Evolutionary dynamics of HIV-1 subtype C in Brazil.

The extensive genetic diversity of HIV-1 is a major challenge for the prevention and treatment of HIV-1 infections. Subtype C accounts for most of the HIV-1 infections in the world but has been mainly localized in Southern Africa, Ethiopia and India. For elusive reasons, South Brazil harbors the largest HIV-1 subtype C epidemic in the American continent that is elsewhere dominated by subtype B. To investigate this topic, we collected clinical data and viral sequences from 2611 treatment-naïve patients diagnosed with HIV-1 in Brazil. Molecular epidemiology analysis supported 35 well-delimited transmission clusters of subtype C highlighting transmission within South Brazil but also from the South to all other Brazilian regions and internationally. Individuals infected with subtype C had lower probability to be deficient in CD4+ T cells when compared to subtype B. The HIV-1 epidemics in the South was characterized by high female-to-male infection ratios and women-to-child transmission. Our results suggest that HIV-1 subtype C probably takes advantage of longer asymptomatic periods to maximize transmission and is unlikely to outcompete subtype B in settings where the infection of women is relatively less relevant. This study contributes to elucidate factors possibly underlying the geographical distribution and expansion patterns of the most spread HIV-1 subtypes.

Nationwide Study of Drug Resistance Mutations in HIV-1 Infected Individuals under Antiretroviral Therapy in Brazil.

The success of antiretroviral treatment (ART) is threatened by the emergence of drug resistance mutations (DRM). Since Brazil presents the largest number of people living with HIV (PLWH) in South America we aimed at understanding the dynamics of DRM in this country. We analyzed a total of 20,226 HIV-1 sequences collected from PLWH undergoing ART between 2008-2017. Results show a mild decline of DRM over the years but an increase of the K65R reverse transcriptase mutation from 2.23% to 12.11%. This increase gradually occurred following alterations in the ART regimens replacing zidovudine (AZT) with tenofovir (TDF). PLWH harboring the K65R had significantly higher viral loads than those without this mutation (p < 0.001). Among the two most prevalent HIV-1 subtypes (B and C) there was a significant (p < 0.001) association of K65R with subtype C (11.26%) when compared with subtype B (9.27%). Nonetheless, evidence for K65R transmission in Brazil was found both for C and B subtypes. Additionally, artificial neural network-based immunoinformatic predictions suggest that K65R could enhance viral recognition by HLA-B27 that has relatively low prevalence in the Brazilian population. Overall, the results suggest that tenofovir-based regimens need to be carefully monitored particularly in settings with subtype C and specific HLA profiles.

Clinical and Histopathologic Assessment of Facial Melasma After Low-Fluence Q-Switched Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet Laser.

BACKGROUND: Melasma is a frequent and difficult to treat skin disorder. Results of laser therapy are inconsistent. OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and efficacy of low-fluence Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (QS Nd:YAG) laser for melasma treatment and assess recurrence rates and histopathologic findings before and after treatment. METHODS: Twenty patients were treated with 10 weekly sessions of low-fluence 1064-nm QS Nd:YAG laser at 1-week intervals. The modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI) score was evaluated at baseline; 1 week; and 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment. Epidermal melanin quantification was performed on 10 biopsy samples and compared before and after treatment. RESULTS: All patients showed improvement by mMASI scores, range (21%-75%) compared with that at baseline. No permanent side effects occurred. The recurrence rate was 81%. By histopathology, a slight, nonsignificant (p = .305) decrease in melanin deposition was seen in all layers of the epidermis 1 week after the laser treatments ended. CONCLUSION: The results confirm the safety and effectiveness of low-fluence QS Nd:YAG laser for treating melasma; however, the high recurrence suggests poor long-term results when the laser is used as a monotherapy.

