Eczema Herpeticum: Clinical Insights and Pathogenesis Hypotheses on Basolateral Adhesion Proteins.

Eczema herpeticum (EH) is a severe viral complication caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) that occurs in individuals with compromised skin barriers, such as those with atopic dermatitis (AD). EH is characterized by the rapid spread of HSV across skin lesions, potentially leading to systemic involvement. Although commonly observed in the context of AD, EH can also arise in various dermatological conditions, necessitating prompt recognition and management by healthcare providers. This case report details the diagnosis and treatment of EH in a five-year-old girl with a history of AD who presents with fever and painful skin lesions. Despite the absence of confirmatory tests initially, a positive IgM anti-HSV-1 serology, combined with clinical presentation, supported the diagnosis of EH. The patient received intravenous aciclovir, resulting in significant improvement within 48 hours. This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, particularly when confirmatory tests are not available. The report discusses the clinical presentation of EH, which includes vesicular lesions, fever, and rapid progression. The differential diagnosis includes chickenpox, impetigo, eczema vaccinatum, and contact dermatitis. Understanding the epidemiology and pathogenesis of EH, especially in relation to AD, is crucial for effective management. The case also introduces a novel hypothesis linking structural protein alterations to immune dysfunction in EH, suggesting a need for further research. Acyclovir remains the gold standard for treating EH, and timely intervention is essential. This case underscores the necessity of a diagnostic algorithm in the absence of guidelines and highlights the role of IgM serology and clinical judgment in managing suspected EH cases.

Acquired Bilateral Nevus of Ota-Like Macules: A Case Report.

Facial melanoses (FM) present complex diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, particularly in the setting of dermal melanocytoses (DM). We present a case that illustrates these challenges as it does not fit within existing classification frameworks. Initially considered as Ota nevus, characterized by blue or dark pigmentation and scleral involvement, histopathological findings suggested acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules (ABNOM). While ABNOM, more common in Asians, rarely affects the sclera or children, recent studies indicate that it may be underdiagnosed in these groups. Differential diagnosis ruled out other FM causes due to mucosal involvement. Correct classification is essential for epidemiological accuracy and treatment decisions, especially given varying responses to Q-switched laser therapy and melanoma risks associated with Ota nevus and ABNOM. While the pathogenesis remains unclear, a two-hit model involving shared melanoma mutations in melanocytes has been proposed and warrants further molecular study.

Evaluation of prostate cancer detection using micro-ultrasound versus MRI through co-registration to whole-mount pathology.

Micro-ultrasound has recently been introduced as a low-cost alternative to multi-parametric MRI for imaging prostate cancer. Early clinical studies have demonstrated promising results; however, robust validation via comparison with whole-mount pathology has yet to be achieved. Due to micro-ultrasound probe design and tissue deformation during scanning, it is difficult to accurately correlate micro-ultrasound imaging planes with ground truth whole-mount pathology slides. In this study, we developed a multi-step methodology to co-register micro-ultrasound and MRI to whole-mount pathology. The three-step process had a registration error of 3.90 ± 0.11 mm and consists of: (1) micro-ultrasound image reconstruction, (2) 3D landmark registration of micro-ultrasound to MRI, and (3) 2D capsule registration of MRI to whole-mount pathology. This process was then used in a preliminary reader study to compare the diagnostic accuracy of micro-ultrasound and MRI in 15 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. Micro-ultrasound was found to have equivalent performance to retrospective MRI review for index lesion detection (91.7% vs. 80%), while demonstrating an increased detection of tumor extent (52.5% vs. 36.7%) with similar false positive regions-of-interest (38.3% vs. 40.8%). Prospective MRI review had reduced detection of index lesions (73.3%) and tumor extent (18.9%) but improved false positive regions-of-interest (22.7%) relative to micro-ultrasound and retrospective MRI. Further evaluation is needed with a larger sample size.

Microsporum canis-Induced Tinea Capitis: A Rapid Screening Algorithm.

