Differences Between Men and Women in Chronic Scratching: A Psychodermatologic Study in Lichen Simplex Chronicus.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic scratching is common to many skin disorders. Being a female and presenting a high level of psychopathology are risk factors for chronic scratching. Yet, it is unclear why. Certain personality characteristics that are more prevalent in women are also known to influence emotional states (i.e. emotional tension). OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to explore whether these personality styles might help understand why gender and emotional distress are associated with scratching. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We compared the personality patterns of 103 patients (69.9% women) diagnosed with Lichen Simplex Chronicus, against a sample of healthy individuals. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in the personality styles of men and women with LSC. Women were more pessimistic, oriented to fulfil the needs of others, traditional, insecure, submissive, and reserved, with moderate (d=.43) to strong (d=.96) size effects ranges. Some of these differences, such as in traditionalism, dutifulness, other-orientation, and pessimism, were also observed when compared with healthy men and women, with small (d=.03) to moderate (d=.47) size effects ranges. CONCLUSIONS: These psychological factors may help explain the mechanisms underlying gender differences in chronic scratching, at least in Lichen Simplex Chronicus. The findings might open new avenues for research and treatment.

4-Hydroxydibenzyl: a novel metabolite from the human gut microbiota after consuming resveratrol.

Resveratrol (RSV) was known to be metabolised by the gut microbiota to dihydroresveratrol, lunularin (LUNU), and (or) 3,4'-dihydroxy-trans-stilbene (DHST). We describe here for the first time that LUNU can be further dehydroxylated, but only at the 3-position, to yield 4-hydroxydibenzyl, a novel metabolite found in human urine after RSV intake in 41 out of 59 healthy participants. In contrast, DHST was not further dehydroxylated, and thus, 4-hydroxy-trans-stilbene was not detected as a gut microbial metabolite of RSV. Faecal in vitro incubations confirmed the in vivo results.

Urethrography in the male: the clamp method.

BACKGROUND: Retrograde urethrography is considered the gold standard for evaluating stenosis or urethral disease. PURPOSE: To describe the clamp method for optimizing retrograde urethrography (RUG) using a perfected device and a drip infusion system. material and methods: RUG was performed in 42 patients with a mean age of 63.4+/-16.5 years suspected of having urethral stenosis. The modifications to the device are shown, and the steps of the technique described. The intensity of pain from both catheterization and external compression was measured on a visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: All the RUG examinations were conducted satisfactorily. The use of the drip infusion system enabled visualization of the posterior urethra in 97.6% of cases, and bladder repletion was achieved in 95.2% of cases. The urethrograms revealed images of stenosis in 31 patients. With catheterization the mean pain intensity registered by VAS was 0.7+/-0.6 (SD), whereas with external compression the mean pain intensity was 0.06+/-0.02 (SD). CONCLUSION: The clamp method and drip infusion system used in this study are efficient and reduce patient discomfort. The procedure makes it possible to assess cases with stenosis close to the meatus that are difficult to manage with the conventional method.

Homo and heteroassembly of amide-based [2]rotaxanes using α,α'-dimethyl-p-xylylenediamines.

The formation of [2]rotaxanes via a fumaramide-templated clipping reaction using α,α'-dimethyl-p-xylylenediamines is described. This process selectively affords two out of seven possible interlocked isomers due to a noticeable effect of the methyl groups on the in/out disposition of the amide CO groups.

Reproducibility of sonographic measurements of carotid intima-media thickness.

BACKGROUND: Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), measured with B-mode ultrasound, is a marker for atherosclerosis and widely used as an outcome in intervention trials. PURPOSE: To evaluate the reproducibility of carotid intima-media thickness measurements using tissue harmonic imaging (THI) sonography between two observers with different levels of experience. MATERIAL AND METHODS: IMT measurement was performed in 40 patients: 26 males and 14 females, with a mean age of 62.6 years. The measurements were taken on the posterior wall of the right common carotid artery using a standardized protocol. Observer measurement of the IMT was independent and blind. Statistical analysis was done with parametric tests and Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The measurements of the IMT were taken satisfactorily in all cases. IMT measurement time was 5 min/study. No significant differences were noted between the means obtained by the two observers. The interobserver correlation of the measurements was very high (97.2%). CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that carotid IMT measurement using THI sonography and a standardized protocol is accurate and reproducible.

The promise of spirit at work: increasing job satisfaction and organizational commitment and reducing turnover and absenteeism in long-term care.

The effectiveness of a spirit at work program in long-term care was evaluated using a quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest design. These findings, along with focus group results, provide strong support that the program increased spirit at work, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and organizational culture (particularly teamwork and morale), leading to a reduction in turnover and absenteeism--two major concerns in the long-term care sector. This study suggests that implementation of a spirit at work program is a relatively inexpensive way to enhance the work satisfaction of employees, increase their commitment to the organization (thus reducing turnover and absenteeism), and ultimately improve the quality of resident care.

Light-responsive peptide [2]rotaxanes as gatekeepers of mechanised nanocontainers.

Novel mechanized silica nanoparticles incorporating a peptide-based molecular shuttle as a photo-responsive interlocked gatekeeper of nanocontainers are described including the uptake and delivery studies of a model cargo.

A new apparatus for the localization of nonpalpable mammary lesions.

