Detection of IL-17A and IL-17F gene polymorphism in recurrent and disseminated pityriasis versicolor: a case-control study.

Recurrent and disseminated pityriasis versicolor (RDPV) is a common clinical entity, characterized by its recurrent and disfiguring nature. Studies demonstrated host genetic variations in the immune response, especially the role of IL-17 in antifungal immunity. This study aimed to detect whether IL-17A and F gene polymorphisms are found in cases of RDPV. It included 100 cases of RDPV and 100 age and sex matched controls, from which EDTA blood samples were taken for single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis. IL-17A (rs2275913) and F (rs763780) were associated with a significantly increased incidence of developing RDPV. IL-17A and F gene polymorphism could be implicated as a risk factor for the development of RDPV.

Correction to: Comparative study using fractional carbon dioxide laser versus glycolic acid peel in treatment of pseudo-acanthosis nigricans.

Unfortunately, there are two mistakes in the published article. The first mistake is found in the Results section, Clinical improvement subsection. The last sentence "There was no statistical difference between both sides (P=0.008)." should be corrected to "There was statistical difference between both sides (P=0.008)."

Correction to: Comparative study using fractional carbon dioxide laser versus glycolic acid peel in treatment of pseudo-acanthosis nigricans.

The author found small mistakes in scientific content of article. Editor-in-Chief confirmed that mistakes do not change or invalidate conclusions of article.

Comparative study using fractional carbon dioxide laser versus glycolic acid peel in treatment of pseudo-acanthosis nigricans.

Pseudo-acanthosis nigricans is a common dermatological disorder that is usually difficult to treat secondary to maceration of the skin from excessive sweating, obesity, or associated with endocrine disorders. Fractional photothermolysis and chemical peeling have been reported to improve the condition. To determine whether fractional CO2 laser resurfacing or glycolic acid peel is more effective and safe option for therapy. Twenty Egyptian patients were included in the study where each patient was subjected to three sessions of both fractional CO2 on the right side of the neck and glycolic acid peel 70% on the left side of the neck. All patients were evaluated by a scoring system Acanthosis Nigricans Area and Severity Index (ANASI) score and three blinded dermatologists before and after treatment. Clinical improvement on the side treated by glycolic acid peel showed 43% improvement while the side treated by fractional CO2 showed 19% improvement. Glycolic acid peel shows superior results to fractional CO2 due to accelerated induced exfoliation, yet still fractional CO2 results are promising due to a presumably long-term improvement of skin texture.

LSN MS guidelines for the management of multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Lebanon is unknown, as there are no available or reliable epidemiological studies to date. The circumstances of Middle East countries are different from those of Europe and North America in terms of differential diagnoses and disease management. The aim of the conference is to establish guidelines for diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and management of patients with MS in Lebanon. Another objective is to discuss and participate in research projects based on epidemiology, clinical trials and more fundamental aspects of the disease in the future. METHODS: Under the authority of the Lebanese Society of Neurology (LSN), a group of neurologists took the initiative to participate in this LSN MS committee with the purpose of establishing a consensus for the management of patients with MS, and under the supervision of a Coordinator (A.T.) designed by the LSN board. RESULTS: Diagnostic and therapeutic, follow-up and research recommendations were proposed with special emphasis on the specific needs and circumstances of Lebanon. The experts highlighted the importance of considering particular needs, the identification of patients at high risk of developing MS in order to maximize therapeutic opportunities, and cost-effective control of treatment efficacy, as well as global assessment of disability. CONCLUSIONS: The experts established guidelines concerning diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients with MS in Lebanon. Furthermore, they recommended some clinical and fundamental research projects.

[Arterio-ureteral fistula, report of three cases]. / Fistule artério-urétérale, à propos de trois cas.

On connection with four cases of arterio-uro-enteric fistula in three patients and after a review of the literature, the authors propose to make light on this extremely rare complication describing aetiologies factors and the diagnostic means and therapeutics. Two patients had had a pelvic exenteration with respectively Bricker and Kock pouch. The third patient had had an anterior resection in block with the right deferent duct and right seminal gland. All three received high doses of radiotherapy. These fistulas had appeared by abundant haemorrhages. The surgical operation in urgency had made it possible to treat these fistulas with success in two patients. The other patient had deceased of cataclysmic haemorrhage.

