Morgellons disease: a narrative review.

Morgellons disease is characterized by the persistent delusion of skin infestation, ultimately inflicting wounds and impairing quality of life. There is insufficient and conflicting research pertaining to this condition, imposing challenges on clinicians in understanding, diagnosing, and treating it. In this review, we summarize the available literature on Morgellons disease including its historical evolution, epidemiology, proposed pathophysiology, underlying structural and functional brain pathologies, typical and atypical clinical presentations, diagnosis, and treatment. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted on PubMed, Embase, and Scopus using specified keywords. Selected articles were screened by two independent reviewers based on set inclusion and exclusion criteria. Conflicts were resolved by a third reviewer as needed. No limit to the date of selected articles was set due to the scarce literature available on the subject. Morgellons disease is an underdiagnosed entity, owing mostly to the lack of an established pathophysiology and treatment guidelines. While many authors classify it as a type of delusional infestation (DI), others correlate MD with an underlying spirochetal infection, namely Lyme disease. Neuroimaging studies have revealed abnormalities in the "fronto-striato-thalamo-parietal network", a finding common to patients with DI, in addition to alterations in structures related to the "Itch Processing Pathway". Patients tend to extract fibers from their skin lesions and place them in a match box hence the term "match box sign". The diagnosis is that of exclusion, requiring extensive work up to rule out secondary causes and differential diagnoses. Treatment is largely based on the use of antipsychotics, with or without cognitive behavioral therapy. Despite being a diagnosis of exclusion, clinicians must be aware of this entity and have a profound understanding of the pathogenesis underlying it. Upon clinical suspicion, secondary Morgellons should always be ruled out through a thorough history taking, physical examination, and laboratory exams. Despite the challenges brought by the heterogeneous presentation of the condition and the paucity of research revolving around it, the great impact that Morgellons disease has on patients' quality of life forms a pressing need for its adequate detection, diagnosis, and treatment.

Pediatric Oncology, Palliative Care and Low- or Middle- Income Countries: A Call for Action.

Pediatric oncology, which includes cancer screening and therapy in children, poses significant challenges in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Palliative care improves children's and their families' quality of life. In LMICs, palliative care resources are scarce, resulting in poor symptom management, psychological support, and spiritual care. All relevant English-language articles on pediatric palliative oncology were searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Medline databases using the following keywords: "Pediatric Oncology," "Pediatric Palliative Oncology," "Pediatric Palliative Care," "Palliative Care," "Child Cancer," and "Lower- and Middle-Income Countries." This study highlights the significance of incorporating palliative care early in therapy and the recommendations may improve the competence of information provided by medical professionals to patients and families. LMICs have the potential to improve overall treatment and outcomes for child cancer patients and their families by prioritizing the integration of palliative care, guaranteeing a compassionate and dignified attitude toward the disease.

The efficacy of cryotherapy in reducing edema and ecchymosis in patients who underwent rhinoplasty: A narrative review.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article was to showcase current literature on the efficacy of different postoperative and intraoperative cryotherapy techniques in reducing edema, ecchymosis, and pain in patients who have undergone rhinoplasty. BACKGROUND: Rhinoplasty has some unfavorable postoperative temporary side effects, such as edema, ecchymosis, and pain, which hinder the patients' daily activities. Several interventions have been proposed in the literature, including cryotherapy, which refers to cold application to the desired facial area in patients who have undergone rhinoplasty. METHODS: Specific keywords were used, and PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases were searched. Two extensive selection rounds were performed to finally include 27 articles; the first round was based on the title and abstract, while the second was based on the full article. DISCUSSION: The articles were split into postoperative and intraoperative categories based on the time cryotherapy was administered during the surgery. They were then subdivided depending on the specific cryotherapy technique used, and a detailed description of the method of application and improvement in patients' edema, ecchymosis, and pain was noted. Articles that compared different cryotherapy techniques were also compared with articles that discussed previously used techniques. CONCLUSION: Cryotherapy has shown promising outcomes in reducing edema, ecchymosis, and pain after rhinoplasty and bleeding. It is crucial to build further studies upon these outcomes and develop guidelines for surgeons to effectively use these cryotherapy techniques in their practice.

