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Starting from the well known stable free radical DPPH (or its reduced counterpart, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazine) and several amino derivatives, novel zwitterionic compounds (diazenium betaines) were obtained and characterized by different means, like NMR, IR, MS, and UV–Vis. These betaines are highly intense blue-colored compounds that can be easily reduced by ascorbic acid (vitamin C) or sodium ascorbate to their corresponding para-phenyl substituted derivatives of DPPH, which have a yellow color. Most of such redox processes were found to be reversible. However, the oxidation of 2-p-aminophenyl-2-phenyl-1-picryl-hydrazine led to an azo-derivative of DPPH diradical, and its structure was unveiled by X-ray monocrystal diffraction. Possible diradicaloid behavior is also discussed.

Bromination of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical with bromine or N-bromo-succinimide (NBS) affords a complex mixture of bromo- and nitro-derivatives of the starting material. In this study, by chromatographic separation, most of the reaction products were isolated. Suitable crystals for X-ray measurements were obtained and characterized for the compounds 2-p-bromophenyl-2-phenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical (Br-DPPH), 2-p-bromophenyl-2-phenyl-1-picrylhydrazine (Br-DPPH-H), and 2,2-(p-bromophenyl)-1-(2-bromo-4,6-dinitrophenyl)hydrazine (Br2-DPPBr-H).

María José Valencia López,1,* Brigitte Stephan,1,* Anna Meineke,1 Sandra Wolf,1 Diamant Thaci,2 Ulrich Mrowietz,3 Valerie Andrees,1 Stephan Jeff Rustenbach,1 Kristian Reich,1 Linus Thalmann,1 Henriette Bogena,1 Petra Staubach,4 Ralph Michael von Kiedrowski,5 Matthias Augustin1 1Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany; 2Institute and Comprehensive Center for Inflammation Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany; 3Psoriasis-Center, Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany; 4Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 5Dermatological Practice Selters, Selters, Germany*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Matthias Augustin, Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistraße 52, Hamburg, 20246, Germany, Tel +49 040 7410 55428, Fax +49 040 7410 55348, Email m.augustin@uke.deBackground: Limited data are available characterizing the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on psoriasis care for patients in Germany.Objective: To analyze patient perception and impact of the pandemic on well-being and psoriasis management of German patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis or psoriasis arthritis under systemic therapies.Methods: The CoronaBest registry captures events of SARS-CoV-2 infections and analyzes the impact of the pandemic on patients with psoriasis or psoriasis arthritis. In June 2020, and independently in February 2022, patients with psoriasis or psoriasis arthritis received a standardized questionnaire for current treatment, protective measures, well-being, and individual risks for COVID-19, among others.Results: Included were 4,194 patients in 2020 (mean age of 47.7 years and 41.8% women) and 4,818 patients in 2022 (mean age of 56.4 and 42.9% women). Treatment discontinuations were observed in 2.7% and 1.7% of patients in 2020 and 2022, respectively. In the vast majority of the cases (> 92%), no additional measures were taken concerning the management of psoriasis treatments in either 2020 or 2022. Those patients with changes reported most frequently: telephone calls instead of face-to-face visits (80.2%, in 2020 vs 40.5% in 2022) or more frequent controls (27.1%, 2020 vs 22.0%, 2022). A majority (66.7%, 2020, and 70.6%, 2022) did not perceive the virus as a considerable threat. The proportion of patients feeling well informed about COVID-19 by physicians increased from 42.6% in 2020 to 51.8% in 2022. About 81.1% of patients in 2020 and 67.5% in 2022 stated that their overall personal condition was not affected due to the pandemic. Physicians attributed no special risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 in most of the patients.Conclusion: A high rate of systemic treatment persistence and awareness of risks and protective measures indicate that health care for psoriasis largely followed current national and international recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic.Keywords: psoriasis, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, pandemic, patient perception, risk factors

