Pearled papules over tattoo: Molluscum cotagiosum

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Palmoplantar Lichen Planus: A diagnosis to keep in mind

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What did Hughes teach us about repairing surgical defects in the lower eyelid?

La reconstrucción del párpado inferior sigue siendo un reto, especialmente la reparación de defectos que abarcan más de la mitad de su superficie horizontal. El colgajo de Hughes del párpado superior ipsilateral es la técnica quirúrgica de elección para los tumores de gran tamaño del párpado inferior. Presentamos el caso de una paciente con carcinoma basocelular superficial de párpado inferior izquierdo que fue intervenida con extirpación del tumor con margen de seguridad y reparación del defecto primario mediante este colgajo. Describimos la técnica de Hughes paso a paso, sus potenciales complicaciones, así como los puntos clave en su ejecución para conseguir unos resultados satisfactorios.Lower eyelid reconstrution remains a challenge, especially the repair of defects that cover more than a half of its horizontal surface. The Hughes flap of the ipsilateral upper eyelid is the surgical technique of choice for large tumors of the lower eyelid. We present the case of a patient with superficial basal cell carcinoma of the lower left eyelid who underwent surgery with excision of the tumor with margin of safety and repair of the primary defect using this flap. We describe the Hughes technique step by step, its potential complications, as well as the key points in its execution to achieve satisfactory results

Effectiveness and safety of guselkumab for the treatment of psoriasis in real-world settings at 24 weeks : A retrospective, observational, multicentre study by the Spanish Psoriasis Group

Altres ajuts: Acord transformatiu CRUE-CSICData on the effectiveness and safety of a drug in real-world clinical practice complement the evidence from clinical trials, which are carried out in a different setting. Little has been published on the effectiveness and safety of guselkumab in the treatment of psoriasis in clinical practice. The ojective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of guselkumab at 24 weeks in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in routine clinical practice. A retrospective, multicentre study of adult patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis treated with guselkumab for at least 24 weeks was carried out in Spain. We studied 343 patients, 249 of whom were followed for 24 weeks. By week 24, the mean (SD) psoriasis area severity index (PASI) had decreased from 11.1 (7.3) to 1.7 (2.8) (−9.3; [−10.2;-8.4]), 85.9% of the patients had achieved PASI score of 4 or less and 77.9% a PASI score of 2 or less. In terms of relative PASI response, 59.4% of the patients achieved a PASI-90 response and 49.0% a PASI-100 response. On multivariate analysis, two factors reduced the probability of a PASI of 2 or less at 24 weeks: a BMI ≥30 (OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.22-0.88) and a greater previous exposure to biologic therapy (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, [0.56-0.84]). Adverse events were rare (9.9%) and led to withdrawal from treatment in only nine patients (2.6%) by the end of the follow-up period. The results of this study confirm the high efficacy and safety of guselkumab indicated by the clinical trial data. In clinical practice, the absolute PASI score appears to be a better marker of response to treatment than the relative value

SCORE underestimates cardiovascular risk (CVR) of HIV+ patients

The new European Guidelines of Dislipidemia Management of the European Societies of Cardiology and Arteriosclerosis consider HIV+ as patients at high risk of developing cardiovascular events and deaths. The objective of the study was to evaluate cardiovascular events and deaths in a series of HIV+ patients. Observational, cross-sectional study, including a cohort of HIV+ and HIV− patients from 2008. CVR was calculated using the SCORE-CVR chart. Variation on lipid profile and incidence of cardiovascular events, cardiovascular death or death related to any cause were recorded. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 for MAC. 154 HIV+ and 155 HIV− patients were included. Mean age: 44.8±9.5 vs 55.2±14.3 y and 69.5% vs 49% males respectively (p<0.01). Mean time since HIV+ diagnosis was 11±6.2 y. Mean BMI and systolic blood pressure were lower in HIV+ (25.1±6.7 kg/m2 vs 28.7±5.1 kg/m2, (p<0.01) and 119.6±19.4 vs 124.7±14.7 mmHg, (p=0.044; respectively)). A lower proportion of hypertense, diabetic and obese patients was observed in HIV+ (25.5% vs 6.5%; 20.6% vs 3.9% and 36.8% vs 12.3%) but a larger proportion of smokers (68.8% vs 29.7%) was observed (p<0.01 in all cases). Mean cholesterol and LDLc were lower in HIV+ (191.2±41.4 vs 218.5±44.6 mg/dl and 109.5±33.9 vs 134.6±37.7 mg/dl; p<0.01; respectively) but with a lower mean HDLc and higher TG (50.3±19 mg/dl vs 55.2±14.9 mg/dl; p=0.013 and 156.7±85.7 vs 135.8±66.2 mg/dl; p=0.017; respectively). There was no significant difference in mean CVR-SCORE (3.5±3.6% vs 4.4±3.8%; p=0.091). With this SCORE, 5.2±5.3 and 6.7±5.8 cardiovascular events or deaths should be expected in HIV+ and HIV− respectively at 10 y. Four years later cholesterol, LDLc, HDLc, TG in HIV+ and HIV− patients did not vary compared with those obtained 4 y before. 5 events and 1 death were seen at 4 y follow-up in HIV+, and in HIV− patients. The incidence of events in HIV+ patients is similar to the expected according to their SCORE at 10 y. We could suppose that once the 10 y follow-up is reached, this incidence would be higher. On the other side, in HIV− at 4 y just 3 events ocurred, far from the 6.7 events expected. There were no significant differences between lipid profiles in any of the cohorts. Lipid profile with low HDLc and high TG is persistent in HIV+ patients at 4 y follow-up. Understimation of CVR in HIV+ patients by SCORE charts could be present as soon as 4 y after the first assesment. This supports the stratification of HIV+ patients as high-risk patients in new guidelines

