Erupción fija por luz solar, una serie de 13 casos en Bogotá, Colombia / Fixed Sunlight Eruption: A Series of 13 Cases in Bogotá, Columbia

Desde 1975 se han publicado algunos casos que asocian la radiación ultravioleta como un desencadenante de erupciones cutáneas fijas (erupción o exantema fijo por luz solar o síndrome de fotosensibilidad localizada de amplio espectro). Describimos los casos de 13 pacientes con esta dermatosis, 4 varones (30,8%) y 9 mujeres (69,2%), con edades comprendidas entre los 28 y los 56 años, atendidos en un centro de referencia en dermatología en Bogotá, Colombia. Las lesiones se localizaron en la cara interna de los muslos, los glúteos, la región poplítea, la axilar anterior y posterior y el dorso de los pies. La prueba de fotoprovocación logró la reproducción de las lesiones en todos los casos en las áreas afectadas y la histopatología reveló cambios similares a los descritos en los eritemas fijos por medicamentos. Esta enfermedad podría corresponder a un subtipo de erupción fija, aunque no se descarta que sea una dermatosis diferente con una patogenia común.(AU)

Few reports describing an association between UV radiation and fixed skin eruptions have been published since 1975. These reactions have received various names, including fixed sunlight eruption, fixed exanthema due to UV radiation, and broad-spectrum abnormal localized photosensitivity syndrome. We present a series of 13 patients (4 men [30.8%] and 9 women [69.2%]) aged between 28 and 56 years who were evaluated for fixed eruptions induced by UV radiation at a dermatology referral hospital in Bogotá, Colombia. The lesions were located on the inner thighs, buttocks, popliteal region, anterior and posterior axilla, and dorsum of the feet. Photoprovocation reproduced lesions in all the affected areas, and histopathology showed changes similar to those seen in fixed drug eruptions. While these UV-provoked reactions may be a type of fixed skin eruption, we cannot rule out that they may also be a distinct condition that simply shares a pathogenic mechanism with fixed eruptions.(AU)

[Translated article] Fixed Sunlight Eruption: A Series of 13 Cases in Bogotá, Colombia / Erupción fija por luz solar, una serie de 13 casos en Bogotá, Colombia

Desde 1975 se han publicado algunos casos que asocian la radiación ultravioleta como un desencadenante de erupciones cutáneas fijas (erupción o exantema fijo por luz solar o síndrome de fotosensibilidad localizada de amplio espectro). Describimos los casos de 13 pacientes con esta dermatosis, 4 varones (30,8%) y 9 mujeres (69,2%), con edades comprendidas entre los 28 y los 56 años, atendidos en un centro de referencia en dermatología en Bogotá, Colombia. Las lesiones se localizaron en la cara interna de los muslos, los glúteos, la región poplítea, la axilar anterior y posterior y el dorso de los pies. La prueba de fotoprovocación logró la reproducción de las lesiones en todos los casos en las áreas afectadas y la histopatología reveló cambios similares a los descritos en los eritemas fijos por medicamentos. Esta enfermedad podría corresponder a un subtipo de erupción fija, aunque no se descarta que sea una dermatosis diferente con una patogenia común.(AU)

Few reports describing an association between UV radiation and fixed skin eruptions have been published since 1975. These reactions have received various names, including fixed sunlight eruption, fixed exanthema due to UV radiation, and broad-spectrum abnormal localized photosensitivity syndrome. We present a series of 13 patients (4 men [30.8%] and 9 women [69.2%]) aged between 28 and 56 years who were evaluated for fixed eruptions induced by UV radiation at a dermatology referral hospital in Bogotá, Colombia. The lesions were located on the inner thighs, buttocks, popliteal region, anterior and posterior axilla, and dorsum of the feet. Photoprovocation reproduced lesions in all the affected areas, and histopathology showed changes similar to those seen in fixed drug eruptions. While these UV-provoked reactions may be a type of fixed skin eruption, we cannot rule out that they may also be a distinct condition that simply shares a pathogenic mechanism with fixed eruptions.(AU)

[Translated article] Fixed Sunlight Eruption: A Series of 13 Cases in Bogotá, Colombia.