The study published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology explores the association between comorbidities, itch intensity, and quality of life in patients with Chronic Nodular Prurigo (CNPG). The research involved 513 adult CNPG patients from 12 European countries and found that hypertension was significantly associated with itch intensity, while depression was significantly associated with impaired quality of life. The study suggests that conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis may impact itch perception, highlighting the need for further investigation into the pathophysiological significance of these associations. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Brodalumab, a fully human monoclonal immunoglobulin IgG2 antibody that binds the human interleukin 17 receptor subunit A, is available for the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis in Europe since September 2017, but so far there are only a few studies on its use in real‐world conditions. Objectives: To assess the management of moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis with brodalumab 210 mg in daily practice after 12 and 52 weeks (W). In addition, patient profiles and treatment pathways are described. Methods: LIBERO is a prospective, multicenter, non‐interventional study including adult patients with plaque psoriasis treated with brodalumab 210 mg. Results: In total, 638 patients (65% male, mean age: 49.3 ± 14.4 years) from 148 sites in Germany were enrolled. The majority suffered from severe (51.1%) or very severe (13.1%) psoriasis according to physician global assessment (PGA0‐5). When starting with brodalumab, 58.5% were biologic naïve and 41.5% were previously treated with another biologic, mainly adalimumab (18.5%) and secukinumab (17.9%). About 74.0% of patients met the primary endpoint of an absolute PASI ≤3 at ~W12 (n = 618, LOCF). The mean PASI was reduced significantly as of ~W2 from 17.2 (±11.7) to 9.7 (±8.8) and improved further to 3.3 (±6.3) at ~W12 (p < 0.001). At ~W52 85.5% of patients reached a PGA0/1‐response (primary endpoint) and 54.1% patients were assessed as completely clear (PGA0) (both n = 399, as observed). Effectiveness of brodalumab was confirmed in relevant subgroup analysis by previous treatment regimen. Most frequently reported adverse events were nasopharyngitis (4.6%), psoriasis (4.6%) and arthralgia (4.1%), new safety signals were not detected. Conclusions: This representative, non‐interventional study confirms the short‐ and long‐term effectiveness and safety profile of brodalumab in the management of psoriasis in daily practice as well as in relevant treatment pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: For in-person psychotherapy, psychotherapists make individual adaptions to meet clients' disability-related needs, for example, by providing plain or sign language. Such adaptations apply to different types of psychotherapy (e.g. psychodynamic, systemic, or cognitive-behavioral). Digital interventions, such as video psychotherapy or internet interventions, allow more flexibility in terms of design, individual preferences, and integration of text, video, or audio. Methods: This clinical perspective explores issues associated with the delivery of psychotherapy using traditional in-person sessions vs digital interventions utilizing literature related to the topic. The evidence is synthesized to build an argument of the relative merits and challenges of either approach to the psychotherapeutic encounter of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Results: For cognitive disabilities, the needs for in-person and digital psychotherapy interventions were comparable and focused on simple/plain language, reducing session complexity, and linear therapy structure. For motor, hearing, and visual impairments, the needs differed between the two forms of psychotherapy. Conclusion: Involving the target group in design and testing of digital interventions was considered critical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starting from the well known stable free radical DPPH (or its reduced counterpart, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazine) and several amino derivatives, novel zwitterionic compounds (diazenium betaines) were obtained and characterized by different means, like NMR, IR, MS, and UV–Vis. These betaines are highly intense blue-colored compounds that can be easily reduced by ascorbic acid (vitamin C) or sodium ascorbate to their corresponding para-phenyl substituted derivatives of DPPH, which have a yellow color. Most of such redox processes were found to be reversible. However, the oxidation of 2-p-aminophenyl-2-phenyl-1-picryl-hydrazine led to an azo-derivative of DPPH diradical, and its structure was unveiled by X-ray monocrystal diffraction. Possible diradicaloid behavior is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bromination of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical with bromine or N-bromo-succinimide (NBS) affords a complex mixture of bromo- and nitro-derivatives of the starting material. In this study, by chromatographic separation, most of the reaction products were isolated. Suitable crystals for X-ray measurements were obtained and characterized for the compounds 2-p-bromophenyl-2-phenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical (Br-DPPH), 2-p-bromophenyl-2-phenyl-1-picrylhydrazine (Br-DPPH-H), and 2,2-(p-bromophenyl)-1-(2-bromo-4,6-dinitrophenyl)hydrazine (Br2-DPPBr-H). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with inherited ichthyosis suffer from scaling due to mutations affecting the epidermal barrier. Symptomatic treatment with ointments, bathing and mechanical scale removal can alleviate the disease, but therapy is time and cost intensive. Objectives: We investigated costs, time and disease burden of ichthyoses. The study addresses difficulties of the healthcare situation for patients with ichthyoses and reveals potential improvements. Materials and Methods: We developed a questionnaire addressing time and financial effort for the treatment. Additionally, we collected data of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Pruritus Life Quality (5PLQ) questionnaires to determine the impact of ichthyosis and associated pruritus on quality of life (QoL). Results: We recruited 144 patients with ichthyosis (median age: 23; 53.5% female) from the Department of Dermatology in Muenster (Germany) and the German patient support group including common, rare and syndromic subtypes. Eighty‐seven percent reported applying topical therapeutics at least once per day, 66.4% several times with an overall median duration of 15 min. Highest single expenditure of time was due to balneotherapy (n = 115; median bathing time: 40 min). In 81.9%, the health insurance did not completely cover the costs for topical treatment causing additional financial burden to the patient with a median of 71 € per quarter, herein creams being the largest cost factor (50 €). Patients with Netherton syndrome showed the highest median expenditure (170 €). The QoL impairment under treatment was moderate (median DLQI: 8.5 points). Pruritus was prevalent in 79.9% and showed a distinct impact on QoL (median 5PLQ: 7.5 points) without any significant difference between the subtypes (p = 0.37). Conclusion: Patients suffering from ichthyoses have a large and lifelong overall burden in mild and severe subtypes. Since continuous topical treatment is required, financial and psychosocial support needs to be considered beyond dermatological care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work reports the design and synthesis of novel oxadiazole‐decorated azobenzenes, structural analysis of the resulting compounds and behavior under light irradiation. The synthetic strategy involved constructing amino functionalized heterocyclic key intermediates which were used either to yield electrophilic diazonium salts able to react with phenol moieties or as nucleophilic partners in Bayer‐Mills reaction with nitroso‐substituted derivatives. The amino‐derived oxadiazole intermediates were investigated by absorption and emission spectroscopy providing blue and green emitted light. The target oxadiazole‐decorated azobenzenes were structurally characterized, including solid‐state structures, and subsequently used in irradiation experiments in order to take advantage of the azo group known to provide photoswitching abilities. We noticed quenching of the emissive properties in presence of the azo group; however, all compounds were very stable to repeated cycles of light irradiation. In addition, according to structural diversification we could obtain half‐lives of the meta stable isomers within hours to hundreds of hours range. The experimental results were very well correlated with DFT calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many events, including the COVID‐19 pandemic, have accelerated the implementation of teledermatology pathways within dermatology departments and across healthcare organizations. Quality of Life (QoL) assessment in dermatology is also a rapidly developing field with a gradual shift from theory to practice. The purpose of this paper organized jointly by the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Task Force (TF) on QoL and patient‐oriented outcomes and the EADV TF on teledermatology is to present current knowledge about QoL assessment during the use of teledermatology approaches, including data on health‐related (HR) QoL instruments used in teledermatology, comparison of influence of different treatment methods on HRQoL after face‐to‐face and teledermatology consultations and to make practical recommendations concerning the assessment of QoL in teledermatology. The EADV TFs made the following position statements: HRQoL assessment may be an important part in most of teledermatology activities; HRQoL assessment may be easily and effectively performed during teledermatology consultations. It is especially important to monitor HRQoL of patients with chronic skin diseases during lockdowns or in areas where it is difficult to reach a hospital for face‐to‐face consultation; regular assessment of HRQoL of patients with skin diseases during teledermatology consultations may help to monitor therapy efficacy and visualize individual patient's needs; we recommend the use of the DLQI in teledermatology, including the use of the DLQI app which is available in seven languages; it is important to develop apps for dermatology‐specific HRQoL instruments for use in children (for example the CDLQI and InToDermQoL) and for disease‐specific instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study conducted in Germany evaluated a teledermatology application that allows patients to submit information and images of their skin for evaluation by a dermatologist. The study found that the application was highly satisfactory, cost-effective, and efficient in providing therapy. The evaluation included analyzing data from 1232 patients and conducting surveys on patient and physician satisfaction. The majority of patients expressed satisfaction with the application, and many reported that their medical concerns were clarified without needing an in-person visit. The study concluded that the teledermatology application is suitable for a wide range of dermatological patients and can improve access to care. [Extracted from the article]

