Search

Bullous morphea is a rare variant of localized scleroderma characterized by occasional intermittent blisters. Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory disease. The coexistence of morphea and lichen sclerosus has been reported in different sites in the same patient and more rarely in the same lesion. We report the case of a 54-year-old woman with an atypical presentation of bullous morphea and some histological features of lichen sclerosus. She presented with a 5-year history of an ulcerated plaque, with a sclerotic and atrophic center and indurated budding margins, localized on the lumbar back. Initially the diagnosis of a squamous cell carcinoma was suggested. A skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of bullous morphea and showed some histological features of lichen sclerosus. Topical betamethasone and silicone gel ointment were prescribed leading to complete healing of the ulceration within five months. Our case is unusual because of the atypical clinical presentation, the histological aspect combining signs of bullous morphea and lichen sclerosus, and the favorable results with the use of local corticotherapy and silicone gel.

Inverted papilloma is a rare nasosinusal tumor that mainly occurs in adults during the 5thdecade. The occurrence in children is exceptional and only few cases have been reported in the litterature. Clinical and radiological findings mimic other benign nasosinusal pathologies; therefore, diagnosis is based on histopathology either via biopsy or following surgical excision. Here we present a rare case of pediatric inverted papilloma in a 11-year-old child and we discuss clinical, radiological, therapeutic and evolutionary features through a literature review.

The present study delineates the effects of incorporation of 1% diallyl sulfide (DAS) into extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) on the physico‐chemical characteristics, in vitro antioxidant, and in vivo hepatoprotective properties in CCl4‐induced acute liver injury in mice. Results showed that the DAS‐rich EVOO exhibited good oxidative stability over one‐month storage and preserved its original quality‐related parameters including major components (oleic acid, linoleic acid, and palmitic acid), and minor components (tocopherols, chlorophylls and carotenoids, tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol, elenolic acid, oleuropein and its aglycone, pinoresinol, vanilic acid, cinnamic acid, ferulic acid, luteolin, apigenin, and sterols). Compared with EVOO or DAS, the DAS‐rich EVOO displayed the highest DPPH and ABTS‐radical scavenging activities and showed the strongest cellular antioxidant activity (CAA). In connection with its free radical scavenging activity and CAA, DAS‐rich EVOO significantly normalized the serum ALT and AST levels and prevented the increase in interleukin‐6 in CCl4‐intoxicated mice. The manifest anti‐inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of DAS‐rich EVOO were further supported by liver histopathological examinations. Overall, the EVOO enrichment with DAS could open up opportunities for the development of novel functional food with improved antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the omega‐3‐rich oil from fish viscera and gill by‐products, and caffeoylquinic‐rich powder of artichoke bract by‐products were used for the enrichment of wheat flour chips. Incorporation of these ingredients improved the lipid profile by increasing the level of polyunsaturated essential fatty acids mainly linoleic, linolenic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acids enhancing thereby their nutritional quality. In alloxan‐induced diabetic mice, the novel products reverts the blood glucose and serum markers including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, urea, and creatinine to their normal levels. Concomitantly, they prevented lipid peroxidation and activated antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase). They ameliorate the lipid profile by reducing triglycerides, cholesterol, and LDL. Additional efforts aimed at investigating the potential of other raw materials including algal biomass, and shrimps as a sustainable source of valuable ingredients would contribute to the development of new products with improved nutritional and functional attributes. Practical applications: Icorporation of cheap, available, and functional ingredients from fish (omega‐3‐rich oil) and artichoke bract by‐products into wheat flour chips could be successfully adopted for the development of functional foods destined for diabetic patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The interest of Virtual Microscopy (VM) as a means of simulation learning in Pathological Anatomy and Cytology (PCA) is growing continuously. Its value for the acquisition of skills related to this discipline and the degree of satisfaction of learners have long been compared to those of the conventional method, using Optical Microscopy (OM). The results are conflicting, highlighting the limited use of VM in the daily practice of teaching PCA. The objective of our work was to compare the learning of general pathological anatomy by MV to that by MO, in terms of skills acquisition and levels of student satisfaction. Methods: Prospective study, involving 45 Students Of Second Cycle Of Medical Studies (SCMS), in pathological anatomy internship. Ten histological slides were analysed in OM for 21 students and in VM for 24 students, for a period of 10 days. The choice of the learning method was made by lot. The same trainer demonstrated the slides, each group separately, using either OM or VM. An assessment of the acquisition of knowledge was carried out using multiple choice questions on the same lesions but illustrated by 15 photos. An assessment of the degree of satisfaction of externs with the learning method used was based on a questionnaire using 6 items and the 4-choice Likert scale. Three items focused on convenience and three on Intrinsic Motivation (IM) of learners. The Mann Whitney nonparametric test for independent samples was thus used to compare the means between the two groups. Results: Regarding the acquisition of knowledge, the marks varied from 8 to 15, with a median of 13/15, for each of the 2 groups. There was no significant difference between the means obtained for each group (respectively 12.67 +/- 0.48 for the OM and 12.75 +/- 0.391 for the VM, p=0.935). Regarding the degree of satisfaction, a statistically significant difference was noted between the 2 groups for each of the 6 items tested. The overall convenience score was significantly better for the VM (p=0.001), whereas for the overall IM score there was no significant difference between the 2 groups (p=0.297). Conclusion: The performance of the VM is comparable to that of the OM. Taking into consideration its best convenience, VM could serve as an alternative tool to OM in teaching students' general pathological anatomy, although it does not fully satisfy their IM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]