Tinea capitis is a common fungal infection of the scalp, primarily affecting children, and caused by fungi like Trichophyton and Microsporum. Its pathogenesis is influenced by both host-specific and environmental factors, resulting in various clinical presentations including hair loss and scaling of the scalp. We present the case of an eight-year-old male with tinea capitis, characterized by itching and hair loss in the occipital area. Examination revealed characteristic findings on trichoscopy, and direct examination of hair confirmed parasitization. Treatment with terbinafine was initiated, leading to the resolution of symptoms. Epidemiological variations in the etiology of tinea capitis exist globally, with Trichophyton predominating in some regions and Microsporum in others. Trichoscopy is a valuable diagnostic tool for differentiating fungal infections, guiding treatment decisions. Despite the efficiency of direct skin and hair examination, the common occurrence of tinea and the lack of mycological centers in many clinics pose challenges. To address this, we propose integrating trichoscopy and epidemiological and clinical data for a quick in-office decision tool.

An Immune-Based Therapeutical Approach in an Elderly Patient With Fixed Cutaneous Sporotrichosis.

Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous fungal infection caused by thermally dimorphic fungi from the Sporothrix genus, primarily prevalent in tropical regions of Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Mexico's Jalisco state is an endemic hotspot with a remarkable prevalence rate of 54.4%. Clinical presentation varies based on immune status and virulence. The most common form is cutaneous-lymphangitic (67%), with fixed cutaneous cases accounting for 28%. This case study explores a traditional therapeutic approach for fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis but introduces a distinct immunological perspective.

Childhood cancer data initiative: Status report.

In March 2023, over 800 researchers, clinicians, patients, survivors, and advocates from the pediatric oncology community met to discuss the progress of the National Cancer Institute's Childhood Cancer Data Initiative. We present here the status of the initiative's efforts in building its data ecosystem and updates on key programs, especially the Molecular Characterization Initiative and the planned Coordinated National Initiative for Rare Cancers in Children and Young Adults. These activities aim to improve access to childhood cancer data, foster collaborations, facilitate integrative data analysis, and expand access to molecular characterization, ultimately leading to the development of innovative therapeutic approaches.

Focal therapy of prostate cancer: Assessment with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) imaging.

Focal therapy of prostate cancer (PCa) is currently of great interest, but a metric of success. other than biopsy, is not yet available. In a patient with a repeatedly negative MRI and negative systematic biopsies, a scan employing the radioisotope 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT identified a PSMA-avid hotspot in the prostate. PSMA-guided biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of a clinically-significant PCa. Following ablation of the lesion with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), the PSMA-avid lesion disappeared and targeted biopsy confirmed a fibrotic scar with no residual cancer. PSMA imaging may have a role in guiding diagnosis, focal ablation, and follow-up of men with PCa.

Cognitive Rehabilitation: Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Relevance of OTPF.

There is increased awareness of the long-term cognitive sequelae of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Therefore, researchers and clinicians have developed and tested cognitive training protocols to address these challenges. The current review summarized literature that examined existing cognitive rehabilitation/training programs. Specifically, the review listed the impact of these programs on functional domains informed by the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF). Literature between the years 2008 and 2022 was gathered from nine databases. Results indicate that several cognitive rehabilitation programs have proven to positively influence domains of occupation, client factors, performance, and context. Occupational therapy practitioners have an opportunity to engage in mTBI management. Furthermore, adopting domains of OTPF may guide assessments, treatment planning, and long-term follow-up.

