Search

OBJECTIVE: Large language models such as ChatGPT have demonstrated significant potential in question-answering within ophthalmology, but there is a paucity of literature evaluating its ability to generate clinical assessments and discussions. The objectives of this study were to (1) assess the accuracy of assessment and plans generated by ChatGPT and (2) evaluate ophthalmologists abilities to distinguish between responses generated by clinicians versus ChatGPT. DESIGN: Cross-sectional mixed-methods study. SUBJECTS: Sixteen ophthalmologists from a single academic center, of which 10 were board-eligible and 6 were board-certified, were recruited to participate in this study. METHODS: Prompt engineering was used to ensure ChatGPT output discussions in the style of the ophthalmologist author of the Medical College of Wisconsin Ophthalmic Case Studies. Cases where ChatGPT accurately identified the primary diagnoses were included and then paired. Masked human-generated and ChatGPT-generated discussions were sent to participating ophthalmologists to identify the author of the discussions. Response confidence was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale score, and subjective feedback was manually reviewed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Accuracy of ophthalmologist identification of discussion author, as well as subjective perceptions of human-generated versus ChatGPT-generated discussions. RESULTS: Overall, ChatGPT correctly identified the primary diagnosis in 15 of 17 (88.2%) cases. Two cases were excluded from the paired comparison due to hallucinations or fabrications of nonuser-provided data. Ophthalmologists correctly identified the author in 77.9% ± 26.6% of the 13 included cases, with a mean Likert scale confidence rating of 3.6 ± 1.0. No significant differences in performance or confidence were found between board-certified and board-eligible ophthalmologists. Subjectively, ophthalmologists found that discussions written by ChatGPT tended to have more generic responses, irrelevant information, hallucinated more frequently, and had distinct syntactic patterns (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Large language models have the potential to synthesize clinical data and generate ophthalmic discussions. While these findings have exciting implications for artificial intelligence-assisted health care delivery, more rigorous real-world evaluation of these models is necessary before clinical deployment. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES: The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

AIM: To perform an independent validation of deep learning (DL) algorithms for automated scleral spur detection and measurement of scleral spur-based biometric parameters in anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) images. METHODS: Patients receiving routine eye care underwent AS-OCT imaging using the ANTERION OCT system (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany). Scleral spur locations were marked by three human graders (reference, expert and novice) and predicted using DL algorithms developed by Heidelberg Engineering that prioritise a false positive rate 95% (TPR95). Performance of human graders and DL algorithms were evaluated based on agreement of scleral spur locations and biometric measurements with the reference grader. RESULTS: 1308 AS-OCT images were obtained from 117 participants. Median differences in scleral spur locations from reference locations were significantly smaller (p

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with neurophysiologic changes, including cortical hyperexcitability and reduced long‐term potentiation (LTP)‐like plasticity, that can be investigated using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). AD is preceded by a preclinical phase of beta‐amyloid accumulation without clinical or cognitive symptoms. Our goal is to test the relationship of TMS‐based neurophysiologic markers against established cognitive and MRI‐based measures of preclinical AD. If neurophysiologic changes precede the clinical manifestation of AD, they could serve as prognostic markers and targets for therapeutic interventions to slow its progression. Method: Data was acquired from eight cognitively unimpaired older adults (three females, ages 65‐78 years) as part of an ongoing study (BrightFocus™ Foundation‐A2021288S, IRB#‐2020P000889). Cognition was evaluated with the 5‐item Preclinical Alzheimer's Cognitive Composite (PACC5), which is sensitive to early AD‐associated decline. Global cortical atrophy was assessed from MRI as the mean thickness across the AD Cortical Signature Network (ACSN)—regions showing morphologic changes that precede the clinical manifestation of AD. Cortical excitability was assessed as the average amplitude of TMS‐evoked EEG potentials (TEPs) elicited from TMS to motor cortex, while LTP‐like cortical plasticity was assessed as the change in TEPs following intermittent theta‐burst stimulation (iTBS). The strength of associations between the neurophysiologic, imaging, and cognitive measures were performed using non‐parametric Spearman Rho coefficients. Result: Spearman coefficients revealed a large association between reduced cortical thickness (more atrophy) and worse cognition (Rho=0.71), as expected. Higher excitability (larger TEPs) showed a large association with worse cognition (Rho=‐0.54) and a small association with reduced cortical thickness (Rho=‐0.29). Lower cortical plasticity (smaller change in TEPs post‐iTBS) showed a medium association with worse cognition (Rho=0.46) and a large association with reduced cortical thickness (Rho=0.86). Conclusion: In cognitively unimpaired older adults, TMS‐EEG measures of cortical excitability and LTP‐like plasticity are strongly correlated, respectively, with cognitive