Adaptación transcultural del cuestionario motion sickness susceptibility questionnaire form short (MSSQ-SHORT) para la población adulta chilena / Cross-cultural adaptation of the motion sickness susceptibility questionnaire form short (MSSQ-SHORT) for the chilean adult population

Resumen Introducción: La cinetosis se relaciona con la presencia de una serie de síntomas que comúnmente son inducidos por situaciones cotidianas de viajes en medios de transporte. Una forma utilizada por décadas para determinar el grado de susceptibilidad a la cinetosis ha sido con la aplicación del cuestionario en su versión acortada Motion Sickness Suscep-tibility-short (MSSQ-short). Objetivo: Adaptar lingüística y transculturalmente al español el cuestionario MSSQ-short. Material y Método: Se llevaron a cabo cuatro etapas: Traducción directa, traducción inversa (retrotraducción), consolidación por un comité de expertos y pretest (aplicabilidad/viabilidad). En la etapa de pre-test 51 personas respondieron el cuestionario. Resultados: La discrepancias encontradas en las primeras etapas fueron resueltas por un tercer traductor, el cual concluyó en un documento final en español que fue analizado y revisado por el comité de expertos. Se determinaron los percentiles del 0 al 100, percentil 50 con 9,0 puntos, percentil 25 con 2,13 puntos y el percentil 75 con 17,4 puntos. La consistencia interna del cuestionario fue de 0,889. Conclusión: La traducción y adaptación transcultural fue aceptada por un comité de expertos y participantes con distintas características demográficas y educacionales. El cuestionario obtuvo buena consistencia interna y resultados concordantes con la versión original.

Abstract Introduction: Motion sickness is related to the presence of a series of symptoms that are typically induced by everyday situations of travel in means of transport. A way used for decades to determine the degree of susceptibility to motion sickness has been with the application of the questionnaire in its shortened version Motion Sickness Susceptibility-short (MSSQ-short). Aim: Linguistically and cross-culturally adapt the MSSQ-short questionnaire to Spanish. Material and Method: Four stages were carried out: direct translation, reverse translation (back translation), consolidation by a committee of experts, and pretest (applicability/feasibility). In the pre-test stage, 51 people answered the questionnaire. Results: The discrepancies found in the early stages were resolved by a third translator, which concluded in a final document in Spanish that was analyzed and reviewed by the expert committee. The percentiles from 0 to 100 were determined, 50th percentile with 9.0 points, 25th percentile with 2.13 points, and 75th percentile with 17.4 points. The internal consistency of the questionnaire was 0.889. Conclusion: The cross-cultural translation and adaptation were accepted by a committee of experts and participants with different demographic and educational characteristics. The questionnaire obtained good internal consistency and results consistent with the original version.

A multi-elemental approach to assess potential contamination in tourist beaches: The case of Loreto Bay (Marine Protected Area), NW Mexico.

Metal/metalloid concentrations in water sediment and commercial fishes of Loreto Maritime National Park (MNP), Baja California Sur, Mexico were determined for a comprehensive geochemical study. In-situ physical characteristics (pH, conductivity, redox potential, dissolved oxygen, turbidity) of water clearly indicated the unique oceanographic properties of the Gulf of California. Likewise, the distribution pattern of metals/metalloid in water, sediments and fishes denoted the influences of local geology, longshore currents, upwelling process, natural hydrothermal vents and the 100-year old mining activities of Santa Rosalia region, situated to the north of Loreto. Calculated carcinogenic indices in commercial fish species showed safe human consumption. Thus, the present research validates a comprehensive geochemical study of protected areas upholding the need for continuous monitoring for a better conservation of coastal ecosystems.

Prolactin decreases LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting TLR-4/NFκB signaling in the human placenta.

