Long-pulsed nd: YAG laser treatment of nail psoriasis: clinical and ultrasonographic assessment.

Nail psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory condition which is difficult to treat, linked with greater psoriasis severity, and may be associated with anxiety and significant functional impairment of the quality of life. The 1064 nm Nd: YAG laser was reported to yield satisfactory results in the treatment of nail psoriasis.The aim of the study was to assess the clinical and ultrasonographic efficacy of long-pulsed 1064 nm Nd: YAG laser in the treatment of fingernail psoriasis and compare its effect to control fingernails.This intra-patient randomized controlled trial analyzed 86 fingernails collected from 13 patients suffering from cutaneous and nail psoriasis. The nails were randomized into two groups. Group A was treated with Nd: YAG laser once monthly for three sessions while group B served as control. Assessment took place at baseline, 1 and 3 months after the last treatment session. For scoring, the 32-points target NAPSI scoring systems was used. Additionally, two blinded dermatologists' score of improvement, patients' pain assessment by visual analogue score and ultrasonographic assessment were all performed.At the end of follow up, the medians of tNAPSI score, plate definition, matrix thickness, bed thickness and bed vascularity decreased significantly in the Nd: YAG laser treated group in comparison to baseline (p = 0.001, 0.006, 0.039, < 0.001 and 0.010, respectively). While, there was a non-significant reduction in median tNAPSI score in the control group at last follow up, however, ultrasonography recorded a significant reduction in the medians of plate definition, bed thickness and vascularity (p = 0.002, 0.011 and 0.033, respectively) from the baseline. Comparison of the Nd: YAG laser and the control groups showed no significant difference from baseline regarding the medians of tNAPSI, tNAPSI percentile improvement, pits count, blinded evaluation of photographs and ultrasonographic assessments.In conclusion, Nd: YAG laser showed clinical and ultrasonographic improvement in fingernail psoriasis. Ultrasonography is a useful noninvasive tool in diagnosing and monitoring the clinical and even the subclinical changes in nail psoriasis. Nail psoriasis although difficult to treat, may show spontaneous improvement.

IgG4 related pericardium and lung disease in pediatric patient complicated with fatal massive hemoptysis: a case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a progressive and sometimes fatal disease that rarely affects pediatric age group. It may affect the orbits, lacrimal and salivary glands, pancreas, kidneys, peritoneum and other organs. Lung and pleura are not commonly reported in IgG4-RD. We here present a rare case of pediatric IgG4-RD with rare involvement of pericardium, pleura and lungs. CASE PRESENTATION: A 13-year-old girl presented with intrathoracic IgG4-RD with pleuropericardial involvement. She showed initial improvement on prednisolone. Azathioprine and then mycophenolate failed to control relapses during steroid tapering. Her last relapse was treated by rituximab however, the patient developed acute fatal massive hemoptysis. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric IgG4-RD is a rare entity with pericardio-pulmonary affection as the rare of the rare. Usual treatment of prednisolone and steroid sparing agents should be used, with rituximab used as a rescue therapy, but fatal complications may occur.

Response of faba bean to intercropping, biological and chemical control against broomrape and root rot diseases.

Multispecies cropping systems contribute to sustainable agriculture with multiple ecosystem services. Effects of intercropping of various crops with faba beans on growth and yield parameters and disease severity of root rot, damping off and broomrape were investigated. This study was implemented in the laboratory, greenhouse and field to investigate the effect of the intercropping systems (fenugreek + faba bean, lupine + faba bean, garlic + faba bean and sole faba bean). The intercropping systems were combined with the application of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) and yeast as bio-control agents, compared to chemical application of herbicides (Glyphosate) and fungicides (Rizolex-T50), to control rot root diseases and broomrape weeds, Orobanche spp., of faba bean plants in vivo and under the naturally infested field. In vitro, yeast and Rizolex-T50 significantly inhibited mycelial growth of root pathogenic fungi. Intercropping with garlic and/or application of Rizolex-T, significantly decreased the incidence and disease index of root rot and damping-off diseases, meanwhile increased percentage of survival plants. In vivo, intercropping with fenugreek and/or application of Glyphosate, significantly reduced the number/weight of spikes/plot of broomrapes. Intercropping with fenugreek combined with AMF application promoted crop growth and significantly increased yield components. The AMF enhanced seed yield/ha when applied to the intercropping of faba bean + fenugreek and faba bean + garlic, showing the highest seed yield/ha with 3.722 and 3.568 ton/ha, respectively. Intercropping of faba bean with garlic integrated with AMF revealed the highest values of LER, 2.45, and net return, 2341 US$/ha. Our results suggested that using faba bean-garlic intercrop along with AMF inoculation can reduce root rot disease, damping off and broomrapes, as well as enhance the profitability of Egyptian farmer and sustainable production.

