Psoriasis-Associated Vascular Disease: the Role of HDL

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory systemic disease with a prevalence of 2-3%. Overwhelming evidence show an epidemiological association between psoriasis, cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. Cardiovascular disease is the most frequent cause of death in patients with severe psoriasis. Several cardiovascular disease classical risk factors are also increased in psoriasis but the psoriasis-associated risk persists after adjusting for other risk factors.Investigation has focused on finding explanations for these epidemiological data. Several studies have demonstrated significant lipid metabolism and HDL composition and function alterations in psoriatic patients. Altered HDL function is clearly one of the mechanisms involved, as these particles are of the utmost importance in atherosclerosis defense. Recent data indicate that biologic therapy can reverse both structural and functional HDL alterations in psoriasis, reinforcing their therapeutic potential.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Panniculitis in the Setting of Visceral Leishmaniasis

Um homem de 38 anos com história pregressa de toxicofilia endovenosa, Síndroma da Imunodeficiência Adquirida (SIDA) e Leishmaniose Visceral em 2000, foi internado por febre, mioartralgias, cansaço fácil, hepatoesplenomegália e edema dos membros inferiores. Ao décimo dia de internamento surgiram nódulos subcutâneos das coxas e foi solicitada avaliação pela Dermatologia. O diagnóstico clínico e histológico das lesões foi compatível com Paniculite a Leishmania no contexto de recidiva de Leishmaniose Visceral. A Paniculite a Leishmania é um achado raramente encontrado no contexto de Leishmaniose Visceral, sendo mais frequente nos indivíduos coinfectados pelo VIH. Neste caso, o atingimento cutâneo permitiu o diagnóstico precoce e a confirmação histopatológica de recidiva de Leishmaniose

Infliximab in Recalcitrant Generalized Pustular Arthropatic Psoriasis

Generalized pustular psoriasis is an unstable inflammatory type of psoriasis, with widespread areas of erythema and sterile pustules, associated with fever and systemic symptoms. Infliximab is a monoclonal antibody with anti-TNFalpha activity, approved for use in psoriasis. We describe a male patient with a long history of stable arthropathic psoriasis, hospitalized with a generalized pustular psoriasis and acute exacerbation of articular complaints. The disease was resistant to multiple therapies (acitretin, methotrexate and corticosteroids), so the patient was started on infliximab, with a very rapid response of both cutaneous and articular symptoms. He had complete clearing of lesions at week 12, and marked improvement of the articular symptoms. No recurrence occurred at 8 months of follow-up with infliximab every 8 weeks. Infliximab had an extremely rapid therapeutic action response on a recalcitrant generalized pustular psoriasis. The articular response was also excellent, with significant improvement of quality of life

Weight following birth and childhood dietary intake: A prospective cohort study

Objectives: Unhealthy childhood dietary habits track through life and are independent and modifiable risk factors for disease. Therefore, it is essential to understand the factors involved. We aimed to evaluate the associations of birthweight (BW) and newborn weight change (NWC) during the first 96 h of life and childhood longitudinal weight trajectories with dietary intake at age 4. Methods: As part of the Generation XXI birth cohort (G21), children were recruited in 2005 and 2006 at all public units providing obstetrical and neonatal care in Porto, Portugal. Information was collected by face-to-face interview and abstracted from clinical records. At age 4, weight measurements recorded from birth to current age were abstracted and weight trajectories estimated. Food frequency questionnaires were applied, and three dietary patterns (DPs) were identified: “Energy-dense food (EDF)+Dairy,” “Lower in Healthy Food,” and “Healthier.” Logistic regression models were used to compute the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) (OR [95% CI]) in a sample of 775 children. Results: Children with higher BW were less frequently in the “EDF+Dairy” DP (0.94 [0.89–0.98] per 100 g increase in BW). Children with higher NWC had lower odds of eating fruit ≥3/d (0.93 [0.87–0.99] per 1% increase in NWC). Children with higher weight during childhood had higher odds of belonging to the “EDF+Dairy” DP (1.90 [1.04–3.47]) and lower odds of eating vegetable soup ≥2/d (0.56 [0.34–0.91]). Children showing catch-up grow in the first year of life had higher odds of eating dairy products ≥3/d (3.76 [1.31–10.80]). Conclusions: The way that children grow during childhood played a major role on dietary intake at age 4