and MRI‐based markers of Preclinical AD. These finding suggest cortical hyperexcitability and reduced LTP‐like plasticity, which are present in AD, may occur before its clinical manifestation. If these results are confirmed in a larger cohort with biomarker testing, these markers could help prognosticate the development of AD symptoms and serve as targets for therapeutic intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Histórica (02528894) is the property of Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This phenomenological study describes some risks and sources of resilience of students with hearing impairment in an inclusive school at Bengkala, Bali, Indonesia. The data were obtained from four students with hearing impairment, and some related key informants, through semi-structured in-depth interview and observation. The steps of analyses followed a phenomenological research approach. The result of the study shows that (1) there are three serious risk factors, namely family poverty, student’s difficulties in understanding verbal language and learning materials, and student’s emotional distortion; (2) there are five personal sources of resilience, they involve self-efficacy, cooperation skills, talents or special skills, gratitude, and positive hope; (3) there are four social support sources of resilience, they are family, school, peers, and community. This study also discussed an attempt to improve the success of children with hearing loss through developing psychological and social functioning, and enhancing achievement in inclusive schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Special Education is the property of Special Education and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Various policies and efforts have been made by the Indonesian government to help the community recover from the various impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the recovery of psychological health disorders. It is necessary to study the condition of the community to formulate more appropriate policies. This study describes the mental health condition of the community during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. Analysis of factors related to threats and obtaining psychological well-being is used to formulate future disaster mitigation policies. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on communities in Bali, Indonesia. A total of 311 respondents (aged between 15 and 72 years) were involved in the survey through DASS-21, PGWBI-22, and CD RISC-25, from July to September 2021. The results of this study indicate that the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress is higher than previous research. The psychological well-being index is also high. Cultural and religious values are the key to people's resilience, which makes them grateful and prosperous despite high levels of anxiety, stress, and depression. Regression analysis confirms that resilience is an important factor in maintaining psychological happiness. The findings also noted that the Covid-19 vaccine was associated with less depression, anxiety, and stress. The results of this study contribute to disaster mitigation policies and mental health support interventions for the community during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. From this study, policies on disaster mitigation related to future pandemics are formulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation agriculture practices involving zero tillage and residue retention are promising nutrient management strategies for soil health restoration. Despite their potential positive impact on soil fertility, improved crop yields and increased revenues for smallholder farmers; their effect on nitrogen inputs and crop growth is not clearly understood. This may limit their potential as a nutrient management strategy that may remedy soil degradation and boost crop yields for farmers. This study investigated how different tillage practices, crop residues and inorganic nitrogen (N) options affect maize production, soil fertility and economics of smallholder farming systems. The study was conducted in a short-term (2 years) on-station trial, under randomized complete block design with three replications in a maize monocrop system. Six treatments, involving three different rates of maize stover residue (0, 3 and 5 t ha−1) and inorganic N (0, 3 and 5 t ha−1) inputs, respectively, were assessed under conventional and zero tillage systems. Mineral N and organic C were assessed at four depths (0–10 cm, 10–30 cm, 30–60 cm and 60–90 cm) whereas soil aggregate distribution was assessed at 0–5 cm, 5–10 cm, 10–15 cm and 15–20 cm depths. Application of inorganic N as the only input increased (p ≤ 0.05) grain yield (with the yields doubling in the short rains (SR) of 2015 and increasing by 1.4 times in long rains (LR) of 2016) compared to unfertilized control treatment. Treatment, soil depth and the time of sampling significantly affected soil mineral N concentration (p ≤ 0.05). Soil organic C reduced significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with sampling depths, but no differences were observed across treatments. At 0–5 cm depth, the proportion of large macroaggregates in zero tillage increased (48%; p ≤ 0.05) after application of crop residues at 5 t ha−1 relative to 3 t ha−1. Zero tillage treatment with application of 5 t ha−1 of residue and 80 kg N ha−1 was the most dominant and most profitable compared to the other treatments. This treatment had a benefit cost ratio (BCR) of 2.9 (in the short rains season of 2015) and 3.0 (long rains of 2016 seasons). Its marginal rate of return (MRR) was 368% (in the 2015 short rains season) and 416% (in the 2016 long rains season). This makes it a good nutrient management strategy with potential of optimizing maize yields.

