Childhood discoid lupus erythematosus: a Tunisian retrospective study of 16 cases

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is uncommon in children. The clinical features of childhood DLE are similar to those of adult DLE in presentation and chronic course. However, children have a particularly high level of transition to systemic disease. We undertook a retrospective study of 16 children with DLE ranging in age from 2 to 15 years, seen over a 9-year period. Six were less than 10 years old at the onset of the disease. The sex ratio was equal. The frequency of childhood DLE was about 7% of the total number of DLE patients seen in our department. Photosensitivity was defined as a clinical history of induction or exacerbation of discoid lesions following sun exposure, and was present in 81% of patients. There was no progression to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); an average follow-up time was 10.5 months (2-30 months). We would like to emphasize the increased frequency of childhood DLE in our country and the importance of photosensitivity. However, follow-up data regarding transition to SLE is lacking, therefore we are unable to offer a prognosis to our patients.     

Bronchectasis in Horton's disease: fortuitous association?

Respiratory manifestations in Horton's disease are uncommon. We report the case of 63 year-old man with Horton disease diagnosed 2 months before, who was hospitalised for fever, deterioration in general health, cough and hemoptysis. Chest X-ray showed an infiltrate in the right upper lobe and bilateral cystic opacities predominant on basal suggesting bronchectasis who was confirmed secondary in CT-scan. Even though cortico sensible clinical manifestations and radiologic infiltrate were previously described in Horton's disease, association with bronchectasis was never been reported in literature and her etio pathogenic mechanism must be clarified.     

Role of mitochondrial dysfunction in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

The non alcoholic steatohepatitis is a more and more frequent disease. Great progress in the physiopathologic mechanisms has been recently observed. The mitochondrial dysfunction seems to be the main mechanism implied in the necroticoinflammatory genesis of the non alcoholic steatohepatitis lesions. When this one is of metabolic origin, this dysfunction occurs on a vulnerable to aggressions steatosis liver. Several implied factors leads to the increased liberation of free radicals that will activate the lipidic peroxydation. This one is considered as the main generator of necroticoinflammatory lesions and fibrosis. The future therapeutic alternatives depends on a better comprehension of mitochondrial dysfunction.     

Fluorographic equipment for examining the populations of regions not easily accessible

The article describes the design of the experimental prototypes of the lightened portable collapsible photoroentgenograph and mobile photoroentgenograph on the basis of the automobile with a higher cross country travel capacity, uAz-452-A, equipped with the chamber PK-110 (GDR). The test results showed that the above photoroentgenographs are convenient and effective for the prophylactic medical examination of the population in the not easily accessible regions.     

Factors affecting the permeability of cellular and vascular membranes and changes in the enzyme spectrum of the blood in patients having undergone critical states and resuscitation

126 patients recovered after critical conditions and resuscitation have been examined. Activation of lipid peroxidation and an increase in biogenic amine level, leading to marked hyperenzymemia, have been established. The activity of blood enzyme markers reflecting the severity of brain damage has been studied. It has been established that the more severe encephalopathy, the higher the activity of blood creatine phosphokinase. 2,3-cyclonucleotide-3-phosphohydrolase (CNPH), reflecting the damage of myelin membrane of nervous fibers, has been studied. The appearance of myelin-CNPH marker in the blood confirms demyelinization of the central nervous system (CNS). The more severe encephalopathy, the more marked the process of CNS demyelinization, the higher the activity of CNPH in the blood serum. The highest CNPH activity is observed in patients with eclampsia and in dead patients with postsystolic syndrome.