2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) is an intensely coloured organic stable free radical with paramagnetic and redox properties. In this work we present three new derivatives of DPPH, in which an amino substituent was designed for one of the p-phenyl position. The synthetic details and the structural characterizations of the compounds are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the association between dental tissues and sickle cell anemia (SCA) and how it impacts the quality of life related to oral health. Materials and Methods: It was a cohort study of 154 Congolese participants with and without SCA conducted in the dental service of SCA at the Yolo Center, Kinshasa, aged at least 6 years and without a history of clinically severe conditions (hospitalization and blood transfusion), who were regularly monitored. The inclusion criteria were the diagnosis confirmation of SCA at the health service in a period of at least 6 months before enrollment in this study. Dental tissues were assessed by a clinical examination using a dental mirror and probe. The index of Decayed-Missing-Filled Teeth (DMFT) was used to assess the dental state of the participants. For Oral Health-related Quality of Life (OHrQoL), the Congolese versions of the perception questionnaires, modified from the Oral Health Impacts Profile (OHIP-23), were used for participants. Each question had to be answered by yes or no, depending on whether the participant was satisfied (outcome = 1) or dissatisfied (outcome = 0) about an oral health-related quality of life. Results: Of the 154 participants, aged from 6 to 64 years, with a mean age of 19.5 ± 7 (SD) years, 96 presented with SCA and only 68 were correctly followed; 102 did not present SCA and only 86 were correctly followed. The DMFT and dmft indexes were higher in the SCA group, being 2.9 and 2.5, respectively. The difference between the SCA group and the control group was significant for decayed teeth, missing teeth, filled teeth and no caries. Of the different dimensions of quality of life that were compared between the SCA group and control group, 15 of 23 items were statistically significant. Conclusion: The present study strongly confirmed an association between dental caries and missing teeth with sickle cell anemia. Secondly, the quality of life for SCA participants seems to be poor, compared to the control group.

We explored the aging effects on insulating materials used in power transformers through dielectric spectroscopy. Frequency domain spectroscopy (FDS) was conducted for both aged and new Kraft paper and pressboard samples to determine their dielectric properties across a temperature range of 40–100 ℃ for pressboard and 40–70 ℃ for Kraft paper. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to classify the data, identify key factors contributing to variance, and elucidate the relationships between different parameters. The analysis revealed positive correlations between conductivity and frequency, as well as between permittivity and tan delta, with distinct differences in behavior observed between aged and new samples at lower frequencies. Additionally, the impact of temperature was evident, with increased temperature leading to an upward shift in dielectric behavior. At lower temperatures, aging had a reduced effect on the materials' properties. These findings provide significant insights into the dielectric behavior and aging mechanisms of insulation materials in power transformers.

Introduction The rising consumption of edible vegetable oils underscores the importance of understanding their nutritional value, particularly in terms of fatty acid composition and vitamin E content. Podocarpus usambarensis is a plant that grows in Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It produces oils used by the indigenous population for cooking and medicinal purposes. Purpose This study examines the impact of plant age and harvest season on the fatty acid and tocopherol content of Podocarpus usambarensis oil, highlighting significant differences based on these variables and their implications for public health nutrition. Methods Three samples of approximately 500 g of oilseeds were collected from young and old plants in the dry season, and from young plants in both the dry and rainy seasons. After drying, crushing, and powdering the collected seeds, oil was extracted using Soxhlet's procedure. A drop of oil was methylated, and aliquots were injected into a Varian 5890 gas chromatograph for fatty acid and tocopherol analysis. Results The fatty acids found in the oil were monounsaturated, including oleic and palmitoleic acids; polyunsaturated, including eicosadienoic, eicosatetraenoic, linoelaidic, linoleic, and linolenic acids; and saturated, principally behenic, cerotic, palmitic, and stearic acids. Total saturated fatty acids varied between 10 and 13%. Young trees were significantly (p = 0.043) richer in monounsaturated fatty acids than polyunsaturated ones (53.14% vs. 31.46%), while in old trees, there was no significant difference between polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids (40.68% vs. 40.59%). Conclusion The plant is an essential source of healthier nutrients, i.e., oleic acid, linoleic acid, and tocopherols. Plant age and seasonal climate impact the yields and composition of these nutrients in Podocarpus usambarensis.

