European Series Research Articles

Is the Use of the Extended (Meth)acrylate Series - Nails Justified? Characterization of Nail Acrylate Allergy in a Tertiary Medical Centre.

Methacrylate allergy is a common cause of allergic contact dermatitis, and its incidence has surged over the past decade. Consequently, the primary sensitizing agent, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, was recently added to the European Baseline Series of contact allergens. This study aimed to assess the added value of testing for allergens included in the (Meth)Acrylate Series - Nails, in addition to 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, as well as to characterize patients who may benefit from more extensive testing. A retrospective analysis of medical records of patch-tested patients was conducted between June 2013 and July 2022. Among the 3,828 patients who underwent patch testing, 396 were tested with the (Meth)Acrylate Series - Nails; 153 (38.6%) of those patients tested positive for at least 1 acrylate. The most common hapten was 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (85.6%), followed by hydroxypropyl methacrylate (85.0%) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (80.4%). In our study, 22/153 patients (14.4%) would have been missed if tested only for 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. The analysis showed that including hydroxypropyl methacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate improved detection rate to 98%, rendering the use of the entire tray unnecessary in most cases.

Thyroglobulin measurement is the most powerful outcome predictor in differentiated thyroid cancer: a decision tree analysis in a European multicenter series.

An accurate prognostic assessment is pivotal to adequately inform and individualize follow-up and management of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). We aimed to develop a predictive model for recurrent disease in DTC patients treated by surgery and 131I by adopting a decision tree model. Age, sex, histology, T stage, N stage, risk classes, remnant estimation, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroglobulin (Tg), administered 131I activities and post-therapy whole body scintigraphy (PT-WBS) were identified as potential predictors and put into regression algorithm (conditional inference tree, c-tree) to develop a risk stratification model for predicting persistent/recurrent disease over time. The PT-WBS pattern identified a partition of the population into two subgroups (PT-WBS positive or negative for distant metastases). Patients with distant metastases exhibited lower disease-free survival (either structural, DFS-SD, and biochemical, DFS-BD, disease) compared to those without metastases. Meanwhile, the latter were further stratified into three risk subgroups based on their Tg values. Notably, Tg values >63.1 ng/mL predicted a shorter survival time, with increased DFS-SD for Tg values <63.1 and <8.9 ng/mL, respectively. A comparable model was generated for biochemical disease (BD), albeit different DFS were predicted by slightly different Tg cutoff values (41.2 and 8.8 ng/mL) compared to DFS-SD. We developed a simple, accurate and reproducible decision tree model able to provide reliable information on the probability of structurally and/or biochemically persistent/relapsed DTC after a TTA. In turn, the provided information is highly relevant to refine the initial risk stratification, identify patients at higher risk of reduced structural and biochemical DFS, and modulate additional therapies and the relative follow-up.

Central-European sunshine hours, relationship with the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, and forecast

Sunshine hours (SSH) is an important meteorological parameter, loosely linked to temperature and precipitation, and highly relevant for various sectors such as agriculture or solar energy. Previous studies have already identified a correlation of European SSH with the thermal state of the North Atlantic. This paper investigates this relationship further by studying annual and monthly SSH of seven long-term Central European SSH series and comparing them to the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) using Fourier Transformation, Monte Carlo simulation and non-linear optimization. The Fourier spectra of our annual SSH series have their strongest and highly significant peaks in the known AMO period of ~ 50 to ~ 80 years, supporting the hypothesis that European SSH and the AMO are linked. The optimized sinusoids of the seven SSH and the AMO series with these periods show substantial correlations with the corresponding data (r = 0.42–0.55 for SSH and 0.71 for the AMO). Extrapolating the sinusoids, we project a gradual decline in SSH across Central Europe by 9–16% from its current maximum over the next three decades, particularly pronounced in northern regions.

Divergent temporal responses of native macroinvertebrate communities to biological invasions.

