74,908 research outputs found

    Skin and Nail Predictors of Psoriatic Arthritis Development: A Holistic Overview Integrating Epidemiological and Physiopathological Data

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    Dermatological manifestations are considered to be of significant importance in identifying individuals with psoriasis at a higher risk of developing arthritis, as rheumatological involvement typically follows the onset of skin/nail lesions. This review summarizes the literature evidence about dermatological predictors of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) development, also analyzing the underlying physiopathological mechanisms and potential biases. Such an integration between statistical evidence and a mechanism-based approach aims to emphasize the most robust skin/nail risk factors upon which clinicians should focus most in daily clinical practice. Accordingly, psoriasis severity and nail changes due to matrix involvement would result in the most relevant risk factors for PsA occurrence, while other possible predictors (e.g., scalp and inverse psoriasis) do not seem to be supported by a significant pathogenetic link

    The Benefits of Being Economics Professor A (and not Z)

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    Alphabetic name ordering on multi-authored academic papers, which is the convention in the economics discipline and various other disciplines, is to the advantage of people whose last name initials are placed early in the alphabet. As it turns out, Professor A, who has been a first author more often than Professor Z, will have published more articles and experienced afaster growth rate over the course of her career as a result of reputation and visibility. Moreover, authors know that name ordering matters and indeed take ordering seriously: Several characteristics of an author group composition determine the decision to deviate from the default alphabetic name order to a significant extent.performance measurement, incentives, economists, name ordering

    Final word on Jersey Dutch

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    In this article, William Z. Shetter compares and contrasts the dialects that developed between different Dutch colonies in the New World. He explores in-depth the nuances of Jersey Dutch, and provides theories to explain how Dutch and colonial languages blended. The article is reprinted from American Speech, December 1958, Volum XXXIII, No. 4

    Real-World Experience of Bimekizumab in a Cohort of 109 Patients Over 48 Weeks and Identification of Predictive Factors for an Early Super Response and Risk of Adverse Events

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    Zeno Fratton,1 Stefano Bighetti,2 Luca Bettolini,2 Vincenzo Maione,2 Mariachiara Arisi,2 Cinzia Buligan,1 Giuseppe Stinco,1 Enzo Errichetti1 1Department of Medicine, Institute of Dermatology, University of Udine, Udine, Friuli Venezia-Giulia, Italy; 2Dermatology Department, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Lombardia, ItalyCorrespondence: Zeno Fratton, Institute of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Piazzale Santa Maria della Misericordia, 15, Udine, 33100, Italy, Tel +39 0432559820, Email [email protected]: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease significantly impairing quality of life. The introduction of biologic therapies, such as bimekizumab—a monoclonal antibody targeting IL-17A and IL-17F—has revolutionized treatment outcomes. This study investigates the effectiveness of bimekizumab in a real-world setting, focusing on the predictors of Early Super Response (ESR), defined as achieving PASI 100 by week 4, and evaluates the safety profile over a 48-week follow-up period.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 109 psoriasis patients treated with bimekizumab at two Italian dermatology centers. Of these, 61 patients completed a 48-weeks follow-up. Baseline clinical and demographic data, PASI scores at multiple time points, and adverse events were collected. ESR predictors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Safety was assessed using Cox proportional hazards models to find predictive factors associated with the risk of adverse events (AEs).Results: At week 4, 28.4% of patients achieved PASI 100. Baseline PASI (OR: 0.93, p = 0.029), absence of nail involvement (OR: 0.12, p = 0.003), and fewer biologic failures (OR: 0.14, p = 0.038) were independently associated with ESR status. Safety analysis revealed that 15.6% of patients experienced adverse events, with asthma/allergic rhinitis significantly associated with a higher risk (HR: 6.43, p = 0.012). Candidiasis (7.3%) and eczema (4.6%) were the most common adverse events.Conclusion: Bimekizumab demonstrated significant effectiveness and an acceptable safety profile in a real-world setting. Baseline PASI, nail involvement, and prior biologic failures influenced early treatment response. Identifying predictors of ESR and adverse events can guide personalized therapeutic approaches, optimizing outcomes for psoriasis patients.Keywords: bimekizumab, safety, efficacy, super responder, asthma, nail

