Passive sampler housing and sorbent type determine aquatic micropollutant adsorption and subsequent bioassay responses.

The combination of integrative passive sampling and bioassays is a promising approach for monitoring the toxicity of polar organic contaminants in aquatic environments. However, the design of integrative passive samplers can affect the accumulation of compounds and therewith the bioassay responses. The present study aimed to determine the effects of sampler housing and sorbent type on the number of chemical features accumulated in polar passive samplers and the subsequent bioassay responses to extracts of these samplers. To this end, four integrative passive sampler configurations, resulting from the combination of polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS) and Speedisk housings with hydrophilic-lipophilic balance and hydrophilic divinylbenzene sorbents, were simultaneously exposed at reference and contaminated surface water locations. The passive sampler extracts were subjected to chemical non-target screening and a battery of five bioassays. Extracts from POCIS contained a higher number of chemical features and caused higher bioassay responses in 91% of cases, while the two sorbents accumulated similar numbers of features and caused equally frequent but different bioassay responses. Hence, the passive sampler design critically affected the number of accumulated polar organic contaminants as well as their toxicity, highlighting the importance of passive sampler design for effect-based water quality assessment.

Lowering temperature to increase chemical oxidation efficiency: the effect of temperature on permanganate oxidation rates of five types of well defined organic matter, two natural soils, and three pure phase products.

In situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) is a soil remediation technique to remove organic pollutants from soil and groundwater with oxidants, like KMnO4. However, also natural organic compounds in soils are being oxidized, which makes the technique less efficient. Laboratory experiments were performed to investigate the influence of temperature on this efficiency, through its effect on the relative oxidation rates - by permanganate - of natural organic compounds and organic pollutants at 16 and 15°C. Specific types of organic matter used were cellulose, oak wood, anthracite, reed - and forest peat, in addition to two natural soils. Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid-tetrachloroethene (DNAPL-PCE), DNAPL trichloroethene (DNAPL-TCE) and a mixture of DNAPL-PCE, -TCE and -hexachlorobutadiene were tested as pollutants. Compared to 16°C, oxidation was slower at 5°C for the specific types of organic matter and the natural soils, with exception of anthracite, which was unreactive. The oxidation rate of DNAPL TCE was lower at 5°C too. However, at this temperature oxidation was fast, implying that no competitive loss to natural organic compounds will be expected in field applications by lowering temperature. Oxidation of DNAPL-PCE and PCE in the mixture proceeded at equal rates at both temperatures, due to the dissolution rate as limiting factor. These results show that applying permanganate ISCO to DNAPL contamination at lower temperatures will limit the oxidation of natural organic matter, without substantially affecting the oxidation rate of the contaminant. This will make such remediation more effective and sustainable in view of protecting natural soil quality.

The TRAF1/C5 locus confers risk for familial and severe alopecia areata.

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common hair loss disorder with a complex mode of inheritance. Autoimmune mechanisms are presumed to be crucial aetiologically. It is plausible that a number of autoimmune disorders may share a common genetic background. This phenomenon has been demonstrated in previous studies, which have shown an overlap of susceptibility alleles between AA and other autoimmune disorders. Recent studies have shown that genetic variants on the TRAF1/C5 (tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 1, complement component 5) locus confer susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). OBJECTIVES: To examine the role of the TRAF1/C5 locus in the development of AA using a large sample of 1,195 patients with AA and 1280 controls. METHODS: We genotyped the two most significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs10818488, rs2416808) from a former RA candidate gene study. After having obtained evidence for association, we performed a fine-mapping study and genotyped the locus with an additional 27 SNPs. RESULTS: While no significant result was obtained for the overall sample, rs2416808 showed significant associations in the analysis of the subgroups with severe AA and with a positive family history. The most significant P-value for rs2416808 was in familial cases (P = 0.004, P(corr) = 0.026). The fine mapping revealed significant associations for four additional SNPs in the analysis of subgroups, with rs2416808 remaining the most significant marker. CONCLUSIONS: Our results point to the involvement of the TRAF1/C5 locus in the aetiology of familial and severe AA, and provide further support for a shared aetiology between AA and other autoimmune disorders.

Black Skin Dermatology Online, from the project to the website: a needed collaboration between North and South.

