Summary Introduction: A link of psoriasis with subclinical atherosclerosis has been postulated and cytokine network might intermediate this association. Few data are available in patients with mild psoriasis. We evaluated carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in drug-free psoriatic individuals and controls. In parallel, we searched for associations of cIMT with disease activity indexes and serum interleukins (IL) in psoriatic patients. Method: An experienced radiologist performed the cIMT analyses. Cytokine concentrations were assessed by flow cytometry. Disease activity was evaluated based on psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) as well as body surface area (BSA). Results: Sixty-five (65) patients and 64 controls were studied. Mean age of patients (50.9 years) did not differ from controls (p=0.362). A low PASI and BSA (< 10) prevailed (69.2% and 56.9%, respectively). Median levels of IL-12p70, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10 were significantly lower in cases than in controls (adjusted p<0.05), while IL-6 and IL-8 medians did not differ between groups (adjusted p>0.05). Smoking habit and diabetes mellitus predominated in cases (p=0.002). An altered cIMT (≥ 0.9 mm) was more frequent in cases than in controls (23.8% versus 8.5%, adjusted p=0.045). Mean cIMT was higher in cases with a borderline significance (p=0.057). cIMT scores did not correlate to PASI (rs=0.066; p=0.250) or BSA (rs=0.175; p=0.185), but did correlate significantly with serum IL-6 (rs=0.26; p=0.005). Conclusion: Subclinical atherosclerosis was more frequent in patients with mild psoriasis than controls. cIMT in psoriatic individuals correlated with serum IL-6, pointing to an eventual proatherogenic role of IL-6 in these patients. Newer studies should clarify the connection of atherogenesis with cytokines in psoriasis.

BACKGROUNDS -Tattooing is an atavist and diffuse phenomenon of interest to various areas of knowledge. Its practice by specific groups such as prisoners and psychiatric patients has turned it into a stigma. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the discourse of tattooed individuals about the discrimination and the construction of stigmas resulting from marks in the body. METHODS: 42 individuals were interviewed and the data were analyzed. RESULTS: The profile of the participants was as follows: most were women; with 2 to 4 tattoos; who were about 23 years old when they got their first tattoo; with an undergraduate degree; who viewed tattooing as a trend; who did not report any important fact that made them get a tattoo; who classified the pain of getting a tattoo as tolerable, who stated that never felt discriminated and never felt the need to hide the tattoos; who find that tattoos make them more sexually attractive; who do not view tattooing as a form of cultural resistance; who said they would not have done it if they believed it caused them professional problems; who stated that they were not drunk when they got the tattoos; who said they were not habitual drugs users, who believed that tattooing is a form of expression and aesthetic sense. CONCLUSION A difference between the discourse of tattooed individuals and their acts was observed in relation to the social context. In addition, there has been an important shift in the meaning of the practice to tattooed individuals. Keywords: Prejudice; Skin; Tattooing Resumo: FUNDAMENTOS -A tatuagem é um fenômeno atávico e difuso que suscita abordagem por diversos saberes. Sua utilização por grupos específicos como prisioneiros e pacientes psiquiátricos sempre a manteve associada a um caráter de estigma. OBJETIVOS -Buscar o discurso do tatuado acerca da discriminação e da construção de estigmas a partir da inscrição de marcas no corpo. MÉTODOS -Foram analisadas entrevistas de 42 indivíduos. RESULTADOS -O perfil obtido foi de maioria de mulheres; com duas a quatro tatuagens; com 23 anos ao fazê-las; com formação superior completa; que acham que era moda fazer tatuagens; que não referem nenhum fato marcante que os tenha levado a fazer o desenho; que classificam a dor como suportável; que afirmam que nunca se sentiram discriminados; que nunca esconderam sua tatuagem; que acham que a tatuagem é um atrativo sexual; que não veem a tatuagem como uma forma de resistência cultural; que deixariam de fazê-la se lhes trouxesse prejuízo profissional; que dizem não ter usado álcool quando fizeram o desenho; que afirmam não serem usuários habituais de drogas; que acham que a tatuagem é uma forma de se expressar e de se embelezar. CONCLUSÕES -Percebeu-se que existe uma diferença entre o discurso do tatuado e os seus atos, quanto ao contexto social, e verificou-se uma importante mudança no significado da prática para o tatuado. Palavras-chave: Pele; Preconceito; Tatuagem

SUMMARY Atopic dermatitis is a common skin disease. Its increased incidence has changed the focus of research on atopic dermatitis toward epidemiology, prevention, and treatment. Evidence suggests that intestinal microbiota plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis inducing immunosuppression, but its exact mechanism is still unclear. Probiotics have been widely reported to act on the immune system. They are living microorganisms with immunomodulatory effects that stimulate Th1 cytokines and suppress the Th2 response, which are being researched for the treatment of several diseases. Probiotics most commonly used are part of the intestinal microflora like lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, and enterococci. We describe here a case of evident response to the use of probiotics in a girl with severe atopic dermatitis, with a significant change in severity scores of atopic dermatitis (BSA/SCORAD/FDLQI). Modulation of the intestinal microbiota with probiotics may offer a way to prevent or treat allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis.

BackgroundOccupational diseases are very prevalent in the world, especially in developing countries. Occupational dermatoses are responsible for most of these cases. However, epidemiological studies are rare in Brazil.ObjectivesTo verify the panorama of occupational skin diseases in Brazil describing frequencies of work-related dermatoses and their sociodemographic and occupational patterns.MethodsWe used retrospective data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System, (from 2007-2014) tabulated with the Tab program for Windows - TabWin12. We used intentional non-probability sampling and sequential selection, considering all notified occupational dermatoses.ResultsAll cases of occupational dermatoses referred to in the period were analyzed (n = 4710). Males and the age group of 35-49 years were the most affected. The most affected body area was the upper limb (34.2%) and the hand (25.4%). The "causative agent" field in the forms was not filled in 69.4% of cases, with chrome as the most prevalent cause reported (11.8%). ICD-10 codes more prevalent were L23, L24, and L25, corresponding to 34.2% of the sample. In total, 29% of patients needed to take a sick leave. No cases evolved to death and there were 0.2% of total as permanent disability.Study limitationsThe amount of missing information for various items in the system draws attention.ConclusionsTreatment of patients with occupational dermatitis include the identification and removal of the causative agent and specific treatment of the disease. Diagnosis delay in cases of occupational dermatoses brings social and financial consequences to the work and life of workers.

A perícia médica é requisito obrigatório para a concessão da maioria dos benefícios concedidos pelo Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social. Trata-se de atividade complexa, pois exige amplos conhecimentos de medicina e de legislação, e que tem por finalidade garantir a subsistência do trabalhador segurado quando incapacitado. Verificou-se que diversos são os elementos passíveis de modificação e que beneficiariam o atuar do perito. A adequação do ambiente físico, o esclarecimento da população acerca das particularidades da atividade pericial, o fim da obrigatoriedade da entrega da Comunicação de Resultado de Requerimento pelo médico, a melhora do sistema informatizado disponibilizado, a discussão acerca do número de atividades agendadas por dia que respeite a capacidade do perito, afastando-o da exaustão e, portanto, dos erros, bem como o respeito às normas balizadoras da atividade médica emanadas dos conselhos de medicina, permitiriam o labor com a isenção e a autonomia necessárias.