Evolution of pituitary surgery in a tertiary centre

Clinical Otolaryngology, EarlyView.

Novel autosomal recessive LAMA3 and PLEC variants underlie junctional epidermolysis bullosa generalized intermediate and epidermolysis bullosa simplex with muscular dystrophy in two consanguineous families

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.

Varicella zoster virus as a possible trigger for the development of pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta: retrospective analysis of our institutional cases

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.

Trapping fresh sea breeze in desert? Health status of Camanchaca, Atacama’s fog

Abstract

Water fog composition was investigated at a fog harvesting installation in the coast of Atacama (North Chile). Chañaral is historically affected by mining contamination discharges. Hydro-chemical characterization of fog water from top of the mountain (where capture installation is located) and at the bottom of the mountain (after vertical transportation where an aquaponic system is located) revealed many compositional differences that compromise the use of water. High acidity and high concentrations in Cu and As in water collected on top of the mountain were found; meanwhile, acidity and Cu decreased, and As levels overpassed the drinking water standards after the vertical transportation. Collected data was assessed according to national and international regulatory standards, neutralization factors (NF), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and ion ratios to determine origin of contamination and suitability of destined for human consumption, irrigation, or aquaculture purposes.

FACE‐Q Skin Cancer Module for measuring patient‐reported outcomes following facial skin cancer surgery

British Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.

Anthropogenic activities impact on atmospheric environmental quality in a gas-flaring community: application of fuzzy logic modelling concept

Abstract

We present a modelling concept for evaluating the impacts of anthropogenic activities suspected to be from gas flaring on the quality of the atmosphere using domestic roof-harvested rainwater (DRHRW) as indicator. We analysed seven metals (Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, Fe, Ca, and Mg) and six water quality parameters (acidity, PO₄³⁻, SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻_, Cl⁻, and pH). These were used as input parameters in 12 sampling points from gas-flaring environments (Port Harcourt, Nigeria) using Ibadan as reference. We formulated the results of these input parameters into membership function fuzzy matrices based on four degrees of impact: extremely high, high, medium, and low, using regulatory limits as criteria. We generated indices that classified the degree of anthropogenic activity impact on the sites from the product membership function matrices and weight matrices, with investigated (gas-flaring) environment as between medium and high impact compared to those from reference (residential) environment that was classified as between low and medium impact. Major contaminants of concern found in the harvested rainwater were Pb and Cd. There is also the urgent need to stop gas-flaring activities in Port Harcourt area in particular and Niger Delta region of Nigeria in general, so as to minimise the untold health hazard that people living in the area are currently faced with. The fuzzy methodology presented has also indicated that the water cannot safely support potable uses and should not be consumed without purification due to the impact of anthropogenic activities in the area but may be useful for other domestic purposes.

Bullous pemphigoid complicated by necrotising fasciitis successfully treated with systemic corticosteroids and antibiotics in combination with i.v. immunoglobulin

Australasian Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.

Eyelid sebaceous carcinoma in situ presenting as haemorrhagic cyst

Australasian Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.

Prediction of skin anti‐aging clinical benefits of an association of ingredients from marine and maritime origins: Ex vivo evaluation using a label‐free quantitative proteomic and customized data processing approach

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, EarlyView.

Journal Based CME Instructions and Information

Table of Contents

Editorial Board

A case of genital pyoderma gangrenosum successfully treated with cyclosporine without relapse of established follicular lymphoma

Management of pyoderma gangrenosum in established malignancy is challenging. When vital structures are at risk from ulceration, aggressive management is required; however, immunosuppressive therapy may compromise the prognosis for an underlying malignancy. The optimal management of pyoderma gangrenosum in this setting is unclear. We report on a 64-year-old woman with follicular lymphoma in partial remission, who had severe genital pyoderma gangrenosum. After multidisciplinary evaluation, she was treated with corticosteroids and cyclosporine and healed fully with scarring over 7 weeks.

Ertapenem rescue therapy in hidradenitis suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a debilitating disease characterized by sinus tract and abscess formation leading to significant pain, scarring, and psychosocial distress. Although the pathogenesis is still unclear, recent findings suggest a basement membrane defect at the folliculopilosebaceous unit may contribute to the primary pathogenesis, with bacterial colonization as a secondary cause.1 We present a case of a patient with HS meeting systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria and the use of intravenous (IV) ertapenem.

Crusted scabies in a patient with methamphetamine abuse

Crusted scabies is a rare, severe, and highly contagious infestation caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. It typically occurs in patients with cognitive or neurologic disorders or in patients who are immunocompromised, including those with HIV, malignancies, immunosuppressive drug use, chronic kidney disease, and those with advanced age.1,2 To our knowledge, there are no previous reports of crusted scabies occurring in patients with methamphetamine use. The author reports the case of a man using methamphetamine successfully treated with topical benzyl benzoate and oral ivermectin.

A case series of orf infection after the religious sacrifice feast Eid al-Adha

Orf is a viral infection first described by Newsome and Cross in 1934.1 It is a zoonotic, self-limited, cutaneous disease. Commonly encountered in animal handlers such as veterinarians and farmers, it is transmitted by sheep or goats and typically has no long-term sequelae. Here we describe 3 cases of another common yet missed scenario encountered by physicians: the appearance of characteristic lesions after the yearly celebration of Eid al-Adha (alternatively known as the Sacrifice Feast), a practice by Muslim patients.

Occupational immediate-type reactions to locusts—A possible cross-reactivity between desert locusts (Schistocerca gregoria) and migratory locusts (Locusta migratoria)?

Exposure to locusts, which belong to the arthropod phylum, is an underestimated health problem, especially among workers in research facilities exposed to laboratory animals. We describe a rare case of an occupational immediate-type reaction to locusts with a possible cross-reactivity between desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) and migratory locust (Locusta migratoria).

Repigmentation and new growth of hairs after anti–interleukin-17 therapy with secukinumab for psoriasis

Repigmentation of hairs is a rare event that has been reported after inflammatory processes, exposure to X-irradiation and psoralen and ultraviolet A, electron beam therapy, and the intake of some drugs.1 We report on a patient with psoriasis who experienced darkening and noticeable increase in scalp hair while he was receiving anti–interleukin (IL)-17 therapy.

Paraneoplastic cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis as a presentation of recurrent metastatic breast cancer

Cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis (CSVV) is a vasculitis of small vessels that classically presents with purpuric papules on the lower extremities. It may occur in the setting of several triggers such as infection, drug exposure, and collagen vascular disease.1 Of all cases of CSVV, fewer than 5% are thought to be paraneoplastic.2 Most of these cases are associated with hematologic malignancies (90%), whereas the remainder are associated with solid organ malignancies (10%).3 We present a rare case of paraneoplastic CSVV that specifically occurred in the setting of recurrent metastatic breast cancer.

Primary conjunctival sporotrichosis: An atypical presentation of the disease

Sporotrichosis is an infection caused by fungi of the Sporothrix complex, a very common plant saprophytes found in tropical and subtropical regions. Classically, transmission occurs after inoculation into the dermis or subcutaneous tissue through minor trauma during plant handling.1,2 In Rio de Janeiro, most sporotrichosis cases are transmitted by infected cats.3 Most cases present with cutaneous lesions.2 Extracutaneous forms are uncommon.

Secukinumab in pityriasis rubra pilaris: A case series demonstrating variable response and the need for minimal clinical datasets

Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is a heterogeneous group of rare papulosquamous disorders characterized by folliculocentric keratinization.1 PRP has a bimodal incidence with equal gender predilection.1 It can be spontaneous in nature and associated with familial inheritance or as a paraneoplastic phenomenon.1,2 PRP has a variable clinical presentation with Griffiths criteria classifying PRP into 5 subtypes based on age of onset, clinical course, and prognosis.1 HIV-related PRP and paraneoplastic PRP have been proposed as additional subtypes.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis: An emerging overlap syndrome with cutaneous manifestations

Systemic lupus erythematosus and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis (SLE/AAV) overlap syndrome is a rare disease originally described in 2008.1 With only a few reports in the literature, this condition is characterized by aggressive crescentic glomerulonephritis, arthritis, cutaneous involvement, and both antinuclear antibody (ANA) and ANCA. Dermatologic manifestations are common and may occur at initial presentation.2 Although skin lesions may vary in morphology, the most commonly reported include cutaneous nodules and ecchymoses.

Recalcitrant hyperkeratotic verrucae in a renal transplant recipient clearing with cessation of immunosuppression

Organ transplant recipients are at high risk of cutaneous wart development.1-3 The presence of viral warts is determined by the type of immunosuppressive therapy, its dosage, and its duration,1,2 and the incidence varies from 24% to 53%.3-5 Up to 50% of renal transplant recipients with graft survival greater than 5 years have warts.3

Combined neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser and sclerotherapy in Gorham-Stout syndrome

Bone involvement is relatively rare in vascular malformations. Gorham-Stout disease, also referred to as vanishing bone disease, is characterized by osteoclast activation and osteolysis caused by proliferating lymphatic endothelial cells. We present the case of a 12-year-old boy who had Gorham-Stout disease at the age of 8 years. The clinical course was complicated by pathological fractures and localized intravascular consumption coagulopathy. Sclerotherapy and embolization therapy led to normalization of the coagulation parameters and significant improvement of the clinical findings.

An acneiform eruption secondary to iododerma

Iododerma is a rare eruption caused by the inadvertent accumulation of iodine. Published sources of iodine excess producing iododerma include oral and intravenous iodinated contrast dyes, potassium iodide, amiodarone, and topical wound care products such as povidone iodine and iodoform gauze or in expectorants.1-7 Iododerma is more common in patients with renal dysfunction because of the impaired renal clearance and accumulation of iodine.8 One study of patients with end-stage renal disease who received iodinated contrast documented that the plasma half-life of the contrast was increased to 23 hours compared with 2 hours in those with normal kidney function.

Atypical Behçet disease with endocarditis, pyoderma gangrenosum–like ulcers and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus–positive skin abscesses

Behçet disease (BD) is a neutrophilic dermatosis characterized by relapsing flares of orogenital aphthous ulcers, uveitis, and skin inflammation.1-3 Extracutaneous manifestations involve gastrointestinal, neurologic, pulmonary, and cardiac systems.1 The spectrum of skin manifestations includes erythema nodosum, papulopustular lesions, and pathergy. Skin abscesses, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, bullae, or lesions mimicking Sweet syndrome or pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) are rare.1-3 We describe a patient with atypical BD with endocarditis, PG-like ulcerations, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-positive abscesses, highlighting a unique constellation of infection and immune dysregulation.