Cryotherapy for partial gland ablation of prostate cancer: Oncologic and safety outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Partial gland ablation (PGA) is a new option for treatment of prostate cancer (PCa). Cryotherapy, an early method of PGA, has had favorable evaluations, but few studies have employed a strict protocol using biopsy endpoints in men with clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). METHODS: 143 men with unilateral csPCa were enrolled in a prospective, observational trial of outpatient PGA-cryotherapy. Treatment was a 2-cycle freeze of the affected prostate part. Participants were evaluated with MRI-guided biopsy (MRGB) at baseline and at 6 months and 18 months after treatment. Absence of csPCa upon MRGB was the primary endpoint; quality-of-life at baseline and at 6 months after treatment was assessed by EPIC-CP questionnaires in the domains of urinary and sexual function. RESULTS: Of the 143 participants, 136 (95%) completed MRGB at 6 months after treatment. In 103/136 (76%), the biopsy revealed no csPCa. Of the 103, 71 subsequently had an 18-month comprehensive biopsy; of the 71 with 18-month biopsies, 46 (65%) were found to have no csPCa. MRI lesions became undetectable in 96/130 (74%); declines in median serum PSA levels (6.9 to 2.5 ng/mL), PSA density (0.15 to 0.07), and prostate volume (42 to 34cc) were observed (all p < 0.01). Neither lesion disappearance on MRI nor PSA decline correlated with biopsy outcome. Urinary function was affected only slightly and sexual function moderately. CONCLUSION: In the near to intermediate term, partial gland ablation with cryotherapy was found to be a safe and moderately effective treatment of intermediate-risk prostate cancer. Eradication of cancer was better determined by MRI-guided biopsy than by MRI or PSA.

Psychosocial Resources Predicting Maternal and Paternal Positive Parenting and Lower Child Abuse Risk.

Young children have the highest victimization rates of physical abuse in their first year of life, making up nearly half of all child abuse-related fatalities. More effective prevention is needed to reduce child victimization, yet many risk reduction models rely on problematic inclusion criteria, only intervene after maltreatment has occurred, or focus only on mothers. More proactive prevention models that promote positive parenting practices early in the transition to parenthood could be key to reducing child maltreatment. The current study sought to assess how both mothers' and fathers' psychosocial resources (e.g., emotion regulation, coping, and social support) and empathy can predict positive parenting and predict lower child abuse risk across time in a cross-lagged model. Parenting and abuse risk were examined prenatally, through the transition into parenthood, until children were 4 years old. First time mothers and their partners were recruited in the third trimester of pregnancy and assessed again when children were 6 months, 18 months, and 4 years old. Separate path models for mothers and fathers analyzed whether psychosocial resources and empathy at earlier timepoints predicted their positive parenting and lower abuse risk by the time children were age 4. Findings demonstrated that mothers' earlier empathy predicted later positive parenting and earlier positive parenting predicted later empathy. Fathers' lower prenatal abuse risk predicted greater subsequent empathy. Both mothers' and fathers' psychosocial resources and empathy at earlier timepoints predicted later positive parenting. Parents' psychosocial resources can be integral assets in positive, effective parenting approaches both concurrently and longitudinally. Mothers' and fathers' resources are an important point of intervention prior to and during the transition into parenthood to support healthier families that would confer benefits to child functioning.

Estandarización de un ELISA para la cuantificación de anticuerpos IgG humanos contra células enteras de Bordetella pertussis / Standardization of an ELISA for the quantification of human IgG antibodies against whole cells of Bordetella pertussis

Bordetella pertussis es un patógeno exclusivo de humanos que causa la tos ferina, enfermedad respiratoria aguda que afecta principalmente a la población pediátrica. Existen dos tipos de vacunas comercializadas contra este patógeno: celulares y acelulares. Las vacunas celulares han sido extensamente utilizadas y siguen teniendo gran relevancia. El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo la estandarización de un ELISA para la cuantificación de anticuerpos IgG contra células enteras de Bordetella pertussis. Para ello se determinó la concentración de recubrimiento, el rango lineal de la curva, los parámetros de precisión intra e interensayo, la especificidad, el valor de corte y el límite de detección. Se determinó como concentración de recubrimiento 0,5 UO/mL de células enteras. La curva estándar utilizando un suero de referencia internacional presentó un buen ajuste a una función polinómica en un intervalo entre las diluciones 1/100 y 1/24.300 con un coeficiente de correlación R2≥0,98. Los coeficientes de variación en los ensayos de precisión intra e interensayo estuvieron en los intervalos establecidos para cada uno (≤10 por ciento, ≤20 por ciento respectivamente). Los resultados obtenidos avalan el empleo de este ELISA cuantitativo para la evaluación de la respuesta a células enteras de Bordetella pertussis en ensayos clínicos(AU)

