The Spectrum of Cutaneous Manifestations in Lupus Erythematosus: A Comprehensive Review.

Lupus erythematosus (LE) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease with complex etiology. LE may present as a systemic disorder affecting multiple organs or be limited solely to the skin. Cutaneous LE (CLE) manifests with a wide range of skin lesions divided into acute, subacute and chronic subtypes. Despite classic forms of CLE, such as malar rash or discoid LE, little-known variants may occur, for instance hypertrophic LE, chilblain LE and lupus panniculitis. There are also numerous non-specific manifestations including vascular abnormalities, alopecia, pigmentation and nail abnormalities or rheumatoid nodules. Particular cutaneous manifestations correlate with disease activity and thus have great diagnostic value. However, diversity of the clinical picture and resemblance to certain entities delay making an accurate diagnosis The aim of this review is to discuss the variety of cutaneous manifestations and indicate the clinical features of particular CLE types which facilitate differential diagnosis with other dermatoses. Although in diagnostically difficult cases histopathological examination plays a key role in the differential diagnosis of LE, quick and accurate diagnosis ensures adequate therapy implementation and high quality of life for patients. Cooperation between physicians of various specialties is therefore crucial in the management of patients with uncommon and photosensitive skin lesions.

Dense fine speckled nuclear immunofluorescence: A mildly reassuring antinuclear antibody pattern meriting consideration.

INTRODUCTION: Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) are regarded as a hallmark of connective tissue diseases (CTDs) and play a key role in their diagnosis, but the value of some particular antibodies in management of patients and the disease prognosis is controversial. The mechanism underlying the production of ANAs in CTDs, other chronic inflammatory conditions and even in healthy people, is not completely elucidated. Anti-DFS70 antibodies connected with the dense fine speckled autoantigen of 70 kD, known as the lens epithelium-derived growth factor p75, are a subgroup of ANAs. Their presence and coexistence with other antibodies and their clinical significance are the matter of debate. METHODS: Based on literature data, the authors focused on current knowledge explaining the role of anti-DFS70 antibodies in selected CTDs. RESULTS: However, the literature data is ambiguous and does not fully support the validity of the anti-DFS70 assay for a specific CTD diagnosis. Most researchers claim that the presence of anti-DFS70 as the only one usually exclude the diagnosis of CTD. Nevertheless, its coexistence with other ANAs is not an excluding factor but has predictive value due to more favorable course of CTD. Such situations may also suggest an enhanced risk of the development of a CTD in the future. CONCLUSIONS: Although more studies are needed in this field, it seems reasonable to ascertain the presence of anti-DFS70 in routine clinical practice.

The results of external quality assessment programme on urine leukocyte and erythrocyte counting in Poland.

INTRODUCTION: Urine particle analysis is an important diagnostic tool. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of urine leukocyte (WBC) and erythrocyte (RBC) counting results obtained with manual and automated methods in Polish laboratories participating in the international external quality assessment (EQA) programme. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 1400 WBC and RBC counting results were obtained from 183 laboratories in EQA surveys organised by Labquality (Helsinki, Finland) from 2017 to 2019. The between-laboratory coefficient of variation (CV), the percentage difference between the laboratories' results and target values (Q-score (%)), as well as modified Youden plots were analysed. RESULTS: For automated method groups, the medians of inter-laboratory CVs varied from 14% to 33% for WBC counting and from 10% to 39% for RBC counting. For manual method groups, the medians of CV varied from 53% to 71% (WBC) and from 55% to 70% (RBC), and they were significantly higher, in comparison to CVs for most automated method groups (P < 0.001). The highest percentage of results outside the target limits (36%) and the highest range of Q-score (%) (from - 93% to 706%) were observed for laboratories which participated in the surveys for the first or second time. The percentage of deviating results and the ranges of Q-score decreased with an increased frequency of laboratories' participation in the surveys. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of manual methods of urine WBC and RBC counting is unsatisfactory. There is an urgent need to take actions to improve laboratories' performance and to increase harmonisation of the results.

