Characterization of 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone discrimination in female Sprague-Dawley rats.

3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), one of several synthetic cathinones, is a popular constituent of illicit 'bath salts'. In preclinical studies utilizing drug discrimination methods with male rodents, MDPV has been characterized as similar to both cocaine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-hydrochloride (MDMA). Whereas few drug discrimination studies have utilized female rats, the current study evaluated the discriminative stimulus effects of MDPV in 12 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats trained to discriminate 0.5 mg/kg MDPV from saline under a fixed ratio 20 schedule of food reinforcement. Stimulus substitution was assessed with MDPV and its enantiomers, other synthetic cathinones [alpha pyrrolidinopentiophenone-hydrochloride(α-PVP), 4-methylmethcathinone (4-MMC)], other dopamine agonists (cocaine, [+)-methamphetamine] and serotonin agonists [MDMA, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)] Stimulus antagonism was assessed with the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, Sch 23390 and the D2 receptor antagonist, haloperidol. Cocaine and (+)-methamphetamine engendered full stimulus generalization to MDPV with minimal effects on response rate. LSD produced partial substitution, whereas MDMA and 4-MMC produced complete substitution, and all these serotonergic compounds produced dose-dependent response suppression. (S)-MDPV and α-PVP engendered full substitution with similar potency to the racemate, while (R)-MDPV failed to substitute up to 5 mg/kg. Both Sch 23390 and haloperidol attenuated the discrimination of low MDPV doses and essentially shifted the dose-response curve to the right but failed to block discrimination of the training dose. These findings are generally consistent with previous reports based exclusively on male rodents. Moreover, they confirm the contribution of dopaminergic mechanisms but do not rule out the possible contribution of other neurotransmitter actions to the interoceptive stimulus effects of MDPV.

Parvovirus B19 infection in an adult presenting with connective tissue disease-like symptoms: a report of the clinical and histological findings.

Parvovirus B19 infections in adults are usually associated with nonspecific and mild symptoms. However, cases presenting with a lupus-like syndrome have been described, leading to the hypothesis that parvovirus infection can induce connective tissue disease. Various histopathologic features of cutaneous manifestations of parvovirus have been reported, including features which overlap with those of connective tissue disease. Herein, we discuss an unusual case of Parvovirus  B19 infection in a middle-aged woman. The biopsy results showed granulomatous vasculitis and were consistent with the previously described superantigen id reaction. This case demonstrates that infectious causes should be considered in the differential diagnosis for granulomatous vasculitis and clinicopathologic correlation is required for accurate diagnosis. We also provide a review of the literature highlighting the possible role of parvovirus in induction of a connective tissue disease-like presentation.

Isolated CMV infection causing perianal and sacral ulceration in a patient with aids.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a DNA virus estimated to infect 70-90% of the world’s population, producing minimal symptoms in immunocompetent hosts. In the immunocompromised host, CMV infection can be potentially fatal, producing systemic or localized forms. We report the case of a 52-year-old female with acquired immunodeficiency virus (AIDS) who presented multiple sacral and perineal ulcers clinically and histopathologically consistent with CMV ulcerations. We discuss the patient’s clinical presentation and histologic findings to remind physicians to consider CMV as a cause for cutaneous and systemic infection in the immunocompromised host.

Post-trauma mortality increase at age 60: a cutoff for defining elderly?

BACKGROUND: There has been an increasing emphasis on identifying elderly trauma patients. However, definitions based solely on age vary widely, ranging from age 55 to 80 years, hampering optimal trauma management for older patients. The goal of this study was to develop an objective, data-driven definition for "elderly" in trauma care by evaluating mortality risk as a function of age. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 872,861 adult (≥18 years) patients from the National Trauma Data Bank's National Sample Program from 2003 to 2010. The primary outcome was risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality determined using multivariate logistic regression. Contribution of age to mortality was investigated through step-wise regression and percent of R2 attributable to age. We searched for straight-line trends in mortality rate at each age using the spline function of Statistical Analysis Software. RESULTS: Statistically significant increases in mortality rate were noted at ages 37, 60, and 78. Age was found to contribute 10% to mortality compared with greater than 80% for Glasgow coma scale and injury severity score combined. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest using age 60 years as a data-driven definition of "elderly" in trauma.

Sarcoidosis exclusion criteria: the “simple truth” for a “complicated diagnosis”.

