Topical 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy for genital vitiligo.

Vitiligo is an acquired chronic depigmentary skin disorder which results from the destruction of melanocytes. The clinical characteristic of vitiligo is the development of white macules due to the loss of functioning melanocytes in the skin or hair. Vitiligo in the genital area brings about a serious psychological impact on individuals.

An evaluation model for children's foot & ankle deformity severity using sparse multi-objective feature selection algorithm.

Foot & ankle deformity is a chronic disease with high incidence and is best treated in childhood. However, the current diagnostic procedures rely on doctor's consultation and empirical judgment, and lack objective and quantitative evaluation methods, resulting in low screening rates. To solve this problem, this paper aims to construct an evaluation model for children's foot & ankle deformity through data mining and machine learning technologies.

Sustained activation of interferon regulatory factor 3 during infection by paramyxoviruses requires MDA5.

Retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) and melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) are the main cytosolic sensors of single-stranded RNA viruses, including paramyxoviruses, and are required to initiate a quick and robust innate antiviral response. Despite different ligand-binding properties, the consensus view is that RIG-I and MDA5 trigger common signal(s) to activate interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF-3) and NF-κB, and downstream antiviral and proinflammatory cytokine expression. Here, we performed a thorough analysis of the temporal involvement of RIG-I and MDA5 in the regulation of IRF-3 during respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection.

Feasibility of infrared and Raman spectroscopies for identification of juvenile black seabream (Sparus macrocephalus) intoxicated by heavy metals.

The potential application of infrared and Raman spectroscopies was explored as rapid and nondestructive tools for the identification of juvenile black seabream samples intoxicated by heavy metals (Zn, Cu, and Cd). Discrimination models were established on the basis of the infrared and Raman spectral data using three calibration methods, namely, partial least-squares discriminant analysis, least-squares support vector machines, and random forest. The combination of two spectroscopies was studied, in which three combination strategies were proposed and compared.

2-Arachidonoyl-glycerol- and arachidonic acid-stimulated neutrophils release antimicrobial effectors against E. coli, S. aureus, HSV-1, and RSV.

The endocannabinoid 2-AG is highly susceptible to its hydrolysis into AA, which activates neutrophils through de novo LTB(4) biosynthesis, independently of CB activation. In this study, we show that 2-AG and AA stimulate neutrophils to release antimicrobial effectors. Supernatants of neutrophils activated with nanomolar concentrations of 2-AG and AA indeed inhibited the infectivity of HSV-1 and RSV.