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Bee venom is a very rich and varied biochemical complex, which explains the multitude of its physiological effects as well as its medical indications. In dermatology, apart from psoriasis, few studies have been conducted concerning its interest and effectiveness; however the preliminary results remain so promising and encouraging. We present a clinical case illustrating the efficacy of bee venom in cutaneous varicosities, with a review of the literature of its main dermatological indications.

Preface Lipoma arborescens is an exceptional condition comprised of frond-like excrescences of mature adipose tissue. The condition was originally described by Albert Hoffa in 1904 with characteristic morphology of macroscopic, villous, frond- like excrescences recapitulating a tree-like appearance, as denominated by the term “arborescens” [1]. Lipoma arborescens is additionally designated as “diffuse articular lipomatosis”, “villous lipomatous proliferation of synovial membrane” or “diffuse lipoma of joint”. The essentially benign condition appears within large joints and typically exhibits adipose tissue infiltration of sub-synovial connective tissue. Synovial sheaths of tendons are infrequently incriminated [1,2].

Amyloidoma is an exceptional, progressive disorder demonstrating a characteristic accumulation of significant quantities of amyloid within soft tissues. Amyloidoma is additionally nomenclated as tumoural amyloidosis, nodular amyloid or localized amyloidosis. Furthermore, insulin-derived amyloidoma is referred to as insulin ball. Amyloid is a protein polymer configured of identical monomeric protein units wherein pathological variety is articulated from misfolded proteins. In excess > of twenty three subtypes of proteins can configure amyloid fibres in vivo. Extra-cellular or intra-cellular deposition of amyloid can modify normal organ function [1]. Amyloidosis is categorized into systemic and localized subtypes. Localized amyloidosis displays a localized mass effect and demonstrates a superior prognosis. Insulin-derived amyloidosis was initially documented by Storkel, et al. in 1983 who recognized accumulated insulin- amyloid fibrils in diabetic individuals subjected to continuous infusion of porcine insulin over a period of 5 weeks or more [1,2]. Amyloid nodules may be associated with systemic amyloidosis.

Introduction: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are involved in vascular repair and proliferation, contributing to the long-term outcomes of apheretic treatment. Aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between endothelial function, assessed by levels of bone marrow-derived progenitor cells and endothelial response to hyperaemia, and clinical and biohumoral parameters in high vascular risk patients before, immediately after, 24-hours and 72 hours after a single lipid apheresis procedure. Material and Methods: We evaluated lipid profile, endothelial function and endothelial progenitor cells before (T0), immediately after (T1), 24h after (T2) and 72h after (T3) a lipoprotein apheresis procedure, in 8 consecutive patients [Sex: 62.5% M; Age; 63.29(12), mean, (range) years] with a personal history of acute coronary syndrome, symptomatic peripheral arterial disease and elevated plasma levels of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)]. Patients were on regularly weekly or biweekly lipoprotein apheresis, and they were treated with the FDA-approved Heparin-induced Extracorporeal LDL Precipitation (H.E.L.P.) (Plasmat Futura, B.Braun, Melsungen, Germany) technique. PAT values were expressed as the natural logarithm (Ln-RHI, normal values≥0.4) of the reactive hyperaemia index (RHI), which is the parameter automatically calculated by the device. Results: We found a reduction in the natural logarithm of reactive hyperaemia index (Ln-RHI), assessed immediately after the procedure (0.57±0.21 vs 0.72± 0.29); difference between T2 and T0 was statistically significant (0.43±0.24 vs 0.72±0.29; p=0.006). Reduction in Ln-RHI values was documented in all patients, two subjects showing a Ln-RHI<0.4 at T1, and four at T2. At T3, PAT values were increased significantly (0.91±0.18) in comparison to T1 and T2, showing a median value higher than at T0. Cd34+/Kdr+ and Cd133+/Kdr+ showed a minimum increase in median values at T1, and a higher increase at T2, in comparison to baseline. Differences in Cd34+/133+/Kdr+ values at different times were not statistically significant. A significant reduction in circulating endothelial cells (CEC) count at T2 in comparison to T0 was found (12.00±8.85 vs 23.86±12.39; p=0.024). Discussion: At 24h and 72h after procedures, we found an improvement in endothelial function, expressed by an increase in PAT values and EPC levels, and by a reduction in CEC.