Few reports describing an association between UV radiation and fixed skin eruptions have been published since 1975. These reactions have received various names, including fixed sunlight eruption, fixed exanthema due to UV radiation, and broad-spectrum abnormal localized photosensitivity syndrome. We present a series of 13 patients (4 men [30.8%] and 9 women [69.2%]) aged between 28 and 56 years who were evaluated for fixed eruptions induced by UV radiation at a dermatology referral hospital in Bogotá, Colombia. The lesions were located on the inner thighs, buttocks, popliteal region, anterior and posterior axilla, and dorsum of the feet. Photoprovocation reproduced lesions in all the affected areas, and histopathology showed changes similar to those seen in fixed drug eruptions. While these UV-provoked reactions may be a type of fixed skin eruption, we cannot rule out that they may also be a distinct condition that simply shares a pathogenic mechanism with fixed eruptions.

Bamboo forage in Peruvian Amazon: a potential feed for cattle.

During the dry and rainy seasons of the Northeastern Zone of Peru, a chemical characterization of five species of bamboo prevalent in the area (Guadua lynnclarkiae, G. takahashiae, Bambusa vulgaris, G. weberbaueri, and Dendrocalamus asper) was conducted. Then, the effect of supplementing bamboo leaves (0, 20, and 40% inclusion of D. asper) on the intake and live weight gain of 18 Gyr × Holstein heifers was evaluated for 28 days. Among the species evaluated, D. asper has the greatest crude protein (CP) concentration (158-166 g/kg Dry matter- DM), post-ruminal CP supply (127 g/kg DM), and in vitro organic matter digestibility (444-456 g/kg DM) but similar concentrations of crude ash (124 g/kg DM), calcium (2.4-2.8 mg/g), phosphorus (0.7-2.1 mg/g), protein fractions A, B1, B2, B3, C (45, 5, 35, 56, and 17g/kg DM, respectively), rumen-undegraded CP (31% CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF, 685g/kg DM), and acid detergent fiber (ADF, 357 g/kg DM) than the other species evaluated. Dry matter intake was higher in the control treatment and in the 20% bamboo leaf inclusion treatment than in the 40% bamboo inclusion treatment. Intake of CP and NDF decreased with the increase in bamboo inclusion. Despite the differences in DM, CP, and NDF intake, the live weight gain remained similar across treatments. However, there was a greater feed conversion in the 20% bamboo leaf inclusion treatment. During the dry season, bamboo leaves can be used as an alternative supplement at a maximum inclusion of 20% without affecting the live weight gain.

Fixed Sunlight Eruption: A Series of 13 Cases in Bogotá, Columbia. / Erupción fija por luz solar, una serie de 13 casos en Bogotá, Colombia.

Few reports describing an association between UV radiation and fixed skin eruptions have been published since 1975. These reactions have received various names, including fixed sunlight eruption, fixed exanthema due to UV radiation, and broad-spectrum abnormal localized photosensitivity syndrome. We present a series of 13 patients (4 men [30.8%] and 9 women [69.2%]) aged between 28 and 56 years who were evaluated for fixed eruptions induced by UV radiation at a dermatology referral hospital in Bogotá, Colombia. The lesions were located on the inner thighs, buttocks, popliteal region, anterior and posterior axilla, and dorsum of the feet. Photoprovocation reproduced lesions in all the affected areas, and histopathology showed changes similar to those seen in fixed drug eruptions. While these UV-provoked reactions may be a type of fixed skin eruption, we cannot rule out that they may also be a distinct condition that simply shares a pathogenic mechanism with fixed eruptions.

