BACKGROUND Juvenile dermatomyositis(JDM)is a rare,immune-mediated children disease that affects both skeletal muscles and skin.Inflammatory vasculopathy is a key part of the JDM pathogenesis.Nailfold capillaroscopy(NF...BACKGROUND Juvenile dermatomyositis(JDM)is a rare,immune-mediated children disease that affects both skeletal muscles and skin.Inflammatory vasculopathy is a key part of the JDM pathogenesis.Nailfold capillaroscopy(NFC)is a non-invasive method for microvasculature assessment.Despite the pathogenic relevance of microangiography in JDM,the diagnostic utility of NFC in JDM remains insufficiently defined.AIM To quantitatively assess capillaroscopic dynamics and their association with clinical and laboratory activity markers in JDM.METHODS This retrospective double-center cohort study included 52 children with confirmed JDM,who were followed at the clinics of Sechenov University and Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University.Patients were divided into active and inactive JDM groups based on the modified disease activity score.Demographic,clinical,laboratory,and instrumental data were analyzed.NFC evaluation was performed using standardized criteria developed initially for adult patients with systemic sclerosis and Raynaud's phenomenon.Statistical analysis was conducted using Windows v.13(StatSoft).RESULTS Active and inactive JDM groups were demographically comparable(predominantly female,median onset age 6 years).NFC revealed marked differences:Active patients showed higher rates of reduced capillary density(96.2%vs 60.9%,P=0.003),giant capillaries(73.1%vs 13.0%,P<0.001),perivascular edema(73.1%vs 17.4%,P<0.001),and greater maximal apical loop width.Disease activity positively correlated with giant capillaries(r=0.65),perivascular edema(r=0.60),and reduced capillary density(r=0.46).These findings confirm that specific NFC features are strongly associated with clinical disease activity,as measured by the disease activity score.CONCLUSION Children with active JDM demonstrated more frequent NFC changes,indicating that NFC may play a potential role in monitoring disease activity.Further studies are needed to determine the diagnostic accuracy and prognostic relevance of this approach.展开更多
AIM:To systematically evaluate the association between nailfold capillaroscopic findings and diabetic retinopathy(DR)and compare findings in diabetic patients with and without DR.METHODS:PubMed,Web of Science,and Emba...AIM:To systematically evaluate the association between nailfold capillaroscopic findings and diabetic retinopathy(DR)and compare findings in diabetic patients with and without DR.METHODS:PubMed,Web of Science,and Embase databases were searched from inception to February 2024.The quality of the included studies was evaluated using a National Institutes of Health(NIH)Quality Assessment tool for Observational Cohort and Cross Sectional Studies.Metaanalysis was conducted to compare the findings of nailfold capillaroscopy between diabetic patients with or without DR.Subgroup analysis was employed to investigate the source of heterogeneity.RESULTS:Totally 12 studies with 1349 diabetic patients were included,of which 628 had DR.The overall quality of included studies was acceptable.Patients with DR had increased arteriolar diameters[mean difference(MD):2.68,95%confidence interval(CI):0.64-4.72]and a higher risk of developing nailfold capillaroscopic abnormalities,including bushy capillaries[odds ratio(OR):2.82,95%CI:1.65-4.80],neoformation(OR:4.61,95%CI:3.15-6.76),megacapillaries(OR:8.37,95%CI:5.07-13.80),tortuosity(OR:7.29,95%CI:2.76-19.22),microhemorrhages(OR:6.16,95%CI:2.48-15.26),meandering capillaries(OR:4.68,95%CI:1.05-20.80)and avascular areas(OR:7.92,95%CI:2.68-23.38).The presence of tortuous capillary was more common in DR in India than in Turkey,while avascular area in the nailfolds was linked to DR only in India(OR:11.28,95%CI:3.91-32.60).Among the nailfold capillaroscopic abnormalities,tortuosity,microhemorrhage,and meandering capillary showed no significant correlation with the severity of DR,except for avascular area(P=0.04).CONCLUSION:There are significant associations between nailfold capillaroscopic findings and the presence of DR,supporting its potential as a non-invasive technique for monitoring microvascular changes in diabetic patients.However,further research is needed to validate its utility as an early screening tool for microvascular complications in diabetes.展开更多
