A peculiar adverse reaction to blue pigment tattoo

The practice of tattooing dates back to 5000 years ago and is currently constantly growing. The most common pigment associated with tattoo complications is the red one. Another pigment, which could be associated with adverse reactions, even if less frequently than red, is blue. Traditionally, blue pigment contains cobalt, which causes allergic reactions. Here, we report a case of blue pigment granulomatous reaction in a 37-year-old male patient.

Iron-deficiency and pruritus: a possible explanation of their relationship

<p class="abstract">Pruritus of unknown origin is defined as itching lasting for more than 3 weeks without a clear identifiable cause. Aetiology of itching is wide ranging and includes chronic renal failure, cholestasis and internal malignancy. Iron deficiency has been described to be causative of pruritus but the mechanism underlying this association remains unclear. We report the case of a female patient with iron deficiency anemia and generalized pruritus, resolved after intravenous administration of iron-complex supplements and we explained a possible mechanism between this association.</p>

A case of cutaneous large B-cell lymphoma of the legs appearing as chronic venous ulceration

We report here a case of a woman with a cutaneous large B-cell lymphoma of the legs. She had a plaque lesion, superficially ulcerated and necrotized with tumorous borders situated on the posterior side of the right leg and two red or bluish-red nodular lesions. A skin biopsy from both nodular and plaque lesion showed a diffuse infiltrate of atypical large B cells CD20(+) and CD79a(+), spanning epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissue. A therapeutic approach containing anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab) was suggested.

Photosynthetic properties of leaves of a yellow green mutant of wheat compared to its wild type

We investigated several photosynthetic parameters of a virescent mutant of durum wheat and of its wild-type. Electron transport rate to ferricyanide was the same in the two genotypes when expressed on leaf area basis while O2 evolution of the leaf tissue in saturating light and CO2 was slightly higher in the yellow genotype. RuBPCase was also slightly higher. Quantum yield per absorbed light was similar in the two genotypes. P700 and Cyt f were less concentrated in the mutant while PS II was only marginally lower. The light response curve of CO2 assimilation indicated higher level of photosynthesis of the mutant in high light, which corresponded to a lower non-photochemical quenching compared to the wild-type. It is concluded that the reaction centres, cyt f and chlorophyll are not limiting factors of electron transport in wheat seedlings and that electron transport capacity is in excess with respect to that needed for driving photosynthesis. Since the differences in photosynthesis reflect differences in RuBPCase activity, it is suggested that this enzyme limits photosynthesis in wheat seedlings also at high light intensities.