Deficit of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Acne Patients-A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study in a German Cohort.

Omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3 FAs) exert anti-inflammatory effects, including the downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, eicosanoids, and insulin-like growth factor-1. Therefore, they may improve acne severity as an adjunct treatment. However, there is a paucity of data regarding patients' existing deficits. The aim of this study was to determine ω-3 FA levels in acne patients in correlation with self-reported dietary preferences and clinical severity. A single-center, cross-sectional study of 100 acne patients was conducted. Patients' blood parameters, including ω-3 FAs levels, were assessed using the HS-omega-3 Index® in erythrocytes (Omegametrix® GmbH, Martinsried, Germany). Dietary preferences were assessed using a standardized food frequency questionnaire. Clinical dermatologic evaluation was performed using the Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) of acne. The values of the HS-omega-3 Index® were outside the recommended range of 8-11% in 96 patients (mean 5.15%), independent of the clinical severity or affected anatomic sites. A severe deficit (HS-omega-3 Index® < 4%) was seen more commonly in men than in women (p = 0.021). The regular consumption of legumes was significantly associated with higher ω-3 FA levels (p = 0.003), as was oral ω-3 FA supplementation (p = 0.006) and the lack of sunflower oil intake (p = 0.008). This pilot study demonstrated a deficit of ω-3 FAs in a German acne cohort. Higher ω-3 FAs levels were observed in patients with regular legume intake and oral ω-3 FAs supplementation. Further prospective studies are needed to investigate whether the clinical severity of acne improves in patients with normal HS-omega-3 Index®.

Subjective Discomfort during Botulinumtoxin Injections Dependent on Injection Site and Needle Size: A Comparison Between 30G, 33G and 34G Needles.

BACKGROUND: Botulinumtoxin application in the face is amongst the most common aesthetic procedures in the head and neck region. It also has numerous medical uses. One of the main reasons for patients to refrain from it is the subjective discomfort that is experienced during injections. OBJECTIVES: The study at hand aimed to determine whether needles with 33G and 34G offer an advantage in terms of individual pain perception during botulinumtoxin injections. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study where patients were asked to grade subjective discomfort on a visual analogue scale for each region (forehead, glabella, temple) that was treated directly after treatment and 15 minutes after. Patients were treated with 30G, 33G or 34G needles, respectively. RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients that underwent treatment of 189 regions were included in the study. Patients were evenly distributed amongst the different needle sizes and regions. Subjective discomfort was greatest in all regions for 30G needles (3.9 ± 1.6 forehead, 4.3 ± 1.7 glabella and 4.0 ± 1.6 temple) followed by 33G (2.7 ± 1.5 forehead, 2.7 ± 1.9 glabella and 2.2 ± 1.2 temple) and 34G (1.7 ± 1.2 forehead, 1.6 ± 1.4 glabella and 1.6 ± 1.4 temple). All differences between needle size were statistically significant (p < 0.05) CONCLUSION: 33G and 34G needles seem to offer smaller discomfort during BTX treatments of the head and neck, with 34G being superior to 33G. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Impact of allergic reactions and urticaria on mental health and quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Allergic diseases represent a major global health issue with more than one-third of the global population affected by at least one allergic condition. Allergic conditions can not only cause life-threatening anaphylactic reactions but also impact daily life with a significant influence on mental health and the quality of life (QoL). OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the health-related QoL and depression severity among patients presenting in a tertiary care allergy center. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 596 patients presenting with allergic symptoms or previously diagnosed allergies between October 2018 and April 2019.Patients were screened for depression and the QoL impairment by using three validated scales: the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Dermatologic Life Quality Index (DLQI), and the three-level version of the EuroQol 5-Dimensional (EQ-5D-3L) scale. RESULTS: One-third (34.8%) of the study population was male and two-thirds (65.2%) were female. About 73.7% (n = 427/579) of the patients suffered from at least one previously diagnosed allergic disease, most frequently to pollen (37.0%, n = 214/579) and food (27.3%, n = 158/579), and 20.0 % (n = 116/579) suffered from urticaria. About 19.3% of the total population suffered from depression. Urticaria, as well as insect venom, food/food additives, and drug allergies significantly affected the QoL and depression severity (p < 0.001), reflected by higher DLQI and BDI scores, and lower scores in the EQ5D-3L index. CONCLUSION: Our results provide evidence for a possible correlation of allergies (e.g. against insect venom, food/food additives, and drugs) and/or urticaria with a reduced QoL and a higher depression rate. Patients particularly indicated restrictions for the dimensions, pain/discomfort as well as anxiety/depression. It might be beneficial to implement a standardized questionnaire as a regular screening method for evaluating the mental health status of patients with allergies and/or urticaria.

