bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic Evaluation Associated With Clinical-Grade Mobile App–Based Digital Therapeutic Interventions: Systematic Review (Preprint)
Authors: Sapanel Yoann , Tadeo Xavier , Brenna Connor T A , Remus Alexandria , Koerber Florian , Cloutier L Martin , Tremblay Gabriel , Blasiak Agata , Hardesty Chris L , Yoong Joanne , Ho Dean
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

Digital therapeutics (DTx), a class of software-based clinical interventions, are promising new technologies that can potentially prevent, manage, or treat a spectrum of medical disorders and diseases as well as deliver unprecedented portability for patients and scalability for health care providers. Their adoption and implementation were accelerated by the need for remote care during the COVID-19 pandemic, and awareness about their utility has rapidly grown among providers, payers, and regulators. Despite this, relatively little is known about the capacity of DTx to provide economic value in care.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to systematically review and summarize the published evidence regarding the cost-effectiveness of clinical-grade mobile app–based DTx and explore the factors affecting such evaluations.

METHODS

A systematic review of economic evaluations of clinical-grade mobile app–based DTx was conducted following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) 2020 guidelines. Major electronic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, were searched for eligible studies published from inception to October 28, 2022. Two independent reviewers evaluated the eligibility of all the retrieved articles for inclusion in the review. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed for each included study.

RESULTS

A total of 18 studies were included in this review. Of the 18 studies, 7 (39%) were nonrandomized study–based economic evaluations, 6 (33%) were model-based evaluations, and 5 (28%) were randomized clinical trial–based evaluations. The DTx intervention subject to assessment was found to be cost-effective in 12 (67%) studies, cost saving in 5 (28%) studies, and cost-effective in 1 (6%) study in only 1 of the 3 countries where it was being deployed in the final study. Qualitative deficiencies in methodology and substantial potential for bias, including risks of performance bias and selection bias in participant recruitment, were identified in several included studies.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review supports the thesis that DTx interventions offer potential economic benefits. However, DTx economic analyses conducted to date exhibit important methodological shortcomings that must be addressed in future evaluations to reduce the uncertainty surrounding the widespread adoption of DTx interventions.

CLINICALTRIAL

PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42022358616; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022358616
El Bachillerato en Línea de la UADY: 10 años de innovación y mejora continua
Authors: Díaz Barahona María Edith , Maldonado Rodríguez Paulina , Gómez Parra Christian Janine
Published: March 2023

Este testimonio describe los primeros 10 años del Bachillerato en Línea, su inicio como el primer plan de estudios en modalidad virtual de la Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, el proceso de innovación y mejora continua que ha atravesado y los alcances que se han tenido en materia de educación virtual de tipo medio superior a distancia, así como los principales retos que enfrenta para continuar avanzando y brindar al estudiantado una educación de calidad, equitativa y de acuerdo con las necesidades del mundo actual.
La tutoría en los bachilleratos en línea de la RED
Authors: Vadillo Guadalupe , Terrazas Razo Omar
Published: March 2023

A partir de las entrevistas con representantes de cada una de las diez instituciones de la Red de Bachilleratos Universitarios Públicos a Distancia (RED) de México, se presenta una perspectiva de cómo y quiénes organizan esta función, cuáles son sus metas y qué impactos tiene en el estudiantado y en el cuerpo docente. Se concluye que, de acuerdo con esta muestra de responsables de tutoría, representa una actividad fundamental de la experiencia de aprendizaje que cada estudiante vive al cursar su bachillerato. Se enfoca en la prevención y mitigación del abandono y rezago escolar a través del seguimiento y acompañamiento de estudiantes y cuenta con retos y posibilidades de desarrollo diversos.
A RARE CASE OF NATURAL COLOR ABERRATION IN THE STRIPED LIGHTBULB LIZARD (Riama striata, GYMNOPHTALMIDAE) IN THE HIGHLANDS OF THE EASTERN ANDES OF COLOMBIA
Authors: Sanchez Sofia , Gómez Sánchez Diego
Published: March 2023

Riama striata (Peters, 1863) is an endemic lizard from Colombia of the Gymnophthalmidae family. This species can live in habitats disrupted by anthropic factors; it has semifossorial habits and usually exhibits cryptic coloration. Here, we report the first case of erythrism for the species based on an adult male from a locality north of the Bogotá savanna.
NOTAS SOBRE ECOLOGÍA TÉRMICA Y TAMAÑO CORPORAL DE Ninia diademata BAIRD & GIRARD 1853 EN HUITZILAN DE SERDÁN, PUEBLA, MÉXICO
Authors: Ángel Hernández Estefanía , Guizado Rodríguez Martha Anahi , Woolrich-Piña Guillermo Alfonso
Published: March 2023

Pocos aspectos de la biología de la Ninia diademata se conocen. Aquí se reporta por primera vez información relacionada con su ecología térmica y morfometría básica en agroecosistemas cafetaleros del municipio de Huitzilan de Serdán, Puebla.
TRAINING MAKING A DIGITAL POSTER USING THE CANVA APP IN CREATING PROCEDURE TEXT AT PKBM KATIMPUN
Authors: Norahmi Maida , Affandi Muhammad , Sujiyani Erma , Widiastuti Novi
Published: March 2023

