Mohs micrographic surgery in immunosuppressed vs immunocompetent patients: Results of a prospective nationwide cohort study (REGESMOHS, Spanish registry of Mohs surgery).

BACKGROUND: Immunosuppressed (IS) patients, particularly solid organ transplant recipients and those on immunosuppressive therapy, face a higher incidence and recurrence of nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSC), including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is the preferred treatment for high-risk NMSC due to its high cure rate and margin examination capabilities. However, IS patients may experience more complications, such as surgical site infections, and a greater risk of recurrence, making their outcomes a subject of interest. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare IS and immunocompetent (IC) patients undergoing MMS for NMSC in terms of baseline characteristics, intra- and post-surgical complications, and postoperative recurrence rates. METHODS: The study utilized data from the REGESMOHS registry, a 7-year prospective cohort study in Spain. It included 5226 patients, categorizing them into IC (5069) and IS (157) groups. IS patients included solid organ transplant recipients, those on immunosuppressive treatments, individuals with haematological tumours and HIV-positive patients. Patient data, tumour characteristics, surgical details and outcomes were collected and analysed. RESULTS: IS patients demonstrated a higher proportion of SCC, multiple synchronous tumours and tumours invading deeper structures. Complex closures, unfinished MMS and more surgical sections were observed in the IS group. Although intra-operative morbidity was higher among IS patients, this difference became non-significant when adjusted for other variables such as year of surgery, antiplatelet/anticoagulant treatment or type of closure. Importantly, IS patients had a substantially higher recurrence rate (IRR 2.79) compared to IC patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that IS patients may be at a higher risk of development of AE such as bleeding or tumour necrosis and are at a higher risk of tumour recurrence. Close follow-up and consideration of the specific characteristics of NMSC in IS patients are crucial. Further research with extended follow-up is needed to better understand the long-term outcomes for this patient group.

Nasal Dorsum Rotation-Transposition Flap Associated with Guitar-String Sutures: One-Stage Reconstruction of Large Defects on the Nose.

(1) Background: The preferred reconstructive option for closing small- or medium-sized defects of the distal half of the nose is the use of local flaps. The dorsal nasal (Rieger) flap is suitable for closing medium-sized defects at this location, especially when they are medially located, and are wider rather than tall. We describe a rotation-transposition dorsal nasal flap reconstruction for large nasal defects. The novelty of this design includes the addition of a small transposition lobe to the rotation flap, enabling the acquisition of tissue from either the lateral sidewall or the nasolabial sulcus, facilitating closure with guitar-string sutures. (2) Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all the patients with large defects (>20 mm) of the nose who underwent nasal dorsum rotation-transposition flap repair between January 2019 and November 2022 at a single academic center. (3) Results: Fourteen patients (eight males, six females; ages 47-83, mean age 60 years) with defects (range: 20.00-35.00 mm) on the dorsum and nasal tip were recruited. Follow-up duration ranged from 12 months to 3 years, with all cases showing good or excellent oncologic and cosmetic results. (4) Conclusions: The rotation-transposition dorsal nasal flap was demonstrated to be a reproducible one-stage technique for large defects of the dorsum and nasal tip, with minimal risk of aesthetic or functional complications. Guitar-string sutures allowed the reduction of the defect size, facilitating a smaller flap design.

What Have We Learned about the Prevention of NMSC from Albino Patients from Malawi? Secondary Prevention Maintained over Time.

BACKGROUND: We have conducted cooperative campaigns focusing on albino patients in a rural area of Malawi. What have we learned? METHODS: Three surgical campaigns were performed in Nkhotakota district (2019-2023). Albino clinical and tumor characteristics were collected. RESULTS: Between 22 and 75 albinos were evaluated in each campaign (mean age < 28 years old). Most patients did not use sunscreen in a way that provided optimal photoprotection. Regarding tumors, the proportion of basal and squamous cell carcinomas ranged from 1:1 to almost 2:1. Of 156 albino patients, 34 attended more than once. However, of the 19 patients with 30 tumors operated on in 2021, only seven were assessed the following year (12 were lost to follow-up). At least 14 albinos with locally advanced tumors were evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Distributing photoprotective clothing could be more efficient or perhaps an earlier measure of sunscreen in rural Africa as it does not require permanent repositioning. Very-high-risk patients (previous interventions with positive margins or high-risk tumors, intense actinic damage, and new tumors constantly appearing, especially those presenting SCCs) require close follow-up and treatment and represent our main target. Secondary prevention with Malawian collaboration and the use of teledermatology is essential for patient tracking, as they are able to offer curative treatments.

