Recurrent annular erythema in juvenile chronic myelogenous leukaemia

Juvenile chronic myelogenous leukaemia (JCML) is a rare haematological malignancy of myelomonocytic lineage that affects patients less than 4 years of age and is known as an entity different from adult-type chronic myelogenous leukaemia. In JCML, skin manifestations are relatively common but most of them have been reported as a non-specific eruption, which histologically may show changes resembling neurofibromatosis or xanthogranuloma. We present a 2-year-old boy with JCML who developed a recurrent annular erythema in which leukaemic infiltrates were confirmed histologically, even though his bone marrow examination suggested that be remained in haematological remission.     

Physician-diagnosed erythema migrans and erythema migrans-like rashes following Lone Star tick bites

OBJECTIVE: To differentiate cases of physician-diagnosed erythema migrans and erythema migrans-like rashes associated with Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum) bites. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Private primary care clinic in rural Missouri. PATIENTS: Seventeen patients with physician-diagnosed erythema migrans following a definite Lone Star tick bite at the rash site. INTERVENTIONS: A biopsy was performed on all rash sites. All patients were treated with oral antibiotics. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rash appearance, size, body location, multiple lesions, incubation times, associated symptoms, seasonal occurrence, histopathological features, tick stage and sex, patient age and sex, treatment response, growth in BSK II culture media, and serologic evaluation. RESULTS: Rashes associated with Lone Star ticks were similar to erythema migrans vectored by other Ixodes ticks. Differences were noted in Lyme disease serology results, especially flagellin-based enzyme immunoassays, and failure to yield spirochetes in BSK II cultures. Lyme serology results were often negative, but were also frequently inconsistent with results of controls without Lyme disease. CONCLUSIONS: Lone Star ticks are associated with rashes that are similar, if not identical, to erythema migrans associated with borrelial infection. The recent isolation and cultivation of Borrelia burgdorferi from ticks (including 1 Lone Star tick) from the farm of a patient included in this report has raised the possibility that Lone Star ticks are "bridge vectors" for human borrelial infection. Although further investigation is needed, these rashes may be secondary to spirochetal infection.     

Heating steel in annular furnaces

The heating of cylindrical billet in annular furnaces in shaft and pipe rolling is investigated. The laws of billet heating and rough-shaft heat treatment are established, as a function of the state of the furnace hearth, the increment of billet supply, and the adjustment of the gas lines to regulate the heating process and ensure uniform heating. Improved conditions for billet heating and heat treatment and the cooling of rolled shafts have been introduced at the 250 shaft-rolling mill at Dneprovsk Metallurgical Works.     

Painful nodular and plantar erythema in children

INTRODUCTION: According to our knowledge, only twenty-three similar cases have been reported in the literature. Possible hypotheses for localised painful red nodules on the feet in children include erythema nodosum, neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis, traumatic plantar urticaria, vasculitis and cold panniculitis. CASE REPORT: We report a typical case of painful erythematous plantar nodules of the child. A 13-yr-old boy was first seen by a paediatrician for intermittent fever. The fever was associated with red, painful nodules on the soles. He was unable to walk. Routine blood chemistry parameters were within normal limits. Histopathologic examination of lesional skin revealed an image of septal and lobular panniculitis with vasculitis. Direct immunofluorescence study was not contributive. With proper antibiotic therapy, pain resolved within one week while fever and nodules cleared within two weeks. DISCUSSION: Briefly, this observation concerns a child disease occurring as painful erythematous plantar nodules. The lesions are spontaneously resolutive and the children are in good health. Our observation should constitute a supplementary group with the same classical symptoms of nodular plantar painful erythema of the child but moreover accompanied by a septal and lobular panniculitis with vasculitis at the histological examination. Further studies are necessary to verify these hypotheses.     

Ciprofloxacin-induced neutropenia and erythema multiforme

Enrichment of soil with chitin (0.6%) significantly stimulated growth of chitinolytic microorganisms (the relative proportion was increased from 1.7 to 26.5%) and the formation of chitinase in soil. In a soil enriched with chitin and glucose (0.6%), the proportion of chitinolytic microorganisms remained similar to that in the nonenriched soil (1.4%), the enzyme formation was negatively affected.     