Background: Microcirculation is affected in diabetes mellitus and Microvascular abnormalities cause persistent diabetic complications. The aim of this study was nailfold capillaroscopic assessment to describe the path...Background: Microcirculation is affected in diabetes mellitus and Microvascular abnormalities cause persistent diabetic complications. The aim of this study was nailfold capillaroscopic assessment to describe the pathological changes (morphological and structural) in capillary of a large series of patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a Nailfold Capillaroscopy Center (Tehran-Iran) between 2011 and 2014. The study included 235 types 1, 2 diabetic patients. All patients underwent 10 nailfolds capillaroscopy examinations. Microvascular architecture, disturbances capillary distribution, capillary morphology, capillary density, efferent/afferent limb ratio, subpapillary venular plexus, and morphological abnormalities were evaluated. Conclusions were stated as normalor scleroderma pattern. Results of patients’ capillaroscopic images were recorded and analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. P value < 0.05 was considered as statistical significance. Results: of all participants with mean age 59.91 ± 12.39, 183 cases (77.9%) were female and 52 (22.1%) were male. Tortuosity of capillaries was more often observed in our subjects (235 cases) followed by angiogenesis (171 cases). Normal and early scleroderma patterns were observed in 195 (83.0%) and 40 cases (17.0%). Based on P values, altered micro vascular architecture, capillary distribution and capillary morphology were more frequent in patients with scleroderma pattern in comparison to patients with normal pattern (P value < 0.05). Morphological abnormalities except from neo formation capillary and mega capillary were also significantly more common in patients with scleroderma pattern than patients in counterpart group (P value < 0.05). Conclusion: Nailfold capillaroscopy as a non-invasive, diagnostic and prognostic method may potentially affect on diabetes outcome and control.展开更多
Introduction: Periungual capillaroscopy studies skin microcirculation. Its main indication is in the differential diagnosis of Raynaud’s phenomenon as well as diagnosis and prognosis of systemic sclerosis (SS). Many ...Introduction: Periungual capillaroscopy studies skin microcirculation. Its main indication is in the differential diagnosis of Raynaud’s phenomenon as well as diagnosis and prognosis of systemic sclerosis (SS). Many rheumatic diseases present characteristic capillaroscopic alterations, but little is known at present about the alterations in skin microcirculation of systemic vasculitis. Objective: Our main objective was to study the alterations in skin microcirculation by capillaroscopy in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). The secondary objective was to evaluate the association of capillaroscopic alterations with systemic alteration. Material and Methods: We studied patients in our unit with GPA, and we collected demographic and clinical variables. Periungual capillaroscopy was performed on all patients, and always by the same investigator. Results: We reviewed 10 patients with a mean age of 55.7. They were predominantly women. We found capillaroscopic alterations in 8 of the 10 patients. Morphological alteration was the most common finding (62.5%), followed by bleeding (50%). We found no mega-capillaries or neovessels. These findings were not related to any specific organ system involvement. Discussion: The tortuous pattern with bleeding was predominant in our series, with lower capillary density, findings which were unrelated to any specific organ system involvement. A single study describes capillaroscopic alterations in GPA, detecting a high percentage (92%) of avascular areas, in contrast with the predominance of a twisting pattern and bleeding found in our study. Further studies are warranted to confirm these results.展开更多
Nail changes following upper extremity transplantation(UET)cannot be overlooked as they possess diagnostic and prognostic relevance in allotransplantation of upper limbs.This comprehensive review explores nail and nai...Nail changes following upper extremity transplantation(UET)cannot be overlooked as they possess diagnostic and prognostic relevance in allotransplantation of upper limbs.This comprehensive review explores nail and nail bed related changes encountered in UET recipients in the literature.The differential diagnosis of nail abnormalities in UET includes a wide range of systemic,local and iatrogenic conditions other than immune responses to the allograft.It requires interdisciplinary evaluation by primary transplant surgeons,pathologists,dermatologists and immunologists.The possible underlying mechanisms of nail pathology in UET and the management are discussed.It also underscores the importance of onychodystrophy and need for timely intervention and to improve outcomes in UET recipients.展开更多
