Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms role in COVID-19 severity: Results of a Mexican patients' cohort.

Vitamin D status has been involved with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) severity. This may be mediated by vitamin D metabolism regulatory genes. Of interest is the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene, which has been previously associated with other inflammatory and respiratory diseases. In order to investigate the role of VDR gene polymorphisms in COVID-19 severity and outcome, a total of 292 COVID-19 patients were classified according to severity in moderate (n = 56), severe (n = 89) and critical (n = 147) and, according to outcome in survivor (n = 163) and deceased (n = 129), and analysed for FokI and TaqI VDR gene polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction-based restriction enzyme digestion. The FokI and TaqI single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were not associated with COVID-19 severity or mortality individually but when analysed by haplotype, TC was associated with an increased risk of presenting critical COVID-19. Additionally, FokI CT genotype was more frequent in COVID-19 patients with hypertension, and T allele carriers presented higher aspartate aminotransferase levels. Our results suggest a relationship between VDR FokI and TaqI SNPs and COVID-19 severity in Mexican population. Although there are some previous reports of VDR polymorphisms in COVID-19, this represents the first report in Latin American population. Further studies on other populations are encouraged.

Fibroma osificante periférico del recién nacido: Una potencial complicación posterior a la extracción de dientes natales

Las lesiones orales de tejido blando son infrecuentes en los recién nacidos, pueden conducir a una alimentación, crecimiento, y desarrollo cognitivo inapropiados. El fibroma osificante periférico es una lesión reactiva de la encía, con solo cinco casos reportados en recién nacidos. Objetivo: Reportar un caso de fibroma osificante periférico en un recién nacido, y discutir las complicaciones asociadas a dientes natales/neonatales. Caso clínico: Masculino de 4 meses de edad, mexicano, presentó dos dientes natales que fueron extraídos a los quince días de nacimiento. Posteriormente, se observó un crecimiento de tejido blando en esta área, con dos zonas radiopacas identificadas radiográficamente. Con el diagnóstico presuntivo de lesión reactiva, se procedió a la biopsia excisional, con evolución satisfactoria durante el seguimiento. Conclusiones: El fibroma osificante periférico debe considerarse como una potencial complicación por la presencia o extracción de dientes natales/neonatales, y debe tratarse oportunamente debido a sus repercusiones clínicas.

Lesões de tecidos moles orais são raras em recém-nascidos e podem levar a alimentação inadequada, crescimento e desenvolvimento cognitivo. O fibroma ossificante periférico é uma lesão reativa da gengiva, com apenas cinco casos relatados em recém-nascidos. Objetivo: Relatar um caso de fibroma ossificante periférico em recém-nascido e discutir as complicações associadas aos dentes natais/neonatais. Caso clínico: Um menino mexicano de 4 meses de idade apresentou dois dentes natais que foram extraídos quinze dias após o nascimento. Posteriormente, observou-se crescimento de tecidos moles nesta área, com duas zonas radiopacas identificadas radiograficamente. Com o diagnóstico presuntivo de lesão reativa, foi realizada biópsia excisional, com evolução satisfatória durante o seguimento. Conclusões: O fibroma ossificante periférico deve ser considerado como uma complicação potencial devido à presença ou extração de dentes natais/neonatais, devendo ser tratado prontamente devido às suas repercussões clínicas.

Oral soft tissue injuries are rare in newborns and can lead to inappropriate feeding, growth, and cognitive development. Peripheral ossifying fibroma is a reactive lesion of the gingiva, with only five cases reported in newborns. Objective: To report a case of peripheral ossifying fibroma in a newborn, and to discuss the complications associated with natal/neonatal teeth. Clinical case: A 4-month-old Mexican male presented two natal teeth that were extracted fifteen days after birth. Subsequently, soft tissue growth was observed in this area, with two radiopaque zones radiographically identified. With the presumptive diagnosis of reactive lesion, an excisional biopsy was performed, with satisfactory evolution during follow-up. Conclusions: Peripheral ossifying fibroma should be considered as a potential complication due to the presence or extraction of natal/neonatal teeth, and should be treated promptly due to its clinical repercussions.

The Usefulness of Peripheral Blood Cell Counts to Distinguish COVID-19 from Dengue during Acute Infection.

