Tattoo complications in treated and non-treated psoriatic patients.

BACKGROUND: Tattooing is a widespread phenomenon, with an estimated prevalence of 10-30% in Western populations. For psoriasis patients, current recommendations are to avoid having a tattoo if the disease is active and they are receiving immunosuppressive treatments. Although scientific data supporting these recommendations are lacking, dermatologists are often reluctant to advocate tattooing in psoriasis patients. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the frequency of tattoo complications in patients with psoriasis and determine whether the occurrence of complications was associated with psoriasis status and treatments received at the time of tattooing. METHODS: We performed a multicentre cross-sectional study. Adults with psoriasis were consecutively included and classified as tattooed or non-tattooed. Prevalence of complications associated with tattoos was then evaluated according to psoriasis onset and treatments. The study was divided into three parts, in which data were collected through a series of questionnaires filled in by the dermatologist. Complications included pruritus, oedema, allergic reaction/eczema, infection/superinfection, granuloma, lichenification, photosensitivity, Koebner phenomenon and psoriasis flare after tattooing. Diagnosis of complications was made retrospectively. RESULTS: We included 2053 psoriatic patients, 20.2% had 894 tattoos. Amongst non-tattooed patients, 15.4% had wished to be tattooed, with psoriasis being stated as a reason for not having a tattoo by 44.0% and 5.7% indicating that they planned to have a tattoo in the future. Local complications, such as oedema, pruritus, allergy and Koebner phenomenon, were reported in tattoos in 6.6%, most frequently in patients with psoriasis requiring treatment at the time of tattooing (P < 0.0001). No severe complications were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of tattoo complications in psoriasis patients was low. Although the risk of complications was highest amongst patients with psoriasis requiring treatment at the time of tattooing, all the complications observed were benign. These results can be helpful for practitioners to give objective information to patients.

[Psoriatic patients: Analysis of patients dissatisfied with their management]. / Patients atteints de psoriasis : analyse de la population insatisfaite de sa prise en charge.

BACKGROUND: The French are frequently regarded as grouchy. In a recent study, we observed a high proportion of patients initially consulting for psoriasis because they were dissatisfied with their previous therapy. We analyzed the characteristics of these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional multicenter study in 40 centers belonging to the ResoPso (psoriasis treatment network) multicenter study group, with consecutive inclusions over a period of 11months in 2014. All adults (age>18 years) consulting for the first time for psoriasis at a center were included in the study. RESULTS: Among patients, 1205 were included, of whom 249 (20.3%) were consulting because of their dissatisfaction with treatment. In the univariate analysis, these patients were younger (P=0.02) and presented psoriasis that had begun earlier in life (P<0.0001). It consisted mostly of generalized plaque psoriasis (P=0.047) and more severe forms of psoriasis (PASI and/or DLQI score>10, P<0.02). There were fewer cases of psoriatic arthritis (P=0.01). The "dissatisfied" patients reported significantly more frequent use of topical treatments (P<0.0001) and alternative medicines (P=0.02), and more infrequent use of biologics (P=0.006) as well as longer treatment periods (P=0.0005). They consulted at hospitals (P=0.01) and had previously seen more GPs and dermatologists (P≤0.0008). There was no impact of gender on the dissatisfaction profile by either comorbidities (metabolic, blood pressure, alcohol and tobacco consumption, and depression), or socio-economic data. In the multivariate analysis, DLQI>10 (P=0.01; 95% CI: 1.01-1.07) and longer duration of care (P=0.004; 95% CI: 1.23-2.99) were associated with dissatisfaction. CONCLUSION: Twenty percent of our psoriatic patients seem dissatisfied with their treatment. It is difficult to draw a specific demographic and socioeconomic profile of dissatisfied patients. Only disease severity and possibly inadequate treatment at the initial consultation are associated with patient dissatisfaction. Explanations related to the individual patients and doctors may be proposed. Finally, while the French may be considered grouchy, the frequency of patient dissatisfaction seen in our study does not appear to be any greater than that observed in other countries.

