Subclinical atherosclerosis in psoriatic disease: relation to endocan, TNF‐α, age of onset, and body fat

Abstract

Background

Psoriasis is a common multisystem inflammatory disease with several associated comorbidities. Serological markers to detect associated subclinical atherosclerosis in psoriatic patients are needed. We aimed to study serum endocan levels in psoriasis vulgaris and its relation to severity of psoriasis, systemic inflammation, associated atherosclerosis, obesity, and the possible factors affecting its level in psoriatic patients.

Methods

This study was conducted on 30 moderate‐severe psoriasis vulgaris patients and 30 healthy controls. Body mass index, body fat percent, and PASI assessments were done. Serum endocan and tumor necrosis factor‐α levels were measured by ELISA. Carotid artery intima‐media thickness measurement by high‐resolution ultrasound was performed.

Results

Psoriasis patients showed significantly higher serum tumor necrosis factor‐α and endocan levels (P1 = 0.008, P2 = 0.003). Additionally, there was a statistically significant difference between mean carotid artery intima‐media thickness of both groups (P = 0.005). Serum endocan levels positively correlated with PASI score (P = 0.002), tumor necrosis factor‐α levels (P < 0.001), mean carotid artery intima‐media thickness (P = 0.001), and body mass index (P < 0.001) in the patients group. Additionally, the age of onset of disease negatively correlated with serum endocan (P = 0.003).

Conclusion

Serum endocan is a promising marker of severity of psoriasis and associated atherosclerosis. Early onset psoriasis is associated with higher serum endocan levels. Body mass index is positively correlated with serum endocan levels. The positive correlation of endocan and tumor necrosis factor‐α supports the regulatory effect of the cytokine on endocan production and suggests the role of endocan as an inflammatory marker.

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Is there an association between indoor allergens and the severity of atopic dermatitis?

Abstract

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a multifactorial inflammatory skin disease with frequent hypersensitivity to allergens. However, the role of exposure to indoor allergens on AD severity is unclear.

Methods

Children aged 0–17 years with active AD from central Chile were recruited; disease severity was evaluated with SCORAD and POEM scores. A home environment survey was applied to parents. Bedroom dust samples were collected for all subjects and analyzed by multiplex assay to quantify dust mite (Der p1, Der f1), dog (Can f1), cat (Fel d1), and alternaria alternata (Alt a1) allergens.

Results

Twenty‐five children aged 3.9 ± 3.8 years were included. Fifty‐two percent were female. Mean SCORAD was 29 ± 14 (range 11–61), and mean POEM was 10.7 ± 6.2. No direct association was found between tobacco exposure, pet ownership, aerosol use, visible dust, or home carpets/rugs with SCORAD (all P > 0.05). Dust samples from all homes had Can f1 and Fel d1 allergens, regardless of pet ownership. Homes that had indoor dogs or cats had significantly higher amounts of these allergens (P < 0.001). Forty percent of homes had dust mite allergens, and none had alternaria alternata. Children with AD living in homes with elevated dust mite and animal dander allergen concentrations had higher SCORAD than those from homes with low allergen concentrations (40 ± 13 vs. 26 ± 13, P = 0.025).

Conclusions

High concentrations of indoor allergens may influence AD severity in children. Further studies assessing indoor allergens and allergen sensitization are warranted to fully evaluate the role of indoor allergens on AD.

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Syphilitic balanitis of Follmann: two case reports

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3D‐printed Franz type diffusion cells

Abstract

Objective

Franz cells are routinely used to measure in vitro skin permeation of actives and must be inert to the permeant under study. The aim of the present work was to develop and manufacture transparent Franz‐type diffusion cells using 3D printing and test these using a range of model active compounds. The study also aims to identify the critical 3D printing parameters necessary for the process including object design, choice of printing resin, printout curing and post‐curing settings and introduction of model coatings.

Methods

Transparent Franz cells were constructed using an online computer aided design program and reproduced with different stereolithography 3D printers. The two acrylate‐based resins used for the fabrication process were a commercially available product and a polymer synthesised in‐house. Comparative studies between glass and 3D printed Franz cells were conducted with selected model actives: terbinafine hydrochloride (TBF), niacinamide (NIA), diclofenac free acid (DFA) and n‐methyl paraben (MPB). In preliminary studies, MPB showed the lowest recovery when exposed to the receptor compartment of 3D printed cells. Consequently, in vitro permeation studies were carried out using only MPB with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane. RESULTS: A decrease in the amounts of selected compounds was observed for transparent 3D printed Franz cells compared to glass cells. MPB showed the lowest recovery (53.8 ± 13.1%) when compared with NIA (74.9 ± 4.0%), TBF (81.5 ± 12.0%) and DFA (90.2 ± 12.9%) after 72 h. Permeation studies conducted using 3D printed transparent cells with PDMS membrane also showed a decrease in MPB recovery of 51.4 ± 3.7% for the commercial resin and 94.4 ± 3.5% for the polymer synthesised in‐house, when compared to glass cells. Although hydrophobic coatings were subsequently applied to the 3D printed cells the same reduction in MPB concentration was observed in the receptor solution.

Conclusion

Transparent Franz cells were successfully prepared using 3D printing and were observed to be robust and leak‐proof. There are few resins currently available for preparation of transparent materials and incompatibilities between the actives investigated and the 3D printed cells were evident. Hydrophobic coatings applied as barriers to the printed materials did not prevent these interactions.

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Periostin concentrations in childhood-onset craniopharyngioma patients

Abstract

Purpose

Periostin is highly expressed in craniopharyngioma (CP)-associated fibroblasts and has been identified as a marker for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Half of CP patients with hypothalamic syndrome develop NAFLD. We hypothesized that periostin concentration is elevated in biological fluids of CP and associated with pathological hepatic parameters, indicating increased risk for NAFLD.

Methods

A cross-sectional study on 35 patients with sellar masses (SMP) recruited in the German Childhood Craniopharyngioma Registry (32 CP, 2 xanthogranuloma, 1 pilocytic astrocytoma), three short-statured patients with isolated growth hormone deficiency, five short-statured patients with normal findings in GH-stimulating tests and decreased insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and seven healthy controls. Periostin was measured by Elisa in serum, urine and saliva.

Results

Periostin serum, urine and saliva concentrations in CP were similar to concentrations of the other groups. Hypothalamic involvement/hypothalamic lesions, degree of obesity as well as hepatic enzymes were not associated with elevated periostin concentrations. Due to low patient numbers with pathological hepatic parameters, missing imaging data on the degree of steatosis hepatis and the lack of histological proof of NAFLD, no definitive conclusions can be drawn from measured periostin concentrations in serum. Interestingly, the subgroup of patients with decreased IGF-1 levels showed elevated concentrations of serum periostin when compared with other groups.

Conclusions

In CP, periostin concentrations are not associated with known risk factors for NAFLD such as hepatic and metabolic parameters, obesity and hypothalamic lesions. Accordingly, periostin does not seem to be a suitable marker for NAFLD in CP.

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In memory of Anna Basso (1937–2018), one of the founders of aphasia therapy

Publication date: December 2018

Source: Cortex, Volume 109

Author(s): Stefano F. Cappa, Costanza Papagno

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Cover figure

Publication date: December 2018

Source: Cortex, Volume 109

Author(s):

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