A new apparatus has been used for the localization of 46 nonpalpable mammary lesions seen in either of two radiological projections. This device compresses and immobilizes the breast independently of the mammography equipment and permits a three-dimensional localization of the lesion by using the technique of X-ray angulation. The results demonstrate the efficiency of the procedure. Transfixation of the lesions was established in 30 cases (65.2%), the guidewire passed very close to the lesion in 14 cases (30.4%), and in 2 cases (4.4%) the guidewire was seen to be less than 10 mm away from the lesion. Correct preoperative localization of the lesions permitted a correct diagnosis with minimal biopsies.

Urethral sonography in the diagnosis of penile and bulbar urethral stenosis.

Ultrasound was used in 25 patients for the study of penile (21) and bulbar (4) strictures and for the follow-up of 8 of these patients on whom dural urethroplasty was carried out. There was a good correlation with urethrography. Ultrasound has the added advantages of enabling study of the periurethral tissues without testicular irradiation, and safety and economy of the exploration.

Percutaneous catheter drainage of breast abscesses.

Experiences with ultrasonically guided percutaneous catheter drainage of breast abscesses (BA) are presented. The 12 cases were: 10 non-lactating women, one lactating women, and one HIV-positive man. The percutaneous procedure employed was successful in all cases. The mean duration of drainage was 5 days post-catheter insertion. All percutaneous drainages and subsequent follow-up were performed in the outpatient clinic. No recurrence of BA was observed. Percutaneous drainage of BA is a simple, effective and economical technique. Its use is recommended as an alternative to surgical drainage.

Orthopantography of the wrist and the knee.

Initial experience with panoramic radiography of the wrist and the knee is presented. The technique offers potential new evaluation of these joints. A standard PA projection demonstrates the carpal bones with almost no superimposition. Additional projections permit more detailed demonstration of the scaphoid and wrist compartments. Similar panoramic studies of the normal knee demonstrated alternative images of the patella, the femoral condyles and tibial plateau. Orthopantography of the joints may provide additional information in the diagnosis of joints abnormalities.

Influence of water hardness on the bioavailability and toxicity of linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS).

In the present work, the influence of Ca2+ concentration on the toxicity of single cut linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) homologues was studied. Precipitation boundary diagrams for each homologue were obtained, indicating turbid and clear zones depending on the LAS and Ca2+ concentrations. The separation between transparent and turbid zones is given by the so-called precipitation line. LAS toxicity to Daphnia magna was determined at concentrations close to this precipitation line. It was observed that when Ca(LAS)2 precipitation progresses, LAS bioavailability decreases for test animals, and the toxicity diminishes even at high nominal LAS concentrations. According to the "free ion activity model" (FIAM), the toxicity of a given chemical compound is mainly due to the ionic species (Ca2+-LAS-) and not due to the precipitated molecule, Ca(LAS)2. The significance of the present study is in connection with the assessment of LAS sorption/precipitation studies in soils and sediments, where in situ toxicity is strongly influenced by Ca2+/Mg2+ ions, according to the results presented in this work.

Scaphoid fractures and nonunions: a comparison between panoramic radiography and plain X-rays.

This study describes the diagnostic potential of the panoramic X-ray technique in the evaluation of scaphoid fractures and nonunions. Fifty-eight symptomatic wrists were examined using both plain X-rays and the panoramic procedure. The panoramic images showed in detail the line of the scaphoid fracture and nonunion in detail; they revealed four scaphoid fractures and five nonunions that were not shown clearly with plain X-rays. The panoramic technique is a useful complement to plain X-rays for the investigation of scaphoid fractures and nonunions.

[Alkaline encrusted cystitis secondary to Proteus mirabilis infection in a HIV infected patient]. / Cistitis alcalina incrustante secundaria a infección por Proteus mirabilis en un paciente VIH.

We described for the first time an alkaline encrusting cystitis in a patient with the acquired immune deficiency. This is an entity characterized by severe dysuria and long standing urinary frequency, alkaline urine and radiographically visible calcification of the urinary bladder. It has been observed in patients with permanent Foley catheter, persistent infections due to microorganisms with urolytic activity, urinary bilharziosis or tuberculosis, or malignant bladder tumors. None of these entities were described and the patient had all conditions for this syndrome.

Comparative inhibitory activity of the stilbenes resveratrol and oxyresveratrol on African swine fever virus replication.

Stilbenols are polyphenolic phytoalexins produced by plants in response to biotic or abiotic stress. These compounds have received much attention because of their significant biological effects. One of these is their antiviral action, which has previously been documented for two members of this class, namely resveratrol and oxyresveratrol. Here we tested the antiviral effect of these two compounds on African swine fever virus, the only member of the newly created family Asfarviridae and a serious limitation to porcine production worldwide. Our results show a potent, dose-dependent antiviral effect of resveratrol and oxyresveratrol in vitro. Interestingly, this antiviral activity was found for these synthetic compounds and also for oxyresveratrol extracted from new natural sources (mulberry twigs). The antiviral effect of these two drugs was demonstrated at concentrations that do not induce cytotoxicity in cultured cells. Moreover, these antivirals achieved a 98-100% reduction in viral titers. Both compounds allowed early protein synthesis but inhibited viral DNA replication, late viral protein synthesis and viral factory formation.