Background HIV testing and starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) are pivotal in treating people living with HIV (PLHIV) but sustaining PLHIV on treatment remains challenging. We assessed retention and attrition in community client-led antiretroviral distribution groups (CCLADs) in Uganda and identified positive deviant practices that foster long-term retention.Methods Using explanatory mixed methods, we collected longitudinal medical data from 65 health facilities across 12 districts in East Central Uganda. Quantitative phase, from 18 April 2021 to 30 May 2021, employed survival analysis and Cox regression to assess retention and identify attrition risk factors. Qualitative inquiry focused on four districts with high attrition from 11 August 2021 to 20 September 2021, where we identified nine health facilities exhibiting high retention in CCLADs. We purposively selected 50 clients for in-depth interviews (n=22) or focus group discussions (n=28). Using thematic analysis, we identified positive deviant practices. We integrated quantitative and qualitative findings into joint displays.Results Involving 3055 PLHIV, the study showed retention rates of 97.5% at 6 months, declining to 89.7% at 96 months. Attrition risk factors were lower levels of care (health centre three (adjusted HR (aHR) 2.80, 95% CI 2.00 to 3.65) and health centre four (aHR 3.61, 95% CI 2.35 to 5.54)); being unemployed (aHR 2.21, 95% CI 1.00 to 4.84); enrolment year into CCLAD (aHR 23.93, 95% CI 4.66 to 123.05) and virological failure (aHR 3.41, 95% CI 2.51 to 4.63). Of 22 clients interviewed, 8 were positive deviants. Positive deviants were characterised by prolonged retention in CCLADs, improved clinical outcomes and practised uncommon behaviours that enabled them to find better solutions than their peers. Positive deviant practices included fostering family-like settings, offering financial or self-development advice, and promoting healthy lifestyles.Conclusions Findings underscore the importance of addressing factors contributing to attrition and leveraging positive deviant practices to optimise retention and long-term engagement in HIV care.

Abstract Understanding the interactions between small, submicrometer-sized colloidal particles is crucial for numerous scientific disciplines and technological applications. In this study, we employ optical tweezers as a powerful tool to investigate these interactions. We utilize a full image reconstruction technique to achieve high precision in characterizing particle pairs that enable nanometer-scale measurement of their positions. This approach captures intricate details and provides a comprehensive understanding of the spatial arrangement between particles, overcoming previous limitations in resolution. Moreover, our research demonstrates that properly accounting for optical binding forces to determine the intrinsic interaction potential is vital. We employ a discrete dipole approximation approach to calculate optical binding potentials and achieve a good agreement between the calculated and observed binding forces. We incorporate the findings from these simulations into the assessment of the intrinsic interaction potentials and validate our methodology by using short-range depletion attraction induced by micelles as an example.

This paper presents the robust linear quadratic regulator (LQR) control for the uncertain modular multilevel converters (MMCs). The classical LQR control prioritizes optimizing the performance index but lacks the ability to address converter uncertainties. This paper takes into account this limitation by developing a model of the MMC that considers parameter uncertainties. To enable LQR control in uncertain MMC systems, an optimization approach for the performance index employing linear matrix inequality (LMI) technique is proposed. Consequently, a novel robust control strategy for MMCs is established. The real-time performance of this LMI-based LQR control is evaluated against classical LQR control under both nominal and non-nominal conditions and single phase-to-ground fault using Opal-RT system. For this purpose, as the switching function model sufficiently captures all aspects of the MMC’s behavior, the switching function model of the MMC is implemented on the Opal-RT OP4610XG system for real-time emulation of MMC. The results from real-time simulation of the system indicate that the proposed LMI-LQR method offers an advantage in robustness over the classical LQR method in presence of parameters uncertainty.

Objectives: The InVITE study, starting in August 2021, was designed to examine the immunogenicity of different vaccine regimens in several countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Liberia, and Mali. Prevaccination baseline samples were used to obtain estimates of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection in the study population. Methods: Adult participants were enrolled upon receipt of their initial COVID-19 vaccine from August 2021 to June 2022. Demographic and comorbidity data were collected at the time of baseline sample collection. SARS-CoV-2 serum anti-Spike and anti-Nucleocapsid antibody levels were measured. Results: Samples tested included 1016, 375, 663, and 776, from DRC, Guinea, Liberia, and Mali, respectively. Only 0.8% of participants reported a prior positive SARS-CoV-2 test, while 83% and 68% had anti-Spike and anti-Nucleocapsid antibodies, respectively. Conclusions: Overall SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 86% over the accrual period, suggesting a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Low rates of prior positive test results may be explained by asymptomatic infections, limited access to SARS-CoV-2 test kits and health care, and inadequate surveillance. These seroprevalence rates are from a convenience sample and may not be representative of the population in general, underscoring the need for timely, well-conducted surveillance as part of global pandemic preparedness.