Psoriasis in the elderly: epidemiological and clinical aspects, and evaluation of patients with very late onset psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Age of the patients and age of onset of psoriasis may have an impact on the disease. There is little information about psoriasis in elderly patients. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated epidemiological, clinical aspects, comorbidities and treatments of psoriasis in the elderly (>70 years) patients, and in patients with very late onset psoriasis (onset ≥ 70 years). METHODS: This observational multicentre non-interventional study of adults with psoriasis was conducted in 29 departments of dermatology in France. A total of 2210 adults with psoriasis were included. RESULTS: A total of 212 (9.5%) patients were elderly. This group had a higher frequency of females (P = 0.005), a later onset of the disease (P < 0.0001), a lower frequency of familial (P < 0.0001) and plaque psoriasis (P < 0.0001), but higher frequency of guttate and inverse psoriasis (P ≤ 0.005). Hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, and major cardiovascular events (MACE) were more frequent in this group (P < 0.0001), but not tobacco (P < 0.0001). Systemic and biological therapies were used less frequently in the elderly group (P < 0.0001). Fifty-eight (2.7%) patients had late onset psoriasis. Patients with very late onset psoriasis were more frequently women (P = 0.02) and older (P < 0.0001), among elderly group. They had significantly less frequently familial (P < 0.0001) and plaque psoriasis (P < 0.0001), and were less often on systemic treatment including biological. Frequencies of comorbidities were not statically different but patients with 'early' onset psoriasis have a tendency (P < 0.5) to have higher frequencies of obesity, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, hypertension and MACE. CONCLUSION: This study highlights phenotypic features of psoriasis in elderly and in very late onset psoriasis. The management of these fragile patients remains poorly codified and needs further investigation.

Iatrogenic wandering spleen causing gastric outlet obstruction and perforation.

The phenomenon of a wandering spleen is rare with few published case reports. The cases published in the literature mainly result from acquired or congenital laxity of the spleen's anchoring ligaments. Our case demonstrates an uncommon complication and possibly the first reported case of an iatrogenic wandering spleen. We present an interesting case of a 51-year-old female patient with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis who underwent robotic-assisted left adrenalectomy for a 10-cm adrenal mass. Postoperatively, she developed uncontrolled pain and gastric distension due to spleen entrapment, leading to an open laparotomy and splenectomy with gastric perforation repair. She made an uneventful recovery. The rarity of iatrogenic wandering spleen as well as our patient's complex medical history, including chronic steroid use, presented unique challenges in postoperative management. This case highlights the importance of thorough perioperative evaluation and careful surgical planning in patients with underlying conditions.

Do flickering LED lights reduce productivity of layer pullets and hens?

Most characteristics of artificial light sources are well studied, however light-flicker frequency (F) has been overlooked. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of F on performance of Lohmann LSL-Lite (LW) pullets and Lohmann Brown-Lite (LB) pullets. In addition, pullets were followed through to the laying phase to evaluate long-term effects of F during rearing on productivity. Two trials were conducted with 3 F (30, 90, or 250 Hz) treatments. LW and LB pullets (n = 2,688 per strain [S]) were randomly assigned to floor pens within 8 light-tight rooms (15 pen replicates per F × S for 30 and 250 Hz; 18 pen replicates per F × S for 90 Hz). At 16 wk, pullets were transferred to conventional layer cages, with no flicker treatment applied. Pullet data collected included BW, feed disappearance, flock uniformity, and overall mortality. Hen data collected included BW, feed intake (feed efficiency calculated), mortality, egg production, and egg quality. Data were analyzed using Proc Mixed (SAS 9.4) and differences were considered significant when P ≤ 0.05. Frequency did not affect pullet uniformity or feed disappearance (0-8 wk and 0-16 wk). Pullets reared under 30 Hz had higher mortality (caused by "other") than those reared under 250 Hz. Lohmann Brown-Lite pullets reared under 30 Hz had the highest feed disappearance. Overall mortality was higher for LW pullets reared under 30 Hz compared to LB reared under 30 Hz or 250 Hz. Lohmann Brown-Lite hens reared under 30 Hz were heavier at the beginning of the hen phase (17 wk), however differences related to F were not seen at 40 or 48 wk. Hen day production (%) was higher for hens reared under 30 compared to 90 Hz (P = 0.03), however no other egg parameters were affected by F. Hen feed efficiency and mortality were unaffected by F. These results indicate minor effects of F, during either the pullet or hen phases. The data also suggest that S (LW vs. LB) may affect response to F.

Low-dose ionising radiation from medical imaging in patients hospitalised in Internal Medicine.

