Growth Factor Binding Peptides in Poly (Ethylene Glycol) Diacrylate (PEGDA)-Based Hydrogels for an Improved Healing Response of Human Dermal Fibroblasts.

Growth factors (GF) are critical cytokines in wound healing. However, the direct delivery of these biochemical cues into a wound site significantly increases the cost of wound dressings and can lead to a strong immunological response due to the introduction of a foreign source of GFs. To overcome this challenge, we designed a poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel with the potential capacity to sequester autologous GFs directly from the wound site. We demonstrated that synthetic peptide sequences covalently tethered to PEGDA hydrogels physically retained human transforming growth factor beta 1 (hTGFß1) and human vascular endothelial growth factor (hVEGF) at 3.2 and 0.6 ng/mm2, respectively. In addition, we demonstrated that retained hTGFß1 and hVEGF enhanced human dermal fibroblasts (HDFa) average cell surface area and proliferation, respectively, and that exposure to both GFs resulted in up to 1.9-fold higher fraction of area covered relative to the control. After five days in culture, relative to the control surface, non-covalently bound hTGFß1 significantly increased the expression of collagen type I and hTGFß1 and downregulated vimentin and matrix metalloproteinase 1 expression. Cumulatively, the response of HDFa to hTGFß1 aligns well with the expected response of fibroblasts during the early stages of wound healing.

Cryptococcus neoformans osteomyelitis of the calcaneus: Case report and literature review.

Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated, yeast-like fungus that can cause a systemic mycosis, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Disseminated infections typically affect the central nervous system, and osseous lesions are infrequent. Only 5%-10% of disseminated cryptococcosis involves bones. A 69-year-old female presented pain, swelling, and a soft tissue mass in her right lateral hindfoot. Her medical history included a kidney transplant (10 years earlier) secondary to chronic disease due to IgA nephropathy. The patient underwent an excisional biopsy, surgical debridement, and secondarily negative pressure wound therapy to achieve skin closure. Biopsy revealed a rare Cryptococcus neoformans osteomyelitis of the calcaneus. The patient then received IV treatment with liposomal amphotericin B at 3 mg/kg/d for 25 days. In conclusion, we present a case of cryptococcal osteomyelitis which, although not a frequent disease, must be considered as one of the differential diagnoses of osteolytic osseous lesions in patients with chronic osteomyelitis. Cryptococcus neoformans may be a potential cause of below-knee infection, mainly in immunocompromised patients.

Physical and Chemical Properties Characterization of 3D-Printed Substrates Loaded with Copper-Nickel Nanowires.

This study deals with the laser stereolithography manufacturing feasibility of copper-nickel nanowire-loaded photosensitive resins. The addition of nanowires resulted in a novel resin suitable for additive manufacturing technologies based on layer-by-layer photopolymerization. The pure and nanowire-loaded resin samples were 3D printed in a similar way. Their morphological, mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties were characterized. X-ray computed tomography revealed that 0.06 vol % of the composite resin was filled with nanowires forming randomly distributed aggregates. The increase of 57% in the storage modulus and 50% in the hardness when loading the resin with nanowire was attributed to the load transfer. Moreover, the decrease in the glass transition temperature from 57.9 °C to 52.8 °C in the polymeric matrix with nanowires evidenced a decrease in the cross-linking density, leading to a higher mobility of the polymer chains during glass transition. Consequently, this research demonstrates the successful dispersion and use of copper-nickel nanowires as a reinforcement material in a commercial resin for laser stereolithography.

Synthesis of ordered microporous/macroporous MOF-808 through modulator-induced defect-formation, and surfactant self-assembly strategies.

Ordered materials with interconnected porosity allow the diffusion of molecules within their inner porous structure to access the active sites located in the microporous core. As a follow-up of our work on engineering of MOF-808, in this contribution, we study the synthesis of defective MOF-808 using two different strategies: the use of modulators and the surfactant-assisted synthesis to obtain materials with ordered and interconnected pores. The results of the study indicated that (i) the use of modulators of different chain length led to the formation of microporous/mesoporous MOFs through the formation of missing linker defects. However, the use of the acetic acid contributes to the formation of MOFs with larger mesoporous size distributions compared to materials synthesized with formic and propionic acids as modulators, and (ii) the self-assembly of CTAB surfactant produced an ordered microporous/macroporous network which enhanced crystallinity. However, the surface properties of the materials seem to be unaffected by the use of surfactants during synthesis. These results contribute to the development of ordered materials with a broad range of pore size distributions and give rise to new opportunities to extend the applications of MOF-808.