Extended Synaptotagmins 1 and 2 Are Required for Store-Operated Calcium Entry, Cell Migration and Viability in Breast Cancer Cells.

Extended synaptotagmins (E-Syts) are endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated proteins that facilitate the tethering of the ER to the plasma membrane (PM), participating in lipid transfer between the membranes and supporting the Orai1-STIM1 interaction at ER-PM junctions. Orai1 and STIM1 are the core proteins of store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE), a major mechanism for Ca2+ influx that regulates a variety of cellular functions. Aberrant modulation of SOCE in cells from different types of cancer has been reported to underlie the development of several tumoral features. Here we show that estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer MCF7 and T47D cells and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) MDA-MB-231 cells overexpress E-Syt1 and E-Syt2 at the protein level; the latter is also overexpressed in the TNBC BT20 cell line. E-Syt1 and E-Syt2 knockdown was without effect on SOCE in non-tumoral MCF10A breast epithelial cells and ER+ T47D breast cancer cells; however, SOCE was significantly attenuated in ER+ MCF7 cells and TNBC MDA-MB-231 and BT20 cells upon transfection with siRNA E-Syt1 or E-Syt2. Consistent with this, E-Syt1 and E-Syt2 knockdown significantly reduced cell migration and viability in ER+ MCF7 cells and the TNBC cells investigated. To summarize, E-Syt1 and E-Syt2 play a relevant functional role in breast cancer cells.

La violencia obstétrica: un fenómeno vinculado a la violación de los derechos elementales de la mujer / Obstetric violence: a phenomenon linked to the violation of the basic rights of women

ResumenEl presente artículo resulta de un trabajo de revisión bibliográfica en el que analizamos la violencia obstétrica como forma de violencia contra la mujer y de violación a los derechos humanos, con gran frecuencia ignorada, llegando a ser en ocasiones desestimado un tema de gran actualidad e interés para la bioética. La violencia obstétrica como violencia simbólica contra la mujer manifiesta la asimetría existente entre hombres y mujeres siendo imprescindible el desarrollo normativo encargado de regular el conjunto de prácticas en los procesos reproductivos de las mujeres a la par que permita alertar sobre la importancia del respeto de los derechos sexuales y reproductivos, definiendo a la salud sexual y reproductiva como una parte inalienable, integral e indivisible de los derechos humanos universales. No obstante los logros conseguidos desde estas iniciativas, las desigualdades de género siguen afectando los servicios de salud reproductiva en gran parte del mundo.

AbstractThe present article comes of a bibliographic review labour in which we analyse obstetric violence as a way of violence against women and as violation of the human rights, which are frequently ignored, sometimesbecomingrejecteda subject of greatcurrent interestfor bioethics. Obstetric violence as symbolic violence against women reveals the asymmetry which is between men and women and the legal development in charge of legislating the set of practices in the women reproductive processes is essential in order to alert about the importance of the respect of sexualand reproductive rights as an inalienable, comprehensible and indivisible of the universal human rights. Despite the achievements from these initiatives, gender inequalities still affect reproductive health services in large part of the world.

Prevalencia de virus del papiloma humano en mujeres españolas de un programa de cribado poblacional / Prevalence of human papillomavirus in Spanish women from a population screening program

Introducción. El virus del papiloma humano (VPH), es causa necesaria para el desarrollo de cáncer de cuello uterino. El objetivo del estudio fue estimar la prevalencia de mujeres con infección por VPH, adheridas al Programa de Prevención y Detección precoz de Cáncer de cuello de útero de Castilla y León (España). Material y métodos. Se han evaluado los resultados del análisis de VPH en las muestras de las mujeres incluidas en el programa de cribado poblacional. El estudio incluye un total de 120.326 muestras de frotis de cérvix, recogidas en el periodo comprendido entre enero de 2012 y diciembre de 2014. Resultados. Se obtuvieron 12.183 muestras con detección positiva de ADN de VPH, correspondiendo a una prevalencia de 9,6‰ (IC 95% 9,5%-9,8%), en la población femenina. Los VPH asociados a un alto riesgo de transformación celular se encuentran en mayor proporción que los de bajo riesgo (5,9% vs 2,23%). La prevalencia está inversamente relacionada con la edad de las mujeres del cribado. La presencia de infecciones múltiples de VPH se demuestra en un tercio de las mujeres analizadas. Conclusiones. Estos resultados son los primeros y más amplios de un programa de cribado poblacional estructurado en España y deben servir como referencia para futuros estudios y medir el impacto futuro de la vacunación (AU)