Biological invasions pose a major threat to biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and human well-being. Non-native species can have severe ecological impacts that are transformative, affecting ecosystems across both short-term and long-term timescales. However, few studies have determined the temporal dynamics of impact between these scales, impeding future predictions as invasion rates continue to rise. Our study uses a meta-analytical approach to dissect the changing taxonomic and functional impacts of biological invasions on native macroinvertebrate populations and communities in freshwater ecosystems across Europe, using a recently collated European long-term time series spanning several decades. Our findings reveal a complex temporal pattern: while initial stages of invasions (i.e. five years after the first record of non-native species) often exhibited benign impacts on macroinvertebrate abundance, richness, or functional diversity, the long-term (i.e. the period following the early invasion) effects became predominantly negative. This pattern was consistent between taxonomic and functional metrics for impacts at both the population and species level, with taxonomic metrics initially positively affected by invasions and functional metrics being more stable before also declining. These results suggest that even initially benign or positively perceived impacts could be eventually superseded by negative consequences. Therefore, understanding the magnitude of invasion effects increasingly requires long-term studies spanning several years or decades to offer insights into effective conservation strategies prioritising immediate and future biodiversity protection efforts. These findings also highlight the importance of integrating multiple taxonomic, functional and temporal components to inform adaptive management approaches to mitigate the negative effects of current and future biological invasions.

813. SELF-DILATATION FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF REFRACTORY BENIGN OESOPHAGEAL STRICTURES: OUTCOMES FROM THE LARGEST EUROPEAN TERTIARY CENTRE EXPERIENCE TO DATE

Abstract Background Benign oesophageal strictures are commonly encountered in endoscopy and are often effectively managed with endoscopic dilatation. However, up to 40% of patients may develop refractory benign oesophageal strictures (RBES), necessitating frequent endoscopic interventions that are often challenging, pose a greater risk of complications, and negatively impact quality of life. Oesophageal self-dilatation (SD) offers an alternative treatment that potentially reduces the need for repeat hospital visits while allowing patients greater autonomy in managing their condition. We describe the efficacy and safety of oesophageal SD at a tertiary referral centre. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the electronic records of patients with RBES (n=43) who were referred for SD to our centre between 2013 and 2024. The primary outcomes were the endoscopic dilatation-free interval (EDFI; longest period of time patients did not require endoscopic dilatation) and the number of endoscopic procedures performed within 12 months of starting SD. Secondary outcomes included the technical success rate of learning SD, improvement in the Dakkak and Bennett dysphagia score, and complications. Results are reported as median (interquartile range). Results 41/43 patients (median age 57 years) with various RBES aetiologies (32% peptic, 19.5% post-radiation, 12% post-surgical, 11.6% post-endoscopic resection, 24.9% other) and locations (24.4% proximal, 29.3% middle, 34.1% lower, 12.2% multi-segment) successfully learned SD. Median follow-up was 23.2 months. The EDFI increased from 68.5 (41-106) to 161 (121-279) days (P&amp;lt;0.001) while endoscopic interventions decreased from 7 (4.7-10) to 1 (0.75-3) (P&amp;lt;0.001) within 12 months before and after SD. The all-time EDFI was 405 days (130-705) and dysphagia score improved from 2 at baseline to 0 after SD. One patient experienced clinically significant haematemesis and one presumed SD-related oesophageal perforation. Conclusion To our knowledge, we have described the largest European case series of oesophageal SD that has been published to date. Oesophageal SD appears to be an effective, well-tolerated, and safe approach in managing often complex patients with RBES providing a viable alternative to conventional endoscopic interventions. However, the occurrence of adverse events highlights the importance of careful patient selection and ongoing monitoring. Further research is warranted to validate these findings and identify predictive factors for treatment success.

Pandemic of sensitivity to acrylate containing nail cosmetic among young Israeli women? Result of patch testing 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate in the European baseline series.