Using intra-articular allogenic lyophilized growth factors in primary knee osteoarthritis: a randomized pilot study.

Objective: Investigating the safety in addition to clinical and structural efficacy of allogenic lyophilized growth factors (L-GFs) in patients with symptomatic primary knee osteoarthritis. Design: A prospective, open-label pilot study. A total of 31-patients randomized into non-intervention and intervention groups. Materials & methods: The intervention group received two intra-articular doses at baseline and after 2-months. Post-injection complications were documented, and the efficacy was assessed by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores and ultrasonography. Results: One dropout from the intervention group. The percentage of improvement of mean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index-scores and ultrasonography-detected effusion were statistically significant in the intervention group compared with the non-intervention. A brief, mild, post-injection pain was reported by all intervention group. Conclusion: This study provides the safety of intra-articular injection of allogenic L-GFs in knee osteoarthritis. The conclusion of efficacy was limited by small sample size and lack of control injection. Clinical trial registration: NCT04331327 (ClinicalTrials.gov, retrospectively registered).

Lay abstract Knee osteoarthritis affects many people after middle age. It causes progressive joint damage and may lead to disability. To date, there is no medical treatment that can stop disease progression and restore knee function. In this study, we tested a novel treatment for knee osteoarthritis. Patients who received knee injection with growth factors showed better results in joint pain and swelling. Growth factors were isolated from donated platelets and were assured that they were free of pathogens.

Structural Retinal Assessment Using Optical Coherence Tomography and Fundus Fluorescein Angiography in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients.

BACKGROUND: Ocular manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can be the presenting symptom of the disease or a sight-threatening complication. OBJECTIVES: To detect different structural retinal changes in patients with SLE who had no ophthalmological symptoms and investigate the relationship between different retinal changes and the disease activity assessed by the Systemic Lupus Erythromatosus Disease Activity Index score. STUDY DESIGN: A descriptive pilot study from January 2016 to January 2017. METHODS: Fifty-two eyes of 26 patients diagnosed to have SLE were examined using visual acuity assessment, fundus examination, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA). RESULTS: Fundus fluorescein angiography showed different changes in the form of venular occlusion and optic nerve leakage. There were also degenerative changes in the form of alternating hyperfluorescent and hypofluorescent areas outside the arcades as well as peripapillary areas and capillary dropout. Optical coherence tomography detected signs of degenerative thinning, incomplete posterior vitreous detachment, and epiretinal membrane. A significant correlation was found between SLE activity and the changes detected by FFA (p = 0.017). However, there was no significant correlation between disease activity and changes detected by OCT. Optical coherence tomography changes were significantly correlated with the duration of hydroxychloroquine use of more than 5 years (p = 0.032). There was no correlation between FFA or OCT changes and proteinuria or antiphospholipid antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: Fundus fluorescein angiography is more sensitive in detecting early subclinical retinal changes in patients with SLE, which correlates with disease activity, whereas OCT is more sensitive in detecting changes resulting from hydroxychloroquine use.

Validity of 7-Joint Versus Simplified 12-Joint Ultrasonography Scoring Systems in Assessment of Rheumatoid Arthritis Activity.

INTRODUCTION: Musculoskeletal ultrasonography (US) is an objective tool for the evaluation of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. There is no consensus on the exact number of joints that should be examined. Examination of reduced joint count is more practical than the comprehensive one. OBJECTIVES: This is a cross-sectional study investigated the validity of a 7-joint US score (US7) in assessment of joint inflammation in RA patients compared with a simplified 12-joint US score (US12) and correlated both to composite disease activity indices. METHODS: The activity status of 50 RA patients was assessed clinically and ultrasonographically. The disease activity was calculated using 3 composite indices. Ultrasonography was performed by 1 blinded rheumatologist, using power Doppler (PD) and gray-scale (GS) US examination. The US7 and simplified US12 were performed as originally described. However, the GS synovitis and PD synovitis of US12 were computed in 2 separate scores instead of 1. Two sum US7 scores were added, sum (GS) US7 and sum (PD) US7 after summating synovitis and tenosynovitis scores. Ultrasonography interobserver/intraobserver reliability was evaluated on 40 stored images. RESULTS: Correlation coefficient between the different ultrasonographic scores showed no difference. The GS scores showed no correlation with disease activity parameters; however, the PD scores did. The sum (PD) US7 was the only score that showed significant correlation with the 3 different composite disease indices. CONCLUSIONS: All studied US scores proved valid in assessment of disease activity status in RA. This is in favor of using the less-time-consuming US7 scores. The strongest correlation found with sum (PD) US7 confirmed the importance of incorporating the tendon in the disease activity assessment.