Pseudomyogenic Hemangioendothelioma (Epithelioid Sarcoma-Like Hemangioendothelioma).

Pseudomyogenic hemangioendothelioma (PMH) is a rare vascular tumor that presents more frequently in young adults and has a male predominance. It is usually located in the superficial or deep soft tissues of the extremities, but concurrent bone involvement can be present. In approximately two-thirds of patients this disease is multifocal, often involving multiple tissue planes. It is a relapsing lesion with low metastatic potential. Given its clinical and morphologic characteristics (multifocality, epithelioid morphology, absence of clearly evident vascular differentiation on hematoxylin-eosin slides), PMH can be easily misinterpreted as other lesions, often with radically different treatment and prognosis. For this reason, we think it is important to recognize this entity, which has some unique features. Here, we will briefly describe the clinical and pathologic features of PMH, detailing its more relevant differential diagnoses.

Manufacturing of Polymeric Substrates with Copper Nanofillers through Laser Stereolithography Technique.

This study presents the additive manufacture of objects using mass-functionalized photo-resins, which are additively photopolymerized using the laser stereolithography technique. The mass functionalization is based on the incorporation of copper nanowires used as fillers at different concentrations. Cylindrical and tensile test probes are designed and manufactured in a layer-by-layer approach using a low-cost laser stereolithography system working with a layer thickness of 100   µ m . The morphological, mechanical, thermal and chemical results help to show the viability and potential that this combination of mass-functionalized resins and technological processes may have in the near future, once key challenges are solved. Finally, some potential applications are also discussed.

Liposarcoma bien diferenciado con extensa metaplasia ósea y desdiferenciación osteosarcomatosa / Well-differentiated liposarcoma with extensive bone metaplasia and osteosarcomatous dedifferentiation

Dentro de la familia de los liposarcomas, el subtipo bien diferenciado es el más frecuente, caracterizado por su alta tendencia a la recaída local y ubicación retroperitoneal. La desdiferenciación ocurre en alrededor del 10% de los casos y habitualmente se manifiesta histológicamente como sarcoma pleomorfo de alto grado. La desdiferenciación heteróloga es un hecho que ocurre inhabitualmente. Presentamos un caso que debutó como un liposarcoma de bajo grado (lipoma like) que en su evolución tomografica muestra extensas áreas calcificadas y su histología confirma la trasformación a un sarcoma de alto grado con diferenciación osteosarcomatosa (AU)

Within the family of liposarcomas, the welldifferentiated subtype is the most frequent, characterized by its high tendency to local relapse and retroperitoneal localization. Dedifferentiation occurs in about 10% of cases and usually manifests histologically as high-grade pleomorphic sarcoma. Heterologous dedifferentiation is unusual. We present a case that debuted as a low grade liposarcoma (lipoma like) that in its tomographic evolution shows extensive calcified areas and its histology confirms the transformation to a high grade sarcoma with osteosarcomatous differentiation (AU)

Quiste dermoide orbitario: reporte de un caso / Orbital dermoid cyst: case report

Los quistes dermoides son lesiones benignas que se producen a partir de tejido ectodérmico ectópico que queda atrapado en la fusión de los procesos embrionarios, alrededor de la quinta semana de vida intrauterina. Su conformación histológica es definida por una pared revestida de epitelio, con un número variable de anexos cutáneos y una cavidad central que contiene queratina descamada, grasa y pelos. Constituyen la tumoración orbitaria no neoplásica más frecuente en la infancia; su crecimiento es lento, y a nivel orbitario se asocian a las suturas frontocigomática y frontoetmoidal. Se presenta un caso clínico que demuestra la historia natural de esta condición a nivel de la órbita izquierda, junto con los detalles de su diagnóstico y tratamiento…

