Amelanotic melanoma in a patient with oculocutaneous albinism.

Oculocutaneous albinism is a genetically heterogeneous, autosomal recessive group of disorders characterized by a generalized decreased or absence of melanin pigment in the eyes, hair, and skin. These patients have a greater sensitivity to UV radiation and a predisposition to skin tumors, mainly squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinomas, and to a lesser extent malignant melanomas. Melanoma can be one of the most challenging cancers to diagnose in patients with albinism. We report an uncommon clinical presentation of melanoma, an amelanotic melanoma in the right supraciliar region in a patient with oculocutaneous albinism. The clinical presentation was an erythematous, scaly and ill-defined plaque. The skin biopsy revealed a lentigo maligna melanoma. Amelanotic melanomas are one of the two most difficult to diagnose subtypes of melanoma, together with the nevoid type. Melanoma in oculocutaneous albinism patients are often amelanotic, which makes their clinical diagnosis very difficult. These patients should be examined in the dermatology department at least once a year and it is recommended to have a high index of suspicion.

Solitary circumscribed neuroma of the glans penis. An unusual finding.

Palisaded encapsulated neuroma is a rare, benign neural tumor. The involvement of the glans penis is rare; few cases have been reported. We present a 52-year-old man with a five-month course of a solitary painless lesion of the glans penis. Full excision of the nodule was performed. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses and examination was consistent with a palisaded encapsulated neuroma. We describe one of a few existing cases of this kind of tumor in the glans penis.

Electrochemical immunosensor for sensitive determination of the anorexigen peptide YY at grafted reduced graphene oxide electrode platforms.

The first electrochemical immunosensor for the determination of peptide YY is reported in this paper. A novel electrochemical platform, prepared by the electrochemical grafting of the diazonium salt of 4-aminobenzoic acid onto a reduced graphene oxide-modified glassy carbon electrode, was used, on which the covalent immobilization of specific anti-PYY antibodies was accomplished. The HOOC-Phe-rGO/GCEs were characterized using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The different variables affecting the preparation of the modified electrodes and the performance of the immunosensor were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, a calibration plot for PYY showing a linear range extending between 10(-4) and 10(2) ng mL(-1) was found. This range is adequate for the determination of this protein in real samples, since the expected concentration in human serum is around 100 pg mL(-1). The limit of detection was 0.01 pg mL(-1) of PYY. The immunosensor exhibited good reproducibility of the PYY measurements, excellent storage stability and selectivity, as well as a shorter assay time than those of ELISA kits. The usefulness of the immunosensor for the analysis of real samples was demonstrated by analyzing human serum samples spiked with PYY at three concentration levels.

Multiplexed determination of human growth hormone and prolactin at a label free electrochemical immunosensor using dual carbon nanotube-screen printed electrodes modified with gold and PEDOT nanoparticles.

A label-free dual electrochemical immunosensor was constructed for the multiplexed determination of human growth (hGH) and prolactin (PRL) hormones. The immunosensor used an electrochemical platform composed of carbon nanotube-screen printed carbon electrodes (CNT/SPCEs) modified with poly(ethylene-dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and gold nanoparticles, on which the corresponding hGH and PRL antibodies were immobilized. The affinity reactions were monitored by measuring the decrease in the differential pulse voltammetric oxidation response of the redox probe dopamine. The experimental variables involved in the preparation of both AuNP/PEDOT/CNT/SPC modified electrodes and the dual immunosensor were optimized. The immunosensor exhibited an improved analytical performance for hGH and PRL with respect to other electrochemical immunosensor designs, showing wide ranges of linearity and low detection limits of 4.4 and 0.22 pg mL(-1), respectively. An excellent selectivity against other hormones and in the presence of ascorbic and uric acids was found. The usefulness of the dual immunosensor for the simultaneous analysis of hGH and PRL was demonstrated by analyzing human serum and saliva samples spiked with the hormones at different concentration levels.