Consenso sobre las actuaciones a seguir durante la edad fértil, el embarazo, el posparto y la lactancia en pacientes con psoriasis

Objetivo Desarrollar recomendaciones basadas en la mejor evidencia y experiencia sobre el manejo de pacientes con psoriasis durante la edad fértil, el embarazo, el posparto y la lactancia. Métodos Se siguió la metodología de grupos nominales y Delphi. Se seleccionó un grupo director de expertos (12 dermatólogos —de los cuales 2 fueron los coordinadores—, 1 reumatólogo, 2 ginecólogos). Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura sobre fertilidad, embarazo, posparto y lactancia en pacientes con psoriasis. Con esta información los coordinadores generaron una serie de recomendaciones preliminares. Todo ello se presentó y discutió con el resto de expertos en una reunión de grupo nominal donde se definió el alcance, los usuarios, los apartados del documento, y donde se generaron las recomendaciones definitivas. El grado de acuerdo con las recomendaciones se votó siguiendo la metodología Delphi, que se extendió a 51 dermatólogos más, según una escala de 1 (total desacuerdo) a 10 (total acuerdo), definiéndose el acuerdo como una puntuación = 7 por al menos el 70% de los participantes. El nivel de evidencia y el grado de recomendación se clasificaron según el modelo del Center for Evidence Based Medicine de Oxford. El documento completo final fue aprobado por el panel de expertos. Resultados Se generaron 23 recomendaciones sobre el periodo pre-concepcional (fertilidad y anticoncepción), el embarazo (planificación, manejo farmacológico y seguimiento) y la lactancia (manejo y seguimiento). Todas las recomendaciones menos una alcanzaron el nivel de acuerdo definido. Conclusiones En los pacientes con psoriasis en edad fértil estas recomendaciones pueden mejorar el manejo, los resultados y el pronóstico. Objective To develop evidence- and experience-based recommendations for the management of psoriasis during preconception, pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding. Methods The nominal group technique and the Delphi method were used. Fifteen experts (12 dermatologists, 2 of whom were appointed coordinators; 1 rheumatologist; and 2 gynecologists) were selected to form an expert panel. Following a systematic review of the literature on fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding in women with psoriasis, the coordinators drew up a series of preliminary recommendations for discussion by the panel at a nominal group meeting. The experts defined the scope, sections, and intended users of the statement and prepared a final list of recommendations. Consensus was obtained using a Delphi process in which an additional 51 dermatologists rated their level of agreement with each recommendation on a scale of 1 (total disagreement) to 10 (total agreement). Consensus was defined by a score of 7 or higher assigned by at least 70% of participants. Level of evidence and strength of recommendation were reported using the Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine categories. The final statement was approved by the expert panel. Results The resulting consensus statement includes 23 recommendations on preconception (fertility and contraception), pregnancy (planning, pharmacological management, and follow-up), and breastfeeding (management and follow-up). Consensus was achieved for all recommendations generated except one. Conclusions These recommendations for the better management of psoriasis in women of childbearing age could improve outcomes and prognosis

Preliminary molecular genetic analysis of the Receptor Interacting Protein 140 (RIP140) in women affected by endometriosis

