Beyond Borders: Monkeypox Case on Madeira Island.

Human infection with monkeypox virus (MPXV) is characterized by a pox-like rash in various areas, including the anogenital region, and is accompanied by fever, headaches, fatigue, myalgias, and lymphadenopathy. These symptoms may occur a few days before the rash or simultaneously. Nonspecific and vague symptoms, particularly in the recent outbreak of the MPXV, have led to unrecognized or very mild prodromes, which can delay diagnosis. Diagnosis involves laboratory confirmation through polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The symptomatology of MPX is self-limiting, resolving in about two to four weeks. Therefore, the therapeutic approach includes supportive care, monitoring, intervention for possible complications (e.g., bacterial superinfection, cellulitis, and bronchopneumonia), and the implementation of preventive contact measures.  This clinical case emphasizes the importance of conducting a thorough medical history and maintaining a high level of clinical suspicion, even in the absence of a history of contact with suspected or confirmed cases and in regions without active or suspected infectious cases.

Long-Term Outcomes of an International Cooperative Study of Intraoperative Radiotherapy Upfront Boost With Low Energy X-Rays in Breast Cancer.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectivity of upfront kilovoltage intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) as a boost in high-risk early-stage breast cancer patients from an international pooled cohort. Materials/Methods: Patients from four centers in three different countries were retrospectively screened. Those with a minimum 1-year follow-up were included. Cumulative local (LR), regional (RR), and distant metastasis rates (DM) were analyzed. Additionally, the estimated overall survival (OS) was assessed. The Cox regression analysis was performed to identify failure predicting factors. Results: A total of 653 patients from centers in Peru, Spain, and Germany were included. The median follow-up was 55 (12-180) months, and age was 58 (27-86) years. Clinical tumor (T) staging was T1 65.85%, T2 30.17%, and T3 3.98%. Positive margins were found in 7.9% and in-situ component in 20.06%. The median IORT dose was 20 (6-20). The median time from IORT to EBRT was 74.5 (13-364) days. An overall 3.4% (n = 22) of patients developed local recurrence at some point during follow-up. The 12-, 60-, and 120-month cumulative LR were 0.3%, 2.3%, and 7.9%, respectively. After multivariate analysis, only age <50 remained to be a significant prognostic factor for local recurrence (HR 0.19, 95% CI 0.08-0.47; p < 0.05). The 10-year estimated OS was 81.2%. Conclusion: Upfront boost with IORT yields similar local control outcomes to those EBRT-based reports. Results from prospective trials, regarding toxicity, cosmesis, and effectivity are awaited to confirm these findings.

Use of bone marrow for detection of toxic chemicals for the elucidation of poisoning in forensic veterinary medicine / Uso de medula óssea para detecção de produtos químicos tóxicos para a elucidação de intoxicação em patologia veterinária forense

In forensic toxicology, the detection of toxic chemicals from human bone marrow is often used in cases with an extended post mortem interval; however, in veterinary medicine, this practice is not used. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate the suitability of bone marrow for toxicological analysis in dogs and cats. Six animals with suspected poisoning were selected; the carcasses were sent for necropsy, and the organs were collected and preserved in buffered formalin and processed routinely for histological examination. In addition, bone marrow samples from the femur, humerus, and tibia were collected for toxicological analysis by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry detection (LC-MS). This analysis confirmed the presence of aldicarb, aldicarb sulfone, asulam, carbendazim, chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, thifensulfuron methyl and trifloxysulfuron-sodium and associated with clinical symptoms and anatomo-histopathological alterations it was recognized the poisonings. It is expected that this study will promote the toxicological investigation of bone marrow and open avenues for the use of this tissue as an option for the detection of toxic chemicals in cases of forensic pathology.(AU)

Na toxicologia forense, a detecção de substâncias químicas tóxicas provenientes da medula óssea humana é frequentemente usada em casos com intervalo post mortem prolongado; no entanto, na medicina veterinária, essa prática não é utilizada. Portanto, este estudo foi realizado para investigar a utilização da medula óssea nas análises toxicológicas em cães e gatos. Seis animais com suspeita de intoxicação foram selecionados; as carcaças foram enviadas para necropsia e os órgãos foram coletados e preservados em formalina tamponada e processados rotineiramente para exame histológico. Amostras de medula óssea de fêmur, úmero e tíbia foram coletadas para análise toxicológica por cromatografia líquida acoplada à espectrometria de massa-massa (LC-MS). A análise por LC-MS confirmou a presença dos agrotóxicos aldicarbe, aldicarbe sulfona, asulam, carbendazim, clorpirifós, diclorvós, tifensulfuron metil e trifloxisulfuron-sódico, e em associação com sinais clínicos e achados anatomo-histopatológicos comprovou-se as intoxicações. Espera-se que este estudo promova a utilização da medula óssea como uma opção na investigação toxicológica para a detecção de produtos químicos tóxicos em casos de patologia forense.(AU)

Molecular mapping of a sunflower rust resistance gene from HAR6.

Sunflower rust, caused by Puccinia helianthi Schw., can result in significant yield losses in cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. var. macrocarpus Ckll.). HAR6 is a germplasm population resistant to most predominant rust races. The objectives of this study were to map the resistance factor present in HAR6 (R HAR6 ), and to provide and validate molecular tools for the identification of this gene for marker assisted selection purposes. Virulence reaction of seedlings for the F2 population and F2:3 families suggested that a single dominant gene confers rust resistance in HAR6-1, a selected rust resistance line from the original population. Genetic mapping with eight markers covered 97.4 cM of genetic distance on linkage group 13 of the sunflower consensus map. A co-dominant marker ZVG61 is the closest marker distal to R HAR6 at a genetic distance of 0.7 cM, while ORS581, a dominant marker linked in the coupling phase, is proximal to R HAR6 at a genetic distance of 1.5 cM. Validation of these markers was assessed by converting a susceptible line into a rust resistant isoline by means of marker assisted backcrossing. The application of these results to assist the breeding process and to design new strategies for rust control in sunflower is discussed.

[Idiopathic atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini. Study of 4 cases]. / Atrofodermia idiopática de Pasini y Pierini. Estudio de cuatro casos.

Idiopathic atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini (IAPP) is an infrequent form of cutaneous atrophy, of unknown etiology. We describe the clinical and histological symptoms of four women with IAPP. Three of them had lesions on the back, while the fourth had them on the buttocks. The histological study of two patients revealed a variable degree of collagen alteration (sclerosis and hyalinization). In the other patients, the dermis was apparently normal. There is discussion about whether IAPP is a distinct entity or is related to morphea. Both sets of symptoms, although separate, could form part of the same spectrum within the fibrosing type of dermatoses. We found no positive serology for B. burgdorferi in our patients.