Epidemio-clinical profile of human scabies through dermatologic consultation. Retrospective study of 1148 cases

We report a retrospective study of all scabies cases collected in the department of Dermatology of Charles Nicolle Hospital during a 8 year-period (1993-2000). 148 cases of scabies were collected with a mean incidence of 144 new cases/year (65-204). Diagnosis was made clinically in all cases. Parasitological exam was done in case of doubtful diagnosis. Our purpose is to try to define an epidemio-clinical profile of scabies in Tunisia and to estimate the incidence of this parasitosis through our dermatological consultation with reviewing the literature data.     

Judo Practice in Early Age Promotes High Level of Bone Mass Acquisition of Growing Boys' Skeleton

The current study aimed to exhibit effects of judo training for at least 2 yr on bone mass parameters in growing boys. Our population was composed of one hundred and thirty boys in tanner stage 1 and aged 10.52 ± 0.86 yr. Eleven judo players were therefore, excluded from the study because they do not have participate regularly to the judo training sessions during the last 2 yr. The resting sample was divided into two groups: 50 judo players (JU group) and 69 controls (C group). Bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and bone area (BA) were evaluated by using dual-photon X-ray absorptiometry on weight-bearing sites: the whole body, lumbar spine (L2-L4), legs, femoral necks and hips and on the non-weight bearing sites: arms and radiuses. Our findings displayed that judo participation was markedly associated with greater values of bone mass parameters in young judo players than control group. Accordingly, the BMD and BA results exhibited significant differences in the whole body, legs, dominant total hip, arms and both whole radiuses in addition to the dominant femoral neck, the non-dominant total hip and except the non-dominant whole radius for the BMC parameter. Additionally, data of the subject within t test has shown significant differences of bone mass parameters only in the non weight-bearing sites in the judo players without any obvious variation in the controls. Differences of BMD observed on the dominant arm and whole radius in addition to the increased BMC values showed in the dominant whole radius compared with their contra-lateral sites in judo players without any marked variation of BA parameters in all sites in both groups. In growing boys, judo practice was obviously associated with osteogenic effects in specific sites.     

Critical data‐based re‐evaluation of minocycline as a putative specific microglia inhibitor

Minocycline, a second generation broad‐spectrum antibiotic, has been frequently postulated to be a “microglia inhibitor.” A considerable number of publications have used minocycline as a tool and concluded, after achieving a pharmacological effect, that the effect must be due to “inhibition” of microglia. It is, however, unclear how this “inhibition” is achieved at the molecular and cellular levels. Here, we weigh the evidence whether minocycline is indeed a bona fide microglia inhibitor and discuss how data generated with minocycline should be interpreted. GLIA 2016;64:1788–1794     

MHC class I molecules are present both pre- and postsynaptically in the visual cortex during postnatal development and in adulthood

Immune molecules have been discovered recently to play critical roles in the development, function, and plasticity of the cerebral cortex. MHC class I (MHCI) molecules are expressed in the central nervous system and regulate activity-dependent refinement of visual projections during late postnatal development. They have also been implicated in neurodevelopmental diseases such as schizophrenia and autism. Despite the excitement generated by these unique roles for immune proteins in the brain, little is known about how these molecules regulate cortical connections. The first step toward elucidating the mechanism is to identify the spatial and temporal distribution of MHCI proteins throughout development. Using a pan-specific antibody that recognizes many MHCI variants for biochemistry and immunohistochemistry, we found that MHCI proteins are expressed in the rat visual cortex at all ages examined—during the peak of synaptogenesis, the critical period of synaptic refinement, and adulthood. Their abundance in the cortex peaked during early postnatal development, declining during periods of plasticity and adulthood. In contrast to current assumptions, pre- and postembedding immunogold electron microscopy (EM) revealed that MHCI proteins were present both pre- and postsynaptically at all ages examined. They were often found in the postsynaptic density and were closely associated with synaptic vesicles in the presynaptic terminal. These results suggest a previously undescribed model in which MHCI molecules function on both sides of the synapse to regulate connectivity in the mammalian visual cortex before, during, and after the establishment of connections.     

Acute anhydrous ammonia injury from accidents during illicit methamphetamine production

BACKGROUND: Anhydrous ammonia (AA), a chemical commonly used in agriculture, is a key component in illicit methamphetamine production. Although injuries associated with AA exposure are well studied, AA injuries associated with incidents during illicit methamphetamine production have not been adequately described in the literature. OBJECTIVE: This study better characterizes AA injuries occurring in an agricultural region where illicit methamphetamine production is common. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study based on a chart review of 49 patients who were admitted to a tertiary hospital in Illinois with known or suspected exposures to chemical agents. Indices of morbidity were compared between injuries resulting from exposure to AA and injuries from other chemicals, and between AA injuries from incidents during illicit methamphetamine production and AA injuries from other causes. RESULTS: AA was the most common cause of chemical injury (41%; n=20/49). Incidents during illicit methamphetamine production were the most common cause of AA injury (75%; n=15/20). AA injury was associated with significantly greater morbidity compared to non-AA chemical injury. In addition, methamphetamine-related AA injury was associated with significantly greater morbidity compared to non-methamphetamine-related AA injury. CONCLUSION: Chemical burns during illicit methamphetamine production were the most common cause of both chemical and AA-related injury in our agricultural population and these injuries were associated with greater morbidity during hospitalization.     

Late Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis in a Tunisian Boy

The classical form of late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis is a childhood hereditary neurodegenerative disease usually fatal in the first decade of life. We report a two-year-old Tunisian boy who presented this form of ceroid lipofuscinosis. A febrile seizure was the presenting symptom without psychomotor delay. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed mild cerebellar atrophy. Fundus oculi showed bilateral posterior polar cataract, which is a new finding in the classical form of late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. A homozygous R208X mutation was identified in the NLC2 gene. On follow up, this patient presented with myoclonic epilepsy and regression of acquired milestones.     

PEGylation of microspheres for therapeutic embolization: preparation, characterization and biological performance evaluation

In this study, microspheres designed for embolization, defined as GF2000-Trisacryl MS (GF-MS) and DEAE-Trisacryl MS (DEAE-MS), were originally PEGylated using (3-amino propyl) triethoxy silane as coupling agent. Indomethacin was loaded into both PEGylated and non-PEGylated DEAE-MS, displaying ion-exchange ability, through a batch process with a respective capacity of 1.2 and 0.25 g/g. The morphology of naked and PEGylated MS was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Both micosphere resins surface looked like orange skin, although DEAE-MS showed a slightly rougher surface due to the copolymerization process. PEGylated microspheres have a most likely swelling surface owing to the presence of PEG hydrophilic chains. The mean diameters were of about 66 and 60 microm for GF-MS and DEAE-MS, respectively. Data obtained for PEGylated MS by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed that microspheres were successfully PEGylated. Finally, complement activation in vitro was performed to evaluate the activating capacity of different microspheres. Both PEGylated GF-MS and DEAE-MS activated the complement system of about 33% less than their corresponding naked microspheres, while loading PEGylated DEAE-MS with indomethacin almost suppressed complement activation. This inhibiting role implies that PEGylation as well as loading the microspheres with anti-inflammatory drug has a compact effect on the interaction of microspheres with blood proteins.