Pachydermodactyly: the role of ultrasonography, superb microvascular imaging, and elastography in diagnosis.

Pachydermodactyly is a rare and benign superficial fibromatosis characterized by painless and progressive swelling of periarticular soft tissues of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints, most commonly of both hands. There is no tenderness, warmth, morning stiffness, or reduced range of motion associated. Our purpose is to highlight the diagnostic utility of ultrasonography, superb microvascular imaging (SMI), and elastography in pachydermodactyly. We report the case of a 15-year-old adolescent white boy, with a 6-month history of insidious and progressive, asymptomatic swelling of the lateral and dorsal regions of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP), and PIP joints of both hands. Articular ultrasonography showed thickening of the skin around the lateral regions of the PIP and MCP joints, with no synovitis, hydrarthrosis, or muscle, tendon, or bone changes. Strain elastography revealed lower elasticity in the aforementioned skin regions, corresponding to increased tissue hardness due to hyperkeratosis. No SMI or Doppler signals were detected in epidermal or dermal tissues, as well as in tendons, joints, and bone. This case report shows that ultrasonography, SMI, and elastography may play a significant role in the accurate diagnosis of pachydermodactyly and exclusion of alternative conditions. These imaging modalities have no ionizing radiation; they are fast, inexpensive, and performed on site. They do not require usage of contrast agents and thus can eliminate the need of invasive procedures such as skin biopsy. They also contribute to reduce health care costs with unnecessary complementary tests and inappropriate treatment.

Bioactive and Nutritional Potential of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant (MAP) Seasoning Mixtures.

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), worldwide appreciated and used as condiments, dyes, and preservatives, possess several biological properties that justify their continuous application in the food industry. In the present study, the nutritional and chemical profiles, as well as the bioactive properties of four combinations of condiments, sold for seasoning poultry, meat, fish, and salads, were evaluated. Twenty-five phenolic compounds (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS) were identified, with apigenin-O-malonyl-pentoside-hexoside as the major compound detected in all extracts. Oxalic and citric acids were identified in all mixtures (UFLC-PDA), as well as all the four tocopherol isoforms (HPLC-fluorescence). Regarding bioactivities, the mixtures for meat and salads (TBARS) and meat and poultry (OxHLIA) stood out for their antioxidant potential, whereas for the anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties, the mixtures revealing the greatest results were those for poultry and salad, respectively. In terms of antimicrobial activity, all the mixtures revealed the capacity to inhibit the growth of some bacterial strains. In brief, condiment mixtures showed to be a good source of bioactive compounds, as they confer health benefits, validating the importance of their inclusion in the human diet as a good dietary practice.

Natural Food Colorants and Preservatives: A Review, a Demand, and a Challenge.

The looming urgency of feeding the growing world population along with the increasing consumers' awareness and expectations have driven the evolution of food production systems and the processes and products applied in the food industry. Although substantial progress has been made on food additives, the controversy in which some of them are still shrouded has encouraged research on safer and healthier next generations. These additives can come from natural sources and confer numerous benefits for health, beyond serving the purpose of coloring or preserving, among others. As limiting factors, these additives are often related to stability, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness issues, which justify the need for innovative solutions. In this context, and with the advances witnessed in computers and computational methodologies for in silico experimental aid, the development of new safer and more efficient natural additives with dual functionality (colorant and preservative), for instance by the copigmentation phenomena, may be achieved more efficiently, circumventing the current difficulties.