Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitors Increase Pigment Cell Proliferation and Melanization in Cultured Melanocytes and within a 3-Dimensional Skin Equivalent Model.

Vitiligo is a common chronic autoimmune disease characterized by white macules and patches of the skin, having a negative impact on patients' life and without any definitive cure at present. Identification of new compounds to reverse depigmentation is therefore a pressing need for this disease. The pharmacologic compounds phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors (PDE4is) are small molecules with immunomodulatory properties used for treatment of inflammatory dermatoses.

Thermoelectric characterization of crystalline nano-patterned silicon membranes.

Research towards efficient and environmentally friendly thermoelectrics proposes silicon nanostructures as possible candidates through reduction of the phononic thermal conductivity. However, there is scarce literature about experimental measurements of the thermoelectric figure-of-merit on actual crystalline silicon devices. This article reports on the fabrication and full thermoelectric characterization of crystalline 60 nm thick membranes.

Cutaneous Components Leading to Pruritus, Pain, and Neurosensitivity in Atopic Dermatitis: A Narrative Review.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing immunoinflammatory skin condition characterized by sensations such as pruritis, pain, and neuronal hypersensitivity. The mechanisms underlying these sensations are multifactorial and involve complex crosstalk among several cutaneous components. This review explores the role these components play in the pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis.

Similarities and differences in peripheral itch and pain pathways in atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is predominantly characterized by intense itching, but concomitant skin pain is experienced by more than 40% of patients. Patients with AD display considerable somatosensory aberrations, including increased nerve sensitivity to itch stimuli (hyperknesis), perception of itch from innocuous stimuli (alloknesis), or perception of pain from innocuous stimuli (allodynia). This review summarizes the current understanding of the similarities and differences in the peripheral mechanisms underlying itch and pain in AD.

Stasis Dermatitis: An Overview of Its Clinical Presentation, Pathogenesis, and Management.

Stasis dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of the lower extremities. It typically occurs in older individuals and is the cutaneous manifestation of venous hypertension caused by venous reflux. Such retrograde venous blood flow is the result of incompetent venous valves, valve destruction, or venous obstruction.

Pulmonary function in patients with chronic stroke compared with a control group of healthy people matched by age and sex.

Background: Effects of chronic stroke on pulmonary function are largely unknown.

Aim: To compare lung volumes in people with chronic stroke with a control group of healthy people matched by age and sex, as well as to investigate the relationship between the lung volumes and functional capacity.

Methods: A cross-sectional study involving people with chronic stroke.

The safety and efficacy of four different fixed combination regimens of adapalene 0.1%/benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel for the treatment of acne vulgaris: results from a randomised controlled study.

Background: Combined use of a retinoid and antimicrobial is recommended for acne, however, local tolerability issues may compromise patient adherence and treatment outcome.

Objectives: This multicentre, single-blinded controlled study was designed to determine whether modified adapalene/benzoyl peroxide (A/BPO, Epiduo, Galderma, France) regimens improve local tolerability during the first four weeks of treatment without impairing efficacy at Week 12.

Materials & Methods: In total, 120 subjects with mild-to-moderate acne received, during the first four weeks, A/BPO daily overnight (A/BPO-EN), A/BPO daily for three hours (A/BPO-3h), A/BPO daily overnight and a provided moisturizer lotion (A/BPO-moisturizer), or A/BPO every other night (A/BPO-EoN).

Design of Stripping Columns Applied to Drinking Water to Minimize Carcinogenic Risk from Trihalomethanes (THMs).

The aim of this study is the application of a software tool to the design of stripping columns to calculate the removal of trihalomethanes (THMs) from drinking water. The tool also allows calculating the rough capital cost of the column and the decrease in carcinogenic risk indeces associated with the elimination of THMs and, thus, the investment to save a human life. The design of stripping columns includes the determination, among other factors, of the height (), the theoretical number of plates (), and the section () of the columns based on the study of pressure drop.

Quality of Life Impact Related to Foot Health in a Sample of Older People with Hallux Valgus.

Hallux Valgus (HV) is a highly prevalent forefoot deformity in older people associated with progressive subluxation and osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint and it is believed to be associated with varying degrees of HV effect on the quality of life related to foot health. The aim of this study is to compare the impact of varying degrees of HV on foot health in a sample of older people. The sample consisted of 115 participants, mean age 76.

[Anterolateral approach for minimally invasive hip surgery].

Introduction: The approach for total hip arthroplasty (THA) using a mini-incision has been used progressively to decrease morbidity, achieve prompt patient recovery without an increased risk and shorten the hospital stay. However, the advantages and probable complications of these approaches are not clear. The objective of this paper is to compare the preliminary perioperative results of two groups of patients undergoing THA, one using the standard approach and the second one with a mini-incision.

[Sensitization to three species of mites in allergic patients from the coastal area of Havana city].

Background: Sensitization to three allergic mite species (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides siboney and Blomia tropicalis) from house dust in Cuba has been reported in different studies.

Objective: To assess allergic sensitization to these mites in a north coast area of Havana city.

Patients And Methods: A total of 210 allergic patients were selected, classified in two groups: from 1 to 14 years, and from 15 to 55 years.

Association of contact urticaria and allergic contact dermatitis to rubber.

We present a case of a healthcare professional that developed type I and IV hypersensitivity reactions to rubber. During the clinical examination the patient showed eczematous dermatitis of the hands. The patch test was positive for thiuram group and an open test with a piece of glove was positive after 20 minutes of exposure.

Rapid identification of respiratory viruses: impact on isolation practices and transmission among immunocompromised pediatric patients.

Objective: To determine whether empiric isolation of patients with acute respiratory virus infection symptoms could be discontinued when preliminary shell vial cultures were negative, and the impact of this approach on hospital resources.

Design: In 1993, we retrospectively reviewed respiratory virus test results from 1992 to 1993 and extended data collection prospectively through the 1993 to 1994 season. The rapid test and 48-hour shell vial results were compared to a standard of rapid test plus 5-day shell vial culture results to determine the sensitivity and specificity of these "preliminary" results.

Early reactivation of cytomegalovirus and high risk of interstitial pneumonitis following T-depleted BMT for adults with hematological malignancies.

Reactivation of cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and early reactivation with increased risk of interstitial pneumonia (IP) has been reported in T cell-depleted BMT. In 21 patients at risk for CMV reactivation following T cell-depleted BMT for hematological malignancies, CMV reactivation was the main cause of transplant-related mortality: 19 (90.5%) reactivated CMV and five (26% actuarial) developed fatal IP.

Mirror image osteochondral defects of the talus and distal tibia.

We describe a patient with an osteochondral defect of the talus and a mirror image lesion of the adjacent tibial plafond. Modification of the existing classification of osteochondral fractures of the talus may be necessary to describe such lesions.

Linking individual and organizational wellness.

In addition to intervening when workers have substance abuse or stress problems, many hospital employee assistance programs (EAPs) now include a wellness component that emphasizes prevention and organizational wholeness. The EAP at St. Joseph's Hospital & Medical Center, Paterson, NJ, has taken a number of steps to improve its responsiveness to employees' needs and promote constructive organizational changes.