Does endodontics influence radiological detection of external root resorption? an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: External root resorption (ERR) has a multifactorial etiology and is difficult to diagnose, which means that is continues to be of research interest. This work mainly aims to determine whether external root resorption can be differentially detected in root-filled versus non-endodontically treated teeth using digital periapical radiography (DPR) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: The Checklist for Reporting In-vitro Studies (CRIS) guidelines were followed throughout this study. This experiment highlights the preparation and generation of standardized synthetic teeth measured on three-dimensional records converted into Digital Imaging and Communication on Medicine (DICOM) file format. Twelve replicate maxillary incisors were randomized into two groups: (G1) six non-endodontically treated, and (G2) six endodontically treated teeth. In both groups, actual tooth lengths of all specimens were measured and compared with measurements obtained using DPR and CBCT. Simulated ERR lesions [0.12, 0.18, 0.20 mm × 0.5 mm depth in the mesial, distal and palatal apical regions] were created progressively, radiographic images were recorded, and 24 DPRs and 96 CBCTs were obtained in total. Eight blinded, previously calibrated researchers made a total of 1920 measurements (using Horos Software). Data were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon rank post-hoc tests [Bonferroni correction in multiple comparison tests (p < 0.05)]. RESULTS: ICC values for intra- and inter-examiner agreement were appropriate. DPR overestimated ERR detection compared to the actual and CBCT measurements [Mean diff = 0.765 and 0.768, respectively]. CBCT diagnosis of ERR lesions in specimens without root canal treatment was significantly more accurate than DPR diagnoses on both non-endodontically and endodontically-treated specimens [p = 0.044; p = 0.037, respectively]. There was an 18.5% reduction in sensitivity in all DPR diagnoses made on endodontic teeth versus those made on non-endodontically treated teeth. For the smallest ERR lesions, this sensitivity was even more marked, with 27.8 and 25% less sensitivity, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study highlight that both CBCT and DPR are good diagnostic methods for ERR. Nevertheless, root canal filling material influences diagnostic capability in ERR. The clinical significance was that the presence of intracanal material reduces the detection and diagnosis of ERR by DPR in teeth with root canal treatment.

DRESS syndrome due to iodinated contrast media. A case report.

BACKGROUND: The most frequent non-immediate reactions described with iodinated contrast media (ICM) are mild to moderate, however, some cases of patients with severe non-immediate reactions, such as drug eruption with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) have been described. CASE PRESENTATION: An 84-year-old patient developed DRESS syndrome after administration of ICM ioversol. The patient fullfilled the RegiSCAR diagnostic criteria for DRESS (definite score = 6). He underwent intradermal skin testing (IDT) with the widest panel of ICM available at our center. IDT was positive with ioversol and iomeprol. A punch biopsy was performed on the positive IDT with the culprit drug (ioversol) and histopathology was compatible with a T-cell mediated mechanism. CONCLUSION: In this case, the IDT-positive biopsy was consistent with DRESS syndrome caused by T-lymphocyte activation, supporting the clinical diagnosis.

Volume of hippocampal activation as a determining factor for the lateralisation of the epileptogenic zone in patients with drug-resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.

INTRODUCTION: Approximately 30% of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) will develop drug resistance, which requires early surgical treatment. The success of the surgical procedure largely depends on the correct lateralisation of the epileptogenic zone, which can only be determined in 70% of patients with such conventional diagnostic tools as video electroencephalography and volumetric structural magnetic resonance imaging. We evaluated the performance of a memory functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) paradigm in lateralising the epileptogenic zone in patients with drug-resistant MTLE. METHODS: We included 18 patients with MTLE attended at the Instituto Neurológico Colombiano in Medellin (Colombia) between 2018 and 2019. The volume of functional activation in both temporal lobes was determined with a memory fMRI paradigm. A concordance analysis was performed to compare the performance of fMRI against that of conventional tests. RESULTS: In patients with left MTLE, lower total activation was found in the hemisphere ipsilateral to the epileptogenic zone as compared to the contralateral hemisphere (121.15 ± 16.48 voxels vs 170.23 ± 17.8 voxels [P < .001]), showing substantial concordance with conventional tests. Patients with right MTLE displayed lower hippocampal activation ipsilateral to the epileptogenic zone (18.5 ± 3.38 voxels vs 27.8 ± 3.77 voxels in the contralateral hippocampus [P = .048]), showing moderate concordance with conventional tests. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that lower functional activation as determined by a memory fMRI paradigm has a high level of concordance with conventional tests for lateralising the epileptogenic zone in patients with drug-resistant MTLE.