An overview of three techniques developed by our group for imaging superficial tissue is presented.Firstly,a novel polarized light capillaroscope has been developed for imaging the microcirculation.The capillaroscope ...An overview of three techniques developed by our group for imaging superficial tissue is presented.Firstly,a novel polarized light capillaroscope has been developed for imaging the microcirculation.The capillaroscope has been used to make in vivo measurements of sickle cell disorder sufferers with aim of monitoring the polymerization of sickled red blood cells.Secondly,hyperspectral imaging for measuring oxygen saturation is described.The accuracy of such measurements is affected by the non-linear relationship between scattering and absorption and it is demonstrated that polarization techniques can be used to make the relationship more linear,thus improving accuracy.Finally,the use of smart CMOS optical sensors for laser Doppler blood flowmetry is described.A 32×32 pixel imaging array with on-chip processing is described and the potential for full field laser Doppler blood flow imaging is demonstrated through measurement on blood flow of tissue before and after occlusion.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the spleen vascular involvement and the presence of liver fibrosis in a population of subjects with established systemic sclerosis(SSc).METHODS:In a cross-sectional fashion,17 patients with SSc were...AIM:To investigate the spleen vascular involvement and the presence of liver fibrosis in a population of subjects with established systemic sclerosis(SSc).METHODS:In a cross-sectional fashion,17 patients with SSc were compared with 18 patients suffering from hepatitis C virus(HCV) -related liver cirrhosis,grade A and B Child-Pugh classification.Eighteen non elderly subjects,apparently healthy,were used as the control group.Splenic artery resistivity index(SARI) at doppler ultraSound,transient elastography of liver and nailfold capillaroscopy were the main outcomes.RESULTS:Transient elastography values of SSc patients were similar to those of controls;5.2±1.1 vs 4.5 ±1,(P=0.07).Median Alanine amino transferase(ALT) concentrations of cirrhotic patients were greater than those of controls and SSc patients,i.e.66.5(36-89) U/L vs 29(22-34) U/L and 31(22-41) U/L,respectively,(P =0.005).SARI determinations in cirrhotic patients,although significantly higher than those found in controls and SSc patients,showed some degree of overlap with SSc patients,i.e.0.59 vs 0.52 and 0.57,respectively,(P =0.04).Mean systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in SSc patients than in cirrhotics and controls,i.e.142 mmHg vs 128.2 mmHg and 127 mmHg,respectively,(P=0.005).Mean diastolic blood pressure behaved in a similar fashion,i.e.84 mmHg vs 72.2 mmHg and 76.9 mmHg(P=0.005).Nailfold Capillaroscopy grades and diastolic blood pressure values correlated well with SARI results.CONCLUSION:An enhanced resistivity of the splenic artery was found in patients suffering from SSc;they did not have evidence of splenomegaly as well as no liver fibrosis or any other form of liver damage.展开更多
摘要BACKGROUND Juvenile dermatomyositis(JDM)is a rare,immune-mediated children disease that affects both skeletal muscles and skin.Inflammatory vasculopathy is a key part of the JDM pathogenesis.Nailfold capillaroscopy(NFC)is a non-invasive method for microvasculature assessment.Despite the pathogenic relevance of microangiography in JDM,the diagnostic utility of NFC in JDM remains insufficiently defined.AIM To quantitatively assess capillaroscopic dynamics and their association with clinical and laboratory activity markers in JDM.METHODS This retrospective double-center cohort study included 52 children with confirmed JDM,who were followed at the clinics of Sechenov University and Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University.Patients were divided into active and inactive JDM groups based on the modified disease activity score.Demographic,clinical,laboratory,and instrumental data were analyzed.NFC evaluation was performed using standardized criteria developed initially for adult patients with systemic sclerosis and Raynaud's phenomenon.Statistical analysis was conducted using Windows v.13(StatSoft).RESULTS Active and inactive JDM groups were demographically comparable(predominantly female,median onset age 6 years).NFC revealed marked differences:Active patients showed higher rates of reduced capillary density(96.2%vs 60.9%,P=0.003),giant capillaries(73.1%vs 13.0%,P<0.001),perivascular edema(73.1%vs 17.4%,P<0.001),and greater maximal apical loop width.Disease activity positively correlated with giant capillaries(r=0.65),perivascular edema(r=0.60),and reduced capillary density(r=0.46).These findings confirm that specific NFC features are strongly associated with clinical disease activity,as measured by the disease activity score.CONCLUSION Children with active JDM demonstrated more frequent NFC changes,indicating that NFC may play a potential role in monitoring disease activity.Further studies are needed to determine the diagnostic accuracy and prognostic relevance of this approach.