Community Learning Center is a non-governmental organization formed by and for the community that is engaged in learning and is located at the village or sub-district level. To equal education, PKBM has a strategic function to serve all school-age children or people who want to go to school but are unable to attend school. Like others, PKBM Katimpun has also carried out its function to serve and provide education for the surrounding community. The presence of PKBM is a forum for carrying out various educational activities that are equivalent to formal schools in general. The problems faced by PKBM Katimpun are the need to increase expertise in the field of technology and information so that students can compete in the work field later. In addition, students also need to improve their academic abilities. In this case, English lessons are one of the subjects that contribute to the development of skills for students in their future work. Therefore, we took the initiative to combine these two targets into one training material which is expected to improve skills in IT as well as the ability to learn and write English texts. This community service activity is intended to provide training to PKBM Katimpun students through two materials, namely the use of the Canva application and learning to write procedure texts in English.
USE OF ONLINE APPLICATIONS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC BY ADULT STUDENTS AT COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS
Authors: Santoso Budi , Hufad Ahmad , Wahyudin Uyu , Saepudin Asep , Purnomo Purnomo
Published: March 2023

Implementation of learning at the Community Learning Center (PKBM) during the Covid 19 pandemic faced challenges, this was due to the diversity of backgrounds of students in PKBM. The majority of students in PKBM are adults, due to the nature of PKBM which is flexible and oriented to community needs. The use of applications in learning during a pandemic is an option that must be used. However, adults who were born as digital immigrants need to adapt to this new technology. This research was carried out by applying a quantitative approach, using a survey method, namely research examining large and small populations (universe) by selecting and studying selected samples from that population, so as to find the relative incidence, distribution, and interrelation of variables and located in the city Bandung. Data collection through observation, interviews, documentation studies, and questionnaires. The population of this study amounted to 77 PKBM institutions, obtained a sample with the slovin formula totaling 43 PKBM institutions, with a total of 200 PKBM students representing each institution. The results of the study show that the most widely used learning media is WhatsApp, The use of the whatsapp application is more applicable and familiar how to use it.
Diagnóstico al comportamiento tributario de los comerciantes de la ciudad de Ocaña
Authors: Ibañez Rueda Carmen Amanda
Published: March 2023

Teniendo en cuenta las investigaciones propuestas por el Área de Investigación del  El Centro de Investigación Desarrollo y Fomento Empresarial (CIDFE) adscrito a la Facultad de Ciencias Administrativas y Económicas (FCAE) de la Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander Ocaña (UFPSO), se realizó un diagnóstico al comportamiento tributario de los comerciantes de la ciudad de Ocaña, Norte de Santander, esto con el fin de identificar todos aquellos comerciantes que no pagan impuestos, o que desconocen de la obligatoriedad que tienen Estos en el cumplimiento del pago de los tributos.

Igualmente la investigación busca identificar las necesidades de capacitación que tienen los comerciantes de la ciudad de Ocaña en lo relacionado con las Leyes tributarias de nuestro país.

A su vez, para dar cumplimiento a los objetivos propuestos en la presente investigación, se conocerá sobre los aspectos metodológicos, usándose técnicas e instrumentos de investigación que permitan medir la cantidad de comerciantes de la ciudad de Ocaña que desconocen del pago de los impuestos o que evaden dicha obligación.
Responsabilidad social empresarial: ¿oportunidad o sofisma?
Authors: Pérez Suescún Leonardo Fabio
Published: March 2023

En este artículo se presenta un análisis de la responsabilidad social empresarial como una oportunidad de materializar los postulados éticos que orientan el actuar organizacional, se fundamentó en los postulados teóricos de  Argandoña. (2009),  Bédard. (2003) Gómez. (2014), Holliday. (2010), Ruiz-Navarro. (2012) entre otros autores, se enmarca en una metodología documental y analítica. Se delibera sobre la importancia de la RSE como un valioso instrumento para la gestión integral de las organizaciones, adoptando principios que permitan abordar de manera integral el rol de la compañía dentro de la sociedad, dimensionando los aspectos económicos inherentes a la organización, pero también los sociales y ambientales propios del contexto donde desarrolla su actividad.
El sector solidario y su Desarrollo integral
Authors: Pineda - López Kelly Lorena , Moreno - Mendoza Edward Fabian
Published: March 2023

La economía solidaria en Colombia, se caracteriza por avanzar y crear transformaciones al territorio a través de la cooperación y ayuda mutua, por tal motivo, el estudio se enfocó en conocer las principales causas o problemáticas que inciden para promover el ejercicio solidario en el territorio, mediante una metodología cuantitativa de tipo descriptivo, tomando como población las asociaciones del municipio de Ocaña, Norte de Santander, concluyendo que más del 50% de las entidades promueven la innovación y atienden la problemática principal del desempleo y apoyo social a población en condición de pobreza extrema.
A PacBio Hi-Fi genome assembly of the painter’s mussel Unio pictorum (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Gomes-dos-Santos André , Froufe Elsa , Machado Andre , Lajtner Jasna , Černecký Ján , Castro L Filipe C , Lopes-Lima Manuel
Published: March 2023

Mussels of order Unionida are a group of strictly freshwater bivalves
with nearly 1,000 described species, with a dispersed geographic
distribution across the world’s freshwater ecosystems. Despite their
fundamental ecological importance, they are highly threatened, being the
faunal group with the highest records of wild extinctions. To date, only
five freshwater mussel species have had their whole genome sequenced, of
which only two are from European species. Here, we present the first
genome assembly of the painter’s mussel, Unio pictorum (Linnaeus,
1758), the type species representative of the order and the most
widespread species of the genus in Europe. We used long-read PacBio HiFi
sequencing reads to produce a highly contiguous assembly that will pave
the way for the study of European freshwater mussels in the Genome Era.
Predictive Modelling (Customer Churn) Measurement and Prevention
Authors: Sharma Alok
Published: March 2023

