Indurative Edema of the Prepuce Mimicing Phimosis, an Atypical Manifestation of Primary Syphilis

No abstract availabl

Acral Melanoma in an Elderly Patient with Congenital Ichthyosis Vulgaris

Ichthyoses are a heterogeneous group of skin disorders featuring erythro- derma and generalized scaling. The relationship between ichthyosis and melanoma has not been well-characterized. Herein we present a unique case of acral melanoma of the palm developing in an elderly patient with congenital ichthyosis vulgaris. Biopsy revealed a superficially spreading melanoma with ulceration. To the best of our knowledge, no acral melanomas have been reported so far in patients with congenital ichthyosis. Nev- ertheless, considering the potential for invasion and metastasis, patients with ichthyosis vulgaris should undergo regular clinical and dermatoscopic screening for melanoma

Acral Melanoma in an Elderly Patient with Congenital Ichthyosis Vulgaris

Ichthyoses are a heterogeneous group of skin disorders featuring erythro- derma and generalized scaling. The relationship between ichthyosis and melanoma has not been well-characterized. Herein we present a unique case of acral melanoma of the palm developing in an elderly patient with congenital ichthyosis vulgaris. Biopsy revealed a superficially spreading melanoma with ulceration. To the best of our knowledge, no acral melanomas have been reported so far in patients with congenital ichthyosis. Nev- ertheless, considering the potential for invasion and metastasis, patients with ichthyosis vulgaris should undergo regular clinical and dermatoscopic screening for melanoma

Pathophysiological background and clinical practice of lung ultrasound in COVID-19 patients

The pathological consequences of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) are multiple, with interstitial pneumonia and consecutive respiratory failure being the most dangerous clinical manifestations. Timely diagnosis and follow-up of pulmonary involvement need a comprehensive imaging strategy, which includes standard chest X-ray, chest computed tomography and lung ultrasound (LUS). In the last 10 years, LUS has become a useful, bedside and easily reproducible tool for lung examination. In the first part of this review, we present the pathophysiological background, technical principles and practical aspects of LUS in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the second part, the main echographic findings, their interpretation, and the clinical applications of LUS are overviewed. The review ends with the presentation of our work methodology, illustrated with images recorded from COVID-19 patients in our department

Innate Immune Mechanisms in Myocardial Infarction - An Update

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a disease associated with high morbidity and mortality. Currently there are no available treatments specifically targeting the post-ischemic myocardial processes that lead to heart failure and recurrent coronary events. The innate immune system plays a central role in the two consecutive phases that follow an acute ischemic event: the inflammatory phase and the reparatory phase. The inflamatory phase involves a massive infiltration of neutrophils and inflammatory Ly6Chi monocytes into the injured myocardium. The reparatory phase is orchestrated by reparatory Ly6Clo macrophages that clear necrotic and apoptotic cells through efferocytosis, secrete anti-inflammatory mediators and stimulate fibrosis and repair. Important recent studies provided proof that Ly6Chi monocytes that enter the myocardium in the inflammatory phase upregulate the orphan nuclear receptor Nr4a1 and switch phenotype to Ly6CloNr4a1hi reparatory macrophages. Additionally, neutrophils have been shown to promote cardiac recovery by upregulating expression of the efferocytosis receptor MerTK on reparatory macrophages. A finely tuned balance between the inflammatory and the reparatory phases is thus essential for limiting myocardial damage and promoting efficient recovery. Treatment strategies targeting only the inflammatory phase have so far failed to improve prognosis in AMI patients. A detailed understanding of the interplay between the two phases of the innate immune response is paramount for designing efficient therapies able to improve post- AMI prognosis. In the current review, we summarize the state-of-the-art of the field and discuss previous therapeutic attempts and currently ongoing clinical trials targeting innate immune mechanisms in AMI patients

Innate immune mechanisms in myocardial infarction - An update

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a disease associated with high morbidity and mortality. Currently there are no available treatments specifically targeting the post-ischemic myocardial processes that lead to heart failure and recurrent coronary events. The innate immune system plays a central role in the two consecutive phases that follow an acute ischemic event: the inflammatory phase and the reparatory phase. The inflamatory phase involves a massive infiltration of neutrophils and inflammatory Ly6Chi monocytes into the injured myocardium. The reparatory phase is orchestrated by reparatory Ly6Clo macrophages that clear necrotic and apoptotic cells through efferocytosis, secrete anti-inflammatory mediators and stimulate fibrosis and repair. Important recent studies provided proof that Ly6Chi monocytes that enter the myocardium in the inflammatory phase upregulate the orphan nuclear receptor Nr4a1 and switch phenotype to Ly6CloNr4a1hi reparatory macrophages. Additionally, neutrophils have been shown to promote cardiac recovery by upregulating expression of the efferocytosis receptor MerTK on reparatory macrophages. A finely tuned balance between the inflammatory and the reparatory phases is thus essential for limiting myocardial damage and promoting efficient recovery. Treatment strategies targeting only the inflammatory phase have so far failed to improve prognosis in AMI patients. A detailed understanding of the interplay between the two phases of the innate immune response is paramount for designing efficient therapies able to improve post- AMI prognosis. In the current review, we summarize the state-of-the-art of the field and discuss previous therapeutic attempts and currently ongoing clinical trials targeting innate immune mechanisms in AMI patients

Cancer Cachexia: New Insights and Future Directions

Cancer remains a major health problem and is associated with cachexia in up to 80% of cases, leading to decreased survival and quality of life. Cachexia involves complex metabolic disturbances in both protein and energy balance, muscle wasting phenomena, weight loss, systemic inflammation, overall decreased performance status, and tolerability to treatment. The clinical impact of cancer cachexia is very complex, with early detection of cachectic patients and identification of predictive biomarkers being two key factors for improving survival. Thus, a better understanding of the complexity of cancer cachexia phenomena and its main pathophysiological mechanism is much needed. Our review highlights the most important information about cancer cachexia, aiming to disseminate updated research findings about this highly deadly condition

Indurative Edema of the Prepuce Mimicing Phimosis, an Atypical Manifestation of Primary Syphilis

No abstract availabl