Sensibilidad y dolor en distonías focales de la mano / Sensitivity and pain in focal dystonia of the hand

Introducción: Considerando las evidencias acumuladas actualmente es importante estudiar la fisiopatología tanto sensorial como motora de las distonías focales para comprenderlas y mejorar su tratamiento. Por ello, los objetivos del presente estudio son evaluar las aferencias somatosensoriales de los pacientes con distonía focal o segmentaria con afectación del miembro superior, comprobar si se corresponde con la mano de más uso, analizar la tolerancia al dolor y examinar la posible relación con la percepción del dolor en los pacientes con distonía segmentaria de la mano.MétodosSe contó con una muestra total de 24 participantes: 12 pacientes con distonía focal de la mano y 12 sujetos sin distonía. Todos ellos fueron evaluados con un algómetro electrónico (Somedic AB®, Farsta, Suecia), con los monofilamentos de Semmes-Weinstein y con la escala visual analógica.ResultadosLos datos hallados muestran, en la población estudiada, una mayor afectación en la sensibilidad superficial comparada con el grupo control, tanto en la mano dominante como en la no dominante, así como presencia de dolor (p > 0,001). Además, el grupo de distonía focal obtuvo una correlación negativa entre el dolor percibido y en el umbral de tolerancia de dolor a la presión (rho = −0,83; p < 0,001).ConclusionesLas personas con distonía segmentaria de la mano presentan una alteración en la sensibilidad y manifiestan mayor dolor percibido que las personas sin distonía. Se requieren más estudios con una muestra mayor que detecten las implicaciones clínicas y cotidianas, tanto del dolor objetivo como subjetivo. (AU)

Introduction: A growing body of evidence highlights the importance of understanding both the sensory and the motor pathophysiology of focal dystonia in order to improve its treatment. This study aims to evaluate somatosensory afferences in patients with focal or segmental dystonia affecting the upper limbs, to analyse whether the dominant limb is more frequently affected, to analyse pain tolerance, and to examine the potential association with pain perception in patients with hand dystonia.MethodsWe recruited 24 participants: 12 patients with focal hand dystonia and 12 individuals without dystonia. All participants were evaluated with a digital algometer (Somedic SenseLab AB®, Farsta, Sweden), a Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test, and the visual analogue scale for pain.ResultsAccording to our data, patients showed greater impairment in surface sensitivity than controls, both in the dominant and the non-dominant hands, as well as greater presence of pain (P > .001). Furthermore, the dystonia group showed a negative correlation between perceived pain and pressure pain tolerance threshold (rho = −0.83; P < .001).ConclusionsPatients with focal hand dystonia presented alterations in sensitivity and more severe perceived pain than individuals without dystonia. Future studies with larger samples should aim to analyse the clinical implications and everyday impact of both objective and subjective pain. (AU)

Estimation of carbon footprint and sources of emissions of an extensive alpaca production system.