Customer Churn is big problem for enterprises. Churn is normal due to
multiple reasons however when customer churn is more than new business
for a particular year. It can have negative impact on revenue. There are
many ways to measure and predict customer churn using scientific methods
and predictive modelling. This article explains that how organization
can build customer churn model and focus to minimize the churn based on
mathematical and statistical approaches by using customer pattern of
purchase, usage, engagement, and customer call center data. Building a
customer churn model may take some time to analyze the data, model to
use and sometime model takes some time to mature based on sales
department input of model outcome. Result of Customer Churn model are
very encouraging if it is built correctly and being natured by the time.
This article will help to many enterprises and data scientist to have a
systematic way to approach a customer churn model with or without a
scripting language knowledge.
Andrographolide Causes p53-independent HCC Cell Death through p62 Accumulation and Impaired DNA Damage Repair
Authors: Li Xin-Yu , Cui Xuan , Xie Chang-quan , Wu Yong , Song Tang , He Jin-di , Feng Ji , Cui Qian-ru , Bin Jin-lian , Li Qiu-yun , Xiao Cheng , Lu Guo-Dong , ZHOU JING
Published: March 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a deadly cancer, with the dominant
driver mutations such as p53 yet undruggable. There is urgent demand to
search for novel agents and therapeutic targets for HCC treatment.
Andrographolide (Andro, a clinical-available anti-inflammation
phytochemical agent) could inhibit different types of cancer including
HCC, but the molecular mechanisms involved are yet unclear. The present
study thus determined how Andro mechanistically cause HCC cell death in
both in vitro and in vivo models. Andro dose- and time-dependently
induced HCC cell death but spared normal hepatocyte HL-7702.
Furthermore, Andro caused ROS-mediated DNA damage, which was critical
for cell death. Since p53 could induce G2/M cell cycle arrest, the
p53-present tumour cells were found to be more resistant to
Andro-induced cell death, compared to the p53-deficient cells. Notably,
Andro-induced p62 aggregation promoted proteasomal degradation of RAD51
and 53BP1, two essential proteins involved in DNA damage repair. As a
result, either silencing or knocking-out p62 promoted DNA damage repair
and consequently protected HCC cells from Andro- induced cell death.
Consistently, xenograft tumour developed by p62-knockout cells were more
resistant to Andro treatment. In addition, p53 and p62 were independent
with each other, since disrupting any one protein did not affect
expression of the other protein. Taken together, the present study may
shed light on repurposing Andro in the treatment of both p53-present and
p53-deficient HCC.
Selection pressure by specialist and generalist insect herbivores leads to optimal constitutive plant defense. A mathematical model
Authors: Chakraborty Suman , Gerzhenzon Jonathan , Schuster Stefan
Published: March 2023

Brassicaceae plants have the glucosinolate-myrosinase defense system,
jointly active against herbivory. Glucosinolates (GLS) are hydrolysed by
myrosinase to produce isothiocyanates as soon as herbivory begins.
Isothiocyanates exert detrimental effects on the feeding insects.
However, constitutive GLS defense is observed to occur at levels that do
not deter all insects from feeding. That prompts the question of why
Brassicaceae plants have not evolved a high constitutive defense. The
answer may lie in the contrasting relationship between plant defense and
host plant preference of specialist and generalist herbivores. One of
the reasons plants are in this dilemma is that they do not know what
kind of herbivore will attack them in any given year, and thus have to
be prepared for different possibilities. GLS content increases the
susceptibility to specialist insects because these are attracted to
plants with a high GLS content and are capable of coping with the toxin.
In contrast, generalists are deterred by the plant GLS. Although GLS can
attract the natural enemies (predators and parasitoids) of these
herbivores, enemies can reduce herbivore pressure to some extent only.
So, plants can be overrun by specialists if GLS content is too high,
whereas generalists can invade the plants if it is too low. Therefore,
an optimal constitutive plant defense can minimize the overall herbivore
pressure. To explain optimal defense theoretically, we represent the
contrasting host selection behavior of insect herbivores and, in
addition, the emergence of their natural enemies by a non-autonomous
ordinary differential equation model, where the independent variable is
the plant GLS concentration. From the model, we quantify the optimal
amount of GLS, which minimizes the total herbivore (specialists and
generalists) pressure. That quite successfully explains the evolution of
constitutive defense in plants from the perspective of optimality
theory.
Spontaneous decoration of ionic compound at the perovskite interfaces to achieve 23.38% efficiency with 85% fill factor in NiOX-based perovskite solar cells
Authors: Qu Geping , Wang Deng , Liu Xiaoyuan , Qiao Ying , Li Yinxin , Zeng Jie , Xie Pengfei , Xu Yintai , Zhu Peide , Huang Limin , Wang Yanggang , Khan Danish , Xu Baomin , Xu Zong-Xiang
Published: March 2023

