Search

As DIHS/DRESS severity with histopathology, an EM-like findings5 or the intensity of the lymphocyte infiltrate6 is prognostic factor of DIHS/DRESS severity, namely severe hepatic involvement. Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome/drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms severity score: a useful tool for assessing disease severity and predicting fatal cytomegalovirus disease. I Dear Editor, i Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS)/drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a severe adverse drug reaction characterized by persistent eruption associated with reactivation of herpesviruses. [Extracted from the article]

In this study, the basic magneto-optic properties of biogenic microcrystals in aqueous media were investigated. Microcrystals, mica plates, silica, and microcrystals from a diatom cell and biogenic guanine crystals from goldfish showed light scattering inhibition when the crystals were observed in water under a 5 T magnetic field and dark-field illumination. In particular, in 50% ethanol/water medium, convection of the biogenic guanine particle aggregates was reversibly inhibited when the microcrystal suspension was exposed to a 5 T magnetic field. Microscopic observation comparing the biogenic guanine crystals in water with 95% ethanol or 99% acetone revealed that light flickering on the surface of the crystals was affected by the surface interaction of the crystal with the surrounding medium. By considering both the magnetic orientation of the microcrystals and the possible interactions of crystals with the surrounding medium, a magnetically controllable fluidic tracer was suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the effects of strong static magnetic fields on the structural colors of the cell covering crystals on a microalgae, coccolithophore, were investigated. The coccolithophore, Emiliania huxleyi, generates a precise assembly of calcite crystals called coccoliths by biomineralization. The coccoliths attached to the cells exhibited structural colors under side light illumination, and the colors underwent dynamic transitions when the magnetic fields were changed between 0 T and 5 T, probably due to diamagnetically induced changes of their inclination under the magnetic fields. The specific light-scattering property of individual coccoliths separated from the cells was also observed. Light scattering from a condensed suspension of coccoliths drastically decreased when magnetic fields of more than 4 T were applied parallel to the direction of observation. The magnetically aligned cell-covering crystals of the coccolithophores exhibited the properties of both a photonic crystal and a minimum micromirror. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have read with great interest the publication by Herman I et al i .,1 which reported occurrence of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), also known as drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DiHS), in a COVID-19 patient: the patient developed DiHS/DRESS 17-18 days after starting azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine. A recent report also describes co-reactivation of herpes simplex virus-1 and VZV in a critically ill COVID-19 patient.8 Because HHV-6 has been shown to be associated with chronic spontaneous urticaria, herpesvirus reactivations including HHV-6 could be involved in diverse cutaneous manifestations previously attributed to SARS-CoV-2. Thus, severe COVID-19 symptoms appear to be driven by a complex interplay involving reactivations of latent herpesviruses, antiviral immune responses and dug-driven immune responses, as demonstrated in DiHS/DRESS. [Extracted from the article]

One expected result from toxicogenomics technology is to overcome the barrier because of species-specific differences in prediction of clinical toxicity using animals. The present study serves as a model case to test if the well-known species-specific difference in the toxicity of coumarin could be elucidated using comprehensive gene expression data from rat in-vivo, rat in-vitro, and human in-vitro systems. Coumarin 150 mg/kg produced obvious pathological changes in the liver of rats after repeated administration for 7 days or more. Moreover, 24 h after a single dose, we observed minor and transient morphological changes, suggesting that some early events leading to hepatic injury occur soon after coumarin is administered to rats. Comprehensive gene expression changes were analyzed using an Aftymetrix GeneChip® approach, and differentially expressed probe sets were statistically extracted. The changes in expression of the selected probe sets were further examined in primary cultured rat hepatocytes exposed to coumarin, and differentially expressed probe sets common to the in-vivo and in-vitro datasets were selected for further study. These contained many genes related to glutathione metabolism and the oxidative stress response. To incorporate human data, human hepatocyte cultured cells were exposed to coumarin and changes in expression of the bridging gene set were examined. In total, we identified 14 up-regulated and 11 downregulated probe sets representing rat-human bridging genes. The overall responsiveness of these genes to coumarin was much higher in rats than humans, consistent with the reported species difference in coumarin toxicity. Next, we examined changes in expression of the rat-human bridging genes in cultured rat and human hepatocytes treated with another hepatotoxicant, diclofenac sodium, for which hepatotoxicity does not differ between the species. Both rat and human hepatocytes responded to the marker genes to the same extent when the same concentrations of diclofenac sodium were exposed. We conclude that toxicogenomics-based approaches show promise for overcoming species-specific differences that create a bottleneck in analysis of the toxicity of potential therapeutic treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combined use of phenoxybenzamine and dopamine was applied in infants and children when it was difficult to come off cardiopulmonary bypass for low cardiac output. The rationale of this method is to prevent the alpha-adrenergic action of dopamine by phenoxybenzamine and to encourage the beta-adrenergic and direct specific action of dopamine. Dopamine was used in dosage of 10 to 30 micrograms/kg per min after the additional administration of a half of the initial dosage of phenoxybenzamine; this was infused by drip always in a dosage of 0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg during the first half of cardiopulmonary bypass. It was possible to come off cardiopulmonary bypass with a stable haemodynamic state (mean arterial pressure more than 60 mmHg and total peripheral vascular resistance less than 2000 bynes s cm-5) and a good urinary output. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Presents a letter to the editor regarding the occurrence of recall dermatitis along with great residual herpes zoster lesions.

