Transient enriched housing before amyloidosis onset sustains cognitive improvement in Tg2576 mice

Levels of educational and occupational attainment, as components of cognitive reserve, may modify the relationship between the pathological hallmarks and cognition in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We examined whether exposure of a Tg2576 transgenic mouse model of AD to environmental enrichment (EE) at a specific period during the amyloidogenic process favored the establishment of a cognitive reserve. We found that exposure to EE during early adulthood of Tg2576 mice—before amyloidogenesis has started—reduced the severity of AD-related cognitive deficits more efficiently than exposure later in life, when the pathology is already present. Interestingly, early-life exposure to EE, while slightly reducing forebrain surface covered by amyloid plaques, did not significantly impact aberrant inhibitory remodeling in the hippocampus of Tg2576 mice. Thus, transient early-life exposure to EE exerts long-lasting protection against cognitive impairment during AD pathology. In addition, these data define the existence of a specific life time frame during which stimulatory activity most efficiently builds a cognitive reserve, limiting AD progression and favoring successful aging.     

Performances,feasibility and acceptability of nasopharyngeal swab,saliva and oral-self sampling swab for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases - Molecular diagnosis on nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) is the current standard for COVID-19 diagnosis, but saliva may be an...     

Cold-induced urticaria

Cold urticaria is characterized by the development of urticaria, usually superficial and/or angioedematous reaction after cold contact. It was found predominantly in young women. The diagnosis is based on the history and ice cube test. Patients with a negative ice cube test may have represented systemic cold urticaria (atypical acquired cold urticaria) induced by general body cooling. The pathogenesis is poorly understood. Cold urticaria can be classified into acquired and familial disorders, with an autosomal dominant inheritance. Idiopathic cold urticaria is most common type but the research of a cryopathy is necessary. Therapy is often difficult. It is essential that the patient be warned of the dangers of swimming in cold water because systemic hypotension can occur. H1 antihistamines can be used for treatment of cold urticaria but the clinical responses are highly variable. The combination with an H2 antagonists is more effective. Doxepin may be useful in the treatment. Leukotriene receptor antagonists may be a novel, promising drug entity. In patients who do not respond to previous treatments, induction of cold tolerance may be tried.     

Effect of Selenium and Vitamin E Supplementation on Plasma Protein Carbonyl Levels in Patients With Arsenic-Related Skin Lesions

An estimated 35 million people in Bangladesh have been chronically exposed to arsenic in drinking water and are at risk of an array of adverse health conditions. The mechanisms of arsenic toxicity have not been well established; however, oxidative stress has been one commonly proposed pathway. In this study, we evaluated the effect of antioxidant supplementation on plasma protein oxidation among patients with arsenical skin lesions participating in a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial of vitamin E and selenium. Subjects were randomized to 1 of 4 treatments arms (vitamin E, selenium, combination, or placebo) and were treated for a 6-mo period. We observed a dose-dependent increase in adjusted protein carbonyl levels by arsenic exposure status in the pretreatment samples, although trends were not statistically significant. Following the 6-mo intervention, there was a decrease in protein carbonyl levels in each treatment group, although no resultant decrease was significantly different from that seen in the placebo group. Although we did not see a notable effect of selenium or vitamin E supplementation on changes in protein carbonyl levels, these preliminary data demonstrate a feasible methodological approach for the assessment of plasma protein carbonyls in relation to environmental toxicants in a human population and their potential use as endpoints in intervention trials.     

Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma: case report and literature review

We report the identification of a kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KH) in the oropharynx of a 3-year-old boy. This is a rare endothelial-derived spindle cell neoplasm affecting children and early adolescents with features common to capillary hemangioma and Kaposi sarcoma. Nine cases of head and neck KH have been reported, this being the first in the otolaryngology literature. Our patient underwent wide local excision and has remained tumor free for over 1 year. KH should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a vascular lesion demonstrating unexpected behavior from that of a hemangioma.     

Palmoplantar lichen nitidus: a rare cause of palmoplantar hyperkeratosis

BACKGROUND: Lichen nitidus is a rare condition, which may be a cause of palmoplantar hyperkeratosis. We report two cases. CASE REPORTS: A 53 year-old woman presented with a dry and fissured palmoplantar hyperkeratosis. Histological examination of a biopsy showed the typical features of lichen nitidus. Significant improvement was obtained with acitretin. A few months later, multiple lichen nitidus papules appeared on the limbs and the abdomen. A 67 year-old woman was referred to us for a fissured, disabling palmoplantar hyperkeratosis refractory to topical steroids. Histological examination led to the diagnosis of lichen nitidus. Local PUVA therapy resulted in the cleaning of her lesions. Later, typical papules of lichen nitidus appeared on her elbows. DISCUSSION: Nineteen cases of palmoplantar localization of lichen nitidus have been described. The features are usually tiny yellow papules but sometimes a non-specific keratoderma resembling chronic eczema. Palmoplantar involvement of lichen nitidus may be isolated or associated with cutaneous lesions on unusual sites. Oral retinoids and local PUVA are effective treatments.     

Common and constrasting areas of activation for abstract and concrete concepts: an H2 15O PET study

Lesion studies indicate that the lateral and inferior temporal cortex is a critical area of semantic memory storage, but little is known about the cortical organization of semantics within this area. One proposition has been that dominant physical characteristics of objects (structure, motility) are determining factors. A positron emission tomography experiment using the H2(15)O bolus method was performed to test this hypothesis by contrasting activation for concrete and abstract concepts. Unlike previous studies that considered this question, the task required explicit word meaning judgments, and blocks of trials were designed to be of equal difficulty for the two word classes. The task required elderly participants to read aloud the pair of words that was closer in meaning (e.g., spade-shovel vs. spade-carpet). Subtraction analyses that compared the semantic judgment tasks with a baseline condition indicated that both abstract and concrete concepts activated the left lateral temporal cortex. A direct comparison of abstract versus concrete scans indicated differences in the lateralization of fusiform activation. We conclude that although concreteness might be a critical factor in the fusiform cortex, it is not dominant in the lateral temporal cortex. A multistudy overview suggests that tasks that focus on one concept per trial activate areas posterior to y = -40, whereas those that invoke several concepts, as in the present study, activate areas anterior to this. Increased processing complexity may proceed in a posterior-anterior direction in the lateral temporal cortex.     

An epidemic of occupational contact dermatitis from an immersion oil for microscopy in laboratory personnel

Since November 1997, 14 successive cases of occupational contact dermatitis were observed in 13 laboratory technicians and 1 physician, working in a genetics laboratory in Leuven (Belgium) in 3 laboratories of bacteriology in Strasbourg, Montbeliard and Angers, and in the laboratory of hematology in Bordeaux (France). The dermatitis, located on the hands, forearms and face, relapsed after each exposure to an immersion oil for microscopy. Patch tests performed in 10 patients were positive to epoxy resin (ER) in the European standard series (10/10 patients) and to newly formulated Leica immersion oil (7/7), 1 patient testing negatively with the former oil. A breakdown performed in 2 patients with the oil's ingredients confirmed sensitization to liquid modified ER components, contained at >80% concentration in the oil. The presence of DGEBA was demonstrated by HPLC analysis at a +/-30% rate. Although the safety data sheet indicated a revision of the formula, nobody was alerted to the risk of sensitization and the need for skin protection. ERs, as a source of occupational allergy, can provoke epidemics of contact dermatitis in industry. This report of epidemic contact dermatitis from ERs, used for their optical properties in an immersion oil for microscopy, emphasizes the need for perpetual vigilance in occupational medicine and the usefulness of multicentre contacts in dermato-allergology.