Inorganic hole transporting materials (HTMs), particularly NiOX, have
shown significant promise in boosting the efficiency and stability of
perovskite solar cells. However, a major challenge facing NiOX-based
p-i-n perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is their direct contact with the
absorber layer, which can lead to photovoltage and filling factor
losses. Additionally, under-coordinated Ni cations can react with the
perovskite and cause damage. In this work, we address these issues by
using an ionic compound (QAPyBF4) as a perovskite additive to passivate
the entire perovskite layer and interact with under-coordinated Ni
cations. Our results show that the introduction of QAPyBF4 significantly
enhances the performance and stability of NiOX-based PSCs. Specifically,
the decorated cells achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of
23.38% and a fill factor (FF) of 85.46%, with no need for complicated
surface treatment or NiOX doping. The QAPyBF4 compound passivates the
buried NiOX/perovskite interface, effectively reducing photovoltage and
filling factor losses. Moreover, the [BF4]‒ component of the
compound interacts with under-coordinated Ni cations to prevent their
negative impact on the perovskite layer. Overall, our study proposes a
simple and effective approach to optimize the performance and stability
of NiOX-based PSCs through the use of ionic compound additives. Our
findings suggest that addressing buried NiOX/perovskite interface issues
and under-coordinated Ni cation considerations are critical in achieving
high-performance and stable NiOX-based PSCs.
A bibliometric analysis of smart cities and the internet of things
Authors: Cerasi Ceren , Akturk Cemal
Published: March 2023

The Internet of things (IoT) is a concept that was introduced into daily life
with the Industry 4.0 revolution. It allows for interaction and knowledge
sharing not only between humans and between humans and machines, but also
between machines themselves. A good example of the IoT is the use of smart
appliances: smart appliances create smart homes, and smart homes make smart
buildings, resulting in smart cities. Although there is no universally
agreed definition of a smart city, it generally means the use of technology
and evidence to enhance a city or the services provided to its residents.
This study aims identify the trends in global research on the IoT and smart
cities through a bibliometric analysis of the scientific publications
indexed by Web of Science (WoS) in the years between 2011 and 2021. There
are few studies in the literature that have focused on both IoT and smart
cities in such a wide variety in addition which makes different kinds of
bibliometric analysis. We analyzed the number of documents published, the
most highly cited papers, the countries and the authors with the most
publications, using the VOSviewer program. This bibliometric analysis of
existing work in this area offers valuable insights and a reference for
future research for academics and practitioners in the field of IoT and
smart cities.
Machine-learning based thermal conductivity prediction of propylene glycol solutions: Real time heat propagation approach
Authors: Jarrett Andrew , Kodibagkar Ashwin , Um Dugan , Simmons Denise , Choi Tae-Youl
Published: March 2023

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the capability of an ANN to classify the thermal conductivity of water-glycol mixture in various concentrations. Massive training/validation/test temperature data were created by using a COMSOL model for geometry including a micropipette thermal sensor in an infinite media (i.e., water-glycol mixture) where a 500 ?s laser pulse is irradiated at the tip. The randomly generated temporal profile of the temperature dataset was then fed into a trained ANN to classify the thermal conductivity of the mixtures, whose value would be used to distinguish the glycol concentration at a sensitivity of 0.2% concentration with an accuracy of 96.5%. Training of the ANN yielded an overall classification accuracy of 99.99% after 108 epochs.
Research on deflagration behavior of gas and gas-coal dust in a vertical pressure relief pipe-line system
Authors: Liu Chuang , Jing Guoxun , Sun Yue
Published: March 2023

Gas explosion and gas-coal dust explosion are serious disasters in coal mine production. To further study the hazards of gas explosion and gas and coal dust explosion under different conditions, experiments were done in this paper in a pipe-line system containing an explosion pipe-line and pressure relief pipe-line. Flame propagation behavior and overpressure dynamics of gas explosion and gas coal dust explosion were analyzed. Flame propagation behavior of gas explosion and gas-coal dust explosion are divided into three-stages: spherical flame, round-finger flame, and pointed-finger flame. Flame front position increases with time showing a class exponential growth trend. Flame front velocity has been increasing in the explosion pipe-line. When the flame rushes out of the PVC membrane and enters the pressure relief pipe-line, flame front velocity decreases slightly. The flame front velocity increases rapidly in the pressure relief pipe-line. With growing gas concentration, the peak overpressure in the explosion pipe-line rises at first, then decrease, and the peak overpressure in the pressure relief pipe-line keeps rising. Peak overpressures are obtained at gas concentrations of 9 vol.% and 13 vol.%, respectively. When gas concentrations are 7 vol.% and 9 vol.% in the reaction, the peak overpressures in the pressure relief pipe-line during gas explosion and gas-coal dust explosion are all lower than those in the explosion pipe-line. When gas concentrations are 11 vol.% and 13 vol.% in the reaction, the peak overpressures in the pressure relief pipe-line during the two types of explosions are higher than those in the explosion pipe-line.
Long-lasting remission of pemphigus vulgaris treated with rituximab
Authors: Esposito M , Capriotti E , Giunta A , Bianchi L , Chimenti S.
Published: March 2023

This article does not have an abstract.
Atopic dermatitis in adults: does it disappear with age?
Authors: Sandström Falk MH
Published: March 2023