A novel cohorting and isolation strategy for suspected COVID-19 cases during a pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic presents a significant infection prevention and control challenge. The admission of large numbers of patients with suspected COVID-19 disease risks overwhelming the capacity to protect other patients from exposure. The delay between clinical suspicion and confirmatory testing adds to the complexity of the problem. METHODS: We implemented a triage tool aimed at minimizing hospital-acquired COVID-19 particularly in patients at risk of severe disease. Patients were allocated to triage categories defined by likelihood of COVID-19 and risk of a poor outcome. Category A (low-likelihood; high-risk), B (high-likelihood; high-risk), C (high-likelihood; low-risk) and D (low-likelihood; low-risk). This determined the order of priority for isolation in single-occupancy rooms with Category A the highest. Patients in other groups were cohorted when isolation capacity was limited with additional interventions to reduce transmission. RESULTS: Ninety-three patients were evaluated with 79 (85%) receiving a COVID-19 diagnosis during their admission. Of those without a COVID-19 diagnosis: 10 were initially triaged to Category A; 0 to B; 1 to C and 4 to D. All high-risk patients requiring isolation were, therefore, admitted to single-occupancy rooms and protected from exposure. Twenty-eight (30%) suspected COVID-19 patients were evaluated to be low risk (groups C and D) and eligible for cohorting. No symptomatic hospital-acquired infections were detected in the cohorted patients. DISCUSSION: Application of a clinical triage tool to guide isolation and cohorting decisions may reduce the risk of hospital-acquired transmission of COVID-19 especially to individuals at the greatest of risk of severe disease.

Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia on the tongue.

Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia (AHE) is a benign reactive vascular lesion characterized by a proliferation of small to medium sized vascular structures lined by epithelioid endothelial cells. We report a 75-year-old woman with a 1-month history of a painful ulcer on the tongue. Histopathological findings confirmed a diagnosis of angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia. The tongue is an unusual site for this lesion. The treatment of choice for AHE is surgical excision.

Determination of progesterone in saliva using an electrochemical immunosensor and a COTS-based portable potentiostat.

This paper describes the reliable determination of progesterone (P4) in undiluted saliva making use of a disposable amperometric immunosensors implemented on low-cost and portable device/potentiostat constructed with commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components. The immunosensor allows the fast (45 min), selective and sensitive determination (5 pg mL-1 LOD) of P4 using amperometry in stirred solutions. The immunosensor was coupled to the COTS-based potentiostat and amperometry was made into drops of quiescent solutions. No significant differences were apparent between the analytical performance achieved with the immunosensor for P4 using both a conventional and the COST-based potentiostats. The practical applicability of the immunosensor coupled with the COTS-based potentiostat was demonstrated by determining the endogenous P4 content in different undiluted saliva samples with highly variable endogenous contents of the target hormone. The obtained results were in good agreement with those provided by the conventional ELISA methodology and with the contents reported in the literature for samples with similar characteristics. This validated the combined device for the reliable and minimally invasive determination of the target hormone involving a very simple protocol and taking only 45 min.

Electrochemical immunosensor for sensitive determination of transforming growth factor (TGF) - ß1 in urine.

The first amperometric immunosensor for the quantification of TGF-ß1, a cytokine proposed as a biomarker for patients having or at risk for renal disease, is described in this work. The immunosensor design involves disposable devices using carboxylic acid-functionalized magnetic microparticles supported onto screen-printed carbon electrodes and covalent immobilization of the specific antibody for TGF-ß1 using Mix&Go polymer. A sandwich-type immunoassay was performed using biotin-anti-TGF and conjugation with peroxidase-labeled streptavidin (poly-HRP-Strept) polymer. Amperometric measurements were carried out at -0.20V by adding hydrogen peroxide solution onto the electrode surface in the presence of hydroquinone as the redox mediator. The calibration plot allowed a range of linearity extending between 15 and 3000pg/mL TGF-ß1 which is adequate for the determination of the cytokine in plasma and urine. The limit of detection, 10pg/mL, is notably improved with respect to those obtained with ELISA kits. The usefulness of the immunosensor for the determination of low TGF-ß1 concentrations in real samples was evaluated by analyzing spiked urine at different pg/mL concentration levels.

Heavy-flavour and quarkonium production in the LHC era: from proton-proton to heavy-ion collisions.