BACKGROUND: Medical imaging is responsible for increasing exposure to low-dose ionising radiation in the general population. The extent of exposure in specific patient populations remains to be determined. AIM: We sought to determine the level of exposure in patients hospitalised in General Internal Medicine. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we searched the Centre Informatisé de Recherche Évaluative en Services et Soins de Santé database for adult patients hospitalised in General Internal Medicine from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2008. We collected data on demographics, co-morbidities, and radiological and nuclear imaging. We used data from the literature to calculate an estimated annual effective dose for each patient and searched for factors associated with higher exposure. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred eighty-seven (1187) patients were hospitalised at least once during the study period. The median age was 69 years (interquartile range 56-81) and 636 (53.6%) were men. The median annual effective dose of the whole cohort was 8.7 mSv/year. Patients aged between 55 and 80 years were exposed to a higher median effective dose compared with their younger and older counterparts (P < 0.001). Patients with cardiac, pulmonary, peripheral arterial and neoplastic disease were at higher risk of exposure to high and very high annual effective dose (P < 0.01). Patients with longer hospitalisations were at higher risk of exposure to high and very high annual effective dose (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Patients hospitalised on a General Internal Medicine ward are exposed to three times more ionising radiation than the general population.

Comparison of spinal anesthesia with general anesthesia on morphine requirement after abdominal hysterectomy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare morphine consumption with patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) between spinal anesthesia (SA) (bupivacaine, morphine and fentanyl) and general anesthesia (GA) (sufentanil) after an abdominal hysterectomy. METHODS: Forty women were randomly assigned to receive SA with bupivacaine 15 mg, 0.15 mg of intrathecal morphine and 15 microg of fentanyl or GA with sufentanil, both combined with PCA. The primary outcome was morphine consumption with the PCA device. The secondary outcomes were post-operative pain at rest and under stress on a visual analog scale, nausea, pruritus and respiratory depression on a standardized scale. Outcome measures were recorded at 6, 12, 18, 24 and 48 h post-anesthesia. The duration of post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and hospital stay were recorded. RESULTS: Patients in the SA group consumed at least two times less morphine at each time interval than the GA group: at 48 h, they used 19 +/- 17 vs. 81 +/- 31 mg (P<0.0001). Post-operative pain at rest was lower in the SA group until the 18th hour and under stress until the 48th. There was more sedation in the GA group until the 18th hour. Little difference was observed in the incidence of pruritus. Nausea was more intense at the 6th hour in the GA group. There was no difference in the respiratory rate. The duration of PACU stay was shorter for the SA group (52 +/- 9 vs. 73 +/- 11 min, P<0.0001) as was the duration of hospital stay (2.2 +/- 0.4 vs. 3.3 +/- 0.7 days, P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that intrathecal morphine 0.15 mg with 15 microg of fentanyl decreases post-operative pain and morphine consumption by PCA without increasing adverse reactions for women undergoing an abdominal hysterectomy.

[Extensive oral condylomas treated by in situ cidofovir injection in an HIV patient]. / Traitement d'une condylomatose orale extensive par cidofovir intralésionnel chez un malade infecté par le VIH.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus infections are difficult to treat and have a high rate of recurrence, especially in a setting of human immunodeficiency (HIV) infection. Moreover, there is no standard treatment for oral condylomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report the partial success of in situ injections of cidofovir in an HIV patient, presenting extensive oral condylomas. The injections were well tolerated and the response was still present at one year while the immune status of the patient was unchanged. DISCUSSION: The efficacy of topical cidofovir against condyloma acuminata has been reported and the value of in situ cidofovir injections for the treatment of laryngeal papillomatosis is well established. This case report shows the need for further investigation of in situ cidofovir injections as an alternative treatment for human papillomavirus lesions that are difficult to treat because of both site and extension.

Physiologic and metabolic response to progressive and prolonged exercise in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Physical work capacity in 35 ALS patients and 6 untrained controls was evaluated during progressive bicycle ergometry. In the ALS patients, maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) and work capacity (Wmax) drop in relation to the decrease in ALS functional score. However, the oxygen cost (ml O2/kpm) of submaximal exercise was significantly increased. Prolonged submaximal exercise tests in six ALS patients and six matched untrained controls indicated that the exercise-induced increase in plasma free fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyrate, esterified carnitine, and muscle esterified carnitine was significantly retarded in ALS patients.

Methotrexate metabolism in mutant Chinese hamster ovary cells lacking dihydrofolate reductase.