Biodegradable magnesium fixation screw for barrier membranes used in guided bone regeneration.

An ideal fixation system for guided bone (GBR) regeneration in oral surgery must fulfil several criteria that includes the provision of adequate mechanical fixation, complete resorption when no longer needed, complete replacement by bone, as well as be biocompatible and have a good clinical manageability. For the first time, a biodegradable magnesium fixation screw made of the magnesium alloy WZM211 with a MgF2 coating has been designed and tested to fulfill these criteria. Adequate mechanical fixation was shown for the magnesium fixation screw in several benchtop tests that directly compared the magnesium fixation screw with an equivalent polymeric resorbable device. Results demonstrated slightly superior mechanical properties of the magnesium device in comparison to the polymeric device even after 4 weeks of degradation. Biocompatibility of the magnesium fixation screw was demonstrated in several in vitro and in vivo tests. Degradation of the magnesium screw was investigated in in vitro and in vivo tests, where it was found that the screw is resorbed slowly and completely after 52 weeks, providing adequate fixation in the early critical healing phase. Overall, the magnesium fixation screw demonstrates all of the key properties required for an ideal fixation screw of membranes used in guided bone regeneration (GBR) surgeries.

Impact of allergic reactions and urticaria on mental health and quality of life

Background Allergic diseases represent a major global health issue with more than one-third of the global population affected by at least one allergic condition. Allergic conditions can not only cause life-threatening anaphylactic reactions but also impact daily life with a significant influence on mental health and the quality of life (QoL).Objectives This study aims to evaluate the health-related QoL and depression severity among patients presenting in a tertiary care allergy center.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 596 patients presenting with allergic symptoms or previously diagnosed allergies between October 2018 and April 2019.Patients were screened for depression and the QoL impairment by using three validated scales: the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Dermatologic Life Quality Index (DLQI), and the three-level version of the EuroQol 5-Dimensional (EQ-5D-3L) scale.Results One-third (34.8%) of the study population was male and two-thirds (65.2%) were female. About 73.7% (n = 427/579) of the patients suffered from at least one previously diagnosed allergic disease, most frequently to pollen (37.0%, n = 214/579) and food (27.3%, n = 158/579), and 20.0 % (n = 116/579) suffered from urticaria. About 19.3% of the total population suffered from depression. Urticaria, as well as insect venom, food/food additives, and drug allergies significantly affected the QoL and depression severity (p < 0.001), reflected by higher DLQI and BDI scores, and lower scores in the EQ5D-3L index.Conclusion Our results provide evidence for a possible correlation of allergies (e.g. against insect venom, food/food additives, and drugs) and/or urticaria with a reduced QoL and a higher depression rate. Patients particularly indicated restrictions for the

Quality of Life and Psychopathology in Lichen Planus: A Neglected Disease Burden.

The disease burden of lichen planus and its impact on patients' quality of life have not been well studied. The aim of this mono-centre cross-sectional study was to investigate these factors. From June to September 2020, an anonymous survey was posted to 253 patients, who were diagnosed with lichen planus in our outpatient clinic from January 2018 to June 2020. Quality of life was evaluated using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), the EuroQol 5-dimension 3-level score, and further quality of life indicators. Beck Depression Inventory II was used to evaluate symptoms of depression. A total of 100 patients completed and returned the survey. Lichen planus affected quality of life in 78% of cases. DLQI was higher for multiple localizations (r = 0.454, p < 0.001). Patients with genital lichen planus had a significantly higher DLQI (mean ± standard deviation (SD) 8.68 ± 6.96) than patients who were not affected in the genital area (5.01 ± 5.49; p = 0.009). DLQI was also significantly higher for ungual lichen planus (9.83 ± 7.6; not affected: 5.65 ± 5.84; p-value 0.039), and for cutaneous LP (mean 8.1, SD 6.22; not affected: 5.63 ± 6.12; p-value 0.045). Twenty-nine percent of patients had mild to moderate symptoms of depression, and 6% had severe symptoms of depression. Depression and reduced quality of life are an undetected and relevant burden affecting patients with lichen planus.