T helper (Th)17 radiation-induced hidradenitis suppurativa

To the Editor: We read with interest the case report describing the development of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) lesions after radiation treatment in a patient with uterine adenocarcinoma.1 The authors provided several thoughts on the possible mechanism behind radiation-induced HS. The purpose of this letter is to provide additional insight about the likely immunologic mechanisms behind radiation-induced HS. The reported case is an example of an abscopal-like effect2 sharing adenocarcinoma antigens to antigens of apocrine glands of the groin.

Regression of pigmented lesions in a patient with metastatic melanoma treated with immunotherapy

The programed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors nivolumab and pembrolizumab are promising new therapies for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. PD-1 inhibitors function by blocking down regulatory pathways of T-cell activity, thereby increasing T-cell activation and antitumor activity.1 Hypopigmentation, including vitiligo, may occur in up to 15% to 25% of treated patients and is hypothesized to occur by immune destruction of benign melanocytes by antitumor T cells.2,3 We present the case of a patient with metastatic melanoma who experienced fading and disappearance of numerous melanocytic nevi after being treated with PD-1 inhibitors.

Cutaneous Microsphaeropsis arundinis infection in renal transplant recipients—A report of 2 cases and review of the literature

Microsphaeropsis arundinis is a dematiaceous mold of the coelomycetes class that is emerging as a cause of opportunistic cutaneous infections in immunocompromised hosts.1,2 M arundinis typically inhabits plant hosts and is ubiquitous in soil and fresh water.3

A prospective observational study of pigmented naevi changes in psoriasis patients on biologic therapy

Australasian Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.

The effects of platelet‐rich plasma on hypertrophic scars fibroblasts

International Wound Journal, EarlyView.

A useful alternative surgical technique to reconstructing large defects following excision of recurrent pilonidal sinus disease in the intergluteal region: An operative approach for the transverse lumbar artery perforator flap

International Wound Journal, EarlyView.

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis due to terbinafine

Dermatologic Therapy, EarlyView.

Epigenetically Enhanced PDT Induces Significantly Higher Levels of Multiple Extrinsic Pathway Apoptotic Factors than Standard PDT, Resulting in Greater Extrinsic and Overall Apoptosis of Cutaneous T‐cell Lymphoma

Photochemistry and Photobiology, EarlyView.

Light‐emitting Diode Blue Light Alters the Ability of Penicillium digitatum to Infect Citrus Fruits

Photochemistry and Photobiology, EarlyView.

Characterization of a Vivid Homolog in Botrytis cinerea

Photochemistry and Photobiology, EarlyView.

Photophysical and Photochemical Properties of 3‐methylpterin as a New and More Stable Pterin‐type Photosensitizer

Photochemistry and Photobiology, EarlyView.

Issue Information

Photochemistry and Photobiology, Volume 94, Issue 3, Page 405-406, May/June 2018.

To be or not to be Photopigmented, that is the Question

Photochemistry and Photobiology, Volume 94, Issue 3, Page 407-408, May/June 2018.

Very late sensitization to parabens induced by repeated applications of an anaesthetic therapeutic plaster to non‐damaged skin

Contact Dermatitis, EarlyView.

Allergic contact dermatitis caused by octylisothiazolinone in a leather sofa

Contact Dermatitis, EarlyView.

Relapsing polyisoprene glove allergic contact dermatitis: Another call for more complete glove package label declaration

Contact Dermatitis, EarlyView.

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by nickel in embroidery needles

Contact Dermatitis, EarlyView.

Simple, low‐cost group‐counselling programme vs treatment as usual for patients with newly notified occupational hand eczema—Exploratory analyses of effects on knowledge, behaviour and personal resources of the randomized PREVEX clinical trial

Contact Dermatitis, EarlyView.

Rosacea‐like cutaneous localization of small lymphocytic lymphoma unmasked by high‐frequency‐ultrasound

Skin Research and Technology, EarlyView.

Characterizing the tissue dielectric constant of skin basal cell cancer lesions

Skin Research and Technology, EarlyView.

The significance of spectrophotometric image analysis for diagnosis of the melanocytic skin tumours in association with their thickness

Skin Research and Technology, EarlyView.

Split‐axilla comparison study of 0.5‐MHz, invasive, bipolar radiofrequency treatment using insulated microneedle electrodes for primary axillary hyperhidrosis

Skin Research and Technology, EarlyView.

Detection of hydroquinone by Raman spectroscopy in patients with melasma before and after treatment

Skin Research and Technology, EarlyView.

Anesthesia effects on the low frequency blood flow oscillations in mouse skin

Skin Research and Technology, EarlyView.

Detection of lichen planus pigmentosus with dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy

Skin Research and Technology, EarlyView.

Towards a reliable, non‐invasive melanin assessment for pigmented skin

Skin Research and Technology, EarlyView.

Sequels to tattoo removal by caustic products

Skin Research and Technology, EarlyView.

Oncogenic signaling in uveal melanoma

Pigment Cell &Melanoma Research, EarlyView.

A comparison of intraoperative haemostatic techniques during tonsillectomy: Suture vs electrocautery—A study to assess postoperative pain scores and duration to resumption of normal diet

Clinical Otolaryngology, EarlyView.

Comorbid inner ear disorders in 50 patients with congenital nystagmus

Clinical Otolaryngology, EarlyView.

Use of silicone gel to enhance skin wound healing by secondary intention following tumour excision on the scalp and extremities

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.

Thyroid function in hidradenitis suppurativa: a population‐based cross‐sectional study from Denmark

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.

Erythrodermic pityriasis rubra pilaris managed at home: intensive community care followed by ustekinumab

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.

Cutaneous sarcoidosis: a new subset in the spectrum of paraneoplastic dermatoses

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.

Immunohistochemical and molecular analysis of spitzoid neoplasms with pulverocyte subclones

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.

Chilblains accompanying interleukin‐1 receptor‐associated kinase (IRAK)‐4 deficiency

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.

Perforating folliculitis in association with liver impairment in a patient with chronic ductopenic rejection of liver transplant

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.

Pemphigus foliaceus and acquired haemophilia: a rare but important association with life‐threatening consequences

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.

A painless nodule on the lower leg

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.

Sun‐protection awareness in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.

Development of angio‐oedema after omalizumab injections in a patient with chronic spontaneous urticaria

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.

Syphilis screening before initiation of immunosuppressive and biologic therapy for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.

Disseminated interstitial granuloma annulare associated with hepatocellular carcinoma

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.

Intravenous immunoglobulins in dermatology. Part 1: biological mechanisms and methods of administration

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.

Intravenous immunoglobulins in dermatology. Part 2: clinical indications and outcomes

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, EarlyView.

Long‐term real‐life safety profile and effectiveness of fumaric acid esters in psoriasis patients: a single‐centre, retrospective, observational study

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.

Comparison of PCR‐based methods for the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis in two different epidemiological scenarios: Spain and Morocco

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.

When passion hurts: adverse cutaneous reaction to tattoo in a FC Barcelona soccer fan (‘Culé Dermatitis’)

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.

Current practices for the prophylaxis against bone mineral density loss in patients with autoimmune blistering disease treated with corticosteroids: an expert survey

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.

Cutaneous melanoma in France in 2015 attributable to solar ultraviolet radiation and the use of sunbeds

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.

Comments to: skin findings of twenty‐first‐century movie response

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.

Directing adipose‐derived stem cells into keratinocyte‐like cells: impact of medium composition and culture condition

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.

mRNA–miRNA crosstalk in basal cell carcinoma

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.

Twenty‐first‐century skin findings response

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.

Terra firma‐forme dermatosis is underestimated in children and is associated with atopic dermatitis

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.

The therapeutic potential of TNF‐α antagonists in toxic epidermal necrosis: insights from two cases and adverse event reports

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.

Mild Hailey–Hailey disease cases with aberrant splicing variants of ATP2C1 successfully controlled with excimer light

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.

Outcomes of radiation therapy of indolent cutaneous B‐cell lymphomas and literature review

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.

Favre–Racouchot syndrome: report of a case treated by plasma exeresis

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.

Psoriasis and multiple sclerosis: two diseases, one treatment

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.

The role of phototherapy in the surgical treatment of vitiligo: a systematic review

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.

Increased prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with alopecia areata: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.

Clinical and dermoscopic characteristics of congenital melanocytic naevi

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.

Basal cell carcinoma: the utility of in vivo and ex vivo confocal microscopy

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.

Skin temperature in youth soccer players with functional equinus and non‐equinus condition after running

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, EarlyView.

Distinguishing immunohistochemical features of alopecia areata from androgenic alopecia

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, EarlyView.

Systematic review of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) preparation and composition for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, EarlyView.

The efficacy and tolerability of 5‐aminolevulinic acid 5% thermosetting gel photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of mild‐to‐moderate acne vulgaris. A two‐center, prospective assessor‐blinded, proof‐of‐concept study

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, EarlyView.

Split face comparison between common concentration vs double dilution of intradermal abobotulinum toxin type A (Dysport) injection for facial lifting in Asians

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, Volume 17, Issue 3, Page 355-360, June 2018.

JCD Commentary—June 2018

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, Volume 17, Issue 3, Page 281-281, June 2018.

Issue Information

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, Volume 17, Issue 3, Page 275-276, June 2018.

Prevalence and risk factors for injection site skin infections among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Tehran

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, EarlyView.

Micropunch blepharopeeling versus blepharoplasty; what is the best procedure for upper eyelid rejuvenation?

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, EarlyView.

Efficacy and absorption of topical sirolimus for the treatment of vascular anomalies in children: A case series

Pediatric Dermatology, EarlyView.

Eosinophilic annular erythema treated with dupilumab

Pediatric Dermatology, EarlyView.

Self‐initiated use of topical cannabidiol oil for epidermolysis bullosa

Pediatric Dermatology, EarlyView.

A tale of two clones: Caldesmon staining in the differentiation of cutaneous spindle cell neoplasms

Journal of Cutaneous Pathology, EarlyView.

Cutaneous presentation preceding acute myeloid leukemia with CD4+/CD56+ expression misdiagnosed as a blastic plasmocytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: A case report

Journal of Cutaneous Pathology, EarlyView.

Sensitivity and specificity of ex vivo dermatoscopy: a case series

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.

Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis occurring in a patient with relapsing polychondritis

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.

Acquired digital fibrokeratoma: review of its clinical and dermoscopic features and differential diagnosis

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.

“The Evolution of Eyebrow Morphology: The Westmore Model Revisited”

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.

Multiple facial translucent papules

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.

Dermoscopic patterns of filiform papillae of the tongue in patients with and without connective tissue autoimmune diseases

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.

Ertapenem – a potent treatment for clinical and quality of life improvement in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

International Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.

Association of interleukin 22 gene polymorphisms and serum IL‐22 level with risk of systemic lupus erythematosus in a Chinese population

Clinical &Experimental Immunology, EarlyView.