Bordetella pertussis is a pathogen exclusive to humans that causes pertussis, an acute respiratory disease that mainly affects the pediatric population. There are two types of vaccines commercially available against this pathogen: cellular and acellular. Cellular vaccines have been widely used and continue to be of great relevance. The aim of the present work was to standardize an ELISA for the quantification of IgG antibodies against whole cells of Bordetella pertussis. For this purpose, the coating concentration, the linear range of the curve, the intra- and inter-assay precision parameters, the specificity, the cut-off value and the detection limit were determined. The coating concentration was determined as 0.5 UO/mL of whole cells. The standard curve using an international reference serum presented a good fit to a polynomial function in a range between dilutions 1/100 and 1/24,300 with a correlation coefficient R2≥0.98. The coefficients of variation in the intra- and inter-assay precision tests were in the intervals established for each (≤10percent, ≤20percent respectively). The results obtained support the use of this quantitative ELISA for the evaluation of whole-cell response to Bordetella pertussis in clinical trials(AU)

Partial Gland Ablation of Prostate Cancer: Effects of Repeat Treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the near-term clinical and pathological effects of repeat partial gland ablation (PGA) in men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer (PCa). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred seventy men with focal lesions of PCa (all GG2 or GG3) underwent PGA with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) or cryotherapy (CRYO) in prospective trials. Residual PCa in or near the ablation zone was found in 37 men after a first PGA; 30 went on to receive a second PGA and were the subjects of study. At 3 timepoints, baseline and 6 months after first and second ablations, quality-of-life (QOL) questionnaires (IIEF, IPSS) and MRI-guided biopsies (MRGB) were performed. Biopsies were targeted and systematic at baseline and in follow-up, comprehensively about the ablation zone. RESULTS: All 30 patients completed QOL questionnaires and 26 had MRGB at the 3 timepoints. Mean QOL scores were not significantly different from the baseline after the first or second PGA. No operative complications were encountered; and "decisional regret" was reported in only 2/29 men after the repeat ablation. A decrease in semen volume was reported by 25% of patients. Repeat ablation was successful (absence of csPCa on MRGB) in 14/26 (53%) of men. PSA levels decreased and MRI lesions resolved after ablations, but neither was a reliable predictor of biopsy outcomes. CONCLUSION: When initial PGA fails, repeat PGA is a reasonable consideration, because in near-term follow-up, secondary procedures appear to be safe, causing only minimal detriment to urinary and sexual function, with csPCa becoming undetectable by MRGB in approximately half the patients.

Mediators between Positive and Negative Parenting and Child Depressive and Anxious Symptoms: Findings from a Diverse, At-Risk Sample.

BACKGROUND: Although children's depressive and anxious symptoms have been broadly construed as internalizing problems, the current study sought to identify factors that may differentially contribute to these two mental health problems in a high-risk sample. Prior research has not adequately tested both depressive versus anxious symptoms simultaneously, nor has it adequately considered the role of negative versus positive parenting simultaneously, thereby neglecting the potential overlap in both sets of constructs. Overlooking such potential statistical overlap obfuscates how factors may differentially contribute to either depressive versus anxious symptoms. Existing research has also focused on lower-risk community samples. METHOD: The present study investigated whether children's negative self-concept or maladaptive attributional style mediated the link between both negative and positive parenting in a racially diverse, at-risk sample of 65 primary school-age children recruited from mental health agencies. RESULTS: When tested together, more negative parenting, but not less positive parenting, retained direct effects on both depressive and anxious symptoms. Both negative self-concept and maladaptive attributional style fully mediated the association between less positive parenting and children's depressive symptoms, whereas positive self-concept, but not attributional style, mediated between less positive parenting and anxious symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings underscore potential differential intervention targets for these two internalizing problems and highlight the need for future research to consider both depressive and anxious symptoms, and related predictors, simultaneously to control for their shared variance.

