Phosphatidylethanolamine Induces an Antifibrotic Phenotype in Normal Human Lung Fibroblasts and Ameliorates Bleomycin-Induced Lung Fibrosis in Mice.

Lung surfactant is a complex mixture of phospholipids and specific proteins but its role in the pathogenesis of interstitial lung diseases is not established. Herein, we analyzed the effects of three representative phospholipid components, that is, dipalmitoilphosphatidylcoline (DPPC), phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), on collagen expression, apoptosis and Ca2+ signaling in normal human lung fibroblasts (NHLF) and probed their effect in an experimental model of lung fibrosis. Collagen expression was measured with RT-PCR, apoptosis was measured by using either the APOPercentage assay kit (Biocolor Ltd., Northern Ireland, UK) or the Caspase-Glo 3/7 assay (Promega, Madison, WI, USA) and Ca2+ signaling by conventional epifluorescence imaging. The effect in vivo was tested in bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice. DPPC and PG did not affect collagen expression, which was downregulated by PE. Furthermore, PE promoted apoptosis and induced a dose-dependent Ca2+ signal. PE-induced Ca2+ signal and apoptosis were both blocked by phospholipase C, endoplasmic reticulum pump and store-operated Ca2+ entry inhibition. PE-induced decrease in collagen expression was attenuated by blocking phospholipase C. Finally, surfactant enriched with PE and PE itself attenuated bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis and decreased the soluble collagen concentration in mice lungs. This study demonstrates that PE strongly contributes to the surfactant-induced inhibition of collagen expression in NHLF through a Ca2+ signal and that early administration of Beractant enriched with PE diminishes lung fibrosis in vivo.

An update on peripheral ossifying fibroma: case report and literature review.

The purpose of the present article was to present a clinical case of an 11-year-old girl with peripheral ossifying fibroma (POF). Additionally, after performing a literature review, we identified clinical information that occurs more frequently in association with POF, such evidence would help professionals in yielding a specific diagnosis and tailor a more specific therapeutic approach with the objective to decrease morbidities' associated with POF. This lesion represents the third most common lesion of all localized reactive hyperplastic lesions. Clinical aspects related to this pathology include the fact that it occurs most frequently in women between the first and second decades of life. It affects anterior maxillary region and interferes with normal functioning of this anatomical structure. After conducting the literature search, we found that it can also be presented in a considerable number of males with pain and hyperemia being the most common clinical manifestations. We found that often clinical cases are presented with incomplete information. It is important that in order to get to a consensus with respect to updates about information related to this lesion, new case series that include complete clinical information, radiographic analysis, and histopathology tests could be presented.

Absence of human papillomavirus sequences in epithelial breast cancer in a Mexican female population.

The role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in breast cancer is controversial. We evaluated 118 breast carcinomas and two paraffin-embedded tissues of lesions of the nipple of Mexican patients for HPV sequences. No carcinoma sample exhibited koilocytosis, in contrast to lesions of the nipple. We subjected purified DNAs to PCR employing two HPV16/E6 or GP5/6 primer set oligonucleotides. Results showed that HPV DNA sequences were absent in the breast tissues. Absence of HPV in breast carcinoma failed to support an association between HPV infection and this carcinoma.

Sarna costrosa (Noruega): presentación de un caso clínico / Crusted scabies (Norwegian scabies): a case report

Diferentes tipos de sarna han sido descritos con base en sus características clínicas, entre ellos la sarna costrosa (Noruega). Es una manifestación rara y extrema de la escabiosis que se produce principalmente en pacientes inmunosuprimidos. Se presenta el caso de un hombre de 42 años, homosexual, a quien se diagnosticó VIH y que presenta lesiones dérmicas pruriginosas de 4 meses de evolución en tronco y extremidades, constituidas por xerosis, pápulas decapitadas, placas eritematosas, manchas hipercrómicas residuales y múltiples excoriaciones e hiperpigmentación ungueal en ambos pies. Se trató inicialmente como dermatitis psorasiforme que no cedió al tratamiento con esteroides y antipruritico. Se realizó diagnóstico por biopsia que confirmó la sospecha clínica de sarna noruega. Se aplicó un tratamiento con una dosis de ivermectina oral y benzoato de bencilo tópico con remisión en dos días.

Different types of scabies have been described based on their clinical outcome, one of which is the Crusted (Norwegian) type. This is an extreme manifestation of scabies that can be observed mainly among immunosupressed patients. A case ofa 42 year-old homosexual man is described. The patient was diagnosed with HIV, presenting pruritic lesions with a 4 month evolution in trunk and extremities. Lesions included xerosis, decapitated papules, badges with erythema, residual hyperchromic stains, multiple abrasions and ungueal pigmentation in both feet. At the beginning it was treated as apsorasiform dermatitis with steroids and antipruritics without success. Through a biopsy the suspected diagnosis of Crusted (Norwegian) scabies was confirmed. The patient was treated with a dose of oral ivermectin and topical benzyl benzoate and showed remission after two days.

[Crusted scabies (Norwegian scabies) a case report]. / Sarna costrosa (Noruega). Presentación de un caso clínico.

Different types of scabies have been described based on their clinical outcome, one of which is the Crusted (Norwegian) type. This is an extreme manifestation of scabies that can be observed mainly among immunosupressed patients. A case ofa 42 year-old homosexual man is described. The patient was diagnosed with HIV, presenting pruritic lesions with a 4 month evolution in trunk and extremities. Lesions included xerosis, decapitated papules, badges with erythema, residual hyperchromic stains, multiple abrasions and ungueal pigmentation in both feet. At the beginning it was treated as apsorasiform dermatitis with steroids and antipruritics without success. Through a biopsy the suspected diagnosis of Crusted (Norwegian) scabies was confirmed. The patient was treated with a dose of oral ivermectin and topical benzyl benzoate and showed remission after two days.