on performance and metabolism compared with control group too, but could be statistically secured in only a few cases. Conclusions: The application of dexamethasone-21-isonicotinate at the first day p.p. significantly stabilizes metabolism in cows after parturition. Similar effects on milk yield and fertility as well as morbidity could not be observed. For humic acid drug, humic acid raw material and ammonium propionate mixed with propylene glycol such effects tended to be recognizable, but cannot be statistically secured. Metabolism can be stabilized in short term stress situations with dexamethasone-21-isonicotinate, general care and feeding must be analyzed and deficiencies have to be eliminated.

This study investigates the rate kinetics for BD and PGMEA oxidation by UV/O3 process. The reactor constructs of a 100 cm x 20 cm x 85 cm (L x W x H) stainless steel chamber, in which four vertical steel plates (20 cm x 65 cm, W x H) were inserted to establish a plug flow path for the flowing gas. The reactor has a total effective volume of 170 L. Each of the five compartments of the reactor is equipped with an individual UV irradiation system with a 3.0-cm x 15-cm (ID x L) quartz sheath that housed an UV lamp, and two electric UV power inputs of 0.147 or 0.294 W/L were obtained. The gas flows perpendicularly to the UV lamps in the reactor. The influent tested VOC concentration was adjusted to about 50 ppm, and the gas flows were controlled at the individual flow rate of 60 and 120 L/min. The effects of moisture content (relative humidity, RH), ozone dosage (initial molar ratio of ozone to the tested VOC, m) and UV volumetric electric power input on the removal of the tested VOCs are investigated in the study. Also, kinetic models of the tested VOCs by photolysis, ozonation and UV/O3 have been developed and confirmed with reference to the experimental data. According to the kinetic models, both photolysis rate and oxidation rate by UV/O3 are following the first order behavior with respect to the tested VOC concentrations which are low. The result reveals the absorbance for the reactions is weak absorbance under UV irradiation. The reaction rates are proportional to the UV electric power inputs in UV-initiated reactions. And the parameter, £i, which represents the ratio of OH radical consumption rate by the tested VOC to the total OH radical consumption rate, can be obtained by simulating the performance of experimental data of OH reactions. The experimental results reveal that for BD oxidation with a gas space time of 85 sec and RH = 40 ¡V 99%, BD photolysis did not occur at wavelength of 185 nm with UV electric power inputs of 0.147 and 0.294 W/L. The ozonation efficiency of BD reached 90% at m = 3.5, and RH had no influence on the removal efficiency of BD. The removal efficiencies by UV/O3 process reached 90% with m = 2.2 and 1.6 for UV power inputs of 0.147 and 0.294 W/L, respectively. The addition of ozone apparently encouraged BD removal efficiency by UV/O3 process. And the enhancement of ozone dosage (m = 0.5 ¡V 4.4) would promote the decomposition of BD more effectively than the enhancements of UV power input (from 0.147 to 0.294 W L-1) and RH (from 40 to 99%). For PGMEA photolysis in a batch reactor with volume of 1.188 L, the photolysis occurred at wavelength of 185 nm under UV irradiation. And the photolysis rate follows the first order behavior with respect to the concentration of PGMEA. But PGMEA photolysis did not occurred at UV wavelength of 254 nm. PGMEA ozonation was performed in the same batch reactor; and the removal efficiency of only 50% at m = 3.96 would take 35 min. So, PGMEA ozonation in the plug flow reactor did not be observed at the conditions of the gas space time of 85 sec and RH = 15 ¡V 99%. Besides, the photolysis of PGMEA was carried out at the above conditions. The removal efficiency of PGMEA by UV/O3 could reach 90% at the conditions of the gas space time of 170 sec, UV volumetric electric power input of 0.294 W/L and m = 2.9. And the enhancement of UV power input (from 0.147 to 0.294 W L-1) would promote the decomposition of PGMEA more effectively than the addition of ozone dosage (m = 1.05 ¡V 15.63) and RH = 15 ¡V 99%.