2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) was added into the European baseline series (EBS) in 2019. There is limited data regarding the frequency, relevance, and sources of exposure to HEMA. To investigate the frequency and clinical relevance of positive reactions to HEMA in the EBS in Israel, and explore sources of exposure. Retrospective cohort study that included all patients who underwent patch testing with the EBS in a tertiary center in Israel between 2020 and 2023. Positive reactions to HEMA were stratified by sex, six age groups, and year of study. Sources of exposure to HEMA as well as occupational data were recorded. A total of 1671 consecutive patients underwent HEMA patch testing, with 135 (8.1%) showing positive reactions to HEMA (130 females, 5 males). The prevalence in women (11.0%) was significantly higher compared to men (1.0%) (p < 0.001). Stratification by age and sex revealed the highest frequency of HEMA sensitivity of 16.7% among women younger than 30 years of age, with odds ratio of 2.3 (95%CI: 1.6-3.3, p < 0.001) compared to older women. There was an increase in frequency among women between the years 2022 and 2023 when compared to 2020-2021 (OR 1.7, 95%CI: 1.5-2.1, p < 0.01) attributable to COVID-19 pandemic and social restrictions. Among men the frequency fluctuations over the study period and age categories were nonsignificant. 111 (84%) were judged to be of clinical relevance and nail cosmetics was responsible for 95% of them. Of 111 patients with relevant reaction (110 females, 1 males), 20 (18%) had occupational contact dermatitis (18 nails stylists, 2 dentists). Other culprit products included sanitary pads (n = 4), medical adhesives (n = 3), and paints (n = 2). We report the highest frequency of HEMA sensitivity to date of 8.1%, that was most common among young women and in vast majority of cases was attributable to nail cosmetics. Our findings reflect the popularity of nail cosmetics in Israel as well as the global trend of increasing sensitivity to (meth)acrylates.

Results of patch testing propolis in the European baseline series: A 4-year retrospective study.

Propolis was added to the European baseline series (EBS) in 2019. To investigate the frequency and relevance of positive patch tests to propolis in the EBS and to study co-reactivities. Retrospective study in patients patch tested between June 2019 and November 2023 in a university hospital in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Of 3134 consecutive patients, 299 (9.5%) had a positive reaction to propolis 10% pet. Only nine reactions (3%) were judged to be clinically relevant. There were significant co-reactivities to Myroxylon pereirae resin (balsam of Peru), colophonium, fragrance mixes 1 and 2, and to limonene and linalool hydroperoxides. A steep increase in rates of positive reactions to propolis was observed from 2020 to 2023. This was highly likely the result of the replacement of Chinese propolis with Brazilian propolis by the manufacturer. Positive patch tests for propolis are very frequent in Amsterdam, but only a few of these reactions are relevant. Most are probably (pseudo-)cross-reactions in patients with fragrance allergies. Propolis in the EBS has very limited value for dermatologists and patients in The Netherlands. Changes in patch test materials should be provided to all users to avoid misinterpretation of patch test results.

Current frequency of contact allergy to isothiazolinones (methyl-, benz- and octylisothiazolinone) across Europe.

The use of methylisothiazolinone (MI) as a preservative in cosmetic products caused an alarming increase in MI contact allergy across Europe in the 2010s. This was followed by regulations of use with a total ban on leave-on (implemented in 2017) and reduced use concentrations in rinse-off cosmetics (2018). To follow-up on the prevalence of contact allergy to MI and the related benzisothiazolinone (BIT) and octylisothiazolinone (OIT) in consecutively patch-tested patients in Europe. A cross-sectional audit following the design of two previous audits on MI contact allergy from 1 May 2022 to 31 October 2022 included all patients patch tested with the European baseline series, including or supplemented with MI, BIT and OIT across 10 departments in eight European countries. A total of 2554 patients were consecutively patch tested with the three isothiazolinones during the study period. The prevalence of MI and BIT contact allergy was 2.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.3%-3.7%; range 1.1%-5.8%) and 3.1% (95% CI: 2.4%-3.9%; range 0.0%-6.6%), respectively; that of OIT was 0.7% (95% CI: 0.4%-1.1%; range 0%-3.2%). Rinse-off cosmetic (73.3%) and leave-on cosmetic products (13.3%) were still associated with eliciting allergic contact dermatitis to MI. We confirmed a positive impact of regulatory measures on the prevalence of MI contact allergy in Europe, which halved compared to 2015. However, our data suggest that consumers may still be exposed to older cosmetic products containing MI. BIT has superseded MI in causing contact allergy, despite not being allowed for use in cosmetic products.

