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This article discusses a study on the assessment of the value of treatment for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). The study aims to determine the most important health outcomes for decision-making from different perspectives. The results show that the value of a new AD treatment is primarily determined by its impact on improving patients' quality of life, controlling the disease, and reducing itching. However, there are differences in how AD patients and experts assess value, emphasizing the importance of considering the patient's opinion. The study acknowledges the limitations of the MCDA methodology and proposes a comprehensive set of criteria for evaluating AD treatments. The report was written by multiple authors and further exploration of the document is necessary to understand the specific topics and perspectives discussed. [Extracted from the article]

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae), is a highly invasive species and a vector of several viruses of serious concern to public health. Investigating the habitat selection of this species at small to medium scales is essential to the planning of effective prevention and control campaigns. The present group considered detailed data for this species' presence/absence collected at 228 sites on Mallorca Island (Spain) in autumn 2015, 3 years after the first detection of the species on the island. Site occupancy models accounting for false negative detections and imperfect monitoring were used to evaluate the relationships between mosquito presence and habitat variables. In the study area, mosquito presence was negatively associated with altitude, probably as a result of greater human presence at low altitudes near the coast. Moreover, the presence of Ae. albopictus was positively associated with swimming pools as a result of associated gardens, plants and sources of fresh water. These two variables were combined to predict the presence of the species across the entire island. Three years after its arrival, the probability of the presence of the mosquito Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Mallorca was 83% and was highest in coastal and tourist areas.On the island of Mallorca, mosquito presence was negatively associated with altitude, probably as a result of greater human presence at low altitudes near the coast.The presence of Ae. albopictus was positively associated with swimming pools as a result of associated gardens, plants and fresh water sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: The question whether patients with essential tremor (ET) have slowed movements as part of their clinical manifestations is still a matter of controversy. We analyzed basic motor function in patients with ET and in healthy matched controls. Methods: We studied 61 patients with ET and 122 age- and sex-matched controls. Evaluation included four timed tests (pronation-supination, finger tapping and movement between two points, all with both hands, and walking test); and three tests performed on a personal computer (speed for pressing repetitively a key – frequency, visual reaction time and movement time, all with both hands). Results: Essential tremor patients showed higher mean values for right and left finger tapping, left movement between two points; and with right and left frequency and reaction time. In the logistic regression study, ET patients showed significantly higher values than controls for right and left finger tapping; mean, SD, maximum and rank values of right and left frequency; and mean, SD, minimum, maximum and rank values of right and left visual reaction time. Tremor severity was not correlated with the altered values. Conclusions: Patients with ET showed impaired motor performance, at least in some tasks, such as rapid repetitive finger movements (finger tapping and frequency) and visual reaction time (impairment was not related with tremor severity). This probably means that patients with ET have some degree of bradykinesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AlthoughCupressus sempervirenshas been spread over southern Europe since antiquity, cypress pollen allergy has not been reported until 1945 (). In France, the very first case reports were published in 1962 (). Since then, the prevalence of cypress pollinosis seems to demonstrate an upward trend, concomitantly with the increased use of cypress trees as ornamental plants, as wind breaks and as hedges. Hyposensitization, using improved pollen extracts, is increasingly prescribed. Besides, prevention measures begin to be implemented. Such measures include avoidance of planting new cypress trees, especially near human populations’ centres, trimming of cypress hedges before the pollination season and agronomical research for hypoallergenic trees. Altogether, such new developments in cypress allergy deserve an update review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]