Is depression screening in patients with acne critical?

British Journal of Dermatology, EarlyView.

Issue Information

Photodermatology, Photoimmunology &Photomedicine, Volume 34, Issue 3, Page 163-164, May 2018.

More manuscript submissions, higher quality science for Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine

Photodermatology, Photoimmunology &Photomedicine, Volume 34, Issue 3, Page 166-166, May 2018.

Photodermatology and Photomedicine: Meeting Calendar

Photodermatology, Photoimmunology &Photomedicine, Volume 34, Issue 3, Page 165-165, May 2018.

Alkylphenol and bisphenol A contamination of urban runoff: an evaluation of the emission potentials of various construction materials and automotive supplies

Abstract

Alkylphenol (AP) and bisphenol A (BPA) contamination of urban runoff has already been established. Potential sources of these contaminants in runoff are endogenous to the urban watershed and are mainly related to traffic and leaching from construction materials. This article summarizes the results of experimental work carried out on a selection of building materials, automotive materials, and consumables, which can be in contact with rain, to assess their potential emission of alkylphenols, alkylphenol ethoxylates, and bisphenol A into runoff. 36 samples of materials, new and used, across 7 major families of building materials (PVC, concrete, polycarbonate, SBS-modified bitumen, drainage materials) and automotive materials (body, tires) were subjected to leaching tests with methanol and then, for a selection of them, with water. Automotive fluids were also directly analyzed. The results demonstrate the ubiquitous presence of APs and BPA in urban materials and their extractable character with water. The compounds with the strongest emission rates were bisphenol A and nonylphenol. The most important BPA emissions into water (10 to 300 ng/g) were measured for polycarbonate, tires, some car bodies, and PVC. Nonylphenol was leached in large quantities (1 to 10 ng/g) from PVC, some concretes, SBS-modified bitumen, and body samples. The tires were the only materials having a strong emission in octylphenol (1 to 10 ng/g). The analysis of automotive fluids confirmed the presence of BPA (0.3 to 5.5 g/L) and nonylphenol (2.3 to 2.9 mg/L) in brake fluids, while APs and BPA were found at trace levels in coolants and windscreen washer.

Graphical abstract

ᅟ

Effects of flavor enhancers on the survival and behavior of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract

To understand whether flavor enhancers pose potential risks to the environment, it is important to assess its effects on insects. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of flavor enhancers on the survival and behaviors of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. In this study, we found that the mortality of S. invicta workers that were fed glutamic acid monosodium salt hydrate, glycine, L-alanine, succinic acid, succinic acid disodium, inosinate 5′-monophosphate disodium salt hydrate, and GMP were significantly higher than the mortality rates of workers fed sucrose. Moreover, glycine and GMP exhibited the strongest toxicities and caused 100% mortality in workers after 84 h. LC₅₀ values were 0.004 g/ml and 0.02 g/ml for GMP and glycine, respectively. Additionally, at sublethal doses, both GMP and glycine solutions decreased foraging and digging behaviors. Our results suggest that flavor enhancers are toxic to insects and also likely to have a negative impact at sublethal concentrations.

Ternary cross-coupled nanohybrid for high-efficiency 1H-benzo[ d ]imidazole chemisorption

Abstract

1H-Benzo[d]imidazole (BMA) has been considered as an emerging pharmaceutical organic contaminant, leading to the increasing BMA detection in wastewaters and need to be removed from ecosystem. This study investigated a highly synergistic BMA chemisorption using a novel ternary cross-coupled nanohybrid [γ-APTES]-Fe₃O₄@PAN@rGO. Magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄) were in situ core-shell co-precipitated with polyacrylonitrile polymer (PAN). Then, the prepared Fe₃O₄@PAN was decorated on hexagonal arrays of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) inside the framework of γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane ([γ-APTES]). The final nanohybrid [γ-APTES]-Fe₃O₄@PAN@rGO produced adjacent inter-fringe distances of 0.2–0.4 nm corresponded well to (111), (220), and (311) parallel sub-lattices with two oblique intersections at 90° right angle and 60° triangle. The BMA adsorption was favorable in neutral pH 7, aroused temperature (50 °C), and controlled by endothermic process. The identified maximum adsorption capacity of 221.73 mg g⁻¹ was 30% higher than the reported adsorbents. The adsorption mechanisms include ion exchange, hydrogen bond, dipole-dipole force, π-conjugation, electrostatic, and hydrophobic interaction.

Graphical abstract

The synthetic route of novel nanohybrid [γ-APTES]-Fe₃O₄@PAN@rGO was investigated. After BMA adsorption, the adsorbent surface was entirely changed, thus an efficiently facile magnetic separation within 8s. [γ-APTES]-Fe₃O₄@PAN@rGO formed different oblique intersections of 60° and 90° sub-lattices

Evaluation of gray matter perfusion in episodic migraine using voxel-wise comparison of 3D pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling

Although previous studies have demonstrated that structural and functional abnormalities in episodic migraine (EM), less is known about altered brain perfusion in the EM. The aim of this study is to investigat...

The role of sex-determining region Y-box 6 in melanogenesis in alpaca melanocytes

The sex-determining region Y-box (SOX) family consists of 20 genes [1]. These genes encode transcriptional factors with a high-mobility group (HMG) box DNA-binding domain, which is very similar to that of the sex-determining region (Sry) protein [2]. Based on the sequence identity inside and outside of this domain, the SOX genes are classified into 8 groups, named as SOXA through SOXH. SOX6 belongs to the SOXD group in most vertebrates, together with SOX5 and SOX13 [2].

DNAJA4 Deficiency Enhances NF-kappa B-related Growth Arrest Induced by Hyperthermia in Human Keratinocytes

Exogeneous hyperthermia, defined as a 30–60 minute exposure to a thermal stimulus of 40–44 °C, has been employed in treatment of an array of diseases [1]. This technique has proved effective in the treatment of various of cancers such as cervical, bladder and head and neck cancer [2–4]. Within our clinic we have used local hyperthermia at 44 ± 0.1 °C in the treatment of plantar warts and found this procedure to be more effective than that of conventional therapies [5,6]. With this method, we have also successfully alleviated cutaneous warts in patients with diabetes mellitus [7], systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) [8], Darier disease [9] and pregnancy [10], all of which had experienced failures with conventional treatments.

ddY Mice Fed 10% Fat Diet Exhibit High p27KIP Expression and Delayed Hepatocyte DNA Synthesis During Liver Regeneration

Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders, Ahead of Print.

Association analysis between spatiotemporal variation of vegetation greenness and precipitation/temperature in the Yangtze River Basin (China)

Abstract

The variation in vegetation greenness provides good understanding of the sustainable management and monitoring of land surface ecosystems. The present paper discusses the spatial-temporal changes in vegetation and controlling factors in the Yangtze River Basin (YRB) using Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for the period 2001–2013. Theil-Sen Median trend analysis, Pearson correlation coefficients, and residual analysis have been used, which shows decreasing trend of the annual mean NDVI over the whole YRB. Spatially, the regions with significant decreasing trends were mainly located in parts of central YRB, and pronounced increasing trends were observed in parts of the eastern and western YRB. The mean NDVI during spring and summer seasons increased, while it decreased during autumn and winter seasons. The seasonal mean NDVI shows spatial heterogeneity due to the vegetation types. The correlation analysis shows a positive relation between NDVI and temperature over most of the YRB, whereas NDVI and precipitation show a negative correlation. The residual analysis shows an increase in NDVI in parts of eastern and western YRB and the decrease in NDVI in the small part of Yangtze River Delta (YRD) and the mid-western YRB due to human activities. In general, climate factors were the principal drivers of NDVI variation in YRB in recent years.

Temporal Response Properties of Accessory Olfactory Bulb Neurons: Limitations and Opportunities for Decoding

The vomeronasal system (VNS) is a major vertebrate chemosensory system that functions in parallel to the main olfactory system (MOS). Despite many similarities, the two systems dramatically differ in the temporal domain. While MOS responses are governed by breathing and follow a subsecond temporal scale, VNS responses are uncoupled from breathing and evolve over seconds. This suggests that the contribution of response dynamics to stimulus information will differ between these systems. While temporal dynamics in the MOS are widely investigated, similar analyses in the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) are lacking. Here, we have addressed this issue using controlled stimulus delivery to the vomeronasal organ of male and female mice. We first analyzed the temporal properties of AOB projection neurons and demonstrated that neurons display prolonged, variable, and neuron-specific characteristics. We then analyzed various decoding schemes using AOB population responses. We showed that compared with the simplest scheme (i.e., integration of spike counts over the entire response period), the division of this period into smaller temporal bins actually yields poorer decoding accuracy. However, optimal classification accuracy can be achieved well before the end of the response period by integrating spike counts within temporally defined windows. Since VNS stimulus uptake is variable, we analyzed decoding using limited information about stimulus uptake time, and showed that with enough neurons, such time-invariant decoding is feasible. Finally, we conducted simulations that demonstrated that, unlike the main olfactory bulb, the temporal features of AOB neurons disfavor decoding with high temporal accuracy, and, rather, support decoding without precise knowledge of stimulus uptake time.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT A key goal in sensory system research is to identify which metrics of neuronal activity are relevant for decoding stimulus features. Here, we describe the first systematic analysis of temporal coding in the vomeronasal system (VNS), a chemosensory system devoted to socially relevant cues. Compared with the main olfactory system, timescales of VNS function are inherently slower and variable. Using various analyses of real and simulated data, we show that the consideration of response times relative to stimulus uptake can aid the decoding of stimulus information from neuronal activity. However, response properties of accessory olfactory bulb neurons favor decoding schemes that do not rely on the precise timing of stimulus uptake. Such schemes are consistent with the variable nature of VNS stimulus uptake.