Prolactin (PRL) plays an important role in trophoblast growth, placental angiogenesis and immunomodulation within the feto-maternal interface, where different cell types secrete PRL and express its receptor. During pregnancy, inflammatory signalling is a deleterious event that has been associated with poor fetal outcomes. The placenta is highly responsive to the inflammatory stimulus; however, the actions of PRL in placental immunity and inflammation remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate PRL effects on the TLR4/NFkB signalling cascade and associated inflammatory targets in cultured explants from healthy term human placentas. An in utero inflammatory scenario was mimicked using lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from Escherichia coli. PRL significantly reduced LPS-dependent TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 secretion and intracellular levels. Mechanistically, PRL prevented LPS-mediated upregulation of TLR-4 expression and NFκB phosphorylation. In conclusion, PRL limited inflammatory responses to LPS in the human placenta, suggesting that this hormone could be critical in inhibiting exacerbated immune responses to infections that could threaten pregnancy outcome. This is the first evidence of a mechanism for anti-inflammatory activity of PRL in the human placenta, acting as a negative regulator of TLR-4/NFkB signaling.

Decreased Expression of the CD57 Molecule in T Lymphocytes of Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by a prolonged incapacitating fatigue, headaches, sleep disturbances, and decreases in cognition, besides alterations in other physiological functions. At present, no specific biological markers have been described in this pathology. In the present study, we analyzed in lymphocytes the CD57 expression for the diagnosis of CFS, evaluating both the percentage of blood lymphocytes expressing CD57 and the average amount of the molecule expressed per cell. The study demonstrated a marked and significant decrease in the expression of CD57 in lymphocytes of CFS patients regarding healthy controls. In T lymphocytes, the decrease was significant both in the percentage of cells expressing CD57 (7.5 ± 1.2 vs 13.3 ± 1.6, p = 0.024) and in a more relevant way in the amount of CD57 molecule expressed per cell (331 ± 59 vs 1003 ± 104, p ≤ 0.0001). In non-T lymphocytes, the decrease was significant only in the amount of CD57 expressed per cell (379 ± 114 vs 691 ± 95, p = 0.007). The study of CD57 antigen in blood lymphocytes is a useful marker that could cooperate in the diagnosis of CFS patients. Its decrease in T lymphocytes provides most valuable results than the results in other lymphocyte subpopulations.

Hallazgos audiológicos en personas menores de 65 años diagnosticadas con osteoporosis: estudio preliminar / Audiological findings in persons under age of 65 diagnosed with osteoporosis: preliminary study

RESUMEN Introducción: La osteoporosis afecta a 200 millones de personas en el mundo y corresponde a una enfermedad crónica que afecta más a mujeres que a hombres, con una prevalencia en Chile del 1,7% y 0,2%, respectivamente. Debido al gran porcentaje de pacientes que la padecen, se han llevado a cabo diversos estudios sobre los síntomas secundarios que pueden encontrarse en esta patología. En el último tiempo, se ha investigado la osteoporosis como un factor de riesgo para padecer pérdida auditiva. Objetivo: Comparar los resultados de umbrales auditivos aéreos, timpanometria y reflejos acústicos ipsilaterales entre pacientes con osteoporosis y pacientes sin osteoporosis, menores de 65 años sin otra patología de base. Material y método: Estudio preliminar de tipo observacional de caso y controles con alcance exploratorio. Se analizaron 28 oídos de una muestra conformada por un grupo estudio de 7 participantes con osteoporosis y un grupo control de 7 participantes sin osteoporosis. Se evaluó el sistema tímpano osicular con la timpanometria y el umbral del reflejo acústico estapedial ipsilateral, y el nivel auditivo por frecuencia con la audiometria tonal. Resultados: Se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ambos grupos en los umbrales auditivos, con predominancia sensorioneural en el grupo estudio, y en los umbrales del reflejo acústico ipsilateral. Conclusión: La osteoporosis podría ser un factor de riesgo para padecer pérdida auditiva del tipo sensorioneural. Es necesario continuar el estudio para obtener resultados con mayor representatividad.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Osteoporosis affects over 200 million people in the world and corresponds to a chronic disease that affects more women than men, with a prevalence in Chile of 1.7% and 0.2% respectively. Due to the large percentage of patients who suffer it, several studies about the secondary symptoms that can be found in this pathology have been carried out. In the last time, osteoporosis has been investigated as a risk factor for hearing loss. Aim: To compare the results of air auditory thresholds, tympanometry, and ipsilateral acoustic reflexes in patients with osteoporosis versus patients without osteoporosis, under 65 years old without another underlying disease. Material and method: Preliminary study of observational type of case and controls with exploratory scope. We analyzed 28 ears of a sample consisted of a group study of 7 participants with osteoporosis and a control group of 7 participants without osteoporosis. The tympanic oscillating system and auditory level of each participant were evaluated with tympanometry, ipsilateral stapedial acoustic reflex threshold and tonal audiometry. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed between both groups in the auditory thresholds with a sensorineural predominance and in the ipsilateral stapedial acoustic reflex thresholds. Conclusions: The osteoporosis could be a risk factor for suffer hearing loss of sensorineural type. It is necessary to continue the study to obtain results with greater representativeness.