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is a complex disease affecting 10–15% of women at reproductive age. Very few genes are known to be altered in this pathology. RIP140 protein is an important cofactor of oestrogen receptor and many other nuclear receptors. Targeting disruption experiments of nrip1 gene in mice have demonstrated that nuclear receptor interacting protein 1 gene (nrip1), the gene encoding for rip140 protein, is essential for female fertility. Specifically, mice null for nrip1 gene are viable, but females are infertile because of complete failure of mature follicles to release oocytes at ovulation stage. The ovarian phenotype observed in mice devoid of rip140 closely resembles the luteinized unruptured follicle (LUF) syndrome that is observed in a high proportion of women affected of endometriosis or idiopathic infertility. Here we present a preliminary work that analyses the role of NRIP1 gene in humans. METHODS: We have sequenced the complete coding region of NRIP1 gene in 20 unrelated patients affected by endometriosis. We have performed genetic association studies by using the DNA variants identified during the sequencing process. RESULTS: We identified six DNA variants within the coding sequence of NRIP1 gene, and five of them generated amino acid changes in the protein. We observed that three of twenty sequenced patients have specific combinations of amino-acid variants within the RIP140 protein that are poorly represented in the control population (p = 0.006). Moreover, we found that Arg448Gly, a common polymorphism located within NRIP1 gene, is associated with endometriosis in a case-control study (59 cases and 141 controls, p(allele positivity test )= 0.027). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that NRIP1 gene variants, separately or in combinations, might act as predisposing factors for human endometriosis

Cut-offs and response criteria for the Hospital Universitario la Princesa Index (HUPI) and their comparison to widely-used indices of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis

Objective To estimate cut-off points and to establish response criteria for the Hospital Universitario La Princesa Index (HUPI) in patients with chronic polyarthritis. Methods Two cohorts, one of early arthritis (Princesa Early Arthritis Register Longitudinal PEARL] study) and other of long-term rheumatoid arthritis (Estudio de la Morbilidad y Expresión Clínica de la Artritis Reumatoide EMECAR]) including altogether 1200 patients were used to determine cut-off values for remission, and for low, moderate and high activity through receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis. The areas under ROC (AUC) were compared to those of validated indexes (SDAI, CDAI, DAS28). ROC analysis was also applied to establish minimal and relevant clinical improvement for HUPI. Results The best cut-off points for HUPI are 2, 5 and 9, classifying RA activity as remission if =2, low disease activity if >2 and =5), moderate if >5 and <9 and high if =9. HUPI''s AUC to discriminate between low-moderate activity was 0.909 and between moderate-high activity 0.887. DAS28''s AUCs were 0.887 and 0.846, respectively; both indices had higher accuracy than SDAI (AUCs: 0.832 and 0.756) and CDAI (AUCs: 0.789 and 0.728). HUPI discriminates remission better than DAS28-ESR in early arthritis, but similarly to SDAI. The HUPI cut-off for minimal clinical improvement was established at 2 and for relevant clinical improvement at 4. Response criteria were established based on these cut-off values. Conclusions The cut-offs proposed for HUPI perform adequately in patients with either early or long term arthritis

Perspectives on utilization of edible coatings and nano-laminate coatings for extension of postharvest storage of fruits and vegetables

It is known that in developing countries, a large quantity of fruit and vegetable losses results at postharvest and processing stages due to poor or scarce storage technology and mishandling during harvest. The use of new and innovative technologies for reducing postharvest losses is a requirement that has not been fully covered. The use of edible coatings (mainly based on biopolymers) as a postharvest technique for agricultural commodities has offered biodegradable alternatives in order to solve problems (e.g., microbiological growth) during produce storage. However, biopolymer-based coatings can present some disadvantages such as: poor mechanical properties (e.g., lipids) or poor water vapor barrier properties (e.g., polysaccharides), thus requiring the development of new alternatives to solve these drawbacks. Recently, nanotechnology has emerged as a promising tool in the food processing industry, providing new insights about postharvest technologies on produce storage. Nanotechnological approaches can contribute through the design of functional packing materials with lower amounts of bioactive ingredients, better gas and mechanical properties and with reduced impact on the sensorial qualities of the fruits and vegetables. This work reviews some of the main factors involved in postharvest losses and new technologies for extension of postharvest storage of fruits and vegetables, focused on perspective uses of edible coatings and nano-laminate coatings.María L. Flores-López thanks Mexican Science and Technology Council (CONACYT, Mexico) for PhD fellowship support (CONACYT Grant Number: 215499/310847). Miguel A. Cerqueira (SFRH/BPD/72753/2010) is recipient of a fellowship from the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT, POPH-QREN and FSE Portugal). The authors also thank the FCT Strategic Project of UID/ BIO/04469/2013 unit, the project RECI/BBB-EBI/0179/2012 (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-027462) and the project ‘‘BioInd Biotechnology and Bioengineering for improved Industrial and AgroFood processes,’’ REF. NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000028 Co-funded by the Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON.2 – O Novo Norte), QREN, FEDER. Fundação Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico – FUNCAP, CE Brazil (CI10080-00055.01.00/13)