Trichomegaly Due to Panitumumab.

This case report describes an adult male patient with a severe acneiform eruption on his chest and back.

Analytical validation using a gas mixing system for the determination of gaseous formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde levels in the atmosphere are a concern in the indoor and outdoor air and many methods for determining this compound have been developed. The use of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) for reaction with formaldehyde, catalyzed by acid, forming a hydrazone derivative in cartridges is considered the standard method for analyzing formaldehyde compounds in the air. However, formaldehyde is quantified using an analytical curve, created by diluting liquid standards of the formaldehyde-DNPH product. The analysis aims to quantify the gas phase formaldehyde, and it may be subject to experimental biases from the differences in the matrix of the sample (gas) and calibration standard (liquid). The objective of this work was to build an analytical curve in the gaseous phase using a synthetic air/formaldehyde mixing system (SFMS) and sampling with SPE-DNPH-tubes, comparing with the analytical curve in the liquid phase adopted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Parameters of linearity, sensitivity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), precision and accuracy (recovery) were determined from the analytical curve in the gaseous phase. The best recovery in DNPH-tubes was obtained using the range of 400-1600 mL min-1 of flow rates in the gaseous phase. The sampling and reaction/elution of formaldehyde using DNPH-tubes presented adequate linearity and a similar sensitivity in the liquid analytical curve. Considering the LOD and LOQ in the gaseous phase, the values in nanograms are higher than those in the liquid phase. This study suggests that the quantification of formaldehyde in ambient air may be subject to bias due to differences in derivatization reaction efficiency. However, the results prove the efficiency of formaldehyde recovery from the atmosphere and the validity of the use of this DNPH-tube method.

Dermoscopic Features of a Digital Myxoid Cyst.

Dear Editor, We report a case of a patient admitted to our Department presenting a typical digital myxoid cyst. A 54-year-old man was referred by his general practitioner to the Department of Dermatology at our hospital due to the presence of an asymptomatic lesion on the third right toe. Physical examination revealed a rounded, red-bluish lesion in the eponychium less than 0.5 cm in diameter with a cystic appearance that secondarily caused a longitudinal depression in the nail plate (Figure 1). Dermoscopy showed arboriform telangiectasias over white, bluish, and reddish-orange diffuse areas (Figure 2, a). Direct needle puncture with a 25-gauge needle and drainage was performed showing a clear gelatinous material (Figure 2, b), confirming the diagnosis of digital myxoid cyst. No recurrence was seen during the 9-month follow-up period. A digital myxoid (or mucous) cyst is a benign recurrent cystic lesion of less than 1 cm in diameter and rounded or oval morphology typically located at the distal interphalangeal joint (DIJ) or eponychium in the digits. Digital myxoid cysts have a higher incidence in adult women and are more likely to be found on the fingers than on the toes, especially on the index finger of the dominant hand. Typically, digital myxoid cysts are recognized as unique asymptomatic lesions and do not require treatment, although there can be multiple lesions in case of osteoarthritis (1,2). Its etiology and pathogenesis remains unclear, although some theories indicate that myxoid cysts could appear as a result of a mucoid degeneration of the connective tissue, the exit of synovial fluid from the DIJ capsule, repetitive trauma, the herniation of tendon sheaths or synovial linings associated with degenerative joint diseases and osteophytes in the elderly, or due to an overproduction of mucin by fibroblasts (1,3,4). Furthermore, there is no treatment consensus nor a treatment algorithm for its management, although surgical excision has shown high cure rates. Dermoscopy is a non-invasive imaging technique that allows accurate diagnosis of the digital myxoid cyst. As reported in this case, dermoscopy examination facilitates identification of telangiectasias following different vascular patterns (arboriform, polymorphic, punctate, or linear vessels), reddish-violet lagoons, ulceration, and a bright-whitish reticulum that could be related to an increase in collagen (5,6). Differential diagnosis mainly includes ganglion, Heberden's nodes associated with osteoarthritis, glomus tumors, and dermatofibromas (5). Treatment options range from observation (when there is no symptomatology), puncture and drainage of the cyst and corticosteroid injections to surgical intervention with reported healing rates of 95%. Sclerotherapy, cryotherapy, CO2 laser vaporization, infrared coagulation, caustic elimination, and manual compression of the cyst can also be used. Within non-surgical measures sclerotherapy has reported a 77% healing rate, followed by cryotherapy (72%), corticosteroid injections (61%), and manual compression (39%) (1,7). In summary, we reported a case of a digital myxoid cyst in an adult patient presenting with its main characteristics and typical location. This cystic lesion must be considered in the differential diagnosis with other benign tumors. Dermatoscopy should be an essential diagnostic tool and must be taken into account in cases of doubtful diagnosis. Its value in the evaluation of tumor processes is already well-known but it cannot be ignored when assessing other skin lesions or cutaneous infections.