基金Supported by University-Industry Collaborative Education Program of the Ministry of Education(No.231104794161945,No.230700562265543)Engineering Research Center of Integration and Application of Digital Learning Technology,Ministry of Education(No.1311016)+2 种基金Supply and Demand Job Matching and Student Development Program of Ministry of Education(No.2024011802142)Jiangsu Students’Platform for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program(No.202410304127Y)the Science and Technology Project of Nantong City(No.MS2023050).
摘要AIM:To systematically evaluate the association between nailfold capillaroscopic findings and diabetic retinopathy(DR)and compare findings in diabetic patients with and without DR.METHODS:PubMed,Web of Science,and Embase databases were searched from inception to February 2024.The quality of the included studies was evaluated using a National Institutes of Health(NIH)Quality Assessment tool for Observational Cohort and Cross Sectional Studies.Metaanalysis was conducted to compare the findings of nailfold capillaroscopy between diabetic patients with or without DR.Subgroup analysis was employed to investigate the source of heterogeneity.RESULTS:Totally 12 studies with 1349 diabetic patients were included,of which 628 had DR.The overall quality of included studies was acceptable.Patients with DR had increased arteriolar diameters[mean difference(MD):2.68,95%confidence interval(CI):0.64-4.72]and a higher risk of developing nailfold capillaroscopic abnormalities,including bushy capillaries[odds ratio(OR):2.82,95%CI:1.65-4.80],neoformation(OR:4.61,95%CI:3.15-6.76),megacapillaries(OR:8.37,95%CI:5.07-13.80),tortuosity(OR:7.29,95%CI:2.76-19.22),microhemorrhages(OR:6.16,95%CI:2.48-15.26),meandering capillaries(OR:4.68,95%CI:1.05-20.80)and avascular areas(OR:7.92,95%CI:2.68-23.38).The presence of tortuous capillary was more common in DR in India than in Turkey,while avascular area in the nailfolds was linked to DR only in India(OR:11.28,95%CI:3.91-32.60).Among the nailfold capillaroscopic abnormalities,tortuosity,microhemorrhage,and meandering capillary showed no significant correlation with the severity of DR,except for avascular area(P=0.04).CONCLUSION:There are significant associations between nailfold capillaroscopic findings and the presence of DR,supporting its potential as a non-invasive technique for monitoring microvascular changes in diabetic patients.However,further research is needed to validate its utility as an early screening tool for microvascular complications in diabetes.
摘要Background: Microcirculation is affected in diabetes mellitus and Microvascular abnormalities cause persistent diabetic complications. The aim of this study was nailfold capillaroscopic assessment to describe the pathological changes (morphological and structural) in capillary of a large series of patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a Nailfold Capillaroscopy Center (Tehran-Iran) between 2011 and 2014. The study included 235 types 1, 2 diabetic patients. All patients underwent 10 nailfolds capillaroscopy examinations. Microvascular architecture, disturbances capillary distribution, capillary morphology, capillary density, efferent/afferent limb ratio, subpapillary venular plexus, and morphological abnormalities were evaluated. Conclusions were stated as normalor scleroderma pattern. Results of patients’ capillaroscopic images were recorded and analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. P value < 0.05 was considered as statistical significance. Results: of all participants with mean age 59.91 ± 12.39, 183 cases (77.9%) were female and 52 (22.1%) were male. Tortuosity of capillaries was more often observed in our subjects (235 cases) followed by angiogenesis (171 cases). Normal and early scleroderma patterns were observed in 195 (83.0%) and 40 cases (17.0%). Based on P values, altered micro vascular architecture, capillary distribution and capillary morphology were more frequent in patients with scleroderma pattern in comparison to patients with normal pattern (P value < 0.05). Morphological abnormalities except from neo formation capillary and mega capillary were also significantly more common in patients with scleroderma pattern than patients in counterpart group (P value < 0.05). Conclusion: Nailfold capillaroscopy as a non-invasive, diagnostic and prognostic method may potentially affect on diabetes outcome and control.