Metal concentrations in recent ash fall of Popocatepetl volcano 2016, Central Mexico: Is human health at risk?

The present study addresses the metal concentration pattern and associated human health risks in ash samples of Popocatepetl volcano. In this regard, 12 ash samples from different regions of Puebla City were collected and analyzed for 28 major and trace metals, out of which exclusively 8 metals of potential risk (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb & Zn) were selected for human health risk validation. The metal concentration pattern showed an enriching trend for ferromagnesium and carbonate elements compared to previous ash eruptions. Enrichment factor and geoaccumulation indices displayed a least significant enhancement of metals from baseline concentrations. More likely, the potential ecological risk index suggested no harmful biological effects due to the presence of these metals in ash. Concurrently, in the human health risk assessment model, the hazard quotient and hazard index values < 1 indicated safe levels and no carcinogenic effects. All-inclusive, this study highlights the context of metals in ash fall of Popocatepetl which presents no adverse effects over the human population.

The First Year of the AEVD Primary Cutaneous Lymphoma Registry. / Registro de linfomas cutáneos primarios de la AEDV: primer año de funcionamiento.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Primary cutaneous lymphomas are uncommon. This article describes the Primary Cutaneous Lymphoma Registry of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV) and reports on the results from the first year. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Disease registry for patients with primary cutaneous lymphoma. The participating hospitals prospectively recorded data on diagnosis, treatment, tests, and disease stage for all patients with primary cutaneous lymphoma. A descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: In December 2017, the registry contained data on 639 patients (60% male) from 16 university hospitals. The most common diagnoses, in order of frequency, were mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome (MF/SS) (348 cases, 55%), primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (CBCL) (184 cases, 29%), primary cutaneous CD30+ T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder (CD30+ CLPD) (70 cases, 11%), and other types of T-cell lymphoma (37 cases, 5%). In total, 105 (16.5%) of the cases recorded were incident cases. The most common diagnosis in the MF/SS group was classic MF (77.3%). Half of the patients with MF had stage IA disease when diagnosed, and the majority were either in partial remission (32.5%) or had stable disease (33.1%). The most widely used treatments were topical corticosteroids (90.8%) and phototherapy. The most common form of primary CBCL was marginal zone lymphoma (50%). Almost all of the patients had cutaneous involvement only and nearly half had stage T1a disease. Most (76.1%) were in complete remission. The main treatments were surgery (55.4%) and radiotherapy (41.9%). The most common diagnosis in patients with CD30+ CLPD was lymphomatoid papulosis (68.8%). Most of the patients (31.4%) had stage T3b disease and half were in complete remission. The most common treatments were topical corticosteroids (68.8%) and systemic chemotherapy (32.9%). CONCLUSION: The characteristics of patients with primary cutaneous lymphoma in Spain do not differ from those described in other series in the literature. The registry will facilitate clinical research by the AEDV's lymphoma group.