A cradle-to-farm gate life cycle assessment was conducted following international standards (ISO 14040, 2006) to estimate sources of greenhouse gas emissions of an extensive alpaca production system in the Peruvian Andes with a focus on carbon footprint. The assessment encompasses all supply chain processes involved with the production of alpaca fiber and meat. Direct (i.e., enteric fermentation, manure, and manure management) and indirect emissions (i.e., electricity, fuel, and fertilizer) of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane were estimated according to the (IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). 2006. IPCC 2006 for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Volume 2, Chapter 3. Mobile Combustion. Volume 4, Chapter 10. Emissions from livestock and manure management. Chapter 11. N2O emissions from managed soils and CO2 emissions derived from the application of lime and urea. https://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2006gl/vol4.html ). Carbon footprint was calculated based on a mass, economic, and biophysical allocation. The functional unit of the economic and mass allocations was 1 kg of LW as the main product and 1 kg of white or colored fiber as co-products. The functional unit of the biophysical allocation was 1 kg of live weight and 1 kg of fiber. The largest source of greenhouse gas emissions came from enteric fermentation (67%), followed by direct and indirect nitrous oxide emissions (29%). The estimated carbon footprint of the extensive alpaca production system, considering a 20% offtake rate, was 24.0 and 29.5 kg of carbon dioxide equivalents per kg of live weight for the economic and mass allocations, respectively, while for the biophysical allocation was 22.6 and 53.0 kg of carbon dioxide equivalents per kg of alpaca live weight and alpaca fiber, respectively. The carbon footprint per area was 88.6 kg carbon dioxide equivalents per ha.

Sensitivity and pain in focal dystonia of the hand.

INTRODUCTION: A growing body of evidence highlights the importance of understanding both the sensory and the motor pathophysiology of focal dystonia in order to improve its treatment. This study aims to evaluate somatosensory afferences in patients with focal or segmental dystonia affecting the upper limbs, to analyse whether the dominant limb is more frequently affected, to analyse pain tolerance, and to examine the potential association with pain perception in patients with hand dystonia. METHODS: We recruited 24 participants: 12 patients with focal hand dystonia and 12 individuals without dystonia. All participants were evaluated with a digital algometer (Somedic SenseLab AB®, Farsta, Sweden), a Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test, and the visual analogue scale for pain. RESULTS: According to our data, patients showed greater impairment in surface sensitivity than controls, both in the dominant and the non-dominant hands, as well as greater presence of pain (P > .001). Furthermore, the dystonia group showed a negative correlation between perceived pain and pressure pain tolerance threshold (rho = -0.83; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with focal hand dystonia presented alterations in sensitivity and more severe perceived pain than individuals without dystonia. Future studies with larger samples should aim to analyse the clinical implications and everyday impact of both objective and subjective pain.

Photoacoustic characterization of wheat bread mixed with Moringa oleifera.

Photoacoustic spectroscopy is applied to evaluate the impact of Moringa at different concentrations (0, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10%) on the elaboration, sanity, texture, and color of wheat bread. It was found that: i) Photoacoustic signal amplitude values of bread significantly increase from 37 to 90% when moringa powder concentration raises from 1.25% to 10%, at 300 nm wavelength. ii) Comparing the photoacoustic signal values at 300, 330, and 370 nm wavelengths, produced by the different bread types, there were statistically significant differences. iii) The sanitary quality of bread mixed with a 2.5% of moringa is relatively higher than the ones obtained for other concentrations, such that the number of fungal colonies were reduced by 99% in comparison with the control bread without moringa, after six days of storage. Moringa at 2.5% of concentration could thus improve the sanitary quality of wheat bread. iv) The addition of moringa for making bread slows down its textural changes (hardness, elasticity, cohesiveness, resilience, and chewiness) during storage. v) Finally, the highest correlation between the photoacoustic amplitude and the moringa concentration occurs at the wavelengths of 300 and 330 nm, which could be related to significant changes in the content of flavonoids and phenolic acids.

Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 isolates from lineages B.1.1.7 (Alpha), P.1 (Gamma) and B.1.110 by heating and UV irradiation.

Currently, the rapid global spread of SARS-CoV-2 is related to G clade (including GH, GR, GRY and GV clades), which are associated with more than 98 % of sequenced viral isolates worldwide. The unprecedented velocity of spread of SARS-CoV-2 outbreak represents a critical need for prevention strategies. Vaccines are recently being available and antiviral drugs have shown limited efficacy in COVID-19 patients. Thus, it is needed to know how to reduce the infectivity of the virus by different physicochemical conditions in order to prevent exposure to contaminated material. This work describes heating and irradiating UV-C light procedures to reduce the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 belonging to different three lineages. Results of physicochemical treatment showed no differences among viral lineages. Analytical conditions for efficient inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 were determined.

