Neoadjuvant intralesional methotrexate for juvenile xanthogranuloma in an adult

Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is a non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis usually occurring in infants and typically located in the head or neck.1 Clinically, solitary skin lesions are found in 60%–82% of patients and the most common variant is characterized by one yellowish nodule. Adult onset is rare, and although JXG is usually self-limiting in children, spontaneous resolution is uncommon at older ages. In addition, up to 50% of patients with spontaneous regression develop an atrophy or anetodermal area.2 Thus, complete excision is frequently performed in this population subgroup to achieve better cosmetic results. In disseminated forms, different chemotherapy regimens, corticosteroids and other systemic therapies are used. Herein, we report a case of adult JXG treated with intralesional methotrexate (MTX) resulting in a rapid reduction in size

Refractory facial Darier's disease treated with daylight photodynamic therapy

Darier’s disease (DD) is an infrequent autosomal dominant skin disorder caused by a mutation of the ATP2A2 gene on chromosome 12 [1]. Mutations in this gene result in abnorma-lities in keratinocyte cell-cell adhesion producing an alterati-on of the keratinization of the skin, which clinically presents with dyskeratotic papules mostly affecting seborrheic and in-tertriginous areas. Palmoplantar and nail involvement is often present [1–3]. As a wide range of treatments have been propo-sed for this skin disorder with different results, the manage-ment of this disease is still a challenge for the dermatologist

Human bioavailability of curcumin and cocoa polyphenols by microencapsulated ingredients

INTRODUCTION: Polyphenols have been receiving increasing interest from food industry due to their several documented biological properties. However instability under food processing and storage conditions, as well as unpleasant taste and the low bioavailability of most polyphenols may limit their use as food ingredients. Encapsulation technology may overcome these physico-chemical and nutritional drawbacks. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of microencapsulation on human bioavailability of curcumin and cocoa polyphenols from new enriched foods. METHODS: A new type of bread containing 1% of curcumin in free form (FCB) or encapsulated with cellulose derivatives (ECB), and a nut cream enriched with 1.5% of a polyphenol-rich cocoa extract, in free form (FCC) or encapsulated with high amylose corn starch (ECC), were formulated and produced in laboratory scale. Twelve healthy subjects were enrolled and randomized between two protocols, with a cross-over design. After a 3-day polyphenol-free diet, fasted subjects consumed the experimental foods. Blood, urine and feces at baseline and at different time points over 24 h were collected. Parental compounds and metabolites of curcumin and cocoa polyphenols were quantified in biological samples by HPLC/MS/MS. RESULTS: ECB consumption determined a four-fold increase of curcumin bioavailability vs FCB (serum AUC0-24 of curcuminoids being 2.24 nmol/L•h vs 0.46 nmol/L•h, respectively, p<0.05) without variation of urinary excretion (urine AUC0-24 of curcuminoids being 0.09 nmol/L•h vs 0.10 nmol/L•h, p=n.s.). On the contrary ECC consumption determined a lower absorption of cocoa polyphenols vs FCC (serum AUC0-24 of cocoa polyphenols being 0.89 µmol/L•h and 15.44 µmol/L•h, respectively, p<0.05), and an increased fecal excretion (114.3%, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Microencapsulation of curcumin increased its bioavailability. Ongoing researches focused on interactions and modifications of cocoa flavonols during encapsulation process, may clarify the reduced bioavailability of microencapsulated cocoa polyphenols

Human bioavailability of flavanols and phenolic acids from cocoa-nut creams enriched with free or microencapsulated cocoa polyphenols.