There is limited knowledge of the prognosis in adult atopic dermatitis. We previously published a long-term follow-up questionnaire study of adults with atopic dermatitis. This study is a clinical examination of 79 adults (mean age 57 years) recruited 3 years after that study. Most patients (68%) still reported that they had atopic dermatitis and 53% had ongoing eczema at examination, mainly located on the head and neck. Severity was mainly mild to moderate, but 12% had severe atopic dermatitis. IgE antibodies to Malassezia (m70) were more common in patients with ongoing atopic dermatitis, while positive Malassezia culture was seen mainly in patients with no ongoing atopic dermatitis. M. obtusa and M. globosa were the most commonly cultured Malassezia species. In conclusion, considering increased prevalence of atopic dermatitis in children in recent decades and the fact that atopic dermatitis in most adults continues for many years, we should expect to see more adults with atopic dermatitis in the future.
Asymmetry in dermoscopic melanocytic lesion images: a computer description based on colour distribution
Authors: Seidenari S , Pellacani G , Grana C.
Published: March 2023

Digital dermoscopy improves the accuracy of melanoma diagnosis. The aim of this study was to develop and validate software for assessment of asymmetry in melanocytic lesion images, based on evaluation of colour symmetry, and to compare it with assessment by human observers. An image analysis program enabling numerical assessment of asymmetry in melanocytic lesions, based on the evaluation and comparison of CIE L*a*b* colour components (CIE L*a*b* is the name of a colour space defined by the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage) inside image colour blocks, was employed on the recorded lesion images. Clinical evaluation of asymmetry in dermoscopic images was performed on the same image set employing a 0-1 scoring system. Asymmetry judgement was expressed by the clinicians for 12.8% of benign naevi, 44.7% of atypical naevi and 64.2% of malignant melanomas, whereas the computer identified as asymmetric 6.3%, 33.3% and 82.2%, respectively. Numerical parameters referring to malignant melanomas were significantly higher, both with respect to benign naevi and atypical naevi. The numerical parameters produced could be effectively employed for computer-aided melanoma diagnosis.
An immunofluorescence study of light chain in pemphigus
Authors: Igarashi R. , Morohashi M. , Inomata N. , Sato Y.
Published: March 2023

Immunofluorescence studies were made on light (L) chain of immunoglobulins in patients with pemphigus. These patients fell into two groups: a subcorneal bulla group, consisting of 10 patients with Senear-Usher syndrome, and one with pemphigus foliaceus, and a suprabasal bulla group consisting of 8 patients with pemphigus vulgaris. In the former group there was deposition of L chains of either type alone in the intercellular spaces of the upper epidermis: kappa type alone in 9 and lambda type alone in 2 patients. Deposition of L chains of both types was observed in the intercellular spaces of the lower epidermis in all patients of the latter group. No significant difference existed between groups as to the titre of circulating intercellular antibodies of either type. Some comments are made on the significance of the L chain of immunoglobulins in a pemphigus.
Ultrastructure of cutaneous granulomas and mononuclear cells from patients with sarcoidosis
Authors: Veien NK. , Kobayasi T.
Published: March 2023

Routine electron microscopy was carried out on biopsy material taken in an active stage from cutaneous sarcoid granulomas of 5 patients. In addition, mononuclear cells isolated from the peripheral blood of 2 patients and 2 controls were studied prior to and after culture with phytohemagglutinin. The infiltrating cells of the sarcoid granulomas varied only slightly from patient to patient. The dominant cell types were macrophages and epithelioid cells rich in endoplasmic reticulum. Epithelioid cells with numerous secondary lysosomes were frequently seen. Typical as well as atypical lymphocytes, giant cells and epithelioid cells with many primary lysosomes were less frequent. No atypical lymphocytes were seen among the mononuclear cells from the peripheral blood, either before or after culture with phytohemagglutinin.
Palmoplantar keratoderma of punctate type: acrokeratoelastoidosis Costa
Authors: Johansson EA. , Kariniemi AL. , Niemi KM.
Published: March 2023

A special type of punctate palmoplantar keratoderma occurring in 10 patients from six Finnish families is described clinically, histologically and ultrastructurally. Eight of the patients were women. The patients had symptomless, slightly elevated, transparent, round or oval, hyperkeratotic papules, 2 to 5 mm in diameter, located at the edges of the palms and fingers, the entire palms and wrists, and at the edges of the soles. The clinical picture resembled acrokeratoelastoidosis Costa. Six of the patients also had knuckle pad-like lesions on the interphalangeal joints of the fingers and toes. Three of the patients had recalcitrant warts and no wart virus antibodies were found in their sera. The pedigrees of three families are presented and an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern is suggested. The histology of the lesions revealed undulating hyperkeratosis with slight depressions on the epidermis, which was otherwise normal. The dermis was of normal thickness and both the elastic and the collagen fibres seemed to be microscopically normal. Ultrastructurally, however, the elastic fibres in the deep dermis showed pathological alterations in some cases. In conclusion, we consider the condition to be acrokeratoelastoidosis Costa, a variant of hereditary palmoplantar keratodermas.
Subpopulations of T lymphocytes in a patient with fulminant mycosis fungoides
Authors: Jensen JR. , Thestrup-Pedersen K.
Published: March 2023