    Management Strategies for Generalised Granuloma Annulare: A Systematic Review of Current and Emerging Therapies

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    Generalised Granuloma Annulare (GGA) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder with no standard treatment. Since the last review in 2013, new treatments and varied responses have highlighted the need for an updated synthesis to guide clinical decisions. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the epidemiology, comorbidities and treatment outcomes in patients with GGA, synthesising evidence from published studies to provide insights into both conventional and emerging therapeutic strategies. A systematic literature search was conducted in CENTRAL, Embase and PubMed, following PRISMA guidelines. Studies published in English, French or Spanish up to January 15, 2024, were included. Data extraction focused on patient demographics, comorbidities, treatment regimens and therapeutic outcomes. A total of 689 patients were included. The mean age of patients was 52.8 years, with a female predominance (72.6%). Based on this systematic review, we propose a stepwise approach: first-line treatment includes hydroxychloroquine and phototherapy (PUVA > UVA1 > nb-UVB). Oral corticosteroids along with high-potency topical steroids or calcineurin inhibitors may be used in extensive or rapidly progressive disease or as bridging therapy pending slower-acting agents. Sulfones are second-line, with oral retinoids (e.g., isotretinoin) as alternatives if contraindicated. For refractory cases, off-label anti-TNF-α agents or JAK inhibitors are recommended, with methotrexate or cyclosporine as valid alternatives. This largest systematic review of GGA treatments offers an evidence-based clinical framework. While steroids and phototherapy remain standard, emerging options like JAK inhibitors and biologics show promise for refractory cases. Tailored, multimodal strategies may improve outcomes, though further trials are needed to standardise guidelines

    Exploring the Impact of Guselkumab and Risankizumab on Psoriasis in HIV-Positive Patients: Insights From Four Italian Centers

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    HIV-positive patients with psoriasis often face delays in accessing biologic therapies due to their exclusion from clinical trials and concerns about the impact of immunomodulatory drugs on viral replication. Anti-IL-23 therapies, such as risankizumab and guselkumab, have shown great promise thanks to their strong efficacy and favourable safety profiles. A case series from four Italian centres reported sustained effectiveness of these drugs, with no observed effects on viral replication or immune parameters in HIV-positive patients. Although the number of cases is limited, these therapies appear to be a compelling option for patients with extensive or treatment-resistant psoriasis

    Logarithmic variance profiles and the corresponding f-1 spectra of temperature fluctuations in turbulent Rayleigh-Bénard convection

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    We report experimental results for the temperature variance 2(z) and the corresponding frequency spectra P(f) in turbulent Rayleigh-Bénard convection (RBC) in a cylindrical sample of aspect ratioT= D/L = 1:00 (D = 1:12 m is the diameter and L = 1:12 m the height). The measurements were conducted in the Rayleigh-number range 1011 < Ra < 1:35 1014 and Pr ' 0:8. For Ra = 1:35x1014, 2(z) could be described well by a logarithmic dependence on the vertical position z in a range of z 1 < z < z 2 with z 1 ' 70 and z 2 = 0:1L. Here L=(2Nu) is the thickness of a thin thermal sublayer adjacent to the horizontal plate where the heat flux (denoted by the Nusselt number Nu) is carried mostly by thermal diffusion. In the log layer, we found that the temperature spectra had a significant frequency range over which P(f) f with close to 1. As Ra decreased, increased so that the log layer became thinner. At Ra = 2:05 1011, z 2 < z 1 and therefore there was no range for a log layer. Correspondingly, the temperature spectrum near the horizontal plate did not have the f1 scaling form either
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