This article, titled "Cover Feature: A Synthetic Approach for Oxadiazole-Decorated Azobenzene Photoswitches," showcases the synthesis and performance of novel oxadiazole-decorated azobenzenes as molecular photoswitches. The compounds were found to be stable under repeated cycles of light irradiation, with the least stable isomers having half-lives ranging from hours to days. The cover design was created by Marius Lucian Matache. For more information, readers can refer to the Research Article by Mihaela Matache and her colleagues. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: Crohn’s disease (CD) is an immune-mediated inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which comprises an idiopathic aberrant systemic and local inflammatory response. This response is a result of unknown interactions between the luminal content and the intestinal wall. This article is a review of the current state of knowledge providing information to help obstetricians to manage patients with CD, and to understand the particularities of these patients, with emphasis during pregnancy and postpartum, including recommendation for the birthing methods. It is important to explain the usefulness of the pursue of treatment during pregnancy, taking into consideration the drugs allowed during pregnancy, and addressing the challenges that CD may pose in addition to the physiological adaptations of pregnancy. Mechanism: As both an obstetrician and a gastroenterologist, this topic can be approach from two distinct perspectives. Firstly, how CD influences fertility and pregnancy, and secondly, an exploration on how hormonal changes and immune system tolerance during pregnancy probably influences CD. Findings in Brief: Data shows that pregnancy outcomes are influenced by the clinical course of CD at the time of conception. Latent disease prior to conception is associated with uneventful pregnancies and favorable neonatal outcomes, comparable to general population. Conversely, an active disease during pregnancy and ileal localization can be associated with prematurity, stillbirth, and small-for-gestational age (SGA) infants. A high risk of preeclampsia was reported in pregnancy with severe CD and oral or systemic corticosteroids administration. Optimal management approach involves a multidisciplinary team consisting of an obstetrician, gastroenterologist, and surgeon. Thiopurines and biologic agents are considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In infants with CD, alteration in the composition of the maternal microbiome may contribute to the systemic inflammation and to influence the transmission of an altered microbiota to the infants. This suggests that modulating the early microbiome can be an effective strategy to reduce cases of CD. Conclusions: Healthcare practitioners and patients must be aware that CD patients can have a successful pregnancy and a healthy infant. A multidisciplinary team can provide supportive care and help address significant information to adapt the treatment plan, and to monitor pregnancy.

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is still one of the main causes of death in sub-Saharan Africa. Antiretroviral therapies (ARTs) have significantly improved the health conditions of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Consequently, a significant drop in morbidity and mortality, along with a reduced incidence of opportunistic infections (OIs), has been observed. However, certain atypical and biological profiles emerge in ART patients post-examination. The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors that contributed to the onset of OIs in HIV patients undergoing ART in Gabon. Epidemiological and biological data were obtained from medical records (2017 to 2019) found at the outpatient treatment centre (CTA) of Franceville in Gabon. Samples for blood count, CD4, and viral load analysis at CIRMF were collected from PLWHA suffering from other pathogen-induced conditions. A survey was carried out and data were analysed using Rstudio 4.0.2 and Excel 2007 software. Biological and socio-demographic characteristics were examined concerning OIs through both a univariate analysis via Fisher’s exact tests or chi2 (χ2), and a multivariate analysis via logistic regression. Out of the 300 participants initially selected, 223 were included in the study, including 154 (69.05%) women and 69 (30.95%) men. The mean age was 40 (38.6; 41.85), with individuals ranging from 2 to 77 years old. The study cohort was classified into five age groups (2 to 12, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, and 50 to 77 years old), among which the groups aged 30 to 39 and 40 to 49 emerged as the largest, comprising 68 (30.5%) and 75 (33.6%) participants, respectively. It was noted that 57.9% of PLWHA had developed OIs and three subgroups were distinguished, with parasitic, viral, and bacterial infections present in 18%, 39.7%, and 55.4% of cases, respectively. There was a correlation between being male and having a low CD4 T-cell count and the onset of OIs. The study revealed a high overall prevalence of OIs, and extending the study to other regions of Gabon would yield a better understanding of the risk factors associated with the onset of these infections.

Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are crucial in assessing the impact of dermatological conditions on people's lives, but the existing dermatology-specific PROMs are not recommended for use, according to COSMIN. We developed the Patient-Reported Impact of Dermatological Diseases (PRIDD) measure in partnership with patients. It has strong evidence of content validity, structural validity, internal consistency, acceptability and feasibility., Objectives: To test the remaining measurement properties of the PRIDD and establish the interpretability of scores against the COSMIN criteria, using classic and modern psychometric methods., Methods: A global longitudinal study consisting of two online surveys administered 2-4 weeks apart was carried out. Adults (≥ 18 years of age) living with a dermatological condition were recruited via the International Alliance of Dermatology Patient Organizations' (GlobalSkin) membership network. Participants completed PRIDD, a demographics questionnaire and other related measures, including the Dermatology Life Quality Index. We tested the criterion validity, construct validity and responsiveness (Spearman's ρ, independent-samples t-tests and Anova); test-retest reliability [interclass correlation coefficient (ICC)]; measurement error [smallest detectable change or limits of agreement (LoA), distribution-based minimally important change (MIC)]; floor and ceiling effects (number of minimum and maximum scores and person-item location distribution maps), score bandings (κ coefficient of agreement) and the anchor-based MIC of the PRIDD., Results: In total, 504 people with 35 dermatological conditions from 38 countries participated. Criterion validity (ρ = 0.79), construct validity (76% hypotheses met), test-retest validity (ICC = 0.93) and measurement error (LoA = 1.3 < MIC = 4.14) were sufficient. Floor and ceiling effects were in the acceptable range (< 15%). Score bandings were determined (κ = 0.47); however, the anchor-based MIC could not be calculated owing to an insufficient anchor., Conclusions: PRIDD is a valid and reliable tool to evaluate the impact of dermatological disease on people's lives in research and clinical practice. It is the first dermatology-specific PROM to meet the COSMIN criteria. These results support the value of developing and validating PROMs with a patient-centred approach and using classic and modern psychometric methods. Further testing of responsiveness and MIC, cross-cultural translation, linguistic validation and global data collection are planned., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of British Association of Dermatologists.)

