Uses of gamma irradiated amniotic membrane as an alternative method in psoriasis treatment.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease with undefined etiology. It affects 2-3% of the worldwide population. The unsatisfactory outcome of variable treatments of the disease is partially due to the poor compliance of the present therapies with more or less side effects. As known, the human amniotic membrane is a popular intervention for many diseases. Amniotic membrane has been found recently to possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. The irradiated amniotic membrane was used in this study as a topical application for 4 weeks on localized lesions in cases of mild psoriasis. The results presented herein provide a solid basis for the amniotic membrane to be used as a promising intervention for psoriasis treatment in the future.

The psychological impact of diagnostic food challenges to confirm the resolution of peanut or tree nut allergy.

BACKGROUND: Twenty percent of children outgrow peanut allergy and 10% outgrow tree nut allergy. Resolution can be confirmed by a food challenge. Little is known about the psychosocial impact of the challenge. We aimed to investigate effects of a food challenge on anxiety, stress and quality of life (QoL) in children and their mothers on the day of a food challenge to peanuts or nuts, and in the months following the challenge. METHODS: One hundred and three families participated. Forty children undergoing food challenges to access resolution of allergy, and their mothers, completed validated questionnaires to measure generic and food specific quality of life, stress and anxiety prior to challenge, on the day of investigation and 3-6 months later. Sixty-three children with no clinical indication to challenge (i.e. in the opinion of the allergist had persistent allergy) acted as comparison group completing questionnaires 3-6 months apart. RESULTS: Mothers reported raised anxiety on the day of challenge (P = 0.007), but children were less anxious. The children (P = 0.01) and mothers (P = 0.01) had improved food-related, but not general, QoL 3-6 months following challenge. Children reported lower anxiety levels following the challenge (P = 0.02), but anxiety remained unchanged in mothers. The improvements in maternal and children's QoL and anxiety levels were irrespective of the challenge outcome and despite co-existing food allergies in 50% of children. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers experienced increased anxiety on the day of food challenge, unlike the children, perhaps reflecting the differences in their perceived risks. Food challenges are associated with improved food-related QoL in the following months even in those with a positive challenge.

Psychiatric morbidity in HIV patients.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an accessible source of clinical information related to the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric morbidity associated with HIV infection. METHOD: A selective MEDLINE literature search was used to identify 225 relevant articles, 67 of which were selected for inclusion based upon the presence of psychiatric morbidity. Psychiatric morbidity was defined by the presence of a DSM-IV diagnostic code reflecting psychiatric illness. RESULTS: HIV-infected patients have high rates of psychiatric morbidity. CONCLUSION: The psychiatric evaluation and treatment of psychiatric morbidity improve the quality of life of HIV and AIDS patients.