Revisiting the Examination of Sharp/Dull Discrimination as Clinical Measure of Spinothalamic Tract Integrity.

Objective: Revisiting the sharp/dull discrimination as clinical measure of spinothalamic tract function considering the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI). Three clinically relevant factors were evaluated as to their impact on reliability: (1) the localization of dermatomes in relation to the sensory level, (2) the examination tool, and (3) the threshold of correct answers for grading of a preserved sharp/dull discrimination. Design: Prospective monocentric psychometric study. Setting: Spinal Cord Injury Center, Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany. Participants: Convenient sample of 21 individuals with subacute spinal cord injury (age: 31-82 years) and 20 individuals without spinal cord injury (age: 24-63 years). Assessment: All participants underwent three assessments for sharp/dull discrimination, applying five commonly used examination tools in seven dermatomes, performed by three trained examiners under conditions in accordance with ISNCSCI. Main Outcome Measures: Assessment of interrater reliability by determining both the Fleiss kappa (κ) coefficient and the percentage agreement between raters. Data were dichotomized regarding the ISNCSCI threshold. Results: Interrater reliability in individuals with SCI was overall substantial (κ = 0.68; CI 0.679-0.681) and moderate (κ = 0.54; CI 0.539-0.543) in dermatomes below the sensory level. All applied tools led to at least moderate reliability below the sensory level (lowest κ = 0.44; CI 0.432-0.440), with the officially endorsed safety pin achieving the highest (substantial) reliability (κ = 0.64; CI 0.638-0.646). Percentage agreement differed between non-SCI (97.3%) and formally intact above level dermatomes in SCI (89.2%). Conclusions: Sharp/dull discrimination as a common clinical examination technique for spinothalamic tract function is a reliable assessment. Independent from the used examination tools, reliability was substantial, with the medium-sized safety pin delivering the most favorable results. Notwithstanding this, all other tools could be considered if a safety pin is not available. Regarding interrater reliability and guessing probability, a threshold of 80% correct responses for preserved sharp/dull discrimination appears to be most suitable, which is in line with current clinical approaches and ISNCSCI. The causal attribution of the identified differences in sharp/dull discrimination between clinically intact dermatomes of individuals with SCI and unaffected dermatomes of individuals without SCI requires future work. Clinical Trial Registration Number (German Clinical Trials Register): DRKS00015334 (https://www.drks.de).

Rat bite fever, a diagnostic challenge: case report and review of 29 cases.

Rats can transmit Streptobacillus moniliformis, which may cause rat-bite fever (RBF), a rare and potentially lethal zoonosis. Fastidious in vitro growth and unspecific symptoms, including fever, arthralgia, and polymorphous skin lesions, complicate the diagnosis. Rat-bite fever follows exposure to contaminated bodily fluids of infected rodents; however, reports on Streptobacillus moniliformis-related infections are few so far. A female patient presented with painful hemorrhagic pustules and purpuric lesions on hands and feet. She developed fever and migratory polyarthralgia. Blood culture yielded growth with Streptobacillus moniliformis. The patient owned rats and handled contaminated rat feces and urine, making this the most likely etiology of infection. We report a case of RBF due to Streptobacillus moniliformis in a rat handling-patient. Difficulties in clinical and microbiological diagnosis highlight the need for a thorough and complete history-taking and a greater understanding of this rare infectious disease.

Calcium Phosphate-Coated Titanium Implants in the Mandible: Limitations of the in vivo Minipig Model.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to compare implant osseointegration with calcium phosphate (CaP) surfaces and rough subtractive-treated sandblasted/acid etched surfaces (SA) in an in vivo minipig mandible model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 36 cylindrical press-fit implants with two different surfaces (CaP, n = 18; SA, n = 18) were inserted bilaterally into the mandible of 9 adult female minipigs. After 2, 4, and 8 weeks, we analyzed the cortical bone-to-implant contact (cBIC; %) and area coverage of bone-to-implant contact within representative bone chambers (aBIC; %). RESULTS: After 2 weeks, CaP implants showed no significant increase in cBIC and aBIC compared to SA (cBIC: mean 38 ± 5 vs. 16 ± 11%; aBIC: mean 21 ± 1 vs. 6 ± 9%). Two CaP implants failed to achieve osseointegration. After 4 weeks, no statistical difference between CaP and SA was seen for cBIC (mean 54 ± 15 vs. 43 ± 16%) and aBIC (mean 43 ± 28 vs. 32 ± 6). However, we excluded two implants in each group due to failure of osseointegration. After 8 weeks, we observed no significant intergroup differences (cBIC: 18 ± 9 vs. 18 ± 20%; aBIC: 13 ± 8 vs. 16 ± 9%). Again, three CaP implants and two SA implants had to be excluded due to failure of osseointegration. CONCLUSION: Due to multiple implant losses, we cannot recommend the oral mandibular minipig in vivo model for future endosseous implant research. Considering the higher rate of osseointegration failure, CaP coatings may provide an alternative to common subtractive implant surface modifications in the early phase post-insertion.