Asymmetric Golgi Repositioning: A Prerequisite for Appropriate Dendrite Formation in Adult-Born Neurons

The Neural Correlates of Hierarchical Predictions for Perceptual Decisions

Sensory information is inherently noisy, sparse, and ambiguous. In contrast, visual experience is usually clear, detailed, and stable. Bayesian theories of perception resolve this discrepancy by assuming that prior knowledge about the causes underlying sensory stimulation actively shapes perceptual decisions. The CNS is believed to entertain a generative model aligned to dynamic changes in the hierarchical states of our volatile sensory environment. Here, we used model-based fMRI to study the neural correlates of the dynamic updating of hierarchically structured predictions in male and female human observers. We devised a crossmodal associative learning task with covertly interspersed ambiguous trials in which participants engaged in hierarchical learning based on changing contingencies between auditory cues and visual targets. By inverting a Bayesian model of perceptual inference, we estimated individual hierarchical predictions, which significantly biased perceptual decisions under ambiguity. Although "high-level" predictions about the cue–target contingency correlated with activity in supramodal regions such as orbitofrontal cortex and hippocampus, dynamic "low-level" predictions about the conditional target probabilities were associated with activity in retinotopic visual cortex. Our results suggest that our CNS updates distinct representations of hierarchical predictions that continuously affect perceptual decisions in a dynamically changing environment.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Bayesian theories posit that our brain entertains a generative model to provide hierarchical predictions regarding the causes of sensory information. Here, we use behavioral modeling and fMRI to study the neural underpinnings of such hierarchical predictions. We show that "high-level" predictions about the strength of dynamic cue–target contingencies during crossmodal associative learning correlate with activity in orbitofrontal cortex and the hippocampus, whereas "low-level" conditional target probabilities were reflected in retinotopic visual cortex. Our findings empirically corroborate theorizations on the role of hierarchical predictions in visual perception and contribute substantially to a longstanding debate on the link between sensory predictions and orbitofrontal or hippocampal activity. Our work fundamentally advances the mechanistic understanding of perceptual inference in the human brain.

Dopamine Triggers CTCF-Dependent Morphological and Genomic Remodeling of Astrocytes

Dopamine is critical for processing of reward and etiology of drug addiction. Astrocytes throughout the brain express dopamine receptors, but consequences of astrocytic dopamine receptor signaling are not well established. We found that extracellular dopamine triggered rapid concentration-dependent stellation of astrocytic processes that was not a result of dopamine oxidation but instead relied on both cAMP-dependent and cAMP-independent dopamine receptor signaling. This was accompanied by reduced duration and increased frequency of astrocytic Ca²⁺ transients, but little effect on astrocytic voltage-gated potassium channel currents. To isolate possible mechanisms underlying these structural and functional changes, we used whole-genome RNA sequencing and found prominent dopamine-induced enrichment of genes containing the CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) motif, suggesting involvement of chromatin restructuring in the nucleus. CTCF binding to promoter sites bidirectionally regulates gene transcription and depends on activation of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase 1 (PARP1). Accordingly, antagonism of PARP1 occluded dopamine-induced changes, whereas a PARP1 agonist facilitated dopamine-induced changes on its own. These results indicate that astrocyte response to elevated dopamine involves PARP1-mediated CTCF genomic restructuring and concerted expression of gene networks. Our findings propose epigenetic regulation of chromatin landscape as a critical factor in the rapid astrocyte response to dopamine.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Although dopamine is widely recognized for its role in modulating neuronal responses both in healthy and disease states, little is known about dopamine effects at non-neuronal cells in the brain. To address this gap, we performed whole-genome sequencing of astrocytes exposed to elevated extracellular dopamine and combined it with evaluation of effects on astrocyte morphology and function. We demonstrate a temporally dynamic pattern of genomic plasticity that triggers pronounced changes in astrocyte morphology and function. We further show that this plasticity depends on activation of genes sensitive to DNA-binding protein CTCF. Our results propose that a broad pattern of astrocyte responses to dopamine specifically relies on CTCF-dependent gene networks.

Mapping Frequency-Specific Tone Predictions in the Human Auditory Cortex at High Spatial Resolution

Auditory inputs reaching our ears are often incomplete, but our brains nevertheless transform them into rich and complete perceptual phenomena such as meaningful conversations or pleasurable music. It has been hypothesized that our brains extract regularities in inputs, which enables us to predict the upcoming stimuli, leading to efficient sensory processing. However, it is unclear whether tone predictions are encoded with similar specificity as perceived signals. Here, we used high-field fMRI to investigate whether human auditory regions encode one of the most defining characteristics of auditory perception: the frequency of predicted tones. Two pairs of tone sequences were presented in ascending or descending directions, with the last tone omitted in half of the trials. Every pair of incomplete sequences contained identical sounds, but was associated with different expectations about the last tone (a high- or low-frequency target). This allowed us to disambiguate predictive signaling from sensory-driven processing. We recorded fMRI responses from eight female participants during passive listening to complete and incomplete sequences. Inspection of specificity and spatial patterns of responses revealed that target frequencies were encoded similarly during their presentations, as well as during omissions, suggesting frequency-specific encoding of predicted tones in the auditory cortex (AC). Importantly, frequency specificity of predictive signaling was observed already at the earliest levels of auditory cortical hierarchy: in the primary AC. Our findings provide evidence for content-specific predictive processing starting at the earliest cortical levels.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Given the abundance of sensory information around us in any given moment, it has been proposed that our brain uses contextual information to prioritize and form predictions about incoming signals. However, there remains a surprising lack of understanding of the specificity and content of such prediction signaling; for example, whether a predicted tone is encoded with similar specificity as a perceived tone. Here, we show that early auditory regions encode the frequency of a tone that is predicted yet omitted. Our findings contribute to the understanding of how expectations shape sound processing in the human auditory cortex and provide further insights into how contextual information influences computations in neuronal circuits.

Palladin Is a Neuron-Specific Translational Target of mTOR Signaling That Regulates Axon Morphogenesis

The mTOR signaling pathway regulates protein synthesis and diverse aspects of neuronal morphology that are important for brain development and function. To identify proteins controlled translationally by mTOR signaling, we performed ribosome profiling analyses in mouse cortical neurons and embryonic stem cells upon acute mTOR inhibition. Among proteins whose translation was significantly affected by mTOR inhibition selectively in neurons, we identified the cytoskeletal regulator protein palladin, which is localized within the cell body and axons in hippocampal neurons. Knockdown of palladin eliminated supernumerary axons induced by suppression of the tuberous sclerosis complex protein TSC1 in neurons, demonstrating that palladin regulates neuronal morphogenesis downstream of mTOR signaling. Our findings provide novel insights into an mTOR-dependent mechanism that controls neuronal morphogenesis through translational regulation.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This study reports the discovery of neuron-specific protein translational responses to alterations of mTOR activity. By using ribosome profiling analysis, which can reveal the location and quantity of translating ribosomes on mRNAs, multiple aspects of protein translation were quantitatively analyzed in mouse embryonic stem cells and cortical neurons upon acute mTOR inhibition. Neurons displayed distinct patterns of ribosome occupancy for each codon and ribosome stalling during translation at specific positions of mRNAs. Importantly, the cytoskeletal regulator palladin was identified as a translational target protein of mTOR signaling in neurons. Palladin operates downstream of mTOR to modulate axon morphogenesis. This study identifies a novel mechanism of neuronal morphogenesis regulated by mTOR signaling through control of translation of the key protein palladin.

Drift in Neural Population Activity Causes Working Memory to Deteriorate Over Time

Short-term memories are thought to be maintained in the form of sustained spiking activity in neural populations. Decreases in recall precision observed with increasing number of memorized items can be accounted for by a limit on total spiking activity, resulting in fewer spikes contributing to the representation of each individual item. Longer retention intervals likewise reduce recall precision, but it is unknown what changes in population activity produce this effect. One possibility is that spiking activity becomes attenuated over time, such that the same mechanism accounts for both effects of set size and retention duration. Alternatively, reduced performance may be caused by drift in the encoded value over time, without a decrease in overall spiking activity. Human participants of either sex performed a variable-delay cued recall task with a saccadic response, providing a precise measure of recall latency. Based on a spike integration model of decision making, if the effects of set size and retention duration are both caused by decreased spiking activity, we would predict a fixed relationship between recall precision and response latency across conditions. In contrast, the drift hypothesis predicts no systematic changes in latency with increasing delays. Our results show both an increase in latency with set size, and a decrease in response precision with longer delays within each set size, but no systematic increase in latency for increasing delay durations. These results were quantitatively reproduced by a model based on a limited neural resource in which working memories drift rather than decay with time.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Rapid deterioration over seconds is a defining feature of short-term memory, but what mechanism drives this degradation of internal representations? Here, we extend a successful population coding model of working memory by introducing possible mechanisms of delay effects. We show that a decay in neural signal over time predicts that the time required for memory retrieval will increase with delay, whereas a random drift in the stored value predicts no effect of delay on retrieval time. Testing these predictions in a multi-item memory task with an eye movement response, we identified drift as a key mechanism of memory decline. These results provide evidence for a dynamic spiking basis for working memory, in contrast to recent proposals of activity-silent storage.

This Week in The Journal

Primary Tactile Thalamus Spiking Reflects Cognitive Signals

Little is known about whether information transfer at primary sensory thalamic nuclei is modified by behavioral context. Here we studied the influence of previous decisions/rewards on current choices and preceding spike responses of ventroposterior medial thalamus (VPm; the primary sensory thalamus in the rat whisker-related tactile system). We trained head-fixed rats to detect a ramp-like deflection of one whisker interspersed within ongoing white noise stimulation. Using generative modeling of behavior, we identify two task-related variables that are predictive of actual decisions. The first reflects task engagement on a local scale ("trial history": defined as the decisions and outcomes of a small number of past trials), whereas the other captures behavioral dynamics on a global scale ("satiation": slow dynamics of the response pattern along an entire session). Although satiation brought about a slow drift from Go to NoGo decisions during the session, trial history was related to local (trial-by-trial) patterning of Go and NoGo decisions. A second model that related the same predictors first to VPm spike responses, and from there to decisions, indicated that spiking, in contrast to behavior, is sensitive to trial history but relatively insensitive to satiation. Trial history influences VPm spike rates and regularity such that a history of Go decisions would predict fewer noise-driven spikes (but more regular ones), and more ramp-driven spikes. Neuronal activity in VPm, thus, is sensitive to local behavioral history, and may play an important role in higher-order cognitive signaling.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT It is an important question for perceptual and brain functions to find out whether cognitive signals modulate the sensory signal stream and if so, where in the brain this happens. This study provides evidence that decision and reward history can already be reflected in the ascending sensory pathway, on the level of first-order sensory thalamus. Cognitive signals are relayed very selectively such that only local trial history (spanning a few trials) but not global history (spanning an entire session) are reflected.

