190 research outputs found
Solar urticaria in the visible spectrum successfully treated with astemizole
Three cases of solar urticaria in the visible spectrum successfully treated with astemizole, a H1 antihistamine, are reported. The administration of 10 mg a day of the drug increased the minimal urticarial dose from 2 to 12 times
TRATTAMENTO ASSOCIATO UVB-DITRANOLO IN PAZIENTI CON PSORIASI A PLACCHE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether the combination of ultraviolet B therapy and anthralin would result in a more rapid resolution of plaque-type psoriasis. Short-contact anthralin (0.5% in petrolatum) was used. Ultraviolet B irradiation was carried out 5 times a week with a bank of 8 Philips TL 40W/12 tubes (irradiance, 1 mW/cm2 30 cm). Out of the 14 patients studied, seven (group I) were given anthralin for 15 days before practicing UVB therapy and seven (group II) carried out phototherapy sessions for 15 days before the combination of both treatments. These results show both a more rapid clearance of psoriatic plaques and lower UVB total dose with anthralin pretreatment
Real-Time Estimation of R_t for Supporting Public-Health Policies Against COVID-19
In the absence of a consensus protocol to slow down the spread of SARS-CoV-2, policymakers need real-time indicators to support decisions in public health matters. The Effective Reproduction Number (R_t) represents the number of secondary infections generated per each case and can be dramatically modified by applying effective interventions. However, current methodologies to calculate R_t from data remain somewhat cumbersome, thus raising a barrier between its timely calculation and application by policymakers. In this work, we provide a simple mathematical formulation for obtaining the effective reproduction number in real-time using only and directly daily official case reports, obtained by modifying the equations describing the viral spread. We numerically explore the accuracy and limitations of the proposed methodology, which was demonstrated to provide accurate, timely, and intuitive results. We illustrate the use of our methodology to study the evolution of the pandemic in different iconic countries, and to assess the efficacy and promptness of different public health interventions
A case of segmental neurofibromatosis
A 66 year-old man with neurofibromas occurring only on the left upperarm is described. This rare form of neurofibromatosis (of which only 15 cases have been reported) can be ascribed to type V according to Riccardi's classification, improved by Roth
Bilateral Chilblain-like Lesions of the Toes Characterized by Microvascular Remodeling in Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Importance: Chilblain-like lesions have been one of the most frequently described cutaneous manifestations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their etiopathogenesis, including the role of SARS-CoV-2, remains elusive.
Objective: To examine the association of chilblain-like lesions with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Design, setting, and participants: This prospective case series enrolled 17 adolescents who presented with chilblain-like lesions from April 1 to June 30, 2020, at a tertiary referral academic hospital in Italy.
Main outcomes and measures: Macroscopic (clinical and dermoscopic) and microscopic (histopathologic) analysis contributed to a thorough understanding of the lesions. Nasopharyngeal swab, serologic testing, and in situ hybridization of the skin biopsy specimens were performed to test for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Laboratory tests explored signs of systemic inflammation or thrombophilia. Structural changes in peripheral microcirculation were investigated by capillaroscopy.
Results: Of the 17 adolescents (9 [52.9%] male; median [interquartile range] age, 13.2 [12.5-14.3] years) enrolled during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, 16 (94.1%) had bilaterally localized distal erythematous or cyanotic lesions. A triad of red dots (16 [100%]), white rosettes (11 [68.8%]), and white streaks (10 [62.5%]) characterized the dermoscopic picture. Histologic analysis revealed a remodeling of the dermal blood vessels with a lobular arrangement, wall thickening, and a mild perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate. SARS-CoV-2 infection was excluded by molecular and serologic testing. In situ hybridization did not highlight the viral genome in the lesions.
Conclusions and relevance: This study delineated the clinical, histologic, and laboratory features of chilblain-like lesions that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, and its findings do not support their association with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The lesions occurred in otherwise healthy adolescents, had a long but benign course to self-resolution, and were characterized by a microvascular remodeling with perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate but no other signs of vasculitis. These results suggest that chilblain-like lesions do not imply a concomitant SARS-CoV-2 infection. Ongoing studies will help clarify the etiopathogenic mechanisms
Recoil Polarization Measurements for Neutral Pion Electroproduction at Q^2=1 (GeV/c)^2 Near the Delta Resonance
We measured angular distributions of differential cross section, beam
analyzing power, and recoil polarization for neutral pion electroproduction at
Q^2 = 1.0 (GeV/c)^2 in 10 bins of W across the Delta resonance. A total of 16
independent response functions were extracted, of which 12 were observed for
the first time. Comparisons with recent model calculations show that response
functions governed by real parts of interference products are determined
relatively well near 1.232 GeV, but variations among models is large for
response functions governed by imaginary parts and for both increases rapidly
with W. We performed a nearly model-independent multipole analysis that adjusts
complex multipoles with high partial waves constrained by baseline models.
Parabolic fits to the W dependence of the multipole analysis around the Delta
mass gives values for SMR = (-6.61 +/- 0.18)% and EMR = (-2.87 +/- 0.19)% that
are distinctly larger than those from Legendre analysis of the same data.
Similarly, the multipole analysis gives Re(S0+/M1+) = (+7.1 +/- 0.8)% at
W=1.232 GeV, consistent with recent models, while the traditional Legendre
analysis gives the opposite sign because its truncation errors are quite
severe. Finally, using a unitary isobar model (UIM), we find that excitation of
the Roper resonance is dominantly longitudinal with S1/2 = (0.05 +/- 0.01)
GeV^(-1/2) at Q^2=1. The ReS0+ and ReE0+ multipoles favor pseudovector coupling
over pseudoscalar coupling or a recently proposed mixed-coupling scheme, but
the UIM does not reproduce the imaginary parts of 0+ multipoles well.Comment: 60 pages, 54 figure
Recoil Polarization for Delta Excitation in Pion Electroproduction
We measured angular distributions of recoil-polarization response functions
for neutral pion electroproduction for W=1.23 GeV at Q^2=1.0 (GeV/c)^2,
obtaining 14 separated response functions plus 2 Rosenbluth combinations; of
these, 12 have been observed for the first time. Dynamical models do not
describe quantities governed by imaginary parts of interference products well,
indicating the need for adjusting magnitudes and phases for nonresonant
amplitudes. We performed a nearly model-independent multipole analysis and
obtained values for Re(S1+/M1+)=-(6.84+/-0.15)% and Re(E1+/M1+)=-(2.91+/-0.19)%
that are distinctly different from those from the traditional Legendre analysis
based upon M1+ dominance and sp truncation.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, for PR
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