Cancer and COVID-19: unravelling the immunological interplay with a review of promising therapies against severe SARS-CoV-2 for cancer patients.

Cancer patients, due to their immunocompromised status, are at an increased risk for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Since severe SARS-CoV-2 infection causes multiple organ damage through IL-6-mediated inflammation while stimulating hypoxia, and malignancy promotes hypoxia-induced cellular metabolic alterations leading to cell death, we propose a mechanistic interplay between both conditions that results in an upregulation of IL-6 secretion resulting in enhanced cytokine production and systemic injury. Hypoxia mediated by both conditions results in cell necrosis, dysregulation of oxidative phosphorylation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. This produces free radicals and cytokines that result in systemic inflammatory injury. Hypoxia also catalyzes the breakdown of COX-1 and 2 resulting in bronchoconstriction and pulmonary edema, which further exacerbates tissue hypoxia. Given this disease model, therapeutic options are currently being studied against severe SARS-COV-2. In this study, we review several promising therapies against severe disease supported by clinical trial evidence-including Allocetra, monoclonal antibodies (Tixagevimab-Cilgavimab), peginterferon lambda, Baricitinib, Remdesivir, Sarilumab, Tocilizumab, Anakinra, Bevacizumab, exosomes, and mesenchymal stem cells. Due to the virus's rapid adaptive evolution and diverse symptomatic manifestation, the use of combination therapies offers a promising approach to decrease systemic injury. By investing in such targeted interventions, cases of severe SARS-CoV-2 should decrease along with its associated long-term sequelae and thereby allow cancer patients to resume their treatments.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 system-based manifestations and treatments: a review.

INTRODUCTION: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the NF1 gene. This disease presents with various system-based manifestations, including cardiac, musculoskeletal, and neuronal issues, which have been well-studied in previous research and have prompted the development of current and emerging treatments. These treatments, mainly medications targeting specific manifestations of NF1, aim to mitigate the negative impacts of the disease on patients' lives. NF1 is associated with an increased risk of malignancy and a significant decrease in life expectancy. In this paper, we review the current and emerging treatments for NF1 in relation to its system-based manifestations. METHODS: We conducted an extensive literature search using specific keywords through databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane. The articles we found were compiled and subjected to strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS: Pharmacological advances have led to the development of products that hold promise as future treatments for NF1. Given the diverse manifestations that can affect multiple organ systems in patients with NF1, it is important to consider a variety of treatment options to achieve optimal results. However, one of the major challenges in diagnosing and treating NF1 is that patients present asymptomatically, making it necessary to rely on clinical features for diagnosis. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, NF1 is a complex disease with varying manifestations and a growing field of pharmacologic treatments. The information presented in this article synthesizes current knowledge and available therapies for NF1.

An Unusual Case of Left Spigelian Hernia Containing Part of a Fibroid Uterus and the Left Adnexa in a 66-Year-Old Woman.

BACKGROUND Spigelian hernia, or lateral ventral hernia, is rare and represents between 0.1-2% of all hernias of the abdominal wall. The presentation is variable, and the diagnosis may be challenging. This report is of an unusual case of Spigelian hernia that contained part of a fibroid uterus and the left adnexa. CASE REPORT A 66-year-old woman presented with an abdominal wall mass in the left lower quadrant. On physical examination, a provisional diagnosis of ventral hernia was made. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) imaging showed an unusual Spigelian hernia that contained part of a fibroid uterus and the left adnexa. Treatment using laparoscopic hysterectomy, left salpingo-oophorectomy, and hernia repair was successfully performed jointly by a general surgeon and a gynecologist. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, the is the first reported case of Spigelian hernia that contained part of the uterus and the left adnexa.

An Intra-Operatively Diagnosed Case of Hemorrhagic Cholecystitis in a 43-year-old Patient: Case Report.

