Restoration of natural thermal sensation in upper-limb amputees.

The use of hands for gathering rich sensory information is essential for proper interaction with the environment; therefore, the restoration of sensation is critical for reestablishing the sense of embodiment in hand amputees. Here, we show that a noninvasive wearable device can be used to provide thermal sensations on amputees' phantom hands. The device delivers thermal stimuli to specific regions of skin on their residual limb. These sensations were phenomenologically similar to those on the intact limbs and were stable over time. Using the device, the subjects could successfully exploit the thermal phantom hand maps to detect and discriminate different thermal stimuli. The use of a wearable device that provides thermal sensation can increase the sense of embodiment and improve life quality in hand amputees.

First three cases of cat-associated zoonotic cutaneous sporotrichosis in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis caused by dimorphic fungi of the genus Sporothrix. The route of entry of the causative agent is direct inoculation by skin trauma, generally with decaying wood and other vegetation. However, cat-transmitted sporotrichosis has become more relevant in recent decades especially in South America. Until now, there are no case reports of cat-transmitted sporotrichosis in Colombia. CASE REPORT: We present three cases of cutaneous sporotrichosis after the scratches of an ill cat, in the feline's owners and its veterinarian, confirmed by culture and PCR, where S. schenckii sensu stricto was isolated and typified. CONCLUSIONS: Cat-transmitted sporotrichosis is becoming more relevant in recent decades due to its potential to generate epidemics and become a public health problem. In addition, since the associated species are more virulent, the disease has more aggressive behavior. In Colombia, this is the first case series of cat-transmitted cutaneous sporotrichosis.

Immune-Mediated Cutaneous Paraneoplastic Syndromes Associated With Hematologic Malignancies: Skin as a Mirror of Hematologic Neoplasms.

Malignant neoplasms may present as paraneoplastic syndromes with mucocutaneous manifestations, which may or may not be chronologically associated. The pathophysiological mechanism is complex and not completely understood; therefore, definitive diagnosis may be achieved with a precise differential diagnosis based on the morphology of skin lesions, clinical picture, and histological pattern. The complexities, and low frequency, make the therapeutic approach quite challenging; consequently, the cornerstone of therapy is the eradication of the underlying neoplasms. Corticosteroids are the therapy of choice for most of these immune-mediated manifestations, but for the most part, the successful resolution requires the eradication of the underlying malignancy.