Stoichiometry of the Heteromeric Nicotinic Receptors of the Renshaw Cell

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are pentamers built from a variety of subunits. Some are homomeric assemblies of α subunits, others heteromeric assemblies of α and β subunits which can adopt two stoichiometries (2α:3β or 3α:2β). There is evidence for the presence of heteromeric nAChRs with the two stoichiometries in the CNS, but it has not yet been possible to identify them at a given synapse. The 2α:3β receptors are highly sensitive to agonists, whereas the 3α:2β stoichiometric variants, initially described as low sensitivity receptors, are indeed activated by low and high concentrations of ACh. We have taken advantage of the discovery that two compounds (NS9283 and Zn) potentiate selectively the 3α:2β nAChRs to establish (in mice of either sex) the presence of these variants at the motoneuron-Renshaw cell (MN-RC) synapse. NS9283 prolonged the decay of the two-component EPSC mediated by heteromeric nAChRs. NS9283 and Zn also prolonged spontaneous EPSCs involving heteromeric nAChRs, and one could rule out prolongations resulting from AChE inhibition by NS9283. These results establish the presence of 3α:2β nAChRs at the MN-RC synapse. At the functional level, we had previously explained the duality of the EPSC by assuming that high ACh concentrations in the synaptic cleft account for the fast component and that spillover of ACh accounts for the slow component. The dual ACh sensitivity of 3α:2β nAChRs now allows to attribute to these receptors both components of the EPSC.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Heteromeric nicotinic receptors assemble α and β subunits in pentameric structures, which can adopt two stoichiometries: 3α:2β or 2α:3β. Both stoichiometric variants are present in the CNS, but they have never been located and characterized functionally at the level of an identified synapse. Our data indicate that 3α:2β receptors are present at the spinal cord synapses between motoneurons and Renshaw cells, where their dual mode of activation (by high concentrations of ACh for synaptic receptors, by low concentrations of ACh for extrasynaptic receptors) likely accounts for the biphasic character of the synaptic current. More generally, 3α:2β nicotinic receptors appear unique by their capacity to operate both in the cleft of classical synapses and at extrasynaptic locations.

Decomposing Gratitude: Representation and Integration of Cognitive Antecedents of Gratitude in the Brain

Gratitude is a typical social-moral emotion that plays a crucial role in maintaining human cooperative interpersonal relationship. Although neural correlates of gratitude have been investigated, the neurocognitive processes that lead to gratitude, namely, the representation and integration of its cognitive antecedents, remain largely unknown. Here, we combined fMRI and a human social interactive task to investigate how benefactor's cost and beneficiary's benefit, two critical antecedents of gratitude, are encoded and integrated in beneficiary's brain, and how the neural processing of gratitude is converted to reciprocity. A coplayer decided whether to help a human participant (either male or female) avoid pain at his/her own monetary cost; the participants could transfer monetary points to the benefactor with the knowledge that the benefactor was unaware of this transfer. By independently manipulating monetary cost and the degree of pain reduction, we could identify the neural signatures of benefactor's cost and recipient's benefit and examine how they were integrated. Recipient's self-benefit was encoded in reward-sensitive regions (e.g., ventral striatum), whereas benefactor-cost was encoded in regions associated with mentalizing (e.g., temporoparietal junction). Gratitude was represented in perigenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC), the strength of which correlated with trait gratitude. Dynamic causal modeling showed that the neural signals representing benefactor-cost and self-benefit passed to pgACC via effective connectivities, suggesting an integrative role of pgACC in generating gratitude. Moreover, gyral ACC plays an intermediary role in converting gratitude representation into reciprocal behaviors. Our findings provide a neural mechanistic account of gratitude and its role in social-moral life.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Gratitude plays an integral role in subjective well-being and harmonious interpersonal relationships. However, the neurocognitive processes through which various components and antecedents of gratitude are integrated remain largely unknown. We developed a new interpersonal paradigm to independently and parametrically manipulate two antecedents of gratitude in a helping context, namely, the benefit to beneficiary and the cost to benefactor, to examine their representation and integration in the beneficiary's brain using fMRI. We found the neural encoding of self-benefit and benefactor-cost in reward- and mentalizing-related brain areas, respectively. More importantly, by examining effective connectivity, we showed that these componential signals are passed to perigenual anterior cingulate cortex, which tracks trial-by-trial gratitude levels. Our study thus provides a neural mechanistic account of gratitude.

Activity in Human Auditory Cortex Represents Spatial Separation Between Concurrent Sounds

The primary and posterior auditory cortex (AC) are known for their sensitivity to spatial information, but how this information is processed is not yet understood. AC that is sensitive to spatial manipulations is also modulated by the number of auditory streams present in a scene (Smith et al., 2010), suggesting that spatial and nonspatial cues are integrated for stream segregation. We reasoned that, if this is the case, then it is the distance between sounds rather than their absolute positions that is essential. To test this hypothesis, we measured human brain activity in response to spatially separated concurrent sounds with fMRI at 7 tesla in five men and five women. Stimuli were spatialized amplitude-modulated broadband noises recorded for each participant via in-ear microphones before scanning. Using a linear support vector machine classifier, we investigated whether sound location and/or location plus spatial separation between sounds could be decoded from the activity in Heschl's gyrus and the planum temporale. The classifier was successful only when comparing patterns associated with the conditions that had the largest difference in perceptual spatial separation. Our pattern of results suggests that the representation of spatial separation is not merely the combination of single locations, but rather is an independent feature of the auditory scene.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Often, when we think of auditory spatial information, we think of where sounds are coming from—that is, the process of localization. However, this information can also be used in scene analysis, the process of grouping and segregating features of a soundwave into objects. Essentially, when sounds are further apart, they are more likely to be segregated into separate streams. Here, we provide evidence that activity in the human auditory cortex represents the spatial separation between sounds rather than their absolute locations, indicating that scene analysis and localization processes may be independent.

GDNF, Neurturin, and Artemin Activate and Sensitize Bone Afferent Neurons and Contribute to Inflammatory Bone Pain

Pain associated with skeletal pathology or disease is a significant clinical problem, but the mechanisms that generate and/or maintain it remain poorly understood. In this study, we explored roles for GDNF, neurturin, and artemin signaling in bone pain using male Sprague Dawley rats. We have shown that inflammatory bone pain involves activation and sensitization of peptidergic, NGF-sensitive neurons via artemin/GDNF family receptor α-3 (GFRα3) signaling pathways, and that sequestering artemin might be useful to prevent inflammatory bone pain derived from activation of NGF-sensitive bone afferent neurons. In addition, we have shown that inflammatory bone pain also involves activation and sensitization of nonpeptidergic neurons via GDNF/GFRα1 and neurturin/GFRα2 signaling pathways, and that sequestration of neurturin, but not GDNF, might be useful to treat inflammatory bone pain derived from activation of nonpeptidergic bone afferent neurons. Our findings suggest that GDNF family ligand signaling pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of bone pain and could be targets for pharmacological manipulations to treat it.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Pain associated with skeletal pathology, including bone cancer, bone marrow edema syndromes, osteomyelitis, osteoarthritis, and fractures causes a major burden (both in terms of quality of life and cost) on individuals and health care systems worldwide. We have shown the first evidence of a role for GDNF, neurturin, and artemin in the activation and sensitization of bone afferent neurons, and that sequestering these ligands reduces pain behavior in a model of inflammatory bone pain. Thus, GDNF family ligand signaling pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of bone pain and could be targets for pharmacological manipulations to treat it.

Behavioral and Neural Representations of Spatial Directions across Words, Schemas, and Images

Modern spatial navigation requires fluency with multiple representational formats, including visual scenes, signs, and words. These formats convey different information. Visual scenes are rich and specific but contain extraneous details. Arrows, as an example of signs, are schematic representations in which the extraneous details are eliminated, but analog spatial properties are preserved. Words eliminate all spatial information and convey spatial directions in a purely abstract form. How does the human brain compute spatial directions within and across these formats? To investigate this question, we conducted two experiments on men and women: a behavioral study that was preregistered and a neuroimaging study using multivoxel pattern analysis of fMRI data to uncover similarities and differences among representational formats. Participants in the behavioral study viewed spatial directions presented as images, schemas, or words (e.g., "left"), and responded to each trial, indicating whether the spatial direction was the same or different as the one viewed previously. They responded more quickly to schemas and words than images, despite the visual complexity of stimuli being matched. Participants in the fMRI study performed the same task but responded only to occasional catch trials. Spatial directions in images were decodable in the intraparietal sulcus bilaterally but were not in schemas and words. Spatial directions were also decodable between all three formats. These results suggest that intraparietal sulcus plays a role in calculating spatial directions in visual scenes, but this neural circuitry may be bypassed when the spatial directions are presented as schemas or words.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Human navigators encounter spatial directions in various formats: words ("turn left"), schematic signs (an arrow showing a left turn), and visual scenes (a road turning left). The brain must transform these spatial directions into a plan for action. Here, we investigate similarities and differences between neural representations of these formats. We found that bilateral intraparietal sulci represent spatial directions in visual scenes and across the three formats. We also found that participants respond quickest to schemas, then words, then images, suggesting that spatial directions in abstract formats are easier to interpret than concrete formats. These results support a model of spatial direction interpretation in which spatial directions are either computed for real world action or computed for efficient visual comparison.

Encoding of Serial Order in Working Memory: Neuronal Activity in Motor, Premotor, and Prefrontal Cortex during a Memory Scanning Task

We have adapted Sternberg's context-recall task to investigate the neural mechanisms of encoding serial order information in working memory, in 2 male rhesus monkeys. We recorded from primary motor, premotor, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex while the monkeys performed the task. In each cortical area, most neurons displayed marked modulation of activity during the list presentation period of the task, whereas the serial order of the stimuli needed to be encoded in working memory. The activity of many neurons changed in a consistent manner over the course of the list presentation period, without regard to the location of the stimuli presented. Remarkably, these neurons encoded serial position information in a relative (rather than absolute) manner across different list lengths. In addition, many neurons showed activity related to both location and serial position, in the form of an interaction effect. Surprisingly, the activity of these neurons was often modulated by the location of stimuli presented before the epoch in which the activity changes occurred. In motor and premotor areas, a large proportion of neurons with list presentation activity also showed direction-related activity during the response phase, whereas in prefrontal cortex most cells showed only list presentation effects. These results show that many neurons had a heterogeneous functionality by representing distinct task variables at different periods of the task. Finally, potential confounds could not account for the effects observed. For these reasons, we conclude that these neurons were indeed participating in sequence encoding in working memory.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Traditionally, primary motor, premotor, and prefrontal areas have been considered to be mainly engaged in motor output, visuomotor transformation, and higher cognitive functions, respectively. Here we show that neurons in all three cortical regions participate in the encoding of a sequence of spatial stimuli in working memory. Furthermore, a central question in cognitive neuroscience has been the manner in which the position of an item within a sequence is encoded in the brain. Our findings provide direct neurophysiological support for a specific hypothesis from cognitive psychology: that of relative coding of serial order.