Post-Socialist Rurbanity or When Rurality Meets Periphery. National and Transnational Representations in A Romanian Popular Comedy Series

In the last decade, TV series in Romania have witnessed an increase in audience numbers, especially with the development of VoD platforms. In contrast to the research devoted to them, we will focus on a comedy series broadcast by the most popular Romanian TV channel, PRO TV, devoted to a local audience, but with an important socio-political relevance: Las Fierbinți. We will try to show that this series, which started after Romania joined the EU, indicates an essential transformation of the post-socialist socio-cultural reality: the rural/urban opposition is sliding towards another, periphery/core, where the core is the West idealised as order and wealth. Although it is considered a rural comedy – like several other popular Eastern European series – Las Fierbinți presents a world that can be called rurban, typical of the post-socialist Western periphery: although they live at home, the characters in the film have very little to do with an agricultural economy. The characters form a rurban typology in which the series presents us with a world that is neither rural nor urban, but which cannot adapt to an idealised West, the centre of the wealthy and rational world towards which the middle classes are tending.

Final Results from the First European Real-World Experience on Lusutrombopag Treatment in Cirrhotic Patients with Severe Thrombocytopenia: Insights from the REAl-World Lusutrombopag Treatment in ITalY Study.

Background and aims: Management of severe thrombocytopenia poses significant challenges in patients with chronic liver disease. Here, we aimed to evaluate the first real-world European post-marketing cohort of cirrhotic patients treated with lusutrombopag, a thrombopoietin receptor agonist, verifying the efficacy and safety of the drug. Methods: In the REAl-world Lusutrombopag treatment in ITalY (REALITY) study, we collected data from consecutive cirrhotic patients treated with lusutrombopag in 19 Italian hepatology centers, mostly joined to the "Club Epatologi Ospedalieri" (CLEO). Primary and secondary efficacy endpoints were the ability of lusutrombopag to avoid platelet transfusions and to raise the platelet count to ≥50,000/μL, respectively. Treatment-associated adverse events were also collected. Results: A total of 66 patients and 73 cycles of treatment were included in the study, since 5 patients received multiple doses of lusutrombopag over time for different invasive procedures. Fourteen patients (19%) had a history of portal vein thrombosis (PVT). Lusutrombopag determined a significant increase in platelet count [from 37,000 (33,000-44,000/μL) to 58,000 (49,000-82,000), p < 0.001]. The primary endpoint was met in 84% of patients and the secondary endpoint in 74% of patients. Baseline platelet count was the only independent factor associated with response in multivariate logistic regression analysis (OR for any 1000 uL of 1.13, CI95% 1.04-1.26, p 0.01), with a good discrimination power (AUROC: 0.78). Notably, a baseline platelet count ≤ 29,000/μL was identified as the threshold for identifying patients unlikely to respond to the drug (sensitivity of 91%). Finally, de novo PVT was observed in four patients (5%), none of whom had undergone repeated treatment, and no other safety or hemorrhagic events were recorded in the entire population analyzed. Conclusions: In this first European real-world series, lusutrombopag demonstrated efficacy and safety consistent with the results of registrational studies. According to our results, patients with baseline platelet counts ≤29,000/μL are unlikely to respond to the drug.

[Artículo traducido] Pitiriasis rubra pilaris: serie de casos multicéntrica de 65 pacientes españoles

IntroductionPRP is a rare entity of unknown etiopathogenesis. Lack of management guidelines makes it a challenge for clinicians. ObjectiveTo add our experience to increase evidence about PRP. MethodsWe performed a retrospective, descriptive and multicentric study of 65 patients with PRP, being the largest European case series of patients with PRP. ResultsPRP was more frequent in male patients with an average age of 51 years, but erythrodermic forms presented in older patients (average age 61 years).Six (75%) paediatric patients and ten (60%) non-erythrodermic adults controlled their disease with topical corticosteroids. On the contrary, 26 (68%) erythrodermic patients required biologic therapy as last and effective therapy line requiring an average of 6.5 months to achieve complete response. ConclusionOur study showed a statistical difference in terms of outcome and response to treatment between children or patients with limited disease and patients who develop erythroderma.