Divergent Mononuclear Cell Participation and Cytokine Release Profiles Define Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive joint disease driven by a blend of inflammatory and biomechanical processes. Studies using human samples to understand inflammatory mechanisms in OA frequently recruit OA patients with different affected joints, even though recent evidence indicates that OA is a heterogeneous disease which only culminates in a common end point. Differences in age of onset and the dynamics of disease progression suggest that different joints may represent different disease entities, thereby diluting the discovery potential in a combined analysis. We hypothesized that different OA joints may also differ in immunopathology within the synovium. To investigate this hypothesis, we profiled the immune cell contribution (flow cytometry) and cytokine release profiles (ELISA) in purified synovial membrane mononuclear cells from 50 patients undergoing either hip (n = 34) or knee (n = 16) replacement surgery. Unsupervised computational approaches were used for disease deconstruction. We found that hip and knee osteoarthritis are not identical in respect to the inflammatory processes that take place in the synovial membrane. Instead, we report that principally CD14+ macrophages are expanded fourfold in the synovial membrane of patients with knee OA compared to hip OA, with a trend to higher expression in CD8+ T cells, while CD4+ T cells, B cells, and NK cells were found at comparable quantities. Upon isolation and culture of cells from synovial membrane, isolates from hip OA released higher concentrations of Eotaxin (CCL11), G-CSF, GM-CSF, INF-γ, IP-10 (CXCL10), TNF-α, MIP-1α (CCL3), MIP-1ß (CCL4), IL-4, IL-10, IL-17, and lower concentrations of stem cell factor (SCF), thereby highlighting the difference in the nature of hip and knee osteoarthritis. Taken together, this study establishes hip and knee OA as immunologically distinct types of OA, and creates a resource of the cytokine expression landscape and mononuclear cell infiltration pattern of patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis.

A biphasic calcium phosphate coating for potential drug delivery affects early osseointegration of titanium implants.

BACKGROUND: Calcium phosphate (CaP) surface coatings may accelerate osseointegration and serve as a drug delivery system for mineral-binding biomolecules. In a pilot study, the impact of a commercially available, thin CaP coating on early osseous bone remodeling was compared with a modern, subtractive-treated rough surface (SLA-like) in an animal trial. METHODS: In 16 rabbits, 32 endosseous implants (CaP; n = 16, SLA-like; n = 16) were bilaterally inserted in the proximal tibia after randomization. After 2 and 4 weeks, bone-implant contact (BIC;%) in the cortical (cBIC) and the trabecular bone (sBIC) as well as volume of bone within the screw thread with the highest amount of new-formed bone (area;%) were analyzed. RESULTS: After 2 weeks, cBIC was significantly higher for CaP when compared with SLA-like (58 ± 7% versus 40.4 ± 18%; P = 0.021). sBIC for CaP was 14.7 ± 8% and for SLA-like 7.2 ± 7.8% (P = 0.081). For area, the mean volumes were 82.8 ± 10.8% for CaP and 73.6 ± 22% for SLA-like (P = 0.311). After 4 weeks, cBIC was 42.9 ± 13% for the CaP and 46.5 ± 29.1% for the SLA-like group (P = 0.775). An sBIC of 6.9 ± 9.3% was calculated for CaP and of 12.3 ± 4.8% for SLA-like (P = 0.202). The values for area were 62.3 ± 24.1% for CaP and 50.1 ± 25.9% for SLA-like (P = 0.379). CONCLUSIONS: The CaP coating has putative additional advantages in the early osseoconduction phases. It seems suitable for a feasible and clinical applicable bioactivation.