Dermoid cysts are benign lesions that develop from ectopic ectoderm tissue that stay capture in the embrionary process around the fifth intrauterine week of life. Its histology is compound by a wall of epithelium with a variety of cutaneous annexes and a great central cavity that contains desquamated keratin, fat and hair. Dermoid cysts are the more frequently orbitary tumors in childhood. It growth slowly and its orbital locations are in the zygomaticofrontal suture and the frontoethmoidal suture. We present the natural behavior of a left orbital dermoid cyst, diagnosed and surgical treatment…

Resección de hemangioma cavernoso en lengua con sutura hemostática en cremallera: reporte de un caso / Resection of cavernous hemangiomatongue with the zipper suture: case report

Las lesiones vasculares o angiomas son tumores formados por una proliferación de vasos, que pueden ser sanguíneos y se denominan hemangiomas, o estar constituidos por linfáticos, en cuyo caso se llaman linfangiomas. Los hemangiomas cavernosos son un tipo de malformación vascular que afecta las capas profundas de los tejidos. Se presenta un caso clínico que demuestra la historia natural de esta condición a nivel de la lengua, junto con los detalles de su tratamiento quirúrgico, en el que mediante una técnica de sutura hemostática se logra con éxito su resección…

Vascular lesions or angiomas are tumors formed by a proliferation of blood vessels (hemangioma) or lymphatic vessels (lymphangiomas). Cavernous hemangiomas is a type that affects the deep layers of the tissues. We present a patient that shows the natural behavior of a cavernous hemangioma localized in the tongue, and its surgical treatment using an hemostatic zipper suture for a perfect resection…

Adenoma pleomórfico en paladar blando: reporte de un caso / Pleomorphic adenoma in soft palate: case report

Los tumores de las glándulas salivales representan entre el 3 y el 5% de los tumores de cabeza y cuello. De ellos, el adenoma pleomórfico es el más común, y suele constituir el 65% de los tumores de la glándula parótida y el 50% de los de la glándula submaxilar. Las glándulas salivales menores están distribuidas por toda la cavidad oral, pero se concentran en los labios y el paladar, y es infrecuente su crecimiento neoplásico. Se presenta un caso clínico que demuestra la historia natural de un paciente con un adenoma pleomórfico en paladar blando, derivado de una glándula salival menor, junto con los detalles de su diagnóstico y tratamiento quirúrgico…

Neoplasms of the salivary glands represent 3-5% of all the neoplasms of the head and neck, being the pleomorphic adenoma the more usual and it represents 65% of the tumors of the parotid gland and 50% of the submandibular gland. The minor salivary glands are distributed in the entire oral cavity, but are more frequently in the lips and the palate, being less probably to become neoplasms. We present a case that shows the natural behavior of a pleomorphic adenoma located in the soft palate that compromise a minor salivary gland, in become of the diagnosis and surgical treatment. …

p-n Junction at the Interface between Metallic Systems.

Density functional theory is used to evaluate the electronic properties in a composite metallic material consisting of two subsystems made of interacting metallic thin films separated by a subnanometer gap. One of the subsystems, M/Pt-M/Pt, has a monolayer of metal M over a core of Pt atoms, and the other is Pt-Pt, where the interacting surfaces are made of pure Pt. At equilibrium, this composite material exhibits a potential barrier at the interface, resembling a semiconductor p-n junction. In the gap region of M/Pt-M/Pt, the amount of electrons correlates with the surface layer degree of polarization, which depends on electronegativity and number of unpaired electrons in the external shells. The electron density in the gap, the system work function, and the built-in potential at the interface of the composite system calculated for various metal skins correlate with the degree of reduction of the Pt atoms located at the junction area.

Cierre endoscópico transnasal de fístula espontánea de líquido cefalorraquídeo: reporte de un caso / Endoscopic approach of the cerebrospinal spontaneous leak: case reporte

Las fístulas de líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) a nivel nasal se determinan por la creación de un defecto que daña la barrera que separa el espacio subaracnoideo de la nariz y los senos paranasales. El avance en las técnicas endoscópicas nos ha llevado a tratar patologías en la base del cráneo, las cuales solo era posible realizar mediante craneotomías, razón por la que este artículo reafirma el uso y las cualidades mínimamente invasivas de la cirugía endoscópica nasal. Se presenta un caso clínico que demuestra la historia natural de esta condición, junto con los detalles de su diagnóstico y tratamiento…

Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrea (CSF) are created by a defect between the dura and the bone that alters the barrier that separates the subarachnoid from the sinuses. New endoscopic techniques have made possible to treat skull base pathologies where the only surgical access was craniotomies. That why this articles reaffirms the use of nasal endoscopic approach. We present a clinical case of spontaneous (CSF) its natural behavior and the details of its diagnosed and surgical endoscopic treatment…

Shell-anchor-core structures for enhanced stability and catalytic oxygen reduction activity.