Tyrophagus putrescentiae, known as the ham mite, is the most difficult pest to control in the dry-cured ham industry. Food-grade propylene glycol coated nets have been studied as an alternative to conventional mite infestation treatments but were heavy and costly to ship. This study aimed to increase the ease of use of the coated nets via drying. Three drying treatments: oven dried for 7 min (OD7m), oven dried for 20 min (OD20m), and counter dried for 24 h (CD24h), were tested to determine the efficacy at controlling mites as well as the mechanical properties of the nets and sensory characteristics of ham wrapped in the treated nets. The OD7m and CD24h treatments were effective at controlling mite growth in a laboratory setting. The drying treatments did not affect the mechanical properties, or the sensory characteristics of the hams wrapped with the dried net treatments.

O objetivo do primeiro estudo foi avaliar a produção in vitro de embriões (PIVE) em vacas holandesas não lactantes submetidas a aspiração oocitária (OPU) posteriormente ao protocolo de superestimulação folicular similar ao descrito por Nivet et al. (2012) em comparação à realização da OPU em dia aleatório do ciclo estral. Para tal, vacas holandesas não lactantes e não gestantes foram distribuídas aleatoriamente em delineamento tipo crossover em Controle (n = 35), em que as vacas não foram tratadas com FSH, mas submetidas a uma sessão de aspiração em dia aleatório do ciclo estral; ou p-FSH (n = 35), em que, 36 horas após a OPU para sincronização da onda folicular, as vacas foram tratadas com p-FSH por 3 dias e 44 horas após, submetidas a sessões de OPU. O número total de complexos cumulusoócito (CCO) recuperados e o número de oócitos viáveis foram semelhantes entre os grupos controle e p-FSH. Além disso, não houve aumento na proporção de CCO viáveis (CCO viáveis / CCO total recuperado). Da mesma forma, não se detectaram diferenças no número de embriões / sessão de OPU e taxa de blastocistos. O protocolo de superestimulação folicular não melhorou a PIVE em vacas holandesas não lactantes. O experimento 2 testou a hipótese de que vacas leiteiras de alta produção se tornam cada vez mais resistentes à insulina com o avançar da lactação, e consequentemente, a qualidade do oócito é comprometida. Foram utilizadas vacas holandesas em 50 (51,5 ± 3,7; n = 30), 100 (102,3 ± 9,4; n = 30) e 150 (154,5 ± 18,9; n = 30) dias em lactação (DEL). Durante o teste de tolerância à glicose (TTG), não houve diferença entre grupos para qualquer variável relacionada à glicose circulante. No entanto, medidas de insulina circulante foram diferentes em vacas aos 150 DEL em comparação com 50 ou 100 DEL, tais como: maior insulina basal, pico, Δ máx de insulina e AUC 5-60. Porém, não houve diferença entre os grupos para o número ou percentagem de oócitos viáveis. Assim, as vacas desenvolveram resistência à insulina com o aumento do DEL. No entanto, o aumento da resistência à insulina não foi associado com alteração detectável na qualidade dos oócitos aspirados de folículos pequenos e médios. O experimento 3 foi para avaliar se o aumento de insulina circulante durante os períodos de pré e pós desvio folicular aumenta o desenvolvimento inicial e final, do folículo, bem como do corpo lúteo (CL). Além disso, por induzir a ovulação de um folículo maior, o CL resultante de vacas com alta insulina circulante também é maior e mais esteroidogênico, refletindo em maiores concentrações circulantes de progesterona (P4). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o quadrado latino em arranjo fatorial 2x2, em quatro grupos experimentais: 1) CC = água pré e pós desvio folicular (n = 16); 2) CP = água e propilenoglicol (PPG) pré e pós desvio folicular, respectivamente (n = 16); 3) PC = PPG e água pré e pós desvio folicular, respectivamente (n = 16) e 4) PP = PPG pré e pós desvio folicular (n = 16). O aumento agudo e transitório, durante os períodos de pré e pós desvio não aumentou o desenvolvimento folicular, luteal e concentrações plasmáticas de P4. / The aim of the first study was to evaluate the in vitro embryo production (IVEP) in nonlactating Holstein cows subjected to ovum pick-up (OPU) after ovarian superstimulation with a protocol similar to that described by Nivet et al. (2012) in comparison with OPU at a random day of the estrous cycle. Nonlactating Holstein cows were randomly assigned in a crossover design to: Control (n = 35) in which cows were not treated with p-FSH, but subjected to OPU at a random day of the estrous cycle; or p-FSH (n = 35), in which, 36 hours after OPU to synchronize follicle wave, the cows were treated with p-FSH for 3 days and 44 hours later, subjected to