Caffeinated coffee consumption and risk of atrial fibrillation in two Spanish cohorts.

AIMS: The association between caffeinated coffee consumption and atrial fibrillation remains unclear. Recent studies suggest an inverse association only between a moderate caffeinated coffee consumption and atrial fibrillation, but others have reported no association. The aim of our study was to prospectively assess the association between caffeinated coffee consumption and atrial fibrillation in two Spanish cohorts, one of adults from a general population and another of elderly participants at high cardiovascular risk. METHODS AND RESULTS: We included 18,983 and 6479 participants from the 'Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra' (SUN) and 'Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea' (PREDIMED) cohorts, respectively. Participants were classified according to their caffeinated coffee consumption in three groups: ≤3 cups/month, 1-7 cups/week, and >1 cup/day. We identified 97 atrial fibrillation cases after a median follow-up of 10.3 years (interquartile range 6.5-13.5), in the SUN cohort and 250 cases after 4.4 years median follow-up (interquartile range 2.8-5.8) in the PREDIMED study. No significant associations were observed in the SUN cohort although a J-shaped association was suggested. A significant inverse association between the intermediate category of caffeinated coffee consumption (1-7 cups/week) and atrial fibrillation was observed in PREDIMED participants with a multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio = 0.53 (95% confidence interval 0.36-0.79) when compared with participants who did not consume caffeinated coffee or did it only occasionally. No association was found for higher levels of caffeinated coffee consumption (>1 cup per day), hazard ratio = 0.79 (95% confidence interval 0.49-1.28). In the meta-analysis of both PREDIMED and SUN studies, the hazard ratio for intermediate consumption of caffeinated coffee was 0.60 (95% confidence interval 0.44-0.82) without evidence of heterogeneity. Similar findings were found for the association between caffeine intake and atrial fibrillation risk. CONCLUSION: Intermediate levels of caffeinated coffee consumption (1-7 cups/week) were associated with a reduction in atrial fibrillation risk in two prospective Mediterranean cohorts.

Capacidad funcional y desempeño de pacientes con neumonía por Covid-19 / Functional capacity and performance of patients with Covid-19 pneumonia

One year after the first case reported by a new coronavirus (COVID-19), the evidence has shown a series of persistent signs and symptoms once the acute process has been overcome.Under the WHO's framework for health and disability, these impairments at cardiorespiratory, cognitive, and musculoskeletal body functions and structures lead, at least in the short and mid-term, to activity limitations and participation restriction. In this review, we discussed the main alterations generating disability and the challenges of implementing effective evaluation strategies in this disease. Along with their role in the health emergency, rehabilitation teams are challenged to design and deliver timely intervention strategies to reduce post-COVID-19 disability. (AU)

The situation of infection in the elderly in Spain: a multidisciplinary opinion document.

Infection in the elderly is a huge issue whose treatment usually has partial and specific approaches. It is, moreover, one of the areas where intervention can have the most success in improving the quality of life of older patients. In an attempt to give the widest possible focus to this issue, the Health Sciences Foundation has convened experts from different areas to produce this position paper on Infection in the Elderly, so as to compare the opinions of expert doctors and nurses, pharmacists, journalists, representatives of elderly associations and concluding with the ethical aspects raised by the issue. The format is that of discussion of a series of pre-formulated questions that were discussed by all those present. We begin by discussing the concept of the elderly, the reasons for their predisposition to infection, the most frequent infections and their causes, and the workload and economic burden they place on society. We also considered whether we had the data to estimate the proportion of these infections that could be reduced by specific programmes, including vaccination programmes. In this context, the limited presence of this issue in the media, the position of scientific societies and patient associations on the issue and the ethical aspects raised by all this were discussed.