Abstract: Objective: Recent studies have suggested that the brain circuitry mediating cue-induced desire for video games is similar to that elicited by cues related to drugs and alcohol. We hypothesized that desire for Internet video games during cue presentation would activate similar brain regions to those that have been linked with craving for drugs or pathologic gambling. Methods: This study involved the acquisition of diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging and functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 19 healthy male adults (age, 18-23 years) following training and a standardized 10-day period of game play with a specified novel Internet video game, “War Rock” (K2 Network, Irvine, CA). Using segments of videotape consisting of 5 contiguous 90-second segments of alternating resting, matched control, and video game-related scenes, desire to play the game was assessed using a 7-point visual analogue scale before and after presentation of the videotape. Results: In responding to Internet video game stimuli, compared with neutral control stimuli, significantly greater activity was identified in left inferior frontal gyrus, left parahippocampal gyrus, right and left parietal lobe, right and left thalamus, and right cerebellum (false discovery rate <0.05, P < .009243). Self-reported desire was positively correlated with the β values of left inferior frontal gyrus, left parahippocampal gyrus, and right and left thalamus. Compared with the general players, subjects who played more Internet video game showed significantly greater activity in right medial frontal lobe, right and left frontal precentral gyrus, right parietal postcentral gyrus, right parahippocampal gyrus, and left parietal precuneus gyrus. Controlling for total game time, reported desire for the Internet video game in the subjects who played more Internet video game was positively correlated with activation in right medial frontal lobe and right parahippocampal gyrus. Discussion: The present findings suggest that cue-induced activation to Internet video game stimuli may be similar to that observed during cue presentation in persons with substance dependence or pathologic gambling. In particular, cues appear to commonly elicit activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal, orbitofrontal cortex, parahippocampal gyrus, and thalamus. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article discusses empirical challenges and opportunities for African countries in their quest to have sustainable mechanisms for funding research and innovation. Like elsewhere in different parts of the world, African countries have been exploring different approaches, institutional reforms, models and mechanisms towards more efficient and effective funding and financing of research and innovation to enhance their individual and collective economic development aspirations. This paper derives from a 2018 to 2019 study which used a combination of primary and secondary data sources to inform current debates and reviews on the re- organization of research and innovation funding in Africa. Attempts to copy experiences of high income economies in harnessing and deploying funding mechanisms into national research and innovation systems are not appropriate if not accompanied by adaptation to systemic and contextual aspects in receiving countries and sectors. This paper presents and analyses recent empirical evidence from 15 African countries to argue that successful adaptations are not just a matter of technological and innovation capabilities, timely and adequate resourcing, but are a function of decision-making and governance capabilities, which in turn arise from deliberate and interactive learning across the entire research and innovation system. This work contributes to some of the themes covered in this journal recently on the broad issue of resources for innovation, including financial and relational resources. • Besides the current COVID-19 pandemic, African countries have many economic development challenges and opportunities to deal with. • New knowledge from research and innovation seen as key drivers in these, but these drivers need resources. • Different ways of funding research and innovation have been deployed, but some shortcomings remain, with respect to, inter alia, consistency of the funding, sufficiency of the funding and relevance of the funding. • This paper presents and analyses recent empirical evidence from 15 African SGCI countries to argue that successful adaptations are not just a matter of timely and adequate resourcing, or technological and innovation capabilities. • Decision-making and governance capabilities, which arise from deliberate and interactive learning across entire research and innovation systems, are also key. