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Background Patients unable to take azoles are a neglected group lacking a standardized approach to antifungal prophylaxis. We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of intermittent liposomal amphotericin B (L-AMB) prophylaxis in a heterogenous group of hematology patients. Methods A retrospective cohort of all hematology patients who received a course of intravenous L-AMB, defined as 1 mg/kg thrice weekly from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2018, were identified from pharmacy records. Outcomes included breakthrough-invasive fungal disease (BIFD), reasons for premature discontinuation, and acute kidney injury. Results There were 198 patients who received 273 courses of L-AMB prophylaxis. Using a conservative definition, the BIFD rate was 9.6% (n = 19 of 198) occurring either during L-AMB prophylaxis or up to 7 days from cessation in patients who received a course. Probable/proven BIFD occurred in 13 patients (6.6%, 13 of 198), including molds in 54% (n = 7) and non- albicans Candidemia in 46% (n = 6). Cumulative incidence of BIFD was highest in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (6.8%) followed by acute lymphoblastic leukemia (2.7%) and allogeneic stem cell transplantation (2.5%). The most common indication for L-AMB was chemotherapy, or anticancer drug-azole interactions (75% of courses) dominated by vincristine, or acute myeloid leukemia clinical trials, followed by gut absorption concerns (13%) and liver function abnormalities (8.8%). Acute kidney injury, using a modified international definition, complicated 27% of courses but was not clinically significant, accounting for only 3.3% (9 of 273) of discontinuations. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate a high rate of BIFD among patients receiving L-AMB prophylaxis. Pragmatic trials will help researchers find the optimal regimen of L-AMB prophylaxis for the many clinical scenarios in which azoles are unsuitable, especially as targeted anticancer drugs increase in use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes a Franz-Keldysh model for the simulation of photoreflectance spectra from GaAs/GaAIAs heterojunctions. Function of photoreflectance; Interpretation of heterostructure photoreflectance; Photoreflectance of a high-electron-mobility transistor.

Presents a study which measured electrolyte electroreflectance spectra at the E[sub1] transition of gallium arsenide. Experimental methods; Modeling of E[sub1] electroreflectance spectra; Results and discussion.

Presents a study that analyzed the variation in the space-charge voltage of gallium arsenide semiconductors in aqueous electrolytes based on the electroreflectance of the semiconductors. Background on electrolyte reflectance; Analysis of the electroreflectance of gallium arsenide in acidic and alkaline solutions; Effect of transparent surface layers on an electrode on the electroreflectance of the semiconductor.

Photopatch testing is indicated in the investigation of patients with eczematous eruptions, affecting mainly light-exposed sites and in those who give a history of worsening of their condition with sun exposure. 3 different protocols are described by the British Photodermatology Group ( Br J Dermatol 1997:136:371–376), 1 of which includes irradiation of allergens 1 day after application and 2 using irradiation of allergens 2 days after application. There is no evidence for superiority of any of these protocols. We reviewed the records of all patients who underwent photopatch testing in Leeds over a 50-month period, who had had the allergens applied in triplicate with 1 set irradiated after 1 day occlusion and another after 2 days. The control was occluded for 2 days. Readings were performed at 2 days and 4 days. 15 of 74 patients photopatch tested during this period had 49 positive results between them. 43 of these were felt to be of current relevance to their clinical problem. 34 of the positive results were indicative of photoallergy. Additional photoallergic reactions were detected following 2 days occlusion and irradiation compared with 1 day occlusion (16 versus 5). In conclusion, our case series suggests that 2 days occlusion before irradiation of allergens is more sensitive at detecting photoallergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tephra-fall deposits in the Late Mesoproterozoic Sleat Group (Torridonian) from Skye, Scotland, are described for the first time. Two individual beds occur within the Loch na Dal Formation which represents sedimentation in a shallow marine environment. Each bed has a distinctive brown, crumbly, amorphous appearance in the field and has sharp contacts with its host metasediment. This unique lithology is identical to that of albitic schists described recently from the Southern Highland Group, Dalradian Supergroup, which were identified as air-fall tufts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study on two metabentonite suites within the Wenlock limestones and marls of Gotland, Sweden. Background of the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea; Details on the clay sample used in the study; Conclusions.