Background: For patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis and current childbearing/pregnancy, the choice of therapy is limited., Objectives: The present study compared the disease burden and treatment choices in women of childbearing age (WoCBA) with and without a current wish for pregnancy., Methods: Female patients aged 18 to 45 years, with moderate-to-severe psoriasis vulgaris, were consecutively recruited. The patients reported on sociodemographic/reproductive characteristics and quality of life impairments. The physicians assessed disease severity, comorbidities, and current treatment(s). Both patients' and dermatologists' perceptions of shared decision-making for the current systemic treatment were surveyed., Results: Participants were 145 WoCBA with psoriasis: 73 were pregnant or reported a desire to conceive (group CB+) and 72 reported no wish to have (more) children (group CB-). Patients without childbearing wishes were older and often had previous children; no significant differences in clinical features or quality of life impairments were found. A significantly higher proportion of patients in the CB+ group were prescribed tumor necrosis factor alpha blockers, particularly certolizumab pegol. This treatment option was associated with previous children and the desire to conceive, but not with disease variables. Family planning was more often discussed and considered in the clinical decision for the CB+ group, but patient-doctor agreement for shared decision-making was fair-to-moderate., Limitations: The small sample size prevented comparative analyses between patients planning a pregnancy in the short- vs long-term future. In addition, specific variables related to the decision-making process for the current therapy need to be assessed and examined in more detail in further research., Conclusion: For WoCBA with childbearing wishes, tumor necrosis factor alpha blockers were most frequently prescribed, in accordance with current guidelines/recommendations. Decision-making for continuing or changing systemic therapy during pregnancy must take into account medication specificities and the vulnerable stages in pregnancy, as well as the limited amount of pregnancy-compatible drugs., Competing Interests: The authors made the following disclosures: B.S., M.A., and N.G. participated in clinical trials and received honorary fees and financial support for scientific lectures and presentations at national and international congresses from the sponsor of the study as well as other pharmaceutical companies. Other authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of Women’s Dermatologic Society.)