BACKGROUND: Whereas teledermatology is an emerging discipline, to date, no teledermatology service has been developed, which is specifically dedicated to black skins. OBJECTIVES: To create and develop a teledermatology service that provides a complete range of communication, information, telediagnosis and teaching services. METHODS: A multilingual clinical description of the lesion was provided for each photograph using a five-level disease classification from the 10th revised International Classification of Diseases. In parallel, a usability study to assess and improve the functionality of the platform was also conducted. RESULTS: A web prototype has been developed which integrates image acquisition, submission, clinical description, translation as well as validation, security and data protection aspects and almost 2000 images were obtained from which 600 have been integrated in the 'store and forward' telemedicine system (http://www.black-skin.org). Initial usability tests with native French medical students show good perceived usefulness, perceived usability and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.80 and 0.84). CONCLUSION: The Black Skin project (North and South collaboration project) offers possibilities for continuous medical education (pedagogical cases), teleteaching (educational quiz) or asking for a second opinion ('Ask a specialist' item).

The R620W polymorphism in PTPN22 confers general susceptibility for the development of alopecia areata.

BACKGROUND: The functional R620W (c.1858C>T) variant of the protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor 22 gene (PTPN22) has been associated with a variety of autoimmune disorders. A recent study has suggested that R620W also contributes to the severe form of alopecia areata (AA). OBJECTIVES: We sought to replicate the finding of an association between PTPN22 and severe AA. In addition, we wanted to study the effect of PTPN22 on the general risk to develop AA and on other subtypes of AA (mild AA, early/late age at onset, positive/negative family history). METHODS: The R620W variant was genotyped in a large case-control sample of Belgian-German origin with 435 patients and 628 controls. RESULTS: Significant results were obtained for the overall collective of patients with AA (P=0.007). Subdividing the sample according to severity of AA, family history and age at onset, we detected lowest P-values for patients with the severe form of AA (Pcorr=0.036), with a positive family history (Pcorr=0.042) and with an age at onset

Incidence of scabies in Belgium.

A prospective survey on scabies in Ghent, Belgium was performed in 2004. Sixty-four individual cases were reported, corresponding to a crude incidence rate of 28/100,000 inhabitants. The incidence was higher in the elderly (51/100,000 in persons aged >75 years) and a higher incidence was also found in immigrants (88/100,000). More than 40% of the registered scabies patients had symptoms for more than 4 weeks at the time of presentation. In 54% of the consultations, the patient had already consulted a physician for his/her skin problem. Of this group, 44% had not yet received any scabicidal treatment, indicating that scabies was not yet diagnosed or that an inappropriate treatment was prescribed. The observations suggest that the diagnosis and/or treatment of scabies in this region can still be improved.

Investigation of the functional variant c.-169T > C of the Fc receptor-like 3 (FCRL3) gene in alopecia areata.

A functional variant in the Fc receptor-like 3 (FCRL3) gene has been implicated in susceptibility to autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and autoimmune thyroid disease. Investigating a large case-control sample of patients with alopecia areata (AA), we found no evidence for the involvement of FCRL3 in susceptibility to AA.

Investigation of the p.Ser278Arg polymorphism of the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene in alopecia areata.

A recent study has suggested that the g.961C >G (p.Ser278Arg) variant of the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene contributes to susceptibility to alopecia areata (AA). We attempted to replicate this finding using a case-control sample of Belgian-German origin (273 patients and 283 controls). Despite adequate power, our study results do not support a significant association of the risk allele in our AA patient sample. This remained the case when we stratified our sample according to severity and family history of disease. Our study results do not support the hypothesis that the g.961C >G (p.Ser278Arg) polymorphism of the AIRE gene is associated with an increased risk for AA.

[How I treat... Belgian consensus document on the treatment of acne]. / Comment je traite... Consensus belge à propos du traitement de l'acné vulgaire.

This article describes the consensus on the treatment of acne, reached by a Belgian working group. An effective treatment has to rely as much as possible on the pathophysiologic factors: the increased production of sebum, the abnormal desquamation (retention hyperkeratosis) of the epithelium of he sebaceous gland, the proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes and inflammation. The therapeutic arsenal contains topical as well as systemic drugs. This consensus gives an overview of both modalities and an algorithm is presented describing the practical approach to acne treatment.

