Folliculitis Decalvans: A Review of Current Treatment Modalities

Background: Folliculitis decalvans (FD) is a rare subtype of neutrophilic cicatricial alopecia, firstly described by Quinquad in 1888, as inflammatory scalp disease usually affecting young adults. The exact etiopathology of the disease is not fully understood, however the presence of Staphylococcus aureus, dysfunction of the host’s immune response, genetic factors, previous trauma of the scalp, as well as Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor inhibitors (EGFRi) use seem to play a role. Clinically, FD presents with scarring alopecic patches with follicular pustules, crusts and tufted hair. Objectives: As the full etiology of the disease is unknown and most data in the literature is based on retrospective date, therapeutic management is not precisely established. The objective of this review is to describe therapeutic options,  as well as highlighting potential new therapeutic modalities reported in the literature. Limitations: Because FD is a rare disease, the main limitation is lack of randomized control trials, evaluating therapeutic modalities. Methods: An exhaustive search of references related to FD  published in PubMed between 2017 and 2024 was undertaken, using the search term: "folliculitis decalvans".  Articles with large patient cohorts and reviews were included, as well as case reports and case series, that reported novel treatment approaches for FD.Conclusions: The management of FD poses a challenge. Systemic antibiotics, particularly rifampicin and clindamycin, are considered the first-line agents and are commonly used in combination with local therapies. Systemic isotretinoin yields sustained remission in some cases, while biological agents exhibit promise in managing severe FD. Novel therapeutic modalities, incorporating, among others, botulinum toxin A injections, Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP), or surgical procedures, necessitate randomized double-blind trials to evaluate their safety and efficacy

Physical Activity as a Trigger for Anaphylaxis: Understanding Food-Dependent Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis

Introduction: Food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA) is a distinctive form of anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction, that is triggered by physical activity following the consumption of specific food allergens. Unique in its manifestation, FDEIA embodies a complex interaction between food intake and exercise, making it a condition of noteworthy concern particularly among athletes and active individuals.   Aim of the study: This article endeavors to explore the multifaceted nature of food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis, beginning with a foundational understanding of anaphylaxis and the specific dynamics involved in exercise-induced reactions.   Material and methods: Literature available in the PubMed database was reviewed using the following keywords: food-dependent exercise induced anaphylaxis; exercise induced-anaphylaxis; food allergies; pathogenesis of FDEIA; diagnosis of FDEIA; sport and anaphylaxis.   Conclusions: FDEIA is a unique and complex condition that requires a comprehensive understanding for effective management. By exploring its various aspects, from pathophysiology to diagnosis and treatment, we can better equip individuals with the knowledge and tools to navigate this condition and minimize the risk of potentially life-threatening reactions

Thyroid hormones in persons with schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

There is accumulating evidence that individuals with schizophrenia show altered levels of thyroid hormones. However, a qualitative and quantitative synthesis of findings in this field has not been performed so far. Therefore, we aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies investigating the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), total thyroxine (tT4), free triiodothyronine (fT3) and total triiodothyronine (tT3) in multiple-episode schizophrenia (MES) and first-episode psychosis (FEP). Electronic databases were searched from their inception until 30th May 2020 by two independent reviewers. Random-effects meta-analyses and meta-regression analyses were performed. Altogether, 19 studies were included. Persons with FEP had significantly lower TSH levels (5 studies, g = −0.26, 95%CI: −0.47 to −0.06, p = 0.013, I2 = 21.3%), higher fT4 levels (3 studies, g = 0.58, 95%CI: 0.15–1.01, p = 0.008, I2 = 64.6%) and lower tT3 levels (2 studies, g = −0.60, 95%CI: −0.82 to −0.37, p < 0.001, I2 = 0%) compared to controls. Elevated TSH levels were found in persons with MES (13 studies, g = 0.20, 95%CI: 0.02–0.39, p = 0.031, I2 = 50.0%). Our findings imply that the levels of TSH might be decreased in persons with FEP and increased in those with MES. Other alterations need to be confirmed by additional studies. These findings imply the need to monitor the levels of TSH and thyroid hormones from the onset of psychosis

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Spark Plasma Sintered Mg-Zn-Ca-Pr Alloy

Alloys based on magnesium are of considerable scientific interest as they have very attractive mechanical and biological properties that could be used to manufacture biodegradable materials for medical applications. Mechanical alloying is a very suitable process to obtain alloys that are normally hard to produce as it allows for solid-state diffusion via highly energetic milling, producing fine powders. Powders obtained by this method can be sintered into nearly net-shape products, moreover, their phase and chemical composition can be specifically tailored. This work aims to investigate the effect of milling time on the density, microstructure, phase composition, and mechanical properties of Mg-Zn-Ca-Pr powders processed by high energy mechanical alloying (HEMA) and consolidated by spark plasma sintering (SPS). Thus, the results of XRD phase analysis, particle size distribution (granulometry), density, mechanical properties, SEM investigation of mechanically alloyed and sintered Mg-Zn-Ca-Pr alloy are presented in this manuscript. The obtained results illustrate how mechanical alloying can be used to produce amorphous and crystalline materials, which can be sintered and demonstrates how the milling time impacts their microstructure, phase composition, and resulting mechanical properties