Tratamento para rejuvenescimento das mãos com hidroxiapatita de cálcio / Calcium hydroxylapatite-based treatment for rejuvenation of the hands

A hidroxiapatita de cálcio é material biocompatível, não antigênico, biodegradável, opaco, sendo opção viável no tratamento para rejuvenescimento das mãos, aumentando seu volume e reduzindo a visibilidade de veias e tendões. Relatam-se 16 casos tratados com meia seringa de hidroxiapatita de cálcio em cada dorso de mão. Os resultados demonstraram que o tratamento foi seguro, bem tolerado e eficaz, com alto grau de satisfação em 75% dos casos e melhora clínica por até 12 meses após a injeção.

Calcium hydroxylapatite is a biocompatible, non-antigenic, biodegradable, opaque material that is a viable treatment option for rejuvenating the hands by increasing their volume and reducing the visibility of blood vessels and tendons. This article describes 16 cases treated with a half syringe of calcium hydroxylapatite in the back of each hand. The results suggested that the treatment was safe, well tolerated and effective, with a high degree of satisfaction in 75% of cases and clinical improvement for up to 12 months after the injection.

Morphological heterogeneity of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis: relevance of the Rho-like GTPase PbCDC42.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis budding pattern and polymorphic growth were previously shown to be closely linked to the expression of PbCDC42 and to influence the pathogenesis of the fungus. In this work we conducted a detailed morphogenetic evaluation of the yeast-forms of 11 different clinical and environmental P. brasiliensis isolates comprising four phylogenetic lineages (S1, PS2, PS3 and Pb01-like), as well as a PbCDC42 knock-down strain. High variations in the shape and size of mother and bud cells of each isolate were observed but we did not find a characteristic morphologic profile for any of the phylogenetic groups. In all isolates studied, the bud size and shape were demonstrated to be highly dependent on the mother cell. Importantly, we found strong correlations between PbCDC42 expression and both the shape of mother and bud cells and the size of the buds in all isolates and the knock-down strain. Our results suggested that PbCDC42 expression can explain approximately 80% of mother and bud cell shape and 19% of bud cell size. This data support PbCDC42 expression level as being a relevant predictor of P. brasiliensis morphology. Altogether, these findings quantitatively describe the polymorphic nature of the P. brasiliensis yeast form and provide additional support for the key role of PbCDC42 expression on yeast cell morphology.

Laser de érbio 2940nm fracionado no tratamento do fotoenvelhecimento cutâneo da face - avaliação após 15 meses / Use of 2940 erbium fractional laser in the treatment of facial photodamaged skin. 15 months follow-up

Introdução: Os procedimentos fracionados ablativos oferecem resultados consistentes, com menor tempo de recuperação e menor risco de efeitos adversos do que os ablativos não fracionados. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos de uma nova tecnologia fracionada ablativa com laser de érbio (2.940nm) no fotoenvelhecimento facial. Métodos: Pacientes femininas com fotodano moderado na face foram submetidas ao tratamento com laser de érbio 2,940 nm fracionado (Palomar Inc., Burlington MA). Os parâmetros variaram de 5 a 9 mJ/µb com duração de pulso de 250 microssegundos a 5 milissegundos. Foram realizadas duas a seis passadas com 50% de sobreposição. As avaliações clínicas ocorreram 3 dias, 1,4,8 e 12 semanas, e 15 meses após o procedimento. Três dermatologistas não envolvidos no estudo avaliaram a melhora global do fotodano antes e após 3 meses, através de fotografias digitais e de acordo com a seguinte escala: grau 1=melhora menor que 25%; grau 2=melhora de 26-50%; grau 3=melhora de 51-75% e grau 4=melhora de 76 a 100%. Resultados: Doze pacientes (n=12) femininas, com idade variando de 48 a 78 anos foram incluídas.A avaliação após 3 meses, demonstrou que 23% das pacientes obtiveram grau 3, 55% grau 2 e 22% grau 1. Melhora significativa (grau > 2) foi observada em 78% e 63% das rugas periorbitárias e periorais respectivamente. Dois pacientes desenvolveram hiperpigmentação pós-inflamatória transitória. Conclusão: O laser com érbio fracionado mostrou-se eficaz e seguro no tratamento do fotoenvelhecimento moderado. Use of 2940 Erbium fractional laser in the treatment of photodamaged skin: clinical evaluation and follow up