摘要Introduction: Periungual capillaroscopy studies skin microcirculation. Its main indication is in the differential diagnosis of Raynaud’s phenomenon as well as diagnosis and prognosis of systemic sclerosis (SS). Many rheumatic diseases present characteristic capillaroscopic alterations, but little is known at present about the alterations in skin microcirculation of systemic vasculitis. Objective: Our main objective was to study the alterations in skin microcirculation by capillaroscopy in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). The secondary objective was to evaluate the association of capillaroscopic alterations with systemic alteration. Material and Methods: We studied patients in our unit with GPA, and we collected demographic and clinical variables. Periungual capillaroscopy was performed on all patients, and always by the same investigator. Results: We reviewed 10 patients with a mean age of 55.7. They were predominantly women. We found capillaroscopic alterations in 8 of the 10 patients. Morphological alteration was the most common finding (62.5%), followed by bleeding (50%). We found no mega-capillaries or neovessels. These findings were not related to any specific organ system involvement. Discussion: The tortuous pattern with bleeding was predominant in our series, with lower capillary density, findings which were unrelated to any specific organ system involvement. A single study describes capillaroscopic alterations in GPA, detecting a high percentage (92%) of avascular areas, in contrast with the predominance of a twisting pattern and bleeding found in our study. Further studies are warranted to confirm these results.
摘要Nail changes following upper extremity transplantation(UET)cannot be overlooked as they possess diagnostic and prognostic relevance in allotransplantation of upper limbs.This comprehensive review explores nail and nail bed related changes encountered in UET recipients in the literature.The differential diagnosis of nail abnormalities in UET includes a wide range of systemic,local and iatrogenic conditions other than immune responses to the allograft.It requires interdisciplinary evaluation by primary transplant surgeons,pathologists,dermatologists and immunologists.The possible underlying mechanisms of nail pathology in UET and the management are discussed.It also underscores the importance of onychodystrophy and need for timely intervention and to improve outcomes in UET recipients.
基金funded by Department of Health(Neat Programme),Big Lottery Fund(via Sickle Cell Society),Royal Society,and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
摘要An overview of three techniques developed by our group for imaging superficial tissue is presented.Firstly,a novel polarized light capillaroscope has been developed for imaging the microcirculation.The capillaroscope has been used to make in vivo measurements of sickle cell disorder sufferers with aim of monitoring the polymerization of sickled red blood cells.Secondly,hyperspectral imaging for measuring oxygen saturation is described.The accuracy of such measurements is affected by the non-linear relationship between scattering and absorption and it is demonstrated that polarization techniques can be used to make the relationship more linear,thus improving accuracy.Finally,the use of smart CMOS optical sensors for laser Doppler blood flowmetry is described.A 32×32 pixel imaging array with on-chip processing is described and the potential for full field laser Doppler blood flow imaging is demonstrated through measurement on blood flow of tissue before and after occlusion.
基金Supported by Funds of the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine of the Federico II University
摘要AIM:To investigate the spleen vascular involvement and the presence of liver fibrosis in a population of subjects with established systemic sclerosis(SSc).METHODS:In a cross-sectional fashion,17 patients with SSc were compared with 18 patients suffering from hepatitis C virus(HCV) -related liver cirrhosis,grade A and B Child-Pugh classification.Eighteen non elderly subjects,apparently healthy,were used as the control group.Splenic artery resistivity index(SARI) at doppler ultraSound,transient elastography of liver and nailfold capillaroscopy were the main outcomes.RESULTS:Transient elastography values of SSc patients were similar to those of controls;5.2±1.1 vs 4.5 ±1,(P=0.07).Median Alanine amino transferase(ALT) concentrations of cirrhotic patients were greater than those of controls and SSc patients,i.e.66.5(36-89) U/L vs 29(22-34) U/L and 31(22-41) U/L,respectively,(P =0.005).SARI determinations in cirrhotic patients,although significantly higher than those found in controls and SSc patients,showed some degree of overlap with SSc patients,i.e.0.59 vs 0.52 and 0.57,respectively,(P =0.04).Mean systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in SSc patients than in cirrhotics and controls,i.e.142 mmHg vs 128.2 mmHg and 127 mmHg,respectively,(P=0.005).Mean diastolic blood pressure behaved in a similar fashion,i.e.84 mmHg vs 72.2 mmHg and 76.9 mmHg(P=0.005).Nailfold Capillaroscopy grades and diastolic blood pressure values correlated well with SARI results.CONCLUSION:An enhanced resistivity of the splenic artery was found in patients suffering from SSc;they did not have evidence of splenomegaly as well as no liver fibrosis or any other form of liver damage.