Neonatal exposure to oestradiol increases dopaminergic transmission in nucleus accumbens and morphine-induced conditioned place preference in adult female rats.

Steroid sex hormones produce physiological effects in reproductive tissues and also in nonreproductive tissues, such as the brain, particularly in cortical, limbic and midbrain areas. Dopamine (DA) neurones involved in processes such as prolactin secretion (tuberoinfundibular system), motor circuit regulation (nigrostriatal system) and driving of motivated behaviour (mesocorticolimbic system) are specially regulated by sex hormones. Indeed, sex hormones promote neurochemical and behavioural effects induced by drugs of abuse by tuning midbrain DA neurones in adult animals. However, the long-term effects induced by neonatal exposure to sex hormones on dopaminergic neurotransmission have not been fully studied. The present study aimed to determine whether a single neonatal exposure with oestradiol valerate (EV) results in a programming of dopaminergic neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) of adult female rats. To answer this question, electrophysiological, neurochemical, cellular, molecular and behavioural techniques were used. The data show that frequency but not amplitude of the spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current is significantly increased in NAcc medium spiny neurones of EV-treated rats. In addition, DA content and release are both increased in the NAcc of EV-treated rats, caused by an increased synthesis of this neurotransmitter. These results are functionally associated with a higher percentage of EV-treated rats conditioned to morphine, a drug of abuse, compared to controls. In conclusion, neonatal programming with oestradiol increases NAcc dopaminergic neurotransmission in adulthood, which may be associated with increased reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse.

Progesterone suppresses the lipopolysaccharide-induced pro-inflammatory response in primary mononuclear cells isolated from human placental blood.

Progesterone is an essential hormone that induces deep immune adaptations favoring pregnancy maintenance. We aimed at evaluating the effects of progesterone on the synthesis of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines by mononuclear cells isolated from human placental blood stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, emulating an infection-inflammation environment. Mononuclear cells isolated form human placental blood were obtained from nine women undergoing elective cesarean delivery at term (not in labor), isolated by density gradient sedimentation, cultured and co-stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (500 ng/ml) from Escherichia coli in the presence or not of progesterone (0.01, 0.1, or 1.0 µM) for 24 h. Culture supernatants were assayed for pro-inflammatory (IL-1ß, TNFα, IL-6), anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines, chemokines (IL-8, MIP-1α) and total MMP-9 by ELISA. In comparison with basal conditions, lipopolysaccharide treatment induced IL-1ß, TNFα, IL-6, IL-8, MIP-1α, and MMP-9 synthesis. lipopolysaccharide co-treatment with progesterone significantly decreased the bacterial endotoxin-induced IL-1ß, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and MIP-1α secretion. In contrast, co-treatment with progesterone increased the level of IL-10 secreted to the culture medium. The present results support the concept that progesterone can modulate--partially--the inflammatory response of professional immune cells isolated from placental blood. Therefore, progesterone might be part of the natural compensatory mechanism that limits the cytotoxic effects associated with an intrauterine infection process during gestation.