Density functional theory is used to evaluate activity and stability properties of shell-anchor-core structures. The structures consist of a Pt surface monolayer and a composite core having an anchor bilayer where C atoms in the interstitial sites lock 3d metals in their locations, thus avoiding their surface segregation and posterior dissolution. The modified subsurface geometry induces less strain on the top surface, thus exerting a favorable effect on the surface catalytic activity where the adsorption strength of the oxygenated species becomes more moderate: weaker than on pure Pt(111) but stronger than on a Pt monolayer having a 3d metal subsurface. Here we analyze the effect of changing the nature of the 3d metal in the subsurface anchor bilayer, and we also test the use of a Pd monolayer instead of Pt on the surface. It is found that a subsurface constituted by two layers with an approximate composition of M(2)C (M = Fe, Ni, and Co) provides a barrier for the migration of subsurface core metal atoms to the surface. Consequently, an enhanced resistance against dissolution in parallel to improved oxygen reduction activity is expected, as given by the values of adsorption energies of reaction intermediates, delayed onset of water oxidation, and/or low coverage of oxygenated species at surface oxidation potentials.

Confinement effects on alloy reactivity.

Density functional theory is used to characterize reactivity in systems confined between alloy surfaces separated by a gap from three to 10 Å. It is found that the proximity of a second surface alters the geometric and electronic properties of the first one, and the changes are related to the nature of the interacting surfaces. These phenomena are explored by analysis of the dissociation of molecular oxygen and that of water in the confined systems. The results suggest that such confinement effects may be further designed for specific applications by tuning the alloy composition.

Surface segregation and stability of core-shell alloy catalysts for oxygen reduction in acid medium.

Density functional theory is used for the evaluation of surface segregation, trends for dissolution of Pt surface atoms in acid medium, and oxygen reduction reaction activity of core-shell materials, containing a monolayer of platinum over a monometallic or bimetallic core. Two groups of cores are investigated: Pt/X with X = Ir, Au; Pd, Rh, Ag; Co, Ni, Cu; and Pt/Pd(3)X, with X = Co, Fe, Cr, V, Ti, Ir, Re. It is found that all the 4d and 5d pure cores may serve as stable cores, and their beneficial effect on the Pt monolayer may be further tuned by alloying the core to another element, here chosen from 3d or 5d groups. The Pd(3)X cores enhance the stability of the surface Pt atoms both in vacuum and under adsorbed oxygen; however the high oxygen philicity of some of the X elements induces their surface segregation that may cause surface poisoning with oxygenated species and their dissolution in acid medium.

Multicenter randomized comparison of direct vs. conventional stenting: the DIRECTO trial.

With conventional stenting, predilatation frequently induces dissections that require deploying stents longer than originally planned. To assess whether direct stenting is safe and may prevent dissections and reduce the length of stents implanted, we conducted a randomized study comparing direct (n = 73) and conventional (n = 78) stenting. Direct stenting was successful in 89% of cases, 11% crossed over to predilation without complications. Dissections occurred more frequently in conventional stenting group (10.3% vs. 1.4%; P = 0.034), but did not translate to a significant stent length difference (16.31 +/- 7.6 vs. 15.31 +/- 5.5; P = NS). Periprocedure creatine kinase elevation and number of balloons utilized were lower with direct stenting.

Need for health promotion based on evidence in cross sectional school health data.