To study the influence of the level of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) on methotrexate (MTX) metabolism, the formation of methotrexate polyglutamates (MTXPGs) and the retention of the drug were examined in Chinese hamster ovary cells (DUKXB11) lacking DHFR and in control cells (CHO-UTC). Both cells accumulated MTXPGs poorly. After a 24-hr incubation with 1.0 microM [3H]MTX, the level of total MTX in DUKXB11 cells was 40% of that in CHO-UTC cells, reflecting the lack of DHFR-bound MTX and MTXPGs in the mutant cells. MTXPGs accounted for a higher proportion of the intracellular MTX in DUKXB11 than in CHO-UTC cells (25 vs 18%). Following exposure to 3.0 microM MTX for 24 hr, total drug levels were similar in both cell lines, and MTXPGs constituted even more of the intracellular drug in DUKXB11 cells compared to CHO-UTC cells (34 vs 23%). DUKXB11 cells accumulated longer MTXPGs (MTXG1u3,4) compared to CHO-UTC cells (MTXG1u2,3), following exposure to both 1.0 and 3.0 microM MTX. The longer MTXPGs in the mutant cells may have resulted from the lack of DHFR in them. Binding of MTXPGs to DHFR in CHO-UTC may interfere with their further polyglutamylation. When cells were resuspended in drug-free buffer for 1 hr following a 24-hr incubation with MTX, the retention of drug was less in DUKXB11 cells (46%) than in CHO-UTC cells (78%), due mainly to a greater loss of unmetabolized MTX in the mutant cells (89%) than in control cells (26%). Nevertheless, the amount of non-exchangeable unmetabolized MTX retained in DUKXB11 cells following exposure to 3.0 microM MTX exceeded the MTX-binding capacity. These studies demonstrate that DHFR-deficient cells accumulated more and longer MTXPGs than control cells. In addition, they suggest that some unmetabolized MTX was retained in cells not bound to DHFR.

Efflux in bacteria: what do we really know about it?

Efflux is the process in which bacteria transport compounds outside the cell which are potentially toxic, such as drugs or chemicals or compounds. Efflux pumps can be identified not only by biochemical, microbiological, or molecular means but with the availability of microbial genomic sequences, by the application of bioinformatics analysis of DNA sequences for key conserved structure motifs. Efflux has been identified as a relevant contributor to bacterial resistance in the clinic and is now recognised as one of the most important causes of intrinsic antibiotic resistance in bacteria, especially in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. With the recognition of efflux as a major factor in bacterial resistance, several companies have invested in the identification and development of bacterial efflux pump inhibitors. Among those, Microcide, Pfizer, Paratek and several academic laboratories are in the process of exploring efflux pump inhibitors from synthetic, natural products and peptidomimetics. Inhibiting bacterial efflux with a non-antibiotic inhibitor would restore activity of an antibiotic subject to efflux (similar to the use of beta-lactamase inhibitors to combat beta-lactamase production by bacteria). The feasibility of such an approach has been experimentally demonstrated in vitro and in vivo for efflux reversal of levofloxacin.

Correlation of cilofungin in vivo efficacy with its activity against Aspergillus fumigatus (1,3)-beta-D-glucan synthase.

(1,3)-beta-D-Glucan synthase is a cell wall synthesis enzyme that is the target of cilofungin, an antifungal agent of the lipopeptide class. Cilofungin's glucan synthase inhibitory activity, MIC, and effective dose 50% in a systemic infection mouse model tend to correlate for Candida albicans. This correlation is not seen in Aspergillus fumigatus. MICs for cilofungin against A. fumigatus were consistently > 125 micrograms/ml while the effective dose 50% in a systemic aspergillosis model was determined to be 20.6 mg/kg. To begin to understand this discrepancy, we examined the A. fumigatus glucan synthase. This cell wall enzyme was prepared and its activity was measured by [14C]-glucose incorporation from UDP-[U-14C]glucose into an acid insoluble polymer formed in the presence of alpha-amylase. Enzyme activity in crude membrane preparations was measured in the presence of several antifungal agents. Enzyme inhibition results showed that 1 microgram/ml of papulacandin B, echinochandin B, aculeacin A and cilofungin all inhibited A. fumigatus glucan synthase activity (40-71%) while 1 microgram/ml of amphotericin B, fluconazole, ketoconazole and nikkomycin did not affect enzyme activity. A correlation was therefore established between the inhibitory effect of cilofungin on the A. fumigatus glucan synthase and the effective dose 50% obtained in a systemic aspergillosis mouse model.

Thyrotropin releasing hormone uptake into serum and cerebrospinal fluid following intravenous or subcutaneous administration.