A new automated solar disc for water disinfection by pasteurization.

A new automated Solar Water Pasteurization Disc of double reflection of 3.8 and 1.3 m in diameter for the first and second reflectors has been erected and tested for performing microbiological disinfection of water in a simple, efficient, and continuous treatment in Brazil. The disc was constructed with a light weight aluminum frame and low-cost materials such as iron and small mirrors of 10 × 10 cm for easy assembly and replacement. The solar disc is automated for solar azimuth tracking and free of any connection to the electrical network. Experiments were conducted in summer and autumn with an average solar radiation of 150 W m-2, and the solar disc achieved a water flow of 60 litres per hour at temperatures above 60 °C. The water showed 100% disinfection effectiveness in tests with Escherichia coli. Therefore, this solar disc produces 315 litres of safe water between 10:00 and 15:00 h in the Brazilian Southeast. The solar disc's low relative weight, portability, and lack of connection to the electricity grid and production of drinking water for one family per day make it possible to consider its use in rural areas that are poor and difficult to access.

Evaluation of volatile organic compounds coupled to seasonality effects in indoor air from a commercial office in Madrid (Spain) applying chemometric techniques.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) concentrations depend on several sources and factors, such as temperature, ventilation, and humidity. Sources can be external atmospheric pollution or indoor release from furniture, coatings or occupants. In this context, this study focused on quantification of VOCs present in a confined atmosphere in a commercial office in downtown Madrid, Spain. The influence of seasonal changes in VOCs concentrations was evaluated using chemometric approaches. Indoor air was systematically monitored for one year using stainless steel tubes filled with Tenax® TA. Sampling was conducted one week a month, for three days during that week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) for 60 min, every 2 h, totaling 24 h, using an autosampler carousel. The analyses were performed using thermal desorption, and compounds were analyzed by a gas chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer. The correlation between these compounds and their concentrations, climatic variations, seasons, among others, were explained by multivariate statistics. Considering the current legislation in Spain, only benzene was present above the maximum permissible concentration (threshold value < 1 µg/m3) from all analyzed compounds. The results indicate that concentrations are related to significant environmental changes, such as ventilation, the number of occupants in the office and types of activity undertaken in the environment. The chemometric analyses allowed the identification of structure analyses correlations between multiple variables for the one-year study. These results underscore the importance of indoor atmosphere studies and chronic exposure to these contaminants.

TiO2 sol-gel for formaldehyde photodegradation using polymeric support: photocatalysis efficiency versus material stability.

Photocatalysts supported on polymers are not frequently used in heterogeneous photocatalysis because of problems such as wettability and stability that affect photocatalysis conditions. In this work, we used polypropylene as support for TiO2 sol-gel to evaluate its stability and efficiency under UV radiation. We also tested the effect of the thermo-pressing PP/TiO2 system on the photocatalytic efficiency and stability under UV radiation. The films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-Vis spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The SEM micrographs showed that the films of TiO2 sol-gel onto PP has approximately 1.0-µm thick and regular surface and the generation of polypropylene nanowires on hot-pressed samples. XRD showed the formation of TiO2 anatase on the surface of the films made by dip-coating. All photocatalysts were tested in decontaminating air-containing gaseous formaldehyde (70 ppmv) presenting degradation of the target compound to the limit of detection. The photocatalysts showed no deactivation during the entire period tested (30 h), and its reuse after washing showed better photocatalytic performance than on first use. The photocatalyst showed the best results were tested for 360 h with no observed deactivation. Aging studies showed that the film of TiO2 causes different effects on the photostability of composites, with stabilizing effect when exposed to most energetic UVC radiation (λmax = 254 nm) and degradative effects when exposed to UVA radiation (λmax = 365 nm).

