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Background : Dry eye disease (DED) stands out as one of the most common eye conditions encountered in clinical settings. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic ability and feasibility of post-blink blur time (PBBT) in detecting patients with DED symptoms. Methods : The study included 200 subjects, 100 with and 100 without DED symptoms defined by the Schein questionnaire, who underwent assessment of DED signs [visual acuity, PBBT, conjunctival hyperemia, lid-parallel conjunctival folds-LIPCOF, tear film break-up time-TBUT, fluorescein corneal staining, and meibum score]. Results : DED subjects had a lower PBBT than controls ( p < 0.001), with subjective (6 (1-45) s vs. 8 (1-70) s) and objective (6 (2-33) s vs. 8 (2-50) s) PBBT measurements being similar between repeats. The correlations between subjective and objective PBBT measurements were significantly positive (R = 0.873, p < 0.001). Subjective PBBT was negatively related to the Schein questionnaire (R = -0.217, p = 0.002), conjunctival hyperemia (R = -0.105, p = 0.035), and corneal staining (R = -0.153, p = 0.031), while positively related to the TBUT (R = 0.382, p < 0.001) and meibum score (R = 0.106, p = 0.033). Logistic regression analysis showed DED symptoms were significantly associated with subjective PBBT (AOR 0.91, p = 0.001), TBUT (AOR 0.79, p < 0.001), meibum score (AOR 0.65, p = 0.008), LIPCOF (AOR 1.18, p = 0.002) and corneal staining (AOR 1.14, p = 0.028). Conclusions : Subjective self-reported PBBT is a reliable and non-invasive screening test for evaluating time-wise changes in visual acuity and detecting a tear film dysfunction.

More than eight million premature deaths annually can be attributed to air pollution, with 99% of the world's population residing in areas below recommended air quality standards. Hence, the present study aimed to examine the association between primary DNA damage and air pollution data among 123 participants enrolled between 2011 and 2015 in Zagreb, Croatia. While most measured air pollutants adhered to regulatory limits, benzo[a]pyrene concentrations bound to PM 10 exceeded them. Factorial analysis narrowed down air pollution data to four exposure factors (particulate matter, two metal factors, and other pollutants). Despite the absence of significant positive associations between modeled air pollution exposure factors and comet assay descriptors (tail length, tail intensity, tail moment, and highly damaged nuclei), the critical health implications of air pollution warrant further investigations, particularly with biomarkers of exposure and different biomarkers of effect in populations facing air pollution exposure.

There has been a substantial increase in the number of cases of invasive fungal infections worldwide, which is associated with a growing number of immunosuppressed patients and a rise in antifungal resistance. Some fungi that were previously considered harmless to humans have become emerging pathogens. One of them is Purpureocillium lilacinum , a ubiquitous filamentous fungus commonly found in the environment, especially in the air and soil. P. lilacinum belongs to a bigger group of hyaline fungi that cause hyalohyphomycosis, a fungal infection caused by fungi with colorless hyphae. Although this is a heterogeneous group of fungi, there are similarities regarding their ubiquity, ways of transmission, affected patients, and difficulties in diagnostics and treatment. In hyalohyphomycosis, the skin is one of the most affected organs, which is why the involvement of dermatologists is crucial for the initial assessment, since the timely recognition and early diagnosis of this condition can prevent life-threatening infections and death. In this review, we covered cutaneous hyalohyphomycosis caused by P. lilacinum and other fungi in the same group, including Fusarium , Penicilium , Scedosporium , Scopulariopsis , Acremonium , and Trichoderma genera.

Atmospheric bulk and wet deposition samples were collected simultaneously at the background coastal site in the Eastern Middle Adriatic region in order to assess the impact of major ions (Cl - , NO 3 - , SO 4 2- , Na + , K + , NH 4 + , Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ ) on deposition acidity and distinguish the main sources. Higher ion levels were observed during the cold period, especially for Cl - , Na + , Mg 2+ and K + . Dust intrusion caused significant increases in levels of Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ and K + , while open-fire events increased the levels of K + . Deposition acidity showed seasonal differences as well as the influence of dust intrusion. Low ionic balance ratios indicated acidic deposition properties and the presence of organic anions. The highest neutralization ability was found for Ca 2+ , Na + and NH 4 + . Several natural (marine, crustal) and anthropogenic sources were determined, as well as the formation of secondary aerosols. Wet deposition was characterized by higher contribution of sea salt fraction compared to bulk deposition and lower contribution of crustal fraction.