A simple method for SARS-CoV-2 detection by rRT-PCR without the use of a commercial RNA extraction kit.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a pandemic caused by a new coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2. The growing demand for commercial kits used for automated extraction of SARS-CoV-2 RNA, a key step before rRT-PCR diagnosis, could cause a shortage of stocks that hinders the rapid processing of samples. Although the recommendation is to use automated methods for nucleic acid extraction, alternatives are necessary to replace commercial kits. However, these alternatives should be as reliable as automated methods. This work describes a simple method to detect SARS-CoV-2 from specimens collected in different preservation media. Samples were previously inactivated by heating and precipitating with a PEG/NaCl solution before rRT-PCR assays for Orf1ab, N and S genes. The new method was compared with an automated protocol of nucleic acid extraction. Both procedures showed similar analytical results. Consequently, this simple and inexpensive method is a suitable procedure for laboratory diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Sensitivity and pain in focal dystonia of the hand. / Sensibilidad y dolor en distonías focales de la mano.

INTRODUCTION: A growing body of evidence highlights the importance of understanding both the sensory and the motor pathophysiology of focal dystonia in order to improve its treatment. This study aims to evaluate somatosensory afferences in patients with focal or segmental dystonia affecting the upper limbs, to analyse whether the dominant limb is more frequently affected, to analyse pain tolerance, and to examine the potential association with pain perception in patients with hand dystonia. METHODS: We recruited 24 participants: 12 patients with focal hand dystonia and 12 individuals without dystonia. All participants were evaluated with a digital algometer (Somedic SenseLab AB®, Farsta, Sweden), a Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test, and the visual analogue scale for pain. RESULTS: According to our data, patients showed greater impairment in surface sensitivity than controls, both in the dominant and the non-dominant hands, as well as greater presence of pain (P>.001). Furthermore, the dystonia group showed a negative correlation between perceived pain and pressure pain tolerance threshold (rho=-0.83; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with focal hand dystonia presented alterations in sensitivity and more severe perceived pain than individuals without dystonia. Future studies with larger samples should aim to analyse the clinical implications and everyday impact of both objective and subjective pain.

Statistical modeling alongside observational data predicts long-term immunogenicity of one dose and two doses of pediatric hepatitis A vaccine in the Mendoza province of Argentina.

BACKGROUND: Follow-up for anti-hepatitis A (HA) antibody persistence up to 10 years was conducted after implementation of universal vaccination against HA virus (HAV) in Mendoza, Argentina. Based on these data, statistical modeling was used to predict the antibody persistence to 30 years. METHODS: A non-interventional study evaluated long-term immunogenicity (geometric mean concentrations [GMCs] and seroprotection rate) following routine vaccination with 1 dose (Group 1: N = 436) or 2 doses (Group 2: N = 108) of HA vaccine. Associated statistical modeling based on a Bayesian approach of mixed effects models on log transformed titers evaluated three models (linear, piecewise linear, and exponential decay, with and without a natural boosting effect). RESULTS: From the initial cohort, 9 participants (Group 1) and 1 participant (Group 2) showed antibody titers below the seroprotective threshold and received a booster. At Year 10, 190 (Group 1) and 51 (Group 2) participants remained in the study without a booster dose and all were seroprotected. Regarding statistical modeling, the piecewise linear model showed the best fit and demonstrated high and similar seroprotection for each schedule up to 30 years (89% [1-dose schedule], 85% [2-dose schedule]). The 2-dose schedule showed higher GMC (95% CI) than the 1-dose schedule (Year 10: 352 [271-456] versus 78 [69.8-87.6] mIU/mL) and Year 30 (predicted) (37 [13-97] versus 19 [11-34] mIU/mL). Natural boosting had little impact on predicted seroprotection rates at 30 years for the 1-dose schedule (89% [0.8-0.96] and 84% [0.73-0.94] with and without a natural booster, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term persistence of anti-HAV antibodies was observed up to 10 years with 1-dose and 2-dose vaccine schedules, supporting booster flexibility. Statistical modeling predicted good persistence of seroprotection for each schedule up to 30 years. Natural boosting had a limited impact on seroprotection rate predictions, enabling extrapolation of these results to non-endemic settings for traveler vaccination.