When grouping children with psoriasis depending on TaqI (T/C) genotypes of the VDR gene, the youngest age of disease onset and the longest duration of dermatitis (5.60 ± 0.77 years and 4.90 ± 0.68 years, respectively) showed up in case of the CC genotype. In case of the TT genotype, disease onset coincided with an older age, and the history of present illness was the shortest (10.26 ± 0.64 years and 2.59 ± 0.58 years, respectively). PASI (20.32 ± 3.43) and BSA (40.00 ± 6.11) severity indices were the highest and of statistically significant difference to those in other groups in the presence of the CC genotype. In case of the TC genotype, the index PGA (2.80 ± 0.15) was the lowest and made a statistically significant difference to the values of other groups. A negative correlation between vitamin D levels and the PASI, PGA, BSA was identified in children holding CC and TC genotypes. Conclusion: The clinical presentation of dermatitis and its epidemiological features in children with psoriasis, namely the age of disease onset, duration of exacerbation, body surface area and the intensity of psoriasis symptoms depend on vitamin D serum levels and genotypes of the TaqI polymorphic variant of the VDR gene.

The case is that of 83 year-old African American man with hypertension, hepatitis C induced decompensated cirrhosis with ascites, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis, fluid overload with peripheral edema and chronic hypotension. The patient was referred to the dialysis access center of Pittsburgh, PA for evaluation of his prolonged bleeding from the left upper arm brachial-basilic arterial-venous fistula (BBAVF).

Background: Popliteal artery aneurysms (PAAs) are rare, but the diagnosis should not be missed because of the limb and life threatening complications. The purpose of this study was to reach a consensus about the management of PAA based on our own experience and the available literature. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent an open surgical PAA repair at our institution from January 2015 to December 2016. Demographic data, risk factors, clinical presentation, aneurysm characteristics, type of repair and results were reviewed. Results include patency and major complications. Results: Seven patients underwent an open surgical PAA repair (six men). Median age was 72 years. A posterior approach (PA) was chosen four times and a medial approach (MA) was chosen three times. We performed six resections with interposition of a graft and only one ligation with a bypass. Five patients recovered well, did not develop any complication and did not need a second intervention to guarantee patency. These patients underwent a resection of the aneurysm and interposition of a graft (four via a PA and one via a MA). One patient treated by resection and interposition of a Dacron graft via a MA underwent an above-the-knee amputation at postoperative day 14. This patient had a preoperatively dysfunctional leg since several months with no patent outflow vessels. Our patient treated by ligation and bypass via a MA, developed an acute ischemia four months postoperatively because of an extreme flexion of the knee during several hours while watching TV. After unsuccessful trombolysis, he underwent a femorotibial bypass and a partial forefoot amputation. No long-term results are yet available. Conclusions: In our opinion, open surgical repair of PAAs by resection of the aneurysm and interposition of a venous graft has the best results. Depending on the relation to the knee joint and thus the accessibility of the aneurysm, a posterior approach is preferred. We are not convinced of endovascular techniques in the treatment of popliteal artery aneurysms

Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) carries high morbidity and mortality. Advances in endovascular techniques in the last two decades allow for minimally invasive approach for repair of these aneurysms. A succinct but comprehensive pre-operative is essential for delivery of a safe anesthetic for the patient with rAAA. Placement of proximal occlusion balloon in the descending aorta using the rapid control technique can be life-saving. Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) can be performed under monitored anesthesia care using local anesthetic and IV sedation, and with fewer invasive lines. However, rapid conversion to general endotracheal anesthesia should be expected. Anesthesiologists should be familiar with the hemodynamic management of rAAA and be ready to provide resuscitation to correct for anemia, coagulopathy, and acidemia. In addition, the anesthesiologist should be aware of the common complications related to EVAR, including abdominal compartment syndrome, distal ischemia, and local vessel injury.

