Do anorectic men share personality traits with opiate dependent men? A case-control study

BACKGROUND: Eating disorders (ED) and substance use disorders (SUD) display clinical and psychodynamic analogies. The co-diagnosis of a substance use disorder in male ED patients is frequent. Nevertheless, knowledge about the mutual predisposing factors or personality analogies is currently scarce and hypotheses are controversial. METHODS: The Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) was used to assess 21 anorectic men, 79 heroin-dependent men, and 75 control men matched for age and education. RESULTS: Anorectic and opiate-addicted patients displayed higher Harm Avoidance and lower Self-directedness and Cooperativeness. Anorectic men displayed lower Reward Dependence and higher Persistence. Opiate addicts had higher Novelty Seeking and Self-transcendence. DISCUSSION: Anorectic and heroine-dependent subjects share personality traits related to anxiety, fearfulness and antisocial features. Nevertheless, the personality profile does not completely overlap and this could influence the choice of the "substance" of abuse and the related clinical differences between anorexia and heroin dependence.     

Changes in neurokinin A (NKA) airway responsiveness with inhaled frusemide in asthma

BACKGROUND: Inhaled frusemide exerts a protective effect against bronchoconstriction induced by several indirect stimuli in asthma which could be due to interference of airway nerves. A randomised, double blind, placebo controlled study was performed to investigate the effect of the potent loop diuretic, frusemide, administered by inhalation on the bronchoconstrictor response to neurokinin A (NKA) and histamine in 11 asthmatic subjects. METHODS: Subjects attended the laboratory on four separate occasions to receive nebulised frusemide (40 mg) or matched placebo 10 minutes prior to bronchial challenge with NKA and histamine in a randomised, double blind order. Changes in airway calibre were followed as forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and responsiveness to the agonists was expressed as the provocative concentration causing a 20% fall in FEV1 from baseline (PC20). RESULTS: Compared with placebo, inhaled frusemide reduced the airway responsiveness to NKA in all the subjects studied, the geometric mean (range) values for PC20NKA increasing significantly (p < 0.001) from 130.3 (35.8-378.8) to 419.9 (126.5-1000) micrograms/ml after placebo and frusemide, respectively. Moreover, a small but significant change in airway responsiveness to histamine was recorded after frusemide, their geometric mean (range) PC20 values being 0.58 (0.12-3.80) and 1.04 (0.28-4.33) mg/ml after placebo and frusemide, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in airway responsiveness to NKA after administration of frusemide by inhalation suggests that this drug may interfere with the activation of neurotransmission in human asthma.




     

Complete resolution of cutaneous larva migrans with topical ivermectin: A case report

Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM; also called creeping eruption) is a cutaneous ectoparasitosis commonly observed in tropical countries. It is characterized by an erythematous, pruritic, and raised lesion with linear or serpiginous distribution, typically localized at the lower extremities. Oral ivermectin represents the most recommended current treatment, with important adverse effects associated. We report the clinical case of a 52‐year old with CLM, successfully treated with topical ivermectin.     

Erythema multiforme: Differences between HSV‐1 and HSV‐2 and management of the disease—A case report and mini review

Erythema multiforme (EM) is an immune‐mediated reaction characterized by target lesions and with possible mucosal involvement. Its most frequent cause is HSV, with HSV‐1 more common than ?2. It is usually self‐limited but it can show recurrences. We report a peculiar case of recurrent herpes‐associated erythema multiforme (HAEM) in a 35‐year‐old man. The patient was affected by both herpes labialis and genitalis, but the typical target lesions were only associated with recurrent herpes labialis. Here, we hypothesize about the pathogenic differences between HSV‐1 and HSV‐2, and discuss the therapeutic management of HAEM.     

Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus and allergic contact dermatitis: A significant association

Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LSA) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of unknown etiology. It mainly affects the anogenital area, while the extragenital involvement is uncommon. It manifests as pale, ivory‐colored lesions and partially atrophic skin. We report a case of a woman presenting to our department with LSA lesions at the level of the armpit. Furthermore, the patient was allergic to nickel sulfate and balsam of Peru. We assume the presence of an association between nickel allergy and onset of LSA.     

ANO10 mutational screening in recessive ataxia: genetic findings and refinement of the clinical phenotype

Journal of Neurology - Autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia type 3 (ARCA3) is a rare inherited disorder caused by mutations in the ANO10 gene. The disease is characterized by slowly progressive...     

Interferon-β but not Glatiramer acetate stimulates CXCL10 secretion in primary cultures of thyrocytes: a clue for understanding the different risks of thyroid dysfunctions in patients with multiple sclerosis treated with either of the two drugs

Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) has been reported in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) receiving interferon-beta (IFN-β), but not in those receiving Glatiramer acetate (GA). CXCL10 is a chemokine playing a pathogenetic role in AITD and MS. Our aim was to evaluate the effects on CXCL10 secretion of IFN-β and GA, alone and in combination with TNF-α, in primary cultures of thyrocytes (PCT). Significant and dose-dependent secretions of CXCL10 were induced by IFN-β but not GA. TNF-α synergistically increased IFN-β induced CXCL10 secretion. These results may provide an explanation for the occurrence of AITD during IFN-β, but not during GA, treatment for MS.