Photocatalytic elimination of indoor air biological and chemical pollution in realistic conditions.

The photocatalytic elimination of microorganisms from indoor air in realistic conditions and the feasibility of simultaneous elimination of chemical contaminants have been studied at laboratory scale. Transparent polymeric monoliths have been coated with sol-gel TiO(2) films and used as photocatalyst to treat real indoor air in a laboratory-scale single-step annular photocatalytic reactor. The analytical techniques used to characterize the air quality and analyze the results of the photocatalytic tests were: colony counting, microscopy and PCR with subsequent sequencing for microbial quantification and identification; automated thermal desorption coupled to gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection for chemical analysis. The first experiments performed proved that photocatalysis based on UVA-irradiated TiO(2) for the reduction of the concentration of bacteria in the air could compete with the conventional photolytic treatment with UVC radiation, more expensive and hazardous. Simultaneously to the disinfection, the concentration of volatile organic compounds was greatly reduced, which adds value to this technology for real applications. The fungal colony number was not apparently modified.

On the preparation of TiO2-sepiolite hybrid materials for the photocatalytic degradation of TCE: influence of TiO2 distribution in the mineralization.

Hybrid structured photocatalysts based on sepiolite, an adsorbent, and TiO2 were prepared by extrusion of ceramic dough and conformed as plates. The influence of the photocatalyst configuration was studied either by including TiO2 in the extrusion process (incorporated materials) or by coating the sepiolite plates with a TiO2 film (coated materials). The influence of the OH- surface concentration in the photocatalytic performance was studied by treating the ceramic plates at different temperatures. The samples were characterized by N2 adsorption-desorption, MIP, SEM, XRD, and UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy and tested in the photocatalytic degradation of trichloroethylene (TCE) as a target VOC molecule. Most of the catalysts presented high photoactivity, but considerable differences were observed when the CO2 selectivity was analyzed. The results demonstrate that there is a significant effect of the catalyst configuration on the selectivity of the process. An intimate contact between the sepiolite fibers and TiO2 particles for incorporated materials with a corncob-like structure favored the migration of nondesirable reaction products such as COCl2 and dichloroacetyl chloride (DCAC) to the adsorbent, reacting with OH- groups of the adsorbent and favoring the TCE mimeralization.

[Cutaneous tuberculosis: a 15-year descriptive study]. / Tuberculosis cutánea: estudio descriptivo de 15 años.

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous tuberculosis has experienced a resurgence following a period of decline. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of cutaneous tuberculosis in the Ferrol Healthcare Area (Spain). METHODS: Between 1991-2005, 1139 new cases of tuberculosis were diagnosed in Ferrol and submitted to a descriptive analysis. Cutaneous involvement was investigated in all cases. RESULTS: Among 1139 patients, 55 cases of cutaneous tuberculosis were diagnosed (4.8%). The condition was more frequent in women (70.9%), average age was 44.1 +/- 23.3 years, and 56.4% of patients were treated with 6HR2Z-E. Among the 55 cases, 26 (2.3%) were true cutaneous tuberculosis and 29 (2.5%) were tuberculids. In the 26 cases of true tuberculosis, the most frequent form was scrofuloderma (32.7%), followed of lupus vulgaris (7.2%), tuberculous gumma (3.6%), and tuberculosis verrucosa cutis (3.6%). The most frequent locations were the neck, face and trunk, and in 76.9% other sites were involved (lymph nodes 14, bone 6, lung 4, and intestine 1). In the 29 cases with tuberculids, erythema nodosum was the most frequent form (49.1%) followed by erythema induratum of Bazin (3.6%). The lower extremities were affected in all cases and there was simultaneous involvement of other site in 51.9%. In patients with true cutaneous tuberculosis, the diagnostic yield was greater (necrotizing granulomas in 70.6% of biopsies and positive Löwenstein culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 77.8%) and average age was higher than in patients with tuberculids (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Cutaneous tuberculosis is uncommon, preferentially affects women, and is usually associated with tuberculous disease in other locations, particularly in the case of scrofuloderma.