Human bioavailability of cocoa flavanols and phenolic acids from a cocoa-nut cream (CC) and from CC enriched with a 1·5 % (w/w) cocoa polyphenol extract in free form (FPC) or encapsulated with a gastric-resistant high-amylose maize starch (EPC), was studied. In a randomised cross-over protocol, with 1-week wash-out in between, twelve healthy volunteers had three portions/d of each cream, providing approximately 190 μmol/d of total flavanols and 12 μmol/d of total phenolic acids with CC and 385 and 28 μmol/d with both FPC and EPC, respectively. Blood, urine and faecal samples were analysed by HPLC/MS/MS. Serum (epi)catechin was absent at baseline and after CC consumption, while 22·1 (sem 2·62) and 1·59 (sem 0·22) nmol (P <0·05) were found after FPC and EPC, respectively. The EPC increased faecal excretion of total flavanols compared to FPC (151·0 (sem 54·6) v. 28·0 (sem 14·0) nmol; P <0·05). Within 6 h after consumption, serum phenolic acid content was 50-fold higher than (epi)catechin; no difference between CC and FPC was observed, but a significant reduction after EPC (1954 (sem 236·3) and 1459 (sem 137·6) v. 726·8 (sem 73·4) nmol, P <0·05) was recorded. Short-term phenolic acid urinary excretions were significantly higher after FPC than CC and EPC, the values being 11·4 (sem 5·1) v. 3·1 (sem 1·7) and 0·9 (sem 0·5) μmol, respectively. Faecal phenolic acids were approximately 60-fold reduced after FPC (8·1 (sem 0·13) nmol) and EPC (14·7 (sem 2·7) nmol) consumption compared to CC (641·4 (sem 99·1) nmol) consumption. The data demonstrated that: (i) (epi)catechin was absorbed from CC; (ii) cocoa polyphenols' consumption increased circulating phenolic acids; and (iii) encapsulated ingredient increased flavanol delivering into the gut. Further studies should evaluate whether encapsulated cocoa polyphenols may be a functional prebiotic ingredient

Refractory facial Darier's disease treated with daylight photodynamic therapy

Darier’s disease (DD) is an infrequent autosomal dominant skin disorder caused by a mutation of the ATP2A2 gene on chromosome 12 [1]. Mutations in this gene result in abnorma-lities in keratinocyte cell-cell adhesion producing an alterati-on of the keratinization of the skin, which clinically presents with dyskeratotic papules mostly affecting seborrheic and in-tertriginous areas. Palmoplantar and nail involvement is often present [1–3]. As a wide range of treatments have been propo-sed for this skin disorder with different results, the manage-ment of this disease is still a challenge for the dermatologist

Risk of Second Primary Malignancies in Melanoma Survivors: A Population-Based Study

(1) Introduction: The association between melanoma (MM) and the occurrence of second primary neoplasms (SPNs) has been extensively studied, with reported incidence rates ranging from 1.5% to 20%. This study aims to evaluate the occurrence of SPNs in patients with a history of primary MM and to describe the factors that make the risk higher in our population. (2) Material and Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study and calculated the incidence rates and relative risks (RR) for the development of different SPNs in 529 MM survivors from 1 January 2005 to 1 August 2021. Survival and mortality rates were obtained, and the Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the demographic and MM-related factors that influence the overall risk. (3) Results: Among the 529 patients included, 89 were diagnosed with SPNs (29 prior to MM diagnosis, 11 synchronous, and 49 after MM), resulting in 62 skin tumors and 37 solid organ tumors. The estimated probability of developing SPNs after MM diagnosis was 4.1% at 1 year, 11% at 5 years, and 19% at 10 years. Older age, primary MM location on the face or neck, and histologic subtype of lentigo maligna mm were significantly associated with a higher risk of SPNs. (4) Conclusions: In our population, the risk of developing SPNs was higher in patients with primary MM located on the face and neck and with the histological subtype of lentigo maligna-MM. Age also independently influences the risk. Understanding these hazard factors can aid in the development of MM guidelines with specific follow-up recommendations for individuals with the highest risk

Neoadjuvant intralesional methotrexate for juvenile xanthogranuloma in an adult

Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is a non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis usually occurring in infants and typically located in the head or neck.1 Clinically, solitary skin lesions are found in 60%–82% of patients and the most common variant is characterized by one yellowish nodule. Adult onset is rare, and although JXG is usually self-limiting in children, spontaneous resolution is uncommon at older ages. In addition, up to 50% of patients with spontaneous regression develop an atrophy or anetodermal area.2 Thus, complete excision is frequently performed in this population subgroup to achieve better cosmetic results. In disseminated forms, different chemotherapy regimens, corticosteroids and other systemic therapies are used. Herein, we report a case of adult JXG treated with intralesional methotrexate (MTX) resulting in a rapid reduction in size

Summer deficit-irrigation strategies in a hedgerow olive cv. Arbequina orchard: Effect on oil quality

En este ensayo se evaluó el efecto del déficit hídrico en el verano en la calidad del aceite de la variedad Arbequina. Para ello se establecieron 3 tratamientos de riego deficitario y un Control en un olivar en seto. El deficit severo aplicado en Julio provocó un incremento en polifenoles comparado con los otros tratamientos