Introduction: Fractional ablative procedures offer more robust results, with shorter recovery time and lower risk of adverse effects compared to non-fractional ablative methods. Objective: To evaluate the effects of a new fractional ablative technology employing Erbium laser (2,940nm) in facial photoaging. Methods: Female patients with moderate facial photodamage were subjected to treatment with a 2,940nm fractional Erbium laser (Palomar Inc., Burlington MA).The parameters varied from 5 to 9 mJ/µb, with pulses of a duration from 250 microseconds to 5 milliseconds.Two to six passes with a 50% overlap were carried out.The clinical evaluations occurred 3 days, 1,4,8 and 12 weeks, and 15 months after the procedure.Three dermatologists who were not involved in the study evaluated the global improvement of the photodamage before and 3 months after the procedures, by reviewing digital pictures, and classified the results according to the following scale: grade 1 = improvement less than 25%; grade 2 = improvement of 26% to 50%; grade 3 = improvement of 51% to 75% and grade 4 = improvement from 76 to 100%. Results: Female patients (n =12), aged 48 to 78 were studied.After 3 months, 23% of the patients were classified as grade 3, 55% as grade 2 and 22% as grade 1. Significant improvement (grade 2) was observed in 78% and 63% of the periorbital and perioral wrinkles, respectively.Two patients developed transitory post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Conclusion: The fractional Erbium laser was shown to be effective and safe in the treatment of moderate photoaging

Experiência no uso do ultrassom focado no tratamento da gordura localizada em 120 pacientes / Experience in the use of focused ultrasound in the treatment of localized fat

Introdução: Existem diversas tecnologias para o tratamento do contorno corporal, embora a maioria apresente baixa eficácia.Os autores relatam sua experiência no uso do ultrassom focado para o tratamento da gordura localizada em 120 pacientes. Materiais e Métodos: 120 pacientes foram submetidos a duas ou três sessões a cada quatro semanas. As áreas tratadas foram abdômen, flancos, coxas, dorso e dobra infraglútea. Resultados: A redução média na circunferência ao final das três sessões foi de 4,95, 4,88 e 3cm para abdômen, flancos e coxas, respectivamente.Conclusão: O ultrassom focado foi procedimento seguro, eficaz e bem tolerado para o remodelamento corporal.

Introduction: There are several techniques for the treatment of the body’s contour.The vast majority, however, are not very effective.We report our experience in the use of focused ultrasound in the treatment of localized fat in 120 patients. Methods: 120 patients underwent 2 or 3 focused ultrasound sessions with 4-week intervals.The abdomen, hips, thighs, dorsum and infragluteal fold were the treated areas. Results: After treatment, there was an average reduction of 4.95, 4.88 and 3 cm in the circumference of the abdomen, hips and thighs, respectively. Conclusion: Focused ultrasound is a safe, effective and well tolerated procedure for remodelling areas of the body.

Fractional photothermolysis for the treatment of hypertrophic scars: clinical experience of eight cases.

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic scars are common problems and represent a challenging condition to treat. Fractional photothermolysis has been effective at resurfacing photodamaged skin, acne scars, and atrophic scars, but there are few reports on its use for hypertrophic scars. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 1,550-nm erbium-doped fiber laser treatment of hypertrophic scars in eight patients. METHODS: Eight patients (skin phototypes II-IV) with hypertrophic scars received monthly treatments with a 1,550-nm erbium-doped fiber laser. Energy settings ranged from 35 to 50 mJ, and eight to 10 passes were applied with treatment levels 6 to 8. An independent physician evaluator assessed the treatment response by comparing pre- and posttreatment clinical photographs using a quartile grading scale (grade 1, < or =25%=minimal to no improvement; grade 2, 26-50%=moderate improvement; grade 3, 51-75%=marked improvement; grade 4, >75%=near total improvement. RESULTS: At four weeks after the last treatment session, a mean grade of 2.4 was achieved based on an independent physician's clinical assessment. Improvement in pigmentation occurred in all hyperpigmented scars. CONCLUSION: Hypertrophic scars can be effectively and safely improved with 1,550-nm erbium-doped fiber laser treatment.