A patient with fulminant Mycosis fungoides was found to have a very high percentage of T lymphocytes with Fc receptors for IgG and a low percentage of T lymphocytes with Fc receptors for IgM. The total number of T lymphocytes was normal, but the in vitro function of the lymphocytes was depressed in short-term cultures, though not in cultures of 5 days' duration. T lymphocytes with Fc receptors for IgG are considered to have suppressor functions, and the immunological changes in this patient may be explained by an increased suppressor cell activity. Other investigators have proposed that the abnormal lymphocytes in Mycosis fungoides are T helper cells. After treatment with electron beam and transfer factor, our patient developed uraemia due to uric acid crystallization in the kidneys. This complication to the treatment given seems not to have been reported before.
Antichlamydial antibodies in chronic palmoplantar pustulosis
Authors: Jansén CT. , Hollmén A. , Pajarre R. , Terho P.
Published: March 2023

Serum antichlamydial antibodies were determined with an immunofluorescence method in 40 patients affected by palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP). Antibody titre greater than or equal to 16 was found in 53% of the cases, the titre being greater than or equal to 64 in 38% of the patients. By comparison, a titre of greater than or equal to 64 was found in 13% out of 55 psoriatics, in 12% out of 41 eczema and urticaria patients, and in 3% out of 37 healthy controls. The difference between the results from the PPP patients and that of the healthy controls was statistically significant (p < 0.01). In only 8 of the 40 PPP patients was any additional evidence found of a previous venereal infection. The possibility that PPP may represent an abnormal reaction to infectious agents, e.g. Chlamydia, is discussed.
Is the use of Ro 10-9359 (Tigason) in children justified?
Authors: Van der Rhee HJ. , Van Gelderen HH. , Polano MK.
Published: March 2023

In 5 children ranging in age from 8 to 12 years, treatment with Ro 10-9359 for either psoriasis or erythrokeratodermia variabilis for periods of between 11 and 17 months did not cause marked growth retardation and gave excellent therapeutic results.
Some unusual findings in porokeratosis Mibelli
Authors: Neumann E.
Published: March 2023

Light microscopy in a case of unilateral porokeratosis Mibelli revealed a cyst-like dilatation in the upper corium containing two cornoid lamella complexes. Among other findings, elastic globes as part of thickening and fragmentation of elastica, which in this case may be related to microangiopathia deserve to be mentioned.
Studies on fibronectin in the skin: VI. Intra-epidermal depositions in vulgar psoriasis, lupus erythematosus, bullous pemphigoid and dermatitis herpetiformis
Authors: Fyrand O.
Published: March 2023

The fibronectins are a group of glycoproteins present in plasma and cellular tissues. They are produced by fibroblasts and endothelial cells, and are of importance in cellular adhesion and spreading. Fibronectin has a special affinity to fibrous proteins such as collagen and elastin, and is abundantly present in normal skin in the dermo-epidermal junction area, dermis, and subcutis. Fibronectin is not found in the epidermis. In a number of diseases fibronectin can be demonstrated in the epidermis of lesional skin, with or without affection of the dermo-epidermal junction area. Such changes are found in psoriasis vulgaris, lupus erythematosus, bullous pemphigoid and dermatitis herpetiformis, and represent the exoserosis of plasma and/or transepidermal elimination of degenerated tissue structure with fibronectin from the dermo-epidermal junction and the papillary dermis.
Tinea versicolor and body lotions
Authors: Roed-Petersen J.
Published: March 2023

A woman complained she had caught her "white spots" from an American sun lotion. The daughter also had them. The mother's spots showed malassezia furfur. The daughter, by a curious coincidence, had developed vitiligo at the same time. As a comfort it was agreed that the sun lotion should be examined for fungal contamination. Scrapings from lesions of patients with tinea versicolor show a typical appearance of malassezia furfur. Roberts (9) cultured specimens from 27 patients and isolated Pitysporum orbiculare in 25.
Transfer factor in the treatment of chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis: a controlled study
Authors: Mobacken H. , Hanson LA. , Lindholm L. , Ljunggren C.
Published: March 2023

A controlled cross-over study with transfer factor was carried out on 7 patients suffering from chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis. Only one patient showed clinical improvement, which started during a period of pretreatment with 5-fluorocytosine given orally 14 days before the patient entered this trial. No conversion to a positive skin test with Candida antigen or PPD was demonstrated following TF in the 6 patients who were anergic to either of these antigens. Variations in the cell-mediated immune response as revealed by lymphocyte transformation were observed in most patients, especially when studied over a long period of time. However, no pronounced efficacy of TF vis-à-vis placebo in normalizing the cell-mediated immune response could be demonstrated in the 5 patients who completed the clinical trial. Systemic side effects were not observed.
Organoid nevus phakomatosis
Authors: Kuokkanen K. , Koivikko M. , Alavaikko M.
Published: March 2023

Abstract is not available
Absence of cataract ten years after treatment with 8-methoxypsoralen
Authors: Bäck O. , Hollström E. , Lidén S. , Thorburn W.
Published: March 2023

Thirteen patients treated with 4-41 g of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) for vitiligo were examined with regard to ocular damage 2-12 years after start of the treatment. No signs of eye damage were registered. This result indicates the need for more comprehensive retrospective examinations of 8-MOP-treated patients in order to gain information on the practical risk of cataract formation.
Nevus spilus-like hyperpigmentation in psoriatic lesions during PUVA therapy
Authors: Helland S. , Bang G.
Published: March 2023

Three patients with psoriasis who developed nevus spilus-like hyperpigmentation during PUVA therapy are described. Histological studies of skin biopsies revealed no increase in the number of melanocytes or any sign of malignancy. The need for follow-up studies is stressed.
Porphyria variegata: failure of chloroquin treatment
Authors: Cramers M. , Jepsen LV.
Published: March 2023