This report reviews the study of open heavy-flavour and quarkonium production in high-energy hadronic collisions, as tools to investigate fundamental aspects of Quantum Chromodynamics, from the proton and nucleus structure at high energy to deconfinement and the properties of the Quark-Gluon Plasma. Emphasis is given to the lessons learnt from LHC Run 1 results, which are reviewed in a global picture with the results from SPS and RHIC at lower energies, as well as to the questions to be addressed in the future. The report covers heavy flavour and quarkonium production in proton-proton, proton-nucleus and nucleus-nucleus collisions. This includes discussion of the effects of hot and cold strongly interacting matter, quarkonium photoproduction in nucleus-nucleus collisions and perspectives on the study of heavy flavour and quarkonium with upgrades of existing experiments and new experiments. The report results from the activity of the SaporeGravis network of the I3 Hadron Physics programme of the European Union 7[Formula: see text] Framework Programme.

[Eight year history of neuroblastoma in an adult patient. Value of 123I-MIBG and 111In-DTPA-D-Phe-octreotide scintigraphy]. / Neuroblastoma de 8 años de evolución en paciente adulto: valor de la gammagrafía con 123I-MIBG y con 111In-DTPA-D-Phe-octreótido.

A case of a 30 year old male with an eight year history of neuroblastoma and whose general health was good is presented. After his last check-up, which included a CT scan and 99mTc-MDP bone scintigraphy, a 123I-MIBG and 111In-DTPA-D-Pheoctreotide scintigraphy was performed and provided us with complementary data that contributed to a more precise diagnosis of the location and extension of the neuroblastoma and to the biological features of the tumor. Thus, this report deals with an adult neuroblastoma patient whose general health is good in whom the exact extension of the lesion was determined by a combination of diagnostic imaging techniques.

[Correlation between clinical, dermatoscopic, and histopathologic variables in atypical melanocytic nevi]. / Estudio de correlación clínica, dermatoscópica e histopatológica de nevus melanocíticos atípicos.

INTRODUCTION: Atypical melanocytic nevi are acquired melanocytic lesions that were described for the first time by Clark in studies of melanocytic nevi in patients with melanomas. Today, the use of dermatoscopy has made identification of this type of nevus much easier. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to study the correlation between the clinical, dermatoscopic, and histopathologic findings of melanocytic nevi and compare our findings with those of previous studies. We also aimed to investigate the value of dermatoscopy for identifying atypical melanocytic nevi. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional, observational study, 200 melanocytic lesions were analyzed in 166 patients examined between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2005. We recorded the clinical, dermatoscopic, and histopathologic characteristics of each lesion and established the correlation between the different findings on a case-by-case basis. We then determined the agreement between diagnoses and assessed the value of dermatoscopy for identifying atypical melanocytic melanoma. RESULTS: The clinical characteristics associated with atypical histology were a macular component (P < .001), irregular borders, and presence of 3 or more colors. Asymmetry, diameter greater than 5 or 6 mm, and progression were not associated with atypical histopathologic characteristics (P > .05). Agreement between clinical and histologic diagnosis was weak (kp = 0.38), whereas the agreement between dermatoscopic and histologic diagnosis was moderate (kp = 0.52). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the model that included dermatoscopy was larger than that for the model that only included clinical data, and this difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Atypical clinical features were not found to correspond to atypical histology. Dermatoscopy improved the accuracy of clinical diagnosis of atypical melanocytic nevus.

Graham Little-Piccardi-Lassueur syndrome associated with androgen insensitivity syndrome (testicular feminization).

Graham Little-Piccardi-Lassueur syndrome is characterized by the presence of cicatricial alopecia on the scalp, keratosis pilaris in the skin of trunk and extremities, and non-cicatricial hair loss in pubis and axillae. A frequent form of male pseudohermaphroditism is complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS), also known as testicular feminization syndrome. It refers to genetic males with XY karyotype who, owing to a lack of sensitivity in the peripheral androgenic receptors, develop a female phenotype. Axillary and pubic hair is typically scarce or absent. To our knowledge, this is the first case describing the association of the two processes. The presence of both processes in the same patient furthers our understanding of Graham Little-Piccardi-Lassueur syndrome as it rejects the influence of androgens in the alopecias accompanying this syndrome. The coincidence of non-cicatricial alopecia in axillary and pubic hair in both processes is also remarkable.