Generation of hybrid polarization-orbital angular momentum entangled states

Hybrid entangled states exhibit entanglement between different degrees of freedom of a particle pair and thus could be useful for asymmetric optical quantum network where the communication channels are characterized by different properties. We report the first experimental realization of hybrid polarization-orbital angular momentum (OAM) entangled states by adopting a spontaneous parametric down conversion source of polarization entangled states and a polarization-OAM transferrer. The generated quantum states have been characterized through quantum state tomography. Finally, the violation of Bell's inequalities with the hybrid two photon system has been observed.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure

Retrospective Analysis of Skin Toxicity in Patients under Anti-EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: Our Experience in Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been introduced for the treatment of lung cancer, improving progression-free survival, objective response rate, and quality of life. However, TKIs can lead to cutaneous toxicities, including papulopustular rash, xerosis, paronychia with/without pyogenic granulomas, scalp disorders, facial hair and/or eyelash growth. AIM: In this study, we describe retrospectively all cases of mucocutaneous side effects in patients with lung cancer under TKIs referring to our outpatient for the skin care of oncological patients. METHODS: We included patients referring from January 2016 to January 2018 affected by lung cancer and under TKIs. We collected data about the clinical exam, clinical photography, dermoscopy, histology and direct microscopic examination for each patient and we performed retrospectively descriptive analyses to assess whether a specific TKIs is linked significantly to particular cutaneous toxicity. RESULTS: The majority of skin toxicities were due to afatinib, and the most common skin reaction was rash. We selected 60 patients with skin reactions, treated by TKIs for lung cancer. The majority of skin toxicities were due to afatinib (47/102 adverse reactions) and erlotinib (39/102). The most common skin reaction was rash (63% of patients), followed by xerosis (30%) and granulomas (30%). There was no significant relationship between a specific type of cutaneous reaction and specific EGFRi except for granulomas, developed more frequently in patients under afatinib (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Most of our patients (63%) developed a cutaneous rash under TKIs. Most commonly afatinib was the drug involved, although it wasn’t the most used EGFRi. Moreover, we noticed a significant correlation between afatinib therapy and appearance of granulomas

Binary Solutions of Hyaluronan and Lactose-Modified Chitosan: The Influence of Experimental Variables in Assembling Complex Coacervates

A miscibility study between oppositely charged polyelectrolytes, namely hyaluronic acid and a lactose-modified chitosan, is here reported. Experimental variables such as polymers' weight ratios, pH values, ionic strengths and hyaluronic acid molecular weights were considered. Transmittance analyses demonstrated the mutual solubility of the two biopolymers at a neutral pH. The onset of the liquid-liquid phase separation due to electrostatic interactions between the two polymers was detected at pH 4.5, and it was found to be affected by the overall ionic strength, the modality of mixing and the polymers' weight ratio. Thorough Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) measurements were performed to check the quality of the formed coacervates by investigating their dimensions, homogeneity and surface charge. The whole DLS results highlighted the influence of the hyaluronic acid molecular weight in affecting coacervates' dispersity and size

Erythrodermic psoriasis successfully and rapidly treated with brodalumab: report of two cases

Erythrodermic psoriasis (EP) is a rare form of the disease clinically characterized by a generalized erythema covering ≥90% of the body surface area (BSA). The management of EP is challenging: no standardized guidelines exist with literature suggesting cyclosporine or infliximab as first-line therapy. However, a recent systematic review showed a positive response in EP patients treated with biologic agents. The most common biologic used for EP up until now has been ustekinumab, whereas infliximab might represent a first-line option in case of complicated EP (acute, severe, or unstable). Up until now, no case of brodalumab (a monoclonal antibody blocking IL-17 receptor) treatment for EP in real-life has ever been described. Here we report the first two cases of efficacy and safety of brodalumab in real-life cases of EP. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Psoriasis awareness among general population: preliminary results of an online survey