OPU sessions. The total number of cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) recovered and the number of viable oocytes were similar between control and p-FSH groups. In addition, there was no increase in the proportion of viable COC (viable COC / overall COC recovered). Likewise, we detected no differences in the number of embryos / OPU session and blastocyst rate. Follicle superstimulation protocol with p-FSH did not improve IVEP in nonlactating Holstein cows. Experiment 2 tested the hypothesis that high-producing dairy cows become increasingly resistant to insulin with advancing lactation, and consequently oocyte quality is compromised. We used Holstein cows at 50 (51.5 ± 3.7; n = 30), 100 (102.3 ± 9.4; n = 30) and 150 (n = 30 154.5 ± 18.9) days in milk (DIM). During the glucose tolerance test (GTT), there was no difference between groups for any variable related to circulating glucose. However, circulating insulin measurements such as basal insulin, peak insulin, Δ max and AUC 5-60 were higher for cows at 150 DIM. Nevertheless, there was no difference between groups for the number or percentage of viable oocytes. Therefore, although cows developed insulin resistance with increasing DIM, this has not been associated with detectable change in the quality of oocytes aspirated from small and medium follicles. The third experiment assessed whether the increase in circulating insulin during periods of pre- and post-follicle deviation increases the initial and final follicle size and corpus luteum (CL) volume. Moreover, by inducing ovulation of greater follicles, resulting in greater CL, cows with high circulating insulin also have higher circulating progesterone (P4). The experimental design was a Latin square in a 2x2 factorial arrangement in four groups: 1) CC = water pre and post follicle deviation (n = 16); 2) CP = water pre and propylene glycol (PPG) post follicle deviation (n = 16); 3) PC = PPG and water pre and post follicle deviation, respectively (n = 16), 4) PP = PPG pre and post follicle deviation (n = 16). Acute and transient circulating insulin increase during periods of pre and post follicle deviation has not affected follicle development, luteal volume or plasma concentrations of P4.

<p>Hereditary ichthyosis is a collective name for many dry and scaly skin disorders ranging in frequency from common to very rare. The main groups are autosomal recessive lamellar ichthyosis, autosomal dominant epidermolytic hyperkeratosis and ichthyosis vulgaris, and x-linked recessive ichthyosis. Anhidrosis, ectropion and keratodermia are common symptoms, especially in lamellar ichthyosis, which is often caused by mutations in the transglutaminase 1 (TGM1) gene. The aim of this work was to study patients with different types of ichthyosis regarding (i) the patho-aetiology (TGM1 and electron microscopy [EM] analysis), (ii) skin signs and symptoms (clinical score and subjective measure of disease activity), (iii) quality of life (questionnaires DLQI, SF-36 and NHP and face-to-face interviews) and (iv) a search for new ways of topical treatment. Patients from Sweden and Estonia with autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (n=83) had a broader clinical spectrum than anticipated, but a majority carried TGM1 mutations. Based on DNA analysis and clinical examinations the patients were classified into three groups, which could be further subdivided after EM analysis. Our studies indicate that patients with ichthyosis have reduced quality of life as reflected by DLQI and by some domains of SF-36, by NHP and the interviews. All the interviewees reported that their skin disease had affected them negatively to varying degrees during their entire lives and that the most problematic period was childhood. All patients with ichthyosis use topical therapy. In a double-blind study creams containing either 5% urea or 20% propylene glycol were found inferior to a cream formulation containing lactic acid 5% and propylene glycol 20% both regarding clinical improvement and thinning of the skin barrier. Improved topical therapy may reduce the need of more toxic, oral drugs. Future studies should elucidate whether this increases the quality of life of ichthyosis patients, especially if combined with more detailed information about the aetiology and inheritance of the diseases.</p>