Canonical Notch Signaling Directs the Fate of Differentiating Neurocompetent Progenitors in the Mammalian Olfactory Epithelium

The adult olfactory epithelium (OE) has the remarkable capacity to regenerate fully both neurosensory and non-neuronal cell types after severe epithelial injury. Lifelong persistence of two stem cell populations supports OE regeneration when damaged: the horizontal basal cells (HBCs), dormant and held in reserve; and globose basal cells, a heterogeneous population most of which are actively dividing. Both populations regenerate all cell types of the OE after injury, but the mechanisms underlying neuronal versus non-neuronal lineage commitment after recruitment of the stem cell pools remains unknown. We used both retroviral transduction and mouse lines that permit conditional cell-specific genetic manipulation as well as the tracing of progeny to study the role of canonical Notch signaling in the determination of neuronal versus non-neuronal lineages in the regenerating adult OE. Excision of either Notch1 or Notch2 genes alone in HBCs did not alter progenitor fate during recovery from epithelial injury, whereas conditional knock-out of both Notch1 and Notch2 together, retroviral transduction of progenitors with a dominant-negative form of MAML (mastermind-like), or excision of the downstream cofactor RBPJ caused progeny to adopt a neuronal fate exclusively. Conversely, we show that overexpressing the Notch1-intracellular domain (N1ICD) either genetically or by transduction blocks neuronal differentiation completely. However, N1ICD overexpression requires both alleles of the canonical cofactor RBPJ to specify downstream lineage. Together, our results suggest that canonical RBPJ-dependent Notch signaling through redundant Notch1 and Notch2 receptors is both necessary and sufficient for determining neuronal versus non-neuronal differentiation in the regenerating adult OE.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Despite the substantial reconstitution of the olfactory epithelium and its population of sensory neurons after injury, disruption and exhaustion of neurogenesis is a consequence of aging and a cause of olfactory dysfunction. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the generation of replacement neurons and non-neuronal cells is critical to any therapeutic strategy aimed at rebuilding a functional neuroepithelium. The results shown here demonstrate that canonical Notch signaling determines the balance between neurons and non-neuronal cells during restoration of the epithelium after injury. Moreover, the complexities of the multiple Notch pathways impinging on that decision are dissected in detail. Finally, RBPJ, the canonical Notch transcriptional cofactor, exhibits a heretofore unreported haploinsufficiency in setting the balance among the regenerating populations.

Integral use of plants and their residues: the case of cocoyam ( Xanthosoma sagittifolium ) conversion through biorefineries at small scale

Abstract

During last decades, there has been a growing interest of decreasing the environmental impact generated by humans. This situation has been approached from different perspectives being the integral use of raw materials as one of the best alternatives. It was estimated that 3.7 × 10⁹ tonnes of agricultural residues are produced annually worldwide. Then, the integral use of feedstocks has been studied through the biorefinery concept. A biorefinery can be a promissory option for processing feedstocks in rural zones aiming to boost the techno-economic and social growth. However, many plants produced at small scale in rural zones without high industrial use contribute with residues usually not studied as raw materials for other processes. Cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) is a plant grown extensively in tropical regions. Nigeria, China, and Ghana are the main producers with 1.3, 1.18, and 0.9 million tonnes/year, respectively. In Colombia, there are no technified crops, but it is used where it is grown mainly as animal feed. This plant consists of leaves, stem, and a tuber but the use is generally limited to the leaves, discarding the other parts. These discarded parts have great potential (lignocellulose and starch). This work proposes different processing schemes using the parts of the plant to obtain value-added products, and their techno-economic and environmental assessment. The simulation was performed with Aspen Plus and the economic package was used for the economic assessment. For the environmental assessment, Waste Algorithm Reduction of the U.S. EPA was implemented. The obtained results showed that the integral use of plants under a biorefinery scheme allows obtaining better techno-economic and environmental performance and that small-scale biorefineries can be a promissory option for boosting rural zones.

Endophytic bacterium Buttiauxella sp. SaSR13 improves plant growth and cadmium accumulation of hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii

Abstract

Inoculation with endophytic bacterium has been considered as a prospective application to improve the efficiency of phytoextraction. In this study, the effect of Buttiauxella sp. SaSR13 (SaSR13), a novel endophytic bacterium isolated from the root of hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii, on plant growth and cadmium (Cd) accumulation in S. alfredii was investigated. Laser scanning confocal microscopic (LSCM) images showed that SaSR13 was mainly colonized in the root elongation and mature zones. The inoculation with SaSR13 to Cd-treated plants significantly enhanced plant growth (by 39 and 42% for shoot and root biomass, respectively), chlorophyll contents (by 38%), and Cd concentration in the shoot and root (by 32 and 22%, respectively). SaSR13 stimulated the development of roots (increased root length, surface area, and root tips number) due to an increase in the indole-3-acid (IAA) concentrations and a decrease in the concentrations of superoxide anion (O₂^.−) in plants grown under Cd stress. Furthermore, inoculation with SaSR13 enhanced the release of root exudates, especially malic acid and oxalic acid, which might have facilitated the uptake of Cd by S. alfredii. It is suggested that inoculation with endophytic bacterium SaSR13 is a promising bioaugmentation method to enhance the Cd phytoextraction efficiency by S. alfredii.

Investigating the driving forces of China’s carbon intensity based on a dynamic spatial model

Abstract

In extant literature on China's carbon intensity, economic growth is considered an important determinant. However, the corresponding policy implications are slightly weak in subsequent practice because economic growth is an outcome of many economic activities, such as technological progress and capital stock accumulation. Furthermore, spatial spillover effects are ignored when using regional datasets. As a result, this study uses the dynamic spatial model to analyze the driving forces of China's provincial carbon intensity over the period 2000–2014. Results indicate that both technological progress and capital stock accumulation are important measures to carbon intensity reduction. China's current industrialization, urbanization, and special energy structure exert a negative effect on the decline in carbon intensity. In addition, China's provincial carbon intensity also exhibits considerable spatiotemporal distribution characteristics. As such, the corresponding policy measures are presented.

Impacts of meteorological conditions on wintertime PM 2.5 pollution in Taiyuan, North China

Abstract

Taiyuan frequently experiences heavy PM_2.5 pollution in winter under unfavorable meteorological conditions. To understand how the meteorological factors influence the pollution in Taiyuan, this study involved a systematic analysis for a continuous period from November 2016 to January 2017, using near-surface meteorological observations, radiosonde soundings, PM_2.5 measurements, and three-dimension numerical simulation, in combination with backward trajectory calculations. The results show that PM_2.5 concentration positively correlates with surface temperature and relative humidity and anti-correlates with near-surface wind speed and boundary layer height (BLH). The low BLH is often associated with a strong thermal inversion layer capping over. In addition to the high local emissions, it is found that under certain synoptic conditions, the southwesterly and southerly winds could bring pollutants from Linfen to Taiyuan, leading to a near-surface PM_2.5 concentration higher than 200 μg m⁻³. Another pollution enhancing issue is due to the semi-closed basin of Taiyuan affecting the planetary boundary layer (PBL): the surrounding mountains favor the formation of a cold air pool in the basin, which inhibits vertical exchanges of heat, flux, and momentum between PBL and the free troposphere, resulting in stagnant conditions and poor air quality in Taiyuan. These findings can be utilized to improve the understanding of PM_2.5 pollution in Taiyuan, to enhance the accuracy of forecasting pollution, and to provide scientific support for policy makers to mitigate the pollution.

Linear Keratotic Lesions in a Young Woman

A woman in her 20s presented with linear hyperkeratotic papules on her right arm in a Blaschkoid pattern. What is your diagnosis?

Topical Sirolimus to Treat Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) causes the formation of hamartomatous tumors in multiple organs. Facial angiofibromas frequently arise during childhood and can be a source of patient distress owing to bleeding and effects on appearance. The standard treatment is surgical, delivered by multiple modalities, including lasers, shave excision, dermabrasion, electrosurgery, or cryosurgery. These approaches are effective but can create concerns about the potential for scarring, pain, anesthesia risk, postoperative recovery, and the need for repeated procedures delivered in the office or operating room. Consequently, there has been interest in the development of a topical therapy for home use that is painless and nonscarring. In this issue, Koenig and collaborators show that topical 0.1% or 1.0% sirolimus (rapamycin) applied once daily is safe and effective for treating facial angiofibromas. This is welcome news for many with TSC. Furthermore, these results are expected to fuel investigations into other uses for sirolimus in dermatology. The story of how topical sirolimus became a treatment option for TSC is based in scientific discoveries of its molecular target and that target's role in relevant diseases.

Prevalence of Crohn Disease Among Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa

This cross-sectional cohort analysis of electronic health records from a large US database evaluates overall and subgroup prevalence of Crohn disease among patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.

Mogamilizumab Prior to Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

This case series describes characteristics of 8 patients with mycosis fungoides or Sézary syndrome who received mogamulizumab before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and any resulting graft-vs-host disease–related complications.

Topical Rapamycin in Patients With Facial Angiofibromas

This randomized clinical trial examines the efficacy and safety of topical rapamycin therapy for treatment of patients with tuberous sclerosis complex–related facial angiofibromas.

Immunotherapy-Related Eruption Limited to Sites of Melanoma Metastases

This case report describes 2 patients with cutaneous eruptions secondary to immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma limited to sites of locoregional melanoma metastases.

Commentary: Skin cancer in the military

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 78, Issue 6
Author(s): Oliver J. Wisco, Tamar Hajar, Donald J. Grande

Cover Sheet for Index

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 78, Issue 6

Table of Contents

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 78, Issue 6

Effect of alcohol-based hand rub on hand microbiome and hand skin health in hospitalized adult stem cell transplant patients: A pilot study

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 78, Issue 6
Author(s): Pranab K. Mukherjee, Jyotsna Chandra, Mauricio Retuerto, Karen A. Arters, Mary C. Consolo, A'ja Patterson, Saralee Bajaksouzian, James W. Arbogast, Todd J. Cartner, Michael R. Jacobs, Mahmoud A. Ghannoum, Robert A. Salata

Information for Readers

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 78, Issue 6

Self-healing juvenile cutaneous mucinosis: Clinical and histopathologic findings of 9 patients

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 78, Issue 6
Author(s): Isabelle Luchsinger, Jérôme Coulombe, Franco Rongioletti, Marc Haspeslagh, Anne Dompmartin, Isabelle Melki, Rawane Dagher, Brigitte Bader-Meunier, Sylvie Fraitag, Christine Bodemer
BackgroundSelf-healing juvenile cutaneous mucinosis (SHJCM) is a rare disorder, and its pathogenesis and long-term prognosis are unknown.ObjectiveTo elucidate the clinical and histopathologic characteristics, pathogenesis, and outcome in patients with SHJCM.MethodsRetrospective study of 9 patients with SHCJM. To complement initial findings, data collection forms were sent to the referring physicians.ResultsAll patients had an acute onset of firm nodules. Of the 9 patients, 6 presented initially with waxy papules on the dorsum of the hands; 5 suffered from periorbital edema, and 6 had a febrile prodrome. Histopathologic assessment of the papules revealed dermal mucin deposition, whereas the nodules showed proliferative fasciitis-like features or nonspecific chronic lobular panniculitis. Laboratory studies elicited evidence of active viral infection in 2 patients (human herpes virus 6 and rotavirus). Seven cases had spontaneous resolution within 6 months, and 2 patients with incomplete resolution showed subsequent transition to fibroblastic rheumatism and an autoinflammatory rheumatologic disease, respectively.LimitationsThis was a retrospective study with incomplete data from referring physicians.ConclusionsAlthough spontaneous complete regression is expected, patients with SHJCM need long-term follow-up because of the possible development of dematorheumatolgic conditions. The pathogenetic role of microbial agents deserves further investigation.