The administration of a drug substance is an essential step in the management of a patient. It aims either to cure the patient, to prevent a given disease or sometimes to help with the diagnosis. Unfortunately, the action of the drug can go beyond the desired effect, and cause skin-mucous accidents. These accidents, also known as drug-induced attacks, can be isolated or associated with systemic manifestations [1]. Drug eruption is a real public health issue because of the high frequency. In Europe, drug eruption is responsible for about 20% of spontaneous reports of drug accidents. They complicate 2% to 3% of hospital treatments and motivate 1% of consultations, 5% of hospitalizations in dermatology [2]. Some African authors were interested in the subject. Reported prevalence in hospital settings ranges from 0.4% to 1.53% [3,4]. In Mali, there are no national figures. Old statistics from the Department of Dermatology show that about thirty cases occur each year, most of which are represented by severe forms. However, the risk of drug eruption is thought to be very high due to increased local use of drugs without medical advice, the illegal proliferation of drug outlets (‘Street Medicine’). And the lack of enforcement of existing regulations. In addition, some authors believe that the advent of antiretrovirals and the use of antiInfectious infections used to treat opportunistic infections have increased the risk of Drug eruption by 4 to 30 times, particularly in subjects infected with the acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) [2]. This same risk can be observed in leprosy patients on combination chimotherapy. Clinically, the diagnosis of drug eruption is not as easy as one might think because of clinical polymorphism. The responsibility of a drug for the onset of a reaction is also not easy to establish, as in most cases several drugs are administered simultaneously before the onset of the rash. Because of illiteracy, patients find it difficult to make a complete list of the molecules consumed. To this must be added the high frequency of counterfeit medicines circulating both on the street and in private pharmacies. Given the scarcity of African studies and due to local specificities, it seemed interesting to us to undertake a study on Drug eruption in the dermatology department of the Dermatology teaching hospital of Bamako whose purpose is to study epidemiological aspects, clinical, etiological and to identify the molecules responsible in these patients.

58-year-old male patient who came to the dermatology service for a clinical picture consisting of generalized erythematous scaly and pruritic lesions of 2 years of evolution. The clinical judgments provided were: pityriasis versicolor, drop psoriasis, pityriasis rubra pilaris and secondary syphilis (without serology confirming this last hypothesis then). A biopsy of a lesion located on the right costal side was performed. The serology was negative in a second time.

Background: The plant Artemisia annua has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many years. Rich in bioactive molecules, the A. annua plant is used to extract the anti-malaria compound artemisinin (< 1%), which results in most of the plant being unutilized. One byproduct of artemisinin extraction is artemisia naphtha (AN), which has yet to be studied extensively. Aims: Study the activity of a novel AN oil extract against microbes, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and dermatological endpoints that are key for eczema and acne pathogenesis to determine if an effective A. annua extract for these skin conditions can be developed. Methods: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was performed to determine the composition of AN oil. P. acnes, S. aureus, M. furfur, and C. albicans were cultured to determine minimal inhibitory concentration. in vitro studies utilizing keratinocytes and macrophages were treated with AN oil and gene expression measured by quantitative RT-PCR. A 13-subject clinical trial was performed with 1% AN oil Gel to assess its potential benefits for sensitive and acne prone skin. Results: AN oil upregulates filaggrin gene expression and possesses antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity inhibiting LPS, S. aureus and "Th2 induced" pro-inflammatory mediator release (IL-6, IL-8 and TSLP). Clinical assessment of 1% AN Gel shows it reduces acne blemishes and the appearance of redness. Conclusion: Previously an underutilized and unpurified byproduct, AN is now the source to develop the first topical AN oil for cosmetic use with an activity profile that suggests it is effective for those with sensitive and/or acne prone skin.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is an age-related disorder which is potentially fatal, but frequently misdiagnosed. However, the true prevalence of pulmonary embolism is unknown. Inaccurate estimates of PE prevalence might, in part, be attributable to underrecognition of atypical presentations of this disorder. If true prevalence is unknown, the positive predictive values of both typical and atypical symptoms and signs of PE will be unreliable. The negative predictive value of those parameters will, likewise, be unreliable. The aim of this review is to make clinicians more aware of atypical manifestations of PE, thereby increasing the likelihood of correct diagnosis and, hence, ascertainment of the true prevalence of PE. The range of atypical manifestations was explored by a literature search, using MEDLINE from 1946 to February 2019, and EMBASE, from 1947 to February 2019, and Pubmed, from February 2014 to February 2019, using the search terms atypical, uncommon, unusual, pulmonary embolism, lung embolism, pulmonary thromboembolism. This search revealed atypical presenting features such as non pleuritic retrosternal pain, abdominal pain, atypical breathing patterns, pulmonary oedema, Dressler’s syndrome, atypical radiographic manifestations, atypical electrocardiographic features, manifestations associated with oxygen saturation of 95% or more, coexistence of acute myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism, coexistence of thoracic aortic dissection and pulmonary embolism, neurological manifestations other than stroke, paradoxical embolism, acute venous thrombosis of atypical location, and pulmonary embolism with normal D-dimer levels.