Development and psychometric characteristics of analog measures of parental empathy.

Despite substantial literature on the effect of empathy on parenting, empathy research has historically suffered from definitional and methodological limitations. Parental empathy can be characterized as parents' ability to recognize, take the perspective of, and appropriately react to children's emotions. Current parental empathy assessment largely relies on self-report measures of dispositional empathy, but many argue parental empathy is distinct from dispositional empathy. Despite efforts to measure parental empathy implicitly, such analog approaches are labor intensive. The current report describes the preliminary development of the Empathy Measure for Parents Analog Task (EMPAT), two novel analog measures of parental empathy: one EMPAT analog uses audio stimuli and a second version uses written evocative scripts. After piloting with a sample of undergraduate students (Study 1), the measures were then administered to a sample of 212 parents (Study 2). For each study, the accuracy of the audio and script stimuli were first confirmed by examination of frequency distributions, then exploratory factor analyses were conducted to determine factor structure for each emotion subscale (i.e., Happy, Mad, Sad, Scared), and finally the composition of each emotion subscale was confirmed with scale reliability analyses. Correlations between each EMPAT version and measures of dispositional empathy, parental empathy, and positive parenting indicators were examined to assess the initial validity of the EMPAT measures. The new analog tasks demonstrated good reliability as well as preliminary evidence of validity, with potential utility in assessing cognitive elements of empathy in particular. With continued efforts to examine measure validity, the implications of these studies suggest the EMPAT tasks show promise in providing improved implicit, efficient assessments of child-directed empathy, which may be important for understanding positive and problematic parenting.

Profesionalismo y comunicación: desempeño de competencias con simulación clínica en la licenciatura de Médico Cirujano / Professionalism and communication: competences development of clinical simulation in the degree of medical surgeon

RESUMEN Introducción: Actualmente, la simulación clínica ha transformado la enseñanza de la medicina favoreciendo el aprendizaje experiencial y significativo de los médicos en formación, por lo que el objetivo de este estudio es evaluar el desempeño del profesionalismo y la comunicación, durante un escenario de simulación clínica con paciente estandarizado para estudiantes del quinto grado de la licenciatura de Médico Cirujano de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Métodos: Es un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal, se obtuvo una muestra n=387 (45.6% del total) estudiantes de quinto grado de la Licenciatura de Medicina de la universidad. Se utilizó un escenario de simulación clínica con pacientes estandarizados, además de una rúbrica para evaluar el profesionalismo y la comunicación. Se realizó el cálculo estadístico con análisis de porcentajes por ítem y categoría. Resultados: Se realizó la base de datos y análisis estadístico con Excel de los 387 estudiantes y se encontró que la competencia profesionalismo es excelente en el 62%, bueno en el 33 % y deficiente en el 5% de la población, mientras que en comunicación es excelente en 60%, bueno en 37% y deficiente en 3%. Discusión: Se demuestra que en la relación médico-paciente existe justicia social, respeto y confidencialidad, pero carece de la conservación del principio de autonomía del paciente, empatía y compasión. Es posible evaluar el desempeño del profesionalismo y comunicación a través de la simulación clínica.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Currently, clinical simulation has changed the teaching of medicine in favor of the experiential, meaningful based learning of doctors in training, that is why the objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of professionalism and communication in a scenario of clinical simulation with a standardized patient for 5th grade students of the degree of medical surgeon of the UNAM School of Medicine. Methods: It is an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study. A sample n = 387 (45.6% of the total) was obtained from fifth year students of the UNAM medical degree. A clinical simulation scenario with standardized patients was used, as well as a rubric to evaluate professionalism and communication. The statistical calculation was performed with the analysis of percentages by item and category. Results: The database and statistical analysis of the 387 students was made with Excel, finding that the competence of professionalism is excellent in 62%, good in 33% and deficient in 5% of the population, while in the competence of communication is excellent in 60%, good in 37% and deficient in 3%. Discussions: It is demonstrated that there is social justice, respect and confidentiality in the doctor-patient relationship, but there is a lack at the time of maintaining the patient's autonomy, empathy and compassion principle. It is possible to evaluate the performance of professionalism and communication through clinical simulation.