Budżetowanie działalności jednostek gospodarczych Teoria i praktyka. Część V

Z wprowadzenia: "Przekazujemy do rąk Czytelników część monografii dotyczącej budżetowania jednostek gospodarczych. Jej przygotowanie zbiegło się z ukazaniem się manifestu Precz z budżetami Jeremiego Норе’а i Robina Frasera. Autorzy poddają tam ostrej krytyce dotychczasowe praktyki stosowania budżetowania kosztowego. Stąd niniejsza publikacja - między innymi - dlatego różni się istotnie od poprzednich. Od pewnego czasu - także w Polsce - pojawiały się głosy wskazujące na istotne niedoskonałości budżetowania kosztowego, na przykład J. Gierusz [Materiały konferencyjne 2001], G. H. Świderska [Rachunkowośćzarządcza i rachunek kosztów, 2002]. Nie odnosiły one jednak skutku. Nie zauważono też dotąd narastającej listy zarzutów wytaczanych przeciw finansowym jednostkom miary stosowanym w budżetowaniu kosztowym, na przykład G. K. Świderska [jak wyżej], M. Sierpińska, B. Niedbała [Controllingoperacyjny wpnedsiębiorstwie, 2003]. Bez echa pozostało postawione przez autora pytanie: „zmierzch czy rozwój budżetowania?” [„Controlling i rachunkowość zarządcza” 9/2002], gdzie jednoznacznie wskazano, że budżetowanie kosztowe obejmuje jedynie jedną sferę działalności przedsiębiorstwa i tym samym nie może stanowić wystarczającej podstawy do sterowania przedsiębiorstwem. Zwolennicy budżetowania kosztowego nawet zgadzali się ze stawianymi zarzutami, jednak nie reagowali na propozycje zmian w filozofii i metodologii budżetowania."(...

UHF and HF RFID in libraries

W artykule przedstawiono możliwości wykorzystania innowacyjnej technologii identyfikacji radiowej (RFID) do wsparcia, przyspieszenia i automatyzacji procesów związanych z obiegiem zbiorów w bibliotekach. Zaprezentowano zasady działania technologii, podstawowe elementy składowe infrastruktury oraz dwa wykorzystywane w bibliotekach standardy radiowe. Celem artykułu jest zaprezentowanie potencjału technologii RFID dla bibliotek oraz zasygnalizowanie różnic i zbudowanie podstaw do dalszych rozważań na temat standardów radiowych.The potential of the innovative Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to be applied for support, acceleration and automation of the circulation process of library collection is presented. Technology basics, and hardware and software components are described. Two different radio standards used in libraries are compared. The goal is to present the potential of RFID technology for libraries, to highlight the differences and to build a basis for further consideration of UHF and HF alternatives

Prevention of Major industrial accidents – Case Study Using the Example of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship

Aim: The aim of this paper is to assess the state of implementation in Poland of the current doctrine for the prevention of major industrial accidents in the context of providing safety distance in the process of shaping the spatial order.Introduction: The obligation to perform an analysis and assessment of the risk of a major industrial accident lies above all with operators of upper-tier establishments. The security reports for such establishments contain detailed assumptions and the description of the analytical evaluation and risk assessment process and present its results together with their graphical visualisation. One of the most important elements of such a risk assessment is the identification of representative emergency events developed in representative emergency scenarios. The end value of the risk analysis and its evaluation depends on the degree of their accuracy and relevance for the type of establishment and industrial process parameters.Methodology: The research conducted for the purposes of this article included a review of the legislation and available guidelines, an analysis of safety reports and data contained in them on representative emergency scenarios in 18 establishments with a high risk of a major industrial accident in the Mazowieckie Voivodeship.Conclusions: The national land use and spatial planning system does not take into account the assumptions of the doctrine of prevention of major industrial accidents. There is no specific risk assessment methodology, resulting in individual risk assessments in safety reports being based on non-uni-form rules, and thereby discrepancies between similar establishments. There is a lack of standardisation of requirements regarding the presentation of analysis results and risk assessments, in particular with regard to the ranges of thermal radiation, overpressure and toxicity. As a result, these results are presented arbitrarily in a way that prevents their clear interpretation. The exact interpolation of data is impossible without the use of specific software. The results of the risk analysis performed in 2017 for the Mazowieckie Voivodeship showed that the area affected by the upper-tier establishments with a high risk of a major accident outside of their territory in the Mazowieckie Voivodeship is approx. 2,300 ha. An important problem is also the lack of national guidelines for establishing safety distances for land use and spatial planning purposes, which means that the above-mentioned area is subject to certain types of land use, disregarding or providing insufficient attention to information on the impact of major industrial accidents