Full Robotic Whole Graft Liver Transplantation: A Step Into The Future.

To report the first European series of full robotic whole liver transplantation (RLT) with technical details and future perspectives. Few cases of liver transplantation with a minimally invasive approach using partial grafts have been reported so far, and no cases of robotic whole liver transplantation have been reported in the scientific literature. The adopted technique was full robotic liver hepatectomy, followed by robotic implantation after graft introduction through a small midline incision. Patients presenting with Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) in liver cirrhosis with a small caudate lobe, low degree of portal hypertension, no porto-mesenteric thrombosis, as well as low MELD patients have been considered ideal candidates. Six patients underwent RLT between February and March 2024 at Lisbon and Modena University Liver Transplant Centers. Warm ischemia time during RLT ranged between 55 and 90 min, with a total surgery duration between 440 and 710 min. The median total operative time was 595 (±111,3) minutes. Only one recipient had prolonged hyperbilirubinemia, which was safely treated. The median in-hospital stay was 7.5 days, (±4.8 days). RLT is a promising technique to further reduce the impact of liver transplantation thanks to smaller incision, gentle tissue manipulation, high magnification and precision for vascular and biliary anastomosis, and reduced postoperative pain. This is the first step toward the demonstration of the feasibility of minimally invasive surgery in liver transplantation, although further selection and technical refinements are needed to improve reproducibility.

A study of European wheat price series forecasting based on multiple variants of Holt-Winters and LSTM models

Given the importance of wheat in global food security and agricultural economy, accurate price forecasts are of significant practical significance for growers, the food chain, and government macro-control. Four different time series forecasting models were used in this study, including the traditional Holt-Winters three-parameter exponential smoothing method and three improved models based on the Long Short-Term Memory Network (LSTM): the CNN-LSTM, the GRU, and the VMD-LSTM. By comparing the forecasting effects of these models under the same training and test sets, this study aims to select the best models using the best model for predicting European wheat prices from 2010 to 2023 after training. The results show that the CNN-LSTM model performs the best in predicting the European wheat price series, and the future wheat price will show a slow downward trend, and the CNN-LSTM model combines the feature extraction ability of convolutional neural network and the long-term dependency learning ability of LSTM, which can effectively capture the fluctuation characteristics of the price series and the trend characteristics. The GRU model also shows a better prediction ability, especially in dealing with long-term dependencies. in dealing with long-term dependencies. However, the VMD-LSTM model has certain shortcomings in its prediction effect when facing time series data with large fluctuations in the later period. In addition, the Holt-Winters model predicts that after a period of slow decline, wheat prices may rebound, which may be related to the adjustment of market supply and demand and changes in external factors.

Potassium dichromate sensitivity presenting as tefillin dermatitis: A retrospective cohort study.

Tefillin are a religious article worn by Jewish men during daily prayer. Tefillin dermatitis secondary to potassium dichromate sensitivity is recognised, but data remain sparse. To investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of tefillin dermatitis. Patients who underwent patch testing with the European baseline series in a tertiary dermatology clinic in 2009-2023 and were diagnosed with tefillin dermatitis were identified by file review and their clinical data recorded. Of 1679 consecutive male patients tested, 25 (1.49%) were diagnosed with tefillin dermatitis, accounting for 15.34% of all potassium-dichromate-positive patients (163/1679). Mean pre-symptomatic duration of tefillin use was 38 ± 16.9 years, and mean follow-up time, 3.1 ± 2.9 years. Patients presented with an eczematous rash on body areas in direct contact with the leather box or straps of the tefillin. An id reaction was noted in 32%, and sensitivity to other leather accessories, in 44%. Fourteen patients (56%) switched to chromate-free tefillin: symptoms resolved completely in 11 (79%) and partially in 2. Retrospective cohort design. This is the largest study to date of tefillin dermatitis caused by sensitivity to potassium dichromate used in leather production. Prognosis after switching to chromate-free tefillin was good-to-excellent. Tefillin dermatitis may be more prevalent than previously thought.