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muscle artifacts constitute one of the major problems in electroencephalogram (EEG) examinations, particularly for the diagnosis of epilepsy, where pathological rhythms occur within the same frequency bands as those of artifacts. This paper proposes to use the method dual adaptive filtering by optimal projection (DAFOP) to automatically remove artifacts while preserving true cerebral signals. DAFOP is a two-step method. The first step consists in applying the common spatial pattern (CSP) method to two frequency windows to identify the slowest components which will be considered as cerebral sources. The two frequency windows are defined by optimizing convolutional filters. The second step consists in using a regression method to reconstruct the signal independently within various frequency windows. This method was evaluated by two neurologists on a selection of 114 pages with muscle artifacts, from 20 clinical recordings of awake and sleeping adults, subject to pathological signals and epileptic seizures. A blind comparison was then conducted with the canonical correlation analysis (CCA) method and conventional low-pass filtering at 30 Hz. The filtering rate was 84.3% for muscle artifacts with a 6.4% reduction of cerebral signals even for the fastest waves. DAFOP was found to be significantly more efficient than CCA and 30 Hz filters. The DAFOP method is fast and automatic and can be easily used in clinical EEG recordings.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) usually begins in childhood and adolescence and causes lifelong damage to several major organs including the brain. Despite increasing evidence of T1DM-induced structural deficits in cortical regions implicated in higher cognitive and emotional functions, little is known whether and how the structural connectivity between these regions is altered in the T1DM brain. Using inter-regional covariance of cortical thickness measurements from high-resolution T1-weighted magnetic resonance data, we examined the topological organizations of cortical structural networks in 81 T1DM patients and 38 healthy subjects. We found a relative absence of hierarchically high-level hubs in the prefrontal lobe of T1DM patients, which suggests ineffective top-down control of the prefrontal cortex in T1DM. Furthermore, inter-network connections between the strategic/executive control system and systems subserving other cortical functions including language and mnemonic/emotional processing were also less integrated in T1DM patients than in healthy individuals. The current results provide structural evidence for T1DM-related dysfunctional cortical organization, which specifically underlie the top-down cognitive control of language, memory, and emotion.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a risk factor for Alzheimer disease (AD). Populations at risk for AD show altered brain activity in the default mode network (DMN) before cognitive dysfunction. We evaluated this brain pattern in T2DM patients. We compared T2DM patients (n = 10, age = 56 ± 2.2 years, fasting plasma glucose [FPG] = 8.4 ± 1.3 mmol/L, HbA1c = 7.5 ± 0.54%) with nondiabetic age-matched control subjects (n = 11, age = 54 ± 1.8 years, FPG = 4.8 ± 0.2 mmol/L) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate functional connectivity strength among DMN regions. We also evaluated hippocampal volume, cognition, and insulin sensitivity by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Control subjects showed stronger correlations versus T2DM patients in the DMN between the seed (posterior cingulate) and bilateral middle temporal gyrus (β = 0.67 vs. 0.43), the right inferior and left medial frontal gyri (β = 0.75 vs. 0.54), and the left thalamus (β = 0.59 vs. 0.37), respectively, with no group differences in cognition or hippocampal size. In T2DM patients, HOMA-IR was inversely correlated with functional connectivity in the right inferior frontal gyrus and precuneus. T2DM patients showed reduced functional connectivity in the DMN compared with control subjects, which was associated with insulin resistance in selected brain regions, but there were no group effects of brain structure or cognition.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of acute hypoglycemia on working memory and brain function in patients with type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Using blood oxygen level–dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging during euglycemic (5.0 mmol/L) and hypoglycemic (2.8 mmol/L) hyperinsulinemic clamps, we compared brain activation response to a working-memory task (WMT) in type 1 diabetic subjects (n = 16) with that in age-matched nondiabetic control subjects (n = 16). Behavioral performance was assessed by percent correct responses. RESULTS During euglycemia, the WMT activated the bilateral frontal and parietal cortices, insula, thalamus, and cerebellum in both groups. During hypoglycemia, activation decreased in both groups but remained 80% larger in type 1 diabetic versus control subjects (P < 0.05). In type 1 diabetic subjects, higher HbA1c was associated with lower activation in the right parahippocampal gyrus and amygdala (R2 = 0.45, P < 0.002). Deactivation of the default-mode network (DMN) also was seen in both groups during euglycemia. However, during hypoglycemia, type 1 diabetic patients deactivated the DMN 70% less than control subjects (P < 0.05). Behavioral performance did not differ between glycemic conditions or groups. CONCLUSIONS BOLD activation was increased and deactivation was decreased in type 1 diabetic versus control subjects during hypoglycemia. This higher level of brain activation required by type 1 diabetic subjects to attain the same level of cognitive performance as control subjects suggests reduced cerebral efficiency in type 1 diabetes.

