The value of type IV collagen immunohistochemical staining in the differential diagnosis of autoimmune subepidermal bullous diseases

Autoimmune subepidermal bullous diseases (AISBDs) exhibit various clinical presentations, histological appearances, prognoses, and responses to treatment. Many diagnostic techniques, such as direct immunofluorescence (IF), indirect salt-split skin IF, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, are used in the differential diagnoses of AISBDs. However, these techniques require fresh frozen tissue, expensive laboratory equipment, and sophisticated laboratory techniques. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of type IV collagen immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for the differential diagnosis of AISBDs. Paraffin-embedded blocks of skin biopsies were selected from 28 patients with autoimmune subepidermal bullous diseases. Among these 28 cases, 24 patients exhibited bullous pemphigoid (BP), 2 exhibited epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA), 1 exhibited linear immunoglobulin A dermatosis (LAD), and 1 exhibited bullous systemic lupus erythematosus (BSLE). Sections were stained for type IV collagen and examined to determine the location of type IV collagen in the subepidermal blister. Type IV collagen positivity was observed on the base of the subepidermal blister in patients with BP (24 of 24 cases) and LAD (1 of 1 case). Staining was observed on the roof of the blister in patients with EBA (2 of 2 cases) and BSLE (1 of 1 case), and irregular staining was also observed on the base in patients with EBA. In conclusion, type IV collagen IHC staining is a simple and useful diagnostic technique for the differential diagnosis of AISBDs. .042) compared with controls. The filiform papillae had partially or completely regenerated in 85.7% of cases in the test group and in 23.1% of the controls (P=0.001). Red patches with raised keratotic rims may have healed spontaneously and reappeared in constantly changing patterns that are typical for MG. This phenomenon was not observed in patients supplemented with zinc, and new atrophy areas occurred in only one case. Low-dose zinc gluconate supplementation may have a positive therapeutic effect on tongue epithelium regeneration and symptomatology in patients with MG.   in our region were consistent with those from other studies. </p

Compressive performance of 50 MPa strength concrete-filled square and circular tube (CFT) columns using recycled aggregate

[EN] Recycled aggregate is an environmentally self-sustainable solution that can reduce construction waste and replace natural aggregates. However, there is a disadvantage in concrete such as initial strength drop and long-term strength development. Therefore, the interaction effect of the two materials can be expected by filling the cyclic aggregate concrete in the CFT column. In order to develop a concrete with compressive strength of 50 MPa as a recycled aggregate, we carried out a mixing experiment and fabricated 18 specimens to confirm the compressive behavior of a RCFT (Recycled Concrete Filled Tube) column that can be applied to actual buildings. Variable is the shape and thickness of steel pipe, concrete strength and mixing ratio, and coarse aggregate and fine aggregate are all used as recycled aggregate. The optimum mixing ratio for recycled aggregate concrete to be filled in the CFT filled steel pipe was found through three concrete preliminary mixing experiments. In addition, the compression test of the RCFT column was carried out to observe and analyze the buckling shape of the CFT column. Based on the analysis of the buckling configuration and the experimental data, the load-displacement curves of the specimens were drawn and the compressive behavior was analyzed.Choi, S.; Choi, WH.; Lee, K.; Ryoo, J.; Kim, S.; Park, Y. (2018). Compressive performance of 50 MPa strength concrete-filled square and circular tube (CFT) columns using recycled aggregate. En Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Advances in Steel-Concrete Composite Structures. ASCCS 2018. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 305-313. https://doi.org/10.4995/ASCCS2018.2018.7021OCS30531

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) Associated with Plasmodium vivax Infection: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an unusual syndrome characterized by fever, hepatosplenomegaly, cytopenias, hypertriglyceridemia, hypofibrinogenemia, and pathologic findings of hemophagocytosis in the bone marrow and other tissues. HLH may be familial or associated with different types of infections, autoimmune disorders, or malignancies. Infection-associated HLH has been reported in various viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections, and case reports of parasitic infections implicated in HLH include rare cases from Plasmodium vivax infection, which occasionally affects both military personnel and civilians in Korea. We describe an unusual case of HLH resulting from Plasmodium vivax infection and review the literature. This case suggests that clinical suspicion of HLH is important when P. vivax infection is accompanied by cytopenias. Administration of antimalarial drugs may prevent irreversible end organ damage resulting from P. vivax-associated HLH

Sustainable forest management for nut and fuelwood production in the Jalalabad region, Kyrgyzstan: insights from local communities

Jalalabad region in the Kyrgyz Republic is home to the world’s largest natural walnut (Juglans regia L.) forests and pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) forests. These nut-fruit forests serve as the primary source of income for local people; however, deforestation has led to a decline in the availability of these resources. Wood from the forest is also used as a crucial energy source for cooking and heating in this region, despite state protection of the walnut forest due to a lack of alternative energy sources. This study aimed to explore solutions to restore nut-fruit forests while providing a fuelwood source and improving the income of local people. Qualitative research methods were employed, including semi-structured interviews and survey questionnaires with farmers and central and local government officials. The study investigated the main environmental problem of forest degradation and the challenges of forest management, such as livestock and complicated lease arrangements, and determined possible government support and incentives for local communities to participate in forest rehabilitation, such as planting instead of paying lease fees. The findings indicated that a tree-based farming approach can be a promising alternative land-use solution. Seventy-four percent of local farmers expressed their readiness to plant fruit trees and fast-growing tree species to meet their demand for fuelwood and improve their livelihoods if the government can provide temporary fencing support. The study also highlighted the need for capacity building for farmers to learn proper planting, managing, and harvesting for more sustainable practices. Policymakers need to modify legislation through simplified and incentive-based forest lease arrangements

Efficacy of early immunomodulator therapy on the outcomes of Crohn’s disease

BACKGROUND: The natural course of Crohn’s disease (CD), with continuing relapses and remissions, leads to irreversible intestinal damage. Early adoption of immunomodulator therapy has been proposed in order to address this; however, it is still uncertain whether early immunomodulator therapy could affect the natural course of the disease in real practice. We evaluated the efficacy of such therapy on the prognosis of newly diagnosed patients with CD. METHODS: This retrospective study included 168 patients who were newly diagnosed with CD and who started treatment at Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea between January 2006 and March 2013. The short- and long-term outcomes were compared between patients treated with early immunomodulator therapy and those treated with conventional therapy. RESULTS: A Kaplan-Meier analysis identified that administration of immunomodulators within 6 months after diagnosis of CD was superior to conventional therapy in terms of clinical remission and corticosteroid-free remission rates (P=0.043 and P=0.035). However, P=0.827). Patients with a baseline elevated CRP level were more likely to relapse (P<0.005). Drug-related adverse events were more frequent in the early immunomodulator therapy group than in the conventional therapy group P=0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Early immunomodulator therapy was more effective than conventional therapy in inducing remission, but not in preventing relapse. Baseline high CRP level was a significant indicator of relapse