Dissecting aortic aneurysm with ST segment elevation, and pulmonary embolism with ST segment elevation are two of a number of clinical entities which can simulate ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. Objective: The purpose of this review is to analyse clinical features in anecdotal reports of 138 dissecting aortic aneurysm patients with STEMI-like presentation, and 102 pulmonary embolism patients with STEMI-like presentation in order to generate insights which might help to optimise triage of patients with STEMI-like clinical presentation. Methods: Reports were culled from a literature search covering the period January 2000 to March 2020 using Googlescholar, Pubmed, EMBASE and MEDLINE. Reports were included only if there was a specification of the location of ST segment elevation and an account of the clinical signs and symptoms. Search terms were “ST segment elevation”,”aortic dissection”, “pulmonary embolism”, “myocardial infarction”, and “paradoxical embolism”. Fisher’s exact test was utilised for two-sided comparison of proportions. Proportion was calculated for each group as the number of patients with that parameter relative to the total number of patients assessed for that parameter. Findings: There were 138 patients with aortic dissection, 91 of whom were either fast-tracked to coronary angiography (81 patients) or fast-tracked to thrombolytic treatment (10 patients). There were 47 patients managed with neither of those strategies. There were 102 patients with pulmonary embolism, 71 of whom were fast tracked to coronary angiography, and 31 who did not receive that evaluation. Compared with their dissecting aortic aneurysm counterparts, those dissecting aortic aneurysm patients initially managed by percutaneous coronary intervention or by thrombolysis were significantly (p = 0.0003) more likely to have presented with chest pain, and significantly (p = 0.018) less likely to have presented with breathlessness. The preferential fast-tracking to coronary angiography prevailed in spite of comparable prevalence of back pain in fast tracked and in non-fast tracked subjects. Use of transthoracic echocardiography was also comparable in the two subgroups of dissecting aortic aneurysm patients. Pulmonary embolism patients fast tracked to percutaneous coronary intervention were significantly (p = 0.0008) more likely to have presented with chest pain than their pulmonary embolism counterparts who were not fast-tracked. The prevalence of paradoxical embolism was also significantly (p = 0.0016) higher in fast-tracked patients than in counterparts not fast-tracked. Cardiac arrest was significantly (p = 0.0177) less prevalent in fast-tracked pulmonary embolism patients than in pulmonary embolism patients who were not fast-tracked. Preferential fast-tracking to coronary angiography prevailed in spite of the fact that prevalence of documented deep vein thrombosis was comparable in fast-tracked subjects and in subjects not fast-tracked. The prevalence of use of transthoracic echocardiography was also similar in fast-tracked pulmonary embolism patients vs counterparts not fast tracked. Overall, however, transthoracic echocardiography had been utilised significantly (p = 0.007) less frequently in dissecting aneurysm patients than in pulmonary embolism patients. Conclusion: Given the high prevalence of STEMI-like presentation in aortic dissection there is a need for greater use of point-of-care transthoracic echocardiography to mitigate risk of inappropriate percutaneous coronary intervention(which might delay implementation of aortic repair surgery) and inappropriate thrombolysis(which might precipitate hemorrhagic cardiac tamponade) (75) during triage of patients presenting with ST segment elevation simulating ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Furthermore, during triage of patients with STEMI-like clinical presentation, the combined use of point-of -care echocardiography and evaluation for deep vein thrombosis will facilitate the differentiation between acute myocardial infarction, STEMI-like aortic dissection, and STEMI-like pulmonary embolism. Among STEMI-like patients in whom DAA has been ruled out by point of care TTE, fast tracking to PCI might generate an opportunity to identify and treat paradoxical coronary artery embolism by thrombectomy. Thereby mitigating the mortality risk associated with coronary occlusion. Concurrent awareness of PE as the underlying cause of paradoxical embolism also generates an opportunity to relieve the clot burden in the pulmonary circulation, either by pulmonary embolectomy or by thrombolysis. Above all, frontline clinicians should have a greater awareness of the syndrome of STEMI-like presentation of aortic dissection and STEMI-like pulmonary embolism so as to mitigate the risk of inappropriate thrombolysis and inappropriate percutaneous coronary angiography which seems to prevail even in the presence of red flags such as back pain (for aortic dissection) and deep vein thrombosis(for pulmonary embolism). 

