Nitric oxide and malondialdehyde levels in plasma and tissue of psoriasis patients

Background The pathogenesis of psoriasis has not been known exactly yet. Recently, it has been suggested that increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) may play a part in the pathogenesis of various skin diseases, including psoriasis. Objectives In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of ROS in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Methods A convenience sample of 23 patients with psoriasis and 23 healthy subjects consented to participate in the study. Plasma NO and MDA levels were measured in all participants. Psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) and tissue levels of MDA on lesional and non‐lesional skin regions of psoriasis patients were measured. In addition, the correlation between age, gender with plasma NO, plasma MDA and tissue MDA was assessed. Results Plasma levels of NO and MDA in psoriasis patients (135.8 μmol/L, 4.33 μmol/L, respectively) were statistically significantly higher than those in controls (33.6 μmol/L, 2.03 μmol/L, respectively). Tissue levels of MDA in lesional tissues (49.18 nmol/gr) were significantly higher than those in non‐lesional tissues (28.41 nmol/gr). A significant correlation was not found between the PASI and levels of NO and MDA. In addition, a significant negative correlation was found between the plasma NO levels and age. Conclusion NO and MDA levels are elevated in psoriasis patients, which may indicate that oxidative stress plays an important role in the aetiopathogenesis of psoriasis.     

Successful Treatment of Solitary Bone Metastasis of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Bevacizumab and Hyperthermia

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents 85 % of all malignant lung cancers. In metastatic disease the principle goal of palliative therapy is to prolong survival with least toxicity and best patients’ quality of life. Bevacizumab (BEV) has been approved as first line treatment in combination with platinum based chemotherapy and maintenance therapy in NSCLC. BEV can be added safely to several chemotherapeutic agents, however there is no data on coadministration with thermotherapy. Even in localized disease no robust evidence exists about the beneficial effect of loco-regional thermotherapy on overall survival, but it might be used successfully in symptom palliation. In this article a successful co-administration of BEV and hyperthermia is reported in a patient with monolocalized bone metastasis from previously operated NSCLC. This case suggests that electrohyperthermia can probably be incorporated in palliative therapy added not only to radiotherapy or chemotherapy but also to anti-angiogenic BEV treatment.     

Carbohydrate recognition systems in autoimmunity

The immune system is a complex functional network of diverse cells and soluble molecules orchestrating innate and adaptive immunity. Biological information, to run these intricate interactions, is not only stored in protein sequences but also in the structure of the glycan part of the glycoconjugates. The spatially accessible carbohydrate structures that contribute to the cell's glycome are decoded by versatile recognition systems in order to maintain the immune homeostasis of an organism. Microbial carbohydrate structures are recognized by pathogen associated molecular pattern (PAMP) receptors of innate immunity including C-type lectins such as MBL, the tandem-repeat-type macrophage mannose receptor, DC-SIGN or dectin-1 of dendritic cells, certain TLRS or the TCR of NKT cells. Natural autoantibodies, a long known effector branch of this network-based operation, are effective to home in on non-self and self-glycosylation also. The recirculating pool of mammalian immune cells is recruited to inflammatory sites by a reaction pathway involving the self-carbohydrate-binding selectins as initial recognition step. Galectins, further key sensors reading the high-density sugar code, exert regulatory functions on activated T cells, among other activities. Autoimmune diseases are being associated with defined changes of glycosylation. This correlation deserves to be thoroughly studied on the levels of structural mimicry and dysregulation as well as effector molecules to devise innovative anti-inflammatory strategies. This review briefly summarizes data on sensor systems for carbohydrate epitopes and implications for autoimmunity.     

Contingency management is effective across cocaine-dependent outpatients with different socioeconomic status

Contingency management (CM) has demonstrated its efficacy for treating cocaine dependence, but there is still some controversy with regard to its dissemination. Understanding how individual differences affect CM outcomes is important for detecting barriers to its dissemination. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of socioeconomic variables in cocaine-dependent outpatients on the effectiveness of CM in a community setting. Cocaine-dependent outpatients (N = 118) were randomized to community reinforcement approach (CRA) treatment or a CRA plus vouchers program. The impact of baseline economic variables, alone and in combination with treatment conditions, on abstinence and retention outcomes after 6 months of treatment was assessed. Results showed that income had no effect on retention or abstinence outcomes after 6 months of treatment in either treatment condition. The addition of a CM component was beneficial for individuals with any socioeconomic status. These results support the generalizability of CM strategies with patients of different socioeconomic status in community settings.     

Aqueous hydrocortisone mouthwash solution: clinical evaluation

Patients often experience difficulties in applying topical steroids in orabase to the oral mucosa, particularly when large areas need to be covered. An aqueous hydrocortisone mouthwash solution has been developed, one that was anticipated to be more acceptable to patients. The solution contains hydrocortisone (0.3% w/v) in a 4.5% (w/v) 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin solution. Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (0.5% w/v) was used to increase the viscosity of the solution and to promote the hydrocortisone±cyclodextrin complex. One hundred and two patients with aphthous ulceration, lichen planus, and other mucosal conditions used the mouthwash in an open clinical efficacy study. Most patients reported some or considerable improvement following a 2-week course of treatment with the mouthwash: 26 of 33 (78.8%) patients with aphthous ulceration were `much better', as were 26 of 54 (48.1%) patients with lichen planus and 5 of 16 (31.3%) patients with other mucosal lesions. No serious side effects were reported. Aqueous mouthwash solutions offer a potential vehicle for topical steroid therapy of oral mucosal lesions.     

Correction to: Ultrasound resistive index,power Doppler,and clinical parameters in established rheumatoid arthritis

Clinical Rheumatology - The original version of this article, unfortunately, contained an error. One of the author's name on this article was incorrectly spelled as “José Alexandre...