Cereal-legume intercropping, a common practice among farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), is important for crop diversification, soil fertility improvement, household nutrition and climate adaptation. However, cereals often outcompete the intercropped legumes for growth resources resulting in low legume yields. The objectives of this study were: i) assessing the effects of different intercropping options (crop spatial configurations) and maize crop (Zea mays L.) management innovations on productivity and economic benefits to farmers and ii) examining how farmers adapt new intercropping technologies to meet their household food security needs. The study was undertaken in six on-farm researcher-designed and managed trials in high and low rainfall agro-ecological zones of Babati District in Tanzania, during four cropping seasons (2018–2021). The cropping systems tested included a sole maize system rotated with a legume-legume intercrop (Doubled-up legume), an innovation involving two maize rows intercropped with two legume species (Mbili-Mbili), maize-legume intercrop both with and without de-topping, maize-legume intercrop (2 maize plants at 50 cm intra-space, de-topped), maize-legume system (maize with vertical leaf architecture) and a farmer practice. The Mbili-Mbili technology adaptation assessment was conducted on 225 farmers during the 2021 cropping season. Overall, maize grain yields increased by up to 56% in improved compared to farmer intercropping practices (P ≤ 0.05). There were no significant differences in maize grain yield among the improved practices. Significantly higher pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) yields of between 71% and 113% in 2020 and between 65% and 140% in 2021 were observed under Doubled-up legume and between 63% and 124% under local farmer practices in 2020 than in the improved cereal-legume practices. Across the study period, net revenues of sole maize and Doubled-up legume rotations were both the highest and lowest relative to other intercropping options, depending on the starting phase (US$ 653 sole maize and US$ 326 legume phase starting). These were also associated with the highest variances indicating instability. Mbili-Mbili intercropping system had not only high net revenue i.e., a mean of US$623 per hectare, but also more stable. Farmers perceived that Mbili-Mbili increased food security and 96% were willing to implement the system without project support. Mbili-Mbili is recommended for adoption by farmers because of its potential economic benefits, food security and resilience in the current unpredictable weather and climate patterns. [Display omitted] • Crop spatial configurations differ on effects they pose on productivity and overall economics of cereal-legume intercrops'. • Achieving high legume productivity and economic benefits, is hampered by competition among intercropping components. • Doubled-up legume (involving beans)-Sole maize rotation is a risky system that may not be an immediate choice for farmers. • Mbili-Mbili provides at least $150 higher revenues that are more stable across seasons than other cereal-legume systems. • Mbili-Mbili is recommended for household diet diversification of vegetables, pulses, and cereals with reducing landholding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population growth and climate change challenge our food and farming systems and provide arguments for an increased intensification of agriculture. Organic farming has been seen as a promising option due to its eco-friendly approaches during production. However, weeds are regarded as the major hindrance to effective crop production which varies depending on the type of crop and spacing. Their presence leads to reduced yield, increase in harvest cost and lower the qualities of some produce. Thus, weed management is a key priority for successful crop production. