Pilot phase results of a prospective, randomized controlled trial of narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

COVID-19 morbidity and mortality are driven by poor immune regulation. Narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy is standard of care in a number of immune-dysregulated diseases. To assess the efficacy of NB-UVB phototherapy for improving COVID-19 outcomes in high-risk, hospitalized, we developed the Adaptive Photo-Protection Trial.

Clinical Characteristics and Medical Management of Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis.

This case series reports the clinical presentation and course of treatment for 32 women with biopsy-proven idiopathic granulomatous mastitis.

White fibrous papulosis of the neck.

White fibrous papulosis of the neck is a rare diagnosisthat typically presents with white, 2-to-3-mmpapules on the posterior aspect of the neck. Wepresent an elderly woman with diffuse involvementon her abdomen and back.

Challenges in the management of disseminated progressive histoplasmosis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients in resource-limited settings.

The diagnosis of histoplasmosis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus in southern Africa is complicated by the nonspecific presentation of the disease in this patient group and the unavailability of sensitive diagnostics including antigen assays. Treatment options are also limited due to the unavailability of liposomal amphotericin and itraconazole, and the inability to perform therapeutic drug monitoring further confounds management. We present 3 clinical cases to illustrate the limits of diagnosis and management in the southern African context, and we highlight the need for additional diagnostic tools and treatment options in resource-limited settings.

IgA vasculitis (Henoch-Schönlein purpura).

We report the first case of direct immunoflourescence-proven immunoglobulin A (IgA) vasculitis associated with influenza infection in an adult patient. IgA vasculitis, which was previously known as Henoch-Schönlein purpura, is the most common systemic vasculitis in children but rarely occurs in adults. Disease onset often occurs after upper respiratory tract infections that are caused by adenovirus or enterovirus.

Second-line antiretroviral therapy: long-term outcomes in South Africa.

Background: Currently, boosted protease inhibitor-containing regimens are the only option after first-line regimen failure available for patients in most resource-limited settings, yet little is known about long-term adherence and outcomes.

Methods: We enrolled patients with virologic failure (VF) who initiated lopinavir/ritonavir-containing second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART). Medication possession ratios were calculated using pharmacy refill dates.

Sometimes it takes darkness to see the light: pitfalls in the interpretation of cell proliferation markers (Ki-67 and PCNA).

The degree of cell proliferation in a tumor is often associated with metastatic risk and mortality. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki-67 are proliferation markers that can be used to assess malignant potential in cutaneous lesions and pathological cell proliferation in psoriasis. These markers are elevated during periods of cell proliferation; however, they are also upregulated following UV irradiation.

Factors predicting discordant virological and immunological responses to antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1 clade C infected Zulu/Xhosa in South Africa.

Factors predicting suboptimal CD4 cell recovery have been studied in HIV clade-B infected US and European populations. It is, however, uncertain to what extent these results are applicable to HIV clade-C infected African populations. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression and longitudinal analyses using mixed models were employed to assess the impact of age, gender, baseline CD4 cell count, hemoglobin, body mass index (BMI), tuberculosis and other opportunistic co-infections, and frequencies of regimen change on CD4 cell recovery at 12 and 30 months and on overtime change in CD4 cells among 442 virologically suppressed South Africans.

Impact of a lecture about empirical bases of hypnosis on beliefs and attitudes toward hypnosis among Cuban health professionals.

The aim of this study was to examine whether a lecture on hypnosis can modify attitudes and misconceptions about hypnosis. The sample consisted of 97 health professionals from institutions in Havana City, Cuba. Group 1 consisted of 46 participants who received a lecture on hypnosis.