Tratamento com laser fracionado / Fractional laser treatment

Os lasers ablativos, como o laser de CO2 (10.600 nm) e o erbium:YAG (Er:YAG-2.940 nm), removem a epiderme e provocam dano térmico residual na derme. Apresentam algumas desvantagens, como tempo de recuperação prolongado, não podem ser usados fora do rosto e têm risco significativo de efeitos colaterais. Para reduzir esses efeitos colaterais, surgiram os lasers não ablativos, que penetram profundamente na pele e aquecem a derme, poupando a epiderme. Seus efeitos colaterais e o tempo de recuperação são mínimos porém, comparado ao resurfacing ablativo, têm eficácia modesta e requerem múltiplos tratamentos. Lasers fracionados não ablativos foram desenvolvidos para rejuvenescimento cutâneo semelhante ao do laser de CO2, sem os inconvenientes e o pós-operatório deste. O princípio do laser fracionado é poupar áreas de pele sãs entre as áreas tratadas, facilitando e promovendo uma cicatrização mais rápida a partir das áreas poupadas. O resurfacing fracionado não ablativo apresenta bons resultados para o tratamento de rugas finas a moderadas e outros sinais do fotoenvelhecimento cutâneo. Outras indicações são cicatrizes atróficas, cicatrizes de acne, cicatrizes cirúrgicas e há relatos da eficácia no melasma. O tempo de recuperação é rápido, mas os resultados são inferiores aos obtidos com os tratamentos ablativos. Recentemenente surgiram os lasers fracionados ablativos de CO2 (10.600 nm) e érbio (Er:YAG 2.940 nm), com o intuito de se alcançar um resultado semelhante ao dos lasers ablativos, porém com recuperação e risco de efeitos colaterais mais próximos ao dos lasers fracionados não ablativos, já que também poupam áreas de pele sãs entre as áreas tratadas.

Angioma em tufos: relato de um caso tratado com laser corante pulsado / Tufted angioma: a case report treated with pulsed-dye laser

O angioma em tufos é quadro raro, benigno, de proliferação cutânea angiomatosa. Acomete mais crianças e clinicamente caracteriza-se por lesões em placas, vermelho-violáceas, dolorosas e mais freqüentes no tronco. Quando não regride espontaneamente, os tratamentos propostos (cirurgia convencional, corticoterapia, interferon e laser) alcançam pouco sucesso. Descreve-se o caso de uma menina de 11 anos, com angioma em tufos no tronco, tratada com laser corante pulsado que mostrou alívio importante da dor local e redução discreta do tamanho da lesão. A raridade de casos relatados no Brasil e a tentativa terapêutica com laser corante pulsado motivaram a divulgação do caso.

Tufted angioma is a rare, benign, cutaneous angiomatous proliferation. It is more common in children and is clinically characterized by red-purple painfull plaques, more common in trunk. When spontaneous regression does not occur, proposed treatments (conventional surgery, steroid therapy, interferon and laser) achieve little success. We describe a case of a 11-year-old girl with a tufted angioma located in the trunk treated with pulsed-dye laser, showing important relief of local pain, and small reduction in lesion size. We have been motivated to describe this case due to the small number of such reports in Brazil and by the attempt to treat it with pulsed-dye laser.

Laser em dermatologia: princípios físicos, tipos e indicaçöes / Laser in dermatology: phisycal principles, types and indications

O uso de laser em dermatologia tem se expandido muito nos últimos anos. O avanço tecnológico, em mais de 30 anos, permite que a eficácia e as respostas terapêuticas sejam cada vez melhores. Porém, mais complexos tornam-se a compreensäo do seu uso e suas indicaçöes em dermatologia