Introduction. The human papillomavirus (HPV), is necessary to cause a woman developing cervical cancer. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of women with HPV infection, covered by the program of prevention and early detection of cervical cancer of Castile and León (Spain). Material and methods. Samples of women included in the screening program were analyzed. Including a total of 120,326 cervical swab samples, collected in the period from January 2012 to December 2014. Results. 12,183 HPV positive samples were detected, representing a prevalence of 9.6 ‰, (IC 95% 9.5%-9.8%) in the female population. High-risk HPV were found in higher proportion that HPV low-risk genotypes. HPV prevalence correlates inversely with women age. Coinfections of multiple genotypes were found in one third of screened women population. Conclusions. Data showed in this study are the first and wider Spanish results from a cervical cancer screening program population non opportunistic based on HPV detection. These results would serve as a reference for future prevalence studies and to evaluate the future impact of HPV vaccination campaigns (AU)

Evaluation of the antiaggregant activity of ascorbyl phenolic esters with antioxidant properties

Beneficial effects of the antioxidant L-ascorbic acid (Asc) in human health are well known. Its particular role in hemostasis deserves further consideration, since it has been described a dose-dependent effect of Asc in platelet activity. Contrary, it has been demonstrated that phenolic compounds have inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation stimulated by the physiological agonist thrombin (Thr). Here, we have evaluated the actions of three synthetic phenolic esters of Asc: L-ascorbyl 6-protocatechuate (Prot Asc), L-ascorbyl 6-gallate (Gal Asc), and L-ascorbyl 6-caffeate (Caf Asc). All these Asc derivatives exhibited greater radical scavenging activity than Asc, and in experiments using human platelets from healthy subjects, they do not evoke changes in platelet viability upon their administration. Nevertheless, these compounds altered platelet calcium homeostasis in response to Thr, although Prot Asc induced a smaller effect than Gal Asc, Caf Asc, and Asc. As a consequence, platelet aggregation was also impaired by these compounds, reporting Prot Asc and Caf Asc a weaker antiaggregant action than Gal Asc and Asc. Treatments with Gal Asc and Caf Asc altered in larger extent the phosphorylation pattern of pp60Src and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) evoked by stimulating human platelets with Thr. Summarizing, Prot Asc is the ascorbyl phenolic ester with the strongest antioxidant properties and weakest antiaggregant actions, and its use as antioxidant may be safer than the rest of derivatives in order to prevent thrombotic alteration in patients that need treatment with antioxidant therapies (AU)

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Actualización en el tratamiento del herpes zóster / Update in the treatment of herpes zoster

El tratamiento sistémico del herpes zóster acorta el proceso de cicatrización, previene o alivia el dolor y otras complicaciones agudas o crónicas, especialmente cuando se administra en las primeras 72 h de la sintomatología. El tratamiento está especialmente indicado en pacientes mayores de 50 años y en aquellos que, independientemente de la edad, tienen afectación de cabeza y cuello, especialmente en herpes zóster oftálmico. Los fármacos aprobados en Europa para el tratamiento sistémico del herpes zóster son aciclovir, valaciclovir, famciclovir y brivudina. La brivudina presenta una mayor potencia antivaricela zóster que el aciclovir y derivados, y puede darse sólo una vez al día durante 7 días en comparación con la dosificación múltiple de estos últimos. Frente a los anteriores, la brivudina es un fármaco no nefrotóxico que no debe administrarse en inmunodeprimidos o en pacientes en tratamiento con 5-fluouracilo. El tratamiento del herpes zóster, encaminado a disminuir el dolor, debe combinarse con analgésicos y agentes neuroactivos (amitriptilina, gabapentina, etc.). Mientras que los corticoides son de dudosa eficacia en el tratamiento de la neuralgia postherpética, con algunos tratamientos tópicos (capsaicina, parches de lidocaína, etc.) se acorta la intensidad y duración del dolor. Finalmente, en esta revisión se especifican guías de tratamiento para localizaciones especiales (pares craneales) y diferentes subpoblaciones (niños, embarazadas, inmunodeprimidos, etc.)