BACKGROUND Hemorrhagic cholecystitis is an uncommon occurrence in the setting of gallbladder pathology. It is a rare complication of acute cholecystitis that may have a misleading presentation and workup, making it challenging to diagnose pre-operatively. CASE REPORT We report the case of a 43-year-old female who presented for severe epigastric pain with nausea and vomiting and whose imaging was in favor of acute cholecystitis. The patient was scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, during which she was found to have hemorrhagic cholecystitis, later confirmed by pathology. CONCLUSIONS Hemorrhagic cholecystitis is an uncommon diagnosis in patients presenting with abdominal pain. The case discussed hereafter was found to have hemorrhagic cholecystitis intra-operatively. Urgent cholecystectomy is crucial in the setting of hemorrhagic cholecystitis due to its possible fatality. This case emphasizes the importance of thinking of hemorrhagic cholecystitis in a patient presenting for what appears to be a severe acute cholecystitis.

Recurrent Asymptomatic Sigmoid Diverticular Perforation in a Patient with Pemphigus Vulgaris on Immunosuppressive Therapy: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Perforation of the colon is associated with high mortality and requires early diagnosis. However, the diagnosis of perforation from atypical causes can be a diagnostic challenge. This report is of a rare case of recurrent sigmoid colonic perforation in a patient with diverticular disease who did not present with an acute abdomen but who had pemphigus vulgaris treated with immunosuppressive therapy. CASE REPORT A 57-year-old man with pemphigus vulgaris was treated with steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), and azathioprine. He had episodes of abdominal bloating but denied any other symptoms. He was diagnosed with spontaneous sigmoid diverticular perforation without presenting with an acute abdomen. CONCLUSIONS Diverticular perforation can be asymptomatic in patients on immunosuppressive therapy. Therefore, there should be a high index of suspicion for bowel perforation in patients with abdominal symptoms who are treated for skin diseases, such as pemphigus vulgaris, and are on steroids and other immunosuppressive treatments.

Lactate Mediates the Effects of Exercise on Learning and Memory through SIRT1-Dependent Activation of Hippocampal Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF).

Exercise promotes learning and memory formation. These effects depend on increases in hippocampal BDNF, a growth factor associated with cognitive improvement and the alleviation of depression symptoms. Identifying molecules that are produced during exercise and that mediate hippocampal Bdnf expression will allow us to harness the therapeutic potential of exercise. Here, we report that an endogenous molecule produced during exercise in male mice induces the Mus musculus Bdnf gene and promotes learning and memory formation. The metabolite lactate, which is released during exercise by the muscles, crosses the blood-brain barrier and induces Bdnf expression and TRKB signaling in the hippocampus. Indeed, we find that lactate-dependent increases in BDNF are associated with improved spatial learning and memory retention. The action of lactate is dependent on the activation of the Sirtuin1 deacetylase. SIRT1 increases the levels of the transcriptional coactivator PGC1a and the secreted molecule FNDC5, known to mediate Bdnf expression. These results reveal an endogenous mechanism to explain how physical exercise leads to the induction of BDNF, and identify lactate as a potential endogenous molecule that may have therapeutic value for CNS diseases in which BDNF signaling is disrupted.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT It is established that exercise promotes learning and memory formation and alleviates the symptoms of depression. These effects are mediated through inducing Bdnf expression and signaling in the hippocampus. Understanding how exercise induces Bdnf and identifying the molecules that mediate this induction will allow us to design therapeutic strategies that can mimic the effects of exercise on the brain, especially for patients with CNS disorders characterized by a decrease in Bdnf expression and who cannot exercise because of their conditions. We identify lactate as an endogenous metabolite that is produced during exercise, crosses the blood-brain barrier and promotes hippocampal dependent learning and memory in a BDNF-dependent manner. Our work identifies lactate as a component of the "exercise pill."

Epigenetic changes in diabetes.

The incidence of diabetes is increasing worldwide. Diabetes is quickly becoming one of the leading causes of death. Diabetes is a genetic disease; however, the environment plays critical roles in its development and progression. Epigenetic changes often translate environmental stimuli to changes in gene expression. Changes in epigenetic marks and differential regulation of epigenetic modulators have been observed in different models of diabetes and its associated complications. In this minireview, we will focus DNA methylation, Histone acetylation and methylation and their roles in the pathogenesis of diabetes.