COVID-19 and dengue disease are challenging to tell apart because they have similarities in clinical and laboratory features during the acute phase of infection, leading to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. The present study evaluated peripheral blood cell count accuracy to distinguish COVID-19 non-critical patients from non-severe dengue cases between the second and eleventh day after symptom onset. A total of 288 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 (n = 105) or dengue virus (n = 183) were included in this study. Neutrophil, platelet, and lymphocyte counts were used to calculate the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and the neutrophil-lymphocyte*platelet ratio (NLPR). The logistic regression and ROC curves analysis revealed that neutrophil and platelet counts, NLR, LPR, and NLPR were higher in COVID-19 than dengue. The multivariate predictive model showed that the neutrophils, platelets, and NLPR were independently associated with COVID-19 with a good fit predictive value (p = 0.1041). The neutrophil (AUC = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.84-0.91), platelet (AUC = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.85-0.93) counts, and NLR (AUC = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.84-0.91) were able to discriminate COVID-19 from dengue with high sensitivity and specificity values (above 80%). Finally, based on predicted probabilities on combining neutrophils and platelets with NLR or NLPR, the adjusted AUC was 0.97 (95% CI = 0.94-0.98) to differentiate COVID-19 from dengue during the acute phase of infection with outstanding accuracy. These findings might suggest that the neutrophil, platelet counts, and NLR or NLPR provide a quick and cost-effective way to distinguish between dengue and COVID-19 in the context of co-epidemics in low-income tropical regions.

Case Report: Severe Craniofacial Coccidioidomycosis in a Pregnant Woman.

Coccidioidomycosis is a systemic fungal disease caused by Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii. The lungs are the most common and often the initial site of involvement, and the non-pulmonary presentation is infrequent. We describe an unusual case of primary craniocutaneous coccidioidomycosis in a pregnant woman with infected bilateral periorbital nodules, intense pain at paranasal sinuses, and several osteolytic skull lesions. The analysis of 54 cases available in the literature makes us suggest that the area between the United States and Mexico is a risk zone for primary cutaneous coccidioidomycosis.

Evaluation of sucrose-enriched diet consumption in the development of risk factors associated to type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in a murine model.

Overconsumption of sucrose, the main contributor of the total added sugar intake in the world, has been associated with negative metabolic effects related to non-communicable diseases. However, this relationship continues to be a controversial topic and further studies are needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sucrose-enriched diet consumption in the development of risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in a murine model. Sucrose-enriched diet-fed rats showed a decrease in food, lipids and protein intake as well as in serum total cholesterol levels, an increase in carbohydrates intake, glucose, insulin, triglycerides, VLDL-c and HDL-c levels and a greater degree of insulin resistance, steatosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Our results show that sucrose-enriched diet consumption during 25 weeks contribute to the development of risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in male Wistar rats.

[Coexistence of acute appendicitis and dengue fever: A case report]. / Coexistencia de apendicitis aguda y fiebre por dengue: informe de un caso.

BACKGROUND: Dengue is the most important human viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes. It can be asymptomatic or it can present in any of its 3clinical forms: Dengue fever, dengue haemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. However, some atypical manifestations have been reported in surgical emergencies caused by acute appendicitis in patients with dengue fever. CLINICAL CASE: We report the case of an 18-year-old Mexican male who presented to the emergency department of the General Hospital of Culiacan, Sinaloa, with symptoms of dengue fever, accompanied by crampy abdominal pain with positive Rovsing and Dunphy signs. Dengue infection was confirmed by a positive NS1 antigen test performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. An abdominal ultrasound revealed an appendicular process; as the abdominal pain in the right side kept increasing, an open appendectomy was performed. Abundant inflammatory liquid was observed during the surgery, and the pathology laboratory reported an oedematous appendix with fibrinopurulent plaques, which agreed with acute ulcerative appendicitis. The patient was discharged fully recovered without complications during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Acute abdominal pain can be caused in some cases by dengue infection. This can be confusing, which can lead to unnecessary surgical interventions, creating additional morbidities and costs for the patient. This unusual and coincident acute appendicitis with dengue highlights the importance of performing careful clinical studies for appropriate decision making, especially in dengue endemic regions during an outbreak of this disease.