Prediction of 30‐day mortality after surgery for infective endocarditis using risk scores: Insights from a European multicenter comparative validation study

BackgroundIt remains unclear today whether risk scores created specifically to predict early mortality after cardiac operations for infective endocarditis (IE) outperform or not the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II (EuroSCORE II). MethodsPerioperative data and outcomes from a European multicenter series of patients undergoing surgery for definite IE were retrospectively reviewed. Only the cases with known pathogen and without missing values for all considered variables were retained for analyses. A comparative validation of EuroSCORE II and five specific risk scores for early mortality after surgery for IE – (1) STS-IE (Society of Thoracic Surgeons for IE); (2) PALSUSE (Prosthetic valve, Age ≥70, Large intra-cardiac destruction, Staphylococcus spp, Urgent surgery, Sex (female), EuroSCORE ≥10); (3) ANCLA (Anemia, New York Heart Association class IV, Critical state, Large intra-cardiac destruction, surgery on thoracic Aorta); (4) AEPEI II (Association pour l’Étude et la Prévention de l'Endocardite Infectieuse II); (5) APORTEI (Análisis de los factores PROnósticos en el Tratamiento quirúrgico de la Endocarditis Infecciosa) – was carried out using calibration plot and receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. Areas under the curve (AUCs) were compared 1:1 according to the Hanley-McNeil's method. The agreement between APORTEI score and EuroSCORE II of the 30-day mortality prediction after surgery was also appraised. ResultsA total of 1,012 patients from five European university-affiliated centers underwent 1,036 cardiac operations, with a 30-day mortality after surgery of 9.7%. All IE-specific risk scores considered achieved better results than EuroSCORE II in terms of calibration; AEPEI II and APORTEI score showed the best performances. Despite poor calibration, EuroSCORE II overcame in discrimination every specific risk score (AUC, 0.751 vs. 0.693 or less, p=0.01 or less). For a higher/lesser than 20% expected mortality, the agreement of prediction between APORTEI score and EuroSCORE II was 86%. ConclusionEuroSCORE II discrimination for 30-day mortality after surgery for IE was higher than five established IE-specific risk scores. AEPEI II and APORTEI score showed the best results in terms of calibration.

Unraveling the Spectrum of Uveitis: Insights from an Epidemiological Study in a National Referral Center in Northern Italy

ABSTRACT Purpose Uveitis embraces a heterogeneous group of vision-threatening inflammatory conditions. Understanding uveitis epidemiology, etiology, and clinical findings is fundamental for a prompt diagnosis and optimal patient management. The aim of the study is to report the epidemiology of uveitis in a national referral center in Northern Italy and investigate the visual prognosis. Methods This retrospective study was conducted at Uveitis Service (Ospedale San Raffaele) between June 2016 and May 2023. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, and etiological diagnoses of uveitis patients were collected, and visual prognosis was longitudinally explored. Results 1105 patients with uveitis were included in the study, while 47 patients presented neoplastic masquerade syndrome and have been excluded. The population had a slight majority of females (M/F ratio = 0.76), mean age was 47 years. 25% presented infectious uveitis, primarily due to herpetic etiology, toxoplasmosis, and tuberculosis. Non-infectious uveitis was the most prevalent diagnosis (38%), with sarcoidosis, HLA-B27-associated uveitis, and Fuch’s uveitis as prominent causes. Anatomically, anterior segment was most frequently involved (41%). Significant improvement in visual acuity was observed at follow-up, particularly in patients with infectious uveitis. Conclusions Our study sheds light into the epidemiological landscape of uveitis in Northern Italy, reflecting changing patterns due to factors such as migration and changing sexual habits. In particular, higher percentages of syphilis have been observed, compared to other European reports. The distribution of non-infectious uveitis reflects other epidemiological European series. Higher percentages of neoplastic masquerade syndromes support the need of early recognition. Our findings offer precious insights for uveitis epidemiology and daily clinical practice.