Insufficient harmonization of antibiotics assays - Polish experience with an external quality assessment program in the years 2011-2018.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment with vancomycin and gentamycin requires strict monitoring of its serum concentration for proper dosage optimization. This study aimed to assess the quality and the harmonization of antibiotics assays in Polish laboratories. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 413 results of vancomycin and 148 results of gentamycin assays obtained from Polish laboratories in 30 international external quality assessment (EQA) surveys carried out from March 2011 to May 2018 were analyzed. RESULTS: Interlaboratory robust coefficients of variation (rCVs) in particular surveys comprised between 1.3 and 47.2% for vancomycin, and between 1.8 and 34.2% for gentamycin. The percentage of the results with the difference above acceptable limit ±10% from the target value established for own method group was 25.7% for vancomycin and 25.6% for gentamycin. When the difference was established according to target value for all methods, the percentage of results outside the acceptable limit was 2-fold higher on average (54.8% for vancomycin and 43.2% for gentamycin). The comparison of target values for methods revealed statistically significant differences between analytical systems used (p < .0001). The highest difference was 40% for vancomycin and 12% for gentamycin. CONCLUSIONS: The present analysis revealed high dispersion of the antibiotics assays results in Polish laboratories. Moreover, vancomycin and gentamycin results differed significantly in a way dependent on the analytical system used. There appear to be an urgent need for harmonization of methods used for vancomycin and gentamycin measurement.

Influence of power ultrasound on the main quality properties and cell viability of osmotic dehydrated cranberries.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of ultrasound treatment in two osmotic solutions, carried out at different time, on some physical properties, antioxidant activity and cell survival of cranberries. Ultrasound treatment was conducted at 21kHz for 30 and 60min in liquid medium: 61.5% sucrose solution and 30% sucrose solution with 0.1% steviol glycosides addition. Some samples before the ultrasound treatment were subjected to cutting or blanching. The results showed that dry matter content and concentration of the dissolved substances increased during ultrasound treatment in osmotic solution, however higher value was observed for treatment in 61.5% sucrose solution and for longer time. Water activity and volume of cranberries did not change after the ultrasonic treatment. Combined treatment led to colour and antioxidant activity alterations as well. A cell viability of whole and cut samples decreased after 60min of osmotic treatment and completely lost in the blanched samples.

Effect of ultrasound treatment during osmotic dehydration on bioactive compounds of cranberries.

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of ultrasound treatment applied in osmotic solution on bioactive compounds, such as vitamin C, polyphenols, anthocyanins and flavonoids content as well as antioxidant activity in cranberries (Vaccinium oxycoccus). Ultrasound treatment was performed at the frequency of 21kHz for 30 and 60min in two osmotic solutions - 61.5% sucrose and 30% sucrose with an addition of 0.1% of steviol glycosides. Before the ultrasound treatment the material was subjected to cutting or blanching. The obtained results indicated that the influence of ultrasound waves on cranberries depends on a type of bioactive component. The ultrasound treated cranberries as well as the ones subjected to cutting or blanching enhanced by ultrasound were characterized mainly by a lower content of bioactive compounds.

[Organization of emotional memories in autobiographical memory]. / Organizacja wspomnien emocjonalnych w pamieci autobiograficznej.

AIM: The author presents a new methodological approach to directed cued recall which point out the organization of emotional memories in autobiographical memory. RESULTS: This approach gave opportunity to show connections between type of cues and attributes of recall memories in a group of 40 healthy persons. CONCLUSIONS: The research proved that there exists a tendency to recall mostly positive memories in reaction to positive cues, negative memories in reaction to negative cues, while the ambivalent cues caused recollection of mostly positive feelings although with a significant number of negative remembrances. What is more, experiments indicated that respondents' reminiscences were recalled in the shortest time when the cue was positive, in the longest time when the cue was ambivalent. Moreover, the largest number of remembrances was generated in response to positive cues.