Angular cheilitis-an oral disease with many facets.

Cheilitis is a common inflammatory disorder of the vermillion and adjacent skin of the lips. A special type is angular cheilitis. The disease has a mixed etiology, mostly with bacterial and fungal components. Angular cheilitis may be a clinical sign of an underlying disease. It has two age peaks: one during childhood and another in adults. It becomes more frequent with aging. Clinical presentation, differential diagnoses, and treatment are discussed. Angular cheilitis is of importance in primary care of patients, in geriatrics, dentistry, pediatrics, internal medicine, and in dermatology.

Total Knee Arthroplasty in Patients with Ipsilateral Hip Fusion: Technical Notes and Literature Review.

Numerous studies report the success and outcomes of the total knee arthroplasty (TKA); however, few papers present patients with knee osteoarthritis and ipsilateral hip fusion. One controversy when treating patients requiring a TKA with prior ipsilateral hip fusion is whether to first perform a total hip arthroplasty (THA) of the fused hip, followed by the ipsilateral TKA, or to proceed with the TKA without replacing the hip; studies suggest that the position of the fused hip is a key factor when making this therapeutical decision. In addition, performing a TKA in patients with an ipsilateral fused hip may require modifications to the surgical technique generated by the lack of joint mobility in the hip. We identified 12 studies encompassing 30 patients with hip fusion and ipsilateral TKA in current orthopedic literature, but only six offered insights on patient positioning on the operating table during surgery. This study aims to review the current literature on patients with knee osteoarthritis and prior ipsilateral hip fusion and to present some technical considerations when performing a TKA on a 75-year-old patient with hip ankylosis who underwent a total ipsilateral knee arthroplasty in our clinic.

Updates on Biomaterials Used in Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA).

One of the most popular and effective orthopedic surgical interventions for treating a variety of hip diseases is total hip arthroplasty. Despite being a radical procedure that involves replacing bone and cartilaginous surfaces with biomaterials, it produces excellent outcomes that significantly increase the patient's quality of life. Patient factors and surgical technique, as well as biomaterials, play a role in prosthetic survival, with aseptic loosening (one of the most common causes of total hip arthroplasty failure) being linked to the quality of biomaterials utilized. Over the years, various biomaterials have been developed to limit the amount of wear particles generated over time by friction between the prosthetic head (metal alloys or ceramic) and the insert fixed in the acetabular component (polyethylene or ceramic). An ideal biomaterial must be biocompatible, have a low coefficient of friction, be corrosion resistant, and have great mechanical power. Comprehensive knowledge regarding what causes hip arthroplasty failure, as well as improvements in biomaterial quality and surgical technique, will influence the survivability of the prosthetic implant. The purpose of this article was to assess the benefits and drawbacks of various biomaterial and friction couples used in total hip arthroplasties by reviewing the scientific literature published over the last 10 years.

New Smart Bioactive and Biomimetic Chitosan-Based Hydrogels for Wounds Care Management.

Wound management represents a continuous challenge for health systems worldwide, considering the growing incidence of wound-related comorbidities, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and autoimmune diseases. In this context, hydrogels are considered viable options since they mimic the skin structure and promote autolysis and growth factor synthesis. Unfortunately, hydrogels are associated with several drawbacks, such as low mechanical strength and the potential toxicity of byproducts released after crosslinking reactions. To overcome these aspects, in this study new smart chitosan (CS)-based hydrogels were developed, using oxidized chitosan (oxCS) and hyaluronic acid (oxHA) as nontoxic crosslinkers. Three active product ingredients (APIs) (fusidic acid, allantoin, and coenzyme Q10), with proven biological effects, were considered for inclusion in the 3D polymer matrix. Therefore, six API-CS-oxCS/oxHA hydrogels were obtained. The presence of dynamic imino bonds in the hydrogels' structure, which supports their self-healing and self-adapting properties, was confirmed by spectral methods. The hydrogels were characterized by SEM, swelling degree, pH, and the internal organization of the 3D matrix was studied by rheological behavior. Moreover, the cytotoxicity degree and the antimicrobial effects were also investigated. In conclusion, the developed API-CS-oxCS/oxHA hydrogels have real potential as smart materials in wound management, based on their self-healing and self-adapting properties, as well as on the benefits of APIs.

