Sarcoidosis is a rare inflammatory disease characterized by the development of granulomas in various organs, especially in the lungs and lymph nodes. Clinics of the disease largely depends on the organ involved and may range from mild symptoms to life threatening manifestations. Over the last two decades, significant advances in the diagnosis, clinical assessment and treatment of sarcoidosis have been achieved, however, the precise etiology of this disease remains unknown. Current evidence suggests that, in genetically predisposed individuals, an excessive immune response to unknown antigen/s is crucial for the development of sarcoidosis. Epidemiological and microbiological studies suggest that, at least in a fraction of patients, microbes or their products may trigger the immune response leading to sarcoid granuloma formation. In this article, we discuss the scientific evidence on the interaction of microbes with immune cells that may be implicated in the immunopathogenesis of sarcoidosis, and highlight recent studies exploring potential implications of human microbiota in the pathogenesis and the clinical course of sarcoidosis.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the ability to perform the sit-to-stand movement and the maximum pelvic anteversion and retroversion angles of patients. [Subjects] Thirty-two stroke patients (66.7±7.6 years) (>3 months post-stroke) who were able to sit unsupported and 50 age-matched healthy subjects participated in this study. The stroke patients were classified into two groups according to the sit-to-stand movement test: the group that was able to stand up (the stand-able group) (18 persons) and the group that was unable to stand up (the stand-unable group) (14 persons). [Methods] Pelvic anteversion and retroversion maximum angles were measured by a manual goniometer attached to an inclinometer. [Results] The maximum pelvic anteversion angles were -1.6 ± 5.0°, 1.2 ± 2.8°, and -12.4 ± 6.1° in the control group, the stand-able stroke group, and the stand-unable stroke group, respectively. A significant main effect of group was found. An angle discriminating between the two stroke groups was found: the maximum anteversion angles in the stand-able group were distributed above -5°. [Conclusion] The maximum pelvic anteversion angle was significantly smaller in the stand-unable group than in the stand-able and control groups.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between age and the maximum pelvic anteversion and retroversion angles, as well as the associated pelvic range of motion, measured in a sitting position with free knee movement. [Subjects] A total of 132 healthy volunteers (74 women, 58 men; age range, 20–79 years) were divided into six groups based on age (20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, and 70–79 years). [Methods] The maximum pelvic anteversion and retroversion angles were measured manually five times by a goniometer in a sitting position that allowed free movement of the knee joints. [Results] There was a significant effect of age group on the maximum pelvic anteversion and retroversion angles and pelvic range of motion (the difference between these angles). There was a significant correlation between age and the maximum pelvic anteversion angle, maximum pelvic retroversion angle, and pelvic range of motion. [Conclusion] The maximum pelvic anteversion and retroversion angles and pelvic range of motion were significantly correlated with age. The maximum pelvic anteversion angle and pelvic range of motion were most affected by age.

Scabies is a neglected tropical disease and represents a considerable global burden. Although consensus diagnostic criteria for scabies have been recently published, diagnosing scabies infestation remains challenging in clinical practice. We investigated the diagnostic utility of complete blood cell count (CBC) and CBC-derived ratios obtained at diagnosis in a set of 167 patients who are Vietnamese with confirmed scabies. These parameters were compared with those of patients with dermatophytosis (N = 800) and urticaria (N = 2023), two diseases frequent in Vietnam, which can present with similar skin manifestations to scabies and tend to pose a diagnostic challenge in vulnerable populations. Our analysis revealed that white blood cell, monocyte, and eosinophil counts were significantly higher among patients with scabies than the other two diseases. Similarly, the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (ELR) were significantly higher among patients with scabies. The optimal cut-off values to distinguish scabies from dermatophytosis and urticaria were 0.094 for ELR (sensitivity: 74.85%, specificity: 70.7%) and 0.295 for MLR (sensitivity: 52.69%, specificity: 73.54%). CBC, ELR, and MLR are low-cost and easily calculated parameters that may be helpful for the diagnosis of scabies.