Platelet serotonin transporter in depressed children and adolescents: 3H-paroxetine platelet binding before and after sertraline.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate serotonin transporter protein (5HTPR) binding in platelets from children and adolescents with major depression (MDD) compared to normal controls using the selective ligand 3H-paroxetine. METHOD: Children and adolescents with MDD (n = 24) defined by DSM-III-R criteria and normal controls (n = 22) were compared by platelet 5HTPR kinetic analysis with the hypothesis that 5HTPR is reduced in MDD. A subset of MDD subjects (n = 18) continued to participate in a fixed-dose, open-label sertraline trial for 6 weeks followed by drug-free washout and repeated 5HTPR analysis. RESULTS: Sex, prepubertal status, and age had no effect on 5HTPR. Medication-free MDD subjects differed from controls in reduced binding capacity (Bmax) (p < .001). Sertraline therapy decreased binding affinity from baseline non-selectively (p < .05), and Bmax elevation from baseline was associated with nonresponse and suicide attempt history. CONCLUSION: Earlier literature in this population is replicated with regard to reduced platelet 5HTPR Bmax in MDD. Findings support a continuum of 5HTPR involvement in MDD across the developmental spectrum.

A theoretical and experimental investigation of the electronic spectra and tautomerization of nucleobases.

The electronic structures of all possible tautomers of uracil, thymine, cytosine, adenine and guanine have been carefully examined within the MNDO-MO frame-work. Equilibrium geometries are determined and the relative stabilities are discussed. Allowance for solvent effect on the stabilities is made by assuming a tetrahedral solvent cage with the DNA base occupying its centre. The electronic absorption spectra of the studied DNA bases, in solvents of different polarities are recorded and discussed. Assignments of the observed bands are facilitated using MNDO-CI computations. It is suggested that in solution the DNA bases are in some statistical mixtures of the most stable tautomers, and the Watson-Crick (WC) structure cannot account for the observed spectra alone.

Lymphocyte glucocorticoid receptor: predictor of sertraline response in adolescent major depressive disorder (MDD).

Major depressive disorder (MDD) in adolescents demonstrates resistance to tricyclic antidepressants and absence of hypercortisolemia. The efficacy of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) is uncertain, and response predictors are unavailable. Abnormal fast feedback and negative feedback of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis implicates a dampened limbic-hippocampal glucocorticoid type II receptor (GCII). We hypothesized that lymphocyte GCII is altered in adolescent MDD and could serve as a marker for response to SRIs. In an open-label study, adolescents (n = 20) meeting DSM-III-R criteria for MDD showed baseline lymphocyte GCII sites per cell (sites/cell) values of 793 +/- 106 versus 2,563 +/- 499 (+/- SEM) for matched controls (n = 18) (t = 3.5; df = 36; p < .001). GCII was bimodally distributed, with SRI responders differing from nonresponders (t = 3.9; df = 14; p < .001). GCII accurately classified 90 percent of sertraline responders and 80 percent of nonresponders. Only SRI responders showed GCII sites/cell upregulated after 6 weeks of treatment (t = 2.1, df = 10; p < .05).

Comparative MO investigation of hindered rotation and thermal decomposition of carbamates and thiocarbamates.

Investigation of hindered rotation in carbamates reveals the high flexibility and ionic character of the CN bond as compared to common amides. This flexibility decreases in the case of thiocarbamates. The mechanism of activation of carbamates has been explored. Computations have proven the possibility of formation of an intramolecular H-bond in carbamates and thiocarbamates. This intramolecular H-bond is formed immediately after protonation of the carbamate. The possibility of formation of zwitterions as intermediates in the decomposition of carbamic and dithiocarbamic acids is discussed.

Indo-mo investigation of gas-phase acidities of carbamates and thiocarbamates.

Gas-phase anion proton affinities of carbamic (I), thiol- (II), thio- (III) and dithiocarbamic (IV) acids are calculated by the INDO-MO method employing energy gradients for full geometry optimizations. The effect of d-type functions on sulphur on the calculated proton affinities has been examined. Detailed energy partitioning analysis enabled a much better understanding of the protonation process. Energetics of the isomerization II --> III have been computed and discussed.

A comparative quantum chemical study of methyl acetate and S-methyl thioacetate. Toward an understanding of the biochemical reactivity of esters of coenzyme A.

The electronic structures of methyl acetate and S-methyl thioacetate and the corresponding anions have been investigated using the INDO-MO method. Equilibrium geometries, gas-phase anion proton affinities and barriers to internal rotation have been computed. Analysis of the effect of the d-type functions on sulfur on the static and dynamic properties of the thioester and its anion reveal no role for (p-d) pi conjugative effects. The results of this work indicate that the unique properties of thioester, and hence esters of coenzyme A, may be attributed to the lack of resonance, rather than to a sulfur d-orbital expansion.