Knee Osteoarthritis in Relation to the Risk Factors of the Metabolic Syndrome Components and Environment of Origin.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a chronic degenerative pathology that is associated with multiple risk factors such as age, sex, obesity, or metabolic syndrome (MetS). The present clinical trial aimed to investigate the influence of the environment of origin, body mass index (BMI), and MetS parameters on the KOA differentiated degrees. Methods: 85 patients were admitted for the clinical study. The KOA presence was investigated using X-rays analysis. The Kellgren−Lawrence classification (KL) of the KOA severity and the MetS characteristic parameters using freshly collected blood were performed for each patient. All data collected were used for ANOVA statistic interpretation. Results: The total cholesterol and glycemia were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.028, and p < 0.03, respectively), with a high level in patients with severe KOA compared to healthy ones. Patients from rural regions are 5.18 times more prone to develop severe KOA when compared to ones from urban areas. Conclusions: The results of the statistical analysis confirmed the correlation between the incidence and severity of KOA and the influence of increased values of BMI, glycemia, triglycerides, and total cholesterol. The investigations revealed a statistically significant influence of the environment of origin on the KOA degree of the patients.

Achenbach Syndrome - Case Report and Discussion on the Interdisciplinary Approach of a Patient.

We present a case of Achenbach syndrome, which is an alarming disease for both patients and physicians, although it is a rare, benign and self-limiting disorder. It is also reported as "paroxysmal finger haematoma", but the majority of cases are misdiagnosed, and unnecessarily investigated and treated.

Hair EDX Analysis-A Promising Tool for Micronutrient Status Evaluation of Patients with IBD?

Micronutrient deficiencies can arise in various conditions, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), and diagnosing these deficiencies can be challenging in the absence of specific clinical signs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of various trace elements hair concentration in IBD patients compared to a healthy control group and to identify potential correlations between the micronutrient status and relevant parameters related to disease activity. The concentrations of iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium and sulfur in the hair of 37 IBD patients with prior diagnosed IBD (12 Crohn's disease and 25 ulcerative colitis) and 31 healthy controls were evaluated by Energy Dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDX). Significant differences in hair concentration profile of studied trace elements were identified for IBD patients compared to healthy controls. A significantly decreased hair concentration of iron, magnesium, calcium and selenium and a significantly increased sulfur hair concentration were observed in IBD patients at the time of evaluation. A decreased hair calcium concentration (r = -0.772, p = 0.003) and an increased sulfur concentration (r = 0.585, p = 0.046) were significantly correlated with disease activity. Conclusion: Hair mineral and trace elements evaluation may contribute to a proper evaluation of their status in IBD patients and improving the management of nutritional status of IBD patients.

New insights into human hair: SAXS, SEM, TEM and EDX for Alopecia Areata investigations.

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease and affects up to 2% of the population. There is a need for a more profound and rigorous understanding of the structure and composition of human hair affected by AA in order to manage this disease. The aim of this article is to understand the effects of AA on the structure and composition of human hair. METHODS: Several physico-chemical investigation methods, such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), and microbeam Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), were used to analyze human hair samples obtained from healthy donors and patients with AA. RESULTS: SEM revealed more severe hair surface defects for the white regrown hair (W-AA) samples. TEM showed the presence of air-like vesicles located in the endocuticle of regrown hair. Analysis of ultrathin sections of W-AA showed the existence of empty vesicles and smaller melanin granules compared to control samples. SAXS demonstrated that unaffected hair of patients with AA (B-AA) and W-AA melanin aggregates are different in their sizes and shapes compared to the control samples. EDX data showed that W-AA elemental composition was significantly different from the other sample groups. Our study showcases promising non-invasive techniques for a better and more accurate understanding of changes in the internal structure and composition of hair affected by AA.

"Chemical" surgery in treating basal cell carcinoma in elderly.

The incidence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) has been increasing in the last decades due to population aging and precise diagnosis. The difficulty that physicians face frequently is related to the treatment decision for BCC; when treating BCC, correct and personalized choices must be taken into consideration by selecting from a large variety of therapeutic options such as: surgical excision ("the golden standard therapy"), electrodessication, cryosurgery, radiation therapy, laser, photodynamic therapy, curettage, topical treatment (imiquimod, 5-fluorouracil, vismodegib), or combining different treatments. The present authors present series of cases of patients diagnosed with BCC, highlighting that "chemical surgery" using 70% trichloroacetic acid could be a valuable option in the treatment of nonaggressive BCC of the face.

Nail Damage (Severe Onychodystrophy) Induced by Acrylate Glue: Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Investigations.