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the health status of rural adolescents and young adults in the United States through a comprehensive review of detailed health information, behavior and health awareness. The disparity in health awareness between rural and non-rural residents compared and evaluated. Methods: Rural-Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) codes were combined with respondent-level data from the Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) to classify individuals as rural/non-rural residents. Health characteristics and perceived health awareness was tested for statistically significant differences using ANOVA. Differences in weight perception accuracy was compared for systematic differences controlling for self-selection into rural areas using a two-stage logistic selection model. Findings: Analysis revealed that rural residents have a higher incidence of major health conditions including epilepsy, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes. Additionally, they have a higher prevalence of unhealthy behaviors including drinking and drug use. Rural residents are less likely to be insured, but more likely to be overweight or obese. While rural adolescents are more likely to mis-classify their body weight, this misclassification is a result of the higher incidence of overweight rather than the residential location. Conclusion: The higher prevalence of chronic conditions combined with the income and education levels suggests the rural environment is a unique and potentially challenging context for adolescent health. Improving rural adolescent health will require innovative solutions appropriate for rural environments and changes in individual health literacy. Solutions must be multisectoral, engaging education, economic development, and other community perspectives to establish key drivers for health equity.

A 34-year-old male patient presented with the complaint of chronic pain in the left groin following left side testicular vein ligation for varicocele. Ilio-inguinal neurectomy and cremaster muscle division was done in another hospital for the pain but with no relief of pain. Patient on examination showed point tenderness in the left groin at the pubic tubercle. Finger Invagination test in the left was painful with severe tenderness. Investigation showed fibrosed contracted left distal inguinal ligament. Percutaneous Ultrasonographic (USG) guided inguinal ligament release and Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injection relieved the pain completely. Post-procedure patient showed significant improvement of pain.

This opinion paper provides a summary of the current reconstructive surgical techniques for the scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) and critically highlights their benefits and shortcomings. Due to limited success with direct repair of the ligament, current practice focuses on achieving biomechanical stabilization and does not allow for tissue regeneration to occur. In addition, the biomechanical behaviour of the ligament is still poorly described and understood, resulting in a very large variation in published mechanical parameters. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the biomechanics of the joint, via both experimental testing and numerical modelling is necessary for enabling the design of the next generation of implants in order to address mechanical stabilisation and regeneration.