JAAD Case Reports Article List

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 78, Issue 6

Rapid improvement of prurigo nodularis with cyclosporine treatment

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 78, Issue 6
Author(s): Lauren E. Wiznia, Shields W. Callahan, David E. Cohen, Seth J. Orlow

Journal Based CME Instructions and Information

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 78, Issue 6

Should medical students follow up on skin biopsy results? When education conflicts with patient privacy

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 78, Issue 6
Author(s): Marissa L.H. Baranowski, Benjamin K. Stoff

Langerhans cell histiocytosis in children

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 78, Issue 6
Author(s): Jolie Krooks, Milen Minkov, Angela G. Weatherall
Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is an inflammatory neoplasia of myeloid precursor cells driven by mutations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. When disease involves the skin, LCH most commonly presents as a seborrheic dermatitis or eczematous eruption on the scalp and trunk. Evaluation for involvement of other organ systems is essential, because 9 of 10 patients presenting with cutaneous disease also have multisystem involvement. Clinical manifestations range from isolated disease with spontaneous resolution to life-threatening multisystem disease. Prognosis depends on involvement of risk organs (liver, spleen, and bone marrow) at diagnosis, particularly on presence of organ dysfunction, and response to initial therapy. Systemic treatment incorporating steroids and cytostatic drugs for at least one year has improved prognosis of multisystem LCH and represents the current standard of care.

Editorial Board

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 78, Issue 6

CME examination

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 78, Issue 6

Horizontal and vertical sections of scalp biopsy specimens from dermatomyositis patients with scalp involvement

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 78, Issue 6
Author(s): Julio Jasso-Olivares, José Manuel Diaz-Gonzalez, Mariya Miteva
BackgroundThe histologic findings of scalp involvement in dermatomyositis are not well characterized on account of a lack of large series.ObjectiveTo systematize the histologic features of scalp involvement in dermatomyositis on horizontal and vertical sections.MethodsA descriptive, prospective, cross-sectional study recruited 31 patients with pathologically and serologically confirmed dermatomyositis in Mexico City, Mexico, from June 2014 to June 2015. A total of 36 scalp biopsy specimens from 20 patients with scalp involvement in dermatomyositis were processed as 20 vertical and 16 horizontal sections.ResultsDilated capillaries and diffuse mucin deposition were detected in all biopsy specimens, followed by interface dermatitis. Partial or segmental thickening of the basement membrane, hyperkeratosis, atrophic epidermis, and acrosyringeal hypergranulosis with hyperkeratosis were other very common findings. Preserved follicular architecture, with intact or slightly atrophic sebaceous glands, was present in most horizontal sections. There was decreased follicular density, with a terminal-to-vellus ratio of 4:1 and telogen count of 10.3%. Eosinophils were present in 15% and 25% of horizontal and vertical sections, respectively.LimitationsNo special stains performed.ConclusionScalp involvement in dermatomyositis shows nonscarring pattern on horizontal sections that is consistent with chronic telogen effluvium. Telangiectasia and mucin are universal histologic features; eosinophils and acrosyringeal hypergranulosis with hyperkeratosis are new findings.

Answers to CME examination

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 78, Issue 6

Treatment of vitiligo with the topical Janus kinase inhibitor ruxolitinib: A 32-week open-label extension study with optional narrow-band ultraviolet B

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 78, Issue 6
Author(s): Deep Joshipura, Abdulaziz Alomran, Pedro Zancanaro, David Rosmarin

Langerhans cell histiocytosis in children

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 78, Issue 6
Author(s): Jolie Krooks, Milen Minkov, Angela G. Weatherall
A definitive diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) requires a combination of clinical presentation, histology, and immunohistochemistry. The inflammatory infiltrate contains various proportions of LCH cells, the disease hallmark, which are round and have characteristic "coffee-bean" cleaved nuclei and eosinophilic cytoplasm. Positive immunohistochemistry staining for CD1a and CD207 (langerin) are required for a definitive diagnosis. Isolated cutaneous disease should only be treated when symptomatic, because spontaneous resolution is common. Topical steroids are first-line treatment for localized disease of skin and bone. For multifocal single-system or multisystem disease, systemic treatment with steroids and vinblastine for 12 months is the standard first-line regimen. Current research is seeking more effective regimens because recurrence rates, which increase the risk of sequelae, are still high (30-50%) in patients with multisystem disease. An active area of research is the use of targeted therapy directed at the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Adequate follow-up to monitor for disease progression, relapse, and sequelae is recommended in all patients.

Occurrence of vismodegib-induced cramps (muscular spasms) in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma: A prospective study in 30 patients

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 78, Issue 6
Author(s): Edwina Girard, Arnaud Lacour, Henry Abi Rached, Nassima Ramdane, Carole Templier, Véronique Dziwniel, Eve Desmedt, Emilie Le Rhun, Laurent Mortier

CME examination

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 78, Issue 6

Answers to CME examination

Publication date: June 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 78, Issue 6

Short-term effects of particle size fractions on lung function of late adolescents

Abstract

Although ambient air pollution has been linked to reduced lung function in healthy students, longitudinal studies that compare the response of asthmatic and healthy adolescents are lacking. To evaluate lung function responses to short-term ambient air particulate matter (PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and PM₁) levels, we conducted a study on high school students aged 15–18 years. The aim of this study was to assess effects of acute exposure to ambient air particulate matter (PM) on lung function in healthy and asthmatic late adolescents. We examined associations of lung function indices and ambient PM levels in 23 asthmatic and 23 healthy students. Paired-samples T test was used to evaluate the association of exposure to airborne PM concentrations with lung function test results (FVC, FEV₁, FEV₁/FVC, and FEF_25–75). We observed negative impact of exposure to an increased concentration of ambient air PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and PM₁ on lung function parameters of asthmatic and healthy late adolescents. These findings are consistent with other similar short-term studies which have confirmed the adverse effect of PM air pollution. These associations were stronger in asthmatic subjects compared with those in healthy ones. There are significant adverse effects of ambient air PM on pulmonary function of adolescents, especially asthmatics.

Co-digestion of sewage sludge with crude or pretreated glycerol to increase biogas production

Abstract

Anaerobic co-digestion of sewage sludge and glycerol from the biodiesel industry was evaluated in three experimental stages. In the first step, the addition of higher proportions of crude glycerol (5–20% v/v) to the sludge was evaluated, and the results showed a marked decrease in pH and inhibition of methane production. In the second step, co-digestion of sludge with either a lower proportion (1% v/v) of crude glycerol or glycerol pretreated to remove salinity resulted in volatile acid accumulation and low methane production. The accumulation of volatile acids due to the rapid degradation of glycerol in the mixture was more detrimental to methanogenesis than the salinity of the crude glycerol. In the third step, much lower amounts of crude glycerol were added to the sludge (0.3, 0.5, 0.7% v/v), resulting in buffering of the reaction medium and higher methane production than in the control (pure sludge). The best condition for co-digestion was with the addition of 0.5% (v/v) crude glycerol to the sewage sludge, which equals 0.6 g glycerol/g volatile solids applied. Under this condition, the specific methane production (mL CH₄/g volatile solids applied) was 1.7 times higher than in the control.

Aquatic plant debris changes sediment enzymatic activity and microbial community structure

Abstract

The retention of aquatic plant debris in freshwater systems favors a reduction in soluble reactive phosphorus (P) in overlying water through microbe-mediated mechanisms in sediment. For a more complete view of the changes in sediment microbial structure and functioning when receiving plant debris, the enzyme activities and microbial community structure in sediments incubated with or without plant debris were investigated. Significantly higher fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis, alkaline phosphatase, polyphenol oxidase, cellulase, β-glucosidase, and dehydrogenase activities were observed with plant debris treatment. High-throughput pyrosequencing showed that the number of total operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of bacteria estimated by using the Chao1 analysis was 2064 (in the control) and 1821 (with the plant debris treatment). The Shannon index, functional organization, and Venn diagrams revealed that the enriched OTUs in plant debris-treated community were less diversified than those in the control sample. The prominent bacterial phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were more diverse after plant debris addition. At the class level, the relative abundance of Alphaproteobacteria increased by 114% when plant debris was added, whereas the relative abundances of Beta-, Delta-, and Gammaproteobacteria decreased by 42, 78, and 86%, respectively. Azospirillum and Dechloromonas, the dominant phylogenetic groups at the genus level, increased with plant debris addition. Our study showed the importance of the above microbial genera in plant debris-mediated P retention in sediment.

Reply to Crispin Wright and Richard Zach

Omalizumab effectiveness by biomarker status in patients with asthma: Evidence from PROSPERO, a prospective real-world study

Publication date: Available online 22 May 2018
Source:The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice
Author(s): Thomas B. Casale, Allan T. Luskin, William Busse, Robert S. Zeiger, Benjamin Trzaskoma, Ming Yang, Noelle M. Griffin, Bradley E. Chipps

Long Term Follow up after Penicillin Allergy De-labeling in Ambulatory Patients

Publication date: Available online 22 May 2018
Source:The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice
Author(s): Idit Lachover, Shoshan Sharon, Yossi Rosman, Keren Meir-Shafrir, Ronit Confino-Cohen
BackgroundUnverified penicillin allergy label has negative health implications. Toaddress this, several de-labeling methods have been proposed.ObjectiveTo appraise the long term outcomes of the penicillin allergy evaluation in ambulatory patients, focusing on subsequent use of penicillins in individuals found not allergic. A secondary objective was to examine the consistency between the evaluation's recommendations and the allergy label.MethodsA retrospective medical records review and phone survey were carried out in ambulatory patients that were evaluated for suspected penicillin allergy in our allergy unit. Patients with an uneventful oral challenge test (OCT) were interviewed regarding subsequent penicillins use. Medical records were examined for antibiotic prescriptions and purchases. The records were also investigated for existing/erased penicillin allergy label and its consistency with the allergy evaluation.ResultsSix hundred and thirty nine patients with an uneventful OCT were available for the survey. During a 56 month follow-up, 70% (447 patients) have used penicillins at least once. One hundred and ninety two patients (30%) did not use penicillins. The main reason for not using penicillins was lack of a clinical indication. Three hundred thirty five patients (51.22%) carried a penicillin allergy label in their electronic medical file in spite of an uneventful OCT.ConclusionPenicillin allergy annulling via OCT has proven to be effective. Most of the patients who previously avoided penicillins have re-used penicillins safely.

