Trichoscopy criteria for diagnosing female androgenic alopecia.

Differential diagnosis of chronic hair loss remains a challenge in dermatology. The aim of the study was to evaluate the value of a new scalp visualization technique, trichoscopy, in differential diagnosis of hair loss. Trichoscopy was performed in 131 females (59 with androgenic alopecia, 33 with chronic telogen effluvium, 39 healthy controls). Based study results, a standardized trichoscopy report was developed and diagnostic criteria for female androgenic alopecia were established. Major criteria: increased number of yellow dots and thin hairs, as well as decreased average hair thickness in frontal area. Minor criteria: increased frontal area to occiput ratio of single-hair units (>2:1), vellus hairs (>1.5:1) and follicles with perifollicular discoloration (>3:1) Fulfillments of 2 major criteria or 1 major and 2 minor is diagnostic for female androgenic alopecia with a 92% specificity. In conclusion, trichoscopy is the first method which allows differential diagnosis of hair loss and establishing the diagnosis of female androgenic alopecia

Generalisation and evaluation of macroscopic models for microwave susceptors in contact with heated foods

[EN] Introducing a thin conductive layer into a finite-mesh (as inherent in e.g. finite difference time domain (FDTD) and finite element (FEM) methods) typically requires a dedicated equivalent macroscopic model allowing for computationally effective and accurate electromagnetic (EM) and thermal simulations. Thin conductive layers, such as microwave susceptors, characterised by their surface resistance (Rs), are adequately represented with a dielectric surrogate layer of higher thickness and proportionally scaled conductivity, maintaining the value of Rs. Systematic evaluation of macroscopic models of microwave susceptors used for enhancing the heating efficiency of microwavable food packages has been reported in [1]. Our studies therein focus on validity, accuracy and practical application limits of the proposed macroscopic models of thin metallic layers, in terms of power dissipated in susceptor placed in free space and irradiated by EM wave, at all angles of incidence. In this work we extend our studies to real-life simulation scenarios, in which microwave susceptor is in contact with food. We first consider a four-layer model as in Fig. 1(left) and conduct both analytical and numerical conformal FDTD calculations. The accuracy and application limit of the macroscopic model are investigated for all incidence angles and both, TE and TM polarisations of the impinging EM wave, for different foods. We aim to determine a range of optimum, in terms of power dissipated in the susceptor, values of the susceptor’s surface resistance in all those cases. The results of our canonical calculations with the four-layer model of Fig.1(left) are validated in the 3D FDTD modelling scenario of Fig.1(right), representative of a real-life domestic oven. While for normal incidence our results are in overall agreement with some of the previously published observations [2], they are formalised and generalised to constitute reliable guidelines for microwave oven and food packaging designers and manufacturers. We also show cases where some of the earlier rule-of-the-thumb guidelines fail.Celuch, M.; Wilczynski, K.; Olszewska-Placha, M. (2019). Generalisation and evaluation of macroscopic models for microwave susceptors in contact with heated foods. En AMPERE 2019. 17th International Conference on Microwave and High Frequency Heating. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 245-252. https://doi.org/10.4995/AMPERE2019.2019.9847OCS24525

Adalimumab – safe and effective therapy for adolescent patient with severe psoriasis and immune thrombocytopenia.

Psoriasis has been linked to several comorbidities, including metabolic syndrome, atopy, and celiac disease. However, the association between immune thrombocytopenia and psoriasis has rarely been described. We report the case of an adolescent with severe psoriasis and concomitant immune thrombocytopenia who obtained remission during treatment with adalimumab. Increased concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α seems to be a pathogenic linkage and therapeutic target for both diseases. </p

Results of Polish Adult Leukemia Study Group (PALG) project assessing TP53 mutations with next-generation sequencing technology in relapsed and refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients — an 18-month update

Indtroduction and methods: In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), molecular and cytogenetic diagnostics are crucial for the determination of accurate prognosis and treatment choice. Among different genetic aberrations, del(17p13) or TP53 mutations constitute high-risk factors, and early identification of such defects is a high priority for CLL patients. While cytogenetic diagnostics is well-established and accessible for the majority of CLL patients in Poland, molecular diagnostics of TP53 mutations is performed only in a few ERIC-certified centers (eight as of September 2020), and only two of these employ next-generation sequencing (NGS) for routine analysis of TP53 status in CLL patients. Here we report the interim results of a project assessing TP53 mutations with NGS technology in relapsed or refractory CLL patients with confirmed negative del(17p13) status. 249 patients from 32 clinical centers were included in the study. Results: NGS analysis revealed TP53 mutations in 42/249 (17%) patients, half of whom (21/249, 8.5%) had subclonal mutations (VAF ≤10%). These results are in line with published data in relapsed/refractory CLL patients. Conclusions: The results of the project demonstrated the feasibility and accuracy of NGS testing in CLL patients despite several initial logistical and technical obstacles. Our study also proved that, with appropriate funding, CLL patients from any hematological center in Poland can have access to state-of-the-art molecular diagnostic

The Significance of Scalp Involvement in Pemphigus: A Literature Review

Scalp is a unique location for pemphigus because of the abundance of desmogleins localized in hair follicles. Scalp involvement is observed in up to 60% of patients in the course of pemphigus. The lesions may occasionally lead to alopecia. Unforced removal of anagen hairs in a pull test is a sign of high disease activity. Direct immunofluorescence of plucked hair bulbs is considered a reliable diagnostic method in patients with pemphigus. Follicular acantholysis is a characteristic histopathological feature of pemphigus lesions localized on the scalp. Trichoscopy may serve as a supplementary method in the diagnosis of pemphigus. This review summarizes the most recent data concerning scalp involvement in pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus. A systematic literature search was conducted in three medical databases: PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. The analysis included literature data about desmoglein distribution in hair follicles, as well as information about clinical manifestations, histopathology, immunopathology, and trichoscopy of scalp lesions in pemphigus and their response to treatment