Étude rétrospective (2007–2022) des causes de dermatites allergiques de contact en Algérie identifiées par la batterie standard européenne : à propos de 202 cas

The European Baseline Series (EBS) of patch tests is the essential tool for allergological exploration of patients suspected of allergic contact dermatitis. The main objective of our study was to define the epidemiological, clinical characteristics, and sensitization profile to contact allergens of the EBS among all patients who underwent contact allergological exploration in an allergology clinic in Algeria over a 15-year period (from 2007 to 2022). Our aim was to generate a map of allergic contact dermatitis in Eastern Algeria to support prevention efforts on a national scale. MethodsOur study was a retrospective descriptive monocentric study conducted in an allergology and contact allergen exploration medical office in Constantine, Algeria. It included all EBS performed between March 2007 and February 2022 on patients who were either first-time visitors or referred for patch testing. ResultsA total of 202 patients suspected of contact dermatitis were tested, with ages ranging from 3 to 75 years. Among them, 125 were female (61.9%) and 77 were male (38.1%). Of these, 138 patients (68.8%) (45 males, 93 females) tested positive for one or more allergens. Fifty-eight patients (42%) had a positive reaction to more than two contact allergens. The most common positive reactions were observed with nickel (30.2%), cobalt (28.2%), potassium dichromate (27.2%), myroxylon pereirae (9.9%), and fragrance mix I (8.4%). Sensitivity to nickel was more frequent among females (P < 0.0001), while sensitivity to potassium dichromate was more frequent among males (P = 0.01). ConclusionsThe distribution of different causes of contact allergy identified through EBS was similar to what is observed in Europe. It allowed us to define, based on the sensitization profile of the patients included in our study, the most frequent causes of allergic contact dermatitis within our population. However, the emergence of new contact allergens can only be identified if Algeria establishes an allergo-vigilance network, similar to that in Europe, enabling both the evolution of patch test compositions and the detection of new allergic risks within the population.

ALLERGIC CONTACT DERMATITIS AND ATOPIC DERMATITIS: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE OVERLAP SYNDROME

Introduction. The combination of atopic dermatitis (AD) with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) or the occurrence of ACD on the background of atopic dermatitis is called the overlap syndrome. Studies have demonstrated several reasons why patients with AD have a similar or even increased risk of developing ACD compared to those without AD. Allergens and haptens are trigger factors in a group of patients with AD and ACD overlap syndrome. The aim of the study. To confirm the diagnosis of ACD in a group of patients with AD – diagnose the overlap syndrome and analyze which allergens and haptens were the trigger factors in this group. Materials and methods. To confirm IgE-dependent sensitization in atopic dermatitis, skin prick tests or determination of specific IgE in blood serum were performed. Skin patch tests (European series S-1000) were performed to determine the mechanisms of delayed-type hypersensitivity. Results. It was found that the highest specific weight of positive allergic reactions has been recorded in response to the following allergens: ticks, ticks/ambrosia, birch and mold. The absolute majority of patients demonstrated positive specific IgE-dependent sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae – 24 (50%), in turn, on Ambrósia – 14 (29.2%), and on Alternaria alternata – 8 (16.7%). Also, the reaction was most often recorded to haptens: cobalt, nickel, formaldehyde, PPD, textile dyes. Deterioration of the clinical course and shortening of AD remission periods were observed due to the formation of ACD against the background of impaired skin barrier function and the presence of chronic immune inflammation. Conclusions. Patients with AD are more often diagnosed with ACD, which predictably worsens the course of AD. Patients with confirmed overlap syndrome "AD + ACD" most often show reactions to haptens: Cobalt, Nikel, Formaldehyde, PPD, Textile dye mix – and in the vast majority to 2 haptens or more in one patient.

Abstract PO5-16-08: Breast cancer in men: 15 years of experience in an oncology reference center in northern Mexico