Analysis of HLA-B allelic variation and interferon-gamma ELISpot responses in patients with severe cutaneous adverse reactions associated with drugs

Publication date: Available online 22 May 2018
Source:The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice
Author(s): Jettanong Klaewsongkram, Chonlaphat Sukasem, Pattarawat Thantiworasit, Nithikan Suthumchai, Pawinee Rerknimitr, Papapit Tuchinda, Leena Chularojanamontri, Yuttana Srinoulprasert, Ticha Rerkpattanapipat, Kumutnart Chanprapaph, Wareeporn Disphanurat, Panlop Chakkavittumrong, Napatra Tovanabutra, Chutika Srisuttiyakorn
BackgroundThe prevention and confirmation of drug-induced severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs) are difficult.ObjectiveTo determine the benefit of HLA-B allele pre-screening and the measurement of drug-specific interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) releasing cells in the prevention and identification of the culprit drug in SCAR patients.MethodsA total of 160 SCAR patients were recruited from six university hospitals in Thailand over a 3-year period. HLA-B alleles were genotypically analyzed. The frequencies of drug-specific (IFN-γ) releasing cells in SCAR patients were also measured.ResultsThe drugs commonly responsible for SCARs were anticonvulsants, allopurinol, beta-lactams, anti-tuberculosis agents, and sulfonamides. If culprit drugs had been withheld in patients carrying known HLA-B alleles at risk, it would have prevented 21.2% of SCAR cases, mainly allopurinol- and carbamazepine-related SCARs. Culprit drug-specific IFN-γ releasing cells could be identified in 45.7% (53/116) of patients with SCARs caused by five major drug groups, particularly in patients diagnosed with drug reactions with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms-DRESS (50.0%), followed by Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (46.0%), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (31.3%). According to our study, high frequencies of drug-specific IFN-γ releasing cells were significantly demonstrated in patients who suffered from DRESS phenotype, having anticonvulsants or the drugs belonging to the "probable" category based on the Naranjo algorithm scale, as the culprit drugs.ConclusionsHLA-B pre-screening would succeed in preventing only a minority of SCAR victims. Drug-specific IFN-γ releasing cells are detectable in almost half of patients. Better strategies are required for better SCAR prevention and culprit drug confirmation.

Delayed hypersensitivity skin reaction to hydroxychloroquine: successful short desensitization

Publication date: Available online 22 May 2018
Source:The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice
Author(s): Héloïse Barailler, Brigitte Milpied, Annick Chauvel, Pauline Claraz, Alain Taïeb, Julien Seneschal, Anne-Sophie Darrigade

Response to the Letter to the Editor by Goldberg and Terry

Re: “Growth Trajectories, Breast Size, and Breast-Tissue Composition in a British Pre-Birth Cohort of Young Women”

Hybrid Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy: Non-Erythemal in vivo Testing of Sun Protection Factor

Background/Aims: In order to define a label sun protection factor (SPF) of topically applied sunscreens, in vivo test methods like ISO 24444, FDA guideline, or the Australian standard are used worldwide. The basis of all these methods is provoking an erythemal skin reaction by UV irradiation to find the level of unprotected and protected minimal erythemal doses (MED). In vitro methods replacing the human skin by any kind of non-human material are still not available. Thus, offering the new hybrid diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (HDRS) technique that is able to stay on an in vivo level for SPF testing but meanwhile neglecting the UV-dose-related erythemal skin reaction is a perfect combination to take care of sun protection and any ethical concerns in SPF testing nowadays. Methods: HDRS is a combination of in vivo diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) measurements on the skin and in vitro transmission measurements of a sunscreen on a roughened polymethylmethacrylate plate. By this technique, the in vivo behavior of the investigated sunscreen on the skin is measured as well as the UVB absorption, which is still non-visible in the reflectance technique. In order to establish an alternative method for in vivo SPF testing, a huge number of sunscreens (80 samples) was measured by HDRS and compared to the worldwide accepted standard ISO 24444. The variety of sunscreens measured reflects a wide range of different types of formulations as well as a wide range of SPFs (5–120) to validate this new alternative SPF testing procedure. Results: The applied quantity of product as well as skin color dependencies of signal generation are shown to support any basic correlation of DRS signal generation and sun protection expectations. Far-reaching statistical data analyses show an excellent link of the new non-erythemally driven HDRS-SPF technique and ISO 24444 results. In the same way, HDRS-UVA-PF results can be correlated with UVA-PF values calculated from ISO 24443. Conclusion: Due to the elimination of any erythemal relevant UVB and UVA doses, absolutely no skin reaction occurs. Consequently there is no need to define a MED any more. For the first time an alternative way to SPF is shown without any ethical concerns of SPF testing in vivo and/or any restriction of SPF testing in vitro. Regardless of the type of formulation or the level of protection, an excellent correlation of SPF_HDRS and SPF₂₄₄₄₄ for sunscreen labeling could be found. By this new alternative non-erythemal technique, not only SPF values can be measured, but also UVA-PF values can be calculated with an excellent correlation to ISO 24443 from the same set of data. For the first time a robust alternative test method of SPF- and UVA-PF values is described, taking into account the interaction of sunscreen formulation and skin.
Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2018;31:220–228

Costaria costata Extract Suppresses Development of Atopic Dermatitis in chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene-treated NC/Nga Mice

We investigated the potential effects of Costaria costata (CC) on atopic dermatitis (AD) development in chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-treated NC/Nga mice. CC is a brown alga distributed across the seas of Korea, China, and Japan. A total of 40 mice were randomly assigned to 5 groups with 8 mice per group: untreated Balb/c mice, AD control (0.1% w/v DNCB-treated NC/Nga mice), positive control (i.e., DNCB-treated NC/Nga mice fed a dietary supplement of 66.6 mg/kg of body weight [b.w.] of CJLP133), DNCB-treated NC/Nga mice fed a dietary supplement of 100 mg/kg b.w. of CCE10 (CCE10 100), and DNCB-treated mice fed a dietary supplement of 300 mg/kg b.w. of CCE10 (CCE10 300) groups. The CCE10 100 and CCE10 300 treatment groups suppressed AD development including clinical and histopathological changes and a reduction in skin hydration induced by DNCB. In addition, Th2 cytokine production in primary splenocytes, serum IgE and histamine production, and mast cell infiltration into the skin were suppressed in the CCE10 300 mice compared to the CCE10 100 mice. Our finding demonstrated an inhibitory effect of CCE10 in AD development by means of improving the Th1/Th2 cytokine balance and anti-inflammatory effect in an in vivo model.
Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2018;31:212–219

Diclofenac Sodium 3% in Hyaluronic Acid 2.5% Gel Significantly Diminishes the Actinic Keratosis Area and Severity Index

Background/Aims: Actinic keratosis area and severity index (AKASI) is a new assessment tool to quantify the severity of actinic damage on the head. Thus far, it has not been evaluated in monitoring the efficacy of field-directed topical treatments in actinic keratosis (AK) in routine clinical practice. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine treatment outcomes by using AKASI 3 months after the initiation of topical application of diclofenac sodium 3% in hyaluronic acid 2.5% gel (DFS) in patients with AKs on the head. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with AKs who had AKASI scores prior to and after treatment with DFS. Results: Of the 24 patients included, 20 (83.3%) showed an improvement in AKASI, 2 (8.3%) a stable AKASI, and 2 (8.3%) a worsening of AKASI after a median (interquartile range) follow-up period of 91.5 days (89.8–104.3). The median AKASI reduction was 31.4% (16.7–59.1). The Wilcoxon test showed significant differences (p = 0.0008) between baseline and posttreatment AKASI values. Conclusions: AKASI is an easy-to-use quantitative tool for assessing the treatment outcome of field-directed therapies. Field-directed therapies of AK should no longer be monitored by assessments based on lesion counts alone.
Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2018;31:206–211

Antimicrobial resistance and the presence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase genes in Escherichia coli isolated from the environment of horse riding centers

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the antimicrobial resistance profile and the occurrence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase genes and to analyze the genetic diversity of Escherichia coli strains isolated from the environment of horse riding centers. The study was conducted using E. coli strains isolated from the air, manure, and horse nostril swabs in three horse riding centers differing in the system of horse keeping—stable (OJK Pegaz and KJK Szary) and free-range (SKH Nielepice). Resistance to antibiotics was determined using the disk-diffusion method, and the PCR technique was employed to detect the extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) genes, while the genetic diversity of strains was assessed by rep-PCR. A total of 200 strains were collected during the 2-year study, with the majority isolated from KJK Szary, while the smallest number was obtained from SKH Nielepice. The strains were mostly resistant to ampicillin, aztreonam, and ticarcillin. The tested strains were most frequently resistant to one or two antibiotics, with a maximum of ten antimicrobials at the same time. Two multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains were detected in OJK Pegaz while in KJK Szary there were two MDR and one extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strain. The ESBL mechanism was most frequently observed in OJK Pegaz (20.31% of strains) followed by KJK Szary (15.53% of strains) and SKH Nielepice (15.15% of strains). Among the ESBL-determining genes, only blaTEM and blaCTXM-9 were detected—blaTEM was mostly found in KJK Szary (53.40% of strains), while the second detected gene—blaCTXM-9—was most frequent in SKH Nielepice (6.06% of strains). The rep-PCR genotyping showed high variation among the analyzed strains, whereas its degree differed between the studied facilities, indicating that the type of horse keeping (stable vs. free-range) affects the genetic diversity of the E. coli strains. Having regard to the fact that the tested strains of E. coli were derived from non-hospitalized horses that were not treated pharmacologically, we can assume that the observed antimicrobial resistance may be of both—natural origin, i.e., not the result of the selection pressure, and acquired, the source of which could be people present in the horse riding facilities, the remaining horses which were not included in the study, and air, as well as water, fodder, and litter of the animals. Therefore, it can be concluded that the studied horses are the source of resistant E. coli and it is reasonable to continue monitoring the changes in antimicrobial resistance in those bacteria.

Hodgkin lymphoma: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up†

Précis of The Boundary Stones of Thought

Evaluation of membrane‐bound and soluble forms of human leucocyte antigen‐G in systemic sclerosis

Clinical &Experimental Immunology, EarlyView.

Introduction of a laser safety checklist in the ENT operating theatre—our experience across twenty cases

Clinical Otolaryngology, EarlyView.

Undergraduate ear, nose and throat training: How do we inspire the next generation?

Clinical Otolaryngology, EarlyView.