Cutaneous tuberculosis. A review of 38 cases

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous tuberculosis (CT) represents only 2% of extra-pulmonary locations. This form should be studied because it may indicate visceral forms of tuberculosis. MATERIAL AND PROCEDURES: Retrospective study of patients affected by CT, conducted in the dermatology department of Charles Nicolle Hospital from 1991 to 2002. Tuberculids have been excluded. RESULTS: We have studied 38 cases of CT subdivided on 8 lupus tuberculosis, fourteen scrofuloderma, two warty tuberculosis, one association between lupus tuberculosis and scrofuloderma, twelve BCG specific reactions and one unclassifiable form. The average age of our patients was 43 years. The sex ratio (H/F) was 1,91. Concomitant visceral tuberculosis was discovered in 9 patients. All cases were confirmed by anatomopathologic examination and half of them had a caseous necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of cutaneous tuberculosis seems to be increasing in our country: from 3 per 1000 new consultants in our dermatology department between 1970 and 1977 to 0.44 per 1000 new consultants from 1991 to 2002. Our study points out a male predominance in cutaneous tuberculosis. Clinical forms are still dominated by scrofuloderma which is a multibacillary form.     

Cross‐relaxation parameters in cortical bone assessed with different MR sequences

This study aimed to show evidence of MR cross‐relaxation effects in cortical bone and to compare different MR sequences for the quantification of cross‐relaxation parameters. Measurements were performed on bovine diaphysis samples with spectroscopic methods (inversion‐recovery, off‐resonance saturation) and with a variable flip angle (VFA) UTE imaging method on a 4.7 T laboratory‐assembled scanner. Cross‐relaxation parameter assessment was carried out via a two‐pool model simulation with a matrix algebra approach. A proton signal amplitude of 28 Mol/L was observed (equivalent water fraction of 25%). It was attributed to collagen‐bound water, with values of ~ 0.3 ms, a “long‐T₂” proton pool, in exchange with protons from the collagen macromolecules ( of 10–20 μs). Magnetization transfer (MT) effects were detected with all sequences. The best precision of model parameters was obtained with off‐resonance saturation; the fraction of collagen methylene protons was found in the range of 22–28% and the transverse relaxation time for collagen methylene protons was 11 μs (1% precision). The model parameters obtained were compatible with VFA‐UTE results but could not be assessed with acceptable accuracy and precision using this method. In vivo MT quantification using off‐resonance saturation with a single B₁ amplitude and offset frequency may provide information about the relative amount of collagen per unit volume in cortical bone.     

Excavated pulmonary nodules: an unusual clinical presentation of lung metastasis in two cases

Background  

Excavated pulmonary metastasis are rare. We present two cases of excavated pulmonary nodules proved to be metastases from osteosarcoma and gallblader lymphoma.     

Upcycling of Pharmaceutical Glass into Highly Porous Ceramics: From Foams to Membranes

The present COVID-19 emergency has dramatically increased the demand for pharmaceutical containers, especially vials. End-of-life containers, however, cannot be easily recycled in the manufacturing of new articles. This paper presents some strategies for upcycling of pharmaceutical glass into various porous ceramics. Suspensions of a fine glass powder (70 vol%) are used as a starting material. Highly uniform cellular structures may be easily prepared by vigorous mechanical stirring of partially gelified suspensions with added surfactant, followed by drying and firing at 550–650 °C. Stabilization of the cellular structures at temperatures as low as the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the used glass is facilitated by thermal decomposition of the gel phase, instead of viscous flow sintering of glass. This finding enabled the preparation of glass membranes (∼78 vol% open porosity), by direct firing of hardened suspensions, avoiding any surfactant addition and mechanical stirring. The powders obtained by crushing of hardened suspensions, even in unfired state, may be used as a low-cost sorbent for dye removal.     

Melatonin ingestion before intradialytic exercise improves immune responses in hemodialysis patients

International Urology and Nephrology - The present study aimed to investigate the effects of melatonin (MEL) intake on systemic inflammation and immune responses during intradialytic exercise....     

Vertebral tuberculosis revealed by thoracic manifestations. A study of five cases

BACKGROUND: Spine is the most frequent location of bone tuberculosis, which can seldom be revealed by thoracic manifestations. METHODS: In a seven-years retrospective study, we reported radioclinical manifestations revealing Pott's disease, methods of diagnosis and the treatment outcome. RESULTS: Five non immunocompromised female patients were hospitalized between 1997 and 2003 in Clinical Department of Pulmonary Diseases in Abderrahmane Mami Hospital Ariana Tunisia, for thoracic manifestations that led to the diagnosis of Pott's disease, which represents 4.2% of extrapulmonary tuberculosis and 1.3% of all cases of tuberculosis cared for in the same period. The median age was 48.6 years. The disease was revealed by a paramediastinal radiographic shadow infiltrating the contiguous left lung in one case, abscesses of chest wall in two cases. Another patient was hospitalized for a tuberculous empyema. The last case had a diffuse miliary shadow in both lungs. All patients complained from thoracic or respiratory problems and constitutional symptoms, that evolved for an average of 5.6 months. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine identified monolevel spondylitis in two cases and multilevel disease in three cases. Diagnosis of tuberculous infection was confirmed in only one case by CT-guided biopsy of a perivertebral abscess, it was retained in three cases by bacteriological and or histopathological exams obtained from extra-vertebral lesions, and presumed in the fifth on a favorable treatment outcome. All patients had at least one extra-vertebral location of tuberculosis. Four patients were treated successfully with antituberculosis chemotherapy, prescribed for 18 to 22 months. Relapse occurred only in one patient, who received 12 months of treatment. CONCLUSION: Pott's disease can be observed in non immunocompromised patients. In the Lung Diseases Department, it is often revealed by thoracic manifestations and associated to pulmonary lesions, which makes the formal diagnosis easy. Here, vertebral tuberculosis does not have anatomical specificities; nevertheless, the multilevel forms are relatively frequent. It constitutes an index of bacillus dissemination, requiring the search for other extra-vertebral locations.     

Consumption of meat,traditional and modern processed meat and colorectal cancer risk among the Moroccan population: A large-scale case–control study

The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between red and white meat subtypes, processed meat (divided into traditional “Khlii, Kaddid” and industrially processed meat) and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, considering CRC subsites, in Moroccan adults. A case–control study was conducted including 2,906 matched case–control pairs recruited from the five largest university hospitals in Morocco. Dietary data were collected through a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Multivariable odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), for the association of CRC risk with meat consumption (high vs. low intake), were estimated using conditional logistic regression models, adjusted for relevant confounding variables. Overall, consumption of red meat was positively associated with colon cancer and CRC risk (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.05–1.44; OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.02–1.27), respectively. In contrast, no significant association was observed between the consumption of red meat and rectal cancer risk (OR = 1.05, 95% = 0.90–1.23). Interestingly, while processed meat from industrial processes was positively associated with colon cancer, rectal cancer and CRC (OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.27–2.04; OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.34–2.23; OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.41–1.98), processed meat prepared using traditional methods was inversely associated with colon cancer and CRC risk (OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.57–0.98; OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.64–0.93), respectively. Furthermore, positive associations were observed between poultry intake and colon cancer risk among men (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.01–1.59). Our study showed similar associations between the consumption of red meat and CRC risk in Morocco as in developed countries, while inverse associations were found for traditionally processed meat products. This is the first study to investigate the differential effects of traditional vs. westernized processed meat products in a developing country. Other studies are needed to confirm these findings and to understand the physiological pathways underlying these associations.