Intravenous thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) was administered to 6 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients at the dose rate of 10 mg/kg. Blood samples were obtained prior to and at 10, 20, 40, 60, and 120 min during the TRH infusions. Lumbar punctures were performed at 90 min following the start of infusion. The mean serum TRH concentration rose from 0.03 +/- 0.02 (SD) to 17 +/- 2 ng/ml by 60 min and remained constant to 120 min. The mean CSF TRH concentration rose 10-fold from 0.02 +/- 0.01 to 0.2 +/- 0.02 ng/ml at 90 min and increased further to 0.5 +/- 0.2 ng/ml at 120 min. Subcutaneous TRH was administered to 4 ALS patients at 2.5 mg/kg and to 5 ALS patients at 5.0 mg/kg. The mean serum TRH concentration increased to 1.4 +/- 0.6 ng/ml (2.5 mg/kg) and 3.2 +/- 1.1 ng/ml (5.0 mg/kg) by 60 min. The mean CSF TRH concentration at 60 min increased to 0.3 +/- 0.08 ng/ml following 2.5 mg/kg TRH and 0.8 +/- 0.04 ng/ml following 5.0 mg/kg TRH. TRH entry into the CSF is comparable following subcutaneous or intravenous administration.

Intravenous thyrotropin releasing hormone in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: autonomic effects.

Heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and oral and skin temperature changes following intravenous administration of TRH occur at lower infusion rates in patients with ALS and bulbar involvement than in patients with ALS without bulbar involvement. This autonomic sensitivity to TRH infusion is characteristic of a more advanced stage of ALS with difficulties in speaking and swallowing. Patients who will be receiving neuropeptides, such as TRH, must be carefully studied to determine whether subclinical bulbar involvement is present. Such patients may require a lower initial dose or dose rate adjustment as well as continual monitoring during neuropeptide administration.

Intravenous thyrotropin-releasing hormone in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Dose-response and randomized concurrent placebo-controlled pilot studies.

Focal, small-to-moderate and transient improvement occurred in the muscle strength and function of patients with ALS who received TRH in dose-response and screening studies. In a small pilot study of 12 patients, 3 months administration of TRH at 10 mg per kg on alternate days resulted in localized increased strength of jaw muscles as well as significant improvement in lower extremity function. Aerobic exercise capacity was particularly improved in patients with ALS following administration of TRH. Autonomic effects of TRH on heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure were not serious and attenuated slightly over the course of the study.

[Important obstacles in the buying of condoms]. / Etude de l'importance des obstacles à l'achat de condoms.

This study identifies the most important barriers to buying condoms and their effect on the intention to buy condoms. A total of 99 high school students and 97 members of a physical fitness centre agreed to participate and completed a self-administered questionnaire. The most frequently reported barriers are embarrassment (26%), reluctance to be seen (21%), lack of money (16%), and problems of choosing from the available condoms (11%). One quarter of the subjects indicated they would not buy condoms when confronted with any one of these barriers.

Organ donation: the family's right to make an informed choice.

The need for organ transplants has increased 200% over the past decade, while the number of organ donors has remained relatively constant. The family's refusal to consent to organ donation has been cited as one of the key factors in the shortage of organs. Lack of understanding about brain death and organ donation have been identified as reasons for refusal to consent. Families of potential organ donors are receiving inadequate information to make informed choices about organ donation, and their emotional needs are not consistently met. Neuroscience nurses can improve consent rates for organ donation by effectively addressing the needs of the potential donor family and offering them the option to donate their loved one's organs.

Epidemiological typing of Moraxella catarrhalis by pulsed field gel electrophoresis.

Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (pfge) was used to compare 59 strains of Moraxella catarrhalis to evaluate pfge for the epidemiological typing of this organism. pfge-generated patterns were compared with those obtained by small fragment restriction enzyme analysis (rea) and species-specific probe hybridization. The strains used in the study were isolated from various geographic locations and included proven epidemiologically related strains. pfge yielded more unique patterns than dna-dna hybridization - 30 versus 18, respectively - but fewer than rea, which generated 45 unique patterns. Strains that demonstrated the same rea pattern or dna-dna hybridization pattern did not always demonstrate the same pfge pattern. For example, in 23 epidemiologically unrelated strains that shared six rea patterns, pfge differentiated the isolates into 12 patterns. Conversely, strains that demonstrated the same pfge pattern did not always demonstrate the same rea pattern or hybridization pattern. For example, in 42 strains that shared 13 pfge patterns, rea differentiated the isolates into 31 patterns and dna-dna hybridization differentiated them into 16 patterns. However, compared with rea, pfge yielded less complex patterns that were more easily comparable, and compared with dna-dna hybridization, pfge was technically easier.