The Bazex-Dupré-Christol syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The Bazex-Dupré-Christol syndrome is characterized by follicular atrophoderma, congenital hypotrichosis, and basal cell neoformations that include basal cell carcinomas and basal cell nevi. OBSERVATIONS: We describe a large family in which 20 persons across four generations present with typical features of the Bazex-Dupré-Christol syndrome. However, the clinical picture in this family differs with regard to gender and age. Male subjects have a uniformly severe disease, whereas female subjects exhibit a range of severity of the syndrome. The most striking difference between male and female subjects is provided by hypotrichosis. In male subjects, hypotrichosis is diffuse and affects all scalp hairs. On the other hand, female subjects do not have hypotrichosis, but normal hairs are intermingled with abnormal hairs. In infancy and childhood, multiple milia are present, whereas in adults only a few milia are observed. CONCLUSIONS: The family pedigree seems to be consistent with an X-linked inheritance, since male-to-male transmission does not occur. Moreover, further evidence of an X-linked dominant mode of inheritance could be derived from the observation of gender differences that can be attributed to the lyonization phenomenon in female subjects. From a clinical and morphologic point of view, the Bazex-Dupré-Christol syndrome seems to be a disorder of the hair follicle.

Alopecia areata: a clinical study.

100 cases of alopecia areata are examined and the possible relationship with the presumed etiological factors (atopy, autoimmunity and psychosomatics) are looked for. When atopy or autoantibodies are present alopecia areata always runs a serve course. It is, however, impossible to establish a definite etiological relation between atopy or autoimmunity and alopecia areata.

Treatment of alopecia areata with dinitrochlorobenzene.

Thirty patients with severe alopecia areata (A. A.) were treated with weekly applications of dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in acetone solution. In only four patients regrowth of hair was complete and dense; sixteen patients experienced temporary results and in ten the treatment was a failure.

Morphological changes in the proximal area of the rat's hair follicle during early catagen. An electron-microscopic study.

This electron-microscopic study of the catagen phase shows that the first alteration of regression of the follicle is localized in the papilla, where the cells withdraw their offshoots and break the contact with the basal lamina. Both at the level of the papilla and of the bulb structures appear that increase the cell cohesion. Under the influence of the outer root sheath an upward migration occurs. This is followed by plication and thickening of the basal lamina. The alterations in the connective tissue sheath occur in a further stage. The first signs of autolysis occur in the center of the epithelial column. At the end of the catagen stage macrophages take care of the clearing-up.

[Lyell's disease (author's transl)]. / Le syndrome de Lyell.

In Lyell's disease different clinical patterns can be observed: (a) an acute scarlatiniform erythema, on which more or less extended bullae rapidly appear; (b) a morbilliform erythema, with bullae; (c) the dermatosis can start under the features of an erythema exsudativum multiforme; (d) the eruption may begin as a psoriasis pustulosa. From an internal point of view, disturbances of the liquid balance and the blood electrolyte level may appear as a consequence of the important loss of water and serum. Toxic hepatitis, nephritis or myocarditis are possible complications. The origin of the disease is toxic or bacterial. This differentiation is important because the prognosis is much more favorable when the origin is bacterial than when the disease is due to medicines. A differential diagnosis between both etiologies may be achieved by histological examination: when the origin is a toxic one, we can find subepidermal blisters, while the blisters are located under the horny layer when the disease is of bacterial origin. The disease process is not clear in the toxic form. In cases induced by staphylococci, the epidermal lesions are caused by an epidermolytic toxin. The treatment will especially tend to restore the fluid and electrolyte balance; if there is a bacterial etiology, antibiotics will be necessary. Corticoids are to be avoided.

[Comparative morphological studies on porphyria cutanea tarda and erythropoietic protoporphyris]. / Vergleichende morphologische Untersuchung von Porphyria cutanea tarda und erythropoetischer Protoporphyrie.

Porphyria cutanea tarda and erythropoietic protoporphyria have common morphological features. Six patients with porphyria cutanea tarda and three patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria were studied with the electron microscope. Ultrastructural finding of connective tissue, basal lamina, and blood vessels are discussed.

[Granulomatous cheilitis and Crohn's disease]. / Cheilitis granulomatosa und Crohnsche Krankheit.

A case of Cheilitis granulomatosa is described. The various etiologic hypotheses concerning the disease are summarized and a relation with Crohn's disease is emphasized in this case. The Cheilitis granulomatosa Miescher is to be considered as a cutaneous symptom which can be observed in various diseases (e.g. sarcoidosis, herpetic infections. Crohn's disease, panniculitis).