Hereditary ichthyosis is a collective name for many dry and scaly skin disorders ranging in frequency from common to very rare. The main groups are autosomal recessive lamellar ichthyosis, autosomal dominant epidermolytic hyperkeratosis and ichthyosis vulgaris, and x-linked recessive ichthyosis. Anhidrosis, ectropion and keratodermia are common symptoms, especially in lamellar ichthyosis, which is often caused by mutations in the transglutaminase 1 (TGM1) gene. The aim of this work was to study patients with different types of ichthyosis regarding (i) the patho-aetiology (TGM1 and electron microscopy [EM] analysis), (ii) skin signs and symptoms (clinical score and subjective measure of disease activity), (iii) quality of life (questionnaires DLQI, SF-36 and NHP and face-to-face interviews) and (iv) a search for new ways of topical treatment. Patients from Sweden and Estonia with autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (n=83) had a broader clinical spectrum than anticipated, but a majority carried TGM1 mutations. Based on DNA analysis and clinical examinations the patients were classified into three groups, which could be further subdivided after EM analysis. Our studies indicate that patients with ichthyosis have reduced quality of life as reflected by DLQI and by some domains of SF-36, by NHP and the interviews. All the interviewees reported that their skin disease had affected them negatively to varying degrees during their entire lives and that the most problematic period was childhood. All patients with ichthyosis use topical therapy. In a double-blind study creams containing either 5% urea or 20% propylene glycol were found inferior to a cream formulation containing lactic acid 5% and propylene glycol 20% both regarding clinical improvement and thinning of the skin barrier. Improved topical therapy may reduce the need of more toxic, oral drugs. Future studies should elucidate whether this increases the quality of life of ichthyosis patients, especially if combined with more detailed information about the aetiology and inheritance of the diseases.

Biotreatment for air pollution control can generally be categorized as biofilter, bioscrubbing and biotrickling filter systems. Generally, biotreatments could be effective and more economical treatment for containment waste gas if designed and operated properly. A two stage down-flow biofilter (2.18 m in height and 0.4 m¡Ñ0.4 m in cross-sectional area) was constructed to develop a biofilter packed only with fern chips for the removal of air-borne propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (PGMEA). Both stages were packed with fern chips of 0.30 m in height and 0.40 m ¡Ñ0.40 m in cross section. Fern chips could avoid the shortcomings of traditional media, such as compaction, drying, and breakdown, which lead to the performance failure of the biofilters. In addition, the fern chip medium has the following merits: (1) simplicity in composition, (2) low pressure drop for gas flow (< 20 mmH2O m-1), (3) simple in humidification, nutrient addition, pH control, and metabolite removal, (4) economical (USD$ 174 ¡V 385 m-3), and (5) low weight (wet basis around 290 kg m-3). Results indicate that with operation conditions of media moisture content controlled in the range of 50 ¡V 74%, media pH of 6.5 ¡V 8.3, EBRT (empty bed retention time) of 0.27 ¡V 0.4 min, influent PGMEA concentrations of 100 to 750 mg m-3, volumetric organic loading of < 170 g m-3 h-1, and nutrition rates of Urea-N 66.0 g m-3.day-1, KH2PO4-P 13.3 g m-3.day-1 and milk powder 1.0 g m-3 day-1, the fern-chip packed biofilter could achieve an overall PGMEA removal efficacy of around 94%. Instant milk powder or liquid milk was essential to the good and stable performance of the biofilter for PGMEA removal. An activated sludge aeration basin (20 cm i.d., 140 cm height) equipped with either a coarse air diffuser (a plastic pipe perforated with 56 orifices of 2 mm in diameter) or a fine diffuser (porous plastic type with 100-micrometer pores) was utilized to treat an air-borne hydrophobic VOC (toluene, 700 ¡V 800 mg m-3). The purposes of this study were to test the influences of both MLSS and diffuser type on the VOC removal efficiency. Results show that higher MLSS (mixed liquor suspended solids) such as 10,000 ¡V 40,000 mg L-1 in the mixed liquor did not enhance greatly the transfer and removal of the introduced toluene. Instead, activated sludge basins with a normal MLSS (e.g., 2,000 ¡V 4,000 mg L-1) in the mixed liquor and an efficient gas diffusion system with volumetric VOC transfer coefficient of around 10 ¡V 15 h-1 can be used for the removal of hydrophobic VOCs from the introduced gas. For achieving a removal of over 95% of the introduced toluene or similar hydrophobic VOCs, commercial air diffusers for aerobic biological wastewater treatment basins can be used with a submerged liquid depth of over 0.40 m over the diffusers and an aeration intensity (air flow rate/basin cross-sectional area) of lower than 5.0 m3 m-2 h-1.