Line-field confocal optical coherence tomography of psoriasis, eczema and lichen planus: a case series with histopathological correlation.

Background: Line-field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC-OCT) is a novel, non-invasive technique that provides in vivo, high-resolution images in both vertical and horizontal sections.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate LC-OCT imaging in some inflammatory disorders and to correlate the resulting features with histopathology.

Methods: The retrospective study included patients with histopathological confirmed diagnosis of plaque psoriasis, atopic eczema and lichen planus, who were imaged with LC-OCT before the biopsy.

Note: An analyzer for field detection of H2S by using cavity ring-down at 1.57 μm.

A prototype analyzer for the detection of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), based on cavity ring-down spectroscopy, is described. The device exploits, whenever possible, optical fibers, in order to simplify the alignment and to improve the stability. A trade-off between low detection level and simplicity has been pursued.

[Changes in bile and blood lipid levels following chenodeoxycholic acid therapy].

Original and known methods and ordinary routine tests were used to evaluate changes in bile salts, phospholipids and cholesterol and in serum lipids induced in 50 patients during treatment with chenodeoxycholic acid (2-12 mg/Kg/day) for about 15 months. No significant differences in serum lipids, though a clear fall in triglycerides was noted in those who received 7-12 mg/Kg/day as opposed to 2-7 mg/Kg/day. There was a marked fall in the molar percentage of biliary cholesterol, followed by a significant reduction in the saturation index of Metzger.