Identification of Risk Factors Associated with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in Psoriatic Patients.

Introduction: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a common cause of chronic liver disease. Patients suffering from psoriasis are at an increased risk of developing MASLD. Psoriasis and MASLD share a pro-inflammatory cytokine milieu; however, it is still unclear whether these conditions are related through shared metainflammatory processes or shared comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome.

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.

Tuberculosis Risk Stratification of Psoriatic Patients Before Anti-TNF-α Treatment.

Psoriasis is a skin inflammatory condition for which significant progress has been made in its management by the use of targeted biological drugs. Detection of latent infection (LTBI) is mandatory before starting biotherapy that is associated with reactivation risk. Together with evaluation of TB risk factors and chest radiographs, tuberculin skin tests (TST) and/or blood interferon-γ-release assays (IGRA), like the QuantiFERON (QFT), are usually performed to diagnose infection.

Practical recommendations for systemic treatment in psoriasis in case of coexisting inflammatory, neurologic, infectious or malignant disorders (BETA-PSO: Belgian Evidence-based Treatment Advice in Psoriasis; part 2).

Background: Psoriasis patients carry an increased risk for associated comorbidities. Dermatologists have to be aware of the effects of systemic treatments not only on psoriasis but also on co-occurring diseases. In case of other coexisting inflammatory diseases, the right psoriasis treatment may improve both disorders.

Practical recommendations for systemic treatment in psoriasis according to age, pregnancy, metabolic syndrome, mental health, psoriasis subtype and treatment history (BETA-PSO: Belgian Evidence-based Treatment Advice in Psoriasis; part 1).

Background: Impressive progress in new therapeutic options has been made for psoriasis. Treatments include topical steroids, phototherapy, conventional, synthetic disease-modifying drugs and an expanding list of biologics.

Objective: The primary objective of this work was to collect evidence for the creation of practice guidelines for systemic treatment of psoriasis (BETA-PSO: Belgian Evidence-based Treatment Advice in Psoriasis).

A Belgian consensus on the definition of a treat-to-target outcome set in psoriasis management.

Objective: Treat-to-target (T2T) is an algorithm to reach a predefined outcome. Here, we define a T2T outcome for moderate-to-severe psoriasis vulgaris.

Methods: Briefly, the study included a literature review, discussions with key opinion leaders, recruitment of additional dermatologists with experience in managing moderate-to-severe psoriasis, 3 eDelphi survey rounds and a patient focus group.

Acute Erythroderma in a Patient Receiving TNF-α-Blocking Therapy for Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) normally binds to TNF-α receptors, leading to the inflammatory response of autoimmune diseases. Adalimumab is a TNF-inhibiting, anti-inflammatory, biological medication which binds to TNF-α, thus reducing this inflammatory response. The use of TNF-α-inhibiting medication, such as adalimumab, being the first FDA-approved treatment for hidradenitis suppurativa, has drastically changed the management of dermatological diseases.

[Psoriasis in 2016 : Co-morbidities and therapeutic update].

Recognition of psoriasis as a chronic systemic inflammatory condition rather than just a skin disease is now widely accepted in the medical community. Association with joint involvement and depressive symptoms has been established for many years and several studies demonstrated an increased risk for comorbidities. These include the metabolic syndrome, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and an increased incidence of cardiovascular events among those patients.

Recommendations for managing a suboptimal response to biologics for moderate-to-severe psoriasis: A Belgian perspective.

Over the past decade, biologics have become the gold standard in the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis for patients who have failed or who have contraindications to traditional systemic treatments. However, although practical recommendations on how to treat a suboptimal response to biologics exist in other chronic inflammatory diseases, they are only just beginning to emerge for psoriasis. This article aims to formulate recommendations in the case of a suboptimal response of psoriasis to biologics in the Belgian setting.

A new, low temperature long-pass cell for mid-infrared to terahertz spectroscopy and synchrotron radiation use.

A new cell has been designed for accurate spectroscopic measurements in the 80-400 K temperature range with variable path lengths from 3 to more than 141 m. The spectral coverage at these temperatures ranges from the visible to less than 10 cm(-1), thanks to the use of diamond windows. The design of the cryostat and vacuum setups allows vibration-free operation.

THz magnetoelectric atomic rotations in the chiral compound Ba3NbFe3Si2O14.

We have determined the terahertz spectrum of the chiral langasite Ba3NbFe3Si2O14 by means of synchrotron-radiation measurements. Two excitations are revealed that are shown to have a different nature. The first one, purely magnetic, is observed at low temperature in the magnetically ordered phase and is assigned to a magnon.

[Psoriasis: a chronic skin disease].

Psoriasis is a frequent chronic inflammatory skin disease. Physiopathological mechanisms are still partially unclear. Psoriasis results of the influence of environmental factors on a complex genetic background.

A ground state morphed intermolecular potential for the hydrogen bonded and van der Waals isomers in OC:HI and a prediction of an anomalous deuterium isotope effect.

An extended analysis of the noncovalent interaction OC:HI is reported using microwave and infrared supersonic jet spectroscopic techniques. All available spectroscopic data then provide the basis for generating an accurately determined vibrationally complete semiempirical intermolecular potential function using a four-dimensional potential coordinate morphing methodology. These results are consistent with the existence of four bound isomers: OC-HI, OC-IH, CO-HI, and CO-IH.

Microwave-based structure and four-dimensional morphed intermolecular potential for HI-CO(2).

(Microwave spectra of the four isotopologue/isotopomers, HI-(12)C(16)O(2), HI-(12)C(18)O(2), HI-(12)C(18)O(16)O, and HI-(12)C(16)O(18)O, have been recorded using pulsed-nozzle Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. In the last two isotopomers, the heavy oxygen atom tilted toward and away from the HI moiety, respectively. Only b-type Ka = 1 <-- 0 transitions were observed.

[The treatment of psoriasis: basic principles and new options].

Psoriasis is a frequent chronic disease with a typical cutaneous expression described as erythemato-squamous lesions, and sometimes, joint involvement. This disorder rarely causes death in patients, but often alters their quality of life. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of psoriasis has led to the development of new therapeutic options among which are treatments targeted on blocking T-cell activation.

Fatal varicella in an immunocompromised adult.

A fatal case of disseminated varicella in a 28-year-old immunocompromised woman is reported. Abdominal pain was the first manifestation of the disease, generalized vesicular eruption developed later. The cutaneous lesions became purpuric, and spontaneous hematomas appeared as a result of disseminated intravascular coagulation.