Expert consensus document:Cholangiocarcinoma: current knowledge and future perspectives consensus statement from the European Network for the Study of Cholangiocarcinoma (ENS-CCA)

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a heterogeneous group of malignancies with features of biliary tract differentiation. CCA is the second most common primary liver tumour and the incidence is increasing worldwide. CCA has high mortality owing to its aggressiveness, late diagnosis and refractory nature. In May 2015, the "European Network for the Study of Cholangiocarcinoma" (ENS-CCA: www.enscca.org or www.cholangiocarcinoma.eu) was created to promote and boost international research collaboration on the study of CCA at basic, translational and clinical level. In this Consensus Statement, we aim to provide valuable information on classifications, pathological features, risk factors, cells of origin, genetic and epigenetic modifications and current therapies available for this cancer. Moreover, future directions on basic and clinical investigations and plans for the ENS-CCA are highlighted

A two-compound product containing calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate provides rapid, effective treatment of psoriasis vulgaris regardless of baseline disease severity.

Item does not contain fulltextBACKGROUND: A two-compound product containing calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate (Daivobet/Dovobet) has been evaluated in a large clinical trial programme, providing a wealth of data on the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of the two-compound product in patients with mild, moderate and severe psoriasis vulgaris. METHODS: Data from over 1,534 patients with psoriasis vulgaris who received the two-compound product once daily for at least 4 weeks in four randomised, double-blind studies were pooled. A meta-analysis of the pooled data is presented. Severity of psoriasis at baseline was determined by investigator assessment and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score. RESULTS: For patients with severe disease defined by PASI score (PASI baseline > or = 17), the mean reduction in PASI after up to 4 weeks of treatment was 71.6% compared with 68.9 and 67.2% for those with moderate (PASI baseline 5.1-16.0) and mild disease (PASI baseline < or = 5). Corresponding reductions for investigator-assessed severity were 72.6, 69.1 and 68.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although the meta-analysis of the data from these four studies was performed post hoc, we may conclude that the two-compound product provided highly effective treatment of psoriasis, regardless of the category of baseline disease severity

Evaluating the efficiency of Saudi commercial banks using data development analysis

This paper applies data development analysis to investigate the performance of the Saudi commercial banking industry. The technical efficiency of Saudi banks for the year 2002 is evaluated and compared with world mean efficiency scores. The study reveals that the mean efficiency score of Saudi commercial banks compares very well with the world mean efficiency scores. The study recommends that Saudi banks should continue their efforts of adapting new technologies and providing more services in order to sustain competitive advantages as Saudi Arabia continues to deregulate the banking industry.banking industry; data envelopment analysis; DEA; commercial banks; technical efficiency; financial services; Saudi Arabia.

Ixekizumab and Ustekinumab Efficacy in Nail Psoriasis in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis: 52-Week Results from a Phase 3, Head-to-Head Study (IXORA-S).

Patients with plaque psoriasis often have nail psoriasis, which is difficult to treat. Ixekizumab (IXE) and ustekinumab (UST) are biologics with established efficacy in nail psoriasis. We present post hoc data from a head-to-head trial of IXE and UST (IXORA-S) to examine the efficacy in nail psoriasis in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis over 52 weeks. In IXORA-S, randomised patients received IXE (N = 136) or UST (N = 166) per label for 52 weeks. Eighty-four (61.8%) and 105 (63.3%) of the patients treated with IXE or UST, respectively, had baseline fingernail psoriasis (Nail Psoriasis Severity Index [NAPSI] &gt; 0); of these, 54 (64.3%) and 63 (60.0%) patients, respectively, had significant baseline fingernail psoriasis (defined as NAPSI ≥ 16 with ≥ 4 fingernails involved). The proportion of patients achieving NAPSI = 0, a NAPSI score change from baseline and correlations in Psoriasis Area of Severity Index (PASI) and NAPSI improvement over 52 weeks were examined. Progressive improvement occurred in both treatment groups over 52 weeks. Statistically significantly more patients achieved NAPSI = 0 with IXE versus UST by week 16-20, and the proportions continued to increase through week 52 among patients with baseline nail psoriasis (61.9 vs. 28.6%, respectively; P &lt; 0.001), including those with significant nail psoriasis (57.4 vs. 17.5%, respectively; P &lt; 0.001). Similar results were observed for NAPSI score improvement from baseline to week 52. Interestingly, the presence of nail psoriasis was associated with lower skin response with UST but not with IXE. Ixekizumab was superior to UST in the clearance of nail psoriasis, with earlier improvement continued through 52 weeks regardless of baseline nail severity. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier; NCT02561806

Role of the Epidermal Barrier in the Formation of Food Allergies in Children with Genodermatosis

The article analyzes the most significant genodermatoses associated with a high risk of allergic reactions that may occur in the practice of a dermatologist and pediatrician, such as ichthyosis and ichthyosiform dermatoses, Netherton syndrome and other ichthyosiform erythroderma, peeling skin syndrome, SAM syndrome, as well as congenital bullous epidermolysis. The article also describes in detail the pathogenetic aspects of transcutaneous sensitization, the development of food allergies and the listed above genodermatoses, two illustrative clinical cases are given