Trastornos temporomandibulares en la infancia: bruxismo de sueño y compromiso de atm en artritis idiopática juvenil / Temporomandibular disorders in childhood: sleep bruxism and temporomandibular joint involvement in juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Los trastornos temporomandibulares (TTM) corresponden a un grupo de condiciones musculoesqueletales y neruromusculares que involucran las articulaciones temporomandibulares (ATM), los músculos masticatorios y todos los tejidos asociados. La etiología de los TTM es considerada multifactorial, siendo el bruxismo de sueño (BS) uno de muchos factores asociados con TTM dolorosos. Tanto los TTM como el BS se presentan en adultos y niños y actualmente es sabido que la etiopatogenia de ambos no difiere de acuerdo a la edad. Las ATM son articulaciones sinoviales que pueden verse afectadas por diversos TTM o por condiciones sistémicas como la artritis idiopática juvenil (AIJ). La ATM está involucrada en un 40% de los pacientes con AIJ, siendo subestimada debido a que clínica-mente se manifiesta con poco dolor. En el presente artículo se revisarán los conceptos de TTM y BS en niños, así como también la manifestación de la AIJ en el territorio orofacial, entregando una aproximación de su etiopatogenia, identificación y manejo.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) encompass a group of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions that involve the temporomandibular joints (TMJ), the masticatory muscles, and all associated tissues. TMD's etiology is considered to be mul-tifactorial, were sleep bruxism (SB) is one of many causes of painful TMD. TMD and SB can present in adults and children and the etiology does not differ regarding age.TMJ are synovial joints that can be affected by many TMD as well as systemic conditions such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). TMJ are involved in 40% of patients with JIA, which is usually underestimated because of its painless presentation.This article will review the concepts of TMD and SB in children, as well as JIA presentation in the orofacial region.

In vitro progesterone modulation on bacterial endotoxin-induced production of IL-1ß, TNFα, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, MIP-1α, and MMP-9 in pre-labor human term placenta.

BACKGROUND: During human pregnancy, infection/inflammation represents an important factor that increases the risk of developing preterm labor. The purpose of this study was to determine if pre-treatment with progesterone has an immunomodulatory effect on human placenta production of endotoxin-induced inflammation and degradation of extracellular matrix markers. METHODS: Placentas were obtained under sterile conditions from pregnancies delivered at term before the onset of labor by cesarean section. Explants from central cotyledons of 10 human placentas were pre-treated with different concentrations of progesterone (0.01, 01, 1.0 µM) and then stimulated with 1000 ng/mL of LPS of Escherichia coli. Cytokines TNFα, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, MIP-1α, IL-10 concentrations in the culture medium were then measured by specific ELISA. Secretion profile of MMP-9 was evaluated by ELISA and zymogram. Statistical differences were determined by one-way ANOVA followed by the appropriate ad hoc test; P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In comparison to the explants incubated with vehicle, the LPS treatment led to a significant increase in the level of all cytokines. In comparison to the explants treated only with LPS, pre-treatment with 0.01-1.0 µM progesterone significantly blunted (73, 56, 56, 75, 25, 48 %) the secretion of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, MIP-1α, IL-10, respectively. The MMP-9 induced by LPS treatment was inhibited only with the highest concentration of progesterone. Mifepristone (RU486) blocked the immunosuppressive effect of progesterone. CONCLUSIONS: The present results support the concept that progesterone could be part of the compensatory mechanism that limits the inflammation-induced cytotoxic effects associated with an infection process during gestation.

PstS-1, the 38-kDa Mycobacterium tuberculosis glycoprotein, is an adhesin, which binds the macrophage mannose receptor and promotes phagocytosis.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the primary causative agent of tuberculosis, infects macrophages and transforms the hostile intracellular environment into a permissive niche. M. tuberculosis infects macrophages using a variety of microbial ligand/cell receptor systems. In this study, binding assays with biotin-labelled mycobacterial cell wall proteins revealed five Concanavalin A-reactive proteins that bind macrophages. Among these proteins, we identified PstS-1, a 38-kDa M. tuberculosis mannosylated glycolipoprotein, and characterized it as an adhesin. Inhibition assays with mannan and immunoprecipitation demonstrated that PstS-1 binds the mannose receptor. We purified PstS-1 to 95.9% purity using ion exchange chromatography. The presence of mannose in purified PstS-1 was demonstrated by Concanavalin A interaction, which was abolished in the presence of sodium m-periodate and α-D-mannosidase. Gas chromatography revealed that purified PstS-1 contained 1% of carbohydrates by weight, which was mainly mannose. Finally, we used fluorescent microbeads coated with purified PstS-1 in phagocytosis assays and discovered that microbead uptake was inhibited by the pre-incubation of cells with GlcNAc, mannan and α-methyl mannoside. The interaction of PstS-1 coated beads with the mannose receptor was confirmed by confocal colocalization studies that showed high Pearson and Manders's colocalization coefficients. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the strategies M. tuberculosis uses to infect host cells, the critical first step in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis.