The systemic treatment of herpes zoster shortens the healing process, and prevents or alleviates pain and other acute or chronic complications, especially when it is administered in the first 72 hours after symptoms appear. This treatment is especially indicated in patients over the age of 50 and in those who, regardless of age, have head and neck involvement, especially in herpes zoster ophthalmicus. The drugs approved in Europe for the systemic treatment of herpes zoster are aciclovir, valaciclovir, famciclovir and brivudine. Brivudine shows greater effectiveness against the varicella-zoster virus than aciclovir and its derivatives, and can be given just once a day for seven days, compared to multiple doses of the latter. As opposed to the others, brivudine is a non-nephrotoxic drug that should not be administered to immunodepressed patients or to those being treated with 5-fluorouracil. The treatment of herpes zoster to reduce pain should be combined with analgesics and neuroactive agents (amitriptyline, gabapentin, etc.). While corticosteroids are of dubious efficacy in the treatment of post-herpes neuralgia, the intensity and duration of the pain can be reduced with some topical treatments (capsaicin, lidocaine patches, etc.). Finally, this review discusses treatment guidelines for special locations (cranial nerves) and different subpopulations (children, pregnant women, immunodepressed patients, etc.)

Intoxicación por litio desencadenada por un proceso febril. A propósito de un caso / Lithium intoxication triggered by a process of high temperature. Concerning a case

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Actualización en melanoma: incidencia, desarrollo y aspectos biológicos / Update on melanoma: incidence, development and biological aspects

El melanoma es un tumor maligno, altamente metastásico, que ha experimentado en los últimos 40 años un incremento espectacular en todas sus formas clínicas, triplicando su incidencia. Además de la predisposición genética, las exposiciones solares intensas y puntuales en pacientes con piel clara, junto a los antecedentes de quemadura solar en la infancia, constituyen el principal factor de riesgo para su aparición. Muchas observaciones clínicas e histológicas sugieren una clara interacción entre el sistema inmune del huésped y el melanoma. En la progresión de la enfermedad, en el paso de una fase de crecimiento horizontal a una fase invasiva de crecimiento vertical, factor determinante del pronóstico, intervienen factores sólo parcialmente conocidos. La angiogénesis o desarrollo de nuevos vasos, es necesaria para mantener el crecimiento, invasión y capacidad metastásica de un tumor. Entre las citocinas proangiogénicas, secretadas por las células de melanoma, destacan el VEGF y el bFGF, que favorecen la proliferación endotelial y la capacidad invasiva del tumor. Asimismo se ha demostrado que la presencia de citocinas Th1 en el "ambiente tumoral" impiden la progresión de la enfermedad y favorece la regresión, mientras que un patrón Th2 favorece la invasión e incrementa el potencial metastásico. La disminución en la respuesta inmune del huésped puede estar mediada por la síntesis de citocinas inmunosupresoras (IL-10, TGF-B, VEGF) y por la expresión en su superficie de moléculas de Fas-L, que hacen un punto de vista inmunológico (AU)

Surgical versus interventional procedures in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the clinical characteristics, risk factors, indications and post-intervention complications of patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) submitted to either percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and/or stent placement versus isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). BACKGROUND: Several studies have examined the relative safety and outcome of patients submitted to those interventional procedures compared to CABG. Limited information is available regarding that subject in Puerto Rico. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of the clinical, angiographic, operative, interventional, post-operative and post-interventional data of patients submitted to those procedures in our institution from January 1998 to August 1998. There were 53 patients in the interventional group and 206 patients in the CAGB group. Comparison of quantitative variables by procedure was based on Student t test or Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test; categorical variables were compared using Pearson's chi-square or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, body surface area, or cardiac risk factors. The most common pre-existing cardiovascular diagnosis was unstable angina. Three-vessel disease was the most common angiographic finding among CABG patients (61.7 percent). Two-vessel disease without left anterior descending coronary artery obstruction was significantly more common in the PTCA/Stent patients (58.5 percent). The vast majority (97.6 percent) of patients in the PTCA/Stent group and 52.4 percent of the CABG group had two-vessel intervention. A significantly higher frequency of complications occurred in the CABG group. However, the incidence of major complications, in both groups was not statistically different. Atrial arrhythmias were significantly more frequent in the CABG group. CONCLUSION: A larger prospective study should be conducted in order to corroborate these preliminary findings and seek effective solution to any identifiable problem.