The latest findings regarding AD pathogenesis point to an impaired function of the epidermal barrier, changed immune response, colonization of the skin by microorganisms, and certain psychological factors among other causes/triggers. The inflammatory response of AD patients is mainly associated with the activation of T cells (Th2 cells predominate), dendritic cells, macrophages, keratinocytes, mast cells, and eosinophils. Therapy usually involves medical evaluations and adequate management including treatment of concomitant diseases (e.g., allergies and infections), patient education and nursing care, psychological support, and nutritional consultations, which are organized through specific programs and structured educational groups. Systemic AD therapy includes conventional systemic treatment (cyclosporine, methotrexate, azathioprine) and new, specific drugs, interleukin inhibitors (e.g., dupilumab) and JAK inhibitors (baricitinib, abrocitinib, upadacitinib, etc.). Since many AD patients are affected by various psychological factors and comorbidities, they should be assessed and managed through a multidisciplinary approach, involving different professions (psychologists, ear-nose-throat specialists, pulmonologists, allergologists, immunologists, nutritionists, pediatricians, gastroenterologists, psychiatrists (when necessary), and others). A multidisciplinary approach provides better coping strategies and improves control over the disease, patient adherence to therapy, and quality of life. It also has a positive influence on family quality of life while at the same time making more efficient use of dermatology healthcare resources, reducing the economic burden on both patients and society.

Reports from various countries have described increasing numbers of scabies cases, especially in the past two decades. The epidemiological data for various world regions showed prevalence estimates ranging from 0.2% to 71%, with the highest prevalence in the Pacific region and Latin America. Therefore, geographically, scabies occurs more commonly in the developing world, tropical climates, and in areas with a lack of access to water. According to results from specific regions of the world, the greatest burdens from scabies were recorded for East Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, tropical Latin America, and South Asia. Among countries with the highest rates, the top 10 were Indonesia, China, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, Fiji, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and the Seychelles. From Europe, available data shows an increasing trend in scabies infestation, particularly evident among populations with associated contributing factors, such as those who travel frequently, refugees, asylum seekers, those who regularly lack drinking water and appropriate hygiene and are of a younger age, etc. This increase in observed cases in the last 10-20 years has been evidenced by research conducted in Germany, France, Norway, and Croatia, among other countries. In addition, increased scabies transmission was also recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic and may have been the result of increased sexual intercourse during that time. Despite all the available treatment options, scabies commonly goes unrecognized and is therefore not treated accordingly. This trend calls for a prompt and synergistic reaction from all healthcare professionals, governmental institutions, and non-governmental organizations, especially in settings where population migration is common and where living standards are low. Furthermore, the proper education of whole populations and accessible healthcare are cornerstones of outbreak prevention. Accurate national data and proper disease reporting should be a goal for every country worldwide when developing strategic plans for preventing and controlling the community spread of scabies.

Background: Because of the important role in regulating the immune system, increasing evidence suggests a possible implication of gut microbiota in Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Although the oral cavity is the first site of contact between microbiota and the immune system, the association between salivary microbiota and CSU has not yet been reported., Objective: This case-control study aimed to compare differences in salivary microbiota between CSU patients and healthy controls (HC). Twenty-three participants-13 patients with CSU and 10 HC were enrolled; salivary microbiota was determined by molecular approach targeting 16S ribosomal RNA. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis was performed., Results: Alpha diversity of salivary microbiota in CSU patients was significantly reduced compared to HC, resulting in alteration of the community composition. Species richness determined via the Shannon index was significantly reduced in the CSU group., Conclusion: Dysbiosis of salivary microbiota may contribute to a dysregulated immune system in the development of CSU. To our knowledge, this was the first study that reported an alteration in salivary microbiota composition in CSU patients.

Many relatively common chronic inflammatory skin diseases manifest on the face (seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea, acne, perioral/periorificial dermatitis, periocular dermatitis, etc.), thereby significantly impairing patient appearance and quality of life. Given the yet unexplained pathogenesis and numerous factors involved, these diseases often present therapeutic challenges. The term "microbiome" comprises the totality of microorganisms (microbiota), their genomes, and environmental factors in a particular environment. Changes in human skin microbiota composition and/or functionality are believed to trigger immune dysregulation, and consequently an inflammatory response, thereby playing a potentially significant role in the clinical manifestations and treatment of these diseases. Although cultivation methods have traditionally been used in studies of bacterial microbiome species, a large number of bacterial strains cannot be grown in the laboratory. Since standard culture-dependent methods detect fewer than 1% of all bacterial species, a metagenomic approach could be used to detect bacteria that cannot be cultivated. The skin microbiome exhibits spatial distribution associated with the microenvironment (sebaceous, moist, and dry areas). However, although disturbance of the skin microbiome can lead to a number of pathological conditions and diseases, it is still not clear whether skin diseases result from change in the microbiome or cause such a change. Thus far, the skin microbiome has been studied in atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, and rosacea. Studies on the possible association between changes in the microbiome and their association with skin diseases have improved the understanding of disease development, diagnostics, and therapeutics. The identification of the bacterial markers associated with particular inflammatory skin diseases would significantly accelerate the diagnostics and reduce treatment costs. Microbiota research and determination could facilitate the identification of potential causes of skin diseases that cannot be detected by simpler methods, thereby contributing to the design and development of more effective therapies.