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis from published studies to quantify possible differences on weed density, diversity and evenness in organic and conventional farming systems and best intervention for weed management in organic farming system. Data included were obtained from 32 studies where 31 studies with 410 observations were obtained for weed density, 15 studies with 168 observations for diversity, and 5 studies with 104 observations for evenness. Standard deviation of mean was obtained from the studies, log transformed using natural logarithms and the effect size pooled using standardized mean difference (SMD). Publication bias was determined through funnel plot. Results showed that organic farming has significant higher weed density (P < 0.01) , diversity (P = 0.01) , and evenness (P < 0.05) compared to conventional farming. Despite so, diversified crop rotation has been proved to reduce weed density in organic farming by up to 49 % while maize-bean intercropping decrease densities of Amaranthus ssp, Cyperus ssp and C ammelina ssp compared with monocropping. Use of mulch after one hand weeding was found to control up to 98 % of weeds and use of cover crop between 24 % and 85 % depending on the type of the cover crop. The study results show that organic farming encourages high weed density, diversity and evenness but use of the integrated approaches can help to maintain weed density at a manageable level., Competing Interests: Authors have got no competing interest for the manuscript., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Zinc deficiency in agricultural soils is a current global agroecosystems challenge. Maize exhibits elevated susceptibility to Zn deficiency and low response to zinc fertilization. As a result, there are contradicting literature reports on the crop response to zinc fertilization. This meta-analysis synthesized the current evidence on maize response to zinc fertilization from different studies and highlighted the potential innovations to improve the crop response to zinc application. Systematic literature searches were conducted on the Web of Science and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed publications. From the selected publications, data extracted were maize grain yield and maize grain zinc concentration. The meta-analysis was conducted in R statistical environment using the metafor package. The ratio of means was the chosen effect size measure used. The assessment of effect size heterogeneity showed that the study effect sizes were significantly heterogeneous and also publication bias was evident. The analysis showed 17% and 25% maize grain yield and grain zinc concentration response to zinc fertilization. As a result, zinc fertilization was associated with yield increments of up to 1 t ha -1 and 7.19 mg kg -1 grain zinc concentration over the control (no zinc application). Despite the observed maize grain response to zinc application, the median concentration of grain Zn was below the 38 mg kg -1 recommended maize grain zinc concentration to combat human zinc deficiency ( hidden hunger ). As a result, potential innovations likely to achieve sufficient maize grain zinc content were highlighted including the use of nano-particulate zinc oxide, foliar zinc application, timing of zinc application, precision fertilization and zinc micro-dosing. Due to scanty literature on the progress of these innovations in maize, follow-up studies are recommended to evaluate their potential success in the agronomic bio-fortification of maize with zinc., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflict of interest to declare., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Fifty patients with various long lasting skin diseases were examined. Past history and digestive-nutritional symptoms were recorded. Two or three samples of distal duodenum, elimination of fecal fat and d-xylose absortion test were intended to be performed in all patients, but this coincident parameters were obtained in only 35 patients. Twenty two of these patients were classified as abnormal by 1 of the 3 investigations (62,85%), and 9 (25,71%) were abnormal by 2 criteria. In addition to these usual studies, vit B12 and folic acid absortion were tested in 12 and 23 cases respectively. Distribution does not allow for comparison of the "sensibility" of such tests with the forementioned ones. While only 2 of the 12 patients showed defective absorption of B12, 8 of 22 cases presented with defect of absorption of folic acid. Of this last group, 5 were cases of eritrodermia (the test was performed in 6 cases with this diagnosis). In the total series of 50 cases, including those not thoroughly studied, 27 (54%) presented at least with one abnormal study. These observations point to the possible frequency of intestinal absorption alterations, in several skin diseases, though of moderate degree and pertaining to variable absorption functions. They validate the prosecution of the study, with the aim of clarifying the etio-pathogenesis of some dermatological entities and trying to contribute to their therapy.