BACKGROUND: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) techniques have been used in various fields of medical research, including different pathologies of the nails; however, no studies have focused on obtaining high-resolution microscopic images and elemental analysis of disorders caused by synthetic nails and acrylic adhesives. METHODS: Damaged/injured fingernails caused by the use of acrylate glue and synthetic nails were investigated using SEM and EDX methods. RESULTS: SEM and EDX proved that synthetic nails, acrylic glue, and nails damaged by contact with acrylate glue have a different morphology and different composition compared to healthy human nails. CONCLUSIONS: SEM and EDX analysis can give useful information about the aspects of topography (surface sample), morphology (shape and size), hardness or reflectivity, and the elemental composition of nails.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis from Topical Acyclovir: Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Despite the widespread use of oral or topical acyclovir, allergic contact dermatitis caused by it has been rarely reported, with fewer than 20 case studies published in the English literature to date. CASE REPORTS: A diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis from acyclovir cream was established in a 62-year-old female patient who had been continuously using acyclovir cream for 3 weeks after systemic therapy for herpes zoster with acyclovir, and in a 35-year-old female patient, who had undergone liver transplantation in 2008 and subsequently developed a severe form of herpes zoster treated orally with 4 g/day acyclovir and prolonged topical administration of acyclovir cream. In both cases, patch tests were performed with extended European Baseline Series, with the excipients of acyclovir cream (propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, cetostearyl alcohol, dimethyl sulfoxide) and commercial cream containing acyclovir 2%. Positive reactions were obtained only with the commercial cream with acyclovir 2%. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Allergic contact dermatitis caused by acyclovir is rarely reported and frequently misdiagnosed, despite the wide use of oral or topical acyclovir. Allergic contact dermatitis due to acyclovir applied topically is a clinical problem with which health care providers should be familiar, and which prompts patch testing in suspected patients. Knowledge and education focused on allergens are important to clinicians in daily practice.

Diabetic dermopathy ("shin spots") and diabetic bullae ("bullosis diabeticorum") at the same patient.

We present a diabetic patient with associated two diabetic dermatoses: diabetic dermopathy ("shin spots") and diabetic bullae. A 34-year-old man, with long history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and moderate obesity presented to Dermatology Unit for diagnosis of his skin lesions. On clinical examination multiple, light brown, irregular patches, with atrophic scars and crusts over large bullae were observed on the anterior aspect of both legs.

Ulcerated Hemangioma - Surveillance Only.

Infantile hemangiomas are reported in 10-12% of children less than 1 year of age, with ulceration in about 5-13% of cases. Little is known about the mechanism of this disease and explanations are still being looked for. We present a 4-month-old female infant with haemangioma on the left buttock; the hemangioma was noticed at 2 weeks of age, progressively enlarging and ulcerated.

Common psychocutaneous disorders in children.

The prevalence of psychosomatic disorders among dermatological patients is high but frequently unreported because of difficulties in diagnosing and treating this patient group. Psychiatric and psychological factors may play different roles in the pathogenic mechanism of some skin diseases. The mainstay of diagnosis and treatment is the differentiation between skin disorders associated with psychiatric illness and those of a purely psychiatric nature. Dermatologists and psychiatrists should be aware of this pathology and work together as a team to resolve difficult cases, especially in children. The present paper highlights the psychocutaneous diseases most frequently seen by dermatologists in pediatric population.

Aplasia cutis congenita of the scalp--what are the steps to be followed? Case report and review of the literature.

Aplasia cutis congenita is a rare malformation characterized by localized congenital absence of the skin. It rarely occurs on the trunk and limbs, and can occur in isolation or as part of a heterogeneous group of syndromes. We report a case of a 4-day-old boy with a 5.6-cm- diameter tumor, with a central crust, non-indurate and no inflammatory rim; localized on the scalp and a small, atrophic hairless scar appeared 6 months later (approximately 5 cm in length) at the site of the previous tumor.

Aplasia cutis congenita of the scalp- what are the steps to be followed? Case report and review of the literature

Aplasia cutis congenita is a rare malformation characterized by localized congenital absence of the skin. It rarely occurs on the trunk and limbs, and can occur in isolation or as part of a heterogeneous group of syndromes. We report a case of a 4-day-old boy with a 5.6-cm- diameter tumor, with a central crust, non-indurate and no inflammatory rim; localized on the scalp and a small, atrophic hairless scar appeared 6 months later (approximately 5cm in length) at the site of the previous tumor.