Evidence of an immunosuppressive effect of progesterone upon in vitro secretion of proinflammatory and prodegradative factors in a model of choriodecidual infection.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether progesterone (P4) is able to modulate the secretion of tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) after choriodecidual stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). DESIGN: Chorioamnionitis-elicited preterm delivery is associated with an uncontrolled secretion of proinflammatory cytokines that may induce MMPs, which modify the fine immunological and structural equilibrium at the fetal-maternal interface. SETTING: Instituto Nacional de Perinatología 'Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes', Mexico City. SAMPLE: Twelve human fetal membranes at term from healthy patients were placed in a two-chamber culture system. METHODS: Choriodecidual and amniotic regions were preincubated with 1.0, 0.1, or 0.01 µmol/l P4 for 24 hours; after which the choriodecidual region was costimulated with 1000 ng/ml of LPS for 24 hours. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Descriptive statistics were obtained for each variable. Data distribution was tested for normality using Kolmogorov-Smirnoff and Shapiro-Wilk tests. When distribution was normal, Student's t test was used to analyse for differences among groups. Mann-Whitney's U test was used when data were not normally distributed. RESULTS: Pretreatment with 1.0 µmol/l P4 significantly blunted the secretion of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10. MMP-9 was inhibited with 0.1 µmol/l P4. Mifepristone (RU486) blocked the immunosuppressive effect of P4, suggesting a P4 effect mediated by its receptor. CONCLUSION: These results offer evidence to support the concept that P4 can protect the fetal-placental unit through a compensatory mechanism that partially limits the secretion of proinflammatory and prodegradative modulators.

Neonatal exposure to estradiol valerate increases dopamine content in nigrostriatal pathway during adulthood in the rat.

Research in programming has focused in the study of stimuli that affect sensitive periods of development such as prenatal and neonatal stage. We previously showed that exposure to estradiol valerate to female rats during the first 12 h of life increased catecholamine content in ventromedial-arcuatus hypothalamus of the adult rat. However, changes in others dopaminergic circuits have not been studied. The purpose of this work was to determine the neurotransmitters changes induced by neonatal estradiol valerate (0.1 mg/50 µl s. c. per rat) administration on nigrostriatal pathway of adult female rats. Sesame oil (50 µl s. c. per rat) was administered in a control parallel group. EV-1 adult rats presented effective markers of long-term estrogenization as decreased serum levels of progesterone and a reduction in the size of estrogen-sensitive organs. In the brain, neonatal estradiol valerate administration led to a significant increase in dopamine content in striatum, substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. With respect to the contents of dopamine metabolites, only 3-methoxytyramine content increased in substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. In addition, the content of noradrenaline increased only in striatum. Interestingly, estrogenized rats lacked locomotor activity induced by acute dose of amphetamine (1 mg/kg i. p.). Altogether, these results show that neonatal exposure to estradiol valerate permanently modified the content of monoamine neurotransmitters in nigrostriatal pathway and amphetamine-induced locomotor activity of adult female rats. This might imply that estrogenized rats could have changes in the expression of key proteins in dopaminergic regulation, as tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine transporter.

Outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Fuenlabrada, Madrid.