A 27-year-old woman affected by porphyria variegata was treated with chloroquin for 1 1/2 years without any clinical improvement. Urinary excretion of porphyrins was not convincingly altered during treatment.
Propylene glycol in the treatment of tinea versicolor
Authors: Faergemann J. , Fredriksson T.
Published: March 2023

Twenty patients with tinea versicolor were treated with propylene glycol 50% in water twice daily for 2 weeks. All of these were cured when seen 2 weeks after the last day of treatment. The patients found the treatment cosmetically attractive and only 2 patients complained of a slight burning sensation in the skin after application of the solution.
White fingernails preceded by multiple transverse white bands
Authors: Jensen O
Published: March 2023

In a patient with hepatocellular damage due to abuse of alcoholic liquors, multiple transverse white bands were found in all fingernails. On examination 3 months later the bands had disappeared, and the nails had developed into typical white nails. The changes were located in the nail bed, and were possibly caused by vascular alterations.
The effect of benzoyl peroxide on acne
Authors: Cunliffe WJ , Holland KT
Published: March 2023

A double-blind study of two commonly used (5%) benzoyl peroxide-containing preparations showed that they were equally effective in the treatment of acne. With these treatments there was a reduction in P. acnes, Micrococcaceae and surface-free fatty acids. These data support the continued use of benzoyl peroxide preparations in the treatment of acne.
Fine structure of the intercellular space of psoriatic epidermis during retinoid (RO 10-9359) and retinoid-PUVA treatment
Authors: Kanerva L , Lauharanta J , Niemi KM , Lassus A
Published: March 2023

The enlarged intercellular space in the lower malpighian layers of untreated psoriasis contains a fine granular and a coarse granular substance. Both types of this substance increase in amount during 2-6 weeks of retinoid (RO 10-9359) therapy. Retinoid stimulates the formation of these substances, which previously have been termed "mucus". After glutaraldehyde-osmium tetroxide fixation their mucoid nature cannot be ascertained more specific cytochemical techniques being needed for this. A darker, more homogeneous substance in the upper spinous intercellular spaces increases in amount during retinoid therapy. Large amounts of keratinosome-derived lamellae are observed at the boundary of the stratum intermedium and the stratum corneum. Even after 14 weeks of treatment with retinoid or retinoid plus PUVA, at clinical remission, the histological and electron microscopical pictures still show some psoriatic changes, i.e. enlarged intercellular spaces with fine or coarse granular substance.
Apoptosis as the mechanism of the involution of hair follicles in catagen transformation
Authors: Weedon D , Strutton G
Published: March 2023

Electron microscopy was performed on mouse skin to study the mechanism of the spontaneous involution of hair follicles during catagen. The reduction in follicles size appears to result from cell deletion by apoptosis, a distinct type of cell death with importance in tissue kinetics. These ultrastructural changes have been misinterpreted in the past as autophagic vacuole formation because of the prominent phagocytosis of the apoptotic fragments by adjacent, surviving cells of the hair follicle.
Trichoepithelioma multiplex and dystrophia unguis congenita: a new syndrome?
Authors: Cramers M
Published: March 2023

Abstract not available
In situ identification of mononuclear cells in cutaneous infiltrates in discoid lupus erythematosus, sarcoidosis and secondary syphilis
Authors: Bjerke JR , Krogh HK , Matre R
Published: March 2023

The inflammatory mononuclear cell infiltrates observed in lesional skin from patients with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), sarcoidosis, and secondary syphilis have been characterized in situ. Immunological markers (human T lymphocyte antigens and receptors for sheep erythrocytes, C3b, C3d and Fc gamma) were studied by using immunofluorescence tests with IgG F (ab´)2 preparation of anti-T lymphocyte serum, hemadsorption with tissue sections, and tests with soluble immune complexes of peroxidase. In DLE, T lymphocytes were the dominant cell type. In sarcoidosis, the epithelioid cells, including giant cells, had markers similar to macrophages. The lymphohistiocytic cells consisted mainly of macrophages, some T lymphocytes and a few B lymphocytes. In secondary syphilis (condylomata lata), macrophages and T lymphocytes were the dominant cell types, and relatively few B lymphocytes were detected.
A light and electron microscopic study of bowenoid papulosis
Authors: Faber M , Hagedorn M
Published: March 2023

Bowenoid papulosis of the genito-anal region was studied by light- and electron-microscopy. Histopathologically there was no difference between bowenoid papulosis and ordinary Bowen´s disease. Conspicuous ultrastructural findings included: great variation of intercellular spaces, decrease in intact desmosomes, aggregation of tonofilaments resulting in dyskeratosis, and two types of intracellular vacuolization probably caused by invagination of plasma membrane.
Histiocytosis X with unusual skin symptoms
Authors: Nagy-Vezekényi K , Makai A , Ambró I , Nagy E
Published: March 2023

A 4-year-old boy with skin symptoms resembling verruca plana juvenile was observed. The light- and electron-microscopic picture showed the typical features of histiocytosis X (Letterer-Siwe syndrome). Beside the skin manifestations some less dense areas in the skull bones were found by X-ray examination. Vinblastine and prednisolone treatment for one year resulted in complete remission.
Blood lymphocyte subpopulations in Mycosis fungoides and their functions in vitro
Authors: Gu SQ , Petrini B , Von Stedingk LV , Thyresson N , Wasserman J
Published: March 2023