Abstract Background Breast cancer in men accounts for about 1% of all breast cancers. Classic risk factors include increasing age, a family history of cancer, and mutations in predisposing genes. The alteration of the estrogen-androgen ratio has been as involved in the genesis of this cancer due to its increased risk in conditions such as liver dysfunction, obesity, marijuana use, thyroid disease, Klinefelter’s syndrome, hormonal therapies, orchitis, cryptorchidism, and testicular damage. Purpose Hereby we aim to update the analysis of the published demographic, clinical and treatment-related characteristics of this disease in our center including the last 15 years, as well as newly identified relevant variables that will serve as the basis for awareness and screening programmes for our population. Methods We performed a retrospective observational analysis of the medical records of men diagnosed with breast cancer that were treated in “Centro Universitario Contra el Cáncer” between January 2007 and December 2022. A total of seventeen cases of male breast cancer were included in the analysis. The variables included are age at diagnosis, body mass index, comorbidities, cigarette and alcohol use, method of diagnosis, histological type/grade, clinical stage, estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) receptor status, and treatment received. We also looked at the dates of symptom onset, diagnosis, and treatment to determine the intervals between these events. SPSS v25 software was used for data analysis. The Shapiro-Wilk test was employed to determine the normality of the variables. Variables with a normal distribution were described with median and interquartile range for the 25th and 75th percentiles. Categorical variables were expressed as absolute numbers and percentages. Results Although we found some similarities between the characteristics of our population and those reported in the American and European series, there were many significant differences. Mean age at diagnosis was 62.9 (±11.7) years, 5.5 years earlier than the reported age of 68.4 years. In terms of risk factors, our population was twice as likely to report a family history of cancer as the American series (41% vs. 15-20%). Overweight and obesity together accounted for 76.5% followed by alcohol consumption in 70.6% and cigarette smoking in 47.1% of patients. Diabetes mellitus and systemic arterial hypertension were present in 70% of our population. These entities are known to alter the estrogen-androgen ratio. The initial symptom in 88.2% of patients was a retroareolar tumor. The mean time from symptom onset to cancer diagnosis was 14.4 months. Estrogen and/or progesterone receptor status was positive in 82.3%. HER2 overexpression was not found. 17.6% of the cancers were classified as triple negative in contrast to the 0.3% reported in other series. Regarding treatment, 88.3% underwent upfront surgery, of which 76% were modified radical mastectomies. Axillary node dissection was performed in 86.6% of the cases and sentinel node biopsy in the rest. Seventy-six percent of patients received chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the adjuvant setting. Tamoxifen was the most common drug of choice (87.5%) in the patients considered as candidates for hormonal therapy Conclusions This study updates the results previously reported from our center with additional information that enabled new important conclusions to be drawn about our population. These findings provide the basis for a better understanding of this disease, which is necessary to establish public policies and recommendations to reduce the negative impact of this type of cancer. Table. Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of the Patients Citation Format: Fernando Peña, Javier A. Martínez-Moyano, Francisco Alvarado-Villarreal, Carlos Salazar-Mejía, David Hernández-Barajas, Oscar Vidal-Gutiérrez. Breast cancer in men: 15 years of experience in an oncology reference center in northern Mexico [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO5-16-08.

Biological invasions are a population-level rather than a species-level phenomenon.

Biological invasions pose a rapidly expanding threat to the persistence, functioning and service provisioning of ecosystems globally, and to socio-economic interests. The stages of successful invasions are driven by the same mechanism that underlies adaptive changes across species in general-via natural selection on intraspecific variation in traits that influence survival and reproductive performance (i.e., fitness). Surprisingly, however, the rapid progress in the field of invasion science has resulted in a predominance of species-level approaches (such as deny lists), often irrespective of natural selection theory, local adaptation and other population-level processes that govern successful invasions. To address these issues, we analyse non-native species dynamics at the population level by employing a database of European freshwater macroinvertebrate time series, to investigate spreading speed, abundance dynamics and impact assessments among populations. Our findings reveal substantial variability in spreading speed and abundance trends within and between macroinvertebrate species across biogeographic regions, indicating that levels of invasiveness and impact differ markedly. Discrepancies and inconsistencies among species-level risk screenings and real population-level data were also identified, highlighting the inherent challenges in accurately assessing population-level effects through species-level assessments. In recognition of the importance of population-level assessments, we urge a shift in invasive species management frameworks, which should account for the dynamics of different populations and their environmental context. Adopting an adaptive, region-specific and population-focused approach is imperative, considering the diverse ecological contexts and varying degrees of susceptibility. Such an approach could improve and refine risk assessments while promoting mechanistic understandings of risks and impacts, thereby enabling the development of more effective conservation and management strategies.