Evidence for targeting autonomic dysfunction in systemic sclerosis: A scoping review.

Autonomic dysfunction is a common and early complication among patients with systemic sclerosis, suggesting that it may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease and be a potential target for therapeutic interventions. Although the true prevalence of autonomic dysfunction among patients with systemic sclerosis is still unclear, it is estimated that as many as 80% of patients may be affected. Autonomic dysfunction may lead to widespread multi-organ dysfunction through its effects on the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, sweat and salivary glands, and pupils.

Sulfites: The 2024 American Contact Dermatitis Society Allergen of the Year.

The American Contact Dermatitis Society (ACDS) selected sulfites as the 2024 Allergen of the Year. These common and potentially allergenic ingredients are used as preservatives and antioxidants in a variety of foods, beverages, medications, and personal care products. In this article, we review common sources of sulfite exposure, clinical manifestations of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to sulfites, and patch testing considerations for this emerging allergen.

Contact Dermatitis in the United States: A Population-Based Study on Patient Visit Characteristics and Treatment Prescription Patterns.

Contact dermatitis (CD) affects ∼15% of the general population over a lifetime. However, there is a lack of epidemiological studies on treatment patterns for CD. We aim to analyze the patient characteristics and prescribing patterns among dermatologists and general practitioners (GPs) (internal medicine [IM] and family medicine [FM]) for CD in the United States.

Genome integrity sensing by the broad-spectrum Hachiman antiphage defense complex.

Hachiman is a broad-spectrum antiphage defense system of unknown function. We show here that Hachiman is a heterodimeric nuclease-helicase complex, HamAB. HamA, previously a protein of unknown function, is the effector nuclease.

Color changes in the feet: a sign of autonomic symptoms in systemic sclerosis.

Objectives: Patients with autonomic dysfunction, or dysautonomia, often report discoloration of their dependent extremities, which is thought to be from venous pooling or acrocyanosis. A subset of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) are affected by dysautonomia but may be challenging to identify. We sought to determine whether patients with SSc who report discoloration in their feet have a higher burden of autonomic symptoms, including orthostatic, gastrointestinal (GI), urinary, secretomotor, and pupillomotor.

Evaluating CA-125 and PET/CT for cancer detection in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CA-125 and PET/CT in detecting cancer among adult patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of a single-centre cohort of adult IIM patients enrolled from 2003 to 2020. Data on CA-125 and PET/CT tests conducted within five years of IIM symptom onset were extracted from electronic medical records.

Evaluating the Associations Among Dysautonomia, Gastrointestinal Transit, and Clinical Phenotype in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis.

Objective: Our objective was to identify patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) with a high burden of autonomic symptoms and to determine whether they have a distinct clinical phenotype, gastrointestinal (GI) transit, or extraintestinal features.

Methods: In a prospective cohort of patients with SSc with GI disease, clinical data were systematically obtained at routine visits. Dysautonomia was identified by the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score (COMPASS)-31questionnaire.

Structure-guided discovery of ancestral CRISPR-Cas13 ribonucleases.

The RNA-guided ribonuclease CRISPR-Cas13 enables adaptive immunity in bacteria and programmable RNA manipulation in heterologous systems. Cas13s share limited sequence similarity, hindering discovery of related or ancestral systems. To address this, we developed an automated structural-search pipeline to identify an ancestral clade of Cas13 (Cas13an) and further trace Cas13 origins to defense-associated ribonucleases.

Occupational Contact Dermatitis in Construction Workers: A Retrospective Analysis of the North American Contact Dermatitis Group Data, 2001-2020.

Construction workers (CWs) are at risk for occupational contact dermatitis (CD) owing to workplace exposures. Determine the prevalence of occupational allergic CD and characterize common occupational allergens in CWs referred for patch testing in the United States and Canada. Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of patients patch tested by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group from 2001 to 2020.

Sunscreens Part 2: Regulation and Safety.

The second part of this CME article discusses sunscreen regulation and safety considerations for humans and the environment. First, we provide an overview of the history of the United States Food and Drug Administration's regulation of sunscreen. Recent Food and Drug Administration studies clearly demonstrate that organic ultraviolet filters are systemically absorbed during routine sunscreen use, but to date there is no evidence of associated negative health effects.

Sunscreens Part 1: Mechanisms and Efficacy.

As our knowledge of the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation continues to evolve, sunscreen remains an integral part of a comprehensive photoprotection strategy against multiple endpoints of ultraviolet-mediated damage. Part 1 of this review covers sunscreen active and additive ingredient properties, mechanisms of action and gaps in coverage. Following an overview of sunscreen's efficacy in protecting against sunburn, photocarcinogenesis, photoaging, pigmentary disorders, and idiopathic photodermatoses, we highlight considerations for product use and selection in children and individuals with skin of color.

An essential and highly selective protein import pathway encoded by nucleus-forming phage.

Targeting proteins to specific subcellular destinations is essential in prokaryotes, eukaryotes, and the viruses that infect them. Chimalliviridae phages encapsulate their genomes in a nucleus-like replication compartment composed of the protein chimallin (ChmA) that excludes ribosomes and decouples transcription from translation. These phages selectively partition proteins between the phage nucleus and the bacterial cytoplasm.