The article provides information on the case of a 32-month Pakistani girl diagnosed with Griscelli's syndrome characterized by partial albinism and immunodeficiency. The girl suffers from developmental delay, abdominal pain, and lethargy. She was also diagnosed with acute meningitis and hydrocephalus. The patient's histological examination shows that she has histiocytic tumour with a degree of erythrophagocytosis and lymphophagocytosis. Details about Griscelli's syndrome are also presented.

The article highlights a research on topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) used for treating inflammatory skin conditions such as morphoea. It defines morphoea as a connective-tissue disorder characterized by typical lesions which consist of sclerotic plaques affecting the skin and subcutaneous tissues. A detailed investigation to prove the curability of PDT on morphoea patients is presented.

A letter to the editor is presented discussing the efficacy and tolerability of ambient light in combination with 5-aminolaevulinic acid photodynamic therapy in treating patients with actinic keratoses.

Click here for the corresponding questions to this CME article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented concerning narrowband ultraviolet phototherapy as an effective treatment for psoriasis.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "An audit of the management of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma according to the multiprofessional guidelines."

The article presents a case study on a 51-year-old man with dermatitic reaction around his ears. The allergy started after having replacement plastic tips applied to his glasses. After a patch test, the patient had a positive reaction to phenylenediamine. The manufacturer of the plastic tips refused to disclose the materials used in the plastic tips, thus, the possibility of identifying the allergen is somewhat vague.

Presents a letter to the editor about renal cell carcinoma.

The article presents a study that compares the optical spectrograph and infrared imager system (OSIRIS) and the atmospheric chemistry experiment (ACE) ozone and NO2 measurements from the space since 2001 to 2003 using ground-based instruments at the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL) in Eureka, Canada. The study uses four kinds of zenith-sky differential optical absorption spectroscopy. The result indicates that both ACE and OSIRIS continue to perform well.

The article presents a study on the validation of Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE) and Optical Spectrograph and Infra-Red Imager System (OSIRIS) ozone and nitrous oxide (NO2) measurements through ground-based instruments. The study compares GBS differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) instruments, SAOZ DOAS instruments, among others. It concludes that these are useful in acquiring datasets at the Canada-based Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL).

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic, recurrent, debilitating skin disease, is characterized by painful, inflammatory, subcutaneous lesions of the axilla, inguinal and anogenital regions. Overall prevalence of HS is ˜1%, and the impact of disease on patient quality of life (QoL) and healthcare resource utilization (HRU) is high. Objectives: To estimate the real‐world effectiveness of adalimumab (Humira®) treatment in patients with moderate‐to‐severe HS on disease severity, pain, QoL, work productivity and HRU. Methods: HARMONY (Effectiveness of Adalimumab in Moderate to Severe HidrAdenitis SuppuRativa Patients – a Multi‐cOuNtry studY in Real Life Setting) is a multicentre, postmarketing observational study in adult patients with moderate‐to‐severe HS. Disease severity and QoL parameters were evaluated using validated measures at 12‐week intervals over 52 weeks of treatment. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving a Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response (HiSCR: ≥50% reduction in abscess and inflammatory nodule count, with no increase in abscess and draining fistula counts relative to baseline) at 12 weeks. Secondary endpoints were HiSCR at 24, 36 and 52 weeks and changes in QoL parameters and work productivity assessments. Analyses were conducted using as‐observed data. Results: The proportion of patients reaching the primary HiSCR endpoint was 70.2% (n = 132/188 enrolled) and remained ≥70% until study completion. There were statistically significant (P < 0.0001) reductions in worst and average skin pain. All of the QoL measures evaluated improved significantly (P < 0.0001) by 12 weeks of adalimumab treatment, as did work productivity assessments (P < 0.05), and there was a ˜50% decrease in HRU between baseline and week 52. Adalimumab was well tolerated. Conclusions: In this real‐world setting, adalimumab treatment of moderate‐to‐severe HS resulted in decreased disease severity and improvements in QoL and productivity. Response to adalimumab was rapid (within 12 weeks) and sustained (52 weeks). No unexpected safety signals were reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]