The differentiation between sarcoidosis and sarcoid-type reactions remains a clinical and histopathologic diagnostic dilemma. A definitive distinction is yet to be determined according to the current literature data. Sarcoid-like tissue reactions with identifiable infectious or other immunogenic antigens, should be classified as non-specific clinical manifestations of a specific disease. The current assignment of this type of reaction under the generic umbrella of “sarcoidosis” is incorrect and may result in the subsequent misinterpretation of the definition of the disease in general. On the other hand, this may lead to clinical studies with incorrectly selected inclusion criteria and, therefore, contradictory statements regarding the epidemiology and pathogenesis of the disease. Thus we propose the introduction of new criteria for exclusion of sarcoidosis as an autonomous disease. Recent trials on patients with probable sarcoidosis have focused on ideal criteria, or have provided information about the genetic and immunological profile of patients with specific infections or other diseases, which manifest themself as sarcoidal granulomas. This could explain the heterogeneous clinical and/or genetic profiles of the reported patients, who in fact were not affected by the autonomous disease “sarcoidosis”. The simplification of the current available data regarding this issue will be of fundamental importance for the correct direction of future studies, whose aim is to unravel the pathogenesis of the immunological cascade in patients with sarcoidosis and sarcoid-like type of reaction. It is expected that the introduction of exclusion criteria will inevitably lead to a change in the approach to diagnosis as well as the fundamental understanding of this mysterious disease, known as sarcoidosis.

Are microscopic satellites in melanoma indicative of lymphovascular invasion? A preliminary case study.

Microscopic satellites (microsatellites) in primary melanoma are defined as one or more discontinuous nests of neoplastic melanocytes measuring more than 0.05 mm in diameter that are clearly separated by normal dermis (i.e., no fibrosis or inflammation) from the main invasive component of the melanoma by a distance of at least 0.3 mm. Long considered an adverse prognostic variable, there has been debate about whether these satellites in fact represent lymphovascular invasion. In this preliminary study, 6 cases of primary cutaneous melanoma containing microsatellites were stained immunohistochemically for endothelial cells, using the markers CD31 and D2-40 (podoplanin, a marker of lymphatic endothelium). In none of the cases was positive staining found to surround the tumor deposits. In one case that also showed independent lymphovascular and perineural invasion, a small CD31 positive vessel within the microsatellite was found to contain tumor cells. The possible significance of these findings is discussed.

Vascular neoplasm or pseudovascular nevus? Potential pitfalls in diagnosis.

Melanocytic nevi, on histopathologic evaluation, occasionally contain slit-like clefts or spaces that may resemble vascular or lymphatic spaces. The spaces may contain blood or, perhaps more concerning, nests of melanocytes that could suggest lymphatic invasion of melanoma. When lined by melanocytes rather than true endothelium, these pseudovascular spaces within melanocytic nevi are generally attributable to tissue processing artifact. When the space in question is pronounced, a proper diagnostic work-up is prudent in order to exclude a true vascular neoplasm or melanoma. In this case series we present several melanocytic lesions with prominent vascular-appearing spaces that warranted further investigation.

A case of perforating folliculitis in association with antisynthetase syndrome.

Perforating folliculitis (PF) describes the process by which altered dermal material is eliminated from the epidermis through a follicular unit resulting in keratotic, follicular papules that favor hair-bearing regions of the forearms, arms, buttocks, and thighs. Diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic renal failure (CRF) are commonly associated with PF. The more general term, acquired perforating dermatosis, has been applied to PF as well as Kyrle’s disease and the non-inherited form of perforating collagenosis. In this report, we describe an instance of PF that arose in the setting of preexisting antisynthetase syndrome.

PUVA treatment of alopecia areata totalis and universalis: a retrospective study.

The results of PUVA treatment of alopecia areata (AA) totalis and universalis were reviewed in 26 adult patients. Eight of 15 patients with AA totalis and six of 11 patients with AA universalis achieved a complete response (>90% hair regrowth). Patients with AA totalis had a greater incidence of treatment failure (<25% hair regrowth) than those with AA universalis. Patients with a family history of AA were significantly less likely to have a positive response to PUVA than those with no family history. Sex, age at diagnosis and treatment, interval between diagnosis and treatment, and background of atopy were not significant determinants of outcome. Although unable to show significance for clinical response to treatment, this study demonstrates complete hair regrowth in patients with both AA totalis (53%) and universalis (55%) while reporting a low relapse rate among these patients (21%) within a long period of follow up (mean 5.2 years).

Factors related to root resorption in edgewise practice.

In a series of 200 consecutively debanded patients receiving comprehensive orthodontic treatment with the edgewise appliance, six (3%) showed severe resorption (greater than one-quarter of the root length) of both maxillary central incisors. For other teeth, resorption of this extent occurred in less than 1% of the patients. Using a case-control design, the characteristics of 21 patients with severe resorption were compared to randomly selected controls from the case series. There were significantly more Class III patients among the severe resorption cases than would have been expected. Risk indicators for resorption that were related to treatment procedures included approximation of the maxillary incisor roots against the lingual cortical plate (odds ratio 20), maxillary surgery (odds ratio 8), and root torque (odds ratio 4.5).