Multifocal avascular necrosis in a patient with refractory immune thrombocytopenia and antiphospholipid antibodies; case report and review of literature.

Avascular necrosis (AVN) is a devastating condition that is rarely reported in patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Treatment with steroids remains a major risk factor for developing AVN. However, the incidence of AVN in patients with ITP requiring corticosteroid therapy is much less than that observed with other clinical conditions requiring corticosteroids. ITP is a bleeding disorder but can be also be a pro-thrombotic state via different mechanisms and thus could result in AVN. Among the possible causes of this pro-thrombotic state is the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs). In this case, we report a patient with refractory ITP who developed multifocal AVN around the time she acquired new aPLs. We also discuss different mechanisms by which risk of thrombosis is increased in ITP and the relationship between ITP, aPLs and antiphospholipid syndrome.

Cerebellar ataxia and obstructive hydrocephalus, rare neurologic presentations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

The first cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with effects on the nervous system were reported more than 100 years ago. Cerebellar involvement and obstructive hydrocephalus are rarely encountered in patients with SLE. We report two patients with SLE who developed cerebellar ataxia. The first patient presented with significant headache at time of SLE diagnosis and negative brain imaging studies on initial evaluation. The headache recurred with findings of cerebellar ataxia and obstructive hydrocephalus. The patient's symptoms markedly improved with shunt insertion and immunosuppressive therapies. The second patient, known to have SLE, presented with crossed hemiplegia and cerebellar symptoms. Imaging studies showed cerebellar atrophy as well as thalamic and brainstem lesions. The patient had partial improvement with immunosuppression. To understand the impact of SLE on the cerebellum and in hydrocephalus formation, we reviewed the literature and case reports over the last 50 years. Clinical presentations, laboratory results, imaging results, treatment and outcomes, for reported cases found in the literature, were summarized and discussed along with our conclusions. We emphasize the importance of history, examination and close monitoring of patients with SLE presenting with headache or any new neurological symptoms.

Gastric antral vascular ectasia in systemic sclerosis: Where do we stand?

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) continues to be a challenge in both diagnosis and treatment. GAVE has a diverse group of associations and presumed causes, including cirrhosis, chronic renal failure and autoimmune connective tissue diseases. However, in most occasions, the management plan of GAVE itself is the same whatever the underlying disease by using Argon plasma coagulation (APC). Herein, we will discuss three cases of systemic sclerosis-associated GAVE presenting with either acute or chronic gastrointestinal bleeding showing variable responses to APC. Anemia and telangiectasia may be the first striking presentation of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Renal artery stenosis, aortic stenosis, widespread cutaneous and mucosal telangiectasia and hypertension seem to be associated with poor prognosis and should prompt rapid intervention and careful follow-up. Moreover, the hunt for molecular underpinnings of the broad array of vascular lesions in SSc has to include von Willebrand factor and endoglin. Eventually, we will review the recent alternatives that can be effective in SSc-GAVE, such as band ligation, hematopoietic stem cells transplantation and immunotherapy.

Leprosy Masquerading as Systemic Rheumatic Diseases.

Rheumatologic manifestations not only are encountered in leprosy but also can be the first and even the sole presenting manifestation. The hallmark of leprosy is skin and peripheral nerve affection; however, it can affect a wide range of other organs, with the joints being the commonest. We have searched PubMed with the key words leprosy, arthritis, vasculitis, rheumatic diseases, and autoantibodies in a proper combination. Relevant studies were retrieved from scanning of their abstracts. The relevant references provided in these articles were also selected and reviewed. We summarize the clinical and laboratory manifestations that make leprosy masquerade as a systemic rheumatic disease. Moreover, we report 4 Egyptian patients who presented with rheumatologic manifestations, namely, arthritis and vasculitis that turned out to be leprosy related.