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with itch, skin pain, sleep disturbances, and diminished quality of life (QoL). Ruxolitinib (Janus kinase [JAK] 1/JAK2 inhibitor) cream demonstrated efficacy and safety in adults and adolescents with mild-to-moderate AD in two phase III studies (TRuE-AD1/TRuE-AD2). In TRuE-AD1/TRuE-AD2, significant improvements in itch were observed as early as 12 h following application of ruxolitinib cream., Objective: The aim of this paper was to assess additional patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in the vehicle-controlled (VC) and long-term safety (LTS) periods of TRuE-AD1/TRuE-AD2., Methods: In the TRuE-AD studies, patients aged ≥12 years with AD were randomized 2:2:1 to apply twice-daily 1.5% ruxolitinib cream, 0.75% ruxolitinib cream, or vehicle cream continuously for 8 weeks (VC period). During the LTS period, patients applied the same ruxolitinib cream strength, but on an as-needed basis; patients who initially applied vehicle were re-randomized to apply 0.75% or 1.5% ruxolitinib cream. Pooled data from both study periods were analyzed. PRO assessments included symptoms (itch [Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure, POEM], skin pain [numerical rating scale], and sleep [POEM and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System]) and assessments of disease-specific QoL (Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI] and the children's version [CDLQI])., Results: A total of 1208 and 1031 patients from the VC and LTS periods, respectively, were included in the analysis. Significant improvements in skin pain were observed within 12 h among patients who applied ruxolitinib cream versus vehicle; improvements continued throughout the VC period. Improvements in patient-reported symptoms (including sleep) were observed within 2 weeks (first assessment) of ruxolitinib cream application. At Week 2, significant improvements in symptom burden and overall QoL were observed with ruxolitinib cream (0.75%/1.5%) versus vehicle in POEM (-8.9/-9.8 vs -2.2; both p < 0.0001), DLQI (mean changes from baseline, -5.8/-6.1 vs -1.2; both p < 0.0001), and CDLQI (-4.3/-5.3 vs -1.3; both p < 0.0001). Further symptom burden and QoL improvements were reported during the VC period and were maintained through the end of the LTS period (Week 52)., Conclusions: Consistent with the previously reported itch response data, ruxolitinib cream improved skin pain within 12 h of application. Ruxolitinib cream improved patient-reported AD symptom burden and overall QoL by Week 2. Improvements continued or were maintained for 52 weeks. (Graphical abstract and plain language summary available)., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers, NCT03745638 and NCT03745651 (both studies were registered on November 19, 2018)., Competing Interests: Declarations Funding This study was funded by Incyte Corporation (Wilmington, DE, USA). Competing Interests ELS has served as an investigator for AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, LEO Pharma, Merck, Pfizer, and Regeneron and as a consultant with honoraria for AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Forte, Galderma, Incyte Corporation, LEO Pharma, Menlo Therapeutics, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, and Valeant. MA has served as a consultant, researcher, and/or has received research grants from AbbVie, Almirall, Amgen, Bayer, Beiersdorf, Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Celltrion, Centocor, Dermira, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Genzyme, GlaxoSmithKline, Hexal, Incyte Corporation, Janssen, LEO Pharma, Medac, Menlo Therapeutics, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sandoz, Sanofi, Stallergenes, Takeda, Trevi, and UCB. DT has served as an investigator and/or consultant/advisor for AbbVie, Almirall, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celltrion, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Incyte Corporation, Janssen-Cilag, Kyowa Kirin, LEO Pharma, New Bridge, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Samsung, Sanofi, Target-RWE, and UCB and has received grants from AbbVie, LEO Pharma, and Novartis. LM has served as an investigator, consultant, and/or advisor for AbbVie, Almirall, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Incyte Corporation, Janssen-Cilag, LEO Pharma, Menlo Therapeutics, Novartis, Pfizer, and Sanofi. AWA has served as a research investigator and/or scientific advisor to AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, Dermavant, Dermira, Incyte Corporation, Janssen, LEO Pharma, Lilly, Modmed, Novartis, Ortho Dermatologics, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Sun Pharma, and UCB. AB has served as a speaker (received honoraria) for Eli Lilly and Company and UCB; served as a scientific advisor (received honoraria) for AbbVie, Abcentra, Aclaris, Affibody, Aligos, Almirall, Alumis, Amgen, AnaptysBio, Apogee, Arcutis, Arena, Aslan, Athenex, Bluefin Biomedicine, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cara Therapeutics, Celldex, CTI BioPharma, Dermavant, EcoR1, Eli Lilly and Company, Escient, Evelo, Evommune, Forte, Galderma, HighlightII Pharma, Incyte Corporation, InnoventBio, Janssen, Landos, LEO Pharma, Lipidio, Microbion, Merck, Monte Rosa Therapeutics, Nektar, Novartis, Overtone Therapeutics, Paragon, Pfizer, Q32 Bio, Rani, Rapt, Regeneron, Sanofi Genzyme, Spherix Global Insights, Sun Pharma, Takeda, TLL Pharmaceutical, TrialSpark, UCB Pharma, Union, Ventyx, Vibliome, and Xencor; acted as a clinical study investigator (institution has received clinical study funds) for AbbVie, Acelyrin, Allakos, Almirall, Alumis, Amgen, Arcutis, Athenex, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Concert, Dermavant, DermBiont, Eli Lilly and Company, Evelo, Evommune, Galderma, Incyte Corporation, Janssen, LEO Pharma, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Sun Pharma, Takeda, UCB Pharma, and Ventyx; and owns stock in Lipidio and Oruka. KAP has received honoraria and/or grants from AbbVie, Acelyrin, Akros, Alumis, Amgen, Arcutis, Bausch Health/Valeant, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Can-Fite Biopharma, Celltrion, Concert Pharmaceuticals, Dermavant, Dermira, DiCE Pharmaceuticals, DiCE Therapeutics, Eli Lilly and Company, Evelo Biosciences, Forbion, Galderma, Horizon Therapeutics, Incyte Corporation, Janssen, Kymab, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, LEO Pharma, Meiji Seika Pharma, Mitsubishi Pharma, Nimbus Therapeutics, Novartis, Pfizer, Reistone, Sanofi-Aventis/Genzyme, Sandoz, Sun Pharma, Takeda, Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, UCB Pharma, and Zai Lab. JCS has served as an advisor for AbbVie, LEO Pharma, Novartis, Pierre Fabre, Trevi, and UCB; has received speaker honoraria from AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Janssen-Cilag, LEO Pharma, Novartis, Pfizer, and Sanofi Genzyme; and has received clinical trial funding from AbbVie, Almirall, Amgen, Galapagos, Holm, Incyte Corporation, InflaRX, Janssen-Cilag, Menlo Therapeutics, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Trevi, and UCB. MB has served as an investigator for Incyte Corporation, Regeneron, and Sanofi and has served as an advisor for AbbVie, Amgen, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Incyte Corporation, Janssen, LEO Pharma, Pfizer, Regeneron, and Sanofi Genzyme. SGK has served as an advisory board member or consultant for AbbVie, Celldex Therapeutics, Galderma, Incyte Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, and Sanofi and has served as an investigator for Galderma, Pfizer, and Sanofi. HK, DS, and HR are employees and shareholders of Incyte Corporation. LK has served as an investigator, consultant, or speaker for AbbVie, Amgen, AnaptysBio, Arcutis, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Glenmark, Incyte Corporation, Kamedis, LEO Pharma, L’Oreal, Menlo Therapeutics, Novartis, Ortho Dermatologics, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Sun Pharma, and Taro. Ethics Approval These studies were conducted in accordance with Good Clinical Practice guidelines, provisions of the Declaration of Helsinki, and applicable regulations. Both study protocols were approved by all relevant institutional review boards or ethics committees. Consent to Participate Written informed consent or assent was provided by all patients before enrollment. Consent to Publish Not applicable. Availability of Data and Materials Incyte Corporation (Wilmington, DE, USA) is committed to data sharing that advances science and medicine while protecting patient privacy. Qualified external scientific researchers may request anonymized datasets owned by Incyte for the purpose of conducting legitimate scientific research. Researchers may request anonymized datasets from any interventional study (except phase I studies) for which the product and indication have been approved on or after 1 January 2020 in at least one major market (e.g., US, EU, JPN). Data will be available for request after the primary publication or 2 years after the study has ended. Information on Incyte’s clinical trial data sharing policy and instructions for submitting clinical trial data requests are available at: https://www.incyte.com/Portals/0/Assets/Compliance%20and%20Transparency/clinical-trial-data-sharing.pdf?ver=2020-05-21-132838-960. Code Availability Not applicable. Authors’ Contributions ELS, MA, DT, LM, AWA, AB, KAP, JCS, SGK, and LK contributed to data collection and interpretation. MB, HK, and DS contributed to data interpretation. HR contributed to data analysis and reporting. All authors contributed to draft development and critical appraisal of the manuscript and approved the final version for submission., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Comprehensive skin cancer screening was introduced in Germany in 2008. It is unclear whether subsequently observed changes in the epidemiology of malignant melanoma (MM), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) are due to the screening. Simulation models are used to compare different screening scenarios with each other and with observed incidence and mortality trends., Methods: A microsimulation model for MM, SCC, and BCC was programmed and validated separately by sex on skin cancer-specific mortality data. In addition to the currently practiced screening (biennial offer, annual participation probability 15%), triennial screening, screening with increased participation, e.g., via invitation, and no screening were simulated. Incidence, mortality, costs, and life-years gained were simulated for 30 years from the start of screening., Results: Compared with no screening, mortality is reduced by 13.8% in the simulation with current conditions. This effect occurs in the first years after screening starts before reaching a stable level. More screening allows for further increases in incidence, life-years gained, and costs and decreases in mortality. Comparing simulated and observed effects shows little agreement., Conclusions: The model is useful for comparing screening scenarios to identify potential optimization opportunities in SCS. Additional, especially risk-adapted, screening scenarios should be investigated., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Deutsche Dermatologische Gesellschaft.)

