Experimental Models of Partial Intestinal Obstruction in Young Mice: Establishment, and Evaluation.

Background: Partial small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common, potentially hazardous, surgical entity caused by numerous factors in humans. A number of techniques have been reported as efficient to simulate partial SBO in murine models. However, there is little data concerning their long-term survival.

Differential performance of nailfold video capillaroscopic parameters in the diagnosis and prognosis of systemic sclerosis.

Objectives: The contribution of nailfold video capillaroscopy (NVC) in identifying patients with Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) at risk for systemic sclerosis (SSc) is well established. Herein we comparatively assess the performance of different capillaroscopic parameters in diagnosing SSc among patients with RP and evaluate the prognostic capacity of NVC in SSc.

Methods: At baseline we clinically and capillaroscopically evaluated 242 consecutive patients referred to our department for NVC (138 with SSc); 175 were reevaluated after 3.

Long-Term Treatment With TNF-Alpha Inhibitors Improves Bone Mineral Density But Not Vertebral Fracture Progression in Ankylosing Spondylitis.

The aim of this cohort study was to evaluate the long-term effects of TNF inhibitors (TNFis) on BMD and the incidence of vertebral fractures (VFxs) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Consecutive patients with active AS with TNFi treatment duration up to 4 years with available DXA scans and spine X-rays were included. BMD (classified according to the WHO criteria for osteoporosis) of the hip and lumbar spine, the VFx (classified as a Genant score >1/>20% height loss), and radiological progression (modified stoke ankylosing spondylitis spinal score [mSASSS]) scores were obtained at baseline and at 4 years of TNFi treatment.

Descriptive Epidemiology of Hidradenitis Suppurativa in Greece: A Study of 152 Cases.

Background/objective: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease that remarkably affects the patients' quality of life. A prospective study of 152 HS patients was conducted in order to depict the clinico-epidemiological characteristics of HS patients in Greece.

Materials And Methods: From February 2015 to August 2016, 152 patients attended the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Outpatient Clinic of our department.

Successful treatment of bullous lichen planus with acitretin monotherapy. Review of treatment options for bullous lichen planus and case report.

Background: Bullous lichen planus (BLP) is a rare variant of lichen planus, characterized by the development of vesicular and bullous lesions, of skin, nails, hair and/or mucosa.

Main Observations: We present a case of 63-year-old woman with BLP, unresponsive to previous therapies with topical corticosteroids, topical calcipotriol, antihistamines and oral cyclosporine (4 mg/kg/day for 4 months). She was already receiving treatment for arterial hypertension, hyperlipidemia, atrial fibrillation and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.

Serum levels of Dkk-1, sclerostin and VEGF in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and their association with smoking, and clinical, inflammatory and radiographic parameters.

Objective: To evaluate serum Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1), sclerostin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) compared to healthy controls as well as their association with smoking, and clinical, inflammatory and radiographic parameters.

Methods: Serum samples for total Dkk-1, sclerostin and VEGF were obtained from 57 tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor naïve patients with AS and 34 sex-, age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI), modified Stroke AS Spine Score (mSASSS) and smoking status were assessed for each patient.

Pubic Majocchi's Granuloma Unresponsive to Itraconazole Successfully Treated with Oral Terbinafine.

Majocchi's granuloma (MG) is an uncommon deep fungal infection. It is usually caused by Trichophyton rubrum and may develop in any hair-bearing skin, commonly on the face and the extremities. We present a 27-year-old female with MG of the pubic area treated unsuccessfully with itraconazole capsule 100 mg for 4 weeks.

Pathogenesis of Gastric Cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common malignancy and the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. GC is a heterogeneous disease and the endpoint of a long multistep process largely influenced by Helicobacter pylori infection, genetic susceptibility, and environmental factors. In a subset of GC cases, infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may also be involved.

Intertoe Squamous Cell Carcinoma Developed in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis under Etanercept Therapy.

The use of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors in the treatment of various inflammatory conditions has altered the field of medical therapeutics. Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common cancer of the skin, usually affecting sun-exposed areas of the body. We present here the case of a 75-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis, who developed an intertoe squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the right foot.

Angiotensinogen (AGT) M235T, AGT T174M and Angiotensin-1-Converting Enzyme (ACE) I/D Gene Polymorphisms in Essential Hypertension: Effects on Ramipril Efficacy.