准单向纤维排布环形炭/炭复合材料的组织与性能

以PAN基炭纤维无纬布为主体,与短切网胎纤维交互叠层制备准单向纤维排布环形炭预制体,然后采用等温化学气相渗透工艺,在丙烯与氮气分压比为1.2:1,系统压力为1.5 kPa的条件下进行增密,制备准单向纤维排布环形C/C复合材料,研究气相渗透温度对增密效率的影响,并对复合材料进行组织观察与导电导热性能测试。结果表明:在980℃温度下化学气相渗透效率最高,480 h后获得密度为1.84 g/cm~3、孔隙率为6.4%的准单向纤维排布C/C复合材料;准单向纤维排布环形C/C复合材料沿轴向方向具有高纤维取向,并且材料沿轴向具有较高的导电与导热性能,其电阻率为20.3μ?·m,热导率为72.8 W/(m·K)。热解炭组织为高织构粗糙层,热解炭生长良好,石墨化度为60.1%。     

环形加热炉的设计优化

多年从事环形炉的设计、监造、施工、调试,对原有环形加热炉存在的设计缺陷及使用中的不足之处有了深入了解,并对其进行了探讨和研究.据此,对炉体结构、机械设备等在具体设计、监造、施工过程中做了改进和优化.经生产实际验证,从使用性能和投资造价上都取得了较好效果.     

Squamous syringometaplasia in association with annular elastolytic granuloma

Squamous syringometaplasia, squamous metaplasia of eccrine glands, is considered to be an important component of pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia, which can be a response to a variety of conditions. Recently, squamous syringometaplasia was described as occurring in lobular panniculitis, pancreatic panniculitis, and pyoderma gangrenosum. We report a case of annular elastolytic granuloma with associated squamous syringometaplasia. The initial biopsies were superficial, and the squamous syringometaplasia extended to the base of the specimen, closely resembling squamous cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemical stains for carcinoembryonic antigen outlined eccrine structures. The special stains and an excisional biopsy helped confirm the diagnosis. In addition, the clinical course has been consistent with the diagnosis of annular elastolytic granuloma. It is postulated that the dense granulomatous inflammatory infiltrate in annular elastolytic granuloma damages the eccrine structures, and this damage initiates the process.     

Unusual diagnosis in recurrent arthritis, erythema nodosum and arrhythmia

HISTORY AND ADMISSION FINDINGS: A 42-year-old woman, with recurrent arthritis of the large joints and erythema nodosum for 7 years, was admitted because of recent onset of bouts of rapid heart rate. A 2/6 systolic murmur at Erb's point was the only contributory finding on physical examination. INVESTIGATIONS: The transaminases and gamma-GT were elevated, as were total cholesterol, LDL fraction, IgM, total protein, gamma-globulin and IgM. Antimitochondrial antibodies, especially anti-M2, were positive, while rheumatoid factor and C-reactive protein were negative. ANA, ANCA and antibodies against double-strand DNA were not demonstrated. ENA screening was negative. Abdominal computed tomography showed discrete intrahepatic cholestasis. Liver biopsy revealed chronic destructive cholangitis, i.e. the early stage of primary biliary cirrhosis. TREATMENT AND COURSE: On treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (10 mg/kg daily) the patient has remained free of symptoms for 3 years and laboratory tests no longer showed evidence of impaired liver function. CONCLUSION: Primary biliary cirrhosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of recurrent arthritis and erythema nodosum, as early treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid can favourably influence its course.     

Clearance of UVB-induced erythema in patients with non-melanoma skin cancer

We have examined the clearance of UVB-induced erythema in 10 non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) patients, comparing their responses to a control group. All participants were followed to resolution of erythema, as measured by a chromameter. The resultant response pattern was modelled in three phases, with comparison of the rates of decay in erythema carried out. Analysis of the rapid decay phase demonstrated a significantly slower rate of resolution of erythema in the NMSC group, compared with the controls. Further elucidation of the molecular and genetic mechanisms controlling this response may improve our understanding of UV-induced carcinogenesis.     

Arcuate dermal erythema in a carrier of chronic granulomatous disease

A female carrier of chronic granulomatous disease developed arcuate, erythematous dermal plaques on her back and face. The lesions were clinically and histopathologically suggestive of Jessner benign lymphocytic infiltration of the skin. Some women with relatively fixed arcuate or annular, erythematous, dermal plaques may be carriers of chronic granulomatous disease.     

Strabismus in childhood

We have discussed what constitutes a normal visual and ocular system in children and the inherent mechanisms that help each person develop and maintain normal visual function. This ideal status should include good visual acuity in each eye, straight eyes, and the development of fusion. Strabismus represents an obstacle to obtaining these goals and may be caused by poor vision, refractive errors, or anatomic, structural, or innervational abnormalities. Each of these conditions is treatable and correctable when discovered early. With early identification, proper treatment can be instituted and the patient can have the opportunity to develop optimal vision with fusion and depth perception -- a lifetime benefit. Several other types of strabismus respond poorly to the use of glasses, prisms, exercises, or medications and can be effectively treated only by surgical methods. Most divergent and vertical deviations fall into this group, as do ocular deviations associated with paretic or structurally abnormal muscles.