The association of childhood maltreatment with depression and anxiety is not moderated by the oxytocin receptor gene

European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience - The oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene may be involved in resilience or vulnerability towards stress, and hence in the development of...     

Sustained cortical and subcortical neuromodulation induced by electrical tongue stimulation

This pilot study aimed to show that information-free stimulation of the tongue can improve behavioral measures and induce sustained neuromodulation of the balance-processing network in individuals with balance dysfunction. Twelve balance-impaired subjects received one week of cranial nerve non-invasive neuromodulation (CN-NINM). Before and after the week of stimulation, postural sway and fMRI activation were measured to monitor susceptibility to optic flow. Nine normal controls also underwent the postural sway and fMRI tests but did not receive CN-NINM. Results showed that before CN-NINM balance-impaired subjects swayed more than normal controls as expected (p?≤?0.05), and that overall sway and susceptibility to optic flow decreased after CN-NINM (p?≤?0.005 & p?≤?0.05). fMRI showed upregulation of visual sensitivity to optic flow in balance-impaired subjects that decreased after CN-NINM. A region of interest analysis indicated that CN-NINM may induce neuromodulation by increasing activity within the dorsal pons (p?≤?0.01).     

Dietary habits in adult Japanese patients with atopic dermatitis

Dietary habits can modulate the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. We evaluated these habits in adult Japanese patients with atopic dermatitis using a validated, brief‐type self‐administered diet history questionnaire and compared the results to those of age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. Patients with atopic dermatitis showed higher intakes of carbohydrate and potatoes and lower intakes of alcohol, niacin, meat and oils/fats compared with those of the healthy controls. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that the intake of alcohol was negatively associated with atopic dermatitis (odds ratio, 0.905; 95% confidence interval, 0.832–0.983; P = 0.0181). The intakes of vitamin B₆ and fruit were positively correlated with the severity scoring of atopic dermatitis. Multiple regression analysis revealed that vitamin B₆ intake was a predictor of the severity scoring of atopic dermatitis (β = 26.98508709, t = 2.3995292, P = 0.01933781). The intakes of vegetable fat, n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acid, and confections were lower in the severe atopic dermatitis group (severity scoring of atopic dermatitis, ≥33) than those in the mild group. Atopic dermatitis is negatively associated with alcohol intake, and intake of vitamin B₆ is a predictor of severity scoring of atopic dermatitis. The intake of n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acid is lower in the severe atopic dermatitis group than that in the mild group. Further study is warranted on the relationships of these results with abnormal immune responses, impaired skin barrier or pruritus in atopic dermatitis.     

Sonographic features of vaccination granulomas in children with delayed‐type hypersensitivity to aluminum

In this article, we report the sonographic features of vaccination granulomas in three children sensitized to aluminum. Although the recognition of the vaccination granuloma relies on the clinical examination, misdiagnosis is frequent, leading to distressful procedures or prolonged antibiotic administration. In all our cases, sonography revealed a teardrop‐shaped echogenic central structure, suggesting the deposition of aluminum crystals along the route of administration with consequent subcutaneous degenerative changes, and a surrounding hypoechoic cap, which reflects the changeable inflammatory reaction and the granuloma formation.     

Cutaneous apocrine carcinoma of the scrotum: A case with widespread subcutaneous induration

Cutaneous apocrine carcinoma (CAC) is a rare malignancy. It develops predominantly in the regions where apocrine glands are distributed. Some cases of CAC have been reported in the axilla and the inguinal regions, but only a few in the scrotum. We herein report a case of CAC which widely spread over both sides of the whole scrotum with plate‐like hard induration, and such a manifestation has never been reported before. CAC is known to have high rates of local recurrence or metastasis, and the efficacy of radiotherapy or chemotherapy has not been established. As therapeutic options for CAC are limited, it is critical to reach the diagnosis and treat at an early stage.     

Systemic lupus erythematosus in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic: infection,vaccination, and impact on disease management

Clinical Rheumatology - Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) form a vulnerable group in terms of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on disease management. We conducted this overview by...     

Distribution of Metals in Surface Sediments from a Small River Flowing Through Urban and Agricultural Areas

The characteristic distributions of 12 metals (Al, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Cd and Pb) were investigated in surface sediments from a small river (Niitsu River) flowing through both urban and agricultural areas by comparison with those from the upper main stream (Nodai River). Among the investigated metals, the mean concentrations of Al, Cr, Fe, Zn, Cd and Pb in the Niitsu River were significantly higher than those in the Nodai River. The investigated sites can be characterized by the principal components 1–3.