Background: Hypertension, one of the most important risk factors for premature cardiovascular disease, is a major worldwide public health problem. Angiotensin-1-converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensinogen (AGT) gene polymorphisms are thought to be associated with primary hypertension. In the present study, we examined the frequency of these gene polymorphisms in an adult population with and without essential hypertension.

Psoriasis treated successfully with ustekinumab in a cocaine-addicted patient.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease estimated approximately in 2% of the European population. Drug abuse is reported in 3-5% of the global population.

Main Observation: We present a 41-year-old, cocaine-addicted patient male with severe plaque-type psoriasis treated successfully with ustekinumab.

Isotretinoin for the treatment of granulomatous rosacea: case report and review of the literature.

Background: Granulomatous rosacea is considered a clinical variant of rosacea and is characterized by hard yellow, brown, red or flesh-colored cutaneous papules or nodules that may be severe and may lead to scarring. The lesions typically appear on the cheeks and periorificial lesions; they are monomorphic in each patient and sit on relatively normal-appearing skin. The diagnosis should be established by excluding other granulomatous disorders and rosacea-like eruptions such as sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, and lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei.

Erlotinib-induced scalp perifolliculitis.

Erlotinib is a highly specific epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat various metastatic cancers. The most commonly reported side effects in patients receiving erlotinib are dermatitis and diarrhea. The authors present two cases of erlotinib-induced severe scalp perifolliculitis, which is an adverse reaction that has not been reported to date.

Malignant syphilis as the first manifestation of HIV infection.

Malignant syphilis is a rare and severe variant of secondary syphilis. It is clinically characterized by large papular, nodular and ulcerative lesions affecting the trunk and the extremities and covered with thick crust. We present a case of 52-year-old homosexual male who developed malignant syphilis and this was the first clinical manifestation of HIV infection.

Dermoscopy of tick bite.

A 54-year-old woman presented with a 12-h history of the appearance of numerous, intensively pruritic, erythematous papules on her trunk. Dermoscopy showed the presence of small-sized ticks in the majority of lesions. By using medium-tipped, angled forceps, 28 ticks were finally removed.

Ashy ears.

Alkaptonuria is a rare, autosomal-recessive disease of tyrosine degradation resulting from accumulation of homogentisic acid (HGA) within the body due to deficiency of the hepatic enzyme homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase[1]. HGD is the gene encoding homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase and is the only gene known to be associated with alkaptonuria. In this patient the disease also manifested itself with symmetric blue-gray discoloration on the helix cartilage of his ears.

Evaluation of epidermal growth factor receptor gene and chromosome 7 alterations in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, using chromogenic in situ hybridization on tissue microarrays.

Aims: To identify subgroups of patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx, characterized by the specific deregulation mechanism of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene, and to evaluate EGFR protein expression levels and correlate these with biological and clinicopathological parameters.

Materials And Methods: Using tissue microarray technology, 50 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded primary laryngeal SCCs were cored and re-embedded into one block. Immunohistochemistry and chromogenic in situ hybridization were performed.

Oral administration of cyclosporin A in patients with severe alopecia areata.

Alopecia areata is a chronic, nonscarring hair loss condition with an unpredictable course that may cause emotional stress in affected patients. Regarding its pathogenesis, the most accepted theory is that alopecia areata is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune condition that is most likely to occur in genetically predisposed individuals. Cyclosporin A is an immunosuppressive agent that has provided new approaches in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Successful treatment of genital and facial psoriasis with tacrolimus ointment 0.1%.

Tacrolimus is an immunomodulatory agent that inhibits the activation and maturation of T-cells and blocks transcriptional activation of several cytokine genes. It also interferes with the function of Langerhans cells, basophil cells and mast cells. Recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy of topical tacrolimus in inflammatory skin disorders.

Results of anterior discectomy without fusion for treatment of cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy.

In this retrospective study 180 patients were submitted to anterior discectomy without fusion for cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy. Ninety-five patients presented with single-level discopathy, the main symptom being radiculopathy in this group. Eighty-five patients presented with multiple-level discopathy, the main symptom being myelopathy instead of radiculopathy.