Role of clobetasol propionate 0.025% topical therapy in various dermatoses

The anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictive properties of topical corticosteroids (TCs) contribute in providing therapeutic benefits in several skin conditions, including atopic eczema, localized vitiligo, psoriasis, and chronic hand eczema. Clobetasol propionate (CP) is the most common topical agent used for psoriasis management and demonstrates an efficacy superior to other TCs. A new CP 0.025% cream formulation has demonstrated hypoallergenic effects due to the absence of known contact allergens, such as propylene glycol, short-chain alcohols, and sorbitol-based emulsifiers. Lower CP serum levels and less hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis suppression with CP 0.025% cream formulation than with CP 0.05% ensure better safety. The present case series discusses the clinical experience of using CP 0.025% cream in various dermatological conditions

Control of Mycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium intracellulare infections with respect to distinct granuloma formations in livers of BALB/c mice

Mycobacterium fortuitum is a rapidly growing nontuberculous Mycobacterium that can cause a range of diseases in humans. Complications from M. fortuitum infection have been associated with numerous surgical procedures. A protective immune response against pathogenic mycobacterial infections is dependent on the granuloma formation. Within the granuloma, the macrophage effector response can inhibit bacterial replication and mediate the intracellular killing of bacteria. The granulomatous responses of BALB/c mice to rapidly and slowly growing mycobacteria were assessed in vivo and the bacterial loads in spleens and livers from M. fortuitum and Mycobacterium intracellulare-infected mice, as well as the number and size of granulomas in liver sections, were quantified. Bacterial loads were found to be approximately two times lower in M. fortuitum-infected mice than in M. intracellulare-infected mice and M. fortuitum-infected mice presented fewer granulomas compared to M. intracellulare-infected mice. These granulomas were characterized by the presence of Mac-1+ and CD4+ cells. Additionally, IFN-γmRNA expression was higher in the livers of M. fortuitum-infected mice than in those of M. intracellulare-infected mice. These data clearly show that mice are more capable of controlling an infection with M. fortuitum than M. intracellulare. This capacity is likely related to distinct granuloma formations in mice infected with M. fortuitum but not with M. intracellulare

Idiopathic eruptive macular pigmentation or acanthosis nigricans?

A 21-year-old male presented with numerous asymptomatic dark brown to brown black pigmented macules and barely raised plaques on the face, trunk and extremities, developing over a period of 2 year. The surface of most lesions had a velvety raised surface similar in appearance to acanthosis nigricans and a biopsy from one of the lesions showed pigmented papillomatosis. This case fulfils all the criteria for idiopathic eruptive macular pigmentation (IEMP) with papillomatosis, and the clinical appearance of acanthosis nigricans in most lesions suggests that IEMP is a form of eruptive acanthosis nigricans

Idiopathic eruptive macular pigmentation or acanthosis nigricans?

A 21-year-old male presented with numerous asymptomatic dark brown to brown black pigmented macules and barely raised plaques on the face, trunk and extremities, developing over a period of 2 year. The surface of most lesions had a velvety raised surface similar in appearance to acanthosis nigricans and a biopsy from one of the lesions showed pigmented papillomatosis. This case fulfils all the criteria for idiopathic eruptive macular pigmentation (IEMP) with papillomatosis, and the clinical appearance of acanthosis nigricans in most lesions suggests that IEMP is a form of eruptive acanthosis nigricans

Acute hair matting: case report and trichoscopy findings

AIM: Concurrently with increasingly permissive attitudes towards marijuana use and its legalization, the prevalence of marijuana use has increased in recent years in the U.S. Substance use is generally more prevalent in men than women, although for alcohol, the gender gap is narrowing. However, information is lacking on whether time trends in marijuana use differ by gender, or whether socioeconomic status in the context of the Great Recession may affect these changes. METHODS: Using repeated cross-sectional data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2002-2014), we examined changes over time in prevalence of past-year marijuana use by gender, and whether gender differences varied across income levels. After empirically determining a change point in use in 2007, we used logistic regression to test interaction terms including time, gender, and income level. RESULTS: Prevalence of marijuana use increased for both men (+4.0%) and women (+2.7%) from 2002 to 2014, with all of the increase occurring from 2007 to 2014. Increases were greater for men, leading to a widening of the gender gap over time (p<0.001). This divergence occurred primarily due to increased prevalence among men in the lowest income level (+6.2%) from 2007 to 2014. CONCLUSION: Our findings are consistent with other studies documenting increased substance use during times of economic insecurity, especially among men. Corresponding with the Great Recession and lower employment rate beginning in 2007, low-income men showed the greatest increases in marijuana use during this period, leading to a widening of the gender gap in prevalence of marijuana use over time