Physician-patient communication is the most basic element and vital skill of physicians in the diagnosis, treatment, and establishing diagnostic protocols. As the risks of contagion and viral infection are higher in physicians and health workers, front line soldiers inpatient care units, so they should establish strict protective measures. However, patients value greatly face to face and close relationships with their doctors, including facial interviews and physical examinations. So social and physical distancing between physician and their patients can be remarked as a bigger toll than the risk of COVID-19 contagious.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. Aim of our study was to assess the clinical and the cytogenetic characteristics in longlivers with osteoarthritis from Precarpathian region (Ukraine). Methods: Cytogenetic, Clinical Results: All of the subjects were separated into three groups: І group - 146 longlivers patients who had hypertension and osteoarthritis (ОА); II group - 93 longlivers patients only with ОА. The control (third) group included 130 patients aged 90-102 years without osteoarthritis and hypertension in anamnesis. In the age group more than 95 years, men and women of both groups were significant difference (p<0,05) to be compared with control. Cytogenetic characteristics of the long-livers with on osteoarthritis showed that most there is a tendency for a higher frequency of chromosomal aberrations in male long-livers and tere are significant difference among control (p<0,05). The number of chromosomes associated in a single cell was significantly higher (p<0,05) in both groups compared to control. Conclusion: The importance of this study resides, to the best of our knowledge, in the fact that the largest group of patients in Ukraine was analyzed and assessed.

Background: Corona virus disease is a highly infectious disease caused by the newly innovated corona virus. An emerging respiratory disease was abbreviated as COVID-19, after it has been first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan city of China. Ethiopia Ministry of health initiated multidisciplinary approach to tackle COVID-19 of which awareness creation is the main. The aim of this study is to assess knowledge, practice and associated factors towards prevention of novel corona virus among clients in Debre Tabor general hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020. Methods: Institution based cross sectional study design was conducted in Debre Tabor General hospital from May 15 to May 30, 2020. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The data were entered into epi data version 4.4 and exported to SPSS window version 25 for analysis. Binary and multivariable logistic regression was fitted. Odds Ratios with 95% Confidence interval and p - value ≤ 0.05 were considered to assert significance. Result: A total of 345 clients were analyzed and the response rate was 96.4%. The mean age was 32.95 with S.D ± 13.18 years. Majority of the respondents were male (75.7%). Among the study participants 54.2% with (95% CI: [49.0, 59.2%]) and 49.0% with (95% CI: [43.5, 53.4%]) have good knowledge and god practice on COVID-19 preventions respectively. Sex AOR: 4.33 (2.06, 9.09), family size AOR: 2.49 (1.01, 6.15 and heard from social media AOR: 2.78 (1.21, 6.39) were significantly associated with knowledge of respondents. Knowledge AOR: 3.11 (1.59, 6.10) was significantly associated with practice of clients. Residency and those heard from TV were significant variables for both. Conclusion and recommendation: In this study the overall knowledge and preventive practices of the respondents were found to be low. Sex, family size, residency and sources of information were associated factors for knowledge. In addition to this knowledge was significant factor for practice. Health education programs aimed at mobilizing and improving COVID-19 related knowledge and practice intend to be strengthened.

This work aims to evaluate cortical porosity through a high-resolution peripheral quantitative micro-tomography in a group of 47 patients. All patients, in vivo, were subjected to the medical care protocol of the University Hospital Clementino Fraga, 020-213. Patients were women aged from 37 to 82 years old, who did not present fractures in their lower and upper limbs, all of them showing good health. During screening, they were required to have normal BMD (as determined by DXA; T-score ≥ 1.0) and no low-trauma fractures history. The exclusion criteria for all the individuals enrolled in this control study include, for example, alcoholism, chronic drug use, and chronic gastrointestinal disease. Male patients ranging from 42 to 79 years old presented the same health issues as women group. Results showed an increase in the amount of pores on the cortical bone of the evaluated patients over time; however, this increase was also observed in pore diameter, as well as a decrease in the border between the cortical and trabecular bone, indicating a deterioration in cortical bone quality over the years.