Significance: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) images are prone to image artifacts due to the birefringence of the sample or the optical system when a polarized light source is used for imaging. These artifacts can lead to degraded image quality and diagnostic information., Aim: We aim to mitigate these birefringence-related artifacts in OCT images by adding a depolarizer module in the reference arm of the interferometer., Approach: We investigated different configurations of liquid crystal patterned retarders as pseudo-depolarizers in the reference arm of OCT setups. We identified the most effective depolarization module layout for polarization artifact suppression for a spectral-domain OCT system based on a Michelson and a Mach-Zehnder interferometer., Results: The performance of our approach was demonstrated in an achromatic quarter-wave plate allowing the selection of a variety of sample polarization states. A substantial improvement of the OCT signal magnitude was observed after placing the optimal depolarizer configuration, reducing the cross-polarization artifact from 5.7 to 1.8 dB and from 8.0 to 1.0 dB below the co-polarized signal for the fiber-based Michelson and Mach-Zehnder setup, respectively. An imaging experiment in the birefringent scleral tissue of a post-mortem alpine marmot eye and a mouse tail specimen further showcased a significant improvement in the detected signal intensity and an enhanced OCT image quality followed by a drastic elimination of the birefringence-related artifacts., Conclusions: Our study presents a simple yet cost-effective technique to mitigate birefringence-related artifacts in OCT imaging. This method can be readily implemented in existing OCT technology and improve the effectiveness of various OCT imaging applications in biomedicine., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Introduction: Acne is the most frequent chronic inflammatory skin condition in adolescence but occurs also in later age. Our study aimed to characterise the epidemiology, geographical distribution, comorbidity and healthcare of acne juvenilis (AJ) and acne tarda (AT)., Methods: Statutory health insurance (SHI) data from 2016 to 2020 were analysed. Prevalence rates, including geographical distribution, comorbidities and drug use by specialists group, were measured., Results: In 2020, the prevalence of acne among adults was 1.50% (AT > 25 years) and among adolescents was 3.88% (AT ≤ 25 years). The highest prevalence (13.02%) was observed at the age of 17 years. Sex differences were higher in AT (73.80% in women) than in AJ (64.55% in women). Compared with non-affected persons, individuals with acne - in particular with AT - showed significantly higher rates of skin-related comorbidities, including folliculitis (rate ratio (RR) 8.89), pyoderma (RR 7.27) and rosacea (RR 5.53), and non-skin-related comorbidities, such as ovarian dysfunction (RR 2.36), rhinitis allergica (RR 1.84) and Crohn's disease (RR 1.79). Preferred systemic therapeutics prescribed were anti-infectives in AT (46.86%) and retinoids in AJ (52.35%). In the majority of cases, dermatologists were involved in the treatment of acne (AT 65.77%; AJ 76.27%). The most commonly prescribed topical agents were adapalene with benzoyl peroxide (AT 87.72%; AJ 85.75%), while systemic isotretinoin (AT 81.20%; AJ 90.06%) was also a frequently used drug. General practitioners were more likely to prescribe anti-infectives, especially topical antibiotics such as chlortetracycline (AT 52.38%; AJ 44.44%) and systemic antibiotics, especially tetracycline (AT 58.33%; AJ 67.50%)., Conclusion: Acne affects a relevant proportion of the German population not only in adolescence, and management of this inflammatory skin disease does not naturally follow medical guidelines or specialist recommendations. These findings emphasise the importance of specialised care and comprehensive therapeutic management that should also consider the exploration of comorbidities., Competing Interests: Declarations Conflict of Interest Kristina Hagenström, Katharina Müller and Theresa Klinger declare no conflicts of interest. Brigitte Stephan has received payments/honoraria for lectures and presentations and/or received grants and/or participated in clinical trials including from the following companies: AbbVie, Almirall Hermal, Amgen, Beiersdorf, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Glaxo SmithKline, Janssen-Cilag, LEO Pharma, Lilly, Medac, Novartis, Pierre Fabre, Sanofi Aventis and UCB. Matthias Augustin has received institutional research funding, travel grants and lecture fees from companies which produce products for acne, including Almirall, Beiersdorf, Galderma and GSKx. Ethical Approval The study was conducted according to the principles expressed in the Declaration of Helsinki. We took the criteria of a National Good Practice Guideline into consideration [26, 30]. According to the Good Practice of Secondary Data Analysis, no approval of an ethical committee is required. Permission was granted to access the data used in this study., (© 2024. The Author(s).)