With the purpose of evaluating the health condition of children in public primary schools in the province of Cordoba in Argentina, cross sectional data were collected from the School Health Program of the Ministry of Health of Cordoba Province in 2001. To conduct an analysis, a total of 25,701 pupils of the first and the seventh grades from one hundred and fifty primary schools were studied. The data consisted of variables in three groups: i.e., nutrition, vaccination and disease groups. Descriptive statistics revealed a higher prevalence in scoliosis, lower weight, no scar from BCG vaccination and skin transmission diseases in urban and rural areas than in interurban areas, while male genital diseases showed a high prevalence in the three areas. Dental caries had a high prevalence in rural areas. Factor analysis was carried out and six factors were extracted out of 27 variables to cover 64 % of total variance. Regression analyses revealed that nutritional variables such as lower weight and the absence of BCG vaccination were significantly related to scoliosis, and that lower weight significantly affected skin transmission diseases. We considered the necessity of modifying conduct in the school health program from the viewpoints of health promotion and community participation.

Cáncer de colon y recto: tratamiento quirúrgico. Morbilidad y mortalidad / Colon and rectal cancer: surgical treatment. Morbidity and mortality

Antecedentes: El cáncer colorrectal es el tumor maligno más frecuente del aparato digestivo y su tratamiento es esencialmente quirúrgico, lográndose resultados dispares conforme la premura de la intervención. Material y métodos: En el período 1991-2000, 96 pacientes fueron intervenidos por cáncer colorrectal y seleccionados para un estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo, cuyo objetivo fue determinar la proporción de pacientes con enfermedad complicada, evaluar los resultados del tratamiento quirúrgico y determinar en ellos la influencia de la premura de la intervención en las cifras de morbimortalidad. Resultados: La serie comprende 50 mujeres y 46 hombres portadores de adenocarcinomas - 52 colónicos y 44 rectales - con edad media de 67 años. Sesenta pacientes fueron intervenidos de manera electiva y 36 de urgencia (26 por obstrucción, 9 por peritonitis y 1 por hemorragia). La resección con anastomosis primaria fue efectuada en 46 pacientes, la amputación de Miles en 18, la operación tipo Hartmann en 18 y derivación paliativa, interna o externa, en los 14 restantes. Las complicaciones postoperatorias fueron observadas en 36 pacientes, 24 de ellos intervenidos de urgencia (morbilidad 66 por ciento) y 12 de manera electiva (19 por ciento). La mortalidad de la serie fue 13 por ciento: 6,5 por ciento en las programadas y 25 por ciento en las urgentes. Conclusiones: Estos resultados revelan una elevada proporción de pacientes intervenidos de urgencia por complicaciones obstructivas, con cifras de morbi-mortalidad superiores a las encontradas en las intervenciones electivas.

Cáncer de colon y recto: tratamiento quirúrgico. Morbilidad y mortalidad / Colon and rectal cancer: surgical treatment. Morbidity and mortality

Antecedentes: El cáncer colorrectal es el tumor maligno más frecuente del aparato digestivo y su tratamiento es esencialmente quirúrgico, lográndose resultados dispares conforme la premura de la intervención. Material y métodos: En el período 1991-2000, 96 pacientes fueron intervenidos por cáncer colorrectal y seleccionados para un estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo, cuyo objetivo fue determinar la proporción de pacientes con enfermedad complicada, evaluar los resultados del tratamiento quirúrgico y determinar en ellos la influencia de la premura de la intervención en las cifras de morbimortalidad. Resultados: La serie comprende 50 mujeres y 46 hombres portadores de adenocarcinomas - 52 colónicos y 44 rectales - con edad media de 67 años. Sesenta pacientes fueron intervenidos de manera electiva y 36 de urgencia (26 por obstrucción, 9 por peritonitis y 1 por hemorragia). La resección con anastomosis primaria fue efectuada en 46 pacientes, la amputación de Miles en 18, la operación tipo Hartmann en 18 y derivación paliativa, interna o externa, en los 14 restantes. Las complicaciones postoperatorias fueron observadas en 36 pacientes, 24 de ellos intervenidos de urgencia (morbilidad 66 por ciento) y 12 de manera electiva (19 por ciento). La mortalidad de la serie fue 13 por ciento: 6,5 por ciento en las programadas y 25 por ciento en las urgentes. Conclusiones: Estos resultados revelan una elevada proporción de pacientes intervenidos de urgencia por complicaciones obstructivas, con cifras de morbi-mortalidad superiores a las encontradas en las intervenciones electivas. (AU)