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Notes: This work analyses the changes induced on the microstructure and mechanical propertiesof ultrafine (0.2 and 0.4 μm) hardmetal grade WC-7wt.% Co by HIP after vacuum sintering. A largeHIP pressure (155 MPa) is applied to the ultrafine hardmetal system at different temperatures(1000, 1200 and 1400 °C). The well-known correlation between porosity reduction and fracturestrength improvement is confirmed. Residual porosity left after liquid phase sintering is removedmore effectively at HIP temperatures above the eutectic point of the alloy (1400 °C). In the absenceof grain growth inhibitors, hardness decreases continuously, and WC-Co ultrafine microstructurecoarsens as HIP temperature rises. However, for specimens containing VC and Cr3C2 additions,hardness increases as HIP temperature rises from 1200 to 1400 ºC. It is proposed that thisanomalous trend (confirmed by grain size observations) is related to the activation of coalescencemechanisms during solid state HIPing, which are inhibited by the presence of a liquid phase

Notes: Objective   The aim of the present study was to find out whether emotional stress is related to palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP).Subjects and methods   Our 21 patients with palmoplantar pustulosis and 21 age- and sex-matched controls were studied with the help of a psychological interview and two psychological tests: Eysenk's Personality Questionnaire for Adults (EPQ-A) and Inventory of Situations and Response of Anxiety (ISRA).Results   Anxiety, ranging from moderate to severe was higher in PPP patients than in controls (P 〈 0.001).Conclusion   Our findings seem to indicate that stress may be related to exacerbation of the palmoplantar pustulosis.

Notes: Aim of the study An observational study with valaciclovir was conducted to assess clinical outcome in herpes zoster, especially pain and associated neurological signs and symptoms in relation to a series of demographic and disease characteristics discernible at presentation. The safety and acceptability of valaciclovir for treatment of zoster was assessed in a wide variety of primary care and clinic referral settings. Methods In total, 1897 immunocompetent adults with clinically diagnosed, localized acute herpes zoster were enrolled in this international, open-label study of valaciclovir. All subjects received treatment with oral valaciclovir (1000 mg three times daily) for 7 days from entry to the study and were asked to record the presence of zoster-associated pain and abnormal sensations throughout treatment and 6 months’ follow-up. They were seen frequently in clinic to verify subjective assessments and for evaluation of rash healing. Safety and tolerability were assessed by adverse event monitoring. Results Overall, 1191 subjects (63%) were aged ≥ 50 years, and 203 (11%) had ophthalmic zoster. Cessation of zoster-associated pain was significantly faster in the younger age group; median times to loss of zoster-associated pain were 23 days and 9 days in the ≥ 50 and 〈 50 years age groups, respectively. Similarly, abnormal sensations resolved significantly more rapidly in the younger subjects; the median duration of abnormal sensations was 31 days in the ≥ 50 year olds and 16 days in those aged 〈 50 years. In cases of ophthalmic zoster, the rate of pain resolution was not different from those with zoster in other dermatomes (median duration of pain 18 vs. 16 days). However, abnormal sensations persisted significantly longer in subjects with ophthalmic zoster than in those with zoster at other sites (47 vs. 22 days). In addition to advancing age, subjects suffering moderate to severe prodromal pain or acute pain during the rash phase were at significantly greater risk of zoster-associated pain and abnormal sensations persisting for longer. Subjects with concomitant neurological disorders were also more likely to develop prolonged abnormal sensations. Valaciclovir treatment was well tolerated, and adverse events were rare and generally mild. Conclusion This study confirmed the prognostic importance of advancing age and the intensity of prodromal or acute pain as risk factors for prolonged zoster-associated pain and persisting abnormal sensations in the affected dermatome. Ophthalmic zoster and pre-existing neurological disorders are also identified as highly significant risk factors for prolonged abnormal sensations in herpes zoster.

Notes: Background  The efficacy of synchronous balneophototherapy in clearing psoriasis is based on the multiple-targeted effects of UVB light and Dead Sea salt. Their synchronous application produces a synergic effect.Objective  The purpose of this retrospective study is: 1) to evaluate the efficacy of synchronous balneophototherapy for treating different clinical types of psoriasis; 2) to determine whether there is any difference between response to treatment, and 3) to gain more data in order to predict the effect of treatment in different clinical types, and thus to support the selection of patients for treatment.Methods  Patients received a basic course of synchronous balneophototherapy according to the Regensburg scheme, consisting of 35 treatment sessions, followed by a maintenance course of a further 25 treatments. The patients’ skin status was monitored by weekly assessment using the PASI score throughout the course. The efficacy of the treatment was evaluated through the results of 373 patients treated according to protocol during the basic course, and the results of 78 of these patients during the maintenance course. One hundred and eighty-six patients were enrolled into the study comparing the efficacy of the basic course for the different clinical types of psoriasis: data of patients with large plaques, small plaques, guttate and confluating type of skin signs were summarized and compared.Results  During the basic course of treatment 70.7% improvement of the average PASI index was observed; the average PASI index decreased from 16.14 to 4.73. A further improvement from 4.58 to 4.27 of the average PASI was found during the maintenance therapy. Small plaque-type skin signs showed the best response with a PASI decrease of 76.1%; Guttate type had a PASI decrease of 73.7%, large plaque type, 67.1% and confluating type, 62%. Comparing data with the average PASI decrease, a statistically significant lower decrease was found in confluating type cases.Conclusions  These results confirm that synchronous balneophototherapy is an effective treatment modality for different clinical types of psoriasis. Patients with small plaques have the greatest chance of the most marked clinical clearing; guttate and large plaque types of psoriasis also respond well to the treatment.

Notes: Background  An intermittent short course of cyclosporin A (CyA) therapy is a good choice in the treatment of severe psoriasis. Nevertheless, some severe or resistant patients might benefit from long-term treatment. Adverse effects of long-term use of CyA are investigated and the results are compared with the literature.Patients and methods  A retrospective study of adverse effects of CyA treatment in a group of 53 patients suffering from psoriasis. The mean treatment time was 31.4 ± 23.2 months with a minimum of 4 months to a maximum of 95 months, with very few short interruptions of treatment (from 2 to 5 months in five patients).Results  The group consisted of 29 women and 24 men, ranging in age from 18 to 65 years, with an average age of 44.49 years. Arterial hypertension appeared in 45.3% of patients during treatment. Pharmacological treatment was required in 32% of these patients to control the condition. Serum creatinine levels were transiently elevated in 11.3% of the cases, but withdrawal of treatment was required in none of them.Discussion  Long-term CyA treatment might be necessary in some patients and this study shows that it could be sustained with a close follow-up. This involves regular visits depending on each patient, as well as common test protocol and clinical evaluation. In conclusion, this retrospective study seems to confirm the relative safety of long-term CyA treatment when patients are adequately monitored.

Notes: Abstract Transcription of the Trichoderma longibrachiatum egl1 gene is induced in the presence of lactose and β-methylglucoside and repressed by glucose. A DNA fragment containing 722 bp upstream of the ATG codon has been sequenced. The gene has two major transcription start points (20 and 24 nucleotides upstream from the ATG codon) and several transcription termination points (located in a region around 130 nt downstream of the stop codon). Two 6-mer sequences (5′-CTGGAG-3′) separated by 16 bp are present in the egl1 gene promoter. These sequences match the Aspergillus nidulans consensus CreA binding site and might be implicated in carbon catabolite repression of egl1 transcription.