Enhanced Tolerance against a Fungal Pathogen and Insect Resistance in Transgenic Tobacco Plants Overexpressing an Endochitinase Gene from Serratia marcescens.

In this study we cloned a chitinase gene (SmchiC), from Serratia marcescens isolated from the corpse of a Diatraea magnifactella lepidopteran, which is an important sugarcane pest. The chitinase gene SmchiC amplified from the S. marcescens genome was cloned into the transformation vector p2X35SChiC and used to transform tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv Petit Havana SR1). The resistance of these transgenic plants to the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea and to the pest Spodoptera frugiperda was evaluated: both the activity of chitinase as well as the resistance against B. cinerea and S. frugiperda was significantly higher in transgenic plants compared to the wild-type.

Eicosapentaenoic Acid Improves Hepatic Metabolism and Reduces Inflammation Independent of Obesity in High-Fat-Fed Mice and in HepG2 Cells.

The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing worldwide, concurrent with increased obesity. Thus, there is urgent need for research that can lead to effective NAFLD prevention/treatment strategies. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), improve inflammation- and dyslipidemia-related metabolic disorders; however, mechanisms mediating the benefits of n-3 PUFAs in NAFLD treatment are less understood. We previously reported that EPA reversed obesity-induced hepatic steatosis in high-fat (HF)-fed B6 mice. Utilizing a combination of biochemical analyses of liver tissues from HF and HF-EPA-fed mice and a series of in vitro studies in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-stimulated HepG2 cells, we dissect the mechanistic effects of EPA in reducing hepatic steatosis, including the role of EPA-targeted microRNAs (miRNA). With EPA, hepatic lipid metabolism was improved in HF-EPA mice, as indicated by decreased protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of fatty acid synthase (FASN) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (Acaca) gene, and increased mRNA levels for the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α (Pparα), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase (Cpt) 1a and 2 genes in the HF-EPA mice. Additionally, inflammation was reduced, as shown by decreased tumor necrosis factor-alpha (Tnfα) gene expression. Accordingly, EPA also significantly reduced FASN and ACACA mRNAs in human HepG2 cells. Glycolysis, estimated by extracellular acidification rate, was significantly reduced in HepG2 cells treated with EPA vs. vehicle. Furthermore, we identified several miRNAs that are regulated by EPA in mouse liver, including miR-19b-3p, miR-21a-5p, and others, which target lipid metabolism and inflammatory pathways. In conclusion, our findings provide novel mechanistic evidence for beneficial effects of EPA in NAFLD, through the identification of specific genes and miRNAs, which may be further exploited as future NAFLD therapies.

Disentangling the Cycle: Potential Mediators and Moderators in the Intergenerational Transmission of Parent-Child Aggression.

Although a cycle of harsh and abusive parenting has been recognized for decades, this cycle is not inevitable. Indeed, the mechanisms underlying such patterns, and the resources parents may access to disrupt this cycle, require further study. Research investigating those processes has either relied on cross-sectional designs or largely assessed mediators or moderators at one time point. The current investigation of parent-child aggression (PCA) risk utilized a longitudinal design to consider possible mediators and moderators across three time points. Mothers and fathers reported on their personal history of physical and psychological abuse during the last trimester of the mother's pregnancy; their PCA risk was assessed concurrently when their child was 6 months and when their child was 18 months. Current findings support several mediators for mothers, although fewer for fathers, prenatally, but mediation was not observed across time. Similarly, several moderators of the effect of personal history of physical and psychological aggression on PCA risk were identified prenatally but not across time. Thus, several qualities believed to account for, or mitigate, the intergenerational transmission of PCA may not be consistent-underscoring the continued need to identify factors that account for the cyclical process versus what may interrupt intergenerational transmission.