T-lymphocyte subpopulations, PWM stimulated in vitro Ig production by mononuclear cells, and spontaneous cell-mediated cytotoxicity (SCMC) were determined in patients with Mycosis fungoides (MF) as well as in sex- and age-matched normal controls. We were able to confirm our earlier findings of a significantly higher frequency of T-lymphocytes with Fc-receptors for IgG (Tg cells) and a proportion of T lymphocytes with Fe receptors for IgM (Tm cells) not significantly differing from normal controls. As defined by monoclonal antibodies, the proportion of T-helper cells (Leu3A) was significantly lower, whereas the T-suppressors cells (Leu2A) were in the range of normal controls. The PWM stimulated and spontaneous Ig synthesis in vitro was lower in MF patients whereas there was no difference in the SCMC activity, in comparison with normal controls. The lower frequency of T-helper cells in the peripheral blood may be explained by their migration to the skin.
Micromorphology and specificity of orally induced flare-up reactions in nickel-sensitive patients
Authors: Christensen OB , Lindström C , Löfberg H , Möller H
Published: March 2023

Abstract not available
Oral methoxsalen photochemotherapy (PUVA) of dyshidrotic eczema
Authors: LeVine MJ , Parrish JA , Fitzpatrick TB
Published: March 2023

Abstract not available
A double-blind study of the effects of benzoyl peroxide 20% and eusol and liquid paraffin on the microbial flora of leg ulcers
Authors: Daltrey DC , Cunliffe WJ
Published: March 2023

Abstract not available
The significance of Morgan?s fold in children with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Meenan F.O.C.
Published: March 2023

Among 40 children with alopic dermatitis between 1-4 years 5 had Morgan?s fold, whereas none among 40 controls. Among 60 children with atopic dermatitis with an age average of 8 years 4 had this sign and in matched control series 2 children.
Effect of Disease Severity on Comorbid Conditions in Atopic Dermatitis: Nationwide Registry-Based Investigation in Finnish Adults
Authors: Kiiski Ville , Ukkola-Vuoti Liisa , Vikkula Johanna , Ranta Martta , Lassenius Mariann I. , Kopra Jaakko
Published: March 2023

The majority of registry studies on atopic dermatitis include only patients and diagnoses from specialized healthcare. The aim of this retrospective, real-world cohort study was to evaluate the effect of atopic dermatitis severity on comorbidities and total morbidity, with comprehensive data from both primary and specialty healthcare registries covering the entire Finnish adult population. In total, 124,038 patients were identified (median age 46 years; 68% female) and stratified by disease severity. All regression analyses (median follow-up 7.0 years) were adjusted at a minimum for age, sex, obesity, and educational level. Compared with mild atopic dermatitis, severe atopic dermatitis was significantly associated with multiple morbidities, including neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders, abscesses, erysipelas/cellulitis, impetigo, herpes zoster, extragenital herpes, bacterial conjunctivitis, septicaemia, lymphomas, alopecia areata, urticaria, other dermatitis, contact allergy, osteoporosis, and intervertebral disc disorders (p < 0.001). In addition, there were significant associations with alcohol dependence, depression, condylomas, rosacea, migraine, sleep apnoea, hypertension, enthesopathies, atherosclerosis, and drug-induced cataract (p < 0.05). Odds ratios were modest and mostly were between 1.10 and 2.75. Furthermore, patients with severe atopic dermatitis had lower incidences of prostate cancer, cystitis, and anogenital herpes than patients with mild atopic dermatitis (p < 0.05). These results suggest that severe atopic dermatitis results in significant overall morbidity.
Economic and Humanistic Burden in Paediatric Patients with Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Achten Roselie , Van der Rijst Lisa , Piena Marjanne , Lamers Hedda , De Beer Fleur , De Bruin-Weller Marjolein , De Graaf Marlies
Published: March 2023

Data concerning the economic and humanistic burden in patients with paediatric atopic dermatitis (AD) and their families are scarce. This retrospective study investigated these burdens in paediatric patients with AD using maintenance treatment with topical corticosteroids and/or conventional systemic immunosuppressants. Patient-reported outcomes regarding quality of life, AD severity, and parental work-related impairment were completed at inclusion. Data on healthcare resource utilization and medication prescription were collected retrospectively over the previous 12 months. Patients were categorized into mild, moderate or severe AD, based on Eczema Area and Severity Index score and medication use. Costs per patient per year per AD severity category were calculated. A total of 101 patients (median age 11.0 years (interquartile range 7.5–14.0), 47.5% men) were included, of whom 38 had mild AD, 37 moderate AD, and 26 severe AD. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) total costs patient per year for mild, moderate and severe AD were €1,812 ± €1,280, €2,680 ± €3,127, and €5,861 ±  €3,993, respectively. Highest total direct and indirect costs were found in patients with severe AD, mainly due to higher healthcare and medication costs. Highest humanistic burden was found in patients with moderate AD. For example, the median (interquartile range) Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure score was significantly higher in these patients compared with mild and severe AD (19.0 (15.0–24.0) vs 12.0 (8.8–15.0) and 17.0 (9.5–22.0), respectively). AD in paediatric patients incurs considerable direct and indirect costs, especially in patients with severe AD. The high humanistic burden in patients with moderate AD underlines the need for effective and safe new treatment options for children with AD.