Advances, Challenges, and Future Perspectives of Microwave Reflectometry for Plasma Position and Shape Control on Future Nuclear Fusion Devices.

Providing energy from fusion and finding ways to scale up the fusion process to commercial proportions in an efficient, economical, and environmentally benign way is one of the grand challenges for engineering. Controlling the burning plasma in real-time is one of the critical issues that need to be addressed. Plasma Position Reflectometry (PPR) is expected to have an important role in next-generation fusion machines, such as DEMO, as a diagnostic to monitor the position and shape of the plasma continuously, complementing magnetic diagnostics.

Can Collagen Membrane on Bone Graft Interfere with Light Transmission and Influence Tissue Neoformation During Photobiomodulation? A Preliminary Study.

This study qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated the transmission of light through a collagen membrane and the consequent local bone formation in a critical bone defect and in an animal model. Currently, bone substitutes and collagen membranes are used to promote new bone formation; however, when associated with photobiomodulation, biomaterials can act as a barrier, hindering the passage of light radiation to the area to be treated. Light transmittance was evaluated with a power meter and a 100 mW, 808 nm laser source with and without membrane.

International eDelphi Study to Reach Consensus on the Methotrexate Dosing Regimen in Patients With Psoriasis.

Importance: A clear dosing regimen for methotrexate in psoriasis is lacking, and this might lead to a suboptimal treatment. Because methotrexate is affordable and globally available, a uniform dosing regimen could potentially optimize the treatment of patients with psoriasis worldwide.

Objective: To reach international consensus among psoriasis experts on a uniform dosing regimen for treatment with methotrexate in adult and pediatric patients with psoriasis and identify potential future research topics.

Portuguese recommendations for the treatment of psoriasis with biologic therapy.

Psoriasis is a highly prevalent chronic, inflammatory multisystem disease with a considerable impact on patients' quality of life and the healthcare system. This report presents the recommendations developed by the Portuguese Psoriasis Group of the Portuguese Society of Dermatology and Venereology that address several clinical questions arising during the management and care of psoriasis with biologic therapy, based on the available evidence. The recommendations were generated following thorough evaluation of existing guidelines on the treatment of psoriasis, publications concerning new biologic treatments that have not yet been considered in existing guidelines, as well as expert-based recommendations.

Comparative effectiveness of purpuragenic 595 nm pulsed dye laser versus sequential emission of 595 nm pulsed dye laser and 1,064 nm Nd:YAG laser: a double-blind randomized controlled study.

Introduction: Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea is a common condition in Caucasians. The most frequently used lasers to treat this condition are pulsed dye laser (PDL) and neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser (Nd:YAG). This study compares the treatment efficacy of purpuragenic PDL with that of sequential emission of 595 nm PDL and 1,064 nm Nd:YAG (multiplexed PDL/Nd:YAG).

Near-total lower lip reconstruction: combined Karapandzic and Bernard-Burrow-Webster flap.

Lip carcinoma is a common cancer of the head and neck region. It more often affects the lower lip (> 90%), and squamous cell carcinoma represents 95% of the cases. The authors present a reconstruction of the lower lip combining two classical flaps: the Karapandzic and Bernard-Burrow-Webster flap.

Evaluation of hygiene habits: cross-sectional study.

Introduction: It is well known that adequate hygiene is important for health. Even though this topic has drawn the attention of the media, little or no scientific investigation has been done.

Methods: We performed a comparative questionnaire-based cross-sectional study in three groups: patients attending a dermatology outpatient clinic, patients attending an internal medicine consultation, and community members.

Inverse psoriasis treated with ustekinumab.

Inverse psoriasis is characterised by the involvement of flexural skin folds. This form of psoriasis has distinct clinical and therapeutic features. This report refers to the case of a 48-year-old Caucasian man who was observed in our department, with a clinically and biopsy proven diagnosis of inverse psoriasis.

Gaps and barriers to tuberculosis screening among anti-tumor necrosis factor prescribers.

Delegates from the Tuberculosis Committee of the Portuguese Pulmonology Society, the Portuguese Rheumatology Society, the Portuguese Dermatology and Venereology Society and the Portuguese Gastroenterology Society, have revised and updated, in 2012, their guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection and active tuberculosis in patients that are candidates for therapy with biologic drugs. In order to identify perceived barriers to tuberculosis screening among patients candidate to anti-TNF treatment, we performed a cross-sectional survey including rheumatologists, gastroenterologists and dermatologists who prescribed anti-TNF agents, identified by the respective Scientific Societies, throughout Portugal. Ninety-five physicians (85 specialist and 10 trainees with more than 3 years of practice) participated in the survey, including 42 rheumatologists (response rate 28%), 32 dermatologists (12% response) and 21 gastroenterologists (4% response).

Treatment of thalidomide resistant pyoderma gangrenosum with etenercept.

Tumor necrosis factor alfa (TNF-α) is a cytokine with a central role in inflammation. Its blockade can be achieved by using specific inhibitors like etanercept. At present, etanercept is approved for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and psoriasis treatment.

Letter: Collision tumor: importance of the new auxiliary tools for diagnosis (an illustrative case report).

Collision tumor is a term used to refer to the association of various types of tumors in time and space. Despite most of them not being clinically relevant, sometimes there is a union between a benign lesion and a malignant one. The clinical diagnosis in these cases is usually extremely difficult, particularly if one of the lesions is pigmented.

Description and management of cutaneous side effects during erlotinib and cetuximab treatment in lung and colorectal cancer patients: a prospective and descriptive study of 19 patients.

Erlotinib and cetuximab are human epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRI) that are approved in monotherapy for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer after failure of at least one prior chemotherapy regimen. Papulopustular eruptions are the most frequent adverse effect, their occurrence being associated with increased survival in some studies. We describe 19 patients who presented with a rash located mainly to the face and trunk, without presence of comedones, shortly after initiation of EGFRI therapy.

Chromoblastomycosis associated with Fonsecaea pedrosoi in a carpenter handling exotic woods.

Chromoblastomycosis is a rare, hard to diagnose disease that arises mostly in the tropics, especially in humid areas, affecting mainly males and rural workers. It is characterized by verrucous plaques or nodules that are slow growing and attributed to infection by different pigmented (dematiaceous) fungi. Usually the infection develops after injury, being primarily located on the lower extremities.