Normolipemic Plane Xanthoma.

A 77-year-old man, otherwise healthy, presented with multiple symmetric yellowish patches in his axillary folds and abdomen that had evolved for 6 months (Figures 1 and 2). The lesions were initially confined to the axillary folds but have since disseminated during last 3 months. The patient was asymptomatic, and the physical examination was normal. Dermatoscopic evaluation of the yellowish patches showed a yellow homogeneous amorphous structure (Figure 3). (SKINmed. 2022;20:228-230).

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis-A Benign Presentation Heralding a Serious Disease.

A 3-year old White boy was referred to our dermatology department with a papular disseminated eruption, evolving for 7 months. Several topical antibiotics and corticosteroids were used without improvement. The dermatosis was locally asymptomatic, and systemic symptoms were absent. Examination revealed multiple, skin-colored to pinkish monomorphic papules with a generalized distribution involving the face, trunk, and limbs (Figure 1). The lesions spared the scalp, palms, and soles. Cervical, axillary, and inguinal lymphatic nodes were not palpable. Cutaneous biopsy of one of the abdominal lesions revealed an unremarkable epidermis but a reticular dermis with clusters of histiocytic, lymphocytic, and rare eosinophil cells. In the immunohistochemical study, expression of CD1a was observed in the histiocytic cells and S100 in the antigen-presenting cells of the dermal infiltrate (Figures 2 and 3). Taking into account the clinical presentation and the histopathologic result, a diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) was established.

Hepatitis delta virus interacts with splicing factor SF3B155 and alters pre-mRNA splicing of cell cycle control genes.

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is the agent responsible for the most severe form of human viral hepatitis. The HDV genome consists of a single-stranded circular RNA molecule that encodes for one single protein, the delta antigen. Given its simplicity, HDV must make use of several host cellular proteins to accomplish its life cycle processes, including transcription, replication, post-transcriptional, and post-translational modifications. Consequently, identification of the interactions established between HDV components and host proteins assumes a pivotal interest in the search of novel therapeutic targets. Here, we used the yeast three-hybrid system to screen a human liver cDNA library to identify host proteins that interact with the HDV genomic RNA. One of the identified proteins corresponded to the splicing factor SF3B155, a component of the U2snRNP complex that is essential for the early recognition of 3' splice sites in the pre-mRNAs of human genes. We show that the interaction between the HDV genomic RNA and SF3B155 occurs in vivo and that the expression of HDV promotes changes in splicing of human genes whose alternative splicing is SF3B155-dependent. We further show that expression of HDV triggers alterations in several constitutive and alternative splicing events in the tumor suppressor RBM5 transcript, with consequent reduction of its protein levels. This is the first description that HDV expression promotes changes in the splicing of human genes, and we suggest that the HDV-induced alternative splicing changes, through SF3B155 sequester, may contribute for the early progression to hepatocellular carcinoma characteristic of HDV-infected patients.

Risk Factors for Non-Adherence to cART in Immigrants with HIV Living in the Netherlands: Results from the ROtterdam ADherence (ROAD) Project.

In the Netherlands, immigrant people living with HIV (PLWH) have poorer psychological and treatment outcomes than Dutch PLWH. This cross-sectional field study examined risk factors for non-adherence to combination Antiretroviral Therapy (cART) among immigrant PLWH. First and second generation immigrant PLWH attending outpatient clinics at two HIV-treatment centers in Rotterdam were selected for this study. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics for all eligible participants were collected from an existing database. Trained interviewers subsequently completed questionnaires together with consenting participants (n = 352) to gather additional data on socio-demographic characteristics, psychosocial variables, and self-reported adherence to cART. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted among 301 participants who had used cART ≥6 months prior to inclusion. Independent risk factors for self-reported non-adherence were (I) not having attended formal education or only primary school (OR = 3.25; 95% CI: 1.28-8.26, versus University), (II) experiencing low levels of social support (OR = 2.56; 95% CI: 1.37-4.82), and (III) reporting low treatment adherence self-efficacy (OR = 2.99; 95% CI: 1.59-5.64). Additionally, HIV-RNA >50 copies/ml and internalized HIV-related stigma were marginally associated (P<0.10) with non-adherence (OR = 2.53; 95% CI: 0.91-7.06 and OR = 1.82; 95% CI: 0.97-3.43). The findings that low educational attainment, lack of social support, and low treatment adherence self-efficacy are associated with non-adherence point to the need for tailored supportive interventions. Establishing contact with peer immigrant PLWH who serve as role models might be a successful intervention for this specific population.