Purpose: To investigate the incidence and prognostic factors of ocular sequelae in Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)/toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) cases arising between 2016 and 2018 in Japan, and compare the findings with those presented in the previous 2005-2007 survey., Design: Retrospective, national trend survey., Methods: Dermatologic case report forms (CRFs) (d-CRFs) were sent to 257 institutions that treated at least 1 SJS/TEN case, and 508 CRFs were collected from 160 institutions. Ophthalmologic CRFs (o-CRFs) regarding patient demographic data, onset date, ocular findings (first appearance, day of worst severity, and final follow-up), topical treatment (betamethasone), outcome (survival or death), and ocular sequelae (visual disturbance, eye dryness) were sent to the ophthalmologists in those 160 institutions. The results of this survey were then compared with that of the previous 2005-2007 survey., Results: A total of 240 cases (SJS/TEN: 132/108) were included. The incidence of ocular sequelae incidence was 14.0%, a significant decrease from the 39.2% in the previous survey (SJS/TEN: 87/48). In 197 (82.1%) of the cases, systemic treatment was initiated within 3 days after admission, an increase compared to the previous survey (ie, treatment initiated in 82 [60.7%] of 135 cases). Of the 85 cases with an Acute Ocular Severity Score of 2 and 3, 62 (72.9%) received corticosteroid pulse therapy and 73 (85.9%) received 0.1% betamethasone therapy; an increase compared to the 60.0% and 70.8%, respectively, in the previous survey. Ocular-sequelae-associated risk factors included Acute Ocular Severity Score (P < .001) and specific year in the survey (P < .001)., Conclusions: The ophthalmologic prognosis of SJS/TEN has dramatically improved via early diagnosis, rapid assessment of acute ocular severity, and early treatment., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) represent a severe spectrum of rare mucocutaneous reactions, primarily drug-induced and characterized by significant morbidity and mortality. These conditions manifest through extensive skin detachment, distinguishing them from other generalized skin eruptions. The rarity and severity of SJS/TEN underscore the importance of accurate diagnostic criteria and effective treatments, which are currently lacking consensus. This review proposes new diagnostic criteria to improve specificity and global applicability. Recent advancements in understanding the immunopathogenesis of SJS/TEN are explored, emphasizing the role of drug-specific T cell responses and HLA polymorphisms in disease onset. The review also addresses current therapeutic approaches, including controversies surrounding the use of immunosuppressive agents and the emerging role of TNF-α inhibitors. Novel therapeutic strategies targeting specific pathogenic mechanisms, such as necroptosis and specific immune cell pathways, are discussed. Furthermore, the development of new drugs based on these insights, including targeted monoclonal antibodies and inhibitors, are examined. The review concludes by advocating for more robust and coordinated efforts across multidisciplinary medical fields to develop effective treatments and diagnostic tools for SJS/TEN, with the aim of improving patient outcomes and understanding of the disease and its mechanisms., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of British Association of Dermatologists. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)