BACKGROUND: Leishmaniasis, an endemic infection in Spain, is caused by protozoan parasites of the Leishmania genus. Between 2010 and 2012, there was an outbreak of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis in Fuenlabrada, Madrid. OBJECTIVES: To describe the cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis diagnosed over a 17-month period at the dermatology department of Hospital de Fuenlabrada. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed the epidemiological, clinical, histological, and microbiological features of each case and also evaluated the treatments administered and outcomes. RESULTS: We studied 149 cases. The incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis showed a peak in the age range between 46 and 60 years and was similar in men and women. At the time of consultation, the lesions had been present for between 2 and 6 months in the majority of patients. The most common clinical presentation was with erythematous plaques and papules without crusts (52% of cases). Lesions were most often located in sun-exposed areas and were multiple in 57% of patients. In 67% of cases, the histological study showed non-necrotizing granulomatous dermatitis with no evidence of parasites using conventional staining methods. Diagnosis was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 98% of patients. In the remaining cases, the histological study revealed Leishman-Donovan bodies in the skin. Intralesional pentavalent antimonials were the most commonly used drugs (76% of cases) and produced satisfactory results. CONCLUSIONS: We have presented a large series of cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis diagnosed in the context of an outbreak. Multiple papules were the most common clinical presentation, with histology that showed non-necrotizing granulomatous dermatitis with no evidence of parasites. PCR of skin samples was the test that most frequently provided the diagnosis.

Differential DNA damage response to UV and hydrogen peroxide depending of differentiation stage in a neuroblastoma model.

DNA is a frequent target of oxidative damage, and DNA damage removal is therefore a crucial process in prevention of or recovery from degenerative diseases. DNA repair is an essential system for maintaining the inherited nucleotide sequence of genomic DNA over time. Cells engage in efficient DNA repair mechanisms, the activity of which can vary depending on the type of lesion and the developmental stage. Base excision repair (BER) and nucleotide excision repair (NER) are the major repair pathways addressed in this study. BER is the principal mechanism for repair of DNA oxidative lesions, while NER is the mechanism for repair of a variety of helix-distorting lesions such as those caused by UV radiation. Recent studies suggest that NER plays a cooperative role in removal of oxidative lesions. Little is known about the roles of DNA damage sensors and repair factors in terminally differentiated, non-proliferating cells such as neurons, which are vulnerable to oxidative damage from reactive oxygen species generated by endogenous or exogenous agents. We used the human neuroblastoma MSN cell model to investigate whether terminally differentiated neuronal cells respond to lesions cause in the DNA helix, such as UV-induced CPD and the major DNA oxidative lesion 8OHdG, and thereby clarify the role of NER capacity. We observed differences in DNA damage removal depending on the challenge insult and the differentiation state. Differentiated MSN cells, compared with undifferentiated cells, showed greater sensitivity to UVC and decreased DNA damage over time. In contrast, undifferentiated cells displayed genotoxicity induced by oxidative insult and tended to accumulate DNA damage and 8OHdG lesions over time. Our findings suggest the participation of GG-NER, TC-NER and BER proteins in the removal of 8-OHG and CPDs indicating a dynamic role in overall response to damage.

Bullous hemorrhagic dermatosis at distant sites: a report of 2 new cases due to enoxaparin injection and a review of the literature.

Enoxaparin is a low-molecular-weight heparin used in the prevention and treatment of pulmonary thromboembolism and other thrombotic disorders. The most common adverse reactions to enoxaparin are ecchymosis, skin necrosis, urticaria, angioedema, and eczema. The first 2 cases of bullous hemorrhagic dermatosis in areas distant from heparin injection sites were described in 2006. We present the cases of 2 men, aged 68 and 78 years, with progressive, advanced-stage lung cancer, who consulted with bullous hemorrhagic lesions without associated symptoms. Both patients reported that the lesions had appeared after initiation of heparin therapy at therapeutic doses. In our review of the literature, we found just 7 cases of heparin-induced bullous hemorrhagic dermatosis. We report a further 2 cases, caused by enoxaparin, in which treatment was continued and in which the lesions resolved in 2 to 3 weeks.