Background: Psoriasis represents one of the most common skin diseases in Italy, with a prevalence of 2.9%. It has been defined as a noncommunicable disease, due to its high burden and impact on patients' quality of life. Aims: The aim of our observational study was to assess the actual knowledge and perception of psoriasis in Italian population by administering an online 10-question survey to a representative sample general population. Methods: An online 10-question survey was administered to a representative sample general population from September 2019 to December 2019. A representative sample of general population (age ≥ 18 years) was enrolled by promoting the online survey through multiple means of communication such as social sites (Facebook, Instagram) or delivering a questionnaire link in public spaces (outpatient clinic, pharmacy). All results were then collected and analyzed in graphs by the Google form platform. Results: 151 individuals participated in the survey. Results showed that 7.3% (n=11) of general population were not familiar with the term psoriasis; 4.6% (n=7) thought to psoriasis as an infectious disease and 6% (n=9) thought that psoriasis was contagious. Interestingly, 39.1% (n=59) of participants have never heard about targeted/biologic therapy. Limitations: Our study is limited by the small sample size as well as lack of data regarding sex, age and education level of the study participant. Conclusions: There is still lack of knowledge of psoriasis among general population, representing an obstacle for patients' everyday activities and quality of life. Future studies to investigate the details of this impaired knowledge and new psoriasis campaign on large scale should fill this gap are required

Real world practice indirect comparison between guselkumab and risankizumab: results from an Italian retrospective study

IL-23-inhibitors, such as guselkumab and risankizumab, represent the newest class of biologics approved for psoriasis. Phase III trials have shown their efficacy and safety. However, real life data are still scant

Efficacy and safety of risankizumab in psoriasis patients who failed anti‐IL‐17, anti‐12/23 and/or anti IL‐23: preliminary data of a real‐life 16‐week retrospective study

Up until now, real-life experiences on the efficacy of risankizumab in patients who had previously failed anti-IL17, anti-IL12/23 or anti-IL23 inhibitor are not reported. We carried out a single-centre, retrospective study, to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of patients under risankizumab who previously failed anti-IL17, anti-IL12/23 or anti-IL23 inhibitors in a real-life setting. A total of 8 patients were enrolled (4 men and 4 women, mean age 45.8 ± 14.3 years). Five of them (62.5%) had received ustekinumab, 7 (87.5%) at least one anti-IL17, and only one (12.5%) patient guselkumab. Secukinumab had been used in 5 (62.5%) cases, and ixekizumab in 4 (50.0%). Baseline mean PASI and BSA were 11.9 ± 5.5, and 22.9 ± 13.1, respectively, and 3.3±1.7 and 7.5 ± 5 (P<0.001 and P<0.01) at week 16. Mean baseline NAPSI (18.0 ± 8.5) reduced to 7 ± 1.4 at week 16. Palmo-plantar and scalp area showed a reduction of 67.5% and 99.9% at week 16, respectively. No AEs was reported. Real-life preliminary data show risankizumab as a promising therapeutic option in patients who failed anti-IL-17, anti-IL12/23 and even the other anti-IL-23 counterpart, guselkumab. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate formulations for psoriasis: an overview of the options and efficacy data

Introduction: Psoriasis is a very common chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting up to 3% of the general population with 75% of the psoriasis subjects being affected by a mild form of disease. Hence, topical therapy is the most frequent employed treatment in psoriasis also because it can be easily combined with systemic therapy. In this context, calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate (Cal/BD) fixed-dose association represents the first-line treatment due to its efficacy and once-daily application. Different Cal/BD formulations, such as ointment, gel (topical suspension) and aerosol foam, are approved by US Food and Drug Administration. Areas covered: For this review, relevant English literature (trials, real life studies, case series and reviews) regarding Cal/BD different formulations efficacy in psoriasis was searched for through to January 28, 2020. The following database were consulted: PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, EBSCO, and clinicaltrials.gov. Expert opinion: Cal/BD formulations are efficacious treatment for psoriasis. Cal/BD aerosol foam shows a higher efficacy compared to Cal/BD ointment or gel formulations, appearing as a game changer in psoriasis therapy not only for mild disease but also for moderate psoriasis as well as in selected severe cases in combination with systemic treatments